AJ's Salvation (12 page)

“We weren’t really mean. We just
pretended
spiders were on their clothes,” Lesso pouted, but Jam just gave him a stern look. It was exactly what she would have done, and she liked that a lot. “I will apologize,” the boy promised then, and she sighed, pushing her plate away.

“So about that movie.” She changed the topic, and the boys grinned at each other. 

“We picked,” Lesso started, looking expectantly at his father.

“
The Chronicles of Narnia
,” Jam finished, and Aly’s jaw dropped. 

“Fairy tales?” She made sure she had heard right. 

“Mom, it’s a story with heroes and sword fights. Do you even know Narnia? There’s war in Narnia! Kids need to save the world.” She knew for a fact Alessandro didn’t know Narnia, so she guessed Jam had influenced him.

“I’m gonna change into comfy clothes,” she announced, pointing at Jam to follow her. 

“Can you prepare everything? I need to wash my hands. I’ll clean the dishes once you two are in bed,” Jam said to his son, and Alessandro marched away while Jam followed Aly upstairs. In her bedroom, she moved to her closet.

“Thank you. I don’t know what you did with my son, but I could’ve never convinced him to watch this. We’d discuss him wanting to see the
Die Hard
movies because all his friends have, and I’d get mad until he ended up walking straight to his room. And usually he just eats green beans and a little meat. I … thank you.”

She reached for the hem of her shirt, waiting, but he just lifted a brow. “Turn around, I want to change,” she prompted, and he started to laugh. It made him look boyish and young, especially as he combed through his blond hair, giving him that ultra-sexy, just-out-of-bed look.

“I’ve seen you in a bikini when you were still so young you didn’t need a top,” he commented, making her blush.

“Turn. Around.” This time, it wasn’t a plea. He cocked his head before finally turning around. Aly did the same, just to make sure he wouldn’t have anything to see if he did decide to peek. Her heart was racing in her throat, so she decided she would talk some while changing. Opening her dress behind her back, she lowered her head.

“I’m sorry for the disaster in the café today,” she whispered, being strangely aware of the fact that she was left standing in nothing but her underwear while her absolute dream guy stood across the room, staring at the door.

He couldn’t remember what she talked about. In fact, Jam couldn’t even remember his own name as he looked over his shoulder at how Aly wiggled out of her dressed, pulling some sweatpants on. She pushed first her left, then her right leg into the material, giving him the perfect view of her ass.

“I had totally forgotten about that meeting until my friend, Phil, picked me up this morning.” That actually got his attention; no matter how hot she looked bending even farther to put on some socks. Was Phil another one of her admirers?

“She luckily kept a clear head all day.” She. Phil was a girl. Perfect, it meant he could go back to staring at her perfect curves without needing to worry. Aly just pulled her hair up into a messy bun, which seemed to be her favorite home look. She stared out the window while doing so, stretching with only her bra and sweatpants. 

“Those women were terrible. I mean I already thought it more than impolite that they couldn’t stop staring at you, but that they even stayed quiet the whole time? Please, who does that? Anyway, the moment you left, all hell broke loose. They …”

She was babbling. The realization hit him right in the gut, and he had to take a deep breath. “Aly,” he interrupted, noticing that his voice sounded rough while his body seemed to move toward her of his own accord.

“Yes?” she squeaked.

“You’re rambling,” he told her and then saw how she drew in rapid, little breaths.

“Well, you make me damn nervous. I haven’t been naked around a guy in forever, so excuse me if I’m worried that maybe I’m not attractive. Not that you’d know since you’re a gentleman who didn’t turn around to watch me change,” she snapped defensively.

She had a top in her hand that she pulled over her head, but before it fully covered her upper body, Jam had placed his hand left and right on her ribcage, right below her bra. He stood behind her, and she drew in a sharp breath while she moved in so close that their bodies were touching. He lowered his head until his lips brushed the outer shell of her ear.

“Every bit of you is perfect, Aly.” She bent her neck slightly, giving him access to her neck, and he let his lips wander down the side of her head. “Your legs are perfect. Your ass is perfect. Your shoulders are perfect. Your neck is perfect. Hell, even your anger is beautiful. You, Aly, are a dream. Besides, gentlemen are boring.” He nipped on her shoulder, feeling her tremble. He wanted her to a degree that scared him, especially as he had thought Collene had killed off every need to ever get naked with a woman again. Aly didn’t even need to try, and he was on the edge. “Gentlemen would’ve let this moment slip by unused when tasting your skin like that is –” 

“Mom, are you ever coming down again?” Aly jumped out of his arms, a flush working its way over her shoulders and up her neck.

"Sure, baby, we’re coming. I'll be there in a minute." She was flustered, and Jam laughed silently. It was much too fun to watch her like this. Finally pulling that top down, she turned to him, heat in her eyes.

"If he weren’t downstairs, Jamison Loane, you wouldn't be wearing those jeans much longer, boy. Now, move your pretty ass downstairs, so this girl here can take a minute to calm down," she fussed, pushing him toward the door.

Jam walked downstairs, finding himself stomach to face with a ten-year-old who glared at him. "If you made her cry again, Dad, I'm not going to be happy," Alessandro promised, but before Jam could say anything, Aly came down the stairs.

"I'm fine, baby," she promised, passing Jam on the stairs and walking into the living room with her son. The movie was set on pause. 

"Can I sit between Dad and you?" Alessandro asked Alessia, and Jam almost groaned as Aly nodded.

"Of course," she told him, and he sat down, patting the spots to the left and right of him. Jam wanted to cuddle with both, not only his son, but he dutifully moved to Alessandro's side, smiling as Lesso instantly pushed himself closer to his side.

Aly pulled up one leg as she sat down. They started the movie, and Jam could hardly believe how perfect this felt. Lesso commented on almost everything in the movie; a habit he seemed to possess ever since being small if you could believe Aly.

Jamison found it hard to focus on the screen. If any of the teenage girl he once knew remained in Aly, she surely loved this movie. He watched her from the side, wishing he hadn't missed ten years with her, yet being glad she had been safe over the last decade.

Reaching over the back of the sofa, he gently let his finger go up the side of her neck, seeing how she smiled and then moved a little closer so he could go through her hair. Without even looking at him, she pulled the rubber band from her bun and shook out her waves. He finally returned his attention back to the movie, but he didn't stop caressing Aly. At one point, she kissed his palm, stealing a look at him. 

This was why men strived to have a family. This was a perfect moment of peace.

Aly returned from tucking Alessandro in. He had fallen asleep between them, and she had carried him to bed because she hadn't seen enough of him that day. As much as she loved that Jam took the time for him, it was weird sharing her son with someone else, even if that person was his father.

Jam was watching the final scenes of the movie, and Aly walked around the room, lighting some candles before she turned off the TV. 

"Hey, I need to know how it ends!" Jam protested, and she cocked her head, shaking it slightly.

"You can do that some other time," she explained, settling down next to him again, facing him. Besides all the secrets he seemed to have, she didn't know much about him any longer. She guessed some stuff from the pictures Greg had sent her, but still, she wanted to know
more
. Plus, they needed to talk about what was between them because, as sure as she was that she was still in love with him, she had doubts about what he felt for her.

"I know you said you came here because you needed to see that we're safe, but you could've left after seeing that. There was no need to talk to us," she started, not sure how else to approach the topic.

"I said as well that I needed to see you and him," Jam reminded her, his voice cautious. 

"And you did that, too. I know you wanted to leave, and I begged you to stay, but Jamison, why did you really come? You've always been strong-minded. If you hadn't wanted to stay, I couldn't have convinced you. I know why I wanted to keep you here, but I can't figure out your motives."

Jam lowered his gaze, taking a breath. "My affection for you is not as sudden as you think," he commented, and she sighed in exasperation.

"So you pointed out in your note." He cringed at the mentioning of it, making her realize that he had seriously intended to leave but had been caught because he didn't know their routine. Hell, he didn't even know their lives really.

"I know you think I don't know you any longer, but Alessia, I do. I've watched you for as long as I had the chance. I still know when you don't believe me. I know that the first time I've ever held you was two nights ago. Trust me. I couldn't be more aware of that. I
do
realize, too, that it took twenty-eight years for our first kiss even though we've known each other since you were born. I know all those things and nothing I can say will prove my intentions or let you know I didn't lie in those few lines. If everything had been the way I planned, neither you nor Alessandro would've ever known I was here. I walked past your house, and Dorly was outside. I should've been surprised then that she recognized me, but I wasn’t. She stopped me and asked me if I was here to see you." He closed his eyes, rubbing them. "I told her I wasn't, but damn, Aly, I wanted to. I just wanted to see you smile. I have no idea if she saw something on my face that day or not, but she commented on my exhausted appearance. I told her I hadn't slept in a bed in a while, and she offered me her spare bedroom. I was tired, so tired, and a bed sounded heavenly. I didn't even think about why she trusted me. I was little better than a stalker."

"Dorly needs someone to kick her ass. That woman’s gonna get her herself killed with her kindness," Aly mumbled, angry that Dorly was that trusting yet thankful she had given Jam a reason to stay.

"I knew your street, but not exactly where your house was. I would have walked up and down the beach until meeting you. That was the plan at least. After I had woken up, I found a note saying that my darling savior had gone to her neighbor and that I was to come and say bye at least. Of course, I wanted to do that. I owed her, after all. I saw her sitting on the porch and a woman was facing her. It took only a moment for me to realize it was you. I knew I needed to talk to you then. Just once. Seriously, I just wanted to say hi and tell you about Collene. It was the first time in ten years I didn't have to worry about anyone guessing my feelings for you." He looked sincere, and Aly wondered if he had sacrificed his happiness for something she didn’t yet know.

"Okay, even if you liked me back then -"

"Aly, I never stopped." She stared at him, wishing so much that he’d be serious. “The only reason I stayed here was because I finally had the chance to live the life I’ve always wanted. You’ve been so sure about me needing to stay this morning, and suddenly, you look at me as if I’m breaking every rule there is,” he added while watching her face.

She shook her head; trying to arrange the things her head told her and the things her heart wanted so badly. Were there even rules? Their only restriction was the horizon they allowed themselves to have.

“My friend, Phil, basically told me to kick your ass to the curb. After all, if you didn’t want me ten years ago, what makes me believe you do now?” she admitted, searching his eyes for a reaction that would tell her which way to go.