Page 140 of Fluke
Love is the exhilaration and euphoria I feel when Jess touches me. It’s the adoration and warmth that flows through my veins when our eyes meet. It’s the safety, the power that he gives me by just being him—and by letting me be me.
EPILOGUE: JESS
“Did you like that?” I ask Pippa, pulling her onto my chest.
She laughs, pulling her sundress down, and smiles. “Did it feel like I liked that?”
“It tasted like you did too.”
The past week has been amazing—perfect even. We have most of her things moved in. I offered to keep her apartment and pay the rent for her so she could have a place if she needed space. But she refused, canceled the contract, and had her stuff in boxes within twenty-four hours.
She’s the one now attacking me as soon as I get home from work for dinner, sex, and then a hike or walk on the beach. Although it’s not always in that order. There’s usually a bubble bath in there somewhere too. But the best part of the day is going to bed with this woman. Holding her, listening to her breaths as she sleeps, knowing that she feels safe and loved.
Knowing she’s here with me—safe and loved.
There was a wedding magazine on the coffee table this morning. When I saw it, Pippa smiled and said it must’ve been Brooke’s. And maybe it was. But I’m not asking her to marry me—not for real—until she tells me that’s what she wants.
Pippa is learning the realities of life with a large family … who frequently message, unexpectedly drop in, and check to see how she’s adjusting to the Carmichael madness. I’m learning too, though. This woman has meant so much to me for so long that I’m determined to get this right. I’m attempting to go slow and be calm … and learning that maybe I’m more like my mom and Banks than I thought.
I’ll never say that out loud.
“Are you happy?” she asks me, drawing a circle on my chest.
“Infinitely. Are you happy?”
“Yes.” She smiles. “This feels really good, you know—and not just what you just did to me.”
I chuckle.
“I didn’t realize life could feel like this,” she says. “I don’t have to give up my peace to have companionship. Who knew they could go together? Except we’re going to have to get rid of the bracelets. I see what your mom meant. It’s nice but … not.”
I plant a wet, loud kiss on her lips, making her giggle.
“What do you want to do today?” I ask.
She hums. “Maybe we could—”
“Are you guys home?” Banks yells.
Pippa and I groan.
“Oh, there you are,” he says, stopping in the doorway. “Why are you on the living room floor?”
“Do you have a reason to be here?” I ask.
He studies us for a moment and then shakes his head. “Yes. I need paper and a pen.”
Pippa hides her face in the crook of my arm and laughs.
“You walked into my house for that?” he asks.
“I’m sorry. I forgot to knock. Want me to go out and come back in?”
I want to argue with him or, at the very least, point out his ridiculousness. But that will take time, and I don’t need him here any longer than necessary.
“Two things,” I say. “First, Maddox’s house is closer. Go there next time.”
“They lock their doors.”
