Page 75

He grabbed her and held her closely, and for the remainder of the night, they cuddled by the fire and watched the stars.

* * *

Chicago

“Take me back.”Carla stretched her limbs in the backseat of the Escalade; her face pressed into Jacob’s collarbone as she extended.

He chuckled and dropped his eyes to her.

“If you would like to accompany me over—”

“Yes.”

His mouth spread into a gorgeous smile.

“You haven’t heard where we’re going.”

“As long as I’m with you, I don’t care.”

“So, if I said I was going to feed my tiger friend at the zoo, you’d come into the cage with me?”

Her eyes widened, and she sat up. “Now, hold on, now.”

Jacob’s guffaw made her belly quiver.

“Are you serious?”

He shook his head. “No. But you should’ve seen the look on your face.”

“Whatever!” She slumped back next to him. “Now, where are we going?”

“To visit family and a few friends.”

“Oh yeah, I’m down for that.”

He kissed her against her face. “Good.”

Twenty minutes later,they were standing at the front door of Luke and Jasmine Steele’s residence.

The knock Jacob wielded against the door made someone rush to let them in as the entrance flew open in no time.

“Why are you knocking like the feds?” Jasmine said, accusing her brother with her glare.

“How do you know it was me?”

Carla gasped, and Jacob laughed. “I’m just kidding.” He drew her into the comfort of his chest.

“You see how you do me?”

His laugh darkened. “Come on,bellissima, I thought you had a sense of humor?”

Carla twisted her lips, a smirk riding her mouth. Jasmine glanced between them.

“You two are cute. Come in before you let out my heat.”

With a bold afro on her head, diamond stud earrings, and clad in a comfortable, thin, navy-blue maxidress, Jasmine slipped to the side, and the two eased in, immediately surrounded by warmth.

“Oooh, it’s toasty in here,” Carla said.