Page 230 of Story of My Life
“I’m putting up curtains. Everywhere,” I told her and lowered my head toward hers.
She opened her mouth, and I took the opportunity. The kiss was soft, laced with need. I cupped her face with both hands and kissed her thoroughly until neither one of us could catch our breath.
“Damn it! Why the hell did you have to go and do a thing like that?” Hazel demanded, breaking free. “You hurt me, Cam. A lot. I put myself out there. You have no idea how hard that was for me. And you crushed me.”
I stroked a hand over her hair. “I’m sorry,” I said quietly. “I want you to tell me what you want. I want to make sure you get it. Even if it’s something that scares me.”
“I don’t want the idea of being in a relationship to scare my dumb boyfriend!”
“Baby, I wasn’t afraid to be with you. I was afraid to lose you.”
“Which sounds like some really stupid self-fulfilling prophecy? How am I supposed to forget that? I don’t know if I want to forgive you!”
“Good. Don’t. I haven’t earned it yet. You deserve one of those heroic grand gestures. And me scaring the hell out of you and climbing through a window doesn’t qualify.”
She glanced over her shoulder. “I mean, I guess itwasa pretty high window, and you made it look pretty easy.”
“Not high enough, Trouble. You deserve more. I want a life with you. A home. A family.” Movement at the door caught my attention. “A significantly smaller indoor raccoon population.”
She squared her shoulders and stuck out her chin. “I do deserve more. So does Bertha. And just so you know, I’m way less forgiving than my heroines.”
I leaned in and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Just so you know, I will not be beaten by a raccoon. Also, I’m more tenacious than your heroes.”
“So, uh, what’s your grand gesture going to be? I could give you some pointers.”
I shook my head. “Uh-uh. I’ve done all the research I need to,” I said, hooking a thumb at her books on the shelf.
“Are you going to save my family’s Christmas tree farm and give me a herd of mini donkeys?”
“Get some sleep,” I advised. “Because when I grand gesture you, neither one of us will be sleeping for forty-eight hours.” I ran my finger around the waistband of her underwear.
She shivered.
“Still wanna punch me?” I asked.
“Yeah, but I have a feeling that will never go away.”
I grinned and kissed the tip of her nose. “I’ll see you around, Trouble.” I headed for the window, feeling for the first time in weeks like I had a purpose.
“So is there like a timeline I should be prepared for?” she called after me.
I gave her a lecherous look as I vaulted back out the window.
Me:Need your help.
Levi:You’re not getting out of the fine.
Larry:How did it go with Hazel?
Gage:She lock you in a closet with a raccoon?
Me:I’m winning her back.
Gage:You mean wearing her down?
Laura:What’s the difference?
Me:I need your help with the grand gesture.
