Chapter 36 Jovie
Later that night…
Thanksgiving dinner at my grandfather’s house was winding down. All three of the Cameron boys, Stevie, Rig, Gloria, and her new boyfriend attended our holiday gathering.
With lots of wine, good eats, and laughter, our gathering enjoyed playing football in the backyard and spending the day together. I felt a sense of home around the group, and every time I caught myself smiling while watching Nash, it was as if he sensed my gaze, catching my eyes and reciprocating with a grin.
Later that night, after everyone had dispersed except for Wylie and Stevie, who were still by the pool, wrapped up in a blanket and talking, Nash helped me clean up.
“You think Wylie’s got it bad?” I asked as Nash came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and brushing his nose against my neck.
“I don’t have time to think about my brother when I’m too busy having it bad for one of the Vector sisters.”
I smiled and leaned back into his chest as he spun me around, effortlessly lifting me up and placing me on the counter. His strong muscles wrapped protectively around my waist, pulling me close as he took possession of my mouth.
“Seriously though, Nash.” I mumbled against his lips.
He shrugged, “Wylie’s a big boy. He knows what he’s getting into.”
But do you? I couldn’t help but wonder.
I looked back into the green eyes of the man I knew I loved, with thankfulness in my heart on this Thanksgiving Day and I knew I had to tell him again how I felt. But I had no idea how he was going to react, and my insides were flipping out as I thought about the last time that I’d told him I had fallen for him.
Would I be able to survive being rejected twice by him?
“Hey,” Nash spoke, pressing two fingers under my chin and tilting my eyes upwards to meet his. “This was a good Thanksgiving, hell the best one we’ve had since my mom passed away. I’ve never felt so much joy and just… peace. I feel at home when I’m with you. You make everything around you feel like home,” Nash said as his words washed over me. “What’s on your mind?”
I squirmed on the countertop, unsure of what to say. “I’m not sure how to say this…” My eyes cast down, and Nash caught my chin, tilting my face back up.
“Jovie, I don’t want to scare you, but I think I’m falling in love with you,” he spoke, his eyes tender as he stared at me. His words took my breath away, and the intensity of his gaze made me feel safe knowing he genuinely felt the same.
“I feel the same, Nash.”
His mouth spread into a wide smile as he wrapped me back up in his arms and carried me back to our room.
That night, when Nash and I had sex, it wasn’t anything like what we’d done previously. This time, we made love. Nash watched my every move as we laid naked side by side. He hiked my leg over his hip to access me, pushing in and out with controlled movements that made my body soar and mind race.
There was neither quickness, passion nor desperation to it. It was methodical, steady, slow burning and intense, just like Nash and our love had been.