He has a mischievous smirk as he shrugs. “I just wanted to know if your love for me was strong enough that you’d trust me to take care of you, no matter where we were.”
My lips pull into a pout. “If you weren’t already injured, I’d hit you so hard right now. Don’t ever try to test my love again!”
He leans forward and kisses me in the most soul-searching, earth-shattering kiss that ever existed.
“Never again, baby. Never again.”
Epilogue
Two Years Later
I wake up, disoriented. I’m not in my bed, and the curtains covering the large paned windows are drawn shut with a glimmer of sunlight peeking through.
A tender suction to my clit sends a jolt of pleasure to my core, reminding me why I woke up in the first place.
I look down at the white sheet and the outline of the strong man beneath, who is waking me with the seduction of oral sex in the morning.
I arch my back and let out a moan, letting him know he’s succeeded in waking me up.
Jesse swirls his tongue over and over, sending me into a reckless frenzy. I remove the sheet, so I can see his gorgeous face devouring me. He looks up, and the stare does dirty things to me. I want him in me more than I’m loving him on me. With a tug on his dirty-blond locks, I bring him up to me and lift my hips to meet his, forcing his very ready erection inside of me.
“Sweet mother of God. You feel so good,” he growls in my ear, pumping devilishly.
I’ve been living with this man for two years and have had sex with him more times than I can count. Each time, he acts like it’s the first time. I can’t argue. I’m still waiting for the moment I get sick of having this man inside of me. I don’t see it happening anytime soon. Especially when he swivels his hips the way he’s doing right now.
Jesse’s mouth lowers to my breast, and he bites on the nipple, making me call out his name.
He pumps his hips rhythmically as I lift mine, getting that perfect angle where he hits inside me just right. Jesse is a patient lover, and if he comes before me, he’s a courteous lover, never stopping until I’ve also had my fill.
I watch as his eyes close, and I know he’s close. With my hands on his chest, I push him up and flip over. Jesse loves to take me from behind, so I perch my ass in the air and let his slow grin do wild things to my insides. His hair is falling haphazardly over his forehead, making him look impossibly sexy.
He grabs my hips and eases into me.
“I love you so much,” he says. “How did I get so lucky?”
As he leans over me and grips my waist, pulling me into him so he can kiss my neck, I let the build inside me overcome me as I call out his name.
He rises up and takes me fiercely until he releases. I fall to the bed and wipe the sweat from my brow as Jesse lies on his side.
“Good morning.” He kisses me hard, and I’m too sated to fight with him over my teeth not being brushed. “Should we order room service?”
I nod in delight.
Jesse and I drove in from Maryland last night and checked into a hotel near my parents’ house. We’d stay with them, but our being here is a surprise, and we didn’t want to spoil it. Plus, hotel sex with room service is a bonus.
I rise from the bed, wrapped in the sheet, and walk into the bathroom while he calls in our breakfast order. As I run the water, I brush my teeth and put toothpaste on Jesse’s, knowing he’ll be in here as soon as he hangs up the phone.
After my father took a deal with the FBI, handing over information on money laundering, rigged contract bids, and extortion within the sanitation industry—not just in New York, but also the tristate area—he was sentenced to eighteen months in prison. Frank was absolved of any wrongdoing because my father made a deal.
Dad, Jesse, and I each testified in the trial of Carlo Lugazzi, who is in federal prison for life, while Jesse and I helped put Shane Salinger away for eighteen years.
Jesse asked to be reassigned within the bureau and was rewarded a supervisor position out of Washington, DC. We sold my apartment and his car, packed up mine, and started a new life for us.
Just us.
Together.
We have a one-bedroom apartment with his mother’s painting hanging over the sofa and a whole wall dedicated to photos of both our families. His sister has stayed with us several times and is considering moving to the DC area to be closer to Jesse.
His parents haven’t flown out, but we have been to Kentucky to see them three times with a plan for a fourth visit around Christmas.
Every morning, he leaves for work in the metro area while I have a job closer to home at an accounting firm. It’s a family-run business that handles personal accounts as opposed to corporate. It’s a nice place to work and perfect for me.
I climb in the shower and wash my hair, listening as Jesse comes in and brushes his teeth. When he’s done, he climbs into the shower with me as I’m rinsing the conditioner.
He starts washing me while I put shampoo in his hair. When it’s rinsed out, I lather him up, and then we kiss until our fingers are prunes.
This is what we do.
Sienna says we’re pathetic and too codependent. I have yet to argue with her. We were a couple brought together by the need to escape. We protected one another. He killed for me, and I took a bullet for him. If that doesn’t bond two people, then I don’t know what does.
While our cocoon in Maryland has been wonderful, I am happy to be back in New York to see my family.
Tonight, I’ll see my father outside of prison for the first time in eighteen months.
Jesse and I spend the day driving around. I have a few shops I want to go to and buy a new dress for tonight, and I really need to see my hairdresser for a fresh set of highlights. We shop for a few hours and have lunch at a restaurant on the water, and then he drops me off at the salon. While I’m getting beautified, he busies himself doing … well, I have no idea what he’s doing, and I’m okay with that. By the time I leave, I have a gorgeous blowout on my caramel-coated mane along with a manicure and pedicure done. I changed at the salon and slid my heels back on.
When Jesse picks me up, he’s changed into a black suit with a white shirt and no tie.
“Gorgeous, as always,” he says as he holds the car door open for me.
I slide into the passenger seat. “Few things feel as good as a fresh set of highlights.”
“I can think of a few,” he teases as he turns the car on.
We drive up the winding hilltop and through the gates of Villa Russo. The attendant is at my door as Jesse gets out of the driver’s side.
When we’re inside, my uncles are on us like tonight’s occasion is in our honor.
“There’s our girl.” Uncle Joey is the first to hug me while another uncle shakes Jesse’s hand. I’m surprised they knew we were coming.
Uncle Enzo puts his hands up in the air like he’s being arrested. “Careful. The Fed is in the house. Cut your wires and hide your weapons,” he jokes, and everyone laughs.
My aunts are all full of lovely words about how pretty I look and ask about my new place in Maryland. A few want to know why there isn’t a ring on my finger. I try not to act uncomfortable as I explain that we’re not in a rush while Jesse approaches my uncle Frankie and shakes his hand. They’re chattering in light conversation while my aunt is chatting in my ear about how old I’m getting and if I want to start a family.
Sienna is at my rescue, pulling me up to the bar. “Damn, girl, I missed you like crazy. You’ve been home for an entire day, and I’m only seeing you now!”
I laugh as I slide onto my stool. “I had things to do. Plus, we have all day tomorrow. You’re coming to the barbecue at my parents’, right?”
“Of course. The entire family. This is like one crazy, long celebration.”
“I know,” I say with a smile. It’s an exciting time.
A bartender walks up and gives Sienna her usual. I haven’t been here in a while, so he doesn’t know
me or what I’d like.
“She’ll take a Moscow mule. Use the fresh-squeezed lime juice, not the bottled stuff,” Jesse says as he slides an arm onto the back of my chair.
Sienna shimmies her shoulders. “I knew you two would end up together. You’re like the perfect couple. I’m so envious. Jesse, do you have any hot cop friends? I badly need a hook-up.”
He laughs. “You think your father would be okay with that? I mean, he has a hard enough time, looking me in the eyes, when I come around.”
She sways her head from side to side. “Yeah, probably not. He really hates your guts, but he totally respects you. I heard him say that once. He won’t tell you that though.”
“I have a feeling. He has a way with words, your father,” Jesse says.
I also know he’s considering how Uncle Frankie has welcomed him into the family over the past two years as a big step up.
Letting Jesse be in the room with the people he cares about the most and shaking his hand is acceptance enough for the two of them.
“All right, everybody, shut your mouths because he’s coming in!” Uncle Joey announces, and we look to the door.
My father walks in, and we all yell, “Surprise!” making him put his hands to his head in surprise.
Yesterday, he was released from prison. My mother was there to pick him up, and tonight, we are here to celebrate his return.
I saw him once a month while he was away. Sometimes, I brought Jesse, and other times, I went alone. I liked having my dad all to myself. The visits weren’t easy. I cried through the first two and ate my way through fifty dollars in vending machine snacks during the next two. But then it became our new normal. One I knew had a nearing end.
My father makes his way through everyone in the room, hugging and kissing and telling stories. I watch as he basks in the glory of seeing his family again.
While my father has done wrong, I respect him so much more now that he’s atoned for his crimes. He stood up for what was right and gave Jesse and me the future we deserved. I know not everyone in this room understands why he did it, but they value it.
As Dad sees me standing here by the bar, he comes up and places two big kisses on my cheeks.
“My Amelia,” he says with a crinkle to his eyes. “You know, I’m still so very proud of you. Don’t you ever forget that.”
I roll my eyes and give him a hug. “I’m so happy you’re home.”
He keeps his arm around me and then calls Gia in to get on the other side.
“Drinks! We need drinks all around!” he calls out, and the bartenders start pouring shots of Sambuca to be dispersed to whoever doesn’t have a cocktail in hand.
“You can put a man in a cell, and it can suck the life out of him.” Some people make sad groans in the room, and he motions toward them. “No, really. It’s a sad and ugly place, but I’ll tell you this. When a man has a family like this—a wonderful wife and two great daughters—to come home to, it opens up those walls tenfold. All I had to do was close my eyes and think about my girls or about having a cigar with my brothers or eating some of Joanne’s lasagna or dancing here at Villa Russo on New Year’s Eve, and I wasn’t there anymore. I might not have been with you, but you were with me. My family. All of you. Thank you for being here tonight. God bless, and salute!”
We raise our glasses and drink.
A waiter comes in with hors d’oeuvres, and a party ensues in the Oak Bar. When my father sees Jesse, he pulls him over to the side of the room for a discussion. They’re talking very close, and my father is using his hands in big gestures.
“What do you think they’re talking about?” Gia asks as she sidles up next to me.
“I’m not sure, but Dad seems pretty mushy today, so I assume it’s all good.”
Gia laughs. “You have no idea. He spent the day looking through our family albums. I give it a week until he’s back to normal.”
I stare at my dad, dressed in his fine Italian suit and looking like anything but a man who just stepped out of prison. “Nah. I think he’ll be back to normal by morning.”
The two men hug, and I watch as Jesse turns toward me with his hands in his pockets, looking surprised by the affection.
“You okay there?” I ask him at the sight of his peculiar face.
He glances toward the door. “You wanna get some fresh air?”
I lift a shoulder. “Sure.”
He takes my hand and walks me through the dining room to a door that leads to a terrace. We step outside, and I sigh at the view of downtown Manhattan glimmering in the night. Maybe it’s because I’ve been out of state too long, but the city looks prettier on this night than any other.
I walk up to the stone railing and look out onto the harbor. The moon is waning in the night sky, and the stars are out, shining beside it.
Jesse places a hand on my waist as he stands beside me. I turn to him and smile.
“Amelia,” he says as he places a hand in his pocket and pulls out a small box.
My smile disappears, replaced by shock. My hands fly to my mouth as I inhale sharply.
He lets out a laugh. “You can’t get like that yet. I haven’t even said anything.”
I nod as I try to control myself. “You’re right. It’s just … you took a box out of your pocket and … you know.”
He opens the box, which showcases a stunning round diamond on a platinum band. “I know.”
Jesse lowers down to his knee and holds the box out in the air. “Once upon a time, I asked you to trust me, and you did. You followed me through the darkest tunnels and crawled into the depths of the city without a prayer. I vowed that night to always protect you because it was in that moment that I fell in love with you. You’re courageous, kind, smart, beautiful, and brave, and I’m still trying to figure out how I became lucky enough to have you as my own. You value honor and family above all else. I love you, Amelia. Will you marry me and not only call me yours, but also make me your family?”
I nod like a madwoman and exclaim, “Yes!”
Jesse stands and slides the ring onto my shaking hand, pulling me in for a kiss that marks the first day of the rest of our lives—not just as an us, but also as a family.
I wrap my arms around him and kiss him, forgetting we’re at a restaurant and not home, where we could have all the indecent kisses we wanted.
He places his forehead against mine and smiles. “You have no idea how happy I am.”
“I have a feeling.” I grin and kiss him again until I realize my family is inside and we’re going to have to announce our engagement. “Oh, no. Wait. You have to ask my father for permission. I know it’s antiquated and ridiculous, but for the sake of sanity and argument, you’re going to have to—”
“I already asked, and he gave his blessing.”
“You asked him? When?” I stare at him, dumbfounded.
“Remember that work trip I took? I lied. I went to see your father to ask for your hand in marriage.”
The thought of Jesse going to a federal prison to meet with my father on his own warms my heart. “You’re too good of a man, Jesse Davenport.”
He agrees. “That’s probably why he said yes on the spot. All he asked was that I wait until he was home. He wants to celebrate this with us.” He lifts my ring-clad hand and kisses my knuckle.
I smile in disbelief at how surreal my life has become. “Who would have thought that the undercover agent posing as a bartender, trying to infiltrate a mob family, would fall for the daughter of the man he was trying to take down?”
“You make it sound so romantic.”
I rise on my toes and kiss him again. “Because it is. Our story. You and me. Just us.”
“Us.” He kisses me back. “The way it should be. Always.”
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Also by Jeannine Colette
Abandon Collection
Pure Abandon
Reckless Abandon
Wild Abandon
True Abandon
Sinful Abandon
Wild Abandon Box Set
Standalones
A Really Bad Idea
Just Ten Seconds
Layover Lover
Wrecked
Sexton Brothers Series
Austin
Bryce
Tanner
Sexton Brothers Boxset
Falling for the Stars Series
Naughty Neighbor
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About the Author
Jeannine Colette
Jeannine Colette is the author of the Abandon Collection – a series of stand-alone novels featuring dynamic heroines who have to abandon their reality in order to discover themselves . . . and love along the way. Each book features a new couple, exciting new city and a rose of a different color.
A graduate of Wagner College and the New York Film Academy, Jeannine went on to become a Segment Producer for television shows on CBS and NBC. She left the television industry to focus on her children and pursue a full-time writing career. She lives in New York with her husband, the three tiny people she adores more than life itself, and a rescue pup named Wrigley.
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