Chapter Eleven

Revelations

 

 

“Harder. Faster.”

“Where’s the fun in that?”

“You’re in so much trouble when we’re done, Mr. Bossy Pants.”

Jake smirked. “Doubt it since I’m pretty sure you’re stayin’ tied to the bed.”

“God, baby. Please?”

“What do you want?”

“You.”

“What about me? You want me to go slower?” he teased, barely inching in and out.

I hadn’t thought it was possible to go slower. “No, stop!”

“You want me to stop?” Shrugging, he pulled out and sat back. “If you say so.”

“No, no, no. I meant stop going slow. Go fast.” I tried, and failed, to move.

“And end this? I’m thinkin’ I wanna taste some sweetness.”

“There are cupcakes on the counter,” I muttered flippantly.

“Good idea.”

“I was joking!” I pleaded with Jake’s retreating back as he left the room.

Me and my big freakin’ mouth.

I’d read books with bondage and had always been intrigued. After our conversation in the limo, I’d ordered soft cuffs online and had been working up the courage to surprise Jake with them.

I hadn’t planned on him leaving in the middle for a bite to eat. Hell, I hadn’t even thought he’d be this good at torturing me.

But that’s what it was.

Body tingling, blood burning, every nerve ending in my body heightened, torture.

“Get back here and fuck me!” I yelled, pulling against the restraints.

“Why, Piper, what will the neighbors think?” Jake leaned in the doorway, casually peeling a cupcake wrapper as though I wasn’t on the verge of spontaneous combustion.

“I don’t care. Throw that out and get over here.”

“Throw out somethin’ you made? I don’t think that’s possible. They’re near perfect.”

“Yes, throw… Wait, ‘near perfect’?”

“See? Imagine your outrage if I tossed it out.”

“Fine, okay, whatever,” I conceded. “Now, what do you mean?”

“Oh, I just thought of some ways to improve this one.”

“Like what?” I glared at him as he came back to the bed.

“Like all this.” Jake used a finger to scoop a little of the whipped cream frosting. Dabbing it on the spot behind my ear, he licked it off. “Maybe it’d taste better here.” Scraping up more, he rubbed his frosted finger on my hard nipple. He leaned down and took it in his mouth, sucking hard.

“You’re right,” I panted. “This is better.”

“Still not perfect.” He positioned himself between my legs.

My head fell back to the bed with a moan as the coldness of the frosting hit my overheated body.

Jake lowered his head to lap up the sweet, sticky topping. His thick finger slid into me, stroking slowly. When my hips rose from the bed, he put a muscled arm across my pelvis and pinned me in place.

“I need you,” I pleaded.

Jake groaned, his grip loosening before he regained control.

Bingo.

“Please, baby. You always make me feel so good.”

“Piper,” he growled a warning, even as his finger inside me picked up speed, rubbing deliciously.

“What? I was just telling you I love what you do to me.” I whimpered when he used more force. “It must be ‘cause I’m yours.”

“Fuck.” Jake’s body covered mine. Cupping my ass in one hand to lift my hips, he slammed into me. His speed and force increased and the head of his cock hit just where I needed it.

When the tension he built in me broke, I pressed my mouth against his shoulder to muffle my moans.

“God, I fuckin’ love you.”

“Love you forever.” Running my tongue up, I tasted sweat and Jake. I nipped at the strong, thick tendon of his shoulder.

Jake groaned deep, burying his face in my neck and coming.

Unlatching my arms and legs, he rubbed my limbs as we caught our breath. Starting at my ankle, he slowly massaged up to the top of my thigh before switching legs. Shifting to my wrists, the coarse hair on his forearms was rough against my nipples.

Closing my eyes, I let myself feel.

I was undecided about whether I should fall asleep or jump him. I wasn’t even sure if he knew what he was doing to me until I opened my eyes and saw his hard cock jump, straining for me.

Reaching up, I sank my fingers into Jake’s hair and pulled his mouth down to mine. The tip of my tongue traced the seam of his lips before pushing in. Twirling, stroking, teasing, my tongue moved with his as I let the heat build. The slow burn turned into a blaze and my hips lifted as they sought his.

Sliding in, Jake’s hand held my hip to the bed while his other arm stayed straight to support him. “Forever. Right, Piper?”

I nodded my answer.

“Say it.”

“Forever,” I moaned.

“Marry me.” Jake’s thrusts stopped as his eyes went wide.

I returned his shocked look. “What did you just say?”

“Marry me. I have a ring at the condo. I can go get it, but I kinda wanna finish first.” He pushed his hips as if I could forget he was in me.

“Are you serious?”

“About wantin’ to finish? Fuck yeah.”

“No, about the other thing.”

“You mean the you marryin’ me thing?”

“Uh, yeah, that thing.” My heart felt like it was going to pound out of my chest.

It’s official. I’m dying. Death by incredible, unbelievable, extreme happiness.

And here I thought it’d be the sex that ended me.

His fingers at my hip began to tremble slightly. “I wasn’t plannin’ to ask you tonight, but—”

“Yes. Yes, definitely.”

Jake closed his eyes before burying his face in my neck. “I love you, Piper.”

He rocked his hips as our mouths and hands moved in frenzied abandonment. Our need to touch and taste as much as possible was overpowering.

“You’ll have my ring, my name. You want that?”

“More than anything.” Digging my nails into his shoulders, I leaned up to nip his jaw as my orgasm ripped through me.

“Never lettin’ that sweetness go. Never lettin’ you go,” he groaned as he came.

When Jake collapsed on me, I wrapped my arms around him. Eventually, he slid off of me and padded barefoot into the bathroom.

Pulling the sheet up, I smiled huge as I thought of everything and nothing at all.

When he returned wearing track shorts, a t-shirt, and his converse, I sat up. “Where’re you going?”

God, my boyfriend is beautiful.

No, wait. My fiancé.

Don’t squeal. Don’t squeal.

Okay, totally squeal. Just try to disguise it as a cough or something.

“I’m gonna go get your ring.”

“I can wait ‘til tomorrow.”

Jake put his hands in his pockets and shook his head. “You might be able to, but I sure as fuck can’t. I’ve waited long enough.”

I threw the sheet off and hopped out of bed. “I’ll come with and we’ll just crash there.”

“Thought you wanted to sleep here?”

“We did what I wanted to do.” I quickly dressed in a pair of yoga pants and a slouchy, off the shoulder t-shirt, going commando and braless.

Reaching into my closet, Jake pulled a suitcase from my set and tossed it on the bed. “Grab some clothes for the rest of the weekend, yeah?”

“No problemo, Mr. Bossy Pants.”

*******

“Where do you wanna live?” I heard, and felt, Jake ask.

On his back in his bed, I was half on my side and half sprawled over him. My head rested on his shoulder while my leg was bent over his hips. One of his hands sifted my hair through his fingers.

“What do you mean?” I tried to sit up but his grip tightened and kept me tucked close.

“Do you wanna live here or your place?”

“I really hadn’t thought about that.” The reality of the changes that were coming made my stomach flip. I was excited. Thrilled out of my freakin’ mind. But I was nervous, too.

Jake chuckled. “Of course you hadn’t.”

“What’s so funny?” I again attempted, and failed, to push up.

“Most women’s minds go wild plannin’ every detail of this kinda stuff from the first date.”

I opened my mouth to argue when he talked over me.

“I know, you’re not most women.”

Seeing as he made my point for me, I closed my mouth but did it rolling my eyes.

“Don’t gotta decide tonight, but I’d like to get into the same place with you soon, yeah? Packin’ a bag to go back and forth got old long ago. Don’t care if it’s here, your house, or a new place as long as I come home to you every night.”

“A new place?”

“Yeah. That somethin’ you might like?”

It was scary as hell, but the good kind. “Yeah. Someplace that wasn’t mine then ours, or yours then ours. It will just be ours.”

“I like that. Get some sleep, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Within a few minutes, Jake’s breathing evened out. Unable to sleep, I opened my eyes to see my new engagement ring sparkle in the moonlight streaming through the window.

I didn’t know much about jewelry, but I knew it was exceptional. The unique, platinum band was elaborately intertwined and dotted with sparkling diamonds. In the center was a good-sized, round diamond. It was gorgeous and different.

It was perfect.

“I’m gonna be Mrs. Jacoby Hyde,” I whispered to myself as happy tears pooled in my eyes.

“Fuck yeah, you are,” Jake said, startling me with his gruff response. After shifting me to straddle him, he leaned up and cupped the back of my head. His mouth took mine savagely, leaving me panting when he sank back into his pillow. Using his hold on me, he tucked my forehead into his neck. “I love you, Piper.”

“Love you, too.” I kissed his jaw, feeling the stubble on my sensitive, swollen lips.

We lay in comfortable silence for a while until Jake broke it, bizarrely saying, “I’m good at my job.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “Though I don’t know why you’re stating the obvious.”

“The kinda work I do is labor intensive and intricate, which means I can charge a shitload. Which I do.”

“Okay…”

“Your place? It’s a home. This is a crash pad. I picked it ‘cause it’s close to work and was available. That’s it. Barely fuckin’ looked at it before I signed the lease. That was seven years ago. Never bothered wastin’ time doin’ shit with it ‘cause it was never gonna be a home.”

“Really?” I’d noticed the first time he brought me here that there was nothing personal. I’d wondered if maybe he’d recently moved in. I couldn’t imagine living in such a sparse place for seven years.

“I went out with the guys. Worked on my car and bike. Normally that’d be a seriously fuckin’ expensive habit, but since I get the parts for cost and do the labor myself, it’s not.

I sat up and looked down at him. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m not following.”

“I got more fuckin’ money than I know what to do with, but I still worked seven days a week. I had the kinda fun that meant I spent each night alone in a fuckin’ crash pad. I was livin’, but I wasn’t alive. I wasn’t breathin’. I was fuckin’ color-blind, tastin’ nothin’ but sour and bitter.” Even in the dim moonlight, I could see the intensity in his eyes. “You brought me sweetness. Brought me color and brightness. You’ve got me breathin’ deep and doin’ it easy. Lovin’ life. Not just enjoyin’ it. Fuckin’ lovin’ it.”

“Jacoby.” Tears stung my eyes as I pushed his hair away from his face.

Grabbing my wrist, he pulled my hand to his mouth and kissed my palm. “I’m gonna spend the rest of my life takin’ you places. Buyin’ you shit. You tell me I don’t have to but you’re wrong. I need to give it to you. ‘Cause I’ve had nothin’ but fuckin’ gray. Nothin’ but a nasty taste in my mouth. Now the rest of my life will be nothin’ but bright and sweet. I could give you the fuckin’ moon and still owe you.”

“Jake, you give me just as much.”

“Thirty-four fuckin’ years of that shit, Piper. So I’m gonna keep buyin’ you sexy as fuck dresses and fuck-me heels. Bracelets that you smile while lookin’ at. A home for us. Yeah?”

“As long as you know you’re the only thing I need. Well, and the home with you. But I’ll help with buying—”

“Don’t finish that sentence.”

Unable to work up the fight, I sighed. “We’ll talk about it later.”

“Never,” he muttered. “Long day tomorrow. Get some sleep, yeah?”

“Yeah.” I tried to fall to the side, but Jake’s hold on me tightened.

“No. Just stay like this a little longer, yeah?”

“Just for a few minutes, then I need to get comfy.” I closed my eyes, enjoying his hands rubbing my back and playing with my hair.

Another minute or so.

Five, tops.

*******

I woke up the following morning, still sprawled on top of Jake, and said a prayer to the sleep gods that I hadn’t been drooling or snoring.

After a quick shower, I began digging through my bag to find clothes. Realizing I didn’t know what to wear because I didn’t know what we were doing, I called out to Jake to ask.

“Nothin’ fancy. And it’s gonna be fuckin’ hot,” he answered, setting a mug of coffee on the dresser. “Gonna shower. We gotta go soon, yeah?”

I pulled on a pair of dark washed jean shorts and a black tank top. After applying a little eyeliner and mascara, I attempted to tame my wild hair. I was tying my high-tops in the living room when Jake came out of the bedroom.

His hair was still damp and wavy from the shower. He was wearing a gray Red Sox tee with red, three-quarter-length sleeves, a pair of gray basketball shorts, and some sneakers. Pulling his hair into a knot, he threw on a worn and faded Sox hat.

You slept without drooling, Piper. Don’t start now.

“Got somethin’ else for you.” Reaching into the closet, he handed me a white, fitted, Red Sox jersey.

“Baby, I’m sensing a theme with the clothes today.”

“I did some work for a guy and got tickets, so I thought we might catch a Sox game. If you wanted.” Though his voice was indifferent, his eyes were bright as he watched me failing to contain my excitement.

I grinned up at him. “Totally.” I pulled the jersey on, but left it open.

His eyes darkened as he looked me over. “I’m thinkin’ maybe I don’t wanna go now.”

“Too late. Let’s go!” I bounced.

“Sweets, that isn’t makin’ me move any faster. Hell. Want one of my sweaters? A coat? At least throw some damn sweatpants on.”

“It’s gonna be unseasonably hot today so pants aren’t happening. Now, let’s go.”

“You’re lucky we’re meetin’ Floyd and Nat there or I seriously doubt we’d be leavin’.”

“Hooray! Now I extra can’t wait. Dad used to take me to games a lot.” I flung the door open and headed towards the driveway. “You coming or what?”

*******

“Never again. Do you hear me, Piper? Never. Again.” Jake stormed through his condo, throwing his hat on the couch as he went.

I trailed after him. “Baby, it really wasn’t that bad.”

He stopped suddenly and turned to face me. “Are you kiddin’ me? You and Nat almost got us kicked out of the game.”

“Did not! The security guards thought we were hilarious.”

“No, the security guards thought you were hot.”

I rolled my eyes. “We weren’t even that bad.”

“Not even one day.” He held up his finger. “Not even one day with my ring on your finger and you were yellin’ your love for another man.”

“To be fair, Anderson is the catcher for the Red Sox, not some random guy.” At Jake’s warning growl, I quickly moved on to my next defense. “And that wasn’t even me yelling the dirty stuff. That was Natalie!”

“Never again. Not goin’ anywhere with the two of you,” Jake muttered as he headed into the kitchen.

Following him, I hopped up onto the island and tried to figure out why he was so exasperated. Since I was pretty tipsy, it was a difficult endeavor to focus on.

*******

When we arrived at the stadium earlier and I showed Dad and Nat my ring, neither of them were surprised. I found out that the reason Jake had called my dad in the first place was to ask for his blessing. Though I’d already told Dad, and more so, Nat, about him, that didn’t mean a phone conversation was going to suffice. Since my surprise birthday celebration was already in the works at that point, they’d decided the party was the perfect opportunity to meet Jake.

After finding our seats, which were so close I could reach over and touch the dugout, I looked at Jake with raised brows. He returned my unspoken question with a wink and smirk.

The work Jake had done wasn’t just for some guy with an extra bunch of bleacher tickets. It was for Jason Pasters, the third baseman.

When he came over before the game to shake our hands and talk with Jake, I barely kept my screams in my head. Nat looked like she was fighting the same battle.

It quickly became obvious that Dad liked Jake. Nat told me that he’d met them for breakfast after their flight landed. According to her, Dad had to work hard to keep a stern face when he was greeted by a guy in scuffed motorcycle boots, well-worn jeans, and a t-shirt, instead of some pretentious yuppie from my mother’s line-up of men. It still wasn’t until Dad saw Jake and me at my party that he’d pulled him aside to give him his blessing.

While we watched the game and Nat filled me in on everything, we drank. A lot. Which led to us declaring our undying love for Teddy Anderson in the bottom of the ninth when he was going up to bat. I loved him because his batting average was rocking and he went by Teddy, not Theodore. Nat said it was because of his fine ass.

Regardless, he hit a double and got the two RBIs they needed to win.

Nat and I might have also heckled a few of the opposing team’s players.

Just a little.

Like hardly noticeable.

Okay, maybe not.

Probably very noticeable.

*******

As I silently accepted that maybe Nat and I had gotten a little wild, Jake handed me some pain meds and a tall glass of ice water. “I don’t need those, I’m not even drunk.”

“Yeah, you are.”

“Okay, maybe a little. But not really.”

Jake looked up and inhaled deeply. “Piper, take the damn pills.”

“Fine. But I don’t get hangovers, so it’s a total waste of perfectly good medicine. You never know when you might need some and you’ll go for the bottle but it’ll be empty. And you’ll only have yourself to blame ‘cause I really don’t need these.” I stopped talking when Jake’s deep laughter filled the kitchen.

“No. You’re right. You’re not drunk at all. What woulda made me think that?”

“What’s so funny?” I asked, hiccupping in the middle and making his laughter start again.

“You. You’re also fuckin’ cute.”

“Yeah?” I smiled as warmth spread through me.

“Yeah, sweets.” Jake moved between my knees. “Did you have fun?”

“So much. I never knew I could be this happy. It was the best birthday, but also just the best weekend of my life,” I whispered like it was a secret.

“Piper,” Jake returned hoarsely.

Leaning up, I pressed my lips to his jaw. “About Nat and I. Maybe we did get just a little crazy.”

“Yeah, babe.” Grabbing my ass, he lifted me off the counter. “Just a little.”

“Sorry.”

“Worth it to see you happy.”

“Fuck, I love my man.”

Did I think that in my head?

“Love you, too. But no more with the love shit to anyone other than me, yeah?”

Nope, I said it out loud.

Okay, so more than a tiny bit drunk.

*******

“Earth to Piper.”

I opened my eyes, ready to open a can of whoop-ass on the cute voiced intruder for interrupting my sleep. “Huh, what?” Looking around, I realized I was still at school.

“You went into robot shutdown mode. Class is done,” Harlow said, grabbing her backpack.

“Shit. Did Professor Marns notice I was asleep?”

“No. You just looked like you were really focused on your book.”

“Thank the Sandman.” Standing, I packed up my bag quickly and headed towards the door.

The hallway was loud and chaotic as we tried to weave through groups of people.

“Long night with your sculpted from marble, god of a fiancé?” Harlow put the back of her hand onto her forehead dramatically. “Oh woe is you.”

“If by that, you mean elbow deep in fondant drama, then yes.”

“God, you guys are kinky.”

I laughed. “And that’s not including what we do with whisks, oven mitts, funnels, and baking sheets.”

“Do you guys really…” Harlow held up her hand. “You know what? Don’t answer. The image in my head is hilarious, I don’t wanna ruin it. So what’s the deal with fondant?”

“I just hate it.” I scrunched up my nose. “It tastes nasty and it’s so shitty to work with. I was up until way late trying to get it all right. I have no clue how I’m going to get through my last class.”

“At least you only have one left. Fridays are my longest days. I’m gonna need an IV of coffee.”

“So I take it you can’t go out tonight?”

“Nope. I can do Monday, though,” she said, her voice hopeful.

“No can do. I’ve got a fully booked baking schedule for the beginning half of the week and dinner at my mother’s house on Friday. Next weekend?”

Her brows lowered as she thought it over. “Maybe lunch on Saturday. But Sunday is packed with school work. Hooray,” she said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

I smiled at her. “I’ll look over my calendar and see.”

“Sweet. I’m gonna haul ass to a vending machine for a much needed dose of caffeine. Talk to you soon.”

“See ya!” I waved as we went in opposite directions.

As long as there was nothing that absolutely had to be done next weekend, I’d rearrange to make lunch happen.

I felt like I worked all the time, but it was nothing compared to Harlow. She took more classes than I did, worked an internship, and bartended at a crappy place in the city. Even though she must be running on fumes, she was always perky and happy.

If I didn’t like her so much, I’d hate her for it.

*******

“I’m so pleased. Just thrilled. I mean, he’s a little rough, of course. But the way he looks at you? That thing he does with his thumb and your jaw? Wow. And that ring?”

Seeing my mother flustered by all things Jake, I burst out laughing. When she’d dragged me into the kitchen, I hadn’t known what to expect. “I know, he’s very wow.”

“I only wish I hadn’t invited Elaine and Dana. I know you like Dana, so I thought you’d want her here.” She shrugged. “And, fine, I may have wanted to rub Elaine’s nose in your engagement. Sue me.”

“Mother! I’m shocked.”

“See what it gets me? They’re making a scene. James is sulking. And Dana’s father is drinking all of Thomas’ good scotch.”

“At least it’s been entertaining.”

“Well, yes, there is that.” She smiled mischievously. “Speaking of, we should get back so we don’t miss anything.”

“I’ll meet you in a few.” I gestured with my head towards the bathroom.

Now that Jake and I were engaged, Mom had put her foot down about meeting him. This meant throwing us a small engagement party with her and Thomas’ friends.

How she’d managed to throw it all together in two weeks, I had no clue.

Though Jake wasn’t a big fan of my boring dress or my pulled back hair, he was being his usual charming, bossy self. It was no surprise that the women were gawking at him with a mixture of fear and lust in their eyes.

Is that how I look at him?

The worst, by far, was Dana and her mother. Dana was there with James, though they’d hardly said a word to each other. Elaine was blatantly flirting with Jake, and her husband wasn’t paying attention since his eyes were glued to whatever legs or chest were in his line of sight.

Mother had told me that Elaine didn’t treat James like he was a potential son-in-law. She was also more than friendly with her pool boy and gardener. Then there were the tennis lessons she took, though no one ever saw her play.

With overly processed blond hair, big, fake, stripper boobs, and a baseball mitt tan, she was a walking cliché.

I’d felt bad for Dana until she’d begun hitting on Jake so overtly it made her mom look demure.

I opened the bathroom door to go rescue my fiancé from whatever fresh hell he was facing when I was pushed back into the bathroom and a mouth was on mine.

I jerked away and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “James! What’re you doing?”

“Just a friend, Piper? Then you were just casually seeing him? And now you’re marrying him? Him?” James threw his arm out towards the door, his brows lowered and his expression filled with both confusion and contempt.

“Yeah, that’s kinda the way relationships progress.”

“Don’t be stupid. You see the way he’s flirting with all those women out there. You want that life? A man like that who’s going to fuck around on you and use you for your money?”

“First of all, Jake hasn’t done anything wrong. If I were you, I’d be looking at Dana’s behavior because he isn’t encouraging shit. The fact she didn’t sit her naked ass on his dinner plate is surprising. It certainly would’ve been subtler.”

“Don’t be vulgar.”

“If you think that’s vulgar, it’s a good thing we never got together. I’d like to get back to my fiancé. I’d suggest you get Dana and leave, or I might have to talk to Thomas about what just happened. Which means in addition to finding a new woman, you’ll be finding a new job. Don’t pull that shit again, James.”

Disgusted, I stormed out, leaving James in the bathroom as I went to find my man.

*******

“Babe, it ain’t gonna happen, so get it outta your head now.”

“What the hell, Jake? You’re being ridiculous!”

“Think what you want, but you aren’t doin’ it.”

“Yeah, I am.”

“There’s no way I’m lettin’ you spend time with Blake fuckin’ Green,” Jake spat out, crossing his arms over his chest.

I matched the gesture by putting my hands on my hips and mustering up all the attitude I could. “First of all, you don’t let me do anything.”

Okay, that isn’t technically 100% true, but that’s beside the point.

“Second, it’s not a social visit. I’m doing the cakes for his album drop party. I kinda have to know what they want.”

“Work through Rhys then. He might want in your pants, but at least I can trust him not to make a move.”

“Normally, I totally dig your whole big, badass, possessive thing. I really do. But not now. This is my business and I can’t let this kind of opportunity pass by just because you don’t like the client.”

“He’s not a client,” he said with a sneer, “because it’s not fuckin’ happenin’.”

“You know what? I’ve gotta get to class.” Grabbing my bag, I left the condo, slamming the door behind me.

It wasn’t the most mature thing to do, but it was a small release.

I got in my car and took off without a backwards glance.

It’d been two and a half weeks since my birthday weekend and a few days since the interesting dinner party at my mother’s. Much like our transition into coupledom, we’d settled easily into our engagement.

The Monday after my birthday, I’d gone to see Ray. With zero hesitation or doubt, I got a cupcake tattoo on the inside of my wrist. There was a red cherry on the top with ‘Jacoby’ spelled out vertically to make the stem. Like his ink, the name placement was subtle but fitting.

That night he’d very thoroughly showed me how much he liked it. Since then I’d catch him staring at it, tracing it with his fingers, or pressing gentle kisses to it.

I knew how much it meant to him because seeing my name on his chest still made my breath catch.

I worked in the kitchen at the shop, which came in handy since business was insane. After work, we went back to one of our places, had dinner, and did typical couple things.

It was nice.

It was normal.

And, surprisingly enough, it wasn’t boring.

The only dark cloud in all the brightness had been the emails.

In addition to receiving them more often, they were also getting increasingly graphic. Gregory was working with the police to see if it was a legitimate threat that went beyond someone seeking attention.

I tried not to think about them, but sometimes they’d pop into my head and I’d get freaked. The hairs on the back of my neck would stand up and I’d get the overwhelming urge to run.

I’d also had three more anonymous flower deliveries. They only came when I wasn’t home, which was most of the time.

After the second delivery, though, Jake called his dad again. Gregory came over with some forensic people who took the flowers and put a logger on my computer.

During the last trip out, Gregory invited us to dinner. And by invited, I mean he laid a guilt trip on Jake so thick it put my mom’s to shame.

Jake’s mom, Sarah, was a lot like her husband. She was obviously a good lawyer since our conversation started out as more of an interrogation. Eventually, the tension eased and the atmosphere grew more comfortable. Even the vibe between Jake and his dad didn’t seem as tense.

The night ended with tentative plans for all of us to get together with my mother and Thomas next time.

On the bizarre side of things, Jake and I had become tabloid fodder. It was weird seeing news of our engagement in local newspapers. While I felt like it was a huge deal, I didn’t think anyone outside of our circle would.

I was wrong.

Jake was worried about the increased exposure, but I hoped it would fizzle out and we’d become old news.

Rhys had texted that morning to ask if I’d be interested in doing cakes for a launch party going on at Rye. The event was celebrating Static in the Sun’s album release. It would be the biggest order I’d ever done, both in volume and exposure. I wasn’t thrilled when he told me Green had some specific requests, but I didn’t want to give up my chance to provide cakes for such a high-profile event.

I knew Jake had a point; Blake Green was an egotistical ass and working with him was going to be a headache.

Still, I was confident I could tune him out and make it through one evening. I wasn’t going to bail just because Jake told me to.

Huh. Wonder where he got the idea he could do that?

Shut up.

Normally, I gave in to him because I didn’t care what he was being bossy about. When I did, we always compromised. We both seemed to know what was worth the fight and what wasn’t.

Sighing, I pulled into a spot at school and forced myself to go to class.

*******

“Girl, I don’t know what the deal is, but your man is putting out a serious pissed off vibe,” Harlow said, looking past me at the table in the cafeteria.

I whipped my head around and saw Jake stalking towards me. I vaguely heard Melanie ask what was going on, but I was already up and heading his way.

As soon as I got within arm’s reach, he pulled me to him. Grabbing my ass, he lifted me up and I wrapped my legs around him. One of his hands weaved into my hair as his mouth crashed down on mine.

It wasn’t until Jake pulled up and gently lowered me to my feet that I registered the comments, catcalls, and whistles. His hand curved around my neck and his thumb pressed my chin up.

“It wasn’t my place to tell you how to handle your business.”

“Thank you for that. I’ll talk to Rhys about working through him. Next time, though, please ask me, don’t tell me. Deal, Mr. Bossy Pants?”

“Deal. But don’t leave without kissing me again. Yeah?”

I nodded because the lack of kiss had thrown my whole day off, too.

When we returned to the table, Jake sat, grabbed my waist, and pulled me onto his lap.

I wrapped my arm around his shoulders. “Don’t you have to get back to work?”

“Nope. They kicked me out for the day. Out of my own damn business. Apparently, I was making it a ‘hostile work environment,’” he scoffed with air quotes. “Where’s your lunch?”

“I wasn’t feeling hungry.”

“Important class next?”

“Not really.”

“Let’s get the fuck outta here and get you some real food, yeah?”

*******

“You sure you’re alright? Maybe we should call your doctor.” The concern in Jake’s voice made the tears start all over again.

“No. No, I’m fine.” I hiccupped, wishing he wouldn’t stand outside the door. I didn’t like being sick. I really didn’t like Jake hearing it. “Can you go call Ray and tell her I can’t make it today?” I listened to his footsteps fading before I lost more of my breakfast.

When I stood up, feeling wobbly but better, I heard the front door close before Jake’s bike roared off a moment later. I was surprised, but grateful, he’d left. I needed a shower badly.

And a gallon of mouthwash.

That’ll teach me to never play hooky.

We left school but I ended up not feeling well enough to go for a bite. Instead, we came back to the condo and I slept most of the day and night. Every time I woke up, Jake was holding me close and would try to get me to drink or eat something. Though I sipped at the water he always had waiting for me, I couldn’t stomach anything else.

I woke up early and felt worse than I had the day before.

After my much needed shower, I was brushing my teeth when Jake came into the bathroom. His face was blank as he handed me a plastic bag from the store and my cell. Without a word, he walked back out.

Looking at the phone, I saw it was already connected to Ray. “‘Ello?” I croaked.

“Sweetie, are you late?” Ray asked.

“Yeah, I asked Jake to call you. I can’t meet up with you today, I’m not feeling well.”

“No. Are you late?”

“Huh?” I looked in the bag and found bright pink stomach medicine and a pregnancy test.

My fiancé who doesn’t want kids went out and bought me a pregnancy test.

Awesome.

Excuse me while I sneak out the window.

“Did you say something to Jake when he called to cancel?” My nervous stomach churned, making me feel worse.

“I kinda blurted it out without thinking. Why?”

“Jake doesn’t want kids.”

“Are you still on the pill?”

“I started getting the shot. With me spending the night at both places, I didn’t want to risk forgetting. I’ve never missed or been late with either, though,” I rambled.

“It’ll be okay. I’ll pick up a test and be right over.”

“Jake got one. I’m gonna take it. Can you stay on the phone? Please?”

“Of course. Where is he?”

“I dunno. He just handed me the pregnancy kit and left.” My hands shook as I opened the package and followed the directions.

“Well?”

“It says it takes three minutes,” I whispered.

“Okay. I’ll wait,” she whispered back.

I tried to look at anything but the little white stick on the counter. After three minutes, I peeked and saw only one pink line. I let out a breath I wasn’t aware I was holding as my feelings bombarded me.

“Negative?” she asked.

“Yup.”

“You good with that?”

“Yes, totally. Definitely. Maybe.”

“Maybe?”

“I’m relieved?”

“Is that a question?”

“No, I am. This is a good thing?”

Ray’s voice was soft. “I don’t know, sweetheart, is it?”

“Uhh.”

“Why doesn’t he want kids?”

Ray was asking something I wanted to know, too. I’d been putting the conversation off but I knew, now more than ever, it was one we needed to have.

“I don’t know.” I picked up the test to throw it out when something caught my eye. “What does it mean when there is a really light second line? Is it still negative?”

“Usually a line is a line. Are there two?”

“Yes.” I swallowed painfully over the sudden lump in my throat as my queasy stomach threatened to revolt.

“Congrats, sweetheart. Do you want me to come over?”

“No. I… I have to go talk to Jake.”

After I let Ray go, I found Jake pacing in the kitchen.

When he looked at my face, his eyes closed slowly before he dropped his head.

“I’m gonna, uh, go call my doctor.” Dazedly, I headed into my room and sat on the edge of my bed as the call connected.

“Doctor Augusta’s office,” the cheerful receptionist answered.

“Hi, this is Piper Skye.”

“Hi Piper, honey. How’re you?”

“Good. Well, maybe. I’ve been feeling pretty run down and sick, so I took a pregnancy test and it was positive.”

“Congratulations! Normally Dr. Augusta doesn’t see patients until they’re nine weeks into the pregnancy. Since you were just in for your shot, though, I’m not sure. Let me put you on hold for a second, alright?”

As I waited, Jake came in and sat behind me. Pulling me to him, he kissed the spot behind my ear.

The receptionist clicked back on. “Piper?”

“Yes?”

“Doctor Augusta would like to see you. Can you come in at eleven thirty?”

“Sure, that’s no problem.”

“Okay, you’re all set. See you then.”

I ended the call and leaned back into Jake’s chest. “She wants to see me in a couple hours.”

“I’ll come with you,” his voice rumbled in my ear.

“No, that’s okay. You left work early yesterday.”

“It’s cool, I know the guy who owns the place.”

“I’ll be—”

“Piper.” From his firm tone, I knew arguing was a waste of time.

“Fine.” I got up and went to the bathroom to get ready, not daring to look at Jake.

*******

“Well, Miss Skye, it was a false alarm.”

My breath whooshed out of my lungs. I felt Jake’s body shift next to me. “False alarm?”

“After a short period of time, pregnancy tests can develop evaporation lines. Because you said that the line was faint and didn’t show initially, I’m assuming that’s all it was. It could have also been an indent line and shadow playing tricks. Regardless, your blood test was negative,” Doctor Augusta explained.

“So feeling sick?”

“It may be a typical virus. However, since you just had the shot, it could be a reaction to that. It can take a few doses for your body to adjust to the influx of hormones. To avoid this, you can switch back to the pill or try something else.”

“What would you recommend?”

“I know you were hesitant when we discussed it last time, but I do think an IUD would work well for you. It lasts for five years and then we replace it.”

“But the side effects…” I squirmed just thinking about it.

“You’re right, they can be unpleasant. It can fall out, get embedded in your uterus, or change your menstrual bleeding. But, Piper, the majority of women have no problem. There’s nothing to remember to take, put on, or put in. You’re set for five years.”

“What if we decide to have kids before the time is up?” Jake asked, shocking the hell out of me.

As this was the first thing he’d said since we came into the office, Doctor Augusta looked a little surprised, too. “If you decide to start trying, all Piper needs to do is come in and have it removed. Some women get pregnant that same month, but for others it takes a little longer. If this is the way you want to go, we can insert a non-hormonal one today.”

“Okay.” I felt both shocked and numb.

Jake’s cell rang. “Sorry, it’s work.” Silencing the ringer, he stood and left the room to take the call.

“Congratulations on your engagement, by the way,” Dr. Augusta said, looking at my ring.

“Thank you.” I smiled as I looked at it, too.

“Alright, I’ll go get everything ready and be back.” Walking out, she closed the door behind her and left me alone with my thoughts.

*******

“I think we should talk, sweets,” Jake said.

Pressed against him in bed, my leg was thrown over his while my cheek rested on his chest. His rough hand rubbed along my spine.

Naked in bed is so not where I want to have this conversation. Let’s schedule it for later.

Maybe the seventh of freakin’ never?

When the uncomfortable IUD insertion was done, Jake insisted that I go home and rest. I didn’t want to relax. If I was alone with my thoughts, I’d obsess and analyze every single thing. I wasn’t ready to deal with my feelings.

Cluck, cluck, chicken.

Using the excuse of being behind schedule, I told Jake I wanted to get some work done. Since arguing with him was normally like stapling jello to a tree, I was surprised when he gave in.

After getting caught up on orders, I grabbed takeout and went to my place in case Jake needed time to himself.

He obviously didn’t since he showed up shortly thereafter, kissed me, and fixed a plate of food like nothing was amiss.

We spent the rest of the night watching TV and ignoring the baby elephant in the room.

“About what?” I asked hesitantly, hoping in vain that we were just going to keep ignoring it.

“Do you want kids, Piper?”

“I’ve never had kids, so I wouldn’t know what I’m missing out on. I have had you, so I’d definitely know what I was giving up.”

“I changed my mind.”

“What?” I sat up to look down at him.

His hand gently combed through my hair. He watched the long strands fall through his fingers. “Been thinkin’ about it for a while but I didn’t wanna freak you out.”

“You’re the one that seemed freaked. In the kitchen, when you saw—”

“I was already breathin’ deep, seein’ bright, tastin’ sweet. The thought of my baby in you?” He looked me in the eyes, his showing exactly how he’d felt. “Fuckin’ perfection.”

Seeing the two lines on the test had sent a rush of emotions through me. I was worried about Jake’s feelings, but happiness had been a close second.

In a nervous, petrified, excited, and giddy way, that is.

“Why didn’t you want kids before?”

Every time I’d thought about asking, I chickened out. I wasn’t ready to face the definitive reality of never having kids.

I hadn’t lied to him. If the toss-up was between him and babies, I’d pick him. That didn’t mean I wanted to have to make that choice.

“I grew up lonely. My parents worked all the time and even when they were home, they weren’t really there. Floyd flew across the country to be there for you. My dad missed my high school graduation.”

Well, that explains the look on his face when I was telling him about how often I saw Dad.

“Baby,” I whispered, rubbing his stubble.

Catching my hand, he pulled it to him and kissed my fingertips. He kept them close, his lips grazing as he spoke. “I got it then and more so now. But it was one more thing in a long list of things they missed. I know it’s stupid—”

“No, it’s not.” I tried to pull my hand away but his grip stayed firm.

At my raised brows, he gave me a half smile. “You smell and,” he started, before nipping the pad of my middle finger, “taste like cake.”

“Don’t distract me. Continue—”

“I was tryin’ to.” With a wicked grin, his tongue touched my finger.

“With your story. Continue with your story.”

“Fine,” he sighed. “Workin’ with cars was all I’d ever wanted to do. I woke up one mornin’ and I was just done. I was puttin’ time, effort, and a shit ton of money into a college I didn’t wanna go to so I could start doin’ a job I didn’t wanna do. So I quit. I started workin’ at garages until I built enough of a client base that I could start my own place. My focus has always been on Hyde.”

“So you thought if you had kids, they’d have the same life you had?”

Letting go of my hand, Jake went up on his elbows and nodded. “It wasn’t a big deal ‘cause by the time I’d even be thinkin’ about kids, I was already cynical as fuck. I wouldn’t trust a lot of these women to hold my fuckin’ beer, let alone my baby. The crazy shit some bitches have tried to pull on me is laughable in a fucked up way. And it wasn’t just a few women doin’ it. There’s shit with Rhys, babe, that isn’t my story to tell. But what he was put through? If it weren’t for the fact I knew you were mine, I’d have been happy for him.”

“Since it’s only you, thank God your head-ass-ectomy was a success.”

His face went soft. “Love you.”

“Love you, too.” Bending my legs, I wrapped my arms around them and rested my head on my knees. “And?” I prompted again when he stopped his story.

“I didn’t wanna date most of the women I fucked. Even with the ones that weren’t crazy, it wasn’t like that. I had no interest in getting married, so I didn’t wanna end up in a jacked situation where I’m only seein’ the kid every other weekend or some shit.”

“But with me?”

“Without a doubt. You’re sweet and silly as fuck with kids when you’re workin’ up cake designs with them. I can totally picture you with our kids.”

“Really?” I hadn’t known he’d seen any of my planning meetings at the shop, but he was right. I was a dingus.

“Fuck yeah. The thought of you carryin’ my baby? I’m selfish as fuck so I’m happy I get you to myself for a while. But down the road?” His lips tilted up before his expression turned watchful. “You didn’t answer me, though. Do you want kids?”

“Badly. I’d be happy without them, Jake. But I want babies with you.”

I barely finished my sentence before Jake cupped the back of my head and pulled me down to him. Rolling us, his heavy weight settled on me and his mouth brutally took mine.

“Fuck, shoulda waited to talk to you,” Jake muttered against my lips.

“Why?”

“Wanna be inside you.” He pushed his boxer clad hardness against me.

“I want that, too.” I tried to hook my fingers into the waistband of his boxer briefs but he moved away.

Stretching out next to me, he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and curled me back into him.

“I take it that’s a no?” I murmured. Resting my head on his shoulder, my fingertips danced down the contours of his ab muscles.

Jake’s hand captured mine and pulled it up. After pressing a kiss to my palm, he rested it on his chest. “Doc’s orders.”

“You know I’m not good with following orders.”

“Don’t I fuckin’ know it. While we’re talkin’ about heavy shit, have you thought about when you wanna get married?”

“I’m almost done with classes. I thought we’d wait ‘til then.”

“What about where?”

“I did have an idea,” I said, feeling silly. “Vegas.”

“Yeah?”

I nodded. “I just think it’d be kickass. When I’ve done wedding cakes, the event itself always seems so stressful. People are running around in a panic. Someone’s usually crying or ready to bolt. It’s supposed to be the happiest day of their lives, but, more often than not, everyone’s miserable.”

“Sounds like a problem with who’s gettin’ married, not where.”

“I think people just forget that the important part of a wedding is the life that follows it. I’d rather have a fun and easy start to our life together.”

“That’s what you want, that’s what we’ll do.”

“Awesome,” I said through a yawn.

“Get some rest.”

“Okay.” I could feel Jake’s heart under my hand, the beat lulling me. “Love you, Jacoby,” I whispered as I fell asleep.

*******

“This isn’t up for discussion.”

“Oh, so that’s it? You say so, and I’m just supposed to agree. Your wish is my command? Should I put on a genie outfit, twitch my nose, and nod my head, too?”

“Fuck. Now I’m gettin’ fuckin’ hard.”

“Jake, this isn’t funny!” Though knowing he was getting hard was taking some of the wind out of my bitch sails.

“You’re right, it isn’t. It’s about safety. You heard my dad; you need to be careful. And just you and your girls at a club isn’t safe.”

“We’re only going to Voodoo. You and your dad are both overreacting. The flowers could be from anyone and I’m hardly getting any emails.”

Balling his hands into fist, he banged them on the desk that separated us as he leaned closer. “There’s more, Piper!” Jake’s low voice rumbled. His anger was evident, but fear and frustration lurked under the surface.

“What more?”

“Nothin’.” Standing up straight, he exhaled deeply and rubbed his palm down his face. “Edge and Kase are both gonna stick close. I wish I could go, but I’m the only one that can finish this bike.”

I crossed my arms. “What more is there, Jake?”

“Nothin’.”

“I’m cool with them coming, but you could’ve just asked me instead of being Mr. Bossy Pants about it. Now what else is there?”

Jake walked around his desk as he spoke. “I got a couple emails at work. Nothin’ like what you were gettin’ but with the flowers showing up so often, it’s suspicious.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t wanna worry you.”

“I can handle it. I’m strong, but I’d be a lot stronger if I had all the facts. You need to talk to me, okay?”

“Yeah.” Jake leaned on the edge of his desk and spread his legs. “Now, bring that sexy ass over here.”

When I stopped in front of him, one of his hands went to my ass and pulled me close. “I have to get finished up. And you have a bike to work on,” I reminded him.

“Love you.”

“Love you, too.” Placing my hands on his hard chest, I went up on my toes and pressed my lips to his.

Jake’s fingers curved around the back of my head as he took over the kiss.

Neither of us got back to work for a while.

*******

“Time to go, Piper,” Jake yelled over the music.

“See what I mean?” I grinned at Ray and Harlow, then giggled as I gestured with my thumb over my shoulder. “He’s crazy hot. But he’s also crazy bossy. He’s Mr. Bossy Pants. Sometimes it’s hot. Other times? Yeah, not so much.”

When, drunken Piper, is it not hot?

Yeah, good point, girly bits.

Ray burst into a fit of drunken giggles that she was barely able to talk through. “If you don’t like full-time bossy, it’s a good thing you didn’t hook up with Rhys.”

I tilted my head. “Why? Is Rhys a Mr. Bossy Pants, too?”

“Don’t worry about it,” Jake said, shooting Ray a glare.

Since Ray was looking at me and not Jake, though, it was a warning she missed. “He’s beyond a Mister. Rhys is a sir always, but especially in bed.”

We’d been at Voodoo for a few hours. In that time, I’d had a lot to drink. Copious amounts. I was toeing the fine line between fun wasted and thinking I could sing karaoke.

Hmm. But if the song was right, I’m sure I could totally rock it.

Since I was drunk, Ray’s comments were lost on me. Unfortunately, my filter had taken a trip out the window to make room for my fourth shot.

“Like, he fucks fancy with his pinkies out? Or with a top hat on?” My brows lowered as I shook my head. “I don’t think that’d work well. Wouldn’t it keep falling off? I mean, I guess he could hold it on. But then how would he move much? I don’t think I’d like it if Jake wore a top hat in bed. I couldn’t run my fingers through his hair. Hair, by the way, that’s so soft it must be made of angel wing feathers.”

Jake’s loud laughter interrupted my drunken babbling. Edge and Kase were laughing even harder.

I made wide eyes at Harlow before whispering loudly, “I think I just put my foot in my mouth.”

“I don’t think so. You brought up some good points,” she whispered back, equally as loud. “Is his hair really that soft?”

“Softer. Which is crazy, ‘cause most of him is so hard. Especially his—”

“Piper,” Jake interrupted.

“What? I was just gonna say your abs. Sheesh, perv.”

“Say goodbye, Piper.”

“Goodbye, Piper,” I said, imitating his deep voice. I wiggled my fingers in a drunken wave.

Jake wrapped his arm around my shoulders as we moved through the room. The crowd around us parted like the Red Sea.

“You must be a badass Moses. He had long hair and beard, too. And I think a wooden staff. You don’t have that, but you do have something long and hard and so much better.”

I could feel Jake’s body shaking with laughter. “Funny, that’s not the biblical name you usually scream.”

“If you’re gonna make fun of me, maybe I won’t scream anything anymore,” I huffed.

“That a challenge?”

“Nope. I’m just saying I won’t be screaming, biblical names or otherwise.”

“No, what you’re sayin’ is it’s a challenge. And I’m competitive, baby. I’d rather wait ‘til we get home to win this but if you wanna keep provokin’ me, I’m sure Edge will let us borrow a storeroom.”

I looked up at Jake with wide eyes, but I did it silently.

“That’s okay, we’ll be home soon,” he muttered, looking vaguely disappointed.

By the time we made it outside, my drunken mind forgot to be freaked about the impending screaming. “Soooo,” I sing-songed. “Who ratted me out?”

“Kase about five minutes after you guys got here. Then Edge. Then Felix.”

“Felix?”

“Bartender. Apparently, I owe him and Edge money now.”

“Why?”

“He had to keep tellin’ guys not to bother buyin’ you a drink. Actually, a couple girls, too. He said I was costin’ Edge money and him tips.”

I rolled my eyes. “Guys are so dramatic. And gossipy. It wasn’t bad,” I assured him as I got into the car. “I was getting tired anyway. I just want to crawl into bed and sleep for a month.”

“I’ll get you into bed but it’ll be a while before you sleep,” he said with a wicked grin as he closed the door.

When he got in and started the car, I yawned before resting my head on his shoulder. As he started driving, my hand went to his lap and the sound of his zipper going down filled the car. Jake adjusted himself, allowing me to free his already hardening cock from his pants.

“I’m really tired, though.” I fake yawned. “I think I should put my head down.”

Jake’s voice was soft and sweet. “Okay, sweets.”

Lowering my head to his lap, I took him in my mouth. My drunkenness might have messed with my finesse, but I hoped my lowered inhibitions and enthusiasm made up for it.

Jake’s hips rose up and down to meet my motions. The sound of his deep groans seemed to echo around the small space.

“Play with yourself,” Jake demanded.

My moans joined his as I slid my hand into my pants and panties. Putting pressure on my clit, I moved my fingers in a tight circle. I felt the car jerk to the side before Jake slammed on the brakes and put the gear shift in park.

“Backseat. Now,” he grunted as he threw his door open.

“Yes, Mr. Bossy Pants.”