My hand moves faster and more blood rushes south.
She wanted a hand. She wanted it fromme. I grunt, unable to keep quiet when it all hits me.
I want her. Her hands on me, even if it’s just while I’m making her come. Her fingertips digging into my shoulder while I was touching her. I edge my heels a little wider as liquid warmth gathers at the base of my spine.
She was so hot and wet and we didn’t even get to the point of getting off but I just know she has to sound?—
She says my name in my head again and that’s it. I grunt as I empty myself onto the shower floor, opening my eyes and finding I’m still alone.
But we said we wouldn’t leave each other lonely.
I dress slowly, the mystery of whatever made her stop our activity coming back to haunt me. Did I do something wrong? I got the impression she didn’t want to talk about it at the time, but I’ll have to try to get it out of her this evening.
I run into Caleb in the kitchen as I’m headed out the door.
“How’s boss?” he asks.
My stomach dips remembering how our boss was spreading her legs for me, trusting me to make her feel good. My cheeks burn. “Still not fully out of the woods. I’m staying over there tonight in case she needs something.”
Caleb makes big eyes at me. “Nurse Jake to the rescue.”
I just smirk. “Are you coming to her family’s Fourth barbecue this weekend?”
“Wasn’t planning on it. Don’t want to crash somebody’s family gathering.”
I shrug. “I don’t think you’d be crashing.”
Caleb lifts a brow. “Yeah, but you’re trying to become part of the family.”
I roll my eyes and grab the backup container of mint chocolate chip ice cream from the freezer. “Whatever. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I hear voices upstairs when I slide my boots off at the door of the farmhouse, one of which sounds like Becca. I drop the ice cream in the freezer.
“Who said anything about a relationship? Just knock boots for the summer!” Becca says.
Darcy shushes her, and Becca speaks louder. “Anyway, you’re coming out tomorrow night.” Becca leans to see me in the doorway, a bundle of cut white wildflowers in her hand. “Right, Jake? You and Darcy and her bestie are coming to the Legion tomorrow night to party.”
“No, I can’t party,” Darcy objects. “My family’s barbecue is this weekend. I have to make sure the farm looks good. And y’all have to come. Everybody’ll be there. My cousins, aunties, Maggie and Bill, my parents. My bestie Brianna is coming into town for it. There’s kind of a lot of us.”
“Well, maybe. Let’s start with partying tomorrow.” Becca tosses a hand where she arranges the wildflower bouquet in a jar next to Darcy’s bed. “I’ll come early tomorrow to help you. You can let go of the farm for one night.”
“What if I’m not better by tomorrow?” she protests.
“You will be,” Becca says. “We’ll have the farm ready, we’ll party, and Jake will drive you and your bestie around. Right, Jake?”
I’m not sure how I got roped into this, but if it’s a chance to see Darcy doing something that makes her happy, I’m game. I lean against the door frame. “Sure. I have to go to the lab for a bit, but I can drop you girls off and come back when I’m done. But for now,” I approach Darcy’s bed and hand her the Gatorade bottle next to her, “quit yappin’. Get drinkin’.”
“Yes, Daddy,” Becca mumbles, then giggles.
I fight the burn headed for my cheeks and shake my head at them. “You two are a mess.”
Becca jostles my shoulder. “You love us.”
I sigh and go quiet, my fingers finding Darcy’s pulse at her wrist. I pinch the skin of her forearm and it doesn’t snap right back. “Becca brought your favorite flowers,” I say. “No frilly roses for you.”
“Right,” Darcy croaks out. Becca makes eyes at her, having some kind of silent girl conversation.
I turn to Darcy. “Will you eat buttered noodles? Might be easy on your stomach.”
