Chapter 224: Chapter Two Hundred and Twenty-Four

Rose

I have never been as happy to land in New York City. The book tour has been fun, but I am exhausted and glad to be home. I have met some amazing people, and my book is doing incredibly well, selling over 3 million copies and still counting. I have a couple of days free until my signing here, which I am grateful for. I don’t know if I will ever get used to it. I still have the Europe/UK leg, which is possibly in a month. After, I am done for a while. I made it clear that my wedding will be my focus, after that, they can book me whatever they want, either for this book or my new one.

I have arrived home earlier than planned. Jayce isn’t expecting me until eight tonight. It is two, and I am here. I wanted to surprise him, so I paid to change my flight. He is at work. I plan on surprising him there. I need to drop off my things at home, shower, and change first. I have missed him like crazy. I haven’t seen him in a couple of weeks. We have texted, video-called every night and had a lot of phone sex, on and off camera. It was fun, but not the same. I don’t mean just the sexual things. I mean all of it. I am happy to be home with him again. It felt like months. I never thought I would be the type of woman who would be so needy for a man. I hate being apart from him. I don’t want to be apart this long again. The next leg will be better because Jayce will be with me. I think Remi and Tanner will join us at some point—a vacation before their wedding, which will be here soon enough. I am looking forward to their wedding.

I find a cab to take me home. I am eager to sleep in my own bed again with Jayce right there next to me. I sigh as I climb in, and soon, we are on the road. I make small talk with the driver, not saying too much because I am tired. I have been awake since five this morning. I had to do a couple of magazine interviews before I could get my flight home. I will be in bed asleep by ten tonight.

Arriving home, I pay the driver and rush inside. The second I get inside, I smile and dump my things. It is good to be home. Hotel rooms after hotel rooms get too much and boring after a while. It isn’t the same as being home. I have been lonely a lot while I have been gone. I used to like alone time, but now I hate it.

I take my things to the laundry room and put them in the basket. I will deal with them later. All I want to do is get ready and see my gorgeous fiancé. Excitement is coursing through me, and I rush for my shower. Stripping down, I climb in. I only stayed in for ten minutes before getting out to dry and change.

Within half an hour, I am heading out the door. I hop in my car and head straight for his office. I feel like an excited kid on Christmas morning. I hope he will be as happy to see me. I am sure he will. I nip into the café close to his office, the one Jayce really likes. He would have already had lunch, but I can get him a coffee and a pastry.

“Rose, it is nice to see you home again. Jayce has been moping around like a lost puppy while you have been gone,” the owner, Julia, smiles.

“It is good to be back. He has?” I giggle.

“Yes, he has missed you so much. Any time he has been here, he told me this or told me about all the things you have been doing. He is so proud of you, sweetie. Congratulations on everything.”

“I have missed him, too. Has he been in today?”

“Yes, about an hour ago.”

“I am going to surprise him. He isn’t expecting me home until tonight.”

“He will be happy to see you.”

I place my order, and Julia gives it to me for free, even after I protest. Thanking her, I exit the café and stroll into the building to his office. I say hello to everyone as I pass by them. They all know who I am now, so they just let me walk in.

“Rose, Jayce is in a meeting, but he shouldn’t be long.” Charlie, one of the employees, says.

“Thank you. I will wait in his office. Don’t tell him I am here. I want to surprise him.”

He nods, “Your secret is safe with me. Now you are back, maybe boss man won’t be so miserable.” He chuckles.

“Yes, so I have heard.” I laugh.

Charlie gets back to work, and I go to Jayce’s office to wait for him. I set my bag and coat down, taking a seat at his desk. I rest back on the chair and place my feet up on the desk. Hopefully, he won’t be too long. I search his planner. Jayce needs to make sure he has everything, not only on the computer but also in his planner.

I find today’s date, and the meeting read from one-thirty to three. He should be long then. It is a quarter to three. Luckily, it is iced coffee I got him, or it would be freezing by the time he returns. Hopefully, it won’t run late, his meetings sometimes do. I sip my drink and mess around with my cell as I wait. I need something to occupy myself. I try not to check the time constantly, or it will make time pass more slowly. I feel myself beginning to doze off.

“Rose! What are you doing here?” Jayce’s excited voice wakes me up.

I sprint to my feet, run over to him, and jump into his arms, my arms around his neck. Thankfully, he catches me.

“Surprise! I got an earlier flight. I couldn’t take being apart from you any longer.” I gush, kissing him repeatedly.

“I missed you so much, pretty eyes. It has been hell without you. I have been miserable.”

“So, I have heard. I am so happy to be home, Jayce, and to be back with you.”

He hugs me tightly. It feels good to be wrapped in his arms again. I have wanted nothing more than this lately, especially over the last few days.