Page 16 of More than Enough
“I get so.” His face twisted into an unpleasant expression, an unwelcome echo of his previous one. He lifted a hand and thumped it solidly against the side of his head once, then a second time. He’d pulled back for a third strike when she curled her fingers around his wrist, staying the blow. “So frustrated.”
“If I tell you I’m not, would you believe me?” Gazes locked, they stared at each other for a long minute. Then he slowly shook his head side to side. “Then I’ll have to prove it to you.” Digging her toes into the mattress, she pushed up until she could kiss him, pressing her lips against his. With a sigh, she relaxed back against his chest, laying her cheek on his pec and gazing into his face. “I’m listening, Nate. I’ll be here.”
His arms tightened around her, squeezing down like bands of steel, holding her in place. Voice rough and hesitant, he whispered something that wasn’t as much a secret as he seemed to believe. “I think I love you.”
Jenn smiled at him through the sheen of tears his unexpected bomb had caused, fingers drawing tiny circles on his chest, not moving a muscle otherwise. “I know I love you.”
He huffed out a laugh, then sighed deeply, tension flowing out of his muscles with the breath.
“Can you believe me, Nate? Believe this is real now?”
“I’ll try.”
“That’s the right answer.”
Thirteen
Blade
Shirtless, he was scooping coffee into the machine’s filter the next morning, not yet awake, when Jenn’s arms slipped around his waist.
Last night had moved up every space on the list to become the best in his life, setting the bar so high he didn’t know if there’d ever be a contender to upset its reign. Honestly, he didn’t care. Jenn filled every hole he didn’t know he’d had inside, fitting into place beside him seamlessly. Even with the distance of a couple hours’ sleep, it didn’t matter. This was the woman for him. The only one he’d ever love, and he was honored she’d offered the emotion right back to him. More proof that they were better together than apart.
No time like the present. The conversation he wanted to have would show her exactly where he was in this. Would prove his trust in what they were building together. “What if I asked you to make room in your closet for me?”
“New York minute.” She gave him a squeeze, cheek resting between his shoulder blades. “Half the drawers in the dresser, too? You got it.”
“Can it be that easy?” He finished with the coffee maker and thumbed the switch to start the process. Turning in her arms, he wrapped his around her shoulders, pulling her close. He dipped down for a kiss that she met halfway. Rolling up to her toes caused her whole body to slide against his, and the softness of her breasts and belly were brands of heat against his skin.
“Easy as we make it.” She shrugged and settled on her heels, that glorious slide happening again in reverse. “Hey, I forgot to tell you that was mean yesterday.”
“What?” He wracked his brain to sort out what she was talking about, coming up with nothing. “What’d I do?” Chasing her mouth for another kiss, he nipped her bottom lip gently. “How was I mean?”
“That whole move-the-car thing.” She shifted so her hands were resting on his chest and thudded him softly with a fist. “It really scared me.”
“What are you talking about?” The coffee maker gurgled and spit, the only sound in the room. “Jenn?”
“You didn’t move my car at the grocery store?” Blade shook his head. “Are you sure? Maybe Wolf?”
“He was at the clubhouse when I left there. I was riding by the parking lot when I saw you walking to your car, Jenn. What do you mean, moved it?” His gut tensed, sending spikes of alarm throughout his body, the same kind of instinctive reaction he’d experienced so many times over in the sandbox, just before the world would turn upside down and bleed red. “I didn’t do anything to the car.”
“When I came out of the grocery store, I could swear my car wasn’t where I left it. I’d never back it into a spot like that. And I shop there a lot, nearly always park on the other side of the lot.” She pressed closer to him, and he realized she was trembling. “When you showed up like you did, I assumed you’d done it. You know where I keep the spare key.”
“Did you notice anything? Anything unusual when you came outside? Or went in? Anything odd at all happen yesterday?” She shook her head, then paused, a considering expression on her face. “What? What are you thinkin’ about?”
“There was this moment when I got off work. I thought I heard someone behind the diner.” Jenn shrugged and laughed, the sound coming out strangled and pained. “You know how it is back there. The woods are close, and it can be really dark at night. I wasn’t scared, not really. Just spooked as hell. I got in the car and left, then stopped at the store.”
“You think someone might have been out back of the diner last night?” She stared at him a moment; then her mouth twisted to the side and she nodded slowly. “Who else worked until close last night?”
“Rose did.”
“Call her.” He issued the order immediately, not giving Jenn time to think. “Make sure she’s okay. Don’t freak her out. Just make up something.” White filled her face, and he saw her chin quiver. With her gaze fixed on him, she didn’t move until he gripped her waist and set her back a half a foot. “Go, call her.”
“Okay.”
He stared at Jenn’s ass as she trotted up the hallway to her bedroom, losing sight of her as she rounded the doorframe. That sense of unease intensified by the moment, and he glanced at the door to see the chain unlatched, the lock unengaged.Did I not lock up last night?They’d come in and Jenn had opened the door. Then he’d made a game of putting up her groceries before carrying her into the bedroom like a caveman.Maybe, maybe not. He felt naked without a weapon, but his gun was in one of the bags on his bike, and he wanted to sweep the house fast. Deadbolt engaged, he turned to see Jenn walking back into the kitchen, phone to her ear.
“Hey, Rose.” The relief in her voice was palpable. “Do you know if I work today? I forgot to check the schedule.” A pause, then she laughed. “Then I’m taking a lazy day. Thanks, honey. Everything okay last night?” Another pause, this one longer, but Jenn’s expression never changed, not showing any alarm. “Oh, cool. I’m glad it was an easy night. I’ll see you soon.” She sighed. “Yeah, you too. Bye.” She laid the phone on the counter with a shake of her head. “She said everything was normal. Blade, what are you thinking?”
