Page 39 of The Protection Agreement

“You can call Dele’s stylist in the morning, and we can arrange to have her come to you.”

“Thank you. I’ll sit for a while to watch something before going to bed,” she says.

“Okay. Come in when you are ready.”

She nods. “Good night,” I say.

“Good night, Bruce, and thanks for helping with my hair.”

“You are welcome.”

I turn and head to the room. The desire to join her on the sofa is strong, but it feels like I'm tiptoeing around a dangerous minefield. If I sit on that sofa next to her, I'll lose all my willpower. It’s best I get in my bed. Sleeping is out of the question until she comes in. The bed and the sofa are a safe distance that will help hold the line between my willpower and my yearning for her.

I’ve tossed like five times before I hear the door open, and she quietly moves to the sofa. I hear the rustling of her settling in, and her floral scent. She’s here. I fall asleep

Chapter twenty-five

Lexi/Jola

Ice and I continued our routine. I made another visit to the ice cream store and a bookstore. I spoke with Dr Pierre who’s now back in UK. Anne also added me to the group chat with her, Dele and MAK.

I’m totally enjoying being able to talk to other women. We shared hair tips, make-up, skincare. Lots of fun things to laugh and talk about. Ice doesn’t want to know any of the girly stuff. I offered to give him a facial and he sternly told me, “Absolutely not,” which made me laugh.

MAK has sent her beef and chicken pie over. It turns out Bruce loves them more than I do. I was happy to share. I continue to sleep on the sofa in his room. I don’t bother moving the bedding and pillows any more, they are now permanently in his room. His cleaning crew now makes the sofa like it’s a bed. I chuckled the first time I saw it.

Earlier today, Dele was talking about some expensive lingerie, she wants to go shopping for. She asked if anyone wants to come with her. Turns out sexy lingerie is Dele’s thing.

MAK jokes that her husband will probably ask if she’s okay, if she went sexy lingerie shopping.

Anne was indifferent and I stayed quiet because I do like sexy lingerie, but I also want it admired by my man.

I decided, tonight I’m making the bold move, and I’ll take things a step further with Bruce.

Like Dr Pierre advised, I should be bold, no room for quivering. And Jonah my mind questions.

He won’t know. This I’m doing for me. Jonah would never find out, when I leave it ends but I can’t continue this nerve-racking emotion. I can lean into it for now and enjoy it.

I’m nervous when Bruce comes home. Ice immediately bids us goodnight and leaves. Bruce sits with me on the sofa, he does that sometimes, and I ask, “How was your day?”

“It was busy, with lots of moving part. I’m glad it’s over and Grayson can finish up tomorrow,” he says. “How was your day, sprinkles?” he asks.

“It was fine. I completed my puzzle; Ice was happy we finished it. We are going to get puzzle glue and put it in a frame. Ice wants it in his unit. I think he loves it, though he won’t admit it”

“Good,” he says.

We are quiet, his eye bore into mine. A quiet buzz hums inside me, I’m scared to take this step, but I have to, before I can talk myself out of it.

I take his hand and squeeze it; he squeezes mine back. I move closer to him and kiss him. His eyes questions but kisses me back. We get lost in each other without breaking the kiss. I get on top of him and he holds me steady as I grind him and feel him growing down there. I break the kiss and start to skim kisses all over him. I’m fucking wet and I want him. Jonah, my mind screams. I shut the thought of Jonah out. I’m not holding back tonight. My body is on fire with desire and need only Bruce can fulfill.

My hand starts to go down to his pants. I unbuckle his belt and pull the zipper down. He stops my hand and his action stops me.

“We can’t, Jola,” he says.

“What?” The word forced out of my lungs in a strange whisper

“We can’t do this, without…” He trails

“I thought we both wanted this,” I cut in, my words both a statement and a question. He avoids my eyes and moves me to the side. “I’m sorry, it won’t happen again,” I say as I get up fast and race past him to my room, locking the door.