If this feeling – of never wanting to let my woman go – isn’t love, then I don’t know what is.
“If you explained it all, and explained that’s why you walked out on the show, it could have the effect we want without you having to pretend with the other women.”
“Do you think that would work?”
“It could. It’s better than leaving it as it is. I can contact the show runners and see if they’ll let you back on tomorrow for a special episode. Should I look into it?”
I glance at Kyra. She’s biting her lip in that adorable way of hers.
“This isn’t just my choice to make,” I tell her. “Millions of people will be watching.”
“Would you do it?” she asks. “Publicly say you chose me?”
“Of course. I don’t even have to consider it. You’re the only woman I’ll ever want. I want the world to know that you belong to me, that I belong to you. But I need to know you’re comfortable with it. It will probably come with a lot of exposure, interview requests, maybe even paparazzi attention.”
Her smile starts shaky, but then it breaks widely across her face. Her blush deep. She looks so vivacious, so beautiful, so ready to begin our life together.
“I don’t care about any of that. Just the fact that you’re willing to tell the whole world you’ve chosen me… that’s enough. It means more to me than you could ever know.”
I smooth my hand along her face, tucking her hair behind her ear. She turns toward my touch as I cradle her cheek.
“Look into it, Jack,” I say.
“I will. And Kayden, Kyra…”
“Yeah?”
“I’m happy for you both. Even if this has given me one hell of a headache, I want you to know that. I’m so happy you found each other.”
He hangs up and we continue the drive, taking the highway out toward the woods. Soon we’ll turn off into the country roads, and begin our journey to the cabin.
“So where is this cabin, huh?” she asks, brightening the mood with her vibrant voice.
“I bought it a few years back as a place to go when I needed a break from business. As it happens, I’ve rarely used it, only once in fact… for a business retreat ironically. But I’ve kept it maintained. Maybe I knew I was going to meet you and knew we would need an escape. It’s in the woods. It’s private, the perfect place to forget for a little while.”
“Do you think I brought enough clothes?”
I chuckle as I remember standing in the apartment, Kyra throwing outfit after outfit into her bag.
“Seeing as we’re only going to be there for one day, and you’ve packed enough to last several centuries, yeah, I think we’ll be fine.”
She laughs and swats at my arm. “Well, I didn’t exactly know what you meant when you said disappear. Maybe the big mean grumpy CEO was going to kidnap me. Who knows?”
“Kidnap, eh? I quite like the sound of that…”
“I didn’t mean that, about you being big and mean and grumpy.”
“Well, I try not to be mean, it’s true. But I’m not sure I’d disagree about the grumpy and big part.”
“Yeah, true.” She giggles. “You’re definitely big.”
She puts heavy emphasis on the word big, drawing my gaze again. There’s something glinting in her eyes. My dick stirs and liquid flames shoot up and my shaft, telling me she’s ready.
Fuck.
Could that be it?
Last night, she said she wanted to, but the thought of me faking with other women was too painful for her.
Now that those women are out of the way – not that they were ever competing with my woman, to begin with – does she want to take the next step?
But then her smile falters.
Glancing between her and the road, I ask, “What is it?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Come on, Kyra. You don’t think I can read you by now?”
She nods shortly. “I’m just thinking about my boss, Lisa. She’s going to be livid with me. I guess that’s goodbye to my career in movies or television.”
“No. I won’t let that happen. I know how passionate you are about that. Whatever happens, you’re always going to have a chance to follow your dreams. I promise you that.”
“Really?”
“I can smooth things over with the show runners. And it’s not like this show is some major Hollywood production. If you start making good movies, she won’t be able to stop you. Nobody will. I’ll always support you.”
“If I was prouder I might tell you no, I have to do it all on my own, but…”
“But when you grow up in the system, you can’t afford to think that way.”
“I love that you understand where I’m coming from. Don’t get me wrong. I wish you hadn’t grown up in the system too. But it’s so nice that you understand.”