I lifted my hand and gave a thumbs-up. My nerves still rattled at how close he had come to catching us. “They’re going good!”
“Chloe informed us last night that she wanted to be a teacher, like you.”
I grinned like a silly fool. “She tells me that all the time. I adore her.”
John gave me a loving smile. “She adores you, just like the rest of us.” He glanced to Steed and winked. “All right, we were just coming over to tell Steed about the plane and that I need those numbers from last quarter when you get a chance. Y’all have a good day.”
He leaned in and gave me a quick hug and kiss on the cheek. When he stepped back, he looked between us. “Behave now, you hear?”
My face heated. Tripp shook Steed’s hand while laughing. “Yeah, y’all behave.” He leaned in closer so John couldn’t hear, even though he had already started back for the truck and probably wouldn’t be able to anyway. “And you both have that ‘just fucked’ look on your faces. I’m guessing we nearly drove up on party time.”
“Fuck you, Tripp,” Steed quipped while giving him a playful push on his chest.
Walking backwards, Tripp threw up his hands in a defensive way. “Hey, I’m all for living in the moment!” He laughed hard and loud before slipping back into the truck.
When they turned around and headed back, I dropped my hands to my knees and dragged in a deep breath.
“That was close. Too close. Thank goodness your dad didn’t drive up sooner.”
Steed chuckled as he tugged me toward the passenger side of the truck. I opened the door and jumped in.
“He totally knew what we were doing.”
My heart dropped, and my stomach twisted. “You think?”
“Hell yes. He isn’t stupid. Besides, Tripp was right. You do have that ‘just fucked’ look on your face.”
I buried my face in my hands and groaned. “Great. Just great. I’m never going to be able to look him in the face again!”
Paxton stared out the window as I headed to my place. Every now and then she let out a sigh.
“Pax, stop worrying. I’m sure my parents know we’re sleeping together. And the last time I checked, we were both twenty-eight years old.”
Her head dropped back against the seat. “Ugh. I know, I know. I don’t want your parents to think I’m a whore.”
I parked, then turned off the truck and faced her. “Why in fuck’s sake would they think that?”
She gave me a look that said I should know the answer to that question. “Steed, we had sex out in the open. For the whole world to see.”
With a quick wink, I replied, “And it was hot as hell, admit it.”
Her lower lip pulled in between her teeth. “I will admit it was hot. Very hot.”
I flashed her a dimpled smile, and she practically melted in the seat. Damn, I loved this woman. “Come on, we’re running behind schedule.”
Paxton chuckled. “I didn’t realize we were on a schedule. Was our little stop back there part of today’s plan?”
“No. Our little love fest put us a bit behind, but I think we can make up the time.”
She grinned and hopped out of the truck, not waiting for me to come around and get her door. We met in front of the truck, and I reached for her hand, guiding her into the house.
“So, you’re a pilot?” she asked after we stepped through the front door.
“Yeah. I thought I told you. I took lessons in Oregon. Started out as a way to get my mind off…” My voice trailed off, and I stopped walking.
“Me?” she asked with sadness laced in her voice.
My heart wrenched, and I pulled her to me. “Yes, if I’m being honest. I’m sorry I was gone for so long.”
A weak smile moved across her face. “I think we have established that. It’s just that I hate…”
Lifting my hand, I brushed her hair back. “You hate what?”
Her eyes drifted down. I placed my finger on her chin and lifted them back to mine. “Pax, please tell me.”
“I hate that we missed so much time together. That so many years were filled with sadness and anger.” She shrugged. “The last few months have been so blissfully happy for me, I can’t help but wonder what life would have been like had I not gotten—”
My finger moved to her lips. “Don’t say that. This moment, right now with you, it’s because of what happened ten years ago. We might have taken the long way, but we made it. We’re together and nothing or no one will ever change that.”
Her arms wrapped around my neck. “You’re right!”
The love I felt for Paxton consumed my heart and soul, yet I fell in love with her a little more each day.