"I see why my reaction needed to be genuine. I'm sad that you didn't trust me, though." I held his gaze. "Yes, I have forgiven you. But I won't if you lie to me again, even by omission. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
His lips twitched, so I raised my eyebrow. "I understand." He smiled and pulled me into his arms. "Let's go to bed."
His massive hand gripped my bottom, and I really wanted to press my lips to his sexy ones. I restrained myself.
The teasing man let me slide down his body, and I felt every inch of his erection. I stepped away and padded softly to the bathroom.
"I'll be waiting for you in bed, Tallulah," he drawled.
With the door locked, I clutched the vanity for all I was worth. He knew me. I couldn't disguise my desire for him, even if I tried.
I was irritated with myself for giving in to him. I'd had an inkling that he'd only told me the truth because Levi had told him he needed to explain things to me. Or maybe it had been Jessop.
Oh, well!
I hastily changed into my pajamas, quietly praying for strength.
* * *
The slight spark of exhilaration I felt with Jessop had died off. He invited his sister-in-law, Rosie, and her colleague, Dodge, to babysit me.
Rosie's husband, Rhodes, was not pleased that she was in a potentially dangerous situation. I wasn't pleased either.
Aiden wanted me, but he couldn't reach me right now. Jessop wanted to keep me safe. I understood. However, he needed to understand that with so much protection, Aiden wouldn't even try to reach me. My ex wasn't desperate to return to prison.
Rosie entered the house and whispered to Jessop. I was angry, too. Rosie was here in her capacity as a security specialist with a private investigator's license to protect me. She should have included me if something was going on. So should Jessop.
"Ugh!" I said it loudly enough for him to hear, and I directed a harsh stare his way. He paused and frowned. I didn't hang around. I left and locked myself in the guest room that had been designated as my temporary bedroom. I was also irritated by being put in a room alone. I was confused and did not like it.
Footsteps echoed down the hall. As they came to a halt outside my bedroom door, I narrowed my eyes. The silence was oppressive as I waited to see what he would do. I had no doubt that it was Jessop out there.
He sighed heavily and knocked. "Pen, can I come in? We need to talk?"
I paused briefly before stepping to the door and letting him in. He looked at me warily before entering and closing the door behind him.
He flipped the lock.
I raised an eyebrow. "Sure, of yourself, huh?"
"With you, I'm not sure of anything." He sank tiredly onto the bed, leaned forward, and locked his stare on mine, laying his arms on his thighs. "I messed up, Pen. I should have asked you what was wrong. Instead, I left you." A hand brushed over his shaggy hair. He was referring to my tears after the best night of my life.
To my amazement, he took a step toward me before dropping to his knees. He took my hands in his, brought them up to his mouth, and kissed them longingly. His kisses felt warm and tender against my skin. I felt a small tremor in his hands.
"Jessop," I whispered.
"Let me get this out, Pen." He gulped heavily. "I have loved you since your senior year of high school."
My jaw dropped.
"Shocked, huh?" He stood and cupped my face. "I've been a jerk to you, and I hope you'll forgive me. Once that guy is no longer a threat, I will show you how much I love you."
He rendered me speechless, and all I could do was stare back at him.
Jessop gave me a confident grin. "Who knew you could be quiet?" He chuckled and pulled me into his arms.
I slowly wrapped my arms around his waist and groaned into his chest. "You haven't loved me that long," I mumbled.
"Oh, babe," he said, laughing. "You have no idea what it's been like to love you from afar."
