Page 33 of Save Me

The door is barely shut before I’m crushed against Jamie’s muscular chest. His powerful arms hold me so tightly I can barely breathe, but I don’t mind at all. “I’m gonna yell at you later, a lot. But right now, I’m just so glad you’re alright.” His voice is thick with emotion.

I tuck my face into his neck and let the tension melt away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know what else to do.”

“Well, we’re going to have to work on your planning and communication skills, because they suck. And for the record, I’m pissed off.” Jamie kisses the side of my head. “Really pissed off. But I love you.”

I’m too stunned to say much. This was not the reaction I was expecting at all. “I love you too.” This is more surreal than either time a gun was pointed at me. I truly have no idea how to react.

“Did you get to see him?” Jamie loosens his hug, keeping one arm around my waist while he gently rubs my back.

I nod against his neck. “Yes. And we spoke for a bit. I was there when he passed.” I sigh, too tired for any more tears.

“I’m glad.” Jamie hugs me again. “At least if you were going to risk yourself again, you accomplished what you intended this time.”

I push back so he can clearly see me. “Jamie, you can yell at me all you want, because I deserve it for just leaving, but I had to go. I had to see him.” I try to push back and step away but get dizzy. Jamie’s arms tighten around me instantly. “Sorry, I’m exhausted.”

“You need to sleep. We both do.”

“That’s my cue to leave.” We both startle, having forgotten that Duncan is watching all of this unfold.

Jamie extends his hand, and Duncan shakes it. “Thanks, Duncan. I owe you.”

“Yeah, ya do.” Duncan smirks and nods to me, then looks back at Jamie. “I’ll bring the Rover back later, after I get some sleep. I left my car a few blocks from the scene. Volker’s going to get it and we’ll both come back here with the papers.”

“Thanks, Duncan.”

“Yeah, I know. You owe me.” Duncan grins and is out the door in a heartbeat, leaving us alone.

As tired as I am, I brace myself for Jamie’s anger, still so utterly unprepared when it doesn’t come. “You’re going to be a handful. I can see that now.”

I blink. Going to be. As in future tense. As in, Jamie is planning to be around. If I wasn’t so tired, I might laugh, or cry, or shake with relief. As it is, I can barely keep my feet under me. Jamie stifles a yawn and nods to the bed. “Shoes off, eyes closed, hands to yourself until we’ve slept, and I’ve yelled at you.” Oh. So it’s still to come. Fair enough. Jamie helps me sit on the bed, then plops down next to me and unlaces his boots.

I struggle through getting my own boots off, and barely manage it before I fall backward onto the bed with a half groan, half yawn. Jamie repositions me gently further up the mattress so my head is on a pillow, and I roll onto my side, curled into myself. I expect Jamie to keep his distance, but his arm slips around me, pulling me back against his chest, and I relax into him. “I thought it was hands to myself.”

Jamie tucks his leg between mine, and our feet tangle as he nuzzles into the nape of my neck. “I’m coming to terms with the fact that I’m not able to resist you.” The soft brush of his lips against my skin fills me with a sense of safety and so much love my chest aches. “It probably also means I’m never going to win an argument with you either.”

I huff out an exhausted laugh. “I don’t know. I might let you win now and then.”

“Go to sleep.”

I don’t need to be told twice.

12

Jamie

We wake in the late afternoon to the phone ringing. I reach back and grab it off the bedside table. By the time I swipe to answer, and curl back around Ash, I’m surprised I catch the call before it goes to voicemail. “Hello?”

“Hey kid. I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”

“Funny, Volker.” I kiss the back of Ash’s neck and he wiggles back against me, ass pressing against my cock. I’m not sure if he’s snuggling in or trying to start something, but my dick hopes it’s the latter. Unfortunately, we don’t have time for that right now. “Do I sound like we were in the middle of anything but sleeping?” Ash makes another small wiggle against me and I give him a gentle pinch for it, grinning against his neck. “Behave.”

Volker’s chuckle tells me he heard my comment. “Actually, yeah, but we have business to take care of. I’m headed to get Duncan’s car, then we’ll be on our way over. You want me to pick up pizza or something on the way?”

“Yeah, that sounds good, but I’m buying. It’s the least I can do with everything you’ve done for us.” Thinking about food makes me realize how hungry I am. “Thin crust, pepperoni, and sausage, mushrooms on half?” Ashley nods and hums his approval.

There’s a mumbled exchange and I assume Volker runs the order past Duncan. “Works for us.”

“Okay, I’ll call in a pickup order to Little Sicily now. See you soon.” Volker disconnects and I quickly place the pizza order before hanging up and wrapping myself around Ash again. “Pizza with a side of Duncan and Volker in about forty minutes.”

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