Page 171 of Heartless
Jake
That motherfucker had better die soon.
When her cell beeped, she sat up.“I’d better check.It might be work.”She touched my jaw.“Thank you, Jake.”
“Anytime, beautiful.”
While she went to fetch her phone, I got on my feet and headed toward her fridge.
“Have you eaten today?”
Coming to stand beside me, she said, “Are you staying?”
I wanted to kiss that fucking sadness away.I tucked her hair behind her ear.
“There’s no meat in your fridge.I’m going to order out.Burgers?I’ll make you a salad.”
She smiled.It was small, but it hit me all the same.“Yes, please.”
“Go work.”
After a quick nod, she tagged her PC, kicked her shoes off, and curled up in the corner of the couch.
****
Sienna closed her laptopand lifted her head.
“Done for the day, baby?”
While I’d been sitting on the other side of the couch, working on my cell, she’d made a few calls.During some of them, she’d effectively argued her points when they’d differed from the caller.
“Yes.What about you?”
“Yeah.What do you want for dinner?”
She scooted closer and sat on her calves beside me.“Thank you for today, Jake.But I’m okay now, so you don’t have to do this.I mean stay with me and cook.”
“Sienna, I’ve watched you take a blow that would have floored anyone and still be kind to the people you work with.I know you’re strong, baby.I want to be here.”I stroked my thumb under her lower lip.“The truth?”
“Always,” she breathed out.
“I fucking miss you.”
At that, her teeth dug into the corner of her bottom lip, and I got harder.
Her gaze dropped.“Jake...”
She needed peace, and I fucking needed her.“Come away with me this weekend.”
Her wide eyes whipped up.“What?”
“I’m flying to Colorado for the weekend.You can work from anywhere, and after the fucking day you had, you deserve a break somewhere quiet.Come with me.We’ll stay at my cabin, and we can play tourist, visit Crested Butte.Hike if you’re brave enough.”
Her cute nose twitched before she bit on that bottom lip again.When a curly strand of her hair swayed over her lowered lids, I added, “You can meet the two Garretts.”
She gasped.“Really?I’d love that.”
I couldn’t help but smile.Who knew the two mountain men would get me time with her?
