“It’s true,” he said simply.
“My dad is a pretty big deal at the Bureau. I guess I worry about people comparing me to him. Thinking I don’t live upto his reputation. Or worse, they think I only got where I am because he pulled strings.”
“Don’t doubt yourself.” His insistence on her abilities earned him a warm smile full of gratitude, and he basked in it.
When they reached Cielo Springs, Jayson drove straight to Emma’s place. Brett had been relieved to know she’d been rescued and, the moment they parked, he dashed out and crushed her in a huge hug. She kept reassuring him she was okay, and he kept looking at her, running his hands over her to make sure. It truly made Jayson’s dad heart happy to know his little girl was with a man who loved her so much.
Jayson crossed his arms then turned to Sabrina. “I was going to make them come over and stay with me, but I think they’re going to want to be alone.” He knew they would be especially vigilant after what had happened. And he also knew they had an alarm, a gun and the entire Motley Crew on speed dial.
“When I spoke to my dad on the flight, he said Ferrante will be brought up on kidnapping charges. That man is going to have much bigger things on his plate to deal with than revenge.”
She was right. He’d let the FBI deal with Rocco Ferrante. Still though, he wanted to make sure Emma felt safe, so he walked over, interrupting her reunion with her fiancé.
“You’re more than welcome to stay with me,” he offered, searching her face for any signs of distress. “I know that was traumatic.”
“I’m okay, Dad. Nobody touched me. I think I’m more angry than anything.” She hugged him hard. “I knew you’d come.”
“I’ll always be there for you, Emmie G,” he promised.
“I know,” she whispered. “And I love you so much for it. But maybe now you can focus on yourself a little, too. Because there’s a gorgeous FBI agent who can’t stop giving you googly eyes.”
A low chuckle erupted from his throat. “Roger that.”
“Thank you, Mr. Knight,” Brett said sincerely.
When he reached a hand out, Jayson frowned, stepped forward and clasped the man in a half-hug, slapping him on the back. “I think it’s about time you started calling me Jayson,” he said, voice gruff.
Brett nodded and they said goodbye. Then he wrapped his arm around Emma and led her back to their home.
Jayson rejoined Sabrina, who was waiting beside the SUV. She waved to Emma, who gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up.For crissakes. Jayson rolled his eyes, thinking she may as well just blurt out how she hoped Sabrina would be the woman to end his dry spell.
Although he hoped the same thing.
Once they settled in the vehicle, it was a short drive back to Jayson’s house. The air between them felt comfortable. Light and full of relief for Emma’s safe return.
“You raised a wonderful young lady,” Sabrina said.
Her words meant a lot, and his chest expanded. “Thanks. It wasn’t always easy, but my mom helped a lot. She passed away a couple years ago.”
“I’m sorry,” Sabrina whispered. “I never knew either of my grandmas.”
“Do you ever wish your mom had stayed?” he forced himself to ask. He’d done his best to raise Emma, but that thought always lurked in the back of his mind. Should he have tried harder to convince Tara to stay? To find her a stepmother? Yes, she’d had her grandmother, but had it been enough? Hadhebeen enough?
She didn’t think long about his question. “No. If she didn’t want me or my dad—two pretty freaking amazing people—then I don’t want her.”
Her answer made him feel better. “I can’t tell you how many times I wondered if I was enough. Emma and I have a greatrelationship, but I know a girl needs her mother sometimes, right?”
“I mean, don’t get me wrong. There were times I wanted a woman’s advice. Some things, like boys and teenage girl stuff, I wasn’t always comfortable talking about with my dad. But I had girlfriends. We muddled through it together. And you said Emma had her grandma, which is amazing.” She turned in her seat as he pulled into his driveway, reaching out and placing a gentle hand on his arm. “Don’t doubt yourself. From what I’ve seen, you’re an incredible father. Emma is lucky to have you.”
Jayson shut the engine off and turned to face her. Locked eyes with her as the heat of her touch scorched straight through his jacket. “She’s been my entire universe for a very long time,” he confided in a low voice, “but I think it’s time to stop ignoring my own needs.”
“And what needs are you referring to?” she asked breathlessly.
His attention dipped to her mouth and her glossy lips tempted him like nothing else. Lifting a hand, he cupped her face, leaned closer and whispered, “You,” before capturing her soft lips in a fiery kiss.
Sabrina grabbed onto his shirt, her fingers sinking into the cotton as she opened her mouth to him. He traced his tongue along the seam of her lips, briefly teasing, then slid his tongue inside, deepening the kiss. She responded eagerly, arching her body toward him and moaning softly.Fuck.That soft mewling sound was nearly his undoing.
Threading his fingers through her hair, he broke the kiss and pulled away. She made a disappointed sound and tried to tug him closer.
