Page 78 of Fight from the Heart

“Your assistant can handle that,” I say, tipping a brow at him.

“I’ll get her right on that after she’s on me again.” He leans forward and kisses my shoulder. “But seriously. I fell hard after you left, but I don’t fault you. Mandi was all on me. I wanted to chase you, but I was stuck. Like I couldn’t believe her, but something held me in place. I had to face her and the situation before I could ask you to stay with me.”

Jacob pauses. “And I want you to stay.” His eyes soften, the words hesitant, sheepish even. “The biggest mindset change was accepting is that I do deserve good in my life. You’re the best part of everything, and I never want to lose you.”

I smile, but I don’t comment, allowing him to tell me more.

“Anyway, I wasn’t allowed to make phone calls once I entered. There was a family weekend toward the end, but I passed. I didn’t want anyone to see me there, see me like that.”

“But you called Theresa.” It lingers in the unsaid that he didn’t call me.

“I tried to quit Theresa, that’s what worried her. That and the fact I could hardly form the words. She crashed my place and demanded I get my shit together.”

“I’m glad she did that for you.” My voice lowers, and his hand comes to my chin.

“I did it for you,” he whispers.

Shaking my head, I retort, “You did it for you because you needed it. But I’m happy you did. You seem better already.”

“Every day, a little more.” He smiles. He’s been perched on his elbow, but he sits up, slipping his finger down the side of my face like he does. “You make me better.”

I try to stifle a yawn, and Jacob chuckles.

“Am I boring you?”

“I’m so sorry, I’m just tired. Someone wore me out.” Between the sex, the snack, and my rambling thoughts, I’m exhausted.

“You work too hard.”

I laugh. “I’m about to work harder as my boss is back.”

“Hmm. Your boss likes it hard.”

I laugh again. “You’re insatiable.”

“Only for you, Lilac. Only for you.” He leans in to kiss me, taking his time to savor my lips before his tongue sweeps along the bottom, and he pulls back.

“Okay, time for bed then, angel.” Jacob hops off the bed, moves the tray to the floor, and crawls back in next to me. We curl to our sides, my back to his front, and he nuzzles his nose into the back of my neck.

“You smell like me. I need to change that,” he teases. “But I like you in my bed. I never want to sleep without you in it again.”

My vision blurs, and I close my eyes in the dark room. A tear slips from each of them.

“I like being here,” I admit, my voice thick. Jacob presses a kiss to my nape, and I swallow again. He’s so tender, and it’s ripping me apart. With everything he does, he’s saying he loves me without the words, but it’s not safe to make assumptions. He’s not going to want to marry me, and he’s definitely going to be upset when he learns about the baby.

And because I’m a fool for him, I’m selfishly soaking up this minute before we fall apart again.

Chapter 27

Things Fall Apart

[Jacob]

From my position inside the walk-in closet, I see Pam bolt upright in my bed and twist side to side as if looking for me. I chuckle softly to myself.

“I’m back here,” I call out. Would she feel lost without me like I’ve felt the last six weeks without her? It’s been hell. A living hell.

The closet light illuminates a small portion of my room, so for the most part, Pam is only a shadow in the dark. I watch as she turns in my bed, glancing over her shoulder at me. She’s so fucking beautiful, and she’s in my bed. Not because she’s sick. Not because of a storm. She came to me willingly and seduced me.