Jesus. The man is divine.
I exhale, catching a whiff of my breath. Oh, my God. Do I have any gum in my purse? It’s not like I spend a lot of timehooking up with people, so I don’t have a travel toothbrush and toothpaste handy.
But I’m not about to have Jake wake up and run scared because of my breath. Even if it’s a piece that’s fallen out of the package and half covered in purse lint, I’m chewing it.
I slowly crawl out from under Jake’s arm and scoot to my side of the bed. No, it’s the opposite side of his bed. Not mine. But maybe it could be. He didn’t talk about a future between us, but the sparks that flew between us were unmistakable. He wants me and that’s enough for now.
My cell phone dings. Who in the hell would message me at…. What time is it? I slide the top of the screen down–4:10 a.m.
Amanda: I can’t wait for tomorrow night….
I gasp and drop the phone onto the dresser. That’s not my phone. My hand shakes as I blink back tears. I don’t have to read the rest of the message to know he’s making plans to hook up again with Amanda. Fuck, I’m so stupid.
My hands ball into fists. And he’s a fucking liar. Not had sex in over three years. That’s complete and utter bullshit.
Yes, the man knows things that should be illegal. But he knows things…. Which is the problem. He’s a player. He’s the kind of guy that flits from one girl to the next. Not the man who’s ready to settle down and start a family, and I’m ready for that kind of relationship. I want to get married and raise a family with my best friend.
You’re so stupid. Of course, you’d fall for the ‘let’s enjoy the night and see what happens’ kind of guy. That’s what all the players say. They give half-empty promises to get you intobed and then ghost you. I should know. I fallen for a few of those lines, and it was always the same thing. Either they never called again, or they called again late at night when they wanted another meaningless screw.
As I walk through the bedroom, trying to remember where my clothes fell, I turn back and study him under the faint light from the bedroom. He’s gorgeous. Utterly gorgeous. Flawless. He has the most beautiful face. High cheekbones and a strong jaw, covered in a 5 o’clock shadow. And those blue eyes. My toes curl against the wooden floors.
Go. I turn on my heel. Go before he wakes up and gives you the blow off.
After the front door snaps shut, I lean my forehead against the door, fighting off visions of his mouth covering mine, his warmth and strength surrounding me, his hardness filling me and bringing me to one orgasm after another.
I’ve never experienced anything like Jake, and likely never will again. A cool breeze flutters a strand of hair blowing it against my cheek. Go. Get out of here before someone sees you.
Shit. Before Ruby sees you.
I spin on my heel and stop. I don’t have a vehicle because Jake picked me up last night and brought me here. Please don’t let anyone see me. I glance in both directions, straighten my shoulders, and jog down the front stops.
If I get onto the street without anyone seeing me, I can explain my presence by saying I stayed at Ruby’s last night. A dog from a few houses away howls into the still dark sky as either the door shutting or my scent alerts it to my presence. My heartbeat thunders in my ears.
The second my feet hit the sidewalk, I increase my speed until I’m nearly sprinting. When I drop down to the street from the sidewalk, I gasp at the pain of my ankle buckling. You’re such a moron. I slow to a fast walk, limping with every second step. The dog barking grows louder as the heat covers my cheeks.
When I pass by one of Jake’s neighbor’s houses, the door flies open. “Brutus, no one wants to hear all this incessant yapping. Go pee and get back inside.”
Please, don’t see me. Fuck. It’s Josephine’s house.
“Emily, is that you?” Josephine tilts her head in the shadows. The porchlight flashes on, illuminating Josephine who’s clad in a long T-shirt and shorts.
“Hey.” I give her a weak wave in response. So much for not seeing anyone.
“That is, you.” She folds his arms over her chest, holding the thin material of her T-shirt to her body. The dog starts barking again. “Brutus, shut up, you’re going to wake the entire neighborhood.”
“Yes, I should go.” I take a step.
“What’re you doing exactly?” Josephine’s frown is pronounced by the shadows from the overhead light and the darkness surrounding us.
Think. Think. Think. You should’ve thought of something already. The light in Jake’s bedroom window snaps on. Shit. Go.
“I’m walking. Getting my early morning exercise.” I wave with more enthusiasm and march in place. In my work clothes. I throw up a prayer that she doesn’t notice the white shirt andpolyester black pants. “I’ve got to keep my heartrate up. See ya around.”
“Right….” The question in her voice doesn’t bode well for my cause as another light flips at Jake’s house. He’s looking for me. Or getting ready for work. At four o’clock in the morning? “By the way, thank you for watching Steven the other day. I really appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome.” Another light comes on. “Well, I gotta run. Keep my heartrate up and all.” I smile while projecting my voice toward the house and moving down the street. God, I already said that once. She’s going to think I’m an idiot.
If my heart beat any harder, it’d be pulsating on the sidewalk.
