finding Reese.: a SAFELIGHT novel vol.2 (SAFELIGHT Series) (31 page)

Stryder gets up from the bed, and hugs me tight. “This sexy guy you speak of . . . Is he worth your time?”

I giggle in his arms. “Indeed. He’s a dancer, or so I’m told. I have to see if he’s a better dancer than my partner.”

Stryder takes a firm hold of my hips, and swivels them against his own- very reminiscent of a samba routine Kathryn was teaching me earlier this week.

“I think your partner is great, but maybe you need a new partner. Someone who knows your body better than anyone else,” he breathes.

“Let’s move this samba into the shower, shall we?” I quip, placing my hand over his shoulder and swaying my hips; dancing around him and elongating my arms with my fingertips fanned and pointing towards the ceiling.

Stryder pulls me towards him, grabbing my waist possessively. His eyes are full of heat, and his erection is back, standing tall and proud. “Rumba? Samba? Remind me to buy Kathryn flowers.”

The intensity behind his words makes me laugh, and we literally dance our way into the bathroom. Once inside the shower enclosure, our sensual dancing morphs into a very naughty, non-ballroom type of dancing that would certainly get us banned from any dance floor on the planet. What can I say? He’s impressed. Mission accomplished. It’s so nice to have him home.

I
CLEAR THE KITCHEN
AFTER
preparing us a plentiful dinner. Stryder and Jackson are in Jackson’s office talking about the misunderstanding that almost severed their brotherhood. The more I think about Olivia’s ploy, the more it has me all kinds of pissed off.

Stryder was right in saying Olivia’s actions were coming from a desperate woman, but never in a thousand years had I imagined she’d use her own brother−her flesh and blood−as bait. I understand why she’s hung up on Stryder. I mean, who wouldn’t be? Seeing Stryder happy with someone who isn’t her must be a bitter pill to swallow. I’m just hoping the guys can work things out, and in the future when we look back at this moment we can share a good laugh.

After putting the last dish away in the cupboard, I wait for Stryder upstairs. I peruse my work email on my phone and groan when I see the massive amounts of emails in there. Scrolling by hundreds of messages, I hone in on one from Marcia. She wants to know when I’m going to start working on the follow-up piece for Jackson, and would like an update as she needs to decide which issue it will be featured in.

I type a quick response explaining he was recently cleared to commence training on the slopes again, and that these things obviously take time. Spring has started to appear in Wyoming, so it’s safe to assume we’ll be traveling abroad with Team Reese for his training. After wrapping up my email, I send a quick text to Faith. I feel so guilty I’ve neglected her ever since Jackson and Stryder arrived into my life. I know she’s probably wrapped up with her wedding planning, and with her insane schedule at the hospital on top of that, I’m sure she’s in dire need of some girl time. I need to return to the city for a few days at least to handle mail and check up on my loft. It’s insane to think I up and left everything to chase after a story, and ended up finding love all in the same trip.

It takes a few moments for her to reply.

I toss the phone aside, groaning loudly and covering my face with my hands. It’s no secret the Mackenzies have been championing for me to have a second chance at love, but damn, it worries me a little to have them see me in the arms of a man who isn’t their son. No matter where my future with Stryder takes me, my heart will always love Blake. He will always have a special place in my heart, and so will his loving family.

Stryder walks in with his hands in his front pockets and a concerned look on his face. I pick up my phone and rest it on the nightstand. “How’d it go?”

“He’s fine. If anything, he’s majorly pissed at Olivia− foaming at the mouth angry. I said what I had to say, and a man knows when to apologize when he’s fucked up majorly.” He takes a seat on the edge of the bed. “What’s the matter?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I heard you huffing and puffing when I was coming up the stairs. What’s wrong?”

I huff again and smile. “I made the stupid mistake of picking up my phone. Work wants to know when I’ll be drafting the new piece on Jackson, and then there’s Faith’s wedding coming up . . . I’m just a little overwhelmed.”

Stryder smiles, and then stands. “Work can wait. Jackson says the team will be training in Chile in three weeks. They’ve been getting early snowfall, which is great for his plans. He asked me to tag along so it will be like Whistler . . . us three hitting the slopes again. It’s going to be great, Cat. Don’t stress over it.”

“I know I shouldn’t, but I worry about Jackson and the pressure the world is putting on his shoulders. I don’t think my heart could take another scare like Kicking Horse. I just can’t,” I whisper, my eyes watering up.

Stryder crawls into bed and sits beside me, cradling my face with his hands.

“Hey, hey, hey. It’s okay. If anything, Kicking Horse was an eye-opener for him and the team. I understand you’re worried, Catalina, but you can’t allow this worry to determine each of your steps. You can’t live your life holding your breath and expecting the worst at every turn. If bad things happen, we’ll deal with them then, okay?”

“Okay, Stud. It’s been a wild ride, both good and bad since I met you two. I don’t want to lose what we’ve worked so hard to build. Friendship and love take time to blossom, and some people aren’t so lucky to experience both in their lifetimes like we have.” My fingers absentmindedly play with the fuzzy lining of the Sherpa comforter, and as we sit in silence my mind races with thoughts of our upcoming travels, namely our little getaway.

“What’s going on in that pretty head of yours, Cat?” Stryder asks with a wide grin. I lift my head, and he says, “Spill.”

“So . . . Now that you’re back and all, I was wondering when we’ll go away? You know, like we-”

Stryder interrupts me by placing his index finger over my lips. “With the bullshit with Olivia I cancelled everything. That was another reason why I was downstairs with Jackson I made a couple of calls, though. We leave tomorrow, and don’t ask me where because I’m not saying. You’ll know when we get there.”

My heart beats a steady rhythm against my ribcage, nervous and excited. There’s only one person who I’ve gone away with in my lifetime, and the possibilities of a vacation with Stryder have me all kinds of nervous, but also incredibly happy.

“What do I pack? You have to at least tell me if I need to pack for hot or cold weather . . .”

He leans in to kiss the tip of my nose. “Hot, so whatever you have here won’t work.” I raise my eyebrow and say nothing further. His hand reaches for the lamp on the bedside table, and turns it off. “Let’s get some sleep. I’m still on Aussie time, and this jet-lag is starting to kick my ass.”

I nod and curl up beside him. My mind and heart are buzzing with excitement, and while his breathing evens out minutes after his head touched the pillow, I stay up for the majority of the night wondering what will happen next.

“Good morning, Catalina.”

Stryder’s throaty voice fills my ears as the light of the morning sun filters into the room. Having spent the majority of the night awake and lost in my own thoughts, I’m feeling less than cordial this morning.

“Go away, Stryder. Just five more minutes, please,” I groan in protest.

His soft chuckles reverberate against my body, and in true grumpy-ass fashion I grab my pillow and cover my face with it. He laughs again and spreads over me, kissing my bare shoulder. I don’t protest much when his mouth latches on one of my exposed nipples while his gruff hands fondle my breasts. The feel of his twitching erection over my throbbing core has me tossing the pillow aside instantly amenable to the wakeup call. My protests become urgent pleas as we make love into the early hours of the morning.

Awake and invigorated I settle into my morning routine, and once showered and dressed, Stryder surprises me with a large mug of steaming coffee. I sip on it contentedly, while his strong arms hold me in front of the vanity mirror. There’s something mesmerizing about his hazel eyes connecting with my dark ones in the mirror as he rests his head on my shoulder. I don’t know what the definition of ‘perfect couple’ is, and it would be silly of me to think Stryder and I are perfect because we sure as hell aren’t, but looking at our reflection tells me our imperfections are ideal for each other.

I like to think the way our lives are is simply perfect. My heart flutters in my chest, and all of a sudden I’m so overwhelmed with contentment and hope for the future that I have to put my coffee on the counter so I can hug the man of my dreams. His smile radiates an infectious happiness, and he opens his mouth as if to speak, but then closes it and shakes his head . . .

“What time are we leaving?” I ask.

“In half an hour. Let’s get something to eat. Do you have all that you need?”

Picking up my mug, I nod, and we leave the room and head downstairs, Stryder carrying our carry-on bags. Jackson is putting breakfast on the counter with a Cheshire cat grin.

“Are you guys ready for your love-fest getaway?

“Yes . . . even though I have no clue where we’re going.” I reply in mock annoyance.

Jackson looks at Stryder with a knowing smile. “Niiiiiiiice, Jup.” Redirecting his attention to me, he says, “Eat up, girl. Get those calories in while you can.”

A laugh escapes me, and Stryder snickers and takes a bite from his buttered toast. Jackson looks at us and wiggles his eyebrows.

“Like I said, eat up.”

Done with breakfast, I clear the table and tidy up the kitchen. Stryder walks out the door with our bags, and as I’m about to follow him, Jackson stops me. His eyes are slightly misted, yet he’s smiling.

“Cat,” he says, clearing his throat. “All this time I’ve never said thank you for sticking around for the past two months. You’ve been supportive and stayed with me during the worst time of my life.”