Page 124 of Truck Stop Tempest

“A little.” She sauntered around the kitchen island, running her fingers across the smooth granite, a contemplative purse to her lips. The pink T-shirt dress she wore reached mid-thigh and that creamy skin did a number on my libido. She paused, her left heel bouncing on the floor.

Damn, I’d missed her nervous tics “What is it?”

“I start classes soon.”

“I know.” I shifted, fighting an erection. “I can’t wait to help you study.”

“Between work and school, I’ll barely have time to eat and sleep.”

My insides shifted something fierce, my boner no longer an issue. “You’re worried about us?”

Those electric eyes flashed, then softened, shoulders dropping. “No.” She moved around the counter and grabbed my hand. “I’m not worried about us at all. You’re the only constant, the only part of my life I have no doubts about.”

Thank fuck. “What is it then?”

Stepping closer still, she tilted her head, studying my face. “I had a lot of time to think on my drive home. About us. About my future.” Wrinkles formed on her small forehead. “We’ve been through so much.” Her grip on my hand tightened. “Each of us. On our own. Together.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“I’m going to start seeing a therapist. Everything that’s bouncing around in here.” She stepped back and tapped her head. “It’s too much. I can’t sort it on my own.”

A rush of air left my lungs. God, my girl. So much stronger than me in every way that counted.

She blinked up at me, shy but determined. “I think you should see someone, too.”

“You’re all the therapy I need.” I flashed a playful grin, then an eyebrow wiggle, raking my gaze up and down the length of her tight little body.

“Tito. Please. I’m serious.”

So was I. “I’ll think about it.” I’d never considered a shrink, but hell, anything to make my bunny happy.

“Thank you,” she sighed, those lines in her forehead disappearing.

The smile she flashed warmed me in all the right places. I wanted more. “Come upstairs. I want to show you something.”

We ascended the steps two-by-two, bypassed my bedroom, and hit the stairs leading to the rooftop deck. When we reached the glass slider, I blocked her view. “Close your eyes. Don’t open until I say so.”

Heel bouncing, hips shaking, she squeezed her eyes closed.

I led her across the deck. Settled her into position. Stole a kiss. Whispered, “You can look now.” I nodded over my shoulder and stepped out of the way.

Her eyes lit up, putting the blue sky at her back to shame.

Suspended from an overhanging beam, a double swing constructed of rope and cedar dangled between the hot tub and a cluster of potted plants. Tuuli stepped closer, brushing her fingers over the carved letters on the seat. BUNNY on her side. BEAST on mine.

“It’s beautiful,” she murmured, head dropping low. “I can’t believe you did this.” She gripped the ropes, sliding her hands up their length before turning to sit. Closing her eyes against the warm breeze and bright sun, she lifted her face, angelic, and so fucking beautiful, my breath hitched. “C’mon. What’re you waiting for?”

I claimed my side of the swing, gripping the rope tight, my hand above hers, fingers touching. My feet rested firmly on the ground. Hers dangled, toes dusting the Ipe decking.

With a slow push, I got us moving. Soon, we soared. Tuuli’s laughter pierced me, arrow after arrow through the chest. On the upswing, we seemed to float over the lake. The backswing made my stomach drop, forcing nervous laughter from my own chest.

Fuck. I felt like a fucking kid again. A boy with no weight on his chest. No demons to darken his soul. No worries to steal his whimsy.

When we finally slowed to a stop, Tuuli rested her cheek on the rope, liquid eyes staring up at me, a lazy grin highlighting perfect, rosy cheeks.

“That was fun,” I admitted, head spinning, heart racing.

“Thank you.” She leaned forward, lips dusting mine, and whispered, “I fucking love you, Tito Moretti.”

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