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“AND DIDN’T HAVE ME THERE AS HIS BEST MAN!”Or maybe it’ll be Clay.

“GOD DAMN IT, CLAY. YOU WOULD NOT BE HIS BEST MAN!”Nope. It’ll be Emerson.

“Is anyone going to let me speak?” I ask, but the four of them continue to bicker back and forth, as if I’m not the whole reason they’re calling me in the first place. I realize I’m rounding the corner to our block. But just as I’m about to cross the intersection to my side of the street, I realize that, for once, the little yellow house is where I’m supposed to go. So, I continue to walk down the block on the side of the street I’ve stopped myself from crossing for much longer than I’d care to admit. Because, that little yellow house… it’s now home to a person thatlovesme.

Theodore Young said he loves me.

Am I ready to say it back?

As hard as I’ve worked to put everything that’s happened behind me, I just… I don’t know if I’m there yet. I don’t know if I’m ready to fully trust that he’s willing to give up the life he thought he was supposed to have… for me.

So, I can’t say it. Not yet. Not until I know for sure.

“Jackson, are you even listening?” Clay asks.

“No I’m not listening because I quite literally have not said more than ten words since this phone call started.” Theo’s house is only a few yards away, and I suddenly am no longer in the mood to entertain this band of hooligans. “Guys, I have to go. Emerson, I will come over tomorrow and talk to you, I swear. Goodbye everyone. Love you,” I sing-song as they continue to shout at me, but I reach back in my pocket and hang up anyway. I’m about to open the front door when I realize I don’t have a key. But just as I’m reaching out to knock it swings wide open. Theo is standing on the other side of it, dangling a gold key between his fingers. “Need one of these?”

I beam from ear to ear and snatch it from his fingers. “I sure did. Would hate to be locked out of my new house. But—” I move toward him, pushing him backward into the house. And once I’m fully inside I kick the door closed behind me. “Right now all I want to do is lock myself in.”

Without a word, Theo reaches behind me and turns the lock.

Who are you? - Bad Omens

CHAPTER41

PREPPED AND READY

THEODORE

The door clicks shut, and a wicked smile finds my lips. I look right into Jax’s eyes and slide the deadbolt into place. I’ve got plans, and no one needs to be interrupting.

There’s already heat in his gaze, but I swear on all things holy, this man just growled under his breath

?*“You’re moving in here.” I hold my hand up to stop his arguments. “And I know I dropped the L-bomb earlier in Coach’s office, but I wanted to tell you to take your time. No rushing. But just know I can and will love you enough for the both of us.”

I truly hope he knows that I will wait until the end of time for him to confess his love for me. But I also understand why he’s hesitant. I fucked him up, in a big way. I’m just thankful he’s even talking to me, let alone married to me, and in the same house as me

I step closer, closing the gap between us. I press him into the door and smash my lips to his. His tongue dances with mine, taking charge like I knew he would.

Our hands can’t find enough of one another, but he pulls away from my lips far sooner than I would like. “I can’t believe I’m actually in here… well, with you knowing, I mean. I can’t believe I’m in your house?—”

“Our house,” I correct.

With the sassiest eye roll, he repeats, “Our house. And thank you.”

“For what?” I ask.

“Thank you for giving me time. I know this entire marriage thing was my idea, but thank you for not pushing me… for giving me time to figure out how I feel.”

“Of course,” I say softly. “But in the meantime… I have a little surprise for you.” My hands fidget nervously on his lean waist. “I’ve prepped and put a plug in to get ready for you when you finally came home.” I’m hoping he’s ready to take the next step with me, but if he’s not, I’ll give him the time there as well.

I would do just about anything for Jackson Baker.

Jax’s wanton moan rumbles deep in his chest as he presses his body tighter against mine. “Is that why you were out of the office so fast? You had to come and prep my hole for me?”

Okay, I know I said what I just said, but hearing those words fall from his lips is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Who knew Jackson Baker, the epitome of the “boy next door” had such a dirty mouth. I’m so fucking here for it.

I haven’t been with a man in years—actually, anyone, for that matter—and I wanted to make sure I was ready before we finally made the leap to have sex, which is why I’ve spent the majority of the afternoon prepping. I wanted to make this experience as enjoyable as possible. I know he’ll take the time before, but I also know how much sexual tension has been building between the two of us.

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