Jules was back.
Which meant she wasn’t in witness protection or a runaway bride, and no one was going to jail.
My chest unclenched, joy rushing in so fast it knocked me over. Literally. I flopped onto the bed, pretending to be asleep.
I peeked one eye open and watched her tiptoe inside. She had two paper cups in her hands. From Starbucks. Oh, she’d gone to get us coffee.
I bit back a smile. All that worry for nothing.
She bent over to set her bag down on the table in the corner.
Dang, she was hot.
In those running shorts, she was all curves and long legs. If someone had told me five years ago, when I was at my lowest, that one day I’d marry Juliette Serrant…well, honestly, I would’ve said, “Who’s that?” But once they’d shown me a picture, my mind would’ve exploded on the spot.
There was nothing I’d done to deserve her. Not even one night of her. Definitely not last night. I did smile this time. Let’s just say, saving myself for my wife? Ten out of ten. One hundred thousand percent recommend.
When she turned toward me, coffee in hand, and I saw what the barista had written on the cup, it took all my self-control not to laugh.
Last Night’s MVP.
Debatable.
We could share the title of MVP. Orarmwrestlefor it again tonight.
She leaned down slowly, carefully setting the cup on the nightstand, trying not to wake me. When she started to stand back up, I struck. My arms shot out, snaking aroundher waist. She screamed as I pulled her on top of me. I kissed her everywhere I could reach, my stubble making her squirm.
“Griff!” She smacked my shoulder, laughing. “Stop—stop!”
So I did. I locked my arms around her and she sank into me, her head dropping to my shoulder.
“Good morning, Mrs. Dupree,” I murmured into her hair.
“Good morning,” she whispered back, her nose resting against my cheek, her breath warm on my neck.
We lay there a long while without words, her heartbeat finding mine. So this was what bliss felt like. No wonder my parents, aunts and uncles, and Cash and Charlie were so obsessed with each other. No wonder my dad chased my mom down the hall to their bedroom.
No wonder. I sighed.
“I could stay like this forever,” she said softly.
“Me too.” I kissed her temple. “But we can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because we have a boat to catch.”
“A boat?”
“A boat.”
“What kind of boat specifically?”
“Specifically? A cruise ship.” I smiled, though she couldn’t see it.
“We’re going on a cruise?” she asked, her tone thick with excitement. “I’ve never been on a cruise.”
“Me either.” I grinned.
