Page 104 of Deserving Lara
“Yeah.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “You’re good at keeping secrets.”
“And you suck at it, I’m guessing.”
“You’d guess right.”
“That’s all right. I’m looking forward to surprising you for the next, oh, hundred years.”
Lara rolled her eyes. “I refuse to live to be a hundred and thirty-five years old.”
“Not me. I’ll take every year, every month, every minute I can, if they’re all by your side.”
Lara grinned. “Flatterer.”
In response, Owl leaned in and kissed her lightly. “Welcome home, sweetheart.”
Home. The Refuge was definitely that and more.
“How’s your leg?” she asked gently.
“Sore. But I’m okay.”
Lara’s brows furrowed.
“Honestly, I’m fine. I want to talk to Lucas. Need to thank him again for talking you through that flight. I won’t overdo it. I’ll let you know when I’m ready to head back to the cabin.”
“All right. Owl?”
“Yeah?”
“Love you.”
He smiled. “Love you too.”
Using the temporary cane he’d been given, Owl headed over to the table where Alaska, Cora, and Lucas were sitting. Smiling, Lara headed back to where she’d abruptly left her friends. She felt like the luckiest woman in the world. She’d been to hell and back, but had come out the other side with not only a man she loved more than anything, but she’d been reunited with her best friend, and had a brand-new group of men and women who would have her back no matter what. It felt amazing.
* * *
Later that night, Lara snuggled against Owl on the couch in their cabin. She was still amazed the man who’d answered her mayday call had made the trip down here to meet her and Owl.
She put her hand on her still-flat belly and sighed when Owl placed his own large hand on top of hers. She smiled at him.
“What’s that smile for?” he asked.
“I’m just so happy. I feel as if a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders, now that I know for sure I’m finally safe from Carter…as is everyone here at The Refuge. Is it wrong that I feel that way because a human being is dead?”
“No,” Owl said without a drop of hesitation. “I envy you. Not that I think my captors are going to come here to the States and track me down, but knowing some of them are still out there, that they’re spreading their hate, maybe hurting someone else…it sucks. I’mgladGrant is dead. I only wish I could’ve been the one to make that happen for you.”
“Don’t,” Lara said with a shake of her head.
Owl kissed her temple reverently. “I do,” he insisted. “He hurt you. Scared you. I saw the pictures the FBI had of the room where he’d planned on keeping you, on that island.” He shuddered. “Ricky Norman was an asshole, but he did us a favor.”
Lara nodded absently. How everything had gone down was messed up, but the truth was, if it hadn’t happened exactly the way it had…things might be completely different right now.
“Have I told you how thrilled I am that you’re Mrs. Kaufman? And that little Lucas is growing in your belly?” Owl asked as his hand moved down her belly and slipped under the waistband of her leggings.
“Yes,” Lara said, her breath hitching as his finger brushed against her clit.
