Chapter 17
Chapter
Seventeen
When they got donewith the police questioning, they headed for the house. The cameraman, Garrett, was waiting for them. They showered and changed quick then did a big hoorah about Belinda winning the money. She was so cute Jagger knew the fans would adore her like he did.
They all drove to the airport, loaded onto the plane, and flew to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. It was close to the base on Oahu. He and Hays could walk there if they wanted and find a bed before their early morning departure.
Jagger shook Paul's hand and thanked him. Hays gave Belinda a hug. Then Hays, Paul, Garrett, and the two pilots headed to the airport in the guise of buying a snack. The galley of Mercedes's plane was full of snacks and food. Jagger was grateful for any stolen moment with Belinda.
For a few beats they studied each other, standing just inside the open door to the plane. Then she threw herself against his chest and let out a cry. "I'm afraid I'll never see you again."
Jagger cuddled her close, reveling in the feel of her in his arms. "Bee." He cupped her smooth cheeks with his palms and tilted her face up. "I won't give up on you."
No matter what he had to fight through, he'd come for her.
"I love you," she cried out. Then she arched up and kissed him. The kiss had all the fire and longing and passion he knew his Bee had inside her. He loved her back. He couldn't lose her. He wouldn't give up, but what if she did? Even if she loved him, that didn't mean she trusted him. They were no closer to reconciling the past fourteen years and her parents lying and keeping them apart. He was thirty-two years old, an accomplished SEAL captain, and somehow Bee's dad still had control over him.
The kiss continued for a beautifully long time, and he knew their minutes were ticking away.
Finally, she pulled back and stared up at him. "Jag, I choose you. I trust you. I love you."
She meant her words. He knew that, but would her parents somehow rip them apart again? Was she truly choosing to trust him or caught up in the moment as his Bee often was?
"Please believe me," she begged, clearly reading his hesitation. "I know we've both been in pain for fourteen years. We'll figure it out, but please come for me. Come as soon as you can. I'll focus on the administration of my charity and not go to Africa until I see you. I'll wait at my parents' house."
Jagger swallowed and studied her. She was saying exactly what he'd hoped to hear. He'd already promised himself he wouldn't give up on her again. He'd fight through anything, even her parents' hatred of him and his own fury at her dad.
"You want me to come for you?" he clarified, not liking how uncertain he sounded.
Bee pulled a necklace from under her shirt. A ring hung from the end of it. His eyes widened. It was the ring he'd given her. Her ‘Bee' ring. He touched it gently. "You wear this?"
She nodded. "It's always been you for me too, Jag."
His heart raced out of control. He bent and kissed her, trying to pour how much he loved her, how dedicated he was to make their relationship work, into the kiss. Then he slowed it down and simply held her.
"I want you to come more than anything," she said against his neck. She peered up at him.
"I'll come," he said.
"Thank you."
He shouldn't ruin this moment, but he drew in a breath. "What if your parents … don't tell you the truth?"
His side was the truth. He'd lived it.
"I love you," she declared passionately. "You are my other half, ‘bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh.' I won't give up on us."
He studied her and knew this was difficult for her. She was choosing him over her parents. It meant the world to him, but it was still hurting her. "Thank you, Bee."
The words weren't nearly enough. He kissed her. It was a soft, tender kiss, not typical for them, but he felt like a softy right now, so it fit.
"Jag," she murmured against his lips.
He gave her a bit of space so he could look into her blue eyes. "Yes?"
"Will you pray for us to reunite soon, and will you pray to forgive my parents?"
Did that mean she truly believed Jagger and not her parents? She'd chosen him. She'd said she trusted him, but there were still a lot of unanswered questions.
"I'll pray," he conceded.
He didn't know if he could forgive her parents. How could he and Bee be together and not have contention between them if he loathed the people she loved so much? She claimed she chose him, but he hated to do that to her, to rip her from her parents' love. He had no parents on earth, and he didn't want to break her away from hers, no matter what they'd done. But could he forgive and be around Pastor Sheldon Ralphs? Especially if the man never owned up to his lies, which Jagger could see him doing.
"Thank you."
She kissed him again. It was full of fire and sweet, sweet honey.
Please, let us be together soon and somehow work everything out.
Jagger was praying, but there wasn't a lot of faith in his prayer.
He focused on the kiss and Bee in his arms. Soon, he'd have neither.