Chapter Thirteen
Claire was a little nervous about the unexpected stop for a drink with Jake—she normally gave a heads-up ahead of her arrival and Frank scouted out the location. But, at the same time, she wanted to continue their date. She hated feeling like she had to stop having fun just because she was famous. It turned out that the bar was the Irish pub they’d stopped at on their second Jenny and Josh date. Jake described how to get to the private room on the third floor to both her and Frank, who was sitting up front with the driver.
“So I take it you know the owner?” she asked.
He laced his fingers with hers in that easy affectionate way he had. “My friend Marcus owns it. I was one of his original investors. He paid me back within the year, but I always get the VIP treatment.”
Okay, it would be okay. It was a controlled environment. He knew the owner. The room was reserved just for them, and she knew Frank would stick close.
“Relax,” Jake said. “You’re not going to a firing squad. We’re just going to have a drink, have a good time.”
She didn’t reply. He had no idea the kind of crazy shit she had to deal with from rabid fans wanting a piece of her. If he stuck around long enough, he’d see. It wasn’t just pictures or autographs. It was hands grabbing, wanting her hair or a piece of her clothing. The men who had erotic fantasies about her and had to touch. That was why she had Frank. At times she wanted a whole bunch of Franks so she could move unaccosted in a bubble of protection.
The car pulled up to the building. Frank got out alone to check things out ahead of time while the driver circled the block.
Jake kept trying to distract her, kissing her neck, but she couldn’t relax enough to enjoy it.
She shoved his shoulder. “Not now.”
He slid a hand into her hair, his eyes hot on hers, and waited for one breathless moment. She blinked, mesmerized. And then his mouth claimed hers, aggressive and rough enough that she could think of nothing but the heat and taste of him. A rare delicious butterfly feeling in her stomach reminded her that Jake was special.
He pulled away when the car stopped moving and gave her a slow sexy smile. “We’re here.”
Frank opened the back door of the car and poked his head in. “There’s some paps. We’re gonna move fast. Ready?”
Shit. How did the paparazzi know she was here? They were already crowding in close to the car.
She turned to Jake. “We have to hustle. Frank will get us in safe.”
“I’m not running.”
“Just move quickly, okay?”
He frowned. “Why? Because of some asshole with a camera?”
“Just do it,” she hissed and exited the car. Flashes went off, nearly blinding her in the dark of night. She turned to find Jake standing, straightening his shirt, and striding at his usual pace, his expression hard. Almost like he was daring them to get too close.
And then Frank had her by the elbow, keeping her partially hidden, and she rushed into the building, straight through to an employees-only door, through a storage area, and then upstairs and through a door marked Private. Jake wasn’t with them. What was he doing? Was he talking to the paps? Giving them a story? Dammit.
She arrived on the third floor with a fully stocked bar, where a bartender, a large man with short-cropped dark hair around her age, stood at the ready. It was the man who’d greeted Jake so warmly the last time they were here. He smiled at her. She gave him a tight smile back. There were a half dozen round tables and a pool table. Still no Jake.
Finally he arrived, strolling on in. Frank stepped out to wait just outside the door.
“What took you so long?” she demanded.
Jake headed over to the bar. “What do you want to drink?”
She tapped her foot. She couldn’t scream at him in front of the bartender, who was even now greeting Jake like a long-lost brother.
Jake looked over at her. “Come meet Marcus. He’s serving us this evening.”
Marcus grabbed Jake’s shoulder and gave it a shake.
She slapped on her gracious meet-the-fans face and crossed over to them. “Hello, nice to meet you, Marcus. I’m—”
“Claire Jordan. I know.” Marcus grinned. “What’re you doing with this guy?”
She raised her brows. “I’m beginning to wonder that myself.”
Jake faked a jab to the heart. “Ooh!” He went behind the bar with Marcus. “She’s mad because I wouldn’t run in here like she wanted. I don’t take orders.”
“It wasn’t an order,” she said between her teeth. “It was for your safety.”
Jake shook his head and looked around behind the bar. “You can’t let some guy with a camera dictate the way you live your life. They’re going to talk about you anyway. Do what you want.”
“It’s not that easy,” she said.
“Yeah, it is.”
Marcus pulled a beer bottle out and handed it to him. Jake popped the top and took a swig. She would’ve ground her teeth if they weren’t so expensive to repair.
“Did you talk to them?” she asked Jake tightly. The hell with her gracious fan face.
“I’m sensing some tension,” Marcus said. “Here you go.” He lined up a chilled bottle of white and a bottle of red on top of the bar. “Jake will pour. They’re both excellent. Nice to meet you, Claire.”
“You too,” she said. “Thank you.”
Marcus headed out, chuckling to himself.
The moment he left the room, she let Jake have it. “What did you do in the ten minutes it took you to get up here?”
“Relax. It was nothing. I was just trying to show you that you can act like a normal human being and nothing bad will happen.” He gestured to the wine bottles. “What do you want, white or red?”
“What did you do?” she pressed.
“Nothing. Geez, you’re paranoid. Can we get back to the part where we’re having a date? I didn’t tell those people to show up. This is a happening section of town. They probably hang around all the time.”
She crossed her arms, still pissed that he didn’t follow directions. She had a lot more experience with this than he did. He walked around the bar, pulled her arms apart and wrapped his arms around her.
His voice rumbled in her ear. “Come on, have a drink with me.”
She blew out an aggravated breath, but she didn’t pull away. It was rare for her to be held, and she felt too good to move. He started humming some unknown tune before taking her hand in his while his other hand slid to her lower back. Her anger seeped away as he led her in a waltz.
She sighed and rested her cheek against his warm chest, breathing in his woodsy spice scent. Maybe she’d overreacted. He wasn’t used to the way things were done.
“That’s more like it,” he said, the sound reverberating in his chest.
For some reason, his cockiness amused her more than irritated her. Maybe because she admired his confidence. Some men were intimidated by her big name and were more aggressive to make up for it, a move she always saw for what it was—all bluster, no substance. Jake had an abundance of confidence but with real success to back it up. She was starting to believe that meeting him instead of his twin had been a twist of fate with a strong dose of destiny. He didn’t need to know that, though. Much too early to expose her heart.
She lifted her head, a little alarmed at the intensity of all she felt for him. “Okay, I’ll take that drink.”
He pulled her hand over her head and twirled her around. “Since Marcus split, the big weenie, I guess I’ll be your bartender this evening.” He stopped twirling her when she faced him again, gave her a tender kiss, then nipped her lower lip, giving her a jolt. He kept surprising her, sweet with an edge that kept her on her toes.
He strode over to the bar and lifted the bottle of red. “I’m sensing you’re in a red mood, the color of passion.”
“Did anyone ever tell you how very subtle you are?”
He grinned and unscrewed the cork. “Surprisingly, no. You’re the first.”
She shook her head with a smile.
“Pick a table where you’d like to be debauched,” he said. “I’ll be right over.”
She looked over at the dark wood tables and around the room, considering the crazy idea for a moment. There were only two windows covered by long dark red drapes. And, of course, Frank standing on the other side of the door.
She took a seat on one of the round bar stools. “Keep dreaming.”
He handed her a glass of wine. She took a sip. “This is really good.”
“I wouldn’t take you some place with bad wine. Marcus knows the good stuff.”
“You invest in a lot of bars?”
“No. Just this one. He’s one of the blood brothers I told you about.”
Ah. She wondered if she’d ever meet his family. Maybe if they all went someplace private. Like her hideaway in Maine. Her family was scattered. Her brother in London. Her parents retired in North Carolina.
“What’re you thinking about?” he asked, taking the bar stool next to her.
“I’m wondering where we go from here.”
“Easy. We’re going back to your hotel.”
“Oh, really?” So arrogantly confident. So right.
He took a pull on his beer. “We both know where this is going.”
She huffed and rolled her eyes in a big display of yeah, right.
He tugged on a lock of her hair. “You forget I grew up with Mad. I know all about the big show.” He leaned close. “The drama. Don’t bother to hide how much you want me. It’s in big neon letters over your head—do me.”
She couldn’t help but laugh.
He took another long swallow of beer, his eyes hot on hers. “Fuck the drink. Let’s go.”
“Now, wait a minute, you made a big deal about continuing our date and that’s what we’re going to do. I didn’t just face the gauntlet of paps and stress of an unplanned outing to rush out of here.”
“Okay.”
She nearly fell off the barstool in shock at his easy capitulation. “Okay.”
She reached for her wineglass when he snagged it first. He raised it to her lips, giving her a sip, watching her with a heated intensity that made her gulp the wine down. The merlot was rich with a hint of cherries, warming her. He set the glass back on the bar, and then he traced her lips with one finger, and then traced them again with his tongue. Her lips parted on a sigh, her body heavy and liquid with desire. His tongue swept inside, thrusting in imitation of where she knew this was heading. She moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck. She hadn’t gotten nearly enough when he lifted his head.
“I like this drink we’re having,” he said, his voice gravelly. “Let’s have some more.”
She nodded.
This time, he pushed her legs apart, making her dress ride further up her thighs, and stood between them before lifting the glass to her lips. He gazed at her mouth and set the glass on the bar with an audible clunk before they slammed together, their mouths hungry. Desire spiked within her as his hand slid up her inner thigh, grazing the edge of her silk thong, making her crazed.
“Okay, let’s go,” she said.
He gave her a rather smug look. “But we didn’t finish your drink, and it tastes so good.” He was dragging this out, playing with her like a lusty cat with a lusty mouse.
She grabbed his ass and pulled him close. “I changed my mind. Consent, desire, intent, all a go.”
He laughed, a low, wicked sound, as he pulled away just enough for her to make a mewl of protest. “That’s Josh.” His fingers unexpectedly slid under her thong and one long stroke made her shudder. “Who’re you with?” he prompted.
“Jake,” she gasped as his finger stroked unerringly to pleasure central. He made lazy circles, drawing further away from where she wanted him.
“Jake just wants proof that you’re ready and willing.” He held up one wet finger and sucked. Her breath shuddered out. Then he dragged that same finger over her bottom lip, past her teeth, and into her mouth. She tasted herself, and she liked it. She sucked his finger, watching his eyes dilate with desire.
He dropped his finger and kissed her again, his hands everywhere, his mouth hard and demanding. She wanted him in that desperate way she had the first time she was with him. She’d never wanted anyone like this before.
She tore her mouth away. “Jake. Yes. Ready, willing. Now.”
One corner of his mouth lifted. “But we didn’t finish your excellent wine.”
She grabbed the glass and drained it. He chuckled that low, knowing laugh of his that said he knew he had her. She didn’t care. She slowly licked her lips, tempting, driving him. He stopped smiling and grabbed her suddenly, pulling her off the bar stool. He pushed her dress up to her waist and lifted her, kissing her passionately. She wrapped her legs tightly around him, loving the friction of his hardness against her. He broke the kiss and walked with her toward the door.
“Wait,” she said, coming back to her reality. “Frank’s right there. The paps. You have to put me down.”
He palmed her bottom, the touch searing her bare skin. “They don’t want a shot of this fine ass?”
“That’s exactly what they want. Put me down.”
“But you feel so good. I wish I could do you here.” Still carrying her, still palming her ass. The movement of him walking made her rub against him so deliciously that for one crazy moment she wished he could do her here too.
“Good things come to those who wait,” she said.
He set her down. “You’re the good thing who’s going to come.”
“I like the way you think.” She grabbed his hand and dashed out into the hallway. Frank didn’t seem at all surprised by their sudden appearance, and her cheeks heated, wondering how much he’d heard.
“We’re heading back to the hotel,” Claire told Frank.
The three of them headed downstairs and then Frank hustled her to the car. She kept a firm grip on Jake’s hand, even as a couple of photographers leaned close to get the shot.
She and Jake were both quiet on the drive to the hotel. She was bursting with anticipation, turned on and not able to do anything about it for at least twenty minutes. She didn’t know why Jake was quiet. But his hand was firmly on her upper thigh. And his occasional looks over at her were full of promised seduction.
The moment they were alone in her suite, she launched herself at him. He caught her and kissed her with an intensity that made her breathless and dizzy.
“Which way to the bedroom?” he asked.
“Right, then left.”
“Got it.”
He found the master bedroom, brought her in, and shut the door behind them. “Put some music on.”
She kissed his neck, tasting him, sucking and biting. He was like the most delicious dessert. But this kind she could have as much as she wanted.
“Because of that cock block downstairs,” he said, tugging on her hair. “I need some noise besides you screaming in ecstasy.”
She stilled. “Screaming?” A shiver went through her at the dark promise in his eyes.
“You didn’t think I was going to go easy on you this second time, did you? That was Josh and Jenny. Gloves are off, baby.”
Her pulse raced, feverish heat making her breath ragged. He muttered a curse before pinning her up against the door and kissing her breathless, grinding against her. He kissed his way up her neck and spoke against her lips. “You look at me like that, I can barely think.” He yanked up her dress and pulled it over her head. His gaze raked her from head to toe as she stood there in bra, thong, and heels. “I didn’t get to see you before. Fuck.” He moved fast, flicking the clasp of the bra open with one expert move, peeling it off her, and then sliding the thong down and off. “Leave the heels.”
She stood, waiting, desperate for his touch as his gaze took her in again from head to toe and then lingered on her sex.
“Touch me,” she said.
He didn’t hesitate, his mouth slamming over hers, his hands on her waist, sliding over the curve of her hips. She wrapped her arms around his neck, glad to have his heat back, pressing fully against her. His hand thrust between her legs, cupping her. She moaned softly and sank back against the door. And then he broke the kiss, watching her as he stroked and thrust with his fingers. She rocked, moving to his rhythm, letting herself feel all the pleasure he gave. Her moans got louder as his fingers became more demanding. She tensed as everything coiled within her, tight and hot. His mouth covered hers suddenly, swallowing her moans as he pushed her further and further to the edge. And then she flew, rocking against his hand, her cries muffled by his mouth.
He cupped her still-tingling sex and lifted his head. “I can’t believe you came so fast. That was too easy. You gotta go deeper than that.”
“Deeper?” she whispered. It was rare for her to even have an orgasm. She had with him before, but too many times she’d felt used and abandoned after sex.
He still cupped her as his other hand stroked down her throat. “Like your whole world dims and then explodes. And you’re shattered into quivering pieces.” He dipped his head and gave her earlobe a tug between his teeth. “And then I’ll put you back together and break you open again until your breath is ragged and your legs are wobbly and all you can say is my name.”
“Jesus,” she whispered.
He gave her a wicked smile. “It’s Jake.” And then he kissed her again, his tongue sweeping inside in delicious possession. Her knees went weak, her body humming with desire as the kiss went on and on, his warm hands roaming all over her.
He broke the kiss. “Put some music on. You’re going to be screaming this time.”
She couldn’t even speak, just stared at him.
He backed away and put his palms in the air. “I’m going to the bed. You’re going to put the music on.”
He started unbuttoning his shirt, so she stayed for the show. He stopped and looked around. “You don’t have a radio alarm clock. Where can we get some music? Put the TV on. Something. I can’t work under these conditions!”
That made her laugh. “Okay, I got it. I have a speaker dock.” She grabbed her cell, quickly fetched the speaker dock from the other room, and plugged it in on the nightstand. “What do you like to listen to?”
“Something loud,” he said from across the room.
She had workout music, dance music, and soothing music. She chose dance music because it had a nice hard beat. He came up behind her, tossed a condom on the nightstand, and wrapped his arms around her.
“Perfect,” he said before kissing the side of her neck. His hands roamed over her body, stroking her breasts and down to her stomach, across to her hips. She arched back into him, an invitation for more. His heat left her back.
She turned to find him pulling back the covers and getting into bed, lying on his back. Yes! She ripped open the condom and rolled it on him.
“I’m not going to ask how you’re so good at that,” he said.
She straddled him, raised herself up, but he stopped her, hands on her hips. “Not yet,” he said.
She tried to move, but he had her in a firm grip. “Why not?”
“Because you didn’t go deep enough.” He moved her up his body as he slid down.
“Jake,” she protested. This was so dirty. She didn’t want to—
“Ride my mouth,” he said before his mouth closed over her center. She cried out as he sucked hard, and she reached out to hang onto the headboard. His hands were on her hips, moving her over him, working her with his wicked mouth. She trembled, gripping the headboard hard, trying to hold herself up, but he wouldn’t let her, holding her open and exposed and close. A white-hot surge of pleasure rocked her, making the room dim, the beat of the music moving her hips now as she surrendered to her body’s craving for more and more and more. She screamed as the climax snuck up on her, explosive in its intensity, rocking her to her core. He kept going, bringing shockwaves of pleasure until she was spent.
He slid out from under her and went behind her, tugging her hips back against him. “So good,” he murmured.
She rested her cheek on the cool pillow, sweaty tendrils of hair falling in her face. He entered her slowly, filling her, pushing deep until she’d taken him to the hilt. She moaned softly.
He covered her and pushed her hair from her face. Then he kissed her shoulder. “You can give me more.”
“I’ve never come twice before,” she admitted. Most men didn’t make the effort that Jake did. “I’m not sure I can give you more.”
“You can,” he said with cocky confidence and rocked into her, bringing another wave of pleasure.
“Jake…”
He rocked into her again, taking his time, easy strokes that brought gentle waves of pleasure to her body. “I love that you can only say my name.”
“I can—”
He thrust deep, yanking her hips back onto him.
“Jake!” she cried out.
And then he was rocking her, stroking her on the inside, making her feverish, shaking with need. He kept her there, playing with her, until she was begging for her release. He grunted and thrust hard, over and over, pushing her to the peak that seemed just out of reach. Her world narrowed down to the rush of sensation centered deep inside, the thudding of her heart, her ragged breath, the heat at her back. And then her world went dark as a surge of pleasure ripped through her, leaving her panting and shaking under him. He thrust deep and held her hips tight against him as he climaxed with a long, low groan.
Her mind was a haze of bliss. She could think of nothing but the man who brought her such incredible pleasure. “Jake,” she whispered.
He pulled out and rolled to his back. She collapsed on the mattress. He threw an arm over her back. Long moments passed while they caught their breath. He hit the power button on the speaker dock and the room went quiet.
She turned off the light, pulled the covers up, and snuggled against his side. “That was even better than the first time,” she said, still reeling from all he’d made her feel.
He didn’t respond. She lifted her head to look at him. It was hard to make him out in the dark. Then she heard a soft snore.
She settled her head against his chest. “I’m falling for you,” she whispered in the dark. It felt good to express what she felt and even better knowing it couldn’t be used against her.