AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I’d learned that my need to be so regimented and people-pleasing was a deep-seated fear rooted in my childhood. A fear that if I didn’t do enough someone would decide to toss me away like my parents had. It didn’t matter that the state took me away. My parents didn’t fight for me or even try to offer me a good childhood. They didn’t even try.
But I was worthy of love. I was loved.
“I know that now. Because of you, I’ve finally realized that all of who I am is perfectly imperfect and that I’m good enough.” Tears pooled in my eyes and ran down my cheeks.
He blinked fast a few times and swallowed hard.
That tight place in my chest released. “I know that there might be some days I struggle to remember that, but knowing you’ll be there to make sure I push past it is all the assurance I need.”
He cleared his throat, a raspy sound emerging. “I will be there for you. Every. Single. Time.”
All I could manage was a nod. I hiccuped while letting the tears flow.
“Sunshine, I hate to see you cry.” He wiped at my tears with gentle hands. “I think the only way to do help would be to tell you an absolutely horrible dad joke.”
I almost choked on my spit when I inhaled too fast. “What?” I whispered. “Do what?”
“Knock, Knock.” He lifted his head from mine and smiled.
“Who’s there?” He hated these things.
“Juno.”
“Juno, who?”
His grin got wider. “Juno, you’re the love of my life?”
I playfully groaned. “I love you, too.”
He nuzzled into the crook of my neck, making my legs go weak. Without his arm banded around my waist I would have likely slid to the floor. “Forever and always you will have my heart,” he vowed.
“And you, mine. Forever and always, through the sands of time.” When his seeking lips met mine it was our promise to each other that our place in the world was together. That when our souls touched and shared space we were our best selves. And that our hearts would forever be intertwined for eternity.
The beauty of our life stretched out before me and I couldn’t wait to experience it all with this man beside me.
Epilogue
HAZEL
I leaned against the railing, drawing in a deep breath of salty air. The crystal blue depths in front of me commanded my full attention, obstructed only by the wind tossing my hair around my face. The sun dipped lower and lower into the horizon, creating pretty streaks of gold across the ocean as it made its descent.
Jareth had recently purchased this massive twelve-bedroom yacht, and I was here for it.
“What are you doing out here?” His voice rumbled against my ear.
I let out a sigh as my muscles naturally relaxed into him. Our bodies fit together like two halves of a whole. “This is my first time cruising the Mediterranean. I don’t want to miss a thing.”
Behind me, the heat of Jareth’s body soaked into me just before his chest pressed flush against my back. His arms came around my sides to cage me in a bubble of love and safety. A sigh of happiness escaped my mouth as he nuzzled that spot in the crook of my neck.
We needed this vacation.
Our lives had been turned upside down at the discovery of Terri’s betrayal. Jareth’s former honorary uncle was currently sitting in jail awaiting trial.
I’d been fearful that Jareth would withdraw into himself after finding out his godfather had killed his dad. Instead, he opened up further to me and continued to let me in. He finally trusted me enough to support him and we were able to discuss the swirl of emotions a betrayal like that cost. Tears pricked the back of my eyes as I thought about the beauty of our growing relationship.
When I tilted my head to the side to look at him, he captured my lips with his. His front pressed into me letting me feel the hardness of his arousal at my back while one hand slid around and under my shirt to tweak my nipple.
I groaned into his mouth while my hips pushed back, grinding into him. His answering moan every time I connected with his turgid length made me want to reach around and pleasure him as he was doing for me.
