Page 115 of The Convict Gets His Girl

Jewel frowned, grabbing the plates from the cabinet. "I can't, sweetie. I'm working all this week. We're still on for Saturday, though. You got everything boxed up?"

"Yeah, I guess I'll see y'all Saturday then. Love y'all. Bye."

Chase paused when Jewel put her phone away, hand outstretched to the sizzling veggies. "She said y'all. She said y'all? She did, didn't she?"

Jewel chuckled as Raul looked back and forth at them in confusion. She finished plating her own food and explained, "We only found out Chase was her dad a little over a week ago. They met for the first time last weekend."

"She said y'all," Chase muttered, his face shell shocked.

Jewel couldn't keep the smile from her face as they ate, chatting with Raul about his new job that he'd just accepted from Landry. After working all day together on the inside of the house—updating a bathroom—he'd offered Raul a place to belong.

"We should be done this week, so by the time the roofers are done out there, we'll be done in here," Raul said.

Conversation flowed at dinner freely, then she pulled out her laptop to update some files while Raul and Chase watched a fantasy movie.

It was strangely domesticated, and she tried not to analyze too deeply how easy and seamless their lives intertwined. When they went to bed that night, she didn't even question Chase joining her in the main bedroom. She just brushed her teeth next to him and climbed into bed.

He spooned her, his hands drifting over her and driving her body wild. How was it that his touch had the power to completely take her out of her fears and worries? He kept her grounded in the moment, and when he entered her from behind, it was with one hand on a breast and one on her clit.

Both last night and tonight had been from behind, but two totally different experiences. One was full of wild passion, raw from the heightened emotions of the fight, the wedding of his brother and her ex. This one full of hidden meaning and tender care that screamed how much he loved her.

He slung her leg over his elbow, raising her higher and thrusting deeper. She gasped, and when he bit down on the soft spot on her shoulder, the white heat of orgasm washed over her. She cried out, her toes curling as he murmured, "Fuck, yes, that's my good girl."

Pleasure shot through her at his touch, and she felt him swell within her, pumping in time with her own shock waves until they were both spent.

He didn't pull out, instead just pulled a blanket over them and held her close until they both drifted off. There was a peace in his arms that she didn't get anywhere else, and she'd be a fool to keep pretending she didn't sleep better with him than without.

For that reason, she told her dad at lunch that she was going to pack up her things after work.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Henry had asked across the exam table as they worked on a sedated dog.

Jewel bit her lip and shook her head. "No, I'm not. But it's what's best for Destini."

"Is it what's best for you though?" Henry had glanced up, spearing her with his dad stare. "What do you need? What do you want?"

She thought back to the past few days of taking care of him but also the way he took care of her. "I want to live with him," she said simply.

She was still afraid to define what they had, but her soul needed to be with him and Destini. After packing up the few boxes that she'd unpacked at her dads, she drove back to their new house.

It was amazing how much stronger she was now compared to when she'd first moved to Crimson Creek. She was still tired and could feel when she was overdoing it, but with so much less stress, eating better, and working with her dad and Gemma who actually understood her needs, she was growing stronger.

After a long day at the clinic and packing and hauling boxes to her truck, she was still happy and at peace to be exactly where she was. With him.

When she went inside, carrying a box, Raul was cooking dinner and yelled that Chase was in the barn. So she took the box upstairs and then went to the barn to find him.

The soft light hit his brown hair and wide shoulders, and she ached knowing that he was hers.

She paused, frowning slightly because neither of them had actually said they loved the other. Did she though? Or had they just trauma bonded and sought comfort in the other? Or was she just with him because it was what was best for Destini?

She refused to answer. There was plenty of time to analyze her feelings later.

His hands worked the brush in smooth strokes down his horse's flank. She stopped outside the stall door, propping her arms along the top and looking around at the solid but dilapidated barn.

Chase looked up as Jewel entered, his movements careful and measured. The bruises from the fight were still vivid against his skin, mottling his arms and jaw.

"How's Gladys?" Jewel asked, running her hand along the horse's chestnut flank.

"Tired of being cooped up," Chase replied. "Just like me."

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