20

My heart was still racing. I'd never straddled anyone in a car before. Not in high school, not in college, and certainly not in law school. I'd had sex in a car for the first time at twenty-six years old. It felt like a rite of passage that I'd finally walked through.

Except checking that off my list hadn't been my intention when I straddled Jake. The only thing running through my mind was how brave he had been. And that he'd risked his life to protect me and my mother. When I looked into his eyes, I was lost. I wanted him to hold me, to have me, to be with me in every sense of the word.

Jake reached over the console and grabbed my hand. Pulling it to his face, he kissed the back and rubbed it against his cheek absently as he drove.

This did nothing to slow down my heart, only kept it fluttering like some silly butterfly. I'd never seen this side of him before. I'd seen domineering and grouchy Jake in the beginning. Then protector mode. But this softer side? Yes, I could really fall for this one.

I turned up the radio and one of my favorite country songs was on. I settled into my seat and looked out the passenger side window while Jake held my hand. I didn't want to think about someone trying to hurt me. I only wanted to enjoy the comfortable silence between us as we drove back to his place.

***

Despite the cold weather, the sun was shining as we drove into New York City. I was getting used to the towering buildings, erratic taxi drivers, and even the unpredictable weather. It was late November, but there still wasn't any snow on the ground.

As we pulled into Jake's building, I noticed him staring at the front doors. He let go of my hand and checked his phone. "Shit," he swore softly.

A woman stood at the front entrance wearing a short red down-filled coat with thigh-high boots. She had thick, curly brown hair and a figure that would make Venus proud.

I immediately disliked her, especially since Jake hadn't taken his eyes off of her.

He drove into his usual parking spot and turned off the car. Passing me his key card, he said, "I'll be up in a minute. I just need to speak to someone."

"Is it the woman out front?"

He blinked, looking a bit surprised that I'd guessed correctly. I shrugged. "She was hard not to notice."

He nodded. "I won't be long."

I took the card, albeit reluctantly. I wanted to go with him and see their interaction and listen to what they had to say to each other. But instead, I said, "I'll see you upstairs."

Before I entered the private elevator, I turned back. "Jake!" I called, and he turned around. I ran up to him, wrapped my arms around his neck, and kissed him with everything I had. I don't know why I wanted to remind him that I was more than his client. That other woman had me wanting to stake my claim.

He didn't smile, but he squeezed my hands before letting me go. He watched me as I stepped inside and the doors closed between us. Then he was gone.

As the elevator climbed up the floors, I tried not to think about who that woman was. Even though my head screamed, ‘It's Janine, you idiot'. Maybe it was another client. Maybe a relative I didn't know about.

I sighed as I hung up my coat in the penthouse closet. "It's Janine, you idiot," I said aloud, yanking off my boots.

I went straight to the guest room and turned on the shower. Figuring I had some time, I turned up the steam as well.

My shoulders slumped from the heat and weight of the water. The rainfall showerhead massaged my muscles, even the ache between my thighs. Despite having been with Jake less than an hour ago, I still wanted him again.

Not only did this surprise me because I could go without sex for months, but it scared me too. I knew it was more than just lust I felt for Jake. I knew my feelings for him went deeper than that.

I sat on the bench in the shower, leaning against the marble wall, and let the steam engulf me. I was lost in the mist and haze of the shower when a shadow passed in front of the glass.

This time, I was too far to reach for the glass, so I just sat there. A minute later, Jake opened the shower door, his muscled arms and legs breaking through the mist. He stared at me, and I felt a little self-conscious at first, knowing that sitting naked wasn't the most flattering position. But there was a look of sadness in his eyes that quickly scolded me for that selfish thought. He was hurting.

He picked up the soap, lathering it between his hands, then rubbed along his contoured pecs. A small smile spread over my face as I recalled what I'd made him do all over his chest earlier.

Then he grasped his cock and lathered it as well. Pulling the skin back and cleaning it thoroughly. Part of me wanted to do it for him, but another enjoyed being the voyeur. My body tingled at the vision in front of me. The water wrapped around his muscles, streaming down his chest and over his well-trimmed groin. It was like watching the statue of David come to life in some erotic fantasy.

I licked my lips, and he stared at me. "See something you like?" he asked, catching the look in my eye.

"Yes. Very much so."

"Then why are you still sitting there? Bring that ass here."

His words were crude, and I wanted to smack his ass for them.

So, I did.

He laughed and gripped my cheeks, lifting me up and against the slippery wall. His smile faded along with mine, and he kissed me.

I wanted to ask him about Janine, but she had no place here between us now. So, I kissed him and forgot about the world one more time.

Jake pressed inside of me slowly, taking his time. I reached for the steam handle and turned it off. The heat, along with Jake, was making my head spin. Slowly, he made love to me, taking his time to hold and caress me with every stroke. It could have lasted for hours, as I'd lost track of time. Only when my climax built to a peak and I released the last of my stress, did I finally realize my fingertips were tight and wrinkled against his back.

"Let's get you out of the rain," he smiled, and I dropped my head onto his shoulder as he carried me out.

He passed me a robe and wrapped a towel around his hips. "I'll get dressed and meet you in the kitchen. You must be starving."

"I can eat," I said with a weak smile.

He nodded and walked out the door.

I dressed in a pair of light gray lounge pants and a white sweater. I blow-dried my hair quickly and twisted it into a bun.

Jake was already in the kitchen making a sandwich. "Mayo or no mayo?" he asked, holding up a butter knife.

"Mayo," I said.

He spread the mayonnaise onto both sides of the bread, cut off a piece of lettuce, and added tomato, some Swiss cheese, and a thick slice of ham.

"This looks so professional," I teased when he passed me the plate.

"I cut off the crust. It steps it up a notch." He winked at me, and I laughed at his playfulness.

That was a new side of Jake I hadn't seen yet. Playful Jake. I liked it.

"So," I started, taking advantage of his good mood, knowing I was going to kick myself afterward. "Who was that woman?"

"She's no one."

"Well, she is someone."

"I meant no one important."

He took a bite of his sandwich and chewed slowly. I did the same. "Do you want something to drink?"

"Sure, a diet soda if you have it," I said.

"Coming right up."

He turned to grab a drink from the bar fridge and placed it in front of me with a glass.

"Thanks." I sipped my drink, preparing to ask my next question. But he spoke first.

"Listen, I know it's sudden, but what do you think about going to Paris tomorrow? We can make it a long weekend."

He grinned and took another bite of his sandwich. I watched him as he waited enthusiastically for my response. Was he serious?

"Jake, I have work on Monday. I don't want to go to Paris tomorrow."

He pursed his lips and watched me carefully. He turned for a moment, then quickly turned back, his brow creased. "You really don't want to go to Paris?"

I shook my head. "No. I have an important trial coming up in a few months I have to prepare for. It's not a good time. Besides, I hate being spontaneous. I like a well-thought-out plan."

He stared at me with his eyes wide open. Almost in disbelief, and said, "Yeah, me too."

That was a strange thing to say. "If you hate being spontaneous, then why did you suggest it?"

He rubbed the back of his neck and stared up at the ceiling. "I don't know. I guess because I thought it's what most girls want."

Then he brushed off his plate and put it in the dishwasher.

"Why do I get the feeling this has something to do with your talk with Janine?" I held my breath, unsure if I was right, but when his eyes rounded, I knew it had been her.

"How did you—" he nodded. "Sarah."

"Not exactly. She didn't tell me about Janine. I overheard the two of you talking the other morning. I know she's been looking to connect with you again."

He laughed sardonically. "Yeah, you can say that. She wants to get back together."

Damn. That hurt more than I thought it would. It felt like someone had punched me in the stomach.

"I see," was all I could get out.

"No. You don't, not if you're thinking that's what I want."

"It's not?"

He rounded the island and stood in front of me as I sat on the stool. He cupped my cheeks. "I don't want to get back together with Janine."

"You don't?"

He grinned. "Are you going to repeat everything I say?"

I nodded. "I think so. At least until I start understanding what it is you're saying."

"All right, let me make it clear, then."

He leaned down and kissed me softly, lingering over my lips.

"I'm falling in love with you," he whispered, and I closed my eyes.

His words hit me straight through the heart. I hadn't expected him to say them. But now that he did, I wanted to say them back. "I'm falling in love with you, too."

He smiled and sipped from my lips again. "Good."

"Um, not to ruin this moment or anything, but my brain can't move on until I know." I looked up at him. "Why did you break up with her?"

He exhaled, but nodded. "Okay. Probably best that we get this out of the way. Janine cheated on me, and I left."

"Oh," I said, and wondered how her cheating had affected him. Undoubtedly, it wasn't something someone got over easily.

"All good?" he asked with a smile.

"Yes," I said, but wondered if he was.

He leaned down and kissed me again, smiling the whole time. His smile was infectious.

"Give me a few minutes, baby. I need to make a few phone calls. One to Christian, bringing the team up to speed on everything that just happened, and another to the commissioner. He hadn't taken my warning seriously earlier, but he has to take a closer look at Ed Chapman now."

Jake dialed a number on his phone and pressed it to his ear. After a few minutes, he swore under his breath. "The commissioner's not picking up the phone. Damn. He's probably already spoken to Janine."

"Janine? Is she dating the commissioner now?"

"No. He's her brother. And he's pissed at me."

"Why?"

He shrugged. "He thinks I'm the reason she won't speak to him."

"Ah, so that's why he's giving you a hard time. Just tell him the truth."

"I did. He doesn't believe me."

Frustrated by the lack of support from the police, I tried to think of something. Then it hit me.

"Well, if the commissioner won't do anything, maybe I can."

I grabbed my laptop from the guest room and carried it back to the kitchen table. "I'm going to ask a judge for a search warrant of his property. It won't be easy looking for probable cause to execute the warrant. But I've got to try."

"Isn't that exactly what your mother's bill would do? Circumvent finding probable cause and just go in and break down his door? I'm liking this bill more and more."

"Yes, but if we're wrong, we've just invaded his privacy."

"Fuck his privacy, he shot me."

I pointed a finger at him. "That's it."

"You're going to charge him with attempted murder?"

"No, but according to New York Penal Law, a person can use physical force, not deadly force, for trespassing. He had no right to shoot you for walking on the street, especially not to shoot you as you were running away."

But we would need to press charges first, and that would take too long before a warrant would be accepted.

"Did you see anything on the premises that seemed suspicious of any criminal activity to you?"

He shook his head, and my heart sank. We didn't have anything for a warrant.

Jake snapped his fingers. "Hold up. There were barrels out front and several bags of fertilizer. Who has so much fertilizer in the winter?"

"Isn't fertilizer used as an explosive along with fuel oil?"

Jake's eyes widened. "Shit. That's what the Oklahoma City bomber used. Damn it, this could be more serious than some threatening emails."

"The large amount of fertilizer and barrels may be enough for a search warrant."

I started the paperwork on my laptop and sent it to the judge who presided over my last case. He seemed to like me. "Now we wait," I said, putting my laptop aside.

"Alma is off on the weekends, but she leaves prepared meals in the freezer. I can warm up some Penne alla Vodka or Beef Wellington." He stuck his head in the freezer and picked up a labeled package, turning it over.

"As tempting as the vodka dish sounds, I'd rather cook something. Cooking always relaxes me. I'll pick some ingredients up at FoodFresh."

"All right. Let me get my holster and earpiece. I'll be right back."

"We're just going to the corner store."

"It's never just anything when we're outside. I'm not taking any chances with you. Not anymore." He leaned over and kissed me. "I'll be right back."

His kiss left me giddy. I wasn't sure if it was from the adrenaline burst back at Chapman's house, or making love to Jake, but I felt alive.

"All right, ready?"

"Yes." I jumped off the kitchen stool and walked to the foyer to put my boots on.

"Those boots are so damn sexy, you know that?" He bit his lip. "I don't know how, but I want you again."

I laughed. "I don't know if I can keep up with your stamina."

He leaned down and kissed me again. "I'm not worried. I bet it's like working out. We just have to do it more."

"If we do it more often, I won't be able to work."

"You don't have to, baby. I'll take care of you."

My chest tightened, and I couldn't breathe. His words were simple and perhaps charming for some, but for me, it was like a ton of bricks just fell on my shoulders. "I like to work. I love my job. I—"

He brushed his fingers along my hair. "Hey, hey, I get it. You like your independence. I'll just find other ways to take care of you." He waggled his eyebrows at me and Playful Jake was back. I smiled. How easily he deflected my panic attack. It was silly, but someone trying to control me was my biggest button. "It's not just about independence, it's self-confidence. I've worked too hard my whole life to prove that I could do it without my mother's help. At first, it was for other people's benefit to see, but I think I really do it for myself."

"I admire that. It's one of the things I love about you."

I inhaled sharply at his words. He had said he was falling for me earlier. Was that the same as love? I nearly tripped over my boots. "Thanks."

His face fell for a second. Had my face shown something I hadn't realized? But then he smiled. "Ready?" I couldn't get that look out of my mind. Was it my face? Or was he worried about being in public so soon after we'd just narrowly escaped being shot?

Don't overthink this, Nikole!

I shook off the feeling and smiled back. "Let's go."