Page 142 of Done Waiting

My stalker.

My universe.

Jagger.

I’m so lost in my thoughts that I’m shocked when I hear the hum of the garage door opening. Jagger drives inside, parking his truck beside my Mustang. It makes me smile every time I see our vehicles in his garage together.

Our garage. I need to stop thinking of the house and everything inside of it and on the property as his. After I was discharged, Jagger’s intense gaze bored into mine as he said, “I can’t wait to take you back toourhome again.”

As he lifts me out of his truck, I giggle, shaking my head at him. I don’t bother admonishing him. Jagger was already overprotective before I was kidnapped by a serial killer and shot by my mother, and now it’s worse.

Taking a deep inhale of the cold mountain air, I hold it for a minute before exhaling it. The dampness of it seeps into me, making me smile. “Is it supposed to snow?”

“They are calling for a big storm to start late tonight.” He presses a kiss to my nose. “I know how excited you get when it snows.”

“I love it. Nothing is more peaceful than the snow softly falling, blanketing the world, the flakes kissing your face and lips like an old friend.”

His brows raise as he carries me across the deck to the patio door. “Only you could describe it that way.” Jagger looks around, a smile on his face. “I’ll carry you out here. We can dance beneath the snowflakes.”

I beam at him. “I’d love that.” As he steps through the door, my hand goes to his chin, turning his face to mine. Even in the darkness of our cabin, his onyx orbs glow with love for me. “I love you.”

“I love you, baby girl.” Kissing me, he deposits me on the sofa, takes off my jacket, then fluffs the pillows around me. He grabs two blankets from the back of the couch, tucking them around me. “I’ll make a fire.” Shrugging off his leather jacket, he tosses it over the back of the chair. As he strolls to the fireplace, my gaze is on his jean-clad muscular ass.God, he has the best ass I’ve ever seen.

Without glancing in my direction, he says, “Stop staring at my ass, baby girl.” Then grabs some wood, turning to me with a smile and wink before stacking it in the fireplace.

“No way. I’d be lying if I said I would.”

He lights the wood before turning to me with a smile. “It’s about time you learned not to lie to me.”

“Yeah, it’s not worth it right now. You won’t give me what I want.”

“Maddie.” Blowing out a frustrated breath, he says, “You know why. You’re supposed to be taking it easy.”

Leaning my head back, I stare at the ceiling. “I know. I’m tired of it already, though. I want to go back to my life before…” my head tilts forward, meeting his concerned gaze.

He drops beside me, smoothing my hair back from my forehead. “You will, baby girl. Soon. Look at it this way, you’vebeen able to focus on writing your book. That’s gotta count for something.”

I grin. “It does. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for that. But I need inspiration for a new sex scene. While I love you slow and gentle, it’s not the same as when you’re domineering and punishing me.”

Jagger groans. “I know, baby girl. It’s hard for me, too.” Leaning forward, he kisses my lips. “Soon. I promise.”

My smile beams as soon as he promises. Jagger doesn’t break his promises to me. Ben would never have gotten me if I hadn’t drugged Jagger with sleeping pills and snuck out. I’ve been reminding him of that fact since I woke up and saw the guilt lining his face because he didn’t keep me safe and broke his promise to me.

Jagger’s phone buzzes. He leans back, yanking it from his pocket with an annoyed scowl, muscles taut beneath his jeans and sweatshirt, primed for battle. When he sees who it is, his face relaxes and his muscles soften. “You have a visitor.”

I search his obsidian eyes and his knowing smile for a clue. “Who?”

“You’ll see.” He gets up, moving to the door. I sit up, looking over the back of the couch, watching expectantly as Jagger shuts off the alarm and unlocks the door. He opens it and steps out before the person is within my view. I hear his low voice and another male voice talking to him, though I can’t determine who it is.

The door opens and Jagger comes in, a smile on his face. When he steps out of the way, Ryan’s smiling face appears.

“Ryan.” A smile blooms across my face, lighting up whenever I see my dad’s best friend. I haven’t seen him since I was in the hospital. Jagger severely limited my visitors so I could rest and recover.

“Hi, Maddie Rose.” He hurries over to me, leaning over and wrapping me in a hug. Tears fill my eyes. He reminds me so much of my dad. The two of them were inseparable when I was young and even after Ryan married and started a family, he and my dad spent time together whenever possible. “How are you feeling?” He takes a step back, examining me with furrowed brows.

“I’m good.” My gaze shifts to Jagger who stands near Ryan. “My guy has been taking the best care of me.”

Ryan looks at Jagger, giving him a smile and wink. “I’m sure he has. Loving hands is always the cure to what ails you.”

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