Page 121 of Pawn's in the Bishop's Game (Checkmate 1)

“Alex is getting antsy,” she continues. “He doesn’t like ghosts, so that unidentified guy’s gonna give him hives.”

The girls huddle close together at the corner, and though I watch them like a hawk, I can’t help but laugh. Jay’s the ghost, but he’s not a problem for them. He won’t hurt them. He knows Jess is mine, and Juliette is Jess’. They’re safe.

Alex, on the other hand, is making Abel nervous.

“No.” Taking the phone from her pocket, my sound becomes that much clearer as she waves Juliette off. “I’m okay. The exam is still months away, but maybe offer again when we get closer. I get the feeling the stress will only increase.”

“It really will. For the final months, you won’t have a life. Not even family dinner will tempt you out of your room.”

“So basically, my life will remain the same?”

Laughing, Juliette reaches out and squeezes Jess’ arm. “Nah. You come out of your room at the moment. As we get closer, you won’t even be coming into work. But it’s cool. I get it. I’ll cover for you. And maybe we’ll celebrate with new shoes.”

Jess laughs and turns her back to me. “Ya know, not everyone thinks expensive shoes are worth it.” Pulling her arms behind her back, she flips me off. “Some people actively abhor it.”

“Those people are wrong!” Juliette turns toward the parking lot with a grin. “You need to kick those people to the curb, baby girl, because you don’t need that kind of negativity in your life.” When Jess doesn’t follow her to their cars, Juliette stops again. “You’re not coming?”

“Nah. Running to Jonah’s first. Need snacks, then I’m going to study Hayes some more.”

“Careful you don’t let him into your head. Don’t have nightmares because of this guy.”

“Too late,” Jess grumbles. Waving Juliette off, she turns and meets my eyes. “You can hear me?”

I nod.

And because she can’t hear me while holding her phone by her hip, I tell her what I think. I tell her without fear. I tell her everything I wish she could know, but can’t risk her knowing.

She’s safer never knowing.

“I love you, Jess. I’ll love you until the universe ceases to exist, and even then, it doesn’t go away. It just becomes invisible.” I run a hand over my short hair and sigh. We have two nights left. “I came to life when I met you, Jessie. Everything that happens this week, everything I do, is because I love you. I don’t want you to ever doubt that.”

Jess passes Jonah’s with a frown. Hunching against the breeze, she brings the phone up to her ear. “What did you say?”

Her silky voice soothes the ache in my chest. “Nothing.”

“I saw your lips move.”

“Gum.” I bring my fingers to my lips and pretend to take gum out. “Have a nice day trying to convict me?”

“Yep.” Thirty feet away, she shakes her hips. “It’s a fun game now. I get paid to research you. Best gig ever.”

I bet it is. “You look beautiful, Jessie.” I let my eyes slide along her jeaned legs. “Did I tell you that yet today?”

“Yeah. You mentioned it when I was showering.”

“That was a good shower.”

Ten feet from my truck, she blows an air kiss. “Best way to start the day. How was your day?”

“It was good.” When she opens the door and slides in, I wrap my hand around her neck and pull her in until our lips clash. Her breath fills my lungs. Gives me purpose. Gives me life.

I slide my tongue along her plump lips and groan at how fucking stupid I am that I fell in love with this woman. She brings me to my knees. She disarms me, and for a guy in my line of work, that’s fucking dangerous.

When I’ve had my fill, I pull back and study her dreamy eyes. “My day started with fucking in the shower. Then I had breakfast with a beautiful blonde.”

“Yeah?” She works to catch her breath. “Then what?”

“Then I napped.” I laugh when my answer surprises her. “I didn’t finish work till four. I didn’t stop fucking you till five. I slept until seven, then I was fucking some more. Do you think I can live indefinitely without sleep?”

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