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“No shit!”
“Yeah. He’s been in LA ever since, although he’ll have to come home at some point to sort out a more permanent visa.”
“So what’s he gotta do? You know, apart from fuck people?”
“He’s signed exclusively with Back Door Studios. Apparently they’re like the very top of their game. He’ll shoot, model, travel with them…”
“You’re still not happy about it are you?”
“I just miss him. He’s like my little brother, you know? But he’s happy, he’s safe, and from what I can tell the guys who run this company treat their boys really well. Like family, almost.”
“You should go out there, check it out, see what kind of place he’s working at.”
“Oh I plan to. I’m here for a couple of days and then I need to head back for the Hairdresser of the Year Awards in two weeks. Then, providing no VIP clients book in, I should be able to head out there after that.”
“That’ll probably coincide with when we’re back too. But if we’re not, you know you can stay at my place.”
“Thanks. Hey, you mind if I tag along to see Jake today?”
“Are you for real? He’s expecting you!”
“Great,” she smiled. “But first, can you order up some room service. I’m starving.”
“Sure, gorgeous girl. What d’ya fancy?”
“Everything.”
“One of everything coming right up.”
Mal accompanied Elle and I to the hospital, and when we got to Jake’s room he was standing by the window, looking out onto the grounds. He was dressed in blue jog pants and a white t-shirt that hugged the perfect ridges of muscle and I took a moment just to stare at him with my top lip drawn between my teeth.
“Hey, baby,” he said, turning around at the sound of us entering. He walked over to me, curled his arms around my waist and kissed the tip of my nose.
“You guys are too adorable,” Elle piped up. “How are you doing?”
“I’m doing great. Doctor said I can be discharged this afternoon.”
“He did?” I urged, grinning like a lovesick fool. “That’s great news.”
“So I’m coming to see Jerry with you.”
“No you’re not,” I said resolutely. “You’ll be going back to the hotel and climbing straight into bed. You’ve been shot, Jake. You need to rest.”
“I’ve been in bed for over a week. I’m coming with you. I’ve already cleared it with Claire.”
“So I don’t even get a say in this?”
“No.”
“Ugh, you can be such an arrogant asshole!”
“Hey, guys…” Elle said in a singing voice, waving her small, manicured hands in the air. “I’ve come to visit. You’re not being very hospitable.”
“That’s settled then. By the time you get back from your interview I’ll be back at the hotel, then you can pick me up on the way to see him.”
“Well you’re not coming in. I mean it, Jake. I want to do this on my own.”
“I’ll stay right outside,” he agreed. “Scouts honour. So, Elle… what’ve you been up to?”
Elle stayed purposely silent, looking around the room and twiddling her hair around her finger.
“Oh me? You guys ready to actually talk to me now?” she teased.
“Stop being a princess, gorgeous girl. It doesn’t suit you.”
“Well I’m going to get a coffee from the machine while you two kiss and make up. Want one?”
“Please,” I said while Jake shook his head. “I’m so glad you’re coming home,” I whispered into Jake’s neck once Elle had left the room. I kissed my way along his jaw, stopping at his lips. “I can’t wait to sleep next to you.”
“You’ll have to be gentle with me,” he murmured into my mouth before dipping his tongue inside and tasting me. Our lips crashed together and I wound my fingers into his short hair, pressing him to me. My hips urged forwards, pressing my erection against his body, making him groan in response.
“I love you so fucking much,” I ground out, breaking the kiss. “I won’t ever spend another night away from you.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
“I need to kiss you again.”
“Then do it.”
“You can turn around at any time,” Jake said, gently gripping my knee in the back of the car.
We were on route to see my stepfather, straight from leaving the head offices of Gold Magazine. As with all interviews, it was pretty pointless. There was no Dictaphone, just a pen and paper. I studied the way her fingers flexed while she wrote and decided she was just writing whatever the hell she wanted down rather than what I was actually saying.
“I know,” I appeased, looking down at his hand on mine. Sometimes I still instinctively flinch a little when Jake touches me in public, even at something as insignificant as accidently brushing his arm against mine. It’s habit I guess, and one I hope to break very soon.
The journey to the prison where they were holding Jerry seemed to go on for hours. By the time we arrived my palms were clammy, my heart thudded and my mouth was dry. As agreed, Jake only came as far as the visitor reception area, letting Neil take me the rest of the way accompanied by two wardens and the detective in charge of the case. People turned as I walked by, clearly recognising who I was. Some whispered, some pointed, but I was too busy scanning every face in search of Jerry’s to pay much attention.
“He’s in the interview room,” the tallest warden informed me. I sucked in a deep breath, unsure when I would be able to take another. He led us down a long, clinical looking corridor with windows guarded by steel mesh, keeping us out of contact with other inmates. “I’m sorry, I can’t allow you to come in any further,” the guard said, talking to Neil. He raised his palms, accepting their rules. I had two wardens and an officer of the law with me after all.
His face was the first thing I saw when the guard opened the door. He was sitting at a plain, grey table with the same twisted look in his eyes I saw the day he beat seven shades of shit out of me. He’d aged significantly since I last saw him. His hair had greyed, his cheeks sunk. We must’ve stared each other out for a whole minute before I broke the silence in temper.
