Page 23

CHAPTER 23

Kennedy sat with Austin and a couple of his teammates as they waited for the rest of the team to return from Texas. It was the first time she was seeing where Jayce worked, and she had to admit, she was impressed with what the seven men had accomplished.

They weren’t working out of some shack. Kringle Security was modestly decorated in modern fashion. The space they owned was on the upper floor of a two-story building. Based on the name, she expected to find some crazy Santa logo but instead it was just a simple K mirrored and pushed together.

The office space was devoid of clutter. Desks were spread out and each workstation was also clean and organized. It made her wonder how often they actually worked inside the building. She was about to ask someone when footsteps on the stairs caught her attention. Jayce was the first one through the door and she took off like a rocket to greet him. She crashed straight into him and wrapped her arms around his waist. Kennedy half expected Jayce not to return the public display, but she shouldn’t have worried. He was picking her up in a bear hug in no time.

“I like this kind of greeting when I return,” he whispered in her ear.

A huge grin broke out across her face.

“I know it’s silly, but I missed you,” she whispered right back.

“There’s nothing silly about missing someone.”

She thought she heard a hitch in his voice but she couldn’t be sure. She also wasn’t about to ask him in front of his friends.

Then it hit her.

Jayce’s friends were in the room while she practically climbed him to get closer. She felt her face go a deep shade of red as she buried her head farther in his chest.

“I forgot where we were.” Her words were muffled by his shirt but he must’ve heard what she said because she felt the rumble of his laughter.

“I can assure you no one cares based on the grins they’re all wearing.”

She turned her head but didn’t let go. Sure enough, everyone in the room had a smile from ear to ear on their face.

“If I didn’t suspect all the staring was because you’re happy for your friend, I would think you’re all creepers.”

Ryker was the first to bust out laughing. “I knew she would fit in perfectly.”

She was sure her face was even more red now than it had been a few moments ago.

“Okay, enough,” Luke chuckled. “Clearly we’re embarrassing her. Job well done. It’s late, so how about we get the hell out of here?”

Kennedy liked that plan and so did everyone else. She waited until everyone left before stepping out of Jayce’s arms. “What do you say we go back to your house?”

“ Our house.”

She almost choked on the air that got caught in her throat. “Huh?” The one-word squeak was all she managed to get out.

“Do you really think after you picked out the house, and are currently helping renovate it, that the house isn’t yours as well?”

Well, when he said it like that …

“I mean, I kinda hoped you would want me to stay there with you occasionally.”

She nearly melted when he framed her face with his hands. “I want more than occasionally. I want always.”

Kennedy needed to insert some humor before she turned into a pile of goo on his work floor. “Let’s see if you feel the same way after I finish designing the space. Oh, and speaking of the house, I have a surprise for you!”

“A surprise, huh?” Jayce raised his eyebrow.

“Yup, but I’m not telling you until we get there.”

Jayce took her hand and was practically sprinting for the door. “Let’s get a move on, then.”

It was great to see this playful side of him. She hoped their relationship was always like this.