And I have no idea where I’m going to hang everything. We’re bursting at the seams as it is.
But we’ll figure it out.
I hurry downstairs and slide behind the bar. I walk up behind Keegan and slip my arms around his waist to hug him.
“You best get out of here. My girlfriend will be back any minute.”
“Haha, very funny.”
He turns and offers me a quick kiss. “You look like you had fun today.”
“I had so much fun, and I have a million things to tell you.”
“My ma’s home.”
“I know.” I grin at him. “I went up to see her, and she was waiting to be released.”
“And you didn’t tell me?”
“She wanted it to be a surprise. Hey, if it dies down at all, or you’re able to sneak away for a second, will you come upstairs for just a few? I have some fun news, and I want to tell you first.”
“Sure thing, love.”
“Awesome.” I kiss his arm and then make my way back upstairs. I’m standing in the middle of the bedroom, staring at the pile of bags on the bed, when Keegan walks in.
“Did some shopping today, did you?”
I laugh and look at him helplessly. “I didn’t realize I bought so much. But there’s a reason. I know you have to get back, but I wanted to tell you right away.”
“Are you okay, love?”
“I’m great. Remember when I told you that I applied for some meteorologist positions?”
“Yes.”
“I got one. I got a job. In Seattle. I know it’s going to be a bit of a commute, but it’s only part-time, so it’ll be doable. I needed clothes for television, so I called Samantha Nash, and we ended up spending the day with Natalie and Jules, and they know all the best places to get the good stuff for a fraction of the cost, and oh my God, Keegan, I got a job!”
He’s grinning from ear to ear, his arms crossed over his chest as he listens to me babble. And finally, when I stop talking, he pulls me to him and spins me around in celebration.
“I’m so fucking proud of you, Isabella.”
“Even though I’ll have to cut back on my hours just a little bit here? I’ll be at the station on Saturdays and Sundays, super early in the morning, so—”
“Baby, this is what you want. This is your dream. I can always find more help here. The important thing is that you got exactly what you wanted.”
I wrap my arms around his neck and bury my face against his shirt, breathing him in. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Yes, you could have.” He kisses my cheek. “But it’s happy I am that I’m here to support you through it. Way to go, love.”
I kiss his neck and bite his earlobe, suddenly wanting him more than I ever have.
It’s as if he just knows because he props me up against the wall, my legs wrapped around his waist, and kisses me senseless.
I push against him, rubbing my core against his hardness through two layers of denim.
Suddenly, he sets me on my feet and pushes my jeans down my hips, then turns me around and urges me to bend over.
“Grab the wall.”
I do as he says, and he pushes right inside me, taking me on a fast and hard ride. It’s over as quickly as it began, but I’m sated and humming with satisfied energy.
“Well, that’s the perfect thing to add to this day,” I say as I pull my jeans back up. “Want me to come down and help?”
“No.” He kisses me softly this time. “I want you to unpack your beautiful new things and find homes for them. Order something from the kitchen if you like. And relax.”
“You spoil me.”
“That’s the goal.”
Chapter 15
~Keegan~
“Good morning,” Izzy says as she rolls over and smiles up at me with blue eyes heavy with sleep. “You’re dressed.”
“I am. I have to run over to Kane’s. I’m going to have that chat with Cameron we talked about a while ago. I didn’t want to wake you.”
“It’s okay. Good luck with your talk.”
“Do you want me to make you some coffee before I go?”
She cups my cheek gently. “You’re the sweetest. That’s not necessary but thank you.”
“Okay, I’ll see you later.” I kiss her, then have to pull away before I say fuck Cameron and get back into bed with her.
The drive to Kane’s property isn’t far. Cameron’s and Shawn’s cars are already in the driveway when I pull in.
I walk around the house to the back and enter through the sunporch. Just as I expected, the men are gathered in the kitchen, drinking coffee.
“I’m going to need some of that.” I walk right to the coffee maker and brew myself a cup of joe, and when I’ve added some milk, I turn to them. “Good morning.”
“It’s damn early,” Shawn says.
“I know, and I appreciate you both getting up early. I know you work late at night.” Cameron takes a drink from his mug. “I’ve been meaning to talk with you three for a while, and it seems something always comes up. First, how’s Ma?”
“She’s going to be fine,” Kane says. “Scared the hell out of us, but she’s fine.”
“Good.”
Our mother practically raised Cameron through his teenage years. His dad was barely around, and his mom left when he was small. We’re his family.
“What’s up, Cam?” Shawn inquires.
“Are you going to ask if you can marry Maggie?” Kane asks.
“Not today,” Cam replies and drags his hand down his face. The three of us narrow our eyes. “I want to run something by you. I’m ending my government contract, effective in thirty days. Which means, for the first time since I was eighteen, I won’t be tied to Uncle Sam.”
“What made you decide to do this?” I ask him.
“I want to come home. Maggie’s right. I’m in and out way too much. I’m on the downslope to forty. I want to set down roots and be here more. Shit, Ma had a heart attack, and I was in Tel Aviv. It’s a little hard to get home from the Middle East in an emergency. It fucking sucked.”
“You were in Israel?” Shawn asks. “What the hell?”
“You know I can’t tell you why,” Cam says quietly. “And that’s the other thing that’s getting old. I can’t even confide in you guys about the stuff that goes on. Everything about my life is a fucking secret. In the beginning, that was part of the fun of it. Now, it’s just…old.”
“What are you going to do?” I ask.
“I’m going to work as a contractor with some major corporations—and, yes, some big government agencies—on their IT security. So, while the government will still be paying me, they’re not my boss anymore. Also, there’s a lot more money in the private sector.”
Cam is a genius when it comes to computers. That’s all any of us knows about his job.
“Are you asking for help with the startup costs?” Kane asks.
“No, I have the money. I’m just asking for your thoughts on this. Is it the smart thing to do? Am I stupid to walk away from the seniority and stability I have with my current job, even if I’m growing to hate it with each passing day?”