Chapter Eight

Back Against the Wall

 

 

“Fuckin’ hate that shit. Thank fuck it’s only once a year,” Jake muttered after we got into the event.

The press line had been more extensive and time consuming than I’d anticipated. Not to mention, intrusive. I wasn’t sure how celebrities put up with it. The thought of someone watching every move I made skeeved me way out.

Jake spent most of the time politely, and occasionally impolitely, ignoring personal questions.

Though he didn’t verbally respond about us, he was his usual openly affectionate self with me. It spoke volumes that his touch was casual and familiar, not forced or awkward. He’d wrap an arm around me, kiss me, or talk softly to me, whispering something naughty if he could get away with it.

Every time I tried to shift out of his way, his grip would tighten and he’d pull me close.

In the middle of being asked a question, Jake turned to kiss my shoulder and the spot behind my ear. When he’d gently tugged the back of my hair, I’d tilted my head to look up at him.

I’d been fairly certain I could hear the subtle whoosh of women’s panties dropping around us. I was absolutely sure I heard more than a few wistful sighs.

“You doin’ okay, sweets?” he’d asked, his voice soft and tender. At my nod, he’d smiled down at me and moved his hand from my hair to my neck. He kept his hand there, his thumb rubbing the spot behind my ear, as he went back to answering questions.

As much as I loved all of that, my favorite part was when Jake actually answered a question. It was baffling to me that he didn’t handle more of the publicity for Hyde.

He’d told me how much he hated interviews, which was why he let Z handle it all. Since Jake wasn’t always great at communicating, I’d assumed that it leaked into his public speaking, too.

I was way wrong.

While Jake’s confidence and roughness came across in an appealing way, he also simply had a way with words. It made people want to listen. His dad was half right because he probably would have made a successful lawyer.

However, his passion as he spoke came from his work now, from doing what he loved. That was what made his words so compelling.

Within moments of walking inside, I yelped as strong arms wrapped around me and lifted me into the air.

“Damn, Piper, lookin’ fuckin’ good,” Kase said, setting me back down. His bogus, innocent smile grew into a grin at Jake’s growl.

It didn’t matter that I wasn’t Kase’s type, or that he flirted with almost any woman, it still irritated Jake.

Which meant, of course, Kase kept doing it.

“Hey, Pipe,” Eli greeted, rolling his eyes at Jake and Kase’s usual routine as he dipped down to kiss my cheek. “You look great.”

Jake pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “I need a fuckin’ drink after all that shit out there. Wait here, I’ll go get us somethin’.”

“Seriously, though, you look beautiful,” Kase said after Jake was out of earshot.

“Thanks. You both look very handsome.” Wearing traditional tuxes, both men cleaned up well.

“I know. I feel like James fuckin’ Bond, yo.”

“What about me, Doll Face?” Z asked from my side, startling me.

“You scared me. I didn’t see you sneak up. You’re also looking quite dapper.”

His dark slate gray tux complimented his eyes and hair, which he wore in his usual pompadour. He looked more in his element here than he did at the garage.

“Perfect. Just what I was going for. You look lovely as always.”

I scanned the quickly filling room. “Thanks. There are a lot of people here. All of your work has paid off.”

“You’re giving me too much credit. I should just say, ‘Tax deductions. Open bar. Hot chicks.’ It’d probably draw more people.”

“No way. I think the longer you talk, the more likely those hot chicks are to show up. Otherwise it’d be a big sausage fest in here.”

When conversation took the inevitable turn to the shop, I felt Jake behind me. He handed me a drink, his hand going to my back as he leaned close to me.

“I gotta go up and talk. Stick with the men.”

“Why?”

“Peace of mind. I’ll be back as soon as possible, yeah?”

Before I could ask what that meant, Jake pressed a kiss to my head and walked away.

I tried to figure out why he wanted me to stay with the boys. When the only reasons I could come up with were bumming me out or pissing me off, I decided to focus on his ass rather than him possibly being an ass.

I love the way his loose jeans hang from his hips, but I could seriously get used to the way the slimmer fit ones look.

I pulled my thoughts out of his pants when the room quieted as Jake’s voice came across the sound system. It was easy again to forget how much he hated public speaking as he thanked everyone for coming and introduced the charity.

When Jake stood back so the representative from Tools for Teens could speak, I took the opportunity to use the ladies room.

As I was returning to the main room, I heard my name called. I was surprised to see James heading towards me.

“Hey,” I greeted. “How’re you?”

“Good.” He shook his head slightly, smiling. “Wow, Piper, you look stunning.”

“Thanks, you look great, too.”

“It seems like it’s been forever.”

“Yeah, it’s been a while.”

We often saw each other at Mother’s, but I’d used my schoolwork and cakes as an excuse to bow out of her last few dinner parties. She’d been her own version of understanding since the only thing worse than a baker for a daughter was a failed one.

“I didn’t realize you’d be here. Thomas sent me in his place, but he didn’t mention…” James trailed off, looking around.

“Oh, I’m not here with Scalding. I’m with Jake Hyde.” I glanced towards the stage where Jake stood while the representative still talked.

“As in his date?”

“Yeah, we’ve been seeing each other.”

“Interesting. I was under the impression that the two of you were just friends.” James reached out and tucked my hair behind my ear.

I moved away when, for the first time since I’d known him, I began to feel uncomfortable. “We were. Now we’re more.”

“Does your mother or Thomas know?”

“About Jake? Why?”

“You never know someone’s intentions.”

“Yeah, you never can be too careful,” I murmured, taking another step away. “I should get back. Goodbye, James.”

“James, there you are,” a familiar voice called out. Dana approached, stopping way in his space. “Oh, hello, Piper.”

“Hi, Dana. How’re you?”

“Wonderful. We can’t seem to get our schedules lined up for that dinner, though, can we?”

I tried to sound appropriately disappointed. “No, sorry, things have been crazy.”

“Well, the last couple of weeks James has kept me very busy, haven’t you, darling?” Dana looped her arm through his.

James looked uncomfortable as he nodded. It appeared to be more of a noncommittal gesture than an actual agreement.

“Well, that’s fantastic,” I said with genuine enthusiasm.

Maybe this will get my mother to stop pushing him at me.

“This isn’t your normal crowd. Are you helping bake for the event?” Dana asked, eyeing my outfit.

It was obvious that I wasn’t dressed for work. I knew it and she knew it. Any idiot could see that. Just like any idiot could see that she was trying to make a jab when there wasn’t one to be made. I’d have been proud to bake for a function like this.

I was always careful about keeping my walls up with Dana, and this was the perfect example of why. There were times when we’d have such a blast together that it made me forget the times like these.

Those good times were coming few and far between.

Instead, she’d become focused on climbing the social ladder.

Even if it meant using her friends as rungs.

“No, not working. I’m actually here with Jake Hyde. So if you’ll excuse me, he should be done soon. Enjoy your evening.”

“Goodbye, Piper,” James replied, his face and tone not matching his polite words.

I nodded as I turned from them.

My progress was halted a few steps later, when a vaguely familiar man stepped in front of me and blocked my way.

I couldn’t place where I recognized him from. His chestnut hair was styled to look casual and wild when I’d put money on a hairdresser spending ages getting it just right. His brown eyes weren’t warm, and his smile was more of a sneer.

He was definitely attractive, but it was obvious that he knew it.

“Hey, gorgeous.”

“Hi,” I replied politely, moving to walk around him. He shifted his large frame to block me again.

Uhh, ever hear of personal space? ‘Cause you’re all up in my bubble right now.

“And what might your name be?” His voice was condescending as he looked me over.

“Piper. And what might yours be?” I asked, using the same tone.

“You don’t recognize me?”

“Vaguely.”

“I would’ve guessed with the tattoos and rocker thing you’re workin’ that you would. Kind of refreshing that you don’t, actually,” he lied, obviously ticked off. “I’m Blake Green.”

That explains the off the charts reading on my Douche Radar.

Blake Green was the lead singer of Static in the Sun, a popular rock band, though I wasn’t a fan. They were constantly on the verge of breaking up.

The weight of the egos alone must weigh down the tour bus.

“Nice to meet you.” I turned to walk away.

Blake grabbed my wrist and twisted me back facing him. “Oh, gorgeous, don’t go breakin’ my heart by leaving me with these bores.” He rudely tilted his head towards the people who’d been talking to him. “Are you here with someone?”

“Yes.”

“Who?”

“Jake Hyde.” Though it wasn’t any of his business, I hoped dropping Jake’s name would be enough to get him to back off.

“Sweet young thing like you? You aren’t anywhere near his type.”

Huh, seems like carrying around that giant, egotistical head of his means there’s no room left for some common sense.

“Well, you know what they say about variety. Enjoy your night.” I fake smiled, trying, and failing, to pull my arm from him without making a scene.

Jake had been working hard to make this evening a success and I didn’t want to do anything to ruin it.

That said, I had a limit and it was quickly approaching.

“Stay,” he said, talking to me like I was a dog. “Chat. I’ll tell you what it’s like being a world famous rock star. Ever spend time with a rock star?”

“Here and there. I really should get back.”

“Little girl, Jake won’t even notice you’re missing. More than once he’s left his date here and left with someone else. Usually someone else’s date.”

“I’ll take my chances with that.” I attempted to shift again, this time managing to move an inch before his grip tightened.

Reaching out, he sifted my hair through his fingers. “Trust me, little girl,” he said, pausing to watch the strands fall through. “You wouldn’t have to worry about that with me.”

I jumped as an arm wrapped tightly around my waist. “Not gonna happen, Green,” Jake snarled, pulling me back against him.

“Since when do you care about your dates, Hyde?” Blake sneered, proving he was a moron. Even so, he had the sense to finally release my wrist.

“Back the fuck off.”

“Wow, Hyde, never thought I’d see you get all possessive over a piece.” I fought back a skeeved out shudder as his eyes slowly trailed my body. “Makes me wanna get a taste of what must be a very, very sweet cunt.”

Before I knew what was happening, I was behind Jake and Blake was on the floor. Someone else’s hands held my shoulders, steadying me before pulling me back.

“Let’s go, Pipe,” Kase whispered in my ear. “He’ll be good, but he’ll be fuckin’ pissed at me if I don’t get you outta here.”

I glanced over my shoulder and saw the other guys were positioned to block the scene. I knew they had Jake’s back, which meant letting him handle things his way and keeping everyone out of his path while he did it.

The air went wired as Jake leaned down. “Get up, fucker,” he growled. His voice was barely above a whisper, yet it felt like he was yelling.

“Go fuck yourself. The great Jake Hyde really is pussy-whipped, huh? Gonna get all bent outta shape about some piece? She really must be honey,” Blake taunted unwisely, blood dripping from his nose.

Jake pulled him back up before his fist viciously connected again. The gruesome sound of flesh hitting flesh was audible over the noises of the party. Blake fell back on his ass, blood beading from a tear on his lip.

Luckily, almost everyone was either at the bar, on the dance floor, or looking at the auction items. Only a few people in the immediate area were aware of what was happening, though no one jumped to Blake’s defense.

“I said get the fuck up, motherfucker. We’ll head outside, I’ll show you how bent outta shape I can get.”

“How about we finish here?” Blake asked, standing up and brushing himself off. “You know, that way I can take your piece outside and bend her.”

When Jake stepped forward, Blake swung hard and fast. Jake was faster, though, dodging the punch and using Blake’s momentum against him. Jake brought his fist up, slamming it into Blake’s jaw with a sickening thud and sending him back down on his ass.

Before things could get any more out of control, I pulled free of Kase and got in front of Jake. “Enough. It’s done, let’s just go enjoy our night.”

“Gotta know I’m not lettin’ that slide, Piper,” Jake rumbled, not taking his eyes from Blake.

“Jake,” I whispered, putting my hands on his chest and getting up on my tiptoes. “You’ve been working hard on tonight. Don’t let him take away from that.”

“I don’t give a fuck. No one says that shit about you.”

“I know, baby, I know.” I rubbed my fingertips over the stubble on his jaw. “But I do care. I’m thirsty, let’s go get a drink, okay?”

Jake finally pulled his eyes from Blake to look down at me. “You thirsty, sweets?” Bringing his hand to the side of my neck, he rubbed his thumb along my jaw.

I closed my eyes for a second, his touch tender and calming. “Yeah.”

“Get his ass outta here,” he grunted, jerking his head towards Blake. “I’ll be back.”

Jake slid his hand to the back of my neck and guided me towards the bar. When we reached it, his steps didn’t slow and we walked past it. He kept going, turning and walking us down a long hall.

“Jake, what’re we doing?”

My question went unanswered. Anger rolled off of Jake in waves, and it finally hit me that he wasn’t just pissed at Blake Green.

But that’s just crazy. Well… okay, I didn’t exactly listen to his Mr. Bossy Pants order, but why would I? And, yeah, he ended up kicking ass at his meticulously planned party because of it. But how was I supposed to know that would happen?

I braced when he stopped us near the end of the hall, boxes and miscellaneous buildup around us.

“I asked you to stay with the guys,” Jake growled.

I shuffled backwards as he advanced. When my back hit the wall, his hands went to the wall on either side of my head.

“I had to use the bathroom.”

“You should’ve had one of them go with you.”

“I can’t go to the bathroom alone? What, worried I’ll get lost?” My voice dripped with sarcasm.

Don’t poke the bear, Piper.

“No, I don’t want you talkin’ to anyone.”

“God, Jake, I wasn’t gonna embarrass you. I don’t need a sitter, especially not to go to the freakin’ bathroom.”

“Is that what you thought this was?”

“Isn’t it?”

“No. Actually, fuck no.”

“Then why?”

Jake ignored my question. “Who was that first guy you were talkin’ to?”

“James. You met him at my house before.”

“Why were you talkin’ to him?”

“He stopped me to say hi. Why?”

“He touched you.”

“He tucked my hair behind my ear. It isn’t like it was obscene.”

“Not like what Green wanted to do to you. Why the fuck were you talkin’ to him?” His jaw clenched as his body tensed further.

“He stopped me. I was politely excusing myself and trying to get away from him.”

“That didn’t seem to be workin’, did it? You like what he was sayin’ to you, babe? Like hearin’ him talk about your sweet cunt? Were you thinkin’ about how it would be?” Jake asked crudely, his voice low and rough.

“No, what? How what would be?”

“Fuckin’ a rock star. Slummin’ it with the lowly mechanic not doin’ it for you anymore?”

I stared up at him in wide-eyed disbelief.

Fuck it.

Poke the bear.

I glared at him, my temper rising. “Why are you being a jerk? I’m here with you.”

“Oh, so if I wasn’t around? I could leave if that’d make it easier for you to work the room.” He lowered his hands and stepped back. His shoulders were tight as his fists clenched by his sides.

“You’re being an ass. Come find me when you calm down.” I shifted to leave but Jake moved back into my space.

“James,” he sneered, “tucked your hair behind your ear. Do you know how intimate that is? How it felt to watch that? And Blake? I can’t even go there again. You stood there and let them touch you, Piper. Why?” His hands slammed back on the wall, punctuating the word as his body pressed close to mine.

“Jake, I didn’t—”

“You don’t care when we don’t see each other. I called you yesterday, fuckin’ hatin’ that I had to cancel, but you were totally fine with it. Christ, you couldn’t even call yourself my woman on the way here. Obviously, you’re still free and available to do what you want.”

Oh yeah, poke the bossy bear with a sharp fuckin’ stick.

“Are you serious? No, are you fuckin’ serious? You’ve never said you were my boyfriend or anything, either,” I pointed out.

“I told you it was only you for me.”

“What? When?”

“Before the first time. I said it was only you and asked if you knew what I was sayin’.”

“I thought that meant you were only gonna be having sex with me.”

“No. It’s only you.”

“I’m not a mind reader, Jake. How was I supposed to know that?”

“I showed you—”

“Wait! Was that what all that shit was last night? You’re more than a replaceable dick to me. I missed you, not just hungry and energetic. But you’re busy, and I get that. I’m not gonna bug out on you about your job. That’s not cool.”

“You’re—”

“We are… well, were awesome. I didn’t need a title to make it official because I was already there. You wanna put labels on us, we’ll put labels on us. I’ll buy a freakin’ label maker and label the hell out of us. But you know I’m yours. I’ve told you that over and over.”

“When?”

“During sex.”

“Yeah, exactly. While my dick’s in you and I’m makin’ you come. Even then I’m promptin’ you to say it. Not once have you said it on your own. And then you wonder why I’d think I was a replaceable dick to you. I’m not a mind reader either.”

As much as I hated to admit it, he had a point. Just because he seemed to know all my secrets didn’t mean he actually did.

My shoulders slumped as I lost some of my anger. “Oh.”

“Yeah. Oh.”

“You’re right. I guess I just thought you knew how I felt. That you’d figured it out because of… well, everything.”

Just like that, I could feel the tension leave his body. His eyes went warm and soft, though no less intense. “You’re my woman?”

I stayed silent, staring beyond him, unseeing, as I worked through my anger and hurt at what he’d said.

Blowing out his breath, he ran his palm down his face before bringing it up to rub the back of his neck. “Shit. I really fucked up. Let my temper get to me. I’m sorry.”

“You’re an ass.”

“Yeah,” he agreed. “I’d never be embarrassed by you. The way I see other guys lookin’ at you? Them talking to you as soon as I walk away? That’s why I wanted you to stick close to the guys.”

Who knew a badass could be so vulnerable.

Because Jake was so experienced in other ways, it was easy to forget that a lot of the relationship stuff was as new to him as it was to me. We needed to learn to communicate better so things didn’t build up and explode.

“No one else has me. You do.”

“You’re my woman?”

I nodded.

“Say it.”

“I’m your woman, Jacoby.”

He didn’t like anyone else calling him by his full name and it was rare that even I used it. Each time felt like a gift and I savored it.

Watching his eyes close slowly, I knew he felt the same way.

“Fuck yeah, you are. Pull your dress up.”

I brought the skirt up enough that, when Jake’s hand on my ass lifted me, my legs were able to wrap around him.

Shifting me higher, he reached under my ass to free his cock from his jeans. Pushing my panties to the side, he ran his fingers through my growing wetness.

“Fuck. Soaked.”

“Always.” I bit my lip to muffle my moan when he lowered me onto his cock.

“I gotta be inside you. Need you, Piper, more than I’ve ever needed anything. More than I need my next fuckin’ breath.” Fisting his hand in my hair, he tugged my head back and kissed me hard.

There was no thought to the hundreds of people a short distance away. In that moment, as the slow burn built, the world fell away. It was only Jake and me. With my back against the wall, his cock gliding slowly in and out, it was sweet torture.

“Baby, I need it,” I said, breaking the kiss.

“Need what?” He moved slower, building my orgasm but keeping it out of reach.

“You. Always,” I panted. “But right now I need you to fuck me harder.”

Jake’s low growl vibrated against me, my slow burn turning to an inferno as his momentum increased.

I arched my neck, and his hand in my hair cushioned my head from hitting the wall. Biting my lip to muffle my moans, my legs tightened around him as I came.

“Christ, my woman looks so hot when she comes,” Jake murmured, his words making the pressure build again. “Sweet pussy, squeezin’ my dick so hard.”

“Oh, Jake,” I whimpered.

“So fuckin’ perfect. God, Piper, I love you. So fuckin’ much,” Jake groaned, pounding on each word as he came.

Tell him you love him.

Okay, catch your breath and then tell him.

Alright, fine, panic and be a coward on the off chance he said it in the heat of the moment and didn’t mean it.

Cluck, cluck, chicken.

When I undid my legs from his waist, Jake slowly loosened his hold on me and slid me down his body to stand. He stepped back to tuck himself away and arrange his clothes.

“Don’t wanna go back in.”

“Neither do I.” My heart was pounding in my near bursting chest as my stomach flipped wildly. “I’ve gotta go get cleaned up.”

Jake pressed in close, his hands going into the back of my dress to grab my ass as he kissed me hard.

He backed away. “I’ll be waitin’.”

We walked into the main room a few minutes later and stopped at the bar. With drinks in hand, Jake wrapped his arm around me. We’d barely taken a step when he was stopped.

“Hyde, how’s it hangin’?” a man greeted.

I was with the hottest of the hottest. I knew this without a doubt. However, I had to admit this man was good-looking.

Raw with a sharp edge, he was tall and thickly built. His dark hair was closely shaved and his eyes were a deep, midnight blue. Skipping over the traditional tux, he was wearing slate gray slacks and a shirt that matched his eyes.

“Long and strong, brother, long and strong.” Jake released his hold on me long enough to give him a back thumping hug before he put his arm back around my waist. “Piper, this is Lars. Lars, this is my girlfriend, Piper.”

I’d thought the label was silly. What we had was good. Perfect. There was no way that something so small and insignificant would make any difference.

I was way wrong.

Hearing Jake call me his girlfriend was awesome.

“Nice to meet you,” Lars said.

I knew I was grinning huge, but I didn’t care.

“You, too.” I took his outstretched hand.

“Happy for you,” he said, still holding my hand but looking at Jake. His voice was deep with meaning when he continued. “Truly, brother. Fuckin’ thrilled.”

“You and me both.”

“Alright, I’m gonna go catch up with Kase. See you both around.”

From that point on, every time Jake introduced me to someone, he referred to me as his girlfriend. I knew my cheeks would hurt by the end of the night from smiling, but I didn’t care.

We eventually made our way over to the tables and sat for a while with Jake’s childhood friend Liz and her partner, Sammi. They owned a restaurant together where Liz handled the business side and Sammi was the head chef.

“I gotta go talk again,” Jake said, kissing me.

As he walked away, Sammi and Liz burst out laughing.

“Boy, you both have got it B-A-D, bad! I’ve never seen Jake like this. Not even with Chloe,” Liz said.

“Chloe?”

“Jake’s ex. She was years ago, but basically the only real girlfriend he’s had. Well, until now.”

“I gotta say, I’m totally diggin’ this change in him,” Sammi put in. “He looks happy. Like really happy. And he isn’t even around a car.”

“Which makes me curious what happened earlier when he looked like he was ready to kill someone,” Liz said.

“Someone was talking to me that Jake doesn’t get along with.” I didn’t want to go into detail, mostly because I didn’t want to think about it. It was done, Blake was long gone, and what followed was what I wanted to focus on.

“Who was it?” Sammi asked.

“Blake Green.”

“Oh yeah, they’re not fond of each other. Blake thinks they’re competing for chicks. They aren’t; Jake’s not like that. But if they were, Blake’s record would be dismal.”

“That also explains the growl,” Liz put in.

“Growl?” I asked.

“Yeah, he stopped in the middle of what he was saying, growled, and was already on the move when he told us to have a good evening. He jumped right off the front of the stage, not even bothering with the steps.”

“You’re kidding.”

Jake’s voice came through the speakers as he let everyone know that there was a half hour before the end of the silent auction.

When he returned to our table, he bent down and kissed the spot behind my ear. “Gotta make the rounds some more.”

“Okay. It was great meeting you both,” I said, standing.

“You, too. Stop into the restaurant soon,” Sammi told me.

“I will.”

Jake put his hand on my back, his thumb rubbing across my spine as he brought me over to another group of people.

As everyone chatted, he leaned close to my ear. “Havin’ fun?”

“A ton.”

Moving in front of me, his hands went to my neck and he ran his thumbs along my jaw. “I love you. I’ve been tryin’ to think of when to tell you, but it just came out earlier. I know I’ve fucked up, and I get it if you don’t feel the same way, I just—”

“I love you, too, Jacoby.”

I barely finished saying his name when he kissed me, soft and sweet.

Jacoby Hyde loves me.

Keep it together, Piper.

Don’t squeal. Don’t even do Jet’s thrusting ‘in your face’ victory dance.

“Jake?”

Jake tensed at the interruption, pulling up but wrapping his arms around me so tight that I almost couldn’t breathe.

I turned towards the voice and saw a tall, slender woman. Her blonde hair was cut in a fringed, shoulder length bob that highlighted her pretty features. She was wearing a black cocktail dress that showed off her porcelain skin and long legs.

“Chloe,” Jake replied.

Chloe? As in the heretofore unknown ex-girlfriend?

And she’s the exact opposite of me.

Awesome.

“I’m here with Frederick, he just went to get drinks. I thought I’d stop and say hello.” She turned to me, her eyes critical as she looked at me. “Hi, I’m Chloe. You must be the Piper I’ve heard so much about.”

“Chloe, go find your man. We’re in the middle of somethin’ here.”

“Sorry, Jake, I didn’t mean to interrupt you acting like a teenager.”

“Well, you did. And I’d kinda like to get back to it.”

“Baby, don’t be rude,” I laughed playfully up at him. “I’m sorry, Chloe. He can just be so greedy when it comes to his time with me.” I rubbed my fingertips across his jaw, forgetting for a second that I was supposed to be returning some bitchiness. “Anyway, it was nice to meet you. I’m gonna go get my man a drink.” I turned, dismissing Chloe altogether. “Beer, baby?”

Jake leaned down and kissed me. I knew his touch wasn’t to provoke a reaction, but just because he wanted to do it. “Yeah. I’ll come with. Don’t want to have to punch anyone else.”

A shiver ran through me when he placed his hand on my bare back.

As we walked away, I subtly looked to the side. Unsurprisingly, Chloe was glaring at us with her arms crossed. What caught me off guard was also seeing Dana staring us down with envy darkening her face.

She’s always had a thing for James. Shouldn’t she be dancing on a table or something?

The animosity was a physical feeling that hit me hard.

I took a deep breath and exhaled, letting everything go. I couldn’t control how other people felt. I could, however, control how I dealt with it.

And, tonight especially, I’d deal with it by enjoying time with my man.

When we got to the bar, Jake looked down at me, eyes searching my face. “You good?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Chloe. Sorry, babe, her man works for one of the companies that we invite. She never comes. I don’t know why she’s here.”

Oh, I know why she’s here. And it isn’t to bid on the theater tickets.

“Do you love her?”

“Fuck no. What the hell would make you ask that?”

“Do you want to take her home tonight instead of me?”

“No.”

“Then I don’t care.”

Jake backed me into the bar, his arms at my sides holding onto the ledge. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“I like hearin’ that. A lot.”

“Good, ‘cause I like saying it.”

“Remind me never to piss you off, though. The way you handled that? Sweet as fuck, but you made it clear if she was gonna be a bitch, you’d outdo her. Instead of being pissed at her interruptin’ us, I was tryin’ not to get hard at your sweet version of attitude. So, never mind what I just said. Expect me to piss you off.”

I laughed up at him, but did it while pushing my body closer. “Don’t you have some official business to handle that would be hard to do if you were, well, hard?”

“Yeah, shit, I gotta go finish up.”

We walked towards a table near the stage where Xavier, Key, and a couple other people were sitting.

“Who’s that next to Key?” I whispered to Jake.

“Everett. They’re… complicated.”

“Wait, you mean that’s his date?”

“If Everett had his way. Like I said, complicated.”

I looked back at the table. “He looks familiar…” Suddenly it dawned on me where I recognized him from.

“What?”

“That first day in the shop, you called me babe but I didn’t know if you were talking to me. I looked around, saw a couple bikers, and figured you must’ve been talking to me because I couldn’t see any man calling them babe.”

“I take it Everett was one of them?”

“Yup. That’s what I get for judging a book by its cover. I’ve seen him with women, so is Key…”

Jake raised a shoulder and said, “Key is Key.”

When we got to the table, I sat as official introductions were made before Jake walked towards the stage.

I watched as a few women tried to stop him to talk. Based on their body language, it wasn’t the charity they wanted to help.

Xavier jerked his side towards Jake. “Piper, don’t let that shit get to you.”

“It doesn’t. He’s freakin’ hot, no woman could resist.”

“Too bad for them there’s only one woman he can’t resist,” Key said, his smile shy but loaded with affection.

I love my boys.

Jake reached the microphone and began his closing speech for the evening. As he talked, a few men approached me and asked if I wanted to grab a drink. I was polite in declining, and they were polite with the rejection.

Jake introduced the representative before returning to the table.

“Damn, be nice if I could leave my woman for five minutes,” Jake said with a smile in place, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Piper, you ready to go?” His fists were clenched so hard his knuckles were white, though he was trying to look calm.

“Yeah.” The day had caught up with me long ago and I was running on fumes.

I stood and said my goodbyes. Jake did a jerky chin lift to the table.

As we walked towards the waiting limo, Jake, silent and tense, kept his hand on my lower back.

As soon as the car door closed, he pulled me to him and kissed me so hard it almost hurt. After unfastening the halter, he pushed the dress down.

I lifted my hips from the seat so he could drag it the rest of the way off, letting it fall to the floor in a pool of dark purple.

Grabbing my waist, he pulled me to him. I swung a leg over his thighs to straddle him. Burrowing his head in my neck, he used his tongue, teeth, and lips to drive me wild.

“Oh God, Jake.” I pushed myself against the hardness in his jeans, wishing for nothing between us.

“I lose my fuckin’ head when it comes to you.”

“There were just as many women trying to talk to you, trying to get in your pants. Which, by the way, make your ass look awesome. If you have twenty or so more pairs, that’d be great.”

Jake sat back and smiled at me, his hands still cupping my ass. “You gotta know there’s no one I’d rather have been with tonight. Especially right now with your sweet ass on my cock. But seein’ another man tryin’ to be in my place right now, with you on their dick? Fuck that.”

I rubbed my fingertips on his stubble. “But you’re the only one whose lap I want to be on.”

“You cool with the condo tonight?”

I nodded my answer. I was fine sleeping anywhere as long as I was with him.

He picked up a phone and told the driver where we were going. After hanging up, he pulled me closer and kissed me again. His hand lifted from my ass and moved up to rub my nipple. Rolling it between his finger and thumb, he tugged slightly at the barbell, making me moan into his mouth.

When we pulled in front of the condo, Jake grabbed my dress and handed me his tux jacket to put on.

I fought a moan when the cool, softness of the fabric rubbed against my sensitive nipples.

Stepping out of the limo, he leaned back in and took my hand to help me out. With my hand still in his, I hurried to keep up with Jake’s long strides.

After closing his door, he turned to say something to me but I didn’t give him the chance. Instead, I pulled his mouth to mine, putting everything I was feeling into the kiss.

He stood frozen for a second before his arms closed tight around me.

Jake picked me up with little effort. His ability to do that was one of the few reasons why I did not wish I was six inches taller. Carrying me to his bed, he placed me gently on it before following me down.

“My lips,” he whispered, his lips brushing against mine as he spoke. He brought his mouth to my neck before continuing, “My neck.” His mouth moved to the spot behind my ear. “My sweets.”

His lips traveled down as he opened the tux jacket. My back arched when his mouth covered my nipple and sucked hard. He went agonizingly slow as he worked his way further down. When he finally, finally settled between my thighs, his tongue lightly teased, licked, and flicked through my panties.

I heard a tear and my panties were gone, a shred of torn, expensive fabric in his hand. His mouth covered me, devoured me, as he lifted my legs over his shoulders. Gripping my hips, his tongue was relentless. Even when I cried out as I came, he didn’t ease up as he drew out my orgasm.

When I finished, I pushed Jake up onto his knees. I unbuttoned his vest and shirt, the process taking entirely too long. He worked at removing everything from the waist down while I leaned to the side to unhook and kick off my shoes.

Dropping between my spread legs, he eclipsed all else, his face all I could see. The feel of his hardness sent a fresh wave of arousal through me.

Jake lowered his strong body to mine. His forearms went under me and his hands wrapped over my shoulders. Entering me, his fingertips dug into my collarbone as he thrust up.

There was so much sensation, pleasure, and intensity that it took my breath away.

“I can’t go back to no sweetness in my life, Piper,” Jake groaned in my ear. “I can’t not have you.”

“You have me, baby.”

Jake shifted his hips, his pelvis grinding against my clit.

I moaned at the friction, my orgasm barreling through me. My nails clawed into his back as his mouth found mine, swallowing my cries.

Pushing up onto his knees, Jake went slowly, teasing me as he coasted in and out with shallow thrusts.

“More.” I lifted my pelvis and tried to move faster.

Grabbing my hips, he held me still as he continued his leisurely pace. “Tell me what I wanna to hear.”

“I’m yours.”

“Fuck yeah,” he growled. “Never leave me, Piper. Never take away the sweetness.”

Before I could respond to his words, his movements sped up and became more forceful. His head fell back, exposing his angled jaw and the strong column of his neck. The power in his thrust increased and his hold on my hips was all that kept me from flying up the bed.

It was frantic. Frenzied.

It was desire, lust, passion, obsession.

It was life.

*******

I awoke in the middle of the night to moonlight streaming through the window. After we’d finished, Jake had rolled, keeping us connected as I straddled him. I’d snuggled into him as I tried to work up the energy to fall to the side.

As I woke up fully, I realized that I was still sprawled on him. I snuggled my face deeper into his neck.

“Piper?” he whispered.

“Hmm?” I kissed his neck and then his jaw.

I didn’t know jaws could be so damn sexy.

“Good, you’re awake.”

Jake rocked his hips and entered me in one smooth motion. Feeling playful, I sat up and leaned back to stretch. I brought my hand down to my nipple, pulling my barbell and cupping my breast.

Jake growled as he bucked up, and the teasing didn’t last long.

Luckily what followed did.