by C. C. Wood
Suddenly they were skin to skin and she moaned. Jake rolled them and Kaylie’s legs opened to cradle his hips. She realized all he was wearing were a pair of snug boxer briefs. Her hips rolled against his and Jake hissed. His mouth left hers and moved down to her breasts. As his lips closed over her nipple, Kaylie arched her back, digging her hands into his hair.
“Oh my God,” she gasped.
Their sex life six years ago had been good. Jake had been attentive and made sure she came every time, but they had been young and sometimes clumsy. Now, Kaylie felt like she was going up in flames. It was beyond good. It was sensational. Jake moved further down her body, sweeping her pajama shorts and underwear off with one hand. Then his mouth was directly over her clit.
Kaylie’s hips jerked as soon as his tongue touched her. Jake chuckled and used his forearm to hold her down. Within minutes, she was panting. He knew exactly what he was doing to her and refused to ease up, even when she yanked his hair. It was too intense. Kaylie shuddered and whimpered when he slid two fingers inside her. When she came, she didn’t even recognize her own voice as she cried out.
He still lapped at her, drawing the orgasm out. Kaylie couldn’t stand it any longer. She tugged at his hair.
“Jake, no more.”
He laughed again before he bit her inner thigh lightly. Jake sat up, his hands going to the waistband of his pants. Kaylie reached down to help him strip the boxer briefs from his hips. His body was a work of art, his muscles powerful and defined.
Kaylie wrapped her fingers around his erection. She stroked him and Jake cupped her wrist to stop her.
“Wait, Kay. We’ll play later.”
She pouted. “But I want to play now.”
Jake smiled and shook his head. “Later. It’s been too long.”
He pushed her thighs apart, leaning over her. Kaylie gasped when he pushed into her. Jake stopped to stare at her for a moment.
“Kaylie, are you okay?”
She nodded. Jake kissed her then, moving slowly, working his way deeper inside her. Kaylie wrapped her legs around his thighs and arched into him. He felt amazing. When he was as deep as he could get, Jake stopped, still kissing her. She mewed and shifted her hips. She needed him to move, right now. The discomfort had disappeared and Kaylie wanted the sensation of him thrusting inside of her.
Too slowly, Jake slid out before thrusting home. It felt wonderful, but it still wasn’t enough. She needed him harder and deeper. Kaylie dug her fingernails into his ass, trying to show him, but he ignored her.
“Jake, harder. Faster,” she whispered.
He shook his head and ducked to suck one of her nipples into his mouth. Kaylie moaned. She tried to lift her hips, but his hands gripped her, holding her still. She felt helpless and it was turning her on. All the while, Jake kept thrusting into her, slowly and deeply, his pelvis rubbing against her clit each time. Kaylie felt another orgasm building but the edge hovered just out of reach.
She grabbed two handfuls of Jake’s hair. “Please, Jake. I’m close.”
Apparently, that was what he was waiting for. Immediately, Jake sat back on his calves and rolled his thumb over her clit, his thrusts getting harder and faster. Kaylie felt all her muscles tighten just before another mind-numbing orgasm took over her body. Jake grabbed her hips with both hands, yanking Kaylie toward him, hard. He drew out her climax, groaning as he joined her. He collapsed over her, resting most of his weight on his forearms.
Kaylie shivered under him, still wracked with the aftermath of two amazing orgasms. Jake tucked his face into her neck, his breath warm against her skin. She skimmed her hands over his back and enjoyed the flex of his muscles under her fingers as he breathed.
Jake raised his head and kissed her lightly. “Good morning to you too.”
Kaylie’s eyebrows drew together. They had just had amazing sex and all he had to say was Good morning? Before she could speak, Jake pulled away gently, rolled out of bed, and headed into the bathroom. She rolled over to dig through the sheets for her underwear. Water was running in the bathroom before Jake reappeared. Kaylie was still searching for her clothes. He grabbed her waist and hauled her out of bed.
“Shower, then breakfast. We have to get going or I’ll be late for work.”
Kaylie squeaked as he half-carried her into the bathroom and shoved her into the shower. She turned to walk right back out and give him a piece of her mind but Jake was crowding her back into the stall.
Water poured over her head. “Dammit, Jake, quit pushing me.” She shoved her wet hair out of her face and glared at him. “I don’t have to be at work for another three hours. I’d prefer to sleep.”
Jake grinned and grabbed a bottle of shampoo. He squirted it into his palm before putting his hand in her hair. “You can go back to bed after our shower and breakfast.”
Kaylie wanted to argue but the words died on her tongue as he started massaging the shampoo into her scalp. “Okay,” she sighed.
He laughed and shoved her head under the spray to wash the soap out of her hair. When he was done, Jake maneuvered her so he could wet his own hair. Kaylie watched him for a second and decided if she had to be in the shower, she would finish up quickly. She slathered conditioner in her hair. After she finished, a wash cloth hit her in the chest.
“Give me a hand,” Jake said.
Kaylie scowled. “Bossy much?” she asked. Still, she poured some body wash into the cloth and lathered it up. “Hope you’re okay with smelling girly today, because this is pear and green apple body wash.”
Jake just smirked at her, so Kaylie started running the soapy cloth over his shoulders and chest. She hummed under her breath as she moved her hands over his skin. Suddenly, she wasn’t as annoyed with Jake for dragging her out of bed so early. She worked her way to his back, down to his ass. She gestured for him to turn and had to giggle when he faced her. She was eye level with his erection.
“It really has been a while for you, hasn’t it?” she joked. “It hasn’t even been fifteen minutes and you’re ready to go?”
Jake grabbed her hand before she could start washing him. “It’s been close to a year, Kaylie. It just wasn’t worth it anymore.”
She stared up at him. “What wasn’t worth it?” she asked.
Jake’s hand cupped her cheek. “Pretending I was over you.”
Kaylie’s heart dropped into her stomach. What was she supposed to say to that? He just admitted that he had pined for her and damn if it didn’t make her tummy flutter. She looked up at him, completely unsure of what she wanted to say.
After a few seconds, Jake’s face shut down and Kaylie literally felt him withdraw. Without thinking, she said, “It’s been over a year for me too, Jake.” She reached up and cupped his face. “I don’t know why, but I just never found what I was looking for.”
Jake’s expression softened and he pulled her against him to kiss her. It was sweet and almost painful. He’d never kissed her like that before and Kaylie felt her knees melt. He lifted his head and smiled at her.
“Okay, I’ll finish. If I’m going to make you some eggs, I need to get going.”
Kaylie appreciated the out he gave her. The emotional, mushy stuff had never been her forte and she wasn’t ready to discuss what she was feeling. There were too many things holding her back. She handed him the wash cloth and watched him quickly wash the rest of his body. Kaylie rinsed the conditioner out of her hair as he stepped out of the shower and started drying himself off. She cleaned her face, shaved her legs, and washed with her body wash. It seemed very intimate to her that she and Jake would go through their day smelling the same.
She refused to dwell on it and got out of the shower. Kaylie dried off before heading into her bedroom to get dressed. The smell of coffee and bacon drifted into the room and her stomach growled. Beans was curled up in the center of her bed, glaring at her from under heavy eyelids.
“Sorry, Beans. No bacon for you.”
Kaylie wrapped her towel around her
head and grabbed a simple outfit out of her closet. Normally, she liked to look well put together before she went into the shop, but she decided that she would spend the day in the office at the shop, so jeans and a tee were acceptable. A few minutes later, hair still damp, Kaylie was dressed and massaging moisturizer into her face. She wandered down the hall to the kitchen.
Jake was standing at the stove, shirtless and barefoot. Kaylie stopped in the doorway and just stared. His muscles flexed as he flipped bacon then reached to stir the scrambled eggs. He was so beautiful he made her mouth water. Also, she had a moment to think that it was dangerous to make bacon shirtless. Just as she started to smile, Jake jumped.
“Shit,” he said, using a paper towel to swipe at his chest.
Smirking, Kaylie went to the coffee pot. “I was just about to warn you that it probably wasn’t too smart to cook bacon without your shirt.”
Jake chuckled. “I know, but I didn’t want to go through my day with my clothes smelling like pig. The other officers would follow me around all day. They’re worse than cats chasing catnip.”
Kaylie giggled as she poured herself a cup of coffee and added sugar. “Good to know. Do you want my frilly pink apron?”
His frown said it all, so Kaylie just shrugged and drank her coffee. She watched as he took the bacon off the burner and put it on a plate covered with a paper towel. Sensing breakfast was almost ready, she went to the fridge and grabbed a container of strawberries. While Jake finished the eggs and plated the food, Kaylie washed and cut the stems off the berries. She placed the bowl full of strawberries on the table at the same time that Jake served up their breakfast.
“Strawberries?” he asked, looking at the fruit doubtfully.
“Protein is good Jake, but fruit is important too. Now, eat a few and shut up,” Kaylie insisted.
Jake smirked at her but put a few berries on his plate. Kaylie took a huge bite of eggs and hummed.
“Wow, you finally learned how to cook, didn’t you?” she asked.
He grinned at her. “I’ve been living alone for a while now. It was either learn to cook or get fat on constant take-out.”
Kaylie nodded as she took another bite. They ate in silence for a few minutes until a low yowl sounded.
“What the hell?” Jake asked.
Kaylie waved a hand. “Ignore it, it’s just Beans. He thinks he should get bacon and eggs like the rest of us, but the vet put him on a strict diet.”
They both turned their heads to look at the door to the kitchen. Beans sat in the middle of the doorway, ears flat against his head, eyes narrowed. He did not look like a happy kitty.
“Is he going to attack?” Jake asked.
Kaylie smiled and took another sip of her coffee. “No, he’s just trying to intimidate you. Ignore him.”
A few minutes later, they were done. Beans realized there was no food for him, so he sashayed out of the kitchen, probably to take a nap. Kaylie started cleaning up the kitchen, as Jake went into the bedroom to get his shirt. A sense of unreality hit her while he was gone. What in the hell was she doing? After six years apart, she fell into bed with Jake and now they were having a cozy breakfast? Her hands clenched into fists in the dishwater. God, she was such a fool. Kaylie’s brain was racing. She wasn’t sure of his motives but, whatever they were, she knew this wasn’t a good idea. However, Jake Coulter did things to suit himself. He could be sweet and generous, but he always stuck to whatever plan he had come hell or high water.
Jake came back into the kitchen and Kaylie whirled on him. “What exactly is going on here?” she demanded.
He walked to the sink where she was standing and wrapped his arms around her waist. Kaylie went rigid, but he ignored it. “Well, we spent a nice evening together last night, had an even better morning, and breakfast.” He tightened his grip on her when she tried to rip her body away. “We can discuss everything else tonight.”
Before Kaylie could respond, Jake pressed a light kiss to her neck, another to her lips, and exited the kitchen through the side door that led to her carport.
“Son of a bitch!” she yelled. Beans had come back into the kitchen and sat by her feet, looking up at her. Kaylie glanced down at his furry face. “What just happened?”
Completely unmoved, Beans started licking his paws and bathing his head. Kaylie took a deep breath and finished washing the dishes. It looked like she would be going into work early today. Maybe she could get those gowns designed and to the seamstress before the end of the day.
Chapter Five
The day had been hell. Kaylie dragged herself through her front door. She could not wait to take a bubble bath. She just wanted to wash the day away.
It started when she arrived at the shop two hours before they opened, only to find Blair there doing paperwork. As soon as Blair saw her, she grinned widely.
“Someone got lucky last night! So who was he?” she asked.
Kaylie scowled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Blair merely folded her hands over the desk and gave her a level look.
Kaylie stomped over to the chair facing her friend’s desk and flopped down. She threw her head back and put her arm across her eyes.
“I’m not sure what happened. One minute I was minding my own business, the next we’re eating pizza on my couch and watching movies.”
“What?” Blair asked. “No nookie?”
Kaylie peeked out from under her arm. “I didn’t say that.”
Blair rested her chin on her hands. “Well, let’s get to the good stuff.”
“I can’t talk about it, Blair,” Kaylie said. “I’m not even sure how we got to that place. Yesterday I practically hated his guts and now it’s like we never broke up.”
Blair was so quiet that Kaylie moved her arm to look at her friend. Blair’s mouth was hanging open.
“Seriously? You got it on with Jake??” She threw her head back, laughing long and loud. “Oh, this is great! You guys are back together and I helped!”
Kaylie held up a hand. “Wait just a damn minute. I wouldn’t say we’re back together.” Her teeth clicked together when she saw the look on her friend’s face.
“Kay, sweetie, that man has it bad for you. If you’re not back together, it’s because you don’t want to be, not because of him.”
Kaylie frowned. “He didn’t say one word about that. He wanted to straighten everything out, deal with animosity, so we could move on. I mean, we’ll be seeing each other a lot while you and Kevin are planning the wedding and Jake didn’t want our awkwardness to make anyone else uncomfortable. Jake showed up last night, we had dinner, hung out, and the sneaky bastard waited until I was asleep before he jumped in bed with me.”
Blair gestured for her to go on. “And?”
She groaned. “I woke up this morning and he was still in bed with me. And like an idiot, when he snuggled into me, I snuggled back. The next thing I know, we’re kissing and taking our clothes off.”
Blair grinned, looking like the cat that got the cream. “Oh, so you didn’t do it until this morning? Is that why you’re in so early?”
Kaylie scowled. “Shut up. I’m confused as hell here.”
Blair got up from behind her desk and walked around to Kaylie. She put an arm around Kaylie’s shoulders and kissed the top of her head.
“Sweetie, I understand, believe me, I do. But right now, try not to worry about it. I don’t know Jake as well as you and Kevin, but I’m pretty sure he’ll set you straight very, very soon. I also know if he doesn’t, your brother will give him a nudge.”
Kaylie sighed. “I’m sure you’re right. I just don’t understand what he’s thinking. I never got him the way I did other guys and now it’s even harder to know what he’s thinking. All those years as a cop gave him a damn good poker face.”
Blair gave her another squeeze. “I’ll tell you what. You hole up in your office and I’ll take care of the front when we open. You can be all moody and reclusive today. It will help you
r image as a designer.”
Kaylie rolled her eyes but decided to take what her friend was offering. “Thanks, B. That sounds perfect.” She stood. “First I think I’m going to walk down to the coffee shop. Do you want anything?”
Blair went back to her desk and sat down. “Sure, get me a caramel macchiato.”
Kaylie nodded and headed off on her errand. When she returned, she made a beeline for her office and sealed herself inside. She worked the rest of the morning until Blair stuck her head in to ask what she wanted for lunch. While she ate the salad that Blair picked up for her, her phone chimed. Kaylie looked at the screen and couldn’t help the little twitch in her tummy when she read the message from Jake.
Thanks for dinner last night. I missed u. See u 2night.
Kaylie really wanted to text him back and tell him no way, but she wanted answers.
She typed, What time?
She tapped her fingers on the desk top while she waited for his response. Her phone chimed again.
After 6
Kaylie stared at the screen. It was so surreal and weird to be making plans with Jake after so many years apart. She finally answered.
Ok
She put the phone off the side and stared into space. Doubts and insecurities whirled through her mind and she hated it. She wasn’t used to feeling anything but utter confidence in her choices. Even if they turned out to be the wrong ones, she knew that she would learn something from the experience. Now, Kaylie didn’t know what in the hell she was doing. As much as she wanted to hope that she and Jake were headed somewhere special, it was hard to believe. He’d walked away once and left her heartbroken. She wasn’t sure she could handle it again. He said she seemed unaffected but he had no idea how many nights she cried herself to sleep or never slept at all. He didn’t know about the ache that had lived in her chest for months afterwards until she forced herself to start dating again.
Jake also didn’t know about how she cried the day after she had sex with another man for the first time after they broke up. While Jake hadn’t been her first lover, he was one of a few and he had been special. When she finally opened her heart up enough to make love to someone else, she hadn’t expected it to feel so different, so alien. The man had been sweet and very good, but he still wasn’t Jake. They broke up soon after.