I stop and stand in the beginning of the short hallway that leads to my room. I stand here and tempt fate to help Jake and I throw caution, and reason, out the fucking window.
Walk out, here, Jake. Come out of the kitchen and see me standing here offering myself. I’m waiting. Walk out and see me unbuttoning my blouse.
The kitchen faucet turns on and I hear the clattering of pans being collected. He’s going to clean up our mess. He always does the dishes right after cooking. It’s one of the most shocking things about him, and I know it will be some time before he is done. Just long enough for me to second think this.
Shutting myself in the safety of my room, it takes me a long time to turn the lock. When I do, my eyes close and I rest a pained frown against the cool wood door.
I wish he’d break it down. I wouldn’t turn him away if he did. But he knows that.
JAKE
“M orning,” Drew mutters, as she appears in the kitchen.
From where I’m watching the coffee finish brewing, I glance back and give her the once over. “Nice dress.”
She looks down and touches the belt. “Thank you. I bought some clothes for work if I ever got a job.” A shy smile appears and she fingers a tiny locket around her neck. I linger on it, wondering if her husband’s picture is inside.
I’m not going to ask.
That’s a question for after coffee, if at all.
I slept like shit last night. Dreamt of Drew spread eagle on my desk, touching herself and moaning. Only my office was outside at the job site and there were a bunch of my colleagues ogling her. I woke up hard as a rock and ready to fight at the same time. Fucking frustrating bullshit. But I meant what I said. I want her focused on setting her foundation. I know from being an expert in construction that without one whatever else you build will come falling down with the first thunderstorm. And life is full of them.
“Milk?” she asks, opening the fridge and holding up a carton.
I nod as I pour coffee into a couple thermoses. “How’d you sleep, Drew?”
“Not well,” she whispers, pouring the cold, white liquid. We share a knowing glance. “You didn’t either huh?” she smiles.
“Nah.” I twist the lids into place, hand hers over and walk to my shoes. “I’ll keep my promise though.”
“What promise?” She picks up her purse and slides the strap on her shoulder.
“To keep my hands off you until I get back from Denver,” I smirk. “You just wanted to hear me say it again, didn’t you?” I pick up my keys.
“Maybe,” she smiles, slipping into her heels. She’s looking down to put them on, and her long hair falls softly in front of her face. She tucks some behind her ear so she can glance over to me and read my expression. She’s so fucking beautiful as she does this simple little gesture, and she has no idea how badly I want to touch her.
This is going to be a bitch and half.
“You’re saying you want to date when you get back?” she asks with a look that kills me.
“No. I’m saying I’ll…never mind. I don’t want to talk about it.” Holding the door open for her, I grate, “I don’t know when I’m coming back, but if you’re still single when I do, I know I will fuck you again.”
A shocked laugh escapes her and she walks by me, hesitating as our arms brush against each other. Our eyes meet and she says, simply, “You’re really full of yourself.”
I chuckle, “Better than being a fucking, insecure pussy.”
The office is a lot more interesting with her in it. I feel more awake than I have here in a long time, and I’m not the only one. Uncle Don is peacocking for Drew since she’s soaking everything he says in like he’s her favorite professor in a college she didn’t think would accept her. Eager to learn and pretty to look at – that’s an inspiring tonic for any man.
Juan, Diego, Evan and Hank are all hanging around longer than they normally would, too.
“Alright, enough questions,” I grumble to the group lingering around the front desk. “She’s got a lot to learn and I don’t have enough time to teach her.”
“You could teach me, Jake, and then I’ll take over when you’re gone,” Hank smiles to Drew who instantly blushes. That sets me off. I’m the only one she blushes for, goddammit.
“Yeah, Hank, because you and math go hand in hand. Blind leading the blind. Don’t you have a tank that needs emptying?”
He chuckles and hits Evan on the shoulder. He eyes me with a knowing smirk. Letting a guy like him know I’m interested in Drew is like lighting a match at a gas station. His voice lowers. “Don’t need to know math to show a woman a good time.”