“Me? Isn’t this your baby?”
“Nope. It’s ours. So tell me what you’re thinking. You have the experience. I just have dreams.”
Ours. How on earth did I get so lucky? “Well, I think clean water is the main thing we should focus on because of health issues, but if we’re working on wells, then maybe we can also bring in a project for the local children at the same time. Like I did with the kids here. And if we’re on location for the installation of the wells, then we can cater the kids’ programs to be no longer than that amount of time.”
They turned and walked back down the beach.
“I like your idea about a program for kids. What about timing? Would you be okay traveling for, I don’t know, one month out of every three?”
“Yeah. I think so. I’m sure you need time to work, too, and that would give us four times each year when we can make a difference. A big difference.” Walking with Sage had taken the edge off her nerves. Just talking about what she might or might not want to do made her feel more comfortable with the whole concept of the nonprofit. Then again, Sage put her at ease with everything he did. Kate smiled at how he’d taken her needs into consideration first, instead of working around his own schedule, which brought her mind to New York again. “Sage?”
“Yeah?”
“Tell me what you’re like when you’re not here. What’s your life like in New York?”
He looked down at her and smiled. “My life in New York.” He sighed, as if he were about to tell a long story. “I get up and usually work out, maybe go for a run; then I work in my studio for a while. If I have a show, of course I go there. Sometimes I have to meet with clients who are commissioning work. I visit their homes or offices. I usually work several evenings each week, sometimes well past midnight if I’m in the middle of a project. I try to catch up with Dex for a drink every few weeks, whenever we’re both around.” He shrugged. “It’s not very exciting. Every once in a while my mom sets up a dinner or lunch and we all try to get together for it.”
She was quiet while she processed his answer. Working well past midnight several nights each week? How would that work? Would they ever see each other?
“Now, do you want to hear what my life will be like when we live together?”
“Sure.” She was trying to figure out how she would fit into his life, and she hated how withdrawn she sounded because of it.
“I’ll probably do everything pretty much the same, except I hope we’ll have breakfast together, maybe take a walk some evenings.” He stopped walking and placed his hands on her hips. “Dinner together is a must, to be sure that I’m not just your booty call. Oh, and I’ll get my studio time in well before midnight. Just in case you want that booty call.”
She laughed. “You’re such a fool.”
He swooped her into his powerful arms and ran into the water. “What am I?”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her forehead on his. “You’re the sexiest and sweetest man I’ve ever known, and I want to have breakfast and dinners with you. I want you at my beck and call for late-night booty action. And I want to meet your brother for drinks.”
“And?”
And what? She couldn’t think of anything else. She shook her head.
He swung his arms, readying to throw her in. She clung to him.
“And what?” she said through a laugh. Kate couldn’t think of one thing to say that would stop him from throwing her into the water, so instead she lowered her mouth to his and took him in a deep, greedy kiss. His strong arms came around her, repositioning her legs around his waist. With the setting sun on her back and the heat of Sage pressed against her chest, a calm radiated through her. Even if she didn’t know what would happen in a day, a month, or a year, she wanted every blessed second she could have with Sage. He laid her on the towels beneath the tree and kissed her until she could barely think.
“A week is too long,” he said, before grazing her shoulder with his lips as he untied her bikini top and slipped it from her body.
His hand, sure and strong, traveled down her ribs, sending a full-body shiver through Kate. He looked down at her, his eyes dark, hungry, and so full of love that she had to wrap her hand around the back of his neck and pull him into another kiss to keep from falling apart, knowing that tomorrow at this time, he’d be gone. His hand slid down her hip, hooking on the bottom of her suit. She lifted her hips, and he drew the tiny swatch of fabric down, then slid out of his bathing trunks and settled himself above her.
Leaning on his forearms, his mouth an inch from her lips, he pressed his cheek to hers and whispered, “Don’t worry over the silly things. Love me and let me love you. I will always be here for you, and I’ll never let you down.”
Oh God. “I know you won’t.” Tears pressed at her eyes as he slid into her and they became one. She loved him so much, everything about him, and as she wrapped her arms around his body and closed her eyes, the love swelled so big she thought her heart might burst. She opened her eyes as his forehead met hers.
“I’m so in love with you, Kate.”
She opened her mouth to respond as he moved slowly, deeply, filling her completely. She had to catch her breath. The words were lost in their love. She felt a tear slip down the side of her face; then the pad of his thumb wiped it away.
He stopped moving. “Am I hurting you?”
She shook her head, still overwhelmed by emotions that felt thick and tangible. “No. I just love you.”
He nuzzled against her neck and held her tightly. And as their bodies moved in sync and the sun fell from the sky, Sage settled his lips over Kate’s and loved her right up over the edge, until she had to tear her lips from his to gasp a breath. She met each of his powerful thrusts with a lift of her hips, feeling her heart open and devour him. She had to have more of him, and she grasped at his back, his hips, anywhere she could find purchase, until he was breathing hard, sucking in air between clenched teeth, and the night air carried his name from her lungs. Sage was right there with her, filling her with his love and carrying them through his powerful release. His body shuddered as he came to rest. Their hearts thundered as if they were trying to break through their chests and join together as one.
“Don’t forget me when we’re apart,” she whispered, though she knew he never would.
“We’ll never be apart. I’m leaving my heart right here with you.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
KATE AWOKE SUNDAY morning nestled between Sage’s arm and his chest, where her body melded perfectly to his. She didn’t dare move. Sage was leaving in just a few hours, and some tiny part of her thought that if she didn’t move, if he didn’t wake, then maybe he wouldn’t really have to leave. She lay with her eyes closed, breathing in the scent of him, willing her body to remember the feel of his leg beneath hers, the way his muscles twitched under her weight. She listened to the cadence of his breathing. It was even, comforting, and peaceful, unlike his ragged breathing when they’d made love the night before, first at the beach and then in her room. A week isn’t that long. It felt like a lifetime.
He drew in a long breath, causing his chest to rise, taking her cheek along with it. Kate held her breath, hoping he’d stay asleep a little longer. Once he was awake, they had a million things to do before he left, and she just wanted to forget. She glanced at the table by her bed, littered with sticky notes. For the first time ever, she hated the sight of them, the stupid little reminders telling her all the things that meant Sage was definitely leaving. Clean the cabin. Wash the sheets. Prepare for the next volunteer.
The next volunteer.
She couldn’t even reconcile Sage as a volunteer. He was so much more. Who was she kidding? He was everything.
He stirred, wrapping his arm around her and pulling her close, then kissing the top of her head before even opening his eyes. Kate sighed. God, I’ll miss you.
“If I don’t open my eyes, can we pretend I don’t have to leave?” he asked.
&nbs
p; Kate couldn’t manage anything but a sad moan.
“Come here, babe.” He pulled her over him and opened his eyes. “God, you’re beautiful.”
He kissed her, and a lump formed in Kate’s throat. How could this be possible? She’d gone two years without seeing her parents. She’d left her few friends from college behind without a care in the world. Even Luce, whom she’d seen only a handful of times over the past two years, but whom she adored, didn’t cause her to cry when she left. And in two short weeks she’d fallen so completely in love with Sage that she could barely think past the pain of him leaving.
“Hey,” he whispered, brushing her hair away from her face. Sage pulled her close and held her while tears streaked her cheeks and tumbled onto his chest. “It’s only a week. It’ll be over before we know it, and then we’ll be waking up like this again.”
She nodded. “Technic…technically, it’s a few days longer. I leave…I leave in a week, but I have to see my parents for a few days first.” God, I hate this. She wouldn’t feel right not visiting her parents first, even if she’d rather be with Sage. Of course, then she’d never want to leave him.
“We can get through a few days longer. We can do anything as long as we know we’ll be back together soon.”
She knew he was right, but it hurt just the same. Kate didn’t know how long she lay there, but she was thankful that Sage didn’t rush her or make her feel silly for missing him before he was even gone.
They showered and dressed in silence. Sage moved carefully around her, touching her arm as she walked past him, pulling her close when tears rose to the surface. By the time they left her room, he had tearstains on the chest of his white T-shirt. He wore the same tan cargo pants he’d worn when he’d first arrived, and Kate felt a pang of longing to rewind time. They’d packed his bags the evening before, and while Kate spent time helping Luce pack, Sage had gone to wrap his canvases so they were ready to ship home. Home. Something miraculous had happened over the past twenty-four hours. Sage’s home had become her home in her mind. She couldn’t pinpoint exactly when or how the transition had taken place, but she was relieved to feel the comfort instead of the nagging anxiety that had prickled her nerves over the past few weeks.
They were picking up Sage’s bags from his cabin when Luce came out of hers wearing a light cotton skirt and a tank top. Her blond hair lay straight and shiny, freshly combed and ready for the city once again. She wore makeup for the first time in two weeks, a sure sign of returning to her real life.
“Go see Luce,” Sage said. “I just realized that I forgot something back at your place. I’ll catch up in a minute.”
Kate nodded, still unable to pull herself together, and she watched him hurry off.
“Thinking about hiding him in your cabin for the next week?” Luce called.
Kate sighed. “I wish.”
“You’ll see him in a week. It’s not that long.” Luce threw her arm around Kate. “You gonna be okay?”
“I have to be.” Even if I’m not. “It’s stupid, right? He’s only been here two weeks, and I’m acting like we’ve been together for years.”
“It’s not stupid. You’re in that honeymoon stage. You know, moon-eyed lovers, hot for each other every second, can’t wait to be in each other’s arms.”
Kate couldn’t even dispute her words with a joke. They were true.
The car ambled onto the property, and Kate’s eyes welled with tears again, damn it. “Oh my God, I’m gonna miss you.” Kate wrapped her arms around Luce’s neck.
“Me too. I had so much fun, despite Penelope’s tantrums.”
“Me too.”
“Come see me in New York. Promise?”
“It looks like I’m going to be living there, so…” Kate said.
“Living? As in for good?” Luce arched a brow.
Kate smiled, wiping the remaining tears from the corners of her eyes. “I think so. He asked me to stay and, Luce, I can’t imagine ever leaving him again.”
“Oh, Kate!” She threw her arms around Kate and squealed. “This is so great! We can see each other more often. I’ll be there to help you with your nonprofit, and you’ll love Shea.” She grabbed her bags and they headed for the car.
“I’m excited. Nervous, but more excited than scared. I wish I was leaving with you guys.” She spotted Sage coming down the path from her cabin. She felt a smile stretch across her cheeks as he came to her side and pulled her close again.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yeah.”
“She’s gonna bawl her eyes out when we leave, but it’s for me, Sage, so don’t go thinking it’s all for you,” Luce teased.
Kate wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest again.
“She’ll miss us both,” he said.
After putting the luggage in the car, Kate hugged Luce again, glad to hear Luce sniffling as they embraced. Misery loves company.
“We’ll see each other soon,” Luce said as she drew back. “I didn’t get to say goodbye to Caleb. Will you tell him goodbye for me?”
“Wait!” Javier’s voice called their attention back toward the cabins, where he was dashing across the thick grass toward them with Caleb in tow. “Mr. Sage!” He jumped into Sage’s arms with a paper in hand and wrapped his arms around his neck. “I’m going to miss you.”
Sage wrapped his strong arms around him. His hand cupped the back of his head and held Javier close. “Hey there, buddy. I’m gonna miss you, too. You’ll take good care of Miss Kate for me, won’t you?”
Javier nodded emphatically.
Kate couldn’t hold back another rush of tears at seeing Sage and Javier together. She wiped them away with the crook of her arm, wondering how in the hell she’d ever put the pieces of her heart back together.
“I made you something.” Javier handed Sage the paper. Sage scanned it quickly and then glanced at Kate with a soft smile. She leaned in close to take a look, causing more tears to fall.
Javier pointed at the drawing. “That’s you, that’s Miss Kate, and that’s me. See me? I drew the eyes just how you showed me.”
“May I keep this, Javier?” Sage asked. “You’re such an amazing artist. One day I’ll be able to show people this and say, I knew Javier before he became famous.”
Javier’s eyes bloomed wide. “Famous?”
“If you try hard enough, there’s no telling how famous you can become.” Sage winked at Kate.
She felt the time they had together slipping away as Luce climbed into the car. Sage set Javier down and patted his head. “Thank you, Javier. Promise me you’ll study hard at your lessons and that you’ll always be kind, because you’re about the nicest kid I know.”
“I promise.” Javier pulled at his blue T-shirt, and his eyes dropped to the ground. In the next second, he threw himself against Sage’s legs and clamped his arms around them. “I love you, Mr. Sage.”
That’s exactly what Kate wanted to do.
Sage picked him up again and hugged him tightly, then kissed his cheek. “I love you too, Javier. I think I’d better say goodbye to Miss Kate now. You know how girls are.”
Javier giggled and nodded as if he understood the tease. Kate knew he’d go along with anything Sage wanted, just as she would. He had that effect on people.
Sage reached for Caleb first. “Caleb, keep writing. I want to read your story when you’re done. And keep in touch. When you leave here, we’ll bring you out to New York and you can meet Kurt in person.”
Caleb held a hand out for Sage to shake it, and Sage pulled him into a hug. “We hug in my family, so get used to it.”
Kate saw Caleb stiffen, but the happiness in his eyes told Kate how much that hug, and the offer, meant to him. Sage released him and turned to her, and her eyes welled again. She couldn’t remember a time she’d cried so much. He held her tightly against himself again.
“You’re trembling,” he whispered.
She nodded.
“Oh, babe. I’m
sorry. I wish I could stay right here with you. We’ll talk on the phone every night. Okay?”
She heard his voice crack and pulled back to look into his eyes. Seeing his damp eyes only made her cry more. “It’ll cost a fortune,” she said.
“I’ve already taken care of it. I arranged for an international plan on your cell phone. Texting, too, so you can call or text me anytime you want. It’s done.”
“But…how?”
“Let’s just say that Luce sounds a lot like you when she wants to. Don’t get mad at her. I held her at knifepoint.” He smiled.
She glanced at Luce, who held her palms up in the air. “You should change your password. Remember when your phone broke while we were in Belize City the last time I visited, and you told me when the new one came that you listed undiscovered as your password?”
Thank God I did. “I can’t believe you remembered. Thank you, Luce.” She held on to Sage’s waist. “I…I love you.”
He placed his hands on her cheeks the way she loved. His brows drew together. “I love you, and when you come to New York, we’ll be together every day. Don’t worry about a thing. We’ll figure out all the details, and our life together will be wonderful.”
She nodded, knowing he meant every word he’d said and trusting that he was right. He lowered his lips to hers and took her in a long, greedy kiss—a kiss that told of how much he’d miss her and how much he loved her. It stole her breath and her anxiety along with it, as always. When he drew back and rested his forehead against hers, she closed her eyes, once again memorizing the feel of him.
“Keep your phone with you. I’ll call you when I get to New York.”
“Okay,” she whispered. They held hands until he was in the car, and then she climbed right in on his lap and hugged him again, kissing his lips, his cheeks, then his lips again. “Sorry. I just…”
“Love me,” he said, then kissed her back again. “Now go or we’ll miss our flight.”
Stroke of Love Page 25