Chapter 39

Relief filled Nichole when the plane landed in California. Jesse was at the airport to pick her up. She’d told him he didn’t need to stay awake, that she could find a ride on her own, but he’d insisted.

When he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, tears made her eyes sting. She had never wanted to be that woman who cried on seeing her man at the airport, but she was a mess, thankful to be in his arms.

His lips found hers, and the emotions churning inside expanded, taking up every ounce of her. She was a hot mess, feeling thankful to be home.

That word sounded so good. She was home in Jesse’s arms.

The drive home only took about twenty minutes, but it was too long for her. She wanted to be naked and wrapped around him.

Two seconds after they stepped inside, they were both naked. He had her up against the wall, his fingers taking her to orgasm so fast she couldn’t catch her breath. Being away from Jesse had sucked. She needed to figure something out about her work that wouldn’t take her away from him.

Jesse turned her on and kept her on edge, so every nerve sang. She hadn’t ever felt this good before in her life. When he was close to orgasm, he held her face so they were only inches apart.

“My love, you mean the world to me. Stay with me forever.”

“Yes!” His thick cock brushed against her clit, sending her over the edge. She came hard, her body pulsing as he pumped into her.

He didn’t hold back, slamming into her hard twice, then he stilled above her. She watched as ecstasy took over. They belong together. She would make sure nothing came between them. They had the future to look forward to, and she wouldn’t let anything get in the way.

They woke early for a Saturday and made love again before taking a quick shower and heading into the kitchen. Just being home with Jesse was wonderful. She felt so much better having him close by. During breakfast, she remembered the weird guy sitting outside her apartment in Chicago. A shiver worked through her, and Jesse raised his eyebrows.

“Everything okay?”

She nodded. “Yeah. I just was thinking about yesterday.”

“What about it?”

Hiding stuff from Jesse wasn’t how she wanted to start their relationship. Already one of his friends was fixated on the idea that she was hiding stuff.

“Um, well. I mailed those boxes. So, as I was taking them out, I noticed someone sitting across the street from my place. Then, when I came back, the guy was still there watching my place.”

Jesse’s lips thinned, and his eyes narrowed as he stared at her. “What? And you didn’t call me?”

“You were here, and I was there.”

“I have friends everywhere. SEALs who retired, there would have been someone in Chicago.”

“I was leaving, and he didn’t actually bother me. I went upstairs, peeked through the curtain, and watched him for a moment. When I left, I headed out the back door. He didn’t see me again.”

Jesse slowly nodded. “That was smart.”

“I figured going through the alley would be safer.”

He set down the spoon he was using to stir the waffle mix and moved to her. His hands framed her shoulders as he drew in a slow breath. “I worry about you. If you think someone is following you, please call me. I know you’re smart, and you know how to handle yourself in situations like that, but I have access to resources. Also, I’d like to know why that guy was watching your place.”

She shrugged. “Good luck to him because I’m never going back there.”

Jesse pulled her close. “I worry about your safety.”

She clung to him, running her hands over his back so he could see that she was fine. Nothing had happened, and nothing would. She didn’t want to obsess over what danger could befall her. Life wasn’t guaranteed.

Jesse pushed her to arm’s length. “I’m just glad you’re okay. By the way, Apple is coming over for lunch.”

“Oh, that’s right. He wants to spend time getting to know me.”

Jesse nodded, and she had a suspicion that wasn’t the full truth. “Okay, if I have to tell the truth, so do you.”

He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Fine. He doesn’t really want to get to know you better. I’m forcing the issue. He needs to get to know you.”

“He’s not going to like this, and if he’s an ass, I’m going to call him on it.”

“Good. He needs to be called out.”

Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. She was tired, and there was no way she would be able to deal with Apple if he copped an attitude. The guy already had gotten on her nerves by being an ass, and if he did it again, this could totally ruin any chance of them being decent to each other in the future.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” she asked later.

“Positive. Trust me, it will be fine.”

Nichole hoped Jesse was right. She didn’t need Apple to like her. She just needed him to not hate her and cause problems. Maybe their lunch would go okay because if it didn’t, she didn’t know what it would mean for her and Jesse.