Page 100 of California Wild

Jesse narrowed his eyes. “You gonna share that, or—”

“Nope.” She grinned, chewing. “You owe me.”

Jesse lunged.

Hayley shrieked, laughing as he grabbed for her, wrestling the sandwich back from her, pressing her into the couch as she kicked and swatted at him.

“Food thief!” he accused, pinning her wrists, grinning down at her. “I knew it. Some things never change.”

Hayley panted, eyes locked on his.

And just like that—the laughter died.

Because this.

Them.

The way they fell into each other so damn effortlessly.

The way he looked at her like she was the only thing in the world.

The way she felt safe in his arms, even when he was teasing her, even when she was kicking and fighting and pretending she didn’t feel every inch of him.

Jesse’s breath was warm against her lips, his body so close, so solid, so Jesse.

His hands loosened on her wrists, his thumb brushing over her pulse. “I missed you, you know.”

Hayley’s stomach flipped.

She swallowed, forcing a teasing smirk. “Clearly. You’re practically crying over a stolen sandwich.”

Jesse huffed a laugh, dropping his forehead to hers. “You drive me insane.”

“Likewise, babe.”

His fingers traced slow, lazy patterns up her arm. “Six weeks gave me too much time to think.”

Her heart stuttered. “Sounds dangerous.”

“You waited for me?”

She didn’t answer. Didn’t have to. Because the way her body melted against his? The way her hands ached to pull him closer? They both knew.

Jesse exhaled, kissing her soft, slow, lingering. And when he finally pulled away, he smirked. “Now give me back my damn sandwich.”

She handed it to him and then shifted. “Jesse…”

“Yeah?” He hummed, tilting his head down to press a slow, lazy kiss against her lips.

“Did you think I was going to get with Caiden on tour?”

He grinned slowly, assessing her, and finally he admitted, “No, not really. But I hate to see him try.”

Hayley picked up the mug from the table, lifting it to her lips, taking a slow sip of the tea. The warmth spread through her, but it did nothing to steady the racing of her pulse.

Jesse sat beside her, silent. Watching.

He was always watching.

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