CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Jacob wanted to takeLeilani to the festival after seeing the joy and excitement on her face. He also wanted to take her back through the Hampton mansion and ask her if they should buy it.

They.

He wanted to scoop her up and spin her around and tell her it was hers.

Theirs.

And tell Blake #sorry #notsorry your PA will not be returning to work, as he was keeping her for fucking ever.

To reassure her that she would never be alone. That he was there for her. Always.

But he couldn't.

He saw Leilani pulling away from him whenever a moment sparked between them. She had strong barriers, unlike him.

God, he'd been a fool to think he could sleep with her and not feel more. He should've stuck to his game plan and, if he'd wanted to fuck her again, told her to come to Sailors.

Yet he couldn't regret the time they'd spent together so far this weekend. They had one more day and selfishly, he was going to take it.

Leilani lay with her back to him in their bed. They'd made love slowly last night after the bonfire and while she'd put up those walls when her orgasm struck, Jacob had gripped her face and said look at me Lani.

Her glistening eyes had told him all he needed to know as her body shuddered around his cock.

She had feelings for him; he was sure of it.

Well, pretty sure.

Except what did he do with that information? Leilani could never accept his club life, nor did she want to be a part of it. Jacob wasn't even sure he could be in a monogamous relationship.

He might've daydreamed about living with her here in the Hamptons, but doing it was a whole other fucking thing. All his fears and insecurities would destroy them.

He knew that. Been there and got the damn t-shirt.

Leilani began to stir. Jacob rolled over and ran his hand over her hip, kissing her shoulder.

So this was it.

This was their last day together, and he wasn't happy about it.

She rolled over to face him and both of their stupid grins were missing today.

"Morning," Jacob said.

"Hey." Her lashes fluttered as she cleared her throat. "Did you sleep?"

He nodded, pulling her closer. When her eyes dipped, he slid his hand up her neck and into her hair.

Fuck this. He couldn't let her go.

He wouldn't.

"I want to keep seeing you when we get back to Philadelphia," he said suddenly.

"No, you don't," she replied, with a small shake of her head.

"I don't or you don't?" Jacob asked, his heart starting to ache.

"Jake." Leilani sighed. "I'm not part of your world. Not this one with your family and not...part of Sailors. I like you. A lot. Too much. But no."

No.

No, she didn't want him.

Just like Jenny.

"So you don't want to see me again. That would've been a faster way to say it. No need to bullshit me."

"I'm not," she blanched.

"I heard you loud and clear, princess." He smiled coldly and kissed her forehead, then climbed out of bed. "I'll get the chopper out here, so get dressed and packed, and by the time we've had breakfast, we can head back to Philly."

"Jacob, wait." Leilani sat up, her gorgeous bare breasts calling to him.

He swallowed, his gaze hovering on them and then drifting up to her face.

"We fucked. You fulfilled your part of the deal and now I'm ready to go home. No harm done," Jacob said. "I'll let you shower first."

Then he grabbed his phone and walked out of the room.

––––––––

A MILLION QUESTIONSlater by the entire family about why they were leaving early, and they were climbing onto the chopper and getting ready to lift off.

It was like they were at the fucking White House with everyone standing out on the lawn.

Daniel had his arm around Harper's lower back as she waved. Addison had hers wrapped around Hunter, clearly thrilled with the new sparkly ring on her finger.

Logan leaned against one of the white poles, sipping his coffee and watching him while Emma snuggled beside him.

Fletcher and Olivia were holding back the girls, little Baxter inside having a late morning nap.

Blake was standing with Amelia and Aidan, saying something which looked suspiciously like they were talking about him and Leilani.

Bella was texting on her phone.

He glanced to his left and Leilani was doing the same thing.

Coincidence?

Knox, who was upstairs taking a shower, had shaken his hand earlier and given Jacob an open invitation to call whenever he wanted.

As they lifted into the air, he spotted Jackson and Kristen on the beach returning from their morning walk. He waved out at them.

His family.

Jacob knew how fucking lucky he was to have all of them. Their banter, their love, and their support were second to none. Even Daniel, Hunter, and Fletcher, who'd only recently come back into their lives.

Family didn't have to be blood related, but he'd been blessed with a whole bunch who would always love him.

Now, it was time to go home and work out what kind of relationship he wanted with the man he shared DNA with.

His father.

"Until next time," Jacob said quietly as the Dufort family got smaller and smaller below them. Then he sat back and tightened the seat belt and put on his headpiece.

Leilani put away her phone and sent him a nervous smile.

"You okay princess?" He wasn't an asshole by nature but had spent the last hour feeling like one.

She nodded and then turned to look out the window.

Fuck I don't want to say goodbye.

So he took her hand and tightened his fingers around them, but she never turned back.

That's how Jacob knew it was over.