The Bad Boy Bargain (Suttonville Sentinels #1)(66)

Chapter Thirty-Eight


Kyle


He wanted to keep his eyes open, but he was too knocked over to try too hard. Faith had curled up next to him with her head on his chest, her body warm and soft. He’d have to take her back to school for her car soon, but he couldn’t think about that, not yet.

“You okay?” she murmured, her breath tickling his skin.

Okay? He felt like a goddamned superhero. A really tired, satisfied superhero, but if he could move, he bet he’d fly.

“More than,” he rumbled, the words slow and sleepy. “You?”

“Oh, yeah.” She propped herself on one elbow. Her hair had fallen down her back, and a strand of it was draped over her shoulder. “I’m happy I was the one. And that you were mine.”

“I’m still a train wreck.” He stretched, eyes open just enough to notice how Faith’s gaze trailed down his body. “But I’m your train wreck, if you’ll have me.”

“I already had you.” She laughed. “But if you’re asking me to be yours for more than just today, then yes.”

He rolled over, facing away from her, and punched his pillow a few times before lying back down. “Now this day is perfect. I better turn off the lights so I don’t wake up and find out I’m dreaming.”

She gave his shoulder a little shake. “Hey, hibernating bear, much as I hate it, I need to go home. Remember, I have an Olympic archer living in my house, probably wondering where I am.”

He struggled to sit up, blinking. “But you’ll come back tomorrow?”

She took his face in her hands and kissed him. “Try to stop me.”



He sat in his car in the driveway after dropping Faith off. Going into the house seemed too much like an end, and he wanted this day to stretch out forever.

There were two texts on his phone when he finally pulled it out. The first was from Violet: Good job, Sawyer.

The second was from Tristan: That crazy Ledecky scored two runs and made a diving catch to save a double. Good call, man.

Kyle smiled in the dark. He’d known Ledecky had it in him. He owed that kid, big-time.

His phone rang, and he laughed. “Yes, Cade?”

“Whoa, you sound a lot less stressed out. What happened after you two left?”

Kyle climbed out of his car and stared up at the stars, unable to quell the crazy grin on his face. For the first time in a long while, he felt whole, and he owed that to Faith. “Everything, man. Everything.”





Epilogue


Faith


She mock-screamed as Curly was killed by Jud at the start of the nightmare ballet. The stage went dark except for the spotlight on her, and she danced in mourning as the sets were moved behind her and the dancers ran into place. One of them, a cowboy with broad shoulders, arms straining at his sleeves and a brooding, stern expression on his face, stalked toward her, heralded by two mocking cancan girls.

Dear God, Kyle looked good in costume, and she had a really hard time keeping her expression terrified and grief-stricken.

True to Mr. Fisk’s prediction, Kyle had picked up the dance steps in one practice. He hit his marks in time with the music without any trouble, and kept character perfectly.

She’d known he could pull it off—he’d already proven he was a consummate actor, with four long years of experience playing a part.

She whirled toward him, and he lifted her straight up in one fluid movement. A few members of the audience clapped. He spun her around, pulling her close. Their eyes met, and his held a flicker of amusement as she leaned back like a rag doll, moving at his every whim.

He released her and she spun away, holding her head in her hands in fear as the chorus closed in on her again, forcing her back to Jud. The second lift went off perfectly, with Kyle’s steady strength giving her balance she needed to hold her pose. Adrenaline shot through her veins—now it was only the fish lift. Time to blow minds and impress that agent in the audience who’d come to see her perform.

That was Kyle’s doing, too.

She leaped and flew, pinballing around the chorus, driven to Jud like some horrible magnet. As she turned toward him, Kyle winked and she held her breath. Mr. Fisk was going to kill them later, but who cared?

She pirouetted into his arms, which came expertly around her waist and thigh. He lifted her, did the dip and whispered, “Here we go.”

Then she was flying, sailing above his head and everyone else’s. The audience whistled and applauded as Kyle set her down. It was so hard to keep the grin off her face.

Terrified, remember, you’re terrified.

She danced and danced, letting the music and the moment sweep her up and in. It was perfect.

The chorus surrounded her, and she stumbled in pretend horror, a mute scream on her lips. She was unable to escape him, and Kyle grabbed her and hauled her over one shoulder. She pounded on his back, mock-kicking at him, as he carried her off stage. The curtain fell, and the crash of applause made her twitch as Kyle put her down.

Mr. Fisk was shaking his head. “Okay, okay, beautiful job, and I’ll excuse the aerial out there since the agent’s here, but no big lifts tomorrow.”

He walked away, barking orders to Ado Annie to be ready for her cue. Faith leaned against Kyle, trembling with nerves and excitement. “Oh my God, that was awesome.”