by Nikki Lane
I pulled my head back and planted a kiss on his lips as he held me in the middle of the field. I knew we probably had an audience, but it felt like we were alone. I was lost in that moment with him and never wanted to be found.
* * * *
When Jacob had mentioned he had more planned for the day, I had a hard time believing it. But at that point, I was game for anything. I was still reeling from the high of jumping from an airplane. Nothing but sweet relief had hit when the first person I saw after we’d landed safely was Jacob.
I scooted next to him in the truck, wanting to be as close as possible to his body. My arm wrapped around his middle, and he wrapped his arm around my shoulder. The feeling of contentment was overwhelming.
“This has been the best birthday ever,” I said before kissing him on the cheek.
“The day’s not over yet,” he said.
I kissed him on his cheek again and then worked down his neck. I couldn’t stop. The smell of his skin, the happiness that was bubbling inside of me, it just made him the sexiest thing to me.
“Maeve,” Jacob said. “Keep that up and I might accidently run off the road.”
I continued to run my mouth up and down his neck, using my free hand to graze the area around his lap, adding a little pressure when I got to a certain spot.
Jacob jerked the wheel. “Maeve, I’m serious.” His mouth upturned in a half-cocked smile. “You have no idea what you’re doing to me.”
I had plenty idea what I was doing. I unzipped his fly and slipped my hand inside. He let out a little groan.
“Pull over,” I said.
“What? Why?” He sounded a little panicked.
“Just pull over.” I glanced out toward the heavily wooded road. Dusk was settling over the sky.
Jacob pulled the truck over, making sure to get as close to the tree line as possible. I wasted no time in unbuttoning my jeans and slipping them off.
“W-What are you doing?” Jacob asked, wide-eyed.
“What does it look like?”
“Here?” He gulped.
“I want you, Jacob. And I can’t wait any longer to have you.” I was finally free of my jeans. “Now take off your pants.”
I set my lips on his, our kissing growing more heated by the second. I straddled him, and his mouth worked its way over my neck and collarbone. I unbuttoned his pants, and he lifted his hips so I could tug them down near his knees.
“Now,” I said with a heavy breath. My mouth refused to disconnect from his. I could barely take it anymore.
Jacob pulled the thin string of my panties to the side. Moments later, I eased myself on top of him, feeling like I could burst. My hands held each side of his face as I rocked against him, feeing the steering wheel behind me. Our body heat was steaming up the windows.
Jacob closed his eyes and winced as I moved a little faster. His mouth grabbed a hold of my bottom lip and sucked for a few seconds.
“Oh my God,” he sputtered.
His hands grabbed a hold of my bottom, guiding me up and down. I was losing myself in him. Everything else was fading away. I didn’t push the feeling away. I welcomed it. Wanted to hold on to it for as long as I could.
He groaned in my ear, one hand clutching my back, the other accidentally honking the horn. We didn’t skip a beat. I knew he was close, and it didn’t take much longer for me to let it all go and fall with him. His body jerked a few times underneath me, and the feeling sent a shudder through my body. When it was all over, I lay there in his lap for a few minutes while Jacob caressed my hair.
“I could fall asleep like this,” I said, my head resting on his shoulder.
I felt his body shift. “No sleeping yet. Your birthday isn’t over.”
I didn’t want to move. The moment felt too perfect to disrupt. The sun had set, and the truck was covered by the blanket of night. We could have stayed there on the side of the secluded road all night and not be bothered by anyone.
“It’s just so nice here,” I said. “Just me and you.”
He kissed my hair. “I know.”
I looked up at him.
His honey-tinted eyes flickered over my face. “What’s wrong?”
I shrugged. “I’m just…scared, I guess.”
He cocked his head. “Scared of what?”
“This all seems too perfect.”
He let out a soft chuckle. “Is there such a thing as too perfect?”
“I’m not sure.”
A few quiet seconds passed before he said, “I’m not interested in perfection. I want you just as you are, imperfections and all.” He kissed my forehead and then the tip of my nose. “Not to say there aren’t perfect things about you.”
I smiled. “Go on…”
He laughed. “Let’s see.” He pushed my hair over my shoulder. “Your beautiful hair.” He brushed his lips against my bare shoulder. “Your skin.” A few more kisses up my neck, and he hit the spot that made me giggle. “That beautiful smile.”
“What about my incredible brain?”
“So, you’re not the brightest bulb in the pack…”
“Hey,” I cried.
He laughed a little harder. “Beauty and brains. How did I get so lucky?”
“I look at you and ask myself the same thing.”
His face flushed. He was just as uncomfortable getting compliments as I was.
“We better get going,” he said.
“Do I get to know where this time?”
“El Coyote,” he said.
I carefully got redressed as he did the same.
“El Coyote?” I replied. “The Mexican restaurant we went to?”
“Yeah.” He started the engine back up. “I owe you a dance.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
You know that bad feeling you get in the pit of your stomach? The one that tells you something is just…off? I’d had that feeling from the moment I woke up that morning.
But so far, the day had gone by without a hitch. The sun was shining, and the weather had been unusually warm for March. The club had a busted pipe, which flooded the first floor, and it would be closed for repairs over the next two weeks. I wouldn’t have as much money in my pocket for a little while, but I couldn’t say I was disappointed to not have to sneak around for a bit. Jacob wouldn’t say it out loud, but he was dropping plenty of hints about leaving my “bartending” gig. His parents were sending him money every month. But it wasn’t enough reason for me to leave my job. They weren’t my parents, after all.
Jacob and I had both been busy with classes and work and hadn’t seen much of each other. We finally planned a night out to dinner. He was still at the clinic, helping with an emergency, and I was supposed to meet him at the restaurant in an hour. He’d been super busy since the spring semester had started, and I was excited to get to spend a few hours alone together that didn’t involve him hunched over a mountain of textbooks, mumbling to himself.
I put on the new dress I’d bought and slipped on the pair of heels I couldn’t pass up. Mischa rubbed her furry belly against my feet, meowing. I picked her up and patted her little head before setting her on the bed. She kneaded the mattress a few times and then lay down. Within seconds, she was asleep. It felt good to get dressed up and have somewhere to go. After a little makeup and a lot of hairspray, I was on my way to the restaurant.
My phone chirped with a text. I checked it at the next red light.
Jacob: Running late. Super Sorry. Be there in a bit.
I sighed and tossed my phone back into my purse. A small stack of old mail was wedged between the seat and armrest. I yanked out the bright pink envelope I’d found in the mailbox a few days after my birthday. It’d been sent from Aunt Meg, but the card wasn’t from her. After the heartfelt poem about how precious daughters were, my mother’s signature flowed big under the short message she’d printed. Call anytime, it stated, her phone number scrawled next to it. I tossed it in the back seat when the light turned green.
I had a hard t
ime finding a parking spot and decided to let the valet handle it. Why not? It’d been a while since I’d let myself take the easy way.
The valet held out his hand to help me out of the car.
“Thank you,” I said.
His eyes went right for my cleavage.
“Anytime,” he said with a wink.
I gave him an uneasy smile as he handed me the valet slip. Months ago, I’d probably feel flattered by the attention. Maybe even given him my number. But not tonight. Or anytime soon for that matter.
Inside was bustling with people. A mixed crowd of older couples, chatting over tables covered in white linens and glasses of red wine, and younger pairs at the bar, drinking martinis and bottles of beer.
I waited as the group in front of me was seated. I was rushed with a sudden bout of self-consciousness. The last time I was in a place as elegant as this one was in Florida with Jacob’s family. I felt just as out of place now as I did back then.
“Can I help you?” the hostess asked. She stood behind a lectern.
“I’m meeting someone here,” I replied. “But they’re running late.”
“You’re more than welcome to wait at the bar.”
“Okay.” A drink sounded good.
I weaved through the crowd and was a little disappointed when there wasn’t an available seat.
A man on the piano, crooning into a microphone, sat in the corner, against the only brick wall in the room.
I checked my phone to see if Jacob had called, but mostly because I didn’t want to be standing there with nothing to do and nowhere to sit.
Thankfully, the hostess called a couple away from the bar, and I slid into one of the empty seats. I plopped my purse down and ordered a martini.
I was almost ready to completely relax, to let out a deep breath and accept that the day had panned out pretty well despite the trepidation I’d been feeling for the better part of it.
But then I saw his face. It was almost like a Where’s Waldo moment. Rich was at the other end of the bar, casually sipping a drink. Probably whiskey. I looked away before our eyes locked and hoped he hadn’t seen me. And just like that, all hope of total relaxation was sucked out of me.
The bartender set my martini down, and I wasted no time in taking a sip. A long one.
I was afraid to let my gaze wander too far. I didn’t want to catch Rich’s attention. I was slightly relieved when someone sat in the seat next to me, and it wasn’t him.
It was like I had a built-in sonar because I could feel his presence getting heavier.
“Well, look who it is.”
My stomach flopped at the sound of his voice.
I slowly turned to see Rich, hovering behind my seat.
“Nice to see you, Maeve.”
“What are you doing here?” It came out sounding like some kind of accusation.
“Business dinner. Some meeting my father set up with one of his work colleagues about an internship this summer. I was just finishing up my drink and spotted a familiar face.”
I gave him a closed-lip smile, but it had fake written all over it.
“Now that my meetings over, I’d thought I find a way to enjoy the rest of my night.”
“What do you want, Rich?”
He scrunched his face. “Just to say hello. Is that okay?”
Another couple was called to the dining room, freeing up two more bar stools. Rich made himself at home right next to me.
“Can I buy you another drink?”
I opened my mouth to speak, but he didn’t wait for me to answer.
“Another martini,” he said to the bartender. He focused his attention back on me. “So, what are you doing here all alone…and looking so beautiful?”
“I’m meeting someone.”
“Who?”
I didn’t want to go into detail. Telling too much information to Rich could be a dangerous thing.
“A friend.”
“A friend?”
I let out a frustrated sigh. “Yes. A friend. And they’ll be here any minute.” The bartender set the new martini in front of me and confiscated the empty glass.
Rich leaned in close to my ear, and I could smell the alcohol on his breath. “Maybe I could come over later.” His hand found its way onto my thigh.
I recoiled from his touch. “I don’t think so.” I grabbed his hand and removed it from my leg. Where was my hand sanitizer?
“Come on, Maeve. If you keep turning me down, you’re going to give me a complex.”
My gaze floated around the room. This couldn’t be happening. Not here and definitely not now. There was no way Jacob could find us here, sitting together at the bar.
I pulled out some cash from my purse and laid it on the bar for my drinks. “I have to go.”
I slid out of the stool and made my way as far away from the bar as I could. Where was I going? I had no idea. Just as far away from Rich as I could get.
“Where are you going?”
I didn’t want to look back. But I could sense him following me. The walls started to feel like they were closing in. The murmur of chatter rose to a dull roar. I made a break for outside.
“Maeve,” Rich called.
I pushed through the large double doors and the cool air knocked the wind right out of me.
“Maeve, wait.”
“Please,” I said, walking past the valet stand. “Just leave me be.”
He trotted toward me. “I’m sorry, okay? I just…I’m still not sure how to act around you, even after all this time.”
My pace slowed as I neared the end of the building.
“Hey,” he said. “Just hear me out.”
I turned and crossed my arms over my chest.
Rich took a few deliberate steps in my direction. My phone started to ring. I glanced down to see it was Jacob, but I didn’t answer it.
“Who was that?” Rich asked.
“None of your business.”
“You know, I don’t get you. What happened between us? I thought we were friends?”
“Friends?” I said with a snort. “You don’t want to be my friend.” I tried to sidestep around him, but he blocked my way.
“Wait a minute. Just talk to me for a second.”
“It’s finished, Rich. What we had is over.” I desperately searched the parking lot for Jacob’s face.
“Don’t tell me it’s over, Maeve. You tease my dick every time I see you at that club—”
“And then you pay me for it,” I said. “It’s my job.” I rubbed my temples, feeling my heartbeat throb in my forehead. “Look, I’m not interested in being friends…or anything else. I’m not that girl anymore.”
“Not that girl?” He sneered. “You are most definitely that girl. That’s who you are, Maeve. Just because you’ve convinced someone that you’re not, doesn’t make it true. I know that, and you do, too.”
A searing pain burned me from the inside out. I refused to let him know he’d uncovered the root of my uncertainty. That he’d peeled back with such ease what I had been clinging on to with bloodied fingernails.
“It’s not true.” My voice cracked, and I swallowed hard.
“It is true,” he said. “Does he know?”
“Does who know?”
“Your boyfriend.”
I tried to hide the terror I felt inside. This was the thing I’d feared. I knew it was bound to happen. And to put the cherry on my sundae, I spotted Jacob walking toward the restaurant. Our eyes met, and the look of confusion spread across his face.
“Just please,” I said, trying not to sound like I was begging. “Leave it alone.”
Rich noticed me looking at someone, and it made him turn around. He spotted Jacob walking toward us.
“Hey,” Jacob said, his brows creased. “What’s going on?” He looked to me first and then glanced at Rich.
“Nothing,” I said. “Let’s go inside.”
“Hey,” Rich said, offering his hand to Jacob. “We’ve met once before. Ric
h.”
Jacob hesitated but eventually returned the gesture. “Yeah, I remember.”
“Maeve and I were just reminiscing. Weren’t we?”
My knees felt wobbly, and I couldn’t keep my body from shivering, even though the night air was mild. I didn’t know what to say, so I just kept my mouth shut.
“About New Year’s Eve,” Rich continued. “Crazy night, huh?”
My heart sank into my stomach.
Jacob’s eyes widened just enough for me to register the blow of that statement.
“Crazy, crazy, crazy,” Rich said. “She’s a crazy girl, this one. But I guess you already knew that, huh?”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Jacob asked.
I’d seen Jacob lose his shit only a handful of times, but I recognized the tension in his jaw, the tone of voice he used when he wasn’t happy.
“Rich, please,” I said. “Just go.”
“You don’t know?” Rich prodded. “He doesn’t know,” he said to me. “Maeve, here, has fucked just about every guy on campus.”
“What the hell did you say?” Jacob said through gritted teeth.
“Sorry to disappoint, man. Just thought you should know. She just can’t be domesticated. Trust me, I’ve tried.”
And that’s when Jacob lost it. He lunged for Rich’s shirt collar and crumpled it in his clenched fists until his knuckles were white.
“Jacob,” I cried. “Don’t. He’s had too much to drink.”
Rich didn’t look fazed at all by Jacob’s aggression, and it made me think he probably got his collar pulled a lot. I noticed some of the valet guys staring at us.
“Jacob, please. Just let him go.” I reached for one of his arms, but it was like trying to move a steel beam.
Jacob held on a few seconds longer before releasing his grip.
Rich readjusted his collar. “Don’t worry, Maeve. Your secrets still safe with me.”
“Just go, Rich,” I said.
He sauntered off, leaving Jacob and I alone.
“What the hell is going on?” Jacob asked. “What’s he talking about?”
I opened my mouth to speak, but the words got caught in the back of my throat. What the hell did I say? How did I explain this?
“Maeve?” Jacob cried, bringing me out my stupor.