This is Effortless (Checkmate Duet 4)

COURTNEY

Somehow time slipped through my fingers, and before we both knew it, days of being alone with Drew had passed and he was due back at work. As much as I wanted to, I didn’t have the heart to ask him to stay with me. I’m a big girl, and I need to put on my big girl panties, but it doesn’t change the fact that I feel like I’m being watched every hour of the day. I hate that we’re on different schedules. When he leaves for the day, I feel like my security blanket has been swiftly yanked away, causing the panic to ripple through me.

As soon as we returned from Vegas, we filed a temporary restraining order, but I know it’s not like a magical force field that will keep Mia away. It’s just a piece of paper with legal consequences, but when people are already living in an alternative reality, what does that really mean? Doesn’t mean it’ll stop her, but the more paperwork that’s documented, the better. Or that’s what Drew’s told me. However, I’ve watched too many episodes of CSI to not be paranoid.

As soon as I hear the front door creak closed, my eyes bolt open. It’s almost four in the morning and I want to slide off my bed and hide underneath it with the small crafting scissors I left by my nightstand. But instead, I take a deep breath, count to ten, and remind myself it’s just Drew coming home after his shift. I’m trying to be rational, but I decide to grab the scissors just in case.

The bedroom door slowly opens and I can feel my heart pounding in my ears as I hold the scissors so tight it hurts. I sit up in bed quickly, ready to attack, and Drew jumps.

“You scared me!” I say, flicking on the lamp.

“You scared me!” He laughs.

I let out a breath and place the scissors down. Drew looks at them then back at me. “Court.”

“I don’t want to hear it. I have to protect myself!” I tell him matter-of-factly.

“Those scissors barely cut paper.” He chuckles, then sits next to me on the bed and wraps his arms around me. The hint of his cologne still lingers on his chest and I’m lost in the smell of him. “I put in a request to switch from swing shift to day. We had a few guys retire and the shifts are open. I’m not sure if it’s going to happen, and it will be a while before it does, but I want you to know I’m trying. It killed me to leave today, knowing you’d be here alone.”

I search his face and can’t help but perk up at the thought of him having normal hours. His tongue brushes over his bottom lip and I lean over and kiss him. I just want to stay like this forever, with his arms securely around me.

“Thank you,” I say and reposition myself under the blankets as the adrenaline rush begins to fade.

He removes his belt and unbuttons his shirt. The warm glow from the lamp covers his body that I can’t help but admire. “For what?”

“For caring about me.”

Drew crawls under the blankets and pulls me into his arms. “It’s way past care at this point, Court. I don’t think I can live without you.” As soon as his lips crash against mine, a small moan escapes my lips, but exhaustion covers me. When we pull apart, I yawn.

“You need sleep. It’s after four and you have to be up in two hours.” Drew tucks a strand of hair behind my ear as I groan and plop down on the pillow. His muscular body fits perfectly against mine and soon I’m finding myself falling back asleep, until my alarm screams at me to get up. It’s only Tuesday and as I drag myself to work, it feels more like a second Monday.

“Oh, you were almost late, Bishop,” Travis says mockingly as he glances down at his watch.

I narrow my eyes at him and the smirk he’s wearing. “Not today, King.”

He flashes me a wink and my shoulders relax. I know Drew told him about what happened in Vegas, but he’s smart enough to not bring it up right now. I could’ve taken a short leave, but I need to find my normal again, and sitting at home thinking about it isn’t what I want.

I walk into the office and find tons of paperwork stacked on my desk, and I’m almost afraid to open my email next. My duties at King Marketing have shifted over the years and Travis has included me in overseeing a few high-stake accounts, which I love because it makes every day different and interesting.

As I’m sorting through the hundreds of emails I’ve received over the last week, Jayden peeks his head in with a smile. “So, did what happen in Vegas stay in Vegas?”