Page 37 of Unleashed

“When did you buy a house in Montauk?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

“It was my parents’ home. They bought a new place in Southampton. My mother had her eye on this one for years. It finally came up for sale,” he explained.

I reached up to caress his scruffy jawline, considering his offer. “So, you want to whisk me away to your home and have me all to yourself?”

“Preferably. You know I love you. Let me convince you that you should love me back,” he said earnestly.

“It won’t happen in a few days. I’m just not built that way. How do you even know I want a relationship?” I questioned, my voice tinged with uncertainty.

“Do you? You’re twenty-seven. Don’t you dream of marriage and a family?” His question was gentle but probing.

“Now you’re scaring me,” I admitted, a hint of panic creeping into my voice.

“I don’t mean to. I’m not asking you to marry me, but I want to know if you ever plan to marry,” he clarified, his gaze unwavering.

“I haven’t really thought about it,” I lied, though the truth was that I had considered it but never pursued it seriously. My focus had always been on my career, on finding a partner who would stand beside me as an equal, someone who would face challenges together rather than be a caretaker.

“Do you want children?” he asked, his voice softening.

“Yes. You know the story of my parents. They had me so late that I worry they won’t be around by the time I get married. I didn’t have grandparents, and I’m not sure my children will either,” I confessed, my voice laden with emotion.

“Just keep an open mind,” he urged, yawning as he snuggled closer. “You’ve exhausted me. I need some sleep before I pass out.”

“We didn’t need to have sex all those times,” I teased lightly, though my words were softened by a yawn of my own.

“It’s been pent up for years,” he admitted with a grin. “I used to lie in bed at night and imagine what it would be like to have you beneath me again.”

“I can only imagine what you were doing during those times,” I said with a playful smirk.

“You’re the reason I didn’t date much. I was waiting for you, hoping you’d come to your senses and say yes,” he confessed, his tone filled with affection.

“Don’t read too much into this, Slade. We had sex, and it might not lead to a relationship,” I cautioned, trying to temper his expectations.

“Why would you say that?” he asked, a note of concern in his voice.

“Because I don’t want you to get hurt,” I replied honestly.

“Will you come to my house with me? Forget hiking,” he persisted, his gaze earnest.

I chuckled softly. “Giving up so easily?”

“I’ll make you a deal. We hike for a few more days, and you spend the last week of your vacation with me in Montauk,” he proposed, his tone playful yet sincere.

“Let me sleep on it. I had my heart set on seeing how far I could hike in two weeks,” I said, my resolve wavering.

“Fine. Sleep on it, but it must be in my arms,” he said with a smile, pulling me closer.

I sighed and bit into his pec playfully, causing him to hiss with a laugh. Settling against him, I closed my eyes, letting the warmth of his body and the rumble of the storm lull me to sleep.

“Shit, you’re bleeding,”I said, kneeling beside Slade. After two days of relentless hiking, he was a sight to behold—scrapedelbows, an oozing blister on his heel, and now a bleeding knee from a recent misstep. He was clearly hurting, and it was wearing him down.

I pulled out a red handkerchief from my backpack and gently dabbed at his bleeding knee. As I inspected his battered limbs, a surge of frustration welled up inside me.

“We’re done,” I declared, firm and resolute.

“For the day? There’s no place to camp here,” he replied, wincing as I cleaned the wound.

“No, not just for the day. We’re done camping. Take me to Montauk. I can’t risk you getting injured any further. I don’t want Keaton suing me for your permanent disfigurement,” I said, trying to keep the tone light but serious.

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