The Closer You Come

Thinking about Stan, maybe? She opened her mouth to protest—no way she’d leave him out here on his own—and he gave her a little nudge. She took a step then another, thinking she’d grab her new pepper spray, only to stop when Edna eased her car beside them.

Jase relaxed and waved Brook Lynn back over.

“You two having car troubles?” Edna asked.

Her daughter sat in the passenger seat, took one look at them and covered her mouth with both hands. “Drive on, Momma. They ain’t having no car troubles.”

“But—” Edna said.

“Drive,” the daughter commanded with another laugh.

Edna gave an uncertain wave and motored on.

Brook Lynn flushed with heat and hid her face in the hollow of Jase’s neck.

He kissed her temple. “Yes,” he said. “I will move in with you.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

JASE MARVELED. HE’D just spent his first night with his new live-in girlfriend. And now, as the sun rose and pushed bright rays through the curtains, with her snuggled in his arms, he finally experienced the peace he’d craved his entire life.

She stretched her arms over her head, her back arching as she blinked open her eyes. The sheet had fallen to her waist, revealing pretty pink nipples and breasts with faint marks from his beard stubble.

“Good morning,” she mumbled.

“Morning.” He traced his fingers over her tattoo. “And yes. To answer the question you’re probably asking yourself, I am ready for my breakfast.” First and foremost, he wanted the strawberries etched into her flesh.

“Too bad for you.” She kissed the globe on his pec...grazed his nipple with her teeth. “You’ll have to earn your food.”

“The hard way?”

“Ha!”

“I’m assuming you accept orgasm.”

Her husky laugh filled the room, delighting his senses. “Today only, I accept—”

The bedroom door swung open, and Jessie Kay surged inside...only to grind to a halt when she spotted Jase. Brook Lynn squealed and jerked the sheet up to cover them both.

“Dude,” Jessie Kay said, covering her eyes. “A little warning next time.” She peeked through her fingers, her dark blue gaze settling on Jase. “You must be losing your touch. I don’t recall hearing any screams for more last night.”

As Jase laughed, Brook Lynn threw a pillow at her.

“Does this mean there’ll be no breakfast?” Jessie Kay asked.

“Not for you. Out!” Brook Lynn shouted, also trying not to laugh.

“Okay, okay. By the way, Sparkles chewed up another pair of my shoes, so be sure to add the cost to my paycheck. And just out of curiosity, are you sure you didn’t rescue him from hell?”

Another pillow hit her in the face. Jessie Kay flipped her off before backing out of the room and shutting the door.

“And that is what you signed on for,” Brook Lynn muttered.

He heard no jealousy in her voice and realized just how far they’d come. “Honey, I definitely got the better end of the deal. Are you ready to face what you signed up for?”

“You mean West’s drinking, Beck’s flirting and Daphne’s looming decision? Sure. Why not?”

“Family” was all he said.

“Yes, they are certainly your family.”

As Jase rose from bed to shower and dress, those words played through his mind. Did Brook Lynn think they were his family but she was not?

“Hey,” Brook Lynn said, slipping her feet into a pair of sandals. “I’ve been wondering. Should we cancel Tessa’s celebration? Is it too much for West? He seems to be getting worse.”

“We probably should cancel, but we won’t. I think he needs some sort of closure.”

“Very well, then. Onward and upward. I’ll continue planning. Oh, and don’t forget I have Kenna’s bachelorette party after my dinner deliveries tonight. I’ll be in late.”

“Where are you going?”

“Some fancy restaurant in the city.” She tapped her ears. “Thank God Kenna decided to forgo clubbing.”

Yes, thank God. He had a feeling he would have followed her inside a club and warned away every guy who dared come sniffing. But honestly, the thought of her being anywhere out of his sight right now made him nervous. He could handle death threats against himself, but if anyone tried to hurt her...

“If you see that Stan guy while you’re out, call me. Do not approach him. In fact, I’ll come with you and remain in the shadows. Just in case.”

She rolled her eyes. “Stay. Be with your daughter. I want to invite Daphne to the bachelorette party,” she said. “Think she’d be interested?”

He just peered over at her, reeling. This was one of the many reasons he’d fallen for her. “I know she would.”

“Good.”

A sense of urgency settled inside him, driving him onward. “Come on,” he said. “I want to show you something.” It was time.

On the way out the door, he scooped up Sparkles—who wasn’t exactly comfortable with him, but hadn’t yet tried to bite him. He scratched the mutt behind the ear, and the stiffness gradually left the little guy’s body.

“How’s my baby?” Brook Lynn asked, kissing Sparkles’s small, wet nose.

“I’m well, thank you,” Jase answered.

She gave Sparkles another kiss. “Don’t listen to Jase. He knew I was talking to you.”