Could I be in love?
Jansen hops onto the counter, one of his legs brushing against mine as he swings them, peeling a clementine. What do I feel right now? I know there’s trust. There’s ease, joy, and a strong sense of being taken care of. Not to mention a hum of attraction that whispers even when I’m too sick to make it from the front hall to my bedroom for a nap.
I take a bite of the porridge, not sure what to do with all the emotions crawling around in my chest. Because if I might be in love with Jansen, what exactly do I feel for Walker? For RJ or Trips? Ugh. Food. Food always helps.
Jansen pops the whole fruit in his mouth, wiping his hands on his jeans. “Do you think you’re well enough to do a couple of things for me?”
I take a sip of tea. “If you want me to go for a run? No. If you want to cuddle? I’m your girl.”
He leans down, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. “You’re always my girl, beautiful.”
Grinning, I lean into him. “So what do you need me for?”
He sits back on the island, looking me over. “Youarelooking slightly better. Apparently, a hall nap was what you needed.”
I shove him gently, and he snatches up my hand, pressing a kiss to my fingertips. Lacing our hands together, he sighs. “RJ needs to go to bed. But he’s in the zone and I can’t knock him out of it.”
“Is this a usual thing?”
Jansen bobbles his head, his hair brushing over his shoulders, and it’s all I can do to force more soup into my mouth instead of running my fingers through the golden strands. I’m not well enough—yet.
“It doesn’t happen all the time, but yeah. Usually Trips barks at him and RJ knocks it off. But as Trips is a feverish mess, I was hoping you could work some of that Clara magic.”
“I have magic?”
He squeezes my hand. “You’re chock-full of the stuff.”
I roll my eyes. “I don’t know about magic, but I can try to get RJ to sleep.”
“Perfect. Second job: Walker will be back here in about an hour. He’s prepping for the forgery tonight. I don’t know what all he needs, but once he drops into a flow-state, you’ll have to be his gopher. I usually do that, but I have another mission tonight.”
“Ooh, a mission,” I smirk, stretching my fingers between his, the play of his skin on mine buzzy and wonderful.
“Don’t ask about it, beautiful. It’s a secret mission.” His eyes are alight with mischief as he mimes locking his lips and throwing away the key.
“Hmm.”
Jansen hops off the counter, pulling me against his chest, his lips soft against the top of my head. “On that note, I should head out. Don’t wait up,” he says.
I wrap my arms around him, needing him close, needing him here, with me, safe. Apparently, Sunday’s adventures messed me up more than I thought they had. “Is it going to be dangerous?”
“Not at all. Don’t worry.”
I don’t let go, not until Jansen scoops me off the stool and sets me on the counter, pressing his head to my sternum. “Your heart’s racing,” he says.
I swallow, digging my fingers into his hair. “I’m scared.”
His Cheshire grin flashes one second before he tickles me. I squeal, shimmying back across the counter, jumping down by the sink. “Not cool, Jansen,” I say as he inches around the island, fingers raised in claws.
He dives and I rush out to the living room. He tackles me to the couch, pinning my arms. “This looks familiar,” he breathes.
I turn my head as I cough, the activity making my not-quite-healthy lungs seize. “A little less sexy,” I wheeze.
He laughs, rolling us so I’m lying on him. “Maybe a touch.”
I mock punch him as he chuckles.
“It’s nice to see your smile, beautiful.”