Absolute Trust - Jeana E. Mann Page 0,72
His voice sounds like he’s shouting from far away. He gives me a shake. “Jagger? Are you okay?”
“Yes.” I smooth my hands over my chest, along my stomach, and down to my hips. Everything hurts, but I’m whole. “Are you?”
“Yeah.” The relief in his gaze eases my fears. He pulls me into a tight hug. “Shit, that was intense.” His big body is trembling almost as much as mine. He jerks his head toward the Escalade. “Come on. Let’s get you to the airport.”
Twenty-Eight
Jagger
The helicopter lifts into the air. The water below us is crystal clear and the most beautiful shade of blue-green imaginable. The final leg of our journey takes forever. My hands are sore from wringing them in my lap. Nicky is up front with the pilot. On my left, Callie rubs my arm, her smile sympathetic. On my right, Cash has his fingers threaded through mine.
At last, an enormous white yacht comes into view. It floats in the center of the crystal-clear waters. We land on the upper deck. My fingers stumble over the harness. Callie reaches over to help me unclasp the buckles.
I glance over at Cash, needing reassurance. His smile is wider and brighter than I’ve ever seen. Black sunglasses cover his eyes, but I can feel his relief. We’ve made it. Once my feet are on the deck of the yacht, I throw my arms around his neck and rain kisses on him.
“Hey. Easy, baby girl.” His deep voice vibrates through me. “Doing okay?” The open edges of his white shirt flutter in the ocean breeze, revealing those delicious abs. He’s wearing tan Bermuda shorts and sandals.
“I’m great. How about you?”
He shoves a hand through his hair. “Never been better.”
His thumb gently caresses the small scrape on my chin. The small injury and the bruises on my neck left by Athena’s fingers are the only evidence of our fight. The flat of his palm finds my back. He buries his face in the curve of my neck and holds on to me, like he’s never going to let me go. I soak in his scent, his strength, his presence. “I love you so much, Jagger.”
“I hate to interrupt, but we’ve got to get going, and you’re blocking our takeoff.” Nicky’s voice interrupts us. He and Callie stand a few feet away from us, next to the railing. Callie’s eyes sparkle with tears of empathy. They’re holding hands, watching us like they get it. I don’t know the details of their story, but I’m looking forward to learning all about their relationship once things calm down.
“You’re not staying?” I’ve been in a state of shock since the warehouse incident and thought I’d have time to talk with Callie later.
“We’ve got business to attend, and the two of you need time to chill.” She squeezes my hand. “We’ll be back next week, and I expect you to catch me up on everything that’s happened in your life since the last time I saw you.” Her warm smile fills the hole that’s been empty since our separation. “Now that I’ve got you back, I’m not letting you go.”
“I owe you big time for this,” Cash says to our hosts. His arm remains tight around my waist, like he’s afraid I’ll disappear into thin air if he stops touching me.
Callie glares at him. “I still think you’re a dick. If you hurt my sister in any way, I’ll hunt you down and cut your balls off with a rusty butter knife.” Her tone softens. “As long as she’s happy, I’ll figure out a way to deal with you.”
Together, Cash and I watch them board the helicopter, lift into the air, and zoom into the distance.
“Now what?” I ask.
“I have no idea. I’ve never been dead before.” The tip of his nose traces the shell of my ear. Pleasant shivers run down my back.
“You tell me.” I take his face between my hands and kisses his cheeks, eyelids, and lips.
“I guess we have plenty of time to figure it out.” His arms tighten around my waist, like he’s never going to let me go.
“The way I see it, you owe me big time.” I rest my forehead against his. “So, what are we going to do about this, big guy?” I use the same words he uttered to me on our very first meeting.
His laugh rings across the water. “Why don’t you step into my cabin, and I’ll show you?”
Twenty-Nine
Jagger
One year later…
I flatten a hand over my forehead and