Page 91 of The Idiot

He’s still straddling my lap like he has no intention of going anywhere. I’m not happy I’m still strapped to this chair, but I like that he stayed put.

He has happiness in his chest when he thinks about me? He gets jealous? They’re all delightful things to hear, but is that enough?

“You had the girls kidnap me so you could tell me you’re happy?” I drawl, trying to sound annoyed.

Shrugging, he rubs his hands anxiously over my chest, making my skin turn to gooseflesh. “It’s my gesture.”

“Yourgesture?”

“Yeah, my big gesture, so you know that when I think about getting old, I think about you being there with me.Your beard is grayer, and you still look grumpy sometimes, but you’re there. And we hold hands and wave to people like two disgustingly happy old guys who love each other.Justeach other, not like sandwich makers.”

Did that gag cut off too much air to my brain? Am I hallucinating? Watching his pulse flicker in his neck and the bashful way his gaze keeps flickering off mine and back, I’m too terrified to believe this is all real.

“What are you saying?”

“That you’re stuck with me. You can run away, but I’ll always find you.” The confidence on his face that has my heart soaring falters, and he winces. “That sounded less creepy in my head.”

For weeks now, I’ve been telling myself that I was happier than I ever have been in my life. I wasn’t. It was all smoke and mirrors. We were in limbo, putting the cart before the horse. Right now, though, as a breathless laugh tumbles from my mouth, I am without a doubt the happiest I’ve ever been. Jesse wants to stalk me for the rest of my life in the healthiest way possible.

Smiling, he chews his lip and cards his fingers through my hair. “You’re my best friend, Murph. You always will be, and I love you for that, but… I love you in other ways, too. We can have both, right?”

I’m still going to kick his ass, but it’ll be for being too fucking sweet and making my dreams come true. “Untie me,” I rasp, trying to keep from choking up.

Grinning, his lips meet mine. Soft, sweet,loving. I feel it now. So much love.

Farther back in the room, I hear squealing and cheering from Cheri and Alexis. The damn spies. I’m too grateful forthem tackling me at my house and hauling me here to be annoyed, though.

When Jesse comes up for air, I chuckle and shift my shoulders. It’s a friendly reminder that I’m still bound and need his assistance.

Glancing down at me, he grins. “In a minute.”

The pervert. Shifting my hips, I manage to buck up into his groin. Waggling my brows, I add, “How about now?”

“Not until you tell me again.”

“Tell you what?”

“That you were right—that you’re crazy about the guy who loves you back.”

Damn it, I’m becoming a crybaby. Fresh tears are stinging my eyes again. I know he implied it already, but hearing it so boldly makes it all that much more real. Jesse loves me back.

“Yeah, I’m fucking crazy. I’m tied to a chair and don’t want to kick your ass for it.”

His cackle lights up my heart with joy. When he comes in to kiss me again, it occurs to me I don’t have to hold back anymore.

“And I love you,” I murmur against his lips.

“Good.” He beams. “We can probably take the cuffs with us. I doubt the girls will mind.”

A stream of daylight spills onto the floor next to us, accompanied by the sound of a creaking door. “What in Sam Hill is going on?” I hear Ralph call out behind me. “Are we doing amateur night again?”

“Nah, Ralph,” Jesse calls, rising from my lap. Tugging at his Speedo, he adjusts himself with an endearing lack of etiquette. “I’m retiring.”

CHAPTER 33

Jesse

“Aw, that’s so good. Don’t stop,” I groan, sprawled like a starfish on my mattress.

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