Page 30 of Something Borrowed

Love didn’t promise a happy ending, but he knew that it brought with it the opportunity for one. He wasn’t going to mess that up, no matter what it took and if it meant retiring after this tour of duty, he would without a second thought. There was plenty of good he could do here in New Orleans, if Adrianna wanted himhere.

“How much as she told to Kailey?”

“Assuming Kailey has blabbed it all to me, not much.” Jim took a drink of beer. “All I know is Kailey thinks you’re going to marryher.”

“Maybe one day I will, but certainly notnow.”

Jim shook his head, “It took me six years to propose to your sister, trust me, I get going slow. Though I know this guy at her station has shown interest and they’ve been on a few dates. Maybe don’t take six years.”

The idea that there was a somewhat relationship with another man set him on edge. Jealousy had never been a good color on him, and when it came to relationships, it was downright hideous onhim.

Walking toward the bar the girls went into it he was shocked at how many people lined the bar on a Wednesday night. When he’d left, Katrina had just hit and the town had been ghostly. He was happy to see it had picked back up, except for how difficult it made finding the girls. Lifting onto his toes he spotted Adrianna’s blonde hair swishing side-to-side as she danced with Kailey, both singing along to the music.

Parting people as he walked, he tapped Adrianna on the shoulder. “May I steal you?” He shouted over the noise, feeling his throat constrict with how much shouting he’d done in a few hours.

She smiled up at him, turned to Kailey and said something he couldn’t hear and then nodded at him. Like a barbarian, he took her hand and marched her out of the bar. He was having trouble thinking straight and he needed to calm down before he did something stupid.

“Where are we going?” Adrianna asked, shuffling to keep up with his quickpace.

“Side street,” he answered without looking ather.

Turning the corner a few steps later he was grateful the street was quiet. Lacing his fingers through her hair he tugged her closer to him, kissing her as soon as he could he reach her lips. He could feel the almost bruising force as he kissed her, but she didn’t seem to mind. She moved her lips against him eagerly, gasping for air when he tugged their bodies close together.

Not like this, don’t be that guy.The thought floated through his mind as he continued to pillage her mouth with his. It killed him to pull back, but he did. She looked up at him, lips puffy and hair amess.

“You can tug me out of anywhere except work to do that anytime.”

He smiled, feeling some of his jealousy fading away. “There was something I didn’t want to wait to talk to you about, though it wasn’t inspired by the right thing.”

“I don’t follow.”

He blew out a breath, too far along to stop the process. “This isn’t the right time, or the right place, but I find myself unable to turn back. I love you, Adrianna. I don’t care that it happened too quick, or how many hurdles we will have along the way. I am in love with you and that is all that matters tome.”

She stared at him, eyes gazing intently into his for what felt like eternity. He could feel the slight sheen of sweat building up on his palm with every second that ticked by in silence. She never took her eyes off his, never gave away anything in her expression.

“Adrianna?”

“I love you too, Jaxon.”

The words seemed to tumble out, something of a shock even to her, but he didn’t care. “Say it one more time, I said it twice afterall.”

Laughing, she leaned up and kissed him again. “I love you too, you big idiot. I didn’t realize it until you said it, but there’s no denying what I feel for you. It’s not falling in love, it is love. I want to wake up as many days as we can by each other’s side. I want to figure out how we can make this work, without either of us giving up a part of ourselves.”

“I’d give up the Marines for you, Adrianna. In a heartbeat once my period isup.”

She put her hand on his face, some of the cold form holding the frozen drink still present. “You’re not giving that up. If anyone gives up anything in the future, it’s me and reporting. I would much rather you keep doing the job that has turned you into the man I feel in lovewith.”

“I’d argue with you, but there is something I’d like to do much more.” He pulled out his cell phone. “Text Kailey and tell her we are taking an Uber home. I’ll grab us that damned service.”

She flushed, but didn’t hesitate to pull out her phone. He watched as her fingers flew over the screen about a hundred times faster than he made the reservation for the Uber driver.

“Does what you’re planning on doing to me have anything to do with me screaming?” She asked, running her hand over his crotch.

He bit the inside of his cheek. “That’s the second time you’ve fondled me in the street – one day I’m going to say fuck decency and take you against a building.”

She whimpered, clearly interested in the idea and he felt his cock twinge with need. He slipped his hand into hers and squeezed. “That blasted car better come quick.”

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