Jake’s anger and frustration lessened a fraction. “I appreciate that. I miss you guys too. But no way am I ready to get back out there yet.” Physically, not quite, but he knew he was close. Hell, he was working out every day both in the gym and in the sack. His vigorous lovemaking with Mia on a daily basis would rouse a dead man from the grave.
But the thought of getting back out there and walking the beams, and all of the hard ass work that came with the construction site, freaked him out. Made him freeze. Deep down inside, he knew it was more a psychological thing versus a physical thing. Yet he knew his father wouldn’t get it.
“Come back and work in the office, then. I had to let the bookkeeper go. Found out she’d screwed up the books so bad I had to go back in myself and work on it to straighten it out. I can’t make heads or tails of it,” his dad muttered.
“Have Mom help you,” Jake suggested.
Don laughed. “Right. Your mother is too busy to mess with the books. Ever since she retired she’s even busier than she was before.”
An idea bloomed in Jake’s brain, and he contemplated it. He wondered if it was too risky, asking the woman he’d been involved with for only a week if she’d like to come work for the family business.
Hell, if he had his way she’d be a part of his family sooner rather than later. It wasn’t such a bad idea, her working at his and his dad’s construction company. “I think I know someone who could do a great job for us.”
His dad’s eyes lit up. “Really? Who?”
“This woman I know. She’s really smart and good at her job. But that’s the only problem. She already has a job. I don’t know if she’d be interested in working for us.”
“Well, ask her. That’s the least you could do. And the worst she could say is no. I say do it.” His father pushed away from the table and stood, glancing at the clock on the wall. “I gotta get back to the site. But we’ll talk later, okay? Keep me updated on what your lady friend says about the job.”
Jake watched his dad leave the house. Heard the heavy slam of his truck door outside as he climbed in and fired it up. His lady friend. The term made him smile. She was definitely his lady friend.
But she was more than that. She was his friend, his lover, his…everything. He enjoyed spending time with her. When she wasn’t around, he missed her. It was fucking ridiculous.
He thought he might be full-tilt in love. Completely insane since he hardly knew her. Who fell in love after a week? No one did. And if they claimed they were in love, then everyone around them knew they’d lost their minds.
They had gotten to know each other though. They talked for hours, sharing little things about their lives. Old stories, new ones, tidbits about their respective families and the like. She was sweet and smart and sexy. She laughed easily and was serious when needed. Hot as fire in bed and up for just about anything.
Thinking about her now made him wish it was closer to five o’clock so he could surprise her at work by picking her up. Taking her back to her place where he’d strip her naked and push her down onto the bed. Rub their naked bodies together until their legs entwined and their breaths mingled. Kiss her pouty mouth, lick at her delectable tongue. Suck her nipples, suck her clit until he slammed his cock deep. Losing himself inside her for the rest of the night.
Forget dinner. Who needed to eat when you had sex with the most beautiful girl on the planet?
Yeah. Damn. He had it baaaad.
Determined more than ever, he went and said goodbye to his mom, then headed to the local mall. The most dreaded place in the entire world—at least to him. He was going to go inside, find some nice store, find a saleslady to help him and he was going to buy Mia a gift. A gift that meant business. A gift that would reflect his feelings toward her. Nothing too crazy but damn, he had to let her know what she was to him.
After an afternoon of shopping and with a package nestled in the front pocket of his worn out jeans, he went to her work, ready to pick her up. Something he’d never done before. He hadn’t even bothered calling. Thought he’d march right on in and find her. How hard could it be?
He entered the building and went to the perky receptionist who greeted everyone, letting her know he was looking for Mia. Awareness dawned in her eyes and she called who he assumed was Mia on the phone but she didn’t answer.
“I know she’s still up there,” the receptionist said as she hung up the phone and smiled at him. “I haven’t seen her leave yet. Surprising since she’s been leaving five o’clock on the dot all this week.”
Jake could barely contain his grin. The reason she didn’t stay late at work anymore was because of him. She’d confessed as much on Monday night when she stopped by his place breathless and eager at exactly twenty minutes after five. The minute he let her inside she’d launched herself at him. “Can I go up and see her?”
“I don’t see why not. Third floor, take the elevator and when it opens, go to your right and down the short hall. Last office on the right.”
“Thanks.” He winked at her, earning a little giggle for his trouble and he went to the elevator, eagerly pushing the button. Tapping his foot, he waited for the elevator to arrive and when it did, a stream of people disembarked. Many of them cast a curious glance in his direction as they passed.
Who knew he’d draw this much attention?
Once the elevator was empty he got on and pushed number three. Tapped his foot again as he rode up the elevator, hoping like hell he wasn’t making a wrong step by coming to pick her up. Would she be happy to see him? He’d already planned on telling her he’d drive her to work in the morning. He didn’t mind.
He’d do anything for her.
The elevator doors opened with a quiet swoosh and he exited. Caught sight of the maze of cubicles before him in the large open room. Most of them were abandoned since it was just past five and he followed the receptionist’s directions. Headed down the hall toward the last office on the right.
He stopped in stunned silence when he saw what was going on inside.
Mia struggled to get out of the seeming embrace of her jerk-off boss. The look of terror on her face struck at his heart and he barged inside without thinking.
“Jake,” she yelled when she caught sight of him. “Wait a—”
But he didn’t let her finish. He tore Larry with the wandering hands away from his girl and socked him straight in the mouth. Didn’t even pause to consider his actions.
Hell, he’d just punched Mia’s boss. What had he been thinking?
I wasn’t thinking.
Yeah, no shit.
Larry tumbled to the ground like the coward he was, holding up one hand as if to ward Jake off. The other hand cradled the side of his face, a moan of agonized pain emitting from him. “Keep your asshole boyfriend away from me.”
His hand was still clutched into a fist as he stared down at the jackass, his knuckles smarting from the direct contact with Larry’s smug face. Mia rushed to Jake and clutched his arm. He glanced down at her, saw the petrified expression on her face and he slipped his arm around her trembling shoulders to draw her close.
“You okay?”
She nodded, her eyes wide with worry. “You shouldn’t have done that.”
“What do you mean, I shouldn’t have done that? He had his hands all over you.”
“He’s my boss, Jake.”
“So that gives him the right to touch you like some sort of goddamn pervert?” He was yelling, he knew it but he didn’t care.
“Get out of here before I call security,” Larry mumbled from his spot on the floor. At least he sat up now. Didn’t cower like a pussy.
“Go ahead. I’ll tell them what I saw,” Jake challenged. Fury flowed through his veins, making him see red. He couldn’t believe the nerve of this asshole, threatening him. Acting like he was the one in the wrong with this situation.
“You didn’t see anything.” Larry stood, casting a piercing stare in Mia’s direction. She shrunk beneath Jake’s arm. “Neith
er of you did. If you know what’s best for you, you’ll both stick to that story.”
“Fuck you,” Jake snarled, leading Mia right the hell out of there. She struggled against his grip but he wouldn’t let go. Wasn’t about to leave her in there alone once again with her boss.
“You walk out that door, Mia, and you won’t have a job to come back to,” Larry threatened as they headed toward the door.
She stopped in her tracks, her head swiveling to first look up at Jake then back at Larry. “I—I don’t want to lose my job.”
“He’s an asshole, babe. Trust me, this’ll all work out in your favor,” Jake urged. The timing couldn’t be better regarding the accounting job at the construction business. He could arrange for her to have a job tomorrow, no problem.
“But…”
“You don’t want to lose your job do you, Mia?” Larry’s tone turned simpering and the sound of it made Jake want to puke.
“I’ll take care of you,” Jake promised, his voice low, solemn. “Trust me, Mia. I mean it.”
She looked between both men, the struggle clearly written all over her beautiful face. Terror clutched at Jake’s heart. He didn’t know if he’d be able to take it if she chose her job over him. He wanted her to trust him that he would make everything all right.
He needed her to trust him.
Chapter Seven
“Okay.” Mia swallowed hard, her gaze meeting Jake’s. The warmth she saw there, the emotion, it gave her the courage to finally leave Larry and her job, once and for all. “Let’s go, Jake.”
“You’ll regret this, Mia,” Larry yelled as they exited her office. “I can ruin you, you know. Make sure you won’t find another job. Come back here.”
“He’s such an asshole,” Jake muttered as he grabbed her hand, practically dragging her toward the elevator.
Thank goodness she’d grabbed her purse. She clutched it to her side, her fingers so tight her knuckles stretched white around the leather strap. She still couldn’t get over what happened. One minute, she’d been about to leave her office for the night and then Larry had pushed his way inside. Went right for her, his hands wandering all over her body, groping and squeezing so tightly it hurt. Hot, moist breath heavy in her ear as he whispered words, vulgar, revealing words that told her exactly everything he wanted to do to her. In stunningly graphic detail.
She shuddered, relief filling her when the elevator opened and revealed not a soul within. It had been such a close call with Larry. He’d never done anything like that to her before. Had never behaved in such an overt manner, ever. She swore he’d been drunk. She’d smelled alcohol on his breath.
That was the only explanation for his irrational behavior. Funny how it happened on the very day she received a lecture from her friends.
They’d been right. And she’d been wrong. Thank goodness Jake had showed up when he did. She wasn’t sure what she would’ve done. The entire floor had been virtually abandoned when it all happened. She could’ve screamed her fool head off and most likely no one would’ve heard her.
“Are you all right?” Jake asked, his voice soft, his gaze concerned.
The doors slid shut as she nodded, and he drew her into his arms. Held her close. The reassuring beat of his heart thumped close to her ear, and she turned her face into his chest, breathing deep. Absorbed his fresh, masculine scent.
“I’m so glad you came. Why are you here?” she asked, her voice muffled.
“I wanted to surprise you. Come by and pick you up.” He hugged her closer, so close she almost couldn’t breathe. But she didn’t mind.
He was reassurance. Safety. She clung to him as if he was her anchor and she was drowning. As if she didn’t want to let go.
“You’re shaking,” he whispered. A soothing hand slid up and down her back. “It’s okay. You’ll never have to deal with him again.”
She withdrew from him slightly, stared up into his face. “I—I probably shouldn’t have quit. It’s not like I have another job lined up.”
Jake’s lips tightened when the elevator doors slid open, indicating they were on the ground floor. They exited the elevator without a word, their hands clasped, fingers intertwined. Mia followed behind him as he led her out into the parking lot, not even protesting that she needed to drive her car home.
Her hands were too shaky, her thoughts too scattered to concentrate on driving. Thank goodness Jake was here. Taking care of her. Protecting her.
The drive back to her place was quiet though not uncomfortably so. He seemed preoccupied, and she couldn’t stop reliving the moment with Larry. What had triggered his attack? Why had he come out of nowhere and treated her in such a lecherous manner? She didn’t understand it.
Most likely, she would never understand it.
The moment they walked into her apartment she noticed Jake’s serious expression, the tension in his jaw, the darkness in his eyes. He looked furious. And she knew he wasn’t angry with her. It was all directed at Larry.
“Maybe I should ask if you’re okay,” she gently teased as she shut the door, and he went to her, enveloping her in his arms once more.
“Seeing him with his hands all over you and how helpless you looked…he’s damn lucky I didn’t rip him apart,” Jake admitted.
She should take offense at Jake calling her helpless. It should go against her feminist sensibilities. But she couldn’t find the gumption to get worked up over it and besides, she had felt extremely helpless, struggling to get out of Larry’s hold.
“It’s over,” Mia said, sliding her arms around him. He was so solid, so warm, so big. “And like you said, I’ll never have to deal with him again.”
Sadness filled her at the thought of not being able to see Morgan and Jenna on a day-to-day basis anymore. She’d have to call them as soon as she could. Knowing how that place worked, word of her encounter with Larry would be all over the building by 7:59 tomorrow morning.
Of course, for all she knew Larry would somehow find a way to keep everything quiet.
“I just wish I had a job,” she murmured, hanging her head. Nerves ate at her insides and she picked at the front of Jake’s shirt. Felt the warmth of his skin from beneath the fabric, easing her.
But only slightly.
“Hey.” Strong, firm fingers curved around her chin and lifted her face so she gazed up into his eyes. “What if I told you I could get you a job?”
Mia frowned. “What are you talking about?”
Excitement filled his expression, his fingers stroking along her jaw. “You can start tomorrow if you want.”
“Start where? Jake, what’s going on? You’re confusing me.”
He shook his head slightly. “Sorry. Jumping ahead of myself. The construction company I own with my dad, we need someone in the office to handle well…everything. I think it would be the perfect job for you. You’re so organized I know you’ll have us straightened out in a matter of days.”
Her heart constricted. Was this man too good to be true or what? “You’re offering me a job?”
Jake shrugged. “Well, my dad will be the one offering you the job since I leave that stuff up to him but yeah. If you want it.”
“I want it.” Maybe she shouldn’t sound so eager, but she was past caring. She needed the job. It was as if it had fallen into her lap.
All because of him.
“This means you’ll see me every day you know.” He frowned. Looked a little worried which she didn’t quite understand. “Do you mind? Can you handle it?”
“It sounds like a dream come true,” she answered truthfully. “Does this mean you’re actually going back to work?” He’d expressed some of his fears only a few nights ago. Worry over returning to work after such a traumatic injury. Would he be able to do it? Would he be able to bear it? They’d lain together after an exceptionally sweaty and delicious bout of sex, curled around each other, whispering in the dark. She’d found his vulnerability endearingly sweet.
Even sweeter? That he trusted h
er enough to confess such fears. Whispered in her ear his worries, nodded his head in agreement when she reassured him.
The memory made her heart constrict with emotion for him. Emotion she was almost afraid to express.
It was just so soon. And so incredibly overwhelming, she wasn’t quite sure what to do about it.
He smiled, tenderness and hope shining in his eyes. “If you say yes to this job offer you’ve given me more than enough reason to return to work.”
“Then yes. I’ll take it.” I’ll take you.
I think I love you.
They moved closer together, bodies shifting, heads tipping and lifting until their mouths melted into each others. Their lips parted, tongues danced and warmth cascaded through her body as his hands wandered all over her.
“You probably think I’m moving too fast.” His husky whisper sounded in her ear, his hot breath blowing across her skin and she shivered.
“I think we’re in mutual agreement here,” she admitted, curling her arms tight around his neck. Her hands sunk into his hair at his nape, fingers tangling in the soft strands. She imagined touching this man every single night for the rest of her life and it just seemed so right.
“My father might drive you crazy.” He paused and dropped hot little kisses down the length of her neck. “I might drive you crazy.”
“Never.” She didn’t doubt they would. But she didn’t mind. It would be worth it.
Jake lifted his head and stared at her, eyes bright, lips damp and swollen. “You feel it too, huh?”
She nodded slowly as she withdrew from him, her hand catching his. Without a word she led him back to her darkened bedroom then tugged him close when they stopped at the foot of her bed. They removed their clothes quickly, naked in seconds and then she was falling. Falling onto the bed, his big, hard body lying on top of hers, pressing her into the mattress. She accepted his weight, reveled in it. Her hands slid down his back to stroke his firm ass, pulling him close so that his erection ground against her.
Their agonized groans mingled in the air.
“You’re driving me crazy right now,” she murmured just after he kissed the very breath from her.
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