Never Again(71)

“Jake, we need to have a serious conversation. There are still so many things I don’t know about you.” He grinds his teeth together, and rubs his chin. He takes me by the hand to the couch and pulls me down in his lap so I’m facing him.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t come home sooner, but the doctors decided to keep me there a day longer for observation because of my concussion. I told them it was only a little blow, but they didn’t let me leave.”

“That wasn’t just a little blow. You were lying on the ground, unconscious!”

“Only for a minute or two. I already told them I was okay on the way to the hospital.”

“Oh, Jake, don’t be so careless. It could have ended so much worse. I was so worried about you.”

“I’m okay now. And I’m sorry about my mom, I really don’t know what got into her. Please, don’t be mad with me.”

“I was never angry with you, you didn’t do anything. Your mom made a complete fool out of me, I couldn’t just stand there anymore, and listen to her insults, so I left. I needed some time to cool down, but I’m okay now.”

“That’s good to hear,” Jake rubs his nose against my cheek, and I close my eyes because it feels so good. But I mustn’t let him distract me. I still have a lot of questions. He kisses me behind my ear, on my jaw, and finally reaches my lips. I give him a quick peck, and he raises an eyebrow.

“I’m not some sulking teenager, but your mother crossed a line. She doesn’t know me, and therefore has no right to judge me. I won’t let her.”

“I know. And I’m sorry.”

“Who’s Liz?” I get straight to the point.

He sighs deeply, and bows his head. “You heard that, huh?” I nod. “Liz is just a girl from my past, but I don’t want to talk about her right now. Can I tell you about her some other time? I want to touch you now; it’s been so long since I felt your skin against mine. I need you so badly.” His hands sneak under my shirt. I’m becoming addicted to the feelings he awakes in me every time he touches me. “Mmm, you smell divine. And I love that you’re wearing my shirt; you don’t know what that does to me.” He grabs my butt and stands up, then carries me to the bedroom, slamming the door shut with his foot. He gently puts me down on top of the covers. Every part of my body is craving his touch, and he’s making it hard for me to say:

“Shouldn’t you be resting?” He approaches me on all fours, like a lion right before he is about to attack his prey, and shakes his head.

“You are all I need right now. Make love to me.”

How can I refuse his request? I sit up, and lift my arms high in the air. He puts his hands on my hips, his gaze locked with mine. His hands slowly slide under my shirt toward my stomach. He moans as if he was in pain, and grabs the ends of the shirt and swiftly pulls it over my head. Closing his eyes, he leans his forehead against mine. “You’re so beautiful, so gorgeous, and only mine,” he whispers, and presses small kisses to my shoulder. I don’t doubt his words, even for a second. I know he means what he says with all his heart. His shirt joins mine on the floor, and I run my hands across his muscular chest.

“I love you, Jake, and I’m yours, body and soul.” This is all he lets me say before crushing his lips against mine, and starts kissing me with abandon. Our tongues move as one, our fingers are exploring each other, and in this moment, nothing in the world matters but us, here, now, forever.



“I was thinking…” I say the next morning as we’re sitting in the dining room, eating breakfast. Jake raises his eyebrow, shovels a fork full of scrambled eggs into his mouth, then focus all his attention to me. “You remember how you mentioned you wanted me to move in with you?”

“How could I forget? Did you think it over?” I nod. “And what did you decide?”

“My head says no, that it’s too soon. After all, we’ve only been together for a few months. But I listened to my heart that’s telling me to go for it. Jake, I’d be happy to move in with you.”

“Seriously?” he exclaims with his mouth full, and jumps out of the chair. He lifts me off my chair and spins us around, kissing me passionately, and then puts me down.

“But I’m not selling my apartment. And I won’t take all my things over to your place right away. Gradually, okay? So I can get used to it all.”

“As you wish. I only want us to be together.”



Jake



I’m leaving again tomorrow morning, off to Italy this time. I asked Ella to come with me, but she’s swamped with work, and can’t get a week off. I have just finished my practice session. Ella is waiting for me at home. I’m so happy she decided to move in with me. My house is much safer than her apartment because everyone can get in her building. I, on the other hand, have the latest home security installed in the house. We decided to spend the evening together as we won’t get to see each other for the next several days. I want to use all the remaining time with my hands on her body. As I unlock the front door, I’m greeted by a wonderful aroma. I go straight to the kitchen to see what smells so good, and am surprised to find Ella at the stove. She bends down to take a baking tin out of the oven. Even though she claims she’s not a good cook, I disagree.