“Goddammit, I love you more than anything,” I croak against her spine. Completely spent, I rest my forehead between her shoulder blades, placing open mouth kisses along each of her vertebrae.
I reluctantly pull out of her, and she rolls onto her back, arms splayed across the bed, hair disheveled, and she’s never looked so beautifullymine.
“No. Shut up!” Dakota exclaims as she realizes where we’ve just arrived. “Oh my god, you’re joking. Stop it.”
“Welcome to the Jane Austen House Museum, my lady,” I say as I open the door and hold my hand out for her to take, bowing before her.
She takes my hand and gets out of the rental car. “You’ve spoiled me so, my lord.”
Pretending to be a gentleman that I most certainly have not been around her lately, I offer her my arm and escort her through the gardens toward the front door of the museum.
When we get inside, I urge Dakota to take a seat at Jane’s writing desk. I wouldn’t be a good boyfriend if I didn’t fill my camera roll with dozens of photos of her sitting at the desk.
“My favorite author sitting in her favorite author’s writing spot,” I say out loud as I finish sending off my favorite photo to Mack to print out for the home library reveal when Dakota wraps her arm around my waist and squeezes me tight. I hurriedly put my phone in my pocket and pray like hell she didn’t see the text exchange.
Dakota gets lost in the details of the house for the next hour, and I watch her take it in with rapt attention. I could watch her do the most mundane things for the rest of my life and never get bored.
I’m so lost in her, I don’t realize how much time has past. This isn’t the first time this has happened—she easily captures my attention, especially when her smile reaches her eyes, making her nose scrunch up in the most adorable way.
“This is so amazing. But now that we’re here, I’m dying to know how this was one of your fantasies,” she whispers into my ear as she balances on her tiptoes, placing a peck on my cheek.
Slipping my hand into the back pocket of her jeans, I pull her closer and continue to walk the path that leads us to the Greyfriar, where we plan to grab lunch. I’m sickeningly in love with my girl, and I want everyone around us to know it.
“Anything I do with you is my fantasy. Truthfully, I just wanted to see your reaction to visiting this place. And the smile that lit up your face for the past half hour is everything I could’ve imagined and more.”
That earns me a chuckle, and my chest puffs with pride.
I’m obsessed with Dakota’s smile, but I crave the sound of her laugh each day. Even better, I love earning her laughter. How crazy would she think I am if I recorded her laughing so I could listen to it on the road when I’m missing her? She’d probably think I’m demented, but I’m oddly okay with it.
I’ve just got the front door open to the tavern when my phone rings in my pocket.
“Why don’t you get that while I use the restroom?” Dakota suggests.
“Sounds good,” I say in reply before seeing it’s Griff who’s calling. Swiping to accept, I answer, “G, what’s good, buddy?”
“Hey, Carse. How’s the detour going?”
“Really good, we just got done touring the Jane Austen House Museum. We’re flying home tomorrow morning.”
“Good to hear man. Look, that’s kind of why I’m calling.” He pauses on the line before continuing, “I was talking to Brad today because he’s going to do some work at our place. Anyway, he said there was a guy hanging around the outside of your house last night when he was heading out for the night. He said he didn’t get a good look at the guy, but that when he caught him scoping out the place, the guy took off. Do you want me to get in contact with my buddies from Boston and see if they can install an upgraded security system at your place? I think it wouldn’t be a bad idea for us to get one installed here too.”
My stomach churns as unease slithers its way up my spine. “These paparazzi have gotten out of hand. I’m so fucking sick of the media.” That’s been a huge bonus of this trip—no one knows me as the NHL’s rookie golden boy. I take a deep breath trying to ease my frustration. “If you don’t mind, I think it’d be a good idea to have someone do an upgrade.”
“Consider it done. Do you think it’s the same photographer that crashed into you and Cadence?” he questions.
“I don’t know, but I’d like to have more cameras in place around the perimeter of the house so we can catch these scumbags.”
“I’ll give them a call now. Maybe the girls should stay together at our house once the season starts until they figure this out,” Griffin suggests.
“Yeah, or even with my parents. I don’t want to take any chances,” I agree.
“Alright, well sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Safe travels, we’ll see you guys once you get back.”
“Thanks, G. Love ya.”
He chuckles over the line. “Did you tell Dakota that yet?”
“I did. She actually told me first.” A huge smile takes over my face, pressing my cheek against the phone.
