Chapter 100

Jack

Having Juno in my arms again felt so good I didn't want to move or do anything but hold her there. I felt as if I was still reeling, having thought she was gone from my life only a short while earlier.

I was convinced Kai and Alma had both known of Juno's plan, and I was both grateful and slightly irritated at them. Of course, I also had questions about how they'd got Juno onto the island without me knowing, but I still didn't want to do or say anything that would interrupt the moment I had with her right now.

Sadly, the rest of the world seemed to decide we'd had enough time together, and it pulled us back to reality. Laughter from outside reminded me that I had a house full of guests, and Alma had mentioned putting food aside.

It made me painfully aware of how long we'd been gone already and how it would be very obvious what we'd been doing to at least one, if not more, of the people having a barbecue without us.

"We should get dressed and go eat," I said when Juno's stomach rumbled.

"I didn't want to stop, but I am hungry. I haven't eaten since breakfast," she replied, looking almost guilty.

I wanted to ask her how she'd got onto the island and many other questions, but it was now my duty to take care of her, and I wanted her to have plenty of energy to give herself to my desire again later. That meant making sure she was well-fed now.

Taking her hand, I pulled her to her feet and helped her dress. She had brought some clothing with her, but I noticed it wasn't a lot and not of the quality that it had been when we went shopping together. Immediately, I felt a pang of sadness at the dress I'd persuaded her to buy. It had been ruined in the storm.

Once she was clothed again, I took extra time to help her fix her hair, feeling as if I wanted to make sure she felt adored after finally trusting me.

When her stomach rumbled for the third time, and even I felt like I could really do with some food, I took her hand and led her downstairs. She seemed to shy a little, hanging back and behind me as we went outside.

Alma spotted us first, taking in our entwined hands and smiling at both of us. She was already on her feet and grabbing two plates of food before anyone else noticed us.

Immediately, Kai also stood.

"Juno, darling, can I get you a drink?" he asked, flicking me a wink.

No one said anything to bring attention to the extra person, almost as if they all knew Juno was here and had been expecting it. It only made me even more curious about how she'd gotten here, but I didn't want to upset anything when we'd so recently come back together.

Sitting down beside her, I let her dig into the food and made sure she had everything she needed.

Alma and Kai continued talking with the group about our next tour dates and how we were going to fit everything in as if we hadn't interrupted their conversation. Everything felt right, but it made me realize that there was a lot I would have to discuss with Juno. I wanted her with me, but I also didn't want to force her to leave her world behind just to follow me on tour.

"Can we fly into the UK so I can grab some more of my stuff from my apartment and make sure I have all the forwarding set up properly?" Juno said a moment later, turning to me.

I nodded, unable to respond with words. She'd basically answered my question and allayed my fears at once.

"You want to come on the tour, then?" I asked.

"Of course," she replied. "Unless you'd rather I didn't. I've always wanted to travel, and I can work anywhere."

I reached for her hand, gratitude and desire flooding me again. Before I knew I was even moving, I was on my feet, and I'd pulled her to hers as well. My body continued to move automatically, getting down on one knee in front of her. One hand shot up to grab a Hula Hoop from a snack bowl nearby before I even knew I'd done it.

"Juno Fernsby, would you do me the honor of being my wife?" I asked, my heart barely beating as I surprised even myself.

Almost immediately, I wanted to kick myself. What was I doing, asking her so soon? There was no way she would say yes to me when we'd just gotten back together. However, I was stuck in position, waiting for her answer as everyone looked on.

"Yes," she replied, as tears welled up and started to flow down her face. "On one condition."

"Name it," I replied.

"I get to take your surname."

"You have to admit, Juno Starling has a good ring to it," Kai replied for me.

I chuckled and stood as I let Juno know I liked the idea of her taking my name. Juno Starling did have a nice ring to it. I wrapped my arms around my fiancée and kissed her passionately in front of everyone, much to the amusement of the whole group.

They congratulated us, and for the first time in a long time, I felt as if things were looking up, just as Kai had suggested they might.

Once we were all settled and calmer again, and someone had fetched champagne to celebrate with, I reached for Juno and pulled her into my arms.

"I have one more question," I said. "How did you smuggle yourself onto my island, and how on Earth did I not notice it?"

"That's technically two questions," she replied, grinning at me with a cheeky expression.

"Okay, so answer the first, and I'll decide how I didn't notice," I replied, putting a hand under her chin and lifting it up so I could get a good look at her.

Over the next few minutes, she explained her thought process, letting me know how Kai and Alma had helped her get to the island without me noticing. It explained several things. At the airport, I'd thought I'd seen someone waiting for a taxi that looked like her, and I informed her as much.

And then, when she'd made noise hiding among the trees, I'd almost gone to investigate. Every part of me was glad I hadn't. Finding her handcuffed and willing to be completely at my mercy had taken any sting out of finding her on my island unbidden. She'd faced her fear, and I knew it had meant a lot for her to offer herself up that way.

Just thinking about how brave she'd been and how much it must have scared her made my cock harden. And it had worked. I'd thought of nothing but how glorious it was to finally have her submit herself to me fully and make herself powerless so voluntarily. Having her want to be mine so completely was a heady feeling.

Hearing how she'd also put herself at risk and went to so much effort to make sure only I discovered her, that she was entirely at my mercy in so many ways, only made me feel the intensity of what she'd offered me more.

Juno was going to be my wife, and I was going to enjoy every minute of having her on my arm.