“For your dad catching us like that.” He leans back just enough to look into my eyes. “Please tell me it wasn’t super awkward and bad.”
“It wasn’t, once he got over the initial shock. Dad likes you, and knows your family, so we kind of…glossed over him finding you and me together like that.”
“Wow. Thank goodness.”
I take his hand and lead him inside to sit at the dining room table.
He frowns. “This already feels like a serious conversation.”
“Semi-serious.” I take a slow breath. “Dad kind of assumed thatwewere serious, actually.”
Kingston takes my hand, kissing the back of it. “I am serious.” He smiles. “In a lighthearted way. But if you mean about a future with you, yes. Definitely.”
I resist the urge to bite my bottom lip. “You know, I always swore to myself that I would get away from the whole rich family thing.”
His thumb gently brushes my skin, sending tingles all the way up my arm. “And now you’re inadvertently stumbling into another one, right?”
“Well…yeah. Kind of.”
“Even if we’re kind of average guys on the mountain out here?”
“Average?” My fingers squeeze his. “Dude, sorry, but I’ve seen the way you dress compared to the other men in town. And the vehicles you drive. And this house. Plus your family owns half the flipping mountain?—”
“Okay, fair.” He gazes out the window for a few seconds before meeting my eyes again. “But now that you know me, and we have this incredible connection, you can see past my family and just be with me, right? I mean, that’s what I’m hoping.”
I’m overcome by the earnest look in his eyes. It’s clear Kingston would do anything for me, and always make sure that I’m comfortable with however things turn out.
Knowing that, it’s easy to ask a small favor. “News travels fast in this town, especially when it’s about you and your brothers. Would it be okay if you didn’t tell anyone my last name, at least for a few months?”
His tense mouth breaks into a chuckle, and he nods. “Sure. Anything you like.”
“Then we’re all good. Let’s see where this goes.”
“Oh, I think we already know where it goes, baby.” He leans in to brush a light, dreamy kiss across my lips. “Okay, if this is officially serious discussion time, can I share something too?”
“Sure.”
“I don’t want you to extend your rental contract with Riggs. I want you to move in with me. I want you to keep finding yourself, keep exploring. I want you to take your time discovering who you are and what you want to create. And I hope that you’ll go on that journey of discovery right here with me.”
Kingston leans in for another swift kiss that sends pickles of heat zipping through my stomach. Then he locks his gaze with mine.
“Sierra, I love you.”
I’m so lost in his magical eyes that for a moment I almost don’t register what he just said.
It’s too fast to think such things, even if they’re true. Too crazy to trust the depths of these cravings, yet…I do.
15
KINGSTON
Damn, maybe I shouldn’t have blurted that out so suddenly. Sierra looks a little stunned.
“We don’t have to rush,” I add quickly. “I don’t know how long Riggs is away on this trip, but I can find you another place to stay if you want more time before?—”
“I’d love to live with you. I just can’t believe this is happening so fast.” Her voice is an unsteady whisper. “But…” Her eyes flutter closed. “I love you, too.”
I can’t stop myself from standing up, pulling Sierra into my arms, and heading for the sofa. I lie down, pulling her on top of me in a full body cuddle. “I’m gonna make you so happy, baby. I’ll read every single article about how to be a good partner.”