“I got chewed out because of your sister. She’s been on edge and stressing. Theo’s worried about her and the baby. I guess he thought I should have let them know I’d talked to you. I don’t feel it’s my place.”
“I’m sorry my family problems ruined your night. It seems I have a habit of doing that.”
“Cori, you didn’t ruin anything for me. I had fun tonight, and I never enjoy going to those parties. Normally, I’m by myself or with Theo or Allen. You made it a hell of a lot more enjoyable.”
She peered over her shoulder. “I didn’t do anything special. I barely spoke.”
“But you were there.”
Turning around, she leaned her back against the windowsill. Big brown doe eyes met his, and for a second, nothing else in the room existed. He wanted desperately to know what she was thinking. If she wouldn’t share her thoughts, at least he could share his.
“I know you probably won’t believe this, but when I go to those functions, I get nervous. I have a hard time talking to other people. Tonight was different. Having you there with me gave me courage.”
The more he said to comfort her, the more he exposed the man he really was. He didn’t like people seeing this side of him. It was the side they wanted to manipulate. Opening himself up to Cori gave her the ammunition to do the same. Yet, he didn’t feel like she would. He hoped he wasn’t wrong.
“I, uh . . . I haven’t forgotten the discussion we were having when my sister and Theo showed up.”
Jesse swore he’d touched an exposed wire. Her admission had his body reacting. He wasn’t sure if she would bring up what he’d admitted to her at the party. Now that she had, he wasn’t sure how to respond.
Telling her the truth could chase her away. Lying would come back to bite him in the ass. It always did.
“I’m glad you didn’t forget, but it’s something we can discuss at a later time. My biggest concern right now is you. You don’t need anything weighing you down. You need a friend, someone who isn’t going to judge your choices. I’d like to be that friend, Cori.”
Did she want the same thing? He hoped like hell she did because he couldn’t imagine walking away from her now.
“I want you to be that friend, Jesse. You’ve already proven you are.”
It relieved him to hear she felt the same. He wouldn’t make much out of it right now, but it was a start. They would discuss everything else when she was ready.
Poor girl. She needed away from all this madness. Each time they went out, she was faced with constant reminders of spending Christmas without her family. If not for all the lights and decorations, it was Savannah in general. He wanted to take her away from all of it.
Actually, he could.
“Excuse me one second.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and tapped on the screen. Ignoring the five missed texts he’d received from Maggie, he found the number he was searching for and placed the phone to his ear. Two rings later, someone picked up the line.
“Hello?”
The smooth sound of his father’s voice filled his ears. “Hey, Dad. You got a second?”
“As a matter of fact, I do. I just got the car loaded for the trip. Did you change your mind about coming with me?”
“No, sir, I haven’t changed my mind. I’m calling about our secret hideaway. Do you know if anyone is using it for the next few days.” He didn’t miss the strange look Cori flashed him. All he could do was smile and continue talking to his dad.
“No one is there. Jamie canceled last minute. She has a gig coming up, and she has to prepare for it. Do you want to use it?”
“If that’s okay. I need to get away for a few days.”
“Well, you know where the keys are. Just make sure you lock everything before you leave.”
“I will, Dad. Thank you.”
“No problem. Don’t forget to swing by the house when you get back. If you don’t, your mom said she was saving your gifts until next year.”
Jesse chuckled. It sounded like something his mom would say. She would hold the presents she bought him hostage until she saw him again.
“Don’t worry. Tell Mom I’ll be by.”
“Safe travels, son.”
“You too, Dad.”
When he tapped the end button on the call, he slipped his phone back into his pocket and met Cori’s gaze. “We’re not due in Nashville until the thirtieth. How would you like to blow this joint for a few days before we head there?”
A smile crept across her face. “Hmm. I’m not sure. Maybe I should check my calendar and see if I’m free.” She turned to the one hanging on the wall close to her desk. “Well, what do you know? It looks like my schedule is open.”
“Guess it’s my lucky day.” For a moment, he swore she was flirting with him. He tried to be subtle about doing the same. As long as it made her smile, he would do and say whatever she wanted.
“When are we leaving?”
“Right now,” he answered. “Pack your bags, Cori. We’re getting out of Savannah.”
Chapter 13
Cori heard the lock release before Jesse pushed open the large, oak door. As it swung wide, he eased inside, carrying the luggage they’d brought with them. He insisted on doing as much. In fact, he wouldn’t let her anywhere near her bags when she tried to remove them from the trunk.
Southern gentlemen. They had manners many women wished their significant other had. She didn’t mind chivalry, but she wasn’t helpless. He had done so much for her already. The job alone was enough.
Not for him. He insisted on picking her up whenever they worked together and taking her back to the dorm when they finished. Now he was whisking her away to a private cabin in Tennessee.
Just before she joined him inside, she spotted a sign hanging on the outer wall. Bold black letters stood out against a burgundy background. Our Secret Hideaway.
So that’s what Jesse meant when he was talking to his father. The secret hideaway he mentioned was the name of the cabin, not some code name for a secluded location . . . Well, in a way it was, but that was beside the point.
Closing the door behind her, she took in her surroundings, noting the staircase that led to an upper floor. Garland and bows lined the banister, as well as the fireplace she noticed in the den. It wasn’t the only place either. By the time she made her way around the bottom floor, she had fallen in love with every inch of the cabin. It looked like something out of a Christmas movie. The artificial aspen in the den was the perfect touch.
It reminded her of home.
“Hey.” Jesse came out of a room on the upper floor. “Come on up. I want to show you where you’ll be sleeping.”
She nodded as she grabbed the banister and climbed each one of the steps. When she made it to the top, she followed him into the room at the end of the hall. It was huge. Among a few shelves, a dresser, and a chest of drawers stood a king size bed. The mahogany head and footboard were sleigh-style and carved with an intricate pattern. It was breathtaking.
Surveying the rest of the room, a chaise lounge was positioned near the French doors that led to a balcony. On the opposite side of the room was another door. Cori peered inside, taking note of the walk-in closet.
Only one door remained in the room. Each step she made brought her closer to it. From what she could see, it was the bathroom. A double sink lined the wall with a large mirror above it. The toilet wasn’t far away, but the thing that caught her eye the most was the raised platform on the opposite side. It held a Jacuzzi tub and was surrounded by windows that overlooked the valley.
When she came back to the main room, Jesse was leaning against the footboard. The morning light shone through the window, casting a golden haze around him, sort of like a halo. It reminded her of an angel, which is exactly what he was. He’d come to her rescue, even though she didn’t realize she needed saving. Now he was keeping a watchful eye on her, and normally, from a distance. If guardian angels existed, Jesse was hers.
“This place is amazing.�
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Jesse’s lips crooked in a smile. “I’m glad you like it. I thought you would be more comfortable in the master bedroom. I’ll be in the room next to the staircase.”
“You gave me the master bedroom? Why?”
“Because you have more stuff than I do. Women always need the bigger room. I grew up with a sister. Remember?”
She chuckled. “It sounds like Jamie taught you well. Girls do have more stuff.”
“Exactly, so don’t think anything else about it. You’re my guest, Cori. I want you to enjoy yourself while we’re here.”
Nodding, she glanced around the room once more. “Are you sure your folks didn’t have plans to come here?”
“I swear it. My aunt is still recuperating, and my mom won’t leave her side. My dad packed up the gifts and headed to The Keys yesterday.”
She glanced at Jesse and then the floor. So that’s why he was willing to leave Savannah. His family wasn’t celebrating at their home this year. He could have gone with his father, but instead, he chose to bring her here.
As if she didn’t owe him enough . . .
“You should be with your family, Jesse, not babysitting me.”
He tucked his finger under her chin and lifted it. “Hey. I’m not babysitting anyone. I’m here to help you. I want you to take the next couple of days to decompress. Nothing more.”
The comfort of his voice filled her with a sense of hope. Jesse was a great guy. Most people couldn’t get past the ink on his arms or the fact he played in a band. Who knew what other kinds of stereotypes he faced. None of them were important. She knew him, knew that underneath his tough exterior was a guy who cared about other people. He had a heart.
If he ever settled down, he’d make someone happy.
Cori walked toward the French doors and drew back the sheer curtain to look out the window. Bare trees blended with pines across the hillsides and around the cabin. The scenery was amazing, something she could stare at for hours.
“I’m glad you brought me here. To be honest, I was worried that Cassie would figure out a way to trick my father and me into being around each other. As much as I love him, I have to stand my ground.”
“I’m proud of you for standing up for yourself, Cori. I never got to tell you that.”
His silky voice didn’t sound far away. A glimpse in his direction explained why. He’d left the end of the bed and was now a few feet from the doors. The way he moved showed his confidence. He was strong, daring, and loyal to a fault. That much about him hadn’t changed.
Yet the way he looked at her . . . That was definitely different.
“Neither my father nor I have spoken to each other the way we did that day. I regret that it escalated so quickly, but I’d reached my breaking point. He didn’t have a valid excuse to react the way he did.”
“Maybe he’s just worried about you, Cori. I get why you love dancing. Artists come in many forms. Painters. Sculptors. Writers. Musicians. Dancers. Even architecture is a form of art. To make something beautiful is a gift, but you’ll run into many people who don’t understand.”
“Trust me, I know. I just never thought it would be my dad.”
He chuckled. “That’s not what I meant. There are people in this world who will tear you down every chance they get. Sometimes it’s with words. Other times, it’s physically. Maybe that’s why your dad is worried. He doesn’t want anything to happen to you.”
She never looked at it that way, but maybe Jesse had a point. Maybe this all came down to a father worrying about his daughter. Her dad already experienced a loss when his sister died. Perhaps he didn’t want to go through the pain again.
But didn’t he understand there was a risk to life? Every day she went out into the world could result in her death. Nothing could guarantee her safety, so why limit what she did with her life? Being a teacher could be just as dangerous. School shootings were real—horrible—but a fact of life.
The thought made her tremble. So did Jesse’s presence.
“Are you cold?”
The heat of his body radiated toward hers. Tennessee was much colder than Savannah, which left her appreciating how close he was standing. It also made her stomach flip.
Despite the fact that she and her father weren’t on speaking terms, she couldn’t ignore what was happening in her life, including her attraction to Jesse. At first, it was physical. He was built, had a great ass, and damn, did he smell good. Those stormy eyes and kissable lips drove her insane. They still did, especially when he was open and honest.
To know she was alone with him, in a remote cabin with no threat of anyone stopping in, had her mind plummeting toward the gutter. She’s the one who told him not to attempt sleeping with her. The more she was around him, the more curious she became.
How good was he with his tongue? Was his cock big, average, or small? Did he believe in making a woman come before he did the same? Could he make her toes curl?
“Cori?”
Her face flushed as she gazed into his eyes. His brows folded above his nose, leaving him with a curious expression on his face. God, he was beautiful.
“What’s up?”
“Just checking on you, girl. You got quiet on me again. Are you okay?”
“I’m good, Jesse. Don’t worry so much.”
He smiled. “What would you like to do today? Do you want to go into town and check out some events, or do you want to do some shopping? I made sure your pay was wired to your account. We can also hang out here. It’s your choice.”
She caught a glimpse of the pine tree closest to the cabin. It reminded her of the times Cassie did her best to get her father to buy a real tree. They always used an artificial, which Cori absolutely loved.
Their dad gave in one year and bought Cassie the perfect tree. Only, it wasn’t as perfect as she thought. Despite their efforts, the needles kept falling out, making a huge mess on the floor. By the time they were a week away from Christmas, the tree was hardly usable.
“I have no idea what I want to do, Jesse.”
“Well, what do you normally do on Christmas Eve?”
Shop with her sister. Cassie was always running behind. It came as no surprise that her tardiness would extend to Christmas shopping. Cori didn’t mind. She knew where the discounts were and the places with the most stocked items. It’s one of the reasons Cassie always invited her to go. That, and she needed ideas.
“Normally, Cassie and I spend the morning shopping for last-minute gifts.” A halfhearted laugh escaped. “I guess she has Theo to help her this year.”
Releasing a sigh, she blew into her hair. It caused a few strands to fall over her face. Before she could swipe it away, Jesse did. He tucked it behind her ear then lowered his hand back to his side.
“Do you have any other family traditions for Christmas Eve?”
“A few. We order takeout for dinner because the house is usually nuts with different family members coming in. After that, we bake cookies, make cocoa, and watch Christmas movies. Whenever my parents went to sleep, Cassie and I would sneak into the liquor cabinet and get the brandy for our eggnog. Then we spent the rest of the night talking and wrapping gifts. We were usually up until one.”
“Sounds like fun.”
The softness of his voice matched the expression on his face. It had her holding her breath. His lips seemed to call to her as if they were begging to feel hers against them. She had to pull her eyes away and focus on something else.
“It was fun. We’ve always enjoyed Christmas. I guess it’s why I’m having a hard time this year. I know what I’m missing.”
“Maybe it’s time to make some of your own traditions.”
She shrugged. “Maybe.”
Jesse’s hand cupped her shoulder. He brushed his thumb against her neck until she gazed up. “Why don’t you unpack, take a long, hot soak in the Jacuzzi, then take a nap. I know you didn’t sleep much on the ride here. I think you’ll feel better if you get some rest.”
“What about you?”
He lowered his hand and glanced at the door. “I need to go into town and grab some things. We have plenty of non-perishable goods, but we need staples.”
“You should probably rest too. You did all the driving.”
Waving off her comment, he refocused on her face. “I’m good. I have a lot of practice running on little sleep. If it makes you feel better, I’ll consider a nap when I get back.”
“Promise?”
He reached for her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed it softly. “I promise.”
His intense stare left butterflies in her stomach. So did the feel of his lips on her skin. He had to be a great kisser. Her curiosity was getting the best of her, making it harder to resist the urge to lean closer.
She gave it serious consideration. Thankfully, Jesse released her hand and backed away. “I won’t be gone long. If you need anything, send me a text. Otherwise, I’ll see you in a little bit.”
“Okay. Drive safely.”
As he turned to the door, she didn’t miss the way his lips lifted. He had a beautiful smile. Hell, he was beautiful, period. Why was she resisting him so much?
Because of Cassie and Theo.
She promised herself she wouldn’t get involved with him because if they split up, it would make things hard for her sister and brother-in-law. Yet Cassie and Theo didn’t care what they did to make her life hard. They proved that the other night at the party.
Giving in to Jesse could complicate their working arrangement. They’d only been working together for a week. How could she ignore the temptation for several months?
Maybe Jesse was right. She was tired. Her mind wasn’t processing any of her thoughts. It was on overload. Then again, so was her body. She couldn’t remember the last time she came . . .
With Dusty.
Shaking the thought from her mind, she searched through her luggage and found a fresh set of clothes. They’d been in such a hurry to leave last night that she didn’t bother changing. A hot bath would do her some good. It would help alleviate the tension in her neck and shoulders, as well as the rest of her body. At this point, it was the only thing that would help.
Colliding With You Page 13
