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“OH MY GOD, DON’T EVER do that to us again!” Michelle said from the deck of the beach house, giving Jessica another hug before sitting back down beside Ryker. He casually tousled Michelle’s hair but looked over at Jacob and Jessica.
“What? Go to the bank or get locked in a vault?” Jessica asked, raising her eyebrows. “Both are off of my list.”
“Any and all of that! We were worried sick about you!”
Jessica set down the slice of pizza she’d been eating, mostly still untouched. “It was terrifying but kind of a freak accident type of thing. I doubt I’ll ever get caught in a robbery again. But either way, I’ll probably be having nightmares for months.”
She shuddered, Jacob reaching over to comfort her.
“So was it the same guy that robbed the woman at the ATM?” Amy asked, taking a sip of her margarita.
Jacob nodded his head, lightly rubbing the back of Jessica’s neck. “Yep. Same guy. It was a dumb move to rob a bank. I guess the dude was desperate for drug money. But now he’ll be in jail for the rest of his life.”
Jessica let out a shaky sigh, and Jacob pulled her into his arms. “You look exhausted,” he said, brushing a gentle kiss across her forehead.
“I am. Let’s go downstairs and relax in the hammock. I’m not really hungry anyway. I just need to chill out for a while and forget about this entire day.”
“Then let’s go, angel,” Jacob said, taking her hand and helping her to stand up. They excused themselves from the others and headed downstairs.
“I guess you got the rest of the day off?” Jessica asked as Jacob stretched out in it, holding out a hand to her.
“That I did, angel,” he said as she snuggled up to him. “And there’s no place I’d rather be than here with you.”
She sniffled, letting out a small sob as Jacob wrapped both his muscular arms around her, holding her tighter. “Shhh,” he said, rubbing a large hand over her hair. “You’re safe now.”
She nodded, letting her tears fall. “I’m getting your shirt all wet,” she murmured.
“I’ve got other shirts. Just let me hold you,” he said in a low voice.
The hammock swayed in the ocean breeze, and Jessica let herself relax against Jacob’s muscular body. She inhaled his masculine scent, clean with a hint of something purely him. “I’m sorry about last night,” she said. “I just kind of freaked out and panicked. I know that woman didn’t mean anything; I just got scared about us. I know it’s too soon to worry about the future or stuff like that—”
“It’s not too soon,” he said, cutting her off. Jacob’s chest rose and fell, and she let the thumping of his heart soothe her. Jacob let a hand trail over her bare arm, and she sighed in contentment. “I don’t want things to end between us, angel. I know you’re going back to your job and your home, but hell, we can make it work. We could meet in Richmond some weekends or you could come here on your breaks. I’ll drive out to see you when I can.”
“I’d like that,” she said softly.
“And after that? We’ll just figure it out. I won’t be a SEAL forever. I almost lost you today, Jess. When you were trapped in that vault, I knew I needed you in my life.”
She looked up, meeting his dark gaze, and Jacob ducked down, kissing her gently. It was softer and sweeter than their first kiss in the hammock, but her heart fluttered nevertheless.
Jacob was hers. She wasn’t about to let him go either.
