Chapter 16
Mia
S omething solid and warmth presses against my cheek, and a steady beating slowly stirs me awake. I let out a soft moan and snuggle closer, and I’m greeted with a groggy, deep voiced “good morning.”
“Morning.” I say as strong arms wrap around me, pulling me closer. This is not my pillow. The memory of last night played through my mind, causing me to sit up abruptly. I throw off the blanket and stand up, only to be hit by a massive headache, forcing me to sit back down.
Turning, I see Jake propped up against my headboard wearing a sleepy smile, his hair even more tousled than usual, some strands falling across his face.
“What are you doing in my bed?”
He chuckles. “You asked me to stay, remember?”
“I don’t remember.” I lie, even though I remember every little detail. Including me pleading for him to fuck me.
I wish I could forget it all. This isn’t me. I don’t get drunk. I can blame everything on the fact I was missing my mom, but I know part of it was because of him. It wasn’t just the alcohol, I wanted him. The alcohol only made me bold enough to act on it. I’m glad he stopped me though. I shouldn’t cross that line.
“You need to get out of my bed and out of my room.” I stand up and point towards the door. He slides the blanket away, swinging his long legs over to stand. But instead of heading to the door, he moves towards me, his green eyes holding me captive. My gaze involuntarily travels over his bare chest, tracing the line of his muscles. The sight of him sends a fire between my thighs.
He moves a step closer, another. I don’t realize I’m moving until my back presses against the cool glass of the window. He leans in, bringing his face level with mine.
“You don’t remember how you begged me to fuck you?” he questions. I swallow, my heart in my throat, his gaze following the movement. “Or how you were grinding on me so sinfully?” The intensity in his eye is ready to burn me. “God knows it took every ounce of my self-control not to fuck you right there.” His finger traces my cheek. Just that little touch makes me tingle all over. “But next time you ask me to fuck you, I want it because you want me, not because you’re drunk or need an escape from your pain.” His face hardens, his eyes burning with an intensity that is fierce and dangerous.
I bite down on my lower lips to stop my heart from racing. “That’s never gonna happen. Last night was a mistake, so thank you for stopping me.” I look down, but his hand catches my chin and forces me to look at him.
“We’ll see about that, princess, and you’re welcome.” He rubs my nose, and the gesture makes my inside melt.
He needs to stop doing that.
“Take a shower, and I’ll bring you something for the headache.” His fingers continue tracing lazy lines across my cheeks and my eyes close at his touch. My pulse throbbing in my throat, I can almost taste it. When I reopen them, he’s walking away, his ass looking so good on those jeans. I stand there trying to relearn how to breathe.
Disappointment fills my stomach. I realized I wanted him to kiss me. What the hell is wrong with me? That’s it, I’m staying as far away from him as possible.
I fucking hate him.
No, you don’t . That stupid little voice scoffs at me.
I make my way into the bathroom to take a shower. I catch my face in the mirror, makeup free. He must have wiped it off. Why does he do sweet things like that, sending every Goddamn nerve in my body into a wild, trembling dance?
I turn on the water, and remove my dress, waiting for it to warm up before stepping into the shower. The warm water hits my skin, making my body tingle. My fingers trace over my skin, and I shiver, wishing it were his hands instead.
I hate that he stirs so much within me; desire, longing, an ache I can’t quite name, and emotions I can’t control. I am rarely sexually attracted to anyone unless I have feelings for them. That thought terrifies me and makes everything more confusing.
My mind replays the memories of last night. He could have taken advantage of me, but he chose not to.
Then, I remember what Sarah said about Jessie, but Jake insists there’s nothing between them. It doesn’t matter, anyway; I can’t allow anything to happen between us.
I have a feeling that would only leave me with a broken heart. Underneath all the flirting and his playboy fa?ade, I know he’s truly sweet. I can really see myself falling for him, but I’m not ready for that fall, knowing he won’t be there to catch me.
After the shower, I dry myself with a towel and then slip into a robe. Back in my room, I find a glass of lemon water, two pills for my headache, and a plate of toast and eggs waiting for me on my desk. He made me breakfast; the sight brings an involuntary smile to my lips, and my heart flutters. I’m in deep trouble, aren’t I?
After eating, I put on a cute ruffle summer dress with my pink converse. I head towards his room, my steps hesitant, but he’s not here.
I head downstairs and spot him outside by the pool. He has his phone pressed to his ear, his face tense. I pause at the door, my fingers lightly gripping the frame as I watch him, heart pounding.
When he ends the call, I step out, the cool morning air caressing my skin. Our eyes meet, and the corner of his eyes soften. I offer a tentative smile, hoping it conveys my gratitude as I approach him.
He sits back at the table, his laptop open in front of him, and his fingers tapping rapidly on the keyboard. I move closer, noticing the deep frown on his forehead and tense shoulders.
He draws in a deep breath, then lets it out slowly, his finger pausing on the keyboard. “Did you need something?” His eyes are still on the screen.
“I wanted to thank you for breakfast,” I begin, hesitating, “and for last night.” My fingers rub the necklace around my neck.
“You’re welcome,” he says without looking up.
“And I’m sorry I was such a mess last night, and about this morning…” I stick a curl behind my ears.
He finally lifts his eyes to mine, his green eyes locking with me. “Don’t apologize, okay?”
“Okay.” I nod, and he returns his focus back to his laptop.
I want to do something to help ease whatever is burdening him. “I’m going for a walk, need some fresh air.” I pause. “Would you come with me? I don’t want to be alone in the forest.”
He raises an eyebrow. “You’ve been there alone before.”
“I know, but I could use the company.” I purse my lips together.
“You sure? Because you kicked me out of your room this morning.” He leans back in his chair, his arms crossing over his chest.
“Pretty, please.” I peer up at him through my lashes, and wiggling my eyebrows.
A smile forms on his face.
Victory.
He studies me for a second before he shakes his head. “God, what am I going to do with you?” He chuckles, and the sound sends baby butterflies into my belly.
“So, is that a yes?” I push gently, my smile widening.
“Apparently I can’t say no to you when you look at me like that.” He stands up and closes his laptops, still with that smile on his face.
“Like what?” I laugh.
He moves closer to me, his eyes softening when they meet mine. “With those pleading doe eyes.”
The way he looks at me with such tenderness lights up every corner of my being and warms me up from the inside. No one has ever looked at me like that before.
He tucks a strand of curls behind my ears, his finger lingering there for a few seconds. I can’t help but smile at him.
“I’ll do anything for that smile of yours.” He leans closer, and for a second I think he’s going to kiss me, not that I want him to, but he doesn’t. “You’ve got me under your thumb, don’t you Moonie?” He sounds like the question is more to himself than to me. Moonie?
“I have a new nickname?”
“Maybe? Unless you prefer princess .” He smiles again, one hand resting on the table. He needs to stop smiling like that.
“I prefer Mia,”I say; I won’t admit that I kinda like it when he calls me princess.
He stares at me and I stare back, goosebumps forming on my arms even though it’s warm out here.
I take one step closer and stand on my tiptoes, pressing my lips to his cheek. His skin is warm , and his stubble pricks my lips. He goes rigid for a second, and he visibly swallows. I step back, smiling at him.
“What was that for?” he chuckles, his eyes wide.
“It’s my ‘thank you’ for last night.” A blush creeps up my cheeks as my heart races.
He laughs, a deep, warm sound that vibrates through his chest. Pulling me into his arms, he holds me close. “I think I need another one for this morning.” His lips brush against my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
“Stop being greedy,” I laugh, pushing him away.
“Besides, isn’t it supposed to be two kisses, one on each cheek? I want my other kiss.” He points at his cheek.
“You’re insufferable.” I step closer and plant another kiss on his other cheek. When I pull away, I find the biggest grin on his face.
“Let’s go.” I walk ahead as he follows me ignoring the rapid beat of my heart as if I just climbed a mountain.
We walk in silence to the waterfall, sunlight piercing through the canopy of trees. My steps are light, and I close my eyes, inhaling the fresh air. I twirl around, enjoying the enchantment of this place.
“Someone is in a good mood.” He chuckles.
I stop twirling and open my eyes, smiling at the way the lights play on his face. “I don’t know. This place makes me happy.” I do another twirl.
He makes you happy, that little voice whispers again.
“It shows.” A huge smirk invades his face.
I freeze when I see a kaleidoscope of butterflies. “Oh, my God, Jake.” I've been here before but I've never seen butterflies. Sometimes, I've seen a bird or two.
I chase after them, feeling like a kid. Jake's laughter mingles with mine. I watch as they fly away and disappear. “Where did they go?” A pout forms on my face. I turn to look at Jake who's been standing there watching me with his arm crossed over his chest, leaning against a tree.
“Not the pout,” he laughs. “You’re such a kid sometimes.”
“I am not.” I punch his arm as we continue our walk. I like how I can be myself around him. He’s like an old friend, except my thoughts about him are not exactly friendly.
Reaching the waterfall, I lie on the grass and gaze up at the sky, and he lies beside me. In the quiet, I study the side of his face, the light playing subtly on his jawline. His eyes intently watching the clouds drift lazily above, almost as if he’s silently communicating with the universe.
I’m not going to lie, he’s gorgeous!
“Yes?” he catches me staring, and laughs, a rich, open sound that vibrates with warmth. “Something in your mind?”
“Last time you agreed to tell me what’s going on, but we only talked about me, but I didn’t forget.”
“I see,” he chuckles, turning to face me.
“So what got you upset again, today? Is it the same reason you got upset last time?”
He sighs. “My family owns a hotel. My dad used to manage it, and when he died, I didn’t want anything to do with it.” Pain was evident in his voice. “But my mom begged me to help. The hotel was struggling, and she had no idea what she was doing. It turns out we’ve been in debt since well before my dad passed. He took out loans, which I don’t know what for, and he never repaid them. Now we might lose the hotel.” I reach out to squeeze his hand, and his eyes widen as they meet mine. “Although, initially, I wanted nothing to do with it, I can’t let that happen; after all, it’s still our family legacy.”
My fingers mindlessly traces a pattern along his arm. “I’m sorry. I’m sure you will come up with a solution.” I pause, hoping I don’t overstep. “Maybe I can help?”
He gives me a small, tired smile. “Thank you, but you don’t have to worry about my mess.”
He wraps an arm around my neck, guiding my head into his chest.
“So, you can be nice when you want to,” he teases with a chuckle.
“What are you talking about? I’m nice all of the time.” I playfully punch him on the arm.
“Okay, I take that back.” He laughs, his chest rumbling beneath my cheek.
This is normal to be this comfortable with someone you barely know, right? We’ve been spending a lot of time together.
I tilt my head up to look at him. “So, why didn’t you want anything to do with the hotel?”
“It was his world, not mine. For years, he used the hotel as an excuse for why he never had time for us.” I can hear the pain in his words.
“Were you two close?” I ask as his hand mindlessly plays with my curls. I love these moments with him. When we’re together like this, it feels like we’ve known each other for a lifetime.
He pauses, his chest rising and falling under my touch. “As a kid, yeah, we were. We’d go camping and stuff, but then he stopped, got too busy, I guess.”
I frown, his eyes reflecting the deep greens of the forest. “I’m so sorry to hear that, a parent should always make time for their children, no matter what.”
“It’s okay.” He smiles at me, but the pain behind his eyes tells me it’s not. Instinctively, I tighten my arm around his waist.
“You should come climbing with me. Alex and Sarah will be there, and it’s fun,” he says, changing the subject, the sound vibrates through his chest.
“Me, climbing? I don’t know. I’m still thinking about it.”
He mentioned it last time, but I haven’t decided yet.
“Come on, I promise you can do it, and I’m an excellent teacher.” He tickles my sides.
“Okay, okay, I’ll come.” I giggle.
“Great, you’ll love it.” His face lights up, pushing away the shadows of sadness from earlier.