Page 58 of Where We Found Our Home
“We got your back, Linc.”
“Just tell us what you need.”
“How’s she doing?”
“She’s doing okay. She’s happy the truth is finally out there, but she’s worried that he’s really here and that we’re all in danger because of her.” I want to take that feeling away from her. I would happily lay down my life for her. Life wouldn’t be worth living without her anyway. She’s so insistent upon taking on everything by herself but those days are over. She’ll never be alone again.
“Fuck that. She’s family and we look out for family.” It means a lot to hear my brother say that. The guys nod their heads in agreement and that’s why these assholes are my family.
I want to do something for her to show her how much she means to me. For that, I’m going to need my sister. I pull out my phone and call her.
“What’s up, Linc?” she asks.
“I need a favor.” I tell her my plans for Ciara and she hums in approval.
“I knew I raised you well.”
I roll my eyes, and I hope she can hear that motion through the phone. “For the last time, Sasha. You did not raise me. That was Mom and Dad.”
“Close enough.”
We get to work on setting everything in motion.
“Where are you taking me?” Ciara asks as she climbs into my passenger seat.
“It’s a surprise.”
“Okay, but you made me wear workout clothes. What are you up to?”
“Maybe I just wanted to see your ass in those tight-ass leggings.”
She shakes her head and turns back toward the road. “Impossible man.”
Twenty minutes later, we pull up to the gym, and the smile on her face hits me right in the chest.
“You’re taking me rock climbing?”
I nod. I take a stray braid and push it behind her ear. “Figured after unloading everything you could probably use a day of stress relief.”
“You gonna be my belayer?” She smirks.
“Always, Angel.” I give her a look that says I’m not just talking about rock climbing. She squeals and jumps over the middle console to plant a kiss on my lips. The entire gym is about to get a show if she doesn’t get off my lap, and I never took myself as an exhibitionist but I’m about two seconds from saying “fuck it.” I give her one last kiss before jumping out of the car and helping her down.
When we head inside the gym, it’s bustling with people. Ciara looks right at home. She immediately starts chatting with the instructor who has been watching her ass since she walked in. I can’t blame him—it’s a fantastic ass. But I will lay this man out if he tries to touch her. She looks at me over her shoulder and winks. I love being the person to put that smile on her face.
We gear up and get to work. I am in complete awe watching Ciara handle this wall. She doesn’t rush. She takes her time finding the exact footholds and handholds she needs so that she never has to come back down, but at the same time, she’s so good at finding exactly the right place to go that she’s still flying up the wall. She rings the bell in no time at all and catches me staring at her ass, but I’m not even sorry. Her ass really does look fantastic in those pants.
“Bring me down, perv.”
We spend another two hours at the gym, and I can see the weight flying off of her shoulders.
“Thank you for today. I really needed that.” She kisses me when we walk in her apartment. I lock her door and go through her security checks for her. When I come back to the living room she’s giving me those fuck-me eyes. We have somewhere else to go, so I need to get her back on track.
“That’s just the beginning, Ci.”
“What else do you have planned?” She eyes me curiously.
I whistle while walking over to the fridge to grab a water. “Go shower and get dressed for a date. I’m taking you out.”
