Worth It All

by Claudia Connor

  After twenty minutes, Casey was finally asleep. She found Jake sitting on the edge of their bed in the dark. She left their door open a crack, like she’d done with Casey’s, and went to him.

  “You think you’re very funny, don’t you?”

  “Yes. Very.” She straddled his lap, kissed his lips, his cheeks, his neck. She wanted to see him, feel him without this damn shirt blocking her view. She went after his buttons, working each one. “I’ve been waiting to undress you for a long time.”

  “Really?” His smile was purely wicked. “You should have told me that.”

  When he was finally free of it, she put her lips to his neck again and inhaled. He always smelled so good. A sexy, musky scent mixed with fresh shaving cream. She nipped at his throat, working her way down to his chest. His body was a sculpted masterpiece, his skin burning over hard muscle, and all for her. Hot hands began a sensual glide down her back, and soon being funny was the furthest thing from her mind.

  “Arms up.”

  With her eyes locked with his, she raised her arms above her head and watched him as he peeled the top up and over. His eyes were dark with desire that she was sure matched her own.

  He got rid of her bra, then spread his hands over her breasts, cupped them, tasted them. Pleasure shimmered through her, dissolving into a moan. “So good.” With one hand roaming his back and the other holding his head at her chest, she rocked against his erection.

  He cursed and stood and she laughed against his lips as he tumbled them to the mattress. And then she wasn’t laughing anymore. He loved her thoroughly, exploring every inch of her. Some minutes later pants were discarded, panties and boxers disappeared. She sighed at the exquisiteness of Jake, skin to skin, nothing between them.

  His hands were everywhere, followed by his mouth. His touch was familiar now and so much better because of it. Jake knew exactly where and how to touch her, how long and how fast. He owned her, every inch of her belonged to him, and she still wanted to give more. Like the entire world came down to the two of them touching.

  They were both wild, a bit reckless, and when they were both desperate and on edge, he filled her. One long stroke that stole her breath.

  “Don’t move.” His voice was commanding and thick with need.

  She couldn’t move, she was drowning in his eyes, rocked to her very core by their joining. But it was the tender stroke of his hand over her hair while he whispered her name that brought the tears. She loved him. The words were in her heart but stuck in her throat.

  “Shh,” he whispered against her lips. “Just be with me.”

  She lost herself with him and in him, and as scary as it was, it was also the most wonderful feeling she’d ever known. She gave herself over to him and let Jake take her wherever he wanted, and it was beautiful.

  Chapter 30

  “It’s done,” JT said later that week, referring to the finger plate. “We’ll wait to hear back from the patent office, but the trials are over.”

  Simon glanced up from where he was kicked back at one of JT’s workstations, fiddling with a bionic arm mock-up. “Sweet. That was a good job, man. Lynn and her money minions will be pleased. So how’d your weekend go?”

  “Good.” He turned back to his monitor and rubbed a hand over his face. Better than good. It had only been a couple of days, but he missed the time when he had Paige and Casey all to himself. That wasn’t happening now.

  “Hey, Jenny wants the four of us to go out to dinner tonight. I’m sure I can get my sister to babysit.”

  Jenny and Simon. He was still wrapping his head around that. “Sounds good, but she’s working.”

  “Sounds like someone’s feeling lonely.”

  He didn’t blame her, he admired her. Didn’t mean he liked it.

  “So it’s getting serious?”

  He loved her. It was that serious. So much he was stupid with it. It was killing him, watching her struggle when he knew he could make things so much easier.

  Simon looked up from his phone. “Okay, so it’s obvious how you feel. Does she feel the same?”

  “I don’t know. She’s…cautious.” He laughed softly, thinking that was putting it mildly. He needed to go slow, but they were his and he was theirs. He knew that without a doubt. Felt it in the way Paige kissed him or turned into him in the night. And the way Casey held on to his hand, blue eyes gazing up at him.

  He’d go slow, but not too slow.

  “We can still go out after,” Simon said. “Jenny really wants to.”

  “And what Jenny wants, Jenny gets?” He smiled at Simon’s smitten expression.

  “Something like that. Do you think Paige would be okay with my sister babysitting?”

  “Sure. They talked about it at the wedding.”

  JT’s own phone buzzed. Stephen. But when he answered, it wasn’t Stephen.

  “Hey, JT.”

  “Hey, Hannah, what’s up?”

  Before he could answer he heard his brother yelling in the background. “She stole my phone, bro. I have nothing to do with this.”

  “Nothing to do with what?”

  “Okay, this may sound crazy, and tell me if it is, but my assistant just found out she got into a graduate program and she’s leaving in two days.”

  “And?”

  “And…I thought of Paige to fill in. She’s so great with the kids and we’ve talked a couple of times since. I know how much she loved it.”

  Yeah. So did he, and a small knot began to form in his stomach.

  “But I didn’t know what you would think about it. I mean she’s there and you’re there and…”

  And California was a long-ass way from Virginia. “How long were you thinking?”

  “Well, I know Casey is starting school soon so maybe she could just help me out for a week or so. It would give her a better idea of if this was something she really wanted to pursue, and it’d be great for Casey.”

  “Yes. It would be great for both of them.”

  “But really, I wasn’t even going to mention it at all unless you thought it was a good idea. I know you two are…close. It’s just…she’s the first person I thought of. She’d be working closely with me and I really like her. I know things are hard for her, so I thought this might give her a chance at something she really wanted. If she wanted it.”

  “So you’re thinking it could be long-term?”

  Hannah paused and the knot in his stomach tightened. “Assuming it went well, that would be up to Paige. But look, we can just forget it. Just chalk this up to crazy-pregnant-woman talk. I’ll look around for someone else.”

  “No. Don’t do that.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes.” This could be everything Paige wanted and needed. It hurt him to say it, but…“Call her. I definitely think she’d be interested.”

  “Okay. If you’re sure.”

  Hannah now sounded very unsure, so he said it again. “I’m sure. Call her.”

  Before she could ask him again if he was sure, his brother got on the phone.

  “Hey, man.”

  “Hey. What’s up?” The question was habit as his mind reeled around the possibilities.

  “Not too much. Look, I…hang on.” The background noise of Hannah and Mitchell was cut off before his brother continued. “Hannah and Paige hit it off in some girl-love thing, and Hannah’s in a bad position right now with the baby and her assistant leaving. I don’t want to screw things up for you, but you know my wife comes first, and I’d much prefer her sitting on the front porch sipping lemonade and not worrying about anything more than what kind of cookie she wants me to make her. She comes first, above all else.”

  Above all else. Like Paige and Casey came before all else to him. “You make cookies?” JT asked, trying for humor that he didn’t feel.

  “I have many skills.” Stephen sighed. “Look, man, I don’t know exactly where you are with Paige, but maybe just talk to her about it. I think Hannah’s planning on calling her later today or tomor
row, but she’s worried as all hell about you and Paige and…shit. I do not want to get in the middle of…whatever there is to get into the middle of.”

  “It’s all good, man. Don’t worry. And tell Hannah not to worry,” he added. “This would be a great opportunity for her.” If he still had any doubts about himself and being the man Paige deserved, maybe this was the test. What he wanted or what Paige wanted? What was best for Paige and Casey? That’s what it came down to.

  They talked another minute about their work before they hung up. When he looked up, he found Simon staring at him.

  “What was that all about?”

  He filled Simon in on Hannah’s offer and had barely finished before his friend was shaking his head.

  “You’re not as smart as I thought you were if you let her get away. If you want her to stay, you should tell her.”

  JT stared across the room at nothing. He loved her. He’d never keep her from something that could make her happy. “It’s complicated.”

  “It’s only complicated if you make it complicated.”

  “Things are about to get a lot more complicated,” Lynn said.

  They both whipped their heads around to see their frighteningly pregnant friend walking slowly.

  JT stood, moving toward her. “Lynn?”

  “Yeah.” She squeezed his hand and tried to smile, but it was more like a grimace. “It’s happening. At work.” She gritted her teeth against obvious pain. “I’m pretty sure my water just broke halfway down the hall. You might want to call someone about that.”

  Simon stood, then immediately sat back down, his face white.

  “I called my husband but his plane must still be”—she broke off to breathe—“in the air. Ouch. One of you is going to have to drive me to the hospital.”

  —

  Paige stood at her kithen sink, the phone to her ear.

  “I don’t expect you to say yes,” Hannah said. “I wouldn’t even ask you to, but maybe you could just come out for another week and see what you think. You have more hands-on knowledge with children with amputated limbs than anyone. Having your own child here would give other parents the peace of mind only a mother could give. Just think about it. I know it’d be a lot to consider, but I didn’t feel right going to someone else without even asking you.”

  She’d thought about the work Hannah did quite a bit since she’d left. Envied her a bit, if she was honest. How great it would be to have a meaningful job, a home surrounded by trees.

  “I know it’s far away from California, far away from JT. I wasn’t even sure if I should call you. I almost didn’t, but he said I should so…”

  “You talked to Jake?”

  “Yes. I wasn’t sure this was the right thing to do, but like I said, you were the first person I thought of.”

  “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

  “Think about it. Talk to Jake. If nothing else, you could come for a week or so. Casey could ride and you could see if it’s something you really want to do, regardless.”

  “Okay.” She thanked Hannah again and hung up. He’d told Hannah to call her? And possibly ask her to move to Virginia?

  “I have to tell you something.”

  Paige whirled around at the sound of Jenny’s voice behind her. “Hey.” She moved to turn on the water at the sink and waited for it to get hot.

  “No. I need you to stop for a second.”

  She stopped. “Okay. What’s going on?”

  Jenny stepped closer and took her hands. “I’m telling you first.”

  Seconds ticked by and Paige’s heart rate picked up.

  “I’m getting married!”

  Even Jenny’s high-pitched squeal didn’t cut through the shock. “To who?”

  “To Simon, of course! And don’t freak out, but…I’m pregnant!”

  Oh no. Oh, Jenny. Her stomach sank.

  “I wanted this, what I have with Simon. I’ve wanted it my entire life. I love him and he loves me. Please be happy.”

  She hugged her cousin with everything she had. “I am happy. If you’re happy, I’m happy, and Simon is a great guy. A really great guy. And I have something to tell you too.”

  Jenny wiped at her happy tears and waited.

  “That was Hannah, Jake’s sister-in-law.”

  “The one with the horses?”

  “Right. Her assistant quit and she wants me to come back and fill in.”

  “Wow. For how long?”

  “She said for a week, but also asked me to try it. Like if I wanted, it could be long-term.”

  “You mean you’d move to Virginia? You’d leave me? What about Jake?”

  “Well, you’ll be pretty busy,” Paige said, grinning with Jenny.

  “I know!” They shared another excited hug. “But what about Jake?”

  “I don’t know. Hannah said she called him first, to see what he thought about it, I guess. That sounds like something she would do, but…he told her to call me. What does that mean?”

  “Probably that he knows how much you loved it there.”

  “Maybe.” Had Hannah told him it could be long-term?

  “Well, tell me what she said.”

  “She said she thinks I’d be great at it.” Paige walked to the kitchen table but didn’t sit down. “I’d make more than I’m making now, and almost all the work would be afternoons and weekends. I’d be there for Casey before and after school. I’d never work at night, and I could take classes during the day while Casey’s in school.”

  “Wow. Sorry, I can’t seem to say anything else.”

  “I know. And the cabin we stayed in last time is where we’d live. Jenny, you can’t imagine how beautiful it is. It’s a house with a porch surrounded by woods. It even has a porch swing.” She sank into a kitchen chair. She could picture herself sitting there at night alone or with Casey. Or with Jake. The swing definitely made her think of Jake.

  Jenny came to stand beside her. “But how do you really feel about it?”

  “I feel like…like maybe this is a crossroads.” Maybe a test. Would Jake ask her to stay? Did she want him to? Just when she started to believe in love, she had a chance at everything she wanted. Only maybe it wasn’t everything she wanted anymore.

  Chapter 31

  Jake passed under the old-world stone archway to enter the restaurant. Known for their steak and with a rich ambiance, he was happy to bring Paige here, a little jealous that Simon had done the pickup. He checked in with the hostess just as his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out as he followed her through a dim room of white tablecloth–covered tables.

  Glancing at the screen, he smiled at the message from Lynn.

  Drugs are good. I’ll text you when it’s over.

  “Hey, you made it,” Paige said as he reached the table of three.

  JT thanked the hostess and lowered himself into the booth. “I did.” He pressed a kiss to her lips that went on just a touch too long, but he didn’t care.

  Paige slid the breadbasket toward him. “How’s Lynn?”

  “Good, I think. Just got a text.” He read it to the table. Paige laughed, Jenny looked like she was processing the message he’d just read. Simon froze with a hunk of bread halfway to his mouth.

  He studied his friend. “What?”

  “Um…” Simon cleared his throat. “Well, we were going to make a big announcement but—”

  Jenny squeaked, and a burst of unspoken excitement passed between she and Paige.

  Simon shook his head. “You told her, didn’t you?”

  “I did. I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it!” Jenny beamed up at Simon, then at them. “We’re pregnant!”

  “Stealing my thunder here, babe.” Simon shook his head in mock disappointment, but the man was clearly anything but disappointed. “That’s okay, baby. You tell whoever you want.” He kissed her cheek.

  “Well, I’m surprised,” JT said. “Congrats, man, and good job keeping it to yourself. I didn’t know you had it in you to keep a s
ecret. As soon as I get a drink, we’ll toast.”

  JT watched Paige as Jenny swept her up in wedding plans and baby excitement. Would Paige be that happy to be pregnant with his baby? He knew he would be. Thanks to her, he was able to picture that, and want that without a choking guilt. A warmth flowed through his blood as the idea grew. Getting the news, watching the baby grow inside her, watching over her as his wife. His pregnant wife.

  A smile tugged at his lips, picturing Casey. She’d be delirious with excitement. Like Christmas. And he hadn’t had a Christmas with her. Maybe wouldn’t now.

  Again, he pictured his girls happy in Virginia. Paige wouldn’t work so hard. They’d live in the kind of house she dreamed of, and she would have it on her terms, working for it herself. She was so smart and capable, and so young. She deserved a chance to go after her dream.

  He glanced up and caught Simon’s thoughtful look, but their waiter arrived for drink orders.

  “So, how did he do it?” Paige asked as the waiter left.

  “Propose or get me pregnant?” Jenny laughed, her body practically wrapped around Simon’s in the booth. “He told me he was in love with me and wanted me to have his babies.”

  Simon grinned at JT over his beer. “See? Not complicated. Just simple and honest.”

  Somehow he didn’t think it would be that simple with Paige.

  “Then I told him we had a head start on that last part and you should have seen his face!”

  JT grinned. “You should have seen his face when Lynn said her water broke.”

  They laughed and ate, they talked about Lynn and wedding plans. What they didn’t talk about was his and Paige’s future. She didn’t bring it up, not that he expected her to.

  The food in his mouth was getting harder and harder to swallow, wondering what Paige thought about Hannah’s offer. If Hannah had made the offer. He didn’t even know if she had. Had Hannah decided not to call her? Maybe he hadn’t been convincing enough. If that was the case, what the hell would he do? He couldn’t keep it from her.

  She might go and decide she didn’t like it. She might go and miss him and come home resenting their relationship. He could tell her he loved her, beg her to marry him, forcing her to choose between fulfilling her dreams and love. At least, he thought she loved him.