I wakeup and stretch lazily in bed. A smile plays on my lips when I feel the slight soreness between my legs and backside reminding me of last night. Another week has gone by, and I stillhave to pinch myself every morning to make sure that this isn’t just a dream.
Jake hasn’t left my side except for work since I scared him on my run and insisted I fully move into the main house. I barely slept there anyway, and it’s hard to say no to him, especially when he shows me all the reasons why I should stay in his bed.
Pulling back the covers, I smile when I see his t-shirt lying on the bed for me. I throw it on over my naked body and inhale his scent that surrounds me. Wearing his shirts has become my favorite thing to do, and he loves it just as much as I do.
I run a brush through my hair and brush my teeth before going in search of him. He’s always wrapped around me when I wake up and usually keeps me in bed much longer than my work schedule allows, not that I’m complaining. I don’t think I’ll ever complain about another thing in my life, not when you have the greatest gift you’ve ever been given, pouring love onto you every day.
I walk out into the kitchen and stop. Jake’s made a mess of the place as he concentrates on mixing something in a bowl. Flour dusts his bare chest and leaves a trail over the countertops. He looks so adorable as he reads the piece of paper in front of him before adding more ingredients.
“Do you need some help?” I laugh softly. “What are you making?”
His head whips up, and I don’t miss the way his eyes linger over my body in his shirt before he meets mine.
“It’s a surprise,” he smiles. “Sit and enjoy a cup of coffee. I’m just about done.”
“I’m not used to being the one served,” I say, over my shoulder as I pour some coffee into a mug and add a touch of creamer.
“That’s the whole point. I wanted to make you breakfast fora change. Let’s just hope I don’t poison you,” he laughs, pouring the batter into a skillet. He must be making pancakes, judging by the look of it.
I sit on the bar stool and sip my coffee while I enjoy my view. He’s wearing those grey sweats that make my mouth water whenever he wears them. They hang low on his hips as my eyes admire his broad back and the way his muscles move as he cooks. My eyes roam over the tattoos covering his shoulders and down both arms. I can now recite each one by memory, down to the exact placement and detail.
“I can feel your eyes on me, you know,” he says in a low voice as he flips the pancake. “I can hear those naughty little thoughts, too, running through your mind,” he grins over his shoulder. Heat flames my cheeks, and he softly laughs. “I love how I can make you do that. Almost as red as I made your ass last night,” his lips twitch at the corner before he turns to slide the pancakes onto plates.
I blush even deeper at the memory of last night. It’s been a week since we babysat, and he had built it up so much over the past seven days that I was more than ready last night to see what it felt like. He made sure every sting of his hand brought pleasure quickly behind it. My body was at his mercy, and I begged for every touch of his hand. It’s a night I will never forget, and I will gladly do it all over again.
He sets the plates in front of us, and chocolate mixed with bananas hits my nose. I deeply inhale the familiar yet forgotten smell.
“Happy Birthday, Lyla,” he says softly.
I quickly look up and meet his greys filled with so much love that I have to close my eyes briefly to their intensity. I had completely forgotten about my birthday and what day it was.
He remembered.
I only told him once that one night, and he remembered. Ishouldn’t be surprised. It’s Jake. He loves harder than anyone I’ve ever known.
“You made me chocolate chip banana pancakes?” I whisper, blinking back the tears as I remember the last time I ate them.
I don’t feel the pain that I usually do when reliving that last memory I have of my birthday. I feel…love. Nothing but love as I remember my parents and eating my birthday pancakes as we talk excitedly about our day.
“I thought it was time we brought back your birthday traditions and celebrate what is now my favorite day.”
“I don’t know what to say…” My voice catches on my emotions as I try to hold back a sob. “Thank you,” I manage to get out.
“Don’t thank me yet. You may change your mind after you taste them. I usually make pancakes with a box mix and add water, but I’m sure your mom’s was made from scratch, so I printed out a recipe and…”
I throw my arms around him as I leap from my stool. “They’re perfect,” I breathe against his neck. His arms come around me and hold me tight. “This is my favorite birthday ever.”
“It just started,” he laughs against my hair. “I cleared my schedule and have a whole day planned for us.”
“But your clients?” I move back to look up at him.
“My clients can wait. I’ll work a couple of longer days to get them in. Nothing is more important than spending this day with you.” His hands weave into my hair, and I stare in amazement at this man before me.
“How did I get so lucky?”
“I ask myself that same question.” His smile reaches his eyes as he grasps my face in his hands. “This is the first birthday of many that I get to spoil you with, so I hope you are okay with sharing them all with me.”
“I wouldn’t want to share them with anyone else,” I say, bringing his lips to mine. His tongue parts my lips, and I greedily take him in. I taste chocolate and can picture him sneaking chocolate chips as he mixes them, feeding that sweet tooth of his that I love so much.
