Page 104 of Octane

“I want you to move in with me,” he proclaims.

I can see Carissa out of the corner of my eye, looking back and forth between us like she’s watching a tennis match. She’s practically squealing with excitement.

“Okay,” I tell Jackson with a big smile. “Yes, I’ll move in with you.”

He wraps his arms around me and plants one of his incredible kisses on my lips.

“Well, this would be the perfect time to get your things out of the condo… again,” Carissa suggests.

“Tell you what,” Jackson starts. “Let me order some food for us. While we’re waiting, we can go grab everything. With three of us, it will be quicker.”

“What if he comes back, and we’re in there?” I ask, worried.

I honestly don’t think I can face him again.

“With a head wound like the one you gave him, they’re probably going to keep him for observation. But we should hurry just in case. I’ll also have Mitch keep a look out again. Like last time.”

“Okay,” I agree.

“Great, what would you ladies like to eat?

* * *

The three ofus packed my luggage full of my clothes and only what I couldn’t part with, which wasn’t much. A couple of framed pictures and my mother’s old jewelry box. With all of us working as quickly as we could, we managed to get everything out in two trips totaling thirty minutes.

And without any surprises.

Our food was delivered by the time we were finished, and we ate on the floor, just like we did the night we moved my things out of the condo the first time. Only this time, moving in with Jackson felt like the right move. The right next step. It was fun, considering the circumstances, and a great way to end an otherwise terrifying day.

After Carissa leaves, Jackson cleans up, then we lay with one another on the sofa for a while. We don’t talk, we just hold one another. He gently runs his fingers through my hair, helping me to relax. We enjoy the quiet time on our first night together in his—our—home.

When I begin to fall asleep, he lifts me from the sofa and carries me into his—our—bedroom. Once we’re in bed, I turn to him and kiss his chest.

“Thank you, Jackson. For everything.”

I run my hands up and down his arms, and his desire-filled look catches my attention. Heat blooms deep in my stomach, and I can feel moisture building below. As if waiting for a sign from me that I’m in the right headspace to be intimate this evening, I whisper my fingers down his chest and inside of his boxers, slowly wrapping my hand around his cock.

“Jackson,” I pant.

In a second, he’s on top of me. His lips meet mine, and he kisses me like each graze breathes life into his body.

“Sawyer, I need you now. I can’t wait any longer.”

“Take me, Jackson. I’m yours.”

After we free ourselves of our clothing, he runs his fingers through my slit, making sure that I am ready for him. He lines himself up with my opening and pushes through it, entering me. I moan as he stretches me. With each push and pull, he makes me feel wanted, loved, and safe. Three things I haven’t felt in a very long time.

He makes love to me twice that night and once again the next morning. I will never tire of Jackson. Of his touch, of his taste, of his love. Everything is right when I’m with him, and I can’t wait to start our life together.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

JACKSON

Sawyer and I have spent nearly every minute of every day together over the past several weeks. We checked in with Zach to make sure his meeting went well. He ended up working out a deal with his contact, selling them his entire company. Turns out they can launder a lot of money through multiple real estate ventures.

We found a new place to live almost by accident. We had been condo shopping with our realtor for several days with no luck, so we decided to take a break from it and enjoy a day at the beach in Malibu. As we were leaving, we saw a sign for an open house and decided to check it out on a whim.

The moment we walked through the door and saw that the entire back of the house opened up to the outside, we were hooked. It’s contemporary in style, which neither of us knew we liked until we saw it. With panoramic ocean, island, and mountain views, it’s a complete paradise. It was a quick sale, as the sellers were highly motivated, and we were able to move in the following week. Other than the view, our favorite part of the house is the large indoor hot tub.

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