~*~
“What are you doing, Kane?” I ask him as he stands up from his seat.
“Leaving?” He looks at me confused. He’s not leaving without paying the check, is he?
“You didn’t pay the check!” I hiss at him shocked.
“Baby, I own this restaurant,” he says with a chuckle.
What? My mouth opens and closes like a fish out of water. Why didn’t I know this? “Why didn’t you tell me?” I finally get out.
“I didn’t think it was necessary.” He shrugs his shoulders.
“How many do you own?” I still can’t wrap my head around this.
“A couple. I also own a few other places here and there. Isaac and I own a construction business. Chase and I own a place for kids to get away, learn self-defense, get a hot meal.”
“Wow,” I drag out. Sliding out of my seat, I walk over to Kane who immediately intertwines our fingers.
Kane opens the door and I walk out ahead of him. My eyes go to the man standing next to the street light. He’s staring at us. Stiffening, I wait for the man’s next move.
“What's the matter?” Kane asks when he notices my expression.
“Do you know that man?” I point in his direction.
“No, I don’t,” Kane says darkly and starts walking toward the man. The man notices and backs up before climbing into a truck a few feet away. Kane stops walking but stares down the man. Kane is the sweetest guy, but as soon as I’m in any sort of danger, he does a one-eighty ready to do anything to keep me safe.
The man starts his truck and rolls down the passenger side window. You can see only his hand and he acts like he’s shooting me—just like my father. Gasping, I move farther away from the truck.
“Sweetheart, let’s go.” Kane turns around and has his arm around me. He keeps me walking slightly in front of him. The beeper for the truck goes off and he lifts me inside the truck. He opens the driver's side and steps in.
Once Kane buckles me in I lay my head against the window. Why does this keep happening to me? What did I do to deserve this? Being in danger and having to look around every corner for something to attack me is exhausting.
I am so lost in my thoughts I don’t remember the ride home. Opening my door when we get to the house, I let Kane help me down. He doesn’t let me go and my legs go around his waist, his hand flexing on my ass. Tonight I’m ready and I’m tired of waiting. I love Kane, and now is the time to tell him. I have no doubts, and I have no doubts about him loving me. You don’t always need the words—just looking into someone’s eye gives you all the reassurance you need.
Grabbing Kane’s head between my two hands so he is looking at me, I say, “Kane, please, I’m ready. It doesn’t matter the time or how. It’s going to be perfect no matter what. As long as I’m with you. Because I love you, Kane, so much. I love you more each and every day.”
His eyes search my face and then he kisses me softly, lovingly. Letting me know everything I need to know. Butterflies swarm my belly as he walks upstairs with me in his arms.
When he enters his bedroom, I notice the golden glow surrounding the room. Turning around, my mouth falls open on what’s before me. Rose petals are on the floor and covering the white comforter. Candles surround the bed.
Turning to Kane with tears in my eyes, I manage to say, “I can’t believe you did all this.”
“You deserve it and more. I had a little help from Braelyn.” He wipes the tears away.
Rubbing my thumb over his cheekbone, I seal my mouth to his. This kiss is something that can’t be described. It’s passionate, and I can feel love coming off Kane.
Lost in the kiss, I don’t feel him moving until my back hits the soft bed. His lips make love to mine as his hands move over my body. He tugs at the bottom of my dress, and I lift my arms above my head so he can take it off.
He gently pushes me back onto the bed so he is hovering over me on his elbows. “You’re beautiful, Sydney, on the inside and out. I can’t believe that you’re mine. I don’t deserve you, but damn I’m selfish. You giving me this…” He trails off and I see tears mist in his eyes, but he blinks them away. Clearing his throat, he continues, “You giving me this. I don’t have the words to describe how I feel. Just know this, Sydney, I love you so fucking much. You consume my heart and soul. I never thought I would fall in love. With my shitty past I don’t deserve you. But you accept me, and I will do whatever it takes to love, protect, and cherish you for as long as you let me. You, Sydney, are everything to me, no doubt about that. What I feel for you is unwavering.”