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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“ D o you want to take one of the pain pills Ramona sent?” Doug asked Jenn, squatting beside her as she lay on one of the jet’s couches, trying to get comfortable and warm under a fleece blanket.

They’d finally taken off about forty-five minutes ago, after another minor quake temporarily halted traffic at the small airport for almost an hour while the buildings and single runway were inspected for damage.

Once the private jet reached cruising altitude, the four passengers got comfortable for the long trip.

Doug sat on a recliner beside Jenn, while Romeo and Lindsey were stretched out and already sound asleep on first-class-style seats near the front of the jet on either side of the aisle.

Jenn took a moment to assess her level of pain.

The morphine was nearly out of her system, and her arm throbbed more than it had earlier.

When she tried to wiggle her fingers or adjust her position, it felt like someone stabbed her with a knife.

“Yes, please. The pain is getting worse again, so I'd better take one now before it becomes unbearable.”

He stood and strode to the back of the jet, where the small kitchenette was always stocked with assorted beverages and snacks, before returning with a bottle of ginger ale, a Percocet pill, and a granola bar.

The doctor had given her a two-day supply to manage the discomfort until she could see an orthopedist and warned her not to take the pills on an empty stomach.

Since she was basically useless while Lindsey and Dr. Sanchez packed her things, she’d called Ian to let him know she would fly home with the others.

Thankfully, he didn’t say, “I told you so,” when she explained about her broken arm.

He was just grateful it wasn’t worse and would make an appointment for the following day with the orthopedic surgeon who had treated several Trident employees in the past. According to Ian, Dr. Bardot was the best in Tampa and always made room in her schedule for them, ever since the Alpha Team rescued her brother years ago after he was kidnapped for ransom in Mexico.

Her godfather and his good friend, Chase, the owner of Blackhawk Security, had connections in various professional fields, and it seemed many owed one or both of the men favors that they could cash in whenever necessary.

Jenn knew she should be used to it, but sometimes it still amazed her that there were people willing to drop everything to help out anyone from either company.

It was a testament to the good work both Trident and Blackhawk did, some of which was classified.

Jenn sat up, took the medication from Doug, popped it into her mouth, and then washed it down with the soda before eating the granola bar. She wasn’t overly hungry since the commune’s kitchen staff had given them lunch to eat on the road, but that was about two or three hours ago. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” He sat beside her, set her pillow on his lap, and patted it. “Lie back down.” When she glanced toward the front of the aircraft, he added, “Don’t worry. They’re both out for at least a few hours. It’s been a long three days.”

As much as she wanted to put her head down and let him care for her, she hesitated. “You should get some sleep too.”

“I will. Later.” He took the ginger ale bottle from her and placed it on a small side table. “For now, I just need to make sure you’re comfortable and in as little pain as possible.”

She snorted while lying back down on her right side, facing away from him, and settling her head and injured hand on the pillow.

“What’s so funny?” he asked as he unraveled the now-bunched-up blanket, draped it over her body, and tucked it around her shoulder.

“You.”

“Me? Why?”

She shifted just enough so she could see his beautiful eyes. “Are you sure you don’t have any interest in the lifestyle? I mean, have you ever gone to the club when it’s open or taken any of the classes they offer?”

When they were hired, all Trident’s employees had to sign contracts that included ironclad nondisclosure agreements for both the security company and the BDSM club on the property.

They also had access to The Covenant if desired.

Classes were mandatory for those interested in playing there.

Some employees were members, while others weren’t, which was fine.

Either way, they couldn’t talk about what happened there or who the members were with anyone.

Doug’s eyes narrowed as he stared down at her.

“What are you talking about? I don’t go in there unless I have to for some reason—and that’s usually when it’s closed.

That’s not my thing, Jenn. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it, but it’s just not for me.

” His brow shot up. “Wait a minute. Are you saying you’re interested in it? ”

“No!” Realizing she protested too loudly, she lowered her voice, hoping Romeo and Lindsey hadn’t heard her.

“No, I’m not. I just know more about Doms and submissives than the average person, since I’m surrounded by them.

What I laughed about was you being all Dom-like, wanting to comfort and care for me, even though you should be resting too.

” She shrugged and settled back onto the pillow, hoping that the pain pill would start to take effect soon. “It’s like you’re a Dom-unaware.”

“A Dom-unaware ? What does that mean? Is that even a lifestyle term?”

“Probably not, but it should be. I should tell Kristen to put that in one of her books. Anyway, you’re all alpha and dominant, like my uncles, without realizing it.

You don’t need to be into the kink to be a Dom.

According to my aunts and Nick, it’s an innate behavior—Doms are natural caregivers and nurturers who feel compelled to keep their loved ones safe at all costs.

While some people might say that makes them overbearing, true submissives crave it and want to please their Doms in response.

I have to admit my uncles sometimes drive me crazy with their dominant natures, but there are moments when I like that they care enough to want to keep me safe.

I also like it when you get all Dom-unaware—not all the time because you can be irritatingly bossy—but knowing you care about my safety makes me feel special. ”

He caressed her shoulder. “You are special, and I’m more than happy to do anything to always make you feel that way. Just do me a favor?”

Her eyelids felt heavy as the medication began to combine with her exhaustion and drag her toward slumber, and she closed them. “Anything. What is it?”

“Just don’t call me that within earshot of any of your uncles, okay?”

She smiled as the fuzzy edges of sleep began to overtake her mind. “’Kay.”

Doug sat with Jenn’s head in his lap for about half an hour, gently stroking her silky blonde hair as she slept.

It was still a little damp but would be completely dry soon.

While waiting for the airport to reopen, they’d all taken advantage of the jet’s private shower to wash the dirt and grime from their bodies as fast as possible and leave enough water for the next person.

If Doug and Jenn were alone, he would’ve stripped them both, taken her into the stall, and scrubbed her body from head to toe and back again.

However, in keeping his promise to her, he had to pretend like he hadn’t already seen her gloriously naked.

Instead, Lindsey helped Jenn shower and wash her hair before swapping places and then getting them both dressed in clean clothes.

He knew he had to get up soon and move back to the recliner before he fell asleep where he was, in case Lindsey or Romeo woke up and needed the bathroom or something from the kitchen.

It was doubtful either would question Jenn sleeping on his lap or say anything to her uncles, but he couldn’t risk word getting around about how close they’d gotten before Jenn was ready to tell anyone.

Now that he’d made love to her, he was amazed he’d stayed away from her for so long.

His attraction to her had been there since way before she kissed him all those months ago, but he’d been fighting a losing battle.

The war was over. She’d won his heart. It was hers for the keeping.

The age difference issue had lessened for him over the past two days, mainly because he finally realized she was much more mature than most women her age.

She lived through the aftermath of her parents’ murders when she was seventeen, a kidnapping by drug dealers at nineteen, and being accosted by two gang-bangers outside Donovan’s Pub.

Doug was grateful he’d been there and able to intervene before she got hurt.

But Jenn had proven she was no shrinking violet.

His biggest regret was that he freaked out when she kissed him, and he ran away like a goddamn idiot.

Not only did he hurt her emotionally, but they lost all that time they could’ve had together if he’d taken his head out of his ass and really looked at the amazing woman she’d become.

Well, his eyes were open now, and there was no way he could turn back time, even if he wanted to, which he didn’t.

After having her in his bed for just one night, he never wanted to sleep without her again.

Yes, he knew their budding relationship would have consequences when her uncles found out about it, but he was determined to do whatever it took to have Jenn in his life, in every way possible.

A smile crossed his face. His family would love her when he introduced them, especially his mother, grandmother, and sisters. Maybe now they would stop bugging him about finding “a nice woman to settle down with.”

Was he ready to settle down with Jenn? He didn’t know but was willing to find out.

She fascinated him like no other woman, but it had taken him a while—okay, a long while—to admit that to himself.

He just hoped to God that he didn’t hurt her somewhere down the line.

That was the very last thing he’d ever want to do.

He’d been in relationships before, but while they were fun at the time, he hadn’t been able to see himself with any of those women long-term, like for decades.

But with Jenn, he could imagine them having children and grandchildren and growing old together.

His heart hammered away at the thoughts bombarding him.

Holy shit. He was in love with her. When it happened, he wasn’t sure, but deep in his gut, he knew it wasn’t a new feeling, just an undiscovered one.

It made him nervous as hell, and the age gap thing smacked him in the face again.

At twenty-three, she had many years and new experiences ahead of her.

What if she reached thirty and realized that what she thought was love for him had really been just a crush?

What if she left him to be with someone else? That would destroy him.

Movement from the front of the jet disrupted his grim thoughts, and he noticed Romeo stretch his arms over his head.

Thankfully, the man settled back into the reclined seat a moment later.

Gently cradling Jenn’s head with the pillow, Doug eased out from under her and stood.

He made sure the blanket was tucked around her before moving to the back of the jet to use the bathroom.

When he returned from relieving himself, he was surprised to discover Jenn’s eyes open and staring at him. He squatted down and brushed a few strands of hair behind her ear. “Are you okay?”

“Uh-huh. Just woke up, and you were gone. I figured you were in the back since the only other option was that you parachuted out of the plane.”

He chuckled. “I could’ve been up front with Clinton.”

“Okay, so there was a third option.” She reached out with her good hand, grabbed his shirt, and pulled him down for a quick kiss—too fast for his liking.

Apparently, she felt the same way. “If we were alone, I would’ve kissed you until we both needed the oxygen masks to drop from the ceiling, but that will have to satisfy us both until later. For now, you need to get some sleep.”

“We both do.” He brushed his lips across her forehead. “Sleep well.”

“You too.”

Once her eyes closed again and her breathing evened out, he sat in the recliner beside her and used the handle to extend the footrest. Within minutes, he was out like a light.