I exhale heavily, not having spoken to her since our argument. Even responding to her texts feels like an epic feat.
JP raises an eyebrow. “She’s still your mom. You should talk to her.”
“Fine,” I grumble as JP gently lifts me up so he can slide into the hammock behind me. I feel the hammock dip and sway as he settles in. I lean back into the warmth of his chest, enveloped in his embrace as his strong arms wrap snugly around my waist. He plants a soft kiss on my bare shoulder.
“Hi, Mom,” I say, striving for a sunny cheerfulness. The hammock begins to sway gently as JP initiates a rhythmic motion.
“Lucy, I’ve been calling for days! Why haven’t you answered?”
“I’ve had a lot going on,” I mutter.
“I know, I just… I didn’t like how we left things. I thought maybe I could come into the city and take you to dinner?”
I pause, surprised. She never suggests coming to Manhattan.
“If this is about lecturing me again…”
“No, no,” she cuts in. “I want to spend time together.”
JP’s hold on me tightens, his body a wall of comfort behind me. His voice is a low rumble near my ear. “Tell her we’ll swing by after Bear Mountain.” One of his hands trails up to sweep my hair aside, baring my neck for him to kiss.
“Who’s that?” Mom questions sharply.
“Tell her you’re bringing your boyfriend,” JP says, louder this time.
Caught off guard, I tilt my head to meet his gaze, finding a smirk playing on his lips.
“That’s JP, my boyfriend,” I say. “He’ll be joining me.”
“JP… JP Wolfe?” she screeches so hard I wince. “Your boss in that God-awful photo?”
JP shifts behind me.
“Yes, that JP. Got an issue with that?” I retort, irritated by her tone.
She fumbles for a moment. “No! No issue at all. I… I just want you to be happy, Lucy. I feel that maybe I haven’t been supportive enough.” There’s an awkward pause. “So, I’ll be seeing both of you soon then?”
“Give us a few days, Mom. We’ll let you know our schedule,” I promise before ending the call. I lean my head back against JP’s broad, naked chest with a sigh.
A soft chuckle escapes him. “Finally, I get to meet your mom. You’ve already met my sister and my nephews, after all.”
I tense slightly. “I have?” More people from my life I’m supposed to know but can’t remember.
“You did. And they’re crazy about you. Just like I am.”
“They won’t if they think you stepped down from the company because of me. You don’t need to do this. We can make it work without you giving up your job.” I swear we’ve had this debate more times than I’ve blinked in the last few days.
“Listen. This isn’t about them or the company or the whole damn world, it’s about me. And you. For the next six months, my only job description is ‘be a kickass boyfriend to Lucy Walsh.’ Everything else can take a backseat.”
“Unless you’re planning to double up as my cleaner and chef, I’m not sure that’s a full-time job,” I challenge, half in jest, half desperately hoping he might. “What exactly does a ‘kickass boyfriend’ do all day? Should I be worried you’ll reorganize my closet?”
He responds with unyielding conviction. “Whatever it is you need, I’m on it.”
Jesus.
“Turn around,” JP commands gruffly. “I need to look at your gorgeous face.”
Impatiently, he lifts me up and flips me over so I’m perched on top of him in the hammock. We both nearly fall off as it wobbles from side to side.
“JP! Go easy!” I laugh as my thighs slide down on either side of him. Wow. He’s throbbing hard already.
His voice drops to a husky murmur, his warm breath sending a shiver racing down my spine. “I love you, Lucy Walsh.”
“I love you too, JP Wolfe,” I manage to reply, my heart pounding. Our hammock sways lazily beneath us.
Our words hang thickly in the mountain air as he draws me close. His thumb grazes my bottom lip before his mouth claims mine in a slow, deep kiss that steals my breath. I clutch at him urgently, weeks of tension and worry spilling out of me.
He slides my thong to the side and his thick erection looms eagerly against my slick opening. His experienced fingers press rhythmically against my clit as he grabs my hips firmly with the other hand.
“Let me in,” he commands gruffly, and I squirm slightly at his size. He slowly pushes himself into me until every inch of him is seated.
“God, that feels amazing,” he groans, and his fingertips continue to work their magic on my sensitive areas as his other hand holds me firmly in place allowing him to drive deeper into me.
A wave of pleasure courses through me as I feel him pulse and swell within me. His fingers continue their magical work on my clit while his other hand holds me firmly in place, allowing him to drive into me with maximum effect.
“This angle,” he grunts. “So deep. It’s driving me insane.”
Cursing, he thrusts into the deepest parts of me again and again with a ferocity that sends the hammock swinging wildly around us.
His face contorts in pleasure as his breathing intensifies and he grunts louder and harder with each movement, coming closer and closer to his climax.
“Lucy,” he groans as he comes hard inside me.
I’m done for. My body trembles uncontrollably the moment my orgasm hits me. My spine sends a wave of electricity outward as I quiver around him.
“I’m the luckiest man alive.” He grins lazily up at me before capturing my mouth in another passionate kiss.
In that kiss, nothing else matters-not the office rumors, the media circus, my missing memories. With the fervor of his lips against mine, the urgent pressure of his body, I know we can make this work.
We are the only two people in the world right now. Okay, maybe just the mountain. And I never want this feeling to end.
Nine months later
JP
The view from the terrace of the Bear Mountain Wellness Retreat is stunning-the lake mirrors the vibrant sunset, a palette of orange and pink. The first under the Quinn & Wolfe brand. It’s a universe apart from the frenzied, glittering streets of Vegas I once called home. Out here, I feel calm and at peace.
This weekend is a big milestone for the retreat as our first guests arrive-VIPs and popular bloggers eager to experience what we offer. The staff-yogis, wellness coaches, spa therapists, waiters, chefs-they’ve been busting their asses to get this place polished up and running smoothly. You can see the excitement on their faces, but you can also tell they’re nervous as hell.