Read Online finding Reese.: a SAFELIGHT novel vol.2 (SAFELIGHT Series) by Imy Santiago - Free Book Online

that would make me happier than to see Jackson find happiness just as I have with Stryder.
    All those years of ranting from Faith make total sense now. She simply wanted me to experience the same excitement and happiness she found when she met Matt, her now-fiancé. Closing Jackson’s door behind me, I see Stryder looking at his phone with a forlorn expression on his face. As I walk towards him, he looks up and smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. In such a short amount of time, I have learned to decipher all of his mannerisms and right now I’m certain something is bugging him and I think he’s afraid to tell me. While I’m itching to know the cause of his discomfort, I’ll let him come to it on his own terms.
    Arriving back at the lodge, Stryder makes good on his promise to make love to me no matter what. At first, the thought of us being intimate during that time of the month makes me cringe, but with his tender kisses and affectionate embrace I give, and I’m pleased that I did. Running water is key, and call me crazy, but my cramps ease up after our little shower rendezvous. Sated and sleepy, we call it a night and fall asleep; our bodies cocooned next to each other’s.

    “I’m going to need a few days, Simon. With the family emergency, my priorities have shifted a bit. If you want, start looking for someone else just in case. I can’t leave my family until I’m certain they’re okay.” Stryder sighs into the line, and pauses. “Simon, my family comes first, and if the client doesn’t understand that, then I’m not the right guy for the job. I can’t even think about going halfway around the world when I have two funerals to attend this week. Please understand, Simon. Surely you’d know this isn’t an easy time.”
    I roll onto my side as the morning rays of sun creep into the room. Stretching in bed, I look towards the window, where Stryder stands wearing nothing but a pair of flannel pajama pants that hang low on his hips. I can appreciate all of his delectable male form; those chiseled abs and broad shoulders, his Mediterranean skin making a wondrous contrast against his obsidian hair.
    Pressing a button, he throws his cell phone angrily against the sofa, and brings his fingertips to rake his scalp. “Fuck,” he mutters under his breath. He paces in front of the window for a moment, then sits on the sofa, completely unaware I’m awake and watching him. I rise from the bed and wrap the blanket around me and tip toe towards the sofa, where he sits with his forearm over his eyes. Sitting beside him in silence, I bring my hand to his hair and caress it, which makes him hum in response.
    “Sorry to have woken you up,” Stryder mumbles.
    “No need to apologize, Stryder. Is there anything I can do to help?” I whisper. He removes his arm from his face, and curls up next to me to rest his head on my shoulder.
    “It’s work. I have a queue of clients wanting to work exclusively with me, and I’m trying to find replacements. I’m overwhelmed, Catalina,” Stryder replies softly. Leaving my shoulder, he sits forward on the sofa and rests his head against his knees. “I wanted to take time off, and now it seems impossible.”
    “I understand, baby, but these opportunities may not present themselves again, you know? If you’re worried about Jax, don’t. I’m on vacation and have the next three months to help out with his rehab. I’m sure Kaelan and Kathy would appreciate the help. I’ll be home waiting for you . . .” I say reassuringly, but there’s this pain in his eyes and I want to get to the bottom of it.
    “I just want to spend time with you, Catalina. I just found you. I can’t find it in my heart to take a month-long assignment and not be with you. Just the thought of it makes me sick,” Stryder confesses, as he clears his throat.
    I understand where he’s coming from. I’ve enjoyed our company from the first moment we met on the plane on our way to Vancouver. Just thinking