Ricochet (Renegades #3)(97)
Author: Skye Jordan

Her mind spun with the offer. “What are you talking about?”

He lifted a shoulder. “Lexi and I discussed possibilities.”

He didn’t need to say any more. Rachel saw the events leading to this moment click together—Nathan had gone to Jax, looking for Rachel. Jax had talked it over with Lexi and created this alternate plan for Rachel, enabling her to take this leap with a safety net if that’s what she wanted.

The realization pulled up another torrent of emotion—gratitude, love, excitement. Because if they believed in Nathan enough to make that move, Rachel knew what her heart had been telling her for weeks was real.

Still, it was another big jump in her life. Far bigger than her move from the valley to Los Angeles. And, as right as it might feel in her heart, she knew Nathan faced big hurdles ahead.

“But, what about you guys?” she asked Jax even while her grip tighten on Nathan’s arm. “You’re my family.”

“Oh, we’re not letting go of you that easily. We’ll get you back here for one reason or another at least once a month.” Jax ran a hand over Rachel’s head with a loving smile. “Think about it, honey. I’d do just about anything to keep you with Renegades. I’ve got the filming here for now. Take a few hours for yourselves.”

Now her heart filled doubly wide, and her chest ached in a whole new way. She looked back at Nathan and read the hope in his gaze. She tipped her head, her mind filled with should I? And as if Nathan read her mind, he nodded.

Jax started past them, toward the filming, and Rachel grabbed the pant leg of his jeans.

This was so impulsive. But then she looked at Nathan again, and she knew this whole impulsive thing was something she’d have to learn to get used to, because it brought her the best things in life.

She looked up at Jax, and offered a breathless, “I’ll take it.”

Jax smiled, nodded, and continued on his way.

But every time she made one, it got a little less frightening. And…she was pretty good at it, if she did say so herself.

She met Nathan’s gaze again, his gray-green eyes now filled with deep, soft emotions.

“Oh, shit….” she breathed, her heart tapping quick against her ribs. “That was a big leap.”

Nathan’s hand framed her face, and his warm eyes fixed on hers. “I’ve got you,” he said, his voice filled with confidence and reassurance. “I may be a fuck up in other areas, baby, but I’ll never let you fall. I’ll always have your back.”

The butterflies in her chest quieted. “Yeah?”

A smile twitched at the corners of his mouth, but his eyes remained serious. “Oh, yeah.”

She wrapped her fingers around his wrist, calming a little more with the solid feel. “We can make this? Together?”

He nodded. “Absolutely.”

“And you’ll let me help you?”

“Bank on it, baby.” One side of his lips curved and he leaned in, pressing his forehead to hers. “Are you coming to Virginia with me?”

Oh, my God. Yes. Yes. Her heart, her soul, every part of her screamed yes.

She bit her lip against the ridiculous rightness flooding her heart. “If…I could find a roommate. These last couple of weeks I’ve discovered I really don’t like being alone.”

Released her face with a whoosh of relief, wrapped her in his arms and dragged her against his body, rocking her back and forth. “I think I know the perfect guy,” he whispered in her ear. “Only, he wants more than a roommate.”

She turned her head, pressed her face into his neck, and kissed him there. “I’m willing to negotiate fringe benefits.”

He laughed, pulled back, and clasped her face in one big, strong hand. “I love you, Rachel Hart.”

Her chest opened, heart swelled. “I love you, too.” She kissed him hard and deep, pulling away with a view of her life that was 180 degrees different than it had been an hour ago. “What do you say we head back to my hotel?” she asked, running her hand down the front of his soft cotton tee. “We’ve got a few hours to get a head start on those…negotiations.”

He stood, pulled her to her feet, then lifted her into his arms. “I should warn you,” he said with a devilish grin, “I’ve been trained by the United States Army in such delicate matters.”

She stroked one finger over the shell of his ear. “I know, Master Sargent Nathan Jefferson Ryker. I’ve read your file.”