Page 118 of Trip Through Your Wires

“So you can wear mine,” he shrugs.

“And if we go out?” I smile.

“Who says we are?” He leans in and winks, before kissing the tip of my nose.

“You have games all weekend. Shit, you had one today.”

“Right.” He runs a hand through his hair. “About that…I’m not playing.”

“What?” My eyes search his.

“Yup,” he drops his hand. “I’m sitting this weekend out.” I open my mouth to protest but he stops me. “I’ll explain later. Right now, why don’t you get washed up? I’m sure you could use a long, hot shower.”

“You sure? You’ve been driving for hours.”

He pulls me toward him and rubs my back. “Yes, I’m sure. Take all the time you need. I’ll order room service and give Cruz a call. He’s probably wondering what’s going on since I didn’t call to check in like I said I would.”

I swallow and look down, still blown away Jake found me last night. I shudder to think what may have happened had he not. “I’m sorry I ruined the weekend.”

“Ruined it?” He tips my chin up and looks at me like I just told him I saw Bigfoot. “Sparky, you didn’t ruin it. Not by a long shot.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” he smiles. “Now go. Take as long as you want. I’ll be here.”

I tip my head up and give him a kiss, never loving the way those three words sound more than I do right now.

Chapter 26

Jenica

The bathroom is next level luxury. The tile on the floor is sparkling white, and the double sink vanity has a variety of travel sized toiletries that I can’t wait to try. But the jacuzzi tub in the corner is probably my favorite. I can’t wait to take a long hot soak with Jake’s arms around me.

Right now, however, I am desperate to scrub the night off my skin, so I peel my clothes off and turn on the water in the shower and let it run to get hot.

Standing in the bathroom mirror, I stare at my reflection. My forearms have slight rope burns, and Richardson’s vice-like grip on my neck left a slight bruise, but the pasties I applied before I got dressed last night are bright, and fresh as rain.

I peel them from my areola slowly, wincing a bit as they pull the skin, and once they’re off I toss them in the trash and then step into the shower.

I take my time, letting the water ease the soreness from my muscles, and once I’m ready to wash myself, I reach for a bar of soap on the shelf and peel the paper. Opening the door to grab a washcloth, I drop the paper from the soap on the counter, before rubbing the bar over the terry cloth, and working up a lather.

I wash my body from head to toe, scrubbing until my skin is squeaky clean, then wash my hair. The shampoo and conditioner smells like lemon and mint, and when I’m done, I feel like myself again.

After drying off, I wrap the towel around me and tuck the end under my arm and make my way out of the bathroom.

“Ah,” Jake smiles when he sees me. “How was it?”

“Good,” I smile. “You’re up.”

He reaches out and pulls me to him, wrapping his enormous arms around me. “It can wait.”

Pulling me into his lap, he holds me and we sit there in silence for a moment. No one makes me feel this way. No one. Warm. Safe. Loved.

“This is nice,” I murmur into his chest. “Can we stay awhile?”

“We can stay forever.” I look up and brush the stubble on his cheek. “I called Cruz and filled him and Ellery in. They wanted you to know that they love you and glad you’re okay. We can see them tomorrow and fill them in on everything, including the tapes.”

I nod and look down, needing to say something, but not sure how to.

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