Page 12 of Protected By the SEAL
“Much. Thank you for kidnapping me.”
“Anytime you need to escape, I’m your guy.”
“We should probably come up with a story,” I say. “For where we were.”
“Or we could tell the truth. That you needed space, and I gave it to you.”
“My family won’t understand that.”
“Then that’s their problem, not yours.”
His fierce protectiveness makes something flutter in my stomach. We’re almost back at the winery when he speaks again.
“For what it’s worth, I think you’re handling this whole thing with grace. Lesser people would have snapped by now.”
“I almost did. When Jennifer started her humble-brag about private schools, I wanted to throw wine in her face.”
“I would have backed you up.”
“I know.” I look over at him. “That’s why I didn’t do it. Didn’t want to get you in trouble.”
“Morgana, I’d go to war for you. A little wine throwing wouldn’t even register.”
The casual, absolute way he says it makes my throat tighten. I know he means it. But I don’t know what it means for us.
We pull into the winery parking lot, and reality crashes back. The rehearsal dinner is in two hours. I have to put on a dress and makeup and pretend everything’s fine. Have to watch Victor marry my cousin tomorrow.
I want Kane to be mine.
CHAPTER 5
KANE
Stop fidgeting with your tie.” Morgana reaches up to adjust it, her fingers brushing against my chest.
“It’s strangling me.”
“It’s trying to make you look presentable for a fancy dinner.” She smooths the fabric, and I catch her wrist gently.
“You sure you’re ready for this?”
She takes a breath, and I watch her steel herself. She’s wearing a dark blue dress that hugs her curves, and it’s taking all my self-control not to suggest we skip the dinner entirely.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” she says.
Famous last words.
The private dining room is elegant, with crystal chandeliers, white tablecloths, enough silverware to arm a small battalion. The seating chart puts us at a table with Morgana’s mother, Aunt Carol, and three people I haven’t met yet.
“Morgana, Kane,” her mother greets us with that tight smile that never reaches her eyes. “So glad you made it back in time. We wondered where you’d disappeared to.”
“Needed some fresh air,” Morgana says simply.
“During a family event?” Aunt Carol’s voice is brittle and angry. “That’s rather selfish.”
The cousins exchange looks. One of them leans forward, low enough to see down her dress, but I keep my eyes fixed on her face. “So, Kane, Morgana hasn’t told us much about you. How did you two finally get together?”
“We’ve been friends for a long time,” Morgana starts, but her cousin interrupts before she can continue.
