In what sounded like a very groggy voice she answered, “Hello Jerry. How’s your day?”
Grateful to hear your voice.
“I’m here,” he said.
“Tell me you’re not on a cow,” she muttered.
“Cow? What the hell are you talking about?” Jerry asked, now worried that she might be delirious with a fever or something.
“Jerry?”
“Were you expecting someone else?” he asked. Jealousy filled his gut.
“Sorry, I was sleeping and…I wasn’t sure I heard right,’ she said.
If he’d woken her out of a deep sleep, it explained why she sounded so out of it. “I’m afraid to ask why my name is associated with a cow.”
Reanna sighed. “Long story about a call I was on last night.”
There weren’t any cow-related issues in Boston, at least not to his knowledge. Another reason why I’m a city boy. “I thought you had the night off?” he said, still sitting in his car.
“Figured I might as well work since you weren’t here. When am I going to see you again?” she asked.
“Now, if you unlock your door,” he said.
“You’re here?” she exclaimed.
“You must be exhausted if you already forgot that,” he stated. “Maybe I should go and—” He stopped talking as he saw the door open and Reanna wrapped in a sheet. Or come in. He slipped his cell phone into his pocket, shut off the engine, and headed to the porch. “Hope you don’t greet everyone like that,” he teased.
She pulled him inside and said, “Only one.” Reanna let the sheet drop to the floor. “I was in bed, care to join me?”
The blood rushed to Jerry’s cock. He’d love to take her upstairs and make love to her, but if she’d worked all night, she needed sleep. Scooping her up into his arms, he carried her up the stairs and to her room. He laid her on her side of the bed, and then lay down beside her.
She looked up at him and he said, “Don’t tell me you’re going to ask me about the cow again.”
She chuckled. “No. I was thinking you’re overdressed.”
He kicked off his shoes and asked, “Is that better?” She shook her head. Jerry added, “I’m not taking off my clothes.”
“Shy?” she teased.
“I know what will happen if I do,” he stated.
“And that is a bad thing?” she asked.
He nodded. “You need sleep. Lots of it too, I think.”
“I’m not too tired,” she said, reaching out to unbutton his shirt.
He brushed her hands away. “Roll over and I’ll rub your back.”
She smiled. “That’s a start. What else are you going to rub?”
Don’t tempt me. I’m trying to be good. It was getting painful to do so. “I’m going to go if you don’t sleep.”
“Is that a threat?”
He smiled down at her. “It’s a promise. Now roll over and sleep.”
She did as he asked, but she wiggled her ass right up against him. With her, spooning led to fucking, but not today, not now. He closed his eyes and tried to think of anything other than how good she felt in his arms. The more he tried, the harder he got. Fuck, you’re my one weakness.
He didn’t allow himself to even flinch in fear that if he did, she’d wake. Once he heard the soft snoring, which he’d become accustomed to, he finally began to relax.
Jerry was proud of her choice of career, but she was pulling too many hours. It’d be selfish of him to do anything right now other than take care of her. He’d spend the whole day lying there holding her if that was what it took for her to get enough rest.
He always kept his phone on vibrate, so he didn’t need to worry about that, but lying still wasn’t something he was good at. The first hour had been easy, but the next few were more difficult. He wished he could sleep, but it wasn’t something he ever was able to do during the day, even when he was dead tired.
Jerry rolled over slightly and stopped. When Reanna didn’t even stir, he inched away a little farther. Eventually, he was able to get up and close the door behind him. He wasn’t about to leave, but at least if he was downstairs, he could do some work.
He went into the kitchen and made a pot of coffee then headed to the couch. He stretched out and checked his messages. Jerry answered what he could; the rest would need to wait until he had his laptop. There was one email from Mr. Lee concerning a few disgruntled employees. Jerry hit delete. Mr. Lee didn’t own the company any longer and had no right demanding anything.
The bastard should be thanking me for giving them a severance package. I could’ve just fired all their asses with nothing.
There was the difference between Jerry and Mr. Lee. Jerry knew employees weren’t family. You hired them to do a job. When they weren’t needed any longer, their job ended. Simple. When you cross the line and start to value employees as more than that, things become complicated.
That’s kind of where he was at with Reanna too. He hadn’t kept his distance like he knew he should’ve and look what happened. Things sure as hell weren’t what he expected. She was invading his thoughts at all hours of the day and night. And no one would ever believe it if they knew he had blown off work and driven all this way just to check on her. There hadn’t been any hesitation on his part on whether he was doing the right thing. Jerry was driven by the need to know she was okay. Somehow, that spunky, beautiful, fun, independent woman had gotten deep under his skin and invaded the core of his existence.
He knew what he believed in, what he wanted in life. None of it ever included being with someone like Reanna. She was the marrying type. A woman who’d make a wonderful mother to the right man’s children. But hell, he wasn’t the right guy. He wanted to be, but he couldn’t do what Kenneth had. No way could Jerry live in the country like this. He might be able to pull it off short term, but he’d go stir-crazy and eventually it’d come between them.
There was one thing Jerry wasn’t sure about. Reanna lived here, but was this all she ever wanted? Would she be willing to relocate? Maybe not live in Boston, but more of a residential area close to Boston. He loved the city life. He loved his penthouse. Neither was something he wanted to give up.
But I love Reanna too.
Until he met her, he wasn’t really sure what love felt like. This could be it. Or it could be a serious attack of indigestion, because it wasn’t a light, fuzzy feeling. Any time he thought she might be in trouble, it felt more like a tight burning feeling in his chest. Worrying normally wasn’t one of his character traits, because it never accomplished anything. He was a man of action. Yet Jerry found himself doing a lot of it over Reanna. Even in a small town, being a police officer came with risk.
This is why they say someone is lovesick. Because it twists your gut in a knot and you want to hurl.
With all these feelings, he still couldn’t bring himself to leave. He’d promised her he’d be there, and he’d keep his word. Jerry would never forget what it had felt like to hurt her. He never wanted to see that pain in her eyes again.
But the day was quickly turning to night. Although he was happy she was sleeping, he knew if she didn’t get up, she would be awake all night. Jerry headed back upstairs to her bedroom. He opened the door slowly, not wanting to startle her. But she wasn’t asleep any longer. Instead, Reanna was sitting on the bed crying.
Immediately he rushed to her side and pulled her into his arms. “What’s wrong honey?”
“I…I thought I had been dreaming again,” she said. “But you’re really here.”
He said softly, “Yes honey, I’m here.”
“My days and nights have flipped around so much lately, I’m…discombobulated.” She sighed and looked around the room. “What time is it?” she asked.
The drapes were still drawn so the room was dimly lit. He looked at the alarm clock on the opposite side of the bed. “Almost nine. You must be getting hungry.”
“Nine! I have slept almost all day.”
“And you needed it,
” he said. “But I think you need food too.”
She was still naked and leaned closer to him. “I’m famished, but first, why are you here?”
“Don’t want me here?”
Reanna pulled away and looked up at him. “I always want you here. But that doesn’t answer my question. I thought you were in Boston because you have meetings.”
“Change of plans.” Because nothing I had to do was more important to me than you.
“For me too. I’ve been working so much lately that the chief gave me the next few days off. Want to spend them together?” she asked.
It sounded damn good to him, but not here. It was going to be a longshot, because only a deep-rooted country girl would be thinking about cows. Jerry had nothing to lose by asking. If she said no, he wouldn’t try convincing her. It had to be something she wanted to do. “How do you feel about coming and staying at my place?” It would give him a chance to see what she thought of the city. God, please say yes, because I want to hold you in a bed actually big enough to sleep two grown adults.
“Your place? You want me to stay with you?” she asked, as though she didn’t believe he was asking.
You’re not the only one surprised by this.
“Yes. I figured it would be different. And maybe we can take in a show or something. Trust me, you’ll like it,” he added.
“You say that a lot,” Reanna replied.
He wasn’t sure what she was referring to. “That you’ll like it?”
She shook her head. “To trust you. What if you’re wrong and I don’t like it? Should I stop trusting you then?”
Jerry hadn’t even realized how much he’d said it to her. But thinking back, it was almost from the moment they’d met. It wasn’t a phrase he commonly used, at least, it hadn’t been in the past. Maybe it was because he knew she was holding back. No fucking more than I have been.
“So you know, I’ll never break my promise to you.” Or I’ll try like hell not to.
He hoped her hesitation wasn’t a sign she was going to decline his offer. If she said no, then it only would be proof that they were from two different worlds. He knew that already, but it might mean their differences were too great to work out.
Instead she said, “I’ve always wanted to visit Boston. You think you can take the time off to show me the sights?”
He smiled and said, “I’d show you the world if you’d let me.”
Reanna giggled. “How about I explore Boston first?”
Jerry got up and unbuttoned his shirt. “I’m a Bostonian.”
She ran her hands inside his shirt and up his chest. “Hmm. I can see something very appealing to me already.” Then she dropped her hand to his belt buckle, unzipped his pants, and slipped her hand inside. “I might have to explore this thoroughly.”
Damn good thing you got all that sleep. Because you’re going to need it tonight.
He really wanted to be back in Boston, but right now, there was only one place he needed to be. Jerry pulled off his clothes and climbed into bed. “Would you like the full tour, or just the highlights,” he teased.
“I want it all,” she smiled as he pulled her down onto him.
“It’ll be my pleasure, but if you don’t mind, I think I’d like to do some exploring myself,” he said.
Reanna laughed. “I’m not sure there is anything you haven’t explored.”
Jerry nipped her taut nipple and said, “I think I’ll start here, and…” he kissed his way lower, “and then…”
She moaned. “I’m supposed to be…exploring…you,” she said breathlessly.
He shifted himself around and asked, “How’s this?”
Jerry felt her hand run up his thigh before she gripped his cock and licked it. Fuck yeah. He’d had every intention of them spending the night in Boston. Maybe they’d get an early start and have breakfast there in the morning instead. Right now, he wanted his dessert.
Chapter Ten
Reanna didn’t live the sheltered life that Jerry might think she did. She might not have been on a tour of Boston, but she’d spent plenty of time in New York City. Besides, she was a police officer. She had seen more than she ever wanted to share with anyone. She was positive that Jerry had made it a point to take her only to the best and safest places on his tour today. She had expected that. Jerry wanted her to see the best of what Boston had to offer. But it wasn’t the history or the beautiful building that drew her here. It was getting to know him on a more personal level. She would’ve told him that early on, but the look on Jerry’s face had shown how excited he was doing this with her.
Boston had its charm for sure, but there was one place he hadn’t taken her yet, and she wondered why. Had he changed his mind about her sleeping over? “I don’t know about you, but I think I’ve had my fill of sightseeing today.” Hopefully that was a sweet, subtle hint.
“Would you like to go out and eat? I know this great place by the water,” he said.
Maybe too subtle.
“Do they do takeout?” she tried again.
“Don’t tell me you don’t eat by the ocean because of sharks.”
She laughed. “You run your own business, right?”
He looked at her, puzzled. “What does this have to do with sharks?”
“Nothing. And neither does my wanting takeout.” With a sigh she added, “Wouldn’t you rather eat at home?” That was as clear as it could get.
“Oh. My place. Got it,” he said.
Finally.
“But seafood does sound good. I’d just like to eat it where we can relax,” she replied.
Jerry smiled. “I agree. Why don’t we go to the penthouse and soak in the Jacuzzi and let them deliver?”
“Now that sounds like the perfect way to end our day,” she said.
“Not sure it’s ending, but the location will be more…private,” he teased. “Unless you’re too tired after all that running around.”
“Don’t make me prove what stamina I have, because you’d be amazed,” she challenged.
“You amaze me with everything you do.”
She crossed her arms. “My cooking?”
He nodded. “Absolutely. Amazed you haven’t poisoned anyone yet,” he joked.
“My police work?” she asked.
“Impressed. I don’t know many people who make the national news. And it also explained that funky odor in your house yesterday morning. You might want to request a new uniform,” he suggested.
“We have to purchase them. I washed it four times and I just can’t get the smell out,” she replied. “And please don’t remind me that the world watched a cow pee on me. I’ll never get hired by another department now.
“First, it wasn’t the world, just the country. Not that it makes it any better. Secondly, what do you mean another department? I thought you loved where you are.”
“I do. But that doesn’t mean I want to be there for the rest of my life. Even my house was purchased believing that it was only temporary. But I’ve stayed in both longer than I expected.” Or wanted.
As they drove to his apartment, they used the time to talk differently than they usually did. The conversation turned…serious.
“You’re okay with not living in Hope Valley?”
“Of course. I might have been born and raised there, but there is so much more to see and do in this country of ours. But it takes money to be able to travel. Not that you’ve ever worried about that,” she stated. He was a billionaire, from a long line of wealthy Hearts. Money was nothing to him.
“I have been fortunate not to go without. But let me correct you on something if you don’t mind. I run my own business. I drive my own revenue. If I make the wrong decision, or connect with the wrong people, I could lose it. There is no guarantee what I have today, will be here tomorrow.”
She didn’t have all that much to lose. There was a mortgage on the house, so the bank would take that. It still needed a lot of work, which she couldn’t afford yet either. Her truck was
hers free and clear, but she couldn’t see anyone wanting that either. But Reanna didn’t value possessions. Brenda complained all the time because Reanna would give the shirt off her back to someone if they needed it more than her. But it was what made her happy. Helping others was what life was all about to her. That’s why she went to the police academy.
“I’m sure your family would help you out if that were the case,” she said.
“Asking for help isn’t something a Heart does well.”
“You mean you’d rather go down fighting alone than stand with support from your family and friends?” She didn’t understand that, but then again, when was the last time she asked for help? She was always the one offering it. And sometimes getting taken advantage of because of it too.
“It sounds…”
“Ridiculous. But I don’t know if I’m much different. Not sure this is the trait I wanted us to have in common,” she chuckled.
“I’m sure there are more. But we’re just beginning to learn more about each other. And I want to hear more about you. If Hope Valley isn’t your dream home, where is?” he asked.
She wished she had an answer that would blow his mind. The truth was, she hadn’t allowed herself to dream that far. Actually, she didn’t normally dream at all. That was changing since she’d met Jerry. Just wish I had a damn clue what those crazy dreams meant.
“I really don’t know. Guess I’m going to have to try different places to see what feels like home.” She’d enjoyed her tour, but knew that Boston wasn’t it. Part of her hoped it would be, and maybe he had expected that to be her answer. She needed to be honest with him about that. It was the only fair thing to do. But they already had so many differences, why should she bring up another? No rush. If he asks, I’ll tell him. Until then, I’ll wait.
“Traveling is in your future then. Where do you want to go? Paris? Dubai? Hawaii?”
“At least Hawaii is in the US for work. But I wouldn’t mind seeing the others on vacation.” Maybe when I win the lottery. Which will be never because I don’t play.
“Want to go?”
“I believe I already answered that,” she said sarcastically. There were times she wasn’t so sure Jerry listened to her.
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