“Oh, me too, sweetheart. And I hope she puts him through hell before she puts him out of misery. Arrogant bastard,” he grumbled.
Hope smiled as she walked beside Jason, her hand entwined with his as they made their way to the aircraft. “That’s a terrible thing to say.” She slugged him in the bicep playfully. She knew Jason actually liked Tate, probably respected him, but he hadn’t been happy when she’d hugged the handsome blond man goodbye and pecked him on the cheek.
“It’s not terrible. I’m actually waiting for it to happen,” he said innocently, shooting her a slick glance.
“You’re waiting to torture him,” she chastised.
Hope smiled as Jason laughed evilly. She couldn’t help herself. Being raised with four brothers who tormented each other constantly, she knew they still cared about each other, and Jason was far from coldhearted. Tate might be a pain in Jason’s ass, but he liked him.
“Maybe a little,” Jason admitted as he helped her up the stairs of the plane. “I was fine until you kissed him,” he accused.
Hope just gave him a seductive smile. “He just got a friendly peck on the cheek. You get a hell of a lot more.”
“Show me,” Jason said huskily as he followed her onto the plane.
“Count on it,” she replied in the fuck-me voice that she knew he couldn’t refuse.
“Soon,” Jason growled.
Hope just laughed, and proceeded to show him a lot of things as soon as the plane had leveled off and they were on their way to New York. It was a flight that passed…very pleasurably.
Two Weeks Later
Jason watched Hope as she sat at the bow of the yacht. Yeah, he now called Sutherland’s Hope a yacht. His wife wasn’t worthy of anything less. She looked beautiful enough and happy enough to take his breath away. He doubted he’d ever look at her and not feel the exact same way. She’d become his entire life, a life that had made him so happy that it was almost terrifying.
She’d come on board the yacht full of excitement and enthusiasm, anxious to be out on the water. Looking at her, he could tell she would become as addicted to being on the ocean as he was. She was already involved in shooting pictures of just about anything and everything she saw.
Her hair was loose and blowing wildly in the breeze, making her look untamed and sexy as hell.
“Having fun?” He took a seat beside her.
“This is incredible. Thank you for bringing me out,” she answered enthusiastically.
Like he’d do anything else? He couldn’t be away from her for a day without missing her so much it hurt.
They’d spent most of yesterday visiting with his mom, and she’d been ecstatic about Hope joining the family. His mother had always adored all of the Sinclairs, but she’d had a soft spot for the little girl who really had no mother to guide her, and a useless, abusive father. She’d welcomed Hope like family, and Jason had seen Hope glow from being treated like an adored daughter.
“I’m glad you like it,” he told her simply as he dropped a kiss on her forehead.
“I love it. I’ve already gotten some beautiful shots.”
Jason grinned. He hoped to turn her mind to a different view as they headed out to sea. “I haven’t shown you the comfortable cabins yet.”
She smirked at him. “Is that all you ever think about?”
“When I’m around you? Yep. Pretty much.” Jason wasn’t going to deny he wanted to get her into a bed. Any bed. All he had to do was look at her, think about her, and he was rock-hard.
What a fool he’d been to think he’d ever fuck Hope out of his system. Instead of getting easier, it was actually harder to keep his hands off her as they grew closer and closer.
He still had more business to finish up in New York, but later in the year, they hoped to move permanently to Amesport. They might hit Aspen occasionally to ski, and he’d still have to be in New York sometimes, but they’d have a permanent home, and Hope would be somewhere she enjoyed. Not once did she complain about New York. She was the type of woman who found good in everything, and she spent time exploring the sights and took as many pictures as possible. But he suspected that she’d be a hell of a lot happier in Amesport, and if he was honest, so would he. It would be nice to have Grady and Emily right down the street.
“Think Grady has cooled down enough for me to show my face in Maine by now?” he asked casually.
“He’s over how we started completely. You’ve talked to him. He’s anxious to have us live there.” She swiped her windblown hair back from her face.
Much to Jason’s relief, her brothers had gotten over what he’d done. Probably because they spoke to Hope often, and they knew she was happy.