“Because…” he sighed, “You make me laugh, you challenge me, you turn me on like no else can. I feel like I’m missing something really important when you’re gone. So important I don’t feel like myself. I’ve never felt like someone was mine before. But you’re mine, Jocelyn. I’ve known that from the moment we met. And I’m yours. I don’t want to be anybody else’s, babe.”
I leaned up on my elbow so I could look him in the eye before I pressed a soft kiss to his lips and fell against him as his arms came around me to hold me close as he deepened the kiss. When I finally came up for air I was panting a little. I touched my finger to his lips, determined that one day I’d enjoy this contentment without worrying it would be taken from me. “Do you think you might be able to come to Virginia with me? To go through my parents’ things?”
His eyes smiled, and I can’t tell you what it did to me that I could make him that happy. “Of course. We’ll go whenever you want. But we’re coming back.”
I nodded. “I was only moving to Virginia because I thought you were moving into Isla.”
Braden grunted. “Nice.”
“You’re firing her right?”
He narrowed his eyes. “You just want me to fire her?”
“If I told you that Craig kissed me last night would you make me quit?”
“Point taken. I’ll find her a job elsewhere.”
“Elsewhere as in nowhere you work.”
“Christ, your bossy.”
“Uh, do you not remember dry humping me to a desk after Craig kissed me?”
“Again, point taken.”
I buried my head against his chest. “I thought I’d really fucked up.”
He squeezed my nape. “We both really did. But that’s over now. From now on I’m completely in charge. I think we’ll have a lot less drama, and definitely no more breakups, if I’m in control of this thing.”
I patted his stomach. “Whatever you need to tell yourself to get through the day, baby.”
“You still haven’t said it you know.”
I turned my head and smiled up at him. I took a big inner breath. “I love you, Braden Carmichael.”
His grin made my chest swell. “Say it again.”
I giggled. “I love you.”
He sat up quickly and then swung out of the bed, pulling me with him. He pushed me towards the en-suite. “You’re going to say it again while I fuck you in the shower.”
“This whole taking control thing is kind of hot.”
“It’s about to get hotter, babe.” He smacked me lightly on my ass, and I gave a little squeal, his laughter and mine filling the bathroom as we stumbled together into the shower.
26
“Now, you’re sure you’re going to be okay?”
Ellie crossed her arms over her chest and blew air out between her lips. “If you ask me that again, don’t bother coming back.”
I shot Braden a look and he shook his head slightly. “Don’t look at me. She didn’t have attitude until you moved in with her.”
That was fair.
Ellie giggled at my faux wounded look and threw up her hands. “Guys, come on. It’s been a month. I’m fine. Adam’s practically living here and you have a plane to catch.”
Braden kissed his sister’s cheek before turning to open the front door with our suitcase in hand. In the end it had been a good thing Braden ripped up my plane ticket, because inviting him to come to Virginia with me meant rearranging his schedule and changing the flight dates. And well to be honest, we wanted to make sure Ellie was back on her feet before we left.
After a month of being mothered by me, Adam, Braden and her actual mother, Ellie was probably glad to be rid of us. She was still trying to get her energy levels back, and was still exhausted, and still very much shaken by the experience. I’d suggested she start seeing Dr. Pritchard and Ellie had her first appointment in a few days. Hopefully the good doctor would help her out. I wondered if the good doctor would help me out. I was feeling a little separation anxiety.
“Joss, the taxi is waiting.” Ellie shooed me towards to the door.
“Fine,” I grumbled. “But if you let anything happen to yourself while we’re gone, I will kill you.”
“Noted.”
“Tell Adam the same goes for him.”
“I will warn him. Now will you go and do this very important thing.” She hugged me tight. “I wish I could come with you.”
I gave her a squeeze and pulled back. “I’ll be fine. I’ve got a bossy businessman watching my back.”
“I heard that,” Braden called from the other side of the door. Damn. I thought he was already in the cab.
“I better go before I end up taking this flight alone.”
“Call me when you land.”
“Will do.”
We said goodbye and I let Braden bundle me into the cab. It had been a long month, worrying about Ellie and we were still worrying, but the lots of make-up sex Braden and I were having definitely took a load off.