Page 163 of Worth the Trip

“Those conditions can coexist.”

“Look at my woman learning.”

She leaned back. “Keep praising yourself, and I’ll stay right here.”

I tightened my hands around her waist. “Threat lacks deterrence.”

“You don’t want to show me the mysterious place?”

“I do. But getting trapped in this cabin with you remains a competitive alternative.”

Nolani smiled against my mouth. “Get dressed, baby.”

I stared at her.

She stepped out of my arms.

“Say it again.”

“You heard me.”

“I did.”

“Then preserve the evidence.”

She headed down the hall wearing my shirt and laughing.

I watched her go and decided Cloud Nine had terrible branding.

This didn’t feel like floating.

It felt like having somewhere beautiful to stand.

By the time we left the cabin, the last storm clouds had broken apart over the lake. Nolani had changed back into her cream dress, but my black hoodie hung from her shoulders. My T-shirt was folded in the overnight bag by her feet.

She had tried to return it.

I had declined the transaction.

As far as I was concerned, ownership had transferred.

Her hand rested in mine above the console while Self Springs moved around us. Every few minutes, her thumb stroked the side of mine without thought.

“You’ve been smiling since we left the cabin,” she said.

“I’ve been smiling since I woke up.”

“I noticed.”

“You caused it.”

“That diagnosis lacks sufficient evidence.”

I lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. “You slept on my chest, called me baby before coffee, ate my breakfast, and left wearing my clothes. Evidence overwhelming.”

“The hoodie was necessary.”

“You passed two jackets to pick mine.”