Chapter 6

6

LUKA

I hand the secure government phone back to Owen. This was the last thing I needed to deal with right now. Any other day, I would have been looking forward to the challenge of a new project. This was not that day. The only thing I'm looking forward to is getting June alone all to myself again. That has been a problem all day. Everyone is always stopping to talk to her. June never has a moment alone.

"Sir, we both know you have to go back."

"I know," I grit out. This isn't a small project. It's not something I can turn down either.

Some of the older systems, not updated for missile defense, have experienced a handful of data breaches. It was an issue I actually brought up a year ago. They not only want me to fix the problem quickly, even if it's only temporary, but also put a completely new system in place. It's going to take all of my focus and time.

"Have the plane on standby," I tell Owen before I head back toward the wedding party that is now in full swing. I think the whole damn town is here. It doesn't take me half a second to spot June.

The floor-length soft purple dress makes her appear like she is floating as she moves through all the tables, talking to people. Although she looks stunning in the strapless dress, I believe her jeans and cowboy boots will always be my favorites. They're who she really is.

I watch her for a long moment, knowing I'll have to be a dick and interrupt if I want to steal her away. By the looks of it, she's not going to be left alone any time soon.

"You know what you're doing?" Jackson comes to stand beside me.

"With June?" I shake my head. "Not a fucking clue." Jackson actually laughs before once again growing serious.

"You're leaving." It's not a question. I knew from our first encounter that he had pull at the local military base where my plane has been sitting since I arrived in Cottonwood. I'm sure someone informed him when I put it on standby. Both Jackson and I have deep government ties, but in different ways.

"I don't have much of a choice."

His brows lift in understanding. "She'll understand then."

"How fucked up is it that I debated it?" I know it is. People's lives could be at risk. It's the first time in my life that I've ever even considered not going when a call came in. It's par for the course though. June has me doing all sorts of stuff that I've never done.

"You can't look at it that way. You're not picking her or this. Go and get whatever it is dealt with, and then come back." He makes it sound easy, but it's not. It doesn't help when I see that vet making his way toward her. "Nice chat," Jackson says before I can tell him I'll talk to him later. I can tell he's holding another laugh in.

I don't make it halfway across the tent before my sister is in front of me. "What are you doing with my best friend, Luka?" Paisley tries to give me a fierce glare, but she fails miserably.

"I want her."

"She's not a toy!"

"When have you ever seen me play with toys?" I keep my eyes on June over Paisley's head. The vet is talking to her, but they aren't standing super close to one another.

"Well, never. I mean, that's kind of what I'm saying. What are you doing with her? The two of you are night and day."

"You don't think Jackson and you are night and day?"

She lets out a small huff. "Listen, June can give as good as she gets, but that girl is a marshmallow inside. She'll do anything for anyone. Even if it means putting herself last."

"I'll be honest with you, Pais. I don't know what this is or what is going on with me. It's new to me, but I like the way she makes me feel. I want more of it, and I'm not going to stop. I don't care who it bothers. It's happening."

A smile tugs at her lips. "Okay, then." She steps aside.

"That's it? Okay?"

"Don't kill the vet. He's new, and Tigger likes him."

"I make no promises." I say this when I see the fucker move in closer to June. He motions toward the dance floor, offering her his hand. Just in time, I make it to them. There is no fucking way he's dancing with my girl.

"That won't be happening." I wrap my arm around June and pull her into me. June doesn't resist. In fact, she melts into me. He puts his hands up and steps back.

"So the rumors are true?" he asks.

"They're not rumors. She's mine." I want to make it crystal clear to him and everyone else. June doesn't deny it.

"All right." He turns, not pushing it.

"You're possessive." June shifts to slide in front of me, keeping her body pressed to mine.

"And bossy."

"And bossy." She laughs. "Are you going to dance with me?"

"If that's what you want."

"Maybe one, and then we could…" She trails off, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip. Fucking hell. How am I going to tell her I have to leave? I don't. Not yet. I want to relish the rest of the time we have together tonight.

Instead, I take her to the dance floor and enjoy a slow dance with her. I've been to a couple weddings in my time, but I never thought about one of my own. I thought if the day ever came, it would be transactional. A courthouse or something of that nature. I wouldn't want that with June because I know she wouldn't want that. She wants the fairy tale, and I find that I'm wanting to give that to her.

"Come on." She takes my hand, leading me out of the tent. "I saw my brother and Paisley slip out. I think we can do the same. Can we go to your place?" I've been staying at a rental my assistant had found for me. I know what June is offering me, but there is no way I'll take her to bed and then leave. I already told her our first time wouldn't be rushed. It will be, after all, the first time for both of us. Though I don't think she is fully aware of that.

What if I just kidnapped her? She almost let me do it once. I could whisk her away back to the city on my plane.

"I have to leave."

June stops walking. Her body language changes immediately.

"I don't want to, but it's important."

"Okay." June looks down at the ground, attempting to hide from me.

"Come with me."

"What?" She jerks her head back up.

"Come with me." I say it again. "I'm not above begging."

"I ah?—"

"I know it's a big ask, but I don't want to leave, and there isn't much choice." Not if I want to be able to live with myself. Then again, I'm not sure I can live without her.

"Is it like some super secret thingy?" She tilts her head to the side, giving me a playful smile.

"Something like that." I cup her cheek. "Come with me. I have a plane. You can come back whenever, but I want you to stay with me. Once I finish, we will both return."

"Okay." She responds without hesitation.

My kitten always surprises me.