Chapter 8

Jakob

Jo's kiss makes me forget the worries of the world that bear down on me daily.

Her sturdy frame feels perfect leaning against mine. Her soft lips conjure up all sorts of ideas. Things I've never done and things I'd very much like to do with her now that we've found each other again.

I hadn't assumed we'd share such strong chemistry this quickly upon meeting again, but I'm ecstatic about it.

Sitting next to Jo makes it difficult to wrap her up in my arms the way I want to. It's doubly frustrating as we've talked for hours, and now all I want to do is hold her and kiss her and assure her that I'm not going anywhere.

Her soft moans and little sighs make me crazy with need. If she's not careful, she's going to draw attention to the back of the bus. But I just don't want to stop kissing her, tasting her mouth, her lips and her teeth with my tongue. I don't want to stop making her shiver as my thumb strokes over the inside of her palm.

Her reactions are a drug. Jo was so stiff and measured when we met on the platform, but now she's more relaxed and comfortable around me, melting into my kiss. She is all softness and surrender now. So sweet and exciting, her every touch, every sound making my ache grow.

The bus finally comes to a halt at the small station in Mirror Lake.

As much as I would love nothing more than to drag her into the nearest motel room, I did tell her I wanted to see her village. Damn my gentlemanly principles.

Together, we exit the shuttle bus and say our goodbyes to our littlest traveling companion, Julia, who's already squealing at the sight of the beach, snow-cones, and waterslide.

Jo leads me down the cobbled streets of Mirror Lake, past fudge shops and ice cream parlors and pubs. She points out the small grocery store where she works. It pleases me that she doesn't let go of my hand when people she knows stop to chat and eye me curiously.

One such excited character steps out of an alley and claps her hands at the sight of us. "Josephine!"

"Sabine, good afternoon," Josephine says politely.

"I was just cleaning up after the lunch rush and saw you headed this way with this very tall, very handsome man, and I had to see for myself. Hello!" Sabine sticks her hand out in greeting.

At least she doesn't pretend she's not curious. I shake her hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm Jakob."

She squints at me teasingly. "There's a city accent!" Sabine turns to Josephine. "Sweetie, did you snag yourself a rich tourist at the cheese counter? It's about time!"

I squeeze Josephine's hand as she blushes. To her credit, she maintains her composure. "No, don't be silly, Sabine. It was in produce! I helped him find his cucumber."

Shocked, Sabine explodes in bawdy laughter, pointing and winking at the both of us together. "Love has massively helped your sense of humor, dear," she remarks.

I push aside the pit of sadness that emerges as I think of all the good times and jokes I've missed with Jo because of whatever circumstances befell our letters.

Instead, I remind myself that I'm here now, and we don't have to waste another minute.

Sabine continues sweeping the sidewalk, and we make our way to the other end of the lane.

"I appreciate that you offered no one an explanation of who I am."

Jo shrugs. "The villagers are nosy. I'm trying to shield you from their questions. I don't know about you, but I'm still quite an introvert. I love everyone here, but they can be a lot. I'd like to enjoy what we have without a lot of questions."

I can't help but point out, "You're still an introvert, like me."

"You remember a lot for a guy who never got a letter in return from me. I'm sorry for that."

She needn't apologize for that, but she already knows that, and so I don't point it out.

I let go of her hand and hook my arm around her shoulders. Her arm naturally circles my middle as we walk. I remember to keep my stride shorter so she doesn't struggle to keep up.

"So. We both turn 30 soon. Do we let them know the truth before or after we fulfill our marriage pact?" I ask.

Josephine groans, and I laugh, pulling her tighter to my side as we approach a dense thicket of trees.

"I can't believe you remembered!"

"Of course I remembered," I say.

"We're both spring babies, so we have several months to decide." Josephine, still the practical planner.

What I don't say is I would marry her today if I could. Just to feel some stability in my life. But is that the right reason to get married? I don't yet know. All I know is how I feel here and now.

"By the way, where are you taking me? Are you taking me to the woods to kill me?" I joke as we round the bend and head into the trees along a narrow lane.

"No, silly! This is my house," she says.

Of course she lives in a cottage blocked by trees from the bustling street but close enough to give her access to all the activities.

I don't yet see a house, but I'm enjoying the walk. The air is crisp here. Earthy. Away from the street, the only sound is the rustle of the leaves underfoot and the birds in the trees.

As we walk, the trees gradually part to reveal a charming cottage nestled among the woods.

The house is cozy. Welcoming. Charming. All things that remind me of Jo. The exterior is adorned with climbing ivy and flower boxes bursting with colorful blooms. A small porch greets us, complete with a painted yellow swing and a matching weathered wooden furniture and planters.

Pushing open the cottage door, Josie gestures inside with a smile. "Welcome to my little hideaway."

I step into the cottage, my gaze sweeping over the inviting interior. The air is scented with the faint aroma of wood and herbs. The living area features comfortable furniture laden with knitted throws and cushions. Bookshelves line the walls, filled with books and trinkets. Lace curtains glow in the afternoon sun.

"It's very you," I say. "I love everything about it."

She grins up at me, her eyes sparkling. "Glad you like it."

I lean down and press a soft kiss to her mouth, sweeping my tongue over her lips. She returns a small lick against mine, and she shivers in my arms.

I pull back, fully ready to hoist her into my arms and ask where the bedroom is.

But alas, she has other ideas.

"Let's get started on dinner, shall we?"

Come to think of it, I am pretty hungry, since we skipped lunch altogether due to the spontaneous bus trip.

Together, we enter the kitchen, working side by side while chopping vegetables and simmering sauces. Everything about her and her place feels natural and comfortable. We laugh, we talk, and we flirt as we cook.

We sit at the small table by the window, the light through the woods turning amber while we eat.

After dinner, Josephine and I step outside, the woods laid out before us. A well-worn path stretches from the back door into the thick trees, disappearing in the underbrush. Josie gestures toward the woods. "Care for a walk?"

"Is it safe?"

With a curious look, Josephine hooks her arm through mine. "Of course it's safe. The path leads down to the lake, and it's magnificent at sunset."

The soft crunch of leaves underfoot and the chittering and scampering of wildlife fill the air as we stroll along the path. Everything is peaceful here.

It's very different from the hustle and bustle of the Arenhammer arts district. The pubs are loud, there are outdoor concerts every weekend, the crowds around the artisan booth are crushing at times, and the rideshare drivers clog the streets.

I love it for what it is, and for the Wild West-ness of it all.

But with every step alongside Jo, my ache for something different grows.

Every sound, every squeeze of her hand on my arm sends a rush of heat through my veins. My need for her is palpable. Both in the physical sense and in every other sense. I need to have her smile, her voice, her kiss, her laughter in my life. Every day. Always.

Jo leads me to a small clearing at the shore of the lake, where a roughhewn bench sits overlooking a rocky ledge over the water. I circle one arm around her waist and gaze down at her eyes, which light up in the orange glow of the early evening sun.

"Josephine."

She tilts toward me and smiles, and I lean in.

Birdsong fades, and the sound of crickets just begins to fill the air, along with shared, shuddering breaths and perfect kisses.

Jo's sexy sighs grow into heady whimpers. Her hands squeeze my shoulder, traveling over my neck and my jaw. I pull away from her kiss, my body crying out for her.

"J-Jakob…" Her lips are swollen from our kissing, and my beard has made her chin turn pink.

We're both breathless as I reply, "I could kiss you all night."

She makes a sweet, sexy noise that's half moan and half purr.

And before I question what I'm doing, I pull her into my lap, settling her legs on either side of my hips.

"Oh my goodness!"

"This okay?" I ask.

"Yes," she says on a whisper with an enthusiastic nod.

I press my demanding mouth to her throat, punctuating each phrase with a kiss. "This is much better. For kissing…touching…looking into your eyes…and everything," she says.

She hitches closer, the friction taunting my rigid cock.

"Jo," I rasp, nearly forgetting everything at the feel of her hands in my hair.

"Yes, Jakob?"

"Gods, you feel good."

"So do you. I like this."

Brushing her hair from her face, I whisper, "I like us."

"Me too," she says, smiling shyly down at me.

When she bites her lip, it does something to my baser instincts. I could grab that pouty lip between my teeth and suck and nibble. I can picture her sweet mouth wrapped around my cock…

But this is Josephine. Josie. Jo-Jo. Your best friend from childhood. Things have got to slow down before you ruin everything.

It takes everything in me to do the right thing.

"Jo. We should head back before it gets dark."