Page 210 of Wait for Him

"Fuck."

"Fuck."

We moan it together, and I laugh against her mouth because some things don't change. Her legs fall open wider for me, and I give her exactly what she asked for, watching her face while I slide two fingers home. My home, and I'm never leaving it again.

"Keep me, Rose. Don't let me go." I press the words into her skin without an ounce of pride left to protect. I don't care how desperate it sounds. I am desperate. "Please. I'm fucking serious. Keep me."

"Always. You're mine, Jax. I need you. Please, I'm so sorry I left you." Her voice breaks and the sobs come hard enough that my instinct takes over. I start to pull away so I can hold her, gather her up, do something about the tears, but her hand clamps around my wrist before I get anywhere.

"Don't stop." Her eyes find mine, wet and absolutely certain. "Make me yours again."

Holy fucking shit.

I look at her for a second because there are words a man waits his entire life to hear, and that one just knocked every useful thought out of my head. She gives me an impatient little tug when I don't move fast enough, which is so fucking Rose that I almost laugh.

But I'm not doing this here. Not our first time back. Not half-drunk in a swimming pool.

"Come on. Come to my place." I climb out and reach back for her.

She takes my hand and rises out of the pool, water pouring off her dress, and I take a second to look at her. My Rose. I cup her face, and she leans into my palm the same way she always does.

"Hi, baby." I lean down and kiss her top lip, then her bottom one.

"Hi, baby," she whispers back.

Goddamn, I missed that.

"Is this it? Is it us from now on?" I keep my hand against her face because I need the answer before either of us takes another step. "Because I'm not doing another round of this shit, Rose. I don't have another year of personal growth in me. I'm tapped out."

Her mouth twitches. "Under one condition."

"Name your price, my lady."

Her chin lifts, and there she is, bossy as ever. "We leave this pool as one. Forever. No more running."

"That was always the plan, baby." I brush a wet strand of hair from her cheek. "I've just been waiting for him."

She frowns. "Waiting for who?"

"The man who deserves you."

Her breath catches, and for about half a second I'm feeling pretty fucking good about myself.

Then I hear the sentence again.

"Jesus, that sounded corny."

She laughs through the tears gathering in her eyes. "A little."

"Fuck you. It was heartfelt."

"Is that a yes, then?"

"You command, and I obey, ma'am."

"Damn right you do." Her voice cracks slightly, but she doesn't hide it. She takes my hand, threads our fingers together and gives me a tug toward the gate. "Take me home."

"Yes, ma'am."