Page 178 of The Keeper

And I let it.

I surrendered to it every time. I surrendered to her every time.

I never wanted to stop surrendering to her.

Being with her in New York for the last six weeks has been glorious. Living with her, dating her, discovering her. I’d fallen in love after only knowing her for a few days. What I felt for her now was deeper than love. More profound. More consuming.

I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe and happy. Whatever it takes, for as long as it takes.

Electricity and awareness skittered over my skin the longer I held her stare. Her eyes moved first, pausing at my mouth before admiring my bare chest, my stomach, my not-so-hidden erection protected only by these swim trunks.

“I’m just trying to make burgers for fireworks or documents or some shit like that,” Cade grinned and went back to his grilling duties with Max hot on his heels.

Bennet relaxed into the chair and continued reading. I approached Victoria and reached for her hand.

“Walk with me?” I asked.

“Sure,” she smiled.

“Don’t get engaged or anything,” Killian teased and kissed his best friend on the cheek. “I mean, get engaged but please don’t have a wedding in this heat.”

“Oh my God, Killian,” she chuckled but looked slightly panicked.

I grinned, patting him on the back when he walked past me.

“Ready?” I squeezed her hand.

“Oookayyy,” she over-enunciated the word.

“Don’t look so worried. It’s just a walk.”

I led her down to the dock and stopped, pulling her in front of me so she can lean her back into my chest. But because it’s her and because I love it when she switches shit up on me, she turned to face me, hooking her arms around my waist.

“Enjoying your first visit to Lake George?”

“I am.”

“Getting into the whole Independence Day thing yet?”

I chuckled. “Maybe.”

She leaned close and kissed along my collarbone. “You’re hot.”

“You think so?”

“No. I mean yes, but you’re, like, literally hot.” She touched my chest. “Your skin. Do you need to get out of the sun for a while?”

“Is this your way of coaxing me into the house for a birthday quickie?”

“This is my way of preventing sun stroke and a sunburn.”

My laughter tumbled out with no effort. “Ah, Tori. Concerned about the pale English guy getting too much sun?”

“Shut up.” She poked my side. “And you’re not that pale.”

“Mmhmm.” I pulled her flush to my body so I could feel her curves. “Speaking of your birthday, I actually wanted to give you one of your presents now.”

“Oh?” Her eyes widened.

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