Page 75 of Guarded from Corruption

I’m still chuckling when I come back into the apartment, feeling significantly lighter than when I went into the hallway twenty minutes ago.

Then I see Jade in the kitchen, and everything inside me stills.

Not because she looks upset. But because she looks so damn beautiful.

She’s sitting at the island, still in her pajamas—well, tiny shorts and one of my old Army T-shirts, which I absolutely love seeing on her—and her hair is all tousled and her cheeks are still flushed with sleep and when she sees me, her entire face lights up with the most gorgeous smile.

“I made coffee for you,” she says, gesturing to the mug in front of the empty stool. “Since the coffee maker was cold, I assumed you hadn’t had any yet.”

“Ah, hun. Thank you.” I head to the kitchen but bypass the coffee to pull Jade into my arms. I lift her off the stool and hug her to me, capturing her lips and kissing her softly. She hums with pleasure and twines her arms around my waist, and I can’t help noticing the tempting feel of her breasts pressing into my chest.

Which I shouldn’t, because Jade’s still recovering from everything that happened yesterday. She needs to be coddled and taken care of. I shouldn’t be thinking about how much I want to bring her back to the bedroom and make love to her.

So I end the kiss and set her back on the stool while sternly telling myself to settle. To think about gun schematics and supply orders instead of how sexy Jade looks right now. “Why aren’t you still in bed? It’s early. Did I wake you?”

“No.” She takes my hand, lacing her fingers between mine. “I woke up and you weren’t there, so I came to look for you. But then I heard you talking in the hallway, so I didn’t want to interrupt.”

“You could have. If you need me, don’t ever worry about interrupting.” And now I’m thinking about Jade waking up alone, possibly fresh from a nightmare, wondering where I was. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there. Are you okay?”

Her brows draw together and she stares at me for a second. “I’m fine. You can’t be around all the time, Niall. I understand.”

“Still. I want to be.” Another wave of guilt crashes into me. “I should be making you breakfast in bed. Getting you anything you need. In fact—” I scoop Jade up, one arm behind her back, the other beneath her knees. “You should go back to bed. Get some more rest. I know you didn’t sleep well last night.”

More nightmares, triggered by that piece of garbage doctor, no doubt.

Jade makes a little surprised yip and clutches my neck. “Niall. What are you doing?”

As I stride toward the bedroom, I glance down at her. “What does it look like I’m doing?”

Her lips quirk. “Being a bossy, overprotective boyfriend?”

Lowering her to the bed, I answer, “Taking care of my incredible girlfriend. Who still needs some rest.”

Instead of letting go of my neck so I can stand back up, Jade holds on tightly. “Then you’re coming back to bed with me.”

“I’m going to make breakfast for when you wake up. And see about ordering food for later. Plus?—”

Her eyes narrow. “No. If I’m going back to bed, so are you.”

I love stubborn Jade. She’s so cute, with her chin jutting out and sparks of determination flashing in her eyes. And it’s impossible to say no to her. “Fine.”

A triumphant look moves across her face. “Good. Now lie down with me.”

“Who’s the bossy one?” I ask with a smile. But I get into bed as ordered, tucking Jade snugly against me.

She shifts slightly, so she can meet my gaze. Her expression sobers. “It’s not your fault.”

“What?”

“I know you’re feeling guilty. But you shouldn’t.”

“Jade.” I don’t want to argue the fact with her, but whose fault is it if not mine?

“No.” Voice firming, she gives me that stubborn look again. “I know how hard your team has been working. If you didn’t find anything on Dr. Regan, it’s because there wasn’t anything. The FBI didn’t even find evidence he was involved.”

Guilt settles on my chest, a weight pressing down. “I should have insisted on going with you to meet him.”

“Niall. You couldn’t. I wouldn’t have agreed. And”—a deep breath and exhale—“if it hadn’t been yesterday, it could have happened any time after. When I was back at work. I was thinking… all he’d have to do is ask me to stay late. I wouldn’t hesitate. And then…” Jade trails off, and her body tenses.

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