Page 63 of XOXO, Summer
“You’re fucking amazing.”
I’m grinning, but laughing takes more effort than I’m capable, so I hum like he did earlier. Putting my head on his shoulder, I whisper, “You’re so amazing.”
Stroking my hair over my shoulder, he says, “You know what surprises me?”
“Hmm?”
“I’m surprised that I lasted as long as I did. That was so good, Sunshine.”
I feel the pride he’s instilled in me by finally lifting myhand anchored to the mattress and seeing the smile that looks like it’s going to be there a while. I say, “You know what surprises me?”
“What?”
I laugh. “That you know the theme song toGolden Girls.”
“Lots of time stuck in hotel rooms with no streaming.” He chuckles, then rolls me onto my back, hovering over me. “But do you want to know what really surprises me?”
Running a finger from his temple to his jawline, I say, “Tell me.”
He’s above me, looking as smug as a thief who got away with the crown jewels with that smirk on his face. “That you could keep from screaming my name.”
“That was a miracle.” I laugh too hard to keep quiet any longer. “Trust me, though. When we’re together for the first time, you’d better take me somewhere else because I won’t hold back.”
“I’ll take you to the moon and back, babe.”
I grin because I believe he will if he can. “The cottage also works.” Staring into those mesmerizing eyes of his, I add, “Or your fancy place in the city.”
Pushing my hair back from my cheeks, he kisses my neck and trails higher to my ear to whisper, “How about both?”
His sweet attentions have me closing my eyes and floating in the dream of us together like this more than tonight. “You got yourself a deal, hockey player.” Opening my eyes, I’m met with a sea of serenity seen in his. My heart squeezes, so I tighten my hold around him. I kiss him, wanting to hold on to this—the quiet and calm, the peace and tranquility—found in my arms.
This time, when our lips part and our breathing evens, Ikiss his cheek, and whisper, “You can tell me anything, Daniel.”
The rough of his scruff grazes across my cheek when he turns to look at me again. He doesn’t say anything, but I see the tug-of-war in his eyes. Caressing his face, I say, “I want you to talk to me.” Our eyes are as connected as our bodies. “Will you tell me why you were upset earlier?”
CHAPTER 21
DANIEL
She’s an angel sent to save me. There’s no other way to explain why this perfect woman would have anything to do with a guy like me.I’m trouble.It’s always been that way since I was young. I heard that more times than I ever heard I love you.
I fought to be a good dad to Roman, rejecting everything I learned from my father because I knew there had to be a better way. I studied movies and read books when I found out Mia was pregnant. I’ve worked my ass off to be the dad he needs. The role model part is still a work in progress.
I can do the same now. I can be a good partner for her. Someone she can rely on and trust, most importantly. I want to be that man for Summer. But that means pushing past the parts of me that don’t make me a better man or boyfriend. Silence helps no one. I learned that from my mom.
So looking into her pools of blues where I can swim freely and be myself, I swallow down the fear of rejection, and reply, “The PR machine has started in on me.”
The knit of her brows is overshadowed by the concern floating in her eyes. “I don’t know what that means.”
“It means the higher-ups, but more likely, the owners are trying to control the narrative to make sure I play by their rules.”
She smiles. Not the reaction I expected. “Have they met you?” Her laughter tinkers through her words as she strokes my cheek. When it settles, she says, “They can do whatever they want. We’re about to show them who’s really in control.”
I’ve gotten glimpses of this feistier side of her, mainly regarding the cottage. It’s sexy, but more than that, it’s incredible to hear the conviction in her voice. At the mere mention of a battle ahead, she’s willing to fight for me. No questions asked. Not needing more details to think about it. A simple threat in my direction has her readying to protect.
The words haven’t been said aloud, but if that’s not love, I don’t know what is.
I roll off to the side and switch off the lamp before readjusting in bed. “Maybe we show them in the morning, though.”
