Page 104 of Keep Me Safe

She can’t help but lean into me, her hand covering mine.

“You and Jared came together?”

The hope in her voice tugs at my chest, and I love how much she cares about my relationship with my son.

“Yeah, we did.”

“So, you two are good now?” she asks, needing more reassurance.

“Yes, we’re good.”

She lets out a breath that sounds suspiciously like a sob, so I turn her to face me, her eyes meeting mine.

“I’m so proud of you,” I tell her, meaning it with everything in my being.

A blush creeps across her cheeks as I run my fingers over her back. I want to bring her home and show her just how proud I am.

It’s clearing out in here now, and the scheduled end time for the gala has already passed.

“Jared’s taking your car. You’re riding with me,” I tell her, her amber eyes reflecting the need in my own.

Not ten minutes later, I hold open the door for her as she slides into the Nova. The slit in her dress shows the perfect amount of skin as I sit down next to her, the engine roaring to life. She’s beyond beautiful as she looks back at me, her gaze heated.

Without warning, I crash my lips onto hers. She lets out a small moan as I lace my fingers through her hair.

“Noah,” she chides as she breaks the kiss.

I shake my head, pressing my forehead to hers.

“I’m done waiting.”

epilogue

kira

Three Years Later

I never expected Noah to want to leave the state of Michigan, let alone the country, but here we are—at an absolutely gorgeous vineyard attached to our hotel.

In Italy.

I sip my wine as I take it all in. The view is jaw-dropping. Rows of grapevines stretch over the hilly landscape, and a couple of old cottages pepper the horizon.

“What are you thinking about, princess?”

I look up to see Noah in his button-down shirt, gazing over at me like I’m the only thing in the world.

That will never get old—having this man’s full attention on me. We’ve been together three years now, and I still crave it.

“Just about how I might be ready to head back to our room,” I tell him, sliding my leg between his under the table.

He laughs, brushing his hand over my bare thigh under the table. Heat spreads up my leg as his eyes darken.

“Still impatient, I see,” he chides, but there’s no weight to it.

He wants this just as much as I do.

Pushing the door open to our room, Noah leads me inside. As soon as it clicks shut, he’s on me, my back against the cool metal. I gasp at the sensation, but the sound is cut off by his lips on mine. The movement is rushed, almost frantic.

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