Chapter 11
JESS
“Kane, you didn’t have to do this.”
But my protest is met with a broad smile as my boyfriend—that still feels odd but awesome to say—pulls me in for a quick hug before saying, “I know I didn’t have to, sweetheart. I wanted to.”
Then he pauses, and his cheeks pink up in that adorable way they do right before he’s about to say something sweet and completely incongruous to his tough-cop persona.
Catching my hand in his, he adds quietly, “I know it’s only been a few hours, but I missed you.
And I couldn’t stop thinking about you all morning. ”
And there goes my heart, melting into a puddle on the floor.
“I missed you, too,” I tell him. Stretching up on my toes, I give him a quick kiss on the cheek. “I just don’t want you getting into trouble at work. Aren’t you supposed to be on patrol right now? ”
It’s a rhetorical question, because I know he’s on patrol. One, because I know his schedule, and he’s scheduled for the eight-to-four shift today. And two, Kane’s still wearing his uniform, looking so handsome I can barely stand it.
I’ve heard people talk about the appeal of a man in uniform, but never gave much thought to it until meeting Kane.
Until the first time I saw him at a Sleepy Hollow first responders fundraiser and couldn’t stop my gaze from sliding over to him.
And now that he’s standing in front of me, his blue eyes popping from the matching shade of his shirt and his shoulders stretching the fabric, it’s hard to tear my attention away.
A quick glance around the reception area shows a lot of eyes glued to Kane, actually.
Or, rather, to both of us.
Kane’s the one receiving admiring looks, while the ones I’m getting are more disbelieving. I catch Anna and Sandy, two of the med techs who work under me, whispering furtively as they keep glancing over at me, and although I can’t hear them, I can easily imagine what they’re saying.
How did Jess land a guy like that? Is he really interested in her? Does he know the story about what she did in high school?
To the first question: I’m not sure. Luck? A weird twist of karma? Or, as Hazel said on more than one occasion, did I finally find the man I’ve deserved all along?
As for the other two questions? Yes and yes. As hard as it’s been to wrap my head around it, I really do believe Kane cares about me. Might even be on the way to falling, just like I am .
Or if I’m being honest with myself, I’m practically there already.
How could I not be? When I think back to those silly lists I used to make in high school, the ones outlining all the traits of my ideal future husband, they didn’t even come close to reality.
To my kind, thoughtful, brave, handsome—I know looks aren’t important, but I’m not blind, either—protective, smart, loyal boyfriend who gives me the courage to do things I would never have considered before.
Like pinning Sandy with a stern glare that tells her quite clearly, I know you’re talking about me and I don’t care. A glare that says, Get back to work instead of standing around staring.
Okay. I still care a little. But I’m much better than I used to be. Where in the past, I’d duck my head and scurry away when someone was being unkind, now I stay still and hold their gaze. I tell myself all the reasons why I shouldn’t be intimidated anymore.
Like a mantra, I remind myself every day.
I made a mistake, just like millions—no, billions—of other people do.
I didn’t hurt anyone. I’m not responsible for the actions of others.
Kane believes in me. He thinks I’m a good person.
“Jess, honey?” Kane’s brows pull into a concerned V. “Are you okay?” He scans my face, then casts a quick look around the room. His expression darkens as he spots Sandy and Anna over by the water cooler, still staring at me. A muscle in his jaw twitches.
Looping his arm around my shoulder, he draws me into his side. In a low, almost growly tone, he asks, “Have they been giving you problems? What are their names? I’ll look into them again.”
“No, it’s okay,” I hurry to reply. Sandy and Anna might be kind of bitchy and cliquish, but they’re too self-absorbed to spend their time coming up with creative ways to torment me.
They’re more interested in talking about their plans for after work and which bar has the best ratio of available men to women.
“Are you sure?” He casts another glance at the women, assessing. “I don’t like how they’re looking at you. Maybe I can have Leo or Ben run them through?—”
“No, no.” Winding my arm around his waist, I turn him away from them. “It’s really fine. They never actually say anything to me. And anyway, I don’t care about them. I care about seeing you.”
Kane hesitates, still eyeing them with that same suspicious cast to his features. But after a moment, he faces me and smiles. “Okay, Jess. I know you think I’m being overprotective?—”
“I don’t.” Well. A little. At his raised eyebrow, I amend, “I like it. When you’re all protective of me. And—” My cheeks warm, but I say it anyway. “I like it when you’re all tough and growly about it.”
His smile stretches wider. “Oh, really?”
“Yes. Is that okay?”
“Of course it is.” He holds my gaze for a second, emotion shifting in his eyes. Then he touches my new necklace, balancing the delicate pendant on the tip of his finger. “You’re wearing it. Does that mean you like it?”
I look down at the tiny rendition of Nyx carved from gold. My own lips curve up of their own accord. “I love it, Kane. It’s perfect.”
One of the surprises from our romantic date this past weekend, Kane presented me with this gorgeous necklace along with the explanation, “I wanted to give you something special, Jess. And Nyx, she reminds me of you. Beautiful. Strong. Plus, she’s your namesake. So I thought it was fitting.”
I could tell he was nervous about giving it to me, but he had no reason to be.
I love it. And I have no plans to take it off.
Especially when I heard about the added feature, which is that it has a little GPS tracker implanted inside it.
“Not so I can track you all the time,” Kane was quick to say, “but just in case. And if you’re ever in trouble, you can press the little button on the back and it’ll send a signal for help.
I’ll get the alert and so will the guys at Blade and Arrow.
Not that I think you’re going to need it.
But better safe than sorry… And—” He pinked up for the next part.
“All my friends got one for their partners. Cash, Ben, Grant, Ian… I hope it’s okay that I got you one, too. ”
Was it okay ? Of course it was. And three days later, I still feel all warm and fuzzy whenever I look at it.
“I’m glad,” Kane replies, still looking at the necklace. Then his gaze raises to meet mine. Resignation tinges his voice as he says, “I guess I should get going. Oliver’s waiting outside. But I’ll be back at four-thirty to pick you up. So it’s not too long to wait.”
“Not too long,” I agree, though another four hours without Kane doesn’t thrill me. “I was thinking I could make homemade pizza tonight, if you want. And we could watch that new documentary about the history of video games?”
Yes, this is my life now. Going home to make dinner with my boyfriend and cuddling on the couch while we watch TV afterwards.
Or hopping on our computers to play a couple hours of Tenebris Veil .
Then off to bed where Kane shows me all the wonderful ways he can take control in the bedroom.
I never knew I liked restraints or being told what to do in bed, but with Kane? I really, really like it.
Does it suck that whoever vandalized my house is still out there? Do I wish I could go around town without needing protection? Of course. But the whole living with Kane part is pretty darn great. That, I wouldn’t mind continuing.
“You don’t want to play your game tonight?” Kane asks. “I thought you wanted to check out that new zone from the expansion pack.”
“I do, but maybe tomorrow night? So we can just cuddle tonight instead?”
Kane’s eyes light to a bright topaz. “Cuddling works for me.” He hugs me again. His lips press to my forehead. Quietly, he adds, “I’d give you a real kiss right now, but since we’re both on the job… it’ll have to wait until later.”
My belly tightens at the promise of what will hopefully happen after. Squeezing my legs against the need building at my core, I suck in a steadying breath. “And maybe some other things, too?”
Heat flares in his gaze. “ Definitely some other things.” Then, in a tone just above a whisper, he adds, “I bought some silk scarves. In case you want to try them out tonight. ”
Oh.
Desire floods through my body. In a strangled tone, I reply, “Scarves sound nice.”
As I look at Kane, everything else around us disappears.
Sandy and Anna. The newly-hired receptionist, whose name I don’t know yet.
The half-dozen patients waiting for their lab work.
The guy refilling the vending machine over in the corner.
None of them matter right now. It’s just me and this man I’m almost certain I’m falling in love with.
Then Kane’s phone buzzes from his pocket, interrupting the moment. He grabs the phone to check it, then stiffens as he switches back into police officer mode. “Sorry, sweetheart,” he says. “It’s Oliver. We just got a call. I need to go.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask what it is. If it’s safe. But I know dating a cop means he can’t always tell me where he’s going or what the calls are about. So instead, I swallow back my surging worry and say, “Okay. Be careful.”
He cups my cheek. “I will. And you too. Remember, if something happens and you have to leave before the end of your shift, call me. If I can’t come, I’ll get one of the B and A guys to do it. Or Grant or Ian. Just don’t leave on your own.”
I kiss Kane on the cheek again. “I won’t. I promise. Now, go. Make Sleepy Hollow a safer place.”