Kenzie
The detectives were great. So much better and more efficient than our useless police department. They came into my apartment and inspected every nook and cranny for possible cameras. And I did mean everywhere. Including Cole’s toys and the TV. They located and removed five cameras in total, including one from my bedroom. But what bothered me more was the camera in Cole’s room. He’d been spying on my goddamn son.
The entire apartment was dusted for prints, and the detectives assured me they’d be able to trace the cameras back and figure out where they came from, who bought them, who installed them, and where the video feed was going.
It was Chace. I knew it was, and I told them that. I told them everything from the moment I found out I was pregnant to the moment Jeremy called to say he found the cameras, when I gave them my statement this morning after dropping Cole off for his first day of school. It was a long and gruelling process, but it was entirely in their hands now. And based on my statement, they believed they had enough to bring him in for questioning, at least.
They assured me they’d get the restraining order put in place, effective immediately, but suggested I avoid the apartment for a few more days in case they couldn’t hold him on any charges and he came looking for me. It was a precaution, they said, and that was fine by me. I didn’t want to return to that apartment at all now. I wanted to find somewhere else for Cole and me to live. Maybe somewhere close to the school, or Ryder.
“What are you thinking about?” Jeremy reached over the console of his truck and grabbed my hand.
“The apartment.”
“A few more days and you’ll be able to bring Cole home and not have to worry. I promise.”
“I just don’t want to live there anymore. The place feels tainted now. He ruined it for me. Destroyed my home.”
Jeremy cleared his throat. “Don’t make any decisions yet. There’s no rush. You know I like having you around my apartment. You can stay with me a few days and then make up your mind.”
“You want me to stay with you?” I asked as we pulled up out the front of the apartment building.
He looked at me as though I was an alien with three heads. “Absolutely.”
“Is this because you’re hoping I’ll come home in a nurse’s costume?”
“A guy can dream, babe.”
I laughed and climbed out of the car.
“All I’m saying is don’t cancel your lease yet. Wait a few days, sleep on it. Your mind is a mess right now after all that’s been going on, and you don’t want to make a decision you’ll regret later,” Jeremy said, coming around and standing in front of me.
“Whatever you say, oh wise one.” I wrapped my arms around his neck. “You need to buy furniture, though, if you want me to keep coming back.” I pressed my mouth to his, parting my lips and allowing his tongue to find mine.
“Don’t need furniture.” He nibbled my bottom lip. “Would you like me to prove that again?”
“Yes.” I jumped and wrapped my legs around his waist, his hands instantly grabbing my ass.
I kissed him again as he carried me up the steps, in through the front doors, and upstairs to his apartment where he proceeded to undress us both torturously slowly, trailing kisses all over my body. My skin was scorching, my body on fire by the time he pulled me down onto the sofa with him. I ran my hands through his hair and kissed him as he settled over me. The warmth of his body on mine was comforting and protective. I felt completely safe and at home right there in his arms. And it was both thrilling and scary as hell at the same time.
I’d spent so long building a fortress around myself and Cole, not wanting to let anyone in. Not wanting to risk being hurt. And this man, this beautiful, strong, tattoo-covered man just waltzed straight through the front gate like it was nothing. I was powerless to stop him.
Jeremy’s hand skimmed over my ribs and travelled down my waist, over my hip, and grabbed my leg, lifting it and holding it tightly against his side. His breath was hot on my neck as he kissed below my ear and reached for my other leg, until they were both hooked around his waist. I moaned and shifted under him, needing to be closer, to feel him everywhere.
His hands found mine, fingers entwined as he eased into me. I moaned. He cursed and crashed his lips to mine in a hard, demanding kiss. My eyes fluttered closed, and I arched into him, still not feeling close enough. His hips moved with mine, harder, faster, until stars danced behind my eyelids.
***
Jeremy knocked on the bathroom door. “What’s taking so long, babe?”
“Nothing. Give me five minutes.” I stood in front of his sink and stared at myself in the mirror.
I had butterflies in my stomach. My hands were sweating and shaking uncontrollably. So much, I had to wipe my eye makeup off three times before I managed to not get mascara all over my eyelids. I took a deep breath and pulled my hair up into a bun and inspected my appearance in the mirror again.
Screwing my face up, I untied my hair and fluffed it up, making the curls bouncier. Straightening my dress and smoothing out any creases, I forced myself to smile, but it looked more like a grimace.
I could do this.
I could walk out of his bathroom with confidence.
I could sit in a nice restaurant and have a meal with him. We spent almost every day together, anyway. It was no different than a normal day.
Except it was different.
I was dressed in a slinky black dress with silver studded stilettos, and I knew Jeremy was dressed in black pants and a black shirt, with the cuffs rolled up to his elbows, showing off just the right amount of his tattooed arms.
This was entirely new to me.
What if I made a fool of myself?
What if we ran out of things to say to one another?
What if…
“Kenzie,” Jeremy called again and then opened the door. “What’s wrong?”
I turned to look at him, and my words failed me.
He looked so incredibly sexy, and I was tempted to ask him if we could just stay in tonight, but then he smiled and pulled a gift bag out from behind his back.
“I got you this,” he whispered and threaded one hand through the back of my hair, placing a kiss on my cheek.
“You shouldn’t have.”
“I should have got you more. Flowers or something.” He frowned.
“Flowers?”
“Yeah, isn’t that what guys do on first dates?”
“I wouldn’t know.” I shrugged.
He gave me a curious look.
“This is my first first date,” I admitted.
“Ah, that makes sense.” He dropped his hands to my hips and kissed me. “Now I know why you’re so nervous.”
“Is it that obvious?”
He chuckled, and I groaned. It was that obvious.
“What if I make a bad impression? Or you realise I’m boring as hell? Because, seriously, I am. I work. I look after my son. I study. That’s it. So, if you want out, now’s your—”
Jeremy pinched my lips closed.
“Babe, shut up.” He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me soundly.
Long. Deep. Passionately.
My legs buckled.
“I don’t want out. I kinda like you…a lot,” he murmured against my lips.
“I kinda like you.” I paused and closed my eyes before softly adding, “Too much.”
I did. I was falling, hard and super fast for Jeremy. He had the power to absolutely destroy me. Something I never wanted to give anyone. But he was totally worth the risk.
“No such thing. Now open your fucking gift, be grateful, and let’s go.” He slapped my ass and walked out of the bathroom with a smile.
I sat on the edge of the bath and peeked inside the bag and laughed.
“Is this for me or you?” I called as I walked down the hall, leaving the bag in the bathroom for later.
Jeremy lifted his shoulders. “Figured we could both enjoy it.”
“You’re a pig.”
“But you like me.” He pulled me in for another kiss.
So, maybe…just maybe…
I could wear a sexy little nurse’s outfit…
Just once.