by Katie Reus
Olivia snorted and picked up her glass of white wine. “Coming from you that seems like high praise.”
Out on the huge patio where the production had been put on, little twinkle lights were everywhere, crisscrossing over the pool, giving it a fairy-tale feel. The fountain was lit up and someone had added orange and yellow candles over pretty much every flat surface. It was a gorgeous night with stars splattered overhead in every direction, the air was crisp and cool and she was with people she loved. But she couldn’t seem to relax, to turn her mind off. She wasn’t even worried about the whole DEA situation, though she probably should be. No, she was worried about Zac and their future, whatever that may be.
“So, I looked into some of the schools around here and one of them has an incredible Deaf and Hard of Hearing program,” Skye said in that blunt way of hers.
Olivia glanced at her friend. “Way to be subtle.” She’d actually done some research on her own, but wasn’t going to tell Skye that.
She lifted an eyebrow. “Has anything I’ve ever done been subtle?”
Olivia just smiled and glanced over to where Zac was talking with Mercer and Mary Grace—and holding their baby. Just seeing that gave her all the feels. She wasn’t sure she wanted to analyze why either.
“Martina seems to be having a great time here too,” Skye continued, nodding to where she was talking to Douglas and Colt’s dad, who both seemed to be vying for her attention. And Martina was definitely eating it up.
Not that Olivia could blame her. Both men were attractive and seemed nice. It had been a long time since Martina had even dated anyone and she deserved to be happy. “Yes, she definitely likes it here too,” she murmured. And so did Valencia. Right now her daughter was standing in front of Leighton, Brooks and Gage, telling them something that must be very important. She was switching back and forth between talking and signing, all her movements animated, making her braids swish back and forth. To give them credit, they were listening intently and nodding as she talked.
“And if you guys ever move here you have a huge extended family now.”
“Skye—”
“I know it’s too soon for that kind of talk. I’m just planting little kernels in your head for when it gets to that time.”
“When?”
Skye looked over at Zac. “Girl, yes, when. He’ll move for you no doubt. And I’ll throw him a going-away party if it ever gets that far. But you’ll be happier here and you’ll have a better support system.”
“All right, Dr. Phil.”
“Take it from someone who almost lost everything and everyone—having that support system makes life better. Easier in a way I never imagined was possible. Ever. It’s not weak to need people… Plus I miss my freaking niece. And you need to give me another one soon.”
Olivia nearly choked on her wine. Coughing, she set it on the little glass table next to the swing-bench they were sitting on. “Have your own if you want one so bad.”
“Um, no. I will be the fun, cool aunt. But this,” she said, motioning to her middle area, “will remain baby free. So what’s holding you back with Savage?” she asked abruptly, switching subjects as if it was a normal segue.
“Why do think I’m holding back?”
“Because I see the way he looks at you—and you and I are similar, whether you believe it or not.”
At that moment Savage looked over at her and it was like little butterflies just took flight inside her, all wild and out of control. She thought of the way she’d teased him before the play, how she’d really wanted to drag him upstairs and have her wicked way with him—and how terrified she was of truly letting him in.
“I need to talk to Zac. Will you keep an eye on Valencia?” she asked Skye, even though she knew everyone here would be watching her daughter. But if she specifically asked Skye, she knew the woman wouldn’t let Valencia out of her sight.
“Of course.”
Before she’d even pushed up from her seat, Zac had handed the baby to Mary Grace and was heading Olivia’s way. She sidestepped a table of snack food and was in his arms as if it was the most natural place to be. She really did love him.
He loosely placed his hands on her hips, looking down at her in a way no man had ever looked at her. With complete love and adoration.
And it scared the hell out of her. How could this be real? How could he be real? She knew she loved him, but saying the words out loud scared her.
“I like your construction paper turkey hat.” Laughing, she reached up and touched it.
He caught her wrist and brought it to his mouth. Tingles raced through her as he oh so gently brushed his lips against her skin. There was nothing overtly sexual about it but the brief contact had warmth rushing between her legs. “I’ll wear it later if you like it so much,” he murmured, making her laugh.
“Can we sneak into the kitchen for a minute?”
“I’m going to need more than a minute.”
Warmth infused her cheeks, as it so often did around him. “Ha, ha. I just wanted to talk to you in private.”
Suddenly serious, he nodded.
“Are you ending things with me?” he asked as he shut the door behind them. He pulled the hat off and set it on the closest countertop.
“What— No!” How could he think that? “I love you. I know I haven’t said it yet, but I do. I love you so much that it scares me.” She placed a gentle hand on his chest when he went to pull her into his arms. “I’ve got to say this so just let me get it out… What I feel for you doesn’t even come close to what I had with my ex. Not even in the same stratosphere of emotions. Or anyone for that matter. I’ve never been in love until now. And for so long it’s just been Valencia, Martina and me. We’ve been a team and it’s worked. The thought of letting you in and then losing you…it shreds me up inside. It might sound lame but I’ve just been struggling with the idea of giving in to the wonderfulness of you, of us, and then losing it.”
“You think I don’t have those fears?”
“You do?” The tension in her chest started to ease the tiniest bit.
“I’ve never felt this way about anyone. Other than my grandmother and brother, and the family I choose,” he said motioning outside, “I’ve never let anyone else in. And I’m scared that Valencia won’t like me or want me to be with you. And the thing is, I’d understand. I don’t know that I’m good enough for you guys.” She made a scoffing sound but he continued. “I’m also afraid that you’ll move back home and decide this was all just lust but nothing more.” He scrubbed a hand over the back of his neck, looking truly stressed for the first time since she’d met him.
And she wanted to wipe all that away. “Zac.” She wrapped her arms around him and went up on tiptoe. She’d had no idea he had the same fears as her. He seemed invincible, like nothing could faze him. “I love you and that’s not going away. Distance won’t change it.”
“Would it be too much for me to come stay the week you guys get back?”
“I already asked Martina and she said her guest room is ready.”
“Really?”
“She adores everyone here, and since you helped save her and helped keep me safe—and sane—and came up with the idea for the Thanksgiving play, I’m pretty sure you can do no wrong. She might even bake for you.”
His eyes lit up at that. “Really?”
“Yep. I won’t,” she said, laughing. “I don’t have that skill but Martina will bake or cook anything you want.”
Leaning down he brushed his lips over hers, and as he started to deepen it, the back door flung open. Valencia raced at them and as Olivia bent down to pick her up, her daughter flew past her and jumped into Zac’s arms.
He seemed a little stunned but easily picked her up, a giant smile on his face as he held her close.
Olivia still had some fears because hey, she was human. But this man had stolen her heart when he’d come up with the plan to do the turkey play. That was the kind of man worth fighting for…worth everything.
She knew, in a bone-deep way, that he was it for her. The real deal. Time or distance wouldn’t change it. Zacharias Savage was definitely part of their future.
Epilogue
—This is the year I get everything right.—
New Year’s Eve
“Dude, chill. She’s going to know something’s up.” Skye not so softly nudged Zac in the ribs as she came to stand next to him by the fountain.
“I’m not doing anything.” He looked over at Olivia, who held Valencia on one hip as they talked to Brooks’s dad about something. Valencia had been determined to stay up until midnight but judging from the way her eyes kept drifting shut, he didn’t think it was happening.
“You keep patting your pockets like they’re on fire,” Colt said, joining them. He wrapped an arm around Skye’s shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “You look insane.”
Skye snorted. “What are you doing over here by yourself anyway?”
“Giving myself a pep talk,” he muttered, only slightly embarrassed. These were his people. They’d seen him at his worst.
They both laughed as Skye said, “She’s going to say yes.”
He was pretty certain of that too but there was a part of him, the little boy inside him that didn’t fit in anywhere, that didn’t feel worthy. Who was terrified she’d say no. That the past month and a half had been this fantasy he’d convinced himself of. Or what if she thought it was too soon? They’d gone at warp speed since meeting each other but it felt right on every level. And what he felt for her wasn’t something he would second-guess so he didn’t see the point of waiting any longer. Plus, he wanted to lock her down. And he gave zero fucks if that made him a caveman. Olivia was his.
Instead of responding to Skye, he muttered something about going to put Valencia to bed before heading over to his girls.
His girls.
The first time Valencia had made that comment his heart had stopped in his chest. But they were his girls. And he wanted to take care of them and protect them. Martina too. They’d become his family faster than he could have imagined. He wanted it official.
“Hey, sweetheart, let me take her to bed,” he murmured as he reached them.
Olivia gave him a grateful smile and Valencia didn’t argue about not being tired as he gathered her into his arms. Instead she laid her head on his shoulder, and just like every time before, his heart grew. He hadn’t even realized he had this much love to give. Hadn’t thought he was capable of it.
But these two… He wanted to be a better person because of them.
“Make sure you’re back in time for the countdown. I want my New Year’s kiss.” Olivia winked at him before turning back to Douglas.
It didn’t take long to find the guest room in Brooks’s house that Valencia and Olivia had claimed as their own for the night. Of course he hoped Olivia would stay with him for a few hours before daybreak.
Over the last month and a half he’d traveled to see them as often as possible. Everyone had juggled jobs around so he could take a lighter load but that couldn’t last forever. He wanted to live in the same city as Olivia, wanted to wake up to her face every morning. And he wanted to claim her so the world knew she was his—and he wanted the world to know he belonged to her. Because she completely owned him.
“Zac,” Valencia murmured sleepily as he pulled back the fluffy comforter. “Gotta tell you something.” She latched onto the stuffed unicorn in the bed and pulled it against her chest.
He laid her down and slipped her shoes off. She’d be sleeping in her party dress tonight but he helped her take off the thick jacket Martina had insisted she wear, much to her annoyance. “What is it?” he asked, pulling the covers up to her chin. Then he grabbed the blanket at the end of the bed and unfolded it. The heat was on but he wanted to make sure she was warm enough.
“I know it’s not New Year’s yet but I made a wish.”
He didn’t know if that was an actual thing, making a wish on New Year’s, or if it was something she’d come up with. He’d quickly learned that she had a big imagination and liked to tell stories. “Whatever it is, I hope it comes true.” If he knew what it was and could make it happen, he most definitely would.
“I made a wish that you’d be my daddy.” Her eyes drifted closed as she curled on her side, unicorn held tight against her.
His throat tightened as a swell of emotion overtook him. “I hope that comes true too,” he whispered, even though she was already asleep. One of her processors had already fallen off so he picked it up from the pillow then slid the other one off as well and set them on the nightstand.
A soft gasp from the doorway made him turn to see Olivia standing there. She’d worn a lacy black dress fitted to all her curves—unfortunately covered up most of the night because of her coat. The coat was off now and he just drank her in.
“Zac.” She stepped into the room, her eyes wide. “What did you just say?”
Crossing the short distance to her, he dropped down on one knee and her eyes got wider. “I want to spend the rest of my life making you and Valencia happy.” And he couldn’t wait a second longer. He pulled out the small jewelry box, his palms damp as he opened it. “Olivia Carter, will you marry me?” His heart pounded in his ears as he waited all of a millisecond before she threw her arms around his neck.
“Yes,” she whispered, brushing her lips over his as he slid the ring onto her finger. “Yes, yes, yes.”
Standing, he lifted her into his arms and carried her from the room and took her next door, to his own guest room for the night. “I don’t care where we live,” he said, setting her on her feet. “As long as we get to wake up to each other every morning.” And he wanted to be there for Valencia for all the day-to-day stuff, like taking her to school in the mornings. He would hate leaving his job but he thought they might be able to work something out where he did contract work. Most of their jobs were out of town anyway.
“Well I care.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “We both love Redemption Harbor, and more importantly I love you. I’ve been looking into a school Skye recommended and I’ve already done a tour.” She blushed slightly. “I didn’t tell you because I wanted to get as many details as possible in case you ever did propose.”
“In case.” He snorted. It had been a foregone conclusion for him.
Smiling, she held her hand out and finally looked at her engagement ring. “This is gorgeous, Zac. Two carat, French cut basket setting with a platinum band. Incredible clarity.”
He laughed lightly. “You really do know your diamonds.”
She flushed slightly as she met his gaze. “Force of habit—I really wouldn’t care what you gave me as long as we get married.”
He did know that and it made him love her even more. “I might have had a little help.” He’d asked Skye to help him ring shop—and she’d laughed and pushed him in Mary Grace’s direction. That had been the smart decision.
“Well it’s beautiful and I love it.”
“I love you.”
She beamed at him, so much joy in her expression. “If it works for you, I can have Valencia registered for January. We’ll just have to figure out living arrangements—because your place is too small.”
“She won’t mind switching schools midyear?” He’d planned to move into things a lot slower, but only because he thought that was what she would want. He’d move in with them today if possible.
“Not at all. When you’re not around she’s been begging to move here. She wants to be around you, her aunt and uncle and her ‘new family’ as she calls everyone—and the horses.”
He snorted at that. “My lease is almost up.” He lived in a “sad single guy” condo, as Olivia had once called it. Since moving to Redemption Harbor he’d been consumed with work and never home. He hadn’t bothered putting up any art or decorations. Sad was probably an understatement.
“So…maybe we can rent for a little bit, while we look for a place to buy?”
He no
dded, crushing his mouth to hers because he couldn’t not kiss her any longer. He needed her naked and underneath him. Now. There was a lot they’d still have to figure out but the important thing was, she’d said yes.
And he was never letting her go.
Dear Readers,
Thank you for reading Savage Rising. I hope you enjoyed it! If you’d like to stay in touch with me and be the first to learn about new releases you can:
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Happy reading,
Katie
Excerpt from
Lethal Game
Red Stone Security Series
by Katie Reus
Copyright © 2017 Katie Reus
Did you do what I told you to?
Isa shook her head as she read Mara’s text, a smile tugging at her lips. A man stepped up next to her, joining the crowd of people waiting for the elevator.
Her fingers flew across the screen. Yes, weirdo. You’re the only woman I know who would order me to dress sexy when going to a meeting with said woman’s own husband.
Mara had called her this morning and ordered her to wear something designed to make a man’s tongue fall out of his mouth. She hadn’t actually done what Mara had said because this was a professional environment, but she’d dressed up a little more than normal.
You’ll thank me later, came Mara’s responding text.