Page 37 of Kept By the Loan Shark

“You were?”

“Why do you think I went out to California to meet with those investment firms? I wanted to meet with the fund managers, but I also scouted the housing situation near the campuses you were considering.”

I was stunned. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I wanted it to be a surprise. I planned to go with you on your grad school interviews and make a romantic getaway of it. Book a nice suite. Wine and dine you. Take you to see some houses so you could get an idea of where you wanted us to live.”

I sagged against him, tucking my face into his neck. “I was so worried about moving away, and the whole time you were planning to come with me.”

“Cassie,” he murmured tenderly. His lips brushed my temple, and he held me tighter. “I’m so sorry. I should have said something sooner. I thought a surprise would be romantic.”

“It would be,” I assured him, lifting my head and kissing his jaw. “God, we’ve been so miserable. It could have all been avoided if we had just been brave enough to talk to each other.”

“I know,” he agreed, his voice thick with emotion. “I would change it all in a heartbeat if I could.” He nuzzled his nose against mine. “You have to know, Cassie. Ever since you walked into my bar, you’ve been the only thing that matters to me. You have my whole fucking heart. All of it. It’s yours.” He brushed his lips gently against mine. “Can we start over? Or pick up where we left off in the hospital?”

“Yes.” I kissed him, pressing our lips together and savoring the familiar heat of him. “I mean, technically, we never actually broke up. It was all Kyle manipulating us.”

“That motherfu—,” he cut off before finishing the word. “Don’t worry about him. He’s going to get what he deserves.”

I fixed him in place with a chastising look. “What happened to not going full alpha?”

“I’m going to call in a favor. It’s not alpha if you outsource.”

I decided not to ask which of his questionable friends owed that favor. “A favor that puts him in jail? Where he belongs? Not tossed into the Gulf with cement shoes?”

“Cement shoes? What is this? Miami? 1988?” Hagen laughed that dark, rich laugh that I had missed so much. “No. I’ll make sure he ends up in jail.”

Toying with the collar of his shirt, I asked, “Do you think he’s tracking your phone? Or your vehicle? Or both?”

“Yes. Both,” he growled. “It wouldn’t surprise me if he took you to that coffee shop earlier tonight on purpose. Vicky asked me to meet her through a text. Maybe he’s reading them.”

“He looked at his phone before we left the parking lot. He must have been checking to make sure you were there.” I made a face. “Taylor is going to be impossible once she finds out he really is a creep. She’s been telling me forever that he’s a ‘nice guy’ type. I should have listened to her.”

“Your heart is so big and gentle. You always see the best in people. It’s one of the things I love about you. You’re always so optimistic and positive. It never occurs to you that people are devious dirtbags.”

“I guess I am a little naïve,” I allowed.

Hagen kissed me. “There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s what makes you so good. It’s why people love you and want to be your friend. Your big, soft heart has enough love for everyone who needs it.” He captured my mouth and gently cupped my nape. “I need it. I need you. You have to know that your love has made me a better man.”

Seeing the truth in his eyes, I nodded. “I love you.”

“I love you.” He smiled warmly. “Come home with me?”

“Yes.” Letting him pick me up, I rested my head right in the crook of his neck where it fit perfectly and seemed to belong. Home with Hagen was exactly where I wanted to be.

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