“You should go.”
I glanced up at Tray. “What do you mean?”
Tray nodded toward Jaron. “He needs time with you and Brynn. His family. I know his parents will understand.”
I looked back at Jaron. “But that’s not fair.”
“Yes it is, Piper.” Tray gave my shoulder a squeeze. “Jail can do funny things to a person. Doesn’t matter how long you’re in there for. Trust me when I say this, he needs you and you need him. Both of you also need to be patient with each other. You can’t expect to fall into a routine right away.” Tray gave my shoulder one final squeeze before heading back to join his wife at the bar.
Zillah glanced my way, gave me a small wave and greeted her husband with a kiss.
I gave myself a shake, surprised that Tray had said all of that to me. I knew he cared for Brynn and I, but the man never said more than a few words at a time.
But maybe he was right. Jaron was on edge. I wasn’t sure what he needed but I knew that I was willing to do whatever it took to make him feel better.
Heading toward him, I couldn’t help the way my heart picked up speed the closer I got.
I had spent years having a crush on him, only to find him at the same café in Paris of all places. I never asked him how he found me. Maybe I should have but I didn’t really care knowing that I was the one who would spend the night with him, and I had. It started our obsession with each other and only grew from there.
When I stood a few feet away, my palms became sweaty at the mere sight of him. He was big, intense, and powerful. God, I missed him. I missed his dirty and vulgar words telling me what to do and how to do it. I missed his sweet, vulnerable side that he never shared with anyone else but me. I missed how he controlled me in ways I never thought I would ever be interested in. I wasn’t new to sex but for the most part, all of the partners I had were vanilla at best. But Jaron? He was anything but vanilla.
“Suck my cock, baby. Just like that. Your mouth is so damn hot.”
A shiver raced down my spine at the memory rushing through me. A memory that had taken place so long ago. But no matter how hard I tried to forget that night, I couldn’t. Not that I really wanted to. What I wanted to forget; was how I left the next morning.
Before I closed the distance between us, Jaron glanced over his shoulder, his gaze locking with mine.
I stopped suddenly.
A silent conversation fell between us. So many unanswered questions. So many emotions that neither of us could admit to.
Clearing my throat, I stood up taller and walked the last few steps toward him.
He was standing with Sammy, Cyrus, and a few other guys I had only seen a couple of times.
“Give us a moment,” he said, not taking his eyes off me.
The guys grunted their responses but all I could focus on was the slate orbs peering into my soul.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, shifting Brynn to his other arm.
“Nothing.” I ran my hand down her back. “I was just wondering if you wanted to leave. We don’t have to. Or you can stay here. Whatever you want. Brynn has a room here if you wanted some time alone with her.”
“No.”
My gaze snapped to his. “Okay but—”
Jaron pinched my chin, tilting my head back and staring into my eyes. “I said no. I’m going home with you. I need to go home with you. I need…” The air crackled around us, his eyes darkening. “I—”
“Are you guys leaving?”
Both of us turned as Jaron’s mom approached us.
“We should,” Jaron said. “I need some time with my girls.”
Eve grinned, glancing between us. “Okay.”
My heart skipped a beat like it always did whenever he referred to me as his.
Eve pulled me into her arms, squeezing me tight. “I’m happy he’s home. But most of all, I’m happy your family is now complete.”
I swallowed hard. I was happy too. Scared yes, but definitely happy.
“I know you have a lot to work through,” she said, her voice low enough for only me to hear. “But he loves you.” She leaned back, cupping my face. “Believe me when I tell you that.”
I nodded, the vision of her blurring in front of me.
She smiled, glancing at her son. “I’ve never seen him look at a woman like he looks at you.”
My cheeks burned.
Jaron gave me a small smirk, running his hand down my arm and linking our fingers.
I looked at Brynn.
She was fast asleep with her head against his shoulder.
My heart warmed. “She’s never fallen asleep in someone else’s arms before.”
“What?” Jaron looked down at her. “Oh. She hasn’t? I wonder why.”
“I think she was waiting for you,” I whispered.
He kissed my temple, letting his lips linger. “Just like her mama.”
A slow smile spread on my face, my eyes welling. God, all of these new emotions were not the norm for me. If I let myself, I would be a blubbering mess, but I refused. I had to be strong. For me and for Brynlee.
“I’ll let you say bye.” I moved off to the side, still making sure I was in his line of sight.
He glanced my way every so often, his big body relaxing every time he saw me still standing there. Was that even possible? Could the mere presence of someone be calming?
When he was done, he walked toward me.
I turned and left the large house, taking in a deep breath of fresh air.
“Piper?”
I jumped, spinning around.
Jaron raised an eyebrow, hiking the strap of Brynn’s diaper bag higher up on his shoulder. “You good?”
I nodded. “Thank you for grabbing her bag.” I was in my head and completely forgot.
“You’re welcome.” He walked by me and headed to my beater of a car.
“I have stuff for you at my…our…home,” I stuttered, following behind him.
“Really?” He unlocked the back door and placed Brynn in her car seat. She stirred, letting out a cry of protest. She held her arms out for Jaron. “I’ll hold you when we get home, baby girl.” He kissed her head, which seemed to settle her down. “What stuff do you have?”
I opened the passenger door and slid into the vehicle. “Clothes and anything else your mom thought you might want. It was her idea. I didn’t want to force you into anything, but she insisted. She said that you…”
“What?” He buckled Brynn into her seat. It was so natural; it was like he had been doing it since the day she was born. He met my gaze. “Piper, what did she say?”
I cleared my throat. “I…uh…she thought you might want to live with…us.”
He only stared at me. A few seconds went by and I thought for sure his mom had been wrong. Why would he want to live with us? It wasn’t like we ever made it official. There was something there. Neither of us could deny it but to be tied down and so quickly…
Jaron made sure Brynn was buckled in safely before shutting the door. He took a minute. I almost thought he was going to bolt but when he opened the driver’s side door and sat beside me, I let out a breath of relief I didn’t realize I had been holding.
“I don’t want to force you into anything,” I said, wringing my hands in my lap.