Page 68 of Done Waiting

Yeah, I barely met his family and best friend before I had a meltdown.A justifiable meltdown, but still.

Jagger leans down, whispering in my ear. “They won’t hold it against you. I’ve done and said much worse.”

His words relax me and the image that fills my head causes a small giggle to escape. “I can only imagine,” I whisper back, earning a chuckle that makes me shiver.Why the hell does he affect me the way he does?

“It’s about time.” Abby swivels around, her hand rubbing her belly. She frowns as her gaze lands on Jagger’s bloody bandages, then to his face. Pointing at the cot that is now beside the couch, she says, “Lay on it. Maddie can sit beside you while I work.” Her brown eyes flit to my apologetic face. “That is if you don’t mind me stitching him in front of you?”

Waving my hand dismissively, I grin. “No, I don’t mind that at all. But sitting next to him, on the other hand…” Peeking up at him, a teasing smile is on my lips.

“I warned you about lying to me. Don’t make me fuck you in front of my family,” he whispers into my ear, making me still.

“Jagger, stop embarrassing the woman and get your ass over here.”

Giggling, I look at Abby, loving her feisty, demanding nature. She’s not the slightest bit intimidated by Jagger, knowing how far she can push him.Knowing he won’t hurt her.

“None of that,” he whispers, interpreting the look on my face. “We’re good, remember?”

A smile stretches my face, and I nod.I was stupid for thinking it was him who raped that girl.That alone should have convinced me it wasn’t him, even though I still can’t remember who it was.

As we move closer to the three of them and the cot, the guy standing beside Abby gives me a warm smile. “Hey, Maddie. I’m Bryce, Abby’s husband, and Jagger’s best bud.” My eyes meet the brown-haired guy beside Abby, his arm moving around her waist after he set a bag down beside the cot. He has a calming presence about him, and I picture him being the mediator between this wife and her siblings. I instantly like him.

“Hi. It’s nice to me you.”

“Hey. That’s my role, thief.” The dark-haired guy with blue eyes says, folding his arms over his chest. He’s about the same height as Jagger, wearing a hoodie, jeans, and boots. He has a cockiness about him that rivals the man beside me. “Hey, Maddie. I’m Jason, Jagger’s brother. Don’t listen Bryce. He’s a lying asshole. I’m Jagger’s best friend.”

Jagger’s hand squeezes mine and I look up at him. “Sorry I didn’t warn you about Jason. He’s a needy asshole. And a tattletale,” he snaps, his gaze locking on him.

Jason doesn’t seem fazed. “Look at your fucking arm, brother. You need stitches. I did what I had to do.” He reaches out, holding his hand out. “Don’t listen to Jagger.” Myhand reaches out, shaking his. “You know, I’m not nearly as temperamental as Jagger. And my dick—”

In a flash, my hand is ripped from Jason’s, my body being tugged against Jagger’s until my back slams into his hard chest. “Don’t fucking finish that sentence unless you don’t want to have any teeth in your mouth.”

Bryce snorts and turns away as Abby shakes her head, then rolls her eyes. “Guys.” Her voice is a warning as she points to the cot. “Jagger. Lay your ass on this before I have Bryce push you on the fucking thing.”

I can’t help the snicker that comes out of me. My hand flies over my mouth, trying to get myself under control.

“Oh, that’s funny, huh, baby girl.” His voice is against my ear, goosebumps covering my skin as I squirm. “You better behave. My cock is dying to be inside you.”

Shit. Desire races through my veins, my lips parting. Lewd images of me and Jagger in his truck roll through my head and I forget about everything and everyone around me.

Chuckling, Jagger steps around me, tugging me along with him as he shoves his shoulder against Jason, pushing him back. Jason grins at me as I pass him, and I give him a small smile before Jagger steers me to the couch. Releasing my hand, he turns to Abby. “You want my sweatpants off now or later?”

“Whatever works for you.” She flits around, getting everything ready on the small table that’s set up beside the cot, before sinking into the chair. “Stop procrastinating and get over here.”

With a wink at me, Jagger grabs the waistband of his sweatpants, yanking them down. My eyes trail over him as he kicks them off, then picks up his sweatpants, tossing them at me. A surprised burst of laughter comes from me as I catch them. But it doesn’t last long as my heated gaze moves over him, takingin the way he looks in his black boxers. Biting my lip as my gaze locks on his dick before he moves, sitting on the cot.

Jason lets out a whistle. “Damn, Jagger. Now I get why you’re so obsessed with Maddie. I’d be, too, if a woman looked at me like she couldn’t wait to devour me.”

Oh my God!My face is bright red as everyone laughs.Why the hell can’t the floor open and swallow me?

“I mean, damn, the way she just looked at your dick. It’s like—”

“Enough, Jason. You’re embarrassing the hell outta her.” Jagger’s voice silences the room. I look up from where my fingers have been twisting the fabric of his sweatpants, shocked and grateful he stopped my increasing humiliation. He winks at me, then throws his legs on the cot. “For the record, that’s only one of the reasons I’m obsessed with her. You haven’t even scratched the surface of how amazing she is.”

My mouth drops open as Jagger stretches his legs out, his back lowering to the cot.Wow. That was nice.And completely unexpected.

Jason’s voice draws my attention. “I’m just teasing. Well, sorta. I’d love a woman to look at me the way you were looking at Jagger.” He winks, a grin on his face but there’s a lingering sadness in his eyes, making me wonder what his story is. There’s an undercurrent of loneliness I recognize, having felt a lot of that since my dad died. Well, until the man lying beside me on the cot came into my life.

My gaze moves to Jagger. His head is turned to me, a smile on his face as Abby works on his arm.This man is the only one who eased my loneliness since my dad died. But it’s not just that. He does little things that show me he cares. And of course, saving me, which he’s done on more than one occasion, drives it all home. It’s ironic that my stalker has shifted into becoming someone I don’t want to be without.

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