Chapter 43

Danika woke, sad that it was almost Friday and James still wasn't home. It had been two weeks. Two long weeks and she didn't really want to spend another week without him. How had Ava survived months alone?

Maybe having kids around would help because then she would at least be busy. But a child wasn't the answer. Bringing a kid into this world would take a lot of thought and planning. No matter how much happiness and love they brought into a family, kids were expensive, disruptive, and a lot of work. She wasn't making enough money for childcare, which meant she wouldn't be able to work. But not working would mean she wouldn't have enough money for a car. It was a bitter cycle of lack that couldn't be solved by wishing.

Work wasn't too difficult. The regular customers showed up, happy it was Friday. They did have two church vans stop by that filled all their tables at two in the afternoon. That was close to quitting time for her, but Randall asked her to stay since they were packed. She'd agreed, happy to be making extra money and happy to have less time alone.

About when the people were almost done eating, she glanced up and swore she saw someone who looked like Ezra standing outside. Panic filled her. Had Ezra found her? It seemed impossible, and maybe it was. She kept her eye out for the guy, but he wasn't there and she didn't see him again. The guy could have been someone who looked like Ezra, and not her ex.

After the two vans full of people left, she sent a text to Thario, telling him that she thought she'd seen Ezra. A text came back fast, telling her to stay put. Thario told her he wanted to check to see if he'd left England.

Randall stepped into the back room and frowned. "You aren't taking off?"

"Oh, um, sorry. I was just catching up on texts. I'll head out now."

The bar owner didn't like workers sticking around. Something about not drinking where they worked. She understood, for the most part. Getting drunk at her place of work wouldn't be cool. If customers came in and recognized her, they might be confused if she was actually working or off the clock.

Danika stuffed her phone in her pocket and headed out. She would just have to check over her shoulder and make sure Ezra wasn't following her. The last thing she needed was for him to figure out where she lived.

Once outside, she scanned the lot, searching for Ezra or just anyone sitting in their vehicle. She thought the lot was clear, but then she saw someone sitting in a vehicle. Panic washed over her until she realized it was just one of the other servers who'd arrived early and was still in their car. Ezra wasn't anywhere to be seen. After waving to the other waitress, she headed to the bus stop, scanning every face for recognition. It didn't seem like the man she'd seen earlier really was Ezra.

She settled on a seat in the back of the bus, vigilantly watching for Ezra. If he'd found her, there wasn't anything she could do. She had nowhere else to run. Because James wasn't making her pay rent, she had a little money saved up, but it wasn't much. That money had been for a car. If she had a car, would it be easier for Ezra to find her? Having property in her name would be dangerous. Not having her name on a lease agreement with James felt like protection. Maybe she shouldn't buy a car.

Desperation started to rise as the bus neared her stop. Why hadn't Thario called her back? She was ready to give up and ride to another stop when Thario texted that Ezra seemed to still be in England.

Relief flowed through her. Her reply may have been over-the-top effusive, but she felt so much better knowing Ezra wasn't in California. As long as he stayed over there in England, she would be safe.

Just as she was getting off the bus, her phone rang. It was Thario.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Yes. I'm fine. I think I'm just freaking out and seeing him when he's not around."

"I understand. Get some rest and stay safe. I checked multiple resources, and I'll keep checking, but I'm certain he is still in England."

"That makes me feel better. I'll lock up tight when I get home. And I'll send a text to make sure you know I'm safe."

"Thank you. I haven't heard anything from any of my buddies about Sharp and his team. If I find out anything, well, anything I can tell you, I'll let you know. Hang in there. "

"Thank you."

"I'm glad I can help. I'll keep an eye out and make sure he stays out of the USA."

She ended the call, glad she had someone like Thario watching after her when James wasn't around.

Once inside, she locked the door, checking it twice before going into the kitchen to fix a snack. She pulled out meat and cheese along with fruit and began cutting. A sense of bleakness started to overtake her as she prepared her snack. It was stupid to be sad that she was alone. Maybe she should call Ava or someone else.

When she finished cutting meat and cheese, she realized that she'd prepared too much for a snack. Maybe this would just be her dinner. She could sit on the couch and snack on food while she watched TV.

The sigh that escaped her lips sounded heavy. Sadness filled all the soft spots, and she wanted to push it away, but a part of her wanted to wallow in it.

She bit into a cracker, chomping down on it like a punishment to the cracker for her being alone, when someone slid a key into the lock on the door. Panic flared. Somehow, she was able to set the tray down and only drop one cracker on the floor. She bent to pick it up as the door swung open. A scream filled the air as a tall figure stepped in. Her heart hammered hard, and her head spun.

The light flashed on in the entry as she scrambled to find a weapon. It took her a moment to go from absolute terror to relief at seeing James. Shock filled his face as tears gathered in her eyes.

She couldn't make words form, nor could she get her legs to work properly as she stumbled forward, dropping to her knees before she made it to him.

James closed the distance and pulled her up. The tears wouldn't stop as he held her. The material of his shirt bunched in her clenched hands. There was no way she would let him go. After what felt like a minute, maybe longer, he leaned back but didn't get far since she still clung to him like her life depended on him being there.

"Danika." His voice was rough with emotions.

That made her cling even tighter. She wanted to crawl into him and never leave. His lips found hers, and she opened, but the kiss was sloppy since she was still crying. At one point, she had to pull back and gasp for air.

He moved them to the bathroom and flipped on the shower as he began removing her clothes. After a moment, she let loose his shirt and helped him undress. No words were spoken as they stepped into the shower, her hands roving over his body as she soaped him up, getting him clean while he kissed and loved on her.

By the time his body was washed, she was on the edge of an orgasm just from him touching her. It only took him a few more seconds to push her over the edge. She cried out his name as her body pulsed from his touch.

He didn't waste time and spun her so she was facing the shower wall as he slid into her from behind. His cock fit perfectly in her pussy, ramping up more desire as he pumped into her.

"Danika, you're so perfect for me." His lips nibbled on her ear as his hands explored her body, taking her higher as he teased her nipples and her clit.

"James," she said on a hard exhale. "I'm so close again."

"I'm almost there, too."

He knew exactly how to touch her to bring her to orgasm. The way his fingers slid over her nipples and then down to her clit, teasing just enough to heighten her pleasure, dragging out the ecstasy as he pumped into her, drove her crazy. She grunted when he pushed in again, the pressure of his thick cock taking her higher. Being in his arms was better than she remembered.

The weeks apart had been too long, and their lack of touch was pushing them over the edge too fast. She doubted either of them would last more than another minute.

"So close," James whispered in her ear.

"Yes!" She needed to feel him pulsing inside her. Being with James made her feel whole again. That's what had been bothering her while he'd been gone. It really was like a part of her body had been missing.

James slammed in twice more, then stilled as he held his breath. She realized that he hadn't pulled out when he came. They clung together as the water pounded down around them, neither of them saying a word about him coming unprotected inside her.

"I love you," James whispered before pulling out.

She spun and cupped his cheeks. "Are you okay?"

He nodded, his lips tilting up in a smile. "I missed you."

"I missed you so much." More tears threatened, and he cupped her cheeks, tilting her head back so their gazes met.

"I'm here now. Let's finish the shower, and then I need to eat."

"Oh gosh, I didn't even think about that. You must be starving. We can?—"

"It's okay. Let's get you rinsed off and your hair washed and conditioned, or you won't be able to get a comb through it."

She smirked because he was right. It only took her a few minutes to finish the task. They turned the water off and stepped out, both of them still looking at each other as if desperate to make sure the other person didn't disappear.

James being home was so much more emotional than she'd thought it would be. Having him home and in her arms was pure heaven. She was lucky to have found him again. No doubt, this was the man she was meant to spend her life with, and she was going to make sure he understood exactly how she felt.