CHAPTER270
“Your bags are all on the couch with your shoes.” Jake points out, and I spot the little mini mountain of bags, shoes, and coats all piled carefully on the sofa, another thoughtful Jake move; any other man would have dumped them on the floor by the door.
“Thanks. I’m sure Marcus is going crazy over my whereabouts right now.” She practically crawls to the couch and starts rummaging in her bag.
“I called him from your cell when we got here last night and told him I’d bring you home this morning. He was cool with that.” Jake cuts in and I find myself glancing at him with no surprise at all. This is who he is, smart, intuitive, and mature in so many ways; always thinking of every detail and doing what needs to be done. I sigh a little.
“God. Did you tell him what an absolute drunken mess I was?” She groans, trying to scroll through her phone one handed while pulling her shoes on in a rather awkward and dangerous pose.
“I left out the part about peeling you off a bar floor and having you throw up all over the back of my car.” Jake smirks at her and I catch the grimace run across her face as she tries to remember. The look of disgust at her behavior.
“Jesus. I’m so sorry. I never drink as much as that. Leila is an awful influence on me but damn that girl is hilarious.” She giggles and goes back to her phone.
“It’s fine, the car’s already been taken to get detailed. Jefferson was the only one to endure the smell; almost enough to get him drunk on the fumes.” Jake is smiling.
God that smile.
Good humor from him, despite looking shattered since he obviously hasn’t slept.
“Ha. You need to let me pay for it, seriously. I can’t let you pay to clean up my mess.” Sarah turns our way and walks toward us, pure sincerity on that stubborn face, but Jake only shakes his head. I’m surprised at the lack of hostility toward him, especially since this very awkward scene is because of him.
“Don’t worry about it, if it wasn’t you then it was going to be Emma, kudos to her though she waited until we hit the curb.” I snap up and gawp at him with a shocked flush to my face.
I threw up in front of Jake. Oh, my God.
“I’m sorry.” I fumble the words out, embarrassed, my eyes hit my fingers in my lap, and I twist at the hem of my very short dress.
Great way to show the man who hurt you that you’re so in control and worth every inch of fight to get you back. Especially when you drunk dial him, need his rescue, and then throw up at his feet.
Classy, Emma … just classy.
“Don’t be, I’m glad I was the one there to take care of you. It was a drunk Emma I’ve never met before.” His eyes linger this time and I can feel them boring into me a little too closely, his scrutiny making me feel more awkward. I wish the ground would just open below my feet and swallow me whole.
Sarah wanders over toward us and turns green at the sight of food. Jake waves a mug at her to offer coffee, his eyes finally giving me respite, but she just shakes her head.
“No, really, no. If I take a sip, I’ll hurl. I really need to
get home and get sorted out before I start the lunch rush
at work. I can call a cab, so you don’t have to …” Her eyes are flicking between Jake and I and the obvious tension between us.
“No, it’s fine. I want to give Emma some space to get herself together and my driver is out for now anyway. I’ll take you; I’ll just go get my shoes.” Jake pushes off the counter, glancing at me quickly, and saunters off toward his guest rooms. I can’t help but watch his strong and fit body swagger, like a man with too much sex appeal, crossing the room and that ass; sighing as I watch it go.
When did he start keeping clothes down there?
“You’re not coming home anytime soon I take it?” Sarah looks me up and down warily, a slight hint of hope on her face and a smirk at where I’ve been staring.
What is with all these looks?
“No. I think I need to stay for a bit and just see what I feel.” I turn away from her, my mind getting itself out of the gutter with the memory of Jake’s ass. I down two aspirin with the water and hold the pack to her but she just shakes them away.
“Don’t close down on him. Give him a chance. No one’s perfect, babe.” She runs a hand over my hair and tweaks my cheek. “The guy obviously adores you. I mean, who else comes tearing across Manhattan to find his ex because he’s worried she’s in danger?”
“I’m not his ex!” I snap a little too quickly, the outburst surprising me. I’ve not even begun to contemplate what we are, but I am not that, not if he loves me.
“Well then, seems there’s a small part of you that acknowledges it’s not over.” She smirks at me, knowingly, then moves away as we hear Jake coming back. “Tell Leila I said thanks for a memorable night.” Sarah smiles as she moves to go.
“Ready?” he asks her, bending to kiss me on the cheek, impulsively, as he passes. He freezes as his mouth connects with my skin, it reacts with goosebumps and flashes of flutterings deep in my stomach, my body still electrified by his touch even when things are this way between us. It hurts me knowing my body would so easily fall back into his arms.
Pathetic.
“Sorry.” He straightens up and looks away from me. “Habit.” He mutters it so softly, almost sounding painful. He walks off placing a hand on the small of Sarah’s back, guiding her toward the door with an unreadable backward glance toward me. I’ve no idea how to feel about any of this and I’m starting to wonder if it’s even a good idea. I’m not sure if I have the strength to face Jake alone and fight the pull he has over me. I watch him from lowered lashes and a complete pit of confused despair churns me up."
