Page 67 of Fierce-Jonah

Raina shook her head. “You did.”

“I still do. You know what I mean.” She waited a minute and then said, “Did you tell Jonah to ask me to his place last night?”

“No,” Raina said. “But I did go talk to him at the gym on Saturday. I told you that. I wouldn’t keep that a secret.”

Raina had texted her and said she talked to her brother, but they hadn’t gone into specifics. This was a fine line they were all going to balance.

“I know.”

“You went to his place last night?” Raina asked.

“I did. It was what I needed. I tried to make a joke about it, but I think he saw through it all. I know you said Jonah has a sensitive side and, man, did I need it last night.”

She was crazy to think Jonah wasn’t what she needed in her life. He was exactly what she wanted and needed and was terrified her heart was falling faster than she was ready for it to.

“That’s the thing about Jonah. He can be a little rough or hard to handle at times.”

“Punching people in the face,” she said, laughing.

“His go-to line. But yeah. Anyway, when you need him the most, he’s the first one in front of you protecting whatever is going on.”

“I get that feeling,” she said. “It’s nice. I don’t think I’ve ever had that before.”

She wasn’t sure how to feel about it.

On one hand it was so welcome. On the other she didn’t want to get used to it.

He’d joked about cuddling with her, but he didn’t. They slept in his big bed on each of their sides. She’d actually passed out from the exhaustion of the day. Between the mental games with her family and the physical action with Jonah, she was primed for a good night's sleep.

This morning her alarm went off and she jumped up fast knowing she had to go home and get ready there and then drive to work. She didn’t want to be late.

Jonah was ready to shove a cup of coffee in her hand, but she said she’d get one on the way to work. She didn’t do that often, but she wasn’t going to have time for more. She did kiss him quickly and told him to keep the beard. She loved it. He’d laughed and said he’d think about it.

At least she had whisker burns on her to remind her if need be.

“I’m glad,” Raina said. “I’m not sure when he’s going to tell my parents. He isn’t one to talk to them often, but I told him not to wait too long or I might slip and I don’t want it coming from me.”

“Do you think they will be fine?” she asked.

“I already told you they would. They love you. Besides, I’m pretty sure Grant and Garrett already put the bug in their ear that you were a good match. They will be even more thrilled it’s working.”

“I want to say we did this on our own,” she said.

“You did. The bulk of it. We all do regardless of what the Fierces say. But didn’t you say they gave you some advice and you took it?”

She sighed. “Yeah. I mean I would have done it myself at some point. I think I just moved faster. I don’t want your brother mad though if he thinks that is the only reason I did it.”

“I don’t think he will be,” Raina said. “Does he know?”

“No. I’m not saying anything. It’s no different than getting advice from anyone else when you like someone, right?”

Raina laughed. “Sure. Most people ask their bosses who are old enough to be their parents for dating advice.”

“Urgh,” she said. “I liked you better when you weren’t a wiseass.”

“You love me like this and you know it,” Raina said.

“I guess I do,” she said.