Page 32

JAXON

B ridget's small hands were over my eyes. "Keep them closed until I say so," she said. She was on tiptoes, and she struggled to keep her hands over my eyes as we walked up a road. She'd made me stop the bike a hundred yards back, so she could keep her surprise.

I tripped and almost accidentally flipped her over my shoulder. "Shit, this is getting dangerous," she laughed. "All right. It's fine. We're there." She dropped her hands, and I opened my eyes. She came up next to me and wrapped her arm around mine.

"It's the old Monroe place," I said. The beach house was a cool mid-century home with a lot of windows, though most of them were cracked and covered with wood or dirt at the moment.

"It's been empty since Frank Monroe died of a heart attack while driving up north to see his kids.

The kids never had time to come down and sell the place, and so it's been sitting here decaying for a few years. "

"Yep, the family finally got their act together and put it on the market and I bought it. It has a great view of Croft Beach, so I thought it would be perfect."

I looked at her cautiously. "Perfect?"

"For us. I know you've been talking about us getting a place, and I should have asked, but I figured you could put your stamp on it by fixing it up. You're mad, aren't you? I should have asked you first."

I pulled her into my arms. "You fucking kidding me? It's awesome. And yeah, can't wait to get my hands dirty with it."

Bridget breathed a sigh of relief. "I know you'll be sad to leave the Shack."

I laughed as I took hold of her hand to lead her to the front stoop.

"Like when I'm sad to leave the dentist's office after a filling?

Look, I love those guys, but living with them was getting old.

I can't wait to start my life with you, Bridget Walsh, because you belong with me, and I belong with you. Nothing else would have worked for me."

I lowered my mouth to hers for a long kiss.

"Now, is it as bad inside as out?" I asked.

"Actually, no. It's not bad at all. The outside just took a hit because it's on the coast." She pushed her hand into the pocket on her jeans and pulled out a key. She stuck it in the lock and opened the door.

The entry led to a big room lined with windows. They weren't allowing much light because of the dirt, but with some work there'd be an amazing view.

"The kitchen is this way," Bridget said, but I pulled her back into my arms.

She chirped as her body hit mine. "I say we break the place in by fucking in every single room. That way we can check out how sturdy the walls are."

Bridget brushed her fingers down my cheek. "I like the way you think, Jaxon Stone."

I pulled her closer and kissed her.