Chapter 25 #2
They share a glance and Jake tilts his head to me. “I can give you guys a minute or come back later?”
Tommy shakes his head. “No, it’s fine. You two get to know each other. Maybe talk business. I’m going to unpack and grab a shower.”
He turns and steps to me, resting his hands on my hips. “You OK hanging with Jake for a bit?”
“Yeah, it’s fine. We’ve got plenty to talk about. I’ll see you in a bit.”
He leans in and kisses my cheek. “Sounds perfect.” I watch as he walks away, taking our bags to his bedroom.
A few seconds later, I find myself alone with Jake. He leans back against the massive kitchen island, watching me with an entertained grin.
“So,” I hum awkwardly, grabbing my Nalgene bottle from the island and fidgeting with the lid. I’m not exactly sure what the right words are for ‘sorry you just saw me wrapped around your brother like a spider monkey’. “Sorry about that.”
He laughs and shakes his head “Please, don’t be sorry. I knew he was full of shit when he tried to tell me he wasn’t interested in you. I’m just glad I can give him crap about being right and I don’t have to deal with him pretending that he’s not obsessed with you.”
“Oh.” I feel my cheeks heat again hearing that from someone else. Still, part of me is glad that someone else, especially someone so close to Tommy knows about the two of us now.
He looks in the direction that Tommy went and laughs again. “It’s still weird seeing him with anyone though.”
My lips pull to the side and Jake spots my frown.
“I don’t think you get it. That’s a compliment.
Don’t get me wrong, he was right about your work.
You’re doing great.” He stands up and heads to the fridge on the other side of the island, talking over his shoulder.
Again, I can’t help but notice that he has to be six-five or six-six.
“Honestly, I can’t remember the last time he went on a date, much less liked someone enough to bring them into his life like he has with you.
He seriously can’t make it more than a minute without mentioning you when we talk. ”
“Thanks. That actually means a lot. He’s pretty special.”
Jake shuts the door to the fridge, after pulling out a bottle of sparkling water, nodding with a pleased smile. “Yeah, he is. Now can I get you a drink or something?”
I hold up my empty Nalgene bottle. “I could use a refill.”
He plucks it from my hand and takes it to the sink, filling it from the filtered water tap. When he moves, I spot something familiar on the kitchen counter next to the sink.
I point at a tea kettle and box of tea on the counter behind him. “Is he a big tea drinker? I’ve never seen him have any but he has that same one in his office in Jackson.”
He looks over his shoulder and grins wide when he sees what I’m pointing at. “Nope, not at all. He asked me to put that there after he knew you were coming with him.”
I feel my cheeks heat again. Even when he’s not here, somehow Tommy finds a way to make me feel special. Jake must see my reaction judging by the smirk on his face. “I told you he’s obsessed with you.”
“I’m starting to see that,” I say, stepping next to him to make myself a cup of tea. The feeling is mutual.
“I love it.” Walking down the sidewalk with Tommy and Jake on either side of me, I look up at the four story corner building.
The red brick and carved stone definitely has Pacific Northwest vibes with its old, weathered industrial look.
He described it perfectly and I can easily picture people sitting outside at the bistro tables under the awning.
Making my way toward the corner, I feel Tommy’s hand on my lower back, gently guiding me back to the center of the sidewalk. I look up just in time to avoid walking into a parking meter.
I stop and turn to find Tommy looking at me with a humorous grin. “I’m glad you like it, but can you watch where you’re going? I’m going to have a heart attack if you have another near miss with a pole.”
I smile innocently back at him. “Sorry, hard to control my squirrel brain.”
Jake laughs behind me. “Not to interrupt, but before we go in,” he starts, prompting Tommy and I to both look back at him. He points a finger back and forth between us. “How do I know Grace?”
Tommy’s hand finds the small of my back again and Jake must see the look of confusion on my face because he continues.
“What I mean is, does anyone know you two are together? I’ve only told people you’re bringing someone that works with us.
So if you want to keep it that way, just remember there’s some press here tonight and you probably want to keep the PDA to a minimum. ”
“No one else knows. Well, no one that’s here anyway and I’d like to keep it that way, for now at least.” Tommy’s voice takes on that serious, commanding tone I’ve gotten used to.
The one that makes my heart skip a beat and my palms get sweaty all at once.
The voice that makes it clear there’s no room for negotiation.
“She doesn’t need to get hounded by the press or anyone else just because she’s with me.
If anyone asks, she’s here to spend time with you and the Sterling brothers to learn about our businesses.
That’s why I asked her to come in the first place. ”
Jake nods and gives a thumbs up. “Got it. Secret relationship. Just my coworker. Say no more.”
I give Jake a two fingered salute. “And I will not climb him like a telephone pole.”
He barks out a laugh and turns toward the doors, gesturing out with one hand. “Well, shall we?”
Tommy shakes his head. “Give us a minute. We’ll see you inside.”
Jake tips his chin and heads inside the old wooden entryway doors.
“I appreciate you looking out for me, but you do know I can take of myself, right?” I cross my arms and arch a brow.
His head tilts and the tension in his expression slackens. “Sorry. Some of the crowd here tonight can get under my skin. There’s a reason I don’t do this a lot anymore.”
“You don’t have to apologize. I’m just letting you know. I’ll be fine.” I give him a light slap on the shoulder. “Relax. Have fun!”
He starts to reach for my waist before pulling his hand back as someone walks by the entrance. He drops his head and sighs, looking back at me. “I’m just not used to this.”
“Used to what?”
He shuffles his feet and shoves his hands into the pockets of the perfectly faded jeans, drawing my eyes to how they hug his muscular thighs just right.
“Used to doing stuff like this with someone that matters to me.”
My mouth lifts into a silly grin and I step toward him.
I want nothing more right now than to reach out and hug him and wrap myself around him like earlier today.
That will have to wait though. “You matter to me too. Now come on, let’s go in, enjoy the night, and then we can finally go back to your place. ”
The corner of his mouth pulls up into a mischievous grin and I can see the sparkle in his eyes. “I like the sound of that.”