The band played and the lead singer crooned "Come Fly With Me" as Jake took Sunny’s hand. “Come dance with me?” he asked.
She nodded, and they joined the other couples on the dance floor. Sunny fit perfectly in his arms, and she leaned her head on his shoulder.
Jake seemed comfortable on the dance floor and cradled her to him as they moved around the pavilion. Night had fallen, and the trees were lit with hundreds of little twinkle lights. Sunny felt like she was living a dream as this amazing man held her in his arms. He had put so much thought into tonight, with the food from her favorite places, and the concert with her favorite music, then taking her dancing. All of which she loved.
“I am having the best night,” she said and tipped her head to look into his eyes.
“I’m glad.”
She wished she could freeze this moment and keep it in her mind forever. Swaying to the music, with his arm wrapped around her, and his hand resting in the small of her back, he leaned his head down and gave her the softest kiss, putting this moment into one of the Top Ten Best Moments of her life.
She leaned her head against his shoulder and looked out over the park. The fried chicken parents sprawled across their blanket, their youngest asleep across the mom’s lap. The young couple still sat cross-legged in the grass, a baby blanket thrown over the new mom’s shoulder with the tiny feet of an infant kicking out the side.
Sunny’s gaze then roamed to their blanket where the remains of their picnic lay scattered around their blanket. Her yellow dog’s body lay sprawled across the quilt, his nose buried in the Cool Whip tub as he licked it clean, and a dollop of whipped cream streaked across his ear.
* * *
Sunny pushed the front door open, and Beau ran into the house, heading first to the laundry room to see if the puppy-chow fairy had deposited any food into his bowl while they were gone.
The breeze of the warm night caressed her face as she stood in the doorway. The moon was full, and she had yet to turn the house lights on. “Would you like to come in?”
“Oh, yes,” Jake said and Sunny’s breath quickened with anticipation. He stepped toward her and wrapped one arm around her waist as he swept her into the house with him, then pushed the door shut. He leaned his back against the closed door and pulled her into the circle of his arms.
Silver rays of moonlight shot through the house giving her enough light to see his eyes go dark and a delicious thrill sparked in her belly. Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper as she asked, “Do you want some wine…or something?”
He chuckled softly and reached up to run his fingers through her hair. “Definitely the ‘or something’.”
A nervous giggle bubbled up inside of her, and she looked down at her feet, suddenly shy, all of her insecurities rushing to the surface. “But why?” she whispered. “I’m just a boring school teacher with unruly hair and a crazy dog. I’m ten pounds overweight, and I still love ice cream. I say stupid things when I should just stay quiet, and I cry at the drop of a hat. You live this exciting life of an FBI agent who travels, and I’m pretty sure has been shot. What could you possibly see in me?”
“Oh, babe,” he said quietly and took her face in his hands. He tilted her chin up and wiped away the one lone tear that had escaped as she laid out her soul to him. He looked at her, and she felt he was trying to convey his feelings through his eyes as well as his words.
“I may have led an adventurous life and done some traveling, but having those adventures and moving around all the time hasn’t let me get to know anyone. Adventures mean nothing when you’re alone and don’t have anyone to share them with.”
Jake took a deep breath and wrapped one of her curls around his finger. “I love your hair, and you are anything but boring. In fact, from the moment I met you, we’ve had an adventure of our own. I seem to recall you almost blinding me with breath spray before you launched a bag of frozen chicken chunks at me.”
“And then the garage exploded, and you came to find me after the explosion,” she said. Her hands lay on his chest, and she could feel the hard muscles of his body under the soft cotton of his shirt.
“Oh, man. I was so scared you had been hurt. I couldn’t get you out of my mind that first night. Then you showed up on my doorstep the next day with a plate of brownies and fresh out of the shower. The smell of your hair and your skin as you walked into Walter’s house almost drove me crazy. It was weird because I barely knew you, but, Sunny, when I heard that explosion and thought you were hurt, I couldn’t get to you fast enough.”
“I know. I was so happy to see you coming across the yard,” she told him. “Holding on to you made me feel so safe.”
He touched her cheek. “Sunny, I have watched your crazy antics over the summer with your friends and those stupid dates. I was so jealous over those guys… secretly I was glad when they didn’t work out. I wish I would have known how suspicious you were of me sooner so I could have eased your fears. I can’t believe you went all that time thinking I might have killed my own grandfather.”
She reached up and laid her hand on his cheek. “I may have had suspicions, but they never felt right. I have been drawn to you since the day we met. I think that inside, my heart has always trusted you.”
Jake leaned down to lay his lips against hers. The kiss was sweet and light, a promise of more to come. “Sunny, I love your smile and the way you make me laugh. I love the way your crazy dog wags his tail, and sometimes his whole body, when he sees me. And I love the way you say what you feel.” He reached a hand down and caressed her bottom. “I especially love these extra ten pounds, and I will feed you ice cream by the spoonful if you let me.”
He kissed her again, this time with more urgency, and he pulled her body tight against him as he spoke softly into her ear. “I can’t stop thinking about you, and I can’t stop myself from falling in love with you.”
“Then don’t,” she whispered. “Don’t stop.” She wrapped her arms tight around his shoulders and pressed her cheek to his. “Don’t ever stop.”
He lifted her then, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, pressing herself against him. He kissed her ear, her neck, her face… then his lips crushed against hers, and all thoughts left her mind except this man, this one glorious man.
He carried her to the stairs, but Sunny was already unbuttoning his shirt and pulling it from his shoulders. Halfway up, he set her down and yanked his half un-buttoned shirt over his head. Her breath caught at the sight of his magnificent body in the moonlight. His tan chest, his slim waist, the line of curly hair that started at his belly button and ran into the waistband of his jeans. Sunny wanted to see, to touch every part of him.
Jake’s fingers first unbuttoned, then unzipped her capris. He tugged at them and Sunny wiggled against the steps as he pulled them free of her legs. He slowly unsnapped her blouse, kissing each spot under the snap, her neck, her chest, her stomach.
He leaned back and looked at her. She felt exposed as she lay against the steps, clad only in her bra and thong panties, her unsnapped shirt open and clinging to her shoulders. She could almost feel the heat of his eyes as they took in each part of her body. She couldn’t believe this gorgeous man wanted her.
“You are so beautiful,” he whispered, then his hands were on her again and finally her skin was touching his. Sunny couldn’t seem to get enough of him. She kissed him with a fever and an urgency she didn’t know was inside of her. She reveled in the feel of his large hands skimming along her body. Jake reached under her shirt to caress her back and her bare bottom, then slid his fingers along the thin band of her thong panties.
She felt the smooth hard wood of the stair step against her bare skin, then his hand slid between her legs and cupped her femininity. She rubbed herself against his hand, the thin lacy fabric adding extra friction against her already tender area. He bent his head to her breast and nudging the fabric aside, took her erect nipple into his mouth.
Passion flowed through her. Her breath c
ame in quick gasps as she writhed against him. It had been so long since she had felt a man’s touch. Everything about Jake excited her. Her insecurities disappeared as he rubbed and stroked her. Then she seized, again and again against his hand, her head thrown back in ecstasy, one hand clinging to his back and the other gripping the stair rail.
Before she could catch her breath, he lifted her and carried her the rest of the way up the stairs, leaving their discarded clothing strewn along the steps. He took her into the bedroom and pulling back the comforter, laid her gently on the bed.
He stepped back and unzipped his jeans, sliding them down his narrow hips. His white boxer briefs glowed silver in the moonlight shining into her room. He pushed his briefs from his hips, letting them fall to the floor, then came to her in all his fabulous naked glory.
He sat on the edge of the bed and brushed her blouse off her shoulders. He unsnapped her bra and slid it slowly from her arms. She had never had anyone undress her before, and she thrilled at the way his eyes lovingly took in every part of her. She lay back, and he slid her panties down her legs before pressing a soft kiss against the delicious spot right below her navel.
His kisses left a trail of fire along her skin as he explored every inch of her naked body. Her hands roamed freely, touched, and caressed all of his magnificent hard maleness.
Finally, he rose above her, and they came together in a glorious union of heat and passion. He filled her, not just physically, but in her heart and soul. Their bodies moved together in a dance both new and familiar, as time was measured in the pulse of their heartbeats. She cried out his name as the sweet, hot flood swept them away.
Afterwards, they lay against each other, their bodies entwined. She ran her hands along the skin of his chest, memorizing every nuance of his body. She rubbed her fingers over the small round scar on his inner shoulder that she was sure was a bullet wound.
He nodded and confirmed her theory. “Yes, I have been shot. The details don’t matter. I’ll tell you the story some other time, but that bullet put me in a hospital bed for six weeks. In that time, I had a total of four visitors, and one was my mom. I don’t let a lot of people in, because I know I’ll eventually have to leave and move on to another assignment.”
Sunny looked at him, a well of emotions building inside of her. Her eyes brimmed with tears, and she tried to keep her voice steady. “How long are you staying this time?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
“Do you want me to stay?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Then I’m staying.”
“What?” She pushed up on one elbow, a lock of curly hair falling across her forehead. “Just like that? You’re staying?”
Jake grinned. “Well, I’ve been thinking about it for awhile now. My buddy, Finn, has been trying to get me to partner with him in his private investigations firm, and I’m going to tell him yes. After this Black Widow case is wrapped up, I’m going to pull out of the Bureau. I’ll stay on as a consultant, so they may call me in once in awhile, but I’ll give up my office and all the field work and move out here.”
“You will?” Sunny’s voice went up an octave with excitement. “But where will you live?”
“Walter and I have been talking about that. He’s planning on moving in with Helen and claims his house needs a bunch of repairs. He said I could live there and do the repairs in lieu of rent. He claims I would really be helping him out.”
“He just wants you to stick around so he can get to see you more.”
His voice quieted as Jake asked, “Will you want to see me more?”
“Oh, Jake, I will want to see you every minute of every day.” Her heart felt as if it would burst with happiness. “I’m so excited you’re staying. I’ve been holding back, afraid to really tell you how I felt, because I knew you were leaving.”
“That was holding back?” He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to him, rolling up on one arm so she was tucked beneath him. “I can’t wait to see what happens when you really let yourself go.”
She could not believe this man was naked in her bed, teasing her, and telling her he was going to stay. Her heart soared. She decided she could trust this man who showed up mysteriously in the night and saved her again and again, capturing the loyalty of her dog while he stole her heart. She decided it was time and she did, indeed, let go.
“Jake, I love you. I have loved you from the moment you carried my dog up the stairs to keep me company when I needed him. You always seem to know what I need.”
He rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip, and she felt his eyes look into her very soul. “You are all I need, babe. I love you too, Sunny. I love you too.”
* * *
“A beautiful woman tried to kill me last night,” Jake said.
Sunny looked up from the pan of scrambled eggs she was stirring. She gulped as she took in the sight of Jake, shirtless in her kitchen doorway. His golden hair was mussed, and his jeans had the top two buttons undone, exposing abs so hard she could have cracked eggs on them. She blushed as she remembered running her tongue along that exact area the night before. “Give her another chance, she might try again tonight.”
“Why wait ‘til tonight? How about this morning?” He sauntered into the kitchen rubbing his belly and slid his arms around her, cradling her back against his firm chest. He nuzzled her neck and kissed that lovely spot right below her earlobe. “Good morning, Sunshine.”
Sunny had already showered and made coffee. Strains of an old Elvis song played softly on the kitchen stereo.
She cozied into his embrace. “Good morning. You ready for some eggs?”
“I’m ready for just about anything.” He swirled her around and danced her throughout the kitchen.
“Love me tender, love me sweet, never let me go, for you have made my life complete, and I love you so.” He sang softly in her ear as they danced, and his hand ran along the back of her silk robe and over her bottom to discover her bare cheek below the hem of the robe.
He stopped dancing and peered mischievously down at her. “Whatcha got on besides that robe?”
She couldn’t believe how sexy and brazen he made her feel. “Nothin’, but a smile.”
He lifted her up onto the kitchen counter, the tile cold against her bare cheeks and stepped between her legs to give her a proper good morning kiss. Forget scrambled eggs. All I need for breakfast is Jake!
Jake reached inside the folds of her robe and massaged her bare breast with one hand while the other cradled her neck and entwined her hair through his fingers. He tasted like toothpaste, and she wrapped her legs around him, loving the feel of her freshly shaved legs against his naked waist.
They both jumped at the sound of knocking, and a voice called from Sunny’s back door, “Sunny, you awake?”
Sunny unwrapped her legs from around Jake’s waist, and he lowered her to floor. Quickly adjusting the folds of her robe, Sunny headed to the laundry room to let her neighbor-with-the-great-timing in. “Good morning, Edna.”
Edna took in Sunny’s flushed cheeks and kiss-bruised lips and harrumphed. She was holding a square cake pan and she eyed Jake sitting at the table forking scrambled eggs into his mouth.
“Morning, Edna,” he said. He gave her one of his lop-sided grins and inhaled deeply. “Whatever is in that pan smells like heaven.”
“You look like you’ve already had enough heaven, Mr. No-Shirt-at-the-Table-at-Nine-o’clock-in-the-Morning.”
Jake smiled at another of her ever original nicknames for him. “You can’t ever get enough of heaven,” he said, giving her a wink. “So, what’s in the pan?”
“Cinnamon rolls. I thought you all might like some before we start another day of construction.”
“You all?” Sunny asked. “How did you know Jake was here?”
“Well, Mr. Lives-Right-Next-Door left his car parked in front of your house last night.”
“Oops.”
“Well, you’re going to be seeing a lot more of his car now
. Walter is moving in with Helen, and Jake is going to rent his house. He’s staying.”
Edna gave Jake an appraising look. “Is that right?”
He shot her another killer grin. “That’s right, Edna. You and I are gonna be neighbors.” He took a bite of a cinnamon roll and groaned in ecstasy. “And I will fix anything around your house if you pay me with another pan of these cinnamon rolls.”
It seemed Edna couldn’t fight his charm, because she smiled back at him. “Now that you mention it, my kitchen faucet does have an awful drip.”
He took a drink of coffee. A drop of creamy icing clung to his chin. “Consider it done.”
Edna turned toward the laundry room, hollering over her shoulder, “You two better hurry up. We have a lot of work to do today.”
Sunny scooted around the table and followed Edna. Before they reached the back door, Sunny threw her arms around her neighbor. “Edna, I am so happy.”
The two women looked at the gorgeous man seated at Sunny’s kitchen table. Jake was serving himself a second roll, while Beau sat at his side watching him with adoration, waiting for a cinnamon crumb to fall on the floor.
“I can tell, honey,” Edna said. “I guess our summer of six blind dates must have worked. It seems Mr. Showed-Up-Mysteriously-in-the-Night turned out to be Mr. Right after all.”
The End
Acknowledgments
This book was created through the help and encouragement of many. I want to thank everyone who played a role in making my dream come true.
Always and forever, I am thankful to Todd, Tyler and Nick, for supporting me in this amazing writing endeavor. Thanks for always believing in my success.
I have an awesome group of women that I call friends. Thank you all for listening to plot ideas and proof-reading chapters and sharing in the joy of this dream. I couldn’t have done it without Debbie, Melissa, Jennifer, Linda, Pam, Roseann, Mona, Shana, and Marla.
Another Saturday Night and I Ain't Got No Body (A Page Turners Novel) Page 29