by Rebecca Rose
Kathy accepted the invitation with a hesitant smile. “Thank you.”
Sophie observed Dave as he led Kathy out with one hand placed at the small of her back. Dave leaned down close and whispered something in Kathy’s ear, and she responded with a low laugh. Having never seen Dave flirt with a woman, Sophie admired how smooth he seemed to be, and how much Kathy enjoyed the attention. It wasn’t often you got to see two people so taken with each other right from the moment they met. She wondered if Kathy should come around more often. There was nothing wrong with doing a little matchmaking.
Sophie slid into the booth across from her friend. Kathy’s face was beet red, her eyes focused on the table. “He asked me if I’m seeing anyone,” she told Sophie in a whisper.
“Really? What’d you say?”
“I have a date this weekend.” Disappointment showed in Kathy’s eyes as she looked up.
“You could always cancel.”
“Oh, no! This is our second one, and I asked for it.” Kathy tugged on her ear. “I said if it doesn’t work out, I’ll let him know. Do you think that was too forward?”
Sophie laughed despite the seriousness in Kathy’s voice. “No. I think you might finally be coming out of your little cocoon, is all. Dave’s a great guy.”
“Then why don’t you date him?”
“Because his brother is more my type.” At Sophie’s declaration, Kathy gave her a disgusted look. “Okay. My new type,” she clarified.
“Can’t wait to meet him. Is he here?”
“Ladies, here’s your appetizers.” Dave set down the plates and winked at Kathy. “If there’s anything else you want, let me know.”
“Don’t worry, Dave,” Sophie cooed. “I won’t tell Kathy about your many exploits with loose women.”
Dave looked at her with narrowed eyes. “Now why would you want to make things up about me? Loose women,” he scoffed. “That’s more Jake’s territory.”
Kathy smiled mischievously. “So, I hear Sophie is scoping on your brother. We all know what a vixen she’s turned into.”
Dave looked at Kathy with astonishment as Sophie laughed. “Don’t look so shocked, Dave. This girl can insult you and you’ll walk away smiling because you didn’t realize it. She’s not as quiet and innocent as she leads you to believe.”
“Really?” was his only reply. He slipped into the booth next to Kathy.
“Apparently, I’m a very bad influence on Sophie. At least, according to her parents.”
“Really?” Dave picked up Kathy’s hand and kissed it. “I’d like to know what kind of persuasion you’d have on me.”
“She’s a real live witch, Dave. Be careful what you wish for,” Sophie teased.
“Yes, Dave.” In an uncharacteristic and daring move, Kathy brought her face close to his. “I can make you fall in love with one small chant.”
“I think you already did.”
Chapter Six
“If I ignore her she’ll go away,” Jake told his reflection in the mirror as he dressed for the Halloween party. He had to admit it was a good idea. They had sold hundreds of tickets, and the door prizes were phenomenal.
Jake adjusted his pirate shirt. He looked good, even if he was a little biased thinking it about himself. He wondered what Sophie would be going as, then dismissed the thought. He probably wouldn’t see her the entire night. Not with all the people and events going on. Plus, working behind the bar wouldn’t give him much time to stare at her like he had become accustomed to doing. He liked the way she would turn and smile at him with a wink. It always seemed like she knew something he didn’t. Like there was a secret he needed to figure out, because she wasn’t going to tell him.
Just as he was about to grab his car keys a knock sounded at the door. “Coming!” He opened it to an extremely sexy Tinker Bell. Sophie’s hair was now blond, and the tiny green outfit accented not only her eyes but every curve of her body.
“Oh, God,” Jake yipped, and closed the door in her face. With his back leaning up against it, he heard the knocking again.
“Jake! This isn’t funny! Your brother disappeared again, and I can’t find my keys to open up for the band. I know you’re not supposed to be there for another half hour, but—”
He cut her off by opening the door. “Sorry,” he laughed, “I was just on my way there. Thought I’d show up early. Wow, you look great.” His eyes roamed her from head to toe and back again.
“Thanks, you look delicious, too. Can I have the key?” She placed a hand on her cocked hip and batted her eyes at him.
“Shit.” Jake swung her into the house and pressed her back against the now-closed front door. His mouth feasted her welcoming lips. The powerful need inside him drove Jake beyond the rational and into the realm of his deepest fantasies. The potent flavors she emanated commanded him to taste her face and neck, and he always came back to those luscious lips. His body was on fire, and she stoked it to a blaze. “How do you do it? How do you make me feel this way? Don’t stop, please.” His hands squeezed her bottom while his lips moved to her breast.
“Jake, we have to go,” Sophie panted.
“I know. But, you have no idea what you do to me,” he said against her chest while grinding his hips into hers. “Just one more kiss.”
The rush she gave him overpowered his every thought. Without her he felt nothing—with her, he felt everything. He didn’t know whether to run away or fall to his knees and thank Sophie for bringing him back to life.
* * *
The party was in full swing and the guests were behaving themselves. Sophie couldn’t help but feel proud that her first attempt at getting the Hungry Lion more business was a success. She scanned the crowd and smiled when Dave waved to her. He was dressed as a ship’s Captain and giving orders to “his crew.”
Sophie spotted one of their waitresses, who sported a bar wench’s outfit. A customer was giving her a hard time, so Sophie signaled to one of the bouncers they had hired for the evening. He promptly went over and talked to the troublemaker. Sophie chuckled when the culprit apologized to the waitress.
With everything going smoothly, Sophie headed to the bar parched and a little hungry after hours on her Tinker Bell feet. Plus, she wanted to see Jake. He looked so handsome in his pirate suit. Her nerves danced, and her lips warmed at the memory of his kiss.
And there he was. All six-three of him. He slid a bottle of beer down the bar to a ready hand and winked at the woman who sat in front of him. But, Sophie saw something in his vigilant stance. An uneasiness. His eyes scrutinized the room as if looking for something—or was he waiting for something? She came up behind him and tapped his shoulder. His movements were quick and jerky to see who it was.
“You look like you need a break.”
He bit his bottom lip and nodded. “Can you find someone?”
“Yeah, I’ll be right back.”
She found Dave across the room talking intimately to a woman dressed in a sleazy policewoman uniform. Their heads were close, eyes intense on one another. However, Dave’s hand appeared clenched around her arm to secure her in place. At closer inspection, Sophie saw the stern look in his eyes and knew this wasn’t some drunk trying to pick him up.
“Everything all right here?” Sophie questioned with caution.
“Yup. What’s up?”
“Can you fill in for Jake? He needs a break.”
“Is he okay?”
Dave’s concern touched Sophie’s heart. “I think the crowd is getting to him.”
“Leave,” he told the woman.
“This is a public place, and if I want to—”
“I don’t give a rat’s ass what you want. Leave.”
The woman sized Sophie up. “Do you think it’s right how Dave is treating me?”
Dave stood in front of Sophie, successfully excluding her from the conversation. “She has nothing to say to you. Out, before I call the cops. And don’t come back.”
“Fine,” she huffed then stormed away.
“Who was that?”
“None of your concern, Sophie,” Dave said as he moved away and into the crowd.
“Wait a damn minute.”
Anger edged every word when he turned back to her. “I said it’s none of your business. Now drop it.”
“Really?” Sophie crossed her arms. “I don’t like being left in the dark, Dave.”
“You’re not. And I don’t want it mentioned to Jake.”
“Why?”
“Because I said so, okay?”
“Fine. But I don’t like it.”
“You don’t have to.”
Sophie rose to the tips of her toes to watch Dave move easily through the crowd. She then scanned the room to see if the mystery woman actually left, which she had. Mild-mannered Dave lost his temper, she mused. Most days the man seemed to be unshakable, but this unexpected encounter appeared more like an ex’s attempt at reconciliation than an unruly customer who’d gotten under his skin. Finally, Dave tapped Jake’s shoulder, and without hesitation Jake headed to the back room. A split second before disappearing, she saw him pull his hat off and run a hand through his hair.
“Hey Dave, can I have two waters?” Sophie yelled over the noise.
“Sure,” he grumbled.
He planted them on the bar and Sophie started the adventure to her office. On the way she was stopped by a man who asked if her “twins” would like to go on a date. Then someone smacked her on the ass. When she turned to see the offender, no one looked guilty. Just shy of the office, she was cornered by two lesbians who asked her if a party concerning all three of them sounded like fun. Flattered but not interested, Sophie politely declined.
She opened the office door slowly. When she saw Jake sitting on the couch with his head in his hands, she came in and closed the door.
“Hey,” she whispered, after kneeling in front of him with the waters in hand.
Peeking at her through the fingers covering his face, Jake said, “Was it that obvious I needed to get out of there?”
“No.” She petted his hair down from where he ran his hands through it. “Only I could tell. I brought you some water.” She held up the bottle and he smiled at her.
“Thank you.”
“Too many people?”
“Yeah. From time to time, crowds get to me.” He frowned. “Occupational hazard.”
“Was it tough, doing what you did?”
His eyes were hard on hers, as if remembering what brought on his claustrophobia also caused him pain. The first glimpse at his weakness reeled Sophie’s mind back to Dave and their conversation.
“Jake…” she whispered, taking his face in her hands. “It’s okay.”
“No, Sophie. I don’t think it ever will be. I’m a coward now.”
“What?” What do I do? What do I do? The question repeated in her brain while she tried to think of reassuring words to give him.
“I closed the door in your face today because you scare the hell out of me.”
She laughed a little despite his seriousness and her nervousness. “And you don’t think you do that to me?”
“Please. I’m not a fool.”
Sophie watched him gulp his water while she decided what next to say. How much did she really want to know about him, or have him know about her? “Jake, I’m not the same woman I was even six months ago. I was discouraged from taking risks, taught to always listen to my parents, and did what I was told by my lying, cheating asshole of a boyfriend. Hell, even my name doesn’t fit me!” She took a deep breath before continuing. “My edges have always been a little rough despite relentless polishing. I never used to swear, and up until I socked you in the stomach, I haven’t hit anyone since grammar school.”
“Well, I’m glad to have been your first victim in a while,” he told her dryly.
“What I’m trying to tell you is that I worked on myself a little at a time. When I was a child, my parents constantly had to reprimand me into behaving. They were so proud when I agreed to marry Bruce. Taking control of my life wasn’t easy, Jake. When was the last time you just let go?”
Jake sat back on the couch, studying her. “So what you’re sayin’ is that I don’t need to be in charge anymore?”
“Yes, Gunnery Sergeant. There’re some things you can’t control, so stop trying to and accept that things happen for a reason.”
Jake looked away from her. She could see the agony on his face, and her heart became a little more his. “The last time I wasn’t in control, I lost good men and got shot.”
Sophie sat on the sofa next to him and pulled Jake into her arms. He moved toward her willingly, but she knew he still held back a part of himself—a fraction he quite possibly would never be able to let go of.
“I’m still so unsure of myself,” she told him, “and yet I can put on this front of self-confidence in hopes no one will notice.”
She felt his lips nuzzle her neck, and she closed her eyes.
“You’d never know, Sophie.” He leaned her back onto the couch, covered her body with his, and touched her face. “I need to get back out there.”
“We both do.” Sophie’s insides turned to liquid when he gave her an unmistakable look of barely controlled passion.
“Thanks for the water.” Jake made no move to get up. Instead, he shifted a fraction and she felt the need she saw in his eyes.
“Anything else you’re hungry for?”
“You’re a wicked woman.” He pressed his body into her and rubbed. She answered his call by wrapping her legs around him and pressing her lips to his throat.
With one hand, he pulled the front of her costume down while the other held her bottom in place so he could feel her.
“Damn it, I want you now.”
Suddenly, she felt his mouth everywhere. She struggled for a breath but couldn’t quite catch it with the passion they released in each other. His hand molded her breast while his tongue flicked the tip of her nipple. He suckled and stroked her skin, and his free hand slipped between her legs to tease her. At his touch, Sophie sensed she was losing perspective of the situation. With her hands on his shoulders, she tried to push him back. “Jake. Jake. We need to stop.” He nipped at her breast, and she gripped his hair.
“I’m not letting you go,” he told her.
“I don’t think we’re ready for this yet. I thought I was, but maybe we should learn a little more about each other first. You know, do the whole confession thing.” Under him in a tangle of limbs and lust she felt Jake’s body hesitate.
“This was just going to be sex,” he told her and kissed her heated flesh. Sophie’s body bowed in response.
“Yes, Jake. I wouldn’t dream of destroying your reputation as the bar stud by tricking you into a relationship,” she said, as her heart ached. He bit her not so gently on the shoulder, and she swatted him on the head. “Now that wasn’t nice.”
“I’m not always a nice man, Sophie.” Jake rested his head against her chest while she stroked his back. Contented silence cradled them for a few precious moments. “Sophie, why am I so attracted to you?” He propped his chin on one hand and stared down at her. “You’re slightly bitchy, physical when provoked not to mention, rebellious.”
“Have you been talking to my parents? ’Cause that’s just wrong. And you’re confusing and pigheaded.”
He grinned. “You’re right. And for the record, so are you.” He kissed her hard on the lips, and his hands began to wander. He then jumped off the couch and held out a hand to help her up. “Ready?”
“Ready? You half-undressed me. Teased me to distraction. And now you want to be nice?” She pushed off the sofa with a good-natured huff. When she saw him reach to touch her, she gave his hand a friendly smack.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Did I do to you what you’ve been doing to me for weeks?”
Frustrated, Sophie attempted to fix her hair and costume “And what is that?”
Crossing his arms while leaning toward her, Jake laughed. “Leave me feel
ing confused, unsure, and horny?”
She narrowed her eyes at him, then laughed, too. “Yeah! Exactly! You’re confused and unsure if you want me, and I’m so tied up in sexual need that I think I’m going to have to start buying cases of batteries for my vibrator.”
Jake pulled her into his arms, and something tender bloomed inside of her. With a gentle kiss, he told her, “Sophie, I’m going to make our first time more special than anything you’ve ever experienced. It means a lot that you’re willing to be understanding about this.”
“Jake, I’m going to rock your world.” She began to fix the way his shirt hung over his broad chest. “We need to get back out there.”
“Here, let me help you back into that costume.” He placed his hands on her breasts and molded them together.
“That’s not helping, Jake; that’s teasing.” Up on the tips of her toes, Sophie touched her lips to his. “When you’re ready, I’ll be too.” But would her heart? It seemed he already owned more than half of it.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’m glad I did it. Now let’s get out of here before Dave comes lookin’ for us.”
As they walked out to the party, hand in hand, Dave met them outside the office door. “I was just coming to check up on the two of you.”
“All is good in the world,” Sophie informed him.
Jake smacked Dave on the back. “And don’t worry, little brother. I still have my innocence.”
Sophie chuckled as she watched the brothers joke around. Something had changed. She couldn’t describe it—the words simply eluded her. But she now understood that Jake’s existence had just become vital to her happiness. And that frightening fact not only scared her, it made her smile with joy.
Chapter Seven
In the weeks following the party, things progressed nicely. Sophie had an awesome girls’ night out with Kathy, something they hadn’t been able to do in months. They were finally able to talk about Jake and Dave. Kathy really seemed smitten with Dave, but due to her reserve, she refused to come back into the bar because she didn’t want him to think she was stalking him. No amount of reassurance by Sophie would change her mind. Therefore, she decided to let fate take on the task of putting these two people together, if it was meant to be.