Page 55 of Loving at 40

The hint of my failure rests in Braxton’s statement. I’d botched the investigation and had gotten shot in the interim.

“Think I’ll be put back on the case?” I hold my breath, knowing there’s nothing I want more than to complete my mission and nothing I want less than to get involved with Viviana Quintero again.

“Hell no,” he grunts. “But I thought you should know. And let me know if you see or hear anything.”

“Aye, aye, captain,” I snark.

Braxton huffs. “How’s the leg? Getting the rest and recovery you need?” If I thought Braxton was being compassionate, I’d be appreciative of his asking, but a touch of sarcasm underscores his tone. Five years on a case. I’d sold my soul to the devil and his daughter, and it still wasn’t enough.

“Yeah. I’m right where I belong.” The response surprises me. I’ve been bucking emotional support while pushing hard at the physical recovery. I wanted to get back in the field and finish this sentence of a year-long furlough. However, hearing my own words, there’s a hint of truth in them.

Being back at Lakeside might be more than I originally thought this place would mean for me.

Be home. Ben directed in his two-word letter.

I might understand his request after all.

+ + +

When I return to the apartment, it’s early enough I don’t expect to find Jenna back from her girls’ night out, but she is. She’s also in my bed.

“Hey.” My voice croaks with emotion for some reason when I see her under my sheets. Jenna lies on her side, her upper body almost twisted to her belly. One leg stretches its full length while the other bends at the knee, separated from the other, acting like a support beam. She’s holding a tablet, reading off it, but shifts to glance at me over her shoulder.

“Hi.” Her eyes hold mine, beckoning me forward, and I can’t resist. Today has been a strange day, starting with her calling me someone else’s name, then rescuing her child, spending time at a water park, the phone call from Braxton, and now this, coming home to her in my bed. It’s too much and not enough, and I crawl over her in this position. Her gaze stays on mine as I slip my legs over the straightened one of hers, straddling it and forcing her bent leg higher, stretching it as my thigh presses under hers. My hard on is flush with her center.

She chuckles. “Archer?”

“You drunk?” I ask, knowing she went out for margaritas.

“Only had two. I’m buzzing but nothing more.”

A buzz I can handle, and I glance down at her body beneath mine.

“You’re so fucking sexy, babe.” She’s wearing another pair of tiny pajama shorts and a tank top minus a bra that hugs her sweet tits. My arms cage her upper body as I balance over her, tapping my zipper region against the heat between her thighs.

“Whatcha doing?” she teases, knowing where I am and what I want.

“Keep trying to stay away and find I can’t. Thought I’d scare you off eventually, but after earlier, I need to be close to you, ’Locks.”

“Tried to stay away?” Her brows crease, giving her a stern look that’s cute. I imagine her in her classroom of horny teenage boys all wanting to date the MILF in the room. I’d kill each and every one of them for looking at her. “You don’t scare me, Archer.”

Maybe she scares me.

Her eyes hold mine, telling me she trusts me. Earlier, that trust was only a water park, but now, the honesty in those transparent eyes speaks volumes. She believes I’d take care of her. And I’m not play acting this time. I’m not looking for blind faith, like Viviana. I want to be here for Jenna.“Don’t need to fuck you, but still need to be close.”

Her breath hitches, but she isn’t stopping me. Slowly, I crawl back and remove my shirt and pants. I had already kicked off my shoes when I entered the apartment, adding mine to the collection of tiny pink and yellow flip-flops by my front door. Thinking about shoes on a rug by an entrance and how right mine look mixing in with those child-sized ones might be a silly thought. Considering my big feet might walk anywhere those little ones travel might be just as ridiculous, but I want to consider it.

Jenna shifted to watch me undress. Climbing back over her, her eyes tell me she’s hungry, and she licks her lips before digging her teeth into the bottom one.

She wants me, and I want her.

Pressing her back to her side, I strip her of both panties and shorts, then reset her legs in that open scissors position with one leg bent and one straight. I swipe my hand over her bare hip and along the side of her upper thigh.

“So sexy, ’Locks.” Her skin is warm under my palm. I’d spank that ass if I thought she’d like it. Vi loved that shit, but Jenna doesn’t seem like the type, and I’m okay with that. I don’t need to see her skin pink and puffy from a sharp smack. I love the contrast of her pale white globes and long tan limbs.

“You okay with this?” I ask, knowing I’ll stop if she asks, but I really don’t want to stop touching her. Skimming my hand back to center, I swipe a finger through those luscious lower lips and her breath catches. I want to kiss her there and bite her firm ass. I want her to lose control like she did in the tub days ago. I want her out of her head like she kissed me earlier after Rosie’s rescue. I’d been the one to distract her thoughts. I want to do the same thing now for a different reason.

I want her head only full of me.