On My Knees (Stark International Trilogy 2)

It’s a nice thought—a comforting one. Because as the memory of all those camera flashes lingers, I can’t help but fear what might be coming our way. The assault. The movie. Reed’s photos of me. A whole shitstorm of gossip that we will inevitably have to face.

And though I’m not certain I’m strong enough to handle the storm—and although I know that Jackson’s first instinct might be to beat the crap out of whoever is dishing it out—I know that whatever else he does, he will protect me. My knight on his shiny white horse.

Frankly, that is a damn nice feeling.

When we get on the boat, it’s clear that there will be no after-party for Cass. “I’ll take her down and put her in the guest room,” I say.

“While you do that, why don’t I open a bottle of wine? It’s a clear night. How do you feel about the two of us sitting on the deck and watching the stars?”

“I feel exceptionally good about it. Give me five minutes to get her settled.”

Fortunately, she’s mobile, if wobbly, and I’m able to get her stripped down to bra and panties quickly. “In you go,” I say, pulling the sheets back and helping her in. “I’ll wake you in the morning before I go to work.”

She mumbles something incoherent that I translate as “good night,” and I start to tiptoe for the door. But just as I’m about to step into the hallway, her soft “Syl,” calls me back.

“You okay?”

She holds out her hand. “Stay? Just ’til I fall asleep?”

I hesitate, thinking about Jackson and the wine and the stars above us. But this is my best friend, and she needs me, and there’s really no debate to be had. I’m at her side in seconds. “Scoot over,” I say, then lay down beside her. She spoons against me, and I close my eyes, realizing as I do that exhaustion has been creeping up on me as well.

“Thanks,” she whispers.

“For what?”

“For taking care of me.”

“I think Jackson doled out the most care tonight.”

“Not tonight. Forever. For being my best friend.”

I smile, touched. “Yeah, well, it’s a little self-serving. I get a great best friend in return.”

“Aren’t we lucky?”

“We are,” I say. “We really are.”

My eyes are closed, and I wait for Cass to say something else. But there is just silence, and after a few moments, the rhythm of her breathing changes and I feel the steady rise and fall of her chest against my back.

I tell myself to open my eyes and get up, but then I tell myself that if I just lay here quietly for another minute or two I’ll be all re-energized. Since that sounds like a fabulous plan, I keep my eyes closed and just let myself drift and drift and drift. …

I startle awake, gasping a bit, and then immediately relax when I see Jackson sitting in the room’s single chair opposite me. “Oh, hell,” I say. “I’m so sorry. I guess I fell asleep.”

“You needed it.”

I start to sit up.

“No. Don’t wake her.”

He stands and crosses to me. I shift enough so that I can look up at him as he reaches down to brush my cheek with the oddest expression. “What?”

“Nothing,” he says. “I was just thinking about the look on your face.”

“What about it?”

“Peaceful. Content.” He pauses. Just for a heartbeat. “I don’t like seeing it when you’re in anyone’s arms but mine.”

I frown and start to push up out of the bed. “Jackson, I—”

“No, no.” He gently holds me in place. “I just want you all to myself. But I’m a big boy and I’d never begrudge you your friends. Stay,” he says. “She needs you.”

“Jackson …”

But he just presses a kiss to his fingertips and then brushes them over my lips. “Good night, sweetheart.”

I try to fall back asleep after he’s gone, but I can’t seem to manage it. And so I very carefully slide out of Cass’s embrace and go across the little hall to Jackson’s room. He’s not there, but I find him on deck in one of the oversized lounge chairs, asleep under the stars.

I slide in next to him, then pull up the blanket from the foot of the lounger to protect us from the cool night air.

He rolls over, then pulls me against him, enveloping me with his warmth. “I meant what I said,” he murmurs sleepily. “She needs you. You could have stayed.”

“I did stay,” I say. “And then I came here. Because you need me, too.”

He is silent for a moment. Then the arm that he has swung around my waist tightens just slightly. “Yes,” he says. “I do.”