James (Resisting Love #3)(22)

“Thank you for having us,” I tell Nikki and Kade as we're about to leave. Little Grace is hugging Nikki’s leg, her eyes drooping. Looks like she could fall asleep any second now.

“You’re family, that means you’re welcome anytime,” Kade replies, giving me a wink. We say our goodbyes and head back to my apartment. For the first time, James stays the night.

***

James

I stare at Sasha asleep on the bed, my body shaking with silent laughter. After making a comment about how she ‘better be getting some more action tonight’ I come out of the shower to find her fast asleep. And snoring. She must have been really tired. I run my hand down the length of her naked back, loving the fact that I can touch her anytime I want again.

I almost want to wake her, but I don’t. Instead I slide into bed, gently pull her into my arms so I’m spooning her from behind. I breathe in her scent, she smells fruity with a trace of her peach perfume lingering on her neck. I place a soft kiss on her shoulder, before falling asleep.

I wake up in the middle of the night to my phone ringing. I grab it off the side table and check the time, four AM. Looks like I’m needed at the safe house. I huff out a regretful sigh and look at Sasha for a few moments. I place a kiss on her forehead and hop out of bed to quickly get dressed. I check on Jye who is fast asleep, before locking up and heading out. I send Sasha a quick text message so she won’t be worried wondering where I am. When I’m about to pull away, I look longingly at the front door. I know my time is coming to an end, because nothing is more important than my family, and they need to come first.

I need to quit this job. I can’t help but feel lighter after finally acknowledging that. I know exactly what I need to do. I smile as I drive away.

***





Chapter Eleven


Sasha


I wake up alone, wondering where James could be. A quick check of my phone tells me he was called in to work. Jye comes into my room and we snuggle for a while before we get up and have breakfast. I do my usual routine of washing Jye, then cleaning up the house. Once that is all done, Jye and I head to the park for him to play. The day passes quickly, and before I know it, I’m back in the kitchen, cooking dinner. I’m just pulling the baked chicken out of the oven when I hear the door being unlocked. I'd given James a spare key, and he's been happily using it ever since. He walks into the kitchen looking tired, his blond hair messy and sticking out in all directions. Even though he looks exhausted, he still musters up a welcoming smile for Jye and me.

“Isn’t this domestic?” he teases as he lifts Jye into his arms for a cuddle and a kiss.

“Hey, how was your day?” I ask him.

“Smells so good, Sasha,” he says as he walks towards me and dips me theatrically, placing soft kisses on my neck.

“My day was tiring. But it felt good knowing I was coming home to this,” he tells me. He lifts me back into a standing position and then looks around the kitchen, seemingly hungry.

“Go and sit down and relax. I’ll serve the food,” I offer. He kisses me again on the temple before doing just that, pulling Jye onto his lap and taking a seat at the dinner table. I serve all the food, and bring the plates to the table. When I place James’ down, I can see that he’s laughing.

“What’s so funny?” I ask him.

“Remember when we were dating, you told me to never expect you to wait on me, because you’re not that kind of girl. Now look at you, domestic goddess,” he says with a smirk.

“I turned into a domestic goddess for Jye, not you! Just you remember that, James Steele,” I hiss, slamming his plate down a little harder than necessary. He laughs at that. When Jye copies James and starts laughing too, I cover my face with my hands.

“Keep laughing and this will be the last home-made meal you will ever taste,” I say in a saccharine sweet voice. The laughing stops. At least out loud, I can still see his body shaking in silence.

“James, can I ask you something?” I ask him after we’ve finished our meals and Jye is in bed.

“Anything. What’s on your mind?” he asks as he turns the volume down slightly on the television.

“How did you get into this? Helping abused women?” I ask him. I’ve been wondering about this ever since he told me that this was what he did, what he was passionate about. He stiffens slightly, and I feel the change in him because I’m wrapped in his arms. I’m about to tell him not to worry about explaining when he starts talking.

“An ex-girlfriend of mine, Celia, she killed herself. She was being abused by her new boyfriend. I don’t know why no one helped her. Apparently her boyfriend worked with her father, and they were family friends, so she must have felt she couldn’t turn to her own family, I’m not sure. When her body was found, she was covered in bruises, and her ribs were broken. Apparently she had contacted the police that day, but they didn’t do anything. They told her to file a report. She must have thought it was hopeless, so she ended her life.”

My breath hitches and my hand reaches for his, offering whatever comfort I can give him.

“It always stuck with me, so I looked into what options women have if they were unfortunate to be stuck in similar situations. To be honest, there weren’t many at all. The police can only do so much, I guess. So I contacted some people, and we created The Safe House. I wanted to help these women, protect them when no one else will.”