When We Fall (Take the Fall, #2)(35)

“Thanks, but I’m tired.”

I watch as she shuffles away, her shoulders hunched over and her arms coming around her middle. She’s barely holding on, I realize, but there’s really nothing I can do but listen, offer our services, and pray that the cops catch her husband.





Chapter 11





Jase


It’s nearly midnight when Piper’s BMW pulls into the driveway. Because I’ve been watching for her all evening, it takes me all of three seconds to run outside and grab my girl up in a hug.

“Hey, baby. I missed you. Barely got to talk to you at work.” I run my nose along her neck, breathing in the sweet scent of her perfume and honeysuckle-scented shampoo.

Her arms go around my neck, squeezing me tight. “I missed you, too.”

“How was the center?” I was so swamped by the time Piper arrived at the Tattoo Shop that I didn’t get the chance to ask. Then her first text to me after she got to her second job was that she would be working extra.

She sighs, her warm breath puffing against my throat. “It’s work. I love it, but everything is so real. It’s not the training videos or classes I took.”

“Real life rarely is.”

“I know, but I feel so useless. The only thing I have to offer is to listen.”

“Sometimes that’s all people need.”

Changing the subject, she asks, “How was work after I left?”

“Slammed until closing. Emmett and I made a corporate decision to hire two new people. They can rent their station from us and help pay for community supplies.”

“That’s a very smart thing to do.”

“You sound impressed that we came up with it.”

“I am impressed.” She leans back in the circle of my arms. “It’s super-hard to run a business. I watched Rowan run Gardner’s Auto Repair for years. I don’t know how she did it.”

“She’s a beast,” I say. A car goes by, music blaring from the speakers. “Fuck, it’s late. Too late for those *s to be that loud. Man, I’m old.”

Piper yawns. “Let’s go to bed.”

“I’ll tuck you in tight.”

“You’re not going to sleep with me?”

“I want to, but we didn’t plan ahead, and my ego is terrified that you’ll fall asleep in the middle of it all.”

Piper laughs. “I’m pretty sure I won’t fall asleep the first time we have sex. The second time, however, after ten at night, you’re at your own risk.”

With a grin kicking up the corners of my mouth, I head inside, bringing her with me. “You are fun-ny, Ms. Ross.”

“I try,” she quips before another yawn makes her mouth open wide. “How about tomorrow after I have dinner with my parents? Oh, wait, you have that party.”

Fuck. I’d forgotten about the party and that chick I’d invited to it. “I’m canceling it.” I’ll send out a mass text before I hit the sack tonight.

“Are you sure you won’t miss Georgia and her friends making your party so much better with their appearance?” Piper asks.

“Who is this Georgia person and her friends?” I reply, knowing full well who she’s referring to. Damn, that was such an * move on my part.

She slays me with a seductive smile. “Then you’re all mine tomorrow night, Mr. Simmons.”

“If that’s what you want, then that’s what I want, too.” Doesn’t matter that I want her like a man dying of thirst wants a drop of water. Doesn’t matter that I’m starving for her. When it comes to making love to the woman of my dreams, I’ll allow her to take the lead.

—

The next morning, after tossing and turning in my bed all night, I make an omelet for Piper and me. Her doctor said to make sure she’s eating healthy food, so I’m following those directions to a T. Plus, I haven’t had a cigarette since we went to the doctor’s office. Not even a last-one-before-I-quit-for-real smoke.

Just as I finish pouring two glasses of orange juice, Piper joins me in the kitchen, her hair swept up on both sides while the rest falls in soft curls over her shoulders. She’s wearing a pale blue dress that comes to her knees along with nude-colored shoes with low heels. As always, her purse matches her shoes. Only this time, she’s also carrying a large bag filled with…clothes?

“What’s that for?” I take a bite of my toast and chase it down with some OJ.

Piper sets the bag down and kisses my cheek. Suddenly, I get these images of our mornings always being like this, but I shake them away. Yeah, I want what she’s offering, but I’m not sure she really understands what she’s giving.

“I’m taking them to Aristotle’s Closet.”

“You like shopping there?” I ask.

“Oh, I’m not shopping; they’re buying my clothes to sell in their shop. I have way too many clothes. It’s time to downsize.”

I never thought she had too many clothes. “I kinda look forward to seeing what you’re wearing each day for work.”

“Thank you.” She sits down at the table and begins to eat, making a moaning sound after the first bite of her omelet. “Heavenly. You have a gift in the kitchen.”