Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
LYLA
I finish setting the table and run my hands down the front of my cutoff shorts. I’ve changed my outfit at least four times since I got out of the shower. I don’t have much of a wardrobe to begin with, so my options are limited.
When I saw his t-shirt on my bed, I couldn’t help but put it on. It reminded me of the first night we met. Even with tying it in the front, it’s still big on me, but as soon as his smell surrounded me, I felt comforted and didn’t want to take it off.
My stomach is filled with excitement and nerves, and I’m not sure which one is winning at the moment. After last night and today, I’m not sure what to expect.
I know he’s nothing like Tim, but part of me is worried that if we go any further, it’s going to bring up bad memories that I’ve stuffed down deep inside. I’ve only ever had sex one way, and there was nothing nice or loving about it. I’m not sure how to please a man any other way.
I jump when Miles comes in from the garage, pulling me from my thoughts. “God, you scared me,” I say, placing a hand on my heart .
“Why? Did something happen? Are you okay?” He quickly scans the room before rushing over.
“I’m fine. I was just deep in thought and didn’t hear you come in.” I peer at him and see the concern in his eyes. “Jake told you,” I sigh.
He pulls his bottom lip in, catching his ring. Sighing, he rubs the back of his neck with a guilty look on his face.
“Don’t be mad at him, okay? He’s just worried about you and wanted his brothers to know so we could keep an extra eye on you and watch for the bastard in case he decides to show up in town.”
My eyes go wide. “All of you know?” He nods his head briefly. “What do you know exactly?” I feel the embarrassment creep in as I remember everything I told Jake in private.
“He didn’t tell us any details. Only that your ass of a husband was abusive, and we are to keep an eye on you because he might come after you if he finds out where you are.”
I breathe a sigh of relief when I realize he didn’t share the intimate parts of our conversation.
“So you know I’m married,” I say slowly. “I don’t want this getting back to your parents. They would think I’m a horrible person to drag your brother into this mess. I tried to tell him that I’d handle it on my own, but he wouldn’t listen to me.”
“Of course he wouldn’t. If it were my girl, I wouldn’t listen either. As far as being married, it’s just a piece of paper with a dickhead like him. He’s never been a husband to you, and once you guys talk to a lawyer, you will no longer have ties to him. My parents would one hundred percent agree and back you up.”
“I need a drink.” I walk over to the counter, where I have margaritas set up for tonight to go with the enchiladas. “Want one?” I ask over my shoulder.
“Sure,” he says carefully. I feel his eyes on me as I grab the bottle. “So, you’re not mad, right? At Jake?” I pour us a shot of tequila first and hand him one.
“No, I’m not mad. How can I be mad at someone who’s just trying to help me? Lord knows I’ve been praying for someone to give a shit about me since I was ten. I can’t be mad when I finally get what I’ve been asking for.” I clink my shot glass to his and down the amber liquid.
He watches me cautiously before shooting his back.
“I promise,” I say, when he still looks doubtful. “I’m not mad. It’s embarrassing that I was so stupid to marry him in the first place, but I’m not mad.”
“You were what? Eighteen? And he was older…late twenties…early thirties? You have nothing to be embarrassed about. He manipulated you when you were vulnerable. He’s the one in the wrong and should be embarrassed, not you.”
“Try forty,” I reply, squeezing the fresh lime into the margaritas.
“Fuck. Now I really want to hunt the fucker down.”
“Join the club.” I give him a sad smile and hand him his margarita.
“It’s all going to be okay, you know. None of us are going to let him get near you.”
“That’s what worries me the most. He wasn’t in the best state when I left. There’s no telling what he will do if he finds out about Jake.”
“Jake can hold his own. Trust me.”
I shake my head to clear it. “Let’s not talk about sad things anymore tonight. Tell me all about your next show while I finish up here with dinner.”
I listen to Miles talk as I push all other thoughts out of my head. The tequila settles in, warming my body and erasing all the nerves I had earlier.
Jake walks in a few minutes later as Miles and I sip on our second margarita. “Nobody told me we were having a party tonight.”
“You can’t have enchiladas without margaritas,” I smile when he meets my eye. He notices I’m wearing his shirt, and his eyes darken as they roam over me. The shirt was definitely the right move as my skin heats up from his gaze.
“No, I guess you can’t,” he says, his eyes never leaving mine.
“Boy, do I feel like a third wheel,” Miles chuckles, getting up from his stool. “You guys are seriously putting out the fuck me vibes.” He walks over to the cabinet and pulls another glass down.
“She’s beautiful, and she’s wearing my shirt. I can’t fight that combo.”
I giggle and take the Mexican dish to the table. “Dinners ready.”
Jake comes up behind me, and I feel his hands skim my waist as his breath fans my ear. “Seems you like wearing me on your skin. Twice in one day? One might start to think you’re just as obsessed with me as I am with you.”
“It’s starting to appear that way,” I murmur.
His lips find my neck as he kisses it softly. “It looks damn good on you. Makes me feel like you’re mine, and I love the way that sounds.” His hands lightly squeeze my waist before he releases me and pulls out the chair before me.
Sitting down, I try to compose myself as his words linger in the air.
“So, how was the rest of your day after I left? Did the last tattoos go well?” I ask him.
“You went to see Jake at Inked today?” Miles sits down and starts scooping out a big serving on his plate.
“I had a delivery this morning and stopped by after.” I hold my plate out as Miles puts two enchiladas on it for me .
“Were you allowed in the back office?” His eyebrow raises, and he grins at Jake from across the table.
“She’s on the list if that is what you are implying,” Jake says dryly, taking the spatula from Miles. “What’s that grin for?” He asks when Miles won’t stop smiling at him.
“Oh, nothing. I’m just surprised a girl was allowed back in the coveted sanctuary of Jake Montgomery.”
“Eve and Savi go back there all the time.”
“Family doesn’t count,” he shakes his head. “So tell me, beautiful Lyla. Did Jake stick to his strict rules with you, or did he finally break them?”
I glance down at my plate feeling my face get warm from the memory.
“That is none of your damn business,” Jake mutters next to me.
“Lyla’s red face tells me everything I need to know,” he laughs. “I always wondered who would be the one to finally make Jake cave in his professional environment ,” he says, using air quotes. “I’ve been telling him for years that there is nothing wrong with mixing a little business with pleasure. I do it all the time,” he shrugs and takes a bite.
“Groupies are hardly considered business clients. It’s a completely different situation.”
“Either way, I’m glad Lyla made the list, and I’m glad you found her. I only eat this good when Mom is home, and even then, Lyla has one-upped her. And don’t you dare tell her I said that,” he chuckles, pointing his fork at me.
“Your secret is safe with me,” I laugh. “And thank you. I’m glad you like it.”
“Surprisingly, I agree with Miles for once.” Jake fights back a smile when he looks at his brother. “This is delicious, and I’m more than glad I found you,” he says, meeting my eyes .
“Me too,” I say softly, getting lost in those greys that always seem to pull me in.
“Awe, I feel like I’m watching The Notebook play out right before my eyes. It’s almost got me wanting the same thing.”
“Seriously?” Jake looks at his brother, surprised.
“Not even close,” he laughs. “I’m having way too much fun with the variety I’ve got going on. Speaking of fun,” he glances at the clock, “I’ve got to get going.”
He stands up and takes his plate with him. “Don’t want to keep the ladies waiting,” he grins. “Thanks again for dinner, Lyla. I’m going to take this with me while I get ready.” He bends down and kisses my cheek.
“Bye, brother,” he says, winking at Jake as he walks away. “You two love birds, have fun, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” He stops walking and looks over his shoulder. “Who am I kidding? There really isn’t anything I wouldn’t do or at least try once,” he laughs, shutting the door behind him.
“Jesus, he’s a mess,” Jake chuckles. “I don’t know if there is a girl out there that could tame him.”
“It’s going to take someone pretty special, that’s for sure,” I laugh.
We enjoy the rest of our meal, and I tell him about the new accounts I made while he tells me about the designs he inked today. It feels natural with him, and it’s nice having someone to share your day with.
“You ready for dessert yet?” I ask when we finally finish. I stand up to take our plates to the sink and shriek when I’m pulled onto his lap.
“I’m thinking I need a different dessert first,” he murmurs against my neck before placing a kiss against my skin. “I thought about you all day after you left. I couldn’t stop thinking about you in my office.” His hand runs up my thigh before settling on my waist under his shirt. I feel his fingers brush the underside of my lace bra, sending tingles down my body.
“I…I thought about you, too.” Winding my arms around his neck, I run my fingers through his silky hair. “I’m nervous,” I admit. “I don’t want to disappoint you.”
“You could never disappoint me, Lyla. I promise you. I don’t want you to be nervous. I already told you that I’m okay with your pace. We could watch a movie and do nothing, and I would still be happy just because you are here with me.”
“You would be fine just watching a movie tonight?” I ask, biting back a smile.
“Well, yeah, if that’s what you want.”
“Maybe we could do a movie another night.” I swallow down the nerves, determined not to let them change my mind. “You said earlier that you like how it sounded for me to be yours.”
He nods his head. “I haven’t made it a secret that I want you to be mine,” he says, fingering a strand of my hair. “You pretty much have me on my knees at this point, but I’ll also stay on my knees. I’m not going to pressure you into anything you’re not ready for.”
“And if I’m ready to be yours in the last way I have left to give you?”
“Then, I will cherish that gift for the rest of my life and show you what it should be like.”
I get up off his lap and start clearing the table. “Let me just clean up here first, and then…” I yelp as he picks me up, the dishes clattering to the table.
“I’ll take care of those later. Right now, I have a more important thing to take care of…you.”
He walks us to his bedroom and shuts the door. It’s my first time in here, so I take the time to look around as he sets me down.
A big king-size bed with a plush dark grey headboard sits along one wall. Hanging artwork is framed in black on the walls. I recognize some of the designs on his body, so it must be his tattoos that I’m seeing. A black wooden dresser is against another wall with matching nightstands on either side of his bed.
It’s the windows that draw you in, though. It mimics the kitchen with one whole wall of windows overlooking the water. Cottage doors are in the center, leading out to a private deck. A desk is off to the side with various drawings scattered across it. I can easily picture him sitting at it as his hand works its magic across the blank paper.
“This is beautiful,” I whisper in awe, walking to the windows. “I would never want to leave my bed.”
“I have a feeling once you are in it, I’m going to feel the same.” He comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. I lean back into him and close my eyes, wanting to savor every single thing about tonight.
Feeling braver than I ever have in my life, I turn and step back. Besides the small dim lamp in the corner, the only light bathing us is the moon. I feel his eyes on me as I slowly lift his t-shirt I’m wearing and drop it to the ground. My shorts go next until I’m standing in just my black lace bra and thong.
I see him swallow, his eyes leaving a scorching path in their wake. I’ve never felt so on display yet so wanted at the same time. The way he looks at me makes every doubt I’ve ever had about myself just float away.
He removes his shirt, and I watch his muscles flex as he removes his shoes and pants. Standing back to full height, I’m breathless as I take him in.
He’s left in black boxer briefs as he steps closer until there is nothing separating us. I feel him hard and swollen against my stomach, causing a rush of desire to pool in my center .
He fingers the straps of my bra before sliding them down my shoulders. With a flick of his hand, he unclasps it in the back, and the lace drops to the floor.
“You are so fucking beautiful, Lyla,” he says quietly, running his hand along my breasts. “You are the most beautiful sight I have ever seen, don’t ever doubt that for a second.”
He drops to his knees, and I feel his warm breath at my center as he kisses me through my panties. His fingers hook the sides of my thong as he lowers it to the ground. When I feel his tongue swipe between my legs, I gasp and dig my fingers into his hair. He teases me with his mouth until I’m begging for more.
Standing up, he swoops me in his arms and throws the covers back before gently lying me down. He quickly steps out of his boxers before settling on top of me.
“If you need me to stop at any point, just tell me. I’m not him, Lyla. I would never hurt you for my own pleasure or take what you didn’t want to give. I need to know you understand that.”
“I know that,” I whisper and lie my hand against his cheek. “I trust you.”
He searches my eyes for any doubt and nods when he’s satisfied. He reaches over and pulls out a condom from the nightstand. I stop him before he tears the wrapper with his teeth.
“I…he wanted to get me pregnant, so I secretly had an IUD put in without him knowing. I went to a health clinic once I got to Florida to make sure I was clean. If you are…if you don’t want to use one…” I stumble with the words. I have no clue what I’m saying at this point. I just know I want to feel him…all of him.
“I’ve never gone without a condom, so this would be a first for me.”
“Never?” I ask, surprised. I know he’s been with a lot of women. It’s obvious the girls in this town line up for whatever crumbs he throws their way.
“Never. I haven’t trusted a single one not to trap me into a pregnancy, if I’m being honest,” he chuckles. “I would rather just have babies with my wife.”
“You can wear one if it makes you feel better. I didn’t mean…”
“With you, though,” he says, cutting me off. “I trust you. And if that one percent were to happen, I wouldn’t be unhappy about it. In fact,” he whispers, kissing the corner of my lips, “I probably would be very pleased about it.” His tongue swipes my bottom lip before sinking inside.
I pull him to me, deepening the kiss as I tangle my tongue with his. Our bodies fuse together like they finally found the part that was missing. He reaches between us, and I feel his fingers slide through my arousal before he adjusts himself at my center.
“Once I’m inside you, there’s no going back for me, Lyla,” he says quietly. “I have a feeling I’ll never be the same after this. If you aren’t ready to be mine, then this is your last chance to tell me.”
“I want to be yours, Jake. More than anything.” My heart hammers against my chest as I see the emotions cross his face. I feel him press into me, and I brace myself for the pain I always feel. He moves slowly, and my body stretches around him as he fills me inch by inch. The pain never comes, though…all I feel is love.