Page 72 of Redemption

Iwoke to the scent of sea salt and wild roses. I smiled into Sloan’s neck. Heaven. That’s what this was.

When my alarm went off, I tried to silence it, only to realize it was Sloan’s and I was still in her cabin. In her bed. It felt like I was in a dream. As if we existed in this sacred space between the past and something I’d only ever imagined. I didn’t want to let it go. I didn’t want to let her go. Not now and not ever.

She’d said it was one night, but last night had only solidified what I already knew. I loved Sloan, and this trip was a gift. A chance to reconnect and heal after all these years apart. I was determined to use it as a springboard to a second chance.

Even now, in the cold morning light, I knew that, given the chance again, I’d choose Sloan over the promotion any day. Years ago, I’d prioritized my career, but it was what I’d needed at the time. I’d needed to prove myself. To redeem myself. Now, I knew the only thing I needed was her.

The love I felt for her overpowered everything, and I realized that trying to fight it had been as futile as trying to outrun a hurricane. I’d have to figure out what this meant for my place at Hudson, for my career. But I tried to have faith that it would all work out.

We’d also have to decide how to navigate the situation with my sister. Sloan’s family could be another potential obstacle. But I was getting ahead of myself. First, I had to make Sloan see that we belonged together.

Sloan turned off the alarm and moved as if to get up. I groaned and pulled her closer. “Don’t go.”

Sloan laughed, oblivious to the more serious turn my thoughts had taken. “C’mon, sleepyhead. We want to get an early start if we’re going to make it to Turks and Caicos tonight.”

Fuck Turks and Caicos.

“Or…” I flipped her onto her back, not ready to give this up. To give her up. “We could just stay here.”

“Jackson.” She smiled up at me, cupping my cheek. Gone was the sadness from last night, the heaviness of whatever emotions she’d been feeling. “We can’t stay here. We’re running low on food that isn’t canned beans.”

“You’d be surprised how creative I can get.” I waggled my brows.

She patted my cheek. “Oh, I know. But it’s time to get a move on. The staff at Turks and Caicos are expecting us, and I don’t want to have to navigate the channel at night. Do you?”

I groaned, flopping over onto my back and dropping my arm over my forehead. “You’re right.”

Sloan slipped out from beneath me. I grabbed her and hauled her back onto the mattress. “Surely—” I kissed her collarbone “—we have time—” I pushed her down and kissed the side of her breast “—for me to make you come—” a peck on her stomach “—first.”

I traced a finger over her breasts, teasing her nipples without actually touching them. She sighed, arching her back, encouraging me to continue even as she said, “It was only supposed to be one night.”

“Yeah,” I said in a teasing tone. “It was, but then you fell asleep on me.”

And I realized that I’m still in love with you.

She laughed. “After two rounds, can you blame me?”

“No.” I nuzzled her. “But I had plans for you. I think we could accommodate a slightly later departure time. Don’t you, Captain?” I teased, smoothing my hand up and down her thigh.

Her eyes darkened. “I suppose it could be arranged, Skipper,” she said with mock seriousness.

I scoffed, bracing myself above her. “Skipper? I’m definitely a first mate.”

“Mm,” she hummed, her eyes hooded as I slipped my hand between her legs. She was already slick with desire. “We’ll see.”

I knew she was teasing, but it only made me more determined to prove how indispensable I was. Not just on the boat, but in her life. I’d made the mistake of letting Sloan go once, and I vowed not to let it happen again.

The sun dipped lower in the sky, and I eyed its position nervously as we waited at the entrance to the channel markers. The approach to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, bristled with coral reefs that would shred the hull. The channel was marked—supposedly. It was rather poorly done, with scattered green and red markers that looked like the worst obstacle course ever.

I’d spent the day thinking about my decisions and my future, and I didn’t regret any of it. Yes, I’d worked hard for that promotion. And yes, it was disappointing to give it up after all my efforts. But I wasn’t as disappointed as I would’ve expected. If anything, I knew I’d gained so much more than I’d lost.

Did I hate that my decisions would have a negative impact on a friend? Of course. But I wasn’t naïve enough to think that I was irreplaceable. They would find someone else to take over the New York office. And I would find another job.

This wasn’t like when I’d been discharged from the SEALs. This was my choice, and I had connections, opportunities. I’d built a solid reputation in the private security industry. I had a network that I could lean on to find another job in this field or another.

Sloan scanned the water. “I sure hope our pilot arrives soon.”

We’d called ahead for the free piloting service, but it was getting late with still no sign of our pilot. Sloan was tired. Hell, I was tired. Neither of us had gotten enough sleep, and then we’d had a late start across the Caicos Passage, thanks to me.

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