Later that afternoon, long after the promise had been spoken and the kiss still lingered on my lips, I lay on my side watching him pack. As he brought his toiletries bag out of the bathroom, his eyes met mine. They conveyed so much. Our love for each other. My jealousy. His predicament.
"I've organised the chopper to leave at 11 am tomorrow. Do you think your friends will be ready to go by then?"
I nodded, recognising the question for what it was, a safe harbour in turbulent waters. We both knew my friends would be ready when the chopper arrived, or they'd find their own way back to Seattle. It wasn't really about logistics.
"Sweetheart…" Jackson murmured as he came to me and scooped me up to straddle him in bed.
His hands found my face, thumbs brushing along my cheekbones. "I hate th
