Page 154 of Kai
The sense of Zen that had been failing me lately returned to fill me up. It now resided in the pale hues of Cece’s eyes. The private smile she aimed at me pierced through me and brought the light of the moon pouring back into my soul.
“Everyone out,” Dagger ordered, and the others hustled out of the room. My boss hesitated at the door. “We will speak about your obligations to Cece and the family at a more suitable time.”
“Oh, please.” Cece rolled her eyes at Dagger. “Kai has no obligation to the family. He’smychoice, and the two of us will handle ourselves as we see fit.”
“Of course,” Dagger said, but his eyes broadcasted a different message to me—we will talk, do not hurt her,andyou will suffer my rage if you don’t treat her right.
“We’ll talk,” I assured my boss, appeasing the warning in his stare.
Cece was right. Our relationship was nobody else’s business. But Dagger was also right to demand my honorable behavior toward Cece. What he didn’t understand was that his warning wasn’t necessary. Cece was the woman I was gonnahonor for the rest of my life. End of story.
“He’s fastidious about being—well—fastidious,” she muttered, closing the door behind him.
“I like him anyway.” I waved. “Come here.” I took her hand and pulled her down onto the cot. “You must be exhausted.”
“I’m so tired my tired is tired.” She eased down next to me. “It seems exhaustion has also severely limited my vocabulary.”
I laughed and gathered her to my side. “How about we take a nap together while the bubbleheads drive us land-ho?”
“A nap with you sounds great.”
We snuggled on the narrow cot. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?”
“We’re both alive,” she said. “That’s enough for me, but I feel bad for you.”
I cocked my head and met her gaze. “Why?”
“Because I’m in love with you.” She settled a hand on my chest. “Me. In love. If that’s not trouble, I don’t know what is.”
I shook my head, marveling at my good fortune. “No matter how many times you say it, my heart still flutters.”
“That’s because you’re a masochist.”
“Or a wise man who adores you.” I entwined my fingers with hers and gave them a little squeeze. “You can try all you want, Cece, but you won’t scare me away.”
“Huh.” The little vertical lines popped between her eyebrows. “Is that what I’m doing?”
“I won’t let it happen,” I said. “I know what I want.”
“Such wisdom, Obi-Kai Kenobi.” She teased me with a look. “Do tell.”
“I want a life with you.” I brushed my lips over hers.
“I want a life with you, too.” She smiled. “What does that look like to you?”
“It means you and me together, no matter what.”
“I still have a lot of work to do,” she cautioned. “Long hours. Lots of research. A goal.”
“I’m cool with that,” I said. “Are you cool with me and my job?”
“You love it, and you’re the best at it, so of course I’m cool with your job.” Her throat rippled. “What about the rest?”
“Whatever you want, I’m game.” I planted a kiss on the top of her head. “All I need is to be with you. For good. Forever.”
Her eyes went wide. “Are you asking me to marry you?”
“I’m telling you that if you ever want my promises formalized on a piece of paper, you will have them,” I said. “No pressure. We can make other decisions on the go. From now on, we live in the present and enjoy each other.”
