He helped me to my feet and I looked to South, West, and East. “We’re going to get out of here.”

South stood. Nodded. “Good. Work can wait a week or two.”

“A week or two? I meant tonight,” I countered.

He shook his head. “No. Go. We don’t want to see you for at least a week.” He held up his hand. “Before you say anything about work, the company’s not going to go under.”

Jed wrapped an arm around my waist and kissed the top of my head. “A week.”

I was going to argue, out of habit, for a second. But really, I didn’t want to. A week with Jed alone? Yes, please.

South held out his hand to Jed. They shook. “Take care of our sister.”

“You know I will.”

I gave a little wave to East and West who were smiling. They liked Jed. They liked me with Jed.

Things had changed. We were different now. Secrets revealed. The past couldn’t hurt us any longer. We were stronger. A team.

Jed led me inside. “Where do you want to go?” he asked as we cut through the great room.

There was no delay in my answer. “Your cabin. Definitely.”

I loved it there.

“I’m selfish. I want you all to myself,” I admitted, tugging him to stop, then hooking my hand behind his neck.

His eyes gleamed and he kissed me, as if he couldn’t help himself.

When I lifted my head, I debated dragging him to my room and my bed, which was much closer than the cabin. “Let me pack a bag,” I murmured.

“Won’t need it, princess.”

“To stay for at least a week I need—”

He set a finger over my lips. “You need my t-shirt and nothing else. You know what’s going to happen to your panties if you bring them.”

“You’re going to take them, then fuck me,” I said, my voice breathy with anticipation.

He growled. “When I walked into Macon’s wake, all I thought about was that I didn’t fuck on command. Because that was what Marshall wanted.”

I stiffened at his admission, but I waited. He had more to say and the one thing he wanted me to do was to trust him. I did.

“I’d been completely wrong,” he said. “I do fuck on command.”

My mouth dropped open and I stared at him, confused. “If there’s one guy who doesn’t like to be bossed around, it’s you.”

He shrugged and the corner of his mouth tipped up. “What changed, princess, is who is bossing me around.”

Oh. He was talking about me.

“I thought… I thought you were in charge.”

His smile widened then and he kissed me once more. “That’s right. I’m in charge. But you’re the one who holds all the power.”

“Really?”

He nodded.

“You rule me, princess.”