by Shayla Black
“We made an agreement before I came back to you. I am determined to keep up my end of things, so I’ll return for the next eight days if you want.”
“Because you want the money from the divorce settlement?”
“Yes.”
“So…you haven’t filed yet?”
“No.”
Thank God for that. “Then what? You plan to hire an attorney and just…go on with your life as if this never happened?”
“No,” she said softly. Her expression broke, and he watched her fight tears.
It took everything inside Jason not to intervene and comfort her, to reach out and try to make everything okay.
“Then what?” He frowned at her, not understanding. “Explain.”
“I won’t be the one to file. I can’t stop you if that’s what you want, but…” She shook her head, tears gathering. “I’ll never make the first move to end our marriage. I tried for a year to go on as if we never happened. I already know it’s not possible.”
His chest seized up. Breathing stopped. His heart thundered furiously. “Are you saying you don’t want a divorce?”
“No.” She emphasized her answer with a shake of her head. “I’ve given this a lot of thought. You’ve been trying to show me affection in the way you know how, with gifts. It’s not an insult, and I have to stop being too proud to see that.”
Gia had been thinking.
Relief poured through him. “I never once tried to hurt or offend you.”
“And you’ve gone out of your way to help me. Trying to have Wayman arrested is a good example. I might not like your methods, but you meant to keep me safe and eradicate him from my life all at once.”
“Two birds, one stone. I’ve been telling you my motives for a while.”
“You have, and I…” She shook her head and curled her fingers together nervously. “I can’t hate you for that.”
“Protecting what’s mine is in my nature. I know you don’t like my methods—”
“But your intentions are in the right place, I know. Sometimes, I lose my temper and I get emotional. When I look back later, I see clearly that I overreacted. I’ve gotten pretty good at eating crow over the years. I wish you had told me that you intended to deal with Wayman, but I know you didn’t mean to take away my opportunity for justice.”
“I didn’t.”
“After I calmed down, I realized that I took my frustration out on you. I’m sorry.”
“You always want to right the wrongs. I respect that about you. I’m sorry if I stepped on your toes. I might be a bit too accustomed to calling shots and making decisions.”
“I’ve heard enough of your business conversations to figure that out. I just had to calm down enough to realize you didn’t do this to hurt me.”
“Never.”
“And I wanted to be really mad at you for forcing me to introduce you to my parents.” She gave him a wry, if reluctant smile. “As hard as it is to admit it, you were right. They really love you.”
A bright spot in this mess. “I’m pretty fond of them, too. Your niece and nephew are adorable and clearly idolize you.”
“They are a handful. I’ve loved every minute I’ve been with them.” She sighed. “But we’re not here to talk about the kids.”
“No,” he agreed. “You don’t want a divorce. What do you want?”
“What do you want? When you left last night—”
“I was mad, too.” A tight grin tugged at his lips. “I don’t often lose control of my temper.”
“Do you want these last eight days with me?” Gia looked like she held her breath. “You don’t have to coerce me. I’m more than willing to give them to you.”
Jason couldn’t find her words anything other than endearing. “Why do you ask? Because you want to spend those days with me or because you need money?”
“Both,” she admitted quietly.
He watched her closely, trying to puzzle her out, but her normally expressive face didn’t give a lot away. “We can negotiate the time together. The money…” He reached into his pocket and pulled free a piece of paper he’d folded and placed there earlier after picking it up off the fax machine at his office, then he handed it to Gia.
She scanned it. “What’s this?”
“Read it,” he encouraged with a bob of his head.
With a frown, she did. Her expression changed from impatience to confusion. Finally surprise overtook her face, complete with a gasp. “You didn’t!”
“What?” he asked innocently.
“You paid off my sister-in-law’s house?”
She screeched the question, and he took a step back. “You’re mad? I’m not trying to buy you, if that’s what you think. I just thought that since you always worry about Mila and the kids—”
“Thank you!” Gia threw herself at him, arms encircling his neck, legs around his waist, squeezing tight.
Damn, the minute she touched him, he wanted to tear her clothes off, restrain her, and get as deep inside her as possible.
Not far away, he saw a few moms watching over their kids stop and stare at them. Public scenes were nothing new to him…but definitely not with kids nearby.
Jason cleared his throat and gently eased Gia to her feet. “Baby, as much as I’d love to do every fabulously dirty thing to you I can think of, now isn’t the time.”
She sent him a little scolding glance with a laugh, but she still blushed. “I know. I just… Wow, I know you paid off Mila’s mortgage for me, and I can’t think of anything that makes me happier.”
Relief wended its way through his bloodstream. “Thank God. I finally figured out this morning that you wanted the divorce settlement to help your family, so I just took care of it. I know I didn’t consult you first.”
“It’s the most thoughtful thing you’ve ever done for me.” She grinned from ear to ear. “Mila is happiest being a stay-at-home mom, and even with my salary and the proceeds from the sale of my house, I could barely keep up financially. I didn’t want her worrying about affording the house or wondering how they’d find the money to eat. Now, without a mortgage, she’ll have enough left after Tony’s death benefits to take care of their necessities and save a little for the future. She’s going to be so incredibly happy.”
“If you’re happy, that’s what matters to me.”
“I’m thrilled. But…” She winced. “I still want the money from the settlement.”
“On top of paying Mila’s mortgage? All two hundred fifty thousand?”
“Yes. Today, if you can get it to me.”
Jason’s first reaction came from the cynic in him. She wanted money and she still intended to let the divorce happen? Why? Had she decided that she couldn’t live without the swanky shopping? He stared down into those deep dark eyes of hers, the lush rosy lips and paused. Did her reasons really matter? If all he had to do in order to keep Gia was take her to the mall and buy her a few things to line her closet…
He frowned and put the brakes on that thought altogether. Gia wasn’t Samantha. She’d been thrilled that he’d spent his money paying off a family member’s house, rather than try to bribe her with baubles.
“Who needs the money?”
She bit her lip. “It’s complicated. If you’ll at least consider it, take me to your bank, and I’ll show you what I’m thinking. Then…you can decide what you want to do about the money and about us.”
Knowing his wife, the money would benefit someone else far more than her, at least directly. She would probably derive her satisfaction from knowing someone she loved no longer had to worry, but who? Her parents?
“Separate cars? You lead. I’ll follow.” They headed toward the lot.
Gia gave him a sheepish grin. She looked like such a sensual woman most of the time. Her beautiful femininity had caught his eye first. She was all curves and angles, graceful. At the moment, however, she looked a bit like a child with that smile.
“Can I ride with you?”
Jaso
n palmed his keys. “You like the car.”
She shook her head. “No, I’m fascinated by the way you drive. It’s aggressive. And…sexy.”
Jason laughed. “Hop in.”
As he pressed the button on the fob, the car beeped and unlocked. He opened her door and helped her in, then shut her inside. Bracing against the car, he closed his eyes for a second, allowing himself a moment of triumph. She didn’t want a divorce.
So what happened with them after this jaunt to the bank? Gia wouldn’t tell him what she had in mind until she was good and ready. But any time he spent with her was a pleasure, so he played along.
Jason slid into the low, sleek vehicle, letting the black leather hug his body as he started the car and let it roar. He backed out of the lot, threw it in drive, then revved the engine. A smile crept up her face.
“You know, Officer Angelotti, I might break a traffic law or two today. Think you want to try to arrest me for that?”
Her smile disappeared, and she turned suddenly somber. “No.”
Hell, what had he said? “Did I upset you? I was just teasing.”
Face pensive, she licked her lips. He got hard at the sight and cursed himself. She was upset. As much as his cock wanted those lips around him, Jason had to focus on her.
“Sorry,” he murmured.
“It’s okay. It’s not you. I’ll explain after our stop.”
Something still bothered her. Jason examined their conversation from every angle, trying to determine what. Their marriage? This errand? He came up blank.
A few minutes later, they pulled up in front of the bank. Jason emerged and opened her door, curiosity eating at him. Whatever she was about, he wanted this settled so they could deal with their marriage and their tomorrows…and start letting Gia know that she was his.
As they approached the door, she stopped and placed her fingers on his chest. “Before we go in, I want to say a few things.”
He pulled her to the side to let another customer enter the branch and tried to rein his impatience. “Go ahead.”
“Whether you want to give me the money or not, it doesn’t change my decision. I won’t file for divorce. Obviously, I can’t stop you from doing it, and if you still choose to at the end of eight days, I won’t expect more money.”
His silly wife hadn’t yet grasped the way he saw their relationship working, but as soon as he figured out what she was up to, he’d make a few things clear.
“All right. Anything else?”
She nodded, then took in a shaky breath. “Last night, I gave a lot of consideration to my future, all parts of it. I took a long, hard look at my job and decided that I can’t keep working for a precinct where no one cares if justice is being served. When money becomes more important than right, I have no business being there. I talked it over with my dad. He understands. This morning, I quit.”
The words stunned him. Happily, of course. He never thought he’d see the day that Gia gave up the pursuit of order and goodness. He loved the idea that she wouldn’t be risking herself in the line of duty and possibly wind up a casualty like her brother, suddenly gone because some street punk had pulled the trigger. But Jason remembered their argument in his kitchen yesterday morning. She needed purpose in her life.
“If it’s a decision you’re happy with, then you made the right one. If you want my support, you’ve got it.” And he would totally provide for her. If she never wanted to lift a finger again, he’d be happy to give her everything she needed.
“That’s where the money comes in,” she admitted, wrapping her arms around herself as a breeze whipped through her sweater.
“So it’s a nest egg for the future?” Did she think she’d remain married to him but live separately?
“No, it’s the beginning of my new purpose. If I’m not going to be a police officer, I’ve got to do something good with my life. So I’m going to start a fund to help the families of slain officers. It will provide assistance for everything from burial expenses to child care to financial planning for the future. And grief counseling, definitely. Whatever these survivors need, I want to make sure they get. The money from the settlement will allow me to get a good start on fundraising and assisting others.”
Shock and pride both smacked him. God, Gia had the biggest heart. She made him feel alive for the first time in his life. Until her, he’d never known what it meant to think with goodness. Jason felt blessed to have her. If he had his way, he’d spend the next fifty years absorbing more of that love and giving it back to her.
“Did you already set up an account here?”
“No, but I did file the paperwork to create a nonprofit LLC so I could open one. Do you hate the idea?”
“No, baby. I love it. I think it’s every bit as amazing as you are,” he assured her. “Let’s get this started.”
An hour later, they emerged from the bank. Evening was just falling, leaving a bright orange-pink swath across the sky. Gia wore a smile of such serenity that she glowed. Jason had been attracted to her the moment he saw her, but he found her so much more beautiful because he knew how good she was inside as well.
“Congratulations,” he murmured as he helped her into the car again.
“I’m really excited to get started. Thank you so much for doubling the contribution. I can do more for others much faster.”
“My pleasure.” He started the car and drove back to the park.
It didn’t take long before they pulled into the lot again. Most of the minivans and SUVs had cleared out.
“So…that’s everything I had to say.” She looked at him expectantly. As Jason pondered the best way to tell her what was on his mind, she grabbed her purse and fished her keys out. “I’ll…um, get out of your hair.”
Jason reached out and grabbed her wrist. “No, you won’t. I need to say a few things before anyone goes anywhere.” And now that the moment had come for him to finally speak what was in his heart, he felt nervous as all hell.
She sank back into the seat but still didn’t look relaxed. “All right.”
Shit. He hadn’t planned this speech exactly. Without knowing what Gia had on her mind, he hadn’t been sure what to say. Usually, he went on with his thoughts and plans, then let everyone else adjust as necessary. Besides keeping him off guard, his wife deserved more consideration—especially since she always put everyone else first. No one did that for her, and he wanted to be the one she could count on.
“I’m listening,” she assured softly.
He gulped down rare nerves and took her hands in his, clutching them. “Gia, baby, I don’t want a divorce, either. I want you to stay with me and live as my wife. I want to take care of you and watch you grow this foundation in your brother’s honor, be a part of your family…and start our own. W-will you do that with me?”
The beginnings of a smile broke across her face, and she pressed her lips together to squelch it. Even so, he saw the moisture gathering in her eyes and making them glisten. Damn it, if she wasn’t the most beautiful woman he knew. “Really?”
“Yeah…” He squeezed her hands. “I’ve been thinking a lot, too. I love you.”
Gia froze, completely silent. Then she shoved her purse to the floorboard and launched herself into his arms, pressing her lips to his with a need that floored him. The passion to become one with him flowed from her kiss, deep into his mouth where they joined…then straight to his heart. Over the gearshift, he held her tighter, wishing like hell he could pull her body completely against him and make her his all over again.
But first, he had to hear her say that she wanted what he yearned for, too.
He tore away. “Is that a yes?”
She panted, her slick, passion-stained lips parted and tempting and… Shit, he needed to keep his head together. This answer was too important.
“Yes.” Gia brushed a solemn kiss on his mouth, then smiled softly at him. “Yes. I’d love that because I love you. So much.”
When she gasped suddenly, then dove f
or her purse on the floorboard, he frowned. “Baby?”
After a wild dig through her purse, she came up with a triumphant grin on her face. “Put this on me?”
Gia handed him her ring, then kept something back in her other fist.
Jason wondered what little plot she cooked up now, but he smiled. “My pleasure, wife.”
In the solemn silence, he slid the ring onto her finger. This time, he knew it would stay there. Joy lit up every nerve and jetted through his veins. He couldn’t imagine being any happier than he was right now.
“There,” she breathed, looking down at the symbol of their marriage all glittering in the falling light. “It’s beautiful…but not perfect.”
“It’s not?”
Gia grabbed his left hand in hers, set it against her cheek, kissed his palm. Then she looked into his eyes and, with shaking fingers, she settled a perfect platinum band around his finger. “I bought it this morning when I figure out what I wanted. In our rush to Vegas, we never picked out a ring for you, and I wanted you to have something from me so you’d always remember that you’re my husband.”
Fuck if he didn’t feel his throat close up as he choked on the moment. “It’s incredible. I’ll cherish it because you gave it to me.”
“I love you, Mr. Denning.”
“I love you, Mrs. Denning. Hell, I enjoy saying that.” He laughed, filling with light and joy and more happy tomorrows. “I’ll probably say it a lot.”
“Good.” She grinned, then gazed out the windshield. “I think all the moms and kids are gone.”
He glanced around the empty parking lot. “I think you’re right.”
Gia opened the door, stepped out, and bent to toss him a come-hither look. “You know, I’ve been a very bad girl, Master.”
Jason wondered what she was up to but figured he’d like it. “You have. I still owe you one hell of a spanking for deserting me for so long.”
“You do,” she agreed. “You’ll always keep me safe, right?”
“Always, to my last breath.”