Finally, we part, and I manage to stay steady on my feet. Jake takes his time washing me, his hands gentle and caring, even washing my hair diligently, massaging me as he does. I feel thoroughly relaxed and pampered by the time we turn off the water and dry ourselves. A feeling of peace radiates through me that I’ve never experienced before.
It feels so natural to joke around as we get dressed. Jake hides my bra until I tackle him to get it back. He lets me win, I’ve seen enough of him on the ice to know there’s no way in hell I’d ever actually beat his lightning-fast reflexes.
I’m grinning as we grab our bags and leave the hotel, ducking straight into a taxi together. My stomach growls as we get buckled in, and I blush as Jake chuckles.
“I know the best brunch place,” he says, eyes on me. “You got time?”
Even if I didn’t, I’d say yes. The draw I feel to him is too strong, and the opportunity to spend more one-on-one time with him is too tempting to deny. Plus, I’mreallyhungry. “Sounds great,” I tell him.
He gives the driver an address, and twenty minutes later, we pull up outside the cutest-looking little cafe. I’ve never been before, but as we step inside, Jake carrying both our bags, I already know I’m going to love everything on the menu from the vibes alone. There are plants everywhere, and the walls are painted pink. The smell of coffee syrups fills the air. Jake, the big, bulky hockey player he is, looks out of place somewhere like this, and I grin up at him.
“How did you discover this place?” I ask as we find a table.
“You know Hugh, the goalie?” he says, pulling out my chair for me to sit. “His wife loves it here, and once he brought me a breakfast sandwich when I was hungover, and I swear to God it changed my life.”
I laugh, picturing the huge goalie sitting here with his wife. Jake’s big, but Hugh is excellent at his job because of how well he fills the goals. He gets called the Giant of the Hawks for a reason.
“Well, I need to try one of these life-changing sandwiches now,” I laugh, browsing the menu. “Ooh, but they havecreme brulee French toasttoo. And chocolate chip brioche!”
I look up from admiring all the options to find Jake grinning widely at me. He’s so handsome it stops my heart for a second.
“They’ve also got all sorts of sugary coffee concoctions that you’ll probably love,” he points out, pulling a face teasingly at the abundance of flavored options.
“Are you trying to turn me on again?” I joke, raising a brow at him.
Jake’s gaze darkens with desire. “Always.” There’s not a hint of a joke in his tone, and despite the fact I’ve had more sex in the last twenty-four hours than ever before, I want him again.
He’s turning me into a needy mess, and I can’t even be mad about it.
The waiter comes to take our order, and Jake orders us two loaded breakfast sandwiches, the creme brulee french toast, and an order of chocolate chip brioche.
“I could’ve picked one,” I protest, but Jake just shoots me a look.
“But you don’t have to,” he argues, shrugging. “What my girl wants, she gets. You can always take whatever’s left over for later.”
I’m about to argue about the cost, but the way he raises his brows and pins me with a look that sayslet me spoil youshuts me up.
When my coffee arrives, full of seasonal syrups and cold foam with a sugar cookie on top, I make Jake try some and laugh at the face he pulls when the sugar hits his tongue.
“What do you have against sweet things?” I giggle, taking a long sip of the delicious drink.
A flirty grin takes over Jake’s expression. “I can think of one sweet thing I’d happily eat for breakfast every damn day,” he whispers, making me blush bright red, heat rushing over me as I catch his meaning.
“Oh my God, is that Jake Jones?!” an excited voice exclaims.
Our heads turn to the right, finding two guys staring right at Jake with awe-struck expressions on their faces. I’d almost forgotten Jake is basically famous until now, but I grin when they catch us looking over.
“Give them an autograph,” I say to Jake, encouraging him when he looks unsure. “I’ll take photos for socials, then we can claim that we were just working together if anyone asks.”
I wave them over, and Jake shakes their hands, chatting to them about past and upcoming games, thanking them when they gush over how good he is and how he’s their favorite player. One of the guys is wearing a Jays cap, and Jake signs it happily while I snap photos to post later.
This is the side of him that I want the world to start to see, that he’s more than just a Playboy in the gossip columns. He’s talented and caring and friendly, someone anyone would be lucky to know.
As he poses for selfies with the fans, I can’t help but think that the Jake in the headlines is nothing like the Jake I know now. And I’m going to make the rest of the world see that, too.
6
JAKE
