Nick was uncharacteristically quiet this afternoon, so Jake used the time to go over what had happened at Claire’s last night.
She’d been surprising. That was for damn sure. She turned him on like no other woman had in a long time and he wondered what she was up to today.
Hanging around after their couch calisthenics had been really nice, too. She’d been more relaxed than he’d ever seen her, and he flattered himself to think the orgasm he’d given her had something to do with that. She was always wound so tight. From the first, he’d wanted to know what she would be like when she let go. Now he knew.
She was incredible. And he couldn’t wait to see how she’d be after he took her everywhere he longed to.
Nick shifted on the dock beside him, drawing Jake’s attention from the captivating Claire. He set all lustful thoughts about the pretty redhead aside and took a breath.
The air was crisp but this close to the neighborhoods there were too many cars passing for Jake’s peace of mind. He craved solitude as much as he liked to hang with Rick and his family. That wasn’t really surprising, since he traveled for Chapman alone. Yes, he’d hook up with some woman now and then at the resorts or properties but he’d never bunked with them. Never hung around after scratching their mutual itch.
“Where are you going to swim, Uncle Jake?”
Once more, Jake focused on little Nick.
“Swim?” he asked.
“Yeah. Swim. On your course.”
Jake got what Nick was asking then. He pointed over to the far side, knowing by now that his nephew wouldn’t want anything less than the most specific answer Jake could give. “See that clump of trees over to the left?”
“The cypress?”
Jake grinned. Of course the kid would know what kind of trees they were. His mother was a plant conservationist with a botany brain.
“Yes, the cypress,” Jake answered. “Part of the trail will push through the water just over there. But there will only be a little swimming.”
“Because of the bridges,” Nick said with a nod.
And because of the gators, but Jake wasn’t going to tell Nick that. “Yep. Rope bridges will stretch across to just about there.” He pointed to the bit of sandy shore visible from their vantage point. “Then the trail will continue on the footpaths.”
Nick nodded. “Can I try it when you build it?”
“I’m afraid not, buddy.”
“Why not?”
“It’s for grownups. Not for kids.”
Nick pouted. “Why not?” he asked again.
Jake opened his mouth, then snapped it shut. Why not? Why couldn’t the kids in Cypress, kids of visitors and residents, enjoy an adventure?
“You know what, Nick?”
Nick gazed up at him. “What?”
“You just gave me a terrific idea.”
He stood, reaching down to offer Nick his hand.
“Where are we going Uncle Jake?”
“Well, buddy?” Jake grinned down at him as they walked down the dock toward Rick’s house. “We’re going to your house where I’m going to talk to your dad about the idea you just gave me.”
Nick beamed up him. “I’m very smart.”
Jake laughed. “You sure are, buddy. You sure are.”
Chapter 9
By the time Claire settled down in front of her TV on Saturday night, her head was throbbing with a dull headache. Cally had been almost manic today, joking and laughing and being pretty much the life of the party at the End Zone. They’d shot more games of pool than she could remember them playing in a long time and, even though he’d begun to flag around three o’clock, he kept up the show for everyone’s benefit. Especially hers. And every time she worked the conversation around to asking for more details about what had occupied him all week he’d evaded and danced and pretty much laughed off her concerns. It was enough to set her teeth to grinding.
She’d dropped him back at his mobile home around five, made sure he was set for the coming week with his meds then picked up some groceries on her way back to Cypress Corners. A bowl of tomato soup and a green salad was a quick, cheap dinner and now she figured she’d just curl up on the couch and relax. No more thinking about her father. Or at least, no more worrying about him. He should be safe and sound until next weekend. So she’d poured herself a glass of the wine she’d shared with Jake last night and settled down for a peaceful, if lonely, Saturday night. It wasn’t even seven o’clock and she was tucked in safe and sound. Whoopee.
Picking up the remote, she thumbed through the channels and settled on some movie rerun. She took a long sip of the very excellent blush wine and all but ignored the movie, choosing instead to think about everything she and Jake had done right there on her comfy couch.
Oh, his touch on her skin. She knew how to touch herself. Sometimes, when she couldn’t fall asleep the moment her head hit the pillow, she’d give herself a little something-something. But those little blips in her heart rate she’d achieve were nothing compared with the mind-blow Jake had given her.
She glanced at her cellphone, charging over on the kitchen counter, and thought about calling him. She had his contact info, of course. It was in her address book synced from her computer. Eyeing the Magic eight-ball on the mantel, she considered asking it just what she should do. She had no real reason to call him. Heck, she had no reason to think he’d be free on a Saturday night.
“Right, Claire. He’s sitting in Harmony’s tent-cabin just waiting for your call.”
He knew plenty of other people here at Cypress. He had contacts here. Contacts through his brother and through the investors at Chapman. The director of the Institute loved him. She’d heard about how well his meeting had gone. Even with as little as she knew about the particulars of adventure excursions she could feel his enthusiasm when he spoke of it. His descriptions brought it to life and the light in his eyes when he talked about the challenges? Oh, that was easily as compelling as his beautiful face and gorgeous body.
Jake wasn’t for her, though. Yes, he made her feel things she’d never felt before. Yes, he was charming and so engaging she sometimes had trouble looking straight at him. Time and again she’d proven to herself she wasn’t a fling type of girl. And Jake Chapman wasn’t a relationship type of guy. Not that she was looking for one. With her father to care for and herself to take care of? She had a full plate, thanks.
Her doorbell rang and she jumped. Her mind flashed back to the surprise of finding the man himself on her doorstep last night. Despite living in the lightning capital of the world, she knew that lightning wouldn’t strike twice. Not for her.
Unfolding from the couch, she set her wineglass on the coffee table and stood. It was weird that someone was stopping by but, then again, it was only seven o’clock on a Saturday night. Not everyone in Cypress was holed up in their houses with only wine for company.
The frosted glass beside her door showed her a now-familiar silhouette and her heart did a silly flip. What the heck was Jake doing here?
She checked her appearance in the mirror as she had last night, relieved that she still wore some makeup and had on a bra tonight at least. Taking a breath, she pulled open the door.
Jake stood there in jeans and a blue polo shirt, holding a bag of obviously-Chinese take-out given by the red dragon printed on the plastic outer bag. She could smell the garlic and grease and took another deep breath.
“Hello, Jake.”
He grinned at her, his eyes bright. “I have to talk to you.”
She blinked. “Me? Why?”
He opened his mouth, that lovely mouth, and then just shook his head. “Let me in and I’ll tell you.”
“I think as the spider I’m supposed to say that to the fly.”
He laughed and stepped inside. “Then I’m the fly bearing Chinese food, Miss Spider.”
As she closed the door he walked into her kitchen like he lived there and set the bag on the counter.
“Have you eaten?”
>
“Soup and salad.” She closed the door and joined him. “But if you have an eggroll in there I wouldn’t say no.”
He reached in the bag and pulled out a wax paper sleeve. “An eggroll.”
Smiling, she got down two plates and a couple of forks, then settled on the barstool next to him. “You’re going to spoil me.”
He arched a brow. “With an eggroll? You’re a cheap date.”
She snorted and he covered his eyes with a groan.
“Damn, I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”
She waved a hand. “Never mind. Now, why did you have to talk to me?”
He dumped some fried rice on his plate and took an eggroll for himself. “I was out fishing on the dock with Nick today and the kid asked me a question. Hell, the kid asked me a dozen questions, but that’s him. The Riddler.”
Claire smiled at the image of Jake and his nephew out on the dock as Nick peppered him with questions.
“Yeah, I’ve been the target a few times,” she said.
Jake nodded and scooped up some of his rice. “So he asked me if kids could use the adventure trails and when I told him no he asked why not?”
“And you said…”
“I said, why not right back at him.”
“I don’t understand.”
“A kids’ course, Claire. A place like the adults’ courses, scaled down and a hell of a lot safer.”
Claire sat back, her hands in her lap. “That’s a great idea! Have you talked to Rick?”
“Yep.” He took a big bite of his eggroll, chewed and swallowed. “He loved the idea, of course. It was his son’s, after all.”
“The development would love to have an attraction like that.”
“A kids’ zone will be the perfect place for children to wait for their parents to complete their courses or, heck, even their rounds of golf,” Jake said.
“No, not just that,” she said. “Do you know what places like fun zones and safari rides make from locals and tourists?”
He smiled at her. “No, but I bet you do.”
She nodded vigorously. “Tons, Jake. And the Cypress kids go off property for those tame trills. Why not get them right here?”
“And also draw people down from Orlando and in from the coast as well.”
“Yes.” Claire’s mind worked. “Cypress could sell annual passes for Florida residents, like all the attractions do. As well as day passes, of course.”
“Damn, that would be perfect.”
“It would boost business for everyone on property.”
“Tell me I can use that when I present this addition?”
Proud that she could help him, she nodded. “Sure.” She rested her elbows on the counter and leaned toward him. “Show me what you’re thinking it will look like.”
Jake beamed at her, then grabbed the folded menu from the bag and flipped it over to the nearly-blank side. He bit his lip as he took a pen from the cup beside the napkin holder and sketched out the addition to his adventure trails. Claire watched his lovely mouth and couldn’t help but want to bite him herself.
“It will mirror the large courses,” he said. “Scaled down and made to meet safety requirements for little guys.”
He held the pen in his strong fingers and she forced her attention to the sketch instead of what she knew he could do with those fingers.
“That’s preliminary anyway.” He turned on his stool and looked at her, his brows raised. “Well?”
She traced a finger over the winding trail he’d drawn, then held her hand flat over the paper. “Jake, it will be fantastic.”
His eyes flicked downward and for a second she thought he was embarrassed by the compliment.
“Thanks.”
“But why did you have to talk to me about this?”
He met her gaze then. “You’re smart, Claire. You know the ins and outs of Cypress.”
Her heart sank a little. “Yeah, I’m the money mind.”
He smiled. “Maybe, but that’s not all you are.”
She tried to ignore the fluttering in her belly. “What else am I, then?”
He leaned a little bit closer and she could smell his fresh scent. “You’re the girl I want to kiss.”
She swallowed. “Jake, I don’t think this will work.”
He tilted his head to one side, that pirate hoop glinting in the lights from the pendants hanging over her counter. “What? Friends can’t kiss?”
Claire bit her lip to hold in her smile. “Friends?”
His lips slanted upward in one corner and she licked her own.
“What would you call what we are?” he asked.
She opened her mouth, but couldn’t put it quite into words. Maybe she would give him a little bit of truth. “Jake, you’re here for a limited time and I’m just a convenience.”
He frowned. “Like hell.”
His vehemence startled her. “Then you tell me what we are.”
“Claire, look. I might only be here for a short time but I sure as hell don’t think you’re just convenient. And yeah, I think we’re friends.”
The truth slammed into her. “Fuck buddies,” she said softly.
“No. Friends.” Heat filled his blue eyes and he gave a slow shake of his head. “Besides, that’s not quite true.”
No. She had to give him that. They hadn’t slept together. But even she had to admit it was only a matter of time. He was just too damn tempting and she was just too damn lonely.
“So why are you here?” she asked again. “Tonight?”
He leaned closer still, his face close to hers now. “I like you, Claire. I’m not just after that brilliant mind of yours.”
Her entire body was humming now and he hadn’t even touched her yet. “Then what are you after?”
He laughed, low and soft. “These pretty lips.” He brushed a feather-light kiss on her mouth as his hands stroked up her thighs to settle on her hips. “And this gorgeous body.”
Her heart tripped again and this time she didn’t hesitate when his mouth settled on hers for a real kiss.
He held her close as she opened her mouth, both of them groaning as his tongue slipped inside. He tasted like eggroll and spice and she was hungry for everything he could give her. He didn’t wait for them to get to the couch. No, he pulled her shirt up and over her head and her bra was a thin lace barrier to nothing. She couldn’t be embarrassed. Not with his hands stroking over her. Not with his fingers pinching her nipples in that fantastic way they had last night.
“Jake,” she whispered.
“Yes,” he said, bending his head to kiss her throat.
“Don’t stop.”
He stilled, then gave her that low laugh again. “I don’t plan to.”
She reached for him, under his shirt to stroke that perfect torso. He trembled beneath her fingers and one glance at his crotch told her he was as turned on as she was.
“Couch,” she murmured.
He nodded and stood, and she took the opportunity to push his shirt higher. Lifting his arms, he let her take it off him, showing his chest and abs to perfection. The light smattering of dark hair over the ridges and valleys made her palms tickle as she rubbed her hands over him.
“Very nice,” she said.
“Thanks.”
His voice sounded shaky and that little chink in his confidence did a lot for her own. He drew her closer, bringing that lovely chest up against her breasts. His body felt hot and hard and her nipples tightened through the lace cups.
They kissed again as they made their way to the couch. She pushed him down but before he could tug her down on top of him she fell to her knees.
“I wanted to do this last night,” she said, stroking over him. She nipped him through his jeans with her teeth. “I want to put my mouth on you now.”
“Christ, Claire.” His head fell back. “Just your hands nearly killed me last night. But your mouth? Damn.”
Lowering the zipper, she soon held him in her hands. Again. Then
she licked him and he moaned long and low. Her fingers trailed over his fit belly as she began to stroke and suck him.
He tasted fresh here, too. He was huge and hot and she let herself indulge in every ridge and dip as she took as much of him as she could. He groaned and stroked her hair as she did her best to drive him out of his mind. She would never forget this guy. Just maybe she could give him something he’d never forget. At least for a little while.
“I’m not going to come on my belly again tonight,” he rasped, arching ever so slightly toward her as she moved her mouth over him. “I want to come inside you.”
She lifted her head then, willing her pulse to slow enough so she could make sense of what he was saying. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Jake.”
He gazed down at her, his eyes like blue fire. “Why not?”
“I…” I don’t do flings. I know you’re just here because it feels good. None of those things would make sense to a man like Jake.
“I don’t know,” she finally said.
He breathed in, his chest expanding in a way that set her pulse racing again as he considered her lame answer. Then he shrugged a shoulder. “Okay, Claire. Another time, then.”
And there it was. Dismissal wrapped in a promise. She knew all about promises. She never counted on promises.
She bent her head and gave him what he needed until he shouted his release to her beamed ceilings.
Chapter 10
Jake tried to think as his body hummed with the aftermath of what Claire had just done to him. Christ, he’d thought she’d blown his mind last night!
“Christ, Claire,” he managed to say, opening his eyes a bit.
She sat on the coffee table, her body still leaning toward him as she watched him with her blue eyes bright. Her breasts were nearly visible to him through that surprising pink lacy bra and, damn, if she didn’t look adorable and very proud of herself.
He sat up and tucked himself back into his jeans. “What you did to me.”
She shrugged and her cheeks flushed pink.
“You know, turnabout is fair play,” he told her.
Her mouth fell open and he felt himself getting hard again.
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