Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
NIALL
Game night was a huge success.
I’ll admit, I was a little worried it might be too much for Jade. By her own admission, she’s not comfortable in larger groups, and with the added stress of having people over, wanting everything to be perfect, not having a place to escape to if things got overwhelming…
I would have asked everyone to leave—subtly, of course—if I thought Jade was struggling. They would have understood. No one would have judged her for needing time alone.
But all my worries were for nothing. As far as I could tell, Jade had a great time.
Everyone had a great time, really. Devouring all the snacks Jade worked on all day—pigs in a blanket, nachos, three different dips, vegetable platters, and flatbread pizzas—Dante’s incredible ziti, Rhi’s buffalo chicken dip, and the home-baked cookies Erik unexpectedly showed up with.
First we started out with games that required concentration, like Jenga and Pictionary and poker. And it was awesome to see how well Jade got along with everyone—quizzing Xavier on poker strategy, teaming up with Rhiannon to win the Jenga tournament, and asking Dante all about his family after learning the ziti was his mother’s recipe.
And later, once we’d all had a few beers, we moved on to Cards Against Humanity. I think that was the best part of the night—Jade slightly tipsy and completely at ease, coming up with the raunchiest answers and kissing me each time we won a round.
By the end of the night, Jade was fast asleep on the couch while Dante and Matt finished a cutthroat round of extreme Jenga, which included a five second time limit and two sets of blocks. Once they left, I carried Jade to bed and she snuggled against me and it was the best feeling I can remember in a long time.
Maybe ever.
I’m so damn happy. And I don’t know how I got this lucky. I have an amazing job. An incredible team. A new place to live that’s rapidly feeling like home.
And Jade. She’s the best part of everything.
I told her I was falling in love with her, but I think it’s more than that. But I’m not going to rush things. Despite how strong she is, she’s still dealing with some really heavy shit, and the last thing I want is to push her into something she’s not ready for.
That doesn’t mean I can’t show her how I feel, though.
While I was at the team meeting this morning, I got to thinking about it. Even though I can’t take Jade out on a date yet—we want to give the FBI some more time to get everyone involved with the trafficking organization in custody—it doesn’t mean I can’t arrange something special for her here.
So, once Dante wrapped up the meeting, I pulled Rhiannon to the side. Before I even brought it up, she knew what I wanted and was more than happy to help.
“I’m so happy for you,” she told me. “I don’t know if you even realized it, but you would bring up Jade all the time. How smart she was. All her accomplishments. Not just that, but little things, like something she said the last time you visited Shea. A funny joke she made.”
“I did?” I thought about Jade a lot, but I hadn’t realized how much I talked about her.
“Oh, yes.” Rhiannon patted my arm affectionately and smiled at me. “Xav and I had a bet going for how long it would take for you to finally ask her out.”
“Really? And who won?”
“Well.” Her smile got bigger. “You didn’t technically ask Jade out. But. If you arrange a date for tonight, something special, I think that would count.”
“And who would win then?”
Rhiannon grinned at me. “I would. Xavier wagered another six months.”
Chuckling, I asked, “So it’s all to win a bet?”
Her smile slid into something more serious. “No. I want to see you happy, Niall. I know you’ve had a rough few years. And Jade… she makes you happy. So anything I can do to help, I will.”
And she did. I’m not sure I could have pulled something like this together without Rhi’s help.
It’s not that I don’t know about romantic gestures. I’ve seen enough movies to get the gist. There should be candles and flowers and white lights strung everywhere. Chocolate and wine. Some sort of fancy dinner.
But knowing in theory doesn’t mean making it happen in reality. Stringing thousands of Christmas lights all over the place? Figuring out what candles to buy so it smells nice and not like I stuck my head in a bowl of potpourri, like the stuff my mom used to put out each year for the holidays? I could try, but it wouldn’t be perfect. And that’s what I want for Jade.
Thankfully, I had the help of my team. Not just Rhiannon, but Erik and Dante, too.
Rhiannon helped me plan everything, then arranged for some girl time with Jade to keep her occupied while Erik and Dante helped me set it all up.
Matt and Xavier were heading to Houston for a security job, but Xavier stopped by the barn before he left to wish me luck. “Even though it means I lose the bet, I’m okay with it,” he said with a wry smile. “Jade’s awesome. And I’m happy for you.”
So I think it’s safe to say I have my teammates’ support. But the big question is, will Jade like what I planned?
I’ve always considered myself to be a confident person. As a Green Beret—a sniper, no less—I think it’s necessary. There’s no room for self-doubt when it comes to split-second, life-or-death decisions. A moment of hesitancy can result in losing a teammate. An innocent. Or your own life.
But as I walk Jade to the barn, I’m actually a little nervous. What if she doesn’t like it?
If we had told Shea about us, I could have taken a picture and sent it to her. Asked her what she thought. But until everything settles, Jade and I both agreed it was better to keep Shea out of it. Will Shea be pissed beyond belief at me for keeping this secret? Yes. But if it keeps my little sister safe, it’s worth it.
“Niall, are you okay?” Jade peers up at me with a worried expression. “You got really quiet. And you’re holding my hand really tightly.”
“Shit. Sorry.” I stop abruptly and hold her hand up to inspect it, smoothing my thumb across her delicate bones. “Did I hurt you?”
She smiles at me. “No, you didn’t. I’m fine. Just… as soon as we left the apartment, you got tense. So I’m wondering if something’s bothering you.”
Great. I’m messing this up already, and we haven’t even gotten outside yet. “Nothing’s bothering me. But the thing I want to show you… I just hope you like it.”
I told Jade I had a surprise for her out in the barn, but I have no idea if she suspects what I planned. She’s wearing a dress instead of her usual jeans or shorts with a T-shirt, so I have a feeling Rhi at least gave Jade a little hint.
Honestly, when I saw Jade come out of the bedroom with that dress on, it was hard to think of anything other than how beautiful she looked.
The dress is made of a blue fabric that matches her eyes; long and floaty with a slit along the side that shows off a mouth-watering glimpse of slim leg and a neckline that dips low enough to expose the swell of her breasts. And her gorgeous red-gold hair is long and untamed, smelling softly of her favorite rose-scented shampoo.
“Niall, I’m sure I’ll like whatever you have to show me.” Her eyes sparkle up at me. “I’m just happy to spend the evening with you.”
I can’t resist dipping my head to capture her lips with a quick kiss. “Spending every evening with you is my favorite thing.” I take her hand again, cradling it gently in mine. “I planned something for you, and I’m hoping you enjoy it.”
Once we leave the communal kitchen area and step out into the yard, the winch around my chest loosens a little. Now that the sun’s gone down, it looks even better than when we set everything up in daylight. In fact, it looks—as Rhi promised it would—magical.
Jade sucks in a small breath. On an exhale, she breathes, “Niall. What is this?”
The backyard is aglow with light. No longer just the solar lights from before, but strings of white lights strung in all the trees. And all along the path, glow-in-the-dark stones— something I never knew existed until a hurried trip into San Antonio—are mixed in with the gravel, giving it an almost mystical feel.
“I thought it might be nice to spruce up the backyard a little more,” I answer as I guide Jade along the path. “Make it more festive. More inviting.”
And the unspoken part; to make it a place Jade will want to stay. Because I don’t want her to leave when all this is over. Not that I’m telling her that yet.
“It’s so pretty.” Jade squeezes my hand. “It’s like something you’d see in a movie.”
Man. Rhiannon is good . I really owe her for this.
“Wait until you see what’s in the barn.” I grin at her as more of my nerves ease. “If you like this, I think you’ll like what’s in there.”
I hope.
But when we first walk into the barn, I can’t be sure.
Jade stops stock still in the entrance—we have the big double doors open since the weather is nice—and goes completely silent.
For several seconds, she just looks around, her head on a swivel.
I follow her gaze, taking it all in at night.
More white lights are strung along the rafters; the ceiling high enough to make them twinkle like stars.
On the refurbished tables, there are white candles—only scentless, Rhiannon informed me—set in clear mason jars. Scattered between the candles are clusters of white roses arranged in short, stocky vases.
To one side of the barn, there’s a table set for two, complete with covered dishes, more flowers, and several bottles of wine. As Jade’s gaze lingers on the table, I tell her hurriedly, “Not that I think you want to drink all that wine. But I wasn’t sure which kind you’d want, so I got one of each type.”
Jade whispers, “Niall. Is all this…” Still holding my hand, she moves further into the barn. Then she gasps. “We can watch movies out here, too?”
I kiss her cheek. “We can now.”
“Oh, Niall.” She tugs me in the direction of the projection screen I installed earlier today. Facing it are several couches and armchairs, all set up with throw blankets and cup holders and side tables perfect for holding popcorn and candy. “And a popcorn maker?”
“Is it too much?” I eyeball the large red popcorn machine I impulsively bought, imagining nights in the barn watching movies with Jade and my team.
“Yes.” Jade turns to me, her eyes glistening. For a second, my heart sinks, until she adds, “It’s too much, but I love it. This is all… it’s incredible. And you did all this? Today?”
“I had some help,” I admit. “Rhiannon helped me come up with some of the decorating ideas. Dante and Erik helped me set it up.”
“It’s wonderful .” And then she launches herself at me, wrapping her arms around my waist and kissing my jaw. “I love it. I love it. I can’t believe you did this. For me? Really?”
I lift Jade into my arms and carry her over to the couch, setting her down in my lap. “Of course I did it for you. I wanted to do something special. Even though I can’t take you out to fancy places yet, or trips… you deserve this.”
Her lips brush against mine. “I’m not sure what I did to deserve it, but I’m not complaining. Being here with you is already a gift. And to have this perfect spot to spend time with you…”
Stroking her cheek, I tell her quietly, “I thought… I want you to love it here. Even when you don’t have to stay at B and A anymore, I hope you’ll want to—” I cut myself off before I go too far. “Anyway. I thought we could have a nice date out here. Dante helped with dinner, and we can watch a movie and?—”
“Cuddle?” Interest—more than interest, desire—lights her eyes. “Is anyone else coming out here tonight?”
“Not tonight. Everyone knows to stay clear.”
Her smile brightens. “Good.” A pause. “I mean, I like all your friends, but…”
“I know.” I cup her jaw as I capture her mouth again, tasting mint and the sweetness that’s uniquely Jade. She hums into my mouth as the kiss grows deeper, and I feel myself thickening beneath her.
Maybe putting Jade in my lap wasn’t the best idea, because as she clutches my shoulders and leans into the kiss, her ass rubs against me and it’s so incredible all I can think about is making love to her. Not just sex. Loving every part of Jade’s body and showing her all the things I’m holding back from saying.
But that’s not the plan.
Though it’s hard to remember that when Jade turns in my lap to straddle me, and now I can feel her breasts pressing against my chest; small but the perfect size for my hand. Or my mouth. It hasn’t happened yet, but I think about it—kissing her taut nipples, drawing them into my mouth, plumping her soft breasts with my hands…
Ah, shit.
Glancing down, I realize Jade’s dress is around her hips and her bare legs are wrapped around my waist. Long and slender and dusted with those same freckles she has on her nose and cheeks. And there—a flash of lace, the same shade as her dress, covering the apex of her thighs.
Then she moves, wriggling around until I’m notched between her legs, hard and throbbing for her.
But the dinner. The movie. My resolve not to push Jade into anything too quickly. Especially nothing physical.
If only this didn’t feel so amazing.
We’ve kissed before, hugged, done some fooling around, but I’ve been careful to reel myself in before anything goes too far. Even though Jade seems completely comfortable with me, the last thing I want to do is trigger a flashback of some strange man touching her.
Dragging my mouth from hers, I groan, “Jade. Sweetheart.”
“What?” Her teeth bite into her kiss-swollen lip. “Don’t you like this?”
“I love it, hun.” The part of me that doesn’t want me to stop gives a little jolt of agreement. “But I have everything planned for you. Dinner. The wine. Dessert. And the movie. It’s that one you’ve been wanting to see for ages. Matt got it before it’s on streaming; don’t ask how, it’s better if we don’t know. But?—”
“Niall.” Jade frames my face with her small hands and gives me a serious look. “Do you want to stop? Or do you just think you’re doing the right thing by stopping?”
She wriggles on my lap again, and I sternly command the very excited lower part of me to settle. “I don’t want to rush things. I’m happy just kissing you and doing what we’ve been doing. This whole thing out here… I didn’t arrange it to try to get you to?—”
Jade narrows her eyes at me. Her chin gets that stubborn jut I love so much. “I know you didn’t. And I love that you’re so careful with me. So thoughtful. But Niall. I’m sure about you. I want you. I have.”
My willpower is a frayed thread, close to snapping. “Dinner, though. Dante helped me make it, and it’ll get cold…”
“We can reheat it.” She brushes a kiss across my lips. “And watch the movie after.” After a silent pause, a hesitant expression crosses her face. “Unless you don’t want to. Did I get it wrong?”
The worried look in her eyes slays me. “No, sweetheart. You didn’t. I want you more than anything. I just don’t want to hurt you. If I did… I’d never forgive myself.”
“You won’t hurt me, Niall.” Another soft kiss, and she gazes at me with eyes dark as midnight. “I trust you. And I know you. I want this.”
Then she does something I’ll never forget.
First, when she gets off me, I think she’s changed her mind. As she stands in front of me, I’m certain Jade’s about to agree that we should wait.
Until she whips her dress off in one fluid move and tosses it to the side.
I nearly swallow my tongue.
I’ve seen Jade in shorts and tank tops and even just in a towel. But in skimpy lace lingerie that’s so sheer I can see the outline of her nipples through it? Sheer enough to see the evidence of her arousal?
Not naked, but only inches of lace from being there?
“Jade,” I choke out, my pants suddenly much too tight.
“Do you…” Uncertainty flares again. “Is this okay?”
“Is it okay ?” My voice goes rough. Deep. Desire like nothing I’ve felt before sweeps through me. I stand up to face her, resting my hands on the swell of her hips. “This is… Jade. You’re fucking gorgeous. Every inch of you.”
Pink touches her cheeks. “You think so?”
Protectiveness and love slam into me so hard it steals my breath for a second.
My wonderful Jade. So brave and strong, but hiding vulnerabilities she only lets me see.
“Yes. Beyond gorgeous. You’re perfect.” I stroke one hand up her side to cup her breast, brushing my thumb across her nipple. “And if you’re sure, absolutely sure, then there is nothing I want more than to make love to you.”