Page 11 of Unexpectedly Falling
Jensen’s whole body tenses, his head turning slowly to look at me. “And where are you stayin’ while you’re here?”
“The college has offered off-campus housing.”
“What if you had another option?” He runs his fingers through his blond hair. It’s longer than it was in the pictures I’ve seen of him and it looks sexy as hell, especially when it’s all tousled like he just rolled out of bed.
Snapping back to reality I prod, “Like what?”
His lips press into a hard line as he heaves a defeated breath. “I need a favor.”
6
JENSEN
I’d imagined this conversation going much differently in my mind. In that version, I’d been able to bribe Nessa with a tiny chocolate pie before launching into my desperate plea for help. My only saving grace was the slight wrinkle of her nose when she mentioned she’d be staying in campus housing for the duration of her time in Blackstone Falls.
“A favor?” she repeats as I try to rein in my runaway thoughts. I’m thankful that Remi is still asleep in her car seat because try as I might, the guilt is already gnawing at me.
“Can we sit?”
“I’d rather not.” She crosses her arms over her chest again, and I have to ignore the way the movement accentuates her tits. Dragging my hand down my face, I blow out a sigh.
“What if you stay here?”
“Excuse me? Stay here? Like in your house, here?”
“Yes.”
“With you?”
“Withus.” I motion toward Remi, shamelessly trying to sweeten the deal.
“Are you kidding?” Her voice rises at the end as her eyebrows fly up into her hairline. “I don’t know you, Jensen, and you want to what? Play house? Pretend to be a family while I’m here?”
“No,” I say evenly. “I know what I’m asking. I’ve tried like hell but I can’t just take off the time Remi deserves yet. We’re short-staffed—we have been for the better part of a year. The interim sheriff can’t be here for a couple of months.”
“A couple of months?!”she screeches and I grimace as I hold up my hands in surrender.
“Less if I’m lucky. I can cut back my hours but I can’t just up and leave.”
“Months, Jensen. You can’t ask someone you just met to?—”
“Don’t you think I know that? I just thought you cared about Remi enough to at least hear me out. Thought you might be willing to stick around.”
“Watch your fucking mouth when you’re talking to me, Sheriff,” she says, stepping up to me until we’re toe to toe, her hands fisted at her side. “I didn’t have to find you. I didn’t have to do jack shit. Instead I spent every waking moment making sure Remi was loved and cared for when there was no one else. I made sure thatyouhave the opportunity to raise your daughter so don’t put that bullshit on me.”
“I didn’t know,” I grit out, unable to tear my gaze away from her fiery azure eyes.
“And whose fucking fault is that?”
She’s out of line but she’s not wrong, and I want to scold her for that kind of language.
Fuck some manners into her.
The thought is like a punch to the gut, and I force myself back a step and hold my arms out to the sides. “You’re right. I can’t even tell her about her mama, Nessa. What kind of man am I if I can’t even tell my daughter about her mom?”
She doesn’t say anything and I have no idea if I even want her to.
Wiping my palm over my mouth, I look out the window before turning back to her. “You’re the only other family Remi has. I don’t know anyone else.”
