Page 43 of Conquered Obstacles

I winced again, moving over to him, glad when he didn’t step away. I cupped his cheek. “You do. I’m sorry. Honestly, it was my jealousy, and I would have felt the same if I’d seen you walking into a hotel with a gorgeous woman. I’ve never really been jealous before. I thought… I was going to leave, but then—I didn’t even know she was a lingerie model, just the owner.”

He turned and kissed my hand. “I know you’re going through too much, but this poured salt in my own issues of always being second pick in my family, Arabella. You had plans with me, not you just went chasing after him. I’m going to sleep in my bed tonight.”

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered. “You’re not second to me. You’re not, Jamie. Things are just more volatile with him and crazy.”

He growled and moved me against the wall. “I make you crazy too, but I don’t fucking hurt you. That should count for more.”

“It does,” I panted, shocked I was turned on at the aggressive move.

So was he, his eyes slowly going wide.

“I’m not scared of you,” I said with a shrug. “You would never hurt me.” I ran my fingers through his hair. “You’re my adorable golden retriever lover who treats me better than I deserve and I will make sure always feels a priority.”

He nodded. “He’s coming over here to talk, right?” He chuckled when I couldn’t hide my shock. “I’ve known Cole all my life. He would jump on the chance you got jealous.”

I winced yet again. “He thought I went to talk with the restaurant owner and was jealous I dressed like that. He thinks I stumbled upon the date.”

Jamie gave me a dry look. “Maybe in that moment because your beauty melts the brains of men, but I promise on the drive over here that he will figure it out.” He waited until I nodded. “He doesn’t get to have fun in your bed. None of them do. I’m your boyfriend, and they’ve hurt you. That’s for us until they aren’t dipshits.”

“That’s fair. He’s not getting—we’re not getting back together.”

The glance he shot me of “not yet” said a lot.

And I couldn’t deny it.

He went to turn away, but I grabbed his arm. “The hot tub and everything was all cleaned and—”

“Don’t do that,” he said quietly. “Don’t use our physical to…”

I flinched and let him go. “That wasn’t what I was doing.”

“Sorry. Please tell me.”

It was harder for me now and I didn’t want to, but Jamie was worth it. “I was thinking we could do like the bathtub, and I want to hear how the plans are going for your big opening. That’s where my head was. We could order food—I’ll make it appear. Relax. I wasn’t…”

“Sorry,” he whispered leaning in and kissing my cheek. “You’re right. You don’t do that. And yes, I would like that. That sounds nice.”

“Okay, good.”

He went to the door and locked it behind me before leaving the foyer. “You’re also making me some amazing dinner after Easter and the opening and wearing something so pretty for me, and then I’m having you for dessert.”

I blinked after him, practically fanning my face.

Okay then.

Since people knew I was staying at my house for the night and Si-Woo, Karmie, Irene, and Nan had their apartments right there, I wasn’t worried. Plus, Nan and Carmen would be there working overnight anyways. For as many orders and sales as we did, we really didn’t do much cash, especially now with how many used the order system and app.

So it wasn’t like we had to take the deposit nightly to the bank. That was a relief, and Colton had hired a few of Demarcus’s vampires to be night security for the shopping plaza since there were other stores now too.

Jamie wanted to try an Asian place near the house that had a bit of everything, so that was where we ordered from. I changed into something comfortable and decided to go over my recipe book and the new ideas I’d come up with from the sundaes inspiration to start working on the options for Mother’s Day.

Costco was already asking, and I did like having things ready and announced ahead of time. No one liked things being so last minute.

The doorbell rang, and I thought it was a bit early for the food, which made me realize it was Colton and he knew not to go to the bakery but come here. I let out a slow breath and reminded myself that I had started this, and it wasn’t that he was being pushy and overbearing.

For once.

I opened the door and simply stared at his handsome face, unsure of what to do or say even if I’d had all that time to think about it.

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