Chapter 17

17

"I'm glad to hear you're back behind the wheel, Rodney." Jace walked slowly down the beach, his cell phone pressed to his ear. "I guess you didn't let the surgeon's knife keep you down for long."

"No, especially not these days. They slice you open and want to throw you right back out into the world. It's fine for me, though. I could only lay around in a hospital bed for so long, and then I could only watch TV for so long. I think my wife was about ready to kick me out of the house after listening to me grumble so much. Serves me right for bursting my appendix." Rodney let out his signature hoarse laugh that Jace had come to know over the years.

"Well, you have to get back on a boat for your own good, then. You wouldn't want to lose a girl like her," Jace replied.

"No, sir. Got a beautiful woman who puts up with me, and that's more than most men can say."

That was what every man wanted, Jace figured, himself included. He glanced back at his house. He'd been spending the past day putting all sorts of plans together, catching dreams and trying to weave them into a future that might work. Some sacrifices would have to be made, but that was fine. That was life. "Um, listen, Rodney. I hate to ask you about anything regarding myself when you've got so much going on, but I thought I'd check and see if you heard anything about that favor I asked."

"Oh, yeah! Yeah, I sure did. Sorry, I'm still getting my mind back to sorts after vegging out for a couple of weeks. Anyway, it's all taken care of. You're in."

Relief settled over Jace's shoulder, and excitement surged up from his stomach and into his chest. He'd been hoping for a quick answer, but he hadn't actually anticipated that it would come so easily. "Really?"

"Sure thing."

"Wow. Thank you, Rodney. I really appreciate it. You don't know what a difference this makes for me."

That whistling laugh came through the line again. "I have an idea, considering what you told me earlier. But it was no problem at all. Besides, I owe you a favor after you took that job for me. I'm sure sorry it went down like that. I know Hugo Bradford was a pompous rich guy like any of them, but I didn't know he'd be that much of an ass."

"You knew, and that's why you decided to have surgery instead of dealing with him," Jace joked. He lifted a hand to wave at Rick, who was out for a jog on the beach.

"Sounds like surgery saved me a lot of hassle," Rodney returned. "You shouldn't have had to put up with that."

"No, it's okay. I still got plenty out of that trip." Jace wondered if fate would've found some other way for him and Erin to meet if he'd happened to turn Rodney down. He hoped so, because he'd already been waiting for so long. "I just hope you didn't have too much crap to put up with. I did tell Hugo that there were no refunds."

"Oh, I'm sure you did. You know how these fatcats are, though. They act like they have all the money in the world until they think someone else took it from them. My boss has it all sorted out, though. There's nothing to worry about. "

"Okay. Well, thanks again, Rodney." Jace hung up right as he reached Dylan's house.

"Hey," Stacey said with a smile when she answered the door. "Dylan is in his study getting some paperwork done. You can go right in."

"Thanks." He made his way through the house, a place he'd known well ever since he was a child. He turned down the hall and found the door to the den standing open. Dylan was there behind his desk, frowning at his computer. "Is Solitaire still giving you that much hell?"

"I wish," Dylan grunted. "There's a lot I like about being Alpha, but the financial side of things is kind of a pain in the ass."

"I'm sure," Jace murmured. He took in the comfy room, which had served as the Alpha's den for a long time now. "I remember when Dad used to hole up in here for hours at a time. Back in those days, he was frowning over papers and account books. You know, back when paperwork still involved actual paper."

Dylan raised a dark brow. "Feeling wistful?"

"I guess you could say that." A lot was about to change. Jace knew it would all be good, but that didn't mean it was easy. "I've just been thinking too much lately."

"I know. Otherwise, you wouldn't have gone to the trouble of making a formal appointment with me," Dylan noted. He picked up a pencil and twirled it casually between his fingers. "You know I'm always here if you need something, so what's up?"

"I'm just getting antsy as I'm trying to put all of this together," Jace admitted. "I haven't given myself a very spacious timeline."

Dylan chuckled, a sparkle in his dark eye. "Not really much of a chance to do that, all things considered."

"No, and I think everything is coming together. I just wanted to check in with you about the discussion we had earlier and see if that would work."

His older brother shook his head. "There was never really any question, you know. It's your house."

"But it's also in clan territory," Jace reminded him. "I'm not going to make a decision like that without checking in, both with you and everyone else by proxy."

"It's fine with me, and it's fine with everyone else," Dylan assured him. "Just let us know what help you need when the time comes."

"Thanks, man. I will." Jace stood.

"One question."

"Hm?"

Dylan tipped his head slightly. "What does she think about all of this?"

Jace rubbed the back of his neck. "She doesn't know yet. It's a surprise."

"Just this part or all of it?"

"All of it," Jace clarified.

"So, you've been running around like crazy, checking in with everyone and making arrangements, and you don't even know if she's going to go for it?" Dylan asked.

Jace shrugged. "What can I do? I need answers. I need a plan. If Erin isn't wild about the idea, we can come up with something else. But I want to go to her with at least most of the loose strings tied up."

"You're a noble man, Jace. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." Dylan stood and came around the desk. He put an arm around his brother and pounded his back. "I wish you all the luck in the world, but I don't think you'll need it."

"Thanks." As Jace said his goodbyes and left, he knew his brother was right. He'd already used up all his luck in meeting Erin. The rest was going to work out one way or another. He'd promised her it would, and he'd meant it.

The short walk back to his house was just enough time to make another phone call. "Hey, Ian. Have you had a little time to think?"

"I didn't really need it, Dad," Ian reminded him.

"Yeah, but big decisions always need time. Even if you're excited about it, even if you think it's perfect, it's good to think about it," Jace reminded him.

Ian laughed. "As if you're taking so much time!"

"I'm older and more experienced," Jace retorted with a smile.

"Okay, Dad. Whatever. I'm completely cool with it. In fact, I'm so happy that I feel a little bad about it. I really just want to make sure that you're okay with it."

"It was my idea, wasn't it?" Jace had raised his boy right. Ian had plenty to be excited about, but he was still pausing to consider everyone else involved.

"Fair enough. I just want you to be sure."

"I am," Jace confirmed. There were plenty of times in his life when he hadn't been sure, when he'd only been making his best guess. This time, he knew it was right. Yes, he still wanted Erin to be happy, but it felt good. It felt like the direction he was supposed to have been going his entire life, but he hadn't known it until now. "I definitely am."

"All right, then. I'm going to share the news with Bailey. I'll talk to you later, Dad. Love you. "

"I love you too, son." Jace hung up and blinked back the tears that threatened to emerge. Yes, he'd raised Ian right. Now, if all went the way he hoped, he'd have the chance to do that all over again.

Jace stepped through the back doorway of his house. He paused to look at the kitchen and living room and paid attention to how the rail felt under his hand as he climbed the stairs. The carpet on the second floor was soft under his feet. When he reached the bedroom, he remembered how much he liked the way the light angled in the windows from the beach. What he liked most about this room, however, was right in the middle of it, fussing with a suitcase.

"I think the zipper is stuck again," Erin said with a frown.

"Can I take a look?" Jace fiddled with the zipper for a moment, freeing the bit of fabric it'd managed to get caught in. "There."

"Thanks. Just when I had everything about ready to go, my luggage decided to fail on me once again." Erin had folded her clothes and put them in neat stacks on the bed next to her toiletries.

Her vacation was over, and it was time for her to go home. It felt like so much time had passed since she'd first stepped onto the yacht, yet it'd only been a week. "Your failed luggage has some interesting memories for me," he cracked.

"Oh, no." Erin had a folded shirt in her hands, and now she put it over her face. "You know, I'd almost forgotten about that entire incident."

"I won't forget about it anytime soon." He moved around the bed to be behind his mate and wrapped his arms around her. Jace nuzzled her neck. "From what I can tell, though, you haven't had to use that vibrator since you've met me."

Her laugh was muffled by the shirt. "No, I haven't! But I'm still embarrassed as hell about it!"

"Speaking of things you like to pack when you take a long trip, we're going to have to talk about this suitcase," he mumbled into her neck.

"What?" She pulled the shirt away from her face and looked down at the socks and pants she'd already tucked in there. "What do you mean?"

"Well, just look." He reached around her, still holding on with one arm, and traced the available room with his finger. "There's no room in there for a bear."

Erin put the shirt down and turned around in his embrace. "A bear?" Her bright green eyes searched his.

"Yeah." All joking aside, he pulled her close. " This bear, because I'm going with you if you'll have me."

"What? Of course I will," she said breathlessly. She hopped up on her toes to kiss him. "But how? I mean, just yesterday we talked about how much we each have that's anchoring us in place."

"We did, but I've got it all sorted out. I'll come with you to Salem. We'll raise the baby together and be together, just like we should be. My friend Rodney hooked me up with a job at a great touring company, so I can start working as soon as I want to."

Her breath was coming in quick gasps. "But what about Ian?"

"He's ready to start life without his dad looking over his shoulder, but he's also having a hard time finding a place to rent that's within his budget. All that gets taken care of in one fell swoop when he and Bailey move into this house together. He won't have to pay rent, and he'll still be surrounded by friends and family when he needs them. He's pretty excited about it, and I think it might help him on the way to starting up that business of his." Jace was proud to know that he could do so much to help his son.

Erin gaped at him, incredulous as she listened to his plans. "But Jace, I told you I would never ask you to leave your home and family behind. "

"You didn't ask me," he reminded her. "I'm offering. I figure this makes a lot of sense for both of us. You're making a new life inside you. You should be comfortable during that time, not trying to settle into a new place. Your shop is already established, but I can work from anywhere that's on the water. I've been sailing around this part of the Cape for so long, I'm excited to explore someplace new."

"Oh, Jace." Tears sprang to her eyes, but she couldn't control them as easily as he could. "You really think we can work it all out like that? That you'll be happy? Because that means so much to me."

"I will," he promised. "I'll have my mate with me while we raise our child together. There's nothing I want more than that."

"You're incredible," she breathed.

"No. I just love you." He pulled her close and kissed her. His mate was there in his arms, and now he knew she'd be there forever.

Erin's mouth opened under the pressure of his lips. He felt the velvet of her tongue as it slid along the length of his, and a whole new thrill moved through his body. He'd faced so much uncertainty over the past week. They both had, and it'd kept them from truly diving into the future fate had set up for them. Now, all that worry and wondering were gone, and Jace basked in the certainty of it all. There was one other thing he was certain of, too.

Erin's arms were around his neck, her fingertips gently brushing his skin and sending shivers down his spine. Her soft breasts pressed against him, and her hips were pleasant curves under his hands. Her tongue roved over and around, twining with his own. This was his mate, his partner, and she was the sexiest woman he'd ever met. He couldn't feel any difference in her body yet, but he knew she carried his child. That knowledge made even more blood rush away from his head as he felt the press of her tummy against him. She already turned him on, and he couldn't wait to see how attractive she'd be as the life inside her continued to grow.

She pulled back from their kiss and smiled up at him. "This seems like a good time to celebrate."

"I don't have any champagne." Jace kissed her neck and ran his hands through her hair, enjoying the way the choppy locks simply ran out at the end. "Not that you could have it, anyway."

"No," she agreed, tilting her head to give him better access. "There are lots of ways to celebrate, though."

Jace's hands slipped under her shirt, roving upward along her delicious curves as he let the material bunch against the backs of his wrists. "You want to have a party?"

"Sounds perfect," she purred as he cupped her breasts, running his thumbs in slow circles over her nipples until they grew hard. Erin was working his shirt over his head. "It won't take long to make the guest list."

"No?" Jace let go of her regretfully, but only long enough to jerk his shirt over his head and toss it aside.

"Not when it's just the two of us." Erin's hands rippled over his abs and down to his belt buckle, which she flicked open with ease. Her nimble fingers unfastened his button and fly, and she palmed the hardness in his boxers. "In fact, I think I found myself a party favor."

Jace swallowed as she released him from the rest of his clothes. "Do you have any idea what you do to me?"

She'd sunk to her knees in front of him, and when she looked up, there was no denying the catlike quality of her gaze. "I have a good idea. It's what you do to me, and if I can, I'll keep doing it to you over and over again."

She took him in her mouth, and any further words disappeared from his thoughts as he melted into the heat of her. Erin's hands skimmed along his thighs and ass. Her breasts rubbed against him every now and then as she ran her tongue along his shaft. From this angle, he could see the length of her back and the roundness of her backside sticking out behind her. His knees grew weak, and he put out a hand to steady himself against the wall. His body buzzed and hummed, the inward line between his human and bear blurred.

He had no sense of time, but at some point, she stood and pulled her suitcase off the bed. It fell awkwardly to the floor, the flap still hanging open. "I can pack later." A quick swipe of her hand sent the rest of the clothes she'd laid out flying onto the bench at the end of the bed, and she pushed Jace down onto the mattress.

He smiled as he watched her climb on top of him, her breasts jiggling. Her heated thighs slid against his as she straddled him, and the tip of her tongue was braced in the corner of her mouth as her eyes drank in his body beneath her. "Does this mean you're happy?" he asked, teasing. "That I've given you what you want?"

"You've definitely given me what I want." She lifted herself slightly and took his erection in her hand, her thumb purposely sliding over that exquisitely sensitive spot and sending new waves of excitement through him. She brought him toward her entrance.

He closed his eyes and let himself live completely in the moment of her taking him in. As exquisite as her mouth had been, Jace knew this had to be heaven. Erin pushed her hips forward and back, pressing herself against him, taking him deeper.

He touched her cheeks and hair, ran his hands down her arms, and reveled in the weight of her breasts in his palms. He explored her buttocks and the satisfying flesh of her hips before zeroing in on the space just below her navel. Jace ran the back of his finger along the soft skin. They had created something there, a whole new life they could share.

A deep noise rumbled from her throat. Jace felt her tightening and squeezing around him, and her breaths grew shallow. She had a grip on his shoulders, and she clamped her fingers down now as she shoved herself harder and harder against him. He swelled inside her to meet those beginning spasms. The heat between them turned up a few degrees, and Jace gripped her hard against him. He thrust upward into her and felt her explode, hot and wet, and then he could hold out no longer. Every cell in his body surged toward her as he emptied himself into her.

She bent forward and lay on top of him as they caught their breath. Jace put his arms around her, absently rubbing her back. He'd waited, sometimes impatiently, but now he had more than he ever could've asked for.