Music of the Heart(45)
I knew he expected a reaction out of me because he had used a word I hated. But I kept my demeanor calm. “Awesome.” I then turned my attention back to cleaning him up.
When I skimmed above the waistband of his jeans, he grabbed my hand. “I can take it from here.” He winked at me. “You’re getting a little too close for comfort, Angel.”
“Oh, um, sorry,” I replied. Trying to hide my embarrassment, I whirled around and went back to the kitchen. While I tried busying myself with putting away the clean dishes, Jake rose out of his chair.
“I probably should grab a quick shower.”
“Okay.”
As he handed me the rag, a sheepish look came over his face. “When I get out, you think you could fix me some of that chili you made for the guys.”
“Are you sure your stomach can handle it?”
“Oh yeah, once I puke it all out, I’m usually good to go and starving a few hours later.”
“Ew,” I murmured.
He grinned. “Sorry. But that’s the truth.”
“Fine. Go shower, and I’ll fix you some dinner.”
“Thanks, Angel,” he replied before pulling me to him in a chaste hug. When he kissed the crown of my head, I tried not to shudder at the tingly feeling it sent racing throughout my body. My mouth hung open in shock as he padded into the bathroom and closed the door.
“Wonders never cease,” I murmured under my breath. I then busied myself with reheating some dinner for Jake.
At the sound of the bathroom door opening, I whirled around. Jake stood there with just a tiny towel wrapped around his waist while water dripped off his body. He glanced down at his lack of attire. “Sorry. My booze-head brain forgot to bring my clothes in with me.”
“Um, no, it’s okay. I’m just heating up the chili for you. It’ll be ready when you get dressed.”
“Great.”
Even though I shouldn’t have, I stood watching him as he walked down the aisle to the bedroom. The fluttering of my heart and churning of my stomach made me realize I was in serious trouble.
I turned my attention back to setting the table for Jake. He appeared a few moments later in a t-shirt that was entirely too small for him because it highlighted every rippling muscle he had along with a pair of ratty boxer shorts.
Frozen, I stood staring at him like he was a vision or something. His hair was still damp, and a few droplets glistened on his face. When he caught me, warmth burned across my cheeks.
“Were you just ogling me, Angel?”
“No, I wasn’t.”
He chuckled. “I think you were.”
I whirled around and swept my hands to my hips. “Fine I was ogling you. Happy now?”
“Actually I am. I like it when you look at me like you want me. Like you think I’m… handsome.”
My brows rose in surprise. “Handsome? That doesn’t sound like the way you would describe yourself.”
With a grin, he asked, “And just how would I describe myself?”
“Hmm, sexy, hot as hell, and panty melting?” I challenged as I handed him a Coke.
“Yeah, you’re right. Those really describe me better.”
I set a glass of water down. “Make sure you drink all of that and the Coke. You’re probably dehydrated.”
“Yes, Dr. Renard,” he replied, amusement twinkled in his eyes.
“The nurse in me would say for you not to eat anything, least of all chili.”
“Trust me, I know my body, Angel.”
“Whatever.”
After he took in a large spoonful of chili, he closed his eyes and moaned in appreciation. “Damn, this is really good.”
“Thank you.”
“So you can cook too?”
“A little. My grandmother is a diehard Texan, and that’s her secret recipe.”
“It’s fucking amazing.”
I grinned. “I’ll be sure to tell her just that.”
He snorted. “Yeah, right. Although you have a potty mouth, I can’t see you dropping the f-bomb in front of your grandma.”
“True, very true.”
We sat there in silence for a few minutes while he devoured the chili like he hadn’t eaten for days. I couldn’t possibly see how he was going to keep it all down or how sick he might be tomorrow, but I kept my mouth shut.
Finally, Jake glanced up at me. “Abby, we need to talk about earlier.”
“We do?” I asked, playing with a frayed string on the placemat.
He bobbed his head. “I know I was totally fucked up this afternoon, and I don’t know what all I said to you.” He winced like he was in pain. “I have a pretty good idea that I was a disrespectful douchebag to you about Bree. I should have never brought her on the bus with you here. I’m sorry.”