Page 75 of Critical Strike
She took another deep breath and reminded herself it was safe to be happy. Safe to feel secure. Safe to feel loved.
The early-morning sun framed Luke’s profile. He took her breath away, even after weeks of seeing him constantly. Would it always be like that?
“What are you thinking about?” He glanced her way with another little smile before reeling his line in just a bit to attract attention.
“Hmm? How did you know I was thinking about anything?”
“I know you, Kitten. That mind of yours never stops working.” He smiled wider. “And I could feel you staring at me.”
“Was I staring?”
“It sure felt that way.”
She laughed at herself. “I guess you’re nice to stare at.”
“Thank you. You’re not so bad yourself.”
“Anyway,” she continued, turning back to the water, “I was thinking about how grateful I am to have the cabin to ourselves for a little while. I know I’ve said it before, but your parents are the best.”
“They know quality when they see it.” He winked.
“Obviously, since they took to you the way they did.”
“You’re in a sweet-talking mood today. Not that I mind, of course.”
“I guess I’m feeling generous since I’ve already caught three fish, and you’ve caught... How many again?”
“Shush, woman. I should’ve known you would lord it over me.”
She eventually stopped giggling. “Really. I meant what I said. You, your brothers... You’re a special group. I never could’ve imagined them welcoming me the way they have.” She didn’t bother saying anything about what they’d done to ensure her safety. By then, they’d rehashed the details of that day at the Passage Digital office and the days leading up to it more than enough.
“They know quality when they see it, too.”
“It’s easy for you to brush it off—not that you’re not taking me seriously or anything. I know you are. But you’ve known what it means to be part of a family a lot longer than I have. It’s still new to me.”
He kept his gaze trained on the water, speaking slowly. “You have all the time in the world to get used to it...if that’s what you want.”
If that was what she wanted? She wanted nothing more in the entire world than to be with Luke for the rest of her life. Longer than that, if possible. Forever.
But she wouldn’t push for anything more than this. For now, this heavenly trip was more than enough. Focusing on just the two of them and being happy.
This time, she felt Luke’s gaze on her instead of the other way around. “Where did you go?”
“You mean, other than right here? On the lake with you?”
He wasn’t buying it. “Yes. Other than right here. You went someplace else.”
Darn him for being so observant. “It’ll take me some time to get used to living like a regular person, I think. I’ve spent so much of my life closed off from others. I didn’t want to trust. I didn’t want to run the risk of getting hurt. I figured it was easier on my own.” She shrugged. “You know all this.”
“I do. And I understand. It’s not like I adjusted right away to knowing I had a family around me, either. It took time to get used to that new mindset.” He offered a soft chuckle. “More than six weeks. In case you happen to find that relevant.”
“Gee. Why would that matter?” They laughed together as softly as they could for the sake of the fish.
“So long as you’re happy, Kitten. That’s all I want.”
And she knew it, and she loved him more than ever for it. Somebody in the world wanted her happiness above all else—her safety and well-being, her fulfillment.
The fact that this person happened to be Luke was the icing on the cake.