Chapter Six

Finally

 

 

Even though the clock said nearly seven, I was fairly certain a week had passed since I’d left Hyde.

I had a good feeling about how the night would go. Or, at least, how I hoped it would.

Surprisingly, I wasn’t nervous. I wasn’t obsessing and doubtful as I overanalyzed every last detail. I didn’t even have my usual indecision about what I was going to wear.

Remembering Jake’s words earlier, I slipped on blue lace panties and a garter with back seamed thigh highs. When I put on my favorite dress, I loved the way it felt and knew I’d made the right choice.

With its retro rockabilly vibe, the dark blue dress stopped above my knees and fit like a second skin. A thick, black halter strap led down to its square neckline and a matching wide black band went around the waist.

I put on my black heels and sat carefully on the edge of my bed to tie their blue ribbons around my ankles. I moved slowly as I tried not to fall over, smother myself with my cleavage, or split the dress apart in a girly impression of the Hulk.

I hummed softly as I applied my makeup with steady hands, using lavender and gray eye shadow and a few coats of mascara for romantic smoky eyes. I left my hair down but added soft waves to it.

As I walked into the living room, I congratulated myself on having my head together.

I’m so steady I’m a rock. I’m a woman that has it going on. I can have my cake and eat it too. I’m like one of the ladies in feminine product commercials. I can play tennis, go swimming, ride a—

A knock at the door interrupted the inappropriate ending to my thoughts. When I opened it to Jake, I was no longer a rock.

I was mush.

Instead of his usual t-shirt, he was wearing a tailored black suit coat with an untucked dark gray button down. The jacket did amazing things for his already broad shoulders and the colors made his eyes more vibrant.

His dark wash jeans were a slimmer fit than he normally wore, but still hung low on his hips. I knew if his shirt was lifted, the indentation of his pelvic muscles would be on full display for me.

Not that I have sex on the brain or anything.

Piper, you’re gawking. Say something!

“Hi,” I breathed.

“Fuck,” Jake growled, pulling me to him.

His mouth crashed down on mine. I could feel his hard cock, sending a fresh wave of arousal through me.

I didn’t care that if we kept going I’d need to change my panties. Or that I was making out with a guy in my wide, open doorway for the neighbors to see.

I just didn’t want to stop.

Which was why I whimpered when he pulled away and handed me a bouquet of semi-crushed flowers.

“Think it goes without sayin’, sweets, but I’ll do it anyway. You look fuckin’ gorgeous.”

“Thanks,” I panted, still breathless.

I walked into the kitchen to grab a vase and tried to think of something to say that didn’t sound like corny small talk.

As I arranged the flowers, Jake pressed in close behind me, his arms going to either side of me as his hands gripped the counter’s edge.

“Who’re those from?” he asked, indicating the other bouquet.

My breath hitched as I felt his rough scruff on my shoulder. “A thank you from a client.”

“Hmm. Gotta leave for dinner,” he whispered in my ear, his lips teasing as they grazed.

“Mmhhmm.”

“Don’t wanna go. I’d rather stay here and eat you ‘til you scream.”

I made a soft whimper from deep in my chest, my knees nearly buckling.

“Let’s go before I change my mind,” he said with a wicked grin as I turned around.

Dinner for one coming right up!

Or would it be going down?

Jake held my hand as we walked outside. He paused on the porch as I locked the door behind us.

We drove to the restaurant in his blue 1977 Camaro. It looked sweet and rode like a dream. Jake told me about all the changes and customizations he’d made since restoring the car. I told him about some that had been made to Bo, though I didn’t do the work myself.

When we arrived in the city, we parked and walked to the restaurant. It was a hole in the wall kind of place that was known for its beer selection and typical bar staples with a gourmet twist. I’d been holding off on going until I turned twenty-one.

I was hoping I’d be able to actually eat some of the highly praised food with the way my stomach was twisting and turning.

“Have you been here before?” I asked when we sat.

“A few times. Z’s a beer snob. This is always his choice when he comes out with us. You?”

“No, but I’ve heard good things.”

“It’s better than good, which is part of why we don’t put up a fight when he drags us here every time.”

“Part?”

“Z’s… not a fan of typical bar rowdiness.”

“Is that why he didn’t stick around Rye?”

“Yeah. He can do Rye in small doses, but not places like Voodoo or Jet’s.” Putting his elbows on the table, Jake leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Which is why it’s important you don’t spread the word about what is some seriously good food. Otherwise, it’ll get popular and he’ll start draggin’ us to some place new. I’m doubtin’ we’ll strike gold twice.”

“Your secret is safe with me,” I whispered as the server approached to take our order.

A silence settled between us when she went to get our drinks.

Say something witty and charming.

Okay, say something alluring and enticing.

Ohhhkay, say something brainy and intellectual.

Fine, how about just say something? You know, make the mouthy do the talky.

Or just keep staring at the bar and looking like a deer caught in the headlights. I’m sure that’s a good look, too.

“What cakes are you working on?” Jake asked, taking me out of my awkward panic.

“A few different ones,” I began as the server dropped off our drinks. As I looked down at my soda, I wished I’d gone with something a little stronger. Something straight out of the vodka bottle.

Jake continued to ask me about my work and soon enough, the conversation began to flow effortlessly.

He told me about the recent work he’d been doing and about the extreme things people had requested, which made me laugh so hard my sides hurt.

I told him about some of my favorite cakes that I’d done and some of the crazier ones, which resulted in Jake throwing his head back and his rich laughter filling the air.

We talked, we ate, and it was, by a long mile, the best date I’d ever had.

*******

After we finished dinner, Jake put his arm around me as we walked down the street. “There are a couple places around here that have concerts nightly or the movie theater is close by. What do you want to do, babe?”

I stopped walking and turned to face him. Bringing his other arm around me, both of his hands dropped to the top of my ass as I looked up at him. “Anything?” I licked my suddenly dry lips.

His eyes followed the movement of my tongue and his grip on my ass tightened. “Anythin’.”

“Hmm,” I started slowly as I pressed myself against him. “If I could choose anything to do, I choose… you.”

“You sure?”

“Yes.”

I felt Jake’s growl in his chest as he lowered his mouth to mine.

All of the city sounds faded, every thought I had fled, and all I could do was feel.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, both to hold him close and to support myself. We lost control as the kiss became hot, intense, and incredibly inappropriate for a city sidewalk.

“Let’s go,” Jake rumbled as he lifted his head and broke the kiss, leaving me swaying slightly on trembling legs.

We walked in silence to Jake’s car, as if uttering one word would break the tenuous hold we had on acting like civilized adults. The air around us was filled with tense anticipation.

The ride went faster than when we’d been heading to dinner as he pushed the speed limit.

When we got to his condo, Jake let us in and locked the door. He turned to face me, though he didn’t close the distance between us.

Like a pause button had been hit, we just stood and looked at each other.

Moving slowly, Jake kept eye contact as he slid his jacket off, revealing pure, masculine beauty. His every movement was rigid and controlled, but I could sense it was fading fast.

I knew he was giving me space to breathe. Time to think or change my mind.

I needed neither.

His eyes stayed locked on me as he dropped his coat to the floor.

My hand released my purse at the same time, letting it clatter to the floor as its contents spilled out.

I didn’t see what went where and I didn’t care.

Just like that, the standstill was done. Instead of just pressing play, though, someone pressed fast forward.

Before I could blink, I was against the wall with Jake’s mouth hard on mine. Our movements were frantic and urgent, a race to touch and feel all we could. His hands trailed my body, making every nerve ending come to life. I touched every part of him I could reach and felt his muscles flex and ripple in response.

I whimpered and my arms tightened reflexively as Jake moved back slightly to look down at me.

“I’m not walkin’ away, Piper. I tried to but I couldn’t. But say the word and we’ll stop. If you don’t like somethin’, if you want me to stop, even if you just wanna slow down, just say so. Yeah?”

“Okay.” Even as I said it, I knew there was no chance I would want or need to stop.

“Fuck.” He pulled me from the wall and led me into his room. “You deserve soft and sweet for your first time, but that isn’t me. I don’t know if I even have that in me, but as bad as I want you? I don’t think my control could hold for me to make love to you.”

“I didn’t ask you to. I know what I want and it isn’t soft and sweet.” I began unbuttoning his shirt.

He dipped down so I could push his shirt off his shoulders, then repeated the action so I could whip his undershirt off. I traced the gears in his arm tattoo, feeling his bicep muscles tighten under my fingertips.

“What do you want?”

“I want to taste you,” I blurted out.

“No one’s stoppin’ you.”

I felt his hardness straining against the zipper. My fingers shook as I tried to unbutton his pants. When Jake’s large hands covered both of mine, I stopped and looked up at him.

Grasping my hands, he lifted them to his mouth and kissed my palms. A small, sweet smile pulled at his lips as he placed my hands back at the button.

My hands were steadier as I undid his jeans and let them fall.

Jake kicked his shoes and socks off and stepped out of his pants. He sat on the bed and positioned himself against the headboard. Lacing his hands behind his head, he stretched his legs out in front of him.

He almost looked relaxed and indifferent, but I knew better. I could feel the tension emanating from him. The strain from holding back was evident on his face though he tried to hide it.

I climbed up the bed between his legs.

Jake’s arms went behind my neck to unhook my dress and push it down.

Sitting up, I let the dress pool around my knees before kicking it the rest of the way off.

On my knees in between his spread thighs, I ran my fingers along the edge of his boxer briefs. I felt a thrill as his abdominal muscles clenched and his cock jumped and strained. I hooked my fingers into the waistband, feeling his rough hair as I freed him.

Wrapping my hand around the base of him, Jake’s loud moan startled me and I quickly pulled my hand away.

“Good noise, baby. So fuckin’ good. Keep goin’.”

I curled my fingers back around him, feeling coarse hair on the side of my fist. I ran my hand up, gliding gently up the smooth skin of his length.

“Harder, baby. Tighten your grip.”

This is definitely an area where I appreciate the bossy voice.

Feeling his cock through layers of clothes was much different than having nothing in the way. It looked bigger, thicker, stronger, and, it’s worth repeating, bigger. Even still, I knew how sensitive it was. I didn’t want to do anything wrong, especially if it resulted in pain.

“You’re not gonna hurt me, promise,” Jake continued, proving again he could read my mind.

Hesitantly, I held him tighter and rubbed up.

His head fell back as his hips rose from the bed.

I released my grasp and lowered myself to run my tongue up his length before taking the tip in my mouth. Going slowly, I pressed my tongue against him and felt the veins and ridges as I moved.

“Oh, fuck, that feels good,” Jake quietly groaned. He used his hands to hold my hair back, allowing me to look at him. “You’re so sexy. Christ, so fuckin’ sexy.”

I took him as deep as I felt comfortable, which wasn’t much. Drawing on my smut knowledge, I added my hand to work his remaining length and found a good rhythm.

Jake’s hips rocked slightly. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.”

Hearing his moans, I felt incited, ignited, inspired. I shut out the doubt and just felt him.

It might not be the most artful blow job, but what I lack in finesse, I can make up for in enthusiasm.

“You gotta stop or I’m not gonna last.” His hand fisted in my hair and tugged back gently.

I pushed down against his hold, moaning around his cock at the pull of my hair.

“I’m gonna come, baby,” he warned on a guttural groan as he tried half-heartedly to pull me away. When that didn’t work, he switched and used his hand in my hair to guide me. His hooded eyes heated as he watched me. “Fuck. Perfect. So fuckin’ perfect.” His cock surged and grew harder still. He cursed, the sound somewhere between a groan and a shout, as he came.

I wanted to experience everything I could, but I hadn’t thought I’d enjoy it like I had. I definitely hadn’t expected to feel so turned on and powerful.

This gorgeous sex god just got off because of me. Because of what I did to him.

His hand gently pulled me back. I sat up, unsure of what to do, but I didn’t have to think long about it.

Jake gave me a wicked smile. “Your turn.”

His hands gently cupped my face, at odds with the roughness of his mouth as it took mine.

The force pushed me onto my back and my legs spread to allow Jake’s hips to fall between them. I could feel his semi-hard cock pressed against me as his mouth lightly trailed my jaw down to my throat. He moved lower and used the tip of his tongue to circle around my nipples without touching them.

“Please.” I arched myself closer to him, adding a silent plea to my verbal one.

I moaned as his mouth covered my nipple, his teeth biting down around the barbell before he sucked hard. The pad of his calloused thumb grazed across my other nipple, the tender touch a stark contrast with the roughness of his mouth.

He softly kissed across my chest, the coarseness of his facial hair adding yet another maddening sensation as he brought his mouth to my other nipple.

Every touch was a contradiction. With no way to know what was coming next, no rhythm to settle into, the sweet, unpredictable torture kept my mind and body on edge.

I lifted my hips in anticipation as Jake’s hand lowered with ache inducing slowness.

He tugged my garter. “Wear these for me?”

“Yeah, you mentioned—” I started.

His fingertips brushed against my wetness as he pushed my panties to the side and stole what limited ability I had to speak.

“They look even hotter than I could’ve imagined. Which is why it’s so hard to do this.” He looped his fingers around the garter and pulled it down, taking my thigh highs and panties with it.

I waited to feel shy. To have the urge to hide myself, or to feel my cheeks heat with embarrassment. The feelings never came, and instead I spread my legs wider, needing more. The cool air hit my overheated body but did nothing to soothe me.

Jake’s fingers went between my legs, leisurely gliding up over my clit then back down again in a slow torment. His mouth roamed down my jaw, neck, the base of my throat, my chest, and back up again.

While he seemed content to drive me crazy, I arched my hips up, needing him to enter me.

I’ve never felt so empty in my life.

I breathed a sigh of relief when he finally began to ease his long finger into me. My breath caught as he worked me while his tongue flicked across my nipple.

Keeping his movements slow, he cautiously pressed a second finger in. He bit down on my nipple, the pleasurable sting helping to distract me from the pain of my body stretching to accommodate his fingers.

As his mouth and fingers worked at me, I felt coiled tenseness grow. My hips began to undulate as I tried to find release.

“Please, Jake, I need more. Harder. More,” I mindlessly begged.

His groan vibrated against my nipple, his teeth tugging harder.

I was close, and I was pretty sure I was going to die if I came. It was too much, too big, too intense.

But I knew, without a doubt, I was going to die if I didn’t come soon.

Jake put his thumb on my clit and applied just the right amount of pressure. Moving it in small circles, his fingers thrust shallowly in and out.

White exploded behind my eyes as the tension broke and I came harder than I thought possible.

I died. I must have. I’m a puddle of nothing. There’s no way I’m moving again. Ever.

“God, baby, so wet, so tight.” Jake’s deep voice rumbled against my chest, his fingers gliding. He leaned back and the hard length of his cock pressed against my thigh.

Hey, what do you know, I’m ready to move. More than ready.

I need to.

Now.

“I want…” I started, losing focus as Jake’s mouth teased across my collarbone.

“What do you want?” he whispered in my ear, pressing his lips to the side of my neck.

“I need you in me.”

“Fuck.” He sat back.

My heart clenched as I watched him pull away.

Shit. This is it. This is where his mood changes and he’s back to being an asshole. I’m never getting laid. It’s just me, my smut, and my showerhead.

Instead of his face twisting in anger or disgust, Jake smiled sheepishly. “I have to go run to the car and grab… Well, the thing is, I didn’t want to assume. And I don’t bring girls here. So, I have to go to the car.” He bent to grab his jeans, almost tripping himself as he talked.

The fact that he didn’t have a Costco sized box of Magnums within reach was surprising. It was even more shocking that he really didn’t bring girls here. Seeing Jake so uncharacteristically ruffled was what touched me most. It was charming, but also reassuring.

I had no doubt I wanted him and this, but it helped to know he wanted me just as much.

“Jake, well, I mean, I’m on the pill, so you know,” I blurted out.

I’d been on the pill since I was sixteen as a precaution. Every time I went to pick up a new prescription I’d contemplate if I should even bother. I was happy I had. I knew how Jake felt about having kids, and I wanted him to know that there was an added layer of protection.

“I was tested after my last thing ended and it’s only you. Do you get what I’m sayin’?”

“Yeah,” I whispered, telling myself that the relief I felt at knowing he wasn’t going to be sleeping with anyone else was just about the safety aspect.

Jake distracted me from deeper analysis when he continued, asking, “Do you trust me, Piper?”

I nodded immediately.

“Fuck, such sweetness.” Jake dropped his jeans back down and returned to the bed, positioning himself between my thighs.

“You can still go get the condoms. I wasn’t telling you so you wouldn’t. I was just telling you so you’d know.”

He fisted his cock, rubbing it up and down my slit. “I don’t want anything between us when I finally get to feel you. I’ve wanted this since I saw you at the shop, and haven’t stopped thinkin’ about you since. Strokin’ my dick in the shower just isn’t cuttin’ it, baby. But you tell me to stop, I will. Swear it. You sure?”

I felt myself grow wetter at the mental image of him stroking himself. “I don’t think I’ve been surer of anything. Ever.”

Jake gripped his cock and guided it into me.

I spread my legs further, not feeling shy. Not feeling embarrassed.

Just feeling him.

My body stretched to accommodate him as he used short thrusts to ease in. The twinges of pain weren’t surprising, but they were there.

“Want me to stop?” Jake asked, his concern evident as he paused his movements.

“No. God, more, please,” I said breathlessly as I lifted my hips.

When he began moving again, he pushed further until he was in all the way. He stopped, allowing my body to adjust as his eyes searched my face.

It was indescribable, being so full, feeling so connected.

“Mine,” Jake rumbled, as looking into my eyes. “You understand, baby?”

I shook my head.

“This pussy, squeezing’ my dick so tight, is mine. No one else’s. No one touches you but me. You’re mine, Piper. Got it?”

I lifted my hips, urging him to move. My mind was so occupied with what my body was feeling that I barely processed a word he was saying.

“Say it, Piper,” Jake demanded. He pushed his hips down to pin mine to the bed so I couldn’t move them.

“I’m yours. Now, please, I need you.” I ended on a moan as Jake started moving.

His shallow thrusts served only to tease and torment me. I tried to move against him again, urging him to go faster.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” he grit out, his restraint etched on his face. His arm muscles were taut and shook with the effort to hold back.

“You’re not and you won’t. But if you don’t give me more, I’m gonna hurt you,” I threatened as I dragged my nails down his back.

“Fuck.” His pace increased, more force going into his thrusts.

“Oh, God, finally.”

Jake lowered his forearms to the bed, his body sliding against mine as he pushed into me. The hair on his chest was rough against my overly sensitive nipples and his pelvis rubbed against my clit.

The angle took him deeper, hitting areas that I’d never experienced on my own with my Battery Operated Boyfriends.

Jake pressed so deep, so fucking deep, into me.

Even if I wanted to, there was no way I could’ve held back. My body tightened around him and then there was nothing but unimaginable pleasure as I came.

The speed and power of Jake’s thrusts increased, and I knew the control he’d been holding onto was gone. His green eyes blazed into mine as his movements became more frenzied.

“Oh God.” My hands, which had been moving up and down his back and shoulders, became nails scoring as I felt another orgasm building inside of me.

The books and movies did not do this justice.

“Fuck.” Fisting one hand in my hair, his other held my hip down as he moved.

Had he not been holding me, I’d have moved up the bed from the force.

It. Felt. Glorious.

“Harder. Please. Don’t stop,” I begged just before I came again.

I wasn’t sure if I was wake the neighbors screaming or barely whispering. Beyond thought, my world was reduced to this moment, this wave I was riding. My moans were met with his as he came.

As Jake dipped low to press light kisses to my face, I could feel his heart pounding against my palm. Our hands moved leisurely in a slow exploration of each other as we caught our breath.

Just as his weight was becoming too much, he slid out of me and collapsed to his side.

“You okay?” He wrapped his arm around me and pulled me close.

“I’m more than okay. So good, Jake, that felt so good.” I tilted my head and pressed a kiss to his jaw.

“Stay the night.”

“Just because we’ve fucked doesn’t mean I think I have to—”

“You don’t have to, no. But you’re gonna.”

“Fine,” I sighed like it was a hardship.

Oh no, woe is me. I have to sleep next to a tall, built, sexy-as-sin man who I am now ninety-nine point nine percent sure is actually a sex god.

Poor me.

Reaching over, Jake turned the light off and pulled the covers over us. He stretched out on his back and pulled me so that my head was resting on his chest.

I yawned as he pressed a kiss to the top of my head.

“Sleep, babe.”

“Okay, Mr. Bossy Pants,” I muttered as I snuggled into him.

His fingers followed along the tattoo on my rib cage, going slowly as if to memorize the notes. Stilling, his breathing evened out when he fell asleep.

Though I was exhausted, sleep was slow to find me. Middle of the night thought sessions were rarely a good thing. It was the time when I’d remember everything I forgot to do. Or when I’d think of everything I’d done but wished I could change.

As I replayed the night, all I could think of was how perfect it’d been. I hadn’t been waiting for my Prince Charming or marriage. I just knew I wanted better than a hookup at a frat party or on some guy’s dirty futon.

I wasn’t going to jump into something just for the, well, fuck of it.

From what I’d heard, even with experience, the first time with someone new could still be an awkward disaster.

I’d always expected my first time to be a catastrophe of epic proportions.

What happened tonight surpassed anything I could’ve imagined, and I’d imagined it quite a bit. The Jake holding me tight in his bed was much better than the Jake that had been living in my fantasies, and that was definitely saying something.

Breathing in the smell of Jake, the smell of us, I exhaled in a quiet rush. With a smile, I fell into a deep sleep.

 

“Baby, I gotta take my shoes off.”

“No, leave ‘em,” Jake grunted as he reached behind his head and pulled his shirt off in a move that would have left me tangled had I attempted it.

Watching Jake do it, however, only left me close to panting as I enjoyed the view.

My show improved when he shoved his pants and boxer briefs down just enough to free himself before dropping his body back down to mine.

“I’ll go gentle next time. Gentler, at least. But I can’t right now.”

“Don’t.” I rubbed my hands down his back, letting my nails drag. “You know how I like you, baby.”

“Fuck, Piper, I need you. So bad. I’ve never needed anyone like I need you.”

I knew he wasn’t just talking about sex. Had I repeated the words back to him, I wouldn’t have been, either.

However, any thought other than feeling him left my mind when his hands moved up my thighs and he hooked his fingers into the gusset of my panties to pull them to the side. He fisted his cock in his other hand before positioning it at my entrance.

I moved against him. “Please.”

Going achingly slow, he pushed into me while his hands trailed down my legs. “Give me your feet, baby.”

“What?”

“Bend your knees.”

When I did as he said, Jake gripped the heels of my shoes and bent my knees further back. The position lifted my ass slightly, changing the angle he entered me and the places he hit. Everything felt more intense and each inch felt bigger.

And there were already a lot of big inches.

“Christ, I can’t hold back.”

“Don’t. Fuck me, please.”

I knew he loved it when I begged, but even if he didn’t, I’d still do it. I couldn’t help it.

His body moved just where I needed before I even knew that I needed it. I cried out as my orgasm hit fast and sudden.

I knew what this was all about and that Jake was losing patience with me. In this way I’d let go, get wild, and come hard every time. I had no choice.

And, call me crazy, I liked that.

You’re crazy, perv.

“My sweets, so fuckin’ perfect,” Jake whispered in my ear, his lips skimming my neck as his thrusts slowed.

A moan of protest escaped me as he pulled out and sat back.

Grabbing the sides of my panties, his eyes followed the progress as he slid them down my legs and tossed them over his head to land wherever. “On your hands and knees.”

When I moved, Jake positioned himself behind me, his hands tenderly running down my sides before he gripped my hips. In one powerful motion, he entered me, lifting me off my knees. “You drive me crazy, Piper. So. Fuckin’. Crazy,” he grunted, his thrusts a staccato as he punctuated the words. He settled into an intense, continuous rhythm, building the tension in me. “Work your clit. Now.”

“I can’t. Too much,” I panted. I could feel him so deep, filling me so full, and I knew I couldn’t handle anymore.

I jumped when his hand came down on my ass, warmth radiating from where it landed, and my fingers went instantly to my clit. Not because he’d told me to, but because now I had to come again.

His hand rubbed gently over my ass, continuing slowly up my spine and into my hair. He fisted it and turned my head to the side using just the right amount of pull.

Just the right amount of everything.

“I wanna see you. I love watchin’ your face,” Jake groaned as his speed increased.

His words and the way he looked down at me were enough to send me over the edge. My pussy gripped and released him, greedy as always, as I came.

“Mine.” His voice was thick as he found his release.

Using his weight, Jake pushed me down on my belly and pinned me with his body, keeping us connected through the movement. The scruff on his jaw tickled as he nuzzled his face into my neck.

“Stay with me tonight,” he whispered, a shiver running through me as his lips grazed my skin.

“Okay,” I agreed as if he’d given me a choice.

Jake moved to the side to grab the blanket, pulling it over us before stretching out next to me. He held me close, warming me in a way that no blanket ever could.

I started to doze off when he murmured, “You’re gonna give me what I want. And soon. Now sleep.”

“Okay,” I agreed, though in my mind it was only to the sleep part.

Jake’s low chuckle traveled through me as he pressed a kiss behind my ear. “Smartass.”

He so knows me.

“Takes one to know one,” I whispered back before falling asleep.

*******

In the two and a half weeks since we’d gotten together, things with Jake had been going well. I’d expected there to be a steep learning curve on both of our parts, but our limited time together was awesome. Better than awesome, really.

Almost… perfect.

Even though I’d never been happier, I still hadn’t fully let myself go. I should’ve known, like most everything else, that wouldn’t slip by Jake.

Everything had come to a head when I’d stopped at the shop earlier that day to drop off cookies. I’d been in the break room talking to Key when Jake had come in.

“Hey, I was just about to call you. Got a minute?” Jake asked.

“Sure.” I said my goodbye to Key before following Jake into his office.

“What’s up?” I asked after he closed the door.

My question went unanswered as Jake walked to the front of his desk. Turning towards me, he leaned back against it and crossed his arms over his chest while his eyes searched my face.

When his gaze shot to my hands and his body tensed, I realized I was twisting my ring on my thumb. I dropped my hand and tried to appear casual when Jake finally spoke.

“What was up before was that I was hopin’ to convince you to fool around before you had to get back to work. What’s up now is I’m wonderin’ why half the time when I talk, you’re bracin’ like I’m about to tell you that your cat died?”

“I don’t,” I denied.

And lied.

I totally did that. Not always consciously, but I did it.

“Babe, you do.”

“No. I don’t even have a cat,” I joked.

“You can’t cute your way out of this.”

“That’s not what I’m trying to do.”

That’s soooo what I’m trying to do.

“What’re you scared of?”

“Nothing.”

“You can’t even talk to me without doin’ that.” He dipped his head to where I was twirling the ring again. “Or somethin’ like it.”

“That’s not entirely to do with our conversations, though.”

“Then what is it entirely to do with?”

“You.”

“Me?” he asked in a rough, quiet voice as hurt slashed across his face.

Realizing what I’d said and how he’d taken it, I rushed to explain.

“You’re hot.” I watched as Jake’s eyes widened in surprise. “Like unbelievably, scorching hot. But you’re also smart and, despite what you say, sweet. You make me smile and laugh all the freakin’ time. Plus, you’re a total badass and that’s crazy sexy in and of itself. When you look at me like that,” I said, gesturing to his eyes that had gone more than their usual intense, “like you can see into my soul and you know all my secrets, I don’t know whether to hide or jump you.”

Nine times out of ten, though, it’s totally jump him.

Do it, do it now!

I’d always heard that to keep a man you should act disinterested and mysterious.

I was obviously never going to be the aloof siren since I was pretty sure that babbling my enthrallment with all things Jake to Jake was the exact opposite of that.

The look in his eyes as he stalked towards me both affirmed my choice to lay it out and scared the hell out of me.

Even more so when, as soon as I was within reach, he wrapped his arms around me to cup my ass.

I was damn near hyperventilating when he used his hold to pull me close, dipping his face down to mine.

“I can’t see into your soul, sweets,” he admitted, his gravelly voice rougher than usual. “And I don’t know all your secrets. But I will. And you’ll be the one tellin’ them to me.”

His words and how he said them warmed my chest even as I panicked.

They weren’t a threat. Not even a promise.

I wasn’t a challenge he was set on besting.

It was simply that he wanted to know about me, to know my secrets, and he wanted me to trust him enough to share.

And I would. If he asked, I’d answer.

And that was part of the problem.

“That still doesn’t explain why you look like I’m about to drop bad news on you.”

I opened my mouth to speak, though I wasn’t sure what I was going to say. Thankfully, a knock at the door interrupted us and kept me from embarrassing myself by babbling more.

“Hi, Kase!” I greeted when he came in, my relief evident even to my own ears.

“Hey, Pipe,” he said with a quick smile, though he was clearly distracted. “Jake, we’ve gotta problem. The parts order is totally fucked. We’re missing more than half of our shit.”

“What’re we missin’?”

“It’d be quicker to tell you what we did get.” Kase tossed a stack of papers on Jake’s desk. Leaning over, he began pointing out different things as they riffled through the pile.

With their attention elsewhere, I began moving slowly towards the door. I knew I was a coward. I also knew that if I stayed, Jake would turn my brain to mush.

I’d spill every last secret I had.

Just as my hand closed around the doorknob, I heard Jake’s amused voice call out. “Babe?”

Damn. Must work on my stealth ninja skills.

“I figured you guys need to focus. I’ve gotta get going anyway.”

“Of course you do.” His lips tipped up as he shook his head. “At least kiss me before you make your escape.”

He so knows me.

“No problemo, Mr. Bossy Pants.” I moved close and pressed a kiss to his lips before backing away quickly, lest my getaway be thwarted. “Good luck, baby.”

“I’ll figure it out, Piper.” He held my gaze and lowered his voice. “I always do.”

*******

When we’d met up for dinner, I’d expected him to start with the questions right away but they never came. We had a fun night that turned into a whole different kind of fun. He didn’t press for answers, which was good because I didn’t want to go there.

I was doing what I had to do to protect myself, and that meant holding back. I hadn’t been lying when I’d told Jake what I thought of him. Being the happiest I’d ever been made it hard to keep that distance.

It made it hard to remember why I’d even want to.