Page 43 of Come Back to Me

I unfold the handwritten letter that Jack’s given me and read while he waits patiently.

Dear Annie,

I know that this may be an unconventional way to share my feelings with you, but I can’tlet any more time go by without you knowing exactly how I feel.

First, I’m so proud of you, sugar. You’re the best ER nurse I’ve ever worked alongside. Your knowledge, compassion, calm demeanor under stress, and leadership are unmatched and they’re lucky to have you as their new Assistant Manager. Never doubt you earned this, because you did. I look forward to watching you achieve all your professional dreams. If you’ll let me, know that I’ll always be there to support you in that.

On a personal note, I need you to know that since I first laid eyes on you on Cinco de Mayo at O’Riley’s, you have consumed my thoughts and changed my life. I knew when I looked at you that you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen on the outside. As I’ve gotten to know you, I’ve learned you are also the most beautiful woman on the inside. I’m literally in awe of you. You need to know that no one else will ever be able to pull my attention from you.

I don’t know why you broke your rule and took a chance on us, but I’m so grateful every day that you did. As many wonderful people as I have in my life, I didn’t realize there was a gaping hole until you filled it. Now that I knowwhat it is to have you, I never want to be without you.

You make me laugh, make me smile every day, drive me crazy when we have a disagreement and you won’t admit when you’re wrong even though I can tell when you realize you are, but you dig in anyway. There is nothing about you I don’t like.

You have become my best friend, my lover, and you have my heart. I’m not good at saying how I feel, but I think I’ve fallen in love with you. It’s like nothing I have ever felt before and when I think it can’t get any stronger, it does.

I hope this doesn’t freak you out or make you feel any pressure. I’m not telling you this because I expect or need you to respond. I just wanted you to know.

Love,

Jack

I look up at Jack, surprised by the nervous look on his gorgeous face.

“You… you think you love me?” I whisper.

He reaches for my hand and pulls me over onto his lap, cups my face gently with both hands and looks at me intensely.

“IknowI love you, Annie. I love every part of you,” he answers before kissing my forehead tenderly.

Several more happy tears slip down my face.

“I love you, Jack. God, I love you so much.”

His eyes widen like he’s shocked that I feel the same, and then his mouth finds mine.

I lose myself in his kisses for several moments but, when I get my wits about me again, I whisper, “Let’s go home. Now. Please.”

Jack alerts the server we’re ready for our check but doesn’t let me up off his lap while we wait. He holds me, caressing my face and planting soft kisses filled with promises of more to come on my cheeks and neck.

When the check is paid, he grabs my hand, and we hurry to the car.

CHAPTER 20

JACK

She loves me, too. Holy hell, Annie Brooks loves me.

When I shared my feelings in my letter to her, I never expected she would tell me she feels the same already. I hoped that someday she would, but had no idea that she did already. Fuck, I’m a lucky bastard and I don’t deserve her.

Why does this drive home feel like fifteen hours instead of fifteen minutes?

We’re mostly quiet as we drive but can’t keep our hands off each other.

Annie runs her nails softly over my neck and right shoulder and I’ve got my hand on her thigh.

It kills me to stop myself from letting my hand creep higher, but I manage it. When I get her home though, I’m not holding back. The woman I love is going to have no doubts that I’m hers when I’m done loving her with my body.

Finally, we pull up to the house, rush out of the car, and unlock the door to the bottom landing. As soon as we’reinside and the door is shut, Annie whirls around and her mouth and hands are on me.

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