Page 82 of Jack of Hearts
“What?”
He chuckled. “What what?”
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Because you’re beautiful. Because I love you.” He rolled over, taking her with him. “Say it back, Mad.”
“Say what?” Madison lifted onto her elbow and blinked innocently at Alex. “Did you just growl?” She loved teasing him. To hear him say he loved her sent her heart soaring into the stratosphere. But he’d played his little game with her, and he deserved to sweat some.
“Say it.”
She looked into his eyes, and seeing the love he had for her, she let the last of her resentment go. Even though she didn’t like that he hadn’t been honest with her, she understood his reasons. The days without him had been torture, and she couldn’t bear the thought of not being with him.
“I love you, Special Agent Alex Gentry. I love who you are and what you stand for. My heart belongs to you. No conditions. No if, ands, or buts. I love you.”
“That’s my girl.” His mouth came down on hers, and he kissed her with such tenderness that tears burned her eyes. He made love to her again, worshipping her body with every soft touch of his hands, showing her with his lips, tongue, and mouth over every inch of her skin how much he wanted her. By the time he finished with her, she felt cherished and thoroughly loved, and as she fell asleep with her back tucked against his chest, listening to the gentle splash of water hitting the veranda’s foundation, she sighed with contentment.
Early the next morning he woke her up with lazy morning sex, and when she snuggled up against him afterward, she smiled against his chest. “You’re insatiable.”
He hugged her. “I never was before you, so it’s your fault.”
“Oh, blame me, will you?” she teased, although it thrilled her to hear him say that.
“Definitely.” He slapped her butt. “Put your bathing suit on, and let’s go play.”
After a delicious breakfast delivered to their veranda, they spent the day exploring the small island and playing in the water. All too soon, the sun was setting, and they headed back to their suite. She couldn’t wait to take a shower and wash her salt-encrusted skin.
“Thank you for kidnapping me,” she said as they walked into the room, hand in hand. “Feel free to do it again anytime.”
He tilted his head and smiled down at her. “Maybe next time you should kidnap me.”
“I might just do that. Want to join me in the shower?” There was a large soaking tub in the bathroom, but the shower was outdoors, surrounded by a bamboo fence and lush foliage.
He snorted. “Silly question, Mad.”
They kept their bathing suits on long enough to rinse them off, and then Alex removed hers. “About my insatiable problem ... I feel it coming on again.”
“Oh dear. Anything I can do to help?”
“Uh-huh.” He pushed his board shorts down, kicking them away.
Sweet Lord, he was magnificent. She would never get enough of looking at him, and that wicked smile of his made her toes curl. As she swept her gaze over him, she paused on the scar where Ramon had shot him.
“I was so scared,” she said, tears stinging her eyes as she gently touched her finger to the healing wound. “I thought ...” She shook her head, not able to say it.
“Hush, baby. I’m here.” He wrapped his arms around her, rocking them under the warm spray of the water. “Why didn’t you want me to know you stayed at my bedside?”
“Who told you?” She pressed the side of her face against his chest, listening to his heart beat strong and steady.
“Nate, but only because he said I was being a dumbass. Tell me why you didn’t want me to know.”
“Because you’d broken up with me. I didn’t think you would want me there.”
He leaned away, his eyes locked on hers. “I heard you talking to me, but when I woke up and you weren’t there, I thought I was dreaming. I didn’t see a white light or anything like that, but your voice kept me from leaving.”
At that, she burst into tears. What if she hadn’t gone to the hospital, or what if she hadn’t agreed to sit in that room and talk to him for hours? Would he have died? She couldn’t bear to think of a world without Alex in it.
“Don’t cry, Mad. I’m here and not going anywhere.” He cupped her chin, tipping her face up, and kissed away her tears. “Have I told you how much I love your hair?”
