Page 11 of Jake

“Already,” she murmurs, stretching her arms like an adorable kitten.

“Here you are, Mrs. Richards.” The stewardess hands Lea the water bottle without a fuss.

“Thank you.”

I wait for her to take her drink and get acclimated before I ask, “Are you ready to start your new life with me?”

“Yes.” The plane lands a few brief minutes later.

There’s a little hesitation in Lea now, but I’m not sure what it’s about because the second my hand is in hers, the tension fades. I help her into our waiting sedan and head over to our home.

“How far are we from your home?”

“Our home, and we’re just a short twenty-minute trip.” My phone starts going off like crazy. Some of the messages are from her family, wanting to know where their daughter is.

“You should call your mother. She’s worried.”

“Okay.” She takes her phone out of her purse and makes the call. I hold her hand, and it settles the nerves. My sweet girl needs me as much as I fucking need her.

Her mother’s exclamation of joy at Lea’s voice can be heard from the back seat.

“I’m fine, Mother. I’m sorry I worried you all.”

“Are you happy?” If she could see Lea’s face, she’d know my woman is ecstatic.

“I’m not sure there’s a word to describe what I’m feeling. Happy is too weak.”

“I love you, sweetheart. We know Jake does, too.” I nod. I worship her like she’s my personal deity. “Call us when you’re ready to come home.”

Lea looks at me eyes full of nervousness. I give her a smile and nod, squeezing her hand. “That’s the thing… I’m not going to come back.”

I take the phone from her and say, “Her home is with her husband. Goodnight.” I end the call.

“Jacob, we are not married. They’re going to think we are,” she complains.

“Yes, but we will be. I love you, Lea, and we’re getting married. I knew you’d be my wife long before I had any other plans set for my future.” I wrap my arm around her and pull her upper body close, kissing the top of her head. “Soon.” We stay in that comfortable silence until my driver informs me that we’ve arrived.

We pull into my driveway and I have to nudge my lovely Lea awake. “Sleepyhead. It’s time to get up.”

“I’m awake. I’m just thinking.”

She lifts her head and looks up at me. I brush her hair off her face. “About what?”

“Who is she?”

The softness in her voice already answers the question before I ask it, but I ask anyway. “Who?”

“That woman in the photos.”

“Spencer, don’t open my door, but get out. I need a moment with my wife.”

“Yes, sir.” As soon as he closes the door, I say, “Lea, I’m going to be clear. There has never been a damn thing between me and any other woman. Not another thing.”

“You didn’t answer the question.”

“She’s the boss’s daughter. I’ll be dealing with that on Monday, I assure you. My uncle wanted me to get with her, and I already informed him that would never happen. She knew I had no interest.”

“So she made moves on you before?”

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