Page 77 of Love's Hot

“Don’t be sorry, it’s better than wanting to hit walls which is what I wanted to do every night they were out there. We all cope how we need to. I will be eternally grateful to you, Kane, for bringing Jessie out of that safe. I know we go to work every day and risk our lives but it’s good to know you have her back, and I mean really have her back.” Adam puts his hand across the table to shake Kane’s and this time it’s one of gratitude. I notice Jessie wiping tears from her eyes too.

“Okay, that’s enough of this. I’m done with worrying about it, how about you guys? Who needs a drink? Kane, let’s crack a bottle of champagne to celebrate new friends. What do you think?” The resounding yeses get the night started back on the right track. “Now, while you get the drinks, I’m going to fix my face because I’m guessing I would scare a small child at the moment. Jessie, do you want to come too?” I go to stand, Kane squeezing my hand.

“You are always beautiful to me.”

I kiss the top of his head and pick up my handbag.

“What is it with damn women and having to go the bathroom together?” Adam laughs as we both walk off together towards the restrooms.

Once we’re both at the mirror fixing our make-up and I feel more like I can face the rest of the night, I turn to Jessie.

“Thank you for being there for him when I couldn’t, and for sharing all that with me. I didn’t know how I needed to hear it to move on. You are one strong brave woman.” I take her in a hug to show her my appreciation.

“From what I’ve heard and seen, I think you’re a strong dynamite too. If I were you that night, I would have done exactly the same thing. I have a feeling we’re going to be great friends, Lilly. We both have super-protective pain-in-the-ass men. It’ll be great to have another friend who understands.” We both start laughing and head back to the table with those alpha men who look lost without us close by.

The rest of the night is so much fun. We eat, drink and laugh a lot. Afterwards we end up at a bar and dancing the night away. How different my life has become. Out partying in couples is so different to my girls’ nights out. I will still do that occasionally but I’m loving this new type of fun. Jessie and Adam love to dance as much as we do so I can see some fun nights in the future.

Saying goodbye, we make promises to make a date for the next dinner. Jessie and I have already programmed in each other’s phones and connected on all our social media. Luckily Kane had been the responsible one with the drinking because there is no way I could drive. Lying back in my seat as he drives us home in my happy alcohol-fueled mood, I start to giggle. Kane looks at me, smiling even though he has no idea what I’m laughing at.

“What’s so funny, Lil, care to share?” He keeps checking on me and then eyes back on the road.

“You knew Jessie would smooth it over for you, didn’t you? Girls are better at talking than boys. We talk a different language.” Again, my giggle kicks in. “Like Adam, he didn’t know how to talk about it, he just wanted to punch you. Now you’re besties. Men are so hopeless. Lucky you have us strong women to sort you out and take control.”

“Is that right? You think you’re in control now, do you little one?” Kane looks at me with intensity.

We pull into the garage of his building.

“Just saying it how it is. Of course us women are in control.” I give him the flirtiest smile I can, hoping I have him hook, line and sinker.

“Upstairs, Red. Time to bring rule number two into play. I’ll show you who’s in control.” He gets out of the car while I whisper to myself, “That’s what I’m counting on.”

Watching the doors to the elevator close, he leans down. “Lucky I kept those handcuffs you bought as a present for me. Might be time to revisit them.” That voice, how I love what it does to me.

“Take me to bed, Kane, I’m all yours.”

***

“The view from up here is amazing. So secluded, you wouldn’t even know it was here. I’ve driven past that little break in the trees with the little road and didn’t know what it was hiding.” Kane stands behind me leaning against his motorbike while I take in the beautiful mountains and valleys before me. The first time he got me on the bike I was so scared, but as soon as we rode down the road, I realized what an adrenaline rush it was to be behind Kane, hanging on tight while he sped along the roads. I understand why he loves his bike so much. You feel so free when you’re out on the winding roads of the mountain ranges in the fresh air. I place my life in his hands and trust him fully with it. It fuels his need to be in control and protect me, keeping me safe.

“The view of your ass in those tight jeans, boots and leather jacket is pretty damn fine too, baby,” he comments from behind me.

“You’re always checking out my ass, aren’t you.” I turn to see him with that cheeky smile and his aviator glasses on. “You don’t look too bad there yourself, sexy man.” Almost identical in outfits, the black is doing it for me too. As I stalk towards him, he takes off his glasses and holds his arms out for me to fall into. My favorite place to be. Standing and picking me up, I swing my legs around his waist. He takes a few steps and places me on the back of his bike. Stepping away, he goes to his jacket pocket and pulls out a small box.

The kind of box that sends any girl into hysteria and trying to hold it together.

Dropping to one knee, his beautiful fiery eyes look up at me.

“My Lilly, my Red, you are the woman who finally made me live my life without being scared of what tomorrow brings. You’ve taught me that we can get through anything if we do it together. You captured me that first night with your spirit and light. It burns so bright and keeps me on my toes. You give me your all and taught me how to give you mine. I love you more than I know how to handle in words. Marry me, baby, and be my light and protect me for the rest of our lives.”

I can’t sit any longer. Jumping from the bike, I lunge at him.

“Yes, a thousand times yes. I’ll be your Red if you promise to always be my Wolf. I love you, Kane, so much.” Tears are streaming down my face as he slips the red ruby surrounded by diamonds on to my finger. He kisses me and twirls me around in circles. When he stops, I’m not ready to be put down, so, wrapping my legs around his waist, I bury my head in his neck for a moment. Letting the moment sink in. I know exactly what we need to seal the deal.

“Kane, live your fantasy. Give us something to remember that every time our grandkids ask us about the day you asked me to marry you, we will look at each other and remember the part of the story that no one else will ever know.” My voice is quavering by the time I finish as he works out what I’m offering.

Placing me on the back of his bike and slowly laying me down, he smiles at me with tears in his eyes.

“I never deserved you, Lilly, yet here you are still giving yourself to me. I’m one lucky man.”

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