When We Kiss

She laughs. “Just hold that thought…” She types briefly, a few more clicks, then she lets out a little whoop and claps her hands. “It’s there! Oh my goodness, check this out. Okay…” she wriggles around in my lap so cute, I can’t help grinning in response. “So I know you told me to wait, but I went on and gave Rani and AJ my answer about their job offer.”

My chest clenches and I sit up straighter, adjusting her so I can see her face. “What did you say?”

She places a hand on my cheek and leans forward to kiss me. Then she leans up and meets my eyes. “I told them no.”

Happiness rises in my chest, but I tamp it down. I catch her arms and ask her seriously. “Why did you say no? Was it just because of me? Because—”

“It was because of you, yes, but it was also because of other things.” Her pretty brow furrows, and she looks over my head. “I thought about being gone all the time, not seeing Emberly, missing Coco grow up… I guess I kind of love this town after all.”

My hands are on her smooth thighs. I start to slide them higher, and she squeals. “Wait! There’s more. Let me show you.”

She rotates in the chair, and I lean forward exhaling a growl at her neck as I wrap my arms around her waist. “I haven’t been with you in almost two weeks. Hurry up.”

A shiver moves through her body, and her protests are less convincing. “You need to see this. It’s important.” She clicks over to a different screen. “When I first started working with Travel Time, the deal was my flat rate for web design, plus the hourly rate, bonuses for making our deadlines… Well, they were so happy with how things turned out, they gave me bonus airfare and comps on several packages.”

I sit up. She has my attention now. “They’re letting you travel—”

“Whenever I want, as long as I want. Only, now you can come with me! Oceanside can be our home base, and we can still be together.”

That makes me smile. I trace my finger across her cheek. “What changed?”

She looks down at her wrist. “I reminded myself to believe. I believe in us. I don’t want to see the world with anyone but you. I love you.”

Heat explodes in my chest, and I catch her face, kissing her roughly. “I love you, Tabitha Green.” Tears are in her eyes again, and I kiss them away.

I lift her onto Andy, and for a little while, it’s only us and love. Touching, feeling, our bodies becoming one. It’s bliss, pure and simple, primal. It’s the only thing I ever want.

When we’re drifting down once more, from another incredible high, her soft body secure in my arms, I can’t help teasing her. “Are you sure you want to be the girlfriend of a law man?”

“A sexy military man?” She arches an eyebrow and sighs. “I don’t think I’ll ever lose my love of being bad. Maybe you can help me find more creative ways to channel it.”

“I found some fluffy purple handcuffs at a novelty store in Charleston. They’re in my suitcase waiting to be tested.”

“You’re the only man I ever want to tie me down.” Her nose wrinkles and she rubs it against mine.

“What are you saying, Tabitha Green?” I’ve also got a rock in my suitcase, and I can’t wait to put it on her finger.

“I’m saying kiss me.” Her voice is a purr.

And I do, because when we kiss…

Everything is exactly how it should be.

Epilogue

Tabby

Six weeks later…

Caribbean breezes swirl through the open doors of our cabana. We’re lying in bed, sweating and breathing hard after another round of smoking hot sex.

“Best twenty-five dollars I’ve ever spent.” Chad’s hand is on my ass, and I chuckle.

One fluffy purple handcuff hangs from my wrist, and I lift it, unbuckling the straps. “Way less painful.”

“I take it you’re not into the pleasure through pain shit.”

My nose wrinkles, and I toss the cuffs on a chair. “I don’t really get that. Pain is just painful in my book. It’s kind of a deal breaker.”