Page 84 of About Last Knight

Brody comes over to the side of the pool. “Hi, I’m Harley’s husband, Brody. She just told me the good news. It’s nice to meet you.” He smiles as he sticks out his hand to shake’s Declan’s.

Declan glares at him, clearly not liking how he attacked Harley. He walks over to the side, grabs Brody’s hand, and pulls him into the pool fully clothed.

Brody pops up with a shocked look on his face. Declan smiles at him. “Watch how you treat my niece.”

I shake my head. All of the kids are hysterically laughing. I see Darian smirking.

At some point during the afternoon, while Declan’s in the pool with everyone and I’m on a chaise lounge, Jackson walks over and sits next to me.

I keep my eyes closed as I enjoy the sun, but can’t help my smile. “I’m surprised it took you this long to come talk to me.”

He lets out a small laugh. “It’s the first time his hands haven’t been fused to your body the whole day.”

Now it’s my turn to laugh. “Hello, pot. Meet the kettle. It’s also black.” I turn and smirk at him. He smiles in return. “It doesn’t bother you, does it? That would bemightyhypocritical of you, Jackson Knight.” I can’t help my teasing tone.

“If it’s what you want and he makes you happy, it doesn’t bother me in the slightest. It’s just…weird to see you like this with someone. It seems so out of character for you.”

I bring my feet to the ground so that I’m now facing him. I look into the emerald-green eyes that I stared into for so many years. “Jackson, you weren’t a touchy-feely man until Darian. Until you met the right person for you. The one you wanted to touchallthe time. Why can’t the same be true for me?”

“Is he the right person for you? That’s how you feel?”

“Have you met a single man I’ve dated in the nearly ten years we’ve been divorced?”

He shakes his head.

“Don’t you think it means something that I brought him here today?”

He nods.

“Right.”

He pauses for a moment as if choosing his words carefully. “It was only six weeks ago that you showed up at my door a complete mess asking questions about our marriage and love. It’s all changed in such a short period of time?”

“Wasn’t it you that night who told me that your deep attraction to Darian was instantaneous? You knew right away she was the one. I think your precise words were that it was a shock to your system.”

“It was, but…”

“There is no but, except that maybe you need to butt out. I don’t owe you an explanation of my feelings for my boyfriend.” I’m getting mad. I’m not sure why he’s all of a sudden in my business.

He holds up his hands. “Okay, relax. I just worry. You’ve been out of sorts for the past few months, and he obviously has a lot of baggage. I’m just making sure you’re okay. Your happiness is important to me. I know I didn’t make you happy.”

I sigh. “I’m sorry. I appreciate that you care and want me to be happy. I care about you too, and I’m thrilled that you’re happy. I really am. Now I need you to just be happy for me too. I know Declan’s different. Honestly, Jackson, I like that he’s not a perfect package. You were a perfect package and look at what happened to us. You seemed to understand before I did that I’m attracted to men with a little edge. Maybe even a little less than perfect. He constantly pushes me out of my comfort zone. He keeps me on my toes. I didn’t realize how much I needed those things until I found them with him.”

“Fair enough.” He grabs my hand. “Melissa, you’re my friend and the mother of my children. I don’t want to see you hurting. I hate how unhappy you’ve been. If you’re happy, then that’s the end of this conversation.” He gives me a small smile. “Even if it’s with a man that gave you a hickey in my house.” He smiles as he nods toward my neck.

We both laugh. I put my hand on my neck. “Well, I suppose he’s also a little possessive.”

As if sensing my words and the fact that another man is touching me, big, wet arms suddenly circle me and then lift me. I screech out as he sits in my lounge chair and pulls me tight between his legs, not remotely caring that he’s dripping water all over me or that he’s rudely pulled me from my conversation with Jackson.

Jackson smiles at me as he stands. “Can I get either of you anything?”

“You cannot…” I pinch Declan’s leg knowing what’s about to come out of his mouth. “…possibly get us anything more. Thank you for having us.” I can’t see him, but I know Declan’s smile is anything but authentic.

“Our pleasure.”

I look up at him before he turns to leave. “Jackson, do you remember Craig’s son, Lance?”

“Yes. I haven’t seen him since he was a little boy. He must be all grown up.”

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