CHAPTER FOUR
For the next two weeks, CJ checked in on Jill every single day. He brought her coffee, Thai food, picked up her dry cleaning, anything she needed. They sat for hours in the evenings talking about anything and everything, mostly ridiculous things like music or movies.
“Hey, I know it might feel fast to you, but I have a wedding to go to this weekend back home. Would you like to be my date?”
“Oh, CJ, I would have loved to, but strangely enough, I have an interview for a new job.”
“Really? You’re leaving the Navy and the Pentagon?” he asked.
“I think so. My contract is up in June, but I’ve received the okay to end it early should I find something I really want, and I think this is what I really want. I don’t want to jinx it, so I won’t talk about it just yet.”
“Okay,” he smiled. “Well, whatever it is, I’m sure you’re going to knock it out of the park. And wherever it is, I’ll be there to cheer you on.”
She cuddled close to him as they watched their movie. CJ had been an absolute gentleman, not making any moves at all other than sweet kisses to the cheeks or forehead. She was ready for something different.
“When we both get back next weekend, how do you feel about maybe planning a weekend away?” she asked. “Just you and me.”
“I think that sounds fantastic.”
With plans in place to meet up upon their return, CJ headed out to the private airstrip where Savannah was picking up several of the team members from the area. It was good to see his old friends. Maverick Stanton , Pax and Brax Pechkin , and Patrick Humphreys were all SEALs stationed in Virginia Beach.
“Brother, it’s fucking great to see you,” smiled Maverick as he slapped his back.
“Great to see you, guys. Ugly as ever, I see,” he smirked.
“Fuck you,” laughed Pax. “How is the new assignment? Ready to be done?”
“Man, do I have a story for you guys.”
By the time they landed, the men knew everything about Jill and more than they wanted to know about Tim. Aligning with CJ’s feelings, they were just as suspicious of Tim and what he was doing.
“Do you think he had anything to do with the husband’s death?” asked Brax. The others all stared at him in horror. “What? Stranger shit has happened. If he’s shitty enough to fuck around with a brother’s wife and get her pregnant, then maybe something else was going on.”
“I don’t know,” said CJ. “I didn’t know him really at all, but one of the Marines at Quantico said he was a real asshole.”
“Might be worth looking into,” said Maverick.
“Maybe,” he nodded.
Being back home was like breathing fresh air after living in a steel box. Everything seemed brighter, happier, healthier at Belle Fleur. His parents were the first to rush and hug him, welcoming him home.
“I swear you’ve grown,” said Lia, looking up at her only son.
“Mom,” he laughed, “I haven’t grown at all in the last ten years. You’re just still really small.”
“Well, we don’t have a lot of time,” said Milo. “Get changed for Khloe’s wedding.”
CJ knew that Khloe wanted all the active-duty men to wear their uniforms, and he was happy to oblige. She’d been one of the dozens of friends that he grew up with, although she’d come much later in their childhood. She was still one of them, and they were thrilled to have her on the team.
Taking his seat, he watched as the ushers led people down the aisle to their row, although it seemed everyone sat wherever they wanted. Then he caught sight of something. Someone.
Standing, he walked toward Garr, who had the woman’s arm.
“I can take it from here,” he said, smiling at his friend.
“CJ?” she whispered. “What on earth?”
“This is the family wedding I was telling you about. What about your interview?” he asked, walking her to the seat beside him.
“I think I’m supposed to be over there,” she said, pointing to the other side of the aisle.
“You’re supposed to be right here,” he smiled. “Your interview? How did it go?”
“I-I interviewed here, CJ. I’m going to be on the legal team here. They invited me to stay for the wedding. Insisted, really. How are you related to these people?”
“Those are my parents,” he said, pointing to his mom and dad. “Milo and Lia Abbott. My father was a SEAL, which is what led him here. I grew up here, went to school here, with the bride, by the way.”
“I can’t believe this,” she laughed. “I’ve been thinking about you the last few days, wondering how I was going to tell you that I’m moving to Louisiana.”
“Well, no need to worry any longer,” he said, kissing the back of her hand. “This is where I’ll be in a few short weeks as well.”
Jill couldn’t believe it. She kept shaking her head, wondering how this could possibly be happening. She didn’t have this kind of luck. Not ever. Her luck sided more on the bad-to-horror side of the street. Not the happily-ever-after side.
When the wedding was done, CJ led her toward the massive tent where the Belle Fleur parties, weddings, and celebrations always took place. He noticed that improvements had been made, including heating for the tent, chandeliers, and more comfortable seating.
He led Jill through the buffet line, showing her all the delicious dishes and those that were his favorites. When they were done, he held her close on the dance floor for hours.
“If I didn’t tell you, you look fucking beautiful, Jill.”
“CJ,” she said, shaking her head, “you know I’m going to cry. Besides, you look like the poster boy for the SEALs. Although I have to say, everyone here looks like they could be on a poster of some sort. And I mean the good kind of poster, not a wanted poster or anything.” CJ laughed, shaking his head.
“How do you know us? I mean, about us?” he asked.
“Ham,” she smiled. “Ham and I are old friends. I met him at the end of his career and the beginning of mine. He asked me to help out with something about a month ago, and I met Georgie. She started saying that they needed extra help here, and before I could blink, I had an offer for an interview in my inbox.”
“Ham,” he nodded. “Great man.”
“It seems you guys have that in spades,” she said, looking around. “I’ve been around long enough to know about some of the famous people in this room. It’s truly remarkable, CJ, and I’m honored to be a part of it.”
“Well, I won’t lie, I’m fucking stoked that you’ll be here. Close.” She tilted her head, staring up at him.
“You know, it’s not many men that I have to look up to when I’m wearing heels,” she smiled. “This is kind of nice.”
“Come with me,” he said, taking her hand.
He passed by their table, grabbed her wrap, and then removed his own jacket, placing it around her shoulders. He walked toward the maze, the fountains tinkling with their water in the distance.
“Oh, wow,” she whispered. “This is like a fairytale. I can smell all the flowers and herbs. Gosh, what is that smell?” She inhaled deeply, and CJ smiled down at her. When she opened her eyes, she was met with his smiling face.
“You’re enjoying this,” he grinned.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been this at peace.”
“Jill, I told you before that I wanted to get to know you, and I didn’t want to push you.” She nodded. “I lied. I want to push you. I want to push you down on my mattress and make sweet love to you until we both have to leave on Monday. I want to make you mine. Mine, Jill. I’ve never in my life felt the kind of attraction, admiration, and adoration I feel for you. The instant connection was overwhelming, and I’m not about to let that go.”
“CJ,” she whispered.
“Please, let me finish. I’m not the guy who dated every woman who ever approached me. I was very particular about who I dated, and lots of guys thought I was weird for that. I learned great lessons from my father, great-grandfather, and all the men and women here. I knew the moment I touched your hand that you were the woman for me.
“You’re smart, you’re beautiful, you’re kind, and I fucking love that you’re tall, and this body sets me on fire.” Jill laughed, shaking her head.
“Can I speak now?”
“Yes,” he said hesitantly.
“CJ, when we met, I was in the worst place of my life, or at least one of the worst. Or so I thought. You reminded me in an instant that I was conforming to what I thought the world wanted from me. Not what I wanted for my own life.
“I feel the same about you, CJ. I melt when I see you. I feel your heartbeat beneath my hand, and I know it’s me making that happen.
“You are the man I want in my life, CJ. All of this, being here in this place, has made me realize that it was meant to be. I couldn’t wait to get home to tell you about all of this and to beg you to come and visit me.”
“Baby, there will be no begging. Except maybe in the bedroom,” he growled, kissing down her neck. His hands slid up the back of her dress, feeling the bare flesh.
“C-CJ,” she stammered. “We’re out in the open.”
“We can take care of that,” he said, taking her hand and leading her to his cottage.
“What if they find out? My job,” she started.
“Your job is secure,” he said, looking at her. “If you haven’t figured it out, most of the people who work here are married to others that work here. You and I will be no different.”
“But,” she said, opening and closing her mouth.
“Honey, it will make everything go much easier if you just realize I’m going to marry you as soon as I can. After I make love to you all night long.”
By the time they reached CJ’s cottage, all Jill could think about was taking off her dress and feeling his flesh against her own. She’d felt the rippling muscles beneath his shirt while hugging, and she knew that the body hidden under his clothes was worth the wait.
Now, she would get to unwrap it and savor every inch of him.