Chapter Seventeen
Savannah came awake slowly on Saturday morning.
It took her a few moments to figure out where she was and what was going on.
And then it all came flooding back. Jake.
How sweet he’d been last night. How safe and cared for she’d felt drifting off to sleep with his arm around her. His warm, solid chest against her back.
He’d let her use the bathroom and get into bed first, and when she’d seen him come out of the bathroom – naked except for his boxers – she’d been so turned on.
She didn’t think she’d be able to stop herself.
But she was exhausted. Not just from a long week at work, but perhaps more so from all the talking they’d done last night.
Probably because she hadn’t slept well all week, between wondering what she was going to tell Taryn, worrying about what Rick might do, and feeling guilty that she hadn’t told Jake about him.
She could see that she’d been carrying a lot, and finally confiding in Jake had lifted a heavy weight off her. And even though her body had been humming with desire for him, sleep had claimed her all too soon – the J?germeister may have played a part, too.
Jake’s arm was curled around her waist, and she shivered when he brushed her hair away and kissed the back of her neck, murmuring, “Morning.”
She rolled over to face him, wearing a huge smile. “Morning.” She pressed her lips to his before adding, “Best morning ever.”
He chuckled and drew her closer. “I'd have to agree.”
Goosebumps raced over her skin when his hot, hard length pressed into her stomach.
She swallowed hard, and he chuckled. “Sorry about that. I already told him that we can’t wake you up.”
She burst out laughing. “You talk to him?”
He gave her a rueful smile. “Not usually, no, but we spent a lot of time negotiating with each other last night.”
“Oh, you didn’t sleep well?”
“Not in the traditional sense, no. But I had a great night; I loved knowing that you were right here with me. Loved holding you.”
She glanced down when he twitched against her stomach.
Jake lifted a shoulder. “And, like I said, I spent a lot of time convincing that guy that we weren’t going to wake you up.”
She slid her arm up around his neck and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I kind of wish you had.”
He groaned, and she chuckled and added, “But at the same time, I’m glad you didn’t. I feel like we’re even closer now. And having spent the night together – slept together, even though we didn’t… I think when we do, I’ll feel more comfortable, less nervous. Maybe.”
He tightened his arm around her waist.
“You don’t have to feel nervous, Savvie.” He chuckled. “I don’t want you to feel rushed either. Anytime you want to sleep here we can just sleep… the rest will come in its own time. I want you here.”
“I want you, Jake.” She felt kind of powerful when he squeezed his eyes shut and held her a little closer. Close enough that she could feel him throb. “Can I sleep here again tonight?”
His eyes popped open and he nodded eagerly.
“I mean both kinds of sleep,” she clarified.
A shiver ran down her spine when he slid his fingers into her hair and claimed her mouth in a deep, toe-curling kiss that left her panting and wondering why they had to wait till tonight.
The moment he lifted his head, he rolled away from her and sprang out of bed.
“Is everything okay?” she asked with a puzzled smile.
“Everything’s fantastic. But I had to get out of bed, otherwise there’d be no waiting till tonight.”
She held her hand out to him, half hoping that he’d get back in, but he shook his head.
“We have to get you home so you can get ready for work. And I want to feed you breakfast before you go, so… it’s not that I don’t want to. More that I want to wait until we have the right moment.”
Heat pooled between her legs when he winked and added, “And all night to make the most of it.”
~ ~ ~
Jake felt a little self-conscious when Tiffany came out of her room and gave him a knowing smile. He’d followed Savannah back here to her apartment and was waiting while she showered and got ready for work.
She still wasn’t totally comfortable with letting him take her to work and go back to pick her up later.
She’d argued that since it was only an afternoon shift, she should be fine.
But should be fine wasn’t enough for him.
He needed to know that she was all right, that this Rick character wasn’t harassing her.
And so he’d managed to persuade her that he could take her over there and work in the garage for a few hours till it was time to come pick her up again.
He didn’t have any jobs waiting, but it would give him the chance to get the place tidied up and organize his tools and… he didn’t know what else, but it didn’t matter. He’d be there close at hand if she needed him. That was what was important.
“Do you want coffee?” Tiffany asked. “I take it Savannah’s in the shower. She’s working at lunchtime, right?”
Jake nodded, grateful that she wasn’t teasing him about last night – Savannah had texted her to say that she wouldn’t be home.
In the same way that he’d never kiss and tell, it would be up to Savannah what she wanted to share with her friend.
He didn’t want to share with Tiffany that there was nothing to tell.
As far as he was concerned, whatever he and Savannah chose to do in the bedroom was nobody’s business but their own.
“I’ll take a quick coffee, thanks. And yeah, she’s only working the lunch shift today, though.”
Tiffany came and set a mug on the coffee table in front of him. “Not that I’m giving you a hard time or anything, but how come you’re still here? If she has to go to work.” She smiled. “You just can’t stand to say goodbye to her at all, can you? That’s so sweet.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, I won’t deny it. But I’m here because I’m going to give her a ride over there.”
It hadn’t occurred to him until now that he didn’t know if Savannah had told Tiffany about Rick. He waited, hoping that she already knew and would approve of him wanting to chauffeur Savannah around.
Instead, she gave him a puzzled look. “Is there something wrong with her car?”
“No,” he backpedaled quickly. “And if there were, we’d have it fixed between us by now.”
“Yeah, right. So why are you giving her a ride over there again?”
They both turned when the door from the bathroom opened. Jake shifted on the sofa at the sight of Savannah in a towel – in nothing but a towel.
“Hey, Tiff,” she called. “I didn’t know if you were here or asleep. I hope you don’t mind…”
Tiffany laughed. “That Jake’s here? Not in the least. I’ve told you before, I think he’s a keeper.” She glanced from Savannah to Jake and back again. “I’ll ask you, since I don’t think he wants to tell me. Is he giving you a ride to work because of whatever’s had you so jumpy all week?”
Savannah looked from her to Jake and back again. “Yeah,” she said eventually. “Sorry, guys. I didn’t mean to hide things from either of you. I just didn’t want to worry you. And I… I…”
“It’s okay, babe,” said Tiffany. “I think we both know what you’re like — you don’t want to be a burden. But I wish you’d get it through your head that you couldn’t be. You know I care about you. You’re so good to me. I want to be able to help you when I can, too.”
She smiled at Jake and added, “And I can already tell this guy’s the same. But you need to finish getting ready for work or you’ll be late. Can I bug Jake about what’s going on with you, or would you rather tell me yourself later?”
Jake tensed, wondering if it might be too much for Savannah. He was so careful to never steamroll her into anything. He didn’t know how she’d react when Tiffany did exactly that.
After a few moments, she let out a short laugh and said, “Sure, why not? It looks like we’re all in it together.”
“That’s exactly what we are,” said Tiffany.
“And you need to get used to it. You don’t have to face life all by yourself anymore.
You have me. And now you have Marine man, too.
” She gave Jake a mock stern look. “He might still be on probation for a while, but I have a good feeling that he’ll pass muster. ”
~ ~ ~
Lunch was fairly quiet in the restaurant.
It sometimes worked out that way on Saturdays, especially when it was nice outside, and today was a beautiful day.
Savannah wished that it was busier so that the time would go faster.
At least Taryn wasn't around. She felt bad even thinking that.
She liked Taryn, and the better she got to know her, the more she felt at ease with her.
She was fun to chat with, and she always made Savannah laugh.
Rachel was in charge, as she usually was whenever Taryn wasn't around.
That made Savannah wonder whether the assistant manager position would still report to Rachel or if she'd be her equal.
She couldn't see it being the other way around, and she couldn't see herself telling Rachel what to do—or Rachel liking it if she did.
The more she thought about it, the less she liked the idea of being responsible for the team.
Of course, she was flattered that Taryn thought she was capable of it.
But just because she was capable didn't mean that she wanted to.
Then again, she didn't know if she was talking herself out of it because she knew that taking the position would mean she got to spend less time with Jake.
She looked around, feeling guilty, as if someone might be able to hear what she was thinking. She didn't want less time with him; she wanted more time, and she was hoping that tonight would set the tone for where things would go for them from here.