Page 97 of The Winning Ticket

I repeat the words continuously, and he kisses every part of my face and neck that he can reach while I hold him close, and he says them back in reply each time.

He steps back slightly, unhooking my legs, and I’m confused when he sets me back on the floor.

“As much as I want nothing more than to be buried deep inside you right now, I think we should pump the brakes on this tonight. We’ve had a big day full of a lot of emotions, and we’ve been drinking,” he says, and although I know he's right, I can’t help but pout, and he laughs. “I promise, if you have absolutely no regrets in the morning, I will spend the entire day worshipping every inch of this body.”

I sigh and sink into his embrace when he wraps his arms around me and pulls me close. “Fine, if you insist on being a gentleman.”

“Just for tonight, then I promise to be very ungentleman-like tomorrow if you want me.”

I step back and press my hand to his cheek. “I will never not want you, Jake Boyd. That is a promise.”

He leans forward to press a kiss on my forehead. “Good. Then we had better get some sleep so you can keep up with everything I plan to do with you tomorrow.”

After another moment in each other’s arms, Jake reaches around me to turn off the water before leading me out of the shower. Once we’re dried off and ready for bed, I head back into the bedroom, turning to see Jake leaning against the door frame, looking uncertain.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, I was just wondering if I should sleep in the other room tonight. I don’t want to put any pressure on you.”

I close the distance between us, standing before him and placing a hand over his heart. “Jake, get in bed. I might have had a few drinks tonight, but I can promise that I meant every word. I love you. I am in love with you. And I want to wake up beside you for the rest of my life.”

He holds my gaze for the longest moment before pulling me to him and kissing me deeply once again.

“You need to stop saying things like that, or I will never let you go,” he says once we come up for breath.

“Good. I’m never letting you go either.”

When I wake up, the sun is high in the sky, and I blink a few times, trying to adjust to the room's brightness.

Memories of last night come flooding back as I become aware of the arm wrapped around my waist and the warm body pressed against my back. I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face when I feel lips press against my neck, and I turn to find Jake looking down at me.

“Good morning, sleeping beauty,” he says, and my heart practically flutters at the heat behind his gaze.

“Good morning. How did you sleep?” I ask, stroking his cheek.

He leans into my hand, closing his eyes for a moment. “Better than I have all week. You?”

“Same.” I wait until he opens his eyes again, making sure he’s looking right at me so that he can see how genuine I am when I speak again. “I have no regrets, Jake. I meant every single word I said last night. I love you.”

There’s a sharp intake of breath, and then he crushes his mouth to mine, rolling on top of me and holding himself on his forearms while he begins kissing his way down my neck.

“I was hoping you’d say that.”

Several hours and multiple orgasms later, we finally emerge from the bedroom to rustle up a late lunch. Jake tells me about his conversation with his father, and I’m so proud of him for finally having the tough discussion that seems to have given him some peace.

“I also spent some time working out what I want to do with my house. Renovations and stuff. Would you want to help me?” He sounds so nervous, and I grin at him.

“I would love that.”

46

EPILOGUE - TWO MONTHS LATER

BRIANNA

“Bri, you home?”

I look up from my computer, hearing Jake’s footsteps approaching my office.

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