Her gaze searches mine. “Next time, talk to me. Talking actually helps solve problems.”
I shake my head. “I mean, we could’ve celebrated our first anniversary already.”
Shock washes over her face. “Wha –”
“I love you, Julie.” Her mouth falls open as if I’ve just said the most absurd thing ever. “Did you hear me?”
She nods, her features still slack. “But…” A frown forms on her forehead. “Really?”
“Really,” I say, letting everything this woman’s made me feel come to the surface. “I love you so fucking much it hurts.”
She blinks a couple of times then slaps me against the shoulder. “You asshole!”
Say what?
Shoving away from me, she climbs to her feet and stalks out of my bedroom. I dart up, and running, I move in front of her to block her way. “I tell you I love you, and that makes me an asshole? How?”
Fuming, her eyes burn on me. “I could’ve been saved a shit load of pain had you told me that sooner.”
Shit. True.
Talking a step closer to her, I lower my head and drop my voice low. “Forgive me, baby.”
JJ blinks as if she’s been slapped upside the head, and her resolve to let me have it falters. “Okay.”
Fuck, it wasn’t an act. She’s submissive.
I take another step closer, crowding her with my body, but that quickly clears her head, and she scowls at me again. “You have a lot of groveling to do. You can start by calling Lindsay and apologize for ignoring her.”
“Done.” A grin tugs at my mouth. “Anything else.”
“I want flowers. Lots of them. And dates. You better woo the living hell out of me, O’Brien.”
Cute.
“And?”
“I’ll let you know if I think of anything else,” she snips at me, then steps around me, and darts down the stairs.
“How did you get into the house?” I think to call out.
JJ stops and gives me a sheepish grin. “I picked the front door lock.”
When she heads for said door, I feel a trickle of panic. “You’re leaving?”
She finally stops and turns to look at me while taking her phone out of her pocket. “I need your new number.”
I recite it then say, “Don’t go. Stay.”
She stares at me long enough for my heart to start racing, then mutters, “You better make me something to eat then. From scratch. No takeout.”
Chapter 26
JJ
Sitting at the island in the kitchen, I know there’s still a lot to talk about, but we both need time to wrap our heads around what’s been said today.
Needing to call into work, I bring up Chief Archer’s number and press dial.
“JJ?”
“I’m with O’Brien.” My chin starts to tremble from all the thoughts and feelings overwhelming me. “We’re talking.”
“Thank God,” he breathes.
“I won’t be in today.”
“Got it. Don’t worry. Take as long as you need to clear the air.” The relief in his voice makes me even more emotional.
“Thank you,” I say, my eyes darting to O’Brien as he walks closer to me, indicating he wants to talk to his uncle. “Here’s O’Brien.”
I hand the phone to him, and as he puts it to his ear, his other arm wraps around my shoulders, and I’m pulled against his abs.
“Hey, Uncle Carl… I’m good… No lies, I’m fine… Yeah, we’ve cleared the misunderstandings… Yeah, I know you were right… Okay… Thanks for not giving up on me… I know… Love you, too.”
O’Brien sets the device down on the slab of granite, then I’m plucked off the chair, and my butt lands next to the phone. He pushes my legs open, and stepping between them, he places his hands on my hips. His forehead leans against mine, his eyes closing with intense relief.
God, I can’t believe he loves me. I had no idea.
The realization trembles through me, making all my senses come alive as if a kaleidoscope of butterflies is fluttering through me.
Lifting my hands, I place them on his broad shoulders. Tentatively, I press a kiss to his stubbled jaw, then move my hands up to the sides of his neck and brush my nose along his jaw, taking a deep breath of him.
O’Brien’s arms wrap around my waist, and I’m hugged so hard it hurts to breathe. It’s only for a moment before he loosens his hold and his eyes open, focusing on my face with the intense look I fell in love with.
He stares at me until my insides start to spin with nerves.
“Say you’re mine.” The need in his voice echoes through me, touching on my broken pieces, gently gathering them in the palm of his hand.
“I’m yours.” My eyes mist from the unbelievable relief of knowing he loves me too.
Daniel O’Brien loves me.
My breath falters, and I bury my face against him, my arms cramping around his neck, then I whimper, “I can’t believe you love me.”
“More than my life.” His voice is hoarse, sending goosebumps racing over my skin. “Christ, JJ, you own every fucked up piece of me.”
I pull back, a breath shuddering from me, my eyes drinking in every inch of his handsome face, his strong jaw, the warmth of his brown eyes, the sharp eyebrows, and the worry line that’s always there.
Then he looks at me as if I’m a miracle, and my heart melts for him.
He brings his hands to the sides of my neck, his thumbs brushing over my jaw, then he slowly leans down. He pauses, his eyes locking on mine with absolute desperation but also worry as if he’s scared a kiss will break me.
“It’s okay,” I whisper, knowing he needs to hear my consent. “I love you.”
Dominance flares in his eyes, then his hands are the only thing keeping me from falling back as he slams into me, his mouth taking mine in a hungry kiss.
‘God, O’Brien,’ my soul sighs.
Clinging to each other, we share our first kiss that’s just for us. There’s no keeping our cover, no putting on a show. It’s just us. Our love. Our bond that’s been through the flames of hell and survived.
His teeth tugs at my lips, then his tongue thrusts into my mouth, his head tilting to the side. An achingly sweet sensation spreads through my heart and abdomen. My hands move up the nape of his neck, my fingers relishing in the feel of the short strands of his hair.
We gasp at the same time from the intensity, our breaths mingling. My mind’s crystal clear, not wanting to miss a second of his mouth on mine.
“Fuck,” he groans against me, then the kiss becomes pure desperation. We devour each other, our tongues tasting, our teeth branding, our breaths chaotic and hot.
It’s so overwhelming, a tear escapes, sparkling with a million dreams, neverending hope, and unconditional love.
O’Brien slows the kiss, his lips caressing mine with adoration, then he pulls back, his eyes searching my face.
Catching the tear with the pad of his thumb, his eyes are filled with undying love. “You’re my entire fucking world, Julie.”
His words reach down into the darkness, and picking up my battered soul, he brings me back into the light.