I Hate You, Mr. Boss-Man [18+]

024

My heart was in my throat, my knee bouncing as I stare out of the window, my stomach twisting and turning into knots with every suburban home we passed, edging closer to the venue.

"Hey," Jesse reaches over to place his hand on my thigh, giving it a light squeeze on his end. "Baby, you're worrying too much."

My attention shifts to his face, butterflies emerging—my stomach flipping at the use of his nick name for me. I twist my body towards him, leaning my temple against the headrest as I gaze at the side of his face, admiring how cute he looked while focused on the road. "Is it too late to turn back?" I mumble, interlocking my hand with his. "I mean, was this a bad idea?"

Jesse brings our interlocked hands close to his lips, giving the top of my hand a chaste kiss. "No, this was a great idea." He glances at my worried face before turning back to the road. "You said so yourself—you want some closure, right?"

"Yeah, but..."

"He doesn't get to decide how things end, that's entirely up to you," Jesse remarks firmly, his lips tightening, placing both hands back on the wheel. "You need closure? Fine. He can at least give you that. Anyone would be crazy to not want to be with you."

A blush burns at my cheeks, my heart soaring at the last part. He was right though, the least Jacob can give me is an explanation, considering I left the venue when I found out what had happened between him and Amber. I packed my entire room and u-hauled my ass to New York, never giving him the chance to explain his side. I was well too angry for that. "You're amazing, you know that?" I reach over, caressing his cheek and he catches my palm, giving it a small peck.

"I know," He looks over at me, flashing me a grin. The car rolls into the venue, wheels rolling in front of the doors by the valet. Jesse shuts off the engine, taking the keys from the middle console. "Ready, Sweetheart?" He asks, pushing on a pair of aviators, his hand reaching for the handle.

I blow out a breath, swallowing the lump in my throat before nodding my head. "You go first," I mumble, my hands clamming up. "I need a minute."

Jesse takes his hand off the handle, leaning over before taking my face in his hands to press his lips against mine in a deep kiss. "Better?" He murmurs, rubbing the gloss from the sides of my mouth.

"Mmm," I hum, nodding softly. "-But, can I have one more?" I ask, holding up my finger. "Just to be-" I'm cut off by his lips once again, pecking a few more times before leaning his forehead against mine. "Okay," I sigh, swallowing hard. "I'm ready."

I hear Jesse chuckle, a deep laugh that rose goosebumps on the surface of my skin. "Come on, you look beautiful. You have nothing to worry about, okay? I'll be here the whole time."

Jesse steps out first, exchanging a few words with the valet, slipping something in the front pocket of the valet boy before jogging over to my side, opening my door for me. "M'lady," He jokes, offering his palm for me to take. I shake my head, taking his hand to get off the car.

"You're an idiot," I giggle, wrapping my arm around his, the car door shutting behind me. "Thank you for being here with me."

"You think I was about to let you come here alone?" He scoffs, our footsteps beginning to make way through the doors. "Besides," He whispers, lips leaning close to my ear. "After we're done here, I plan on inviting you to the mile-high club."

My face reddens, our steps come to a halt in the lobby in front of the seating chart. "Behave," I scold him, elbowing his side. "We're in public..." I trail, my eyes scanning the chart until I find my name, plus one. "Table three," I mumble, looking back at Jesse, taking in the look on his face. "Are you okay?"

His eyes were dark, brows furrowed with his teeth scraping against his bottom lip, almost ogling at me. "Damn, sweetheart," He curses, whistling softly as he grabs my hips, pulling me against him.

"Jesse," I warn, fixing his emerald green bowtie he matched to my dress. "There are people here," I almost giggle, loving that all his attention was on me, despite the beautiful women that entered the building.

"Fuck them," He slides his rough hands up and down my waist and hips, his fingers grazing at my backless side. "This is a very pretty dress, it's a shame it'll be in shreds tonight."

He really knew how to get me blushing hard. "Okay, seriously," I gently slap his shoulder. "You have to stop or we're not stepping foot in that room." I gesture to the main hall where all the tables and wedding party resided.

"Promise?"

Before I could respond, my gaze captures Ruth Heathers, Jacob's mother, and my ex-mother-in-law. "Shit," I grumble, trying to hide behind Jesse's shoulder. Out of all the familiar faces, her eyes landed on mine, a grin breaking out on her face before she begins to excuse herself from a conversation.

"What?" Jesse mumbles, hands dropping from my waist, letting one linger to hold me close. "What is it?"

"Not what," I correct, resting my forehead against his chest to gain my composure. "Who is the real question. Ruth Heathers, ex-mother-in-law."

"Katherine?" She exclaims, her voice gracing my ears from a distance. "Honey, is that you?" I take a deep breath, detangling myself from Jesse and I put on a brave smile.

"Ruth!" I rejoice, tugging at Jesse's arm to keep him beside me.

The woman gasps loudly, her heels clicking madly as she jogs her way over to me, hurdling me away from Jesse into her arms. "Goodness!" She beams, rocking me back and forth, her arms wrapped tightly around my back. "It's so good to see you, honey." Ruth was my favorite out of the Heathers family, we'd always gotten along pretty well. She was like my second mom.

"Likewise," I choke out, my hand interlaced with Jesse still, I couldn't let him go. "I gotta tell you," I breathe as soon as she lets go, her index and thumb pinching at my cheek. "It's a bit of a relief to know that someone is happy to see me." I step away, clinging back to my safe place.

"Oh, sweet child. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't wonder what would've happened if my son didn't do the awful things he did." Ruth sighs loudly, shaking her head. "Of course, what Jakey doesn't know won't hurt him. I'm just happy to see your pretty face again."

I flash her a smile. "Oh, Ruthie, a woman after my own heart. I'm happy to see you again after seven years, you were always my favorite."

Ruth waves her hand in dismissal, her eyes flickering over to the man beside me. "Why, who's this fine stud?" She raises her brows at me, leaning close as she covers her mouth. "He is dreamy, honey."

I laugh, nodding my head at her suggestion. "Yes he is, this Jesse, my..." I hesitate, unsure what to call him since we hadn't talked about it. Yeah, we were dating but, confirmation was always tricky. "My boyfriend." I finally say, feeling Jesse's gaze burning holes through the side of my head.

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Heathers," Jesse pipes up, offering his hand to the woman before him, shaking it in a firm grip before letting go.

"Good for you, honey." Ruth gripes, folding her fingers into a fist. "There is still a part of me that hasn't forgiven Jacob for what he did to you, I'm just glad you found somebody to ease your mind at night."

I nod along, somewhat surprised by her response. I always thought she blamed me for Jacob not wanting to be with me but, hearing her made this experience a bit easier. "Thank you, Ruth. That means a lot."

"Well, I let you two alone now, I've got mom duties," Ruth states, patting my shoulder. "Feel free to raid the alcohol, it's an open bar." And with that, she sends us both a smile and heads inside the main hall.

I blow out a breath, turning to look at Jesse as he steps in front of me, a sly smirk on his face—arms crossed. "What?" I mumble.

"Boyfriend, huh?" He cocks a brow. I couldn't tell if it bothered him or if he was okay with me calling him that.

"I know," I acknowledge, shaking out my nerves through my hands. "I'm sorry, I panicked."

"Don't be," He says softly, dropping his arms to reach for me, taking a hold of my upper back. "That doesn't sound half bad...boyfriend," He repeats to himself, hands on my lower back now. "I definitely like the sound of that."