Page 101 of Dangerous Pursuit

Before I can answer, he puts his hands on my waist to turn my body, guiding me off the walkway out of traffic. The minute his hands touch me, all thoughts vanish. I throw my arms around him the second we stop, tears already falling as I bask in the feeling I’ve missed so much.

All of my prepared statements fly out the window as I blurt the first things that come to mind. “Jackson, I’m so sorry for leaving you like that. I’m so sorry. I’ve missed you so much, it hurts.” My tears soak his shirt as he rubs my back up and down.

“Shhh. Mia, it’s okay. I know, sweetheart. My heart’s been empty without you.” His lips touch my head, and his hand comes to my cheek, wiping the tears.

“I can’t believe you’re here. Did you come to see Walker?” he asks, and it breaks my heart that he doesn’t think I’m here to see him, still thinking I’ve replaced him.

“No, I came to see you. To explain why I didn’t come back right away. I didn’t know, Jackson. I didn’t know anything. I’m so sorry.” I give up trying to talk through my tears.

“I know, Mia. It’s okay. Shhh. Walker told me.” He continues to caress my hair in slow strokes that calm me. “You don’t have to apologize. It’s not your fault, sweetheart. I’m the one who’s sorry.” I shake my head vehemently and am about to protest, but he stops me. “Why don’t we go home so we can talk.”

I nod against his chest and slowly pull away. He brings his hand to my other cheek and angles my head up. “Twenty-four hours ago, I didn’t think I’d ever see you again, and now you’re here. I’ve missed you so much, Mia. You have no idea how many times I’ve dreamed of holding you again.”

“I do because I’ve done the same. I love you, Jackson. I never stopped.” I couldn’t wait a second longer, needing him to know.

“God, hearing you say that is like waking up from a dream. My heart was made to love you, Mia.” He leans in to kiss me softly, pulling away too quickly. “Let’s go before I end up making a scene in the airport.”

My heart is full, bursting with happiness, and it feels like it’s bubbling out of me as we leave. Jackson’s arm is around me, holding me tight to his body as we walk. It seems unreal to be here. Knowing he waited for me seems too good to be true, and I’m scared I’m going to wake up any minute.

I stop abruptly when we make it outside and turn to Jackson. “Wait. Why were you here? Are you going somewhere?”

“Yeah, I was going to this little town in Maine to win back the love of my life. You distracted me.” His smile matches mine, and I see the happiness in his eyes. “Fuck making a scene.”

He cups my face as he leans down and takes my lips in a bruising kiss, months of tension pouring out of it, giving me affirmation that our hearts and minds are in the same place. It feels like hours pass before his phone dings, letting us know our Uber is here, forcing us to stop.

We talk the entire ride, catching up on our time apart and confessing our struggles at being separated. So much heartbreak could have been avoided if we’d spoken before I left. I’m still shocked at the sacrifice he made by putting his life on hold. He’s relieved that I hadn’t moved on like he’d thought and feels terrible about how long I suffered thinking he had.

When he got to the part about my dad, I wasn’t shocked and didn’t react as anticipated. The day my dad left was the day I knew he was a piece of crap. I didn’t need this experience to tell me that—it only confirmed it. Knowing he’d rather save his ass over his wife and daughter is nothing less than expected. We’re both pissed about the FBI keeping things from me and making Jackson believe something that wasn’t true. Knowing they almost stole this from us is maddening.

By the time we reach his front door, we’ve covered every detail, question, and uncertainty. Judging by our chemistry on the way here, it’s as if we were never apart. He didn’t let me go once, caressing me while I savored his touch.

A sense of calm sets in as I enter his condo. “Can you imagine if we passed without seeing each other? I’d be here, and you’d be there,” I muse.

He reaches for my hand and yanks me into him, making me squeal. Wrapping his arm around my waist, he holds me flush. “I’m done imagining anything when it comes to you. I need thereal thing. Everything I’ve imagined over the last nine months, I’m ready to make happen. The question is, are you?”

Oh hell yes.“Do you really need to ask? Maybe I wasn’t clear enough on the way over, but I was pretty sure—”

I don’t get a chance to finish before his mouth crashes to mine in another all-consuming kiss. I feel him hardening against me, and I’m putty in his hands. He fists my hair like he’s punishing me for his deprivation, pulling my head back as he devours my mouth. Wetness pools below as I whimper with need, feeling just as deprived.

“Fuck, I’ve missed you and your sassy little mouth. I’ve missed everything about you,” he tells me before lowering his lips to my neck, licking and biting along the way.

I reach for the top button of his shirt and work my way down until I can feel his chest, running my hands up and down, wanting more. His belt comes next before I undo his pants. I’m going insane with his hands on my breast while his mouth hits the spot that drives me wild. Leaning forward, I kiss his chest, wanting more from him. It’s been too long.

I begin to lower, kissing along the way, teasing his nipple and making him moan, filling me with a desire to pull more from him. Reaching the ground with my knees, I look up to find the sincerest expression of adoration, almost bringing me to tears. I want to please him, return some part of what we lost, and bring him enough pleasure to forget that I was ever gone.

I tug his pants down, and his engorged shaft springs free, begging to be touched. I wrap my hand around it, squeezing him tight. I’m desperate to get my mouth on him.

“Fuck, Mia. You have no idea how many times I’ve jerked off to this picture. I need you so fucking bad.”

My tongue gently licks the tip and then circles it before dipping into the tiny hole. His deep moans urge me for more, so I lick my lips and slowly take him in as I explore with my tongue.My hand continues to squeeze, moving in time with my mouth, and when I can take no more, I pull back just as slowly.

“Nothing holds a candle to the real thing. You feel so fucking good. I’ve missed my little girl’s mouth around my dick.”

My pussy clenches, and I moan around him, continuing my slow movements. I knew it was only a matter of time before I would feel his hand on my head, ready to set the pace, and I’m eager for his control.

“Are you still my filthy little girl, starving for my cum? You need this so… fucking… badly, don’t you, Mia?” His words are spoken in time with his thrusts, his hand pulling my hair, pushing, getting faster each time. There’s nothing to do but hold my mouth open as he slides in and out. My pussy is aching with need.

His other hand grabs my chin and holds it as he jerks his hips in and out while I’m immobile. He watches intently.

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