Jackson focused on her, and held out his hand. “Get over here.”
She practically ran to his side. Her body trembled with anticipation as Jackson grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her down toward him. He kissed her softly at first, his lips tender and gentle. Passion quickly erupted, as months of wanting and waiting exploded with intensity. Their mouths and tongues explored one another with a ferocious longing. Electricity swirled around them as the energy of their souls collided.
Jackson pulled his head back and opened his eyes as if to reassure himself that she was really there…and not another dream. He watched as Caroline slowly opened her eyes and smiled.
She found herself craving more of him, as if she could no longer exist without the warmth of his touch. The way his lips felt and the taste of his tongue simmered with blissful satisfaction in the recesses of her mind. She dove toward him, crushing her lips against his as desire took over.
His grip loosened and she found herself breathless. Her feet tingled and pricked as their energies mingled. Her finger traced along his cheek as he admired her.
“I love you, Caroline Weber.”
Like a balloon floating toward the sky, no longer tied down, she felt her heart soar inside her. “I’ve waited so long to hear that.”
“I did tell you once before, you know,” he reminded her.
“Yeah, but this time I don’t feel guilty. Or bad about loving you back.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Oh, so you love me?”
“You know I do.”
“Say it.”
“I love you, Jackson Parks.”
“It’s about time.” He brushed at her hair and traced her bottom lip with his thumb. “Now stop talking.” He pulled her close and his mouth found hers, hungry with desire.
“I’m never going to get tired of doing that.” Jackson’s eyes turned dark and he held her tightly.
“I’m counting on it,” Caroline replied, her grip on him equally as strong.
Their mouths came together again, pulled in by some unexplainable force. Driven by desire, lust, and passion, they lost themselves in each another, content to finally be together, where they belonged.
Chapter Twenty-One
…Six Weeks Later…
“I can’t believe you’re really leaving.” Bailey pouted from the couch.
Caroline sat on the floor and continued to wrap her framed photos, nestling them carefully in the open cardboard box in front of her. “Yes, you can,” she said, without looking up.
Bailey chuckled, “Yeah. I can.”
Bailey’s living room was crowded with stacks of boxes and suitcases, all filled with Caroline’s belongings. Only a few boxes remained unsealed, and Caroline crouched in front of one, tucking in the last item before she picked up her tape gun to seal it closed.
“It’s funny how things work out, huh?” Bailey picked up a sweatshirt from the pile of clothing on the couch, folded it, and handed it down to Caroline.
“How do you mean?” Caroline asked as she leaned over the box.
“Well, for starters, Mr. Walters is letting you transfer to the New York office, so you already have a kick-ass job.” Bailey’s face screamed “You’re Welcome” as she continued. “And…one of your best friends lives in the city, so you already have a place to live…”
“All true,” Caroline cut in.
Bailey’s eyes narrowed impatiently. “Hey! I wasn’t done yet!”
Caroline leaned back and threw her hands up in the air. “Whoa.”
Bailey cleared her throat. “As I was saying…kick-ass job, place to live, oh yeah, did I mention the boyfriend?”