Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

KATIE

I must have been staring blindly at the TV for at least thirty minutes before I heard a light knock on the door. My body stilled for a split second as I wondered who it would be. Ellie probably forgot something , I thought as I rose and made my way to the hall.

I threw open the door and my heart leaped into my throat as my gaze fell upon Jake.

He seemed agitated. His hair was mussed where he’d been raking his fingers through it. “Look, Katie,” he began. “I’m sorry about earlier.”

I held my hand up. “I get it.”

“No.” He shook his head. “You don’t. It’s not you; it’s me.” He scraped a hand down his face. “I just don’t know where my head’s at. It’s a lot to deal with.”

My eyes narrowed on him. “I never asked you to befriend my kid. Never asked you to build play areas or throw barbecues?—”

“I know it’s fucked up, and I’m being an asshole. That’s why I’m gonna stay away from you for a while. I don’t wanna hurt you.”

My heart ached at his words, my dry throat thickening with tears. “Goodnight, Jake.”

“Fuck,” Jake muttered. “I didn’t mean it like that.” He reached out, grasped my elbow, and pulled me into him. “Can you give me some time?” His face dipped until his mouth was an inch away from mine.

The closeness of our bodies made my blood hum. I stopped breathing as Jake’s mouth loomed closer until his lips caught mine. He moaned into my mouth, his hand sliding around my hip. Jake tugged me against him so sharply that my breath hitched at the sensation of his hard cock digging into me.

My nipples hardened, and moisture flooded my pussy with desire.

Our eyes locked.

Jake’s hands went to my ass, and he lifted me. My legs gripped his hips as he walked us through the door and down the hallway. His lips released mine, and he grunted, “Bedroom?”

“Second to last door,” I said huskily. “Hurry.”

Jake pushed my bedroom door open. He moved us inside before his hand slid to his pocket, pulling out a silver foil packet. His hands went to the nape of his tee, and he pulled it over his head. “When was the last time you did this?” he asked quietly, flicking open the buttons on his jeans.

My teeth sank into my bottom lip.

His lips twitched as he kicked the denim from his legs. “I’ll be careful, Katie.”

Jake pulled me onto the bed. His calloused fingertips moved to the dip behind my knees, then up my thighs to my waistband, and he slid my jeans down, taking my panties, too.

My hands went to the hem of my tee, lifting it over my head and tossing it to the ground.

I let out a quiet moan as Jake’s hand reached behind me and unclipped my bra before discarding it. His eyes swept down my body as one hand skated to cup one breast. “Perfect.” He bent his head, catching my other nipple in his mouth.

Lightning struck my chest, and I cried out.

He sucked a nipple into his mouth, lashing it with his tongue. Heat coiled in my pussy, thighs spasming with the rush of warmth spreading through them.

Jake pulled back. “I knew you’d be beautiful,” he rasped. “You’re so fucking wet for me, Katie. Open your legs wide, baby.”

Encouraged, I wrapped my hand around him, moving up and down his hardness. He was larger than average, smooth, and groomed.

“I won’t last if you keep doing that,” Jake warned, his hooded eyes lifting to mine. He pulled away and got to his knees, ripped open the foil, and rolled the condom over his cock before settling his body on mine again.

Resting his elbows on the mattress, his fingers played with my hair. “You sure?”

My heart bloomed. “Yeah. I’m sure.”

Positioning himself, he thrust inside, burying himself to the hilt.

I was filled with him. It was a little uncomfortable, but it didn’t ache; if anything, I needed him to move. “Yes,” I moaned as his hips pulled back, and he pushed inside me again. “It feels good.”

“Jesus, Katie. You’re so tight.” Jake buried his head in the crook of my neck as he thrust harder, getting into a rhythm.

Ocean-blue eyes seemed to penetrate my soul as he stared down at me. My heart fluttered with emotions I hadn’t felt for years. This was as close as I’d ever been to a man since Theo. I always thought I’d experience sadness for letting him go when the time came, but all I could feel in my heart was happiness that Jake was here with me.

My orgasm rushed through me without any warning or build-up.

He moaned into my mouth as I felt his cock thicken, then warmth from his orgasm as his cum filled the condom.

Eventually, my eyes fluttered open to see Jake staring directly at me. His soft gaze flickered all over my face, mouth curving into an almost bewildered smile as our heaving breaths began to calm.

I smiled back, leaned up, and pecked him softly on the lips, but as I pulled back, I felt the air around us change.

My heart squeezed painfully. I knew he was about to pull away, not only physically but emotionally, too. Earlier, when he was an asshole at the barbecue, his face was a mask of indifference. My chest ached as I watched the same blank expression wash over his features. The air around us almost turned chilly, even though the night was warm.

That was when I knew he was about to hurt me.

“Need to take care of the condom,” he muttered, rising to his knees.

Suddenly embarrassed, I pulled the sheet across my shivering body to cover up and croaked, “The bathroom’s through the white door.”

He nodded, sliding off the bed.

I turned my back to him, my throat burning with tears, but I was determined not to cry in front of him.

Sex meant something to me. I would never have done it unless I had feelings for him. I thought Jake liked me, but I could almost taste the regret lingering in the air.

Within minutes, I heard the toilet flush and the door open.

I stayed on my side, listening to the rustling of clothes. Squeezing my eyes tightly closed, I fought to keep the tears at bay.

“Look, Katie,” he began quietly. “I’m sorry. That shouldn’t have happened.”

Nausea swirled through my stomach as I whispered, “Right.”

“I wish I could give you more, but I need to work out what I want.”

I nodded with my eyes still squeezed shut. “Maybe you should have told me that before.”

“I’m sorry, Katie,” he continued in a low voice. “I don’t know if I want anything serious.”

Out of nowhere, a lick of fire swept through my chest as I thought about what he’d done. I’d been nothing but kind to him, but he’d led me on.

Unable to stop myself, I called “Jake.”

He glanced up. “Yeah?”

Nausea roiled through my stomach. “Don’t come back.”

I heard him heave out a heavy breath. “Look, Katie?—”

“Just go. I’m done.”

Silence fell over the room. “I’m sorry,” he said flatly before he did exactly as I told him.

He disappeared.

I lay there, waiting for the front door to close before letting a tear fall.

How could I have got it so wrong?