Accepting His Terms by Isabella Kole Page A

still have my nerve.”
    “Oh, Jillie, do I have to give you more TLC?”
    “You called me Jillie, that’s funny. That’s what my family calls me.”
    “What about the TLC?”
    “I’m good… for now.”
    He grinned at her and winked. “Come on, I want to show you off.”
    He knew she worried needlessly and she knew it too the minute he introduced her to his mom and dad.  She was welcomed into Jarrod’s family with open arms. The lunch and the entire afternoon went off without a hitch. They planned a perfect reception, with Mrs. Baine offering to call Jill’s mother to include her in some of the planning.
    As they were preparing to leave, Jarrod’s dad said, “You know, Jarrod, your mother and I’ve been talking. Now that you’ve settled down, what would you and Jill think about moving into the house and letting us have the condo?”
    Jarrod looked at Jill. As he looked back at his dad he said, “Are you really ready to give up the house?”
    “We’re gone more than we are here. Your condo would be perfect for us. And in a few years, if the two of you decide to start a family, this house would be the perfect place. Of course, if it’s not to your liking, we can sell it and find something else for the two of you.”
    “I love this house,” Jill replied. “And I would love to raise a family here, but only when you’re sure you want to give it up.”
    “Honey, we’ve been sure for a while now. We’ve been waiting for this playboy son of ours to find the right woman and settle down,” his mother said.
    “And it’s plain to see, he’s found the right woman,” Mr. Baine added.
    “I don’t know what to say. Thank you both for paying me such a compliment.”
    “I haven’t seen my boy this happy in ages, so it’s me who should be thanking you, my dear Jill,” Mrs. Baine said as she hugged her.
    “I told you they would love you, baby,” Jarrod whispered in her ear.
    “Whispering sweet nothings to your bride, son?” his dad teased.
    “She’s been very worried about meeting both of you, although for the life of me, I can’t imagine anyone being afraid to meet the world’s most doting parents. I was telling her ‘I told you so.’”
    His parents laughed as they walked them out. “Come back soon, Jill, so we can start making plans for our moves.”
    “Do you need my help with the reception?” Jill asked.
    “You’ve helped me today with the plans. Your mother and I will take care of the rest. I can’t wait to meet your family. If they’re as lovely as you, I know I’ll love them.”
    “Her folks are the best, especially her dad,” Jarrod said as he winked at Jill.
    Jill punched him in the ribs. She explained, “Yes, Jarrod and my dad hit it right off from the start. Whatever was said in their little chat before the wedding turned them into pals for life.”
    Jarrod’s dad laughed. “Maybe we don’t want to know, dear girl.”
    As they drove back to the condo, Jarrod asked, “Feel better now?”
    “Yes, but I’m a bit in awe about moving into the house so soon. I wasn’t expecting that.”
    “I figured they’d bring it up, if not today, soon. I wanted to see your first impression of the place before I said anything.”
    “Don’t you know by now that I’d live in a cardboard box, as long as it was with you?”
    “A cardboard box, you say?” he asked with a wink in her direction.
    “You know what I mean.”
    “Yes, baby, I do. And that means more to me than anything you could have said.”

Chapter Thirteen
    Jill and Jarrod had finally decided to cool their ardor at the office, at least temporarily. Jill wasn’t comfortable with it now that her sister was working at the office and she was afraid the other employees would catch on to what was going on during the hours she spent in his office.
    He hadn’t put up the fuss she’d expected. In fact, he’d agreed to abstain during working hours. But after five o’clock, when the office was empty, he wasn’t making any