Free Jason (Kings of Guardian #4) by Kris Michaels

something that amused her.
    The way her face lit captivated him. “What’s so funny?”
    “Theo. He was so pissed I wouldn’t consider letting him buy it or something better, something more permanent.” Her smile vanished and that specter of something haunting her returned. “But this was never meant to be permanent. It just turned out that way.”
    “Why?” She wasn’t telling him something, and that bothered him more than it probably should.
    “One of those secrets you acknowledged I could have.” Her eyes danced with humor, but he got the message.
    “Where’s Reece’s father?” The humor left her eyes and her face became unreadable.
    “Out of the picture.”
    “Legally out of the picture, or a deadbeat dad?”
    Faith’s eyes peered straight at him as she repeated, “Out. Of. The. Picture.”
    Jason nodded. “All right, I’ll respect your privacy.” For now. Something wasn’t adding up, but he wouldn’t dig. Yet. Maybe.
    Reece squirmed between them, shifting for more room. Jason winked at Faith before he scooped the boy up and rolled to his back. Reece’s small form lay on his chest, the boy’s head tucked under his chin. Jason’s right arm pulled Faith up closer, moving her head onto his shoulder. He let out a satisfied sigh. “Much better. My arm was falling asleep.”
    “I could’ve moved.”
    “I didn’t want you to.”
    Faith reached up and brushed the little man’s thick brown hair off his forehead. “I’d do anything to protect him. He’s my life.”
    Jason ran his hand up and down the silky smooth skin of Faith’s arm. “I’d like to see you again.”
    Faith tilted her head up, a beautiful smile spread across her face. “Yeah? Why?”
    “Why?” Jason chuckled at the question.
    “Yeah. You’re probably rich. The suit I ruined with the garden hose probably cost more than I make in three months. I’ve nearly broken your nose, and I have a son. So why?”
    Jason took a deep breath. “I don’t care about money. I’ve lived without it. I’m fortunate. I know that. There are several reasons I want to see you again. First, you are real.”
    Faith snickered against his shoulder. “Well, I should hope so. Not much fun going out with make-believe people.”
    “Agreed. No, what I meant was, in D.C. nothing is as it seems. Everyone wears a veneer. With a few exceptions, almost nobody is the person they portray. The politics, games, prestige and struggle for power change people. You say what you think, and I enjoy that. When you try to suppress that urge, it makes you squirm.”
    “It does not!” Faith’s indignant whisper sent a low laugh rumbling through his chest.
    “Dom Ops?”
    Her hands flew to her face and an almost inaudible squeak came from behind her cupped fingers. “Stoooppp!” She peeked over her fingertips, her eyes dancing with mirth.
    Jason smiled and squeezed her into him so he could kiss her forehead without disturbing Reece.
    “I like that you think I’m special when I’m not, and it amazes me that you’re raising this little guy by yourself.”
    “Thank you, but you’re selling yourself short. I’m a single mother who lives in a doublewide trailer in Georgia. I have my GED and a past that would make a horror story sound like a lullaby. I don’t understand why you’d want to see me again?”
    Jason slowly moved his head from side to side. “We both have baggage. I’m notorious for messing up anything good that comes my way. Why don’t we just take it day by day?” His hand traced lazy circles on her arm.
    Faith nodded against his shoulder. “I’d like that.”
    Jason closed his eyes and sighed under the comfortable weight of the small boy and woman in his arms.
    “Don’t make plans for tomorrow night, Mr. King.” Faith played with the collar of his shirt.
    “Oh, and why shouldn’t I?”
    “Because if this guy is feeling better, you’re getting lucky.”



Chapter Nine
    Jason opened the hotel door for Faith. He’d taken her to dinner