Perfect for You

his stretching routine and set out.
    It was the perfect kind of evening for a run. The fog was rolling in, leaving the air misty and cool.
    He hoped Freya was warm enough. He pictured Connor offering to heat her up and growled, making a woman on the sidewalk startle. He waved in apology and ran faster.
    He needed to get a grip.
    Anna wanted him to make a move, but now wasn't the right time. He wanted to wait a while longer, to woo Freya a little more before he tried to stake a claim, even if her deadline was in less than a week. Anna may doubt him, but he was pretty certain that Freya wasn't going to just cut him off after she made her deadline.
    Freya was falling in love with him.
    Not to be immodest or boastful. It was just a fact. He could see it in her lovely amber eyes when she looked at him.
    It was justified, because he was so completely in love with her.
    Every male hormone in his body clambered to put his mark on her. To put a big diamond on her finger that told everyone she was his.
    He exhaled and ran harder.
    He'd had to fight that instinct all week. It was too soon. He needed just a little more time, for her deadline to pass so she realized that she was with him because she wanted to be.
    After he returned home, he hopped in the shower. He'd just dressed when someone banged on his door.
    Freya? He jogged down the stairs, the pleasure of seeing her lifting his mood.
    He opened the door to find Jade impatiently tapping her toes. "Oh, it's you."
    "You always make me feel so welcome." She pushed past him. "I'm hungry. Feed me."
    Shaking his head, he followed her into the kitchen. "You know you're getting a sandwich."
    "If I wanted filet mignon I would have gone to Gary Danko." She perched primly on a stool and toed her shoes off. "Oh thank God. My feet are killing me. It was a long day."
    "And a longer evening." He opened the fridge and began taking out everything he'd need.
    "You're in a sour mood. Is there trouble in paradise?"
    He frowned as he assembled the sandwiches. "She's out with another guy tonight."
    "Ah, that explains it. Do you know what you need?"
    "What, Dr. Jade?"
    "I have no idea." She shrugged. "I was hoping my question would help you figure that out."
    "Don't quit your day job." He set her sandwich in front of her. "You want chips too? I have salt and vinegar."
    "Like I would turn down salt and vinegar chips." She took a bite and moaned. Around the mouthful of food, she said, "You may not be able to cook, but you've got the art of the sandwich down pat."
    "Freya was appalled at my lack of culinary ability so she decided to teach me how to cook something."
    Jade snorted. "How much of a disaster was it?"
    He grinned, thinking about the mess. His smile faded as he got aroused all over again when he remembered how she stood pressed behind him, looking around his shoulder so she could measure his progress. He couldn't concentrate on her words because he'd been so distracted wondering if she was wearing a bra.
    She hadn't been.
    Needless to say, they didn't finish their lesson in cooking. They ended up ordering take-out. Much later.
    "Jesus, Cavanaugh, I'm like your sister. You aren't supposed to have X-rated thoughts in my presence," Jade said, taking another bite.
    "That obvious?"
    She rolled her eyes.
    "I like Freya." Understatement of the year.
    "You love her," Jade corrected. "All that remains to be seen is what you're going to do about it."
    "I know what I'm going to do about it." He frowned at the food. "Freya's the variable I have no control over."
    Jade laughed. "Who ever thought Greg Casanova Cavanaugh would get his panties all twisted by a woman? But you know what, if she wasn't making you fight for it you would have gotten bored with her."
    "Being bored with Freya is impossible."
    "Exactly." Jade's usual sarcastic edge softened, and she touched his hand. "She's perfect for you. I'm happy you found her."
    He nodded. "She is perfect for me."
    She patted his hand. "So don't fuck it up."
    Watching her devour the rest of her sandwich, he grinned. "You have such a sweet nature."
    "Bite me."
    "The prosecution rests, your honor."

 
Chapter Twenty-eight
     
     
    It'd been three hours since Connor had left. Freya should have calmed down by now. She'd taken a bath, she'd put on comfy pajamas. But she was still fuming.
    Hearing the heels clack overhead wasn't helping any.
    She glared at the ceiling. Logically she knew she had no reason to be angry that he had a woman up there, but logic wasn't