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The zipper of my suitcase had just purred closed when the energy shifted, and I felt the burn of his gaze caress my neck. Tears threatened to spill over when he came to wrap his arms around me, his front to my back, like nothing had changed. He stiffened the moment his chin settled on my shoulder.
“What are you doing?” Jameson’s voice came out like I had raked him over hot coals. My eyes slid shut, and I shook my head.
“I’m sorry for everything, Jameson. I never should have pulled you into this.”
“I think you’re forgetting how that went down,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to my temple.
Some twisted combination of a sob and a hiccup escaped my lips. “You know what I mean. I shouldn’t have let you get involved in my mess.”
“Your mess became mine the night I saw you through Rhyett’s window.”
My heart twisted right as his hands settled over my own. He slid them up my arms until he could turn me to face him. I couldn’t look at him. Couldn’t meet his eyes, because this was never supposed to mean this much—I wasn’t supposed to stay. Certainly wasn’t supposed to fall in love with the man. Because if he didn’t love me back…
No. I would be fine. If I’d mastered anything these last few years, it was the art of being fine. This was always supposed to be temporary, always for a brief stint, while we got rid of Eric, and if I was honest, I’d been missing home for a while. Missed my friends, my beaches, my cat—
As if on cue, something pressed between my calves and I gasped, shock forcing my eyes wide as I jerked my head down to—
“Chloe?!” I yelped, practically choking on air as I took in her telltale copper markings and dark ears. Frantically flicking my gaze to Jameson, I found that delicious, smug arrogance hidden beneath his concern. His words finally broke through the wall of anxiety and clicked into place. “How?!” I squeaked as the tears broke free of their dam, rolling down my face. Nearly collapsing beside her, I opened my arms and Chloe, meowing like her life depended on it, climbed up into my lap to nuzzle into my chest.
“You were homesick,” he said by way of explanation, slowly lowering to join me on the carpet, gingerly stretching out his long legs. A wince escaped him and I grimaced, loathing that he was sore or injured. I should have prevented it. Somehow. Come up with a solution before he had to step in again.
Forcing down the shame that threatened to spill over, I asked, “But…how?”
“I called Rhyett a while back and arranged it. She’ll miss her morning mouse hunt, but I don’t think she’ll begrudge not being chased by Royal every day. Dog’s fucking weird. Adopts rabbits, but Chloe was fair game.” Jameson wasbabbling. The man didn’t babble, but his scrambling for an explanation was as oddly touching as the gesture that led to it.
“You…I can’t believe you did this for me.” My mouth dried out, his soft smile only deepening the ache in my chest.Real. This is real. I’m not crazy—he’s in this too.Little Noel did an internal victory dance, complete with blown raspberries. “Before—beforeeverything with Eric.”
“Well, I’m touched you think I’m capable of miracles, Skittles. But yeah. It was before last night.” He reached out a broad palm to stroke down her slick, striped fur. After a few moments of tearful cuddles, he said, “Tell me why your bags are packed.”
“I—” a sob broke my words, and I buried my face in Chloe’s neck, half-crying, half-giggling as she squirmed until she was comfortable, her deep purr returning. “I didn’t think you’d want me staying here now that everything is over.” Even as I said it, the words felt stupid, like weighted marbles in my mouth.
He brought me Chloe.
“Everything is…over?” His voice went deep and something like danger vibrated off him. But it was the pain on his face that made my ribs halt mid-inhale. “You’re going to have to clarify because where I’m standing, wejustgot our fresh start.”
“Jameson,” I scolded, ignoring the heat his words planted in my chest.
“Noel,” he drawled, mirroring my indignation.
“You moved me in here to keep me safe. Eric is in custody, ergo—” I spun my wrist, flourishing my hand for emphasis.
“Oh, fuck him,” he rumbled. “This isn’t about him. Don’t insult me by pretending you don’t know that.” When I made to protest, he held up a hand, shaking his head. “The asshole gave me a shady excuse to get to touch you,at best. Wasn’t sure how the hell to win you over otherwise.”
Face warm, eyes stinging, I smiled up at him. I didn’t believe that for an instant, not when I pictured his livid face when he pulled me against him that day outside Grizzly Grind, and certainly not when I eyed his bruised hands. Those secret, protective superhero instincts of his ruled those choices. “Is that what you’re telling yourself?”
“Maybe,” he said, a facsimile of a smile curving his cheeks as he stroked his big fingers down Chloe’s head. She nuzzled into his great, broad palm, and I scoffed as she purred louder. “What?” He asked, smirking as he canted his head.
“She hates men.”
“If you’re applying that term to Eric, I’m insulted at the comparison.”
That made me burst out laughing. For the first time, the sound of his name didn’t make my insides tangle. “My apologies.”
“She hates toxiccowards, is what you meant.”
“You could say that,” I allowed. A heavy silence began to pendulum between us expectantly. It took a beat for him to draw in a heavy breath.
“So…will you…stay?” Something like panic slid into his eyes, chest rising rapidly enough to betray the facade of calm. My chest threatened to cave in at the sight of his pain.Real. This is real.“With me,” he rasped, as though I needed the clarification.
