by Karen Booth
Was this one of his sales pitches? Or was it as innocent as it sounded? An admission that they did indeed work well together?
Jake reached for one of the boxes tucked inside the larger carton labeled Ornaments. “Maybe I should hand you these one by one and you can be in charge of placing them on the tree.”
Sophie nodded. “Good plan. Less walking for me. But I’ll need you to put up the high ones.”
An hour later, the tree was trimmed. Jake built a fire while Sophie put out Gram’s collection of musical snow globes on the antique console table in the hall. She then sent him into the kitchen to make hot chocolate while she carefully decorated the banister and the mantel, just as Gram had always done, with garland and ribbon. She was admiring her handiwork when Jake returned to the sitting room with the silver tray they’d used for champagne last night, this time topped with mugs of cocoa.
They sat on the sofa, and Sophie was overcome with a deep sense of accomplishment until she realized what was missing. “Oh, my God. Gram’s gold star. We forgot to put it on top of the tree.” Sophie sat up and hobbled over to the storage containers, rummaging through them, but there wasn’t much left. Just some ribbons for the fresh wreaths, which the caretaker would put up next week after she was gone.
“I went through all of the boxes, Soph. I don’t remember seeing a star.”
“It has to be here somewhere. It has to.” Her stomach sank as she reached for the last box and discovered that it, too, was empty. “I wonder if Barry forgot some of the boxes.” She turned to look around the room. The only problem with that theory was that the other decor was all up. She didn’t want to get unduly upset about a star, but this one was special. “I’m sure this sounds silly to you. What with you thinking Christmas is terrible to begin with.”
Jake got up from the couch and went to her, pulling her into a reassuring embrace. She loved being in his arms, even when she knew that getting used to it was a dangerous proposition. “If it’s important to you, it’s important to me. I’m sorry you can’t find it. Hopefully the caretaker can track it down and it can be the first thing you put up when you’re here for Christmas.”
Sophie gazed up at him. It was still three weeks until the big day, and two until Gram’s will would be read. Where would she and Jake be by then? Anywhere? She would’ve considered inviting him to spend Christmas with her family, if her gut wasn’t telling her to set aside expectations and take every bit of enjoyment she could out of her time with him. “You’re right. It’s got to be here somewhere. I’ll let Barry worry about it.”
Jake pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, leaving behind a lasting tingle. “That’s the spirit.”
She smiled. “As handsome as you are, you sort of look like hell, you know. Your hair is a disaster and we should probably try to find you some other clothes to wear.”
Jake’s eyes darted from side to side. “Was I not the person leading the charge on a shower earlier?”
Oh, yes. That. She took his hand and, even with her slight limp, started to lead him out of the room. “And I’m following through with my commitment.”
Without warning, he scooped her into his arms and pulled her tight against his chest. “Hold on, hummingbird.” Like a man on a mission, he bounded up the stairs, determined. A few steps down the hall and he delivered her to the bathroom en suite, placing her on the cool white marble counter.
She watched as he opened the glass door and reached in to crank the handle for the water. The sight was exactly like a daydream she once would have readily whipped up in her head—enticing Jake, with two days of dark scruff on his face and a flicker in his eyes, happy and so clearly enthusiastic to be with her, taking off his T-shirt and letting her admire him in just his jeans. Was she, in fact, dreaming? “You haven’t called me hummingbird in forever.”
A clever smile spread across his face. “You know, you are the only person I’ve ever given a nickname. Ever.” He stepped in between her knees, snaking his arms around her and leaning against the counter.
“Really?” Sophie remembered the day like it was yesterday, but she hadn’t thought about it in forever. It was a glorious late-spring day, warm and sunny, and they’d met at a café to study. On the side of the building was a patio with hanging baskets overflowing with pink and purple petunias. Nearly a dozen hummingbirds buzzed and flitted among the blossoms, drinking the nectar. Jake had said that they reminded him of her. “Busy and fun to watch” were his exact words.
“Yes, really. I am not a nickname sort of guy. But it suits you. It still does.” With his thumb, he inched her top off her shoulder and kissed it with his mouth open. The bathroom was beginning to fill with steam. “Now let’s get you out of these clothes.”
Why Sophie was so touched by this revelation she wasn’t sure, other than knowing that she occupied any exclusive space in Jake’s life felt very special. She eased off the counter to get undressed. Jake quickly had his remaining clothes in a puddle on the floor. She drew in a deep breath as she looked him up and down. The man was a stunning specimen—long, lean and defined from head to toe—shoulders, chest and abs were only the start. He had an impressive erection, too. She couldn’t wait to please him again.
She pulled her top over her head and unhooked her bra while Jake studied her in turn. “Sorry. I’m still a little behind,” she said.
He shook his head. “Don’t be sorry. I’m enjoying every second of anticipation.” Steam billowed out of the shower enclosure, making Jake look that much more like a god.
She shimmied her yoga pants and panties past her hips, taking her time and following his eyes as they traveled down the length of her body. Every subtle approving glance made her feel more special. And lucky. Jake tugged her into his arms and placed a firm kiss on her lips, then took her hand and led her behind the glass door.
The bathrooms had been remodeled six or seven years ago and Sophie’s shower was magnificent—with gray and white hand-painted tile in a Moroccan pattern, a white honed marble floor, six multidirectional sprays and more than enough room for two people. Arguably the best feature was a bench at one end, which Sophie used for shaving her legs.
“Sit,” Jake instructed. “I’m not taking any chances with you and that foot and slippery surfaces.”
“Yes, sir.” Sophie did as instructed, while Jake turned in the spray, slicking back his hair and providing her with an unparalleled view as water trickled down his body, following each muscled contour.
Sophie picked up a bottle of body wash and offered it to him. “Here. This will help.”
Popping the cap, he gave it a sniff. “Mmm. Nice.”
“Coconut. Not too girlie.”
“It’s perfect. But not yet. I don’t want to get any soap in my mouth.”
Sophie suddenly found it hard to speak or swallow. The anticipation of what might come next was too much. Jake descended on her, his mouth on hers as he knelt on the shower floor between her legs. He slipped both hands behind her knees and dragged her forward until her bottom was at the front edge of the bench. He kissed his way down her neck and to her breasts, taking her nipple into his mouth and swirling his tongue against the tight skin. Wet heat swirled all around her, while inside her, a fire that could be put out only by Jake had burst into full flame.
He took her breasts into his hands, squeezing and kneading and plucking at her nipples with his fingers while he kissed his way down her stomach. When he passed her belly button, he tugged her even closer to the edge, parted her tender folds with his fingers and nearly sent her off into space with a single pass of his tongue. Sophie’s eyes fluttered shut and she dug one hand into his hair while her other hand was flat on the bench for support. Jake worked her apex with his tongue, winding in dizzying circles. He grasped the ankle of her good leg and raised her foot until it was on the bench. She leaned back, resting on her elbow, while Jake placed one hand on her inner thigh and with the ot
her slipped two fingers inside her.
Sophie could hardly keep up with what was happening as he licked her center and his fingers glided in and out of her. The pressure was intense. Building. Doubling. Rising. Cresting. And then the pleasure broke through an invisible barrier, crashing into her with unbelievable force. Sophie gasped and her head jerked forward as she rode out each wave. Jake stilled both his hand and mouth, but he didn’t lose contact until she began to come down from her heavenly high.
She grasped both sides of his face, raising his lips to hers and kissing him deeply. She felt as if she were floating in all that warmth and contentment. “That was unbelievable.” She peppered his face with kisses, wanting him to know how much she appreciated his masterful effort. Reaching down with one hand, she took hold of his rock-hard length. She could feel the pressure beneath his smooth skin. He was just as turned on by pleasing her as she was by the idea of doing the same for him. “It’s your turn. I want to make you feel good.”
They switched places and she licked her lips in anticipation of taking him into her mouth. He surprised her by leaning forward for another soft and sensuous kiss. “You already make me feel good, hummingbird. And I can’t wait for more.”
Six
By Sunday afternoon, the snowplows had done their job. The roads had been cleared, which meant the Eden House caretaker had done the same for the private drive leading to what had become Jake and Sophie’s weekend retreat. Their hiding place.
Standing in the foyer of Eden House, Jake dreaded saying goodbye. He didn’t want to end things the way he needed to—neatly. He didn’t want to hurt Sophie. Quite frankly, he couldn’t afford to hurt her. He should have thought this through better, but he hadn’t. He’d given in to desire when he knew he couldn’t follow through and give her more. The professional relationship he hoped to form with her made his mistake markedly more complicated.
“I’d say thank you for the hospitality if it didn’t feel so inadequate.”
“It wasn’t like I had a choice. You showed up on my doorstep in the middle of a blizzard. I couldn’t make you sleep in your car.”
Sophie leaned closer and jokingly elbowed him in the ribs, but he took the chance to pull her into his arms and steal what could very well end up being their last kiss. One more. He closed his eyes and breathed her in, wishing things were different. Wishing he was different. When their lips parted, Sophie had a blissful smile on her face, her eyes only half-open. She looked like an angel. Meanwhile, Jake felt like the devil. Guilt was crashing down on him like that doorstop on Sophie’s foot.
“It really was an amazing weekend. Thank you.” He had to ease into this. He had to find the right words.
“You’re welcome.”
“Take care of that foot, okay?”
“It’s much better today, but I still think I’m going to have to wear something sensible to work tomorrow.” She jutted out her lower lip, and for a flash, all he could think about was sweeping her back upstairs and taking off every shred of her clothes.
But no. He had to return to work. Back to reality and responsibilities. He had to go back to the version of himself who didn’t give in on a whim, the man who did not throw caution to the wind. “You know, it might be better for both of us if we keep this quiet. You know how people talk, and there’s already so much gossip going around with you and Mindy inheriting the store. I wouldn’t want my business partners to find any of this suspicious.”
Sophie smiled, but it was pained. “Of course. Makes perfect sense.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want you to tell me one thing when you’re thinking another. It nearly cost us our friendship the first time.”
She nodded and started leading him toward the door. “I’m absolutely sure. It’s not a good idea, especially when you want one thing for my business and I want another.”
“Technically that’s true, but I’d still like to find a way to hold on to our friendship. It’s important to me. Truly.”
“I know. Me, too. Don’t worry about it. I guess I’ll talk to you sometime after my grandmother’s will is read?”
Jake knew that was the most sensible course of action. So why did the very idea of staying apart make his stomach sour? “I don’t think we have to stay that far apart. We could have lunch one day. Maybe dinner.”
“We’ll see. December is crazy for me. The store. Christmas.”
It wasn’t quite the answer he hoped for. He wanted her to participate in this mini-negotiation. He wanted her to stumble through the dark with him, and help them arrive at a set of parameters that kept their roles and expectations clear. “I get it. You’re a very busy businesswoman. Lizzie told me so every time I called and you weren’t available.”
Sophie planted a final, parting kiss on his cheek, then thrust a tin of Christmas cookies into his hand. They’d ended up baking them at two in the morning. Sophie had been that insistent and determined. Before that, they’d been equally occupied with each other. “Here. Don’t eat all of these on the ride home.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Out into the cold, he trudged to his car. For the entire ride home, his final exchange with Sophie tumbled around in his head. For someone who truly didn’t want to hurt her, he sure had a talent for leading them both into situations where that was likely. He decided that the house had given him a false sense of security. They’d been tucked away from the rest of the world, and repercussions had been a distant thought. And then there was Sophie—she was too much for him to handle. He had to resign himself to this. She was the one woman who made him question his plans, both personally and professionally.
Very little was any clearer the next morning as he arrived at his office. He did know that it had been less than twenty-four hours away from Sophie and the notion of returning to work felt like a burden. All he really wanted to do was see her, or at least talk to her. He wanted to know that everything was okay between them. Could they remain friends after their weekend? Was that what she wanted? Or did she want more? Judging by her reaction when they’d parted, she was happy with the way things had ended. But Sophie had concealed her true feelings before. Was she doing it again? And if he managed to get through to her true feelings, could he live with the answer? Either she was fine with the noncommittal goodbye, which meant he hadn’t left a mark on her the way she’d left one on him. Or if she wasn’t okay with it, well, he’d gone and hurt her again. How could he have allowed himself to repeat the same mistake?
His email inbox was no help in trying to think less about Sophie. His voice mail wasn’t much better. He had messages from each of his fellow members of the War Chest. They all wanted to know about Eden’s and whether or not he’d been successful convincing Sophie. Yes, he’d made inroads, but not the sort of steps forward anyone had any business knowing about.
As he listened to voice mails, he wished he had more time to devise a different plan. Could he liquidate enough assets and make the Eden’s purchase on his own? Or perhaps try to become her business partner? He’d done his research on the store. He knew where she could succeed and where she might fail.
Jake’s assistant buzzed him. “Mr. Wheeler, Sawyer Locke is on the phone for you.”
Sawyer was not only Jake’s closest friend in the War Chest, he was one of the few real-estate developers in the city Jake enjoyed spending time with socially. “Sawyer. What are you up to?”
“Oh, you know. The usual. Happy to be back at the office after a weekend of changing diapers and getting almost no sleep.”
“Sounds like fun.” Jake laughed, although his own reality was so far from Sawyer’s that he could hardly imagine it. Sawyer and his wife, Kendall, had a baby at home, a little girl named Violet, if memory served.
“Actually, it is fun. I love being a dad. But that’s not why I called. You know I have to ask about your meeting with Sophie Eden. Did it actually happen?”
“It did. We talked quite a lot, actually.”
“And so? What happened?”
Jake wasn’t sure how he should respond. He was not about to kiss and tell. It wouldn’t reflect well on him and it wasn’t fair to Sophie, either. The fact that he had to couch his answer only confirmed to him that he had, indeed, made a mistake. “We discussed the state of her business. I expressed our eagerness to do a deal, but in the end, we agreed not to discuss anything until her grandmother’s will is read on December 18. Anything before that would be premature. She’s still grieving and she wants to wait until everything can play out as her grandmother intended. I had to respect her wishes. She holds all the cards here.”
The other end of the line was painfully quiet for what felt like an eternity. “I have to be honest, Jake. This makes me nervous. That’s two weeks away. A lot could happen between now and then. You know as well as I do that Eden’s has a lot of suitors. We’re giving everyone else a chance, and I don’t like it.”
“She promised me that she wouldn’t cut a deal with anyone without speaking to me first.”
“She promised? Did you sign some sort of agreement?”
“I’d call it a handshake. I’ve known Sophie for a long time. I’m not worried about her sticking to a promise.” Jake’s stomach became more uneasy with every passing word. Would his initial plan to travel to Eden House and mend things with Sophie ultimately backfire?
“Okay, then.” Sawyer’s voice was pure exasperation. “I guess we have no choice but to trust your judgment. It still makes me nervous, though. This is a huge deal. I don’t want us to miss out.”
“I know. I know. I don’t want us to lose it, either. Believe me, I’ll do everything I can to keep that from happening.” That much he could promise.
As soon as Jake hung up, his cell phone buzzed with a text. It was like Sophie knew that she was on his mind. Despite the tension of his conversation with Sawyer, it took only a few words from Sophie to put a smile on his face. What a pleasant surprise.