For Hope

by Jeannette Winters

  But it’d been two days, and hopefully, things had settled down a bit for her. For us both. David needed to pull himself together as much as she did. It didn’t matter if the assholes deserved to die or not, he needed to regroup. He wanted nothing more than to pull Jada into his arms and make endless love to her, but that wasn’t fair to her. He owed her a conversation, and damn it, they were going to have one.

  David had ensured she’d made it home to Paul where she would be well taken care of. He told Paul everything that had transpired, even what Jada didn’t know, so he was prepared for what Jada might go through. As expected, she was going through stages of guilt, grief, and anger. No matter what anyone said or did, they were things she needed to face. Paul made sure to keep David abreast of how she was doing. From everything Paul said, Jada was stronger than he’d given her credit for. But he wasn’t going to know for sure until he saw it for himself. I need her in my arms. She needs to know not everyone wants her for her money. Some people genuinely love her for who she is. Only when she knows it, believes it, will I feel okay.

  He wished Paul didn’t live out in the middle of the woods, but that came with benefits. The media was nowhere to be seen. David believed Jada had deliberately chosen the place for that exact purpose. However, the media snagged him before he left Las Vegas. He’d seen headlines across all of social media. FOR HOPE. It was a picture of him and Jada escorted by the FBI. He didn’t bother reading what they wrote. None of this was done for credit or glory. It was all done for Hope. Jada Hope. And as soon as he had her in his arms again, he was going to tell her that.

  The log cabin was in view, and it wouldn’t be long before they were reunited. David had faced many things, but his heart was racing right now. He hadn’t realized how desperately he wanted to see her until that very moment. Like Jada, he had his own shit to process. The woman he loved had been held captive, and he could’ve lost her. Just like I lost Phoebe.

  That’s all he’d thought about when he found out Jada wasn’t hiding but had been kidnapped. He could endure a lot in life, but losing Jada wasn’t one of those things. Thankfully we found her before it was too . . . late.

  He sat in his vehicle looking at the house. The lights were on, and all he needed to do was knock on the door to see her lovely face again. What he didn’t want to do was bring his stress, and his fears he hadn’t dealt with, to her.

  There was a tap on the driver’s side window, and he instantly reached for the gun he’d forgotten had been confiscated by the FBI to match bullets with the victims.

  “Why so jumpy?” Paul asked.

  Dammit, Paul. You really have no idea how close I was to . . . That’s what concerned David. If it had been Jada at the window, he’d have scared the shit out of her. Paul, on the other hand, didn’t seem fazed one bit. Guess your daughter gets her strength from you.

  David opened the door and got out. “Sorry, Paul. It’s been a long drive.”

  “Seems more than that to me, but I’m not the one you should be talking to. Jada is inside. I was about to go into town on an errand.” Paul turned and climbed into his Jeep Wrangler then drove away, leaving David standing alone.

  That was funny, because it was close to an hour drive to get to town. Maybe that was Paul’s way of telling David he was giving them some privacy but not for long. If David had any thoughts of not going inside, they were gone now. He wasn’t about to leave Jada alone for a second.

  David climbed the front steps and knocked on the door. No one answered. He turned the knob, and as expected it was unlocked. He understood Paul and Jada felt safe out here where they thought no one and nothing could touch them. But the world had changed, and nothing and nowhere was sweet and innocent any longer. Jada knows that all too well now. So why not lock the door?

  When he entered, he found Jada sitting on the couch, holding a dish of ice cream. She looked up at him as though she expected him. “Not surprised?”

  She smiled and shook her head as she licked the spoon. “No one around here but you would knock.”

  If she was trying to make him feel any better, that wasn’t the way to do it. The smirk on her face also said she knew how to push his buttons. It was refreshing to see her . . . happy. It’s the way she should always be. And if given the chance, I’ll work hard to make that happen every day.

  It took everything not to leap off the couch and kiss David senseless. He looked so darn serious. What had he thought he was walking into? This wasn’t some war zone. There was no reason for him to be so tense, yet all she could see was his edginess.

  It was like he didn’t understand why she loved being there. If that was the case, how was she going to tell him she wasn’t leaving, and this was going to be her new home? I haven’t even told Dad yet.

  Jada was at peace here. There was no television, but she didn’t need one. There were books, games, and nature. What more could one want? Maybe someone to share it with. Before she saw David’s expression, she hoped maybe he would be that someone. He had told her he loved her. She wasn’t a child and knew it had been voiced in a time of distress. David had probably been relieved to find her unharmed. Does he regret saying those words to me? Is that why he is here? To clear up that little mistake?

  She knew they had a connection, a strong one. Her feelings for him rocked her to the core. Her first night home was spent crying. Not over everything that Christof had put her through, but for having to leave David behind. She had wanted to stay there with him, show him that whatever they faced, they would face together. David didn’t give her a chance to tell him. Instead, Bill, one of the guys from his team, escorted her home.

  That decision had come from a good place in David’s heart, but she’d had no say about what she wanted. That needed to change. I need to change. What she wasn’t sure about was if David could. He’d told her before it was impossible. Jada hadn’t believed that then. She wasn’t so sure now.

  Guess there’s only one way to find out. Tell him what I want. Jada slid over so there was room on the couch for David to join her. “Might as well make yourself comfortable. I’d offer you ice cream, but you arrived five minutes too late,” Jada said, putting her empty dish on the coffee table.

  David slid off his jacket and hung it on the back of a chair before he joined her. She was glad he was going to be staying for a bit. Now all she needed to do was convince him that although this wasn’t his cabin up in the mountains, it could be. Just not as . . . rough.

  “I think we need to have a conversation that is overdue,” Jada said as she looked into his eyes.

  He nodded. “There are several. Which one would you like to start with?”

  Jada wished David would start the conversation, but since she didn’t want to lose control, she picked the topic. “Let’s start with thank you. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t come for me. They didn’t look like they were going to hurt me, but after speaking with the FBI, they were well known to the police. Respect for women isn’t something either of them had. I guess they’d been keeping their distance, hoping it would get them more money in the end.”

  “They held you captive. What part made you think they weren’t bad guys?” David asked.

  A shiver ran through her as she recalled their dead bodies lying outside. “I don’t want to think about it too much.”

  David reached over and took her hand in his. “I’m sorry. I should be more understanding.”

  “David, you saved my life, and you think you need to be understanding? I should be hugging and kissing you and thanking you until I lose my voice.”

  “Two of those sound damn appealing to me,” David said, giving Jada a playful grin.

  Me too. Jada didn’t want to fall into his arms and not talk about what was heavy on her mind. Sex with David was amazing, but she wanted what others had. There was only one way to know if David wanted that as well. Talking, not kissing.

  “I’ve made a decision about my career.”

  David arched a brow. “You
didn’t like where the other conversation was going?”

  “I do, but there are things you need to know first.” Because I don’t want a relationship built on sex. Damn good sex. I’ve changed. I don’t know when or how, but after all these years of being alone, I want and need so much more than just sex.

  He let go of Jada’s hand and sat up straight. “You’ve got my attention.”

  She missed the feel of his touch. Telling him would only encourage him to ignore her need to talk. So Jada followed suit and pushed slightly away from him as well. “I’ve been driving my career for sixteen years, but Christof was the one who handled the business side. He was really good at opening doors for me. I see now that it was always about him and what he wanted. Even before you told me what he had planned, what he’d done, I had decided Christof and I were going to part ways.”

  “Why? Did you sense what he was up to?” David asked.

  Jada shook her head. “My career was becoming my sole existence. I couldn’t go anywhere without people knowing who I was. If it hadn’t been for you pulling strings and somehow getting me back here on a private jet, I’m not sure how I would’ve avoided the media. They hound me constantly. Even my vacations were at a location where clients hosted a party I was required to attend. I felt like my career owned me. I was no longer working for a living. I was living for work, barely existing. Jada Hope the person, the one I wanted to be, was disappearing. When I met you . . . I . . . I felt like she was coming back. The one who had dreams. Dreams of something wonderful.”

  “Jada, you’re the top supermodel in the world. What bigger dream do you have than that?”

  Her heart sank because she wasn’t sure David would understand. A big part of her didn’t either. She yearned for something she barely remembered. “I want what my parents had. Love and a family.” The words slipped out, and she couldn’t take them back. They were spoken from a place she had hidden from herself. I’m not hiding any longer.

  “You’re serious?” David asked, looking deep into her eyes.

  “I am,” Jada replied softly. “I’m leaving modeling. The announcement will go out tomorrow.”

  “What are you talking about, Jada?”

  “I wrote an article on my own and thanked all my fans for their many years of loyalty and announced my retirement effective immediately. My father is on his way into town now to send it off to the national news channels.”

  “He had to go into town for that?”

  “I didn’t want to email it in case they tracked the IP address back to us here. We want this to stay . . . hidden. And once that news is delivered, the media will be looking for me for an interview. I’ll have to do one eventually, but not now.”

  He looked at her for a long moment then asked, “You’re really walking away from it all?”

  “I’m hoping I can change careers.”

  “Jada, you’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. If anyone can flip careers and be even more successful at the next one, it is you.”

  Jada smiled at David. “You truly believe that?”

  David slid back over to her and said, “If you’re done talking about work now, I’d like to do some talking myself.”

  Jada swallowed and nodded.

  He took her hand in his again, and this time David brought it to his lips and kissed her fingers. “I meant it when I said you were amazing.” He kissed them again. “Lovely.” Another kiss. And with each word he kissed them again. “Intelligent. Sexy. Funny. Strong.”

  The way he spoke about her was as though she was perfect. That was far from the truth. Not only did she have character flaws, but he’d never seen her discoloration from the burn she’d sustained in the fire. She knew she should mention it to him, but the look in his eyes said it wouldn’t make a lick of difference. She had to try. “David, I’m not perfect.”

  He raised a finger to her lips. “You’re perfect for me. And that is all that matters.”

  David saw her the way he chose to. And she loved him even more for that. She never thought he’d verbalize his feelings in such a way. “David, why are you telling me this?”

  “Listing some of the reasons why I love you?” She looked at David wide-eyed and was about to speak when David continued, “Don’t act like you didn’t hear me tell you that once before.”

  “I did. I wasn’t sure if you meant it.”

  David let go of her hand and cupped her face. “Jada, I only say what I mean. I love you. I don’t want you to leave your career for me. If it’s what you honestly want, then I will love and support you. I can’t live in the spotlight like you do. It would put my life, both of ours, in jeopardy.”

  Jada choked back the tears. All she ever wanted was to be loved for who she was, and it seemed she’d finally found it. “David, I love you too. And I’m not leaving because of you. I want a family. One that only has their pictures appearing in the family photo album. I’m beginning to understand what you do, and even though it scares me, I don’t want you to stop.”

  “I’m not sure I could. The world has become a . . . dangerous place. I want to make it better for my children.”

  He wanted what she did. Even though Jada knew she’d have sleepless nights worrying about him, safety anywhere wasn’t guaranteed. Her mother was a housewife, and they had lost her anyway. It was impossible to be totally safe. There only was being happy. Kissing him briefly, Jada said, “Just promise me you’ll always come home to me.”

  David kissed her back lightly before responding. “Jada, I promise you’ll always come first.”

  She could no longer fight the emotions running through her. David had not only saved her in Las Vegas, but he’d released her heart that had been held captive by fear and loneliness for so long. Now she was free to live and love, and she chose to do both with him. “David, please don’t let me go.”

  “Never, sweetheart.” He lifted her into his arms and sat her on his lap. David kissed her again but then pulled back.

  “What’s the matter?” Jada asked, afraid David was having second thoughts.

  “I can’t kiss you. Not like this. Not now.”

  “Why?”

  David laughed. “Because that drive to town doesn’t take as long as I wish it would, and once I have you in my arms, I’m not going to let go.”

  Jada wrapped her arms around David’s neck and whispered in his ear. “Did I forget to tell you Dad isn’t coming back tonight?” She nipped his ear playfully. “Actually he said he was going to visit some friends for a few days.”

  David’s grip tightened, and he pulled her closer to him. She felt his body harden beneath her.

  Kissing his cheek, Jada said, “Maybe we can finish this conversation tomorrow.” There was so much more for them to talk about. She had promised herself to help those veterans who came to her rescue in Las Vegas. But right now there was one man at the top of her list and he was holding her in his arms. The rest of the world can wait.

  David pulled back from her and said, “On one condition.”

  Jada asked, “What?”

  “That all our conversations start and end with this.” David claimed her lips so tenderly she thought she’d died and gone to heaven.

  She didn’t know what the future held for them. There were so many changes about to take place. It all seemed so simple, but nothing ever was. She needed to make a clean break from it all, and she knew there’d be repercussions to her announcement. Clients would be upset. Contracts broken. It would be ugly, but it was the only way. Whatever it was, she was no longer afraid. They’d face it together. Deep in her heart, she knew David meant what he said. He was by her side with whatever she chose to do. Above all else, Jada chose them.

  With newfound peace, love in her heart, and a gorgeous man beneath her, Jada said, “I think we should talk more often then.”

  The End

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