Page 114 of Hidden & Held

The smell reaches us first—cedar and something faintly floral. The main room is small, with a stone fireplace taking up most of one wall, two chairs angled toward it. The back window frames the river, and the late light is breaking apart on the water’s surface. There’s a porch off the back and the sound of water meandering by. The pictures didn’t do this place justice.

Phoenix steps past me without saying anything, which I have learned over the months is her version of a compliment.

“Alright, you should be all set. Text me in the morning when you are ready to leave. No rush.”

“Thank you; this place is perfect.”

No, you’re perfect.

“You don’t need to thank me. I want to thank you for letting me do this. It’s something I wanted to give you for a long time.” I step in, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear and cupping her face. I look into her beautiful brown eyes and see the peace, the calm I’ve worked toward every day since I met her. I kiss her forehead, feeling a lightness I haven’t felt in so long. “Goodnight, Sugar. Have a great time.”

I turn to leave, hand grabbing the brass doorknob.

“Wait.”

Turning back, I say, “Need something? I can run to the store to grab it.”

“Stay.” It’s almost a whisper.

35

PHOENIX

His jaw slackens and he shakes his head as if he’s clearing his thoughts.

“What did you say?”

Pulling my shoulders back and lifting my chin, I speak in a louder voice this time. “I don’t need anything from the store. I need you. Stay here, with me.”

He’s back to me in two steps, his hands cradling my neck, thumbs reverently moving over my chin as if he’s afraid he will break me. He gently tilts my face up to look at him. “Are you sure? You don’t owe me anything, Sugar. I planned this for you. I’ll even show you my receipt for the hotel if you want.”

I smile, knowing he probably has the receipt ready. “I know you wouldn’t lie about that. Besides, you’d know I would ask for the evidence,” I tease, hand sliding up his back. “You’ve been choosing me in small ways and large ones since the day we met. Jackson, I choose you.” Leaning into his palm I repeat, “Stay with me, please.”

Any hesitation he might have had melts away as a smile graces his stupidly handsome face. “You never have to ask me for anything. I’m yours.”

He wraps his hand around my neck, bringing his lips closer to mine. I reach up, brushing my fingertips along his jaw, and lean back slightly.

“You know, I’ve spent months listening to you read me to sleep.”

A small laugh escapes him as he pulls me in tighter. “I hoped that was happening.”

“I’d lie there”—I slowly slide my hands down his back—“listening to your voice, wondering how someone could sound so patient page after page. And so utterly sexy.”

His voice hitches. “All for you, Sugar. I’ll make you a hundred more.”

My fingers curl lightly into his shirt. “I don’t want another audiobook chapter tonight.”

He moves one hand down my side, causing me to shiver. “No?”

I shake my head once. “I want the real thing.”

“So do I.”

His lips move to my neck and I groan as I tug his head up, bringing his mouth to mine. My hips move of their own volition and I feel how hard he is against me. Jackson’s hands find my hips as he pulls our bodies closer together, and my need for him grows from wanting to desperate.

I pull back slightly as my fingertips dance against his waistband. “These damn gray sweatpants should be illegal for how good they look on you. At least they are easy to take off.”

“No.” He pulls back, leaving me momentarily stunned until he drops to his knees in front of me, and I hold back a moan at the sight of this man kneeling before me.