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“I came to see you,” she says more firmly, gaining resolve in her admission.
My heart skips a beat and my face breaks into a grin. “Lucky guy.”
I lean down and kiss her lightly, a gentle reminder of last night. It’s even better in the daylight. She’s all in, deepening the kiss and gripping the lapels to my jacket.
“I have to head out,” I tell her, brushing her hair behind her ear.
There’s no hesitation. “Take me with you, Dean.”
“I’m not going to the store, buttercup. I’m headed into the city.”
“I said what I said,” Kenzie tugs on my jacket and I chuckle. I don’t have time to argue, maybe I can show her just how much more she deserves than little ol’ Storm Canyon.
“Fine. Get in.” I hold open the passenger side door for her and once she’s in, we’re off.
There aren’t many turns from the hotel to the edge of town.
Maybe it’s Brigg’s high and mighty speech or maybe I’m ready to make those changes that will truly get me out of my past, but I feel the need to lay it all out there to this woman. She needs to know enough to know me.
“Kenzie, whatever people have said about me to you, most if it is —was— probably true. I left a lot of the bad behind me before coming here. But old habits die hard, and I’m glad I hadn’t broken all the rules yet or I wouldn’t have met you.” Being vulnerable is a bitch. I grip the steering wheel with my eyes locked dead ahead. If I look at that heart-shaped face, I’m done.
I clear my throat and breathe in deep. “I’m a changing man, and with good reason now…”
Kenzie is quiet as I slow down, stopping short of the sign just outside of town. A picturesque painted mural sign of mountains with the bold phrase “Storm Canyon will miss you.” The founder's established line has been graffitied with the name Briggs crossed out and Winchester crookedly imposed in dripping red spray paint.
I want to give her a chance to back out… or jump out.
“Why are you stopping?” Kenzie asks, leaning back comfortably in her seat. I glance over at her, too hopeful for what this could mean for us. “Not going to get to the city sitting here, will we? I know this car can move.” Her sassy smile beams through my concerns.
“Well, shit, cupcake, if you wanted me to go fast, you just had to ask.”
I step on the gas, tires peeling. This old hunk of junk still has some get up and go. She hollers with me as we take off, leaving Storm Canyon behind in a kick of dust and burnt rubber.
One more and I’m out, Tig, I’ve got a future now.
7
Kenzie
The sun is just falling over the mountains creating a painting of brilliant colors when Dean comes out of the motel office waving something in his hand and a big smile on his face. We stopped off for a swim in a hot springs between Storm Canyon and Denver, and then we grabbed burgers and fries at a roadside dive and ate them in the car. It was casual and no pressure.
He grabs my hand and leads me to a door and using something that looks like a credit card lets us in, but once we’re in the room, he’s like a caged animal.
He grabs the curtains and closes them, even though they were only open a sliver, and then five minutes later, he goes back and makes sure they’re still closed. And then to the room door to make sure it’s locked. And then back to the window. He completes a round about every ten minutes, looking at his phone occasionally and texting with someone.
“You don’t think I know that,” he mumbles to himself after looking at his phone again.
“Dean?” I’m on the giant bed, sitting crossed legged. I didn’t even know they made beds this big. “Everything okay?”
He looks back. “I’ve got a meeting in the morning.”
“Okay. I’ll come with—”
“No, I… I need you to stay here. I got us a late check out at two in the afternoon, and that should be enough time for me to do what I need to and… you can take a bubble bath and chill out.” He runs his hand through the long hairs that are normally curved up and over, but right now are almost a mohawk.
It’s been forever since I had a bubble bath and that does sound inviting. But then I realize what he said.
“Should be enough time to do what?”
