When We Fall (Take the Fall, #2)(50)

His green eyes widen slightly before he nods. “Thanks.” Pivoting, he leaves the shop without a backward glance and climbs into a white pickup truck.

“You know, I need to think of a new nickname for you, kitten.”

Slowly, I turn to face him. “I like my nickname.”

“But you don’t show your claws at all, just sweet-talk the hell out of everyone.”

“I’m a southern belle, Jase. It’s what we’re taught to do.”

“Damn sexy, the way you took charge like that.” He leans down and nibbles on my ear. “Make sure I’m around the next time you decide to get all polite while bossy.”





Chapter 16





Piper


Growing up, my house was stark, museum-like…not fit for a child to play in on those precious days that I was allowed to play. But in this house, Jase has made me feel like it’s mine. That I have a soft place to land when the day gets rough.

I don’t think I’ve ever been given a better gift than that.

“What are you thinking so hard about?” Jase asks with a twinkle in his eye.

We’re sitting on his couch while eating sushi and watching a marathon of Chopped episodes.

“Nothing important.” I don’t want him to feel sorry for me or find another reason not to like my parents.

“If you’re thinking it, then it’s important to me.”

“I was thinking about my childhood. How I wasn’t allowed to play, and how homey you’ve made this for us.”

“At least your old house didn’t give you asthma attacks.”

“No, living with overbearing parents who constantly made me question my every decision did that.”

“Eat.” He holds out a chopstick and I bite into the section of a Vegas roll on the end. “I’ve been thinking about your asthma and what I want to do with this monstrosity of a house.”

“Really?” I ask, chewing my sushi. It’s supremely bad manners, but I make sure to hold my hand in front of my mouth.

Jase grins a little and leans over to kiss my nose. “Yeah, how would you feel about selling this place or having it renovated into a multi-duplex that we could rent out? The neighborhood isn’t the same anymore. It’s growing into its own little subsection of Forrestville. I saw hipsters pushing their dog in a stroller the other day.”

I laugh at the image, then sober. “Why do you want my opinion? I don’t own this place. I only rent a room from you.”

“Still want your opinion.”

I’m at a loss for words. “I don’t know.”

“Yeah, you do.” He elbows me a little. “If you don’t, you won’t like the consequences.”

“I always like your consequences.”

“No sex for you.”

“I think you should do it,” I blurt, and he grins cockily. “Even if my asthma wasn’t bothered by this house, I would still say you should go for it. Make it a rental property and we can get something smaller. We stay confined to three rooms at the most anyway, and this house doesn’t hold very good memories for you and Rowan.”

His fingers slide up my arm in a hot caress. I shiver in pleasure. “We can make all new memories at a new house, huh?”

“Yes. I’d love to make new memories with you.”

“You are such a good girl to give me your opinion.” He takes the sushi away from me and sets it out of the way, then pushes me down into the couch. “Now, I’m going to reward you.”

“I have other opinions, too,” I say breathlessly as he slowly works his way down my neck. “On politics, religion, old school rap, and VHI’s Pop Up Video.”

“I’ve created a monster, haven’t I?” He smiles against my skin.

No, he’s created a woman who, with each passing day, is falling more and more in love with him than she thought possible.





Jase


The next day, I’m able to secure a last-minute meeting with a property developer who has set up shop in Forrestville. He seems interested in my vision for the house and believes that we can find a way to form a partnership in order to make it happen.

As soon as I walk in the restaurant, a man wearing a suit and sporting a beard approaches me. “Mr. Simmons?”

“Guilty.”

“Awesome. I’m Blake Hollis. We spoke on the phone earlier today.”

“Thanks for meeting with me on such short notice.” I flash a smile and shake Blake’s hand. “And call me Jase.”

“I have to thank you. I’ve had my eye on your property for some time. I feel incredibly lucky that your business partner was able to connect us.” Blake signals the hostess.

Smiling, she walks over and says, “Right this way, gentlemen.”

We follow her to a table near the back and sit. A waitress stops by to take our drink orders and then leaves.

“Tell me your vision,” Blake says, leaning back in his chair.

“I want to keep the land in my name but do something with the house. It’s in great shape and I recently had a portion of it remodeled to add on a full bath, and plan on remodeling the rest of the house as well.”

“You live with your girlfriend, right?” he asks.