Chapter 11

CHAPTERELEVEN

Baker pulled up to Jodelle’s small house less than ten minutes after she’d texted to let him know she and Ben had arrived home.

He parked behind her van, shut off his engine, and immediately climbed out. He made a beeline for Jodelle, who was standing next to Ben. He gave the kid a chin lift, but his attention was all on the woman at his side.

Her cheeks were pink, obviously from the sun she’d gotten today. Her feet were filthy, coated in dirt from the path to Ka‘ena Point. The hair at her temples and behind her ears was wet from sweat, but still he’d never seen a woman more beautiful. Putting a finger under her chin, he asked, “You good?”

“Of course I am,” she told him with a smile. “But I’d be better if you gave me those malasadas you were supposed to pick up.”

Hearing her teasing made Baker relax for the first time since he’d gotten the call that she’d found Ben. He leaned forward and gave her a brief kiss, letting her know without words that he was relieved she was all right. Then he turned, keeping his arm around Jodelle, and held out a hand to Ben. “Good to see you.”

Ben nodded and shook Baker’s hand.

The boy looked rough. Baker hadn’t been all that keen on Jodelle inviting him to her house, but now that he saw him, he knew she’d done the right thing. Ben clearly wasn’t doing well on his own. As much as he probably would argue that point, the teenager was hurting. And living out of his car had obviously been harder than he thought it would be.

“Called a friend. He’ll fill up your car and bring it by sometime tonight,” Baker said.

Ben swallowed hard. “Thanks.”

“No problem. But I’m not helping you out of the goodness of my heart,” Baker told him.

Jodelle stiffened against him and tried to pull away, but Baker refused to let her.

“What do you want then?”

“I want you to graduate. I want you to remember this moment and do what you can to help others the way you’re being helped today. Life isn’t easy. It’s fuckin’ hard. But I want you to find the strength to get past whatever shit’s eating at you, and let it make you even stronger.”

“Baker, don’t swear,” Jodelle scolded.

“Tink, I swear all the time,” Baker said.

“I know. And I usually don’t care, but Ben’s a kid, he doesn’t need to hear that kind of language.”

Baker met Ben’s gaze and saw the teenager was just as amused at Jodelle’s words as he was. “He’s not a kid, and I’m guessing nothing I say will faze him.”

“Maybe, but still,” Jodelle said.

Because she was so damn adorable, Baker said, “I’ll do my best to curb it.”

“Thanks.”

“I can do all that,” Ben told Baker quietly. “But I haven’t been living out of my car because I’m throwing a temper tantrum,” he warned.

“Didn’t think you were,” Baker said. “You’re a good man. Have a good head on your shoulders. But problems shared are more easily solved.”

Ben looked skeptical, but Baker decided not to push right now. The kid would feel better after he got clean, filled his belly, and had a good night’s sleep. One that wasn’t in the back seat of his car and where he wasn’t worried someone might find him and possibly do him harm.

“You want to grab the box from Leonard’s Bakery from my front seat?” Baker asked Jodelle.

Her eyes lit up. “Yes!”

Baker dropped his arm and she immediately headed for the passenger side of his car. He knew he only had thirty seconds or so before Jodelle was back, so he spoke fast. He looked Ben in the eye and said, “Do not hurt her. I can tolerate a lot of shit, but not her getting hurt. Understand?”

“Yes, sir,” Ben said immediately. “I’ll leave as soon as my car gets here.”

Fuck, that wasn’t what Baker meant. “You leave, that’ll definitely hurt her,” he said. “She’ll worry.”

“I…” Ben looked confused and scared. “My stepdad’s not a good man.”

“I figured as much. We’ll deal with that. I just need you to give me the intel necessary to keep her safe.”

“These smell so good!” Jodelle enthused as she approached with the Leonard’s Bakery box in hand, the lid open an inch and her nose buried inside.

“You’re a goof,” Baker said with a smile.

“They’re malasadas,” Jodelle said. “Everyone’s a goof over malasadas. Come on, Ben, let’s get you inside so you can shower and help me eat these.” She smiled at the teenager, then headed for the front door.

“I’m trying to keep other people safe too,” Ben said in a tone low enough that Jodelle wouldn’t hear.

Baker nodded. He understood that, and his admiration for the teenager rose a notch. “I know this is new, and you don’t really know me outside of surfing, but you’ll discover that I’m perfectly capable of having your back and keeping shit from spreading. While you’re learning that, I’d appreciate if you kept where you’re sleeping on the down low.”

“Yeah, sure,” Ben said.

“Good. Whenever you’re ready, I’m here to listen. I just hope you get ready sooner rather than later,” he finished.

“You guys coming?” Jodelle called from the open front door.

Baker turned and headed for his woman. Things had changed. His timetable for wooing Jodelle had just been moved up. He couldn’t say he was upset about that; the more he hung out with the woman, the more he wanted her. Not just in the bedroom either. In his life. Under his skin. Intertwined with his psyche so much he couldn’t ever shake her loose.

Baker walked into Jodelle’s house and grinned when he heard her oohing and ahhing over the malasadas. He threw his keys in the bowl on her counter and felt satisfaction blossom inside when he saw her keys already there.

“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t wait,” Jodelle said, her words muffled because she was talking with her mouth full of fluffy pastry. “They’re so good!”

Baker laughed. “Jeez, woman, not sure you need to eat a couple tablespoons of sugar right after being out in the sun all day.”

Jodelle rolled her eyes at him. “Whatever.” Then she turned to Ben. “Shower first, or malasada?”

He looked uncomfortable. “I should shower, but I don’t have anything to put on.”

Jodelle put down the pastry and wiped her hand on her shorts, making Baker smirk. “I’ve got some of Mana’s things you can wear until we get your stuff washed and dried.”

“Oh, I couldn’t, Miss Jody.”

“You can,” she said firmly. Her tone gentled as she said, “After Mana died, I gave away most of his clothes to charity. But there was a box I couldn’t part with. It was all his favorite shirts, sweats, and jeans. Now I’m thinking there was a reason I couldn’t give them away. They might be a bit musty, and they might not fit perfectly, although you seem to be about the same size as he was. You’ll feel much better if you change, Ben.”

“I don’t want to cause you any pain,” the teenager admitted. “If seeing me in his clothes will hurt you, I’ll wait.”

Baker saw Jodelle’s lips quiver, but she got control over her emotions and said, “I think it’ll be more painful to sit here and smell you in those clothes, bud.” She winked. “The box is in the closet in…the guest room. Help yourself. Seriously. It’ll make me happy to put his clothes to such good use.”

“If you’re sure,” Ben said hesitantly.

“I’m sure,” Jodelle confirmed. “There’s hand soap in the bathroom. It’s not shampoo or body wash, but it’ll do until we can get something more appropriate. I think there’s also a new toothbrush in a drawer, and toothpaste too. Take your time.”

“If I take too long there might not be any malasadas left for me,” Ben quipped.

She beamed. “True. So you better get going then.”

Ben and Jodelle smiled at each other.

“Thank you, Miss Jody,” he said.

“You’re welcome,” she returned.

Then Ben turned and walked down the hall as if he’d been there all his life.

Baker didn’t even wait for the boy to be out of sight before he was pulling Jodelle back into his arms. She came without hesitation, burrowing into him and pressing her face against his chest. They didn’t say anything for a full minute. It wasn’t until the bathroom door shut behind Ben that Jodelle looked up at him.

“Something’s really wrong,” she whispered, her brow furrowed in concern.

Only then did Baker realize her enthusiastic and happy demeanor since they’d gotten home had been a clever façade. She was worried sick about Ben and now that he wasn’t around, she was letting her guard down. With him.

“We’re gonna figure out what it is and fix it.”

And just like that, some of the stress went out of her. She melted against him even more. “Yeah. Mr. I-have-connections can fix it.”

“Damn straight,” he said with a small smile. Then he sobered and ran a finger over her pink cheek. “This hurt?”

“No.”

“Your feet?”

“Dirty, but no blisters.”

“Good. Why don’t you go shower too?”

“You saying I smell?” she teased.

“Never. But I will say that I prefer your plumeria perfume.”

Jodelle laughed. “You’re obsessed with that stuff.”

“Nope. I’m obsessed with you,” Baker said honestly.

“You aren’t gonna eat all the good malasadas while I’m gone, are you?” she asked with a tilt of her head.

Baker chuckled. “No.”

“Okay. Baker?”

“Yeah, Tink?”

“I’m glad you’re here.”

He nodded. “No other place I’d be. Go. Get comfortable. And I’m talking sweats and a T-shirt, not your pajamas.”

She rolled her eyes. “No way would I wear that in front of Ben,” she said with a small shake of her head. “Only the man I’ve got the hots for and want to try to entice.”

“No trying about it, Tink,” Baker told her.

She smiled. “Kiss me before I go?”

He didn’t hesitate. He leaned down and took her lips with his. It wasn’t a chaste kiss like earlier. It was deep, possessive, and he tried to let her know exactly how much he cared about her, how worried he’d been for her today.

When he pulled back, she said, “Wow.”

Baker smirked. “Go shower, Jodelle. Give a man a break. The last thing I want to do is make small talk with Ben with a fuckin’ hard-on.”

Her hips pressed against his, as if she needed to confirm what he was saying wasn’t a lie. When she felt his erection against her belly, she smiled. “That feels painful.”

“There’s pain and then there’s pain.”

“Spoken like a true soldier.”

“Sailor—and yup,” Baker said.

She smiled again, then backed away. She reached for the malasada she’d taken a bite out of earlier and held it up with a grin. “Sustenance for my shower.”

Baker merely shook his head. His woman had a sweet tooth. It was fucking adorable.

She took another large bite, then turned and headed down the hall.

The second she was out of sight, Baker’s shoulders tensed. Shit. He was torn between being thrilled he was getting to spend more time with Jodelle and stressed about the unknown threat that seemed to be hovering over Ben. Baker was a man who didn’t like not having the information he needed to make smart decisions. Until Ben felt comfortable sharing with him, he was flying blind. And that was how people got hurt.

But Ben wasn’t a terrorist or a killer, and while Baker was worried about what had driven him to live out of his car, he didn’t think it was a life-or-death situation. At least he hoped not. He wasn’t naïve enough to think bad shit couldn’t infiltrate his piece of paradise—he had plenty of experience to the contrary—but he prayed it wouldn’t be anything like what had happened to his friends’ women. That kind of thing touching Jodelle, after everything else she’d been through in her life, made him want to lock her in the house and throw away the key.

But that wouldn’t make her happy. It would kill the light that was shining so bright inside her, even after the pain of losing her son. So the next best thing was getting to the bottom of whatever shit Ben was trying to deal with on his own and help him fix it, allowing Jodelle to relax once again.

* * *

Hours later, Ben was clean, full from the three hamburgers he’d eaten, his car was on the street outside the house, his clothes were in the dryer, and he was lounging half-asleep on one end of the couch while Baker and Jodelle were snuggled together on the other end.

Jodelle looked up at Baker and said, “It’s getting late. You’re probably tired after your meetings and stuff today. You should head home.”

“Not going home. I’m staying here,” Baker told her.

Jodelle frowned and sat up against him. “What?”

“I’m staying.”

“But…um…we aren’t…shoot. Baker, we’ve only been dating like a week.”

“I’m sleeping on the couch, Tink. Relax.”

“Oh, but—”

“I’m staying,” he said firmly. Baker could sense Ben’s eyes on him, but he kept his gaze locked on Jodelle. “I’m guessing I can trust Ben, but I wouldn’t be the man I am if I left you alone in your house with a guy twice as tall and heavy as you.”

“Baker, he’s not going to hurt me.”

He shrugged, not swayed in the least. “I’m thinking he’s not, no.”

“So you don’t have to stay.”

He didn’t respond, just met her gaze as they had a silent battle of wills. One she was going to lose, but Baker respected her for engaging in it anyway.

“He’s right,” Ben said from the other end of the couch. “Again.”

Jodelle turned toward him. “Are you going to hurt me?” she asked a little forcefully.

“No.”

“See?” she said, turning back to Baker.

“He’s protecting you, as he should,” Ben said. “I can say the words until I’m blue in the face, but actions speak louder. People lie all the time, Miss Jody. Say things they know the other person wants to hear, then they go ahead and do whatever they want anyway. Baker staying here is the smart thing to do.”

Jodelle sighed. “Well, I trust you, Ben.”

“Thanks. But he’s still right,” the teenager said.

Jodelle looked back up at Baker. “The couch isn’t that comfortable. It doesn’t even pull out.”

“It’ll be fine. Believe me, I’ve slept in worse places in my life.”

Her forehead wrinkled once more. “Not sure that’s making me feel any better,” she said. “Now all I can think of is you lying on some cold, wet ground, shivering, as gunfire shoots over your head,” she mumbled.

Baker couldn’t help but chuckle. He wished he could reassure her that had never happened, but he couldn’t.

“I can sleep out here,” Ben volunteered.

“No,” both Baker and Jodelle said at the same time. She grinned at him.

“You need to catch up on your sleep,” Baker told the boy. “You’ve got tomorrow to get your bearings, but then you need to get back to school.”

Ben frowned and looked down at his lap.

“We can go surfing if you want,” Baker offered. “Maybe mid-morning. Nothing clears your head better than catchin’ a good wave.”

“I don’t have my board,” Ben said, still talking to his hands.

“I’ve got an extra at my place,” Baker told him. “Know it’s not the same as having your own, but it’s better than nothing.”

Baker held his breath, then relaxed a fraction when Ben finally nodded.

“Good. It is getting late, and you’ve probably got shit— Er…jobs you need to catch up on tomorrow, Tink,” Baker said. “You’ve been practically snoring in my arms, so don’t say that you aren’t tired.”

“I wasn’t snoring,” Jodelle protested.

“If you say so,” he teased.

“I…are you sure you’ll be okay out here? Wait, do you have your overnight stuff?”

Baker chuckled. “My overnight stuff?”

“Yeah, pajamas, clothes for tomorrow, toothbrush, things like that?”

“Tink, I sleep in my boxers, and I think I can put on the same thing I wore today long enough to go to my place in the morning to get something clean.”

“But what about a toothbrush?” she pressed.

“You have another extra?”

She bit her lip. “Yes.” Then said quickly, “It’s because I always get a free one when I go to the dentist, but I don’t like the ones they give out. I like to buy my own. So I throw the freebies in a drawer…just in case.”

“Wasn’t questioning why you had extra brushes, Tink, but I’m relieved to hear you aren’t collecting them because you spontaneously invite people to stay the night at your house on a regular basis,” Baker said.

Ben laughed from next to them, and Baker was thrilled to hear that the kid had loosened up enough to find humor in something, but he kept his gaze locked on Jodelle’s.

“I don’t. I think this is the first time since Mana died that anyone’s stayed the night. I just…I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”

“I won’t be. Promise.”

“Okay. But I still say there’s no need.”

“And I say there is,” Baker retorted.

“And I agree,” Ben piped up.

“All right, all right. I’m outnumbered, I get it. Jeez!” Jodelle said as she let out a breath.

Ben got up from his place on the couch and stood a little awkwardly in the middle of the room. “I’ll just go on to bed then. Thanks again for everything, Miss Jody.”

“Of course, honey. I’m glad to have you here, and you’re welcome to stay as long as you want. Even if that’s months. I mean it, Ben.”

Baker saw tears glisten in the teenager’s eyes before he lowered his head. “Thanks,” he repeated quietly.

“See you in the morning,” Jodelle said, and it was obvious to Baker that she’d seen the tears too and was offering a few more words so he wasn’t embarrassed by his emotions.

Ben nodded and headed out of the living room.

Baker waited until the door to the guest room had shut once more before asking Jodelle, “You okay?”

She frowned up at him. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because Mana’s room is occupied by someone other than him for the first time since he passed.”

Jodelle closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them. “Yes. I thought it would be hard, and I had a little moment when I was making the bed earlier, but I got over it. This is the right thing to do, and I know Mana would be thrilled Ben’s here. He knew him.”

It took Baker a second to understand what she meant. “Mana knew Ben?”

“Yeah. Ben told me earlier. Said that Mana was his instructor in a surf clinic thing. And something I heard once hit me when I was putting the sheets on the bed. Someone was trying to comfort me, and she said that everything happens for a reason. And when I heard that, I was so angry. I couldn’t imagine what the hell the reason might be for my child dying. It made no sense and felt like some trite shit people spout when they don’t know what else to say.

“But…I’m starting to understand how true the saying is. I mean, I wish I still had my son, but if Mana hadn’t died, then maybe the kid he saved wouldn’t have survived, so there’s that. And other little things too. I wouldn’t have started hanging out at the beach in the mornings, wouldn’t have met you, wouldn’t be here with you right now. I wouldn’t have met Ben either, and noticed something was up with him. I wouldn’t have gone looking for him, and he’d be stranded out there at Ka‘ena Point with no gas, hungry, probably scared. He definitely wouldn’t be here now, and I wouldn’t have ever known he knew Mana, or the impact my son had on his life.

“So…while I still wish my son was here, I’m finally starting to open my eyes to some of the good things that have happened because of his death. Does that make me a bad person?”

“No,” Baker said, prouder of her right that moment than he could put into words. “I think it’s a healthy way of looking at life.”

“Mana would want me to look after Ben. Give him his bed, clothes, a safe place to regroup until he can figure out what’s what.”

“I agree,” Baker said. “You okay with me staying?”

“Yeah. But would it be too forward of me to say that I wish you weren’t sleeping on the couch?”

Baker’s muscles tightened. “Shit, woman.”

“Too soon?”

“Yes…and no. I feel the same, but I’m making a point. One I’m pretty sure Ben has no problem with.”

“I’m thinking you could probably protect me better if you were right next to me,” Jodelle said a little coyly.

“Fuck…”

Jodelle licked her lips and grinned up at him. “Okay, okay. I’m sorry. I’ll stop. But, just saying, Baker. I’m a grown woman. Not a kid. And it’s obvious that I like you…at least, I think it is. I know we haven’t been together all that long, but it feels as if I’ve known you forever. I know you’re a trustworthy man. You aren’t going to fuck me then dump me the next day. So if you’ve got some preconceived idea that you have to wait a month or two, or whatever, before we consummate this relationship…you need to maybe rethink that.”

Baker shifted them both until Jodelle was on her back, her dark brown hair spread over the cushion under her, and he was lying between her legs. “Consummate?” he asked with a grin.

She rolled her eyes. “Yeah.”

“Then no, Tink, I have no timeline in mind for our consummation, but I really wanted to give you the time to get to know me—the me that most people don’t get to see—before we went there. I’m not an easy man, and I need you to understand that before you give me your body.”

“I don’t want easy. Easy’s boring.”

“You say that now, but don’t think I missed how you argued with me over something as simple as me wanting to protect you by staying the night,” he retorted.

“I think you missed how good that made me feel. That you cared enough to want to protect me.”

Baker stilled as he stared down at her. She was right—he had missed it.

“And not only that, but you respected me enough to not even for one second think you’d be sleeping in my bed tonight. Yeah, you’re hardheaded, stubborn, and overprotective, but I’ve been on my own for years, Baker. I had to raise a son by myself; that’s not easy, not by any stretch. I was responsible for not only him, but myself for nearly my entire adult life. I can take you not being an easy man, if it comes with also knowing you care enough not to leave me alone in my house with someone else, even if that someone else would no sooner hurt or steal from me than my own son would.”

“I’ve done a lot of shit in my life,” Baker warned.

Jodelle rolled her eyes. “Of course you have, you were a SEAL.”

He hadn’t done that stuff just as a SEAL. He continued to do things he wasn’t exactly proud of, but those actions had been for the greater good. “I’m trying to give you one final out here,” he told her.

“I don’t want one,” Jodelle said firmly. “Baker, from the first day I met you, I wanted you. You give off pretty intense vibes, but somehow, I knew you wouldn’t hurt me. Or the kids you surf with every day. And the more I saw you, the more that was proven time and time again. Even when you were trying to be a hard-ass with Monica the day you met her, you were doing so because you wanted to protect your friend.”

“Looks like you left some stuff out when you told me about your lunch with the girls,” Baker said wryly.

Jodelle smiled at him. “I was there that day, remember? And when Monica freaked out after seeing your tattoo, you went out of your way to make sure she didn’t get hurt. You talked to her, soothed her. I couldn’t hear what you were saying from where I was sitting, but I could see that you hated the fact she was scared of you.

“That’s the man I want. The man I dream about when I’m alone in my bed at night. The man I have no problem with sleeping on my couch and using his connections to buy me fresh malasadas. But…half my life is over. I’m not willing to sit around and play some stupid dating game until some arbitrary amount of time has passed that someone, somewhere, feels is adequate before sex happens.”

Baker studied her for a long moment. “Right. Tonight, I’m on the couch. Tomorrow, I’m in your bed. From there, we’ll take things as they come.”

Jodelle beamed up at him. “Sounds good to me.”

“It’s a good thing you don’t like easy, Tink, because I have a feeling you’re gonna get irritated with me a lot,” he warned her.

“Probably,” she said, still smiling. Then her hands slid under his T-shirt, her warm palms running up his back. “But I have a feeling the make-up sex will be unforgettable.”

“Shit,” Baker swore as he felt his cock jerk to attention. She had to feel it too, because she shifted under him, arching slightly so he was notched more firmly right between her legs.

She pressed against his back, trying to get him to lower his body. When he stayed propped up above her, she pouted. “Baker.”

“Yeah?”

“Kiss me,” she pleaded.

He couldn’t resist.

They made out on her couch for several long minutes, until Baker knew he had to stop or he’d lose control. His hand was under her shirt, and he had her bra cup pulled down and her breast in his hand. Her nipple was rock hard, stabbing into his palm as he sucked and licked at the skin right under her ear. Her head was turned, giving him access, and one of her hands was gripping his ass as she rocked slowly against him.

The other began fumbling with the fastener of his belt.

Baker took a deep breath, slid her bra back into place, and removed his hand from under her shirt. He grabbed the hand that was trying to undo his belt and brought it up to his mouth. He kissed the palm and waited for Jodelle to look at him.

She was breathing hard, and he could see the top of her chest was flushed with arousal. Baker desperately wanted to see if the rest of her also turned red.

“Can’t wait to experience everything with you,” Baker told her.

“Me too,” she replied breathily.

“But more than that, looking forward to simply holding you while I sleep. Falling asleep with your plumeria smell in my nose, knowing that somehow, after everything I’ve done, I still found my soul mate.”

Jodelle’s eyes immediately filled with tears.

“No crying, woman,” Baker scolded. “This is a happy moment.”

She took a deep breath. “It’s also a frustrating one,” she replied when she’d gotten control over her emotions.

“Yup. But we’re old and wise, we’ll get through it,” Baker said.

She grinned briefly, then said, “I’ve never slept in anyone’s arms.”

“Seriously? You were married,” Baker said.

“He didn’t like to cuddle. Said I made him feel claustrophobic.”

“He was a fuckin’ idiot,” Baker told her.

“Think I’m gonna like cuddling with you,” she said.

Baker regretted saying he would sleep on the couch. He wanted to show her how great it could be to sleep with someone. Just sleep. “And I think you should probably enjoy your last night sleeping alone.”

“It’s gonna be a long one.”

“Longest night ever,” Baker agreed. “But what do they say? Anticipation makes everything better?”

“Whoever ‘they’ is, they’re an idiot too,” Jodelle complained.

Baker laughed. “I’m thinking you’re right.” Then he did what might’ve been the hardest thing he’d had to do in a very long time, and climbed off Jodelle’s soft, welcoming body. He pulled her upright, then tugged her so she was standing in front of him. “Get some sleep, Tink.”

“You think I can sleep now?”

“You better. I don’t want you comatose tomorrow night.”

She grinned, then wrinkled her nose. “Now I’m wondering how cool it is to sleep with you with Ben down the hall.”

“As much as I want between your legs, I’m looking forward to just holding you, Tink. Besides, Ben’s not an idiot. He’s also not five.”

“I know, but still.”

“We’ll play it by ear. If we need to, we’ll go to my place.”

“Really? You’d let him stay in my house by himself?”

“Not tonight. Not tomorrow. But in a while, once he’s proven we can trust him? Yeah. If you’re more comfortable making love with me when he’s not around, and I know you’re not going to kick him out anytime soon, then that’s what we’ll do. But for the record, I’m not gonna need to jump you every single night like a twenty-year-old. I’m too old for that shit. Sometimes, there’s more intimacy in lying in someone’s arms than there is in fucking.”

Jodelle squeezed him. “I’m one hundred percent all right with that,” she whispered.

Baker couldn’t help but kiss her again. Then he pressed his lips to her forehead and simply held her.

“I’ll grab an extra pillow and a blanket,” she said.

“I want yours.”

“My what?”

“Pillow,” Baker told her.

Jodelle blushed again, but nodded.

“Wanna smell you when I’m sleeping,” Baker added, even though she didn’t ask for an explanation.

It was a fucking miracle he hadn’t scared her off yet. He was moving a million miles an hour, but she hadn’t even blinked. Another thing that proved she was perfect for him. Then again, she’d admitted she was interested from the first moment she saw him. The same had gone for him, although like an idiot, he’d hesitated to make a move. Baker had a feeling he’d be kicking himself for not seeing where this could lead a long time ago. He’d missed out on at least a couple years of having Jodelle by his side, in his bed, and under his skin.

He might be moving fast now, but he had a lot of time to make up for, and he wasn’t willing to waste one more day getting to where they both wanted to be.

Baker let Jodelle go so she could get him a pillow from her bed. He stayed where he was, afraid if he followed, he wouldn’t be sleeping on the couch. He also did his best not to look like he was going to pounce on her when she returned.

“Good night,” she said softly.

“Night, Tink.”

“See you in the morning.”

Baker nodded, clenching his teeth to try to keep control. Jodelle stared at him for a beat, then turned and walked back toward her bedroom.

It took five full minutes of standing where she’d left him, listening to her puttering around in her room, for Baker to relax enough to move. Then he went to the front door, made sure it was locked, and checked the windows as well. Once he was satisfied the house was as secure as it could be, he sat back down on the couch. He lifted the pillow Jodelle had given him to his face and inhaled deeply.

Grimacing at the way his cock immediately came to life at the scent of plumeria, Baker sighed. It was going to be a long night, but strangely, he was more satisfied than he could remember being in a long time. It felt right being under the same roof as Jodelle, even if he wasn’t by her side. He was where he was supposed to be, he had no doubt.

It had taken fifty-two years for him to get here, but now that he was, Baker wasn’t going anywhere.