Page 102 of Redemption

I didn’t know what the future held, but I wanted Jackson to be a part of mine.

He blinked a few times, and I smiled back at him. He cupped my face, his eyes full of adoration. I leaned in to kiss him, and his lips curved against mine. This kiss was a homecoming and a revelation. A second chance and a new beginning.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Sloan and I had kissed countless times, and yet this one felt different. It wasn’t the stolen kisses of our youth or the bittersweet ones. Nor was it quite like our recent kisses—passionate and full of longing and regret. This kiss was a fresh start.

Hearing her say those words—that she loved me—was a precious gift. I pulled Sloan even closer, loving the feel of her in my arms. She loved me. Trusted me. I vowed not to fuck this up.

I tugged her onto my lap, my cock slipping against the slick, wet material of her swimsuit. She felt so good. Too good. It would be so easy to pull the material aside and slide into her. She wanted it, and so did I.

But I was also determined to do things right this time. No more sneaking around. No more secrets from family and friends. Until everything was settled with my sister and Hudson, this was the way it had to be.

I was lucky Vaughn hadn’t fired me on the spot when I’d told him I’d slept with the principal. I’d gotten the feeling he was tempted to, but I was thankful he’d only threatened it. He was trusting me, counting on me, and I’d promised him it wouldn’t happen again. He wasn’t just my boss; he was my friend and mentor. And he’d done so much for me that I felt like I owed him this.

But Sloan was the woman I loved, and she loved me. I still couldn’t believe it. Even after everything, she loved me.

I was ready to say fuck it, fuck the rules. But Sloan stilled her movements. I rested my forehead against hers, her breath coasting over my lips, my restraint being tested like never before.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “Sorry.” She moved to leave. “I lost control. I shouldn’t have—” She shook her head. “I’m going to shower and change for bed.”

Wait. What?

Was this part of her plan to torture me? Because fuck, that swimsuit had made me nearly lose my goddamn mind. Even now, I was still obsessed with it. With her. She was so fucking… I bit my knuckles to stifle a groan.

Sloan stepped out of the hot tub and headed for the outdoor shower. “I’m going to go rinse off.”

I followed her with my eyes, unable to look away. She turned on the water and stepped beneath the spray, and it was over. The water cascaded down her skin, the white material clinging to her body. It was the hottest thing I’d ever seen.

Without thinking, I bolted from the hot tub and went to her.

“Jackson, wh?—”

I removed the detachable showerhead from the hook and turned down the temperature. “Is this okay?” I sprayed water on her stomach to let her get used to the temperature.

She nodded, her expression full of tentative hope. “What are you…?”

I glanced around for something for her to rest her foot on. There was a stool nearby with towels on it. I grabbed it and tossed the towels aside. “Foot,” I grunted. “Here.”

She did as I asked, and then I shifted the spray to her clit. She let out a sound of pleasure, her legs shaking. “Yes,” she hissed, and I kept adjusting my angle to maximize her pleasure. “Yes, Jackson.”

I was definitely skirting the rules, but I wasn’t breaking them. I wasn’t touching her. At least, not directly.

With my free hand, I palmed my cock, stroking myself to the sight of her. To the sounds she made. Fuck, she was something.

And she loved me.

“Do you have any idea how sexy you are?” I asked, watching her thrust her hips. She wanted more, and I did too. The idea of sinking into Sloan as she said “I love you” nearly sent me over the edge. But I wouldn’t come, not until she did first.

“Play with your tits,” I said, knowing how much she liked nipple play. God, I couldn’t wait to touch her again. To put my mouth on her.

Soon, I vowed.

She complied, running her hands over her breasts. Pinching her nipples. Arching her back and moaning my name as she convulsed.

I sped up my pace, gripping my cock tighter until I painted her stomach with ropes of come, feeling both satisfied and yet not. It wasn’t the same, but it would have to be enough for now.

Sloan placed her hands on her thighs, bending forward to catch her breath. She lifted her head, and we shared a secret smile.

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