by Sara Orwig
He smiled. “Go with me again tomorrow night.”
“Let’s eat at home. We have everything we could want here.”
“Good idea. I’ll grill whatever you’d like—steaks, chicken, fish, shrimp.”
He parked at the back entrance, coming around to open her door. He took her arm and walked with her in silence to the house. When he stopped to switch off the alarm, she hurried ahead.
“Night, Jake,” she called over her shoulder.
She heard his footsteps, and then his hand closed on her arm. “Em,” he said as he turned her around.
One look in his stormy gray eyes and her heart thudded. The moment was electric. Lightning might as well have been streaking the room and she could practically hear thunder booming. She couldn’t breathe.
His gaze lowered to her mouth. “You’ve tormented me with hot images all evening long. You look good enough to eat,” he said, combing pins out of her hair and sending them flying. Her pulse was pounding, roaring in her ears, and she couldn’t conjure up a protest.
“Dammit, you asked to be kissed!” he said. His mouth covered hers, hard, his tongue sliding into her mouth possessively as he wrapped a strong arm around her waist and pulled her up against him.
She couldn’t stop him. He leaned over her, his arm holding her, his other hand sliding slowly down her back, down over her bottom and the back of her thigh. He turned slightly and his hand drifted over her breast, rubbing her nipple.
Clinging to him, she moaned. She had to stop him soon, but she wanted his kisses desperately. He was aroused, enticing, irresistible. And the worst person for her to become intimate with. If she did, all was lost.
Her negative thoughts were fleeting, dim and fuzzy. They nagged at her as she returned his kisses passionately. She clung to him and knew she was building fires she couldn’t control.
She pushed against his chest lightly and then with more force.
He released her slightly and they both gasped for breath. “It isn’t fair you can do this to me,” she whispered.
“What isn’t fair is the way you’ve teased and flirted all evening. You’re not walking away from that. Not yet,” he said, dipping his head for another long, passionate kiss that was even more scalding than before.
This time when she pushed against his chest, she twisted out of his arms. “You have to stop, Jake! I’m not going to let you seduce me. I’ve flirted, but you’re the one who asked me to dinner. You don’t have to take me out. But if you do, you know what our agreement is. I’m not going to bed with you!” she flung at him, her fists clenched, fighting the desire threatening to consume her. His black hair fell over his forehead as he fought for breath. His partially unbuttoned shirt tempted her. She wanted to yank it off him and feel his bare chest against her bare skin.
With a cry she turned and rushed to the back of the house to put some distance between them.
To her relief, he didn’t follow her. She closed the door to a downstairs bedroom and leaned against it. She sizzled with wanting Jake. His kisses were fantastic and she wanted to make love with him all night long. She rubbed her forehead and knew she was going to have to go back to avoiding him. She couldn’t flirt and spend time with him without needing him more than ever.
She didn’t want to see him again tonight and so took the long way back to her room. The door to his bedroom stood open and the room was dark, so Jake was obviously elsewhere. She rushed to her room and closed the door. Sleep wouldn’t come for hours.
She was still on fire with wanting him. Six months from now would she be able to walk out of this life and leave Jake? He had charmed her tonight, almost kissed her into submission, made her want him with all her being. She thought about Hubert Braden’s letter and Jake’s deception, how enraged she’d been. She dredged up that anger and pulled it around her like a tattered coat in a blizzard.
She stripped down and showered, staying under the spray a long time, wishing she could wash away memories.
Afterward she dried herself, pulled on silk pajamas and wrapped herself in a thick terry robe. She climbed into bed and turned on a movie she never saw. Since he’d invited her family for dinner, Saturday night, she’d have to play the devoted wife. But she wasn’t going out to dinner with Jake again this week. If she did, she might not be able to resist falling into his bed.
Saturday she vowed she would occupy herself with her family and keep Jake at a distance. Six months was an eternity. She wondered whether she’d make it through the weekend without succumbing to him.
Nine
J ake had hired caterers, so there was little for Emily to do on Saturday. She spent the afternoon getting ready and with each minute that passed, her tension and anticipation mounted. She hadn’t been able to shake the desire for Jake that had consumed her since Thursday evening. She had avoided him, but not seeing him hadn’t put out the fires he’d started.
She was ready too early, studying herself critically. She wore jeans and a beige knit shirt and had tied her hair back with a silk scarf. Surveying herself in the mirror, she thought she was plainly dressed. She didn’t want to look too enticing to Jake.
A knock on her door startled her and she whirled around, knowing it was Jake. She was tempted to not even answer. “Come in,” she said at last.
He opened the door and was as devastating as she’d expected. The jeans he wore were tight and low on his narrow hips, emphasizing long legs that looked even longer now that he was wearing boots. His pale-blue knit shirt clearly revealed his muscles. He looked fit and filled with vitality.
His gaze raked her slowly. “You look as gorgeous as always,” he said as if there was no conflict between them. He placed his hands on her shoulders. “This should be fun. I don’t know why we haven’t had your family over more.” Before she gave him the cynical answer that popped into mind immediately, he continued, “Em, I invited the kids I coach. I thought you’d like to have them here.”
She stared at him, at a loss for words.
“Is that all right with you?” he asked, jolting her out of her daze. She blinked at him.
“Of course it is. I’m just amazed that you’d do such a thing.”
“As I told you things have improved.”
“Oh, Jake! I knew you could do it!” she exclaimed without thinking, thrilled that he had bonded with the boys. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. “Thank you so much! It’s important to me and wonderful for them! I’m so grateful—” She knew she was babbling, but she was bubbling with excitement, thrilled over this turn of events and excited for the boys. Finally, she’d found the goodness in Jake she’d felt was there all the time, just buried beneath ambition and drive.
Instantly, his arm banded her waist and he leaned down. She looked up at him and his mouth covered hers, ending the conversation. His tongue thrust slowly into her mouth, deep and stroking, lighting fires in her. Jake leaned over her, his tongue thrusting slowly, taunting and teasing.
She was drowning in the kiss. It had been over a week since they’d made love, a week with Jake doing everything in his power to please her if he’d had the chance. A week with nights together—at her parents’ and then at dinner—in which he’d flirted and teased and charmed, inflaming her desire until it was a constant scalding blaze.
Now with his kiss, she was momentarily lost, spinning away into a raging bonfire of need. Her hands roamed hungrily over him, trailing down over his tight jeans and then back up to tug his shirt up, run her hands across his chest and tangle her fingers in his chest hair. Time and circumstances splintered into nothing. Her anger melted. Desire consumed her.
Jake yanked out her shirt, pulled it over her head and tossed it away. As he continued kissing her, her bra fell away and he cupped her breasts. His thumbs circled her nipples, making her moan with pleasure, the sound lost in their kisses.
She felt his hands at the waist of her jeans, but she was only dimly aware of them until her jeans slid down. His fingers crept between her thighs
to find her feminine bud and rub her until she was beyond turning back.
She heard the jingle of his belt buckle and then felt his thick rod against her belly. She pushed away his briefs, not caring when or how his jeans were moved out of the way.
Taking her with him, Jake kicked the door closed, settled back against it and lifted her. She shook her jeans from her feet, reaching down to tug off her lace panties. Then she wrapped her legs around him while he braced himself against the wall. He lowered her to his thick rod and she cried out with pleasure, biting his neck lightly, showering kisses along his cheek to his mouth.
He thrust into her and desire was white-hot, consuming her. He groaned and moved his hips faster, as she plunged and gyrated with him. Tension wound tighter, bright lights exploding behind her eyes, sensations battering her.
Her climax came as he thrust frantically with his own and they shuddered together. Ecstasy enveloped her. She relaxed on him, release and rapture still shrouding her while she kissed his broad shoulder. “Jake,” she whispered, wondering if she could be falling in love.
She ran her hands over him, wanting to love again, knowing she had found release and satisfaction that was fleeting and would only make her want more. She wanted to make love with him all night long. Yet her feelings hadn’t changed about his deception and greed.
She looked up at him to find him watching her. He leaned down to kiss her again, long and thoroughly. When he raised his head, he shifted her to let her slowly slide down and stand on her feet.
“Later,” he said solemnly, “we’ll finish what we started. You have no idea what you do to me,” he added, brushing kisses on her temple before releasing her. “Let’s clean up. I’ll see you downstairs.”
He grabbed his clothes. As he reached for the door handle, she held her clothes in front of her. “Jake…” He paused to look at her.
“Thanks for inviting the boys tonight,” she said. “I’m pleased beyond measure.”
One corner of his mouth quirked up. “We’re making progress, Em,” he said. “Later.” He left and she stared at the door.
“Damn you, Jake. Why do you have these moments when you do something I can’t resist?” she asked the empty room.
She wondered if he’d invited the boys just to please her. Whether he had or not, it meant he truly was working with them and getting to know them. Exhilaration bubbled and made her laugh with pleasure, but it also raised Jake in her esteem, something she didn’t want to happen. Her heart was definitely in danger—Jake was beginning to do things that made her happy, things that brought out the goodness in his heart.
Her body tingled from Jake’s loving, too. She’d never intended for that to happen again, but when he kissed her she hadn’t wanted to stop.
She hurried to shower and dress all over again in fresh clothes before rushing downstairs.
The tall French doors in the loggia were open to the veranda. Jake already stood there, talking to the event planner and caterer. The veranda was beautiful as always. It needed almost nothing changed for the party except a few more tables. The tangy smell of barbecue wafted through the air and tiny wisps of smoke escaped from the enormous stainless steel grill.
Jake left the caterer to meet her and her heart skipped. His gaze was warm, filled with desire. She saw that their frantic lovemaking had stirred up a storm, instead of calming things. His eyes lit up as he reached out.
“That was fabulous, Em,” he said. “But I want more. I can take you to far greater heights than we had time for upstairs.”
“I didn’t intend for that to happen,” she whispered, unable to get that barrier back around her heart.
“It was amazing,” he said. “Every time I look at you tonight, I’ll think about it. I want to take all night with you.” He untied the scarf that held her hair and drew it away slowly across her nape. “I like your hair better this way,” he said. “Makes me want to run my hands through it.”
She shook her head. “Jake, I don’t want to go back to sharing the same room. Not yet. Let’s not get into all that right before everyone arrives.”
“Fine with me,” he said, looking at her mouth.
“Jake…” She licked her lower lip and then wished she hadn’t.
He leaned down to kiss her. It was a slow lingering kiss that made her heart pound.
She pushed against his chest. “Jake, we’re not alone. My family will be here any minute,” she whispered.
“Why shouldn’t I kiss my wife? You look sexy tonight. I like your jeans.”
She could say the same to him, but she wasn’t going to. “Thank you.” She glanced around. “It still seems weird to have a dinner party and not have to do anything to get ready.”
“I’d think you’d like it.” He looked over her head. “Here comes your family.” Jake took her arm as they went to greet everyone.
Jake’s butler, Terry, showed her parents in. Her smiling father gave her a hug and a kiss and then turned to shake hands with Jake while she hugged her mother.
Soon the rest of her family arrived, the children running to give Emily a hug and quick reserved greetings for Jake before they clamored for their parents to take them in the pool. Trish, her oldest niece, was five and knew how to swim. In minutes, Trish was in the shallow end, swimming back and forth. While her dad, brother and brother-in-law stood talking to Jake, the mothers and the other two children got into the pool, the kids squealing with joy. Emily joined her mother on a chaise longue to watch her nieces and nephew.
As she chatted with her mother, she glanced across the veranda and met Jake’s gaze. She felt an electric jolt. Even across the veranda, his look said he wanted her, and she tried to draw a long breath, feeling as if the air had vanished around her. She guessed he was thinking about their lovemaking.
She turned away, trying to concentrate on watching the kids splash in the pool and forget her long-legged husband in his tight jeans. But she couldn’t.
Jake and the other men stood in a cluster talking, cold beers in hand. Her gaze ran over her husband and her heart drummed. Tonight had been a special gift. Having her family and the boys over for barbecue meant everything, because it was sincere. For a few minutes, while giving herself to Jake, she had lost all animosity toward him. She knew she should be more cautious, but it had been impossible to stop.
The boys arrived and she was happy to see they looked scrubbed and dressed nicely. Anthony and Orlando both wore knit shirts, while Tanek and Enzo wore plaid cotton shirts. All four wore jeans that for once, weren’t ripped or ragged.
She went to greet them, shaking hands with each. “I’m so glad you’re here. Come with me and I’ll introduce you to my family. Later, get the kids to give you a tour of the house. There’s a room with video games and a pool table.”
“Some house, Mrs. Thorne,” Anthony said.
“I’m surprised your husband gives us even one minute of his time,” Orlando added, glancing around. “If I had all this, I doubt if I’d spend time with a bunch of poor kids.”
“I think you would. You already take time to work with younger kids. Just don’t forget that when you’re out of school and working. Someone helped Jake once upon a time.”
Orlando’s blue eyes met hers and he nodded solemnly. “I guess you’re right. He’s a cool dude.” He looked over her head at the mansion. “This is really something. Biggest home I’ve ever been in.”
“It’s big, but it’s comfortable,” she said.
She introduced them to the men and then took them to meet the rest of her family before telling them to go get something to drink. In a few minutes she glanced over at the group of males and was relieved to see that all four boys had cans of soda. She wondered if they’d avoided beer for her sake or because, for Orlando and Anthony, their minister was present. Or had Jake only offered them soda? Whatever the reason, she was glad.
“Some party, sis. It’s a fun evening,” Will said, walking up to her as she was pouring more water into her glass. “The boys sa
id Jake is coaching them.”
“Yes. You should join them. I think Jake’s beginning to enjoy it.”
“He told me to come out,” Will said, surprising her. “I might do it. I could use the exercise.”
“You used to play, but be careful. Jake works out and he said those boys are strong and fit.” Her brother shrugged, and she knew her warning went unheeded. “They tutor some elementary-school kids during the week at Dad’s church,” she added.
“No kidding? Good guys, then. No wonder Jake’s impressed with them.”
“I’m impressed, too,” Beth said, joining her siblings. “They’ve been great with the little kids. This has been a delightful evening for me. It’s so nice not having to chase after the girls every second.”
“The boys are patient with the little kids, but then, they all have younger ones in their families.”
Will strolled away and Emily faced her sister, who smiled. “This really has been a super evening and I’m glad to see things are better for you and Jake.”
“What makes you think that?” Emily asked in surprise.
“Don’t tell me they’re not! You look far happier. You have a sparkle in your eyes and Jake can’t take his eyes off you. He watches you constantly.”
“That doesn’t necessarily mean what you think it does. I think we’re playing games with each other.”
“Look again, Emily. That man is in love with you. He looks like he’s done everything possible to make this the best evening ever. That’s not game playing. No man will go to lengths like that unless he’s really captivated. He’s even cozying up to Mom and Dad and listening to Dad’s old tales. As a matter of fact, Jake’s spent time with everyone in the family and been his charming best. Emily, forgive him for what he did. He deceived you when you married, but he’s obviously sorry now. It’s equally obvious he cares. Bury the hatchet and you’ll live happily ever after.”
Emily’s inside twisted. “How I wish it were that simple!”
“I don’t think you’re really looking at your husband. Emily, he adores you. How could you think about walking out on a man who dotes on you, much less one that half the eligible women in Texas would kill for. Emily, you have it all. Open your eyes.”