Page 101 of Romancing His Heart

Smiling at the praise, I let my grin speak for itself.

“How often are you practicing?”

“We come out every day.”

“We?”

Shrugging my shoulders like it’s no big deal, I turn away from him so he can’t see me blush.

“Yeah, we kind of fell into a routine, I guess. We exercise together, eat together, do chores together, we even work together.” I leave out the sexcapades that have replaced my research. There’s no need to embarrass us both, but from his smirk, I have a feeling he knows.

“You know, there’s nothing wrong with admitting you like each other,” Seth points out while helping me clean up our mess.

Flustered, I blurt, “Oh, I don’t do relationships, Seth.”

“I know you say you don’t, but what do you think a relationship entails, Sloane? Because to me, it means spending time with someone who encourages you to be better, to do better. It means spending time with someone because it’s fun and learning to adapt to each other’s lives because you like having them close. So, from where I’m standing, you’ve been in a relationship with Loki for months. You just never labeled it.”

When he puts it that way, he may have a point.

Is that why I got so upset when Loki shut down on me?

Deciding to put it away until I talk to Loki, I turn toward the cabin. “Come on, big guy. It may be spring, but it’s still freaking cold up here in the mountains. Let’s go check on the other guys.”

“Sounds good to me. I’m freezing my balls off out here.” He chuckles.

“Such a baby. Oh shoot, do you have the empty magazines?”

Glancing down at his hands, I see they’re empty.

“No worries. You head up to the house, I’ll grab them and meet you there.”

“Okay. Thanks, Seth.”

“Anytime. But maybe you could make some coffee?”

“As long as you don’t expect coffee cake with the coffee, I can do that.”

“Nah, I’ve heard about your baking. I’ll wait until you perfect it.” He winks.

“Why is everyone so convinced I’ll figure it?” My insecurity is showing , but I really need this answer right now.

He stares at me for a moment, choosing his words carefully.

“Because we all see what you can’t, Sloane. You’re capable of so much more than you allow yourself to believe. Someday, you’ll see yourself the way the rest of us do. Now, get inside before your toes freeze off.”

Swallowing a lump the size of a basketball, I nod, then jog up the steps. Before I open the door, I watch Seth round the cabin. Just as I’m about to turn the handle, Loki’s voice cements me in place.

“This isn’t a life for a family, Luca.” Loki’s voice has a sharp edge to it.

Is this what he’s like as Special Agent Kane?

“Don’t you think I know that?” Luca bellows back.

“What is it you want to do exactly?” Ashton interrupts, more calmly than the other two.

“I want to put Vic away. Then I want to get my girl as far away from her fucked up family as I can.” The malice in Luca’s voice is palpable.

“Then what?” Loki mocks. “Do you seriously think you can continue with the FBI? It doesn’t work that way, little brother.”