Chapter 12 #2
Jake followed, sliding a hand onto Cole’s shoulder, while I hesitated for half a second. Cole seemed to sense it, his brows furrowing for just a moment. Then he looked up at me with that same beaming smile and added, “You too, Miss … Eden!”
At school, it was vital that I was still Miss James to him. That type of structure mattered. But this was Cole’s home—his family’s barn. At home, he was free to use my name.
“Eden’s just fine out here,” I said, brushing a hand over his shoulder.
He nodded once and tugged me into place. Cole stood between Jake and me, holding his certificate proudly, and just as the camera clicked, he leaned his head against my side. I didn’t even realize I was holding my breath until the flash went off.
The moment felt delicate and perfect, like something I’d want to press between the pages of a book and keep forever.
It meant more than I could say that Cole had pulled me into the picture like I belonged there.
I would never try to replace his mother.
But maybe, in time, I could be something else to him.
Maybe, just maybe, we could be a family.
As soon as the photo was taken, he bounded away. “I have to go find Uncle Gage!” he shouted over his shoulder, already disappearing into the crowd.
I blinked after him. “What was that about?”
Jake shook his head, smiling. “Gage told him he’d give him twenty bucks if he actually won. Said there was no way the PTO would vote for zombie intestines. Cole’s been calling it ‘easy money’ all week.”
I laughed. “Sounds like Gage underestimated how committed your son is to his craft.”
Jake’s gaze lingered on me, his eyes warm and unguarded. “I’m told he gets that stubborn streak from me. I wouldn’t say that’s a bad thing, though. It got me you, didn’t it?”
Heat crept up my neck at the way he was looking at me. The noise of the festival seemed to fade around us, and I became hyperaware of his proximity.
Who was I kidding? I was always aware of his proximity.
“Jake …” I started, not sure what I wanted to say.
Around us, the energy that had swelled with the contest began to settle. Families trickled away from the scarecrow display toward the dessert tables or the fire pits outside. The laughter and chatter quieted to a low murmur as the evening took on a softer, more relaxed vibe.
Jake’s fingers brushed against mine, and he guided me back toward the center of the barn, where a patch of open floor was acting as a makeshift dance floor.
The music shifted into a slower rhythm, and Jake turned to me. “Dance with me?”
I set my hand in his, and he led me into the small crowd. His hand settled on my back, the other weaving through my fingers, and my cheek pressed to his chest. I closed my eyes, letting the sway of our bodies and the fiddle’s plaintive melody pull me into the moment.
“You have no idea how long I’ve dreamed about this,” he whispered, his lips brushing against the shell of my ear and sending a shiver down my spine. “Dancing with you, holding you like this. Letting everyone see that you’re mine.”
“If this is a dream,” I murmured, “I don’t ever want to wake up.”
His hold on me tightened, his chin resting lightly on my head. I felt the weight of his affection in every touch, every breath.
We danced for a few more songs until the event began to wind down and the cleaning crew the school had hired began straightening up. Tomorrow, I’d have to coordinate the return of the tables and chairs to the rental place, but for tonight, I was free.
Colt approached, his footsteps slow and deliberate against the worn boards as he glanced around the barn. “Need me to take Cole up to the house?”
Jake shook his head. “Nah, he left an hour ago with Aiden. They’ve been planning this sleepover for weeks.”
Jake’s thumb began tracing small circles through my sweater, and I felt my pulse quicken. With Cole at his friend’s house, we could spend a lazy morning in bed together. Or … maybe not so lazy.
Colt smiled, his gaze circling in the space. “This school’s been really good for him.”
Jake slipped an arm around my waist, pulling me gently into his side. “It’s been good for both of us.” His voice was lower now, rougher, and there was no mistaking his meaning.
“Yeah, I can see that.” Colt’s knowing look made heat rise in my cheeks.
“Thanks for all your help this morning,” I rushed to fill the charged silence.
“I really appreciated it.” In the last couple of weeks, Colt and I had reached a quiet sort of understanding.
I knew he still didn’t fully trust that his brother was it for me, but he also did his best to welcome me back into the family the way he had that summer ten years ago.
Colt rocked back on his heels. “Uh, so, the house is yours. I saw Gage sneak out a bit ago, and Nash disappeared with Sage not too long after.”
Jake’s gaze swung to the open doors that looked out over where all the cars had been parked as if he could still see Nash out there. He scrubbed his hand over his jaw and pulled his eyes back to Colt. “You think he’s ever gonna tell her how he feels about her?”
Colt looked thoughtful for a moment, then shook his head. “Given it’s been almost twenty years, I doubt it.”
Jake nodded, then, after a beat, asked, “You heading out, too?”
Colt shifted his weight, one hand sliding into the front pocket of his jeans. “Yeah. Meeting up with some folks in town.” His gaze flicked toward the barn doors. “I’ll probably crash at Remy’s instead of driving home.”
Jake’s brow lifted. “Remy … that’s the new brewer from California who took over at Steelhead, yeah?”
“Yeah.” Colt nodded, but didn’t otherwise elaborate.
Jake hummed thoughtfully. “Rumor is his family’s big in politics out west. Senator or something? No one seems to know how he ended up brewing beer in Montana.”
Colt shrugged, his gaze darting to the barn doors again. “People talk.”
Jake’s lips twitched like he couldn’t quite hide a smile. “That they do, brother. We gonna meet this mysterious new friend of yours anytime soon?”
Colt’s composure wavered slightly—a flicker of discomfort in his eyes, a slight shift in his stance—but he quickly masked it. “I imagine you will,” he said, though his tone was evasive.
Jake studied him for a moment longer but let it go. “All right. Well, be safe. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t.”
Colt huffed out a quiet laugh and shook his head. He tipped his chin toward me. “Night, Eden.”
“Night,” I said softly, watching as he headed out into the night.
When his truck rumbled away down the long gravel drive, a hush settled over the barn. A few lanterns still flickered, casting long golden shadows over the room.
Jake turned toward me slowly, and I saw the exact moment his mood shifted. His eyes darkened, his gaze dropping to my mouth before traveling back up. The careful restraint he’d maintained during the event began to crack.
“All day and night,” he said, his voice rough with desire, “I’ve had to watch other men look at you. Had to keep my hands to myself while you smiled at everyone.” His fingers found the hem of my sweater, toying with the soft fabric. “Do you have any idea how hard that’s been?”
My breath caught. Possessive Jake was new. Typically, I wouldn’t like it, but coming from this man … whew . Heat pooled low in my belly, and my pussy clenched with need. Yeah, I enjoyed this side of him a whole lot.
“Tell me,” I teased.
“I kept thinking about this morning,” he continued, stepping closer until I could feel the heat radiating from his body.
“About how you looked in my bed, how you tasted on my tongue.” His thumb brushed along my hipbone, and I shivered.
“About all the things I wanted to do to you that we didn’t have time for.
” His free hand came up to cup my face, his thumb tracing my lower lip. “Everyone’s gone. It’s just us now.”
I leaned into his touch, my body already responding to the promise in his voice. “It is,” I agreed, my tongue flicking out to lap at the pad of his thumb.
His eyes locked with mine, and I saw raw, undisguised hunger in his gaze. “I’ve been patient long enough, Eden.”
My knees went weak at the intensity in his voice, at the way he was looking at me like I was something he wanted to devour.
His thumb pressed into my mouth, and I sucked on it.
“Come with me,” he said, his voice pure command.