Take a Breath(95)

“I told Matthew we were having an early night. I just thought it would be nice to hold you for a while before we went to sleep. Tomorrow we will do whatever you want.”

“What about work, Jake?” I ask.

“Don’t be silly Ana,” he says, a little miffed. “I’m not leaving you. I’ve taken a couple of days off to take care of you.”

He gets undressed to his boxer shorts and climbs in. He slides himself over to me and soon we are spooning.



I wait for a while for him to do something—anything—but I’m disappointed once again. I can’t hold it back now.

“Jake?” I whisper.

“Yes babes?”

“Why don’t you want to touch me?” I ask.

“I’m sorry?”

“You’re here with me, but you won’t touch me. Do you not want me anymore?”

His head snaps up as he pulls me over to face him. “Ana, you don’t realise how much it has killed me not to touch you. I was trying to be gentle for your sake. I didn’t know whether you wanted me to be pouring myself all over you like always when you’ve only just come back from the hospital. What kind of jerk off would I be if I were to do that? When I was rubbing your shoulders and you were making those noises, it took every ounce of strength not to turn you over and make love to you then and there. And then there was the bath. That was torture in itself. I just want you to see that I can control myself. Well, sort of, but its agony.”

I felt elated. He still wanted me.

“Jake?” I ask, noting the happiness in my voice.

“Yes?” he implores.

“Please make love to me.”

He strokes my face. “Really?”

“Really, really,” I state.

“Then it will be my pleasure, Miss Sinclair.”

With that, he kissed me and made sweet tender love to me for hours. It was bliss.

Eventually feeling sated and relaxed we both drifted off into a wonderful sleep.





Chapter 30





The next day started off very much how last night ended. We stayed in bed for an eternity, laughing and joking, with Jake fussing over me every five minutes. We were wrapped up in each other’s arms, elated, happy and hopeful of the future.

Once we did finally did get out of bed and feed ourselves, I thought it a nice opportunity to get some lengths done in the pool. Matthew later came in and decided to join me, which was fun. We had a great time splashing around, and even had a couple of races before it got too much for my lungs and I had to give it up. Jake quickly reprimanded me and told me to take it easy. I think he found my lease of life hard to comprehend after what I had just gone through.

I got myself dried off and left Jake and Matthew to play football with one another. They needed some father, son time. Jake has been devoting way too much attention on me lately.

As I make my way inside, I realise I didn’t call Jessie yesterday. Man, she’s going to be pissed. I get to the phone and dial the number at work.

“Jessie, it’s me, Ana.”

She practically screams down the phone, bursting my eardrums. “Ana, you never called, are you okay? It’s all over the news about what happened.”

I had completely forgotten that this sort of thing would be going on outside these four walls.

“Oh God, they haven’t printed my name, have they?” I ask.

“No, don’t worry. The papers keep ringing up hoping someone will let it slip who you are, but they ain’t got nothing, Missy. No one’s talking.”

Thank goodness. That’s the last thing I need.

“Thanks Jessie. How is everyone?”

“As to be expected, I think. Everyone is in shock at what happened to you. We’re also shocked at who was behind it all this time. The papers are having a field day on that one. Jake’s got some damage control to contend with when he gets back.”

Oh no, he must know this and yet he’s still here with me acting like nothing is happening. I feel the guilt come back again. Jake’s been keeping me in this heavenly bubble hiding me away from the outside world.

“Ana, are you there? You know everything’s going to be okay, don’t you? Jake knows what to do. That’s why he is captain of this very close nit, tightly whipped ship he has here. Even though we’re a bunch of red-necked wannabes.”

I burst into laughter. “You always know how to cheer me up,” I admit.

“Seriously, Ana, you are okay, aren’t you?” she asks.

“I’m fine, a little sore but I’ll be right as rain in a couple of days no doubt. I will definitely be in next week. I just want to get back to work.”

“Michael says you struck gold on that flasher case. The sicko’s where he belongs again in custody. You were also right on the burglaries it would seem. They have them both in now for questioning. Michael wanted to thank you in person. He said he misses you. We all miss you.”