“Oh. You think I’d still be with you, do you?” Anya chuckled. “The inmate and the former FBI Profiler turned Dominatrix. Sounds like a good TV show.”
“It does, doesn’t it?” Jaime grinned, but it quickly faded when she remembered how close she had come to losing Anya…and the reason behind it. “I don’t know how to thank you for what you’ve done for me, and I’m not only talking about today, baby. The day I met you was the day I felt alive again. I’ve made mistakes and I’ll make more, but if you’ll have me, I swear to you that I’ll…love Derek.”
Anya laughed and wiped tears from her cheeks. “First, you can thank me by releasing the guilt you’re holding onto for Taylor. Second, ditto with feeling alive and the mistakes,” she winked. “Third, you said the magic words. Derek and I will have you.” She leaned down to kiss Jaime but stopped short. “He requires a lot of butt scritches and treats. As do I.”
Jaime snorted with laughter and wrapped her hand around the back of Anya’s neck. “I’ll give you butt scritches all night long, babe.”
“And treats.”
“And treats,” Jaime snickered. “Now kiss me.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
One month later…
“Hey, babe, c’mere!”
Anya poked her head around the sliding glass door and eyed Jaime on the floating bed. “Wejusttested that thing. You can’t be ready for round two already.”
Jaime grinned and wiggled her eyebrows. “Is that a challenge?” She had been out of the hospital for a little over three weeks now. Although she wasn’t fully recovered from being shot, Anya had been an exceptional nurse. Strict, but exceptional.
Jaime still recalled that pang of embarrassment when Anya had asked the doctor if sex could be included in Jaime’s physical therapy routine. Jaime had quickly overcome that embarrassment when her doctor had agreed that light to moderate sexual activity could be beneficial to her recovery.
However, Lady A had rules. Jaime was not allowed to overexert herself. They had a firm amount of time in which they could…exercise. And if Anya caught a glimmer of pain in Jaime,they would stop immediately. Jaimehadfleetingly wondered if she’d have to sign a contract just to cop a feel.
“Jaime?”
“Huh?” Jaime looked up, surprised to see Anya standing right next to her.
“Are you okay?” Anya touched Jaime’s forehead and cheek with the back of her hand, suppressing a laugh when Jaime swatted her hand.
“I’m fine. You made me think about being naked with you, and I forgot how to breathe for a minute.” Jaime patted the space next to her. “Sit with me. I wanna show you something.”
Anya rolled her eyes and crawled over Jaime’s outstretched legs. “I swear if this is another cat toy…”
“It’s not!” Jaime turned the iPad so that Anya could see the screen. “It’s a catsanctuary! Look at this! Derek would love this. All I’d have to do is knock a hole in the wall for the bubble porthole. The shelves will be a piece of cake. And look!” Jaime zoomed in. “It hasa bridge!”
“You’re spoiling him. He’s gained ten pounds since you moved in,andhe sits on your lap when we watch TV! Or was that your goal? To make me the spare human?”
Jaime set the iPad aside and turned to Anya. “I missed everything you said after the moved in comment. I…is that what you think I’ve done? Have I overstayed my welcome?”
“No, baby, that’snotwhat I meant by that. I love having you here. Obviously, the little porker Derek loves you. I know you probably miss your independence…”
“N-no.” Jaime cleared her throat. “I mean, being here feels…good. I’m beginning to wonder if my apartment is too crowded, you know? Too many ghosts and too many memories. Maybe it’s time to move on from there, but don’t worry, I’m not asking to move in here permanently.”
Even though Jaime would never expect that, she admitted that she didn’t hate the idea of staying here with Anya and Derek. In fact, Jaime dreaded the day when she would be well enough to leave and be on her own again. Though the truth was…that was now. She just enjoyed waking up next to Anya. It had become a drug for her, and honestly, she’d never slept so well in her life.
“You think it’s too soon?” Curiously, Anya liked the idea of Jaime moving in. Would it work between them? Who the hell knew? It had been her and Derek for so long that Anya wasn’t sure she knew how to live with another human. Yet, she found herself willing to try, and thatwasa surprise to her.
“You…don’t?” Jaime guessed it was official. The moment that question had left Anya’s lips, Jaime had known the answer. Anya didn’t think it was too soon, and that was that. Even though Jaime believed she had moved Taylor in with her too early on in their relationship, Anya was the opposite of Taylor. She was also quickly becoming everything Jaime had imagined for her future.Just play it cool and don’t make a fool of yourself.“Babe?”
Anya shrugged. “I heard that if you’re involved in a stressful situation together, it adds at least a year to the relationship. So, maybe we’re a little behind.”
Jaime pursed her lips to keep herself from laughing. “Did you just make that up?”
“Maybe. But I’m a doctor, so I can do that.” Anya considered their age difference, as well as the fact that Jaime hadn’t lived since Taylor died. Maybe she needed time to herself, to be free of the constant guilt and pain, so she could finally grow. “I realize I’m older and I’ve certainly…sown many oats. If that’s something you need to do before settling down now that you’ve closed this last chapter of your life, I…understand.”
Jaime shifted carefully, testing the pain in her side that faded with each passing day, and gazed back at Anya. “I’ve been in your chambers, Lady A. Ifanyonecan sow my oats, it’s you.”
