Page 42 of Fight from the Heart

I laugh. “It was after working hours. And he knows.”

Jacob’s eyes brighten. “I’m sure he’ll never forget the experience.”

I shake my head. He’s too sweet.

We’re up and down from Traverse City to Detroit before I know it. Another flight and Jacob repeats the distraction, kissing me until I’m breathless and considering mile-high club admission.

I’m working on fumes by the time we get to Jacob’s condo in the city that never sleeps. I’m exhausted, but I’m also wound up. I want to get inside Jacob’s place and play out the things my imagination dreamed up about airplane sex. His kisses have left me wanting to be close to him again, and I’m excited to see where this trip leads for us.

When we enter his place, I marvel at the industrial look and feel. The old warehouse was converted to lofts, and the exposed brick of one wall is beautiful. That same wall has a modern wrought-iron and wood-slat staircase leading upward to a balcony with three doors. Jacob explains two bedrooms are located up there with an adjoining bathroom. He has floor-to-ceiling windows, arched under brick headers, letting in loads of natural light and reminding me a little bit of his place in Michigan. The main space is an open concept with an L-shaped kitchen in a corner, a dining table next to it, and the living area. Compared to his home on the lake, the furniture is in white tones with metal accents. It lacks comfort.

“And my room is over here.” Jacob gives me a mischievous grin, and I’m so ready to be with him again. It’s been almost a week since he met my family. He’s been stuck on deadline, plus I had to work to make up for the time I asked to take off, so we haven’t been able to connect. Kissing me on the plane was only a warm-up, and he steps up to me as if reading my thoughts. His mouth lowers, and he takes mine, slow and tender, and not at all like he’s kissed me before. A different kind of thrill rushes through my body at the anticipation of spending some endless time with him. Tongues join our kiss, and we press against one another, hands locking together until we hear a key turn in the door.

Startling both of us, Jacob steps back.

“Jakey.” A female voice screeches through the opening door as a body leaps for Jacob. He drops my hand to catch her, and her legs wrap around his hips. Long fingernails with white tips curl around his head as she peppers his face with kisses. “I knew you’d be back, baby.”

Too stunned to move, to allow them privacy, I remain in the middle of the room as Jacob works to remove the monkey-woman from his body. It’s like watching a failed wrestling match. Hands push at legs, which drop but immediately return to his hips once he moves to wrangle her arms. She murmurs at him until she sees me staring.

“Hello, Apple,” she purrs, a Chesire cat smile crosses her too-thin face with her too-large lips. Her legs finally drop, but her arms circle his waist.

“Pam,” I correct.

“I thought he called you a fruit.”

“A flower,” Jacob corrects, and he tugs at her upper arms wrapped around him. He presses her back without looking at me, and I’m slow to catch up on a few things.

He’s mentioned me to her.

She recognizes who I am.

She knew he was coming home.

What the hell am I doing here?

“Mandi Hamilton, this is Pam Carter. Pam, Mandi.” He waves a hand between us. His voice strains, but he doesn’t look at me. Instead, he glares at the woman before him, who is a modern-day Wonder Woman with her dark glossy hair, deep eyes, and plush maroon lips.

“Mandi, what are you doing here?” Jacob addresses her.

“I heard you were coming home, and I wanted to greet you when you got here.”

“How did you get in the building?”

She pouts at him, and I almost take that as her answer. She’s stunning and a woman who looks like she’s never denied her way. “My keys, baby.” She speaks as if he’s a simpleton, and her hand lifts for his cheek, but he catches her wrist before she touches his face.

“Watch it,” he warns her, and I’ve seen enough.

“I’ll give you two a few minutes. Maybe I could freshen up.” I point at the loft, suggesting the bathroom upstairs. I need to get as far away from these two as I can.

“Lilac,” Jacob pleads, finally looking at me, but I have nothing to say. My thoughts race.

We had sex.

He was just kissing me.

She knew he was coming.

How? When? Why? He must still be talking to her. He said it was over, and I know better. I. Know. Better. Their on-again, off-again relationship has been going on for years. It’s unhealthy, Ella once explained, and she didn’t have to tell me twice as just the thought of a back and forth relationship means it’s not solid.