Page 166 of The Best of Us

I just had to find the energy first. Maybe when we were alone.

“What were we talking about before he came in?” I asked Colin.

At some point, he and Juliette must have changed into dry clothes. I vaguely recalled them being soaking wet beside me on the rocks.

“Oh, um. Actually, I was about to ask you something.” Colin stood, pulling at the corner of his mouth like he was nervous. “Since we’re on this side of the world already, and I’m still suspended, I was wondering if we could make a pit stop in Ireland?” He glanced back and forth between us. “Lennon would like to visit her mom at rehab. Maybe even see her dad in prison. I don’t want her going without me.”

He watched us, waiting, the hope all too clear in his eyes.

“If it’s okay with your mom,” I said, “then it’s fine with me. We need to give Sebastian and the McGregors a ride back to Dublin anyway.”

“So, what you’re saying is that it’s meant to be.” Colin lifted his brows a few times.

I smirked. “What do you think?”

Juliette took hold of my hand. “I’ve always wanted to go to Ireland.” She smiled, then shooed him away. “Go give Lennon the good news and give your father and me a minute alone.”

“That I can do!” Colin grinned and pulled the door closed behind him.

I looped my arm around Juliette and patted her side, a silent request for her to get even closer. She hesitated before shifting onto my lap, carefully keeping her weight off my chest.

“I’m not hurting you, am I?” she murmured, brushing her lips over mine.

“Not at all.”

I kissed her back, but at my muffled groan, she started to pull away.

“Wait, you’re in pain.” She tried to move off me, but I stopped her.

“No, you’re not going anywhere, miss.”

She chuckled. “Are you . . .?” Sitting up slightly, her gaze dropped to my crotch. Her lips twitched. “. . . hard?”

“You know exactly what happens when you’re on top of me. What can I say?” I bent my arm, propping my head up to better see her. The most beautiful woman in the world. “Not even a near-death experience can stop me from being turned on by you.”

She leaned in again, kissing me, and I smiled against her mouth, warmth spreading through me. I’d never been happier. Never felt more at peace (well, on earth, at least).

“Now, what was that you were saying while I was, uh, outside my body?” I closed one eye. “Hmm. Something about love?” Now that I was myself again, I needed to hear those words. “Did you mean that?”

She arched a brow, but I caught how her lips tugged into a smile. “Didyoumean it when you said it back?”

I cupped her face, ignoring the pain as I shifted upright. My voice was still hoarse, but this time, not from drowning. “If it were anyone else, this would all be impossible,” I admitted. “But it’syou, and time doesn’t matter.” I exhaled. “I love you, Juliette Carmichael. I love you so damn much.”

“Good.” Her voice wavered, and when a tear slipped free, I caught it with my thumb. “Because I love you, too, Constantine Costa.”

I tilted my head. “Mm. I kind of like how Colin said it.EffingCosta.”

Her laughter faded into a quiet sigh. “What are we going to do with that boy?”

I kissed her nose, then brought my mouth to hers. “I don’t know . . . but we’ll figure it out together.”

Chapter56

Constantine

Dublin, Ireland

“Doesyour brother have a thing for Gwen?” I whispered into Juliette’s ear.

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