by J. Lea
“Don’t drag Liz into this! Ella is nothing like her!”
“Excuse me!” I say out loud, raising my arms to get their attention. “I can’t listen to this anymore. I’m leaving!” I rush to the door.
“That’s probably for the best,” Mary yells after me as I storm out of the room, almost colliding with a young girl who must be Jake’s sister because she looks just like him. I’m mad. Furious. How can someone judge me just by my appearance? They don’t know me; they have no idea what kind of person I am. They just jumped to the conclusion I’m some white trash, trying to get my hands on his money. I don’t need this.
“Ella! Don’t you dare run away from me again!” I hear Jake yelling after me. I stop in my tracks, but don’t turn around.
“Jake, you need to talk with your parents. I’ll talk to you when you get back to Indianapolis.” I storm out of the hospital, Sophie right behind me.
Jake
“What’s wrong with you? Mom, why did you talk to her like that?” my voice is stern, anger practically steaming out of my ears.
“She’s not good enough for you,” she defends herself.
I roll my eyes. “And how would you know that? You don’t even know her; you didn’t even give her a chance to get to know her. I love her.”
“Like you loved Liz? She fooled you.”
“Don’t talk about that bitch. Ella is nothing like her, and if you got to know her, you’d realize that yourself.” Shaking my head in disappointment, I turn away from my parents. “Leave, please. I want to be alone.”
“Jake…” Mom reaches out her hand to my face, but I step back.
“Just go!”
“Honey, we’re just worried about you. We don’t want you to go through another painful ordeal.”
“I’ll be fine. Please, leave. I want to be alone.” I give Sarah a quick hug; I didn’t even get to say hi to her before, as they leave.
Chapter Fifteen
Ella
“I still can’t believe they were so mean to you,” Sophie says two days later, as she places a glass of wine in front of me. We’re sitting in her living room, talking while watching a show on the TV. Jake’s mom’s words still reverberate in my head. I am not good enough for Jake, she said. Perhaps I’m not, but I’m not playing him. “And his father kept his mouth shut the whole time? That’s weird.”
“I know, right? He seemed confused about everything, like he doesn’t know what’s going on. Or maybe he thought I’m not worth speaking to.”
“Don’t beat yourself down. Jake loves you, that’s all that matters. And who’s this Liz person?” she continues. Shrugging, I grab a fistful of roasted peanuts out of a bowl on the coffee table.
“I have no idea; he never mentioned her. But I intend to ask him about her.”
“Perhaps she’s some crazy groupie or an ex who didn’t want to accept the fact that Jake broke up with her.” I laugh out loud, and throw a peanut at her head. It hits her in the nose, and lands in her lap. Sophie picks it up, and puts it in her mouth.
“You’re crazy,” I giggle. “Thank you for making me feel a little better.
“Don’t mention it. That’s what friends are for.” We hug, and watch the show until it ends, and then I head home.
The next day, as I’m lying in my bed, I hear loud banging on my door. “Ella, open the door! I know you’re there,” Jake yells, knocking impatiently. I shoot out of my bed, and run to the door.
“Jake, it’s still early. You’re going to wake the whole building.” Our gazes meet. I smile softly, and invite him in. He’s still standing there, watching me intently. “What?” I wrinkle my forehead. His gaze travels down to my bare legs, and back up to his shirt I’m wearing, then he finally looks me in the eyes.
“Damn, Ella, you look like a goddess.” He takes a step closer so our bodies are almost touching. I can feel his warm breath on my cheek. “And you’re mine, only mine. Tell me you’re still mine.” I nod, and close the door behind us.
“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.
“Where’s Camilla?” I ask. My voice startles her so much she jumps, and almost drops the baking tin, before she puts it on the counter.
“Damn it, Jake. You can’t just sneak up on people like that.” I just grin at her, so she nudges my chest with her elbow. “I told her to take the day off. I wanted to surprise you.” I hug her from behind, and kiss her neck while she places a portion of lasagna on the plate. The table is beautifully set, the salad is prepared, and two candles are burning in the middle of the table.
“Mmm, wonderful,” I say.
“What, lasagna? It’s nothing special.”
“Babe, I was talking about you.” She turns to me and wraps her hands around my neck.
“You don’t have to sweet talk me to get the dessert,” she winks.
“Oh, really? I know for sure I’m getting that dessert and I’m looking forward to it the most.” I smack her butt before we sit down to eat. Afterwards, I offer to clean up. Just as I put the last plate into the dishwasher, I notice Ella standing in the doorway. My jaw drops to the floor when I take her in.
“Baby, I think it’s time for dessert.” She seductively licks her lips. She’s standing in front of me in a sexy black negligee and matching pair of panties. The sheer material leaves nothing to the imagination, as everything I want to touch is clearly visible. I’m by her side in a second, and slide my index finger across her bare shoulder to her stomach and stop at the edge of her panties.
“I’m such a lucky bastard. You’re so beautiful,” I kiss her, and simultaneously pull at the sexy ribbon, holding her negligee together. Her firm breasts spill free, and I push the straps off her shoulders, negligee falling to her feet.
“I love you, babe,” I say, in between kisses. “Every,” kiss on her nose, “part,” kiss on her left breast, “of,” kiss on her right breast, “your”, kiss on her stomach, “body.” I place the final kiss on the center of her panties, and I know she felt it in her core. Lifting her up by her butt, I carry her to the bedroom where I show her how much she means to me.
“The most delicious dessert in my life,” I tell her as we collapse in the bed a while later, panting and exhausted. Ella only smiles and presses her body to mine, sleep soon overtakes us.
Ella
I just landed in Italy. Jake insisted I should come with him, but I told him I was busy at work. In truth, I just said that so I could surprise him. Mike arranged a VIP ticket for me, so I’ll be able to watch the race with their team and Debbie. I’m traveling light, with only a small backpack. When you’re with Jake, you don’t need the clothes, anyway, I say to myself. There are many taxis waiting outside the airport, so I pick one, and give the driver the directions. I only have two hours until the race starts, and I’m on pins and needles. I wonder how Jake is going to react when he sees me. During the drive, I’m watching the scenery move past me. Italy is really beautiful. I’ve never been here before, but I’m sure it’s not the last time either.
As I arrive to my destination, I pay the taxi driver and I find myself at the entrance to the circuit. A huge crowd of people is standing in front of the entrance, talking among themselves; employees are running here and there. I look for Debbie. Mike told me where our meeting point is, so I head over there.
“Hey, Debbie,” I tap her shoulder. She’s wearing big headphones, and she takes them off and turns to me.
“Oh, you made it!” she smiles, and pulls me in for a hug. “Mike and Jake are already on the track.” She points to them. Warmth spreads over me as I watch Jake sitting confidently on his bike on the grid. One of the girls is holding an umbrella over his head, smiling at him. Jake is wearing dark glasses, his helmet between his legs. He looks focused solely on the track before him. Mike is in the second row, and he appears to be as focused as Jake. Everybody on their team seems so calm and collected. Debbie is beaming beside me. It almost looks like I’m the only one shaking like a leaf in the wind. Every time I see Jake on a bike, I’m scared to death.
“How can you be so calm?” I ask Debbie, and lean on the fence. Debbie smiles at me and shakes her head.
“Oh, believe me, I’m not. I’m probably more nervous than Mike.”
“You’re hiding it well,” I tell her. “Do you come to every race?” She nods.
“Besides being married to him, I’m also Mike’s manager. So we can combine business and pleasure,” she winks at me. “And I can keep his groupies at bay,” she laughs.
“How long have you been together?”
“Three years. We got married last year in Mauritius and it was incredible.” She shows me the shiny ring on her left hand.
“Is it hard? Being married to a world famous racer?” She shrugs.
“Probably no harder than being married to any other guy, except that there is more media attention.” I nod; I completely understand.
I focus my attention back on the riders. A man is standing beside Jake, holding a computer that seems to be connected to his bike. He’s probably checking if the bike is working flawlessly. Jake is still completely in the zone. His hands are crossed over his chest, and he’s staring in front of him. When the track is clear of people, racers do a warm-up lap, and ride back to the start-finish line. The bikes are roaring, and spectators are waving flags with the number of their favorite racer. The atmosphere is indescribable. The racers are prepared for the start, but my eyes are fixed on the number 25. I nervously shift from one leg to another as they get the permission to start. I see Jake taking over the lead in the very beginning. He enters the first corner smoothly, and then the second one. He’s still in the lead, but he’s being hotly pursued by his opponents. Barta approaches him from the inside, with Gonzales trying to overpass him. Jake is racing aggressively, setting the pace in the front. My heart is beating furiously inside my chest, and I’m biting my lip so hard I draw blood. Barta makes a mistake, which lands him in fifth place, right behind Mike. Gonzales is trying to overtake Jake, but he suddenly skids off the track.
“Oooh, what a nasty fall,” I hear the commentator exclaim. “That green patch of grass can be pretty dangerous. It has rained for the last two days, so it has gotten pretty wet.” Gonzales is still sliding down the track, right behind his motorcycle. Jake is still going fast, racing along the main straight toward the finish line. He pops a wheelie across the finish line and the spectators are on their feet, flags are waving, and I mostly see the number 25 on them. Jake’s team celebrates his win, hugging and cheering. I can’t wait to finally hug him too. Jake takes a victory lap, arms high in the air. When he rides through the finish line again, he drives into the pit-box and jumps off the motorbike. He’s immediately hoisted up on the shoulders of his team members. He removes his helmet, happiness radiating from his eyes. When they finally put him down, he puts his helmet on a chair. Debbie is already with her husband, and I’m standing a f
ew feet away from Jake. He’s grinning from ear to ear and hugging his friends; others are patting him on his shoulders and back. He removes his gloves, and puts them in the helmet. As he raises his gaze back up, our eyes meet. A reporter is already asking him questions, holding a mike under his nose, but Jake ignores him. Pushing him aside, he runs to me with wide steps. We hug tightly, and he lifts me up by my butt. I wrap my legs around his waist and our lips collide. We are kissing passionately for a while, not caring about people taking pictures of us and filming us. As we finally break the kiss, he rests his forehead against mine.
“You’re here.” He’s panting and I nod, a satisfied grin on my face.
“I’m here,” I tell him.
“Did you watch the race?” I nod again.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. You were awesome.” He slowly drops me to the ground, and only now we realize the cameras, and people watching us. I blush and bury my face in his chest, but he proudly points to me.
“My girl’s here.” The reporters are firing their questions at us, so Jake takes my elbow, and pulls me to the side. “Wait here, okay? As soon as I’m done, we are out of here.” I nod and kiss him gently. “Cody, watch after her,” he calls, and I see it’s the same man I already met on my birthday. Cody nods, and Jake is already surrounded with reporters. He climbs the steps to the winning podium, and proudly accepts the trophy. He kisses it, and lifts it high into the air.
After the award ceremony and the press conference, he finally joins Debbie, Mike, and me.
“Thanks, Cody,” Jake says, and wraps his hand around my waist. “Let’s go.”
Jake takes us to an Italian restaurant close to the circuit. We spend a relaxing and wonderful afternoon together. Debbie and Mike are a great couple. They reveal that they’re expecting a baby in seven months. Mike is beyond himself with happiness. He tells us nobody but us knows this, so we have to keep our mouth shut. He doesn’t want the press digging up the story too soon, and I completely understand. They look extremely happy as they are gazing at each other with lovey-dovey eyes throughout the whole dinner. Jake’s hand rests on my thigh the whole time, as if he were afraid I’m going to run away or something. Every once in a while, he slides his hand up and down. After the dinner, we say goodbye, because Debbie is tired from all the pregnancy issues that started not long ago. Jake and I take a long walk on the beach. Our fingers intertwined, we walk down the beach. A gentle breeze is playing with my hair.