CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
JACKIE
Jackie woke to the sound of his voice.
It took her a second to register what time of day it was.
The last time she’d been awake, the sun had barely risen.
After that? Things got a little blurry. And not because she was drunk.
But because Najee had taken her through there...
and then some. They had gone damn near four rounds last night.
Najee had fucked her like it was his last day on earth.
Jackie was sore, but she wasn’t even mad at it.
Because last night? A time was most certainly had.
Jackie hadn’t been dicked down this good ever.
Not only was she relaxed, she was still floating somewhere in the aftermath of it all.
The sheets were twisted around her body as she blinked slowly and rolled onto her side and there he was.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, shirtless, muscles flexing beneath smooth skin marked by a few old scars.
His glasses sat low on his nose, his phone pressed to his ear as the morning light cut across his jaw.
"Bro, it's an old house. The radiators keep making these clinking noises and the hot water heater keeps going out. I’m thinking it could be the valve, or even possibly the line. I went downstairs earlier and the whole setup is prehistoric. So if replacing the unit makes more sense than repairing it, that’s what we’ll do.
She has a kid and he’ll be back tomorrow, and I’m not letting him come back to a cold house. ”
It was in that moment something inside her softened immediately.
This man was not trying to impress her or be performative with his words.
He was simply handling shit. Like it was already his responsibility.
Like she was his responsibility. Jackie’s heart did something stupid.
And for once, she didn’t fight it. Najee ended the call and scribbled something on her notepad before finally looking over.
"They'll be here before noon," he said. "Might be the intake valve.
If it's the whole unit, they'll quote me on the spot.
" Jackie blinked. "Me or you?" Najee turned toward her slowly. "What I just say?"
Jackie tightened the sheet around herself. "Thank you, Najee."
Instead of answering, he reached for her and pulled her closer until she was tucked against his chest. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and let it linger there.
For a few seconds, neither of them said anything.
Jackie listened to his heartbeat. Watched as he scribbled reminders in her notebook, made phone calls and just simply existed.
The feeling was unfamiliar but comfortable in a way she didn’t expect.
Eventually she shifted and wrapped her arms around his neck and straddled him more fully, the sheet slipping down her back.
His hands found her instantly — one gripping her thigh, the other curling around her lower back.
Their eyes met and he kissed her—deep and claiming.
She whined softly against his mouth as his hand slid lower, grabbing a handful of her ass and squeezing. Smack. Her breath caught.
“Najee…” Another slap.
This time it was sharper. His grip stayed firm, fingers kneading.
“We got about an hour,” he murmured against her lips, “before the plumber shows up.”
Jackie blinked, equal parts turned on and confused. “You called a plumber too?”
“Yeah. After I put you to sleep for the third time.” He squeezed her ass again.
“I hopped back in the shower, and the water pressure was trash.”
She groaned, dropping her head to his shoulder.
“You don’t gotta say it like that,” she whispered.
He chuckled low, gripping her tighter. “My fault, baby. I ain’t mean it like that.”
He kissed her neck. “You forgive me?” His expression softened.
The teasing disappeared completely. “No,” she said playfully, trying to hide her face in his neck. He caught her chin gently but firmly and made her look at him. “Uh uh. Use your words.”
His voice slowed to that clinical but intimate tone that always regulated her nervous system in real time.
“It was a poor choice of words, baby, and I’m sorry,” he said as their eyes met.
Jackie took a deep breath. Although she had laughed it off, she was sensitive about her home—even about her trash-ass shower.
And here this man was, acknowledging it and apologizing for something so small.
She stared at him, feeling exposed in a way that felt foreign. “What are you feeling right now?”
Jackie hesitated. Then answered honestly. "Embarrassed."
Something shifted in his eyes. Understanding. And it didn’t come from pity or judgment.
"I don't want you to feel embarrassed. At least with me.
" His forehead touched hers. "If it can be fixed, it's getting fixed.
" Jackie swallowed. "You have no reason to feel embarrassed in your own damn home.
" His thumb brushed her cheek. "I'm a dick sometime.
I stick my foot in my mouth. Charge it to my head and not my heart, okay?
" The knot in her chest loosened. "Okay. "
"Good." He responded before kissing her forehead, then her nose, and then finally her lips.
"I want to take you to dinner tonight." A small smile tugged at her mouth.
"You tryna take me on a date, Doc?"
"Yeah." He adjusted his glasses. "I'm thinking JG Sky High, Parc, or Almyra.
Then to the Vita to get some Gelato after.
" Jackie nodded even though she had no idea what any of those places were.
She was a water-ice type of girl herself.
But if her man wanted bougie-ass gelato...
Jackie caught herself. Because not her man.
The thought settled warm in her chest. Damn.
I guess Chante do got a man now. She smiled to herself before curling up against him while he made another call.
A few minutes later, he reached into his wallet and slid out a Black American Express card.
"Get yourself something nice for dinner tonight.
" Jackie stared at the card. Then at him.
"Do I need to stay under a certain amount? "
"Nah." Their eyes held. “Do you." For the next twenty minutes she stayed exactly where she was, in his arms, skin to skin, rubbing his beard while he made calls about her house.
For the first time in a long time, Jackie allowed herself to rest in someone else's intention. And for now? It felt perfect.