Jamieson stopped rocking me and looked at me perplexed. “Jenna just what is it that you think you saw?”

“I…I saw Trinity coming out of your room after she stayed the night.” Now I was confused.

Jamieson laughed lightly and tucked me against his chest rocking me again.

“What?” I demanded pushing back against him, trying to free myself.

Jamieson released me and I stood crossing my arms over my chest in a defensive move.

Jamieson merely smiled back at me. “Trinity did not stay the night in my room.”

“She didn’t? Then what was she doing in there?” I questioned.

“She had to come by to pick up some contracts I was working on here in my office yesterday; she has to sign them as the representative of her parent’s company. I thought they were in my study but then I realized I had put the on the nightstand in my room. She followed me in there. I was just escorting her out when you saw us,” he smiled and stood up into my space.

“Oh,” is all I could muster in response.

“And you’re wrong, Jenna,” he said in a dark bruiting tone.

“About what?” I demanded still defensive.

“About having a claim to me. You have every right to lay a claim to me, because I have already claimed you,” he stepped forward and crushed his lips to mine.

My head spun in dizziness as his lips explored mine. I devoured every taste and feel of him. I had missed him so much. This was the Jamieson I had pined for all those months. This was the man I had fallen for all those years ago.

Jamieson pushed me down onto the bed. I willingly went and he pinned me down cradling my head between his huge arms as he hovered above me.

“God I have missed you, baby,” his voice was muffled as he kissed down my neck.

I groaned in appreciation and reached up, pulling at his white t-shirt. Jamieson yanked it over his head giving me complete access to his body. I ran my hands up and down his back as he made a trail of kisses down my chest. He came to the bottom of my pajama top and lifted it up.

He must have seen the slight hesitation in my eyes because he stopped. “I’m sorry, I should slow down.”

I closed my eyes as the realization hit me of what we were so close to doing. “What are we doing?”

“Jenna, look at me.” Jamieson said softly brushing the hair away from my face.

I opened my eyes and looked into his gorgeous navy eyes. They had always been my weakness.

“I want you—” I tried to cut him off but he stopped me by placing one of his delicious long fingers over my lips. “I want you, but I know that a lot has happened between us and I have broken your trust. I get that, but I want you to know I will do anything to repair that. I don’t care how long it takes, I am not going anywhere. You are the one I want and I will do whatever it takes to get you back.”

I blinked in disbelief at how much Jamieson was willing to confess to me. In the past he had always been closed off, leaving me guessing about his true intentions but now he was different. I wasn’t quite sure how I felt, but I also knew that I could no longer deny that I wanted him as much as he wanted me. I was yet again at a crossroads and had to make a decision that I knew could destroy me completely if I choose wrong.

I swallowed hard and went with my gut instinct even if my head was screaming at me that I was a dumbass. “Okay.”

A huge grin spread across his lips and he once again lavished me with kisses. I could get lost in his kisses. There was something hypnotic about them. I closed my eyes and let him devour me. I could feel my cold resolve towards him melting away with each greedy kiss and it scared the hell out of me. I was wading back into deep-end of the heartbreak pool and I knew it, but I couldn’t help but let the current drag me under.

We were taking things slow. Ever since that searing hot kiss, we would make-out anytime we were alone. Somehow, Jamieson managed to always keep things tame. Two days later we went on a date. It was perfect. Jamieson took me to my favorite restaurant downtown. Afterwards he had asked me if I wanted to join our friends at Gossips later and I readily agreed.

“What the fuck do you mean you made out with Jamieson?” Olivia demanded as we waited in line for another round of drinks.

“Just what I said,” I told her and a very wide-eyed Audrey.

“I don’t understand. You hate him. I mean I know he is your husband but you hate him. Don’t you?” Livy asked.

“It’s complicated.”

“Yeah that is an understatement. I don’t get this. I didn’t get it when you moved into his house and now I really don’t get you hooking up with him.” Livy was clearly frustrated with my choices. I knew she would see it all as a mistake. I couldn’t blame her for that, but I also knew that when it all blew up in my face she would be there with a shoulder to cry on.

“I get it,” Audrey offered softly.

“You do?” Livy questioned her.

“Yes, she loves him. She has always loved him. I could see it even when you were with Cain. There was that part of you that always belonged to Jamieson and no matter what you did you couldn’t change that fact,” Audrey said smiling softly at me.

I knew what Audrey was saying was the truth but it was truth I hadn’t fully admitted to myself, but now that it was out in the open, there was no denying it.

“Thank you Audrey,” I said hugging her. It was comforting to know she wasn’t judging me.

“Is that true Jenna? Do you love him?” Livy asked softly now.

“I don’t think I ever really stopped,” I said shrugging my shoulders and giving her a half smile.

“Well hell, does that mean I have to be nice to him now?” she laughed.

“No, I think we should make him work for it,” I told her.

“Oh good, looks like the fun is coming this way.” Olivia pointed towards the door.

I watched as Derrick, Julian and Jamieson made their way through the crowd toward us.

“What are you ladies smiling and laughing about over here?” Julian asked.

“Oh we are just discussing how Jamieson and Jenna are back together,” Olivia blurted out.

“Really? Is that true JW?” Derrick turned to Jamieson.

Jamieson was however intently watching me and I was lost in his eyes. He closed the distance separating us and kissed me in front of all our friends.

I heard them laughing and cheering us on but I was consumed by Jamieson. I ignored everything else but him.

Finally, he pulled away from me letting me catch my breath. He however didn’t let me go he held me tightly against him. Our friends watched in utter amazement.

“Wow. Alright, I think that calls for a round of shots.” Julian laughed.

Derrick smiled and patted Jamieson on the back. Clearly they were encouraging our reunion.

Julian handed us each shot glasses full of tequila. “To Mr. and Mrs. Wellington.”

I smiled up at Jamieson, but I watched as something dark flashed across his face quickly before he tossed back his shot.

“Alright it’s time to dance and that stage is calling my name.” Olivia shouted as she grabbed Audrey dragging her to the dance floor. I was relieved my ankle was still bothering me so I could sit this one out. It gave me that much needed moment to analyze my feelings and the darkness I saw in Jamieson’s face just now. Had I missed something? I thought this is what he wanted?

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

May 18, 2013…

“I can’t believe we just graduated!” Audrey squealed hugging me in the middle of the huge Vanderbilt auditorium.

We had done it. Audrey and I had managed to navigate three years of absolute hell and we came out the other side as law school graduates. It was my single biggest achievement and I couldn’t have been more thrilled.