by Jean Joachim
There was no calling it off, he knew that. He’d only said it to hurt her like he was hurting. He’d be a fool to think that breaking up with her would be any less painful than being thousands of miles apart. What a rotten asshole he was! How could he be so mean to the woman he loved?
“I’m sorry, Katie.” He buried his face in her hair. “I didn’t mean it.”
“Sometimes love hurts like hell.”
“Yeah, like now,” he replied.
He kissed her hair. They broke apart, but Jake slung his arm around her shoulders, and she snaked hers behind his waist as they headed for the car.
He put it in gear. “Freddie’s?”
“Can we get take-out? I’d rather be at home with you than in a crowd.”
“Sure, honey. Whatever you want.”
As soon as she had accepted the role, Kate had called Tommy to quit her job. When they pulled up to the curb, she noticed a sign in the pub’s window, advertising for her replacement. When they entered, Tommy greeted them loudly. He called everyone’s attention to the couple and led a cheer for her. They placed their order. Tommy wished her good luck when he handed them the food and they left.
Once in the car and on the way home, Kate blew a few strands of hair out of her eyes.
“Whew, wow. That was intense.”
“Get used to it. You’re gonna be a celebrity.”
“Nah. Just the star of a regional show and have steady employment for a while.”
“Don’t put it down. Not everyone gets a chance like this. You worked hard for it.”
“I just hope I don’t blow it.”
“You won’t.”
They ate in the kitchen. Kate flipped through the guide on the television, looking for a movie.”
“Wanna watch a movie?” she asked, wiping her lips with a napkin.
“I wanna watch you get undressed,” he said, a smirk on his face as he chewed.
“You know, you chew cute. Have I ever told you that? You look cute when you’re chewing.”
“Really?” He raised his eyebrows.
“Yes, you do. It’s a guy thing, I guess.”
“So, movie or getting undressed?” he asked before popping two more fries in his mouth.
“Getting undressed first, then a movie.”
“Early day tomorrow.”
“Okay. I got it.”
“We should make a schedule for phone calls and texting and shit like that.”
“You mean sexting?” She wiggled her eyebrows.
He sensed a flush in his cheeks. “Hadn’t thought about it. I could be up for that.”
“How about Skype sex?”
“Holy Hell! Yeah!” He grinned. “When can I call you?”
“Hmm. Performances every evening at, like, eight. Wednesday and Sunday, matinees. No show on Monday night. How about you?”
“I can give you the game schedule. When we’re out of town, you can call me when we’re traveling. Except when I’m on the plane. We have to shut off phones for a while.”
“So I can call you in the morning?”
“Uh, most mornings I’ve got practice and workout. Games are twelve, one, two. Like that. Or night games at like seven or eight.”
“Hmm. Do you ever have days with no games?”
“Travel days. Sometimes we have double headers. Two games in one day. It would be hard to reach me on those days.”
“Does your team have a schedule for the rest of the season?” she asked.
“Yeah. Somewhere. I’ll ask Cal for one tomorrow,” he replied.
Kate ate her last two fries. Jake let out a breath.
“This isn’t going to be easy,” he said, staring into her eyes.
“Nothing worth it ever is, is it?” she countered, holding his gaze.
He leaned forward and kissed her. “You’re right. It never is.”
“I love you, Jake. And I always will.”
He took her face in his hands and kissed her. A small prayer that he’d still hear that six months from now winged its way from his heart.
* * * *
Jake and Kate took their time making love. No reason to hurry. Afterward, they took an early night and shut off the lights at ten. She loved the way he curled himself around her, protecting her, making her feel safe. The warmth of his skin on hers kept the cool night air at bay. The pillows, the quilt, the fine quality cotton sheets created a comfort she had never known. She rested well in Jake’s bed, especially after making love. His energy and passion brought her to new heights, guaranteeing a satisfaction that seeped down all the way to her soul.
She had hoped their road trip would continue as a journey through life together. Now, the future was uncertain. The thrill of her new role in the theater blended with the fear of losing Jake, making her bounce from high to low and back again.
At three o’clock, Kate threw off the covers and padded to the bathroom. When she returned, sleep eluded her. She sat up in bed, watching Jake snooze, tattooing his sweet image on her brain so she’d never forget. After a few minutes, he stirred, rolling over, then back again. He opened his eyes.
“What the hell?”
“You up?”
“I am now. Geez, you’re staring at me. Why?” He rubbed his eyes and sat up.
“Sorry. I can’t sleep.” She went over to the window and opened it wider.
“How come?”
She shook her head. “Too much going on in my head.”
Jake patted the mattress. “Come here. Tell me.”
She returned to his side. “What if I’m no good? What if I can’t cut it? What if I get fired? Like on the first day?”
He chuckled. “No one gets fired on the first day.”
“You know what I mean.”
“You won’t get fired. You’re good. Really, really good.”
“But what if I’m not good enough?”
He pulled her head against his shoulder. “Honey, don’t worry. You are good enough. And if by some horrible, tragic mistake they do fire you, you can come home and marry me.”
“What? Marry you? Is that a proposal?”
“Sort of. I guess. Yeah. It is.”
“But I’d be a failure. My career would be over.”
“You’ll never be a failure to me.”
Her heart swelled and words caught in her throat. She stroked his face. “How did I get so lucky to find you, Jake Lawrence?”
“You got that backwards.”
In the dim light, she made out his face, located his mouth, and then kissed him. “I love you, Jake, with all my heart and soul.”
“That proposal is good if you’re a success, too. Which I’m sure you will be.”
“I like that. An all-purpose proposal,” she chuckled.
“If you believe in us, it’ll happen. Just tell all those horny directors, producers, and actors to fuck off and leave you alone,” he said rolling the ends of her hair between his fingers.
“Fine. As long as you peel off all those bar bunnies who cling to you after games.”
He laughed. “None of them are in your league, baby.”
“But they’ll be there and I won’t.”
“You’ll be in here,” he said, tapping the left side of his chest.
“You’ll still love me if I fail?”
“How I feel about you has nothing to do with your theater success.”
“And the short answer?”
He chuckled. “The short answer is ‘yes’.”
She snuggled down, under the covers, plastered up against him.
“Remember, when you leave you’re my fiancée now.”
“Did I say ‘yes’?”
“I thought you did. Didn’t you?” The note of controlled panic in his voice amused her.
“If I didn’t, then ‘yes, I will marry you, Jake Lawrence’.”
“Good. You had me going there for a minute. I don’t have a ring. I hadn’t planned to do this now. But then, I hadn’t planned to be up at three having a heart-to
-heart, either.”
“Best not to have a ring now anyway.”
“Why?”
“Because I’d have to take it off when onstage. Easy to lose it that way.”
“But then, all those horny guys would know you were taken.”
“Hey, an engagement ring doesn’t keep someone from cheating,” she replied.
“No, but it’s a deterrent.”
She laughed. “Not really. If they want to have sex with you, some guys don’t care if you’re engaged or married. As long as you’re breathing.”
He laughed. “Men are whores, aren’t they?”
“Damn right. I’m on to them. So you’d better be careful. I’ll know if you cheat,” she said.
“I won’t. Don’t worry,” he said, his tone firm.
“Good. Same goes for me.”
“Better not. I’ll tear apart any guy who lays a hand on you,” he said, balling his fingers into a fist.
“Oops. I forgot to tell you that my co-star has to kiss me in the show.”
“As long as it’s onstage, fine. But not off.”
“Definitely not off. I think he might be gay, anyway.”
“That suits me,” Jake said.
“You’re so possessive,” she said.
“Damn right. And don’t you forget it.”
“I won’t, sweetheart, I won’t.”
Jakes words soothed her. He repositioned himself and was breathing steady within minutes. Kate’s eyes closed, but questions about her own ability didn’t fade away in the cool of the night.
* * * *
The week passed quickly. Jake had a game Sunday at noon. That night, he’d be leaving for a road trip and Kate would be leaving for Seattle. That was their first stop on the tour. Cal had given Jake permission to meet up with the team in D.C. that night, so he could return home after the game and see Kate off. He’d planned to take them to the airport together.
There was no time for breakfast on Sunday morning, as Jake had to leave early for the stadium. Kate didn’t have much stuff and finished packing in an hour. She ordered in a corned beef sandwich and munched in front of Jake’s game, cheering and booing as if she were sitting in the stands.
When he came to bat, pride swelled in her heart. She sat up, her gaze riveted to the screen. He looked good, eyes narrowed, tough, focused, and in control. She called that his “slugger” face. It meant he was on his game and that pitcher didn’t stand a chance.
Damn, that man in the batter’s box was sexy! Watching him turned her on. They’d never done it in the stadium, and she regretted that slip-up. A vision of him in the shower danced through her mind. We’ll fix that when I get back. She crossed her fingers that she would return.
She expected Jake at four. Her plane left at eight, not leaving them much time. She took the chili she had made two days earlier out of the freezer. They’d have time for a quick bowl. Food wouldn’t be on Jake’s mind when he got home after the game. The Nighthawks lost to the Boston Blue Jays by one run. It wasn’t Jake’s fault, the Jays were on their best game and the ‘Hawks pitching left something to be desired.
Kate made a trip around the apartment one more time, to check that she hadn’t left anything behind. When she finished, Jake thundered through the door.
“We lost! But I don’t give a shit because I want my woman!” He ran to her, embraced her in a vise-like grip. His passion ignited a hunger in her and she reacted. She jumped up, wrapping her legs around his waist. He supported her butt and carried her into the bedroom.
He tried to disengage to lower her to the bed, but she wouldn’t let go. Jake lost his balance and the couple fell on the bed together, laughing.
“Take off your clothes,” he ordered his lips on her neck.
“You, too.”
“Last one to strip is a rotten egg,” he said, pushing up from the bed.
The two lovers ripped at their clothing. Watching each other with hot eyes, they added a few bumps and grinds to the action as they shed layer after layer. Kate finished first. She raised her fists above her head and did a little nude dance before she placed her hands on Jake’s waist and shoved his boxers to the floor.
“You win,” he said, closing his arms around her naked midriff and lifting her off the ground.
Heat raced through her body as her behind hit the mattress. Jake’s mouth was all over her. She squirmed, trying to get her arms free, but he had them trapped.
“Oh, no. Our last time and it’s gonna be my way, first.”
She laughed. “Yes, master!”
He raised his head, his eyes twinkling, and said, “It’s about time you recognized that I own you.”
“I suppose now that we’re engaged, you sorta do,” she admitted.
“Damn right I do. And I’m claiming my due now.”
“And that means I sorta own you, too,” she retorted.
“That’s only fair. You can take me the second time,” he said, between nibbles of her breasts.
Kate’s eyes drifted shut as she gave in to her senses. He was everywhere at once, or so it seemed. She heard the drawer in the nightstand open a few seconds before his tongue hit her hot flesh. It sent her to the moon as tension pooled in her core. God, she wanted him, wanted him bad.
“Hurry,” she hissed, opening her eyes.
He raised his head, tore at the condom packet and covered himself in a flash. Then he threw himself down, back against the headboard, and grabbed her hips. He positioned her above him and lowered her onto his shaft.
“I want to see you. This last time. I want to see you.”
She swore she saw tears mixed with lust in his eyes. “Do it. Do it, Jake. Take me. Hard, fast. I want to remember.”
“Oh, baby, this is one you’ll never forget.”
He rammed her down hard. She held onto his shoulders, steadying herself as he moved her up and down. His eyes bored into hers, his look intense, loving, possessive, demanding. A thrill shot up her spine. She moved her hips in concert with his hands, pushing down on his shoulders, rising and falling faster and faster.
With her climax building, she grabbed his head and fastened her mouth on his. He consumed her with his lips and tongue. Steadying her with a hand on the back of her head, he devoured her, with a moan here and a grunt there. The fingers of his other hand closed around her breast. He squeezed a little hard, drawing a gasp from her.
“Sorry, sorry, honey,” he whispered.
“Don’t stop,” she breathed in his ear.
The intensity pushed her to the limit, then exploded inside her. She groaned his name, loudly, as pleasure streamed through her.
“Oh, God. Jake, I love you so much,” she whispered.
“Now it’s my turn,” he said, plastering her against him with one hand, and rolling them over with the other. Once she was on her back, he loomed over her, pushed up on his hands, his hips moving. She peered up at him from under her lashes. Sweat coated his forehead, his eyes glowed the brightest blue she’d ever seen. He wore a smirking, sexy, dirty smile as his gaze darted from her face to her breasts.
“Oh baby, baby, baby,” he muttered, thrusting into her, harder and harder.
Kate arched into him. He lowered his chest until her nipples rubbed lightly against his skin. The sensation shot tingles through her as her peaks hardened. She snaked her arms around his chest, raking her nails down his back. He shivered and broke out in goosebumps.
“Shit, man. When you do that…”
She snickered, tilting her chin up to make eye contact. His blues turned smoky. She could tell he was getting close. Tightening her muscles inside made him groan louder. Finally, he gave one hard push, then dropped his forehead to her chest, groaned her name and stopped. Sweat dripped off his brow. His lips sucked at her neck.
“That was the most amazing sex ever,” he said, blowing out a breath.
“God, yes,” she responded.
“Time to get ready,” Jake said, throwing down the covers.
“Yep,�
�� Kate mumbled, swinging her legs over the side.
The pair dressed in silence. Jake grabbed his travel suitcase.
“You pack ahead?” Kate asked.
“I have extra clothes, shaving stuff, and crap. I keep it in a separate bag. I’m on the road so much, this means I don’t have to pack up and find shit at the last minute. I grab this and go.”
“That’s so amazing. I mean, I thought guys didn’t plan?” She rested her hand on her hip.
“They don’t. This way I don’t have to,” he said, his gaze sweeping her nakedness. “And if you don’t put some clothes on, we’re both gonna miss our planes.”
“Oh, sorry.” She bustled over to the chair where her jeans were.
Within twenty minutes, they were dressed and out front, waiting for the car service. They sat close together, their hands laced. Neither spoke. Kate divided her attention between Jake and the scenery. His eyes looked clear and shy.
“I’m getting a ring.”
She shook her head. “That’s okay. I don’t need a ring. We’re together.”
“I want you to wear a ring. I want people to know you’re mine,” he said, tightening his grip on her a tiny bit.
“Okay, then. A ring would be great.”
He leaned toward her and planted a sweet, gentle kiss on her lips.
“I love you,” he whispered. “Don’t forget me.”
“I couldn’t, wouldn’t.” She fought to keep the quaver out of her voice but was unsuccessful.
“Things are crazy. I know you’re scared. So am I. I believe in you. I know you can do it. And no matter what happens, you’ll always have me to come home to.”
She touched his face, running her thumb over his cheekbone.
“I don’t deserve you.”
“You deserve so much more.”
Her cell rang, shattering the warm feeling. She checked the screen. Her mother.
“Hi, Mom. What? I’m on my way to Seattle. Yeah. I got a starring role with the road company.”
Silence.
“I don’t know, Mom. I’m going to have a lot of expenses. Just stay away from the track and you’ll do fine. We’re pulling up to the airport. Gotta go.” Kate clicked off the phone.
She looked at her lap and took a deep breath.
“She’s kinda in your face, isn’t she?”