Chapter Nine
Something felt different when Jade woke up that morning. For one, she wasn’t sleeping alone. There was also a steady weight at her back, a muscled arm draped low across her waist. The slow rhythm of Wolf’s breathing against her shoulder grounded her before her mind fully caught up.
Then memories of last night slipped in, the ride, the argument, and Jade inviting Wolf back to her apartment. Jade curved her lips upwards to a smile. She then shifted just enough to glance over her shoulder.
Wolf was still asleep. That alone felt strange enough to hold her attention. Wolf seemed like the kind of man who woke up early to prepare for the tasks of the day. Still, asleep Wolf looked so different.
Sure, the hard edges were still there, carved into his features, but they were softened now in sleep. His brow wasn’t furrowed. His mouth wasn’t set in that usual controlled line. He looked younger, less guarded.
Jade studied him for a moment longer than she meant to, something quiet and unfamiliar settling in her chest. Then she eased out from under his arm slowly, careful not to wake him.
He shifted his hand slightly as she moved, like instinct reached for her even in sleep, but he didn’t wake. Jade paused for a second, watching him, then slipped out of bed.
The apartment felt different this morning, brighter somehow, even though it was the same cracked tiles, the worn furniture, and thin curtains letting in streaks of early light. Jade moved quietly, grabbing one of her old shirts and pulling it on before stepping into the hallway.
First stop was to check on Jane. Jane was already awake, standing in her crib, tiny hands gripping the rail as she babbled to herself. Jade’s chest warmed instantly.
“Hey, baby,” she whispered, stepping inside.
Jane lit up the second she saw her, breaking into a wide, toothy grin that made something in Jade’s chest squeeze tight. Jade scooped her up, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
“Did you sleep okay?” she murmured.
Jane responded with a happy little sound, patting Jade’s face like she was confirming it was really her. Jade laughed softly.
For a moment, it was just them, simple and easy. Then she remembered Wolf, still in her bed. Jade glanced toward the door, a strange mix of anticipation and nerves threading through her. This wasn’t normal, none of this was, and yet it didn’t feel wrong.
“Let’s make breakfast,” she whispered to Jane, adjusting her on her hip.
Jade moved to the kitchen. First, she set Jane down in her little chair with a spoon to keep her occupied while she started pulling things together.
She glanced at her fridge and reminded herself she really needed to go grocery shopping, maybe later today.
Jane always loved trips to the grocery store.
She scrambled eggs, added a little milk to stretch them further. Then Jade toasted a couple of slices of bread. Spotting a slightly bruised banana, she used it, mashed part of it for Jane along with a piece of toast and milk.
Were toast and eggs too simple for Wolf? Well, it would have to do.
The smell filled the apartment quickly, wrapping around her like something familiar she hadn’t realized she’d missed. Jade was just flipping the eggs when she heard a giggle from Jane. She looked up to see Wolf had emerged from the bedroom. He walked up to Jane and smiled at her
“Good morning, baby girl,” he said.
Jane seemed delighted by his presence. Jade’s heart did something strange in her chest. She returned to her cooking, listening. Wolf must’ve made some funny faces at Jane, because she laughed again. Jane didn’t take to people easily, but she seemed to like Wolf.
A moment later, footsteps neared her. Wolf was holding Jane once again, like it was the most natural thing in the world. Wolf was wearing the same jeans and plain black shirt he wore the night before. His hair, she noticed, was slightly mussed from sleep.
Wolf used one hand to support Jane easily, the other steadying her as she grabbed at his collar.
Jade stared. There it was again, that contrast. The man she’d met at her door when Wolf informed her of Derek’s debt and this.
“Something smells good,” Wolf said, his gaze finding hers.
Jade blinked, pulling herself back.
“I figured I’d make breakfast,” she said.
Her voice sounded almost normal.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Wolf said with a smile.
Jane let out another happy noise, like she agreed. Jade smiled despite herself.
“Give me a minute,” she said, turning back to the stove.
When she was done, they ate at the small table. Jane was between them, happily occupied with her food, occasionally banging the spoon against the tray in a way that made both of them glance up.
Like dinner the night before, Jade wondered why it didn’t feel awkward or strange. Conversation came easier than Jade expected. Wolf and she talked about simple and comfortable everyday things.
“What are your plans today?” she asked, pushing a piece of toast around her plate.
Wolf took a sip of coffee before answering.
“Got a job later this afternoon,” he said. “Club business.”
He didn’t elaborate, and Jade didn’t push. She nodded instead.
“What about you?” Wolf asked her.
Jade shrugged slightly.
“Grocery run,” she said. “We’re running low on everything.”
A faint smile tugged at her lips. She added, “Thought I’d take Jane out, maybe stop by the bookstore after. Pick something up.”
Books were a small luxury, one she didn’t always allow herself.
“Then back here,” she added. “Rest a bit before my shift.”
Wolf nodded, like he was cataloging it. Jane made a small sound, and Wolf reached over without thinking, steadying her spoon when she nearly dropped it.
Jade watched the interaction, once again surprised by Wolf’s unexpected gentleness, how he seemed to be natural around kids. She pointed it out.
Wolf shrugged. “Some of my MC brothers and their old ladies have had kids lately.”
She let herself imagine it, Wolf being a permanent fixture in her life, and having more slow mornings like this. Jane would be laughing at Wolf, Wolf across from her or beside her. Wolf and she would have something steady and real. The thought came too easily, and stayed too long.
Jade looked down quickly, focusing on her plate. Maybe that sort of thinking was dangerous.
After breakfast, Wolf stood, gathering the plates without being asked.
“I’ve got it,” he said.
Jade blinked. “I can take care of that,” she pointed out.
“Same deal as last night—you cook, I do the dishes,” Wolf reminded her.
Jade let out a huff, but gave in. Derek never offered to wash the dishes, or help with the housework in any way. Of course, Wolf was the exact opposite of Derek.
“All right, you got a little messy,” Jade said and scooped Jane up instead. “Bath time.”
Jane responded with a delighted squeal. Wolf glanced over his shoulder as he turned toward the sink.
“I’ll finish up here,” he told her.
Jade nodded, already heading down the hall. By the time she finished bathing Jane, drying her off, and settling her back into fresh clothes, the apartment was quiet again. The dishes were done and the kitchen was clean.
Jade put Jane in her cot, and placed some of her favorite toys with her. Jade then approached Wolf, who was wiping the counter. He looked up, seeing her. Jade unthinkingly pressed her mouth against his, pleased he kissed her back. When he thrust his tongue down her throat, she sucked down on it.
“I think I’ll take a quick shower,” she said after he pulled away. “Want to join me?”
For a second, Wolf didn’t speak. His gaze held hers, something dark and heated flickering there, the kind of look that made her pulse spike and her breath catch before she could steady it.
“I do,” he said, voice low and certain
The two words sent a ripple through her, anticipation curling tight and warm in her chest. Jade didn’t give herself time to second guess it. She turned, already heading toward the bathroom, keenly aware of him following behind her.
The space suddenly felt smaller and charged the moment they stepped inside together. Jade reached for the hem of her shirt, pulling it over her head, not looking at him at first, but feeling his heated gaze on her.
When she finally glanced up, she noticed he was watching her, taking her in, appreciation in his eyes.
Jade swallowed, heat creeping up her neck, but she didn’t look away this time.
She reached for the shower, turning the water on, steam beginning to curl into the air as the small space filled with warmth.
Behind her, she heard the quiet shift of fabric, and Wolf tugging his jeans off. The steam thickened, blurring the edges of everything. When Wolf stepped in behind her, the heat doubled. His hands found her waist first.
Jade leaned back into him instinctively, her breath catching as his chest pressed against her back, the contact sending a slow, electric shiver down her spine.
“So beautiful,” he murmured near her ear.
Jade turned her head slightly, just enough that her lips brushed his jaw.
“You don’t look half bad yourself,” she teased, making him laugh. The sound was music to her ears, but she didn’t think Wolf was the sort of man who laughed easily.
He tightened his hands on her waist, then slid them upwards, slowly and deliberately. It was as if Wolf was silently mapping her body, touching her like he had all the time in the world.
The water cascaded over them, warm and steady, but Jade barely noticed it. All she felt was him. The way his mouth found her shoulder, then her neck, pressing slow, heated kisses that made her grip the shower wall to steady herself.
She leaned in again, kissing him, slower this time, but just as deep, just as intentional. The world narrowed to the sound of water, the heat between them and the way everything else disappeared.