“What do you mean?”
“Do you like either one of them?”
I shrugged. “They’re both extremely nice. Who wouldn’t like them?” I looked at him suspiciously. “Why do you ask?” I had a squirmy, uncomfortable feeling in my gut.
“If you had to choose one of them, which one would you choose?”
The squirmy feeling condensed into a tight knot and I started to back away from him. “Oh, no.”
River North plus empty apartments plus Jake Weston.
I was doing the math and the answer was pissing me off. “Jacob Weston, this better not be what I think it is!”
He had the gall to grin at me. “You’re so cute when you use my full name. My middle name is Benjamin in case you’re wondering.”
Where had he been hiding this irreverent sense of humor? It was a quality I associated with Troy, not Jake, who was more brooding. But recently, he had become more playful.
At another time, I would have found his humor endearing, but now it just infuriated me. I clenched my teeth and glared at him. “Don’t try to be cute, Jake. I told you I didn’t want to move into your apartment.”
“Cora, this place is empty. You and Marcus would have more space and you’ll both be closer to work and school. The El is practically at your door. I’d feel better that you are living in an apartment that has twenty-four seven security. I don’t know why you’re fighting this.”
“You’re being deliberately obtuse!”
“And you’re being unnecessarily pig-headed!”
“Just because I refuse to take charity?” I threw my arm out in a sweeping motion to indicate the luxurious quarters. “This place probably costs four times what I’m currently paying. My apartment may not live up to your lofty standards, Mr. Billionaire, but I can pay for it. I’m not ashamed of where I live.”
Jake clasped my shoulders. “Cora, that’s not what I’m saying. I think you’re doing an amazing job taking care of Marcus and yourself, but I just want to help. Why is it so hard for you to accept any kind of help from me?”
I filled my lungs with air and grappled for patience. “Jake, this is not a little thing. You’re asking me to give up my independence. I’m grateful you helped with Marcus’s schooling, but I don’t need your interference in other aspects of my life.”
His face darkened with anger and he shook me once. “Interference? That’s bullshit! You refuse to let people in. You fight me every step of the way.” Another shake. “Why are you making this so goddamn difficult?”
The volatile emotions in me combined into a bomb and I exploded. I violently pushed out of his arms. “Because you’re not going to be around in a month. You’d have moved on to the next Carolina Oliveira. I’m just a novelty to you! And I’ll be left alone. Life has a way of doing that to me!” I clamped my lips shut and turned away from him.
Dead silence.
My words had been too raw and too revealing. Feeling exposed and vulnerable, I hugged my arms around myself. Until now, I didn’t realize how deeply my parents’ deaths had affected me. The prickling behind my eyes warned me I was close to breaking down. I took a shaky breath and kept my voice blank. “I’m sorry about my outburst. Let’s just head back to the office. There are some things I need to finish before the weekend.”
Strong arms snaked around me and I felt his chin touch the top of my head. “Poor baby. You don’t trust me. And life has been cruel.”
He spun me around to face him. The compassion on his face was the key that opened the floodgates. A sob shoved past the constriction in my throat. Then another. And another.
The next thing I knew, I was wailing into Jake’s crisp linen shirt and silk tie. My face pressed against his sternum and my fingers clutched his lapels. All the years of pent up grief and sorrow came pouring out. Dark, guttural sounds pushed their way out of my chest.
“Shh…shh…it’s okay. Let it all out.” His hands coasted over my shoulder blades and back in soothing strokes.
I didn’t know how long we stood like that, but Jake just held me and let me cry. It felt cleansing, like the poisons were draining out of my body with each teardrop. When I pulled back, Jake’s shirt and tie were soaked. And I felt hollowed out and renewed at the same time. Embarrassed, I dug in my purse until I found a tissue to wipe my tears and blow my nose.
Afraid to meet his eyes, I ran my fingers over the tearstains on his designer tie. “I’m sorry. I ruined your tie.”
“Fuck the tie.” A finger tipped up my chin. Blue-green eyes examined me closely. “Feel better?”
I nodded and dropped my lashes over my eyes.
Soft lips touched my right eyelid. Then my left. My eyes fluttered closed. They moved over my cheeks. His hot breath tickled my skin and his tongue licked at the remnants of my salty tears. Long fingers held the base of my skull. Another finger ran over the sensitive shell of my left ear.
“Jake.” His name was no more than an exhale. I tilted my face, seeking him like a flower sought the sun.
Chapter 12
Jake responded by covering my mouth. The kiss started as a sweet exploration, closed lips moving softly. His hand cupped my jaw and his thumb brushed along my cheekbone. Time slowed. Our mouths parted and we tasted each other lazily. My tongue swept along the inside of his lower lip. He made unhurried forays into the wet interior of my mouth.
Lick. Retreat. Advance. Retreat. Suck. Retreat.
Slowly, the thrust and parry of our tongues grew more frenzied. More carnal. Our labored breathing was audible as we each struggled to draw in enough air through our noses, but neither of us was willing to end our kiss.
He angled his head and hollowed his cheeks as he suckled on the tip of my tongue. His teeth tested the give of my flesh.
Moaning, I stood on tiptoes and encircled my arms around his neck. My fingers feathered against his soft hair. My body softened, trying to fit my curves into his hollows. Jake was hard everywhere. He was unquestionably aroused. So was I. My sex was drenched and needy.
My hips swiveled against his erection. He tightened his grip on my neck. I deliberately rubbed against him harder and he moaned.
Needing to see his expression, I finally broke the kiss. My breath came in choppy bursts as I stared up at him. With lust emblazoned on his face, he looked feral. Nostrils flared. Eyes darkened to a pure green. Cheekbones starkly sharp. Sensual lips still wet from our kiss.
He was magnificent.
“I want you, Cora. I want you so much, baby.” His voice was as rough as sandpaper.
I never realized how powerful those words could be until now. Need bolted through my veins.
Determination sharpened his features. “I can’t promise everything will work out, but I want to prove to you that what we have is real.”
I didn’t know how to take his declaration, but I knew I couldn’t resist him anymore.
I didn’t want to resist him anymore.
The fight had always been with my own fears. Even knowing the risk I was taking, I wanted whatever time I had with him. Without looking away from his gaze, I whispered, “I want you, too.”
Everything about him seemed to tighten for a beat and then he lunged at me.
Lips marauded. Hands roamed my body, skimming down my waist until he reached my hips. Heat swamped me as he squeezed my ass, his fingers imprinting into my flesh. He seemed to relish in my softness, moaning as his hands cupped and shaped my plump cheeks.
His hunger fed mine and I kissed him back voraciously. The muscles in his back undulated under my spread fingers as I tried to eliminate every centimeter of space between us. Soon the material between my fingers and his skin became an irritant.
My hands pushed at his jacket. Jake shrugged it off and flung it somewhere behind us. A vague part of my brain noted that bespoke suits should not be treated so cavalierly, but a moment later, I didn’t give a damn.
Jake’s hands had swept up my body and his thumbs found my nipples, abrading the puckered tips. Dipping his head, he sucked one bud through the fabric of my cotton blouse and bra. It felt like an inferno had engulfed my nipple and I grasped his head. He switched sides, this time playfully nipping at the left peak and I made a desperate keening sound.