Page 39 of Challenging Jayce

“Really.” He nuzzled her neck. “That time in my life is over. I’m ready to move forward.”

More than ready, actually. It was like killing the Diego Cartel was the final piece he needed to shed Jasmine and the hurt she caused. His friends had been right all these years; it was time to stop punishing himself for something he didn’t do.

“So how long before the master bedroom is ready?” he asked in between kisses to her neck.

“A couple of weeks at minimum, so you better get used to sleeping on this mattress on the floor,” she answered on a moan.

“Is it by chance the new mattress for our bed?”

Kennedy had asked his opinion on a bedroom set before he left for Texas but he hadn’t cared then and he didn’t care now what kind it was. As long as he could toss her down on it sooner rather than later.

“It is. Why?” She tried to pull away but he wasn’t about to let her go for a second.

Jayce scooped her up in his arms and carried her over to the beautiful setup she created.

“Because I fully plan to christen it tonight,” he told her matter-of-factly.

And that was exactly how they spent the rest of the night and the next day. Not moving from their little heaven.

CHAPTER25

One MonthLater

Today was the day. Michael was seeing the house for the first time and she was more nervous than Jayce. At least, he didn’t look nervous standing next to her.

“Are we sure this is a good idea?” she asked for what was probably the millionth time.

“The bedroom or the living together?” Jayce asked but didn’t give her time to answer before he spoke again. “Because yes to both. He’s going to love his room. You already ran some of the ideas past him and everything else he told you to do as you please. And the living together? We’ve had this discussion. Plenty of times. Michael has said repeatedly he’s fine with it. Don’t you believe him?”

She chewed on the inside of her cheek. “Of course I believe him but it’s a lot of change in a month. And sure, he’s seen us together but that’s always when we go out as a group of four. Never just the two of us.”

And honestly, they kept things PG in front of her brother and nephew. Yes, they held hands, and yes, they kissed but it wasn’t like when they were inside the house. Jayce was a thousand times more handsy and playful when they were alone.

“Michael will be fine. He’s a teenage boy and he just wants us to be happy together.”

“Knock, knock.”

Oh God. Her time was up. Michael was here.

They all agreed that Shaun would drop Michael off; that this time was just meant for the three of them. Shaun felt Michael and Jayce deserved that alone time together without him interfering.

Plus, she was almost positive her brother was seeing someone even if he refused to admit it.

“In the kitchen!” Jayce hollered back.

“Oh good, I’m not interrupting anything,” Michael said as soon as he walked in.

“See?” She slapped Jayce on the chest but he only laughed.

“The boy is teasing you.”

“Yeah, Aunt Kennedy. I’m just playin’. I’m happy Dad has you. It’s better than meeting some other strange chick.”

That did not make her feel better one bit, but the smile on her nephew’s face did. It was the same smile Jayce now wore more often than not.

“Gee thanks. You ready to see your room?”

“Yup.”

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