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“Oh, Gerry. I haven’t told anyone, but I’m not going anywhere. No chance in hell,” I say, kissing the top of Solia’s head.
“Man, I am sure glad to hear that. And I won’t lie. Earl and Sylvia experienced a wave of relief when the deal fell apart. It relieved them from having to make a decision they were torn about. By staying, you answered their prayers. I’m on my way there now to join them for a drink.”
“Fill them in and keep a close eye on Grandma. I’ve heard rumblings she’s been a bit forgetful lately. I won’t get there tonight,” I say, squeezing Solia a little tighter under the blanket.
“Will do. Oh, and Jackson, not that you need to worry, but word has it that Nick Ford is prowling around a few of the luxury lake homes that are for sale. So don’t ring the alarm if he’s spotted around these parts.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I say, but the image of him standing behind Shannon at the marina floods my mind.
I shove that picture directly to the back of my skull. I only have space for one person in my head tonight. Solia.
“Thanks for the info, Gerry. I’ll keep that in mind.” I laugh to cover my frustration.
Nature’s silence settles in as Gerry drives toward the road. I replay the crazy details on a reel in my mind, it’s equally unbelievable and amazing. “Come on, you must be exhausted. Let’s get you to bed,” I say, pushing my chair back and standing to take Solia inside.
“Sorry to tell you, Jackson, but sleep is the last thing on my mind,” she says deep and seductive.
26
Ipinch myself to make sure I haven’t woken in an alternate universe. The walls I’d built around myself have crumbled. Jackson redefines the meaning of love, a soulmate. I had myself believing he was only renting space in my mind and could not possibly take up permanent residence. But he came for me when I needed him most.
Every single word he spoke when he found me, my soul needed to hear. With every point of contact his hands make with my skin, I know he is here to stay. He is staying for me. Now I know, without a doubt, this man is mine.
After Gerry leaves, we sit rocking in the chairs on the front porch, watching the sky turn from blue to pink to orange to yellow and then fade slowly into darkness. The events of the day will eventually settle in but for now, we can rejoice in the outcome. Jackson holds my hand, enjoying these moments of silence.
Snapshots from the past month flash in my mind of the times I longed for more, the times we held ourselves back, tried to cut the strings of attachment before we became too entangled. Kissing him on the hill, his body on mine in the water at Sculptured Falls, our connection by the fire—these times are mine to keep, and now there will be more.
I don’t want to waste another moment fighting the urge to fully connect with Jackson.
“Today was more than I could’ve ever asked for. You came for me, the cabin is safe, and you’ve decided to stay. I—”
“Solia, I didn’t decide to stay. I need to stay. Where you are is where I will be. You gave me 183 reasons and more to open my heart and love again. You are my forever.”
I stand from the rocker and take Jackson’s hands. “I can’t wait another minute.”
His stare sears into my body as he places both hands on my hips and pulls me into him. He kisses me with the force of a lifetime of love. His lips meet the crook of my neck, and he trails soft, sensual kisses up to my earlobe. I breathe in his sexy scent, and his warm exhale wafts into my ear. “I’m going to show you exactly how much I want every single inch of your body. I want to make every thought, every dream, and every fantasy I’ve had about you a reality. One lifetime won’t be long enough to show you how much I love you.”
He slides the straps of my loosely fitted tank down my arms, letting it fall to the deck, kissing every inch from my neck to the border of my linen shorts. As he stands, he pulls off his hat, tosses it, and shakes out his thick mop. He yanks his T-shirt up and over his head, revealing his muscled chest and glorious six-pack. He takes my face in his hands, and his tongue explores every crevice of my mouth with a passion I’ve never experienced. He uses one hand to untie my bikini, and my top falls. He cups my breasts, kneading and squeezing. I moan into his mouth.
Hands are everywhere, mapping every inch. He tugs my shorts and panties off in one slick move and scoops me into his arms. With my skin against his, I know I’d let him carry me anywhere.
His brawny arms cradle me against his fevered body. “Where are you taking me?”
“To the shower,” he says firmly. My body reacts feverishly to the thought of him finally being mine.
He places my feet back on the ground and opens the shower door. With one of his hands squeezing each of my ass cheeks, he guides me to the shower stall and whispers in my ear, “I want every inch of you, inside and out.”
I gasp in delight and shudder uncontrollably.
I turn on the shower so the warm, steamy water massages my body as Jackson removes his shorts and boxers and tosses them on the bench. Seeing him naked instantly rips a burning sensation through my core. While looking at what will be mine, I want more than anything to be explored.
He moves behind me while I face the shower and takes both my hands and places them on the shower wall, tilting me forward. His mouth is on my neck, his hands on my breasts, and he nudges my feet slightly apart. His touch moves down my stomach to between my legs. He parts my lips and circulates with just the right amount of pressure, sending my head back to his chest and eyes to the sky.
Holy hell, this man knows how to turn me loose.
His hands and fingers continue to slide up and down, touching every square inch. With my hands pressed firmly on the wall and my legs spread wide, I moan into the dark. I can hear Jackson’s “mmm” in my ear, sending me further into heat. He rocks me back and forth … not yet, too soon … it’s never been so easy to come undone.
I swiftly spin around to face this handsome god of a man. His ripped body, water flowing down, his hair dripping, his sexiness eating me alive. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I know that true love exists. I can’t wait another second to devour him. I drop to my knees and take all of him until I can hear him grunt in satisfaction.
