Page 116 of The Wanted One

Lucy nudged me in the side, her way of telling me to put myself out there and mingle again. But I needed a few more seconds of “introvert time” after having done meet and greets with the over forty people at the party. Despite the backyard bustling with strangers, they’d all done their best to make me feel like anything but that. More like family.

I’d lost track of names quickly. Not only were Jack’s teammates there, except Griffin and his wife since their baby was just born early (and thankfully, healthy), but there were also a bunch of Navy SEALs at the party along with their spouses and kids. Including the President’s son Gwen had mentioned on the plane last month.

But that wasn’t the only wild meeting at the party. The funny Southerner from Alabama who took over as DJ for the party, flooding the speakers with country music, was married to a woman who had once been an FBI agent. It should have made things super awkward given my past, but as it turned out, we had a lot in common. Ana’s parents were criminals, and she’d once been wanted by the Feds, too.

“I need a cheat sheet for the next party with everyone’s names and photos,” Lucy said, reading my thoughts.

“Ditto.”

Another elbow from her as she asked, “Soooo, do you think you’ll move out of our new apartment to live with Jack since you’ve been sleeping there every night?”

I set my sights on Jack as he twirled Wyatt’s younger daughter, Emory, around. I frowned as I spotted him wince when he tried to dip her. Stubborn—yet, oh so amazing. And his shoulder was probably bothering him again. “Um, we haven’t talked about moving in together,” I finally answered as Wyatt took Emory from Jack. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who saw the wince.

I was pretty sure Wyatt was almost as intimidating as Carter. Not that he’d been rude or unkind to me, but the daggers he’d shot Carter earlier while lecturing him about what he’d heard “happened” at the reality show . . . I’d even felt the heat, and he hadn’t been looking at me.

Carter had remained quiet but seemingly unfazed as Wyatt did the fatherly thing dads loved to do, embarrassing the hell out of Gwen.

“It was innocent,” Gwen had said, looking a little flustered. “And just work.” Something in Gwen’s eyes had told me another story, but she’d arrived with a date—a professional racecar driver, who also seemed to give Wyatt chest pain. So, I assumed she left whatever feelings she may have harbored for Carter back in South America.

“Well, I’m sure Jack will ask you to move in soon,” Lucy spoke up a few seconds later, and I followed the direction her attention was focused. On my guy. “The man can barely handle being away from you even now. But he’s giving you space.”

She was right. Jack recognized I needed to take a breather, and he was letting me rejoin the folds of the party when ready. God, I loved that man.

“Well, I’m going to go do the extrovert thing and join the crowd of hotness out here. I feel like I’m at a book boyfriend convention.”

I chuckled, then waved her off and went in search of something to drink to cool down.

“I know everyone has been making you job offers, but I have one for you as well.”

Mid-reach for a White Claw, at Camila’s comment, I pulled my hand back and closed the cooler to face her, finding Remi still nestled in her arms.

I’d been hit up by several of the wives at the party with invites to come work with them. The offer I was most seriously considering was working for Jesse’s sister, Rory, with canines that helped veterans transitioning to civilian life.

“I’m moving to the area,” Camila went on before I could answer. “It’s time for a change myself.”

“So, your new headquarters will be in the D.C. area?” I asked her, and she returned her focus to me while simultaneously tickling Remi.

I’d never thought I could have kids because of my lifestyle, but being with Jack, and seeing this cute little boy with dark hair and blue eyes in Camila’s arms, had me hopeful for children in my future.

There were so many things I wanted to do now. Maybe I ought to make a list?

“Meh. I don’t really need a headquarters, but if you want to work with me, I can find a position for you on my team.”

“I appreciate that, really. But your job requires a lot of traveling, and I think I’d like to stick to one place for a bit. Plant some roots, you know?” No more running.

“Well, if you change your mind, the offer stands.”

“Can I ask you something?” I whispered, unsure why I was doing this, but the question was about to come out anyway. “Can you see my future?”

Camila’s smile reached her eyes as she replied, “I do. And it’s bright.”

“I’m not going to lie, I was scared of this beast at first, but I think I’m getting used to it.” Parked on Jack’s driveway later that evening, I straddled him on the seat of his new Harley. “Thanks for the lift home.” I smiled. “Well, to your home.”

With both our helmets and protective eyewear removed, I could make out his stunning eyes. And as we sat there in silence, the powerful motorcycle between my legs, I was eager to trade out the Harley for Jack between my legs instead.

We’d had quite a few hot moments in the last three weeks, all ending with orgasms. Including the time I’d surprised him with a “jaws of life” just like the one back in Ecuador. Well, a softer-for-my-ankles version.

Jack hadn’t wasted any time, using the device to spread my legs open and torture me with his tongue, before fucking me senseless while I rode the crest of my high. How was that only three days ago?

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