Night Hack: A forced proximity alpha hero hacker romantic suspense (Nightshade Book 4)

Chapter 15

Jana

I acquiesced quite easily,despite the amount of information the NSI crew had thrown at me. Heck, they had totally rearranged my, my brother’s, and mother’s lives in less than two hours after they’d shown up in my living room.

Plans had changed yet again while Devolin and I had been packing my bags. While Jason and Mom would be moving into the house across from Shane and Emberlyn’s, taking Kiki, my Maine coon ball of fur, with them, I was moving to an alternate location—Brycen’s decision—based on Cade and Shane’s recommendation.

Despite my capitulation to this new and sudden development, the relief I felt at witnessing the support system I clearly had in place this entire time was wearing off. And now, I was beginning to freak the hell out.

It wasn’t about the murders.

Well, maybe a little bit. Okay, okay. A lot.

It wasn’t about the fact this psycho had managed to figure out my legal name and unearth my phone number, not to mention, he’d also been tracking me via my cell phone.

Yes, maybe that one too.

Nope, it was the fact I was en route to Brycen Matthew’s home, with at least a month’s worth of personal effects. In addition, said man was one I shouldn’t want for myself but did. Furthermore, he seemed obsessed with keeping me safe, more so than the rest of the NSI crew, which was saying a lot, what with the take-charge attitude that had nearly made my house burst at the seams when they’d all converged on my residence earlier. And I’d never had a man look after me like that.

He makes you laugh. He’s sweet. And, oh, damn is he hot when he takes charge of a situation you feel you’ve lost control of!

Yeah, the bulk of my freaking out was largely because I was shacking up with another man, when I’d never planned to do so, after having witnessed all the catastrophic relationships I had in both my childhood and adult life.

Who said you were a couple? It’s not really shacking up when you aren’t even dating,I reassured myself.

True. It wasn’t. Nope. No way. No how.

But what if? the naughty and wanton side of my subconscious whispered, the hussy clearly recognizing Brycen was a breed of man all his own.

“We’re here,” Brycen’s voice broke me from my musings.

Brought back to the present, I looked up to find a beautiful cottage-style, two-story home with a wraparound porch. A light was on in one of the front windows, and the entryway glowed warmly as if it beckoned me forward, welcoming me to my new abode, and urging me to stay a while.

I never noticed Brycen exit his car, but my attention was pulled to him the moment he opened the passenger side door and offered his hand.

“This is your place?” I choked out, my opinion of him having gone up a notch or a hundred. My reticence against exploring the connection between us waned a bit more, as it did every time I discovered something new and entirely unexpected about the man. It endeared him further to me.

I was greeted by a prideful smile. “It is.”

I turned back to the property, inspecting it further, and decided immediately that my butt would be enjoying the extra-large egg swing of sorts that was installed in the far front corner of the porch. There was barely any city light pollution where we were, and the sun was setting fast.

It’s been forever since I’ve seen the stars. I can’t believe this place exists so close to the city.

“Well, you’ll be able to gaze to your heart’s content for as long as you’re here.” I jumped, then whirled around to face the man of the house. With a large warm hand at my hip to steady me, he continued, “Now, let’s get you settled in, shall we?”

As we moved toward his front door, I noticed the furry head that peered from the intricately stained-glass pane to the extra-wide, solid wood entryway door.

Brycen inserted the key that would unlock his home, revealing the mysteries within, including the pitiful whining I heard. “Don’t mind Bailey. He might be large and in charge, but the only danger you’re in is?—”

Before I knew it, Bailey had plowed past his owner and pinned me against the railing, his large front paws on my shoulders, a wet tongue laving my face.

“Bailey!” Brycen reprimanded his canine. “Off!”

The dog did as he was told, sitting obediently on his hind quarters, but never looked to his master. Instead, I swore he smiled at me, his long tongue lolling to the right. I couldn’t help myself and ruffled the fur atop his head.

“S’okay,” I cooed, then crouched down to the dog’s level. “You’re such a handsome boy, a girl like me could get used to a welcome home like that. I’m just not so sure Kiki would approve.”

As I looked up to Brycen, he was grinning at the pair of us. “Let’s get you in here, and I’ll get this guy fed and entertained before I make us some dinner. To be honest, I’m not quite sure what I have here.” He looked contrite. “It’s been a while since I ate in.”

My lips tugged up in a smile, and despite where I was, what was going on, who I was with, and how my life had taken a drastic turn toward Shitsville, I found myself feeling safe once again. At ease… and at peace for the first time since I’d first woken in my bed, tucked against Brycen today.

Brycen

By the time I got back from my backyard fetch session with Bailey, a wonderful smell emanated through the kitchen, toward the patio door entrance.

Sweet Jesus! What the hell is that?

A head of jet-black loosened hair peeked from the top of the island countertop before Jana straightened to her full height.

“Just a casserole,” she answered the words I’d thought I’d asked internally. “You had some chicken in the freezer, some breadcrumbs, a pitiful tiny chunk of cheese, some pasta, and a can of cream of mushroom soup. The makings of a kitchen sink casserole. A staple for a single working mother with two young mouths to feed and a small budget.”

I groaned, rubbing my belly as I suddenly realized I was famished. “Smells delicious. You didn’t have to do this. I said I’d whip something up when I was done. You found everything okay, I take it?”

She nodded. “Go wash up. It should be ready in another five or so. And you,” she cooed to my dog, Bailey heading straight for her, “you get this!” She presented him with a small piece of cheese, which he gently took from her fingertips. “Now, go lie down, you good boy.”

Without a pause, I watched, amazed that Bailey headed straight for his dog bed in the living room, and the enigma of a woman who intrigued me so much as of late, turned to the kitchen sink and continued to wash dishes.

Turning for the bathroom, I couldn’t figure out what was causing the weighted sensation in my chest. It was warm. It was foreign. But I didn’t mind it in the least.

Barefoot.

Hair flowing freely.

Curvy hips swayed from side to side at the sink to whatever song she was beautifully humming to herself.

Unguarded and at ease. Jana’s subtle presence in my home, seeing her like this had my cock standing at attention.

I rubbed at the scruff on my chin, all the while continuing to study her. What was it about this woman?

“Oh!” She clasped a hand to her chest, a washcloth haphazardly held in her other. “I thought you were watching the news.”

Feeling much like getting caught with my hand in the cookie jar, I smirked, sheepishly shrugging the shoulder opposite the one I was using to lean against the front of the refrigerator.

“Wanted to make sure you didn’t need any help.” Sure. Let’s call it that, even though Brycen Jr. down there wanted to make sure of other things. Dark, hot, and wet things. Things that weren’t exactly appropriate with my current duties entailing this woman’s safety, no matter her mother’s and brother’s joint blessings to go for it.

“Brycen?”

Next thing I knew, Jana was standing toe to toe with me. I was so deep in my wanton thoughts I hadn’t noticed she’d moved.

“Huh?”

“Did you hear me?”

Licking my lips, I cleared my throat and mumbled, “No…sorry.”

Fucker, take your eyes off her mouth!But the moment I aimed my gaze to hers, I realized I’d made a horrible mistake.