Chapter 14

Fourteen

Lily

I woke up feeling warm and content. I rolled over, stretching my arms and legs like a starfish. Realizing I was naked, and the bed was empty, I sat up. Jake was here last night. There was still an indentation from his head on the pillow, but he wasn’t there.

I looked around the empty room, devoid of any remnants of Jake, his clothing, shoes, or phone. I listened carefully for any noise downstairs, evidence that he was making coffee or breakfast.

When I heard nothing but the tick of my grandfather’s clock in the hallway, I sighed. I wasn’t sure why I’d hoped for more. But Jake had been different last night. He could easily have left when the rain stopped, when we moved from the barn to the house. But he hadn’t.

It almost would have been easier if he had. I wouldn’t have gotten my hopes up, wishing for something more. Instead, I’d stupidly assumed he’d still be here when the sun rose.

I checked my phone for a message, but there was none. It was exactly what I’d expect from a man like Jake.

He didn’t stake his claim on women. He didn’t get anyone’s hopes up for a relationship. He was a love ’em and leave ’em type without the actual falling in love piece.

Getting out of bed, I entered the bathroom. The vase of tulips I’d cut from the front yard helped with the sense of loss. Turning on the water, I stepped inside when it warmed. Soaping my skin, I realized it still hummed with the feeling of Jake’s fingers and tongue running over it. There was a small ache between my legs that reminded me Jake had been here last night, even if there was no physical trace of him this morning.

Watching the bubbles swirl the drain, I wondered if Jake was going to ignore what happened between us. Would he even help me with Grandpa’s car? Had I ruined everything by being impulsive?

Needing to get to work, I rushed through shampooing and conditioning my hair. Stepping out, I braided my still-damp hair, then pulled on a matching lace thong and bra in case Jake ended up in my bed again tonight. Then I chided myself for that silly wish. I picked one of the yellow dresses from my closet because the color made me feel good and grabbed a pair of white sneakers.

Pushing away thoughts of last night, I refocused on my to-do list. I needed to meet with Gia, tell her my plans, and see if she had any suggestions for me to complete the work.

I knew she’d ask about hiring someone at the shop. I didn’t want to. It would eat into my tiny profit, but I didn’t have a choice if I wanted to get the farm ready.

Maybe I could get someone on a part-time basis. Not someone who wanted a full-time job, so it wouldn’t be a big deal when I could work my hours in the summer.

Of course, if things went well with Zoe and Max’s wedding, maybe there’d be more. Gia could recommend the location to anyone who wanted a rustic farm wedding. That would be amazing.

I liked to think optimistically about things, but I couldn’t help but remember my mom’s prediction that I was in over my head. That things would come crashing down eventually. It felt like a prophecy that would be all too easy to fulfill.

In the kitchen, I grabbed a banana and a protein bar, intending to eat in the SUV, when I noticed a handwritten note in the middle of the counter. My heart thumping harder, I picked it up and read.

Lily, I’m sorry I had to leave. I had to go to work early this morning , and I didn’t want to wake you . - J .

I closed my eyes. He was sorry he had to leave. He’d wanted to stay. My heart was thumping out of control. Had I misjudged him?

My hopeless heart was all too willing to latch on to the note and last night and think something was possible between us.

The chemistry had been off the charts. But he’d also been sweet and attentive, so different from how he was when I first met him. Looking back, I wondered if he acted like that as some self-fulfilling prophecy. He behaved how people expected him to, not like the man he’d grown up to be.

Jake was a mystery. I had no idea if last night meant anything to him at all, but I was willing to take that chance.

I debated if I should respond with a text. And if so, should I ask about the car or keep it personal? The internal debate caused my stomach to twist into a knot as I drove to the shop.

I put it out of my mind, knowing I had a busy day of preparing the subscription orders, delivering them, and then cleaning out the barn tonight.

I opened the shop, disappearing into the back. The room where I arranged the flowers was my haven. Here, I could think. I placed the picture of the arrangement in front of me as I pulled the necessary blooms.

The gift tags were already printed and placed in a neat stack on the edge of the stainless-steel counter. Many of them were given as gifts. It made me long for someone who’d send me flowers. But then, who would? I was a florist who had fresh flowers covering most surfaces in the shop and at home.

Late morning, I brushed off my hands and picked up my phone. I needed to respond to his note. I opened up my contacts and found his name. What would be appropriate? A thank-you for last night. I laughed at how ridiculous that sounded, even though I was grateful. I had a good time. I hadn’t felt so carefree in forever.

I’d shared some of the history of my grandparents with him. He’d obviously been moved by their story and appreciated my grandfather’s car. It had been a great night.

Lily: Thank you for coming over last night.

My fingers hovered over the send button. That could be construed as a business text since I’d asked him to look at a car. I wanted it to be more personal. I deleted the message and chewed my lip while I thought about it.

Lily: Thank you for last night.

I didn’t add that I’d enjoyed the orgasms or sleeping in his arms. I wanted to add more, but I didn’t want to scare him off.

I didn’t expect to hear from him right away. I remembered his phone was usually on the countertop when he worked on a car.

I got lost in arranging the flowers, attaching a ribbon to the vases and the gift tags and then loaded them into boxes and carried them out to the loaner Jake had given to me free of charge.

As grumpy as he was when we first met, he was nice, protective even. He wasn’t charging me for the repairs or the loaner. He worried about my safety.

There had to be something I could do for him in return. When the idea hit me, I ran back inside to make one more arrangement. Harbor Garage it was blank. “We didn’t have an appointment or anything like that. I was just doing my deliveries. You know, for my new subscription service. And I thought about how nice it was that I had your loaner, and you were fixing Berta, so I wanted to do something.” I broke off my rambling, wishing the concrete floor would open up and swallow me.

“You thought flowers would do it?” Jake asked, his lips tugging upward as he tossed the rag into a bucket.

“I know it’s a little lame for a garage, but it’s what I do. I don’t have anything else to offer you, and I thought it would brighten up your waiting room. Soften the hard edges of the garage. It will be inviting for the female customers you said you’re trying to appeal to.”

He moved to stand in front of me. “You listened to me.”

“I did.” He smelled so good, like sweat and grease. He was a man who worked hard. Desire stirred inside, remembering the confidant way his hands moved over my skin, building me up, and taking me over the edge.

“You didn’t need to get us anything, but we appreciate it. I’m sure customers will like it.”

“Good.”

“Well, I’ll get out of your hair.” My face heated because I was rambling and resorting to clichés. I was flustered and couldn’t remember ever feeling this off-kilter around a guy.

“You have more deliveries to make?” he asked as I turned to go.

“You were my last one.” I wasn’t going to delve into why I’d settled on that decision. I suspected a part of me hoped for a repeat of last night.

“I should finish up here and head home. Ryan wants me to work less. Hire another mechanic to help out.”

“You should listen to him.” Ryan was his best friend and probably had his best interests at heart.

Jake moved closer to me. “Should I?”

His proximity had my brain short-circuiting. “What?”

“Should I listen to Ryan?”

“Well, you are working a lot of hours,” I said, my brain blanking on what he’d asked.

“And we never got to talk about your grandfather’s car.”

I waved a hand at him. “We don’t have to do that tonight. I took up enough of your time.”

Jake lifted the tail of my braid, pressing it softly between his fingers. “That’s not the way I saw it.”

“Oh?” All the available air rushed out of me with that one word.

“I don’t think we spent enough time together. I didn’t want to leave you this morning.”

My head bobbed in agreement. “Oh, yeah, that’s what you said in the note.”

“I want a do-over,” he said with such intensity, I swallowed hard.

When I got my voice back, I said huskily, “I think things went pretty well.”

Before I could protest, he’d pulled the band from around my hair and tucked it into his pocket. “I want another chance to wake up next to you. How does that sound?”

My head was nodding yes before my brain caught up. I mindlessly threaded my fingers through the sections of the hair, unraveling them, then combing it as best I could.

“You should wear your hair down more often.”

“Yeah?” I asked, my body subconsciously leaning toward him.

He ran his hand over my hair as if testing its softness. “You want to ride with me, or should I follow you home?”

His words felt like a caress over my skin. “You brought your motorcycle?”

“I didn’t go home yet. I showered here this morning.”

My eyes widened. “So, you did leave to go to work?”

A muscle ticked in his jaw. “I’m a lot of things, but one thing I’m not is a liar.”

I swallowed at the conviction in his voice. Whatever had happened in his past had blown his trust in other people. “I can appreciate that.”

“I didn’t want to leave you.” He dipped his head so that his breath ghosted over my ear. “I wanted to wake you with my tongue.”

I closed my eyes at the sheer need in his tone, goose bumps erupting over my skin. Swaying into him, I said, “I’d like that.”

His hand cupped the side of my face as my eyelids fluttered open. “I want more of you.”

My knees almost buckled. No one had ever talked to me like this before. His voice was pure seduction, and his eyes held a dark promise of what was to come.

I wasn’t sure what his reaction would be to me stopping by this evening, but I didn’t think he’d come on this strong. I thought he’d be backtracking, scrambling for a way out.

But this was so much better.

“So, what do you say, want to ride with me?”

“I’d like that.” This felt a lot like when the hot guy in school—not the popular one who played on the football team, but the one who skipped class occasionally and smoked under the bleachers—asked you out. My entire body tingled with awareness.

“I didn’t think I’d get you on my bike.” Then he moved around the room, closing the large bay doors, turning off the lights, and grabbing his keys and phone.

When he met me at the doorway, I asked, “Why not?”

His palm lifted and touched my cheek. “You seem like a good girl. One who doesn’t take risks.”

“I am.” There was no denying that me standing here, contemplating a second night with Jake, was a huge risk. I was chancing my heart, my emotional well-being, and my future since he was the one restoring Berta and helping me with my grandfather’s car.

Something sparked in his eyes at my declaration. “Let’s go.”

His hand drifted down my shoulder and arm, his fingers finally interlacing with mine as he led me through the waiting room and outside. As I stood behind him, my heart picked up speed. I’d never been on a bike. Was he a good driver? Responsible? Or was I putting my life in his hands?

He slid a helmet over my head. “I got you.”

Warmth spread through my body at his words. I trusted that he would keep me safe. Last night was incredible, but he’d also taken care of me. Held me. Made sure my needs were met. I knew he’d be like that in other areas as well.

The only time he seemed to struggle was when he was putting on a front with people he hadn’t let in. Was I one of the people he was pulling into his inner circle?

My heart skipped a beat at that thought.

He slung a leg over the large bike, gesturing for me to do the same. I took a deep breath and moved my purse so that it crossed my body and mimicked his movement. The only difference was that it brought me flush against his back. He touched my knee, as if to make sure I was secure, and then he yelled over the roar of the bike. “You ready for the ride of your life?”

Anticipation shot through me. “Let’s do it.”

“Hold on to me.”

I wrapped my arms around his waist, threading my fingers together, and rested my head against his back.

He touched my hands briefly before taking the handles and moving. I was nervous, yet anticipation hummed through my veins. I’d never done anything so risky. I’d never let go. Not like this.

He moved slowly, pulling onto the street. Thankfully, the roads were deserted.

Jake moved slowly through town. Each time he stopped at a red light, he touched my knee or my hands briefly, as if to ensure I was still there.

I grew more confident the longer I rode, and by the time he’d pulled onto the road leading to my house, I’d picked up my head to watch the trees and fields as we flew by. It was exhilarating. The engine pulsed and vibrated between my legs. Jake’s strong body pressed back against mine. I felt safe and secure, yet free. As if I could do anything I wanted.

My heart soared with the possibilities, even as I tried to tamp them down. I couldn’t let my guard down completely with Jake. He hadn’t made promises past this one night, and I couldn’t forget that.

He parked the motorcycle near the porch and waited for me to get off first. With two feet on the ground, I pulled off the helmet and handed it to him.

Securing the helmets, he asked, “What did you think?”

I waited for his gaze to meet mine before I said, “I loved it.”

He raised one disbelieving brow. “You want to go again?”

I nodded, surprising myself. “Yeah, I do.”

I’d never seriously thought about riding a motorcycle. I always thought they were dangerous, and the guys who drove them were too careless for me. But Jake wasn’t like that. He was solid and trustworthy. Protective and caring.

His lips dropped to mine, his hands caressing my shoulders, warming the chill from riding through the streets at night. Then he was lifting me into his arms as I wrapped my legs around his waist. As he stalked up the porch steps, I’d never felt more alive than in this moment.

He ripped his lips from mine and growled, “Key?”

I fumbled with my purse to get the ring and hand it to him. He seemed reluctant to set me down.

He easily slid the key into the lock and pushed the door open. Closing it behind us, he pressed me against it. “I can’t get enough of you.”

It sounded like more of an accusation, but at the same time, it felt like a caress I felt deep inside. He kissed me as he ground his cock against my center.

There were too many layers of clothes between us. “I need you.”

He growled and then lifted me away from the wall and up the steps to my room. He didn’t stop kissing me until we reached my bed, and he dropped me in the middle.

I shucked off my shoes and my purse, lying back to watch him take off his shirt and push down his jeans. His cock sprung free, and my mouth was suddenly very dry. I reached for him. “Jake—”

He moved to hover over me, his cock just out of reach. His fingers tugged on the thin strap of my dress. “I want to savor you all night.”

My pussy clenched in anticipation.

Jake pulled down the bodice of my dress so my lace-covered bra was visible. He licked me through the lace, his gaze on me the entire time. There was a challenge in his eyes right before he shoved the cup down and sucked my nipple into his mouth.

I was writhing against him, needing more friction. He obliged by lowering himself and sliding his cock over my lace panties.

“Jake—” I wanted more. No. I needed him filling me up, making me his. But I couldn’t voice any of those thoughts out loud. It felt like this thing between us was too big, threatening to overwhelm us. One wrong word and the connection would sever.

He shoved the other cup down. “You can’t rush me tonight, Lily.”

I shivered at the conviction in his voice. “Is that a promise?”

“You bet it is,” he said before sucking the second nipple into his mouth. He worshiped my breasts before pulling the dress down and off, leaving me in panties and what was left of my bra. I unhooked it while he removed my panties.

Settling behind my legs, he breathed in. “You smell like heaven.”

No one had ever said anything like that to me before. I’d been told many times I smelled like flowers, but this was something more personal. Primal. He appreciated me as a woman.

Encouraged, I lifted my hips in a silent invitation for him to use his mouth, his tongue, his fingers. “Please.”

He kissed my inner thigh. “I like when you beg.”

“Please, please, please.” I covered his hand with mine, squeezing it, needing his tongue on me.

He separated my folds before flattening his tongue over my clit. I bucked under him, the direct contact almost too much.

He banded his arm over my pelvis to keep me flat on the bed. I whined, needing more.

He went to work, stroking me with his tongue while his fingers kept up a steady rhythm inside me, thrusting and mimicking what he’d done to me with his cock yesterday. It wasn’t enough. Yet it was too much.

I twisted the sheets in my fingers, suddenly restless. I writhed under him and moaned.

He lifted his head to meet my gaze. “You’re so beautiful.”

“Please, Jake.” I needed him to push me over the edge. I couldn’t get there without his help.

“I got you.”

Pleasure zinged through me as he added yet another finger and redoubled his efforts with his tongue. The orgasm built steadily inside me, becoming bigger and bigger, until finally, my body arched off the bed, and a wave of pure ecstasy shot through me. I cried out, lost in the pleasure he’d drawn from me.

He rode out my orgasm, only lightening his touch when my back was flat on the bed. I was breathing hard, and my eyes focused on him again. “You’re gorgeous when you come.”

He’d said numerous times I was beautiful. I couldn’t get enough of his sweet words. He kissed his way up my body until his mouth hovered over mine. I could smell my scent on his lips. I cupped a hand behind his head and pulled his mouth down to mine.

He growled a few seconds later. “I need a condom.”

I was so desperate to feel him inside me bare, I almost told him we didn’t need one, but it was too soon. I’d never done that with any of the guys I’d dated. Deep down, I hadn’t trusted them completely, but I could see myself letting go with Jake. I felt safe with him in a way I hadn’t with my exes, even though I sensed he was heartbroken about something in his past.

He was a successful business owner who cared deeply about those in his life. He didn’t need fixing. He just needed someone to love him.

He moved away, my body cooling from the air and the loss of his body heat. He was back a few seconds later, smoothing the condom over his cock. He lined himself up with my entrance, his gaze meeting mine before sliding inside.

I moaned at the feel of him filling me.

Jake leaned down, gathering me to him. “You feel like coming home.”