Page 122 of No Place Like Home

Quinn lifted her little chubby arms in the air while Jess glared at me. She must have seen the pleading in my eyes because she bit her lip and then slowly nodded.

* * *

“We can stayin the guest room. You have lots of those,” Jess said again as I carried a sleepy Quinn to my bed.

“I want you guys in my bed,” I told her as I laid Quinny down.

After swimming, we had showered, cooked, played, and watched a movie. It had been amazing.

Jess didn’t say anything else.

“Thank you,” she said after a bit.

I wanted to hold her, but I was waiting on a signal from her.

“Let me get some shit and I’ll get out of here.”

She nodded.

I removed a few things I had on the bed and put them on the bench. Leaving them wasn’t something I had wanted to do, and Simba either. The fucking traitor switched me for them.

Sleep wasn’t coming tonight, so I didn’t even try to lie in bed. Instead, I went to the kitchen, opened the sliding window, and sat on a stool by the island, just taking everything in.

A little while later, I heard footsteps coming down. My head automatically went that way, already knowing who it was going to be. Jess stopped on the last step.

“I got thirsty,” she whispered.

I nodded as I kept my eyes on her. I didn’t speak, because she would note my want and not scaring her away was my priority. But I couldn’t take my eyes away from her. My hands were balled up in front of me. I wanted to talk to her, keep her engaged, but I had no idea what to say.

“Quinny had fun,” she went on, maybe feeling the same as I did.

“She’s amazing,” I managed to get out.

If she stayed down here any longer, I knew I would cave and touch her.

She finished her water and put down the cup. I couldn’t look anywhere else but at her. She started to walk away, but then turned back and walked up to me.

Big mistake.

“Are you mad at me?” she asked.

“Jess.” My tone was harsh, and she flinched. “I’m trying to hold myself back.”

Understanding dawned on her and she bit her lip. She started to fidget, and I was sure she would turn around and leave, but then she stepped forward.

I stopped breathing, trying not to move so I wouldn’t scare her away.

Her hands came to my face, and she kissed me.

Game over.

I hauled her to me, my hands going to her waist as her arms wrapped around my neck. I sat her on top of the kitchen island as our lips got reacquainted with one another.

Her legs wrapped around my waist as her hands seeked to lift my shirt up. I pulled away just long enough to do it. Neither of us spoke; just our heavy breathing could be heard.

When she began to remove her dress, I knew she wanted this as much as I did—wanted me as much as I wanted her.

“Fuck, Jess,” I groaned.

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