Page 120 of Love Me Reckless

“Morocco. Birch wanted to ride horses on the beach.”

Of course, the trip would be about douche date and what he wanted. “It’s not too late,” I tease.

She laughs. “I prefer the honeymoon I’m having right now.”

I stroke her lower back beneath the hem of her sweater. “You want to postpone these errands you have planned? If this is a honeymoon, we better make it count.”

Her smile lights up her face. “We’ll have plenty of time for that later.”

“I like those plans.” I press her body into mine.

She gives a little pump of her hips to grind against me. “Me too.”

I’m tempted to flip her over my shoulder and march her to one of the other bedrooms we haven’t used yet, but with a giggle, she darts from my grasp and skips through the door.

Inside my idling truck, I grab her thigh and snug her closer, so she’s glued to my side. The warmth from the sudden contact in this chilled space washes through me, and I put my arm around her shoulder as I drive.

At the little green house, we get out of the truck and wade through the deep snow around the perimeter, my fingers entwined with hers. Kirilee stops to peek into the windows. Does she see her dream coming to life before her eyes in these darkened rooms?

Back at the front of the house, she slips one of the flyers from the FOR SALE box staked into the snow. “I’ve been writing a grant. It’s a pie in the sky, but it never hurts to try, right?”

I hug her from behind as these words trickle down through me. “Nope.”

She skims the flyer. “At least they’ve come down in price a little. I might have enough for the down payment now.”

The sun catches the light of that fucking diamond on her left hand.

With a grimace, I look away. “Have you talked to a bank yet?”

“Maybe tomorrow?” It comes out fast, like she’s excited.

I kiss her temple. “I like that idea.”

We retrace our steps through the deep snow and climb back in the truck. I pull her close again, but my eyes catch on that giant glowing rock again.

How long is she going to wear it?

Haven’t I proved to her that she’s mine?

“What?” Kirilee asks.

I draw a slow breath and release it, puffing my cheeks. “When are you going to take that thing off?”

She blinks down at where her hand is resting on my thigh. “Oh. You’re right. Of course. Forgive me.” She slips her hand free to tug at the ring but I stop her.

“Don’t.” I wrap my arm around her shoulder and press a kiss to her temple. “I’m just impatient.”

She makes a fist, making the band tighten around her delicate finger. “I need to give it back.”

That she doesn’t want to fling it into the weeds is like a knife to my chest.

But I remind myself that Kirilee isn’t like that. She’s kind to a fault. Thoughtful even to those who don’t deserve it.

“Maybe you could hock it.” I try to smile. “There’s that down payment you’re looking for.”

To my relief, she laughs. “Hmm.”

During the drive to the hospital, I cover the ring with my hand and weave my fingers with hers.

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