One night, he returned home at close to two in the morning and was startled when he spotted a figure sitting at the base of his door. With legs drawn up, and a head covered by a hoodie, whoever it was wore a dark sweatshirt. Was it a parishioner? A runaway teenager? Someone in legal trouble? Jim was involved with several community groups that provided food, counseling, jobs, job training and mentorship in a variety of local homeless and youth programs. Right then, however, he was not doing anything for anybody. Volunteering was the only thing that made him feel decent about himself, and he actually missed it.
The head lifted when he stopped a few feet short.
“Kayla? What the hell are you doing out here? It’s the middle of the damn night.”
Rising to her feet, Kayla jammed her hands deep inside her sweatshirt pockets, stretching it down longer. “I had to see you.”
“Your family will be freaking out.”
“They think I went to a friend’s house nearby. The guards are over there. I snuck out and made her promise not to tell anyone where I went.”
He frowned while passing next to her to unlock the door. “You shouldn’t have done that. Ever. You saw Eric get shot. Don’t run around without your security. You are always a target because of Zenith. If I finally get that, so should you.”
“Weren’t you just walking alone in the middle of the night on the empty city streets? Not the safest thing to do either, idiot.”
A small smile stretched his lips at her quick retort. Good thing she couldn’t see his face as he busily jiggled the lock. It was rusty and old and didn’t always work right away. His heart lifted at seeing her, which told him more than any words he might think.
He was more than overjoyed she came. Even if it were the middle of the night.
She huddled inside the door for a moment, cuddling up inside her sleeves, which were far too long because it wasn’t her sweatshirt. Jim suspected it was Rob’s when he saw the Zenith logo. Her arms cradled her middle and she stared down at the ground.
“Kayla? What is it? Why would you risk coming here like this?”
“Well, I thought you’d be home. Why weren’t you?”
Jim didn’t usually share things. Not even with Kathy. There was so much he didn’t bother to tell her. It didn’t even occur to him. Why upset her because he was upset? Why ruin her mood? That made more sense to him. But when Kayla asked, he answered her. The need to protect her mood never crossed his mind. Honestly, he really didn’t mind sharing his thoughts with her. But maybe she just wanted more sex. That was very likely. He sighed. First, he felt disappointment but his undeniable interest made him instantly want her despite her woebegone appearance.
“I don’t sleep well at night. Never really did. But lately, it’s been much worse. I can’t seem to concentrate on reading so I like to go out for a walk. Burns off the excess energy and all that.”
“In the middle of the night? Alone? And you dare to scold me for doing it once?”
“I’m pretty big and I’m not a girl. Yeah, go ahead and shoot your eye daggers at me, but it’s logical and it’s the truth.”
She sighed audibly. “I just wanted to see you without anyone else waiting outside for me. I feel like I should hurry so the guards won’t be out too late or whatever.”
“What’s wrong? Did someone find out about us?”
“No. But would that be the end of the world?”
“Maybe just the end of the world as I know it. My job isn’t like Rob’s or Eric’s. My reputation is my career. It’s just easier for me if I keep my personal life under lock and key. Out of anyone’s eyes or wagging tongues.”
She nodded, rolling her eyes but her frown persisted. “Well, that’s great. But I just…”
“What?”
“Discovered some bad news and I wanted you to make me feel better.” Sex. His heart raced with anticipation at the news, although she was strangely subdued for it to be that. He wasn’t the best at predicting women’s moods, obviously, but even he knew Kayla wasn’t feeling sexy and out for some fun now. She wasn’t on the night of the shooting either, of course, but that was a complete surprise and the direct result of an undiscovered intensity that existed between them. Like staring at the jaws of death just to feel more alive. That was how Jim justified what he did.
“Kayla? How can I do that?”
She gave him a sad look. “Ask me what’s wrong.”
He smiled softly. “Sorry. What’s wrong?”
“I didn’t get the internship for The Brenton Group that I was counting on. It’s where I hoped to work someday. They manage several investment companies and I had a connection. But having guards with me all the time tipped them to say no. The delicate nature of their work would be threatened if my guards were present twenty-four/seven. I was hoping this would lead to my dream job. I know the problems of the world are so much worse. And you have to deal with problems a lot in your profession. I get how trite this is. College-girl frustrations and all that, but I was…”
Jim stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, pressing her to his chest. Her hands clutched him and she tucked her head against him before she started to cry instantly. Apparently, the tears were brimming in her eyelids, ready to fall. She sucked in a loud breath as she released them. Grasping him tightly, she buried her face into his sweatshirt.
Hugging wasn’t a familiar reaction for Jim with anyone. But it felt different with Kayla. As everything did. She fit nicely against him. And to his surprise, she seemed to need this from him now. Whatever it meant, she came to him with
