He shrugged. “I hope you can. I realize I made a lot of mistakes but I … did you see the email I sent before Gabe revealed he was the perpetrator?”
She nodded. “Yes.” Swallowing hard, she admitted, “Thank you for trusting me before the truth came out.”
“I wish I would’ve sooner.” He pushed at his hair. “I’m so sorry I lied and hurt you. Please let me earn your trust back Jade. Please.”
Jade couldn’t take it any longer. She flung herself at him. Joshua stuttered back in surprise but he quickly recovered, wrapping her up tight in his arms and giving her the hug she’d been longing for.
She reached up and framed her face with his hands. “I haven’t forgiven you yet,” she said.
Joshua’s eyes widened but he said, “That’s okay, I realize that might take some time.”
“But I love you.”
He smiled.
“And I can’t stand to be away from you for one more minute.”
She didn’t give him a chance to respond but yanked his face toward her and kissed him. She kissed him desperately and he responded with all the love he claimed to have for her. Jade felt all the pain and heartache leak away as they kissed. It might take her some time to completely forgive him, but these three men rolled into one were the one for her. Oh, how she loved Joshua Jesse James, her priest.
Epilogue
Jade looked around at the crowded, fancy restaurant. It was the Italian restaurant of the Jewel family’s resort on Condado Beach, Puerto Rico. Joshua kept his arm securely around her as he introduced her to all of his family and some close friends. She’d only invited Teal and Stetson. Her parents didn’t deserve an invite and all she really needed was Joshua.
She was currently trying to memorize all of the Jewel family. His parents were easy: Peter and Madeline, classy and kind people. The siblings got a little tougher. Isaac was the military brother and had the darkest skin and hair. He was thicker and tougher-looking than the other brothers. Luke was next in line and reminded her the most of Joshua. He was an entrepreneur and his blue eyes were lit with intelligence. Seth and Caleb were the twins and their blue eyes were lit with mischief. Joshua explained as teenagers they’d fancied themselves Fred and George Weasley from the Harry Potter novels. Then there was Rachel, who Jade would always be indebted to for getting her and Joshua back together and Leah, the youngest who oozed sweetness and had a three-year old daughter, Paisley.
“Whew,” she blew out a breath, glancing up at Joshua. They finally had a second to themselves and were sipping on some daquiris.
“What?” He smiled down at her, his blue eyes twinkling.
“I think I’ve got your family down.”
He laughed. “They’re a crazy lot but they’ve all told me at different times how great they think you are.”
“And you’d better agree.” She gave him a sassy wink.
“Yes, ma’am.” He set his drink on a side table and wrapped both arms around her. Jade’s heart sped up as she anticipated kissing him.
“Uncle Josh?”
They both looked down. Paisley was wearing a flowered sundress and a large smile making her chubby cheeks squish almost up to her big blue eyes.
“Hey, there’s my girl.” Joshua released Jade and picked his niece up. “Are you having fun?”
“I got a message for you,” she said.
Joshua chuckled. “Okay.” He winked at Jade.
She put both her dimpled hands on Joshua’s cheeks and said slowly, “You better marry that girl quick or Uncle Luke is gonna steal her.” Turning, she yelled, “I did it, Uncle Luke!”
Luke was a dozen feet away talking to Rachel. He gave her a thumbs up. “Good job!”
Jade laughed, but wasn’t sure she was ready for any pressure to get married.
Paisley squirmed to be out of Joshua’s arms.
“Now you just want to leave me?” Joshua asked.
“Uncle Luke promised me chocolate,” she said.
Joshua laughed and set her down. She turned and ran to Luke who picked her up and tossed her in the air. “Good job, Paisley girl!”
She giggled and then demanded, “Chocolate, please.”
Most of the room was watching Luke and Paisley. Joshua squeezed Jade’s hand and whispered, “Shall we slip outside?”
“Yes, please.”
They hurried out a sliding glass door, through the pool areas, and within half a minute were on the beach.
Joshua turned to her. “This is where it all started. Our magical journey of love.”
Jade laughed. “It was more like a roller coaster ride.”
“As long as it was thrilling.” Joshua wrapped his hands around her hips and drew her close. His voice got huskier, and there might have been a trace of nervousness in it, “Do you think … Luke’s suggestion has any merit?”
Jade’s stomach hopped. “It’s only been a couple of months. I think you might need more time to earn my trust.”
He looked down at her, his blue eyes serious. “I understand. Is there anything I can do, that I’m not doing well, to earn it?”
Jade tilted her head as if considering. No. He was doing everything perfectly and all she wanted was more time with him as they were both busy, her training under Curtis to be the next CEO and Joshua running his myriad of companies.
“The only thing you’re not doing well …” She smiled and bit at her lip. “Is kissing me thoroughly enough.”
Joshua’s blue eyes got that smoldering look in them that she absolutely loved. “Well we’d better remedy that right now.”
He bent his head and their mouths met, quickly getting entangled in a beautiful dance of love and desire.
The truth was Joshua Jesse Jewel was doing everything right, and it wouldn’t take much more convincing for her to agree to marry him. Jade sighed happily against his lips, tightened her grip on his neck, and kissed him again. Joshua was definitely the right man for her.
Do Trust Your Special Ops Bodyguard
Cosette forced her focus back to Isaac. Not that it was too hard with his strong frame close by and his handsome face smiling at her. He directed her away from her father as she clung to his bicep. Maybe she shouldn’t have clung but she was emotionally drained and his arm felt so good under her fingertips. They walked through the gorgeous resort past water features and toward the pool areas and the beach beyond.
“Did you just sniff me?” he asked in a low voice close to her ear.
Cosette looked up. His face was right there. If she arched at all she could kiss those tempting lips. Heat flared through her at the thought. “Hello to you too,” she said back.
He chuckled.
Cosette pushed out a huffy breath. “And people claim I have poor social skills. I haven’t seen you in … at least twelve years and the first thing you say to me is ‘Did you just sniff me?’” So she had just sniffed him, and that definitely wasn’t a socially-acceptable thing to do.
Perfectly-mixed smells were her life’s work. Of course she couldn’t miss an opportunity to do a little practical research.
“And you’re even more beautiful than you were twelve years ago, Cozy.” Isaac’s voice was deep, manly, irresistible. A smooth line like that from other men would have felt just like that … a line. From Isaac it felt like the most beautiful compliment she’d ever received. She’d almost forgotten about his nickname for her. It had started off kind of silly, him telling her that she was cozy and warm like a blanket when he’d impulsively hugged her once. He’d said it after he kissed her on the beach when they were teenagers in the same husky voice he’d just used. He made her warm but definitely not “cozy”, more on fire for him.
“Thank you.” She found herself leaning even more heavily into him. She wasn’t tired around him, far from it as he seemed to give her a boost of energy, but she instinctively knew he could lift and protect her. She needed both right now. So much. She’d lived the past few years in her lab, burying herself in creating delicious scents for her �
�Cosette” brand, naming them simply after different career paths for men and women and keeping the prices reasonable. Her best friend, Mar, had landed accounts with everyone from Target to Walgreens with her charming personality and vast network of associates. If Cosette wasn’t going to be able to create in her lab until her dad determined she was “safe”, it might kill her. How would they know she was safe? The only indicator she could think of was Vance being killed or arrested.
“You’re even more handsome than you were twelve years ago, Ike,” she admitted, also using the nickname she’d given him. Everybody else called him Iceman because he was cool under pressure, but he wasn’t icy to her.
He smiled softly down at her. Had his eyes always been that blue and that appealing or had she forgotten?
They passed a myriad of pools, the water glowing blue in the night, and eventually made it to the soft sand of the beach. There were some other people strolling on the beach and a few groups gathered together, most likely partying and drinking. Isaac directed her away from the crowds to where the beach was darker, more private.
She thought about taking her heels off to revel in the feel of the soft sand but when Isaac stopped and turned to her, drawing their clasped hands up to his chest, she couldn’t have cared less about sand between her toes.
A thrill of anticipation and delight trickled over her as he used his other hand to brush a curl away from her cheek. “Cosette, I—”
A sharp pop sounded and an explosion of light. Cosette screamed and hit the ground, covering her head with her hands. Was this it? Had Vance found her, brought his henchmen, and now he was going to kill her and Isaac?
Tugging at Isaac’s pant leg she begged, “Get down! He’ll kill us both!”
Isaac simply stared at her.
Keep reading here.
About the Author
Cami is a part-time author, part-time exercise consultant, part-time housekeeper, full-time wife, and overtime mother of four adorable boys. Sleep and relaxation are fond memories. She’s never been happier.
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cami@camichecketts.com
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Also by Cami Checketts
Jewel Family Romance
Do Marry Your Billionaire Boss
Do Trust Your Special Ops Bodyguard
Strong Family Romance
Don’t Date Your Brother’s Best Friend
Her Loyal Protector
Don’t Fall for a Fugitive
Her Hockey Superstar Fake Fiance
Don’t Ditch a Detective
Don’t Miss the Moment
Don’t Love an Army Ranger
Don’t Chase a Player
Don’t Abandon the Superstar
Steele Family Romance
Her Dream Date Boss
The Stranded Patriot
The Committed Warrior
Extreme Devotion
Quinn Family Romance
The Devoted Groom
The Conflicted Warrior
The Gentle Patriot
The Tough Warrior
Her Too-Perfect Boss
Her Forbidden Bodyguard
Georgia Patriots Romance
The Loyal Patriot
The Gentle Patriot
The Stranded Patriot
The Pursued Patriot
Jepson Brothers Romance
How to Design Love
How to Switch a Groom
How to Lose a Fiance
Billionaire Boss Romance
Her Dream Date Boss
Her Prince Charming Boss
Hawk Brothers Romance
The Determined Groom
The Stealth Warrior
Her Billionaire Boss Fake Fiance
Risking it All
Navy Seal Romance
The Protective Warrior
The Captivating Warrior
The Stealth Warrior
The Tough Warrior
Texas Titan Romance
The Fearless Groom
The Trustworthy Groom
The Beastly Groom
The Irresistible Groom
The Determined Groom
The Devoted Groom
Billionaire Beach Romance
Caribbean Rescue
Cozumel Escape
Cancun Getaway
Trusting the Billionaire
How to Kiss a Billionaire
Onboard for Love
Shadows in the Curtain
Billionaire Bride Pact Romance
The Resilient One
The Feisty One
The Independent One
The Protective One
The Faithful One
The Daring One
Park City Firefighter Romance
Rescued by Love
Reluctant Rescue
Stone Cold Sparks
Echo Ridge Romance
Christmas Makeover
Last of the Gentlemen
My Best Man’s Wedding
Change of Plans
Counterfeit Date
Snow Valley
Full Court Devotion: Christmas in Snow Valley
A Touch of Love: Summer in Snow Valley
Running from the Cowboy: Spring in Snow Valley
Light in Your Eyes: Winter in Snow Valley
Romancing the Singer: Return to Snow Valley
Fighting for Love: Return to Snow Valley
Other Books by Cami
Seeking Mr. Debonair: Jane Austen Pact
Seeking Mr. Dependable: Jane Austen Pact
Saving Sycamore Bay
Oh, Come On, Be Faithful
Protect This
Blog This
Redeem This
The Broken Path
Dead Running
Dying to Run
Fourth of July
Love & Loss
Love & Lies
Cami’s Collections
Steele Family Collection
Hawk Brothers Collection
Quinn Family Collection
Cami’s Military Collection
Billionaire Beach Romance Collection
Billionaire Bride Pact Collection
Billionaire Romance Sampler
Echo Ridge Romance Collection
Texas Titans Romance Collection
Snow Valley Collection
Christmas Romance Collection
Holiday Romance Collection
Extreme Sports Romance Collection