Chapter 18
JAKE
“Get a grip on yourself,” I ordered my reflection.
A wry expression crossed my face. If Dani read my thoughts, she’d laugh her ass off. I’ve spent way too much time gripping myself since she moved in.
Asking her to move in wasn’t a well-thought-out plan. She loved it, as she told me numerous time every day. The house is more welcoming since she and Miss Priss arrived, and not just because of the couch I bought, but it’s still torture.
Cold showers don’t help, but I keep trying. Now, rivulets of water ran down my back and shoulders, and I wrapped a towel around my waist. The mirror over the sink confirmed I looked like shit.
Sleep had been impossible since that first night. Maybe I should go home with a random woman for a few hours. The thought of fucking someone else to try to forget Dani sickened me, though. It never worked in the past, and that was before she slept in my arms and left her scent on my sheets.
“Stop it, asshole. Stop thinking about that night.”
I needed to get over this inconvenient attraction or stuff it down and ignore it. Despite my shitty sleep, though, my life was already immeasurably better.
After only a week with her relentless optimism and cheer, so much of the weight of the last few years had lifted. I’d never be a carefree guy, but most of my anger and bitterness towards Blair and Mike was gone. Dani was the reason.
As I trimmed my beard, I studied my reflection. Dani grew more carefree and lighter with each passing day, while deep circles ringed my eyes. At night, I couldn’t stop my mind from going places it had no business being.
My morose thoughts jerked to a halt when a loud shriek pierced the air. That sounded like Dani, though I didn’t realize she was home.
The blood in my veins turned to ice as I ran towards her, clutching the towel around my waist. In seconds, I tore through the house until I found her in the living room. When she saw me, her smile broadened, and she threw her arms around my neck.
“I got it! I got it!”
With my heart thundering in my throat, I tried to calm myself. A quick glance confirmed no one else was here. Her phone was clutched in one hand.
“Good news?” I asked.
“Yes,” she shrieked again.
This time, she jumped up and down in her excitement.
Since her arms were still wrapped around me, it brought our bodies in closer contact than we’d been all week.
Her entire body rubbed across mine. She wore an ordinary t-shirt and shorts, but there was enough skin-to-skin contact that my cock immediately stood at attention.
Please don’t notice the effect you have on me.
I closed my eyes against the longing that ripped through me only to open them again when Dani’s breath brushed my face. Time stood still, and my breathing grew ragged.
Dani licked her lips, and my eyes zeroed in on the movement of her small, pink tongue.
I bit back a groan as last night’s dream filled my mind.
My nipples prickled where the soft material of her shirt caressed my chest. My mind called up images of how easy it would be to slide her tiny shorts aside and take her against the wall.
With my heartbeat galloping in my ears, I tore myself away from her embrace with a fake coughing fit. I had to stop doing this to myself, and I promised her she’d be safe from me. What kind of asshole would make a move on her right after she finally had a space to call her own?
“You about gave me a heart attack when you screamed,” I said with a forced laugh. “I didn’t know you were here. What happened?”
I sat gingerly on the couch and grabbed one of her endless throw pillows and tossed it on my lap.
“I’m so excited,” she gushed.
She perched on the other end of the couch. Her joy made me smile despite my cock’s demands for attention.
“A few months ago, I submitted a bid to design a website for a children’s museum. It had to include a logo, some videos, and a mock-up five-page design. I worked on it for a couple of weeks, then I forgot about it with everything else. They just offered me the job.”
“That’s wonderful, Dani. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” She bounced on her seat. “I can hardly believe it. After the last few months, everything’s finally back on track. You’re my good luck charm.”
Then her eyes dropped to my bare chest before she glanced away. All the blood that wasn’t already in my cock surged in that direction at her brief visual caress.
Awkwardness fell between us before I cleared my throat.
“That’s fucking amazing, and you deserve it. I’m so happy for you and so proud. We should celebrate tonight,” I said, “but I’ve got to get ready for work.”
“Yeah, sure. I’ll be at the Tavern, but you’re always welcome to come by. Or we can do something later if you’re still up.”
Her voice sounded wrong. Fuck. I messed this up somehow, but there was no fixing it right now when my cock wanted to make all my decisions. I need to get out of here and take care of this erection so I can think again.
“Sounds good.”
My voice was hoarse with strain. Dani’s eyes fixated on me. My cock swelled as I took in her gorgeous casual beauty, but now I was up a shit creek. If I got up, she wouldn’t be able to miss my erection. She’d know, and everything would be ruined. Inspiration struck, and I cleared my throat.
“Do we have any coffee? Dusty wants to talk to me so I need to go in early, but I haven’t been sleeping well.”
She frowned as she took in my exhaustion and the tension in my body.
“If there isn’t any, I’ll make some more.”
Thankfully, she immediately headed to the kitchen. Once her back was turned, I tossed the pillow aside and fled the room.
“Thanks. You’re a life saver,” I called out.
Once in my room, I darted into the bathroom. A drop of pre-cum beaded on the end of my cock. A guttural groan ripped from my throat when I stroked myself. It wouldn’t take long, despite jacking off already today.
Fuck, that was close. Too close.
My eyes closed as I gave in to my earlier fantasy. The sensation of her skin rubbing against mine fueled my desire, and my hand slicked over the bulbous head of my cock as I stroked myself.
In my mind, I didn’t leave the circle of her arms. Instead, I picked her up. My towel fell to the floor, and my erection pressed into the soft skin of her inner thighs, leaking and desperate for her tight heat. Her arms tightened around my neck as I walked her to the wall.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” I asked.
Through a throat thick with desire, my words were nearly incomprehensible, but she squeezed my waist with her strong thighs.
“Yes. Fuck me, Jake.”
Her voice was as husky as mine, and I couldn’t wait any longer. I pressed her into the wall to hold her up with one hand. With trembling fingers, I shoved aside the gusset of her tiny shorts and thong.
My fingers grazed her clit to get her ready, and I groaned. She was already soaked and swollen for me.
“Hurry,” she begged. “I need you.”
As I lined my weeping cock up to her pussy, my left hand flew over my erection. I pushed in to her perfect wet heat where I set a punishing pace.
A few minutes later, I came with a low groan, my come splattering my abs again. No time for another shower, so I wiped myself down and rushed to get dressed.
With a deep breath, I blanked my expression and headed into our shared space.
It was almost impossible to believe how different this place was compared to when I first moved in. Not only were the floors refinished and the walls refreshed, it was a real home now.
Having a home to call my own was the most important thing. I didn’t fool myself into thinking Dani would stay forever. Someday, she’d fall in love with someone else and brighten their home, but she had changed mine for the better.
Long strides ate up the distance to the kitchen where I found her pouring fresh coffee into a travel mug for me.
“The way you like it,” she said with a brittle smile.
“Sure is.”
I meant her, not the coffee.
“Sorry I ran out.” I paused to take a sip. “When you screamed, I was getting out of the shower and thought something bad happened. I’m glad I got to be here to congratulate you, but it was weird sitting around in a towel.”
She shrugged off my apology, but her smile turned mischievous. I recognized that smile. My heart rate settled into a normal rhythm because it meant we’d be past the weirdness once she eviscerated me with a brutal takedown.
“Feel free to walk around in a towel any time you want. I’ll sell tickets, and we’ll get your mortgage paid off in no time.”
I tossed a potholder at her with a glower. Her peal of laughter filled the kitchen, and her eyes sparkled with mirth. This was why I had to get over my attraction to her. I needed her laughter and light the way I needed air. After a dozen long years without it, I was starved.
“Brat,” I grumbled.
I watched her over the rim of my cup. That wicked light was back in her eyes, so we were on solid ground again.
“I’ve got to run,” I said. “Thanks for the coffee, and be ready to celebrate tonight. Is your buddy Neil working?”
“Yes. We’re the dynamic duo.”
“Good.”
As I glanced around the living room and dining nook, an idea took shape. Vanessa and I exchanged numbers in case either of us needed to get a hold of Dani. I called her on my way to Dusty’s Garage and left a message.
“I want to run some thoughts by you. Call me this afternoon if you can.”
A few hours into my shift, Vanessa called me back. Dani gave her the good news, so I wasn’t breaking any confidences. She listened to my idea, made useful suggestions, and offered to help with the staging before meeting at the Tavern.
“Are you sure you don’t mind celebrating at the Tavern even though you can’t drink?” I asked. “Maybe we should wait until the weekend.”
“No, she deserves this. With the Arts Fest coming up soon, weekends are gonna be busy. Besides, Dani worked with the owner and added a mocktail menu to the bar as soon as I told her I was pregnant.”
Of course she did.
Patricia agreed to help. too.
“I’m glad I get to take you shopping after all,” she gushed.
After work, we explored an estate sale. She helped me see the potential in unconventional pieces, which kept the costs low so Dani wouldn’t feel guilty.
Vanessa arrived a few minutes after I set everything up, carrying wrapped frames. I rushed to relieve her of her burden.
“They’re not heavy,” she assured me, “but now you’ll have some for the big reveal.”
She followed me into the house, exclaiming at how different it was since she’d been here a few days ago.
“That’s Dani for you,” I replied. “She leaves her mark on everything.”
Her stare burned into my shoulder blades. Maybe I shouldn’t have called Dani’s best friend to help me with this. Her gasp when we reached the dining area confirmed that I gave myself away, but it was too late now.
“This is amazing. You must have put a lot of thought into it.”
I strove for nonchalance.
“It’s mostly Patricia’s magic. She took me to an estate sale, and we got everything for a steal.”
“But the idea was yours, right?”
“We weren’t using this room anyway, and Dani said it was too cramped in her room for the chair. Two birds and all that.”
My casual shrug didn’t convince her. I sighed and pushed a hand through my hair and sought a way to throw her off the scent.
“I don’t know if she’s ever told you about my childhood.”
I paused, and Vanessa shook her head.
“No, she wouldn’t,” I mused. “Long story, my dad was a violent piece of shit. The Williams family was the reason I made it through. Mrs. Williams helped with my homework and drove me to football practice. Mr. Williams introduced me to Dusty at the garage and helped me buy my truck. They taught me everything about being good.”
“And Dani?” she asked.
“I never knew why she befriended me, but she did. It changed the trajectory of my life. When I found out what Beau was doing to her, what he’d done to her inner light, I made a promise to help her find it again.”
Vanessa’s expression softened as I spoke. Shit.
Yeah, it had to be obvious I was in love with Dani. Either that, or I was a sad sack. Or both.
I laughed self-consciously.
“If nothing else, Miss Priss likes it.”
We both turned to look at Dani’s cat, who made herself at home on the flat part of the table. Miss Priss was ignorant of my inner turmoil, but she came over when I said her name. I scratched her under the chin, and she purred contentedly.
“Wow, I thought that cat hated men.”
“Dani probably said that to protect Beau’s ego,” I said.
Vanessa hummed in agreement. She gathered her purse and hugged me.
“She’s going to love it.”
Her voice was full of meaning. Maybe it was a good thing Vanessa guessed my secret. When Dani eventually got into another relationship, maybe Vanessa would help run interference for me.
“See you in an hour.”
I walked her to the door and returned to the repurposed dining room. Satisfaction settled on my shoulders as I examined the space. It was probably too much, but Dani thought of me as a brother, so it would be okay. I pushed away the memory of her heated gaze earlier.
Time crept along until it was late enough for me to head to the bar without being too pathetic. When I arrived, Vanessa and her family were already there, and I relaxed. Dani and Vanessa were engaged in conversation, and I almost smiled when Dani laughed in response to something her friend said.
Instead of joining them, I headed to the bar where Neil poured drafts for someone else. I’d join Vanessa’s husband and daughter after I got a drink.
“Hey, handsome. Buy a lady a drink?”
I hadn’t noticed the buxom blond seated at the bar. Now, I glanced at her. By every metric, she was objectively beautiful, but she stirred nothing in me.
“Don’t waste your time on him,” Neil said. “He’s taken. What can I get you?”
I gave him my order, and he walked off to get my imported beer.
“Is that right?” the blond asked in a throaty voice.
I glanced at her in confusion.
“Hm?”
Her fingers traced the raised design on her necklace, drawing my eyes to her abundant cleavage. Maybe it would be smart to go for it, but I couldn’t drum up any interest. When her hand rested on mine, and she leaned closer to press her soft breast into my arm, I inched away.
My eyes found Dani across the room. She was mid-laugh, and I was mesmerized. One of my favorite things about her was how she laughed with her whole body. She lit up from inside.
“I see.”
The woman picked up her drink and moved further down to the bar. When Neil returned with my beer, he laughed.
“That was fast.”
“Did Dani tell you her good news?” I asked.
“Yep.” He made a face. “She’s going to quit soon, isn’t she?”
I took a sip as I considered his question.
“She’ll probably cut back her hours, but she loves this place.”
“Yeah?” He perked up at my words. “Good. She needs to work less, but I’ll miss her. She’s the best thing about this place.”
She’s the best about every place.