James (Resisting Love #3)(17)

I’m silent, feeling slightly choked up. This man, he's good right down to his bones.

“Say something, Sasha,” he says, sounding worried. I step towards him, and wrap my arms around his waist. His strong arms instantly respond, cocooning me in his warmth.

“Why did you hide this?” I ask, confused.

“I mainly work the high profile cases. The woman you met, she was the wife of a very powerful man. I still can’t really talk about it, Sasha, but you could have been put in danger, I just needed you to get safely out of there. I would never cheat on you, ever,” he says as he stares into my eyes.

“So you never answer your phone because?”

“These jobs get intense, Sasha. When you see a woman battered, bruised and hiding in a corner, you’re not really thinking about answering your phone. I put my all into helping these women. Sometimes they want me to stay there so they feel secure. Most of the time I need to drive far to get to them or safe houses, so that’s why sometimes I’m gone for a few days. I know I need to be more available now that I have a family, and I’m going to try my best to make that happen.”

“You’re a good man, James,” I say softly, in awe.

“Does that mean you forgive me?” he asks.

“I do, I’m just wondering why it took you this long to tell me the truth,” I say boldly.

“I tried,” he says quickly.

“Not hard enough!” I spit out. James sighs, and crosses his arms over his chest.

“He’s amazing,” he rumbles, looking at our son, effectively changing the subject.

“He is,” I agree.

“Where do we go from here? I want you, the both of you. I want us to be a family, and there’s nothing I’m not willing to do to make that happen,” he says. My heart races.

“I want that, too, James.”

His smile in response is devastating.

***





Chapter Nine


James


I nervously rub the back of my neck, feeling like a damn school boy. I’m taking Sasha on our first official date since we decided to try and work things out between us. This has to run smoothly, and I’m definitely feeling the pressure right now. I knock on her door, strumming my fingers on my thigh as I wait impatiently. Jye is with my mother for the night, she came and picked him up earlier. She was so excited to have some one-on-one time with her grandson.

A minute later Sasha opens the door and graces me with her beautiful smile. I hand her the bouquet of orange tulips, knowing they’re her favourites, and then take a moment to appreciate just how gorgeous she really is. She's wearing jeans that look almost painted on, a red strapless top, and f*ck me boots.

“Thank you,” she says sweetly, smelling the tulips as she opens the door for me to enter. I walk in, and can’t help it when my eyes drop to her ass. Sasha turns her head and laughs. “Eyes up here, James.”

“Oh, come on, you gotta give me a break. I’ve been on my best behaviour for so long I’m gonna explode,” I admit with a grin.

She puts the tulips in a vase, before saying “The last time I received tulips was when we were together, you know.”

“What? No one brought you flowers. I know you dated a lot,” I say quickly.

“Oh I got flowers, lots of flowers. Just never my favourites, so thank you,” she says, obviously avoiding my dating comment. Her words make me sad, and want to punch every single man that has ever touched her at the same time.

“James?”

“Yes,” I say, directing my attention to her.

“Your knuckles are turning white,” she observes. I look down to see I’m gripping the ledge of the kitchen table, squeezing with all my might. I let go, and offer her a sheepish smile. She crosses her arms across her chest, drawing my attention to her breasts. Well, that’s one way to get my attention.

“Do you really wanna do this, before we even go on our first second-chance date?” she asks.

“Do what?” I ask, slightly confused.

“Go through the roster, you know. Who I’ve been with, who I’ve dated?”

I cringe. “Well, when you put it that way, no, I don't.”

She laughs. “I thought so, now come here,” she says, her voice turning sensual. I obey her command, coming close enough to her that I can smell her peach perfume.

“You didn’t kiss me,” she whispers. I instantly lean forward, pushing her gently against the table. I lift her face up with my palms and lower my lips to hers, capturing her in a deep kiss. It’s been so damn long since I have tasted her, I almost forgot how sweet she is. How perfect she is for me. Her tongue touches mine, not timidly, but confidently. I instantly lift her into my arms, cupping her ass into my hands and squeezing, her moan incites my own, and I pull back.

“What are you doing?” she demands, still panting.

“That was some kiss,” I say, pushing a strand of her hair out of her face.

“It was. Why did you stop?” she asks, still slightly breathless.

“I promised you a date, and we're going to have one,” I announce. She sighs, like she’s put out, but she can’t hide the grin on her pouty lips.

“I’m ready whenever you are,” she says.

***