Page 78 of Exposed Ink

Just say the word, and I can have you screaming my name.

With a smirk splayed on my face, I type out my reply.

Don’t make promises you can’t keep.

“So, how serious are things with you two?” Natalia asks, leaning over and trying to read my messages.

I close out of it quickly, wondering how Shane will respond.

“He told me he loves me … and I said it back.”

Natalia’s eyes widen. “Wow, coz, that’s pretty serious.”

“Yeah,” I admit, taking a sip of my drink. “I think I’m going to move out of the pool house.”

“Are Aunt Quinn and Uncle Lachlan giving you a hard time?”

“No, not at all. And honestly, we spend most of our time at Shane’s since he has Taylor. But I think it’s time. I want a real place I can call home. A place with a separate kitchen and a dining room I can decorate. A room for a library …”

“I get it,” Natalia says. “I told Mom I want to slow down on the traveling. I think I’m ready to settle down.”

“Wow, are you and Kevin talking marriage and babies?”

“Yeah,” she says with a soft smile. “What about you? I know after everything, you said you didn’t want any of that again, but …”

“I think I’d like another baby one day. Shane and I have talked about it since we haven’t been exactly careful. The doctors said it will most likely be harder for me to conceive, so I’m pretty sure we’re okay, but I’ve made an appointment to get on birth control anyway.”

“Well, if you need anyone to help you find a place, I love house shopping.”

“I might hold you to it. Now …” I tip my drink back and down it in one fell swoop, then drop it onto the table. “What do you say we dance?”

Natalia’s eyes light up. “I say, hell yeah!”

She downs her drink, and then we head onto the dance floor. On our way, I spot Shane’s friend Trudy, who waves and then walks over.

“I heard we’ll be seeing you tomorrow at the station barbecue.”

“Yep, should I bring something? I asked Shane, but he just said all I need to bring is myself.” I playfully roll my eyes, and Trudy laughs.

“He’s probably just so excited that you’re going.” Trudy grins. “We’re all happy he’s finally found someone. The man has always been such a recluse when it comes to women. I tried setting him up too many times to count, but everyone was a dud. Now, we know why …”

“Why?” I ask, not really wanting to think about Shane dating other women even if that’s ridiculous since we both had lives before each other.

“Because he was waiting on you, sweet girl.”

“Damn right I was,” a masculine voice says, making me twirl around.

Because of the drinks I’ve had, I stumble slightly, and Shane catches me.

“What are you doing here?” I breathe.

“Keeping my promises.” He winks, and I swear my panties dampen.

Trudy laughs, and Natalia snickers.

“I think that means it’s time to call it a night,” Natalia says.

“Don’t leave on my account,” Shane says. “I am one hundred percent on board with watching you dance.”

---