JACOB
She’s mine.
I know that now.
Who the hell am I kidding? I knew it from the moment I stepped onto her porch, and she opened her front door when she had needed help moving her stuff. One look at her blue eyes and soft honey-blonde hair pulled back in a French braid, and my heart, the one fucking organ I had always wondered if it worked, started to beat for the first time.
I have been to war, to hell and back, and yet never felt as alive as I did that crisp morning. I shut the door to Reed’ place and frown.
“Hold on, angel.” I squeeze her hand and quickly let it go. I shrug the flannel I’m been wearing under my thermal off. “Here you go,” I murmur and wrap her up in it.
“What are you?—"
“Taking care of you, baby girl.” My girl looks up at me with her big blue eyes as we stand outside of Reed’s house, and all I want to do is kiss her.
But I don’t.
Somehow, I hold back and take care of business. I button up the flannel, slowly. One by one until I have her all covered up. Then, finally, I lean in and drop a kiss on top of her head. “Warm?”
“Cozy,” Eden whispers. Even under the moonlight I can see the pink tinge over the apples of her cheeks. I love how she blushes for me. I can’t wait to see her brighten up for me time after time. “It feels like snow,” she whispers, and I lose her eyes. She looks up at the mountain sky. It’s littered with stars that look like diamonds sparkling against the darkness. It’s beautiful but pales in comparison to the woman in front of me.
“I’m not sure I know what snow feels like yet.” I mutter. She turns and smiles at me.
“You’ll know before the season is over. I have a feeling it’s going to be a cold one this year.” She shrugs, and I nod. I reach for her hand, and she lets me hold it. It feels soft but chilly.
“Shit, your hands are cold.” I rub both with mine and then bring them up to my mouth to blow warm air over them. “Let’s hurry up and get you to my truck.”
“Okay.” She smiles and hurries right along with me.
I open her door and get her buckled up before shutting it and rounding my truck. I glance toward Reed’s door. I’m not surprised to find him standing there, looking at me like he doesn’t recognize me. I’m going to need to have a conversation with him soon. I tip my head before I get into the truck and get her home.
The drive is quiet but comfortable.
Especially since I’m holding her hand the moment I get into my seat. If she notices I take the long way home, she doesn’t mention it. No, my girl simply slides closer, and I’ve never been happier about keeping this old truck with a bench seat. Her head’s resting on my shoulder when we pull up to her house, and I’m not sure what’s going to happen.
What the hell is wrong with me?When I walked out of Reed’s place, I was confident. I was going to drive the pretty little girl to her place and claim her. But during the drive, feeling her soft body pressed against mine, the soft murmurs of her singing along with the radio, my mind went blank, I lost my plan, and nerves settled in deep.
All I want to do is follow her around like a freaking puppy.
I park my truck and glance down at her. She looks up at me with wide blue eyes, and I swear to god, it feels like my heart is about to burst out of my chest. She’s so damn pretty. All I want to do is pull her in and kiss her. But I know if I do, I may not be able to stop, and she deserves better than to be mauled.
“Thank you for the ride.” She smiles, and I nod. I can’t trust my voice in that moment. I lick my lips. My mouth suddenly feels dry while the palms of my hands are a little sweaty. She shifts and puts space between us. “I have to work late Friday night,” she shares, and again, all I can fucking do is nod.
Nod.Like a freaking puppet. Because for some damn reason, I can’t seem to sack up and make a move or say a goddamn word. Nerves get the better of me. Her hand rises between us, and she touches the longer hair at the back of my neck.
“Reed mentioned you work late?” Her dulcet voice is making things tight in the front of my pants.
“Sometimes.” My voice sounds scratchy in my own ears.
“If you need a cut, you should stop by.” She tilts her head, but I don’t say anything. How is my brain supposed to work when she’s looking up at me like that with the moonlight shining in through the windshield casting her in the most beautiful silver hue?
“Friday,” I repeat and nod again. “Why do you have to work late?”
“Oh, umm…” She shrugs, and her hand drops. I miss it stroking the ends of my hair immediately. “The salon is one ofthe places you can drop toys off for the toy drive we have going on. I’ve been staying a little later to make sure it’s open to those who want to stop by.” The salon? It was most likely her idea.
“That’s sweet,” I murmur unable to look away, still holding her hand. My thumb strokes the back of her hand. “What made you want to organize a toy drive?”
“What makes you think it was me?” I give her a look, and she blushes again. “It’s the city’s.” One of my brows rises, and her eyes drop, her lips tipping upward. She shrugs and looks out the truck’s windshield.
