“And this will be your new abode.” He gestured to the small but cozy living space. Right in front of the entry was a living room with a small L-shaped navy-blue microfiber couch. A square chrome and glass coffee table sat smack dab in the center of the L. Across from the couch was a matching recliner shoved into a corner next to a bookcase that didn’t hold a single book. Nope. It was filled with DVDs or video game cases and CDs. A huge TV filled the entire wall opposite the couch.
I couldn’t clearly define how big the thing was. I wasn’t a super tall girl at five foot six, but if you stretched my arms out in a T, that’s how wide that TV was. Mine at home seemed a quarter of the size. Not that it mattered since it was destroyed and was on the ever-growing list of the parts of my life I now had to rebuild.
“Wow. That’s a…big TV.” I smiled.
He grinned. “Gotta be able to watch the game.”
“And pretend you’re actually there?”
“Definitely!”
“Hey, bro! How goes it?” Ryan exited a part of the kitchen I couldn’t yet see with two beer bottles in hand. “How you doin’, beautiful?”
My cheeks heated and I glanced down at my mom’s slippers I hadn’t bothered to take off. They were comfy and made me feel more at peace. “Good, thank you.”
When I glanced up, Jonah was glaring at Ryan and purposely bumped one of his shoulders into his friend, then winced as though he’d hurt himself in the process.
“Jonah! Honey, be careful!” I admonished and then realized what I’d said. “I mean, I say that to everyone. I mean, I call everyone honey, and sweetie and cutie and…”
“Simone. It’s cute. I liked it. Chill.” Jonah smiled softly and winked.
Winked.
Yep, Agent Jonah Fontaine was definitely dreamy.
“You want a beer, Simone?” Ryan enunciated my name perfectly which I’m pretty sure was for Jonah’s benefit and not my own. I rather liked being called beautiful by a hunky FBI guy. Though I’d have preferred it come from Jonah instead of his roommate and partner.
“Nah, prefer the hard stuff. I’m more of a shots and cocktails type of girl.”
“My kinda woman.” Ryan suavely maneuvered around my form heading toward the kitchen. “Gotta get you a real drink. What’s your poison?” he asked amicably.
Next to him, Jonah was leaning against the kitchen counter, his arm crossed over his midsection as though he were holding onto his sore ribs. “I think I can handle getting Simone a drink.”
“Wouldn’t want you to pull or strain something while you’re healing. Besides, what are best friends for?” Ryan teased while opening the cabinet across from where Jonah stood. “We’ve got whiskey, vodka, and tequila.”
“What do you have to cut it with?”
“Got a couple a Cokes in the fridge but me and the sourpuss over here don’t usually drink anything but water, coffee, milk, beer, and liquor straight.”
“No problem. I’ll take the tequila as is.”
“You got it.” He pulled down a clear bottle of Patron Silver along with a tumbler, not a shot glass. Guess we were going whole hog tonight.
He filled the glass about one and a half fingers and passed it my way.
I took the entire thing in one go. “Another,” I requested.
Jonah’s eyes widened.
“You lucky son of a bitch.” Ryan glared at Jonah and shook his head on a chuckle.
“How you figure?” I asked wondering what the male posturing was about. It was not as if Jonah and I were together or anything. Sure, there was some attraction, but he hadn’t said or done anything overt to express his intentions. Other than moving me into his home after a hell-acious night and day. Hmm, maybe I needed to think on that a bit harder.
“If I hadn’t had my little sister’s dance recital to attend last night, I’d have been with Jonah in the car. Usually we pair up, but I couldn’t bail on family and we hadn’t gotten a lead on our guy in a solid week. Could have been me you’d met last night if I’d have gotten the call out.” He grinned salaciously and filled my cup again. This time he gave me a full two fingers, so I sipped it.
Jonah stepped right in front of his friend chest to chest and looked him dead in the face. They were about the same height. Both a couple inches over six feet if I had to guess. “Brother, don’t.”
Ryan held his hands up. “Just pointing out the obvious. No need to get your panties in a wad.” He grinned then looked over at me.
“I’m not sure I understand what’s happening here?” I entered into the fray.
“And she’s sweet too?” Ryan’s eyebrows rose up toward his hairline.
“Something you’re never gonna find out. Now how’s about you head out. You’re dressed for trolling; you better get on that before all the good ones are taken.” Jonah addressed Ryan’s dark gray slacks and burgundy button-up shirt. The sleeves were casually rolled up his forearms and I had to admit, he looked damn good. Would definitely score with the ladies if he were as smooth and forthcoming with them as he’d been with me so far.
I sucked in both my lips and turned my head to survey the living room, trying to give them a speck of privacy.
“And if I want to stay? Get to know our new houseguest a little better?” He continued to taunt Jonah and my cheeks and neck flamed so hot I shrugged off my big sweater and hung it over one of the barstool seatbacks.
Jonah’s mouth tightened into a grimace. “Russell, don’t fuck with me.” Jonah said those words through a clenched jaw and in a timber so low, I could sense there was a double meaning.
“Bro, it’s cool. I’m sorry. I was just messing with you. Teasing. Jesus. Lighten up.” He looked up at me. “Simone, you’ve got your work cut out for you.” He tugged Jonah around and put his arm over both of Jonah’s shoulders. “My boy here is intense. But he’s the best guy in the entire world. If he lets you in. Be cool, yeah?”
“Cool?” I questioned and he nodded. “Uh, sure. I can be cool.” I sipped at my tequila allowing it to burn its way down my throat and into my gut where it warmed my entire body.
“Get outta here.” Jonah shoved Ryan off and finally gifted us both a genuine smile.
“If I hook up, I won’t bring her here. Don’t wait up?” He dumped his empty bottle in the recycle bin in the corner of the kitchen near the small four-seater table.
“Be safe!” I called out last minute, not knowing what else to say.
“Safety first.” He grinned and saluted us both as he grabbed his coat and keys that were hanging over the couch.
Jonah sighed and rubbed at his eyes before grabbing my hand. There was a spark of something the second his palm touched mine. A sizzle of recognition, of familiarity. Of peace and security.
“Come on, I’ll show you where you’re going to sleep.”
I held onto his hand and followed him down the hallway. Without wanting to think about it fully, I was pretty sure I’d follow Agent Jonah Fontaine anywhere he wanted me to go.
Just as long as he held my hand.
Last night, Jonah gave up his massive king-sized, super comfy bed for me. I opened my eyes and glanced at the clock. Ten-thirty. A little earlier than normal, but I crashed pretty hard the second I cuddled up in his fluffy comforter. The thing was amazing. One of those down-type blankets but didn’t have those pokey feathers most of them have.
Looking around the room, I took in the masculine vibe. He had nothing on the walls except for a cityscape of the Chicago skyline over his bed. The furniture was a dark thick wood and squared off at every edge. The comforter was a pristine white which I found incredibly soothing. He swore he’d just changed the sheets two nights before, and I could still smell the strong fabric softener scent as well as the woodsy notes I’d come to associate with Jonah. Now I knew why that woodsy scent came with the fresh linens. It was his fabric softener. Still, on him it was delicious, and I wanted to burrow straight into it and never come out to the light of day.
Except, I was not the type of per
son to waste a perfectly good day when there was adventure and fun to be had, life to be lived.
Popping out of bed, I used the facilities, pulled my hair up into a messy bun, and brushed my teeth. My face was clear of makeup and the ribbed navy tank I wore really brought out the gray-blue of my eyes. I had on a pair of drawstring tan lounge pants that fell all the way to my toes.
I shrugged. Welp, if Jonah didn’t like the way I looked first thing in the morning, who cared? I lied to myself in order to let it all go and just move on with my plan.
Making sure to be quiet, I tiptoed into the living room and found Jonah lying with his feet stretched out across the length of the couch, wearing jeans, a T-shirt, and bare feet. He had his eyes on a game on the television with the volume turned all the way off. His dark hair had a sheen to it that suggested he’d already showered.
“You already showered?”
He turned his head and his dark gaze took in my ratty appearance from top to toe.
“Yeah. Do you always sleep this late?”
I opened my eyes wide and looked out the window seeing the sky was nice and blue and the sun was out.
“Uh, this is early for me. I work nights in a bar. I usually get off around two, help clean up until three, and then come home to eat something and then crash until around noon.”
“Noon? Wow. How many jobs do you have?”
“Three. Well, I had three. As I told you last night, I quit the diner I worked at three of the nights I don’t work at Tracks downtown. There I usually work Tuesday or Wednesday through Friday or Saturday depending on the shift.”
“And the third job?”
I smiled and made my way around the back of the couch and sat down on the comfy chair across from him. “I help out one or two days a week at Perfect Petal in Oak Park arranging flowers, cleaning up, doing the odd things that might be needed. The shop owner is Mama Kerri’s best friend and she pays me in cash under the table. I use that as my gas money for the week.”
“And you said something about a credential?”
“Usually after I wake up, I spend an hour or two on my studies online. I’m almost done. One more class and I’ll have my associate’s degree in business administration.”
“You work three jobs, and go to school part time?”
I tucked my feet up and to the side of me. “Yep. How about you?”
“Usually I try to work four on, four off, twelve-hour shifts unless we have a serious threat like this one then it’s all hands on deck with unpredictable hours until the killer is found and put in jail. Would you like some coffee?”
“Do you have tea?”
He smiled and shook his head. “We’ll get you some.”
“Coffee is fine too, thank you. Do you like being an FBI agent? Not that I know exactly what that all entails.”
He disappeared into the part of the kitchen you couldn’t see from where I sat, and I heard him pull down a cup and pour the coffee.
“Cream and sugar?”
“I’ll try it how you make it. I like to be surprised.” I stared out the window noticing the kids playing a game of stick hockey in the street. He lived in a nice area, not fancy but well-loved. The sidewalks could have used some help as some of the trees’ gnarled roots had broken through the concrete, creating breaks in the path. Still, having large shade trees was always preferred in Chicago. In the summer, the heat could be sweltering, the humidity life changing, and not in a good way. I’d bet those trees kept his car from becoming a hotbox of lava.
“Shoot, my car,” I murmured as Jonah handed me a steaming mug.
“We’ve got an APB out for your car and the local boys in blue patrolling. Hope to get some hits soon. This is the first time he’s hit this close to our offices.”
I frowned. “Yeah.” I sipped the coffee and found he’d made it with cream and sugar, and it was divine. Exactly how I liked it. “This is perfect.”
“Yeah?”
“Perfect. Exactly the way I like it.”
“Me too.”
I smiled and held the mug in front of my face, allowing it to hide my overwhelming excitement in the fact that we liked our coffee the same way. It was such a cheesy thing to be happy about, but I couldn’t help it.
“So, I’ve got an idea! Let’s go out today and have some fun!” I stood up and shimmied a little where I stood.
“Fun? Simone, you’ve been through absolute hell the past two days and I’m supposed to be taking it easy for the rest of the week and keeping you safe. I’m surprised you don’t want to hide out and just chill.”
“One thing you’re going to learn about me, I’m not a Netflix and chill type of woman. Not when there’s life to be living, places to see, and people to enjoy spending time with.”
“Did you want to connect with one of your sisters or friends?” He rubbed his hands down his long muscular thighs.
I frowned. “I’ll check in with them, but they all have work and their own lives to focus on. Regardless of what crazy things are happening in mine, they need to carry on just as much as I do. We can’t let this psycho control every step of how we live. Otherwise he wins. Besides, I want to hang out with you. Get to know my savior better.”
“Ah, your savior, right.” His jaw hardened and he glanced away.
I tipped my head and focused on his body language. “Did I say something wrong?”
He sighed and shook his head. “Not at all. It just all makes sense.”
“What does?”
“You’re attracted to me because I saved your life.”
I jerked my head back in complete shock. “Say what?”
He stood up and swished his hand through the air like it was no big deal. “It’s totally normal. Common actually. Hero worship. It happens more often than you might think.”
I made a face like he’d just stepped in something rank. “I’m not sure where you’re getting this from. Attracted to you because you saved my life? Um, no. I’m thankful to you because you saved my life. So grateful. Which I still need to repay by doing something nice for you. But I’m attracted to you because you’re smokin’ hot. Now, you think on that while I go get showered and changed. We’ll be heading out and I have a great idea where to go.”
“Simone…”
“Nope! You stepped in it, dude, not me. I’m choosing not to take offense…yet. And while I’m showering, all naked and wet in your shower, how’s about you think about why you’re attracted to me? And I can sure as hell bet it isn’t because you saved my life, or you loved seeing me in a pink, greasy day-old diner outfit.” And as I walked out of the room, I waved my ass to the best of my ability, showing off whatever I could.
Hero worship.
For the love of all things Holy. I couldn’t wait to tell my sisters about that. Charlie would lose her mind. Blessing would laugh her butt off and Addy would tell me to use that to my advantage. Still the way he responded, cutting himself off from me when I called him my savior was not a pleasant reaction and said more about him than it ever could about me. Definitely a story there.
And just like a dog with a bone, if I wanted something, I’d work to get it. So far, Jonah was a male of true worth. I just had to find out what had gone wrong in his past that made him skittish when it came to women. Or more specifically, a woman he’d saved.
Still, there was a beautiful day to be had, and some bad crap from the last two days to get off my chest and fill with nothing but the good things life had to offer.
I’d take Jonah kicking and screaming with me if I had to.
Poor, sexy, smokin’ hot FBI man had no idea what he’d gotten himself into moving me in.
“Navy Pier. That’s where you’ve directed me?” Jonah’s voice did not hold a lot of excitement, but I knew I’d bring him around. Otherwise, I wouldn’t, and he’d be a bump on a log and yet, I’d still have a blast. His response would also determine if he was the man for me or not.
Simple.
“Yes, sir! First stop. Breakfast!”
He parked the car, got out, walked around, and opened my door for me before I even had my bag situated with all the stuff I wanted back in it, as I’d put my makeup on in the car while he drove. Something he found absolutely fascinating if how many times he kept glancing my way was any measure.
“Some of us early birds already had breakfast.” He grinned.
“Suit yourself, but I’m getting a churro and we’re taking it on the big ferris wheel. It’s going to be awesome!” I jumped out of the car and strapped my purse over and across my body, the slouchy part hanging right in front of me. A girl could never be too careful with her purse or her pocketbook in Chi-Town.
Once he locked the car, he held out his hand.
Gentleman opening my door. Check.
Holding my hand. Double check.
I grabbed his and couldn’t help but beam while looking at his gorgeous face, his pretty eyes hidden behind a pair of dark Ray-Bans.
He stared at me for a long time, his face dipping a tad closer almost as if he were going to kiss me.
I waited what felt like an eternity when he inhaled slowly and said, “I could do a churro and the ferris wheel.”
Inside my heart was pounding, my body tingling and butterflies filling my belly. I squeezed his hand and said, “Triple check.”
He smiled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
I smirked. “Maybe one day you’ll find out. Now come on, you’ve got a woman to feed and you do not want me to get hangry. That is not a pretty look on me.”
He chuffed. “I find that hard to believe.”
“You find what hard to believe?”
“That any look wouldn’t be pretty on you.”
I swung his arm and nudged him forward. “Such a charmer.”
He didn’t say anything, but his cheeks seemed to get a tiny teensy bit red.
“And a little bashful too.”
“No way. You’ve got the wrong idea.” He led me to the ticket counter. “Do you just want to ride the ferris wheel?”
“That’s like asking someone if you just want a slice of pizza. No, I want as much as can fit in my belly!” I edged in front of him. “We’ll take the Play the Park pass for two please!” I tugged out an old wallet that had nothing in it but some cash since my wallet and bank cards had been taken by…the Strangler. Before I knew it, a masculine, well-muscled forearm was wrapped around my stomach and I was physically lifted up and over to the side with a grunt.
Wild Child (A Soul Sister Novel Book 1) Page 7
