“And I’m yours.” He releases my cheek and palms the top of Grace’s head. “And we’re having our most important conversation with this little angel between us.”
“It’s better than an island and Sp–”
His lips crash over mine as he kisses me until my breath is gone. Yes, for some reason, I love getting this man all worked up. His tongue swipes between my parted lips. Yes, this’s the reason.
He leans back and bites his bottom lip. “You’re a sassy little one, aren’t you, Pretty Girl?”
“Maybe. When it comes to you.” My heart races in my chest. There’s only one way this situation is going to play out, and every inch of my body is preparing for that inevitability.
“Good,” he growls. “Hold that thought until later when I take that sweet ass of yours against the island here from running your mouth.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“You’re such a little tease.” The energy radiating off him causes the walls of my sex to convulse. “I can’t wait to rip those shorts and panties off you and swat your ass.”
I squirm against the sofa cushions putting much needed pressure against my clit. “You know exactly how to turn a woman on.”
“No.” He shakes his head as his expression sobers. “I know exactly how to turn you on. You, only. I don’t care about anyone else but you. And it’s my mission in life to find all the ways it takes to please you.” He kisses my lips and leans back against the cushions putting some much-needed space between us. I suck down a gulp of air. At least now, breathing is possible.
“I happen to love the sound of that.”
He pulls back. “On a less fun note, I spoke with Mackenzie today.”
“Yeah?” My stomach clenches as the thought of losing Grace makes me want to run to a country that doesn’t extradite back to the U.S.
Not that I don’t care about her. I do want a better life for Mackenzie, because I know her current situation is shit. Which only serves to make me feel like a bigger bitch.
“Yes, I tried to get her to go to a shelter now that Chad is out of the picture, but she won’t go. She went so far as to say that if I didn’t leave her alone, she’d claim I was trying to put the moves on her.”
I straighten my spine. “I don’t want you to get into trouble. I should–”
“Don’t worry. I had the camera on, so there’s no question what my intentions were. She also was clear about not wanting you to interfere. She’s scared shitless of Chad. I wish I could say that I don’t understand what makes a woman stay in a home where she’s abused, but I know. I know too damned well.”
“You tried.” I pat Grace’s back as she whimpers. “At this point, all we can do is protect Grace and give her the life Mackenzie should’ve had. One without fear and pain.”
The lump in my throat is large enough to choke me. Like Jake, I’ve seen the aftermath of abusive relationships. Busted faces. Broken teeth. Bruises under clothes that no one else sees but the paramedics before they claim it’s not a big deal and happened due to their own stupid clumsiness.
I nuzzle my face against Grace’s cheek. You’re never going to be a statistic. No asshole is going to push and shove you around until you’re destroyed and believe there’s nowhere else to run. Until you have no friends or family to turn to. Until all your money belongs to him. Until you have no resources. No self-worth.
That will never be you, Grace. Never. You’ll always know that you’re loved and cherished. Always. A tear tracks down my cheek.
“Baby.” Jake swipes the tear away with his thumb. “She’s safe, and we’ll keep her safe.”
“Yes, we will,” I say it like a vow. And it is.
Jake places his arm around my shoulders again and twirls a strand of hair that’s escaped from my messy bun. “Speaking of safe. Do you think Iris would be willing to let you and Gracemove in with me after court? It’s more secure, I have a fenced in yard, and security cameras.”
“And handcuffs?”
“Yes,” he chuckles but soon turns serious. “I want to know that you’re both safe.”
This is real. He’s offering it all. Him. A home. A fenced in yard. Safety. Security. Love. A future.
“Just one second.” I climb to my feet and quickly place Grace into her crib. The only movement she makes in the transition is puckering her lips, twisting her head, and then sighing as she drifts back to sleep.
She’s beautiful. Perfect. Seeing her like this makes my chest ache.
I send Iris a message, letting her know that as soon as she approves, Grace and I will be moving in with Jake. Moments later, she messages me back, assuring me that she’s fast-tracked Jake’s fostering application and his approval should come around that time.
