Chapter 18
Natalie
Jensen’s hand slipped around my waist, and he pulled me against him, my back to his front. I was already half awake, and daylight peeked through the gap in the curtains. Nestling into him, I breathed deeply, enjoying the feel of his body pressed against mine.
Had the previous night really happened?
His lips touched my neck in a lazy kiss. “Hello, darling.”
“Morning.”
“How do you feel?”
I shifted a little, rolling my shoulder. “Sore. But also so good.”
He kissed my neck again.
We lay in bed together for a while, and the silence was surprisingly comfortable.
My body was languid and relaxed, my mind calm.
I knew there were so many things to do—so many problems to solve—but somehow, lying with Jensen while a light snow fell outside chased those worries away. For the moment, at least.
“You feel so good,” he said low in my ear. “I could do this all day.”
His voice sent a tingle down my spine. “So could I. Although I think biological necessities will get the best of me soon.”
“Fair enough.” He shifted, propping himself up on his elbow, and I rolled over to face him. His eyes swept up and down, taking me in, and his mouth hooked in a subtle smile. “Fucking gorgeous.”
Tracing up his chest, I wrapped my hand around the back of his neck and brought him in for a kiss before moving to get up. “I’ll be right back.”
“I miss you already.”
I went to the bathroom, and when I came out, he did the same.
“Don’t you dare put your clothes back on,” he said through the closed door. “I’m not done with you yet.”
Thank goodness for that.
I got back in bed, and when he emerged, he paused in the doorway. His expression wasn’t just hungry, it was ravenous.
He climbed on the bed, tore off the sheet, and licking his lips like he was going to have me for dessert, he buried his face between my legs.
An hour later, I lay sprawled across Jensen’s chest, utterly spent. He was a man of many talents, and he’d unleashed them on me. I was warm and sated, and not entirely sure my legs would be of any use if I tried to stand.
He kissed my hair. “I’d make you breakfast, but I don’t have any food.”
“That’s okay. I should probably get up. I need to figure out what’s going on with my car. And find my phone. And see if we’re still on strike. For all I know, it ended yesterday, and I’m supposed to work tonight.”
“I don’t like any of that.” He tightened his arm around me. “Stay here.”
His use of the word stay added a sting of pain. Telling myself not to worry about that, I pushed it aside and rolled off him.
“We can’t stay in bed all day. Besides, we have a mission to complete.”
“That we do. And I couldn’t think of a better way to start the day.”
Bracing himself over me, he brought his mouth to mine in a luxurious kiss. No longer a kiss of hunger, it was slow and deep. A kiss of contentment, with the promise of more to come.
I got up and dressed while he playfully tried to stop me from putting my clothes back on. After untangling myself from him one last time, I stepped out into the snowy daylight and went over to my house.
Nina stood at the kitchen sink, rinsing out dishes. As soon as I stepped inside, her face lit up with an excited smile. “Oh my god, you’re just coming home?” Her voice was just shy of a squeal. “I didn’t even realize you weren’t in the house. You slept over? Tell me everything.”
With a dramatic exhale, I gestured for her to follow me. I went to the living room and sank onto the couch. “I don’t even know what’s happening.”
She sat next to me. “Please tell me he’s not all show, and it was the best night of your life.”
“Oh, it was absolutely the best night of my life. No contest.”
“I’m so happy for you. I knew this was a good idea.”
I leaned back against the cushion. “Except he ruined me. I’m surprised I can walk.”
“Okay, now you’re making me jealous.”
“Sorry,” I said with a laugh. “Don’t worry, you and I both know this isn’t going to last.”
“You don’t know that.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Yes, I do. You heard him say he’s not the type to settle down.”
“Come on, Natalie. You never know.”
“It’s okay. I know what this is. It’s a fling. A Christmas fling. I’ll enjoy it while it lasts. It’s just like the holidays. There’s all this fun and anticipation, and before you know it, it’s January, the holidays are over, and we’re back to hanging on until spring.”
“Is it an older sister trait to be so reasonable? Because I’d be fantasy shopping for a wedding dress.”
“Probably.” I rubbed my hands up and down my face. “I need to get back to real life.”
“Speaking of, I have good news and bad news.”
“What’s the bad news?”
“Deputy Haven stopped by a little while ago.”
“Garrett Haven?”
She nodded. “He’s so nice. Anyway, he said your car is probably totaled. He asked his brother to look at it to make sure, and he agrees.”
I groaned. “What’s the good news?”
“He brought your phone.” She pulled it out of her pocket and handed it to me. “He found it on the floor and figured you probably needed it, so he brought it by since he was out on patrol.”
“Wow. That was nice of him.”
“Told you, super nice guy.”
I opened my phone to check my messages. I had missed calls from Jensen, but I knew about those, and there wasn’t anything about the strike. As much as I wanted it to end for everyone’s sake, I was glad I didn’t have to worry about pulling a twelve-hour shift that night.
“Do you have to work today?” I asked.
“No, I’m off today, so I’ll pick up Annabel.” She paused. “It sure was nice of Jensen to take you to pick her up yesterday.”
“I know. He was a lifesaver.”
“And the whole pajama thing, with the Santa hats? So cute.”
I smiled. “Yeah, it was.”
Glancing up like she was thinking, she tapped her lips. “Not really hot-guy-who’s-only-a-holiday-fling behavior, though.”
I grabbed a throw pillow and smacked her with it. “Stop. Even if this was more than a fling to him, which it isn’t, what makes you think I want something else? My life is complicated enough. I don’t need a man complicating it more.”
“Not all men will complicate your life.”
“I seem to be very good at attracting the ones who do.”
“Okay, but if I’m right about him, I’m going to say I told you so.”
“Don’t hold your breath.”
She took a deep breath and puffed out her cheeks. I rolled my eyes, and a second later, she let it go.
“Cute, Nina.”
With a laugh, she stood. “Do you mind if I shower first? I have lunch plans.”
“Go ahead. Wait. Lunch plans with who?”
Smiling, she bit her lip. “Dylan.”
“And Dylan is the hot single dad?”
Still smiling, she nodded enthusiastically.
“Nina! He asked you out?”
“Yesterday. I was going to tell you, but a lot was going on.”
“I’m so excited for you.” I got up and grabbed her hand. “Come on. Let’s go pick your outfit.”
Hand in hand, we went up the stairs. Her infectious excitement mingled with the euphoria of my mind-blowing night with Jensen to elevate my mood even more.
I helped her choose the perfect lunch-date-with-a-hot-single-dad outfit—a super cute boatneck sweater with jeans and boots—and left her to get ready.
While I was waiting for my turn to shower, I went back to the kitchen to make coffee. My phone buzzed with a text.
Jensen: Operation Julian commencing in one hour.
Me: I’ll be ready.
Jensen: Last night was amazing. I hope we can do it again soon.
I couldn’t help the smile that crossed my face, nor the tingly butterflies in my stomach. It had been amazing, and the fact that he came right out and said it felt refreshing. For a man who’d called what he did for a living “playing the game,” he didn’t seem to be playing one with me.
Me: It was amazing for me too.
Jensen: See you soon, darling.
I put my phone down and finished making coffee, buzzing with anticipation for what the day would hold.