The Inheritances Game (Jameson Hawthorne)

Jameson's POV

I couldn't help but smile as I looked at her; she was undeniably beautiful.  "You're bleeding," she said, her voice filled with concern as she took a step closer to me.

I chuckled, despite the aches and pains that coursed through my body. "I'm also dangerously close to getting mud on... everything." It was true; there was mud all over me, and I was sure I'd already left traces on the carpet. "Before you ask," I added, seeing the worry appearing on her face, "I'm fine, and so is Gray."

Her fingers gently brushed away a smear of mud from my cheek, and our eyes locked. The touch of her hand sent a shiver down my spine. "I heard things got Hawthorne ugly," she said, giving me that look, a mix of curiosity and concern.

I shrugged, "Skye has a way of messing with our heads." She always had, no matter how much we pretended; she would always know how to get under our skin. "But at the end of the day, we all learned what we needed to know. Skye's not involved in the kidnapping." As I spoke, her fingers lingered on my cheek, and I took the opportunity to reach for her hand, interlocking our fingers. 

As we talked, her fingers remained intertwined with mine, and I couldn't resist leaning in. Our lips met in a slow, gentle kiss, filled with a mixture of adventure and the weight of the secrets we shared. It felt like time stood still as we kissed, the world around us fading into the background.

When we finally pulled away, our foreheads touching, we shared a knowing smile. In that moonlit room, under the enchanting night, we had discovered a connection that went beyond the complications of our lives. It was a connection of two hearts, entwined by the mysteries of the past and the promise of an unpredictable future, and it left us both yearning for more.

I woke up the next morning with a text from Avery, she had gotten another note.

"Avenge. Revenge. Vengeance. Avenger. I always win in the end." Cal read over my shoulder. "Someone really seems to have a problem with Toby"

"The question is," I said, my voice tinged with curiosity. I reached over and turned off my phone, wanting to give her my full attention. "Who?" Catalina rolled onto her side, her expression showed exhaustion, she gazed at me with a mixture of frustration and resignation. "I have an idea." I leaned in closer, 

"Jamie, what's your idea?" she asked puzzled.

"It's a surprise."

The mansion's garden stretched out before them, bathed in the gentle warmth of the afternoon sun. Catalina and Jameson had the whole day to themselves, and they were going to make it a good one. They'd laid a picnic blanket on the lush green grass and shared a meal. Catalina, in her elegant summer dress, reclined on the blanket, holding a picnic basket close. 

Jameson sat beside her, cross-legged, his gaze lost in the distant horizon. A blade of grass danced in his fingers, and he offered Catalina a contemplative smile.  "Cal, have you ever wondered what life would be like without all this? Just pure freedom, exploration, without any obligations or expectations?"

Catalina met his gaze, her eyes reflecting both warmth and empathy. She replied, "Sometimes, yes." She moved up next to him. "But I don't need an escape when I have you. You turn each day into an adventure whether I like it or not." 

Jameson reached for Catalina's hand, their fingers intertwining in a reassuring bond. He leaned in closer, his voice softened as he confessed, "You are my greatest adventure, Cal." 

Catalina, with a teasing smile, asked, "So, Mr. Adventurer, what's the plan for today?"

Jameson leaned in even closer, his voice a whisper, "How about a game of tag? The loser has to grant the winner a special wish."

Catalina chuckled, her eyes dancing with playful challenge. "You're turning into Xander, with the games."

"So you forefit already?"

Her eyes lit up and a mischievous smirk appeared, "You're on."

With that, Jameson sprang to his feet, and the game began. They chased each other through the garden, their laughter mingling with the fragrance of the flowers. After a series of close calls and near misses, Jameson managed to tag Catalina near an elegant marble fountain. She laughed as he caught her, and he flashed her a triumphant grin.

"Seems like I win" he exclaimed.

Catalina, flushed with excitement, smiled back. Fine then what do you wish Jae?"

Breathing heavily, Jameson drew Catalina closer, his voice filled with sincerity. "My wish is to be this close to you forever." 

"Well my wish is your command," she brought her lips close to his. In that suspended moment, their lips met in a slow, lingering kiss. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them. 

Jameson felt his heart race, a warm rush of affection flooding his senses. It was a kiss that carried a mix of desire, love, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude for having Catalina in his life. He couldn't help but savor the softness of her lips against his, feeling a profound sense of contentment.

Catalina, in that kiss, felt a rush of passion that sent delightful shivers down her spine. Her heart raced in harmony with Jameson's. It was as if the whole world had ceased to exist, and in that moment, they were the only two souls that mattered.