Page 117 of Mr. Broody

“That’s not why I do it.”

“I know, but I was too excited to wait.” She grins up at me.

I suck in a breath and try to act a little cooler than I’m feeling inside. I’d like to drive to the courthouse and marry her today, but I need to chill, not scare her off.

She slides into the car, and I shut the door, putting her bag next to mine in the trunk, and then climb into the car.

“I just love what you did to the car,” she says. “I’m surprised you’re taking it out in the winter.” Her hands run over the dash.

“What’s the point of owning it if I don’t allow myself to use it when I need it? And it hasn’t snowed yet. Plus, there are way too many memories in here not to drive this to our first overnight getaway together since we got back together.”

She smiles and buckles her seatbelt. I cross the center console and capture her lips again, hoping I can make the three-hour drive to our destination. Pulling over on the side of the road and asking her to straddle my lap wouldn’t be a good look when the police come knocking on our window and find the Falcons’ right wing’s dick inside his girlfriend.

“I can’t wait to get you naked tonight.” I pull away from her and insert the car key in the ignition.

“Just so you know, I brought that gift you gave me in Minnesota.” She flutters her eyes at me mischievously.

Fuck, this is going to be a rough three hours.

“You love to torture me, don’t you?”

“Torture you? You bought it for me to wear for you.”

“Yes, but not so I’d have to envision you in it on a three-hour car ride. We might have to make a pit stop.” I pull the car away from the curb and head down the street.

We pass St. Pat’s, and she puts her hand on the window. “How did Bodhi take it?”

I fucking love how much she cares about my kid. It’s a turn-on that’s hard to explain.

“He understood, but we’re taking him to that new doughnut place when we get back.”

She laughs but then frowns toward the window.

“He’s going to have fun with Mack.” I place my hand on her thigh.

Truth is, Bodhi didn’t take the news well. He actually threw a fit and said I wasn’t sharing. But I’m not telling Jade that because she’d probably tell me we should stay in town or bring him along, and that’s not going to happen. He’ll have fun with Mack and be excited for the doughnut place when we return.

Just as I pull on the highway to head west, Jade links her fingers with mine, and I can’t remember a time I was this excited for what was ahead. Maybe when I adopted Bodhi, and I couldn’t wait to give him the life that he deserved, a life he couldn’t imagine, that was filled with love and support. The same exhilaration swirls in my stomach for what’s about to come for Bodhi, Jade, and myself.

Three and a half hours later after two bathroom stops for Jade and one snack run, we pull up in the driveway of the cabin I rented that overlooks a lake. According to the VRBO listing, it promises the best sunsets that we can see from the bed.

“Henry, it’s beautiful.” Jade steps out while I grab our bags.

“I hope so. You brought your camera, right?” I ask, walking with her up to the door.

“Yeah. I will admit, ever since that day with Bodhi at the lakeside trail, I’m starting to want to take pictures again. Thank you for that.”

I shake my head. “It wasn’t me. Thank Bodhi, he’s the one who showed an interest.”

“He took this one picture,” she says. “Remind me to show it to you later.”

“What’s it of?”

“Us. Just the two of us talking. He actually took a bunch. It’s really sweet seeing how he looks at us through the lens. I don’t know, you know how much I love the fact everyone is looking at the world from different angles.”

“I’ve always loved that thought. Can’t want to see it.” I pull my phone out to get the email with our door key code.

“I’ll show it to you after we get situated.”

---