Up All Night Long: From Lust to Love (Romance Anthology)

by Ali Parker

  "I heard that," Drake muttered as he walked by, his grumbles over sugar and the need to purge it causing Sicily to growl.

  Jake laughed as Kari looked over her shoulder and gave them a warning. "Hush and let's get done. It's supposed to be nice outside tonight and I'm looking forward to dinner on the patio."

  "We'll need to hurry then. The sun has already started to set." Lisa walked toward the front of the small shop, the doors and windows open to keep the airflow moving. "What are we having?"

  "Chicken." Sicily turned and wiped her hair from her face, teal paint smearing across her cheek. Kari moved toward her as Drake turned and offered her a small rag.

  "I like chicken." He smiled as Sicily awarded him a deadpan stare. "You have paint on your cheek."

  She tried to wipe at it and only smeared it further. Jake reached out and pulled Kari back, diverting her attention back to him as Drake helped get the paint off the pretty baker. It would be fun to see what might happen, but Jake knew one thing for sure - change was in the air.

  Kari stopped in front of him and looked up. "What?"

  "Nothing. Just want you close to me."

  "Scared your gym friend will mistake me for a single girl?"

  Jake growled and put an arm around her, pulling her closer and leaning down to nip at her lips. "I'd kick his ass and remind you who's you are."

  She carefully wrapped her arms around him, her brush somewhere in the air behind him. She leaned in and kissed him, Jake pressing against her.

  "You have nothing to worry about. You're everything I've ever wanted." She kissed him again and Lisa muttered for them to 'get a room'. Kari wagged her eyebrows and Jake laughed, moving back to his post.

  "I wish."

  *

  Another hour of painting and the whole place had a base coat, the room large and open. The color shrunk the appearance of its size, but it ushered in a quaint, hometown feeling. Kari looked around the room, her friends looking worn. She walked to the small sink, rinsing her brush and offering to rinse everyone else's, too.

  "I thought we were doing another coat?" Drake asked, walking over to the sink and extending his brush to Kari.

  He was tall like Jake, but his skin was much darker, his hair black and his features exotic like Sicily's. He had to be from Spain or somewhere in South America perhaps. He smiled at her and she smiled back, shrugging.

  "It's been a long weekend, so one coat will have to do. We'll get the other one in later this week, I'm sure."

  Jake moved in beside her, slipping his brush under the running water. "I'm thinking dinner and sleep sound great. I'm beat."

  "Weak." Drake winked and walked off, grabbing his keys. "I guess call me later this week if you need me again, Isaac."

  "You're not coming to dinner with us?" Jake turned around, working to dry the brushes as Kari kept washing them.

  "Didn't know I was invited."

  Kari looked over her shoulder as Lisa and Sicily joined the conversation, Sicily speaking up.

  "Of course you are. You came to help us, so let me feed you."

  A smile brushed across his lips and he looked toward Jake, who nodded.

  "Okay, as long as there is something healthy for me to eat, I'm good." Drake looked back to Sicily, who nodded and walked to grab her keys. "I'll pick up a few more veggies and meet you guys at home.

  Lisa handed her brush to Kari. "I'll go with her. Kari, you ride with Jake?"

  Jake nodded and turned back to Kari. "We can close up here and meet them there."

  "Okay," Kari responded, turning away from the conversation and finishing up her task. She wiped her hands on the small towel Jake left beside her before he walked Drake to the door. Kari turned and watched the two men talk, their laughter and joking with one another warming her heart. It was going to be interesting getting to know Jake's friends and family in the near future.

  Wonder if his mom and dad will like me?

  She shook her head, chiding herself for thinking too far in advance. They had to build the foundation of a relationship before parents got involved, but her mom would be coming in the next weekend, so the building needed to move quickly. She'd had her mom reschedule as she was supposed to come in that weekend, but going to the basketball tournament for work trumped the trip.

  She walked toward Jake as he turned back into the small shop. Her heart swelled at the sight of him. Going on the basketball trip was the best decision she'd made in ages. He stopped in front of her and pulled her into his arms, her hands pressing against the firm muscles of his chest as he leaned down to kiss her softly.

  "What're you thinking?"

  She moved back and reached up to cover her mouth as she yawned loudly. "I'm thinking that the next time we have an all-night love fest I need to have the next day off to sleep."

  He smirked. "You off tomorrow?"

  She laughed and moved around him, turning off lights as she walked through the bakery. "No, but I suppose I can sleep when I die."

  "That's my girl." He moved up and turned off the last light as Kari walked into the chilly evening air. Jake turned and extended his hand as she slipped a key in it. He locked up and they walked together to his truck, Jake opening her door.

  He got in and started the truck as Kari looked over at him.

  "What's the story with Drake?"

  Jake shrugged. "I don't know his whole story really. He's lived here a few years longer than me and he comes from a really big family. He owns the gym in town and is crazy about his eating habits and taking care of his body. Don't know much more than that."

  "Is he married or dating anyone?"

  "I don't think so. Why?" Jake pulled out into the street, his eyebrow lifting as Kari laughed.

  "I was thinking about him and Sicily. They would make beautiful babies."

  Jake coughed loudly into his hand. "Beautiful babies? How about a date first?"

  Kari shrugged and buckled up. "Just saying."

  "Yes, well, don't say that to him. He has ten siblings and isn't at all interested in marriage or kids I don't think. They were dirt-floor poor and he blames that on his parents overpopulating the world."

  "Sicily has a big family too."

  Jake reached over and took her hand, the smile on his face causing her heart to beat faster.

  "That's awesome, but no playing matchmaker."

  "Why?"

  "It never turns out good. If something is meant to happen between them it will. Fate doesn't need your help, baby."

  She scoffed. "I don't believe in fate. It's a myth, a fairy tale of sorts."

  "I do."

  "Tell me one time fate has shown up and caused something good to happen in your life?"

  He pulled her fingers to his mouth, gently kissing her knuckles as she groaned. The soft wet warmth of his mouth would be something that would always undo her from the inside out.

  "Fate showed up a week ago and brought the most beautiful creature in the universe to my town. It dropped her in the aisle of a grocery store I was in. Moved her into the house I take care of and own. It placed her beneath me last night so I could finally share my heart, my body, my soul with someone worthy of it."

  He looked over at her as she teared up, a smile on his lips.

  "Okay," was all she could utter before looking out the far window, realizing how much fate had done for her too in retrospect.

  *

  They arrived at the house a few minutes later, Jake opening her door and offering his hand as she slipped out. Drake was already there and got out as they walked to the front. He jogged to catch up, looking over at Kari.

  "How did this rascal talk a beautiful girl like you into giving him a chance?" He winked at her and she laughed, fishing in her purse for the keys.

  "Money. He's loaded if you didn't know." She winked back and worked to get the door opened, the boys following her into the warmth of the house. Drake's laugh was deep and warm, rich like good wine.

  "That's hilarious. I know him and he's broke
most of the time."

  Jake popped his friend in the chest and pointed to the sofa. "Go sit down and stop killing the mystery of my character."

  Drake shook his head and walked to the living room, turning on the sports channel and sinking down into the couch. Kari laughed as she watched them, Jake walking up and letting his eyes drag over her.

  "Money... who needs money when you have passion?"

  "I'd take passion any day of the week," Kari whispered as he stopped in front of her, sliding his hands around her waist and squeezing her butt, a growl on his lips.

  "Guys... I'm fucking right here," Drake yelled from the living room.

  Kari looked around Jake and laughed. "Sorry. We just started dating, so..."

  "So we're likely to be gross tonight on more than one occasion," Jake finished for her, Lisa and Sicily walking in as they pulled apart.

  "Alright... let's get dinner together." Sicily held up a small plastic bag and moved to the kitchen, Kari following as Jake joined his friend on the couch.

  "What can I do to help?" Kari asked as Lisa started pulling items from the fridge.

  "Chop the salad stuff." Sicily leaned back, looking toward the living room before looking at Kari. "God he's hot."

  "Jake?" Kari whispered.

  "No, his friend." Sicily shook her head as Kari leaned back to give him the once over again. He was extremely good looking, but a little leaner than she liked. Kari shrugged and busied herself with chopping. Love was in the air - it wouldn't be a surprise at all if Sicily and Drake ended up together.

  Dinner was fantastic and yet the company that filled the room made it all the more perfect. Jake stood and stretched, thanking Sicily again for the tenth time. Drake had unfortunately offended the poor girl on more than one occasion throughout dinner due to his health concerns for everyone.

  Jake smoothed things over as best he could and found relief that the night was drawing to a close and he would have time with his new obsession. He walked Drake to the door, thanking his friend for his help before returning to the kitchen.

  "Can I help wash dishes or something?"

  Lisa looked over her shoulder from the sink and nodded. "Hell yeah. Come take my spot."

  "No," Sicily responded and pulled Lisa back. "You and Kari go spend some time together. Enjoy the newness for a while. It's always over far too fast."

  Jake smiled and walked down the hall, stopping by the back door to see Kari leaning over the railing. He smiled at the sight of her, moving out onto the porch as she turned around. He rubbed his stomach and groaned.

  "Dating you is going to make me fat."

  She laughed, the sound of it causing his heart to flutter.

  "Then we need to start jogging. You promised me a tour around the city on foot anyway."

  "I did?" he asked, reaching her and pulling her into his arms. He bent down and kissed her, Kari rising up on her toes to return the gesture. He took his time, his hand coming up to touch the sides of her neck as he made love to her mouth slowly.

  She broke the kiss, moving away breathless, her cheeks stained light pink. He leaned down for one more kiss before turning her around and pressing himself behind her, his arms encircling her as they looked out at the moon on the bay.

  "It's beautiful out here." Kari's voice was no more than a soft whisper. He leaned down and kissed the side of her throat, breathing her in as his body roared to life.

  "You're beautiful," he whispered, moving back to press his chin on top of her head comfortably. She reached back and rubbed the side of his thigh, the softness of her backside pushing him to want more than a sweet, romantic evening.

  "You're biased."

  "No, I'm not. We just met, remember?"

  She looked over her shoulder and he leaned in to kiss her. She pulled back and smiled.

  "We did just meet, didn't we?"

  "Feels like I've known you forever." He reached up and brushed his fingers through her long hair, gripping her at the base of her head as he kissed her again.

  "Are you staying with me tonight?" She turned around, Jake taking advantage to lean into her, needing to feel her pressed against him.

  "If you want me to I will."

  "Of course I do." She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him down as he obliged her with a long, deep kiss. The heat between them was palatable and the vision of her naked and sitting on top of him stained his thoughts. His phone buzzed in his pocket and he ignored it, taking his time to show her just how much he wanted to stay as well. Finally she pulled back and nodded toward his waist.

  "You should get that. It's been going off non-stop."

  He sighed and backed up a step, pulling it from his pocket and regretting it the minute he did. Bethany's pretty face popped up on the screen as he and Kari looked down at her.

  "Shit..."

  Chapter 27

  Kari crossed her arms over her chest, as Jake lifted the phone between them and shook his head.

  "I'm not answering it. I don't know what she wants, but I'm not interested."

  Kari shrugged and reached to pull him down for another kiss. The soft ding of a text message sounded between them and worry spread across him. Bethany was never one to need attention, or to be a bother. Something was up and the nagging sensation that he needed to see what it was washed over him. He broke the kiss and shook his head, pulling the phone back out.

  "She's never this insistent. Something’s wrong." He unlocked his phone and read her message, his heart almost stopping in his chest.

  Mom's dead.

  "What the fuck?" I mumbled, moving from Kari and dialing Bethany's number. His dinner threatened to push its way back up his chest as the phone rang, Kari moving to stand beside him, worry on her pretty face.

  Bethany answered on the second ring, the sound of her sobs filling up the phone.

  "Hey... what's going on, Beth? Whose mom?" he almost yelled into the phone, the idea of something happening to his mother killing him. Bethany and he had been so close growing up that he'd called her mother "mom" and she'd done the same to his. The lack of understanding as to whose mom she was talking about was unnerving and yet, even if it was her mother, he would be devastated.

  "Oh, Jake. She just stood up tonight from dinner and Daddy said that she looked at him and asked for help." A long sob shook Jake to his core.

  "Bethany. Your mom or mine?" He moved away from Kari, the large patio suddenly stifling. He paced as he tried to be patient with the near-hysterical girl on the phone. His heart breaking for the pain in her voice, the sound of her own heart tearing in two.

  "My momma, Jake." She sobbed again and Jake stopped pacing and knelt down, reaching out to let his hand touch the wood in front of him as dizziness washed over him. Of course it wasn't his mother. His brothers or father would have called, but damn if he hadn't considered the possibility for a moment too long.

  The sense of relief was followed by overwhelming sadness, his eyes filling with tears at the thought of Bethany losing her mother so quickly, so unfairly. Not even time for a goodbye.

  "I'm so sorry. I can't began to imagine how much you must be hurting. Is your dad there?"

  "He's with momma’s brothers in the back. Jared is coming home soon, bringing his wife and their baby with them. Come home, please."

  Jared was Bethany's older brother, he and Jake having been close from so many years of playing football together. He stood and walked toward the ledge, reaching out and touching it for support. Kari stood quietly to the side, but he couldn't make out her expression. His thoughts were rushing all over the place as a light sweat covered his face.

  "Of course."

  Bethany let out another long shaky sob, her breathing terribly off as if she were hyperventilating. "Dad says the funeral will be on Wednesday, and of course they want you to be a pallbearer if you would."

  "I'll catch a flight out in the morning. Have you told my parents?"

  "Daddy called your mother just before I called you." Bethany's soft voice s
hook and Jake wanted to ask about her fiancé. Would he be there? Why wasn't he calling seeing how messed up the poor girl was.

  "Alright. I'll be there tomorrow as soon as I can. Hold tight and call Kade if you need someone to come help you guys."

  She thanked him over and over, her tears seemingly stopping as she whispered her last words.

  "I'm so glad you'll be here. I can't do this without you. I miss you so much, Jake."

  He wasn't sure how to respond as he turned and looked up at Kari, his thoughts on the loss they all had now suffered and far away from the awkwardness of being around Bethany again. It had been three years and they'd hardly spoken a word since that night.

  "I'll see you soon."

  He hung up and slipped the phone in his pocket, reaching up to wipe the unspilled tears from his eyes as he let out a shaky breath, Kari's hand on his arm a moment later.

  *

  The conversation was only half heard by her, the girl on the phone too quiet to make out her words. Someone had died, Bethany's mother from what Kari could tell. She crossed her arms over her chest, hating the fact that she was worried about Jake going anywhere near his old flame. He would have to leave the next morning and get back to Texas, but maybe she could go with him. That would at least allow her to know that he wasn't being unfaithful.

  "Everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves - you, me, even Lisa." Kari could hear Sicily in her head, chiding her about letting Jake in and giving the opportunity to prove himself without her tainting her perception of him thanks to Frank.

  She touched Jake's arm, the vision of him bent over on the floor still haunting her. He'd thought his own mother was in trouble and the very idea of it had crippled him. It would have done nothing less to her. He looked up at her and reached out, pulling her close and burying his face in the side of her neck.