Page 137 of Behind the Net

“So fucking cute,” he mutters. “Like I have eyes for anyone else.”

A moment later, there’s a knock at the door, and Jamie opens it to let her in.

“Hair and makeup arrives at four,” he tells me as she sets up, dropping a kiss onto the top of my head. He smiles at my baffled expression, stepping away to gather his things for a light gym workout. “Just wanted you to feel special.”

“I do,” I tell him truthfully. “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.” He’s at the door but doubles back to me, kissing me again like he can’t help it. “If I don’t leave now, I never will.”

I smile against his mouth, gently pushing on his chest while laughing. I’m overflowing with delight, and I can’t stop smiling.

He leaves, and later, as the massage therapist works on my traps, I let myself replay the past few weeks with Jamie.

Something thrashes in my chest, desperate to get out. What if I told him how I felt? The damage is done; I’m in love with the guy. I’ve been telling myself that keeping it a secret will keep me safe. It’ll hurt less if it ends.

Is that true, though? Or will not telling him how I feel be one of my biggest regrets?

I think about how he’s encouraged me over the past few months. What’s the point of learning to push myself out of my comfort zone if I don’t do it for the things that matter?

Jamie matters. I think he might matter more than almost anyone.

Touching what’s mine, he said earlier, and something stirs in my chest.

Floating in this blissed-out, happy, in-between zone is starting to not be enough for me anymore.

I need to tell Jamie how I feel.

* * *

Jamie gets back just as I finish putting the undergarments on that Miranda provided for my gown.

Okay, I wouldn’t call them undergarments.

They’re lingerie. I’m wearing lingerie. Lacy, expensive, seductive-as-hell lingerie made in France. My hair is loose around my shoulders in polished waves, and the makeup artist did a soft yet sexy look that makes me look like a Victoria’s Secret model.

I’ll admit it—I look insanely hot.

“Pippa?” Jamie calls, and I hear his footsteps.

“In the bedroom.”

Until moments ago, I was the only one here, so I didn’t bother closing the door. Jamie appears in the doorway and stops short at the sight of me.

“Hi.” I smile at him, embarrassed that I’m standing here alone, staring at myself in lingerie. “I was just getting dressed.”

“Fucking hell, Pippa.” His eyes darken, gaze moving from my face down my body, and then back up. “Stay right there.”

“What are you—”

He strides over, sinks to his knees in front of me, and yanks my panties down.

“Oh—” My words cut off as he licks a firm line up my pussy. “Do you, should I…” My eyes roll as his tongue swirls around my clit in fast circles. Wow. It’s hard to think when he does that. I’m already wet. “Do you want me to lie on the bed?”

“No.” He groans, burying his face deeper between my legs. He hooks a big hand around the back of my thigh, pulling it over his shoulder, and my hands fly to his hair for balance. “Don’t want to mess up your pretty hair. We should probably do it like this.”

“Okay,” I sigh, eyes falling closed as he slides two fingers inside me.

Later, after I come all over Jamie’s mouth, I happily reciprocate.

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