“I’m going to set up my computer and see if that safe house hacking idea has any merit,” Elias says. He eyes Wren warily and asks. “You sure you’re okay?” She nods, and he returns the gesture before marching out into the sitting area.
“I’ll go find us something to watch,” Pete says before kissing her on the cheek, making her blush, then jumping up and exiting the room.
“We’ll meet you out there,” Sly says as he and Dex move to the door, thankfully giving us a moment alone. We were constantly together, so getting time alone with Wren is extremely difficult. So I wrap my arms around her and hug her into my chest, wanting to cherish the moment, even if we only have a minute together.
CHAPTER FIVE
WREN
Running my hand over Jagger’s chest, I start to worry all over again. Was everyone upset with me? Do they think I’ve chosen Dex? They still seemed to be treating me the same after I woke up from that embarrassing fainting incident, but it could just be because they thought I was fragile.
What I do know is that if I could ask any of them and expect a real, honest answer, it was the man currently holding me. He was my rock, my strength; solid, strong, and never-changing. I had a feeling even if I did choose Dex, he wouldn’t treat me any differently; he wouldn’t care. I was his, and he was mine.
“Jagger?”
He pulls back so he can see my face as I look up at him nervously.
“What’s bothering you?”he signs. I hate that he has to stop hugging me to communicate.
“Is everyone mad at me?” I ask, nervously biting my lip.
His brows furrow, and he shakes his head.“Mad?”He tilts his head in question.“Why would anyone be mad at you?”
“Before… It felt like everyone was upset, as if they thought I was choosing Dex over them.”
His eyes soften in understanding.“Nobody is upset with you, tiny flame.”I smile at the nickname, but then my frown returns when I picture Elias’ wounded face.
“Not even Elias?”
“He’s not mad at you.”He manages to put a hard emphasis on the wordnot.
“He has to come to terms with the fact that he may have been watching you for years, but you thought he was gone. It’s unfair of him to expect you to treat him the same as you would have seven years ago. But that’s for him to figure out. Not you.”
He hugs me and lets me process that. Jagger was definitely the most insightful of the group, at least when it came to things like this. I hadn’t thought of it like that. It made me feel bad for Elias. He was probably expecting some grand reunion between us, to pick up our friendship where we left off.
It wasn’t like I didn’t want that, but I would need time. We’ve both changed, and I need to get to know the new Elias—the FBI hacker who rescued us. I still can’t believe everything he’s done for us, helping us escape, wiping camera footage, and getting us away from the feds.
He deserves more than a cold shoulder from us. I knew the others wouldn’t warm up to him quickly; they seemed barely to tolerate each other. But I could thank him, tell him how much I appreciate what he’s done.
But first, I need to make sure the others are okay. I was in some sort of relationship with them all, though I wasn't sure exactly how to label it. Maybe that’s why I panicked. Dex isthe only one to put a label on it so far, so I knew where I stood with him. Sly had said something about not needing one a few days ago, but I wasn’t sure I could handle that. I need to know what they are to me and what I am to them.
“Jagger?”
We pull apart so his hands are free to sign again.
“This morning, we… Uh…” My cheeks flush remembering how I climbed into his bed at the safe house, and he pulled me on top of him, making me orgasm without even taking my clothes off. Was that really only this morning? It felt like that happened days ago.
He cups my cheek, and the slightest hint of a smile touches his lips. His thumb trails along my jaw before he pulls it back to sign,“Are you wanting a repeat, tiny flame?”
My entire body heats as I gasp. “What! No! Well, yes, but that’s not what I was going to say.” He smirks, the closest thing I’ve seen to a smile on his lips, and nods as if telling me to go on. “I was just wondering, since we did…that… does that mean you’re my boyfriend too? Is that weird? To have more than one?” I realize I’m starting to babble, so I snap my jaw shut and watch him for a response.
His eyes flick between mine as if considering what to say, making my stomach tighten with worry. He signs slowly, not wanting me to miss a word.“Doing that doesn’t automatically make me your boyfriend.”My heart sinks, and he continues.“But I want you to feel confident in our connection. So let me be perfectly clear, Wren. I love you.”I gasp, my jaw dropping open. He’s signed it to me before, but seeing it again just solidifies the way I feel for him.“Will you be my girlfriend?”
A broad smile crosses my face and I nod, feeling lost for words. I want to tell him how I feel, too, but the words get caught in my throat, and before I can overthink it, his handmoves to the back of my neck, and he draws me to him, his tongue demanding entrance as he kisses me. I cling to him, moaning my approval of the way his hand glides over my hip and wraps around my back, holding me tightly to him.
Jagger kisses me like he owns me, and every time we connect like this, it feels better than the time before, like he’s teaching me how to move. I suck his lower lip into my mouth, the way he’s done to me before, and something akin to a growl rumbles up his throat. I pull back to look at him in surprise. We both pant heavily, and he leans forward, giving me another quick peck on the lips before leaning his forehead against mine.
My heart hums happily in my chest. At least now I know for certain where I stand with him and Dex. Hopefully, I get the courage to speak to the others about this, too.
