Chapter 27

The soft gasp from the kitchen had me quickly striding in that direction. I'd walked through the door only a moment ago, but it seemed I'd arrived just in time.

Standing near a cabinet, Lily grasped her side, a grimace pulling at her mouth. "You're supposed to be taking it easy," I admonished.

She rolled her eyes as she gently massaged her stitches. "Ugh. How is it that you always walk in at the most inopportune time?"

I couldn't help the tiny smile that curved my mouth. "When it comes to you, cara, I know everything."

"I wasn't doing anything strenuous. I just needed?—"

"I know what you need," I quipped. "Sit down before I turn you over my knee."

I grabbed the vase she'd been trying to reach, then set it on the table next to the colorful blooms she'd apparently collected while I was gone. "You've been busy."

She shook her head as she filled the vase with water. "I can't stand to just sit here all day."

I sympathized with her; she was used to being independent, and this was a huge blow to her self-esteem. Over the past couple of weeks, she'd gradually worked up her strength to move around more. We worked together in the greenhouse each day caring for the plants, but I made sure she took breaks often and got plenty of rest.

Her newfound friends tried to keep her spirits up, too. Lily's house had been a revolving door of visitors as Jules, Mia, and Joey stopped by every couple of days to offer their support and check on her. From time to time Jack, John, and Sheriff Eric Donahue stopped by as well. Fox and Eva had returned to Chicago, but they continued to text me every few days, asking for updates on her recovery.

Dr. Tillburn had stopped by to evaluate her just a few days ago and declared everything was healing well. Barring any unforeseen complications, Lily should be able to return to work in another couple of weeks.

"I know." I watched as she began to cut the stems, then placed them in the vase. "But pushing yourself will only make it worse."

She paused, scissors in hand, and slowly lifted her gaze to mine. "Any other words of advice?"

I grinned. "Not yet. But I do have good news. I'll be working with Fox again."

"Oh." Her face fell, but she cleared her expression a moment later. "So you're heading back to Chicago? When do you leave?"

I extracted the scissors from her fingers and set them aside, then pulled her into my arms. "I'm not sure yet. But I'll have some freedom to come and go as I please."

"So you'll be here from time to time?"

The faint thread of hope I heard in her voice swirled inside my chest before latching deep in my heart. I didn't need to work; I had plenty of money. But, like Lily, I liked to keep busy, and Fox and I had spent the morning hashing out an agreement.

I hooked a knuckle under her chin and directed her gaze to mine. "Do you want me here?"

"I mean…" Her teeth dug into her bottom lip as she lifted one shoulder. "If you want to be."

So stubborn. I bit back a smile. "Well, this involves a little bit of travel, but it has great benefits. Like…" I stroked my thumb over her lower lip. "I'll be around to help you in the shop most days. I'll get to come home to you each night."

She blinked rapidly. "You're staying here?"

"For the most part." I slid my hand down to cup her bottom and eased her closer. "I've decided to work as a consultant. If Fox needs eyes on the border, I'm close enough to handle it."

Her head tipped slightly to one side. "I thought Ara?a was dead?"

"That may be true, but trafficking won't just stop overnight."

"I know. I just…" She placed her hands on my chest. "Don't you think you've been hurt enough? If anything happened…"

Tears glazed her eyes, and she quickly dropped her gaze away. I couldn't stand the pain in her voice. "What we do is important," I said gently. "And I'll have backup this time. I promise, mi amor."

I cupped the back of her head and waited until she met my gaze. "I will always come home to you. No one will keep me from you."

Her eyes were huge and liquid as she stared up at me. Though she tried to hide it, she had the biggest heart of anyone I knew. I would move heaven and Earth to make this woman happy, because she deserved it.

Though I was a complete stranger when I'd arrived, Lily hadn't hesitated to help me. Now it was my turn to take care of her. And I wanted her by my side for the rest of my days.

Lily studied me, seemingly gauging my intent. Words would never be enough. Only time would prove the depth of my feelings for her.

Cradling her head, I dipped my mouth and brushed my lips over hers. Her arms automatically wound around my neck, and I cautiously lifted her into my arms, then strode toward the bedroom.

I set her next to the bed and slowly stripped her shirt over her head. She wore no bra, and her eyes closed, her head dropping back in pleasure as I traced a circle around her nipple.

I skimmed one hand along her side as I dropped to my knees, then hooked my hands in the waistband of her yoga pants. I pulled them down and off, followed by the pair of pink panties she wore.

Finally, she stood beautifully bare before me. I ran my hands over her thighs and bottom, tilting her slightly toward me. I kissed one hipbone, then the other before skimming upward to her belly. I lightly kissed the area around the wound.

"Don't ever do that again."

She knew exactly what I was talking about. Her hand moved to the back of my head, but she didn't say a word. I knew she would do it again in a heartbeat, just as I would put my life on the line for her.

I gave her a gentle push. "On the bed."

She maneuvered to the middle of the mattress, and I crawled over her. "If I hurt you…"

"You won't." Her voice was strong and sure, and so damn trusting, that my heart seemed to fall right out of my chest.

I dropped to my elbows and slid my hands through her hair, cupping her head and lifting her face to meet mine. The weight of my body pressed her into the mattress, and her tight little nipples scraped my chest with every breath that filled her lungs.

Framing her face with my hands, I dipped my head and kissed her long and slow. Sweeping my tongue into her mouth, I tasted her, devoured her. Beneath me, Lily threw herself into the kiss, matching me stroke for stroke.

I rolled my hips, testing her readiness. The heat of her core emanated around me, drawing me in, and I pressed forward, breaching her folds. It'd been weeks since we'd made love, and I had to clamp down on the urge to thrust deep inside her.

I kissed her shoulder, her collarbone, up and over her throat. I found her mouth again, and she nipped playfully at my lower lip. I rocked forward, and she sucked in a breath as I slid all the way in with one smooth motion.

Fully seated inside her, I dipped my head and lightly bit her neck, then soothed the spot with my tongue. "You feel so good."

Her hands slid down my back, and I could feel her muscles tensing around me. Arching upward she lifted her hips, silently encouraging me to move. Slipping one hand under her ass, I ground into her, loving the feel of her silky heat.

She was everything I'd ever dreamed of, more than I could ever ask for. I'd known there was something extraordinary about her the moment I'd seen her, but this…

I'd never felt like this with a woman before. I wanted her every way, every single day. I wanted to burn my presence into every cell of her body so my touch was the only one she would ever remember.

Careful not to hurt her, I made love to her until she gasped and bucked beneath me, her inner muscles contracting and spurring my own release.

Afterward, I lay suspended over her, my weight on my elbows as I stared down at her. I stroked her cheeks, her temples, my gaze roving her beautiful features. "Mi corazón. Te amo más que a nada."

Her eyes flared wide. There was no mistaking my words, but I said it again, with more conviction this time. "I love you more than anything."

Her hands splayed over my back, her fingertips pressing into my skin. "I love you, too."

Dipping my head, I kissed her long and slow until my muscles trembled from the strain of holding myself over her. I slowly retreated from her channel, then helped her to dress.

"I have something for you." Dropping one more kiss on her lips, I took her hand in mine and led her to the kitchen.

Though Lily had started going into the shop from time to time, she was still restricted by the doctor's orders. The temp was doing a fantastic job, but I knew Lily was disappointed to not be able to help just yet. I'd made a trip to Kalispell this morning in the hopes of finding something to cheer her up.

I settled her at the table, then retrieved the tall box from the table next to the door and placed it in front of her. Her gaze flicked to mine as she tugged on the yellow ribbon that released the sides of the box. They folded down, revealing a stunning orchid.

"It's beautiful! I've always—" Just as she reached for it, her eyes went wide. Hands suspended in midair, she froze at the sight of the ring nestled within the bloom. "Oh, my God."

I withdrew the diamond from the bud of the flower and held it up in front of her. "Lily, mi amor. Will you marry me?"

Her hands flew up to cover her mouth as her gaze jumped from me to the ring, then back again. "Oh, my God."

I chuckled as I gently peeled her hand left away from her mouth and squeezed her fingers. "Is that a yes?"

Her hand shook as she stared at me. "Are you serious?"

"Until the day I die." I slid the band over her ring finger, then kissed her knuckles. "I knew I wanted you the moment I saw you. Be mine—forever."

"I can't believe this is real." Her gaze dropped to the ring encircling her finger before returning to mine. Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears that tore at my heart.

I enfolded her in my arms. "Don't cry, tesoro. You know I can't stand it."

Her head shook against my chest. "I just… A few weeks ago you were leaving me. And now…"

I cupped her face in my hands and met her gaze. "I was only ready to walk away because I thought I had no other option. But I will never leave you again. Never."

I took her hand and pressed it to my heart. "Tienes todo mi corazón. This is yours. Always."

A tear slipped down her cheek, and a tremulous smile cracked her face. "For someone who doesn't talk very much, you say some of the sweetest things."

I smiled down at her, the love I felt for her expanding in my chest. With Lily by my side, I had everything I ever needed.

"I love you, mi amor." I kissed her slow and sweet. "Forever and always."

The End

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Don't miss the rest of the Retribution Series! When Jack's ex-wife, Mia, shows up in the middle of the night, battered and bruised, he'll to do everything in his power to protect her and win her heart again. There's just one problem… She has no memory of him.

Jack and Mia's story begins in Unrequited Love, free on all platforms!