Page 114 of Saving His Heart

Stepping into the shower, I reflect on the last month. I worry that we’ve fallen too quickly into a pattern that takes most couples years to emulate. I won’t ever tell Preston that, though. God only knows what kind of fairy tale magic he would pull out if he ever thought I had doubts.

“Don’t ruin a good thing with your negativity, Emory. You are entitled to a happily ever after as much as the next person.”Lexi’s words run through my mind. They’ve become a mantra of sorts, but they do make me miss my friend. She left so suddenly, I feel like I missed something even though she assures me there’s nothing wrong. Julia mentioned that something was wrong with the roof at the lodge that GG owns, so I guess it makes sense. It doesn’t make me miss her any less, though.

Finished with my shower, I pad through the enormous space, happy that my husband is a smart man. Turning our home into Loki Locators HQ meant we had to shift some things around. Preston moved his office into the spare room across from ours. That allowed all the work to be done on the opposite side of the apartment.“It’s the only way we’ll have any privacy,”Preston had said.

Privacy is a hot commodity these days.

I sit quietly on the couch and listen to Seth talk.

“I have a team headed there now.”

“Seth, I don’t even know the last time Loki was in that house, but I can guarantee he has it locked down. I think my mother hired a caretaker after his parents passed, but I have no idea if she still looks after it. They will not allow strangers onto that property without a search warrant.”

“Or you?” Seth counters.

Preston glances in my direction. I know he’s desperate to get me alone again, but Loki is the priority.

“It’s okay, you go with Seth. I’m exhausted anyway. I’ll just get some sleep while you’re gone.”

Preston is on me in an instant. “Can I wake you up when I get home?”

“I hope you do,” I say in a sultry voice I don’t recognize.

He sighs loudly. “Let’s go.” A quick, hungry kiss later, he’s walking out the door.

With them gone, I sit on the balcony. It’s much cooler out now, but I find myself needing to clear my head more often than not. Everything in my life has happened so fast I’m struggling to accept it all as real.

“Goldie? Jesus Christ, you’re frozen. You scared the shit out of me. I didn’t know where you were,” Preston’s strained voice fills my ears just as I feel myself go airborne.

My eyes open in surprise to find myself plastered to Preston’s side.Shit! Did I fall asleep?

“I … wait, what time is it?” I ask, glancing around.

The house is dark as he carries me inside and straight to our room.

“Shh, it’s late, and you are cold as ice.”

I can’t help myself. I nuzzle into his warmth. “I’m sure you can warm me up.”

He growls into my neck, and my pulse quickens. I love that he responds to me this way.No man has ever had this kind of reaction to anything I’ve done. It makes me feel powerful, confident, and sexy as hell.

We come to a stop in the master bath, and he sets me on the counter as he turns on all three shower heads. I observe him as he holds a hand in the running water until it reaches the desired temperature. He is still the same Preston I met in Dr. Terry’s office, but this man before me is different. The sad edge he held is gone. In its place is an open, honest man who continues to go out of his way to prove his love to me.

Will you ever be able to accept it?The phrase runs through my head like a curse.Will I?

“What’s the frown for, sweetheart?”

I snap my attention to him, trying to shake the thoughts away.

“Nothing, just thinking. Any news on Loki?” I ask, changing the subject.

He stares at me, debating if he should take the bait. Finally, after searching my eyes, he caves. “We found a note, but it doesn’t make any sense. We’ll need a family meeting tomorrow before dinner to figure it out if Seth doesn’t turn up anything tonight.”

“Another full house,” I say. I don’t mean it to sound snotty, just an observation, but I can see it makes Preston feel guilty. “I-I didn’t mean that. I—”

“It’s okay, I think it, too. A lot. Especially now that I really, really need to have you all to myself.” He motions toward his crotch, and I gasp.

Jesus, that thing is monstrous.