I have no idea why my body reacts the way it does to him. I’m just glad he doesn’t know.
As I walk up behind him to grab a plate of food, he turns his full-watt smile on me. His eyes twinkle with mischief and knowledge. Ok, maybe he does know. Damn it.
The only two chairs left open are over by the dining room entryway so I head over and have a seat. I’m starting to chat with Travis when Jake comes and sits next to me. I can feel his leg pressed firmly against mine. I try to scoot over and limit the contact, but there’s just no room to maneuver. Electricity shoots through my leg, straight to my lower stomach. Just one little contact from him has me practically panting and wanting to rub against him like a cat in heat. What the heck is wrong with me?
After dinner, Avery gives me a tour of their new home. It’s definitely a great house and I can hear her excitement in her voice as she shows me each room. My favorite part is the back patio. When Avery goes off to tend to Brooklyn, I slip outside for a moment to enjoy the perfect backyard space. Though it’s January, freezing outside, and I don’t have a coat on, I want to pull up a chair and start a fire in the big outdoor fire pit.
“What are you doing out here?” Jake asks as I hear the click of the door latching shut behind him.
“Just enjoying this spot. It’s stunning.”
“It is stunning.”
I turn around and look at him, but he’s not looking at the fire pit or the patio. He’s looking at me. He never breaks eye contact as he walks up and stands a breath away. “I was talking about the patio.”
“I know. I wasn’t.” Jake leans forward as if he’s going to kiss me, but stops a mere whisper away from my mouth. “I want to kiss you so bad.”
I close my eyes and don’t say anything. Is that permission? He must think so because he leans in and ever so gently places his lips on mine. My mind goes completely blank at the contact of his lush lips on mine. Heat and energy thunder through my body as our lips touch for the first time. They’re surprisingly soft and gentle as he slowly begins to move his lips over mine. I let out a sigh as I reach up and grab onto his shoulders. My knees feel weak and I start to sway where I stand. Jake wraps his arm around my back, pulling me against his hard body.
Just as Jake starts to deepen the kiss, the back door opens and we hear a throat clear. “Sorry to interrupt, but Brooklyn is looking for her Uncle Jake before she goes to bed.”
“Damn it,” Jake mumbles under his breath. I pull away quickly and try my best to look un-phased by the interruption. Or maybe by the kiss. Oh, I don’t know. Maddox chuckles as he walks back into the living room.
“We should go in. You don’t have a coat on.” Jake says as he places his hand on my lower back, guiding me towards the back door. “We’ll finish this later.”
“No, we won’t. There will be no more of that. It shouldn’t have happened.”
“Oh but it did happen, and I can’t forget that now. I really, really enjoyed it. And I think you really did, too,” he says with another self-satisfying smile. I can’t stop the blush that takes root in my neck and face. “I love your blush. It’s kinda hot,” he says as he pushes open the door.
“It’s because it’s cold outside,” I retort with a lift of my chin.
He laughs, and says, “Sure it is. Twenty degrees outside and you’re blushing because of the temperature. I think the only temperature you feel right now is hot.” Jake all but whispers that last word, drawing it out and making it sound all sexy and dirty. Oh, who am I fooling, anyway? I am hot. Jake makes me feel that way. Being around him makes my temperature rise to feverish levels. I am so screwed - figuratively.
After Jake goes upstairs to help get Brooklyn to bed, I head into the kitchen. “Can I help you clean up in here?” I offer to Avery.
“Nope. I’m all done. You can stay and have a drink with me though. The guys are all upstairs trying to get a very excited three year old to lie down and go to sleep. They’ll be up there for awhile,” she answers with a laugh.
“Maddox seems like a great dad,” I say before I can stop the words from spilling from my mouth. I recall hearing that Maddox isn’t Brooklyn’s real father, so why I said that, I’m not sure.
“He’s the best. We want to get married quickly so he can adopt her as soon as possible. He’s everything I’ve always wanted in a father for her. He’ll be just as great with his own,” she says with a distant look in her eyes.
“Oh…are you…are you pregnant?”
She laughs. “No. I’m just thinking out loud. I can’t help it sometimes.” She gives me a sheepish grin. “So, you and Jake, huh?”