“I know you work with your hands,” Emily said, “but I had no idea you were so talented. Dr. Mitchell showed me the piece you did for him and his husband. It’s beautiful.”
The sincerity in her voice was unmistakable.
Jake opened his eyes and smiled. “You’re very kind.” To his surprise, Emily put down her glass, reached across, and took his hand in hers. She regarded it in silence, her fingers stroking his in an intimate gesture that sent a flush of heat through him. Then she met his gaze.
“You have strong hands. I’ve watched you working with timber, and you make it look so easy. Yet these same hands can make something so delicate as that carving.” Her eyes shone. “I always admire creativity.” She released his hand, and Jake felt a pang of regret.
“You have to be a creative person to run an interior design company. Jane used to tell me about your projects. She was so proud of your accomplishments.” He gazed at his surroundings, smiling when he caught sight of a sack covering a large object. “Creativity seems to run in your family, although I suppose strictly speaking, Clare wasn’t a blood relative.”
Emily followed his gaze and her face lit up. “Ah. Clare’s pottery wheel. I used to watch her in here so often.”
Jake couldn’t resist. “Have you ever thrown a pot?”
Emily laughed. “I have attempted to make the odd pot now and then. Clare tried to teach me.” She cleared her throat. “Thankfully, she destroyed the evidence.” Emily tilted her head to one side. “Why did you ask? Would you like to try it for yourself, is that it?”
Jake grinned. “Hmm. Let me see. Digging my fingers into damp, moist clay. Sounds… sexy.”
Emily laughed again. “Sounds too much like Ghost to me.” On an impulse, Jake started humming Unchained Melody, and her laughter rang out, as true as a bell. “You stop that!”
Jake was captivated. “You’re beautiful when you laugh. You need to laugh more.” Her cheeks flushed, and it was an adorable reaction. “Why, Emily, are you blushing?”
“I don’t blush,” she retorted. “And it’s probably due to the wine.” Her eyes sparkled, and her breathing sped up a little. “Maybe.”
He couldn’t stop himself. Jake reached out and cupped her cheek. “Your skin is warm and soft.” Emily closed her eyes and leaned into his touch, and in that instant, Jake knew she wanted this as much as he did. “So beautiful,” he whispered.
Emily opened her eyes and locked gazes with him. “Jake Matthews, why don’t you stop talking and kiss me?”
The heat in that steady glance was enough to set his heart racing. “Far be it from me to ignore an instruction.” He put down his glass, leaned over, and kissed her on the lips, softly at first, then more firmly when she cupped his nape and deepened the kiss. Jake stroked her hair, tasting her for the first time, inhaling her fragrance, breathing her in. Her hand moved to his back, stroking him, her touch not hesitant but assured, confident. Her fingers traced the line of his neck, and he had to respond, breaking the kiss to press his lips against her throat, moving lower to the soft hollow at the base of her neck.
Emily placed her hand flat against his chest, and he stopped, his heart pounding. Her eyes met his, her lips parted, her breathing quickened. “Let’s continue this somewhere more comfortable.” Slowly she rose to her feet, her hand extended. Jake took it, and she tugged him toward the wooden open staircase that let up to her bed. He followed her up, his heartbeat rapid, his pulse racing.
He prayed this wasn’t a dream that was about to come to an abrupt and disappointing end.
Emily led Jake up the staircase, exuding a calm she didn’t possess. Her heart was pounding, and it took all her effort to maintain her composure. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this aroused, certainly enough to consider inviting a guy to her bed. But this was Jake, and she’d fought her attraction to him for long enough.
A glance at her bed made her thankful she’d put on clean sheets that morning, but then all such thoughts were driven from her mind when Jake leaned in to kiss her neck, his fingers nimbly unbuttoning her blouse, seemingly in no hurry.
Emily had other ideas.
She tugged him down onto the bed, rolling until she was astride him, gazing down at him. “That’s it, right where I want you.”
Jake laughed. “Why doesn’t that surprise me about you?” His breathing hitched as she rocked slowly on him. “Okay. Less talk.”
Emily was all for that plan.
Hands worked swiftly, stripping away the layers of clothing until bare skin was finally revealed. Emily shivered to feel Jake’s lips on her body as he discovered her, worshipping her with fingers and tongue. She skimmed over his warm flesh, leaving a trail of kisses, both of them moving together on the crisp cotton sheets, heat blossoming between them. Emily traced his firm muscles with her fingertips, lost in her own voyage of discovery. The rasp of his cheek against her skin as they kissed, the spicy scent that clung to him, heady and powerful, the ripple of muscles beneath skin as he stretched and rolled with her….
It had been far too long since she’d reveled in such sensual pleasures.
Jake explored her with gentle fingers, making her quiver in anticipation. “God, the way you feel,” he whispered. “Need to be inside you.”
Her heart stuttered at his words, her own need growing more urgent. “I’m not stopping you.” Emily trailed her fingers over hot, stony flesh, noting how he shivered. “Please, Jake.”
Jake nodded. “Take what you need, beautiful. Whatever you need. It’s yours. I’m yours.” He paused. “Just have to ask though… is this okay? Do we need to—”
Emily covered his lips with a single finger. “No, we don’t. Trust me, I’ve got this covered.” Then she glanced down and smirked. “Or not, as the case may be.” She met his gaze. “We’re fine, Jake. Honest. Now… where were we?”
She sought his lips with an eagerness barely held in check, need surging through her until she could contain it no longer. She sat astride him, and guided him into her, his hands gentle on her waist, stroking higher, caressing her with a light touch that made her skin tingle.
Jake’s gaze locked on hers, his pupils so large and dark, the pale blue almost obliterated. He reached for her hands, lacing their fingers, and then he began to move, the motion fluid and leisurely, the first steps of a dance they were both learning.
Emily slowly brought his hands to her breasts, nodding as she too began to move, rolling her hips to a gentle rhythm only she and Jake could hear and feel. And when he pulled her down toward him, his mouth seeking her flesh, Emily pushed out a soft sigh of pleasure that came from deep inside her.
“God, yes. Like that,” she whispered, weaving her fingers through his hair. She rocked a little faster, Jake’s lips fusing with hers in a fierce kiss, his hands stroking her back, her waist, her hips, never losing that connection. They moved as one, both pliant, both yielding. A guttural cry tumbled from her as Jake thrust up into her, again and again, until at last she shattered, pushed over the edge into sensual oblivion. He clung to her as she rode out the waves of pleasure, kissing her mouth and neck, his touch light and soft as the whisper of silk against her skin.
Jake cupped her cheek. “I’m not finished yet. And I don’t think you are, either.” And with that, he eased her onto her back. She cried out as he entered her, plunging inside her, and she gripped his shoulders, anchoring herself to him as they rocked together. His mouth was on her neck, her breast, her lips, while he drove into her. Emily yielded to his passionate onslaught, her body once again on fire as they danced closer and closer to the edge. And when a shudder rippled through him, his face buried in her neck, Emily broke again, holding tightly onto him until she was left trembling in his arms.
They lay together, kissing, caressing, stroking, until Emily’s heart resumed its normal rhythm, and Jake’s breathing was once again slow and even.
Emily raised her chin and gazed at him. “Tell me you don’t have something urgent to do this evenin
g.”
Jake’s smile sent warmth spreading through her in a slow tide. “I don’t have anywhere to be, but here.”
She smiled and sank back onto the bed. “Right answer.”
He chuckled against her neck. “I told you, I’m good at following instructions.”
Emily shivered as he traced the line of her neck with his lips. “I may have to test that later, you know. Just for my own satisfaction.”
Jake’s breath tickled her. “Oh, I wouldn’t want you to be unsatisfied.”
“That sounds—” Whatever else she’d intended saying was lost when Jake took her mouth in a tender kiss. He paused to take a breath, and gazed at her, his eyes sparkling.
“Less talk, remember?”
Emily closed her eyes, losing herself in the feel of Jake’s lips on hers, Jake’s firm, warm body against hers.
Talk was definitely overrated.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The cockerel from Ted Pelshaw’s garden woke Emily as usual. She stirred, warm and cozy beneath the sheets. Then it struck her that she was warmer than usual. That might have had something to do with the handsome man who lay beside her, fast asleep, his breathing regular.
She leaned on one arm, smiling as she gazed down at him. Emily knew Jake to be a considerate, generous man: it had been a delightful surprise to discover these traits extended to the bedroom. Even more amazing had been the connection between them. She’d lost count of the number of occasions where a guy with the potential to be more than a one-night stand, turned out to be focused only on his own needs and desires. Not once had she felt that with Jake, and it made for a refreshing change.
Let’s face it. He keeps surprising me at every turn.
An idea occurred to her. Emily eased herself carefully out of bed, doing her best not to wake him. She reached for her robe, but then she caught sight of the white shirt Jake had dropped to the floor. Emily smiled to herself. Well, that’s something I’ve never done before. On impulse, she picked it up and put it on, before creeping around the bed and down the stairs.
The least she could do was wake him up with a cup of coffee. Not that coffee was the only thing Emily had in mind…
Down, girl. Except that wasn’t going to work. Right then, she had every intention of taking advantage of the fact that it was Saturday morning, he was still in her bed, and…
In spite of the cool April morning air, heat trickled over her skin, making it tingle.
She waited for the kettle to boil, smiling to herself. Emily loved that morning-after feeling, when a glow still lingered from the previous night. Finally getting to see what Jake hid beneath his overalls had been worth the wait: he was gorgeous, all tanned skin and toned muscle, exuding a confidence that was very attractive.
Intelligent, creative, handsome… The only thing Emily didn’t understand was why Jake was single.
The coffee made, she carried the two mugs up the stairs. Through the open window below came birdsong, and the happy sound added to her already light heart. As the bed came into view, she was conscious of Jake’s gaze. He lay on his side, head resting in his hand, his eyes bright, his hair tousled.
“You look good in that.”
She glanced down at his shirt and smiled. “Am I being terribly clichéd wearing it? I’ve never seen the attraction before of wearing a man’s shirt, but now that I’ve got it on, I have to admit, it’s kind of…”
“Sexy?” Jake suggested. “Because I have to tell you, God, woman, you are sexy as hell in it.”
She flushed. It seemed acting on impulse was sometimes the best option.
Emily placed the mugs on the little cabinet beside the bed, then walked slowly to the foot of the bed. “I was just thinking about that line in Polish that you came out with. I’ve wondered since that day why you’d need such a phrase.”
“I was working in Poland. I got a plumber there to teach me a few lines.” Jake grinned. “It pays to be prepared for any eventuality.”
“And did you get to try out your linguistic skills?”
He let out an exaggerated sigh. “Alas, no.” He took a sip of coffee, then gazed at her with shining eyes. “And what are you doing all the way over there?”
Emily climbed onto the bed and knelt there. “I was also wondering about that shower you put in for me downstairs.” She’d been thinking about that since she’d got out of bed.
Jake arched his eyebrows. “What exactly were you wondering?”
“Whether it’s big enough for two.” She undid the top two buttons of the shirt, slowly, her gaze fixed on his face, her pulse quickening.
“Hmm. Maybe we should find out.” Jake pushed back the sheets, and Emily had to fight the urge to lower her gaze. Then she reasoned that this was no time to be coy, especially since it became obvious that Jake definitely liked that idea.
She looked him up and down. “As a matter of interest, did you learn to say any other useful phrases in Polish?”
“Just one.” Jake crawled toward her, smiling. “Chcę się z tobą kochać.”
“And what does that mean?”
He reached her, gently moved her hands aside, and continued unbuttoning her shirt. Jake leaned forward and brushed his lips over her ear, making her shiver. “I want to make love to you,” he whispered as he slipped the shirt from her shoulders and kissed her there.
Emily looped her arms around his neck. “I think before we take a shower, we need to get a little dirtier.”
Jake’s eyes gleamed. “How much dirtier were you thinking?”
She kissed him leisurely on the lips, then pulled back to look him in the eye. “As dirty as we want.” Then she forgot about showers and coffee and birdsong, her world narrowing to Jake’s mouth, his tongue, his fingers, his heat….
Coffee could wait.
As Emily glanced around the interior of his cottage, Jake wondered for the umpteenth time why he’d had suggested bringing her there in the first place. It was almost—but not quite—as corny as ‘Come and see my etchings.’ He’d only come up with the idea because when he mentioned his workshop behind the house, Emily had expressed an interest in seeing it.
Not that Jake minded spending more time with her. Not in the slightest.
Emily had been a revelation.
“This is a sweet little house,” she commented.
Jake snickered. “Little being the operative word. But that’s okay. There’s just me.”
She regarded him steadily, her head tilted to one side. “And that does surprise me.”
“What—you think I should have been snapped up by now?” he asked with a smile.
Emily grinned. “Yes. You’re a man of many… talents.” Before he could work out how on earth to reply to such a comment, she continued, “And speaking of talent, I want to see this workshop of yours.”
“Then follow me.” Jake led the way through the house to the back door, where a path passed through the tiny garden to the large workshop that took up most of the space.
“Did this come with the house?”
Jake shook his head. “I built it, not long after I bought the cottage, which was about ten years ago. Before that, I’d been living with Dad, after I finished college.” He unlocked the wide door and pushed it open to allow her entry.
“How did you come to be in Fairdown?”
Jake smiled. “Would you believe I first came here as a kid? Mum and Dad were doing a tour of the Cotswolds. I was eleven at the time, and Taylor was still in his pushchair. Anyway, they made a stop in Fairdown, and really liked it. We lived in Wiltshire at the time.” He paused as Emily walked slowly past his work bench, running her hand along the smooth wooden surface. That didn’t surprise him. One thing he’d learned the previous night—and that morning—was the Emily was a very tactile woman.
“Jake?”
He blinked. Emily was staring at him, amusement dancing in her eyes. “Sorry. I must have zoned out a little.”
She smirked. “I’d ask where your mind was, but I think I
already know the answer.” Something else danced in those deep brown eyes, and Jake had to fight hard to keep his mind on the present. “You were saying you lived in Wiltshire.”
He nodded. “That was where Dad taught me his trade. In 2002, he took over a carpentry business in Fairdown. I’d finished art school by then, and he asked me to work with him. Simon was at university, studying music, and Taylor was in high school. Five years later I set up my own business designing and building barns.” His chest tightened. “That also happened to be the year Mum died.”
Emily stilled. “I’m sorry.”
Jake shrugged. “She’s been gone ten years, but the number of times I go to Dad’s, expecting to see her there… Of course, the way his Alzheimer’s is progressing, there are days when he doesn’t realize she’s gone.”
“That must be hard.” Emily cleared her throat. “Can I see some of your work? The barns, I mean?”
“Sure.” Grateful for the change in subject, Jake walked over to the wall and reached up to the high shelf. He pulled down an album and handed it to her. “I take photos of all the barns I build. It’s not like seeing it up close, but it gives you an idea of what can be achieved.”
Emily leafed through the album, studying the photos carefully. “As I said before—definitely a man of many talents.”
“Is this the point where I mention how much I admire your talent?” When Emily jerked her head up and stared at him, Jake smiled. “What—you think I didn’t check out some of your projects when you took on Jane’s house? Forgive me—your house now. But yeah, I looked you up. And as for what you’re doing with the farmhouse, I think it’s wonderful.” His heartbeat sped up. Go on, say it. Say it. “If a little… shortsighted.”
She blinked several times, then recovered. “Excuse me?”
Pulled by a Dream Page 18