Page 30 of Paradise Ties

“Don’t ever underestimate your role in this, Lauren. You give him a reason to wake up in the morning and a reason to come home. That’s more precious than any gift.”

Lauren smiled at Roz. “You’re a good person, Roz.”

She turned to watch Natalia and Katarina who were building sandcastles with Noah and Riley and shook her head. “No, I’m not, but I’m getting there.”

Lauren stood at the sound of approaching vehicles, a smile on her face as Dane and Drew stepped out from the first car and Zack and Daniel from the second. She watched as Dane scanned the beach until he found her, a smile slipping over his features. She felt a rush of love for the man who had saved her so many times, offered her his heart, and promised her a future she’d never thought possible.

Her feet were moving, and he caught her up in his strong arms when she reached him. Her head buried in his neck and she let the feel of his body envelope her. Instantly she felt it—the pain he was hiding from her. Her body tensed, and he held her tighter.

“I’m okay, babe. Just got a bullet to the chest plate and it bruised like a bitch.”

Lauren stayed silent and thought back to her conversation with Roz. She could do this for him, could remain calm and help him heal. Give him what he gave her, which was peace and security. “I guess I’d better get my hands on you tonight then. Because tomorrow you’re sleeping with Jace in his suite.”

Dane pulled back and looked down at her, his face a mix of irritation and acceptance. “Is this my sister’s doing?”

“’Fraid so, buster. So, you best make the most of being a sinner with me tonight before we get all legal and proper.”

His face softened as he slid his big, calloused hands up to her face, cupping her cheeks. “Babe, I’d follow you into hell if it meant just one night with you. But Mrs Bennett sounds awesome, so I’ll relent on one condition.” He leaned over then and whispered in her ear causing her to blush at the condition he requested. Lauren dropped her eyes as she tried to get herself together. “Hey.” He used his thumb to tilt her head to him. “What is it?”

“Nothing. I just love you so much.” Her hand rested over the top of his, and she leaned into it.

“I love you too, Lauren. More than you’ll ever know.”

“I know, Dane. I know because I love you the same way. Like you’re the air I breathe.”

He lowered his head and his lips found hers in a soft, tender kiss that spoke of all their emotions. It was hot and deep and ended all too soon. Dane pulled away and she could feel the ache between her legs for this man’s touch. She read the same need in his hooded eyes, heavy with desire for her.

“Time to go.”

His voice was gravel and glass with need and Lauren could hardly speak. He set her back and waited for a beat until her suddenly shaky legs held her. He gave her a sexy, knowing smile, confident with the effect he had on her as he went to retrieve their sleeping children from the beach shack. Tonight she’d show him how much she loved him, pour all her worry and fear into making him feel good.

“Lauren!”

She turned as Drew called her. He looked exhausted, but there had been a disconnect between them of late that left her unsure of her place in her baby brother’s life. “Yes?” Her smile was open as he walked towards her, the limp more pronounced after the exhausting day.

He stopped in front of her, looking nervous. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry.”

Lauren frowned. “Sorry? Sorry for what?”

“Being an asshole.”

Lauren shook her head. “I don’t understand. You haven’t been an asshole.”

“Yes, I have. I pushed away your concerns over my injuries. I locked you out and wouldn’t talk to you about how I was feeling about Rhea, about Dad.” He pointed at his leg. “And then about this. I let you down, and you didn’t deserve it. All you ever did was offer me love and support, and I threw it back in your face. I fucked up and not just with you, with the others too.”

“Oh, Drew.” She went into his open arms, laying her head on his broad chest. “You could never let me down. I love you, and maybe I pushed too hard because I guess this brother thing is new to me too, but don’t ever think you let me down.” She raised her head to look into eyes so much like her own. “I am so damn proud of the man you’ve become. Despite our father, despite our disgusting genes, we turned out pretty good. And your leg does not define you. What you’ve managed to achieve over the past six months is nothing short of heroic.”

“Thank you, Lauren. I’m going to try and be the brother that deserves you from now on.”

“You already are the brother I deserve and so much more. If I had a choice of all the men in the world, I’d pick you.” They hadn’t asked him to be the twin’s Godfather yet as their relationship had been too rocky, but she now knew it was what she wanted more than anything else.

“Will you be Leah and Aaron’s Godfather?” She felt tears in her eyes and saw them reflected in his.

“It would be my honour.” He wiped a tear that had broken out and was trailing down her cheek. “Now stop crying before Dane beats the crap out of me for upsetting you.”

Lauren laughed and brushed the tears away. “He wouldn’t, he loves you like a brother too.”

“I know he does, which means sibling rules apply and he can and will definitely kick my ass.”