28. Chapter 28 #3
Me too , he signs with a lopsided smile.
“Same,” Logan says with a dip of his chin. “I think it’s great that you guys have finally made it official.” I blink at Dane’s older brother. I think that’s the most I’ve ever heard him say.
“Thanks, man,” Dane says, gripping Logan’s shoulder.
Mr. Kent remains quiet, which isn’t exactly out of character for him. Alex approaches Dane and places a hand against his cheek. “I’m glad you’re both okay.” She pauses, and then says, “You will come to breakfast.” With a pointed look toward me, she adds, “Both of you.”
With that, she leaves the room, heels clicking down the hallway.
“Glad this didn’t turn out worse than it did,” Dane’s dad finally says. “We’ll see you all in a few hours.” He gives Dane a hug and follows Alex out.
“Guess that means we’re all going to breakfast,” Logan says with a sigh. “I’m going back to bed. See you guys in the morning.” He gives one last bro hug to Dane on his way out. “Glad you’re both okay.”
Jamie and Parker are the last to leave, but before they do, Jamie hugs me tight and whispers in my ear, “Someone has some serious explaining to do after breakfast.” With a teasing smile, she pulls away and leads Parker out the door.
For the first time in nearly two hours, I’m able to let my body relax. I fall face first onto my bed, burying my head into the pillow.
Soft footsteps approach. “D? You all right?”
“No,” I whine. “Worst. Night. Ever.”
He chuckles softly as my bed shifts with his weight. A featherlight touch skims up my calf, and I jolt. “Sorry,” he murmurs. “I just...feel like I need to be near you after all that.”
I flip over and glare at him. “Do you mean after we were attacked by your crazy ex-girlfriend or after I blurted to your whole family that we’re together?”
He winces and presses a hand to his chest like my words physically hit him. “The first one?” Then he smiles softly and lowers his hand to my calf again, lightly massaging my muscles. “She was never my girlfriend, I can promise you that. But I should’ve done more to protect you.”
“Dane.” I sit up and lace my fingers with his. “You couldn’t have known this would happen.”
“I saw her. A few weeks ago at the airport.” My stomach plummets as I wait for him to explain.
“She approached me, and I brushed her off, but she seemed more stable than this. Then last night...” He trails off and shakes his head.
“I could’ve sworn I saw her in the audience, but when Max went to look for her, he couldn’t find any trace that she’d been there. ”
My heartrate climbs and I’m not sure why. Leftover adrenaline, maybe? Fear for Dane in that moment?
“I should’ve been more proactive,” he says, rubbing his forehead. “Should’ve installed more security here.”
“Dane.” I reach out to him. “You couldn’t have prevented her from doing what she did. Besides, I...might’ve forgotten to key in the security code. That’s likely how she was able to get in.” I wait for him to scold me, but he only smirks.
“Yeah, I know.”
My mouth pops open. “You know ?”
“The police told me it wasn’t keyed in. I’m just glad it didn’t turn out worse than it did.” His blue eyes meet mine as he squeezes my hand. “When I saw her go after you, I lost it.”
I bite my cheek to keep my smile in check. “Did you seriously tackle her to the ground?”
He raises his eyebrows. “How else was I supposed to get the knife away from her? I couldn’t let her get to you.” His thumb skates over my skin. “The only thought I had was protect Daria at all costs .”
“And you got yourself stabbed.”
“And I got myself stabbed.” His smirk inches higher, drawing my full attention to his yummy mouth.
Suddenly, I can’t think of anything better than kissing those perfectly kissable lips. I give in to the urge, leaning forward and placing a chaste kiss to the corner of his mouth. “Thank you for saving me.”
His dark chuckle vibrates across my lips. “You pretty much saved yourself by locking yourself in your room.” His mouth finds mine, slowly and sweetly kissing me again.
“Who knows,” I whisper against his lips. “She could’ve busted the door down if it weren’t for you.” I take my time exploring during our next kiss, deepening our connection.
Dane groans into my mouth and pulls back, brushing the hair from my face. “You need to get to bed. And I need...” He shakes his head with another low chuckle. “I need to get out of this bed before I lay you down in it.”
Heat spreads through my core and into my limbs.
I’d love nothing more than to be wrapped in Dane’s arms all night long, feeling protected, but since his parents already have an issue with me renting a room from him now that we’re romantically involved, and I feel some weird need to please them, I figure we’d both better play nice.
“All right.” I push against his firm chest. “Go if you must.”
His soft smile nearly melts my insides. “See you in the morning?”
“Bright and early.” I mock gag, earning a full laugh from him. He kisses my nose, then stands.
"I’m sleeping on the couch.” Stopping at the doorway, he turns. “That way I'll be closer in case you need me.”
“Thanks,” I say again, genuinely grateful for his quick actions tonight. “Sweet dreams, Dane.”
“Sweet dreams, beautiful.”