Page 78 of Risk
Her laughter fills the cabin. “Come on.” She slaps my ass. “Get me off this flying metal death trap.”
We head out of the airport in this suspended state of brittle bliss. Like we’re both trying to hold on to the last remnants of the past couple of days when we both know some things are going to change any minute.
Lacing my fingers with hers, we walk out of the airport together. I don’t want to let her go. Not even to get in my car.
“So, when do you head back to your home-home?” Leah’s hair curtains her face, falling over her shoulders in dark blonde waves.
I need to touch her again. It’s not sexual, it’s comforting. “I’ll drive home tonight.”
“Drive?”
“Yeah, it’s a bit of a haul, but I need time to think.”
She shifts away from me a little. “Well, I hope you get home safe.”
“I’ll call you when I arrive. If you’d like.”
That little extra crinkle between her eyes fades a bit. “Yeah. That would be nice.”
“I’m not sure when I’m going to be back in town, but…” I pull out my key. “Take this. Enjoy the bathtub at my condo.”
She stares at the key like it’s going to bite her. “Ummm.”
“Take it.” Kissing her forehead, I add, “It’s just temporary.”
I’ve been planning to buy something bigger in the area because this is where I want to make roots and start a new company, but Leah’s welcome to use my space for however long I have it. Except she pulls away from me and crosses her arms. I have no clue what her problem is. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No, Mason.”
“Princess.” I try to put my hand on her thigh, but she tilts out of my reach. My chest tightens. “Leah.”
“It’s just temporary. I know.” Her voice shakes. “It’s fine.”
My mind’s too exhausted to catch up with her words fast enough, but by the time we pull into a neighborhood of single houses, I think I get where the miscommunication is. “I meant my condo is temporary. Not us.”
She keeps staring out the window instead of at me.
“Leah, look at me.” My jaw clenches as I juggle driving, following the GPS, and giving my girl attention at the same time. “I’m keeping you.”
She doesn’t say a fucking word.
“Look at me, Princess.”
She finally turns towards me and there are flecks of gold shining in her brown eyes from the sunset glowing through the windows. “How’s this going to work, Mase?”
“I have no idea, but it will. I’ll be traveling back and forth for a bit, but I plan to settle down here.”
“Here?” She repeats that word like I’m stupid to do so.
“This city is starting to boom. There’s a lot of potential and opportunities. Besides…” I lock my gaze with hers. “I love it here.”
Holding out my key again, relief floods my system when she takes it this time.
“You have reached your destination.” Tapping End Route on Leah’s phone, I park in front of a red brick rancher.
With her hand on the door handle, she looks back. “Do you have time to come in?”
I’ll always have time for her. “Absolutely.”