Page 5 of Protected By the SEAL
“We should keep making rounds,” Victor says quickly, clearly uncomfortable, and I wonder if it’s because of Kane’s presence or mine. “Lots of people to greet.”
The second they’re gone, Sarah laughs again. “God, Morgana, where did you find him? He’s like something out of a romance novel.”
“We’ve known each other since high school,” I say.
“Wait, really?” Jennifer’s eyes widen. “And you’re only now getting together? What took so long?”
I open my mouth, but no words come. I should have expected this question, but now I’m at a loss for what to say.
“Timing,” Kane answers for me. “Sometimes you have to wait for the right moment.”
His hand finds mine, fingers intertwining, and I have to remind myself this isn’t real. We’re not correcting my family in their assumption that he’s my boyfriend, but Kane knows me well enough to know that fudging things a little this weekend isn’t a sin.
“Well,” Emma says, “better late than never, I suppose.”
Another backhanded compliment. Like I should be grateful I found anyone at all, even if it took this long.
“If you’ll excuse us,” Kane says, “I promised Morgana a dance.”
He leads me away before they can respond, but not before I overhear Sarah saying, “God. Why has she hidden him? That man is gorgeous!”
“Right,” Jennifer replies, and I can envision her rolling her eyes. “I mean, good for her, I guess, but how did she land someone like him?”
I pause and start to turn, but Kane tightens his grip on my arm.
“Don’t. They’re not worth arguing with.”
“Kane, you don’t have to do that.”
“I want to.” He pulls me into his arms, one hand settling on my waist, the other taking mine. “Besides, you looked like you needed some space.”
He’s right. Away from my family’s scrutiny, I can finally take a full breath.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “For what you said back there. About us.”
“Which part?”
“All of it. The way you defended me to Aunt Carol. What you said to Victor.”
We sway together, and I become hyperaware of every point of contact. His hand on my waist, warm through the thin fabric of my dress. The solid strength of his shoulder under my palm. The way he’s wearing the expensive cologne I bought him last Christmas, because I knew it would smell amazing on him.
I was right. It does.
My pulse thumps, and I realize how easy it is to sink into this moment, how dangerous it feels to want more.
“Your family’s brutal,” he murmurs.
“I tried to warn you.”
“No, I mean...” He pulls back slightly to look at me. “The things they say to you. The way they make you shrink into yourself. I hate it.”
“It’s always been like this. I’m used to it.”
“Morgana,” Kane sighs, his forehead creased. “Abusive behavior isn’t something you should have to endure. You deserve so much better than that!”
The fierce protectiveness in his voice makes my eyes sting. I lean into him, letting myself pretend for a moment that this is real. I’ve never had a man stand up for me the way Kane does.
“Morgana.”
