Chapter Fifteen #2
Jake laughed at that, his face softening, and when he turned, her heart thumped erratically in her chest. He really was gorgeous, so different from his brothers.
Now that she knew his mannerisms better, she saw how unique he was, not just an older, more polished West. True, his jaw was cut like Tan’s, his frame and height and some of his gestures were the same, but Tanner was all rugged, sun-weathered, stoic ranch man.
Jake was dynamic, outgoing, and moved with a fluid confidence, a nuance of something she couldn’t put her finger on yet.
It was a relief that he had a different presence, because otherwise her attraction would’ve felt utterly wrong. She’d never thought about Tanner or Brady like that. Even though they weren’t her siblings, they were her chosen brothers. They’d grown up together after her mom had married Brett.
“Guilty on the latter,” he said, hands in the air. “I have to return my rental. I’ll need a ride home from Calgary. I’d ask Brady, but he seems to have his hands full because I can’t find him. You’re good to drive . . .”
He trailed off and looked at her with what she figured was hope she would say yes.
She sighed. “Mom put you up to this?”
“No, ma’am. But she’s roped me into feeding the crew every day while I’m here.” Jake grinned and rocked on his heels, lending him an air of mischief.
“They’ll be eating better than ever,” she said, a laugh bubbling out of her. “Soon start asking for fancy meals instead of the egg salad sandwiches or canned soup Rosy normally put out.”
His grin widened. “I’ll ease them into it. Lobster thermidor on Fridays only.”
That made her laugh, and she covered her mouth before she snorted. He chuckled as well.
“Listen, I figure you might enjoy a few hours away from this place.”
He wasn’t wrong, and she appreciated that the olive branch had been extended both ways now. She could stop at the coffee shop and get some expensive beans for her mom to try out in Jake’s fancy machine, maybe get her a few new paperbacks at the big bookstore attached to it.
“I could do tomorrow. I’m trying to get caught up on work I never find time to do today, and I’m a bit sore,” she answered honestly, her fingers pinching the bridge of her nose gently. “When you have lunch for the crew squared away with Mom, we could go after.”
“Fair enough,” he replied cheerfully, and offered her his hand. “It’s another chance at a date to make up for yesterday’s crossed wires. I’ll steal you away before Tanner can say no.”
She kicked her feet off the desk, took his hand, and he lifted her up out of her chair instead of shaking.
Her eyes flew to his face, the shock of heat that reared up between them immediate, the strength of his arm as he pulled her up sexy and masculine.
His eyes were trained on hers, piercing and dark, when only a moment before they’d been soft and happy.
She sucked in a breath, frozen, and then blushed scarlet with the thoughts racing through her mind.
Just like last night, she wanted to step into his arms and—
What was she thinking? Liz knew she looked like a train wreck, was conscious of how black and blue her eyes were, how puffy her face was. So very, very unsexy. She glanced away to break the moment, her other hand going to touch her nose again.
His index finger crooked out and tilted her chin, forcing her to look up.
“Liz,” he said, his voice husky and low. “Don’t. You have nothing to be embarrassed about.”
She blinked at that, biting her lip to keep a sigh at bay, and he let out a very rough groan, pulling her into him.
He held her there, hands slowly moving around her waist, grip tightening slightly when their bodies met.
Her hands slid to his chest, the heat through the thin T-shirt material loosening her doubts, the muscles strong and smooth under her palm.
She sank her fingers in slightly, relishing in the sensation as they flexed underneath her grip.
Another masculine noise rumbled out of him. Oh, damn, that was nice.
“Jake, what are we doing?” she whispered. “I—”
He shook his head. “I don’t know. I’ve tried . . . fuck, Liz, I—”
She dug her fingers into his chest again, quirking an eyebrow, and at that he lowered his lips to hers, her implied permission all he needed, apparently.
She responded to him with a sigh, and he groaned again, both hands moving to gently hold her face as he opened his mouth and asked for her to give in to him, let him plunder.
And plunder it was. She had never been kissed like this before.
Darren had either been chaste, sweet kisses, or all thrusting tongue, and only like that when he wanted it to lead to bed.
This kiss was exploring her slowly, possessive but gentle, asking her to open instead of invading her without thought.
In other words, smoking fucking hot, and her knees turned to jelly as his tongue tasted hers with a languid intensity that forced her to give in and meld herself to him.
Her hands slid up his body and threaded into his hair, pulling, which drew a rough moan from him.
God, that was fucking nuclear hot. She shifted against him, hip to hip.
He was as hard as a rock against her lower stomach, a clear indication he was as turned on as she was.
She wanted to strip him down and climb him like a ladder right here, right now, not caring who might walk in. Stepping back toward her desk, she pulled him with her, and sat on the edge, no longer trusting her legs to hold her up. He broke the kiss, looking into her eyes with hungry need.
“Fuck.” He swore again, and nestled himself between her thighs, his obvious erection against her core. He put his forehead to hers, breathing heavily as he attempted some control, his hands roaming over her body.
“Yes, please,” she murmured back, eliciting a laugh from him as she arched her back, bringing their bodies flush to one another.
His eyes popped open at that, and he let out a sound that she couldn’t quite decipher, his grip on her tightening again, this time on her hips, and he tilted back to look down at her, a questioning look across his face.
It was all she needed to know he was as worked up as she was, but also not sure what to do. He could be dominant, but right now he needed her to tell him it was okay. She could do that. She licked her lips and tugged him down by the collar of his T-shirt, initiating another kiss.
This is more than an olive branch, she thought as his hands moved again, traveling over her back and curving against her ass as he held her to him.
It was the whole damned tree.