Lifeline

With the bottle almost empty, it took me two weeks to track down a place that still sells it. It cost me a pretty penny, but I managed to buy two bottles.

After squirting some in the air, I place the beautiful bottles carefully on the mantelpiece.

I hear O’Brien’s car and sniff the air like a lunatic to make sure he’ll smell it, then run to the kitchen.

“What’s up?” Lindsay asks, coming down the stairs.

“It’s a surprise. Come here!” She rushes into the kitchen. “Watch O’Brien’s face when he comes in.”

We both stand like idiots, and when he opens the door, I can’t stop from smiling widely.

He spots us, then freezes for a moment before the most beautiful smile curves his lips. “I know that smell.”

I point at the mantelpiece.

O’Brien looks at the bottles, and his features tighten before he glances back at me. “And you say I’m amazing. Thank you.” Then he tilts his head. “You’re in the kitchen. Is it safe to assume you’re making dinner?”

I shove Lindsay toward the fridge. “Nope, but Lindsay volunteered.”

She lets out a bark of laughter. “Way to throw me under the bus.”

“Take one for the team,” I chuckle as I walk to O’Brien. I give him a hug, then grin up at him. “Do you like your surprise?”

He leans down and kisses the tip of my nose. “I love it.” Glancing over my head, he says, “Don’t worry about making dinner, Lindsay. I’m taking you both out.”

“Score!” Lindsay darts up the stairs to her room, and then I’m airborne and tossed over O’Brien’s shoulder.

I chuckle all the way up to our bedroom, and when he slides me down his front, his hands frame my face. With more love than I thought was possible, he looks deep into my eyes. “Do you have any idea how much I love you?”

“I do,” I whisper, lost in his loving gaze.

“When will I hear those words in front of the altar?”

I shrug. “I’ve always wanted an autumn wedding.”

“October?”

Nodding, I pull my phone out and check the calendar. “How does October fifteenth sound?”

“Perfect.” He pulls his wallet out and hands me a black card. “Use this from now on for everything you and Lindsay need. Also for the wedding.”

Taking the credit card, I stare at it.

O’Brien brushes strands of hair behind my ear. “I really want you to have everything your heart desires. There’s no limit.”

“I have everything I’ve ever wanted.” I scrunch my nose. “Well, except for two things.”

“What?” He leans a little down, his attention totally focused on me.

“I want two children. One day.”

The corners of his mouth curve up. “Whatever you want, baby.”

Grabbing hold of the back of his neck, I pull him down and give him a quick kiss, then let go and walk to the closet. “Where are you taking us for dinner?”

“Your pick,” he replies as he starts to strip out of his clothes.

“Italian?”

“Good with me.” I admire O’Brien’s firm ass when he walks into the bathroom, then he orders, “Get your ass in the shower.”

I quickly undress, and when I step under the spray with him, his eyes burn over my body. I’m lifted from my feet and wrap my legs around his waist. When he enters me with a powerful thrust, I dig my nails into his back and hold on for dear life.

Loving how he loses control, I get lost in my man.

Water cascades over us. We gasp and devour each other’s mouths. We come together in such an intense way my soul feels one with his.

Coming down from our orgasms, I brush my fingers over his strong features. “I love how you fuck me.”

“I love how you take me,” he grins.

We haven’t talked much about what happened on the yacht, mostly because I didn’t want to. Now feels right, though. “On the yacht, when I felt you inside me for the first time, I was so thankful it was me and not another girl.”

He brushes his hands over my wet strands, his eyes filling with adoration. “Me too, baby.” He presses his forehead to mine.

Lost in us, I whisper, “I loved every intimate moment I got to spend with you, Daniel. I loved how you dominated me, forcing me to focus on you and not on what was happening around us.” I move my hands to the sides of his neck. “There has not been a single second since I’ve met you where I didn’t trust you… where I haven’t loved you.”

His eyes warm more and more with every word until they’re melted chocolate with gold flecks.

“You’ve always been and always will be my lifeline, JJ.”

O’Brien

Three weeks later…

Walking toward the elevators, my phone starts to ring. Seeing Warden Geary’s number, I answer, “I hope you have good news for me.”

“Zef Rama was found shanked to death in the shower.”