Page 99 of Redemption

His eyes darkened, likely replaying the moment when he’d pinned me to the mat, straddling me. I’d stared up at him, panting, his crotch only inches from my face. At that point, I hadn’t even cared that he’d beaten me—again.

“Come on.” He turned for the patio. “Let’s take a water break and cool off.”

“Fine,” I huffed, shoulders slumped as I shuffled over. I gulped down some water. “I thought I was doing well until I started training with you again.”

“You are doing well.” He placed a hand on my shoulder. “I know you’re frustrated, but I want you to be challenged. I want you to grow. I want you to be able to protect yourself no matter what size or how skilled your opponent is.”

“I know.” I grabbed a towel and dried my forehead. “I do. And I want that too, but…I feel like I’m never going to be able to beat you.”

“You defended yourself on the boat the night you thought I was an intruder.”

“True,” I said. “But it was dark, and you weren’t expecting it.”

“No, but it goes to show that you have good instincts. And the more we train, the more it becomes muscle memory. I trained for years in the Navy and then at Hudson. It shouldn’t be easy for you—or anyone—to take me down. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be very good at my job.”

“I thought you never wanted it to get to that point,” I said, thinking of a conversation we’d had the other day while walking on the beach.

I’d learned a lot about the strategy that went into Jackson’s job. The goal was always to prevent any issues before someone could even get remotely close to the client—or, rather, principal. To minimize potential problems through planning. To de-escalate situations if they arose.

He’d asked about my job and my role in the family business. He’d made me think—asking me questions like, what I would’ve done if I hadn’t become the SVP for Huxley Hotels. Or what I was passionate about. It had been so long since anyone had been interested to hear my answer without expecting me to say the right thing.

The truth was, I loved my family and my job. Maybe it wasn’t what I would’ve chosen if given the chance, but I didn’t regret it. I knew how privileged I was. And I loved making an impact on employees’ lives. I loved getting to travel the world and see amazing places. I loved creating an experience for our guests, giving them the luxury service they could depend on no matter what Huxley Grand location they visited.

Besides, even if I’d wanted to step down—which I didn’t—I couldn’t. I took my responsibility seriously. My role was about more than just me; it was about carrying on my family’s legacy.

My grandparents had built something incredible. I knew how important the brand had been to them. How important it was to Graham and even Jasper. Sure, they could hire someone to replace me if I stepped down, but this was a family business. And we were a team.

Since our parents’ deaths, it had always felt like us against the world. That was a big reason why Jackson and I had always understood each other so well. Loss, grief, responsibility brought on by death shaped people. And Jackson understood and respected the sense of duty I felt toward my family and the Huxley brand.

Part of me wondered if I’d told him about it when we were younger—told him who my family was and what would be expected of me one day—how he would’ve reacted. But I’d never given him the chance. So, while there were times in the past when I’d wanted to blame him for the breakdown of our relationship, I could acknowledge that my decisions had played a role as well.

But this was a fresh start. A chance to get to know each other. We’d had so many conversations lately. It had been nice. Our exchanges were deep and meaningful, genuine. It was so…refreshing.

We’d discussed a wide range of topics, from music to the big questions of life, and I’d enjoyed getting to know Jackson again—as the man he was now. He wasn’t all that different from before, just more…confident. More secure in himself in a way he hadn’t been when we were younger.

I loved that we could talk about anything and everything. I loved that he made me smile, made me laugh. I loved that he encouraged me, empowered me. I loved him.

I stilled. I love him?

A sense of peace settled over me at the acknowledgment. I love him. I smiled, realizing it was true. It was just as true now as it had been fourteen years ago.

“Sloan?”

I turned to him, wondering if my thoughts were written across my face. “What was that?”

He wore a bemused smile. “I asked if you were done for the day.”

I smoothed back my hair. “Let’s practice a little more before we shower and go into town and check on the boat.”

“Sure.” He gulped down some water. His Adam’s apple bobbed with every swallow, and I’d never been more entranced by someone’s throat.

I turned and headed for the area where we’d been practicing. I took a deep breath and tried to center myself. Tried to ignore how unbelievably attractive Jackson was and the fact that I was falling for him. Had already fallen for him, if I was being completely honest with myself.

I sighed. This was… This wasn’t supposed to happen. But there’d never been any other choice. Not when it came to him.

I’d never been able to resist Jackson. And he’d been showing me that I could trust him in so many ways. The man had gotten a tattoo for me. I was literally inked on his skin.

“Ready?” Jackson asked.