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The wedge in my throat dissolves. “There’s one thing I am sure of, though. I love you and I want to be with you, and I don’t give a goddamn what your brother thinks.”
Another weight breaks free and floats away.
“And I want to be with you, Colby.” She lowers her eyes for a beat before lifting them back to meet mine. “I should want to run after what happened with Randy, after my colossal mistake in judgment, but I want to be with you more than I’m scared of screwing up again.”
I swear my heart dances a jig inside my chest. “I love you, Jackie Harper,” I whisper.
“And I love you, Colby Chase. So much it hurts sometimes.” Jackie breathes deeply, then breaks into that dazzler of a smile I can’t get enough of. “Actually, I do believe you’ve convinced Donny to consider the possibility of us being together without him throwing a hissy fit.”
A laugh escapes, loosening my chest. “Good, because I don’t want to have to beat his ass. And that’s a real possibility if he gets in my way.” Her expression screws into a question mark. “I’m staying. The Surge made me an offer, and I accepted.”
Her eyes round. “Tell me!”
“Five-year extension, a bump in pay, and a no-trade agreement for the first three years. I’m in Raleigh for a while.”
She hops up and rounds the table. My arms fly open as she collides with me, and I haul her into my lap. Then I do what I’ve been dying to do since the last time I saw her. I kiss her with a fierceness only she brings out in me.
The kisses deepen and heat up. When we finally break apart, I peck those lips a few more times and nuzzle her neck. “What do you say? Can I convince you to stay a while too? With me?”
Drawing back, she purses her mouth and taps her finger against her cheek in a mock display of contemplation. “Since New Horizons has ended my suspension, I could be talked into sticking around for a while.”
A grin forms on my face. “No shit? When did you start back?”
“I haven’t yet. I told Brandon I needed a few extra days. He told me to take whatever time I need. Personal time off, fully paid. And full back pay coming my way.”
I rub the tip of my nose against hers. “What’s ‘a few extra days’ look like?”
“I’m due back next Wednesday.”
My grin widens. “That gives us three full days on the Gail.”
“I honestly hadn’t planned to stay,” she laughs. “I didn’t want to invade your sanctuary.”
I blurt out what’s etched on my heart. “You are my sanctuary. Wherever you are, that’s where I’ll find my peace.”
“Oh.” She tears up again but shakes it off. “I didn’t pack any clothes for this trip.”
“With what I’ve got planned for you, you’re not going to need any clothes.” My eyebrows ride up and down my forehead. “We have some making up to do.”
“Ooh, Captain,” she purrs, and my dick responds.
I stand with her in my arms and carry her to the berth. In less than a minute, our clothes are off and I’m showing her how much I worship her, how much I love taking care of her, and how much I’ve missed her.
An hour later, we’re spent and sated. We lie wrapped up in each other, skin to skin, our limbs entangled. I float on a cloud I never want to leave. My soul has never been so calm.
She pushes hair off my forehead, her touch light. “Why are you grinning?”
“Because the sheets are totally messed up. I think this is the most damage we’ve ever done to this bed.”
“And that makes you happy?”
“Damn straight! We’re going to have to try to do better, though.” I nibble her neck, and she giggles. Fuck, do I love that sound! I love all the sounds she makes, and I’m aware what a lucky son of a bitch I am because I get to hear them from now on.
“Overachiever,” she coos.
“For you? Always.” She doesn’t know it yet, but I’m going to marry her. Overachiever? Absolutely. Do I deserve her? The jury’s still out, but Jackie doesn’t hate me. If she sees good in me, then I have to believe I might be a tiny bit worthy. For now, I’m going to soak in as much of Jackie as I can, which won’t leave much room for self-recrimination. That shit moves to the back burner.
Jackie toys with my beard while I caress her breast. “I love your sister,” she murmurs.
