“It felt like he was in that building forever, and I started to think he’d never walk out. And I don’t know what I’d do if I lost him.”
“I know it was scary, but he’s going to be okay,” I said.
And we sat there in silence. I rocked her back and forth as she lay limp against my body, as the fear of losing Jack had overtaken her.
Her cries subsided, and she pushed back to look at me. “Thank god he’s okay.”
“He saved that kid’s life. He’s a hero.”
She swiped at her eyes and pushed to her feet. She wobbled a bit before she steadied, and we walked back toward the waiting room. Jack was just walking out when we got there. Jade studied her father and he pulled her in for a hug.
“Everything’s fine, Jady bug. You need to go home and get some rest, kiddo,” Jack said as he covered his mouth and let a loud, husky cough escape.
“I think you should take your own advice,” Jade said, staring at her father.
“Yeah, yeah. We’re heading out now. Sorry I worried you.”
“Don’t be sorry, Dad. You just need to be safe,” she said, reaching for her dad and hugging him tight once again.
Jack pulled back and looked at his daughter. Her puffy eyes were a dead giveaway that she’d been crying. “You worry too much. I’m fine.”
Sara laughed and shook her head. “You scared us, Jack. You did run back into a burning building after all.”
“I had to find that kid. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Jade and Sara both rolled their eyes and shook their heads at the same time.
“Of course you did,” Sara said.
“Thanks for taking care of our girl,” Jack said, giving me a half hug.
A lump formed in my throat, because it was the first time he’d ever called her our girl. She’d always been his girl, and I hadn’t even been offended by it.
“Always,” I nodded.
“Okay, call me when you guys get home,” Jade said.
I led Jade over to my car and turned to face her before I pulled out of the parking lot. “Hey.”
“Hey.” She smiled.
“You hungry?”
“You know I can always eat. But I also desperately need a shower, so maybe we could just pick something up?” she said. She seemed lighter now. More relaxed. Jack was going to be okay. She’d worked through all those fears and emotions that had swallowed her whole today.
“Let’s grab some Chinese food on the way home. I know a place that stays open late.” I pulled out on to the road. The wind rattled against the windows.
“Oh my god. You had a show tonight, right? I’m sorry for asking you to come,” she said as if the realization of the day was hitting her.
“Yeah. It’s fine. Shit happens.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning Zach was forced to perform. Trust me, the dude is as good as me if not better,” I said.
“I highly doubt that. I’m sure there will be some angry fans.”
“Don’t worry about it. If they complain, they can have a refund. Life happens. This is where I needed to be, and everyone understood that. Now that Jack’s okay, I’ll fly out tomorrow and make it in time for the next show.”
She covered my hand that rested in my lap with hers. Of course, my over-achieving erection sprung to life. “I can’t thank you enough for coming. When it happened—I don’t know. I just wanted you with me.”
“That’s where I want to be.”
“I was just so scared that he wouldn’t walk out of there, you know?” she said.
“Yeah. And of course, he came out holding a kid in his arms. It’s so your dad to do that, right? He’s a fucking hero.”
“You know jumping on a plane and rushing here isn’t exactly taking it slow.” She smirked.
“Yeah. Well, I’ve told you that taking it slow isn’t exactly my thing. Are we moving too fast for you?”
“No. I’m the one who asked you to come. I think I’ve been trying to protect myself in a way. I was so consumed with you for such a long time, and after everything happened, I just felt like I needed to be more guarded and cautious. And then the thought of getting hurt again terrified me.”
I parked in front of the restaurant and reached over and pulled her to sit on my lap. Her tiny frame molded against me as I wrapped my arms around her. Jade fit perfectly there. She fit perfectly everywhere. She was my other half. And I wasn’t complete without her. My lips grazed hers, and the thought of tasting her sweet mouth had me on edge.
“I won’t hurt you like that again, Jade. I can’t promise I’ll never fuck up, because we both know that isn’t realistic. But I can promise that I won’t go back to that dark place. Not ever again.”
Her lips teased mine and she tangled her fingers in my hair. “God, I missed you.”
“Missed you more, baby.” My mouth crashed into hers, and I couldn’t get enough. My tongue dipped inside, and I took my sweet time kissing her as her body ground against mine.
“Cruz,” she moaned into my mouth.
I pulled her back, because if I didn’t do something, I was going to strip her naked right here in the parking lot, which though it sounded tempting was a bad idea. Jack had survived a fire today. We didn’t need to risk some dirtbag paparazzi catching a picture of me and my girl making up for lost time in my car.
“Chinese food doesn’t sound that good anymore, does it?” I laughed as I took in her swollen lips and heated gaze.
“No. I lost my appetite. At least for food.”
I laughed, and she climbed back over to the passenger seat. I tore out of there and made it to her place in record time. She stepped out of the car and I rushed her. I threw her over my shoulder and ran her into the house.
“Ari,” she shouted through her laughter, checking to see if her roommate was home as I hurried her down the hall.
“Looks like we’re alone.” I tossed her on the bed and her hair fell all around her as she smiled up at me.
“Looks like we are,” she said, propping herself up on her elbows.
I kicked the door closed and locked it. I glanced down at my phone before setting it on the nightstand. “I’ve got twelve hours before I have to leave, and I don’t plan on leaving this room.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” She wriggled her brows.