Page 112 of Redemption

I tried not to panic, but I wondered why he’d never said anything. Why he’d said he’d be willing to move to London, despite the promotion in New York.

After everything Jackson had said, after everything we’d been through, surely… The room spun.

“Hey.” Greer placed her hand on my arm. “You okay?”

Fortunately, I was saved from responding because it was time for our first treatment. An employee led us to the massage room. Jackson followed, but I didn’t dare look at him. I was afraid my emotions would be written all over my face, and I wanted to discuss this later when we were alone.

He’d told me he loved me. He’d said I was his everything. But we’d been living in a bubble, and it felt as if it had just popped.

“What’s new with you?” I asked Greer after we’d disrobed and were lying on the tables side by side. I didn’t want to overthink the situation with Jackson, and I’d been worried about Greer. I knew she’d be more likely to confide in me if her brother wasn’t around.

She blew out a breath. “I needed a break.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked, sensing there was more to the story.

“Maybe later. I just want to relax and enjoy this massage. But thanks for asking.”

“Of course,” I said as our massage therapists entered the room.

The massage felt amazing, but as much as I wanted to relax, I couldn’t. I couldn’t stop thinking about what Greer had said about Jackson and his promotion. About New York and the future.

I thought about this trip and all the ways he’d been there for me. I’d never felt so taken care of or cherished. I’d never felt more at ease than when I was with him. He made me feel desired and wanted, yes. But he also made me feel seen.

He showed me in so many ways—big and small—that he loved me. And I loved him. I’d always loved him.

Jackson was my everything, and I was done being scared. I was done holding back. I’d lost Jackson once before, and I’d do everything in my power to prevent it from happening again.

I finished applying my lip gloss and headed for the living room. I felt refreshed after spending the day with Greer at the spa. And while I hadn’t gotten the chance to talk to Jackson, I had a plan. I took a deep breath and straightened.

When I entered the living room, Jackson was sitting on the couch. His head snapped up, his eyes lingering on my lips. The low neckline of my dress. The high slit that revealed my thigh.

He prowled over to me. “Damn, hayati.” He rubbed his chin, circling me. “You look good.” He sounded both pained and pleased by the idea.

I smiled and met his gaze, admiring the fit of his linen button-down and pants. I smoothed my palms over his chest. “So do you.”

He slid his hands up my thighs, grabbing my ass and hauling me closer. He growled and kissed my neck, and I forgot about everything but him. His hard length pressed against me. His scent surrounding me.

The door to Greer’s room opened, and I dropped my hands and stepped back, my skirt falling back into place. Jackson inhaled slowly and turned away, adjusting himself. I smoothed my hands over my hips, hoping everything was covered.

“That dress looks gorgeous on you,” I said to Greer, hoping she didn’t notice how breathless I was. How guilty I looked.

“Thanks.” She looped her arm through mine. She still hadn’t told me what was going on, but she definitely didn’t seem as frazzled as she had when she’d first arrived.

Even so, I knew her well enough to know that something was wrong. And her comments earlier about Logan had me concerned. They’d been together forever.

The three of us made our way down to one of the on-site restaurants, where we were seated overlooking the beach. Jackson was scanning the exits, studying everyone around us as always.

“This is amazing,” Greer said, marveling at the alcove that surrounded us. It was as if we had our own little orchid grotto lit by lanterns. “I forgot how nice it is to travel with you.”

I bumped her shoulder with mine. “We should do it more often.”

“We should.”

Though I didn’t know how enthusiastic she’d be about the idea after she found out about Jackson and me. Maybe I’d blown the situation out of proportion, but this conversation had been years in the making.

My mind couldn’t settle. Between the mystery situation with Greer and Logan, my secret relationship with Jackson, and Jackson’s promotion, I had a lot on my mind. I needed to find out what was going on with Greer. And I knew I wouldn’t be able to relax until I talked to Jackson about New York.

“I feel like I’ve barely seen you all day,” Greer said to Jackson. “How have you been?”