Breathless

by Maria Luis

  Her arms retreat from the sleeves, and the feathers slump down around her waist.

  God, she’s beautiful. Her skin is flushed pink from heat and sweat, and her thin tank top does nothing to hide the dusky hue of her nipples.

  “I missed you,” she whispers, letting me take in my fill. “But what I missed most was you stripping me naked—”

  My mouth is as dry as the Sahara when I growl, “You’re almost there. Unlock me and I’ll finish the rest.”

  A little smile answers me. “I could, but that’s not all I meant. I mean that I love when you strip me naked emotionally, Jake. When you strip down my walls and my defenses. When you force me to face my fear of commitment and, yes, admitting to love. When you read me so well, instinctively knowing that I need space even when that is the last thing you want to happen.”

  Fuck, this woman has my heart in a vice of her own making.

  I love every single moment of it.

  “Claire,” I begin, not at all surprised when she darts forward to press a quick, innocent kiss to my lips. “All right, I’ll let you finish.”

  Gratitude warms her expression before slipping away to be replaced by a nervous bite-down on her lower lip. “That was the end of my written speech,” she mutters almost forlornly.

  Cute as she is when she’s nervous, I want to rid her of the worry lines and the fear. “Give it to me raw, baby.”

  “That’s what she said?”

  I laugh, and this time I don’t stop myself from cupping her face as best as I can, and bringing her to me for a deep kiss that speaks to my soul and her soul touching, coming together. “Tell me,” I urge her again.

  So, she does, her voice hesitant at first. “I’m not going to pretend that I liked you when we first met, Jake. That’d be a lie—I didn’t like you. But I did want the taste of you, though I worried one taste would never be enough.” Her lips curl in a small smile. “You drove me insane, and I ran. I ran because secretly I knew that if I let you too close, if I let you have that one taste, I’d never have the strength to leave.”

  A tear slips down over the crest of her cheek and I absorb it with the pad of my thumb.

  “I was right about that, you know. It’s probably a good thing that you were the one to walk out the other day because I wouldn’t have the strength to do that, and you were right about that—I needed space to think.”

  Hearing that I was right doesn’t make me feel victorious in any way. Not when I had to spend the last eleven days wondering if I’d ever hear from her again. Not when I had all the time in the world to think about how amazing she’d felt in my arms, and that I might never have the chance to do so again.

  I suck in a deep breath, realizing that for the first time in my life . . . I’m nervous. Max and Dev would have a field day if they knew I was on the verge of begging Claire to love me. “Have you thought about it enough? About us?”

  “Yes.”

  Three little letters but they aren’t the three little words I want to hear.

  “And?”

  “Tell me what you said the other day,” she says, slipping her fingers over my nose and brushing them across my lips. “I want to hear exactly what you said, especially the part about me being yours.”

  Bossy, as always. “Pretty sure that’s not the way this goes.”

  She taps my bondage. “I’m not the one who’s locked up right now.”

  “Take off your chicken suit. Those are my terms.”

  Her silky, honey-colored hair is tossed back over one shoulder as she lifts her hips off the seat and shoves the suit down to her feet. She’s wearing nondescript sweatpants.

  Claire Emory Galway is the hottest woman I’ve ever seen.

  I lean in close, nuzzling her neck with my nose. “I’ve been waiting to see what you’ve been hiding under that suit for weeks now.”

  She chuckles and then curls one hand around the back of my neck, her fingers slipping up into my hair. “I’m sorry that I’m not naked.”

  “We can change that later,” I murmur, letting her take more of my weight until I’m on top of her, my handcuffed wrists resting above her head. “For right now, I’ve got something important to tell you.”

  “Tell me.” She says this with an upward thrust of her hips, and a kiss to the underside of my chin. “And never stop telling me.”

  Who am I to tell her no? I can’t, not now, not tomorrow, not for the rest of our lives. “You’re mine, Claire Emory Galway.” She jerks under my body, but doesn’t tell me to stop. “I love you with everything that I am, and I plan to keep telling you that until you realize that I’m never letting you go.”

  And then Claire, a woman who has experienced such pain, such sorrow, tells me the three little words I’ve been dying to hear.

  “I love you, Jake. At this point, I don’t care if you want to leave, you’re stuck with me now, furry handcuffs and all. I love you, I love you, I love you, and I never thought it’d feel so good to say that, but obviously I was wrong and you were right, and I flipping adore you.”

  Is it possible for a heart to punch out of a chest, it’s pounding so hard? Maybe. Probably not. But it fucking feels that way as I lower my head and graze my lips over Claire’s. The kiss is sweet, at first, but my Claire is needy in the bedroom and the kiss quickly burns up. Her hands skim my back, diving under my shirt, raking her nails up my spine.

  I drive my hard-on against the softest part of her, swallowing her gasp and feeding her passion in return.

  Everything. Everything I’ve ever wanted in life is in this car, and I don’t know what I did to deserve it but I sure as hell am not complaining that—

  “Hey!”

  At the fist banging on the window, I jerk my gaze up to see Max glowering on the other side. Claire’s head kicks back so she can stare at my partner upside down.

  “He seems pissed,” she says, still rubbing my back.

  “Seems that way,” I concur, already dropping my lips down to hers again.

  The pounding grows in fury. “No!” Max shouts, his voice coming at us like an echo, “No sex in the car, you asshole! That was not part of the bargain. Do you hear me?! Do NOT have sex in my fucking car!”

  “Bargain?” The back-rub stops as Claire meets my gaze. “What bargain?”

  Fuck. “Well . . .”

  “Jake,” she says slowly, “what bargain?”

  I shift on top of her uncomfortably. Doesn’t help that I’m way too big for this car. “I may have convinced Max and Devin to lure you into this car to talk with me. Maybe.”

  Her brow lifts. “And the handcuffs?”

  “Part of the bargain. Their terms.”

  “I’m never going to let you live this down,” she sniffs, but a smile is already teasing her lips. “Just so you know.”

  “I’d never expect anything different.”

  “Should we put on a show?”

  I kiss her chin, her nose, the corner of her mouth. “What,” I say, my voice husky even to my own ears, “you going to put your actress skills to work?”

  Her fingers sink into my hair and pull me down. “When it comes to you, Mr. Matthews, I never have to act.”

  Fuck, I love her. “Good, but I’m going to need you to moan real loud for me in five seconds. Porn star quality, please, baby.”

  “Be glad I love you,” Claire huffs, but she does exactly as I say, moaning so theatrically that my cock twitches in my pants.

  But more importantly, it sends Max into a tailspin.

  “No!” he shouts, “No, no, no! My car is innocent, you fucker. Do you hear me? Innocent. Don’t you dare put your dick anywhere—”

  I hear him fumbling for the door, cursing, and then I realize Claire is laughing hysterically below me.

  “What?” I ask, nudging her with my hips. “What’s so funny?”

  “Reach into my bra.”

  My cock salutes to that. “You know, we do have company, baby . . .” At her narrowed gaze, I comply eagerly, dipping my fingers behin
d her thin tank top and even thinner bra, only to realize that when I hit cold metal . . . “How the hell did you manage to steal his keys?”

  She pecks me on the lips. “When Max threw me over his shoulder. Now, where were we? I believe I was moaning like a porn star . . .”

  I stare down at her, this woman I don’t deserve but never plan to let go. “I fucking love you, Claire Emory Galway.”

  She offers me a secret smile that’s only for me. “I know. I love you, too, Jake Matthews.”

  And, then, to the symphony of Max freaking out, I kiss the woman I plan to keep as mine for the rest of my life. I’ll be damned, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be ninety and she’ll still leave me breathless.

  Epilogue

  Seven months later

  A series of text messages…

  Claire: Babe, babe! OMG, you are NEVER GOING TO BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED.

  Jake: Devin tricked us into another double date. ← I’m serious. If he does this again, I’m shanking the bastard, friendship be damned.

  Claire: ….

  Claire: ………

  Claire: He just wants love!!!

  Jake: No, he’s all about the sex. He’s just run off another secretary. What about Darci? You think she’d work for us? She’d never be idiot enough to sleep with him.

  Claire: …..

  Jake: No. Tell me she didn’t give in and have sex with him.

  Claire: I mean, I don’t really know...It’s iffy. She hates him so much that I wouldn’t be surprised if they got it on. Their chemistry is combustible.

  Jake: No, *we* combust. Regularly. As in, the moment you come home tonight, I plan to strip off your clothes at the front door.

  Claire: Is that so? :)

  Jake: Yup. I’ve got a surprise waiting for you (food related, your favorite). But I plan to take care of my girl before and after dinner. You come first, always ;)

  Claire: Hmmm……...and how, exactly, do you plan to make me come first? Since we’re on the topic and all….

  Jake: ….

  Jake: I’d start with your lips. Kiss them. Nibble on them. Then, you know, I’d work my way down your body. Stopping at your breasts.

  Claire: What would you do to them?

  Jake: Lick them? I mean, lick them. No question about it. I’d lick them, suckling on them, put my hand between your legs.

  Claire: Interesting…

  Claire: So you want to know what happened????

  Jake: ….

  Jake: Sure….

  Claire: Remember that note you sent me, inviting me to the gala? Before we first got together?

  Jake: Ah….no? Is this a trick question? Should I be preparing the couch?

  Claire: Hold on.

  Claire: This note. Picture of the note is attached.

  Claire (words on note): When you bite into a cherry, just know that I’m imagining the same. Your legs over my shoulders. My mouth tasting your sweet heat. Your fingers tugging at my hair. I want you, Claire. But you already know that, don’t you?

  Jake: You know, I suddenly remember this card. Very clearly. Yup. Absolutely. I love you, babe.

  Claire: I know Devin wrote the card, Jake. I just saw him and Max at the park while I was walking Thumper. He managed to wrangle his leash around my legs, and my purse fell. Devin picked up my purse and the card fell out … don’t think I’ve ever seen him laugh so hard.

  Jake: If it helps, I had no idea that he’d switched out my card for his until you and I spoke on the phone that day. Also, Thumper destroyed all his new toys. I’m pretty sure that dog has a vendetta against anything that has a squeaker.

  Claire: He’s a puppy. Puppies kill things with squeakers.

  Jake: Are you two almost home?

  Claire: Coming up the stairs now. Jake?

  Jake: Yeah, babe?

  Claire: Devin writing the card *so* explains why you suck at sexting.

  Jake: Hey! I do my best. Not all of us can be screenwriters for new hit TV shows, babe. I leave the writing up to you … and Devin.

  Claire: I just want to say … I’m so glad that you’re a king at dirty-talking in the bedroom.

  Jake: Anything else?

  Claire: Thumper and I are excited to see you!!

  Jake: Mhmmm...anything else?

  Claire: I’m outside the door.

  Jake: Yeah?

  Claire: ...yes.

  Jake: Anyone out there with you?

  Claire: No, I don’t think so.

  Jake: Good. Devin already let me know that he saw the card, so I took it upon myself to stop by and pick up some cherries. They’re sitting on the kitchen table, along with that cheesecake you like so much. But before I let you enjoy the dessert, I plan to do exactly as that card said. Your legs over my shoulders, my lips tasting your sweet heat, your fingers tugging at my hair.

  Jake: Unleash Thumper, baby, and let him inside. I’ll be in the bedroom. Get naked and come meet me. Five minutes.

  Claire: ...Are you naked?

  Jake: (media file sent)

  Claire: Oh. *blushing emoji* *kissing emoji* *fire emoji* I take it back.

  Jake: ?

  Claire: You not knowing how to sext. You do it quite well.

  Jake: I’m a man of many talents, including dick pics, apparently. I’ll leave the words to the writers.

  Claire: (media file sent)

  Jake: Jesus Christ, Claire.

  Claire: You don’t like it?

  Jake: oiuerotueououort

  Claire: What was that?

  Claire: (media file sent)

  Jake: Don’t move, Claire. Don’t you fucking move. Those cherries are mine, and I plan to eat them off of you.

  Claire: (media file sent)

  Jake: Fuuckkkkk. Did you have to put it there???

  Jake: Claire, why the fuck is the bedroom door locked from the outside?

  Jake: CLAIRE.

  Claire: (media file sent)

  Claire: (media file sent)

  Claire: (media file sent)

  Jake: I’m fucking dead. Stop sending videos of you doing that. I’m sorry that I never I told you that I didn’t write the card. Let me out because if I’m not inside you in two fucking minutes there’s a good chance I’m going to die from blue balls.

  Claire: (media file sent)

  Jake: I just came. Your loss.

  Claire: You didn’t come.

  Jake: You’re right. I didn’t. Because I plan to do the dirtiest things to you tonight, and you’re going to love every single second.

  Claire: Door’s unlocked.

  Jake: Thank fucking God.

  Claire: Jake?

  Jake: Yeah, baby?

  Claire: I don’t know what I did to deserve you—my best friend, lover, and husband all wrapped up into one—but I am so thankful to have you in my life and at my side.

  Jake: I love you, too, Claire Emory Galway Holloway Matthews. And I’m never going anywhere.

  Claire: Good. Now come eat these cherries.

  Jake: Yes, ma’am ;)

  a Love Serial, Book 2 has now begun!

  Did you love BREATHLESS? If your answer is yes – and I hope that it is – you’re in luck! The second season of my Love Serials has now officially begun on my website, and the voting poll is open.

  Plus, you may recognize the hero and heroine . . .

  Devin and Darci are waiting for you to tear up their lives and cause all sorts of mayhem ;)

  Follow this link to begin reading chapter one.

  I’d love to hear what you thought about Breathless! If you have a few moments to leave a review, it would make my day. Send me a link at maria@marialuis.org, and I’ll thank you with a personal note. Thank you so much for taking a chance on Jake & Claire!

  The Original Voting Polls

  Underlines signify the top choice/ a tie in the votes)

  Chapter One:

  Time to meet the hot and sexy Jake!!

  I don’t care how you give him to me, but I want more of Stephen!

 
Claire runs into someone unexpected.

  I don’t know why I’m still here but I’m interested to see how this turns out. Count this as a vote please!

  Chapter Two:

  Claire chases Jake down before he can get into his car.

  Claire meets someone unexpected…a blast from Jake’s past.

  I want to know what in the h*** Jake is thinking right now – like RIGHT NOW. Make it happen, Maria.

  I’m ready to see Claire in the chicken suit again, Maria.

  I don’t really care, but I want to see what happens anyway!

  Chapter Three:

  Time for Jake to approach Claire about this gala shindig – let the hilarity commence!

  Um, NO, Claire will not be going to this gala thing. Tell them, Jake, tell them.

  Jake suggests that they find Carl another date.

  I don’t really care what happens, but here’s my vote!

  Max & Devin need to track down Claire about this gala. Oh god.

  Chapter Four:

  OMG, make Claire put Jake in his place. Who does she think he is, deciding what she can and cannot do??

  Maria, the chemistry between Claire and Jake is H-O-T. You know what to do. Make it happen.

  Max & Devin make things awkward and continue their matchmaking tendencies.

  I don’t really care, but here’s my vote for next week.

  Chapter Five:

  Something happens to Claire so that she has no choice but to take up his offer.

  Screw the gala – our Claire is too good for all that mess.

  It’s time for Jake to do some real wooing. For real. If he really wants her at that gala, then something needs to be done.

  Surprise me! I’m just going along for the ride and don’t care what the vote is. Is it next Tuesday yet?

  Chapter Six:

  Get us to the gala NOW, Maria. Did you hear me? NOW, Maria!!!

  Devin & Max play fairy godmothers for Claire (bwahaha) ;-)