Getting lost in the swirls of blue and green in his eyes, I blink, trying to shake off the spell he casts over me whenever we lock eyes.
Dropping his hand, he picks up his mug of coffee and we head outside to sit for a few minutes.
“I have to work in the shop again all day, but will you come to my house when you’re finished at the café?”
“Of course.” I smile, looking out at the boats passing by.
Chapter 21
The next week seems to go by in a blur of Jake, work, Jake, sleep, Jake, and repeat. I’ve woken up next to him every morning, and I’ve never slept better in my entire life. He makes me feel so safe and cared for when I’m wrapped in his strong arms.
But tomorrow is when Ash, Mel, and Ellie get here, and so I’ll have to go without him in my bed for the next four nights. I don’t know how I’m going to deal. Maybe we can sneak off and have a quickie or something? I mean, come on, I need my man.
I had told Jake that I needed to get my place ready tonight for them, but now I’m seriously second guessing myself if I have to be separated for the next few nights.
When did I get so dependent on him? Time apart is good. It’s healthy.
At least that’s what I’m going to keep telling myself.
“Hey, Courtney,” I greet as I walk into work.
I’ve spent the past week mainly working with Dara while Courtney took some time off before the busy weekend, and I’ve missed her. Working with Dara was different in that I wasn’t bombarded with questions about Jake ten times a shift. But she was just as fun, and I spent most of my shifts laughing.
“Hey, Ally. So, do you think you can separate yourself from your hot man and come out with me tonight?”
“Okay, first of all, yes, I can separate myself from him, but I choose not to,” I say. “And I can’t go out tonight. I was going to go to the grocery store and get the cottage ready for my friends tomorrow. Then maybe work on a painting.”
“Is it for Jake? Oh! Is it a portrait of you? Nude?”
“Are you serious?” I laugh. “No, it’s not a nude portrait of me.”
“I think he’d like a nude.” She shrugs. “Just saying.”
“Probably.” I smile, making myself a cup of coffee.
“Do I get to meet your friends while they’re here?”
“Oh my god, of course! You’re coming out with us tomorrow night when they get here. Did I not mention that earlier?”
“No, you didn’t. But good. I’d be offended if I wasn’t invited.”
“We wouldn’t want that,” I say, rolling my eyes. “I’m nervous for them to meet Jake. We’ve all been friends since freshman year of high school and are really protective of one another. And brutally honest when needed.”
“Ally, come on, they’re your best friends. They’re going to see you two together and know that it’s real. Trust me. I don’t know if I’ve even seen that man smile before you came along.”
“Really?”
“Yes, so don’t worry. Your friends will see how much he cares about you. It’s obvious.”
“It is?”
“Yes, now stop questioning me. Don’t pretend like you don’t know he’s crazy about you.”
“Eh,” I say, shrugging my shoulders with a small smile.
“Are they meeting him tomorrow night?”
“Oh, no, not right away. We’re having a girl’s night tomorrow. Then on Saturday, I thought we’d come into town and walk around, obviously stop in here, and then have Jake meet us for dinner. And then Sunday we’re going to a BBQ at his parent’s house.”
“Whoa, whoa, wait. You’re going to his family’s BBQ? You’re meeting them for the first time at a huge family gathering?”
“Yes? Why? Is that bad? Wait, what do you mean by huge?”
“Well, I mean half the town is invited. His family is amazing, though, so don’t worry, they’ll love you.”
“Great. I’m already nervous, so thanks for adding to it. I’m just glad I’ll have Ash, Mel, and Ellie to talk to when Jake goes off with his brothers or something.”
“And I’ll be there.”
“You will?”
“Yeah, Jack has been going since he was a kid, and then I started going with him after we met. The Taylor’s house is so beautiful. They live on the coast with a huge backyard that they fill with tables of food, drinks, and games. They even set off fireworks at night. Everyone in town looks forward to the summer because of their parties.”
“Oh, that sounds fun. Jake sprung it on me a few days ago and I’ve been freaking out ever since. But now that I know it’s not just me, my friends, and his family, I’m feeling better.”
“Glad to help.” She smiles. “And I’ll definitely be hanging with you. Jack always leaves me to go hang with the boys and then I usually just get drunk and stuff my face.”
“Well, we can do that together now.” I laugh. “But I probably shouldn’t get drunk in front of his family.”
“Yes, you should. It’s expected of everyone who goes. There will be so many people there they won’t even notice.”
“Thank goodness for that. I know my friends won’t second guess getting drunk and stuffing their faces. But that also means they get super loud.”
“I’m excited to ask them a bunch of embarrassing questions about you.”
“Ah, true friendship.”
“Of course.” She shrugs.
Laughing, I start wiping the tables down and prepping everything for opening.
The people of Pine Cove come in and out during the day, always stopping to chat with me for a minute before leaving. Everyone’s been so friendly and welcoming towards me, and I find myself starting to feel like I belong here.
After closing up the café with Courtney, I make a stop at the grocery store to stock up on any and every snack and food I know we’ll need this weekend.
Starting with booze, I load up on gin, rum, vodka, and a case of wine. Then I go up and down the food aisles, piling a bunch of our favorites in the cart. If anyone were to look at me right now, they’d probably think I was having a party for fifty.
After spending an exorbitant amount of money, I make a quick stop at Anthony’s before heading home and pick up a pizza. I really don’t feel like cooking tonight.
Three slices of pizza, two glasses of wine, and two episodes of Cougar Town later, I get up to start cleaning. It’s only nine o’clock, but I’m so tired, I already want to go to bed.
Dragging my feet around the house, I take out all of the spare blankets and pillows from the closets and pile them on the bed in the purple room. Eyeing my paintings that I’ve been storing in there, I decide to move them over to mine for safe keeping. I haven’t exactly told my friends I’ve started painting again, so that will be a surprise for them.
After about an hour of cleaning, I’m even more exhausted, and I know I’m going to pass out cold.
Climbing into bed, I put my phone on the nightstand, but notice a message from Jake from an hour ago.
Hey, beautiful.
I don’t know if he’s awake still, but I type out a response. Hey, handsome. I hope you’re not going to be too lonely without me tonight.
He responds almost immediately. You know I will be. I need your sexy ass curled up against me.
I’m lying in bed now. I tell him. But it’s cold and lonely without your big, strong arms wrapped around me.
I can be over there in ten minutes. You only have to ask.
I’m so tired. I wouldn’t be able to keep my eyes open for very long.
I just want to hold you, baby.
Okay.
Be there soon.
Smiling, I get up and shuffle over to the front door to unlock it in my half-asleep stupor.
I left the door unlocked for you. Just come right to my room.
Ten minutes later, my bedroom door opens, and Jake climbs in next to me. Draping his arm over my waist, he pulls me against him, kissing my hair.
Holding his
hand in mine, I kiss his knuckles and snuggle into his warm body.
This is what I needed.
We don’t even have to say anything.
Falling into a deep, restful sleep, I dream of days filled with painting and nights filled with Jake.
Chapter 22
“Mmm.” Jake’s hand slides up my shirt to cup my left breast and roll my nipple between his fingertips.
I love my sexy dreams of Jake.
Moving back down my stomach, he slips his hand under the waistband of my shorts.
“Open for me, baby.” His voice has the same early morning gravely tone like in real life.
Rolling onto my back, I spread my legs, letting Jake slide his fingers along my already wet slit. Throwing my arm over my face, I moan, biting my wrist.
“Let me hear you,” he says, pulling my arm away.
Spreading me open, he circles my clit and thrusts two big fingers inside of me, and my eyes fly open at the intrusion, realizing that I wasn’t dreaming at all.
“There are those eyes I love,” Jake says, kissing me hard as his fingers work deep inside of me.
Groaning into his mouth, he swallows my sounds and kisses my jaw, neck, and down my chest, yanking my top down.
“So soft. So good,” he says, kissing them both.
“Jake,” I whisper, barely able to think straight anymore. But then he takes his hand away. “No, no, please, Jake. I need–”
“I know what you need, don’t worry.”
Pulling my shorts down, he moves on top of me, settling himself between my legs and entering me in one swift push.
Gasping, I grip his arms, my mouth open in a silent cry at the sudden fullness. Looking into Jake’s storming eyes, he pulls out slowly, pausing. He leans his forehead against mine and I watch every emotion pass through his eyes as he pushes back inside of me.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, we keep our eyes locked on one another as he rocks into me.
This feels different.
This is making love.
The layers we hide behind are peeled back, exposing our raw emotions.
I kiss him slow and deep – giving him my breath, my heart, my body, and my soul.
Biting my lip, Jake pulls back to look into my eyes again. Tilting my hips up slightly, he starts to hit a spot that only he can reach. His slow pace drags out the slow burn building inside of me, and it’s unlike any of the other times with Jake.
“Come with me, baby,” he whispers against my lips.
And I do.
Flames lick my skin and my heart burns as I shatter around him, my body not my own anymore. He’s finally taken it.
Sighing, Jake peppers kisses across my collar bone, and I reach up, brushing my fingers over his forehead to sweep his wild hair out of his eyes so I can look into the tide pools I love swimming in.
Smiling wistfully, I curl a strand of his hair around my finger and tug. I wish I could tell him how much I love him. The words are there, just out of reach on the tip of my tongue, but refuse to be uttered aloud.
The longer we stare at each other, the more even my breathing becomes, and my heart rate slows.
Cupping my cheek, he kisses me slow and sweet, savoring all that’s unsaid between us.
“Thank you for coming last night,” I whisper, wishing I could tell him that it was more than that.
“I needed you too, darlin’.”
Sighing, I close my eyes briefly, trying not to cry at how much hearing those words means to me. But he sees the emotions swimming in my eyes, and he runs his thumb back and forth across my cheek, kissing me softly.
“I’ll make us coffee,” he whispers against my lips. Getting up, he walks out of the room – gloriously naked.
The little bubble we were in is broken, and I already feel the walls building back around Jake. Even with everything we’ve shared, I know there’s still something holding him back.
Stretching out my arms and legs, I throw the covers off and take my sleep shirt off, thinking we’re having breakfast naked. I slip on my silk robe that barely covers anything and head into the kitchen, leaning on the wall by the entrance.
“I’m going with waffles. How does that sound?” he asks, his back turned to me.
“Where did you get pants?” I wanted to see his sexy ass while he cooked.
“Disappointed?” he asks, amused.
“Yes, I am.”
Laughing, he shakes his head and takes out the ingredients he’ll need from the cabinets. “I brought a bag. It’s in the living room,” he says, turning to see me leaning against the doorway. “Fuck.” Prowling over to me in two strides, he kisses me hard and fast. “This robe covers nothing,” he says, running a finger down the opening between my breasts and circling my visibly hard nipples through the silk. Running his finger down my side and back over my ass, he rubs the skin right below my left cheek where the robe ends.
Smoothing my hands over his bare chest and arms, I bite my lip. “Keep your shirt off, mountain man. I want to see what’s mine.”
“Whatever you want, darlin’. Everything I am is yours.”
Sliding his hand under the silk, he squeezes my ass. “Just like everything you are is mine.” Pushing me against the wall, he kisses me hard and bruising.
“Yes,” I whisper against his lips when he pulls away.
Leaving me to stare after him, Jake walks back over to the stove and I watch his back muscles flex and move with every step he takes.
Making a mug of coffee, I take a seat at the kitchen table and watch my man cook.
“What time are your friends getting here today?”
“I’m not sure. Let me see if they’ve left yet.” Getting up, I retrieve my phone from my room and then sit back down. “They texted saying they left a little while ago. So that means they’ll probably be here between two and three.”
“What do you have planned?”
“Oh, um, well…do you think you could be free tomorrow night to have dinner with us? Tonight is a girl’s night, so no boys allowed.” I smile. “But they want to meet the man who I broke all my rules for.”
“Is that so?” He smiles. “Then I better be on my best behavior.”
“What, did you plan on groping me under the table or something?”
“Eh.” He shrugs. “It’s always an option. You’re irresistible, babe.”
“That’s both sweet and dirty.”
“Exactly how I’d describe you.”
Smiling, I cross my legs and sip my coffee, trying not to just open them so I can show him just how sweet and dirty I can be.
After breakfast, Jake unfortunately puts a shirt on and I walk him out onto the porch to see him off.
“I’ll see you tomorrow?” he asks.
“Yes. I thought we’d go to Anthony’s. I’ll let you know the time tomorrow.”
“Sounds good. Don’t go too crazy tonight, darlin’.”
“I can’t guarantee that.” I laugh. “We haven’t seen each other in a month.”
“Call me if you need me. I can drive you all home.”
“Maybe.” I smile.
“Just maybe?”
“Yup. We might just meet a nice gentleman who will be so taken with one of my friends that he’ll insist on seeing us home safely.”
Watching his eyes darken and his jaw flex, I run my hand up his chest and lean up on my toes. “Kidding, mountain man,” I whisper in his ear, kissing his cheek. “You’re the only man I’d call to save me.”
“Don’t torture me, babe. Now all I’ll be thinking about is how every man in the bar will be trying to take you away from me.”
“Like I’d let them,” I scoff.
“I know.” He smirks. “I’m the only one who’s man enough to handle you anyhow.”
“Exactly,” I say, pulling him down to my lips to kiss him goodbye.
After seeing him off, I go back inside and throw on yoga pants and a t-shirt, looking longingly at the paintings leaning against the wall. Walking ove
r, I squat down to eye level and run my fingers over the Cadillac Mountain sunrise piece, smiling at the memory.
I have a few things left to touch up before it’s finished so I pick it up and grab my easel, taking them out onto the back porch. Going back for my supplies, I pour myself another mug of coffee and settle in to work for a few hours.
Putting on some music, I dip my brush into the orange paint and swipe it across the sunrise, brightening the morning with a single stroke.
I lose myself in the painting for a few hours, bringing my memory to life. Adding a few more strokes to the sun’s rays, I put my brush down and look at it.
It’s perfect.
Being here has really made me appreciate my art. I never fully gave myself over to a piece and let my heart do the creating, but Jake has changed me in that way. My heart is open now. That first night I painted with him was such an emotional and raw ordeal for me. I’ve never needed to paint or capture what I was feeling so badly before, and it wasn’t just about what I was seeing in front of me.
I need him.
If I lose him, I know I’ll close up again, and definitely for good this time. I rub the sudden pain in my chest at that thought.
Jake has the power to ruin me in a way I know I’d never recover from.
This is too much.
Going inside, I see I only have an hour or so before the girls get here, so I bring my painting and easel back to my room to dry.
After showering, I put on fresh leggings and a t-shirt and change the sheets from my bed.
Checking my phone, I see an update from Ellie saying they’re fifteen minutes out.
Ahhh! I can’t believe they’re almost here!
Making a fresh pot of coffee, I go and sit out on the front porch to wait, and the second I hear the crunching of gravel beneath a car’s tires, I jump up and stand at the bottom of the stairs. Mel’s car comes into view, and when she parks, they all jump out screaming, running towards me.
“Ally! We’ve missed you!” Mel yells, throwing her arms around me.
“I’ve missed you, too!” Ellie and Ash join in, and I’m surrounded by the love of my best friends. “I’m so glad you’re here!”
Her Maine Attraction: A Small Town Romance (Pine Cove Book 1) Page 20