Page 78 of Into These Eyes

Giggling, she rolls toward me, tucking herself against my side and resting her head in the crook of my shoulder. Then she splays her fingers over my chest and begins a languid exploration of my nipple. “Getting into my bed without a shirt on is definitely starting it.”

I let out an amused huff as I trace my fingertips over her bare arse. “So easily turned on, you wanton wench.”

Turning her face into my armpit, she bursts into giggles, her breath making me squirm and laugh with her.

She gapes at me. “You’re ticklish!”

I shake my head in denial, but her fingers quickly launch a tickle attack. Chuckling, I grab her wrist, force her onto her back, and use my body to hold her down.

She squirms beneath me, desperately trying to get away until she realises there’s no escape.

“Brute,” she whispers.

“Bimbo.” I playfully kiss the tip of her nose.

“Beast.”

“Babe.”

“Hmmm,” she murmurs. “You’ve never called me that before.”

“Don’t get used to it. That was an observation, not a term of endearment.”

She frowns with confusion.

“Babe or baby are way too generic for you. You’re my J. My unique, gorgeous J.”

“Why only the letter J?”

“So many questions,” I protest playfully.

“I know you. There must be a reason.”

I hesitate, heat scorching my face. “It’s corny.”

“Now you have to tell me!”

“Because …” I draw out reluctantly, “not only is it your initial, it’s the only letter in the alphabet shaped like a hook. And you had me hooked the first time I laid eyes on you.”

“Wow! What a dork!” she snickers, then gives me a sweet kiss. “Don’t you dare take that back. I love it.” Growing serious, she asks, “What will it be like tomorrow?”

I rub my nose affectionately against hers. “We shouldn’t think about that. Just let it happen. No planning.”

“I feel like it’s been built up, that it won’t be what you expected and—”

I cover her mouth with another kiss. “J. What I expect is that it’s going to feel like this. Just us. Comfortable with each other and turned on like fucking crazy. That’s as far as I’m letting my expectations go.”

“Really?”

I nip at her bottom lip. “Well, maybe there is one thing I expect.”

“I’ll give you anything you want.”

“When I push into you, when our bodies join, I want to look into these eyes. I want to see exactly how they change in that moment.”

She curls her hand around the back of my neck. “Thank you. For being so patient. For loving me even though we haven’t been able to—”

“I’d love you even if I didn’t have a dick. As long as you loved me back, I’d be deliriously happy if all I ever got to do was give you pleasure.”

“Well,” she says, her eyes brimming with emotion, “that might just beat any compliment I’ve ever given you.”

“You like that?”

“So much,” she whispers as her fingers sink into my hair. “But I’m glad you do have a dick, because I want to make you feel just as good.”

We rock our bodies together, our breaths hitching again. “You already know you do.” With every ounce of strength I have, I kiss her lips and roll off her. “Let’s get to sleep.”

She finds my hand and squeezes without letting go. “Good night, Shawshank.”

“Good night, J.”

I wake gradually to the sound of playful squabbling coming from the kitchen, reminding me again how well sound travels in this house. Stretching out diagonally across the bed, I let out a long, satisfied yawn, surprised how fully rested I feel after the torture of trying to keep control last night.

Showered and dressed, I head to the kitchen to find Anika at the stovetop, while Jamie flits between pouring orange juice and checking on bread in the toaster.

Neither have spotted me, so I lean against the breakfast bar, just like I did my first morning here, and watch, observing the difference only three short weeks can make. Instead of ogling the woman I was intensely attracted to, I’m now ogling the woman I’m also madly in love with.

And then there’s my sister. Our sister. Yeah, saying that doesn’t exactly make me comfortable either, but apart from twisted minds thinking the worst, it’s kind of special. Sharing a sibling with the love of my life only reinforces my view that we’re connected, that we were always meant to be.

When Jamie turns toward the fridge to put away the orange juice, she startles a little at the sight of me. Unfortunately, today she’s fully dressed and clearly wearing a bra. Damn shame.

Rushing forward, she plants a kiss on my lips. “Morning.”

I cup her arse, pull her in close, and murmur. “Best morning ever.”

“Okay!” Anika shouts from the other side of the kitchen. “No groping each other until I’m gone.”

Releasing Jamie, I ask, “What’s all this?”

“A goodbye breakfast for Anika. She’ll need some extra energy today,” Jamie explains, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

I’m guessing Anika’s not the only one who’ll need extra fuel.

“For once, you get to relax. Now, go sit,” she instructs.

By the time I take a seat and Jamie places a glass of orange juice in front of me, Anika’s heading around the breakfast bar with three plates expertly balanced. She sets them down and I stare at the perfectly fried sunny-side-up eggs resting on toast with bacon on the side.

“Seems I should’ve been pretending I didn’t know how to cook all along. I could get used to being waited on by one beautiful woman and Satan’s sidekick.”

“So fucking funny, dickwad. Only I’m nobody’s sidekick.” Before I can stop her, Anika stabs her fork into one of my eggs, bursting the silken yolk.

“While you’re at it, don’t forget the other one. Then you can cut everything up into nice little bite size chunks for me.” I only just manage to snatch my hand away before her fork slams into the placemat.

“Anika!” Jamie shouts.

“He started it!”

I hold my hands up in surrender.

“That’s right, bro. That’s exactly how every perp’ll behave when I have them cornered.”

“No doubt about that. You’re fucking terrifying.”

“You bet your arse I am. Oh! I almost forgot,” she says, her eyes lighting up with glee. “I was thinking … if you two get married, you’ll be my brother and my brother-in-law, and Jamie’ll be my sister and my sister-in-law. How’s that for a mindfuck?”

I shoot a glance at Jamie, and we both crack up. What else can we do but laugh? Anika’s not wrong. It’s a fucking mindfuck.

Way too soon, and nowhere near soon enough, it’s time for Anika to get going. Giving her and Jamie some space, I potter around the kitchen, cleaning up the mess I insisted on dealing with.

When I’m almost done, Jamie wraps her arms around me from behind. “We’ve said our goodbyes. She’s waiting for you in the garage. Apparently, she needs help getting her luggage in the car.”

I turn in her arms and look down at her tear-streaked face. But it’s not entirely sad. She seems content, happy that her sister’s starting her own journey in life.

“Help?” I ask. “Since when does she need help with anything?”

“I think it’s code for ‘ I need to say goodbye to the big brother I absolutely adore, so therefore must pretend I need him for something. ’”

We smirk at each other. “Nope, doesn’t sound like her at all.”

“Okay. What about, ‘ Get my stupid fucking bro out here so he can use those big muscles for something useful .’”

“Better,” I grin. “You okay?”

“I’m fine. Now go.” She shoves me out of the kitchen and into the hallway.

“Don’t disappear on me,” I warn.

“Oh, we’ll see …” she says with a sly smile

I shake my head with a laugh, hoping I appear relaxed. I don’t want her to know how hard my heart’s beating. Now that we can finally be together, nerves are kicking in. Idiot .

Summer heat engulfs me as I step into the garage and squint against the brightness of the sun streaming through the open door.

When I meet Anika at the back of the car, I find she’s already placed her suitcases in the boot.

“Thought you needed help.”

“Yeah, yeah, sure you did,” she smirks.

When I catch her eye, I realise Jamie’s not the only one who’s shed a tear. “Someone squirt you in the face with a hose?” I tease.

“Fuck off,” she bites, then the next second, her arms are around my waist, and I’m hugging her right back.

“She’s really going to miss you,” I tell her. “Guess I will too. Just a smidge.”

She holds me a little tighter, remaining silent for far too long. I don’t rush her. I think she’s only quiet because she can’t speak through her emotions.

Finally, with a thick voice I haven’t heard from her before, she says, “Don’t you ever tell anyone, but I think you’re amazing. I’m pretty fucking happy I have a brother, and that he’s you.”

Coming from her, that admission lights me inside. “Right back at ya, kid.”

Her body vibrates with a laugh as she lets go. Then she meets my eyes.

“As great as you are, Mr. Wonderful, you do anything to hurt my sister, and I’ll hunt you down and put you right back in that cell. Only difference being, you’ll deserve it.”

“That’ll never happen.” I take a deep breath, my gaze unwavering. “I love her, Ank. I’ll never do anything but love her, protect her and look after her the way she’s meant to be cared for.”

She nods, quickly wiping at a stray tear.

Placing a hand on her shoulder, I say, “I’m proud to have you as my sister. You’re one of the best surprises of my life. And I know you’ll be a great cop. Just … be careful, okay?”

A genuine smile blooms on her face, and I pull her back in for a hug. “Now fuck off so I can finally get laid, you little demon.”

Laughing, she pulls away and punches my bicep. I grunt and rub at it as if she’s hurt me.

Then, without another word, she slams the boot shut and gets behind the wheel. I watch until she’s reversed out. With a final wave she drives off and I press the button to lower the garage door.

Alone. Finally.

And my heart’s performing summersaults.

Opening the laundry door, I come to an abrupt stop.

There, discarded on the floor, are Jamie’s shorts.