Page 18 of Big Bold Gambler

I don’t know what the future holds, especially with everything I’ve learned today. But I do know one thing for sure. It’s not going to be easy, but I can handle it. And as long as I have the people I care about by my side, I’ll fight like hell to make sure it’s worth it.

Epilogue

Maxwell

One Year Later

I wasn’t expecting things to play out the way that they did over the past year, but Jeannie continues to surprise me. I had been considering telling her to come live with me, but I didn’t know how she’d take it. I realize now that the poor girl has never had any kind of independence. I was sure she wouldn’t want to come from one man’s house to another, but that wasn’t her main concern.

It took a little bit of needling, but I was able to get her favorite food out of her. We had to drive to the next town over to get it. I didn’t mind, though. It was worth it for the smile on her face when I brought out our to-go orders that we ate in my car.

Now, we’re at my house. No –ourhouse. And she’s exploring on her own. It was my idea. I need her to be comfortable here, to feel like she has access to whatever parts of this house that she wants. Plus, without me watching over her, she’ll be able to make her own decision about which one of the spare bedrooms she’d like to turn into her studio.

While I wait for her in the living room, I stare at the screen of my phone waiting for a text from her dad to come through. Sincethey had their heart to heart after ending Gorshkov, he’s been reluctantly supportive of her relationship with me. But, I know he’s going to be bothering me the next few days as he adjusts to her officially being out of the house.

“I think the corner bedroom would be the best for the studio,” Jeannie says as she joins me in the living room, pulling me out of my thoughts. “There’s tons of natural light in there.”

“Then I’ll work on getting it cleared out,” I reply, happy she’s here to distract me from my worries.

I don’t know how to explain it, but when she’s around, I feel like anything’s possible. Her presence makes me feel even more invincible than I felt when I was running around with the mob in my twenties. She’s the best balm for nerves, and I know with time she’ll be the best good luck charm I’ve ever had.

She crosses the room and flops down onto the couch next to me, our thighs pressed together. Her warmth is pleasant, nearly intoxicating. I wrap my arm around her and draw her in even closer.

“So, what do you want to do now that you’re settled in?” I ask, pressing a kiss to the side of her head. “Maybe we could watch a movie?”

“I was actually thinking that we could do something else,” she says, turning her head to face me properly.

“Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?” I ask, quirking an eyebrow and leaning down to brush our noses together.

“I might be,” Jeannie replies, letting her eyes fall closed. “It depends on whatyou’rethinking.”

“Maybe this?” I murmur before I capture her lips in a querying kiss.

“Something like that,” she says as she leans in for another kiss.

I take the initiative and cup her face, changing the angle so I have better access. Softly, I swipe my tongue along her bottom lip. Even when she opens up to me, I keep my touches light and teasing.

Jeannie groans, clearly frustrated that I’m not giving her exactly what she wants. I smirk into her mouth, enjoying her desperation far more than I have any right to. It’s gratifying knowing that she wants me this badly.

“Come on, Maxwell,” she whines against my mouth, grabbing onto my shoulders and yanking on me. “Please.”

“I thought this is what you wanted,” I reply, backing away and earning myself the cutest pout from Jeannie. “Is it not?”

“I want more,” she says.

“You’re going to have to be more specific than that, sweetheart,” I say, stroking her cheek gently. “I can’t give you what you want if you don’t tell me.”

“I want–I want you to fuck me,” she says, her face getting warm under my palm. The blush spreads all the way down her neck, and I’m sure it reaches her chest.

“Gladly,” I say as I’m leaning back in to kiss her properly this time.

She sighs into my mouth, opening up for me beautifully. I slide my tongue into the softness. The tip of her tongue brushesagainst mine gently, almost hesitantly. My cock pulses between my legs at her shyness. Even though she wants this, even though we’ve had sex before, she’s still not completely confident in her movements. I think I might miss it when she gets her footing.

While we kiss, I let my hands drift down over her body. I graze my palms over her shoulders, squeezing gently and enjoying the softness of her form. When I’m satisfied there, I move onto her clavicle, dancing my fingertips along it, causing Jeannie to gasp.

She’s so receptive to my touch. Her sensitivity is delicious. I don’t think I’ve ever been with someone that reacts like this. I feel like I must have hit the jackpot with her.

When I shift my hands to her breasts, she whimpers and presses herself even harder into my palm. I chuckle darkly, grasping the swell harder. It isn’t enough, though. I need to feel her bare skin.

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