Page 19 of Redemption

I shook my head. There was never anyone but you.

I might not have been a saint in our years apart, but I’d never given my heart to anyone else. How could I when Sloan had always owned it?

CHAPTER FIVE

Brooklyn tugged on my arm. “Auntie Sloan?”

I forced a smile, turning my attention from the view and thoughts of Jackson. He’d left the suite after we’d finalized our plans, but his presence lingered. His scent—he even wore the same damn scent, the cologne I’d given him for his twenty-ninth birthday. It was indelibly linked to him in my mind. A mixture of something spicy, sensual, forbidden, and purely Jackson.

“What’s up?” I asked.

She peered up at me, her eyes full of concern. “Are you okay?”

“Of course.” I wrapped my arm around her shoulder. I didn’t know how long I’d been standing there, thinking of the past and debating my future. “I’m sorry. I’m just…thinking about my trip.”

“Are you excited?” she asked.

Was I excited?

I wasn’t sure what I was. I wasn’t sure the myriad of emotions I was feeling could be so easily categorized. But I didn’t want to worry Brooklyn. So I said, “I’m excited to be able to take such a long sailing trip.”

“I’m going to miss you.” She gave me a squeeze.

I squeezed her back. “I’m going to miss you too.”

She hugged me extra tight, not letting go. “Hey,” I said in a calming tone. “Everything okay?”

She nodded, but her face was buried in my chest.

“Brooklyn?” I placed my hands on her shoulders, peering into her face. “What’s going on?”

“I just…” She pulled back and let out a shaky exhale. “That’s a long time for you to be on a boat. And what about hurricane season and bad weather and…”

“Sweetheart.” I smoothed her hair away from her face, eager to assuage her fears. “It’s not hurricane season yet. And I go sailing every year.”

“Not like this. Not crossing an ocean.”

“True,” I agreed. “But I have before. Before you were born. And I’m an experienced sailor. Besides—” I ruffled her hair “—I won’t be alone.”

She let out a sigh of relief. “I’m so glad Jackson’s going with you.”

I hadn’t realized how concerned she was for me. How concerned all my family was for my safety. And I found her faith in Jackson…sweet. There’d been a time when I’d had that kind of faith in Jackson. When I’d felt safe because I knew he’d never let anyone hurt me.

I was leaving the restaurant late one night after my shift had ended when someone tapped me on the shoulder. I jumped, letting out a shriek.

“Sloan?” Jackson asked. “You okay?”

I turned to face him, my heart racing. “I…” I breathed out. “Yeah. Yeah.” I was still trying to catch my breath, so I flashed him a bright smile instead.

He tilted his head, his gaze assessing. “Where are you headed?”

“Home. I just got off from work. Why?”

Jackson scanned the street. “I’ll walk with you,” he said, and for a brief flicker of a moment, I wondered if he’d planned this. If he’d come here just to see me. He knew where I worked. He knew from our texts earlier in the day that I’d had a shift tonight. I nearly laughed at myself. The idea was ridiculous.

Still…there was something between us. Could he feel it too? This connection?

“What?” he asked, and I realized I had yet to respond.

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