That evening, after a meeting with my mom that went better than expected, Evie and I stepped out of one of Central Park’s quieter exits and onto the street. Evie’s hand was tucked tightly in mine as we waved goodbye to Mom as she climbed into a yellow cab.
She gave us one last glance through the window before the taxi pulled away from the curb.
Jonah was parked just ahead, waiting with the back door open. “Thank you,” I said softly, still a little dazed as I approached with Evie.
“All okay?” he asked, reaching out to take Evie from my arms and buckling her into her seat with a gentle firmness. Clark, the driver, sat silently in the front. Jonah stepped out for a moment, the car door clicking shut behind him as he joined me on the sidewalk.
“I had a really good time,” I admitted, brushing a strand of hair out of my face. “It was a relief to have a normal conversation with her.”
His jaw, which had been tense since before the meeting, finally eased.
He’d orchestrated this whole evening without ever making it about himself, and I was completely, helplessly in awe. I couldn’t stop looking at him. His deep brown eyes showed concern, and he was radiating calm like he always did when I needed it most.
“Are you really going to have her debts paid off?” I asked.
“Of course I will. If she keeps her promise to me. No one can trouble you if I can help it, not on my watch.”
Tipping my head back, I pulled him closer and kissed him deeply.
“I’m not sure I’m on board with you taking on her debt,” I said once we let go. “It isn’t your problem, Jonah. She created it, so it’s hers to deal with.”
He traced his thumb across my cheek, looking troubled. “But her debts were always at the back of your mind, Lexi. And what troubles you bothers me.”
I knew Jonah. If he really was disgusted with my mom and thought she didn’t deserve even an ounce of help, he wouldn’t extend it to her.
Jonah’s hand slipped around my waist, his hold tight as he pulled me hard to him.
“Her situation was shaped by tough circumstances and a difficult life. Some of it was truly beyond her control. That, I understand. But the way she treated you? That, I never did and never will. So if I can resolve her financial troubles and give you peace of mind in return, then all the better,” he said, taking my hand and intertwining our fingers before opening the car door for me.
I was hopelessly, helplessly in love with this man, and it must have shown on my face, because he asked, “What are you doing with that look on your face?”
“I—” I swallowed, feeling both overwhelmed and taken aback by the depth of his concern for me.
“No one’s ever done something so sweet for me before. No one’s looked out for me like this before.”
He put his fingers under my chin. “Give me that look again, and I won’t settle for anything less than making you come on this seat right now. Let’s get home real quick. Anne is waiting for us at home, and I have something I want to say to you.”
We got into the car, and the fifteen-minute ride home felt like torture.
When we reached home, Anne was waiting for us, and she took Evie from us, promising to have her bathed and to prepare her dinner while Jonah and I got a minute alone.
After Evie was inside and the door closed, Jonah turned to Clark and instructed him to keep driving.
Just as the privacy screen closed, I moved to straddle his lap, and his mouth was immediately on mine. Some of the tension I’d been feeling after my talk with my mom released, as I opened my lips to Jonah, letting his tongue stroke mine. The movement sent fire down to my core, and I let him pull me closer, needing to feel all of him all over me.
I had been starved for his touch, and now that we were this close, I couldn’t wait a second longer. I rolled my hips against him, and he groaned.
“Lexi, wait,” he warned, his hands gripping my hips.
The car made a turn, and I held on to his shoulders as my heart raced. We weren’t wearing seat belts.
“If you do that once more …” he warned again just as I pressed closer and slid my hands up his chest.
“I need every bit of you, Jonah,” I said, biting down on his lip as he pressed his mouth to mine. “I don’t know what to do with all these thoughts swirling around in my head, and I need you right now. Please. I’ve waited too long.”
He groaned when I put my hand down to feel the hardness between his legs. His cock twitched at my touch, and I smiled at finding him hard.
“I’m not the only one who is needy then,” I muttered.
