Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 57201 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57201 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
“You can’t be that blind, honey,” he replies, making me blink as shock runs through me.
“Jake…”
That’s the only word I can get out. A sheen of sweat breaks out over my body. I know what that look on his face means. I know.
“Now she’s got it,” he murmurs, putting my foot down and leaning into me. I watch his lips move but the words sound like they’re coming from under water. My heart is thundering in my chest.
“I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“It’s better if you don’t think, sunshine. All you need to do is feel.”
He stretches his body out and then his lips are on mine. I gasp in surprise and his tongue slides into my mouth. I stiffen with the invasion, but then he takes over my mouth and I lose myself in the kiss.
It’s a kiss from my memory, full of promise and passion. It’s hunger and sweetness—desire and fantasy. Most of all, it is familiar and completely new—it’s Jake.
I couldn’t fight it if I wanted to.
And I don’t.
CHAPTER 29
Jake
“How are things going?” Reed asks and I know he’s watching me closely. He’s worried about Katie. It should piss me off, but it doesn’t—not really.
I push my hair from my face. I need to get it cut, but there’s not enough hours in the day. Since getting Katie home from the hospital two days ago, I’ve been busy constantly. I’m getting a new appreciation for everything that Katie does. I don’t see how one woman does it all. Before getting hurt Katie took care of the house, her mom, Lennon and worked full time. She did all the shopping, daily errands, and cooking. I have no idea how the woman managed to be coherent half the time. By the time I crawl into bed, I’m exhausted.
I’m not complaining, though. I can honestly say this is the happiest I’ve been. Every single moment I get with Lennon is experiencing a miracle I never knew I wanted. He’s everything. Then there’s Katie.
Katie…
Since kissing her, other than mostly innocent touches during her therapy or helping her in general, we’ve been strictly G-rated. It’s not that I haven’t wanted to kiss her again—believe me I have. The only thing that stopped me was the look in her eyes when we broke apart after kissing.
She was terrified.
That’s not what a man wants from a woman—especially a woman he wants to rebuild a future with. I’ve made so many mistakes and I’m not talking about the ones I made when we were kids. If we had stayed together back then, I don’t think we would have worked out—not even with Lennon in the mix. Katie knew what she wanted and needed to live a happy life. The problem was the things she wanted weren’t what would have made me happy—at least not back then.
Now?
My gaze moves over to Katie, Lennon, Callie, and Miss Hazel playing cards at the bar. I watch as Katie throws her head back in laughter and Lennon’s giggle rings out too. I smile because it feels like everything that I need in life is right there in front of me.
Every. Last. Thing.
“Never mind, I know that look,” Reed says, grabbing my attention once more.
“What?” I ask, confused because I literally got lost in thought looking at my woman and my son.
And that’s what they are.
“I began wondering when you practically moved in the hospital with Katie. Then, Callie mentioned to Miss Hazel that she was going to move in here for a while to help and was told there wasn’t a reason for her to because you were living here…”
“I can take care of Katie,” I mutter.
“Yeah, I can see that. Does Katie know how you feel about her?”
I frown. “Anyone ever tell you that you’re a meddling busy body, Reed Lane?”
“Not once,” he says with a cocky grin.
“Well, they should have.”
“Just answer the question and quit avoiding it, man.”
“I think so. I mean, it’s not like I’ve made much of a secret of it. The whole town has made us the county gossip fodder.”
“That’s for damn sure.”
“Yeah. I’m actually glad Katie can’t really get out. I don’t want her to hear that shit.”
“I love living here, but if there’s one drawback, that’s probably it,” Reed admits.
“Well, if she knows, then what exactly is going on with you two?”
“Nothing,” I grumble.
“Nothing?” Reed asks, disbelief in his voice. I can understand it because I can’t believe it myself. “Dude, I know she’s healing and all of that, but you got to make some moves here.”
“I did. I kissed her and…”
“And?”
“It was good—damn good. Yet, after it was over, she looked at me and Reed, man, I swear she was terrified. I could see it on her face as clear as day.”
“Shit,” Reed hisses.
“Yeah. I’m at a loss on what to do next. I don’t want to scare her. I don’t really want to back away from her either.