“Bones, we can’t upstage Gram. That just wouldn’t be right.”
Our blissful minivacation was shattered on Saturday when we showed up at the dig site. The day started off beautifully with another shared shower, coffee, and pastries. Things didn’t go to hell until after we arrived at the farm and saw Senator Thompson had indeed shown up to assist with the dig. Jag got out of my passenger seat, and the stunned look on Baxter’s face was priceless. It was apparent he hadn’t known about my relationship with Jag when he’d invited me to dig.
“Uh-oh,” Jag muttered quietly so only I could hear. “He looks like someone just took away his ice cream cone.”
“Yeah, you did,” I told Jag wryly.
Like most politicians, Baxter swiftly replaced his surprise with a camera-ready smile. “It’s good to see you again, Dr. Brexler. I wasn’t aware you were acquainted with JJ.”
“We’rewellacquainted, Bax,” Jag said. He might as well have peed on my leg with the tone he used. I had to work hard not to smile at his possessiveness. That kind of macho bullshit should’ve made me angry, but it didn’t.
“I didn’t know you were bringing a friend,” Dr. Halverston said.
“He’s not my friend, sir. He’s my boyfriend.” I made sure to keep a professional tone as I set the record straight. My sexuality had never been discussed nor was it relevant to my ability to do my job. “Jag, this is Micah Halverston. He’s head of the archeology and anthropology departments. Sir, this is Jag Jackson. He’s volunteered to help us today since a lot of my students are away for the holiday.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Jag.” Halverston reached out and shook Jag’s hand. “You must be the reason behind the frequent smiles I’ve seen on Miller’s face these last several months.”
“I’d like to think so, sir.” Jag offered him a friendly smile.
“Thank you for helping us out today.” Halverston gave Jag a friendly pat on the shoulder before he walked off.
“Jag, huh?” Baxter asked.
“Only he gets to call me that,” Jag said. They stared each other down for several minutes before Baxter shrugged and walked away.
Jag leaned into me and gave me a quick kiss, shocking me with his PDA. “Let’s get moving. The sooner we get started, the sooner we can get back home. There’s still more pie in the refrigerator.”
If only it had been that easy. Baxter Thompson was there every time we made a discovery, yucking it up and getting his photo taken with every artifact we pulled out of the ground. Unfortunately, he pulled me into the photos with him and threw his arm around my shoulders each time. I was so caught up in the excitement of discovering an unknown Civil War battleground that I didn’t stop to think what it might look like to Jag and the others.
I took one look at Jag’s clenched jaw and the firm set of his lips as I approached him at the end of the day and knew he was furious. The brief kiss he had given me eight hours before was the last interaction I’d had with him all day. I’d been surrounded by students, faculty, and the senator every second. The happiness I felt over the discoveries faded when I realized how selfish I’d been. Jag turned and headed to my car without a word.
“Miller.” Dr. Halverston hollered my name just as I had started to follow Jag. I stopped and turned to face my boss and saw that he and the senator were walking toward me. “We’re having a get together to celebrate at my house tomorrow evening at five. It won’t be too late since we’re all back to work on Monday, but I couldn’t let everyone’s hard work go uncelebrated.”
“I already have plans, sir, but thank you for the invitation.”
“Miller, your plans can’t be more important than celebrating today’s discovery,” Senator Thompson said. I thought about the exciting news Gray and Chase would be sharing with us the next day and knew in my heart that was where I needed to be. I loved my career, but I loved Jag and my friends more.
“Actually, they are very important, and I won’t break them. I sincerely thank you for the invitation to your home, sir, and if I could be there, I would. I don’t miss any of our department meetings or celebrations, but tomorrow is a very special day for people I hold dear.”
“It’s not a problem, Miller,” Halverston said. “I’ll plan something more official in a few weeks and give everyone plenty of notice.” My opinion of my boss had shot up several notches that day—first because of the welcoming way he’d greeted Jag and then the way he’d defended my plans.
I thanked my boss and continued to my car where Jag waited. I knew I had some serious apologizing to do, and I wasted no time. “I am so sorry for the way I acted today,” I said as soon as I climbed into the car and shut the door. “I got so caught up in the excitement that I didn’t stop to think about your feelings.” I turned slightly in my seat so I could look at him. “Please forgive me.”
Jag looked at me, and his harsh expression eased a little. “What did they talk to you about back there?” I told him about the dinner invite and watched as his anger returned. “He just expects you to drop everything to hang out with him? Tomorrow is a huge day for Gray and Chase. Please tell me you’re not going to blow them off and go to the dinner.” I loved the way his eyes turned nearly black when he was either angry or really, really horny. I wanted to get past the anger and onto the horny phase of the night.
“I told them no.” I reached over and took his hand. “I got carried away by excitement today, but I do have my priorities straight.” I leaned in for a short and sweet kiss but that changed the second his lips touched mine.
Jag pulled back, leaving me panting and aching. “Press is still here. Take us home so we can finish this in private, Bones.”
Like the last time Jag had perceived Thompson as a threat, he claimed me with a possessive fervor that I loved. There was no doubt in my mind who I belonged to as he bent me over the end of my couch as soon as we entered the room. It was rough, raw, and real. I didn’t have to worry about biting down on my tie to keep quiet. I could make as much noise as I wanted—yell his name as often as I liked—and I did.
Jag and I didn’t edge each other very often because we rarely had the discipline to pull it off, but that night was different. Jag felt like he had something to prove, and I loved the lesson. I lost count of how many times he pulled me back from climax right as I was about to tip over the edge. My legs were sore and began to cramp from being bent over the couch for so long, but I loved every second of it. I literally begged for it, and he was only giving me what I wanted.
“Mine,” Jag had said several times as he kept pegging my prostate.
“Yours.” My voice sounded raw from shouting the word repeatedly. “Love you, Jag.”
“Bones.” The word sounded like it was ripped from his chest. “Love you too.” And we came together. “Was I too rough with you?” he asked once we were in the shower.
