Hyde and Seek

by Layla Frost

  And, tonight especially, I’d deal with it by enjoying time with my man.

  When we got to the bar, Jake looked down at me, eyes searching my face. “You good?”

  “Yeah, why?”

  “Chloe. Sorry, babe, her man works for one of the companies that we invite. She never comes. I don’t know why she’s here.”

  Oh, I know why she’s here. And it isn’t to bid on the theater tickets.

  “Do you love her?”

  “Fuck no. What the hell would make you ask that?”

  “Do you want to take her home tonight instead of me?”

  “No.”

  “Then I don’t care.”

  Jake backed me into the bar, his arms at my sides holding onto the ledge. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  “I like hearin’ that. A lot.”

  “Good, ‘cause I like saying it.”

  “Remind me never to piss you off, though. The way you handled that? Sweet as fuck, but you made it clear if she was gonna be a bitch, you’d outdo her. Instead of being pissed at her interruptin’ us, I was tryin’ not to get hard at your sweet version of attitude. So, never mind what I just said. Expect me to piss you off.”

  I laughed up at him, but did it while pushing my body closer. “Don’t you have some official business to handle that would be hard to do if you were, well, hard?”

  “Yeah, shit, I gotta go finish up.”

  We walked towards a table near the stage where Xavier, Key, and a couple other people were sitting.

  “Who’s that next to Key?” I whispered to Jake.

  “Everett. They’re… complicated.”

  “Wait, you mean that’s his date?”

  “If Everett had his way. Like I said, complicated.”

  I looked back at the table. “He looks familiar…” Suddenly it dawned on me where I recognized him from.

  “What?”

  “That first day in the shop, you called me babe but I didn’t know if you were talking to me. I looked around, saw a couple bikers, and figured you must’ve been talking to me because I couldn’t see any man calling them babe.”

  “I take it Everett was one of them?”

  “Yup. That’s what I get for judging a book by its cover. I’ve seen him with women, so is Key…”

  Jake raised a shoulder and said, “Key is Key.”

  When we got to the table, I sat as official introductions were made before Jake walked towards the stage.

  I watched as a few women tried to stop him to talk. Based on their body language, it wasn’t the charity they wanted to help.

  Xavier jerked his side towards Jake. “Piper, don’t let that shit get to you.”

  “It doesn’t. He’s freakin’ hot, no woman could resist.”

  “Too bad for them there’s only one woman he can’t resist,” Key said, his smile shy but loaded with affection.

  I love my boys.

  Jake reached the microphone and began his closing speech for the evening. As he talked, a few men approached me and asked if I wanted to grab a drink. I was polite in declining, and they were polite with the rejection.

  Jake introduced the representative before returning to the table.

  “Damn, be nice if I could leave my woman for five minutes,” Jake said with a smile in place, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Piper, you ready to go?” His fists were clenched so hard his knuckles were white, though he was trying to look calm.

  “Yeah.” The day had caught up with me long ago and I was running on fumes.

  I stood and said my goodbyes. Jake did a jerky chin lift to the table.

  As we walked towards the waiting limo, Jake, silent and tense, kept his hand on my lower back.

  As soon as the car door closed, he pulled me to him and kissed me so hard it almost hurt. After unfastening the halter, he pushed the dress down.

  I lifted my hips from the seat so he could drag it the rest of the way off, letting it fall to the floor in a pool of dark purple.

  Grabbing my waist, he pulled me to him. I swung a leg over his thighs to straddle him. Burrowing his head in my neck, he used his tongue, teeth, and lips to drive me wild.

  “Oh God, Jake.” I pushed myself against the hardness in his jeans, wishing for nothing between us.

  “I lose my fuckin’ head when it comes to you.”

  “There were just as many women trying to talk to you, trying to get in your pants. Which, by the way, make your ass look awesome. If you have twenty or so more pairs, that’d be great.”

  Jake sat back and smiled at me, his hands still cupping my ass. “You gotta know there’s no one I’d rather have been with tonight. Especially right now with your sweet ass on my cock. But seein’ another man tryin’ to be in my place right now, with you on their dick? Fuck that.”

  I rubbed my fingertips on his stubble. “But you’re the only one whose lap I want to be on.”

  “You cool with the condo tonight?”

  I nodded my answer. I was fine sleeping anywhere as long as I was with him.

  He picked up a phone and told the driver where we were going. After hanging up, he pulled me closer and kissed me again. His hand lifted from my ass and moved up to rub my nipple. Rolling it between his finger and thumb, he tugged slightly at the barbell, making me moan into his mouth.

  When we pulled in front of the condo, Jake grabbed my dress and handed me his tux jacket to put on.

  I fought a moan when the cool, softness of the fabric rubbed against my sensitive nipples.

  Stepping out of the limo, he leaned back in and took my hand to help me out. With my hand still in his, I hurried to keep up with Jake’s long strides.

  After closing his door, he turned to say something to me but I didn’t give him the chance. Instead, I pulled his mouth to mine, putting everything I was feeling into the kiss.

  He stood frozen for a second before his arms closed tight around me.

  Jake picked me up with little effort. His ability to do that was one of the few reasons why I did not wish I was six inches taller. Carrying me to his bed, he placed me gently on it before following me down.

  “My lips,” he whispered, his lips brushing against mine as he spoke. He brought his mouth to my neck before continuing, “My neck.” His mouth moved to the spot behind my ear. “My sweets.”

  His lips traveled down as he opened the tux jacket. My back arched when his mouth covered my nipple and sucked hard. He went agonizingly slow as he worked his way further down. When he finally, finally settled between my thighs, his tongue lightly teased, licked, and flicked through my panties.

  I heard a tear and my panties were gone, a shred of torn, expensive fabric in his hand. His mouth covered me, devoured me, as he lifted my legs over his shoulders. Gripping my hips, his tongue was relentless. Even when I cried out as I came, he didn’t ease up as he drew out my orgasm.

  When I finished, I pushed Jake up onto his knees. I unbuttoned his vest and shirt, the process taking entirely too long. He worked at removing everything from the waist down while I leaned to the side to unhook and kick off my shoes.

  Dropping between my spread legs, he eclipsed all else, his face all I could see. The feel of his hardness sent a fresh wave of arousal through me.

  Jake lowered his strong body to mine. His forearms went under me and his hands wrapped over my shoulders. Entering me, his fingertips dug into my collarbone as he thrust up.

  There was so much sensation, pleasure, and intensity that it took my breath away.

  “I can’t go back to no sweetness in my life, Piper,” Jake groaned in my ear. “I can’t not have you.”

  “You have me, baby.”

  Jake shifted his hips, his pelvis grinding against my clit.

  I moaned at the friction, my orgasm barreling through me. My nails clawed into his back as his mouth found mine, swallowing my cries.

  Pushing up onto his knees, Jake went slowly, teasing me as he coasted in and out with shallow thrusts.

/>   “More.” I lifted my pelvis and tried to move faster.

  Grabbing my hips, he held me still as he continued his leisurely pace. “Tell me what I wanna to hear.”

  “I’m yours.”

  “Fuck yeah,” he growled. “Never leave me, Piper. Never take away the sweetness.”

  Before I could respond to his words, his movements sped up and became more forceful. His head fell back, exposing his angled jaw and the strong column of his neck. The power in his thrust increased and his hold on my hips was all that kept me from flying up the bed.

  It was frantic. Frenzied.

  It was desire, lust, passion, obsession.

  It was life.

  *******

  I awoke in the middle of the night to moonlight streaming through the window. After we’d finished, Jake had rolled, keeping us connected as I straddled him. I’d snuggled into him as I tried to work up the energy to fall to the side.

  As I woke up fully, I realized that I was still sprawled on him. I snuggled my face deeper into his neck.

  “Piper?” he whispered.

  “Hmm?” I kissed his neck and then his jaw.

  I didn’t know jaws could be so damn sexy.

  “Good, you’re awake.”

  Jake rocked his hips and entered me in one smooth motion. Feeling playful, I sat up and leaned back to stretch. I brought my hand down to my nipple, pulling my barbell and cupping my breast.

  Jake growled as he bucked up, and the teasing didn’t last long.

  Luckily what followed did.

  Chapter Nine

  Settled

  “A mechanic, Piper? Really?”

  Crap. Leave it to my mother to try to sweep the confetti from my happy parade.

  “And a happy Monday to you,” I returned, wishing I’d let the call go to voicemail. Since it was before eight in the morning, I was worried that there was something wrong when I saw her name on the screen.

  “Why did I have to hear from Elaine that you were seeing someone? Oh, and you know she must’ve loved that. Not just who you’re dating, but that she knew before me.”

  “Sorry, Mother.”

  For once I actually was. I’d been dreading this conversation, but no one should have to deal with Dana’s mom.

  If Dana’s recent behavior was any indication, she was learning from the best.

  Or worst.

  “Mechanic?”

  “Not that it matters, but Jake isn’t a regular mechanic. He owns his own business.”

  “But I thought you and James were getting serious?” she whined.

  “Nope. Never have been, never will be. From what I saw, he’s with Dana,” I revealed, trying to change the subject.

  “Oh. Well, that is an… interesting choice for him, I suppose.”

  “I have to go. I’ll call soon.”

  “You know,” she said, ignoring my attempt to end the call. “With your father and Thomas’ money, you’re going to attract certain individuals who want to take advantage and use you.”

  I sighed in frustration. “If you’re referring to Jake, have Thomas look into him. I’m sure you’ll be more than reassured. His garage is very popular, especially with celebrities.”

  “Celebrities?”

  “I’ve got to get to school. Talk to you soon.” Without giving her the chance to respond, I hung up.

  The call didn’t get to me the way it normally would have. It could have been because fall was in full swing and it was beautiful outside. The smell of crisp leaves was in the air, but the sun was shining and birds were singing.

  Maybe I was just finally growing and learning to brush the negatives off.

  Or it might have had something to do with the orgasms Jake had given me when he’d insisted we conserve water and shower together.

  Either way, I was in a good mood.

  *******

  Thank the sex god for those orgasms.

  I was used to a hectic schedule. Mondays were always busy, and that was without taking the weekend off. The phone call with my mom had made me run late, and I was beyond frazzled. I’d been counting down the minutes until my lunch break.

  I sat outside at a table with some people from my accounting class, including my friends Melanie and Gia.

  In the middle of talking about her weekend, Gia stopped and looked past me. “Oh, wow. Who’s that? He doesn’t look like a student.” She pushed up out of her seat to see better.

  “Oh, please tell me he’s a professor. I’ll go sign up for his class right now, even if that means switching majors,” Melanie said, dramatically fanning her face.

  “Unless they teach a course on badass, I doubt he’s a professor.”

  Without turning around, I knew who she was talking about. A wide smile spread across my face.

  “Oh God,” she frantically whispered. “He’s heading over here.”

  When I turned around with a grin, it was Jake’s turn to smile as he continued toward me.

  And if you listen carefully, you can hear the subtle whoosh of panties dropping and bras unhooking themselves.

  I couldn’t blame any of the women craning their necks to do a double take. Wearing black jeans, a black t-shirt with the Hyde logo on it, a very worn leather jacket, and his scuffed up motorcycle boots, my man looked good. His hair was pulled back, but I knew he must have come on his bike because the front had come loose.

  “Hey, sweets,” he greeted, dipping down to kiss me.

  “Hi, what’s up?”

  “Nothin’. Just brought you lunch.” He placed a bag from my favorite sandwich shop in front of me. It was where we’d gone on our unofficial and very awkward first date.

  Is there something more than love?

  I mega love him.

  “Thanks. Do you wanna sit?”

  “No, I gotta get back to the shop. Plus, I might not have left the bike in a ‘parkin’ spot’.” He lifted his hands to make air quotes. “Miss you.”

  “Miss you, too.”

  He fisted his hand into my hair and kissed me. “Love you.”

  “Love you, too. Have a good day.”

  Jake chuckled, deep and low. “I’ll be done with work early tonight. Want takeout?”

  “Nah, I’ve gotta go to the store. I’ll pick up something to cook.”

  “Sounds good. Let me know if you change your mind.”

  Jake dipped his chin to the girls before walking away. I stared at his ass as he went and knew I wasn’t the only one. I also knew I’d be the only one with my hands on it tonight.

  “Hellllooooooo! Earth to Piper!” Gia yelled.

  “Sorry, what?” I reached into the bag and pulled out my favorite turkey, Swiss, and cranberry mayo sandwich, a drink, and a triple chocolate chunk cookie.

  “Seriously, girl, spill.”

  “About?”

  “About? About? Sorry, did I fall, hit my head, and hallucinate a god delivering tasty sandwiches?”

  “Oh, that.” I flipped my hand, sandwich crumbs flying. “That’s my boyfriend.”

  “What’s his name? How long have you been together? How is he in bed?” Melanie grilled.

  “A couple months. His name is Jake.” I ignored the last question.

  Yeah, there’s no reason to rub it in that your god is actually a sex god.

  The cute-as-a-button redhead sitting next to Melanie looked at me closer. “You really are that Piper, aren’t you? I thought so, but I wasn’t sure.”

  “Yeah… Do I know you?”

  “I’m Harlow Cooper. We have economics together. You always work so hard and don’t socialize, so I thought you were half robot or something.”

  “Nope. I do a mean impression, though.”

  “What?”

  “Never mind. Anyway, what were you saying?”

  “I saw your pictures in the paper and online yesterday. Well, I thought it was you. But then I figured what are the chances?” she chattered on in an equally cute-as-a-button voice.

  “Pictures?” I asked at the sa
me time as Gia and Melanie.

  “Well, yeah, from the Tools for Teens thing in the city. The article was so sweet, too.”

  “Article?”

  “You know what, I was reading it while I was grabbing coffee. I might still have it.” She began digging through her giant purse. “Woo! Here we go!” She smiled as if she’d just found the Holy Grail.

  Given the size of that bag, it’s possible the Holy Grail is in there hanging out with Jimmy Hoffa.

  When she pulled out a newspaper, Melanie and Gia grabbed it before I could. “No, that’s cool guys. Not like I wanted to see. It’s only about me, no biggie.”

  “So did he really stop in the middle of an interview to kiss you and ask if you were okay?” Harlow asked.

  My brows went up in surprise. “Did they talk about that in the article?”

  Harlow nodded. “Oh yeah. There was even something about how you two seemed to forget there were other people around.”

  Oh, there was definitely a big chunk of time in the hallway where we forgot there was even a world around us.

  Gia, Melanie, Harlow and the rest of the women at the table stared at me as they passed around the paper.

  When it was within reach, I snatched it and studied the largest picture of Jake and me. His fist was in my hair and I was smiling up at him with my hand on his abs as he looked down at me.

  We looked happy.

  Also, very much in love.

  Next to that was a picture of Kase and me laughing after I’d made some goofy joke. The focus of the picture, however, was Jake watching me.

  If he hadn’t told me that night that he loved me, this would have.

  “He seems so sweet. I guess he isn’t a badass,” Gia said.

  “No, he totally is. Trust me, I’ve seen him pissed. Not at me, of course.”

  Well, not much.

  My phone beeped, and I saw a message from Jake.

  Jake: Lunch okay?

  Me: Of course. This sexy dude delivered it to me.

  Jake: Lucky dude.

  Me: You’re so gettin’ laid later.

  Jake: Fuck I hope so. Been half hard since seein’ you. After reading that I’m gettin’ laid, I’m gonna have to spend some time at my desk ‘til things calm down.