by Brooks,Anna
“He was only with us initially so I had a vehicle. You were passed out after we left the gas station and didn’t hear when we met up with Jay. It’s just going to be us in here for the most part, unless, like I said, Jay or Neil stops by. And the only reason they would is to pass on information or for protection.”
“How long are we going to be here?” I lean down and turn on the faucet to begin filling the tub. “Where are we anyway?”
“I don’t know how long. And we’re in Iowa.”
My fingers grab the t-shirt of Ty’s that I’m wearing. He looks at my movements and clears his throat. “I’ll go fix us something to eat.”
I nod, and when he leaves the bathroom, I finish undressing and climb in the tub. I situate myself under the bubbles, leaving my ankles to hang off the edge so the bandages don’t get wet. The warm water feels wonderful on my sore muscles, but when I smell food, my stomach rumbles. Quickly washing, I wrap a towel around my body and make my way into the kitchen.
Ty’s at the stove making eggs, and I clear my throat. He spins and smiles. “That was fast.”
“I’m hungry,” I admit.
His eyes harden. “Yeah, I bet.”
“Are there any other clothes for me?”
“In our room, there’s a duffel with some stuff.” He shuts off the knob on the stove. “It’s ready whenever you are.”
“I’ll just change real quickly.”
When I get to the room, I see a duffel on the dresser and another on the bed. I go for the one on the bed, and when I open it, I scream.
Ty comes barreling into the room with a gun in hand. “Fuck.”
“What is all this stuff?”
He sets the gun on the dresser and comes over and zips the duffel. “Protection.”
“Was that a grenade?”
His sigh is all the answer I need. Damn, I’m scared but feel relief at the same time, knowing he’s so prepared. “And what would you need a grenade for?”
He shrugs. “Blow something or someone up?”
Ignoring the blatancy of his words, I look at the dresser. “I assume you meant the other duffel?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay. I’ll change and be there in a second.”
He watches me but doesn’t attempt to move.
“Ty?”
“You’re so pretty, Jessa. I’ve missed you. Everything about you. Do you know that when I was gone, I still watched you? I took over your protection detail a few—”
“I had protection detail?”
“Yeah.”
“How did I not know that?”
“Because they weren’t supposed to be seen.”
That makes sense. “Oh.”
“I was tempted so many times to sneak into your house and just hold you. Just watch you sleep.”
My heart feels light for the first time in a long time, knowing that what I felt, what I feel for him, is reciprocated. All the time I thought I was alone and that he had left me wasn’t the case. I smile. “That’s kind of creepy.”
He laughs, and it’s the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard. One I want to hear for the rest of my life. “Meet me in the kitchen.” Before he leaves the room, he kisses my forehead and grabs his gun.
I get dressed in a pair of yoga pants and an oversized t-shirt with no bra on underneath. I head back to the table and have a seat where Ty has set out eggs, toast, and fruit.
“Thank you.”
We eat breakfast in silence. I only eat a piece of toast and a few bites of egg, even though I’m ravenous. I remember the doctor’s words, so I don’t want to overdo it. When Ty yawns, I stand to pick up the dishes. “I’ll do these. Go take a nap.”
“I’ve got them,” he argues.
“Ty, I slept. You didn’t.”
He sighs. “Fine. But where are you going to be? I want to be close.”
I look over at the TV and point at it. “I’ll just watch some TV for a while.”
“Okay, I’ll sleep on the couch then.”
“Go to bed. I’ll be fine.”
He pushes back from the table and cups my face in his hands. “I will never take your safety for granted. I want to be as close to you as I can. Marco may be dead, but his power runs deep. I’ll never ask anything of you, but please, don’t argue with me about this, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Jessa,” he whispers. “Can I kiss you?”
“Why are you asking?”
“Because I don’t know exactly how you feel about me right now, and I don’t want to assume. But I’ve missed you so much, and my dick is so fucking hard right now, and—”
I shut him up by pressing my lips to his. He growls into my mouth and lifts me by my ass. My bump gets in the way a little, so I angle myself so the throbbing part of me aligns with the hard part of him. I grind against him as he squeezes my butt cheeks, pressing me impossibly closer to his dick.
He deposits me on the couch, lifts my shirt, and caresses my full breasts.
“Do you have any idea how horny I’ve been, Ty?”
He leans down and flicks my hardened nipple with his tongue, blowing on it. “No, baby. Tell me.”
“These pregnancy hormones are no joke. I’d use my vibrator sometimes twice a day.”
“Yeah,” he whispers before sucking on the sensitive skin of my neck. His breath tickles my ear. “What would you do with it?”
“I’d circle it around my clit; sometimes bring it up to tease my nipples.”
“Like this?” He slides his tongue down and traces right around my nipple on my right side then again on the left.
I arch up into him, wanting more. “Yes.”
He moves down my body, taking my pants and undies down at the same time. When he gets them all the way off, he spreads me open, circling my sensitive skin. “So wet, Jessa.”
“Ty, please. We can fool around another time. I really just need to come. Please.”
“Fuck, baby.” He senses the desperation in my voice and quickly removes his clothes. “I’ll take care of you.”
He slides his throbbing erection between my pussy lips and thrusts halfway in then pulls out. “Good?”
“Yes, God. Don’t stop.”
Once he’s all the way in, he circles his hips and I grab his shoulders to pull him tighter so I can grind my clit against his pelvic bone. “Oh, God,” I moan, already on the cusp. Another two swivels of his hips and I fly apart, months and months and months of want exploding.
He doesn’t move but lets me ride out the remnants of my orgasm, and when I fall back, panting, he pulls out of me and heads south.
“Gotta taste that, baby. I’ve missed your sweet flavor.” He clamps his mouth on me and spears me with his tongue.
“Holy shit!” My hips fly off the couch, but he pushes me down, gently pressing on my stomach where our baby is inside. Something about his hand gently resting on my stomach makes me begin to clench around his hot, wet tongue. “Ty.” I hold my breath, fighting the wave threatening to drown me.
He pulls back and looks up at me with soft but hungry eyes. “Let go, Jessa. I’ve got you.”
When he begins to fuck me with his tongue again, I do what he said … I let go. My thighs shake around his head, and my fists clench the cushions. A kind of orgasm I’ve never experienced before coasts through my body. If the grenade he’s got upstairs went off in my body, I imagine this is what it would feel like, in a good way … so good. “Ty, oh my God.”
“Got one more in you, baby?” He kisses the inside of my thigh and stands up, propping a pillow under me as he aligns himself.
“I don’t know if I can again … still, fuck.” My hips involuntarily rise to press the tip of him inside me.
“Shh,” he whispers, thrusting into me as I’m still spinning down the spiral of ecstasy.
“Fuckin’ love this, Jessa.” He pulls out to the tip and slams in again. “Love your pussy. Love you.”
I lick my lips and attempt to answer him, but a scream ends
up coming out as another wave crashes through me. He holds onto me tighter as his tempo increases.
“Fuck!” He grunts. “So fuckin’ good. Nothin’ better than you.”
He stills inside me, and we collapse together. He holds himself up by his forearms and buries his head in my neck as he tries to catch his breath. My fingers run through his damp hair as I sigh in contentment. Why can’t it be like this all the time? This is what we should have been doing for the past six months.
He stands, pulls his boxer briefs on, walks to the kitchen, and comes back with a towel. When he’s finished washing me, he tosses it on the floor. He situates himself with my back to his front, and we both end up taking a nap on the couch.
* * *
When I wake up, Ty’s still sleeping behind me, his body wrapped protectively around me. I somehow slide out from underneath his arms and grab my clothes from the floor. After getting dressed and using the bathroom, I decide to look through the fridge to see what there is to eat.
Deciding on some chicken soup and sandwiches, I set about making everything. I make myself a ham and cheese, and when I go to make Ty’s, I realize I don’t know what he likes on his sandwich. Resting my hands on my hips, I huff in frustration.
I should know what my boyfriend wants on his sandwich. Boyfriend … is that even what he is? How does he take his coffee? Does he even like coffee? Is he allergic to anything? Does he have a sweet tooth or does he prefer more savory flavors?
When arms wrap around me from behind, I’m not afraid because I know it’s him. My body reacts to his on an intuitive level. I melt into him as he kisses my neck.
When he stops, I turn in his arms. “What do you like on your sandwich?”
“Whatever.” He shrugs and opens the fridge.
“What do you want to drink?”
“I’ll get it.”
“But what do you want?”
He closes the door and stands to his full height, which is a few inches taller than my five-foot-seven. “Babe, what’s up?”
“Nothing. I just realized that I don’t know anything about you.”
He rolls his eyes. “We’ve already talked about this. You know me better than anyone else ever has.”
“But I don’t,” I whine, pointing at the sandwich stuff on the counter. “I don’t know what kind of meat you like.” Tears fill my eyes, stupid pregnancy hormones, and Ty’s shocked expression turns into one of laughter. I throw a towel at him. “Shut up!”
“I’m sorry.” He takes a breath and tries to stop laughing but turns around with shaking shoulders.
“Stop laughing!” I yell and storm off, but he grabs me by the wrist and pulls me to him. Lifting me up, he sets me on the counter.
“I’m sorry.” He wipes his eyes with the back of his hand and catches his breath. “I like turkey or roast beef the best. But I’d do ham or chicken or salami or whatever else. I’m not that picky about my meat.” He snickers, and I slap him on the back of the head.
“Do you like coffee?”
“No. OJ in the morning. Or protein shakes. Do you?”
My eyes light up. “Oh my God, yes.” I cross my hands over my chest and rock them back and forth. “I stopped when I got pregnant but ohmygodyessss.”
“Damn. You’re gonna give me a hard-on talking about coffee.”
I giggle and give him a loud kiss on his lips. “It is orgasmic.”
“I’ll show you orgasmic.”
“You already did. Three times.”
“We should go for four next time.”
My head shakes before I can even open my mouth. “No way. There’s no possible way. You could never give me four.”
His face hardens a tad, his pupils dilate, and he traces his thumb across my lips and presses it inside. I suck on it, and just like that, I’m ready to go again. He smirks. “Oh yeah,” he whispers, “I could give you four.”
I nip at the tip of his thumb, and he pulls it out. “What else do you want to know about me?”
I ponder his question. “Are you allergic to anything?”
“No. You?”
“No.”
“What else?” He reaches down to massage my feet while I talk, and I groan when his thumbs press into the arches.
“Um. I dunno. I can’t think when you do that.”
The playfulness in his eyes vanishes. “Are you still hurting? Fuck, I’m sorry. Come sit on the couch and I’ll finish making lunch.” He doesn’t give me a chance for a rebuttal and carries me bridal style to the couch. “I’ll be right back.”
His concern gives me a lump in my throat. Why couldn’t we just have a normal life together? I have a bad feeling, deep down in my gut, that what we have right now isn’t going to last.
Chapter 19
Ty
God, I’m an idiot letting her stand on her feet to cook. When I first woke up, I just watched her from the couch. She’s in a baggy t-shirt and some tight-ass pants, but she looks fucking beautiful. I could get used to this. Just being with her. Waking up to her.
I never knew what a ‘normal’ family or life was like until I got older. Way older. Whenever the state placed me in a foster home or a group home, I never paid attention to what was going on around me because I was too busy protecting myself.
As an adult, I was able to realize just how fucked up my life really was.
Never thought I’d have a wholesome woman interested in me, let alone in a house with me, so even if it’s only temporary, I’m gonna treat her like a fuckin’ queen … like she deserves to be treated.
She already made her sandwich, so I carry the plate over and set it on the coffee table. “What do you want to drink?”
“Ty, I can—”
“What do you want to drink?” I ask again, leaving no room for argument.
“Water’s fine.” She sighs.
I return with her water and a bowl of the soup she had heated on the stove. Then I make myself a sandwich, using the ham since it was already out, grab a bottle of water for myself, and join her on the couch.
Since I don’t know what she wants to watch, I hand her the remote control. Man, she’s right. We really don’t know each other. In the ways that count, my soul knows hers, but we haven’t had a chance to discover the trivial details yet.
“What’s on your mind?” I ask, setting my empty plate on top of hers on the coffee table.
She’d put on some talk show and turns the volume down so it’s barely audible, then curls her feet under her butt. Shaking my head, I pat my lap, and she unfolds herself and rests her legs on my lap so I can rub her feet. I trace the bandages on her ankles.
“I’m afraid this is all going to get taken away from us.” Her voice is so scared, and it crushes me that I can’t tell her she’s wrong.
But I can help her forget. “I decided something.”
“Yeah? What’s that?”
“I’ve decided that we’re going to pretend.”
Her lips tilt at the sides. “Pretend what, exactly?”
“We have time, Jessa. I don’t know how much, but I know we have some time. So for however long we have, let’s pretend that this”—I motion between us—“is our normal. I don’t want you to focus on the fact that we’re in a safe house, and I won’t focus on the fact there’s a five million dollar hit out on me right now.”
She nods and rubs her hands over the bump that holds our little baby.
“Nothing will touch our baby. I’ll make sure of it.” I haven’t figured out how, but before I’m taken out, I’ll make sure they’re both safe. “I still can’t believe I’m going to be a dad.” The thought is so foreign to me. I never dreamed in a million years I’d be in the position to be responsible for another human being.
“You are. And you’re going to be great.”
I didn’t realize I said that last part out loud. Instead of filling her head with all of my self-doubts, I decide to start doing some of that pretending I was talking about. I want her to enjoy her time and have the
rest of the pregnancy be stress-free. This game I’m playing right now is only for her.
I might not be able to give her the good life, but I’ll bust my ass pretending before everything falls apart.
“So, woman, tell me something about yourself that nobody knows.”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “Woman?”
“I thought since we’re pretending, I could get away with it.” I shrug and feign innocence.
She shakes her head.
“No?” I ask.
“No.”
“Okay.” I clear my throat and try again. “Baby?” I wait for her to nod because I know she likes it when I call her baby. Her eyes light up every time.
“I like it when you call me that.”
“I know.”
She gently pushes me with her toes. “You’re so full of yourself.”
I lean forward and turn up the volume, and she watches TV as I watch her. I have no clue how I got so lucky for this amazing, smart, talented woman to feel something for me.
“I have a collection of cups I’ve stolen from restaurants and bars.”
My fingers pause, taking in her information. “Come again?”
“You asked me to tell you something nobody knows about me.”
“You steal glasses?”
“Hundreds.” She turns around so her head is on my lap instead of her feet. “I’m not proud of it, but it started out as a dare from Kat. Did you ever meet her?”
“No. I’ve seen her but never met her.”
“You’ll love her. She’s so funny. Anyway, she dared me, and I did it. Then the next time we went somewhere, the same thing. It just got to be a habit every time I went out. I’ll have to show you my cabinet when we go back home. Kat stopped daring me years ago, but I still steal them.”
I run my fingers through her silky hair. “I was at homecoming that night.”
She gasps and her mouth falls open. “I didn’t see you. I looked for you. God, I had this stupid scene in my mind where you were on the other side of the room, and you caught my eye. Then you walked to me, everyone parting for you, and when you got close, you leaned down and kissed me. Then you took me to the middle of the dance floor, and we danced all night in each other’s arms.”
