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“Indeed.” He brushed his lips to hers. “That’s because it’s more than sex when it’s us, Isabel.” He cupped her cheek. “There’s a connection here that hasn’t been severed though we’ve been apart for over fifteen years.”
“I agree,” Isabel said, “but the connection is different than it was when we were kids. There’s...” She couldn’t quite find the right word.
“More?”
“Yeah.”
Jackson hummed his agreement. “We’ll definitely need to study this further.” That half smile was back.
“Hands-on research is best,” Isabel said, pressing her palm to his chest.
“My favorite kind of research.”
After another round of research then becoming Jackson’s shower buddy, Isabel slipped her denim shorts and T-shirt back on. Blaze followed her out of the bedroom and she gave him a good rubbing before entering the kitchen where she found Jackson wearing only his cargo shorts. She loved having more of his body on display. Made it easier for her to sidle up behind him and run her hands all over the muscles of his back.
“That smells good.” She looked over Jackson’s shoulder at the bowls of fruit salad he’d made.
He handed her one of the bowls and a fork. “Don’t let anyone tell you the Sex Cottage doesn’t serve up good fruit.”
Isabel speared a blueberry and was surprised at how sweet it was. “This is the best blueberry I’ve ever eaten.”
“All from Christian’s farm.”
“Wow. Is the soil magical or something?” She leaned against the counter and popped another blueberry in her mouth.
“Christian’s a great farmer. He was born to grow stuff.”
“Like you were born to find stuff?”
“I guess.”
She placed her bowl down and touched Jackson’s arm, waiting for him to look over at her. “I know you probably want to get back into the woods or research about the dagger, but I want you to understand how much it meant to me that you chose to be with me first.”
“Honestly, Isabel,” he said as he turned to face her and placed his hands on her hips, drawing her up against him, “it wasn’t that hard of a decision. Of course I’m interested in that dagger and what else might get uncovered, but being with you is far more fascinating right now.”
She threw her arms around him and squeezed him.
He laughed, his chin resting on the top of her head. “I always liked how you fit right here.”
Isabel took in a big breath and pressed her cheek to his bare chest. “Me too.”
They held the embrace for a few more seconds until Blaze knocked his head into Isabel’s legs.
“Someone wants in on the hugs.” She took a step away from Jackson and looked down at her dog.
Jackson released her and grabbed a handful of blueberries. “Does he like these?”
“Blaze likes anything edible, which as I said before, might include your boots.”
Bending, Jackson offered the blueberries to Blaze and the dog snatched them up, leaving slobber all over Jackson’s hand. Isabel grabbed a paper towel and handed it to Jackson.
“I checked my boots,” he said. “They and my laptop appear to be unharmed.”
“Good. I guess we sufficiently tired Blaze out on the farm and in the woods. He doesn’t get in as much trouble when he’s tired. The trick is keeping him tired. Australian Kelpies have unlimited energy. He needs some sheep or goats to herd. Does Christian have those?”
Jackson shook his head. “But this is Vermont. Someone has sheep or goats we can have Blaze herd now and then. I’ll look into it.”
“Great.” She picked up her bowl of fruit as did he and they ate the snack while tossing blueberries to Blaze every now and again.
