Page 151 of Major Love

I walk slowly to the front of the desk, my back to the door as I inhale shakily, willing myself to keep my composure even though this is literally my worst nightmare.

After everything that happened when I was seventeen and we lost Cash…

I swallow quietly, holding back my tears, just grateful that Casey’s okay. That, even though he’s been injured, it isn’t fatal and he’s recovering well.

And hopefully he’ll be back home as soon as possible.

I lift my arms to re-tie my ponytail, more out of habit than necessity, and then I hug my arms back around my body, feeling the comfort of Jason’s large construction jacket keeping me warm.

And then heavy footfalls sound behind me in the corridor of the bar, and I turn my head over my shoulder just as Jason steps through the door.

My heart beats faster at the sight of him, at his tan skin and broad shoulders. And the tendons in his large forearms are evenmore pronounced than usual, after installing the heavy furniture in the bar this afternoon with his guys.

He walks toward me and lifts my chin, leaning down to kiss me gently before enveloping me in his arms.

And I sigh as I lean back against his steadily heaving chest, lifting my hands to stroke his strong wrists as he holds my body firmly against his.

And secretly? As I look around the beautiful office, I can’t help but hope that it’s enough to make Casey stay. To make him know that there’s a whole life waiting for him beyond the military, if he chooses that this time is going to be the last time he risks his life for us.

“Everything’s in place out there,” Jason rumbles, moving his hands to my shoulders and caressing me beneath his coat. “And it looks fucking beautiful, baby. Case is gonna love it.”

I nod gently and swallow, not trusting my voice to speak when my emotions are so raw.

And then Jason’s hands roam down to my waist, squeezing gently before travelling to my stomach.

“Ready to go?” he asks quietly, and I turn around, meeting his eyes with mine.

I wrap my arms around the back of his neck and stand up on my tip-toes, loving the warmth of his large palms as they travel up my back while he kisses me.

His mouth moves slowly against mine, and he exhales quietly as he pulls away.

He’s been so gentle with me this past week and, knowing that I definitely did not want to be on my own, he’s brought me to every job he’s been doing, letting me stay toasty in his truck while he fixes up the town square.

I trail my fingertips up his nape and he searches my eyes before kissing me again, his touch warm and deep as he massages my hips in his big palms.

I slowly slide my hands over his broad shoulders and Jason groans quietly as I caress the large muscles in his back.

But after kissing his way down my cheek he breathes hard and stands upright, tucking me protectively under his biceps and walking us back to the main area of the bar.

He jerks his chin at Beckett, who’s crunching up the large cardboard boxes that the signs came in, and he says, “We’re heading back to the house. Can you lock up tonight?”

Beckett nods, flicking a glance at me, before rumbling, “Yeah, I’ve got it.”

And evenhehas been alarmingly kind this week, knowing what’s going on with Casey making him more gentle than usual.

It’s actually very sweet.

And then we’re crunching outside into the thick piles of snow, my surprised laughter tickling Jason’s neck when he hauls me up so that I don’t soak my boots.

I stroke his jaw as he carries me carefully across the lot, the protective feel of his palms on my thighs making me wrap my arms around him tighter, not wanting to let go.

He lifts me up into the passenger seat and a minute later we’re on the road, one of Jason’s hands holding mine as he drives us steadily beneath the snow-covered evergreens.

And even though we haven’t had fresh snowfall during the past week, little white flakes drift down from the pines, floating effortlessly in front of the windshield.

“So pretty,” I whisper, giving Jason a little smile when he glances down at me.

He watches me for a beat before smiling and returning his attention to the road.

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