AllFreeNovel
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"This view is incredible. How did you even know it was here?" I ask. Daniel lays the first blanket down, sits, pulls me between his legs, and wraps the second blanket around us.
"I visited my uncle for a couple of weeks each summer when I was a kid. He had two daughters who hated anything to do with the outdoors, so I became his fishing buddy. We'd spend hours on this lake waiting for anything to bite. Some of my best memories were made on this lake."
"Do you still fish with him?"
"No. He passed away about ten years ago, and it was ten years before that when we last went fishing. Once I started pursuing my career in tattooing, I never slowed down. I didn't stop to come back to visit. And after he got sick, I just couldn't. I came here on the evening of his funeral, and he and I talked for hours. I made peace with my mistakes, but it was also when I vowed to do anything in my power to take care of those I care for."
I snuggle my body closer to his, curling myself in his lap. "Is that why you went after Lucky?"
"It is." Daniel pushes a loose strand of hair behind my ear the same way he did the night we met. "Most days, I don't know up from down or right from left, but when I'm with you, I know I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be."
I jump from the shock created by the slightest brush of his lips. "There's that spark again," I whisper.
Turning around to straddle him, I bring us eye to eye. Even in the darkness, the intense stare from Daniel's dark eyes starts the butterfly gymnastics in my stomach. "I like you," I whisper.
Daniel tries to speak, but I place my finger over his lips to stop him.
"Let me finish. I know you have some things you need to figure out, and my heart may get broken. It's a chance I'm willing to take. If fate has it thatyou and I are meant to be together, hopefully, Bailey will support us. And if you and Bailey are meant to be together, hopefully, I’ve gained a friend"
Daniel's strong hands cup my face, bringing my lips to his. His kiss is hard and passionate, and his tongue explores mine with a tight swirl I can only imagine will drive my clit fucking crazy. His hands slide down my body and around my waist, his fingers toying with the waistband of my leggings.
He kisses along my jawline, continuing to my ear. "I will do everything in my power not to break your heart. I promise," he whispers. "Come to L.A. with me?"
"What? Why?" Looking at his face, I can't tell if he's serious or joking.
"Well, first, I know there's an item on your list you can only do in Hollywood. Second, if you've only seen bougie L.A., I want to show you the real Los Angeles. And finally, I'm not ready to start missing you yet."
"How can I argue with three perfect reasons?" Wanting more before this perfect night ends, I kiss the skin below Daniel's perfectly manicured beard. Moving up, I gently bite his lower lip, wanting to devour the man in front of me.
A deep, throaty growl escapes his lips, causing goose pimples to cover my skin. "So, is that a yes?"
"Yeah, I guess it is." Turning my body back around, I curl into his. Daniel wraps his arms around me, holding me tight, as we silently watch the moon move across the lake. I fight my fluttering eyes. I need the peacefulness of this night to continue.
I startle myself awake with a snore. Damn it. The exhaustion becomes too much to fight, and I'm out.
"Hey, dollface. We're back," Daniel whispers, brushing the pad of his thumb along my cheek.
My eyes open, slowly coming into focus.
"Damn, your eyes are gorgeous."
"You're not too bad yourself, hot stuff. I won't even tell you what I was dreaming abo—"
"Mom! There you are. Do you realize it's almost three o’clock in the morning?" Mason charges toward Daniel's truck.
"Did something happen with your sister?" I ask as I open the door, heart beating wildly.
"No."
I scan Mason for injuries or issues. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah."
"Then what's the problem?"
"The problem is you're out until the middle of the night, God knows where, with a guy who got his last girlfriend shot and left her in while she's in a coma!"
I gasp, quickly covering my mouth in shock. "That's enough, Mason.” I quickly try to lower my voice. No one needs to be awoken in the middle of the night by the reprimand my son so strongly deserves. “You have no idea what you're talking about," I grit through clenched teeth.
