by Nicole Vidal
Me: My cooking skills aren’t relevant, although I’m rather good.
Jacob reads the text I sent and smiles. He settles into the corner of the couch, pulling me close. I curl into his chest and enjoy the game. Is this what a normal relationship is like?
“Can I ask you more questions about Mara?” I tilt my head back to look at his face.
“You can ask whatever you want.” He leans forward, kissing my head.
“Was she your only relationship?”
“Before you, yes. Why?”
This man. Seriously, he just acknowledged that he and I are in a relationship. It’s a huge statement from him. I consider whether I should ask my next question or not. Suppressing my concerns, I ask anyway.
“I was trying to determine what normal is. Aside from my need for your professional services now, what does a normal dating relationship look like?”
“Why do you ask?”
“My last relationship was during college. Ethan was also an accounting major, and he lived across the hall in my apartment building. We started off as friends, hanging out in groups. Eventually, he asked me out. We dated off and on for almost two years. We went to college parties, campus sporting events, and occasional movies. That ended when he asked me if I wanted a family. At the time, my sole focus was my name etched in glass.”
Jacob nods, likely because we already talked about how my opinion on a family has changed since then. The crowd noise grows on the TV. We both look toward the television and see the Vikings quarterback complete a fifty-yard pass. We watch the next series where the Bears’ defense stops them in three downs.
Content the game is back in hand, he says, “Keep going.”
“During my first year at Quinn Sterling, I met Timothy. He was eight years older than me and hopeful he would curry favor with Mr. Sterling by taking me under his wing. Over six months, we went out once a month, sometimes twice. Mr. Sterling paired us together on a joint file. Tim arrived the morning of our presentation hungover. Not only did he take credit for the work, but he told Mr. Sterling that I wasn’t up to the task of handling a file of that size on my own. Thankfully, the firm requires all work to be initialed before it’s saved on the company server. Soon after the presentation was complete, Mr. Sterling called me to his office and asked specifically if Tim did any work. When I indicated he did not, he was fired. Based on my limited experience, normal is something I have no basis for.”
“Mara and I were young. We spent a lot of time just hanging out at the Michelsons’ or my parents. Pizza and movie dates happened often. During college, we were apart, spending tons of time on the phone. The amount of time we actually lived together was remarkably short.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to dredge up memories.”
“Don’t be. Mara and I were together a long time ago. I’ve never shared her with anyone. We truly only spent time with a few people during high school. I never met any of her college friends or roommates. She never met mine. Overall, we were together for almost eight years, married just shy of two. When I first told you about Mara, your reaction floored me. Not only about my feelings of guilt, but you weren’t angry, jealous, or concerned about her. Just me.”
“You told me when you were ready. Until a few minutes ago, I never mentioned Ethan or Tim.”
“I never asked because I didn’t really care until you agreed to date me. You and I have been together for over two years. It wasn’t what most people would call traditional dating, but it worked for us, especially me because it didn’t require me to face my guilt about Mara. As far as whether this is normal,” he says, gesturing back and forth between us, “it feels normal to me.”
If how Jacob and I interact is normal, I’m fully on board.
The game has been a defensive struggle since the opening kickoff. Nolan has been largely silent. He hasn’t sent another text yet. The Bears are winning three to zero at halftime. I scoot forward to clear our dishes.
“Where are you going?”
“To take these to the kitchen?”
“Halftime is not for dishes.”
“It isn’t?”
“Nope, come closer.”
I lean in, and he tugs me against his chest, our lips a mere inch apart.
“Halftime is for kissing, except for the Superbowl. Then it’s for watching if the performer is halfway decent.”
“Noted.” I eliminate the space between us. It would be a lie to say we were prepared to watch when the second half started. There is just something about his kiss that drives me to distraction. His touch sends sparks straight southward. Plus, whatever spicy cologne he uses smells divine. Our clothes pile up on the floor until we’re both clad in only our underwear. “Are you sure no one will show up unannounced?”
“Fairly confident, why?”
“I want to stay like this.” We’re lying on the couch, which faces the French doors to the backyard.
A wide grin spreads across his face. “Works for me.”
Apparently, any amount of exposed skin is an invitation for Jacob to touch me. I’m not complaining, but we don’t finish the game. It also keeps me distracted from the fact that I can’t help Delores. Even though I expressed my anger, I truly don’t want anything to happen to her because of her husband. I certainly don’t want to help Stan, but in the handful of times I’ve spoken to her, Delores has been nothing but genuine to me.
When I reach up for Jacob’s phone to set an alarm, I find a text from Nolan.
Nolan: Well done, Norah. Dinner Sunday will be catered by me.
Smiling, I set an alarm for seven thirty tomorrow morning. Pulling the blanket over us, I lie across Jacob’s chest, his heart beating against my temple and his breath calm and even. Even though I want to avoid tomorrow evening, I close my eyes and fall into dreamland—dreams filled with the life I just might be able to capture with him by my side.
Chapter 44
Jacob
Nothing about falling for Norah is what anyone would term normal. I can’t even say when I fell. That isn’t true. The moment she asked for my help, I knew I would protect her until my last breath. I need to tell her. First, we need to get through this day. I hope the Morettis’ threat is empty. I don’t believe that she won’t blame herself if they follow through.
Norah has no idea where the ledger is. Aside from Blaine’s information regarding the prize, we have nothing to indicate where the ledger is. Her calendar gave us nothing other than when she received the award. However, it gave me more insight into the phenomenal woman plastered against me.
Waking with her is worth savoring. Her head against my chest as her long locks fall down my flank. One hand resting on my shoulder, the other against my rib cage. The scent of her shampoo wafts up to my nose. It isn’t her normal shampoo, which smells like coconut and something beachy. This one is vanilla.
She’s brilliant, which I already knew, but the scholarship, her understanding about Mara, and her concern for us regarding her inexperience in relationships. Laughable if you ask me. Neither one of us has any good recent experience except with one another. Yet even that isn’t a good basis. When I stayed over, I didn’t stay much past a cup of coffee. Tomorrow night will be a good start.
Ranking clients, Norah is the best. She hasn’t complained about not having access to a computer, phone, or her own things. I’m sure it was easier for me to accurately request what she needs because I know her intimately, but Gemma or Connor handled the basics at least initially. Later today, I’ll be able to determine how much longer she needs security. Well, I plan to be around indefinitely, but she’ll be able to go wherever she wants without worry.
My phone vibrates above my head. When I move to grab it, Norah stirs. Lifting her head slightly, she looks up at me through her long lashes. Without a word, she starts trailing my chest with hungry kisses.
“Norah.”
“Don’t let me stop you. You go ahead and check that. I’ll just keep finding spots to put my lips.” Immediately, she d
raws my nipple between her teeth. I check the time and set an alarm, so we’re appropriately dressed before the team arrives at nine. Her mouth moves across my chest, down my flank, to the point of my hip. I stifle a groan, knowing there isn’t enough time to worship her properly.
“Norah, we don’t have time right now.”
Her sultry gaze shifts to mine without removing her mouth from my hip. That look tells me she doesn’t care, but I do. Despite my desire to allow her to continue her downward path, I reach down and haul her mouth up to mine. I drop my lips to hers to quiet her protest. If I have learned anything in the past few weeks, it’s that I can make her weak with my mouth. Dipping my tongue between her lips, I explore her mouth. A soft moan escapes her lips. Pulling back, I catch her lower lip between my teeth. She moans deeply. That is apparently on par with drawing my tongue over her lips. Learning her is fast becoming my favorite pastime. How did I miss these spots over the last few years? She pulls back, reclaiming her lower lip long enough to scold me.
“You can’t kiss me like that and expect me to relent.”
“Like what?”
“You know damn well what I mean.”
I do but watching her flustered, especially naked, is fun. An alarm blares on my phone. “Is it really already that late?”
“Unfortunately, yes. We need to move.”
“Why can’t you just cancel the meeting so I can move back down where I was before you made me melt into a puddle with your skilled mouth?”
“As much as I would love to do that, we have work to do.” She frowns, but I’m undeterred. “Plus, I’m not sharing any of your spectacular curves. . . ever. I’ll race you to the shower.”
“How are you going to beat me if I’m on top of you?”
“Not as difficult as you think.”
Before she can reply, I wrap my arms around her and stand. Once she’s on her feet, I release her and run down the hall.
“Jacob!” she shouts as I reach the threshold of my bathroom. I start the water. When she walks into the bathroom, she has a wide smile on her face. “Is this payback for me beating you at the Michelsons’?”
“Maybe.” I step in the shower, and she follows immediately after. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough time for me to make her orgasm with my tongue like she did at the Michelsons’. I just hope by the end of the night, we have more answers.
After the morning meeting and a few hours in my office while Norah paces like a mom waiting for her daughter to get home from prom, I decide we need to leave the house.
“Go change into something you’re willing to get sweaty in.” She raises an eyebrow. “No, that isn’t what I mean. Your clothes will stay on.”
“You’re no fun.”
“Liar!”
She smiles and walks out of my office. Once she changes, I lead her to the gym.
We warm up and spar for a bit before Maia and Nolan enter the gym. When they finish warming up, we take turns practicing releases and holds. Norah and Maia go toe to toe for a half hour before Maia opts to take a break. Honestly, that match up could have gone either way. It takes years of training to achieve the level of skill Norah possesses. Then she easily tripped up Nolan in less than five minutes.
“Your turn, Jacob,” Nolan says after rising from the mat and high-fiving Norah.
“Not happening, we need to get back and clean up before the deadline.”
“Afraid your woman can take you?” Nolan states.
My woman. I don’t plan to address him calling Norah that. Honestly, I’m fine with it, at least in the sense that she’s mine.
“I’m sure she can, but this session was to stop her from wearing a hole into the carpet in my office, not to see if she can defend herself. I know she can.” She probably would, considering I’ll never hurt her. “We’ll see you on Sunday. Let me know what time you will be over to use the kitchen.”
“Congrats again, Norah. I have never met anyone who analyzes a football game like you did before it was even played,” Nolan says, honorably accepting defeat.
“Thanks. It’s mostly that I love the game and a wee bit the stats.”
I hand her my sweatshirt as we leave the gym.
“I wouldn’t go easy on you,” she says with a smirk on her face.
“I know, but I’ll never put you in a position to defend yourself against me.”
“I know.”
Chapter 45
Norah
My nerves have been on edge since the calendar didn’t provide any insight into the location of the ledger. As the close of business approaches, my anxiety increases exponentially. I’m grateful Jacob noticed and made me leave his office. Sparring with Maia and Nolan was fun and did take my mind off the ticking clock about to expire.
After cleaning up, I grab water from the kitchen and return to his office. He’s standing with his back to the door, arms crossed over his chest. His shirt stretches across his back. In this moment, how hot he is shouldn’t even register in my brain, yet it does.
“Thank you. I needed to get out of here. What if they kill Delores? I did everything I could.”
He surrounds me with his arms, and a muted sigh leaves my lips. I could stay here. I want to stay here. The bigger question is will he be able to move on? Am I willing to stay without a commitment of some kind?
“It isn’t on you. It’s on Stan. Honestly, I think he knows where the ledger is or at least how to guide you to it.”
“Why wouldn’t he give me all the information I need to solve the puzzle?”
“I don’t know. The threat of losing his wife should be enough.”
Tank runs out of the office.
“Jake?” Connor calls from the hallway.
“In the office,” he answers, refusing to let go. He leans back to look into my eyes.
“I’m good for now.”
As if he doesn’t believe me, he slides his hand up, cupping my face.
“Truly, I’m as good as I’m going to get.”
Pressing his lips to my forehead, he releases me.
“Hi, Norah,” Connor says as he joins us in the office.
“Hi, Connor.”
“Still waiting?” he asks.
“Yes,” Jacob replies just as his phone rings. “What have you got, Blaine?” He listens for a moment, nodding his head. “Okay, I’ll call you back.” I watch his chest inflate, and he slowly releases the air filling his lungs. Looking at me, he says, “There is another video. Same as before?”
I nod curtly, lowering into the client chair and pulling my legs against my chest, hugging them close.
Connor rounds the desk, standing beside Jacob as he presses play. I consider turning away so I can’t read their faces, but I don’t. It doesn’t matter anyway; their expressions are devoid of emotion. A few minutes later, Connor and Jacob look at one another, shaking their heads.
“Well?” I ask.
Connor raises his hands as if to say, you’re the boss.
“I don’t think you should watch this. You should listen to the first part because Stan is talking to you, but not the entire video,” Jacob states.
I nod slowly, and Jacob restarts the video.
“Norah, I would like to apologize for my treatment of you. I thought withholding the ledger would save Delores, at least I hope it will. You will find the code in Red Star and the prize. Decipher it and deliver the ledger, Norah. Our lives depend on it. You have one week. Despite all the drama of the last few days, please help save my wife.” There are some mumbled words by someone else; then the playback stops.
“Was there more?”
Jacob looks over at Connor who tilts his head to the side. Clearly, they have their own language. One I need to learn.
“Delores and Stan are both dead,” Jacob murmurs.
Speechless, I stare him down, trying to grasp the roiling in my stomach. Unfolding my legs, I push off the chair, leave the office, and walk straight out the back door after shoving my feet into Jacob’s slides. I run halfway to
the gate before screaming at the top of my lungs. It doesn’t make me feel any better. I do it again. Still not feeling better. That bastard just increased the bounty on my head!
“I’m sorry, I—” I begin when I sense him approaching me, but he doesn’t let me finish.
“You do what you need to. Scream some more, throw punches at me if you need to, but let it out.”
I turn to face Jacob, not only to find him two feet behind me, but Connor standing on the porch.
“That bastard! Why didn’t he give me that information three days ago? I’m not saying I would have been successful, but I would have tried like hell despite my disdain for him.”
“I know. Can I…?” He opens his arms.
I step into them as he closes them around me.
“What can I do?” he asks.
“I need to stay here for a few minutes.”
He nods, tightening his arms around me. The safe cocoon of him is exactly what I need.
“Norah, I l….” Jacob looks up at the darkening sky, letting out a jagged breath.
“I know.”
He brings his eyes level with mine before closing them.
“You tell me when you kiss me, when you touch me, by not allowing me to watch the end of that video, by chasing me out here, by asking me what I need.”
“How do you see that?”
“You’re afraid to voice it because it’ll make the possibility of experiencing that pain again real, very real.” I may have read his mind.
He casts his eyes down to the ground.
“Will you ever be ready?” I ask, not sure I want the answer.
“I don’t know. Probably… when you’re safe.”
“Then let’s make that happen. But first.” I snake my hands up his chest, sliding them to cup his face. I pause a breath away from his lips and look into his blue eyes. I’m expecting the storminess I see in them. The cause of his uneasiness is hard to determine. I brush my lips across his, giving him the opportunity to walk away. When he doesn’t, I kiss him deeply, pouring every ounce of love and confidence I have into him, into us. “Let’s go. We have work to do.”
