Chapter 21
Jamie
As much as I’d love to spend the night with Aubrey, I’m playing the long game.
While walking her home to her apartment building—or I suppose our building—I’ve never felt more sure of my decision to move here.
The only thing that held me back from going upstairs with her is I’m pretty sure I love-bombed her at dinner.
She retreats easily, and I’m not about to risk rushing this along faster than it needs to.
Aubrey isn’t like other women I’ve dated. While most are also looking for a real connection, I never feel it. From the moment I met her, I've had a mysterious pull toward her. Call it fate. Call it kismet. I can’t deny how the second she’s in my presence, my entire soul craves to be near her.
I wasn’t entirely truthful tonight. When Olivia gave me her list of apartment complexes within walking distance, I knew something wasn’t right.
Yes, on the surface everything seemed legitimate, but I had a feeling she was trying to push me to choose the one I did.
I chalked it up to an employer wanting their employee within walking distance.
Ending up next to Aubrey was pure happenstance.
I’ve always asked for the top floor when available to avoid upstairs tenants, but to end up next to the one woman I haven’t stopped fantasizing about since the second she sat at the bar a month ago…
That’s fucking fate.
In a perfect world, we’d be able to pick up where we left off, but the world has never been perfect.
Aubrey’s pregnant, and that child deserves the best fucking world to grow up in.
Money doesn’t buy happiness or love. I don’t care that it isn’t mine.
If she wants me—really wants me—then I’m ready.
It’ll be an adjustment, but what does that fucking matter?
I’m falling hard and fast for the little lentil’s mother.
Hell, the only reason I know the size of her baby is the app I downloaded after she left Ottawa.
When she’s ready to admit this is more than just a fling, I want to step in where she needs me to.
It’ll be years before her child understands that the dad who raised them has no resemblance to them.
By then, Aubrey and I will have figured out what our story is to break it to them gently.
As I’m walking up to the hotel, I freeze. I flew thousands of miles, spent the last month hoping for a future with Aubrey… and I didn’t even have a chance to kiss her goodnight.
Fuck. This.
I rush upstairs to put my leftovers in the fridge and am back downstairs in mere minutes.
Walking as fast as I can without breaking a sweat, I make my way to the apartment building.
Pulling my fob from my pocket, I scan in and take the elevator up to our floor.
With only three quick raps of my knuckles, Aubrey answers wearing a black silk robe, her hair pulled up into a messy bun and some sort of white cream painted on her face.
“What are you doing here?”
“I forgot something.” Not giving a shit that I’ll end up with whatever goop that is on me, I grip the front of her throat and crush my lips to hers. She whimpers on contact, fisting my shirt to pull me inside, and I murmur against her, “I’m not staying.”
Aubrey pulls back and takes a second to catalog my face, then bursts into a fit of giggles, swiping at my chin and nose. “I know, but at least let me clean you up before you have to go.”
I step inside and lock the door behind me. “What is that stuff?”
“A face mask. My skin has been super dry, so I’m trying to breathe life into it,” she replies, walking into the other room.
I follow, not surprised her bedroom is immaculate and looks like it belongs in a brochure or advertisement.
Her bed is made with a light gray comforter and at least five pillows, all propped and fluffed.
In the corner, there’s an armchair, a reading light, and a tall bookcase filled with a mix of hardcover and paperback.
I imagine in a few months she may swap the chair for a rocker for when her baby’s born.
She continues into the bathroom and returns seconds later with a washcloth. “Here.” Slowly dragging it across my chin, she wipes the face mask away, but all I want to do is kiss her again, no matter how messy it gets. If I do, I’ll never leave.
“I should go.”
Her gaze shifts from my mouth to meet my eyes, her words coming out breathless as she reminds, “You said you forgot something.”
“I got what I came here for.” I take her hand and press a soft kiss to the little tattoo on her ring finger.
“Careful now, if you keep that up, I might end up falling for you.”
Leaning in, I whisper beside her ear, “Good,” then retreat before I do something reckless like pin her to the bed and make love to her all night.
I only make it to her bedroom door when she calls after me, “Stay for dessert?”
Summoning all of the self-control I have, I pause at the door and reply over my shoulder, “Bring it to work tomorrow and we’ll share it. Have a good night, abayarde.”
I continue out of her apartment, feeling lighter than I have in weeks. Once I’m at the hotel, I plug in my phone and notice a new text.
Aubrey
Have plans for breakfast?
It’s included at the hotel.
She types for at least a full minute before her reply comes through.
Never mind then.
I’m going to eat here. If you’re sure you want me to stay with you this week, then I’ll pack my bag before I leave. Either way, I’ll have breakfast with you.
That’s ridiculous. If you’re eating breakfast at the hotel, then you wouldn’t need to have breakfast with me.
I’ll bring you a decaf coffee and a turkey sausage breakfast burrito like the ones we had when we were at the summit. I’ll have a fully-caffeinated coffee while I watch you take three bites and say you’re full.
That’s not funny!
Okay, it’s a little funny, but you don’t need to bring me breakfast.
See you in the morning.
I set my phone to Do Not Disturb and get ready for bed. Tomorrow’s going to be a busy day of back-to-back meetings… and trying to not touch Aubrey.