Chapter 46
forty-six
“Tell me everything. I’ve been dying for details. The short texts you’ve sent are nowhere near enough,” Chelsi says over the phone as I peruse my closet for an outfit to wear on my first official date with Jake tonight.
“We’re basically acting like teenagers whenever we have a moment alone.
” I sigh, rejecting another sweater option.
“The reprieve I had at work was short-lived and only lasted for a weekend. I’ve had early mornings and late nights all week, which has made it nearly impossible for Jake and me to have any quality time together. ”
“What does that mean?”
“We’re on our best behavior when my mom’s around. Pretending like nothing has changed until she leaves the room, or I can sneak over to his house for a few minutes.” I slide another shirt into the reject side of my closet, frowning at the lack of options I have down here.
“So, no more orgasms?”
I chuckle. “Sadly, no. Just the one after the wedding. And no, I’m not going to give you any more details. I already answered the thirty questions you asked the morning after.”
“How long are you going to wait to have sex with him? You know I would’ve jumped him a long time ago.”
I shake my head, plucking out a sweater from the closet that should work for tonight. “I don’t have a set timeline. I’m waiting for the right moment. When we both feel ready to take the next step.”
Chelsi laughs. “Pretty sure he’s been ready to devour you for weeks. And I can only imagine how much hotter his dirty talk will become once the two of you start having sex. I’m going to need to know everything, Kate.”
“You will get the CliffsNotes version and be grateful I’m willing to share that much with you,” I reply, a flush of heat creeping up my neck and cheeks as I remember how it felt to have his hands on my bare skin. It was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
“Fine,” Chelsi groans. “What are you wearing tonight?”
“It’s slim pickings down here, but I’m thinking an emerald-green one-shoulder sweater and dark skinny jeans.” I switch to speakerphone, dropping the phone onto my bed as I shimmy into my jeans and pull the sweater over my head.
“Great choice. The color will make your eyes pop. And what else are you wearing?”
What the hell is she talking about? Does she mean a coat? “Huh? I guess I’ll probably throw on some jewelry.” I walk over to my dresser and glance at my extremely limited options when it comes to necklaces.
“Silly girl,” Chelsi teases with a laugh. “Not jewelry. What’s the bra and panties plan?”
“For the love, Chelsi,” I groan, throwing my head back and staring at the ceiling, as if she can somehow see me over the phone.
“What? It’s a fair question. You’re grown adults who are falling for each other. I just want to make sure you’re prepared in case it happens tonight.”
“You’re always looking out for me, Chelsi,” I reply, taking a seat on my bed and covering my eyes with my hand. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t,” Chelsi says in a sing-song voice. “And hopefully do all the things I would!”
“Bye, Chelsi,” I say, ending the call.
“Any chance you’ll tell me what things Chelsi would and wouldn’t do?”
I jolt off the bed at the sound of his voice from the other side of my cracked-open bedroom door.
“Holy shit, Jake! You scared me. How long… How long were you standing there?” I bite the inside of my cheek, praying he didn’t hear any of her comments about how she believes we’re both falling for each other, and eternally grateful I didn’t switch to speakerphone when she was talking about her thoughts on his dirty talk.
“Not long. Only Chelsi’s last comment,” he answers. “Can I come in?”
“Yes,” I reply, messing with the bottom of my sweater and trying to calm my breathing. It’s beyond pointless to worry about my flushed skin, considering one look, touch, or word from him can have that effect on me in minutes.
As soon as the door opens, I lose my breath, my mouth goes dry, and the beating of my heart picks up speed.
He looks incredible—his jeans hug his thighs, his dark gray sweater brings out the flecks of blue in his eyes, and his smile is heart-melting.
But it’s not what he’s wearing that gets me—it’s his presence. He looks like home. My home.
I’m so freaking screwed.
“You look breathtaking, Kate,” he murmurs, gazing into my eyes and taking a step closer. “I’m so pleased I finally get to take you on a proper date.”
I blush, parting my lips. “You look incredible as well. I’m really looking forward to tonight,” I reply, placing my hand on his chest. I don’t dare get any closer to him with the door open, not with my mom becoming more mobile.
Somehow, she’s figured out how to use her walker in stealth mode, sneaking up on me without making a single sound multiple times in the past few days.
“Any chance you’ll tell me where we’re headed before we actually get there? ”
“Not a chance,” he teases, smiling at me with adoration. “For the record, I’m holding your hand as soon as we get outside your front door. I’ve been patiently waiting all week.”
My heart flutters faster, anticipation raging inside me. No matter where he takes me, I know tonight will be a core memory. And maybe…the last first date I ever have to go on.
I follow Jake out of my bedroom and say goodbye to my mom, reminding her to call if she needs anything and reiterating that dinner is in the fridge. She’s immersed in a recorded episode of a soap opera, so she barely pays us any attention.
Once we hit my front porch, Jake does exactly as he promised, taking my hand in his.
His entire face lights up as he brings our joined hands to his mouth, pressing a soft kiss to mine.
“I hope you like what I have planned,” he says with a tinge of nervousness in his voice.
“I wanted to make it special. Something we would both always remember.” He stops in front of the passenger door of his truck and brushes the back of his hand along my cheek, sending shockwaves through every nerve ending in my body.
We’re barely five minutes into the date, and he’s already made my heart swoon multiple times. I’m going to be a pile of romantic mush if he keeps this up.
He gently tugs my hand, pulling me away from his truck and toward his house, causing my forehead to crinkle in confusion. “Did you forget something?”
“You could say that,” he replies, walking to his front porch and taking a deep breath before opening the door.
That’s when I see it, and I’m rendered utterly speechless.
He’s transformed his living room into a magical forest. Twinkle lights and navy tulle cover the ceiling, potted trees of various shapes and sizes line every wall, countless floral arrangements of roses in a variety of colors blanket the floor, and a gorgeous picnic is set up in the middle.
There’s not a single piece of furniture in the room.
Every square inch is occupied by this breathtaking display. And he’s done it all for me. For us.
Tears start to pool in the corner of my eyes, and I’m overwhelmed with emotion. This is beyond any expectation I could’ve ever had. “I don’t know what to say,” I murmur, holding his hand tightly to center me and remind me this is really happening.
He turns me to face him, his arms wrapping around my waist. “Do you like it?” he asks, biting his lower lip. “I thought it would give us a chance to talk and touch freely without constantly worrying about prying eyes.”
“I…I love it, Jake,” I whisper, awestruck, barely able to get the words out. So incredibly grateful to be here, in this moment, with him. To share tonight with him. “I’m never going to forget this.”
“Me neither, Kate,” he agrees, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Why don’t you take a seat while I bring in our first course?”
I nod silently and make my way across the living room, memorizing every detail.
Not wanting to forget a single thing from tonight.
I kick off my shoes and sit on the cozy pile of blankets, taking out my phone to snap a quick picture as Jake walks in, carrying a tray of food in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other.
“Let me guess. Taking a photo for Chelsi?” he asks with a huge grin and a sparkle in his eyes as he carefully places the tray on the blanket and sits next to me.
“I’m sure I’ll send her a couple later, but these are mainly for me.”
“We should get a picture of us,” he says, opening his palm for me to hand him my phone.
He opens the camera, places his arm around me, and takes a series of selfies.
The first few are of us smiling until he says something hilarious, causing me to burst out laughing while he snaps more photos of us.
Then, he surprises me once again by kissing me while taking more photos.
By the time he’s done, my camera roll is filled with over thirty pictures.
A snapshot from the beginning of our very first date.
We spend the next few hours eating my absolute favorite foods of pasta, cheese, and mini cheesecakes while we chat about everything.
He talks about his current work project and how it’s been a struggle for months until the past few weeks, mentioning how he believes the thought of a future with me has unlocked his creativity.
He tells me about the idiosyncrasies of the people he spends most of his time with: Jason, Anna, and Max, and how each of them has threatened to show up in Southmount at some point in the past couple of months.
I share the latest on what my team is doing and how this one account could change the trajectory of my entire career.
We dance around the topic of how we’ll see each other when our real lives are seven hours apart, each of us committing to figuring it out without necessarily knowing how to yet.
Normally, this uncertainty would make me anxious and spiral, assuming worst-case scenarios, but not this time.
I have an unexplainable sense of peace about it.
Believing it’s all going to work out somehow as long as I follow my heart.
After I finish the last of the wine in my glass, I lick my lips and watch Jake’s eyes follow the movement of my tongue.
He moves rapidly, gently grabbing the back of my head and pulling me into a deep, passionate kiss.
Sparks of electricity spread from my lips throughout my body, setting me on fire with desire.
His mouth parts, and our tongues tangle in a desperate kiss, like we’ve been starving for each other for years. Like it was always meant to be.
“Fuck, Kate,” he murmurs into my mouth, threading his hand through my hair. “I’ve been dying to kiss you like that all night.” He presses his forehead to mine, exhaling deeply.
We sit in silence for a couple of minutes before I stand and reach out my hand. His eyes squint, eyebrows arching, as he tries to discern what I’m thinking. I decide to make it extremely clear.
Leave no doubt in his mind how I want tonight to end.
I pull him toward me, leaving barely any space between us. I slowly move my mouth to the side of his face, my breath hot on his skin as his becomes more labored, and his heart pounds. I brush my lips against his ear and whisper, “Take me to bed, Jake. Fuck me. Please.”