Page 77 of Forever Wild

Looking into the face that I’ve come to know, to adore, so much, I smile back, saying softly, “I love you too.”

His eyes flare before he presses his lips to mine in a deep kiss. The world around us seems to disappear, leaving only the two of us standing there on the bustling sidewalk. It’s a kiss filled with intensity, a silent affirmation of the connection that has grown between us.

As our tongues slowly untangle and our mouths finally break apart, Jameson keeps his forehead pressed against mine, his breath coming out in warm puffs against my lips. “I’ve never felt like this about anyone, Bryn,” he whispers, his voice tinged with a mix of vulnerability and adoration.

I search his face, seeing the truth in his words. “I haven’t either,” I admit, my heart swelling with the honesty of the moment. Jameson has brought a depth of emotion into my life that I never knew was possible, and I can’t imagine a future without him by my side.

He smiles, a genuine, heartwarming smile that makes my knees go weak. “We’re doing this, then,” he says, his fingers brushing through my hair. “I don’t say those words lightly. I want you. I want us. I know it’s too soon to talk about forever, but I need you to know that’s where I see this going.”

“You see this as forever?” I ask, somewhat afraid to know his answer. I know I love him, but talking about forever? It’s too soon. I was together with Peter for three years, and we only said we loved each other the last year we were dating. But I do love Jameo. I’m sure about that. But loving someone isn’t the same as marrying them. As committing to them for the rest of my life. It’s too fast. Right?

He takes in my face, the uncertainty that I must be doing a poor job of hiding, and his beautiful smile drops, just a little. “Yeah, I do. Bryn, you are the most interesting woman I’ve ever been with. Every time you talk, I want to get out a pen and take notes. I’m enthralled by the way your mind works. You are strong and sassy and unbelievably sexy. You make me want to be a better man just so I can deserve to be with a woman like you. I want you to be my everything.” He runs his thumb along my cheek again, calming me with his body and his words. “But I also know that you’re not—we’re not there yet. I know this is still fresh and maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned forever, but that’s how I feel. And when have either of us ever held back what we truly think or feel?” I chuckle at that as he continues, “So I’m not going to be sorry for it or start censoring myself. But I will wait.”

He kisses my brow and offers me a tentative kiss. “I promise there is no ring in my pocket that I’m about to spring on you, but there is also no doubt in my mind that one day I will be down on my knee asking you to make me the happiest man in the world.”

Running my thumbs under my eyes to catch the tears that sprang free at the beauty of his words, I smile a watery smile, grateful for how well he knows me. That, even if I’m uncertain, he can be confident enough for the both of us.

“Thank you. That’s...I appreciate it, Jameo. And I love you even more for being willing to believe enough for the both of us.”

I want to tell him that, despite his best efforts, I may not be good enough to fit into his life, good enough for him to want me on my bad days, the days when my hair isn’t washed and I’m in the same sweats I wore yesterday. He’ll figure it out eventually, just like everyone else has, and then he’ll move on. At least this way, if I keep silent, I’ll get a few more months, maybe even a year or two, of loving him. So I fall back on my handy-dandy self-defense mechanism, using humor to avoid deep conversations. “But the dick that I met on that fateful day on the golf course? He would’ve definitely scowled at you and threatened to kick your ass for saying something so sappy.”

“Yeah, well, that guy thought he was nursing a broken heart, so he didn’t have much sympathy for sappiness.” He glances down, thinking, before starting again in a quiet voice, “Turns out, it might’ve been a bruised ego more than a broken heart. Plus, deep down inside, even that dick was looking for someone to love him.”

I grin, thinking of that fateful encounter at Wild Bluffs Country Club. “Well, it’s a good thing we both have a penchant for wild roughs and clearly marked balls, then, isn’t it?”

He nods in agreement, saying, “Who knew such a shitty string of bad shots could lead to something so wonderful?”

And with that, I tug on his hand, anxious to get back to our hotel. The lady at the front desk frowns as Jameson all but drags me through the lobby, my wink and wave only pulling the scowl deeper.

The door to the hotel elevator barely closes before Jameson’s mouth is on mine, his hands taunting me as they run up and down the sides of my waist, tickling the sensitive skin there.

Once we’re back in the privacy of our room, Jameson pulls me into his arms, his lips capturing mine in a slow, lingering kiss. It’s a kiss that speaks of longing and desire, a promise of what’s to come. Our hands roam each other’s bodies, his finding and exploring every sensitive place on my body, the ones that have been begging for his attention since I saw him last.

Jameson’s touch is electric, setting my skin ablaze with sensation. He kisses a trail down my neck, leaving a trail of fire in his wake. I arch into him, my fingers tracing the contours of his muscular back, reveling in the warmth of his skin against mine.

As we move to the bed, Jameson’s eyes never leave mine, filled with a hunger that matches my own. We sink into the soft sheets, our bodies entwined in a dance of desire and need. The world outside disappears, leaving only the two of us.

Our entwining is slow and deliberate, each pump of his hips a slow agony I never want to end. Every touch, every kiss, every whispered word is a declaration of our love for each other. The room is filled with the sound of our sighs and moans, a symphony of passion that would’ve made me blush a few short months ago.

“I love you, B.”

It’s so soft, I’m not sure I would’ve heard it if his mouth hadn’t been hovering over my ear, but the tender, hopeful way he says it breaks down all my barriers, filling my heart with nothing but love for him.

Jameson’s lips find mine once more as we move together, our bodies becoming one in a slow, sensual rhythm.

As we reach the pinnacle of our pleasure, our bodies tremble together, and I’m overwhelmed by the depth of our connection. Jameson’s whispered words of love in my ear send me over the edge, and I cling to him, lost in the ecstasy of my release.

Afterwards, we lie in each other’s arms, our bodies tangled together in the aftermath of our lovemaking. It’s a contented silence that speaks volumes.

Jameson leans down to place a gentle kiss on my forehead, his fingers tracing lazy circles on my back. “I meant what I said earlier, Bryn,” he murmurs, his voice filled with sincerity. “I love you more than anything.”

I smile, my heart overflowing with love for the man beside me. “And I love you, Jameson, more than I ever thought possible.”

In that moment, my ear above his slowly pounding heart and my hand softly tracing the grooves of his abs, I realize that I’ve finally found what I’ve been looking for—someone who will love me for me, no changes necessary.

As we drift off to sleep, his strong arms keeping me warm, I know I will forever be wild about this man.

Chapter forty

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