She was quickly losing this battle.
*
They spent the rest of the weekend doing inconsequential things. They drove to the coast and walked on the beach. The wind was sharp, and he held her close beside him and they strolled hand in hand. Then they had supper in a small town on the way back. All day, he wanted contact with her. Demanded it from her. He held her hand, or touched her shoulder, or put his arms around her. Amy luxuriated in the freedom of the time spent with him, and the new closeness they were sharing.
And they made love often. In the bed. In the living room. In the shower.
On Sunday, Amy didn't want to go home, and it was obvious that Jake didn't want her to leave. He became like the proverbial lion with the thorn in his paw. He scowled constantly. He snapped at her. He slammed doors. He became like a rabid dog that turned on his master.
Finally, she had enough. "Do you just want me to go now? I don't have to stay here until I go to the airport. I can easily leave now."
It was the wrong thing to say. She watched a look come over his face that almost scared her. The blood rose to his cheeks and he actually bared his teeth. The shift in his features was riveting. Amy was so intrigued she forgot to move. She waited too long, and he was in front of her.
"Say that again." He reached out and clasped a wrist in his hand.
"Jake, I--, I think you're behaving b-badly--"
He cut her off. "Behaving badly. You think I'm behaving badly." He reached down and took her other wrist.
Her stomach clenched. "Y-yes. You're acting very spoiled." He pushed his body to hers. She felt his erection between them. She backed up a step.
He followed her until he had her against the wall. He raised her arms above her head and pinned them to the wall. His body caged hers. "I'm spoiled and behaving badly."
"Y-yes, you are." She stared up at him.
"You want to see spoiled, babe?" He transferred both of her wrists so that he was holding them with one hand, then he put his other hand between them and opened his fly. He adjusted his clothing and his bulging penis was pushing against her. He looked down at her wide eyes. "Answer me."
Amy nodded her head in fascination. She could feel the wetness between her thighs. He was so awesome when he was out of control.
At her nod of confirmation, Jake reached underneath her short skirt and ripped her panties off. He lifted her tee-shirt up, and unclipped her bra. He carried her over to the back of the couch, then flipped her over until her hands were grasping the back of the sofa. He lifted her, spread her legs completely and slammed into her from behind.
Amy sucked in her breath and saw stars. He reached down between them and forcibly manipulated her clit. He growled at her. "I want you to come. I want you to come for me. I want you to come on my cock and know that you will never, ever have another man inside you again. You're my woman. The sooner you realize it, the better it will be for you." He pushed in and pulled out. Over. And again. Short, stabbing strokes.
"Mine. Say it."
"Y-yes. Yours." Amy undulated in time with his strokes. She was about to go over.
Jake gritted his teeth and strained for control. He wanted her. Everything she had to give.
"My woman. My lover. My partner. You'll give in to me sooner or later." He felt her internal muscles grab him and milk him. She started screaming with her orgasm. "Yes, babe. I want everything from you. Everything. Every--Ahhh" He groaned as his own orgasm took over.
Chapter Nine
That night, after her daughter was asleep, Amy picked up the phone and called her mother. It was one of those times. One of those times that only her mother could help. Even though Amy was a grown woman of thirty-seven, sometimes she just needed her mother's voice.
This was one of those times.
Her mother picked up on the second ring, and got straight to the point. "Amy? Are you okay? Is something wrong baby?"
Amy felt the soothing sound of her mother's voice flow through her. Even though Amy had lost her father at a young age, she had been blessed with a wonderful mother. It had the power to choke her up.
"I'm okay, mom. I-I just need to t-talk to you. Can you talk right now?"
"Sure, baby. Robert's asleep." Amy suddenly realized that her mother always referred to her husband as 'Robert.' Even after Amy had accepted him in her heart, and started calling him 'Dad', Amy's mom never pushed him on her. She never tried to force a relationship. She never said 'your father', it was always, 'Robert.'
Her mother continued. "Are you sure you're okay? You sound like you're crying."
Amy paused. "Yeah, I guess I have been. Mom, I don't know what to do."
"Is something wrong with Kayla?" Her mom's voice was alarmed.
"No. She's fine. There's nothing really wrong. Stop worrying. I just need to talk to you. I have to tell you something. Tell somebody. I need someone to talk to." Amy was rambling.
"Okay, sweetie. Go on. I'm listening."
"I've met someone, Mom. And I think I'm f-falling in love with him--"
Her mother gasped. "Oh baby! That's good--"
"No, it's not good." She paused and took a breath to continue.
"He doesn't love you?" At her mother's question, Amy tensed and began to think about it for a minute.
"Crap. Yes, he probably does. It hasn't gotten far enough to say those words, but thinking about it now, I can see the signs. He's possessive and jealous and he's using words like 'forever.'
Her mom chuckled softly. "Yes, that's how it usually starts with a man. So what's the problem that has you so concerned? Does he kick animals or is he mean to old people?"
Amy listened to her mom's gentle teasing. "He's a cop, Mom." Amy's voice was flat.
Her mother understood instantly. "Oh, baby. I'm so sorry. Oh, Amy, sweetie, bless your little heart."
Amy inhaled a ragged breath. This is what she needed. Someone that would understand. "I don't know what to do. Kayla doesn't even know about him."
"How long have you been seeing him?"
"A little over a month. It's intense. We've been seeing each other on the down low and now he's pushing me for a real relationship. He doesn't want to sneak around anymore and I really can't blame him. I feel like I have to make a decision. And I don't want to bury my head in the sand about the future. I don't think that marriage would be out of the question sometime in the future. I'm afraid he will want that. He takes things very seriously. I don't think this is a game for him. I don't know what to do."
"There's only one thing you can do, baby. You have to decide if you want him in your life enough to conquer your fears."
*
Monday she got a text from him. 'can't come. Drug bust this a.m. loose ends to tie up. No worries. Bad guys in jail already.'
Amy had twin feelings of loneliness for him, and tenderness that he would try to ease her fears in a text message. He was taking care not to upset her again.
Tuesday, she received another text. 'In court all day. Tomorrow. Be ready.' She felt a profound sense of disappointment and excitement for the day to come.
By Wednesday, Amy was wondering if it all the subterfuge was worth it. She was already more than halfway in love with him. She was also missing him so badly, she felt almost light-headed with it.
His truck wasn't there when she pulled up. Disappointment engulfed her. She went in the house and dropped her books. With the hope that he would make it over today, she hurried into her bedroom and had a quick wash. She changed out of her clothes and into a tiny little blue babydoll dress. She slipped on blue lace panties. She looked down at her newly painted hot pink toes. It was warm in the house and she didn't need shoes.
At four-forty five, he pulled in front of her house. She was opening her front door as she was finishing a conversation with Kayla on the cell phone. She opened the door wide and smiled at him. He stepped through and took her in his arms. She stared up at him. God, she had missed him. She tried to concentrate on her daughter. "Yes, that's fine, Kayla. Just don't forget to bring the permission slip home tonight. I'll write you a check and you can turn it in tomorrow. You'll still get to go to region." She listened for a second. "Okay. Love you, baby. Bye."
She ended the call and wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed. "Hi." She smiled up at him.
He smiled back. Anticipation clenched her nerves.
"Hi, yourself." He squeezed her back. Her phone immediately rang again. She rolled her eyes and answered it without looking at the display. She couldn't tear her eyes from his face. "What'd you forget, baby?"
Jake watched as Amy's face lost animation. She turned away from him and lowered her voice.
He blatantly followed her into the living room and listened to her side of the conversation. He stood with his booted feet apart and his hands at his sides.
"I'm sorry. I thought you were my daughter." A pause. "Oh, uh-huh. That's great. Yes, she's a smart girl." A hesitation. "I'm proud of her. Thanks for telling me." She turned and stood watching him, watching her. "N-no. I can't. Thank you, though." She listened. "I d-don't know. I'm so busy with the semester closing." She lowered her eyes from Jake's. "Maybe some other time."
Amy ended the call and looked back at Jake. Fierce emotion was instantly covered behind hooded eyes. His hands were fisted at his sides. They were clenched so hard, his knuckles were white.