22. Katie
KATIE
T race comes barreling through the door, annoyance across his face the likes of which I've never seen before.
"You ready?" he asks, looking me up and down.
No doubt he's seeing the t-shirt and pair of shorts, wondering if this is how I'm going to go swimming. The fact is, I don't want to walk out in front of people who aren't my husband in the bikini I'm wearing.
"I am, I have my suit on underneath."
"Alright, let me get my swim trunks on and we can be gone. The quicker we get out of this house, the better."
Hurrying downstairs, I grab some drinks. I find I like having my meals with him alone better than I like having them with other members of the household. Monica, already figuring out what I'm doing, helps me by handing me a bag.
"Are you and Mr. Miller having dinner away from the house tonight?" she asks.
"We are, at the stock tank."
"Under the stars?" She smiles, her eyes glowing with what she probably thinks is the sweetness of the gesture.
"In an hour or so, I guess we will be under the stars. I hadn't thought about that."
"What a romantic night the two of you will have. Here, let me add some desserts, and give you some cutlery. I know you got drinks, but would you like a couple of IPA's?"
"If you have them, that would be perfect."
I watch as she scurries about the space. It appears she's one of those people who enjoys helping others, making sure they get whatever they need. The way her face beams as she arranges everything in a basket now, instead of the original bag, says a lot about the type of person she is.
"Ready, Katie?" Trace asks, walking into the kitchen. "Hey Monica," he gives her a smile.
"I am, and Monica's given us an amazing-looking meal."
"No doubt about it," he throws a wink in her direction. "She's been fattening me up for over three years."
Monica cuts her eyes heavenward. "You fatten yourself up. I provide good food. You two have fun."
Trace reaches out to grab my hand. "We plan on it. C'mon, let's get out of here before someone tries to stop us."
I follow closely, feeling like a teenager sneaking out to meet her boyfriend for a secret rendezvous. We turn down one hallway and see his parents coming in from the back porch. He yanks on my hand to turn us in the other direction. Giggles bubble up from my stomach, spilling over my lips as we hoof it out the opposite door. When we get outside, he chances a look at me, and when he does, the amusement on his face causes me to laugh harder.
"Have you ever run from people in your own home before?" I laugh as we take off at a run toward one of the enclosed small-cab ATV's we'll be taking.
"No," he laughs back at me. Those dark eyes of his are shining and it hits me with clarity how young he looks when he's not taking things so seriously. "But it was fun. I'll have to do it again sometime."
"Only with me," I tuck my arm into the crook of his elbow.
"You're probably the only person who could get me to do this anyway," his admission is pitched so low I almost don't hear it.
"My goal in life is to get you to have fun. There are so many things you're responsible for, things you never thought you would be, and I can't imagine how much pressure that is. I know I feel a little bit of it, but it's only a little bit. I don't think I'll ever comprehend what all you must go through every day."
We get to the ATV. Surprisingly, he opens the door for me, ushering me inside. Before he can shut the door, he leans against the frame so that his forearm is resting at the top of the door. Leaning down slightly so that he's more toward eye-level with me, he rolls his lips together before speaking.
"And I don't want you to know what I go through every day. My head? It's a fucked up place sometimes. No matter what the fuck I do, I'm going to end up disappointing someone, and I'm starting to find I don't want that person to be you, Katie."
The earnest tone of his voice is my undoing. Acting on impulse, or maybe instinct, I lean up and place a kiss on his lips. A surprised sound echoes through his chest before he gives himself over to the meshing of our mouths. His tongue works against mine, and when the palm of his hand cradles my scalp, I wanna curl into his body and never let go.
When he pulls away, his eyes are hooded, lips are pink, voice is deep with desire.
"I don't wanna share what we have with everyone else. Let's get outta here."
I'd follow him anywhere, but I don't think he's ready to hear that yet. Even dropped into the situation we were, he makes me feel safe, wanted, and now a partner. If he's not careful, I'm gonna fall hard. Once I fall, there's no going back.
"Let's. I can't wait to see where this stock tank is."
"Oh, you're gonna love it," he says as he rounds the ATV and gets into the driver's seat. "It's one of the best views of the ranch. Kinda hard to get to, which is why we've gotta take this, but it's worth it. Nobody else is ever up there, and when you need to get away for a while, just some peace and quiet? It's the best. I've never shared it with anyone else," his admission is shy and soft.
"Well, thank you for sharing it with me. I know these types of things don't come easy for you, and I'm honored you would let me in on it."
"I'm trying. We have to trust each other, like you said. The best way for me to trust you is to let you in. It's not comfortable, but we grow when we become uncomfortable, right?"
I reach over, rubbing my hand along his thigh. "That's what all the therapists say anyway."
He rewards me with a mouth-tilting grin. One part bashful, the other sexy as sin.
"Thanks for making me feel better."
"You're welcome."
He starts the ATV. I watch as his sure hands grip the wheel, and jockey us out of the spot someone parked this in before. He has to do a little maneuvering, using his palm to rotate the steering wheel. Unconsciously, I clench my thighs together as I watch him do all of this with unwavering confidence on his part.
"Now," he huffs. "We can go."