I'm a terrible liar.
"Ah," Dane says while relaxing, and he leans down to brush his lips against mine.
He pulls me to him before leaning down to the open passenger door. "Want to come in for a while? You can leave in plenty of time to get ready for the party."
Ah hell. I forgot about this event, too. Our lives are really too busy. Tonight Dane has a big clinic unveiling. He's serious about helping people, and it's one of the many things I love about him. But I'd like to curl up in his arms after this day and just fall asleep.
"Nah," Tria says, looking at me. "I actually need to take care of something first. I'll see you guys later, though."
***
DANE
"Where were you? I tried calling," I say as Rain steps into the house.
I follow, admiring her body from the back. I'm not sure I like her wearing such a short little dress without me around. Not that I have any control over that, but still. I'd have to kill someone if they touched her.
"We had a breakfast thing that turned into a most-of-the-day thing. My phone was shut off to keep it from interrupting anything. I just forgot to turn it back on."
She doesn't want to tell me. That sucks. I thought we were making great progress. I just bought the ring; I have something major planned for tonight, and now... no. Fuck this.
"Rain, you can evade the question all you want, but we're together. You used to tell me everything when we were younger. I know things have changed, but we're together now. And you don't know how much I want this to work. I don't want secrets between us."
Her eyes change in that moment, and her lips tighten. She wars with something before finally letting out a breath of resignation.
"You're right. Sorry." I really wasn't expecting her to cave that easily. "Tria and I were at the Hilton. They hosted a benefit breakfast. All the proceeds go to breast cancer victims and their families to help with treatment costs. I was a guest speaker."
Closing the short distance between us, I reach for her and she willingly steps into me, wrapping her small arms around my waist.
"Why didn't you tell me? I could have gone with you."
My lips rub across her forehead as I affectionately trace my fingers up and down her back.
"It was mostly women—women affected by breast cancer. And... well, I don't know. It just didn't feel right to ask you to go to that. I want things to be fun and light between us right now."
I pull back to tilt her chin up, forcing her eyes to meet mine.
"Rain, we're not the traditional couple that's just starting to feel each other out. We've seen the good, the bad, the scary, and the crazy together. Let's skip the superficial phase. We're well beyond that. I know you inside and out, just like you know me. I want more than the fun and light stuff."
She looks at me, her eyes unreadable, and then she shocks the hell out of me. "Dane, I... I love you."
I only hesitate because I'm worried I just dreamed that. I had an elaborate plan to tell her I love her tonight after I showed her what I've been working on for the past six years—my biggest, best, most incredible project.
I never expected this.
The fear of rejection crosses her eyes, and I finally snap out of my shock long enough to chok
e on a breath of air.
"I love you, Rain. So fucking much," I say through a whisper, afraid my voice will crack if I use anything louder.
Her smile almost makes me lose my footing, and her eyes water as she pulls me down to press her lips against mine with a kiss that could melt glaciers. Just when I prepare to move this to the bedroom, she breaks the kiss and leans back.
"Dane... I had to—"
Someone bangs on the door, startling us and interrupting whatever Rain was going to say. I rush over when the knocking becomes more urgent, and swing the door open to Dale.
"We need your help. Tria was ran off the road by Pete Mercer."