After gathering the rest of my things, Jake takes our bags out to the truck while I walk through the house to make sure all of the windows and doors are lock before meeting him out front. I doubt there’s much crime here in Pine Cove, but the Jersey in me has me being extra cautious. This is still Dottie’s house after all.
“Ready?”
“Yes, road trip!” I exclaim, clapping my hands.
Laughing, he opens the passenger door for me. “Are you a fan?”
“Of road trips? Yes. Just give me the open road, good music, and snacks. The snacks are vital.”
“Hmm, good to know.”
“But I’ve also never gone on one with a handsome man before, so I’m guessing it’s even better.”
“Flattery will get you all the snacks you want, darlin’.”
“I’ll rain compliments on you all day then.”
“Not necessary. I already know you think I’m perfect.”
Laughing, I lean over and kiss his cheek. “Okay, I’ll limit my praises for you. But I’ll still need snacks.”
“I wouldn’t dream of denying you anything.” He smiles, pulling out of the driveway. Jake takes my hand like usual, and I’m struck with an overwhelming feeling.
I’ve gotten used to him.
I’ve never, not once, in my life been completely comfortable, or myself, around a man. But with Jake, I am. I don’t think twice about reaching out to touch him or leaning in to kiss him. With every other guy, I always did. I second guessed everything and was hesitant to initiate anything. But with Jake, it feels like the most natural thing in the world. It feels right.
Looking out the window, I watch the raindrops slide down the glass, blurring the world outside.
The first two hours pass, and true to his word, Jake has supplied me with all the snacks I wanted when we made our first rest stop.
“Have you been painting?” he asks, his eyes darting to mine.
“Yes. I actually started one last week that’s coming along pretty well.”
He squeezes my hand. “That’s great, darlin’.”
“It’s of the cottage. Ever since I first saw it, I knew I had to paint it. The colors are so vibrant, and it radiates the feeling of home. Wherever I go after, I want to always be able to look at the painting and remember how being there made me feel.”
“Do you plan on leaving?” he asks, his hand tightening on the steering wheel.
“No. I just mean that I’m only renting from Dottie. Her or her family may want to sell it one day.”
“True.” He nods, his body relaxing.
“I love it here. In Pine Cove, I mean. Everyone I’ve met has been so nice and I feel more myself here than I ever have before. It’s freeing – moving to a new place and not knowing anyone.”
“Well, Pine Cove definitely got a hundred times more beautiful when you arrived.”
“Was there no one before me to make it beautiful for you?” I was only joking, but his body tenses, and his hand on the steering wheel tightens to the point where his knuckles start turning white.
“No. There wasn’t.”
Okay, that was a lie.
“You can talk to me, Jake,” I say in a calm voice, but he just tightens his hand further, to the point where I think he’s going to cut off all circulation. “Hey, Jake, relax. You don’t have to talk about it. Just forget I asked,” I tell him, smoothing my hand up and down his forearm.
I watch as his hand starts to loosen its grip on the wheel, the color slowly coming back to his fingers. Thank God. I thought he was going to break the damned thing.
Slowing down, Jake pulls the truck over to the shoulder of the road we’re on.
“What’s wrong? Is the truck okay?”
Unbuckling his seatbelt, he reaches over and does the same to mine.
“Jake?” I ask, confused. I look into his eyes, but I can’t read them. The blue is darkening, swirling.
“Come here,” he rasps.
Tucking my legs up, he grabs my waist and helps me over the console so I’m straddling him. Brushing my fingertips across his cheeks, I lean down and press my lips against his. Soft at first, until he pulls me tighter against him and I sigh into the kiss, our tongues coming together in that slow dance we do so well.
He needs this. He needs me to make whatever he was thinking about go away. He may not be ready to talk, but I can give him this. I can give him me.
Resting my forehead against his, I try and catch my breath. “Are we far?” I whisper.
“Ten minutes.”
“Hurry.” Kissing him hard, I press my whole body against him.
Tearing myself away, I climb back over to my seat and buckle up so I’m not tempted to jump him right here and now.
Pulling back out onto the road, Jake hits the gas and gets us there in only eight minutes.
Throwing the truck in park, we both jump out together. I’m definitely not waiting for him to open my door this time. Jake grabs my hand and pulls me towards the door, fumbling with his keys until he finally gets it open.
Pushing me inside, he slams the door closed behind us and hoists me over his shoulder, running up a set of stairs and down a hallway before throwing me down on the bed. Bouncing once, I watch as he whips off his clothes.
“Darlin’, you’re going to have to strip right now or I’m ripping those clothes right off of you.”
“You distracted me with your nakedness.”
Flashing me a wolfish smile, Jake places his hand on himself, stroking once, twice. “Hurry, I need you, darlin’.”
Peeling my top and bra off as fast as I can, Jake reaches out and slides my sneakers off before pulling down my leggings in one swift motion.
He grabs a condom from his jeans, and I sit up and take it from him. “Let me.” Ripping it open, I roll it down his length, loving the sharp intake of breath I hear the moment I touch him.
Pushing me back onto the bed, Jake climbs on top of me and I open for him immediately. He slides into me in one swift move.
Grabbing a fistful of sheets, I arch off the bed and Jake takes my left nipple into his mouth, sucking hard. I let out a strangled cry, feeling the pull all the way to my core.
I dig my nails into his shoulders, needing more from him.
Going back and forth between my breasts, Jake sucks my nipples deep into his mouth, bites down, and then smooths them out with his tongue.
My breathy moans turn to cries as I grab a fistful of his hair, pulling as hard as I can to bring his lips to mine, needing to taste his sweet mouth.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I hook my legs around his waist and use all of my strength to roll us over. I smile down at Jake as I brace my hands on his chest, spreading my fingers wide. I can feel his heart is beating faster than I’ve ever felt before, and I look into his eyes, seeing his emotions swirling around.
Lifting myself up as far as I can, I drop back down, feeling every single thick inch of him stretching me. I lose myself in him, keeping my pace slow so I can savor every jolt of electricity that runs down my legs and up my spine with every stroke.
My body shudders, my nerve endings frayed.
My legs are shaking, but I keep pushing myself up, meeting Jake on my way down. With one last drag, I fall onto him with all of my weight, feeling the sparks fan out across my skin before my body explodes around him and my eyes roll back.
Somewhere in my bliss, Jake rolls us over so he’s on top. “You looked so fucking sexy taking everything you needed from me, baby, but now it’s my turn.”
Pulling out, he flips me over and lifts my hips, slamming back into me. Moaning, I grip the comforter as Jake pounds into me with an uncontrolled passion.
Another orgasm builds in me as he takes what he needs from me, holding nothing back.
Bringing me closer to the edge of a cliff with every stroke, Jake keeps pushing me until I’m suddenly thrown off. My screams are muffled as waves crash over me – the most beautiful of storms dragging me under to where all I
see is black.
Chapter 17
I start to come to when I feel something slide up and down my arm. Rolling towards the heat next to me, I curl up against a solid wall of muscles.
Fingers dance up and down my spine and I arch into it like a cat, purring and moving closer to the source.
“Ally,” a husky voice whispers in my ear.
“Mmm?”
“It’s time to get up.”
“Mmm.”
“I want to take you somewhere.”
“Take me somewhere?” I mumble.
“Yeah, come on, we need food.”
Kisses pepper my face and I sigh. “Yes, please feed me. I’m famished.”
Jake slaps my ass and my eyes shoot open. “I knew that’d wake you right up.” He smiles, rubbing the sting out of my cheek.
“You just love my ass, don’t you?”
“What’s not to love? It’s like a round, juicy peach that’s just for me – ripe and ready to bite into.”
“Jake, if you bite my ass, I swear I’ll do the same to you.”
A mischievous gleam in his eyes comes right before he flips me over and licks my left cheek, biting into it. My muffled moans are swallowed up by the pillow in my face, my body automatically arching into him, demanding more.
Smoothing his palms over my round globes, he kneads the flesh, groaning.
Turning my head, I look back at him just in time to see him lick my right cheek before biting into it. Moaning even louder, his eyes meet mine with a burning fire.
“The sweetest peach I’ve ever tasted.” He hums, slapping each of my cheeks again so they’re stinging with his marks.
Wiggling out from his reach, I sit up and crawl over to him, pushing him face down on the bed. “When I called you to come and fix my fake broken oven, I watched you walk into the kitchen, and all I could think about was how sexy your ass looked in your jeans. Now here I am,” I say, smoothing my palms over his rock-solid globes. “And it’s even better than I imagined.”
Squeezing him, I return the same lick and bite on each of his cheeks, hearing him groan into the pillows. Jake tries to lift himself up, but I push him down again. I’m not finished yet.
Kissing my way up his spine, I massage his back as I go. Jake sighs with every muscle I loosen, and groans after every lick and kiss I give him.
Straddling his hips, I continue to massage his back, feeling him relax under my touch. I run my fingers through his hair, scratching my nails against his scalp, and tugging on his ends.
“Baby,” he mumbles into the pillow. Turning his head, I meet his eyes. “I knew your hands were magic.”
Smiling, I kiss the center of his back and crawl off of him. “Now you need to feed me. Your peach wasn’t ripe enough. Too hard.”
His deep, throaty laugh fills my ears. “Alright, darlin’, go get ready and I’ll meet you downstairs. If we shower together, we’ll never leave. I’ll go get your bag and leave it on the bed for you.”
“Thanks.” I smile, blowing him a kiss before I close the bathroom door.
Stepping out of the bathroom after a hot shower, I find my suitcase sitting on the bed. I have no idea where we’re going, but I look out the window and see sunshine, so I decide to put on a pretty maxi dress and wedges.
Drying my hair, I twist it up into a high bun and apply my makeup. I add earrings and a necklace and give myself a small smile in the mirror before heading downstairs, stopping when I reach the bottom and come face-to-face with an extraordinary view.
I didn’t see this when Jake was running me up the stairs earlier. Sliding glass doors lead out onto a deck that extends out over the water where I can see islands in the distance and mountains lining the horizons to the left and right.
Pulling my eyes away, I turn and walk through the kitchen and into the living room where Jake is sitting and watching TV.
When he looks up, his eyes slowly rake up and down my body. “You look beautiful,” he praises, standing up and kissing my cheek.
“Thanks.” I smile. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
“After you, darlin’.” Placing his hand at the small of my back, he leads me outside and opens the passenger door for me.
“This house is amazing, Jake,” I tell when he gets in behind the wheel. “Has your family always had it? Did you come here as kids?”
“My parents bought it before they had us, and then slowly updated it over the years. I always loved coming here. I’d go on hikes with my dad and brothers in the park, or we’d go fishing and then cook up what we caught for dinner.”
“Sounds fun.” I smile. “For people who like those things, I mean.”
“Fishing’s not your thing either?”
“I’ve never been, but the thought of touching fish is gross.”
“Well, we’ll just stay away from hiking and fishing then. I can think of a better use of our time anyway.” He grins.
“Me too.” I smile. “So, where are we going?”
“To my favorite local. The food is good and they have all this Maine and fishing stuff on the walls. They’re always packed.”
“They better not be. I could eat a cow.”
“Don’t worry. They shouldn’t be tonight.”
On the drive into town, we pass a lot of inns and bed and breakfasts that really sell me on the quaintness of Bar Harbor. Driving along one of the main streets in downtown, I look out at the people walking about and the different shops and restaurants that line both sides of the road.
Coming to the top of a small hill in the road, I’m able to look straight out at the harbor in front of me. The sun glints off the surface of the water where boats of all sizes sway in the current, and islands covered in pine trees sit not too far offshore.
“This would make such a beautiful painting,” I tell him, trying to take it all in.
“See over there?” He points. “They charter boats for whale watching.”
“I love whales.” I smile.
“And next to it is another great restaurant. I thought we could go there tomorrow.” He points to a restaurant that rests on a pier that extends far out into the water. Half of it is enclosed, and half is outdoor patio seating with a small ramp that extends off the side, leading down to a dock where a few picnic tables sit. It looks like the perfect place to sit for an afternoon lunch on a nice day.
“I’d love to go there, Jake. Eating on the water is my favorite.”
“Did you want to go tonight?”
“No, no. I want to go to your favorite place,” I assure him.
Parking near the water, Jake takes my hand and leads us back up the main road. “It’s just right up there.” He points to a place with a giant light up moose on its roof and lobster claws coming off the front façade.
“Oh my god, Jake, it looks so cute!” I exclaim, squeezing his hand and leaning into his side.
“Great. I’m glad you find it cute,” he says sarcastically.
“Oh, shut it.”
A sign hangs off the side of the building that reads The Claw. Cute name, too. Jake opens the door for me, and I step through, smiling right away. This place is definitely cute. The walls are covered in license plates, signs, surf boards, lobster traps, and all kinds of other Maine themed stuff.
“Definitely not cute. It’s very masculine,” I tell him, fighting a smile.
Shaking his head, I see his lips twitch as he walks up to the hostess stand. “Table for two, please.”
“No problem, follow me.” Grabbing two menus, the young girl leads us through a sea of tables, past the bar, and over to the back corner. The windows to our right showcase a small hidden alley with shops, and to the left is an open view into the kitchen. Line cooks stand laughing and moving about as they plate food.
I can already see why it’s Jake’s favorite place.
Opening the menu, I see what I want straight away, so when the waiter comes, I order a blueberry mojito and fish and chips.
Jake and I spend the whole dinne
r talking about his family, and I’m happy he’s actually sharing with me. I do make sure to stay away from all topics involving women, though. I’m not ruining our trip by prying into his past when he’s not ready to talk about. I know no one could ever force me to talk about my past if I didn’t want to.
When it’s time for dessert, my choice is a no brainer, and I order a slice of fresh, warm, blueberry pie and ice cream with an Irish coffee.
“I seriously love everything blueberry,” I say, moaning as I eat another forkful of pie. “And I love how every place in Maine has it on their menus.”
When our waiter comes by to check on us, Jake says something to him that I can’t hear and asks for the check. Looking at me, he just smiles and winks. “I ordered something to-go so I can hear you make those noises again.”
Blushing, I finish my pie. “Well, that’s embarrassing.”
“Babe, you’re sexy no matter what. I love how much you love food.”
“Jake!”
The waiter comes back quickly with the check and hands Jake a bag. Standing, he holds his hand out for me to take. “Come on. Let’s walk a little. I promise I won’t bring up your expressive eating again.”
“You better not,” I say sternly.
Weaving our way back through the crowded restaurant, we step out into the warm evening air. The sky is still light with the sun not yet set.
Crossing the street, we go right, and I stop at the pretty fountain on the corner. Digging through my purse, I try and find a coin to toss in.
“What are you doing?”
“Looking for a coin so I can make a wish.”
Reaching into his pocket, Jake pulls out a quarter for me.
“Thanks.”
Letting go of his hand, I turn around so my back is to the fountain, and toss the coin over my shoulder, making my wish. Ever since I was young, I’ve always wished for the same thing whenever I had to. Birthdays, 11:11, fountains, going over train tracks. I’ve only ever wanted to be happy. Truly happy.
When I open my eyes, I look over at Jake. “Did it go in?”
“Yes.” He nods. “What did you wish for?”
“If I tell you, then it won’t come true.”
Her Maine Attraction: A Small Town Romance (Pine Cove Book 1) Page 16