Page 33 of Coming Home to You
I remind her of this little incident as we’re waiting for our food and I finally see the smile come back, the one that’s been missing since she heard me talking about Boston.I pull her closer and press a kiss to her head, wishing we could just stay here in this moment forever.
After we’ve got our food, the four of us sit at one of the outdoor tables that line the wharf.There are tourists milling about everywhere, although it’s not busy enough to be annoying.The conversation over lunch is light and easy.Ryan and Erin are constantly disagreeing with each other, but it’s in that, yes-you’re-wrong-but-I-totally-want-to-fuck-you-kind-of-way.I steal a glance at Kelsey and see she notices it too.
“You find out what went down between them yet?”I lean over and whisper.
Kelsey smiles at me in a way that says she hasn’t just found out, she knows every single gory detail.“I’ll fill you in later,” she says, pressing a salty kiss to my lips.
I lean in for another one when the sound of an incoming text message rings out.Ryan and I automatically check our phones, but the minute Kelsey picks up hers and I see her face, I know it’s for her.
“What the fuck has he sent now?”I ask, reaching for her phone.
Kelsey says nothing, just hands me the phone as she stands up and walks towards the edge of the wharf.I glance down at her phone and when I see the text message, my blood starts to boil.
Just because you’re fucking him, doesn’t mean I’m letting you go.You’re mine, Kelsey…MINE.
“Fucking hell,” I say, practically throwing her cell at Ryan.
“What is it?”he asks, catching it before it flies over his shoulder.
I run a hand through my hair as I look at Kelsey.She’s standing at the edge of the wharf, arms wrapped tight around her body as she stares out at the water.So much for the perfect moment, perfect day.
Turning back to Ryan, I meet my partner’s stare as I say, “I think I’m gonna need your help.”
“What do you need?”Ryan says immediately.
I look at Erin, who looks concerned, and then back at Ryan, before standing.“Can you get me a trace on that number?”I say, nodding towards the phone.
Ryan glances down at the screen and reads the message.When he looks back up at me, his face has hardened.Ryan Summers the tourist, now replaced by Detective Ryan Summers, the Boston cop.
“Of course,” he says, pulling out his own cell phone.“I’ll call it in now.”
“Thanks, buddy,” I say before I walk over to Kelsey.
She doesn’t move as I slide my arms around her waist from behind and pull her against me.As I press a kiss to her neck though, I feel her body sag against mine, a mixture of exhaustion and frustration washing over her.
“We’re going to catch this fucker, baby.I promise you.”
Kelsey nods, although I can tell she doesn’t really believe me.“And what happens then?”she asks, her voice quiet.
I tighten my arms and press a kiss to her cheek.“Then I make sure he never hurts you or comes near you, ever again,” I say, turning her to face me.As Kelsey looks up at me, I take her face in my hands, knowing I will do everything in my power to make sure that Jason never comes near her again.
I don’t just love this woman; I need her too.Every single part of me needs her and wants her.And because of that, I need to protect her, watch over her and make sure nothing ever hurts her again.Including me.
“I promise I’m going to fix this, babe,” I say before I lean in and kiss her.
Chapter Thirteen
Kelsey
He doesn’t understand my question.“And what happens then?”I asked, but his response was not the answer I was looking for.
As much as I’m concerned with what may happen with Jason, I don’t doubt Beck’s ability to find him and put an end to all this.I need to know what happens after it all ends.What happens to Beck and his job in Boston?What happens to us?
I can’t look at him, my face in his hands, his lips to mine, so soft and comforting.I close my eyes, but the tears begin to fall.As much as I’m trying to convince myself to live in the moment, to be happy and enjoy what I have right now; I’m struggling.
I pull away from him and bury my face in his chest.I can’t ask him to choose again.I can’t ask him to give up his career and everything he’s worked so hard to achieve.So I won’t.
I can’t burden him with the additional stress because I can see the situation with Jason is wearing on him.Right now he’s tense in my arms, his body stiff and all because of the fact I brought Jason into my life.Something in him can’t allow Jason to come near me; his need to protect me is far stronger than I ever thought.
