The Seduction (Finding Forever #2) - Jessie Jones Page 0,52

as she stroked his bearded face. "I would like to talk to you, John. I don't know what this is between us, but I would like to figure it out. We don't need to go grab dinner, though. I just cooked. Let me get cleaned up, and I'll fix us a plate."

An hour later, John pulled out Gillian's chair as the two of them sat on the terrace. The full, October moon highlighted his form as he popped open the wine and poured each of them a glass. After cleaning herself up, Gillian had dressed comfortably in a pair of grey yoga pants, a white t-shirt, and a thin grey sweater. Her eyes feasted on John as he sat down across from her and smiled. Even now, she didn't want to eat pasta with John. She wanted him buried deep inside of her. Picking up her glass of wine, she took a large drink. She had to get it together and focus on talking. If they didn't work this out, then they could not move forward.

There was an odd silence that settled between the couple as they began eating their food. Gillian pulled her sweater closer as a brisk wind ruffled her ebony hair. She felt John's eyes intently watching her as she played with the pasta on her plate. His voice was rough and deep as he broke the silence by saying, "It's not like you to be quiet, kitten. If you aren't going to talk, then let me be the first. I've missed you, love. More than I care to admit, actually."

The tears fell down from her emerald eyes as she lifted them to meet his. She was stunned that John was making that confession, and by the look on his face, he was telling the truth. Putting down her fork, Gillian tucked a fallen strand of black hair behind her ear as she softly said, "I missed you too, John. I wanted to call, but honestly, I didn't think you wanted me."

"I think I just showed you how much I want you, kitten." John smiled before taking a drink of his wine. He could not explain the feeling of elation he was feeling at hearing Gillian say that she still wanted him. "I just wish you would have told me that you thought I slept with Pandora. I went back and watched the cameras. I know she came to talk to you that morning. I also know she lied to you in the bathroom at the party. The bitch has unfortunately gone into hiding. If I could find her, I would kill her for hurting you."

"John, no!" Gillian said urgently as his eyes darkened and the smile on his face faded at the mentioning of his mistress. "You can't kill Pandora! She did hurt me, but you have to promise me that you won't hurt her!"

"No one is going to hurt you, kitten!" John responded vehemently. "I give you my word on that. Not Pandora, not Galen, no one!" When Gillian broke his gaze, he knew it was because he had mentioned Domenico's son. Softening his tone, John reached across the table to grab her hand. "Look, I know Galen attempted to see you and that is why you fled to Paris. He had already left London before my men could find him."

"John…don't," Gillian responded brokenly as she tried to pull her hand from the Brit's grip. He only tightened his hold.

"Don't fucking pull away from me, damn it!" he replied as he made his way around the table and quickly pulled her into his arms. She buried her face against his chest as he stroked her back. "Look, I know I have put you into the spotlight, kitten, and again, I am sorry for disrupting your life, but it was not my intention to put you in harm's way. I can keep you safe, baby, but I need you to go back to London with me."

"London?" Gillian asked as she brushed the tears from her face and pushed against his chest. "And what do you propose I do there, John? Become one of your mistresses? I won't share you, John! I want a relationship with you, but I won't be one of your whores!"

"I'm not asking you to be one of my whores!" John exclaimed with a growl. "I'm asking you to fucking live with me, kitten!"

"Live with you?" Gillian asked as she stopped struggling in his arms and found his eyes once again. Could John