Page 60 of Montana Silence

“I was hoping you’d say that. And if you want, you can help me plan for family dinner.”

“They said yes?”

“They did.”

Lena was back and pulling off her apron. “Said yes to what?”

“A surprise.”

She narrowed her eyes at me. “I hate surprises.”

Mara and I laughed. “It’s a good thing, I promise. Jude will tell you, I’m sure.”

“I need to wash my hands.”

I lifted Mara off the stool, simply happy to have her in my arms again. Her cheeks turned pink, and I was looking forward to turning her that color as soon as we got back to my house. More than once.

As soon as the bathroom door closed, Lena turned on me. “This is the part where I tell you I’ll kick your ass if you hurt her.”

I slipped my hands into the pockets of my jeans. “Unfortunately, you’re at the back of the line.”

“I’m sure Jude can slip me to the front to get a few punches in.”

I grinned. “I’d like to see it. But I won’t, because the last thing I want for Mara is pain. I—”

Mara came back from the bathroom, and I swallowed the words that had been about to slip out so easily. It wasn’t time yet.

Lena still looked at me, but she nodded, accepting my words. I would never begrudge people protecting her, even from me.

“Ready.”

We waved goodbye to Lena, and I pulled Mara into me before I lifted her into the truck again. There was only so long I could live without her lips. “I missed you.”

She lifted her chin in response, wordlessly asking for more. I gave everything I had, knowing I was about to jump off a cliff into love with this woman, and I wasn’t afraid of the fall.

Chapter19

Mara

My heart satin my throat. Nerves jangled in my gut, restless energy making me want to pace. Instead, I turned around Liam’s living room one more time and made sure everything was perfect. If I was nervous, Liam was at least three times worse.

I didn’twanteither of us to be nervous. This was our family. They weren’t going to walk into this house and judge it the way Liam was afraid of, but it was still daunting. We were together. Hosting family dinnertogether. The night in front of us held weight.

Hopefully, everyone would have some nerves in this situation.

After a lazy day yesterday, Liam and I spent time in bed. And on his couch. And then back in bed again, we finally went to the grocery store to get everything we needed for family dinner.

We made lasagna and nearly burned it because we got distracted by each other. Liam unlocked needs in my body I’d ignored my entire life, and now I couldn’t get enough. I was sore and didn’t care. All I wanted was him.

Clinking glass drew my attention from the dining room. Liam was setting out glasses, entirely focused. At the moment, he was like me. The silent one. Quiet. His nerves made him retreat.

I wrapped my arms around him from behind. He stopped what he was doing and breathed with me. Ifeltthe breaths. I tapped his chest twice. It meant yes, but I hoped he knew what it was now.

It will be okay. I am here with you.

“I finished the salad. The garlic bread is in the oven.”

Two taps.

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