Standby (Open Skies Book 4) by Becca Jameson (popular e readers .TXT) 📕

She hesitated. “I’m a bit gun-shy right now, Jake. I know it’s been a few months since I left him, but I’m still recovering. I’m not good company, and I don’t want to jump into another relationship.”

He nodded. “I get that, and of course you’re recovering. It doesn’t matter how long ago you broke up with him, he’s still bugging you every day. I get it. I’m not asking you to sleep with me. Just come stay with me. I have a guest room. It’s yours for however long you need it.”

She groaned. “My friends will ask questions.”

He frowned. “About why you’re staying with me or about how good I am in bed?” he teased, trying to get her to smile.

She finally did offer him a small smile. “Both probably. I know they hear the rumors, but I don’t want them to worry about me all the time. I don’t want them to know how bad it is.”

“Okay, then I’ll take the blame. We’ll say I’m irrationally overprotective and I insisted you sleep in my guest room because I don’t trust that asshole. None of that is a lie. It’s all true.”

She licked her lips. He knew he was wearing her down. She was running out of excuses. He wished he felt bad about talking her into this, but he couldn’t muster up the ability to feel guilt. He was scared out of his mind for this woman. At the same time, he was incredibly attracted to her. He would sleep much better if she were at least under his roof.

“Okay,” she murmured.

He blew out a sigh of relief. “Great. Go pack as if you’re not coming back for a while.”

She hesitated and then nodded. “All right.”

He watched as she climbed the stairs as if she’d just lost a huge battle. He hated that for her. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel like he’d steamrolled her, especially since this Hawke guy was totally steamrolling her.

The only way Jake could make this all okay was if he kept his damn pants on. If he lured her into his bed, he would be an asshole. He needed her to trust him and let him help her out. Fucking her on the side wasn’t an option.

It didn’t take her very long to return dragging a suitcase and a carry-on.

Jake jumped up to help her, taking the luggage from her hands. “Don’t look so forlorn. It’s just a precaution. I’ll sleep better knowing you’re safe. You’ll sleep better without that asshole knowing where you are.”

She gasped. “Shit. What if he finds out I’m at your place? He could be following me everywhere for all I know. If he comes to your house, you could end up getting involved or worse.” She was shaking.

Jake snorted. “Shayla, don’t insult me. I have years of special forces training in my arsenal. Some pansy-ass pilot with a limp dick isn’t going to get close to me, sweetheart.”

She chuckled. “Ego much?”

“Yes. I earned it.” He leaned in, kissed her forehead, and then headed for the door. “Lock up. When does Raeann return? We should warn her, too.”

“Not until tomorrow. I’ll text her and let her know I’m staying at your place. She’ll probably call when she lands with two-hundred-thousand questions,” she added on a murmur.

“We’ll come up with good answers before she calls.”

When they stepped outside, Jake took in every inch of his surroundings. He hadn’t been this vigilant since he left the Army and never on US soil. No way was he taking any chances though. When he decided no one was watching her condo, he faced her. “Follow me in your car.”

“Okay.” She was shaking as she headed for her silver Accord.

Jake tossed her things in the back of his SUV and then climbed into the driver’s seat. He watched in his rearview mirror to make sure she pulled out behind him.

He didn’t live far, and he was relieved when they arrived at his house. He pulled into the garage and then jumped out and motioned for her to take the other spot next to him. He wanted to be able to shut her car off from view. Maybe he was overreacting, but he wasn’t about to take any chances.

He would do this same thing for any woman. Shayla wasn’t special in that regard. If any friend of his had received the texts Shayla had, he would insist they let him help out.

The only difference was there was no denying Jake was into Shayla. Totally wrapped around her finger after only one date. He loved that she’d relaxed and let her problems disappear for several hours at lunch. He’d gotten to see the side of her he’d remembered meeting. Not the withdrawn, quiet, scared version she’d become recently.

After closing the garage door, he led her into the kitchen and set her carry-on on the island. “Welcome. Let me show you around.”

She followed him, her fingers tucked in the front pockets of her jeans as he gave her a small tour.

“Kitchen of course.” He passed through his modern, gray-themed, stainless steel kitchen to the attached great room that was arranged in such a way that he could see his flat-screen TV from almost everywhere in the kitchen. That was his favorite feature.

The entire house, except for the tiled kitchen and bathrooms, had hardwood throughout. His living room featured an enormous black leather sectional angled in front of a fireplace and entertainment center. His giant flat-screen was mounted over the fireplace.

On the far side of the living room, he headed down the hallway, pointing right and left. “Guest room. Guest bath. My home office. Master bedroom. Junk room.”

She seemed nervous, and he hated that. He wanted her to feel at home here. It might be a little weird starting a new relationship with a woman who was staying with him, but hell, Kraft had done it, and it worked out for him and Christa. Granted, her situation was a little different. Her apartment had