Page 73 of Mr. Red

“I know. Someone with a captain, real estate, and pilot license doesn’t scream ‘I’m chill.’ I’m just letting you know you can just be who you are with me.”

He nods. “I’ll relax.”

I squint my eyes at him. “You’ll relax?”

“I’lltryto relax.”

“Okay,” I huff. “Thank you. Lead the way.”

We climb up some stairs all the way to the top of the lighthouse, gusts of wind hitting us. As I’m looking out at the coastline, Matt comes up behind me and starts kissing my neck with his arms wrapped around my waist.

“Is my girl enjoying the view?”

His girl?My lips tilt up in a smile as my stomach feels like it dropped to the bottom floor. I grab for the necklace he surprised me with; I haven’t taken it off since he gave it to me.

“I mean, it’s satisfactory,” I tease.

“Oh, you need a change of scenery already?” He turns me so fast I don’t have time to react, moving my body so we’re chest to chest and pushes me against the gated ledge. He has a hold of the back of my head and kisses me. I’m surprised it’s so gentle after that move, but it’s sensual with a bit of pressure.

Goodbye body, it’s been nice while it lasted. The take-charge Matt is nice, but this Matt is on another level. It’s a connection between our hearts now, not just a physical one.

Then his phone starts vibrating. A call from Grant. He looks at it and then ignores the call, leaning into our kiss again. We must stay there for twenty minutes, before he pulls away, keeping his forehead locked with mine.

“Come on, let’s go enjoy somewhere else for a while.”

“We could keep doing what we’re doing. No one can come up here.”

“There’s people below. They could see.”

“Ugh.” I’m riled up. He teased me with his addictive lips.

He nudges me to make our descent down the steep stairs and locks the gate to the top behind him.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you soon.” He gives me a wicked grin.

I reluctantly give in. “Fine.”

Then off we go, hand in hand to another part of the park.

~

After a hike, we’ve returned to the house. Matt is barbequing on the rooftop. I go to sit on his lap.

“I’ve been wondering,” I start.

“’Bout what?”

“Is your plan to move back to Texas as soon as possible?”

“Yes. After the project is done. There’s no reason for me to stay. I’d have to find another deal. Washington isn’t as easy as Texas, so Grant needs to be happy about the numbers. It’ll probably take me a while to convince him it’s a good idea.”

I fidget with my fingers. “I don’t know how soon I’d be able to leave Lakebrook. We haven’t opened the gym yet.” I look at his face. It tells me nothing. “Not that you’re thinking I’d move with you or anything. I’m just saying...” I trail off, not knowing how to recover without sounding clingy.

“I’d like it if you would keep your yourself open to the idea of moving to Texas. I have everything set up there.”

I squish my eyebrows together. “Set up for what?”

“For my business and for personal things.”