Epilogue #2
“No, no, baby. No pulling away.” He guided her along, occasionally brushing a hand along her cheek, tucking some wayward hair behind her ear. Never letting her even consider he wasn’t paying attention to her.
They came upon an area with a few larger, overturned trunks.
Cool morning wind blew through the towering trees that rose from the earth and strained to brush the sky.
Shadows flickered, created from some sun-dappled leaves.
The moss that wound around trunks and rocks had leaves and pine needles captured within.
There were plenty of pinecones dotting the ground, as if a toy chest of precious trinkets had been tipped.
Lance encouraged her to sit on one of the trunks. She didn’t like this.
He gave a rough chuckle. “Baby, you look like you’re about to hurl in my direction.” Moving between her legs, he settled his hands along the sides of her face.
The idea was possible. Highly probable. She shifted on the rough wood. “I’m not sure what you’re looking for from me.”
His tongue dipped out to skim over his lower lip and her belly clenched in response. “What I want? After everything we’ve been through, you’re not sure what I want from you?” His voice had risen in volume and was drenched in disbelief mixed with anger.
She narrowed her gaze, not at all appreciating him getting huffy with her, she’d been honest. “No need to yell at me, I was just asking a fucking—”
He slammed his mouth over hers, taking no prisoners, thrusting his tongue deep and growling when she followed his lead. A rumble rolled up from his chest when he broke the kiss.
Heads touching, he dragged his thumb over her lower lip. “Everything.”
Jasmine furrowed her brow as he drew back, putting a tiny bit of space between them.
“I want everything from you, baby. You already have me, I want the same. Don’t talk to me about how it shouldn’t be.
We work. No matter what excuse you have ready, I’ll counter it.
I want you with me, morning, noon, and night.
I was thinking about what Mark said. Private investigators.
We can take cases we want, go where we want.
But we’ll be together. I can’t without you, Jasmine.
I can’t do it. Not without you and Camden. ”
Heart thundering nearly out of control, Jasmine watched him. Saw beneath the assured, nearly cocky look to uncertainty, and a hint of desperation. Of a need so powerful, this man was willing to bare his vulnerability to her.
There were hundreds of excuses she could provide why it was wrong. Why they were wrong for each other. And she didn’t doubt he would have hundreds of counters to hers.
Gripping his sweatshirt, she yanked him right back to her lips. “Yes.”
“Fucking finally,” he groaned against her mouth as he took possession of it once more.
They didn’t leave the forest for another hour, and as they walked back to the cabin, she was sated and content, her hand rested his.
They didn’t rush, merely enjoying being with each other.
Jasmine didn’t know what their future would hold but with Lance and Den along with Caro and her family, she had no doubt it would be full and overflowing with love.
Maybe I can learn to let others in. And let myself learn how to be loved without expecting something to be paid back.
They walked into the cabin and found everyone’s attention locked on them.
Den and DJ were seated together. Caro and Declan’s daughter, Mary—who went by Mae and who’d been named for the first African American woman to earn a PhD in chemistry in the US but also in honor of the numerous other Marys who were trailblazers in their fields—was curled up in her father’s lap, adorably sleepy in her science-themed pajamas.
The boys paused in eating and skimmed over them before shoveling more food in their mouths. “You’ve got pine needles in your hair, Auntie.” DJ shrugged as he made his announcement.
Caro and Declan smirked. The ex-cop rubbed a large hand over his daughter’s back. “Bet this entire cabin and the property it has with it that ain’t the only place she has them,” he teased.
She flushed because he wasn’t wrong, there were some in a most uncomfortable place she would be removing when she got to the bedroom. Lance outright laughed and kissed her temple.
“She’s not the only one.” He moved by the boys and fist bumped with each of them, Declan included, brushed a kiss along Caro’s cheek and moved into the kitchen. “Come get some food, baby. I know you’re hungry.”
Caro waggled her eyebrows, and this time she found herself smiling without wondering if it was going to cost her later.
She made it three steps before her phone rang.
Her ease faded in less than a second as she pulled out her phone.
The only people who had her number were here in the cabin with her.
Lance watched her from the kitchen and placed the plates in his hands on the counter. “Everything okay, baby?”
She blinked at the name on the screen. “I don’t know. It’s Nolan.”
A low growl left Lance and he moved toward her as she hovered over the accept button. Like she was in a tunnel, she heard Lance fill them in on who Nolan was as she tapped the button.
“Nolan?” she said by way of answering.
“I need your help, Jasmine.” The line went dead.
“Nolan?” Jasmine asked even though she couldn’t hear him. Uncertainty rushed in fast, digging its claws in deep. Lifting her gaze, she found Lance right there beside her, his hand pressing on the small of her back.
“Baby?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know. He said he needed my help then the line went dead.” She tried to call the phone back but all she got was a message that the number couldn’t be completed as dialed. “He has a son, Lance.”
“I know baby. We’ll get to him and help in any way we can.” He kissed her cheek. “Then we’re going to talk about why you have a handsome man’s number in your phone and how he got your number.”
She barked out a laugh, which from the upturn of his lips had been his intention. Then she sobered. “I didn’t.” He cocked an eyebrow and she elaborated. “I didn’t give him my number. He gave me his card but I hadn’t given mine to him.”
“We’ve got Den,” Declan said, joining them, reaching out with his hand to squeeze her shoulder. “Go get your man.”
Lance snapped his gaze to Declan. “I’m her man, asshole.”
Declan rolled his eyes. “And the jealous possessiveness has begun. Fine, go get Nolan and help him. We’ll keep Den with us and finish up our vacation. Let me know if you need anything.”
Jasmine swallowed once and bit the inside of her lower lip before shifting to be directly in front of Declan. He watched her, silent, his hands keeping his young daughter safe and secure.
“Thank you.” She blinked. “For everything.”
Declan grunted. “We’re family.” His tone sounded like he’d been gargling glass, but she’d take it because despite the grumping, his gaze sparkled with trouble. She’d take it.
She flicked her focus to Lance.
He nodded. “Got your back, baby. Today, tomorrow, always. Let’s get going.”
Mind centering on the upcoming travel, she calmed. This she understood and could handle. Or so she thought. Lance kissed her until her mind blanked and all she could do was hold him tight as he kissed her dumb.
“We’re talking about our wedding on the way.” It wasn’t a question from him as his hand squeezed her ass. Another quirk of his lips. “I love that freshly fucked and hazy look in your eyes, baby. Let’s go save your guy.” Another kiss.
“Thank you, Lance.”
“Anything for you, baby. You know that.”
Yeah, she was figuring that out.