Page 106 of Damien
Reaching for my hip, he guides me to straddle his lap. “If you keep looking at me like that, I might just have to show you how much I love you right now.”
This sexy man. I swear all he has to do is smile as he runs his hands along my spine, and my panties melt off. When he pulls me in for a searing kiss, all my worries disappear. I love this man more than I could ever imagine.
Once he’s kissed me senseless, I pull back and smile. “I guess life is like that old Garth Brooks’ song. Thank God for unanswered prayers.”
“I’m sorry you were hurt, don’t get me wrong,” I quickly spit out. “But maybe we were both meant to go through everything because it wasn’t our time yet. We needed to meet now. When we were ready.”
Damien doesn’t have to say anything; his expression says it all. This man loves me so much. Leaning in, I kiss him once more.
When our kiss breaks all too soon, his brows pull together. “Wait… you’re a country fan?”
What. The. Hell.
“After all I said,thatis what you took from it?” I push against his chest to pull away, but he won’t have it.
“Just where do you think you’re going?”
“To sleep because Iobviouslywas mistaken—you’renotthe one for me.”
Pulling me in for a bear hug, he laughs. “Uh, country fan born and raised—I’m just shocked you are, too. That’s all.”
“My mom loved Garth. I swear I could sing every album by the time I was three. He and George Strait were her favorites. Why else do you think I call Jules Love Bug?”
Damien’s deep laugh is felt before the sound erupts from his chest. “Vanessa—make me a deal. Let’s never stop learning about each other.”
“I think I can live with that.” I grin then add cheekily, “Her favorite movie wasTop Gun.Take me to bed or lose me forever.”I mimic.
Damien doesn’t miss a beat. “Show me the way home,” as his lips land on mine.
36
Damien
The restof the week with Jules and Vanessa flies by. We watch fireworks from the Seattle Center. We make it to the Space Needle, and we even manage to tour the Museum of Pop Culture. Julia loves the music exhibits and being able to play all the different instruments. Personally, I enjoy Paul Allen’s sci-fi collection, too. By the time we get home, we aren’t quite ready for our adventures to end, so we make a trip into Portland before picking Vince and Sydney up from the airport.
When I pull up to the curb at the airport, Vanessa doesn’t wait for me to come to a complete stop before she’s hopping out to hug her brother and Sydney.
When she pulls back from Sydney, she screams. “Ohmigod!” then she turns to her brother and squeezes the living hell out of him. He may be nearly a foot taller, but in this moment, I doubt he can breathe.
“What, Momma?” Jules hollers when she can’t take not knowing anymore.
Sydney beats Vanessa when she shouts loud enough for the entire airport to hear, “Vince proposed!”
“Really, Unks?” Julia beams.
“I sure did, Squirt. Sydney and I are getting married!”
Immediately, Julia’s eyes go to me, and her mouth snaps shut, sending me a clear message to get the ball rolling already.
“Congratulations!” I holler through the open door, and Julia repeats the sentiment adorably.
Vanessa offers Vince the front seat of my truck while she and Sydney hop in the crew cab, next to Julia. Vince quickly drops their luggage into the bed of the truck before joining us in the cab.
“We need to celebrate, and I need details,” Vanessa gushes.
I only catch half of what they say, as I focus my attention on the heavy airport traffic. I’m sure Van will fill me in later. Turning to Vince, I offer, “Wanna grab a drink later this week to celebrate?”
He’s quiet for a moment, likely listening to the girls in the back before he answers, “Yeah. Sure. Sounds good. I’m free tomorrow if you’re interested.”
