Novels by Jessie Jane

The morning light slipped through the curtains, entering Briella’s eyes. She groaned and buried her head deeper into the pillow. Her whole body still ached from last night’s activities. She could still feel Hayden’s heartbeat, his voice, his kisses, his touch She opened her eyes slowly, For a moment, she just lay there, staring at the ceiling, smiling before she even realized she was. It felt strange and her heart felt lighter, like something heavy had finally been lifted from her chest.A knock came at the door.“Briella.. Brie?” Kristen’s voice came up playfully drawn out. “Are you alive in there?”Briella mumbled into the pillow, “Barely.”Yesterday she was able to dodge them and their questions but she wouldn't for too long now.“I’ll take that as a yes,” Crystal said, her tone teasing. “You better come down before Crystal drinks all the coffee. Oh, and Elsa’s been up since dawn crying.. The nanny couldn't stop her. I couldn't stop her.You might want to check on her before she c

Later that night, Briella laid against Hayden’s chest, her fingers tracing slow circles across his skin. His heartbeat was steady beneath her ear, grounding her in a calm she hadn’t felt in what seemed like forever. The quiet between them wasn’t awkward; it was peaceful but filled with unsaid words .Briella broke the silence. “How did you find Elsa?” she asked softly.Hayden exhaled slowly, his gaze fixed on the ceiling as if he were trying to find the right words there. “I’ve been watching… quietly. Making sure you were safe.”Her head lifted slightly, confusion and something deeper flickering in her eyes“She was taken by Rissa,” he continued, his tone low. “Even from prison, she found a way to reach you.”Briella’s body went still. Her breath hitched as the name sank in. “She… she was behind it?”He nodded, his eyes meeting hers. “But she can’t touch you anymore. I’ve made sure of that.”Her throat tightened. “You did all that for me?”He smiled faintly. “You think I’d just sit ba

Briella was the last person he thought would come visit him here“Briella…” His voice faltered.“Can I come in?” she asked quietly.He stepped aside, and she walked in. The scent of her familiar perfume filled the room, and Hayden’s chest tightened. He felt his temperature rising.She turned to him, twisting her fingers nervously. “I… I came to thank you,” she began. “For bringing Elsa back. I wasn’t myself that day, I didn’t even acknowledge the fact thta you played the major role in recovering her safely.”Before she could finish, Hayden crossed the small distance between them and his lips met hers, silencing her words.Briella froze, startled, then felt her heart crash against her ribs. When he finally pulled away, his breath grazed her cheek.“I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that.. I just wanted you to stop talking,” he murmured, his voice rough. “I don’t need your thank yous, Briella. It's my duty to ensure your safety and that of Elsa.”Briella nodded and moved closer to him an

By the end of the week, Briella had made a decision.Her break was over. Her daughter was still in London. And she needed distance from the memories, from Hayden, from herself.Months later it was Elsa’s one year birthday party A small celebration was held that somehow drew everyone in. Lex flew in. Kristen and Crystal arrived with gifts and their craziness.The house was warm with the sound of children running, adults chatting, and music playing softly in the background.Briella moved through the house with her daughter in her arms, smiling for her sake but every now and then, her gaze drifted toward the door.Kristen caught it and grinned. “Still waiting for someone?”Briella scoffed. “No. Don’t start.”But before Kristen could tease further, the doorbell rang.The room quieted for a second as Leslie opened the door.And there he was.Hayden standing in the doorway, holding a small, neatly wrapped box. His expression was calm, but his eyes said everything.He walked towards Briella

Her voice came out smaller than she intended. “Hayden…”She opened the car door and stepped out to see Hayden holding her purse. How did she forget it here back inside? She thought.Hayden straightened, stepping forward until the distance between them was little. “You dropped it inside. They handed it to me when I got here.” He said, wiggling her purse.“When did you get here?” she asked “And why are you here?”His jaw flexed. “I could ask you the same thing. Visiting your sister?”Briella flinched. “I needed closure.”“Closure,” he repeated, a bit stunned. “After everything she did, you still come close to her.”Briella said softly, though her voice trembled. “I can’t keep pretending she doesn’t exist.”“And what about me?” he asked suddenly.The question came unexpectedly.She blinked her lips parting, but no words came out. “I waited,” he went on, his tone rough and low. “For months, I waited for you to call. To say something, you pushed me away from yourself and my niece. Even if

As Briella turned, she saw Brian staring at her. “Brian??” He grinned, a little crooked, the same way he always used to when teasing her years ago. “You still recognize me? Thought London had wiped me from your memory.” He asked.She laughed. She stood and hugged him. “Don’t be silly. How could I forget you?”You’d be surprised,” he said lightly as he pulled back, studying her face. His gaze lingered longer. “You look… different. But still you.”Rolling her eyes, Briella dropped back onto her seat. “You haven’t changed at all. Still dramatic.”“Guilty.” He dragged a chair close and dropped into it carelessly. “But I’ll take that as a compliment. Honestly Brie, I wasn’t sure you’d ever come back.”“Why won't I?” she asked back.He didn’t push it further Instead, he tilted his head toward the dance floor where Kristen and Crystal were locked in a ridiculous dance battle, Leslie shouting encouragement like a ring announcer.“Some things never change,” Brian said with a half-smile. “You