Page 102 of Until Tomorrow Comes
This man was simply supposed to give me a safe space to stay, but he did so much more. He opened his home and his heart to me, was at my side on the good days and the bad. If there’s one thing I know deep down, it’s that this isn’t just a temporary thing for him. He would never try to hold me back.
Jackson has only ever helped me spread my wings again, not once holding me back and all while waiting to catch me if I fall.
33
Epilogue
Kat
Six months later
“This place is breathtaking.”
“That’s because the humidity is making it harder to breathe.” Jackson grumbles, setting our suitcases on the floor at the end of the bed before joining me.
“You’re the one that planned this whole trip. I just got on the plane.” I remind him, looking out over the crystal-clear blue water. “You could have picked somewhere colder.”
Earlier in the week, Jackson had surprised me with plane tickets and told me he wanted to take me away for my birthday. With the intention to create all new memories that would overshadow the events of last year’s birthday. Of course, that resulted in me traumatizing the poor man when I broke down in tears.
It took five minutes for me to catch my breath, five minutes of him apologizing for whatever he did wrong, and Jackson saying that I just needed to tell him how to fix it.
When I finally collected myself, I basically threw myself at him. Words weren’t enough to thank him for what this meant to me.
My legs clench together as I think about how thoroughly I thanked him.
Jackson steps up behind me, gathering the hair from my ponytail and moving it to the side. Placing a kiss on my shoulder before moving to the sensitive spot below my ear.
“Taking you somewhere cold would make keeping you naked for five days really hard.” He whispers, nipping at my ear lobe. I lean back into him with a breathy chuckle.
“You do realize you didn’t have to take me to a fancy secluded bungalow in the Caribbean just to get me naked, right?”
“Oh I know.” He chuckles against my skin while sneaking his hands up my shirt. “But considering your birthday is in the middle of February and it’s cold back home, taking you somewhere warm was clearly the smart option.”
Jackson turns me then, grabbing the hem of my shirt and lifting it up. Naturally, I lift my arms up, allowing him to remove it before thinking better. When the warm, gentle breeze caresses my skin, I act quickly. Covering my chest, I glance quickly in both directions.
Only to remember he booked the bungalow at the very end of the block. Meaning the only view from the back side is the ocean. When I find no boats or kayakers, or hear anything but the waves, I relax.
Dropping my arms, I meet Jackson’s darkened gaze while he hungrily takes me in. This man has seen me naked almost daily for seven months and each time his reaction is the same. There is no doubting Jackson’s attraction to me. He shows his attraction without hesitation or remorse.
Reaching out, he traces a finger along the curve of my breast.
“Have I told you how perfect you are?”
“Only a couple times,” I smirk, sarcasm heavily lacing my words.
He tells me daily just how perfect I am to him, each time causing me to blush as if it were the first time hearing it.
“A couple, eh?” He questions with a chuckle. “Well, I’ll have to make up for that.”
Without wasting another second, Jackson has me in his arms. My skirt bunches around my hips while I cling to him. His hands hold me while peppering me with kisses along my shoulder and neck.
I’m expecting him to carry me inside, so when he only takes a couple steps and stops, I’m caught off guard. Before I can ask him what’s wrong, he’s lowering me onto one of the cushioned lounge chairs.
He slides his hands along the outsides of my legs slowly until he’s reaching behind him to untangle my legs. Naturally, I give into his silent request and squeal when he uses my legs and pulls me to the end of the chair.
Jackson kneels on the deck between my thighs, his fingers teasing along the edges of my underwear. When he crooks a finger on each side and starts pulling them down, he meets my gaze.
“Vacation rule number one,” He kisses the inside of my knee and removes my panties completely. “No underwear allowed.”
