Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

I woke to the scent of sea salt and wild roses. I smiled into Sloan's neck. Heaven. That's what this was.

When my alarm went off, I tried to silence it, only to realize it was Sloan's and I was still in her cabin. In her bed. It felt like I was in a dream. As if we existed in this sacred space between the past and something I'd only ever imagined. I didn't want to let it go. I didn't want to let her go. Not now and not ever.

She'd said it was one night, but last night had only solidified what I already knew. I loved Sloan, and this trip was a gift. A chance to reconnect and heal after all these years apart. I was determined to use it as a springboard to a second chance.

Even now, in the cold morning light, I knew that, given the chance again, I'd choose Sloan over the promotion any day. Years ago, I'd prioritized my career, but it was what I'd needed at the time. I'd needed to prove myself. To redeem myself. Now, I knew the only thing I needed was her.

The love I felt for her overpowered everything, and I realized that trying to fight it had been as futile as trying to outrun a hurricane. I'd have to figure out what this meant for my place at Hudson, for my career. But I tried to have faith that it would all work out.

We'd also have to decide how to navigate the situation with my sister. Sloan's family could be another potential obstacle. But I was getting ahead of myself. First, I had to make Sloan see that we belonged together.

Sloan turned off the alarm and moved as if to get up. I groaned and pulled her closer. "Don't go."

Sloan laughed, oblivious to the more serious turn my thoughts had taken. "C'mon, sleepyhead. We want to get an early start if we're going to make it to Turks and Caicos tonight."

Fuck Turks and Caicos.

"Or…" I flipped her onto her back, not ready to give this up. To give her up. "We could just stay here."

"Jackson." She smiled up at me, cupping my cheek. Gone was the sadness from last night, the heaviness of whatever emotions she'd been feeling. "We can't stay here. We're running low on food that isn't canned beans."

"You'd be surprised how creative I can get." I waggled my brows.

She patted my cheek. "Oh, I know. But it's time to get a move on. The staff at Turks and Caicos are expecting us, and I don't want to have to navigate the channel at night. Do you?"

I groaned, flopping over onto my back and dropping my arm over my forehead. "You're right."

Sloan slipped out from beneath me. I grabbed her and hauled her back onto the mattress. "Surely—" I kissed her collarbone "—we have time—" I pushed her down and kissed the side of her breast "—for me to make you come—" a peck on her stomach "—first."

I traced a finger over her breasts, teasing her nipples without actually touching them. She sighed, arching her back, encouraging me to continue even as she said, "It was only supposed to be one night."

"Yeah," I said in a teasing tone. "It was, but then you fell asleep on me."

And I realized that I'm still in love with you.

She laughed. "After two rounds, can you blame me?"

"No." I nuzzled her. "But I had plans for you. I think we could accommodate a slightly later departure time. Don't you, Captain?" I teased, smoothing my hand up and down her thigh.

Her eyes darkened. "I suppose it could be arranged, Skipper," she said with mock seriousness.

I scoffed, bracing myself above her. "Skipper? I'm definitely a first mate."

"Mm," she hummed, her eyes hooded as I slipped my hand between her legs. She was already slick with desire. "We'll see."

I knew she was teasing, but it only made me more determined to prove how indispensable I was. Not just on the boat, but in her life. I'd made the mistake of letting Sloan go once, and I vowed not to let it happen again.

The sun dipped lower in the sky, and I eyed its position nervously as we waited at the entrance to the channel markers. The approach to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, bristled with coral reefs that would shred the hull. The channel was marked—supposedly. It was rather poorly done, with scattered green and red markers that looked like the worst obstacle course ever.

I'd spent the day thinking about my decisions and my future, and I didn't regret any of it. Yes, I'd worked hard for that promotion. And yes, it was disappointing to give it up after all my efforts. But I wasn't as disappointed as I would've expected. If anything, I knew I'd gained so much more than I'd lost.

Did I hate that my decisions would have a negative impact on a friend? Of course. But I wasn't na?ve enough to think that I was irreplaceable. They would find someone else to take over the New York office. And I would find another job.

This wasn't like when I'd been discharged from the SEALs. This was my choice, and I had connections, opportunities. I'd built a solid reputation in the private security industry. I had a network that I could lean on to find another job in this field or another.

Sloan scanned the water. "I sure hope our pilot arrives soon."

We'd called ahead for the free piloting service, but it was getting late with still no sign of our pilot. Sloan was tired. Hell, I was tired. Neither of us had gotten enough sleep, and then we'd had a late start across the Caicos Passage, thanks to me.

But we'd made it. And I couldn't wait to fall into bed with her. A real bed, with a real bathroom—both built for someone my size. Where I wouldn't have to crouch to wash myself with a wand better sized for a kitchen sink.

I hugged Sloan to my side, full of love and pride for this amazing woman. I kissed the top of her head, unable to resist touching her. Despite what she'd said, one night wasn't enough. One lifetime wouldn't be enough. But if that was all we had, then I was going to make the most of it.

She stepped out of my hold as a boat neared. "Hopefully that's the pilot." She waved, and he came alongside us.

"And Jackson?" she said before he was in earshot.

"Yeah?"

"You know that when hotel staff is present, we have to maintain a professional distance, right? Until things are settled with Hudson, giving people the wrong impression wouldn't be good for either of us."

"Of course," I said, trying not to take it personally.

She was right. I knew she was right. But it stung.

The pilot informed us he'd been delayed because of engine trouble. He instructed us to follow him without deviating.

Sloan steered the Athena with calm precision, focused intensely on the task at hand. He certainly knew the channel better than we did. Even if he was weaving in and out of the channel markers, departing from the designated path.

Sloan and I shared a concerned look, but she pressed on. Committed to getting us safely to our destination. I was in awe of her—the way she handled every situation with confidence and ease. She wasn't afraid to take charge, even when others might hesitate.

I trusted her to keep us safe. I trusted her with my life, and that wasn't something I gave freely.

Sure, I'd trusted my fellow SEALs. I'd found that kind of family and trust with some of my coworkers at Hudson. It was part of the reason why I'd be sad to leave the company. But to have found that kind of respect and trust in a partner, in the woman I loved…well, I knew it was even more rare.

I hauled our luggage on deck, where a driver from the Huxley Grand was already waiting. Sloan locked up, and we were soon on our way. I itched to cover Sloan's hand with mine, but I restrained myself. As far as everyone else was concerned, she was still my principal, and I was supposed to be protecting her. And I would—with my life.

But I needed to sort out the situation with Hudson. I needed to find a way to convince Sloan to give me another chance.

Her gaze was on the scenery as we trundled down the bumpy roads. My hand was on the bench seat between us, reaching out like a vine seeking the sun. I grazed her pinkie, but she soon pulled away, typing something on her phone.

I clenched my teeth and glanced out the window. I hated this already.

Our driver was quiet, speaking only when Sloan asked him questions about the island. About the local cuisine. He grew more and more animated when she asked him about his granddaughter.

As we pulled up to the Huxley Grand, I sensed a shift in her. A straightening of her shoulders as she withdrew even more and became the billionaire SVP she was.

On the Athena , out in the middle of the ocean, it was easy to forget. To me, she'd always been just Sloan. Smart. Beautiful. Kind.

But I had to remember she was even more than that. She held herself personally responsible for the success of her family's hotel company. For the lives of all her employees. And damn if that didn't make me admire her even more.

It was how I'd felt when I was a SEAL and now at Hudson. Sure, maybe the stakes weren't life or death at Huxley, but that didn't mean they weren't still important.

The Huxley Grand Turks and Caicos was different from some of the other properties I'd visited. Smaller but just as opulent as you'd expect from the luxury hotel brand. The manager greeted us, and we were whisked away by a golf cart to our private villa. It was getting dark, but what I could see of the view was gorgeous.

We pulled up to our villa, and I went in to inspect it while Sloan spoke with the manager. I slowed when I reached the living room. It was occupied.

"Is that the champagne?" the man asked in a posh English accent, and I frowned.

I recognized Edward from Sloan's file. What the fuck was he doing here?

"You need to leave." I crossed my arms over my chest, planting my heels.

He remained seated, a bored expression on his face. "So…not the champagne, then."

"You are not authorized to be here." I was furious that security hadn't thought to inform me of our unexpected—and unwanted—visitor.

He finally stood, smoothing his hands down his expensive designer slacks. "How dare you speak to me with such impertinence. I could have you sacked."

Fucking wanker.

"Jackson," Sloan called. "Is everything o— Oh!" Sloan stopped short, quickly schooling her shocked expression into something more neutral. "Edward, what are you doing here?"

"Darling," he crooned, and it fucking grated on my nerves.

He took a step forward, and I shifted, putting myself between him and Sloan. If he wanted her, he'd have to go through me.

"Get out of my way," he sneered.

My entire body was tense, my muscles coiled tight and itching for a fight. I didn't know what had happened with Edward and Sloan, but she'd told me it was over between them. There was no reason why he should be here.

I glared at him, hoping my intent was clear—touch her and die.

"Jackson," Sloan said softly, placing her hand on my shoulder as she stepped around me. "It's okay."

I shook my head, my expression solemn. He was a security risk.

"Edward would never hurt me."

"Exactly," Edward said, swooping in to place his arm around her. I glared at his hand on her as if my gaze alone would burn his skin. "This is all just a big misunderstanding."

Sloan silently pleaded with me—to let it go? To stay quiet about what we'd done? The fuck if I knew.

Was this what she'd meant when she'd said it was over between them? Over but not actually finished? Because clearly, Edward was under the impression they were still together. And the security staff had allowed him on the premises without consulting me first.

"Can I speak to you in private?" I asked Sloan.

"Just—" Sloan smiled brightly at Edward "—give me a second."

We went over to the kitchen, where I kept my eyes on Edward and my voice low. "What's he doing here?"

"I don't know." Sloan dragged a hand down her face. "If you'd given me a chance to talk to him, maybe I could've found out."

"It's too risky."

I had a bad feeling about the situation. About him.

"Jackson." Sloan rolled her eyes. "You truly believe he's —" she gestured toward Edward "—a security threat?"

"You don't?" I pinched the bridge of my nose. "You've been receiving threats. You said it was over with Edward, but he's here now. Unless—" A darker thought occurred to me. "Unless it isn't over between the two of you."

My stomach bottomed out at the idea. But Sloan wouldn't do that, right?

"We broke up before I left for Miami."

That was a relief, even if I was still alarmed by Edward's presence.

"When?" I asked, needing to know how recently.

"In the days before we left."

Well, shit.

"Who broke up with whom?" I told myself it was for the security assessment, but I found myself wishing I'd asked sooner for my own personal sanity.

I prayed that Sloan had broken up with Edward and not vice versa. I hoped I wasn't a fucking rebound. My stomach curdled at the idea.

"I broke up with him."

My brain was a tangled web as I tried to keep the security assessment separate from my feelings for Sloan. My gut told me to get rid of him, but I wondered if it was actually my heart that was speaking.

I was relieved that she'd been the one to end the relationship, but it stung that she'd broken up with him only a few days before jumping into bed with me. And this is yet another reason why it's a bad idea to sleep with the principal.

I pushed all those thoughts aside. Regardless of my reasons, I wanted him gone. Now.

"He needs to go."

"Jackson," she sighed. "Be reasonable."

"I am being reasonable. We don't know his motives. We don't know why he's here. Hell, for all we know, he could be behind the threats."

Sloan leveled me with a flat look. "He's not."

"Until we find the culprit, we can't rule anyone out."

"By that logic, you could be the culprit," she hissed. "Maybe you sent me the threatening notes so I'd have to hire you as a bodyguard. Maybe you set this all up."

"Now you're just being ridiculous."

She leaned forward. "And so are you."

She didn't understand. She hadn't spent the last fourteen years working in private security. Seeing the types of wackos our clients dealt with. I wasn't taking any risks.

I leaned in. "Sloan," I said, my voice laced with a threat. "Get rid of him, or I will."

Perhaps I was being unreasonable and heavy-handed, but I wanted him gone.

"I will handle it," she said through gritted teeth. "But Edward came all this way for a reason. I'm not just going to throw him out without letting him say whatever he came to say."

God, I hated how feral this woman made me. Deep down, I knew I couldn't stop this conversation from happening. But I didn't like it.

I leaned in. "I'm not leaving you alone with him."

She scoffed. "Possessive much?" Though she couldn't hide the desire in her eyes.

My blood boiled with lust and frustration. Hell yes, I was possessive. But this wasn't about what I wanted. It was about Sloan. "Whether you realize it or not, your safety is my priority. And you have no idea why he's here. He could be seeking reconciliation or revenge."

"Fine," she huffed. "But stay here."

I hadn't waited this long, only to lose her once more. This was my shot. It wasn't a second chance; it was my last chance with Sloan—and I sure as shit wasn't going to let Edward or anyone else screw it up.