Page 74 of Recklessly in Love

“Thanks, Mia.”

“Don’t make me regret it.” And with that, she hangs up.

I can’t even be mad at her for protecting Joanie because it’s what I’ve been trying to do, too.

As soon as I have the address, I’m back in my truck, heading for Seattle once again. My mind races the whole drive, trying to decide what to say. It’s hard because I’m just guessing what’s going on with her. Is she angry with me for being gone so long? Hurt that I didn’t come back when she asked? Or is it something else entirely?

When I finally arrive at her condo, my nerves are completely shot. I take a deep breath and knock on her door.

It swings open, revealing a surprised Joanie. She looks tired, her usually bright eyes shadowed. But she’s still the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, and I want to wrap her in my arms. I hold back, though, to see where she’s at first.

“Greg,” she breathes. “I just tried to call you. Why didn’t you answer?” She steps back, and I cross the threshold with a sigh of relief as she closes the door behind me.

“I was driving back from Alpine Ridge. I went back because the thing with my father is over, Joanie. You know Sera bought out my ownership in the property, but her husband also worked a fucking miracle and got both your old law firm and my dad to destroy the fabricated evidence and issue a public retraction in case it went any further. I went back as soon as I could to tell you, but you were gone.”

Her brow furrows. “He did what? How? But wait … you’re not mad at me?”

I laugh at the backward question. “Why would I be mad?” I ask.

“I bailed on Alpine Ridge, on you. I knew you’d be back eventually. I just … God, I can’t believe it, but I freaked out and ran away from everything. The waiting and wondering was just … I couldn’t handle it anymore. So I thought I’d come home and just … breathe, I guess.” She buries her face in her hands. I gently pull them away and wrap my arms around her. She slides into my embrace.

I shake my head. “I could never be mad at you for needing space. I’m just sorry you felt like you had to leave in the first place.” I take her hands in mine. “Are you still upset with me?”

Joanie’s eyes fill with tears. “I was never upset with you. Your dad and my former bosses? Hell yes. But mostly, I just missed you so much. Phone calls weren’t enough anymore. And then Mia and Nate set a wedding date, and the petition signatures were stolen —”

“Holy shit,” I exclaim. I feel my anger rising, but I try to push it down. That can wait. First, I need to make sure Joanie and I are okay because that’s much more important. I shake my head, shaking it off. “That’s awful, but we can deal with it.” I cradle her face in my hands and look deep into her eyes. “What matters most is that I missed you like crazy, too. I don’t ever want to have to be away from you like that again.”

Joanie’s top teeth sink into her bottom lip. “Then don’t,” she replies. “I think I’m done here, Greg. I came back thinking I could get a handle on my emotions by plugging back into who I was. But I’m not the woman I was when I left. And I don’t want a job in Seattle, though it’s good to know I don’t have to worry about those bastards potentially sabotaging me. Either way, this isn’t who I am anymore. This isn’t where I want to be.”

My breath catches as I stare at her in disbelief. “You’re … are you serious?”

She looks at me with pleading eyes. “Yes. I left because Alpine Ridge didn’t feel right without you, but it turns out neither does Seattle. Actually, I think it really turns out that I don’t do so well being away from you. Who knew so much could change in a few months? But it has. I want to be with you, in the place you love … like, permanently. But if that’s too much, then I can —”

I cut her off with my lips on hers. Because like hell am I going to let her think I want it any other way.

I back her against the door and plunge my hands into her silky hair, tugging her head to the side so I can deepen the kiss. Her hands skate down my back to my ass, squeezing me closer. My cock swells as she rubs her hips against me.

I break away, panting. “It’s not too much. I want you to come live with me, too, Joanie. You’re sure? Really sure?” I have to ask because I just can’t believe it.

She nods. “That’s all I want.”

I can see the truth in her clear blue eyes. So many emotions swirl through me. I shake my head and let out a disbelieving laugh. This is really happening. “Guess I can’t call you ‘city girl’ anymore, then,” I murmur.

Joanie rubs me through my jeans. “Just call me yours, Greg. Only yours.”

My heart sings, and I need this woman. Now. I push into her hand, and she takes the cue, unbuttoning my jeans to free my cock. She makes to drop to her knees, but I grasp her by the arms and turn her around, roughly yanking her leggings to her knees before bending her forward until she’s pressed against the door, and I enter her from behind.

We fuck hard and fast and possessive. Her hand reaches back for mine. I hold on while we both work our hips together. Until she’s convulsing with bliss, and I’m spilling inside her. I lean onto her back, kissing her neck.

“I missed that too,” she says, breathing hard, her cheeks rosy.

I chuckle and straighten up, smacking her ass cheek. She yelps in surprise and grins at me. “Like that?” I tease as I pull out of her.

“Mhm,” she murmurs. “We can explore that later. First, shower.”

Once we’ve thoroughly cleaned ourselves, gotten dirty again under the water, and cleaned ourselves again, we get dressed and head back to the living room.

We settle onto the couch, and Joanie puts her legs in my lap. I stroke them gently, glad she’s relaxed and more herself again.

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