Love Me Reckless (Love Me Dangerous #2)

Chapter 39

Chapter Thirty-Nine

SAWYER

One month later

I pull in front of the little green house and park behind the realtor, who jumps out of her SUV to greet us. She’s holding a SOLD placard and a set of keys.

“Morning!” she calls, stepping through the deep snow.

“Good morning!” Kirilee calls out as she steps down from the truck, her eyes fixed on the front of the house.

The realtor sets the keys in Kirilee’s palm and wades through more snow to slide the SOLD placard into place on top of the listing sign.

Kirilee clasps the keys and shoots me a smile. “Can we go inside?”

I laugh. “It’s yours, isn’t it?”

She gives me an excited little wiggle. “It is!”

The realtor walks with us, rattling off the improvements the sellers made as part of Kirilee’s offer, including a critical plumbing upgrade and an assessment from an electrician. There’s still plenty of work to do, but that only seems to make Kirilee more excited.

Grayson and Kirilee made a proposal to their parents about restructuring the family business. They are still in negotiations, but Kirilee is no longer burdened with saving Finn River Ranch thanks to a generous donation and a few key ideas from Jonah Burgess that helped Grayson refine his plan. That and Kirilee’s discovery that Birch planned to build fifty windmills on the undeveloped northern acreage of Finn River Ranch and use tax cuts to make it look profitable. Apparently, Birch plans to sell the Grayhawk house, and I heard from Grayson that he’s already relocated to Wyoming.

After the night in Grayhawk, Kirilee asked if she could stay with me for a while, and of course I said yes. Though I worried it would be too crowded for her or even too harsh of an adjustment from the lifestyle she was used to, she said it’s been like joining a big family. I would have understood had she wanted to find her own place, or move back into her bungalow, but having her close to me and becoming part of my world has felt pretty incredible.

I’ve never felt happier to come home at the end of the day. Waking up with her in my arms is even better.

“It was so great meeting you both,” the realtor says after the debrief. “Good luck with your project!”

We shake hands, and the realtor high steps back out to her car, leaving Kirilee and I alone in the empty rooms.

Kirilee takes me on her own tour, rattling off her ideas, bringing up questions and thoughts that no doubt have been percolating in her mind since that first visit. I love seeing her face light up or her lips purse in thought. It reminds me of our first round of hot tub wish list, when she circled her shins in the water, imagining. I love that I get to watch this dream come true.

I tried to “invest” in the Finn River Community Art Center but Kirilee wouldn’t hear of it, so instead I bought her six top-of-the-line pottery wheels, a chemist’s hood for mixing her glazes, and two electric kilns. Meanwhile, I’m saving for a place of our own. We’re not in any rush—living with Carson and Brody is a hoot and we get along so well—but it’s never too early to plan for the future we want.

That night, after celebrating with our friends at the pub and later— just the two of us in our little room—I sweep her silky hair from her shoulder and hold her close.

“I overheard you and Grayson talking tonight, about Alaska,” she says. “Are you going?”

“Yeah. After Sofie and Zach’s wedding, maybe.” I’ll spread some of Sheldon’s ashes near Mom’s grave and check on her. I’ll keep some of Sheldon here in Finn River too, so I can keep looking out for him. I think I’ll take him to the top of Glory Basin, so he can appreciate the view.

“Will you let me go with you?”

I stroke her long hair and savor the warmth of her body. “I would love that.”

Nothing between us. Never again.

I follow the concrete walkway down a set of stairs to the tall building taking up most of the lower level. Two of the bay doors are open, and the whir of machinery and the occasional shout rises above the steady spring breeze.

Just as I arrive, the bell chimes and a crowd of students file out in groups, talking loudly, laughing, their backpacks slung across their lanky shoulders. Most of them are boys, but I’m glad to see a pair of young women in the mix too. I stay in the shadows, watching the kids continue up the stairs or saunter toward the student parking lot. A little thrill hums beneath my breastbone.

“Mr. Reed?” a man calls from inside the shop, snapping my attention back to my purpose.

I enter the darkened shop, the scent of motor oil and sawdust hitting my senses, and extend my hand to the thick-chested man in a Finn River Falcons hoodie and dark jeans.

“Sam Blankenship,” he says, giving my hand a firm pump. His grip is thick and strong and his close-cropped fingernails have the distinctive stains of a person who spends long hours getting them dirty.

“Nice to meet you,” I say, my eye drawn to the work bench behind him and the computer stations along the left side.

“You want a tour?” he asks, arching one of his bushy eyebrows.

“I’d love that,” I reply.

Sam spends the next forty-five minutes sharing the two auto repair stations and various types of equipment, the adjoining wood shop, the 3D printer and the robotics area, and the computers where another teacher offers a coding class.

“Only thing we don’t really do is electricity, at least not at a high level,” Sam says after we’ve returned to the main auto bay where a diesel truck awaits repairs.

“It looks like there’s plenty here to keep kids busy,” I say.

Sam cocks his head. “Tell me more about your idea. You’ve got approval from the ranch?”

I nod. “My boss, Robin McTavish, has it in writing, when you’re ready. We’d offer two intern positions per summer. Each kid would get paired with an experienced mechanic to learn the trade while earning high school credit. Then in the winter, they’d pull a monthly weekend shift to see how it all works in real time.”

“Any chance these internships could lead to a paid position?”

“Absolutely. A student intern would be eligible for assistance with the vocational program at Bitterroot Community College as part of employment if they go that route.”

Sam’s face brightens. “This sounds too good to be true.”

“The kids would have to work hard.”

“I have a few juniors this year who might be interested,” Sam says. “I think they both ski too.”

I laugh. “That comes in handy.”

Carson and Brody pulled me aside the week we closed for the season to thank me for the comic relief my ski abilities had provided them throughout the winter .

Wait, you knew?

Of course we knew, you dumbass.

And you didn’t care?

Why would we care?

“Would you be willing to come talk to my classes about what you do?” Sam asks. “Share some of your experiences?”

“I’d be honored.”

He laughs. “Don’t get too excited. Getting through to these kids can be exhausting.”

“I may sort of understand that.”

Sam laughs and we shake hands. He closes the bay doors and leads me through the computer room to the sunny courtyard outside.

“Thanks for thinking of us,” Sam says, shading his soft brown eyes. “It means a lot.”

“It means a lot to me too,” I reply.

I lead Kirilee by the hand down the shaded path in the falling dusk, the warmth from the summer day hanging in the air. To the west, the sun’s final rays have soaked the horizon in crimson and turned the lake surface below to a shimmering indigo.

“You sure it’s safe?” Kirilee asks.

“No,” I reply.

She laughs. “You’d let me plummet to my death?”

“Of course not. I’ll go first.”

“But then what if you plummet to your death?”

“Maybe we should go together.”

She laughs again. The trail rises higher, to a rock promontory that juts over the lake. The jump is probably only twenty feet and I know from experience that the lake is deep here .

Kirilee’s going to love it.

We set down our towels on the sun-warmed rock. I take her hand again and lead her to the edge, so she can peek over.

Her brows knit together and her face scrunches in that adorable look of determination that I am crazy about. “Hmm.”

“You want to watch me first?”

She side-eyes me. “Where’s the fun in that?”

I caress her face and lean in to kiss her. “There’s my girl.”

She kisses me back, her lips tasting of the cherries we snacked on during the drive. When she breaks away, her gaze locks on mine. “I like being your girl.”

“Then I must be doing something right.”

Her smile brightens. “You spoil me.”

“Damn right.” I peek over the edge. “What’s it gonna be, princess? You going first or am I?”

She tries to scowl at me but it turns into a laugh. “Together,” she says, peeling off her t-shirt and slipping her shorts past her hips.

“Can you do that again, only, uh, slower?” I say, unable to tear my eyes away from her in the simple dark blue bikini. Her opal pendant glitters in the sunlight. Since she got it back, she refuses to take it off.

She laughs. “Maybe later?”

I lean closer for another kiss. “I’m going to hold you to that.” I peel off my t-shirt and drop it next to my flip flops, then slide my hand into hers.

“Sawyer, what’s that?” Kirilee leans sideways, her eyes locked on the fresh ink on my left rib. It’s been nearly impossible to hide it from her these past few days with the bandage. I had to get creative.

In the fading light, the design is still raised and sensitive but I know in time it’ll heal. It’s a part of me now. Just like Kirilee. When I’m missing her, this reminds me of everything we’ve shared.

Kirilee’s mouth hangs open in surprise. “Is that… does that…?” Her gorgeous eyes lock with mine. “That’s a K.”

“Any idea what it could stand for? ”

She traces over the cursive heart with her thumb, like she needs to make sure it’s real. “Does it hurt?”

“In the best way.”

Her eyes find mine again. “You love me that much?”

A gust of evening breeze skims the water, stirring the cool mineral scent of the lake and tugging at the loose strands framing her face. She’s so beautiful standing here in this golden light with her green eyes lit by her inner fire and her face so open and trusting.

I lock eyes with her as I cradle her waist. “I’m yours, Kirilee.”

“I’m yours, too.” She kisses me, her lips so tender.

When I lean back, she smiles, then slips her hand into mine. Her skin is smooth against where I'm rough, delicate where I’m strong. To an outsider, we probably look like opposites. I laugh at the thought. Because our hearts know the truth.

“Ready?” she asks.

I swing our hands back, we leap off the ledge.

It’s dark by the time we walk back to my truck, guided by the rising moon, our wet feet squelching in our sandals. The drive back to the house passes quickly, Kirilee’s thigh warming mine and our fingers entwined on my knee.

Because of a raft trip this weekend, our roommates are elsewhere tonight, so I lead Kirilee up to my room and drop to my bed, leaving her standing in the middle of the floor.

“You’re serious?” she asks when it dawns on her what I want.

I arch an eyebrow. “Relationships are built on promises, princess.”

Her astonished expression is priceless. “What do I get in return?”

“You get to come on my cock.”

She busts up laughing. “Well, when you put it that way.”

I love the heat in her eyes when I push her buttons.

She slowly pulls up her shirt and drops it to the floor, then caresses down her body, slowly, between her breasts and over her belly. With her eyes locked on me, she slips the button of her shorts free, then slides the zipper .

I lean back on my elbows and I drink in the way her nipples tense and her lips part as she slides the shorts past her hips and lets them drop to the floor.

“Okay so far?” she asks.

“Quit stalling,” I tease.

She laughs, her cheeks flushing pink. “I thought that was the point?”

With one tug, the tie at her neck comes loose and the bikini top slips over her breasts. She reaches back for the other tie and the fabric drops to the floor.

I groan in appreciation.

She flicks her tongue across her lips, then with a grin, peels the bikini bottoms down.

“Come here,” I say, my voice gruff. I tug off my trunks.

She steps to the end of the bed. I wrap my arms around her and kiss her belly, savoring the scent of the lake on her skin and the warmth of her body. Gently, I urge her onto my lap. Her eyes lock with mine as she sinks down, taking me inside, her body welcoming me so beautifully.

She gives my new ink a gentle caress, her gaze reverent. “This is forever, isn’t it?”

“It is for me,” I say.

“Sawyer,” she sighs, cradling my face. She kisses me, her lips so fucking soft.

“I promise to love you,” I say as we rock together. “To be gentle with your heart. To listen to you.”

“You’re so good to me,” she says, her eyes turning glassy.

“I promise to be truthful, even when it’s scary. I promise to support and encourage you. I promise to love every part of you, even the parts you haven’t learned to love for yourself.”

“You don’t have to promise me these things.” She places her fingertips on the cursive heart with her name etched there for eternity. “I feel them. ”

“I’m a better man when I’m with you,” I say. “Kinder. More patient. Humble.”

She smiles as a tear trickles down. “You make me strong, and brave.”

“We’re better together,” I say, urging her faster.

“Yes,” she says, her expression sharp with yearning. “The best kind of better. The kind that lasts forever.”

My heart tightens in my chest. “You want to be forever mine, sweetheart?”

“Yes.” She cradles my face and kisses me. “More than anything.”

“Even if you can’t see it?”

Her smile breaks and her eyes fill with so much love. “That might be the best part.”