Page 16 of Protection for Nichole

He typed out a reply, giving her his address and telling her that he would leave a key for her at his neighbor’s place. The man who lived next door, Frank, was retired from the Navy, and he and his wife loved Jay. They’d told him multiple times that they would do anything for him. He tried to not take advantage of them, but they were both Navy through and through and always offered to help.

He had a hard time sleeping that night and was antsy the next day. Nichole texted when her flight took off and when it landed. At work, he had a hard time keeping his focus.

“Get your head out of your ass,” Griz called out to him as he ran the obstacle course. He wasn’t doing too bad, but he’d missed one of the jumps and ended up in the sand.

He focused, forcing thoughts of Nichole out of his mind. He would see her soon enough, and then he would see if theirchemistry was still there. Somehow, he got through the rest of the day without screwing up too much.

Maintaining the speed limit on the drive home was difficult, but he made it home without getting a ticket. When he pulled up outside his house, he felt like his heart was in his throat. His eyes were glued to his front door, willing it to open.

Was Nichole as excited to see him as he was to see her? He was almost at the door when he heard someone calling his name. The voice was to his left at his neighbor’s place. But the voice belonged to a younger woman, not Frank’s seventy-year-old wife.

He glanced over, seeing Nichole running toward him. His lungs froze, and maybe his heart stopped. She looked so beautiful. The bruises had faded, and the cuts were almost healed. Everything about her looked perfect, absolutely perfect. The pounding of his heart picked up speed the closer she got. Instead of stopping, she leaped into his arms. He caught her without stepping back. Laughter filled the air, and then her lips were on his. Her legs were wrapped around his waist, and her hands were on his back and shoulders.

The kiss ended, and he pulled back enough to look into her eyes. “You’re here.”

“I am. Your neighbors are amazing. Frank and Michelle were nice enough to cook lunch. They’re very sweet.”

He nodded, then looked over Nichole’s shoulder, realizing both Frank and Michelle were outside staring. Frank had a huge grin on his face. He waved and then turned Michelle to head inside.

“Thank you,” Jay called out.

Nichole unattached herself from him and turned to his neighbor’s house. “Yes, thank you.”

Frank waved again as he and Michelle stepped inside, both of them giggling. He was a little embarrassed, but he figured thecouple had seen enough and had an idea about what was going on.

“Let’s go inside.”

“Sure. My bags are already in there. I hadn’t planned on intruding on them, but they insisted I eat lunch with them. Since I didn’t know what you had in your refrigerator, I agreed. They really are a nice couple. Did you know they met when he was twenty-two, but he was lost behind enemy lines and spent time as a prisoner of war? Then, when he came home, she was about to marry another man because she really thought he was gone.”

He shook his head. “No, I didn’t know that. I only knew they’d been together a long time. I didn’t know how long.”

“She told her fiancé she needed to take time before getting married since Frank had come home. The guy got angry and tried to force her into marriage. Frank was at her door when the other guy was beating her. He broke in and stopped the attack.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah. The other dude complained to the military, but Frank told his commanding officer what happened, and they took Frank’s side. It was a cool story.”

“That’s awesome. I’m glad they were able to work everything out.”

“Yeah. They asked about us, and I told them we were just friends, but based on how I greeted you, I don’t think they believe me now.”

Jay took her hand and led her to his front door. “We should go inside because I’d like to discuss how we are not only just friends.”

Laughter spilled from her, and his heart felt lighter than it had in ages. Maybe the last time he’d felt like this was when they’d been together at that resort. He hoped that wasn’t a one-time thing because he really wanted something more with her than just friendship or some part-time living arrangement.

Chapter 17

Nichole steppedinside Jesse’s place, smiling to herself. “So I didn’t snoop too much, but I did go walking through. You have a nice place.”

Jesse shrugged. “It’s small.”

“I like it.”

His smile was so cute she reached out and put her hand on his chest. Heat filled his expression, making her think he wanted her just as much as she wanted him. The lust rose, and her body heated. Just thinking of him deep inside her was making her wet.

“I do, too.” His voice was deeper, sexier.

She took a step closer and slid her hand down his chest to his waist. He sucked in a breath and moved even closer. His eyes had grown darker as desire slid between them.

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