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“Honestly, there was some good and bad today. There are siblings, a boy and girl that got adopted, which is fabulous and I’m so excited for them, but while that’s good, the hard part is that where they are moving to isn’t close to the center so they won’t be coming anymore. The new parents brought them by to say goodbye and promised to bring them to visit, but it won’t be the same.” My bottom lip quivered and I got misty-eyed thinking about it. “It’s hard when they go. I still wish for them all to find families if needed, that’s whatHopeful Jurneeis all about and more. The road to happiness and support along the way. A place that will always be there for them if they need to make a U-turn whenever there may be a bump in the road, a need to start over, or just a helping hand.”
“Wow, I can see how that would be hard, but what you're doing there and the heart you put into it makes such a difference to the kids. I could see it when you showed me around. They love you, the staff adores you and all I had to do was be there for a few minutes to see how special not only that place is, but you too.”
“Really?” That’s all I could manage to say, his words touched me and I was a little choked up. But then I remembered the other thing that happened today that wasn’t fun at all and a little frightening. “I haven’t told you about the scary and disturbing part of the day.”
“What’s that?” Braxton asked me with a little darker tone, like he had immediately known he wouldn’t like what I’d been about to say.
“Remember Embry, I introduced you to her when you came by?”
“Of course I do, how can I forget the little one you call Angel, which fits her so well. Or the fact you wish you could adopt her.” Holy Moly! I can’t believe he remembered all that.Now would be a good time to give that arm of mine a pinch.
“Well, her dad busted into the center today, high as a kite, and was demanding to take her home. I don’t even think he has a place to take her to. He was so loud you could hear his voice boom through all the rooms and echo off the walls. He scared a bunch of the kids. Embry actually hid in a corner and was crying, she knew without a doubt who it was, and what he was capable of. Luckily he didn’t get a chance to see her. While one of the male employees held him off, I got the police on the line and they got there fast. It was crazy, and as he was leaving, he was screaming at me that I stole his little girl. He has tried to come in a few times and talk to me, so he knows I run the place, but this is the worst it’s been. Every time they take him away it’s calm for a while, but then he pops back up again later.” A sigh seeped through my lips “I am just glad it didn’t get out of hand.”
Braxton was seriously quiet right now and I was unsure why. When he spoke again, I was one, a little more worried about Embry’s dad and two, a bit gooey inside that the amazing man next to me was concerned about my wellbeing.
“Jurnee, men like that are capable of anything, especially when on drugs,” Braxton said on a half growl. “I would like to talk more about this, but I need to calm down before we do because the thought of anything happening to you gets me pretty riled up. And if you don’t mind, I would like to check out the security you have in place, I can give you some more options if we need to beef up security measures. But right this minute I just want you to enjoy our date. Does that sound good?”
“Umm sure, sounds like a plan.”
Letting it go and just enjoying our time together was the best thing to do right now. The conversation flowed and it got easier and easier to talk to him, he was a great listener and also had interesting things to say. Before I knew it, the Jeep stopped and Braxton said we were here. I looked up, recognizing our destination.
The zoo?
Braxton
I wasn’t sure how Jurnee would react when our date started at the zoo, but it had been forever since I had been here after being away so long, and she seemed to have such a spirit about her that I thought she may have fun. So here we were. I turned to catch her reaction when she noticed how our date was starting and was pleased.
“Oh my gosh, really, the zoo? This is great, Braxton, it’s been years since I have been to the zoo.” Seeing Jurnee’s face light up with joy, made me the happiest man.
“Me too, and trust me, there is more after, but I thought this would be fun to start off with.”
It wasn’t quite four in the afternoon, after picking Jurnee up at three. It was a fabulous day for walking around the zoo. Not too hot, and not cold or rainy, so I had asked to start the date earlier, versus in the evening. She looked amazing and her scent filling the car was intoxicating. And that smile on her face, that brought out that dimple I loved so much, had my jeans tightening to an almost uncomfortable level.Time to move before I can’t walk.
“Shall we,” I said motioning to the gate entrance. She nodded her head and I told her to wait for me to come around. Grabbing my keys, I jumped out and ran around to her side of the Jeep, and opened the door.Thank God I am still able to walk normally.Shoving the keys in my pocket with my left hand, I offered her my right to help her down. I couldn’t help noticing her small hand when she placed hers in my much larger one, but it felt like they fit perfectly. Jumping down, she stumbled a bit and landed against my chest.Yup, she fits just right.
“Oh my, I am so sorry Braxton.” She pushed off me just a little although we were still touching and tilted her head back to look up but her palms still rested against my chest. Which felt damn good. Being six-foot-two, I had quite a bit of height on her. Regardless, she was the perfect fit—like a puzzle piece I had been waiting to join together with all my life.
“Don’t be sorry, I like you tucked against me and your hands on me.” Her innocent and intriguing eyes widened a fraction; she dipped her head a little as though she was embarrassed. I didn’t want her not looking at me, or feeling weird about this, so I used a hand and tipped her chin back up so she could see me when I spoke next.
“You know how sometimes in life you need dessert first?” I didn’t give her a chance to respond and had just carried on. “Well, that’s kinda like a kiss at the end of the date, and although it would be traditional for me to wait, Jurnee, I really want to skip to the good part and kiss you right now.” I held my breath and waited.
She stared at me for a minute, then her tongue swept across her upper lip dampening it and I knew I would do anything this girl wanted if she just gave me half the chance. It was one of the sexiest things I had ever seen, and I’m sure she could feel my reaction, because this time, I couldn’t stop it. Jurnee rocked my world when she nodded once, giving me a yes to my question, and that’s all the confirmation I needed before my head lowered and I touched my lips to hers.I knew it, cherries. Mixed with something that is indescribably Jurnee, it’s the sweetest taste in the world.
I wasn’t sure how I managed to end the kiss when I did, but I didn’t want to scare her. It was our first kiss and a fucking amazing one at that. I didn’t devour her mouth like I wanted to, it was short and sweet, but still full of heat at the same time. As I pulled back and looked down at her, the expression on her face was pure bliss. It was then, at that moment, I could see my future shining bright in her eyes.
Grabbing her left hand from my chest so as not to hurt her injured side, I laced our fingers together. “I’m ready if you are?” Once again she nodded. We started walking, hand in hand toward the entrance. I looked over at her and was struck by how beautiful she was, and also couldn’t help but tease her a little too, just to get the blush I adored. So I’d said, “My favorite dessert ever.”
She didn’t let me down as her face turned pink. Her laughter escaped like soft musical notes and the sound of it became my favorite melody.
Chapter Twelve
Jurnee
I wascertain my hands were sweating after that kiss and I was a little embarrassed since he was holding one of them. Boy, I was not expecting that, but it was the best surprise ever. His lips were strong, but soft, and the man could lay one on. No question about that. I knew he’d held back, so I couldn’t help but wonder what him letting go would be like. Hopefully one day I would find out, but I did like the concept of dessert first, that was for sure.
I wouldn’t mind seconds right now.
Never in my wildest dreams, and Lord knows I’d had many starring Braxton, did I think I would ever be out on a date with him. But I’d planned on making the most out of it, no matter what happened after it was over.
