Wicked Force (Wicked Horse Vegas #4.5)(41)

“Start from the beginning,” I tell her as I take her hands and give a squeeze. “Deep breath and tell me all of it.”

She inhales deeply, her nostrils flaring. The rush of air coming out is slow and steady and I get a brave smile from her. “I just couldn’t do it, Kynan. I know it might be career suicide and I know I may be passing up the opportunity of a lifetime, but I could not commit myself to something that I know I would hate with a passion. My career is supposed to fulfill me and this wouldn’t. I just know it deep in my heart, and no matter how much you or anyone else told me to go for it, I just couldn’t.”

“It’s okay,” I reassure her. “I told you to do what was best for you and you did. But I’m sure as fuck happy for myself.”

That gets a tiny mirthless laugh from Joslyn as her expression turns grim once again. “I don’t think my mom is ever going to talk to me again. Of course, she blames it all on you. Thinks the only reason I’m doing this is to stay with you.”

“Is there any part of that statement that’s true?” I ask curiously, because I’m damn proud right now that Joslyn made a business decision all on her own that was in her personal best interest.

I see a tinge of chagrin in her eyes. “Maybe a little. I mean... the part I said I’d hate it with a passion took into consideration that part of what I’d hate is being away from you. I know that might be stupid and immature—”

“Don’t,” I say gruffly, taking her chin in my hand. “Don’t put yourself down like that. I think you made a decision that was incredibly difficult and I don’t think you did it flippantly. If you had wanted it, you’d have gone for it.”

“Would I?” she asks skeptically.

“Let me ask you this... if you’d been giving a great recording contract and had to go halfway around the world to cut an album, and it would take you away from me for an extended period of time, would you do it?”

She considers, nibbling on her lower lip. Fuck if I don’t want to nibble there, but that will come later.

She finally nods. “I think so. I mean, if the offer was right.”

“Then stop worrying about if you made a silly decision based on love,” I tell her.

She blinks at me. “Love?”

“I love you,” I tell her simply. “And you love me too. Frankly, we’re kind of barmy arses not to have said it to each other yet. I figure you have enough on your mind and have been worried about all this bloody movie stuff, I thought I’d make the declaration of love first. Sort of take the pressure off you.”

“You’re oh so kind,” she drawls sarcastically then she gasps as I pull her to me for a hard kiss.

When we break, her eyes go soft. “I love you. More than I ever knew was possible.”

“Same here, Jos. What we have here is the real opportunity of a lifetime. I’m glad neither one of us is going to let it pass us by.”

“So I can move in with you?” she asks with a dimpled grin.

I stand up from the couch, drawing her up with me. “Yes. In fact, let’s go move you in right now.”

Because I think we should re-christen my bed as now belonging fully to both me and Joslyn. I lead her back to where I dropped her suitcase and nab it from the floor. I get halfway to the door when I hear Jerico calling me.

“Taking the rest of the day off?” he asks slyly.

I look over my shoulder, see him exiting the elevator. “Yup. I’ll be in tomorrow and will get right on that project.”

He waves me off, shaking his head with amusement. “Bright and early,” he commands.

“Bright and early,” I acknowledge. And I’ll be eager to hit the day running, because my life just started for real.

With my love.

My Joslyn.





Epilogue



This was no joyous homecoming. When Madeline Meyers opened the door to her darkened apartment, her shoulders were sagging with weariness and her heart was heavy.

It was also very angry.

How dare she do this to me? she seethed inwardly.

Dropping her rolling suitcase in the foyer, she kicked off her shoes and shut the door, not even bothering to turn the lock. She was far too preoccupied.

Grabbing her phone from her purse, she dialed Ian McMichaels because she was dying to see what he’d accomplished since she left L.A. a few hours ago.

Answering on the second ring, he started filling her in without them even exchanging a greeting.

Madeline listened and the more she listened, the lighter her shoulders felt. Ian was going to have no problem procuring what she needed to set things right. It would take a few days, but that was okay. Ian was stalling on the movie deal offer so they had time.

Smiling to herself, she started making a mental list of the things that needed to be done. By the time she hung up with Ian, she was practically walking on cloud nine.

Joslyn was going to do that movie. She just didn’t know it yet.