“That’s so interesting. Is her Ph.D. in Agriculture then?”
“Anthropology.”
“Very cool,” Caroline said.
“How many people are coming to the wedding?” Soleil asked, changing topics.
“It’s small—about fifty or so. Immediate family and a few close friends”
“That surprises me,” Jake said. “You always loved big parties.”
“I wanted it to be intimate, with people I don’t feel like I need to entertain and split my time between, you know?”
“It’s your day. It should be exactly what you want,” Soleil said.
Feeling the tension radiating off Soleil again, he said, “I agree.”
“Here we go.” The waitress returned with hot water, a cup with lemon slices, and a glass container of honey for Soleil. “This will do the trick.”
“Thank you,” Soleil said.
“Are you ready to order?” she asked.
“The edamame appetizer and seaweed salad,” Soleil said.
“You got it.”
“How about you, hon?” she said to Jake.
“Chicken pad thai.”
“You like it hot?”
“Yeah.” Jake frowned. Was she showing more cleavage than she had earlier?
She winked at him. “You got it,” she said and went to turn in their order.
Soleil threw her napkin on the table and said, “Excuse me.” Jake stood as he watched her head for the restroom, bracelets jangling.
“What’s up with her?” Caroline asked. “She’s usually so fun and easygoing.”
Jake shrugged. He was not about to break it down for her.
“Dad.” Caroline’s tone got his attention. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Did you two argue about her staying at your place?”
“No. I told you, I’m fine with it.” He picked up his napkin and fussed with putting it in his lap to have something to focus on besides his daughter.
“Well, huh. The alternative is that the two of you made out.”
Jake opened his mouth to speak, but no words came.
“Daddy! Oh my God! You did, didn’t you? You’re blushing!” She laughed. “Wow, that was fast.”
“We are not having this discussion, Caroline,” Jake began, his tone stern.
“I’m not being judgy. I like Soleil.”
“But?” Jake prompted.
“No buts,” Caroline said and took another bite of her spring roll.
“Really?”
“Yes, really. You’re both adults.”
Jake was surprised at what he was hearing.
“Did she tell you that she’s a famous photographer?”
That threw him even more off-balance. “She shared a little about her work,” he said.
“I’m sure she was too modest. She’s been nominated for a Pulitzer.”
He had not expected that. “Wow.”
“Her work takes her all over the world.”
Jake put his forearms on the table and leaned foreard. “You going somewhere with this?”
“Just stating facts,” Caroline said and sipped her iced tea.
“Noted.”
“When she comes back from the bathroom, I’ll excuse myself so you two can talk.”
“About what?” Jake frowned.
Caroline rolled her eyes.
Before he could respond, Soleil returned. Jake noticed her mouth was set in a hard line, and that she didn’t look at him. He got up until she was seated, and then he slid in beside her. She put her napkin in her lap and stirred the hot lemon and honey.
“God, my bladder feels like it’s the size of a pea,” Caroline said dramatically. “Excuse me.”
Shit. He turned to Soleil, who was definitely trying to ignore him. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“You sure?”
The waitress showed up again with another sweet tea for him. He automatically said, “Thanks.” She winked and left. That’s when he noticed the napkin she’d set his drink on had a phone number on it.
“I bet she’d show you a really good time tonight if you didn’t have to babysit me,” Soleil commented, her tone casual. Too casual.
Jake leaned in close to whisper against her ear, “The only person in this room I’m interested in showing me a good time is you.”
Her shoulders lowered a degree. “Which isn’t happening because you’re my bodyguard,” she stated.
“I would say I like you jealous, but I gotta be honest. I liked you a lot better before we walked in here.”
“I’m not jealous.”
“If you say so.”
Caroline returned. “God, this place is slow today. Where’s the food?”
“I’m sure the waitress will pop up soon,” Soleil said. “She’s got a thing for your dad.”
“All women have a thing for my dad,” Caroline commented. “I used to hate when he was in town,” she said and nodded toward Jake. “Every girl I knew wanted to come to the house. So annoying.”
“What?” Jake said.
“Did you think I always had that many girlfriends over?”
Actually, he had.
“In fact, the only time I could coax Luna out of the library was when you were around.”
Soleil laughed.
“That’s awful,” Jake said.
“I know, right?” Caroline agreed. “I mean, you’re my dad, so I don’t see it. Why don’t you explain it to us, Soleil?”
Soleil glanced at Jake, then shrugged. “I hadn’t really noticed.”
What the hell?
The waitress brought their food, and they ate. Well, Soleil pretended to eat, but really just moved her food around her plate.
“Did you tell Mom you were retiring?” Caroline asked.
“Your mom and I haven’t talked in a while. Now that you and Charlie are adults, there’s not much reason to, which I’m sure makes your stepfather happy.”
“Kevin never minded having your around, Dad.” She paused, then added, “Does it bother you that I want you both to walk me down the aisle?”
“Of course not,” he said and meant it. Kevin was a great guy. Jake had been genuinely glad Kevin had been there for his kids when he couldn’t.
“Oh, thank goodness.” Caroline pushed her plate away. “That was so good, but I need to go. I have a stack of interrogatories to prepare.”
“At this hour?” Jake asked.
Caroline stood, and Jake did as well. “It’s for school. Not work.” She kissed him, and said, “I love you. So glad you’re home.”
Jake smiled. “Me, too, honey.”
“Call you later. Bye, Soleil.” And she was gone.
Soleil was quiet. She’d given up playing with her food. “You didn’t eat,” he said.
“I’d box it up, but your new girlfriend, Gina, would probably spit in it. She’s been sending me nasty looks the whole time we’ve been here, and she never bothered to refill my water.”
Jake motioned the waitress over and said, “Could you bring us a box, and the lady would like some more—”
“I’m good. Let’s go.” Soleil dug in her huge, shapeless shoulder bag and found some cash that she tossed on the table. Before he could say, “I’ve got this,” she slid out of the booth, stood, and made for the door.
Jake got his wallet and tossed a couple of twenties on the table, hoping it was enough. To Gina, he said, “Thanks,” and followed Soleil. Outside, he spotted her in the parking lot near his truck and jogged to catch up. “Hey.” He snagged her arm, making her stop. “What are you doing? You can’t go off on your own, remember?”
“It’s a parking lot,” she pointed out. “With streetlights.”
He walked her the rest of the way to the truck, but stopped to stand in front of her instead of unlocking the door. “What’s got you so worked up?”
“It tends to make a person cranky when criminals go through her personal belongings. And kn
owing said criminals are still out there doesn’t help.”
“You’re safe with me,” he promised. “And I’m calling bullshit because you were fine before we got to the restaurant.”
“Caroline knows,” Soleil said, arms crossed.
“What—did she say something?”
“No, but it was pretty obvious. And uncomfortable, especially with that waitress practically throwing herself at you.”
He stepped into her, then leaned down and kissed her, once, twice, and because he couldn’t stop, he kissed her again, each time, lingering a bit longer. “You’re taller,” he said between kisses. She put a hand under his shirt, and he wanted to do the same with her. She wore a short tank top with lace around the waist—a waist that didn’t quite reach her white shorts which rode low on her hips and left a lot of leg exposed. She also had on some kind of long, flowy lightweight jacket with butterflies on it, and pink painted toenails peeked out of her bright blue high-heel ankle boots with fringe. He’d asked her to not go naked, but he was finding a fully clothed Soleil a problem, too.
“You’re so beautiful,” he said. He hadn’t gotten caught in the middle of a PDA since he was in high school, but she might change that for him.
He hooked a finger into the waistband of her shorts. “If you wanna throw yourself at me, I won’t complain.”
She pushed against his chest, but he didn’t budge. He brushed his fingers down her cheek. “What’s it going to take to see you smile again.”
“This just got really complicated, Jake. Your daughter knows about us. Someone may be after me.” She sighed and added, “And other women want you, damn it, and it pisses me off because that bothers me.”
“It is a lot to process. And I mean, I have a lot to think about, too,” he agreed. “Here I am with a daughter who’s getting married and about to make me a grandfather—and I’m not even old enough to be having grandkids,” he teased.
Soleil laughed, which wounded his pride a little. “Hey, I was eighteen when Caroline was born,” he tried to explain.
“I suppose this kind of thing happens when you have kids when you’re young,” she pointed out.
“Add to that,” he said, continuing with his own list, “I’m not even through one day of retirement.” He kissed her again. “And I certainly didn’t expect you.”
Soleil shook her head. “What are we going to do?”
He unlocked the truck and offered her his hand. “I guess we’ll just have to make the best of it.”
7
It was well after nine in the evening when they returned home. Jake set the alarm and put his keys on a hook near the door. “You want to watch television?”
“You have cable?”
“No, but I’ve got streaming.”
An hour later, they were halfway through a comedy, but neither of them had laughed much. Soleil said, “I didn’t do a thing today, but I’m exhausted. I think I’ll go to bed. What are the sleeping arrangements?”
“You take the bed, and I’ll sleep on the couch. Or the recliner. Doesn’t matter.”
“I can sleep out here,” she offered. “I hate to take your bed.”
He’d love to be in his big king-size bed with her, but he needed to be alert. “I can sleep anywhere. Besides, I’d like to be between you and the door.”
“All right,” she said. She moved toward his bedroom, but stopped and said, “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
Several hours later, Jake turned over and put his face in the pillow. He couldn’t sleep because the blanket, the couch, the pillow, the house, all smelled like Soleil. The thought of her asleep in his bed just down the hallway was killing him.
He heard her pad into the room, and the scent of jasmine intensified. He sat up. “What’s wrong?” The semi-darkness turned her, or check that, his t-shirt silver. Her body glowed in the moonlight.
“I can hear you tossing and turning. The couch squeaks,” she explained. “Come to bed. There’s more than enough room for both of us.”
“Soleil—”
“You can sleep on top of the covers if you want. At least you’ll be able to relax in your own bed.” She paused and added, “I know you’re tired. You didn’t sleep well last night in the camper, and you worked non-stop today.”
He was tempted, but he knew being in the same bed with her and not making love to her would be worse torture.
“Don’t be stubborn,” she said. “You’re going to be of no use to me or anyone else if you’re exhausted. Come to bed,” she repeated.
Because he was stupid and a lot of other things he’d name tomorrow, he got up, grabbed his gun, and followed her into his bedroom wondering what she had on under his t-shirt. She went straight to the bed and got under the covers. He walked to the other side, set the gun on the nightstand, and laid down on top of the comforter. She had turned away from him, but he was intensely aware of her—the rhythm of her breathing, and the fact that she was no more than a foot or two away.
He rolled to his side and positioned the pillow between his arm and head. God, he wasn’t going to sleep at all. His erection was so hard it was painful, even though they’d made love earlier. He flopped over onto his stomach and buried his face into the pillow. Maybe if he blocked out all sensation, he’d drift off.
He felt the mattress dip, then Soleil sitting on his ass. Her hands were on his shoulders, kneading the tired muscles. Because he was only wearing boxer briefs, she had access to most of his body. He turned his head so he could speak. “What are you doing?”
“Helping you relax.”
If she thought sitting on him while she gave him a massage would be relaxing . . .
“Mmm . . . that feels amazing.”
She worked her way down his back, finding knots and working them out, releasing tension on pressure points so that his body felt like warm butter. “Where did you learn to do that?”
“I’m a student of holistic healing and Reiki.”
“You’re magic,” he mumbled.
She reached his lower back, and he wasn’t ashamed to admit he moaned. A lot. But when her hands moved over his glutes, he got quiet. When she touched his thighs, he broke out into a sweat and squirmed.
“Turn over,” she instructed and rose up to her knees so he could move.
“Soleil . . .”
“Turn over,” she repeated.
He did, and God help him, the sight of her kneeling beside him made him harder. But she seemed fully capable of ignoring his erection as she put her knees on either side of his hips and leaned over to gently work on the muscles in his neck. She kissed him, then her hands were on his collarbone, his pecs, his abs. Her long hair spilled around her shoulders and onto his body. When she reached his hips, she glanced up at him. “I could help you with this, too.” She traced the outline of his cock behind his boxer briefs with her index finger.
“Soleil . . .”
“I know. You shouldn’t be distracted, but the alarm is set. No one’s getting near this place without setting something off.”
He touched her face. “Are you sure?”
She turned and pressed a kiss into his palm. “So sure,” she said. “You?” She sat on his cock then and moaned. Or was that him?
Grasping her upper arms, he reversed their positions and kissed her. He tried to take it slow, but something inside him short-circuited, taking him from worked up to scorching hot in seconds. He couldn’t get enough of her. God, he needed to slow down, because he’d promised he would take his time with her, but he backed up just enough to pull her shirt off and kissed her again. When he felt her naked against him, he got a little dizzy because, holy shit, she’d been going commando under his t-shirt. As he squeezed her ass, he looked at her, surprised. “Soleil?”
“What? I wasn’t naked. I put your t-shirt on.” She wrapped her legs around him. “You on the other hand,” she said, squirming beneath him, “have on way too many clothes.”
And thank God, or he’d already be inside her
. “I got you,” he said and put his hand between her legs. Her hips came off the bed, and she bit down hard on her lip. He licked the spot on her lip and then stroked her tongue. She swirled hers around his, making him crazy. He’d sworn he’d do this right, but with Soleil, he wasn’t sure if he’d ever have the upper hand.
He pressed down on her clit with his thumb and slid two fingers inside her. She clenched down hard on them and moaned her pleasure into his mouth. He flicked her clit with his blunt nail and her juices flooded his hand. Then he got focused, setting a rhythm and working her clit. She bent her knee, getting the angle where she needed it. He teased her nipple with his teeth and tongue. When he sucked it hard into his mouth, he felt her tighten around his fingers as she fell apart. He hummed his satisfaction against her breast. “I love the sounds you make when you come,” he said.
When her body had relaxed, he put a pillow under her hips and spread her legs wide so he could look at her.
“Jake,” she gasped.
Her face had softened with her orgasm, and she somehow looked even more beautiful. “I need to taste you again,” he said. He spread her outer lips with his thumbs, then bent to lick her, loving the way she grabbed the blanket and pressed her clit against his tongue. He eased her leg over his shoulder, then sucked her swollen nub into his mouth, and she moaned. He continued until she was squirming and restless. He put a hand low on her belly, then went lower to slide his tongue inside her. When he tugged on her clit, she came again, harder this time. He slid a finger into her and moved it as the pleasure rode across her face.
Getting a condom out of the nightstand, he rolled it on while she watched with hooded eyes. He grasped his cock and slid it from her clit to her vagina, wetting it before he entered her. He eased in part way and stopped. Dear Lord, she was still so tight. “You okay?” he asked, not wanting to hurt her.
She nodded, her hands on his forearms. He pushed her thighs further apart and eased in some more.
“You feel so good,” she said.
She wrapped her legs around him and lifted her hips, taking him in the rest of the way. Now he was the one moaning. With his hands on her ass, he eased out, then slid in again, taking his time and loving every sensation. He turned a little, adjusting the angle, and bit her nipple, then licked it and blew on it. With her hands on his hips, she said, “Again.” And he smiled, then slid out and bit her nipple as he entered her.
Brotherhood Protectors: Exposed (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Scandalous Moves Book 4) Page 7