I got to meet Saint and his gorgeously exotic wife, Sin—still can’t get over their names—and Anna insisted on a full baby report as Sin is about five months pregnant. I got officially introduced to Ladd and Jackson, the other two Jameson agents who helped conduct my rescue. They were both charming and flirty, and when I glanced across the room at Cage, he was watching me like a hawk. I guess he knows the single guys were going to lay on the charm.
Bebe is by far the coolest person I get introduced to, along with her FBI fiancé Griffin. I was told that Griffin was supposed to be the FBI liaison to help with my rescue, but he had been out of state on another case. That was where agent Clay Brandeis came in, and Cage told me that he apparently knows Jameson’s resident psychiatrist, Corinne Ellery. Still, she took some extended time off in conjunction with the Christmas holidays, so neither one is here.
Finally, Anna brings me over to the leader of the company, Kynan McGrath, who gives me a bear hug and welcomes me to the family. I’m a bit starstruck over his wife, Joslyn, but she’s so down to earth that I warm up to her immediately.
Eventually, all the food is uncovered—everyone brought potluck dishes—and I chastise Cage for not telling me we needed to bring a contribution. He reassured me that we weren’t expected to, because this little get-together was to celebrate our marriage.
I’m shocked and moved. After everyone eats, I get tears in my eyes when Kynan and Joslyn carry out a two-tiered wedding cake they set in the center of the kitchen island.
Bottles of champagne are produced, glasses appear, and when everyone has a glass of bubbly in hand, Kynan taps a tiny knife on the edge of his drink. The ringing bell sound gets everyone to quiet.
“I want to thank everyone for gathering here today so we can celebrate Cage and Jaime’s marriage. Since it was done spontaneously and we were clearly not able to enjoy the ceremony, we thought a little cake and champagne were in order for your nuptials.”
“Thank you,” Cage says, and I add my thanks on as well.
Kynan continues, raising his glass. “First, Jaime… welcome to the Jameson family. Second, Cage… you married up, so treat her right, you hear?”
“Got it, boss,” Cage replies with a smirk, and everyone laughs.
“Seriously,” Kynan says. “This is a family, Jaime. You’re a part of it now, and every person in this room stands by ready to give you any help you might ever need. Cheers.”
Everyone raises their glasses, saluting us as a couple and my honorary induction into Jameson. I have to blink back tears as I take a sip of my champagne.
We end up cutting the cake, then feeding it to each other. There’s no smashing it in each other’s faces because who wants to waste a good cake?
We hang out with Cage’s friends… now my friends, too. I get to know them better, and we make plans to hang out. Anna, in particular, wants to arrange a double date with her and Malik, claiming, “We deserve to get more inside scoop since he told us about the lie from the start and would not listen to our advice to tell you the truth.”
I promised her we’d get together very soon.
At some point, Cage takes my hand. “Come on… let me show you where I lived.”
I guess it is time for the tour.
He leads me down a short hall, then opens the second door on the left. It’s unlocked. He pulls me through, shutting it quickly, then engages the lock once we’re inside.
“What—” I start to ask, but his mouth covers mine in an immediately hot and claiming kiss.
Walking me back into the door, he pushes his body against mine. I can feel every hard and muscled inch of him. His tongue invades my mouth, and I start sinking into the swirling pool of desire he can so easily make me succumb to.
But then he lifts his mouth and looks at me with a sparkle in his eye. “Sorry… I just felt the need to kiss you like that, so I needed a bit of privacy.”
Laughing, I slide my hands up his chest. “You may do that any time you wish, sir.”
“So what do you think?” he asks.
“About?” I prompt.
“Everyone.” He jerks his head toward the people just outside this door.
“They’re wonderful. It’s amazing how close-knit everyone is, and I can tell I’m going to come out of this with some really good friends.”