Safer With You (25 page)

Really, can’t he casually look around, not blatantly stare at me?
 

“What are you doing here, Luke? I thought you were going to be gone for the evening,” I ask, as Luke shrugs.

“I decided to spend the evening with you and your family. I thought I’d stick around to see if you came down, and here you are.”

“Well, I wasn’t as tired as I thought.”

“Mr. Skye, isn’t it a beautiful night?” Luke finally takes his eyes off my tits and asks.

Dad looks at Luke over his glasses and nods, “I suppose so.” He resumes his reading.

I haven’t seen Dad and Luke interact too much lately. My Dad spends the majority of his time wandering around the property with security, making sure they are doing their jobs, and also telling them how to do their jobs.

Dad used to be fond of Luke and seemed to be championing his cause against Jase’s order, but he doesn’t seem so fond now. I wonder what happened.

“Mr. Skye, would you like to join me and Nora for a walk?”
 

Dad shakes his head in irritation and stands up, still looking at his magazine, while Luke tries to converse some more with him. “Are you headed up to bed, sir?” Luke’s voice quakes.

Dad slams the door behind him without an answer.

“He doesn’t like me, does he?” he asks, while taking my Dad’s spot next to me.

“Probably doesn’t like you speaking for me, and I don’t either.”

“It never bothered you before.”

I can feel anger rising. “Well, it bothers me now! I don’t need you telling me what to do.”

“Nora, I didn’t come here to fight.”

Jenny chimes in, “Luke, you can’t be around Nora and not fight with her. I don’t understand how you two even lasted as long as you did.”

Luke glares her way. “We never fought until Nora left me in Miami.”

Before I can argue, I hear footsteps behind me from the porch steps. Luke turns around and his voice is deep and full of disdain. “Max, Madsyn. I’m surprised to even see you here Madsyn; I thought you disappeared for good.”

I don’t turn around, but I can feel Jase behind me. I can smell his familiar scent mixing with the salty breeze. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath. When I open them, Max is sitting next to Jenny in front of me and Jase is standing beside him. Our eyes immediately lock on each other. A lazy smile skids across his face.
 

Max answers, breaking the tension, “Fuck off, Luke, I invited my cousin over and I’m family, so that means Jase is family. I’m not sure what the hell you are, except trying to get Nora back. You can stop acting like you’re part of this family. I know Nora better than anyone, and there isn’t a chance in hell you’ll get her back.”

Max’s usually big chocolate eyes are narrowing while looking at Luke, like he is ready to strike. I’ve never seen Max mad…sad over Jenny, but never mad. His jaw tenses and I notice him cracking his knuckles.
 

The tension in the air is smothering me. Lately, it seems like I’m always surrounded by a pissing contest. Luke interrupts and speaks in his parental tone, “Nora, why don’t you go inside now? It’s late. We have a big day tomorrow.”

“Luke, I’m fine.” I send him a shut up look and can feel Jase’s eyes on me. Butterflies invade my belly, just like every time he is around. I look up into his blue eyes, glimmering from the porch light. My eyes rake over his facial features: his strong jaw dusted with stubble, straight nose, and his full lips that have touched my body, making it impossible for me to concentrate on what’s being discussed.

“Nora, are you okay? You look strange.” Of course, Jenny isn’t subtle about anything.

I shake my head slightly, “No…um…I’m fine. Can I get you guys something to drink, beer?”

Jase nods and responds politely as ever. “Sounds good. Thanks, Nora.”

I nod back because it’s all I can do. He has me so flustered. I almost walk straight into the door, thinking of the way his voice affects my body. In the silence of the kitchen, I try to compose myself by sticking my head into the fridge.

Once the cool air calms me, I hear Luke speaking. Taking the beers from the fridge, I stand by the open window near the sink.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Nora
 

“Why the hell are you here Madsyn? I thought you left for good. You haven’t been around Nora for weeks. I’m taking her back to Miami, and there isn’t a damn thing you’re going to be able to do to stop me.”

I know listening to their conversation is wrong on many levels but I’m fascinated at their battle of wills.

“Did you fuck up yet?” Jase says with a calm tone.

“I’m not going to fuck up; she loves me and we are going back to Miami after the party. You think she wants you?” Luke scoffs. “You think she will choose you over me?”

“No…I don’t think; I know she will,” Jase responds.

I feel like a peeping Tom, but I can’t pull myself away from this conversation. I have to admit, it feels nice having Jase fight for me.

“I’m not playing a game here, Madsyn. Nora is mine and will always be mine. You can’t continue to bulldoze your way through her life. She’s not impressed with money, and she’ll never accept your life.”

I have to stop this. It’s getting out of hand. I don’t want them to get into a fist fight on my parents’ porch. As I break through the door, Max meets me and takes three beers from my hands, leaving me with Jase’s.

I hand the beer to Jase, whose face is calm and wearing a smirk. He winks at me as he takes the beer.

“Nora, I was just telling Jase how much we appreciate all that he has done for you.” Luke gestures beer bottle towards Jase, then continues, “I informed him we would be going back to Miami and will no longer be needing his assistance.”

I see the look of shock on everyone’s faces. I know my jaw has dropped, but it’s Jenny who speaks up.

“She’s not going anywhere with you. She’s staying with her family, and if you say another word about her going to Miami with you, I’m kicking you in the balls.”

I stifle a laugh, but know I need to say something. “Luke, stop. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Nora, we talked about this,” his voice is adamant.

“We did, and I told you no. I’m done arguing for tonight. I’m going back upstairs. You guys can talk about me like I’m not here and figure out my future.”

I am enraged by the way everyone has been talking about me. I mean, part of me is thrilled that Jase wants me, but Luke is so…frustrating. Does he not understand the word NO?

Hopefully, he got it this time, but no such luck as he opens his mouth again.

“Okay, we’ll talk about this later after the company has left,” Luke says.

Max speaks up, “Hey, asshole, in case you missed it, I’m family, not company and Jase is my family, so technically your ass is the only company here.”

Luke practically growls, “Let’s go; I’ll take you upstairs.”

Jase finally interrupts Luke’s obsessive behavior. He’s been so quiet. “Nora, I won’t keep you, but can I have a word with you?”

My body is answering for me. My heart beats fast at the way my name escapes his lips. I look over at Luke, who doesn’t say a word, but his facial expression is screaming, “NO!”

Jenny and Max stand too.

“Sure, I’ll walk you over to the rental house,” I say with a smile that there is no way I can hide. But as I turn to follow Jase, I feel a firm grasp on my wrist. Luke pulls me roughly to his chest; pain radiates from my wrist to my arm.

“Ouch,” comes from my mouth, but before I say anything else, Luke is on the ground. I didn’t even see what Jase did to knock him down.

Jase stands over him and pulls him up to his feet. “You touch her like that again, and it will be the last fucking time you use your arm. You got me, asshole?” Jase’s voice booms in the quiet night air.

Jase quickly has Luke slammed against the brick wall of the porch, and Luke’s hand is twisted into a painful position.

I hurry and slide in between them before Max joins the fun. “Jase, please let him go. He wasn’t trying to hurt me.” I plead with him by putting my hand on his firm chest and pushing against him.

He lets go. Luke spits onto the concrete sidewalk and wipes the blood off his mouth with his arm. He straightens his shirt and says, “Nora, please come inside with me.” His voice is hoarse.

“Let me speak to Jase. Max, could you give us a moment?” I knew he would know that meant take care of Luke. Even though we haven’t talked much lately, he always knows what to do.

Max’s bald head nods and his large hand palms Luke’s shoulder, “Come on, Luke, the family would like to have a word with the company.”

Geez, when were they all going to stop acting like Neanderthals? Jase watches me closely, his breathing is heavy. His ocean eyes are studying me.

“Jase, I appreciate you looking out for me, but I can handle Luke.”

“He doesn't need to ever touch you that way. I thought he was supposed to be in love with you. I don’t think that’s the correct way to convey his feelings, do you?”

I don’t say anything because I know he’s right, but I can handle Luke.

“Thank you, but I can handle him, cowboy,” I tease.

He smiles and places a hand on my cheek. “I’m sure you can, but I told you I don’t like him touching you…even gently; so imagine how I feel when he’s being rough.”

Jase caresses my cheek with his thumb; my body comes alive as his skin moves over mine. I could care less about what just happened. I want his mouth on mine and his hands all over me.

My eyes naturally close at his touch. I feel him lean in closer, and he whispers, “Baby, I’m serious, don’t let him touch you like that.”

He takes that moment to cover my lips with his. Pure calmness and desire cascade through me at the same time. Jase’s touch illuminates my senses. He tastes like beer and mint. He smells of a fresh scent and feels like heaven.

Jase breaks our kiss and I want to cry. I know I sigh at the loss. He runs his hand through my hair. “Goodnight, beautiful. I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. If you need me, I’m right next door.” He kisses my forehead and lingers for a second, then turns to walk away.

I stand frozen, watching him walk away from me, and all I want to do is run after him. I know, in this moment, I am completely and irrevocably in love with Jase Madsyn, my cowboy.

A throat clears behind me, “Well, you sure know how to drive the boys wild around here.”

I spin around to see Max’s playful grin. Max walks down the stairs, “You coming in now that you’ve made sure neither one of those boys will have a peaceful night’s sleep?”

I take a deep breath. “Not sure what you mean, Max.” He knows I’m lying.

“Oh, Nora, you know you got those boys worked up. Let me tell you, Jase doesn’t get worked up over anyone or anything. He’s got it bad, Ms. Skye.”

I wrap my arms around Max’s solid body. He hugs me back. He’s like a brother to me, and I’ve missed his advice dearly.

“Oh, Max, I think I’ve fallen for Jase. I mean, stupidly fallen for him.”

I feel Max’s body shake with laughter. “No shit, Sherlock.”

“I don’t know what I’m doing. How do I tell Jase how I feel and how the hell do I get rid of Luke?”

“Well, Luke is a cockroach that won’t die. You need to be straight and kick him the fuck out of your life. And, Jase, well, you need to tell him how you feel. I learned with Jenny; he might be just as unsure as you are.”

Max lets go of me and we sit down on the steps. “I thought you didn’t like the idea of Jase and me together?”

Max is wearing a huge smile on his face. “He didn’t deserve you the night of the wedding, or even in the hospital, but he has shown that you aren’t just another woman in his life who doesn’t matter; you are the only woman in his life that matters.”

Tears start to run down my cheeks. I don’t know what to say to Max, but I think I just got his blessing.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Jase

I hate leaving her with that asshole. The way he yanked her around like she was some sort of rag doll. I could have killed him right in front of her.

I let go of Luke because, as soon as the sound of her voice brushed my ears, I had to stop. I listened without question. If I believed in magic, I could swear she put some sort of spell on me and made me a slave to her every wish.

I’ve paced this entire little house since I returned from the Skyes’ house. I think back on my conversation today with Max.

Max was shooting daggers at me when he shoved his way past the door to the rental house.
 

“Come on in,” I said sarcastically, while gesturing him through the door.

“I can’t stand that prick anymore. What the fuck are you doing hiding out in here and not over there kicking his ass out of the house? Where the fuck did your balls go?” Max said, as he walked over to the fridge and grabbed a beer.

I crossed my arms, wondering what the hell was going on with him. He specifically told me that she needed time to herself. That she needed space to figure out who and what she wants. He told me he knows her better than anyone. But, here he was in my face.