Chapter 23

It was the perfect way to relax, Isabella decided as she watched Jack fire up the barbecue and prepare dinner for them. She had strung fairy lights in the back garden, and they lit up the space with a gentle glow, along with the lanterns she and Lucy had placed in the garden years ago.

Jack had given her space since she had tricked David into confessing, but he never left. He had stayed, just like he said he would. She smiled softly to herself. All that worry for nothing. He was exactly the kind of man she wanted. He had spent every night with her since the FBI arrest. He had taken care of her, loved her. It was pure bliss. And for the first time, she could enjoy it. David would be locked away forever and she could finally have her happy ending.

She watched as he closed the grill to let the food cook and came over to lean back against the deck railing in front of her from where she sat on the swing.

“We have about half an hour before dinner’s ready. Plenty of time to see if your stamina is as good as you claim it is,” Jack said with a suggestive wink as he joined her.

“You think thirty minutes is enough?” she joked.

“It’s a start,” he said with a smirk.

Isabella shook her head and closed her book. “Thanks for making dinner tonight,” she said with a small smile.

“I figured I should start to help out more. Besides, you’ve been so stressed lately that I wanted to do something for you,” he said with a shrug as he studied her.

“You’re pretty amazing, you know?” she asked.

Jack winked at her. “Oh, I know.”

She giggled and threw the pillow that was next to her at him. He grinned and caught it in one hand before he sobered and looked at her with a serious look in his gray eyes.

“Want to talk about what Connor wanted now? Or do you need more time?” he asked as he took a sip of water.

“Now is fine. He wanted to tell me that David repeated his confession and that he’ll never get out of jail,” she said.

“Isabella,” Jack breathed out.

Isabella stood up and stepped between his open legs to put her hands on his chest. “I’m finally free, Jack. My life is my own again.”

Jack kept his hands to himself and just let her talk.

“I never really knew what I wanted growing up. And then David came along and it felt like he was my only way out of an abusive house. But he was exactly like my dad and in the end, Lucy came to rescue me. She helped me rebuild my life the way I wanted it to be. And I did. But it was never really enough,” she said as she fiddled with Jack’s collar.

“You said something when you were with David the other night,” Jack said as he looked down at her head, not touching her but just needing to be near her.

“I said a lot of things, Jack,” she said as she remembered that night.

“Something about love,” he whispered.

Isabella froze and looked up at him but only saw love shining out from his gray eyes.

“I love you,” she whispered.

“I love you, too, Izzy,” he whispered back.

She leaned forward and kissed him slowly, sweetly. She lingered against his lips and leaned back when she didn’t feel his arms wrap around her like usual. Her confusion showed on her face because he looked away for a moment before he stared down at her.

“I don’t want to scare you or make you think you belong to me,” he said.

“But I do belong to you. From the day we met, from the first dance we shared, my heart was yours. Only yours,” she said.

“Are you sure this is what you want?” he asked, giving her one last chance to walk away.

“I’m sure. Kiss me, Jack,” she whispered as she reached for him.

Who was he to refuse that? He leaned down and captured her lips in a sweet, lingering kiss. But it wasn’t enough. He opened his mouth against hers and deepened the kiss, letting his tongue tangle with hers. One hand went to the back of her head to hold her still and the other gripped her hip to pull her closer against him. She fit snugly between his outstretched legs and his seated position against the railing made their heights more even for once.

Isabella ran her hands through his hair as they kissed. She had missed him, even though they had seen each other that morning. He broke the kiss and trailed kisses down her neck, pausing to nibble on her ear and make her gasp. She tilted her head back and looked up at the fairy lights while he continued his gentle and loving assault. Tears formed in her eyes and she whispered a silent thank you to the universe for finally granting her the happiness she had always dreamed of.

“What’s wrong?” Jack asked as he pulled back and saw the tears in her eyes.

“I’m just happy,” she whispered as she wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled against him.

“Happy tears?” he asked as he wiped them away.

Isabella nodded. “Very happy tears.”

Jack studied her for a moment before he kissed her again. They loved each other. They both finally had their happy ending. And their love would not burn out. Not ever.

“Marry me, Izzy,” Jack said after he pulled back and looked into her hazel eyes that shone so brightly with love for him.

“Yes,” she said with a smile.

And for the first time in a very long time, Isabella was happy. She had found her heart and it belonged to Jack. Together, they had weathered the storm life had thrown at them and come out of it stronger. Now, they were free to be together. Isabella was free to love and to live and to enjoy life. And with Jack at her side, she would do all that and more.