Page 62 of Boarded Hearts

Jon pulls back, putting some space between us as he grips my shoulders. “I don’t expect anything from you, Angel. What I did tonight was as much for me as it was for you. Watching you fall apart was heaven for me.” He glances at my nightstand, my alarm clock reading eleven p.m. “I have to go. I need to pack and grab at least a few hours before I head out for the flight.”

I shake my head. “It’s so late, you have barely any time to sleep.”

With a smile that reaches his eyes, his face looks lighter than ever. “I’ll catch up on the plane and trust me, it was worth it. Because tonight, I got to see my girl come apart for me, and I got to call her mine.”

He places a gentle kiss on my lips and reaches down to his jeans, tugging at the pocket. “Take this and use it while I’m away.”

I blink a couple of times, my eyes barely registering the black fob in his hand. “What’s this?”

“A key to my place.”

I shake my head, pointing at the key. “I can’t take this.”

“Take it, Felicity. Stay when you want, sleep in my bed, eat my food. I’ve stocked the fridge and cupboards with everything you like, including those disgusting black olives.” He shudders.

I laugh and throw my arms around his neck. “You didn’t have to do that for me.”

Summoning his best British accent, he replies, “Oh, but I do, Your Highness.” Besides, this place is cold and unsafe. It was easy for me to get past the entrance and to your door tonight. I don’t like being anywhere let alone across the country knowing you aren’t sleeping somewhere secure.”

I roll my eyes. “I’ve lived here for eight months without an issue.”

“Until your ex showed up at your door. No one will get past security at my place. They’re expecting you. Just take the damn key, baby. Please.”

The last thing I want is for Elliott to show up unannounced again. I take the key from his palm and smile. “Okay, I’ll think about it.”

He kisses me gently on the edge of my jaw, and my body lights up. “My place isn’t far from your work and my private driver, Gerard, will take you wherever you need to go.”

With one last kiss pressed to my lips, he eases out from underneath me and reaches for his clothes. “This isn’t about me owning or trying to tell you what to do. I just want to protect and care for my girlfriend. I’ve spent too long chasing you to blow it. I want to give you everything you deserve.”

My stomach fully flips. “You, Jon, you are everything I deserve.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

JON

There was a time when I loved away games.

The longer we were on the road the better. A time to play, party, and hook up with gorgeous women. But things have changed and being away from Felicity raises my blood pressure in ways I never expected.

We’ve been on the road for five days now. We played and beat Cincinnati by three goals. I played okay, but my mind has been elsewhere. Felicity has yet to stay at my place despite my pleading with her to use my apartment as if it were her own. When I gave her that fob on Sunday night, I told her it was for while I’m away but truthfully, I want her to keep it indefinitely. If I had my way she’d be moved in by now. Her skincare on my bathroom counter, her tote bags cluttering my otherwise tidy apartment. On my visits to her place, I’ve noticed she’s a bit messy, jackets thrown over her couch, bags and endless shoes tossed by the door. By nature, I’m neat and organized and everything has its place, but I’ll happily sacrifice my obsessive ways to have Felicity’s chaos greet me as I walk through the door each night.She is my calm in the chaos.

I pull out my phone and type a text to the woman I can’t stop pining over.

Me

Are you at my place?

Angel

Nope, I’m still at work.

I look at the time. It’s half past nine here, making it half past seven in Seattle. Why is she still at work?

It’s half past seven there. Aren’t you heading home?

Yep, just finishing up on a case for Monday morning.

I’m going to stay at your apartment for the weekend. I’m heading there now.

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