Chapter 18

Jamie POV

Crystal is asleep in my arms. She seems to have calmed down. I know everything that happened was overwhelming for her. The entire night was supposed to be special for Crystal. It was one disaster after another. I want to make it up to her in some way. I don’t want her to be afraid to go places with me. She is much more fragile than I ever thought she would be in this situation.

I have pushed her too much and ignited emotions in her. Maybe I should back off some and just be her caretaker. I will let her take the lead. I cannot believe I am allowing myself to fall in love with her. I knew I cared for her, but damn I am falling for her.

I do not sleep. I watch her sleep and hold her through the night. All I want is for her to feel safe and loved. I want her to know I will do anything for her. She is my special little miss. She is much more special than any other woman I have had in this type of relationship with in the past. All the other women were for my pleasure and my needs, but with Crystal, I want to do everything for her and make her happy.

As the sun comes up in Crystal’s room, I realize this room is drab and depressing. I need to make this room special for her. No, I am not going to do that; instead, I am moving her into my room if she wants to be with me in that capacity. I will talk to her about it after her lunch with her friend today. I want her to have some space today to work through everything that happened. I will not bother her while she goes to see her friend.

I kiss her forehead and pull the cover up tight on her. I sit up in the bed. I need to get some work done. I have had no sleep, so coffee is required.

“Where are you going?” Crystal asks as she reaches for me.

I turn back to her. I lay my head on the pillow beside her. “I thought I would make some coffee and cook you some breakfast,” I say to her.

“You have a cook for that; you can stay here with me for a while,” Crystal says.

“I have some work to do, and you have a date with Liam today,” I say.

“I do not want to go anywhere today. I think I will stay here,” Crystal says.

“No, you will not. You will go to lunch with Liam, and you will have a good time, I insist,” I say to her.

“You are right; I do miss him a lot. He might be good to talk to today,” Crystal says.

“I have to ask, how much are you going to tell him?” I ask.

“What do you want me to tell him?” Crystal asks me.

“You can tell him whatever you are comfortable telling him if you trust him,” I answer her.

“I don’t even know how to explain what is going on between us, to be honest,” Crystal says.

“I cannot answer that for you. I know what this was supposed to be, but now it feels different,” I say to her.

“What do you mean?” Crystal asks.

“Crystal, I wanted you here for my pleasure. I wanted to own you, but now I feel differently about it. Now, I want more from you. Is that okay?” I say to her.

“It is too early for a deep conversation,” Crystal says.

“You are not a morning person,” I say to her.

“I have worked nights for years, and now you want me to be an early bird; you are killing me, sir,” Crystal says.

“I guess I need to take that into consideration, don’t I?” I say.

“Yes, you do, sir,” Crystal says.

“How about this, you eat breakfast with me, no deep conversation, I promise. However, tonight over dinner, we have this conversation,” I say.

“That I can do, but I have one condition. We have dinner here. I don’t want to go out tonight,” Crystal says.

“You cannot hide in this house forever; I won't allow it,” I say to her.

“Well, I never want to have another night like last night again,” Crystal says.

“I thought it ended on a good note,” I say to her.

“That I can agree with you on for sure,” Crystal says.

Crystal places her hand on the back of my neck and pulls me in for a kiss. Her lips touch so lightly. “I love being here with you; I feel safe,” Crystal says.

“I will make damn sure there is never a repeat of last night. I have many events to go to with clients, and I want you to be a part of those nights. Normally the events are fun. Last night just got out of hand,” I say.

“Out of hand is an understatement,” Crystal says.

“Well, it is all being handled, trust me,” I say.

“Good, I will not go to another event if your ex-wife is there,” Crystal says.

“She should not have been there last night, but I promise you it is being handled, and it will never happen again,” I say to her.

Crystal raises the covers for me to come closer to her. “I need to get out of this bed,” I say.

“No, you can stay here with me; I need you,” Crystal says.

“You do, well then I cannot disappoint my little miss, can I?” I say to her.

I get back under the covers with her. I take her into my arms. I will do anything to make you feel loved, Crystal. I kiss her lips and pull her as close to me as I can. I want to hold her until she feels safe again. There is nothing I will not do for her.