Page 49 of Hooked on a Feeling

Hope lit up in his chest. She was considering staying in Emerald Port. “I’d do everything in my power to make sure you got over your motion sickness on My Way.”

She laughed and playfully tapped his chest. “I’m serious.”

“I’m serious too. But aside from that, I’d devote my life to making you happy. I’ve never shared love like this with someone. Where I go to sleep thinking about you and wake up thinking about you and where my entire world revolves around you.” He gripped the back of her neck gently.

“The universe has aligned everything perfectly. From getting me back to Emerald Port to meeting you to Deanne being able to hire Timmy to fix the slips so quickly with zero cost to me. With Albert and the trust. I didn’t plan to fall in love during the short time I was going to be here. But I did. And I don’t want to leave. I love being here. I love the marina. I love you.”

He tilted his head to the sky. “Thank fuck.” He picked her up and spun her around. “I love you. What about your business?”

She shrugged. “I’ll figure something out. Plus, I really like your idea of water yoga on the paddleboards.”

He let out a whoop of joy because his chest was so freaking full that he didn’t know what else to do with all of the emotions. “My mom is going to invite you to Sunday dinner.” He set her down. “And she’s happy about it.”

“She is?”

“Oh yeah. We have a plan. I’m going to get my job back at Blue, and then we’re going to oust my father.”

She gave him a doubtful look. “How are you going to do that?”

“She’s working on the details as we speak. But she’s going to plan and book that month-long trip to Africa, and once I have my job back, we’re going to trick him and send him on the trip.”

“How are you going to get your job back?”

“That’s the worst part. I have to apologize to my dad. Grovel. Plead. Agree with anything he says.” He choked on the words. “I have to take one for the team.”

“Yeah. Team Mom. Go, Rose.” She smoothed a hand down his chest. “You are the perfect son and the perfect man.”

“I wouldn’t go that far. I just got into trouble with the law a few days ago.”

“For being a real man and not allowing another guy to treat a lady like crap.”

“I like how you look at me like I’m a hero for that.”

“I have your back, John. Maybe that was a little bit unorthodox, but either way, I’m here for it. I’m here for you.” She moved her hand down even farther, past his belt. “I’m here for a lot of things when it comes to you.”

“Oh yeah?” he teased. “Why don’t you show me exactly what you’re here for.” He smiled, making sure to bare his teeth, and added, “With your mouth.”

His talk was rough, but the way her eyes lit up suggested she liked it. “Lucky for you, I don’t have to be asked twice.”

She slid open the patio door and dragged him along by his wrist into her bedroom. She made quick work of his jeans and lifted his shirt up his chest, and he finished pulling it off. “This is me paying you back for that night you put me on video and didn’t do anything to relieve yourself.”

She dropped to her knees, looped her fingers into his belt buckle, and shimmied his shorts down his hips, where they pooled at his feet. Instead of freeing him from his briefs, Starr gripped his dick through the fabric and squeezed him. She used her fingertips to outline the head. His dick throbbed while he watched her be so enamored with him.

She pulled his briefs down, and his cock bobbed against her cheek, making her laugh. “So ready for me.” She glanced up from beneath her eyelashes.

His heart caught in his throat.

Fuck this.

He hauled her up off the floor despite her resistance and threw her on the bed. He kicked off his clothes and leaned over her.

“What are you doing?” she squealed. “This is supposed to be about you.”

“Making love to you.” He locked her head in place with his hands and memorized all the colors swirling in her eyes. Her long lashes. The beauty mark beneath her eye. “This is about us.”

He pressed his mouth against her lips and slowly devoured her. He went at an exacting pace, being sure to savor every inch of her sweet skin. He let his guard down—as if he hadn’t already, but this time, it was different. She was going to stay, and the two of them could build a life together. Raise a family. She could run her own business, and he could help her when she needed it. “Spread your legs open.”

She did as he asked, and he used his thumb to trail down her lips, using her wetness to coat her and make her glisten.

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