That got me a bit choked up when I read it, and I can see Jaime’s expression soften when she gets to the last part. Her gaze rises to meet mine, and her eyes are a little shiny.
“I have one last thing,” I say, diving back into the folder. It’s a single piece of paper, and I pass it to her.
She opens it, starting to read. It’s addressed to Kynan McGrath at Jameson Force Security.
Dear Kynan,
It is with great regret that I must tender my resignation with your company. While I have enjoyed my career with you and my fellow teammates, I am embarking on a new path with a woman whom I love very much. She’s simply more important than any career, so I know you will understand where I’m coming from.
Sincerely,
Cage R. Murdock
Jaime’s head snaps up, her eyes narrowing. “You quit your job? Why would you do that?”
“I haven’t quit,” I assure her, nodding to the letter. “But if my job is not something you can handle me doing—because it can be dangerous and requires me to travel at times—I will absolutely quit and find something more acceptable to you. Hell, I could even apply at a few car dealerships.”
I give her a dashing grin, but she doesn’t smile back.
“You are absolutely not quitting your job,” she snaps, ripping the letter in half, then quarters, then eighths before tossing it on the coffee table.
“Okay,” I reply hesitantly. I’m not sure what that means.
Then she unfurls her legs, leans over, and nabs the annulment papers. With great efficiency, she tears them in half, shoving the remnants right into my chest.
I grab at them, trying to suppress the sudden surge of joy within me at what that violent action against those papers represents.
She wants to stay married.
If only to dispel any remaining doubt, Jaime’s hands come to my face. She pulls me to her for a hard kiss that makes me see stars. When she leans back, she says, “I think I’ll stay married to you.”
“Fuck that makes me happy,” I growl, arms going around her to pull her onto me as I drop back onto the couch. She hovers over me a moment, eyes shining bright and happy, then leans down to kiss me softly. I feel it everywhere in my body, and I mean everywhere. I have no control as my hands go to her ass and press her down onto me.
Her head pops up, her eyes flash hot, and a sly grin plays at her lips. “Miss me?”
“Every fucking inch of you,” I mutter.
“Same,” she admits breathlessly. “Perhaps we should re-consummate our marriage. You know… just to make sure things are all legit.”
Laughing, I bring a hand to the back of her head and pull her down for another kiss. This one is also soft and very brief.
Because I have one more thing to say. When her mouth lifts from mine, I murmur, “I love you, Jaime. And I’m going to spend the rest of my life making sure you always know that. And I will never lie to you again.”
She hums low in her throat, a sign she appreciates my words. Slowly, she leans down again. This time, I know when the kiss starts, it’s not going to stop.
Not until we’re both thoroughly sated.
But she stops, popping back up as if a thought occurs to her. “You actually have permission to lie to me.”
“Excuse me?” I ask, brows knitting in confusion.
“When I get pregnant,” she drawls with a mischievous grin, “and I ask you if I look fat, then you are utterly free to lie and say no.”
It’s a funny statement. I should be laughing heartily, but my heart is hammering. “Pregnant? You want to get pregnant?”
She smiles, placing a hand on my chest as if to reassure me. “Not tonight. Not anytime soon, but yeah… I want kids.”
“I do, too,” I assure her. “At least two… maybe three.”
“Slow down there, Maverick.” She laughs, patting me on the chest. “Let’s enjoy some married time to ourselves first.”
Yeah… that sounds good.
“Deal,” I say. Before more words can get in the way, because I really want to fuck my wife right now, I kiss her.
Then another thought hits me, and I’m pushing her up enough so she’s forced off me. She looks startled and a little irritated as I sit up and demand, “Where’s the present I gave you on Christmas Eve? Did you open it?”
She shakes her head, her gaze going to the sideboard. I see the red box there.
Pushing off the couch, I stride over, grab the box, and bring it back to Jaime.
“Open it,” I demand.
Sitting next to her, I watch with anticipation as she rips the silver bow off and then pulls the paper away from the velvet ring box.
Slowly lifting the top, I watch her face, loving the way she gasps when she sees it.