Chapter 15 #3
He was already pulling me toward him, and when he bent down to claim my lips, he was smiling.
I maybe started to cry again a little.
“Jocelyn,” he whispered against my skin. “Godsdamn, how’d I get so lucky? To find my Mate, and it’s the female I already love.”
My heart soared, my grip on him tightening along with my chest. I wrenched myself backwards to I could stare up at him. “You mean it, Brakkor? You love me?”
His grin was a little crooked. “Joss, you ever know me to say something I don’t mean?”
No.
No, I didn’t.
I felt the breath woosh out of my body as I understood the truth of it—no, the Truth. Brakkor always said exactly what he thought, he wasn’t going to sugarcoat things or lie to make someone feel better.
Slowly, my smile bloomed, taking over my face.
“You love me,” I whispered. And, in case he’d forgotten my tearful confession from earlier today, I blurted, “And I love you.”
“Yeah.” He dropped a kiss on my forehead. “Stay with me, Joss. Please? Eastshore loves you already, and you love it here, and we love each other, and we’ll find a place for you, and—”
I was laughing when I stretched up to silence him with a kiss.
Who knows how long we stood there in that hallway, lost in one another and the wonder of the emotions clicking through my chest?
Vaguely, I could hear voices from the meeting room, and I assumed the council had continued to debate without me.
Mr. Frapp likely expected me to be in there, fielding more questions, but I was certain I was right where I was meant to be.
At long last, we heard the rattling of the doors, and Brakkor and I pulled apart, smiling.
I knew my makeup was a mess, and likely so was my hair, but I couldn’t care.
I wiped my cheeks and tried to straighten my dress—I was wearing that purple sweater dress I’d worn to Kesha’s wedding—in case anyone expected me to look professional.
I should have known better.
“Darling!” Mr. Frapp launched himself at me, arms wide, gathering me close as he kissed the air over my cheeks, twice, three times.
“You were positively brilliant! Oh, Brak, honey, don’t growl, I’m not stealing her.
” Smiling teasingly, he offered a disgruntled-looking Brakkor the same treatment.
“I’m just so very pleased for both of you! And for myself, of course.”
“For yourself, Augustus?” I couldn’t seem to stop smiling, but that’s okay; everyone who was spilling out of the meeting room seemed happy.
“The council loved your proposal, Jocelyn, and have agreed. They have questions and have voluntold you to be the liaison in managing the transportation of the lighthouse!”
My heart leapt in excitement—all my hard work had paid off!—as I gasped and fumbled for Brakkor’s hand. “Are you sure they don’t want a professional—”
“You’re a professional, Joss,” Brakkor growled. “You can do this.”
With that, he hauled me up against his side and threw his arm around my shoulders, glaring at Mr. Frapp and the others who were crowding around to congratulate him.
“No, no,” I told him. “I’ll explain it to the council. You need someone who understands historical preservation, and experience with heavy equipment, and—”
Brakkor began to laugh. “And who am I, then? We can do this.”
The old man seemed focused on me, though, with his beaming smile.
“Yes, indeed, Jocelyn, you can do this, and you shall. Because your stipend will continue until the lighthouse has moved, and after that, I’m prepared to offer you a contract for three years—is three years enough?
—to excavate the property around where the lighthouse now stands.
I would like to know everything I can about my family’s history before it’s lost to times. ”
I gaped.
He was…what? He was offering me my dream job?
I continued to gape, and likely would have continued, until Brakkor squeezed me. “She’s delighted, Augustus. Just can’t form words.”
He raised a teasing brow at the male by my side. “Don’t you think you ought to allow her to accept herself?”
“Sure, and she will. I know my Mate well enough to know what’s going through her brain.”
“Mate?” Frapp glanced between us with a little smirk. “Oh, how exciting. Congratulations, you two, and congratulations to me too!”
“Congratulations,” I whispered still in a daze. “You must be very happy.”
“About your success and hiring you?” The old man burst into laughter. “You are a little mixed up, dear, aren’t you?”
I felt Brakkor’s chuckles before I heard him. He wrapped another arm around me, pulling me up against his chest, and kissed the top of his head.
“Tell Augustus how happy you are to accept his offer, Mate.”
Shaking my head, I blinked away the confusion. “Y-yes! That’s…wow. Three years, really?”
“Is that enough time? You said the cliffs might collapse—”
“That’s incredible, Augustus,” I told him sincerely. “I can ensure that the lighthouse is moved with utmost care, to avoid damaging the site, and I’m sure the foundation will reveal plenty of interesting treasures as well.”
“Which we’ll display in the new museum!” The older man clapped his hands, then clasped our arms and squeezed. “I’m so pleased. Welcome to Eastshore, Jocelyn!”
And with that, he spun about and called to another friend, and when he hurried off, his kilt swayed about his legs.
“Wow,” I whispered, but I didn’t have time to say more than that, because Brakkor swung me about to face him.
“In about three seconds, everyone on this damn island is going to show up here to ask you questions. I’m going to be at your side cheering you on, Joss.
Always. I just wanted you to know that.” His green gaze darted over my face.
“I love you, and while I’m grateful you’ve just been handed your dream job, I’m also grateful it’ll keep you here on Eastshore. ”
I felt myself blushing.
It was blunt, it was straightforward…and it was probably the most perfect thing anyone had everyone said to me.
“I love you, Brakkor,” I whispered.
“Good.” His kiss was quick, hard, over too fast. “Because I love you, Mate. And later, when I get you home to our apartment, I’m going to prove how much.”
With that promise, he swung me back around, and yep, it seemed like half the town council and a third of the island was clamoring for my attention, calling questions and logistics.
I shared a smile with Kesha, who was holding Jay’s hand, and returned Jess’s wave, and knew I was right where I belonged.
Surrounded by friends, in a town I loved, being held by my Mate.
Home.