Page 93 of Seal of Approval

I stopped dead in my tracks. I couldn’t take my eyes off him as he stood there in a wide stance, hands in his pockets, watching me. Ethan. Here. He walked towards me—slow, determined, his eyes searching mine.

What the hell was I standing here for? I ran into his open arms and clung to him like he was a lifebuoy in the middle of a vast ocean. He held me tight and rested his head on mine. I squeezed him tighter. My throat clogged as tears wet my cheeks. He kissed the top of my head.

I withdrew and looked up into his face. His pink lips. His thick eyebrows. His smooth kissable skin was covered in short stubble. Tears spilled from his hazel eyes. He cupped my cheeks with both hands and wiped my tears with his thumbs. He brought his lips to mine. Salt from his tears, our tears, mixed. His kiss filled every part of me that was empty from his absence. He smiled before he even ended the kiss. When I looked up into his sparkling hazel eyes, I realised that the first day I’d seen them I’d been a goner. I hadn’t even known if he was single then, but somehow I’d been smitten.

“This is our home, Jasmine. I want to live here with you and Bailey and Rose.”

“But what about your career? You’ve worked so hard for it.”

His thumbs ran over my cheekbones. “Moving here doesn’t mean I have to give it up. It just means it will look different.”

“What do you mean?”

He swiped his lips over mine. “I can teach classes online. Two Australian universities have expressed interest. I can work with you as a ranger during tourist season and can conduct research for the National Park Service or the university when I’m free.”

“Is that even possible?”

“It is. I’ve already arranged it. They told me they’d been re-evaluating the resourcing here, and they were going to employ a full-time ranger, so me only working during tourist season suits them.”

They hadn’t told me that.

“What about your brother and grandparents?”

“They support me. I can still visit. They can visit.”

“Will it be enough for you?” I needed to hear the words. I needed to make sure this was what he wanted. I held my breath, waiting for the answer.

“You are enough for me. You are everything.” He released me and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a small box and opened it. “Jasmine, will you marry me?”

I stared at the ring. Silver. Swirls like ocean waves encircling a stone the colour of the bay. I pulled the ring out. On the inner surface, the words love is us were inscribed. I adored it as much as I adored him.

I handed the ring to Ethan who was studying me. Then I held out my hand. “Absolutely.”

He grinned as he slid the ring on my finger. “You had me worried.”

“You never need to be worried about my love for you. It’s as eternal as the ocean.” I flung my arms around his neck and kissed him. Then I took his hand and led him towards home. “We have two hours before the kids come home.”

“Good. We have months to make up for.”

As soon as we entered the door, Ethan spun me around to face him. He unzipped my jacket and peeled it off my shoulders. His hands following the sleeves left shivers along my skin. He started to undo the buttons of my shirt. This was taking too long. I slapped his hand away, grabbed the hem of my shirt and pulled it over my head. I made similar speed with my bra.

Before I could get any further, Ethan pulled me against him. His strong hands rested on my bare skin as his lips made their way across my collarbone to my neck. Tingles spread through me.

“I missed you so much,” he said.

I pulled away and stepped back, undoing my boots. Then I turned and undid my pants while I walked. “Are you coming?”

I glanced over my shoulder. Ethan was following, stripping as he walked. He caught up to me and wrapped his arm around my waist, slowing my pace. When we reached the bed, he stopped. One hand went to my breast, teasing it the way he loved to do. The way I loved him to do. I pushed myself against him. His hard dick pressed into me.

Ethan’s other hand made its way between my legs, his fingers rubbing and playing. My breath quickened. He kissed my neck. How was he so coordinated?

“You’re so wet.”

I moaned, opened my legs, and pushed myself against his hand.

“You want more?” he asked.

What was more? Fingers. Tongue. Dick. I wanted it all. I nodded.

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