Too Sweet (Boys of Lake Chapel)

18. Decker

Chapter 18

Decker

One by one, we file out the front door of the cabin with bags, dirty laundry, and leftover food in tow.

Josephine is the last one out, trailing behind me, but I block her in as soon as she steps over the threshold.

Framing the door with one arm, I fix my gaze on the love of my life. “I’m driving home. Will you sit up front with me?”

She gives me a beaming smile. “Of course.” Popping up on her tiptoes, she wraps one arm around my neck and gives me the sweetest, most tender kiss.

Someone honks the horn, trying to hurry us along.

I keep kissing her, refusing to pull away until I’m good and ready, offering my middle finger in the general direction of the others.

They’re clued in and on board—literally—with what I’m planning to do when we get back to the marina. I should be thankful all they’re doing is honking the damn car horn. I wouldn’t put it past any of them to tease me about stalling or to start up with the boat jokes.

“I love you, Decker,” Josephine whispers against my lips before finally pulling away. “Promise me we can come back up here and skate again before it gets too warm? Even if it’s just for the day. Just you and me?”

My ego preens. “Of course, Siren.”

There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her. There isn’t anything I can refuse her. She’s given me everything, just by being who she is. I want to spend my entire life showing her how grateful I am for her love.

I lock up, then wrap my arm around her as we walk to the truck.

I open the passenger door and help her climb in, then double-check her seat belt. That earns me an eye roll, but I don’t care.

Nothing is more precious to me.

Rounding the car, I find the others waiting at the trunk.

“All set?” I ask, loading my bag as well as Josephine’s, then pulling closed the hatch.

“Everything’s been arranged to your specifications,” Kylian confirms.

Kendrick rubs his hands together, a devilish smile painted across his face. “We’re really doing this, Cap?”

Locke scoffs. “He better be really doing this . Otherwise it’s going to be a long-ass night of him watching us fuck our girl in the middle of the lake.”

The tic in my jaw is the reminder I need.

Unclench. Breathe. Remember what and who it’s all for.

“We’re doing this,” I declare. No turning back now. I called the play. With a deep, grounding inhale, I smack the side of the truck two times. “Load up. Let’s go.”

I give myself one minute to worry about how tonight will go down. The idea was simple enough. When I explained it to the others, they assured me Josephine would love it. That was enough to build up my confidence that this is what I want to do.

I always have had to learn my lesson the hardest way possible when it comes to my wife. But I always fucking learn. I’ll never stop trying to please her.

She loved ice-skating. Hell, she loved all the surprises we planned for her this weekend, save for the over-the-top gifts and the unexpected birthday stuff.

When it comes to Josephine, I tend to get it wrong before I get it right.

But I’ll never stop trying, which means I can’t fail.

I open the truck door and look over to where she sits. Her soft smile greets me, and the sincerity in her gaze galvanizes me.

Once I’m seated behind the wheel, she reaches over and squeezes my thigh. I catch her hand in mine, bring it to my mouth, and kiss her knuckles.

“Let’s go home,” she tells me.

I don’t need to put the car in drive or even move a muscle to fulfill her request. Home is wherever she is, and wherever we can all be together.