Chasing Rainbows, page 21
I sighed, stepped around one of the plastic chairs, and walked toward the back where an opened door would lead me into the garage. A bumper was lying on the concrete floor beside of an older model Ford pickup truck that Devon and Jake had obviously been working on. At the back of the room, a door was standing open allowing fresh air to enter the room. It was stuffy and hot inside. The air smelled of a mixture of sulfur and grease.
Jake stood with his back to me, and I watched his biceps flex as he reached up to remove the hooded shield that protected his eyes from the bright glare while he was welding.
He wore a pair of faded jeans and a sleeveless shirt. A fine sheen of sweat coated his tanned skin. His blondish brown hair was damp and dark and lay flat against his head. He placed the shield on a nearby table then turned to face me. If he was surprised, it didn't show. I forgot to breathe as I stared into his eyes. I'd missed him. I just didn't realize how much until now.
"What are you doing here, Addie?" he asked, the sound of his voice sending chills racing down my spine. The familiar way he said my name, and the memory of the way he used to look at me as though he never wanted me to leave his sight sent a pang shooting through my heart. I wished more than anything he'd look at me like that right now, instead of eyeing me with disinterest. It crushed me and I worried if just maybe, Brandon hadn't been completely truthful about his encounter with Jake. Maybe, Jake had only been trying to be polite when he'd asked about me earlier. "If you're looking for Kara, she isn't here," he said.
His handsome face was void of emotion. He was so cold. Even after all we'd shared, he was acting as if I were nothing more than a casual acquaintance. I watched him as he picked up the container of GOJO from the table and squirted a huge glob of it into his hand. I was mesmerized by the sight of his broad palms sliding against one another. It made me realize how much I'd missed his touch against my skin. I wished I could read his mind and know what he was thinking. I pressed a trembling hand against my stomach taking a deep breath and silently reminded myself to be brave.
"I'm not here for Kara," I said, watching him.
"Well, Devon's not here either," he said with a disinterested shrug. Then he strode to the opened door in the back and stepped outside. He wasn't going to make this easy for me. I followed after him, my nervousness forgotten. He was making me mad.
A rock wall stretched up the side of the mountain completely enclosing the area at the back of the garage. Grass had grown through the gravel of the small fenced-in lot, growing knee high in some places. A makeshift shed that housed abandoned parts stood to one side, and Jake was walking toward it. Obviously, I was too late. Clearly, he wasn't interested in anything I had to say to him now.
But I couldn't give up. I'd already lost too much, and I wouldn't lose Jake.
"Damn it, Jake!" I cried, and he finally stopped and spun around to face me. Tears welled in my eyes. I was afraid that I had destroyed any chance I'd ever had with him.
"I asked you once. What are you doing here, Addie?" he snapped, and when I didn't answer him, he strode toward me. His body tense, his steps swift. He came to a stop, standing in front of me. He looked angry. His eyes were hooded and dark; his face as hard as stone. Just one more time, I longed to see him smile.
"Damn it, I came here for you!" I cried, but his expression never wavered. He didn't care. Near his thighs, his hands clenched into fists.
"Then, you wasted your time," he replied coldly, and turned walking away. It was all so final.
The air rushed painfully from my lungs with the realization that we were over. This couldn't be it. As I stood in disbelief, a tear streaked down my cheek followed by another one. This definitely wasn't how I'd imagined the evening ending.
"Jake, I'm sorry!" I yelled after him, his steps slowed then he started walking faster, heading toward the shed. It was as if he were trying to get as far away from me as possible. I bit my lip, certain the hollow sensation in my chest was my heart breaking. I trembled, my whole being shaking at the possibility of never being with Jake again. This was really it. I'd come here with the intent to say what I needed to say, and I damn sure wasn't leaving until I did. When I left, at least he would know how I felt. The rest was up to him. However, he decided to handle it.
"Run Jake! Run, whenever things get complicated!" I taunted him.
He stilled. He stood before the shed peering inside. He didn't turn around. "You're an asshole! I came here to tell you that I loved you! I love you, Jake Riley!" I screamed, my voice cracking under the emotions tearing my heart in two.
It was the moment of truth. He ran a frustrated hand through his damp hair. His body tensed, as if he were hovering over an abyss balanced on a tightrope. Either my confession had the power to make us or break us. After a couple minutes of silence, I gave in and turned, unable to stand there waiting any longer for him to send me away.
Tears raced down my cheeks as I walked back into the garage. I'd tried, but it was obvious he didn't want me there. It was truly over. Jake had been right all along. At the first chance of happiness for myself, I had run. I was always scared of losing what I wouldn't let myself have, and I'd fucked up big time with him.
Second chances were a joke. Sometimes in this life, you only got one chance to make it right. No do-overs. One golden opportunity to reach out and grab ahold of your happiness, and I'd blown mine by being afraid and now Jake acted as if he couldn't stand to be in the same room with me, let alone look in my direction. He couldn't even tell me goodbye.
I had to get out of there. I wouldn't beg. I forced myself to walk away when in reality, I wanted to run. When I cut through the garage and headed into the office, I picked up my steps and hurried for the front door. I needed to get to my car. Then, I could fall apart. I screamed in surprise when a pair of strong arms snaked around my waist from behind. I found myself hauled back against a broad muscular chest.
Sobs ripped from my mouth as Jake curled his self around me, burying his face in my hair. The warmth of his body against mine almost broke me. His lips skimmed my ear. His hot breath made me tremble. "Don't cry, Addie."
How dare he tell me not to cry! After all that I had risked to lay my heart at his feet.
So I cried that much harder; my body shaking with my misery. He was torturing me. I just wanted to leave. I wanted to go home, crawl into myself, and once again pick up the shattered pieces of my damaged heart. He shifted behind me and suddenly, my feet were no longer touching the concrete floor. He carried me toward the ratty torn couch against the far wall in the front office. His grip on me was firm as he kicked the green plastic chair out his way. It bounced against the wall with a clatter. He didn't look at me but stared straight ahead and sat down on the couch settling me onto his lap.
"Let me go, Jake," I pleaded, my voice breaking. A girl could only take so much. I wiped my face with my hands trying unsuccessfully to scoot from his lap but one of his arms locked around my waist pulling me roughly against him.
He placed his fingers on my chin and tilted my face upward. His nostrils flared as his gaze held mine. His eyes roved over every square inch of my face. It was killing me to look at him. It hurt to be this close and to know that he would never be mine again. "Just one taste," he murmured, and I stilled at hearing the desperation lacing his voice as his head drifted closer to mine.
Suddenly, my senses which had momentarily taken leave returned with a vengeance and I squirmed against him. If he kissed me then sent me away, I wouldn't survive. His fingers held fast, gripping my chin. "Jake," I protested, trying to evade his lips but I was trapped in place. I had no choice but to bend to his will and accept his kiss. My hands clenched his sweat-slicked arms, and his biceps jerked in reaction to my touch.
"Shut up, Addie," he growled, right before his lips covered mine. His mouth was hot and hard. Every touch, every lick, every stroke magnified by the time we'd spent apart. His lips were firm as they moved masterfully over mine, robbing me of every reason as to why I even thought I should protest. With no sense of self preservation, I gave in; my lips moving hungrily against his. His mouth was so sinful. I surrendered. I lost track of time. I lost track of everything except for the feel of Jake's lips pressed against mine.
Somehow his hand had moved into my hair, and I turned, straddling his lap with my arms wrapped around his neck. When he finally broke the kiss, we were both gazing back at one another in a daze and panting. I had no idea how I'd ended up in this position. The only memory I had was of his heat and his smell clouding my senses.
"You're an asshole," I told him, when he sat there staring at me and didn't speak. It seemed as if nothing had changed between us. I pushed against his chest, trying to get away from him, but his hands grabbed my hips yanking me back into place. Angrily, I glared at him feeling his arousal pressing against me. He had the nerve to flash me a sexy wicked grin.
"I'm your asshole," he said rather proudly as if it were the greatest honor he'd ever been bestowed. Finally, I realized what he'd said, and started laughing.
"You just called yourself an asshole," I told him with a smug smile. His eyes danced mischievously.
"Smartass," he teased, and playfully flipped me over onto the couch covering me with his weight. He felt so good, and so right. His hands slid beneath my T-shirt and I grew still as his fingers traveled along my ribs heading toward my breasts. I wanted him. His fingertips skimmed the band of my bra. He was teasing me. My breath hitched as I peered into his hooded eyes and pushed my hips against his, hearing him suck in a deep breath.
"Jake," I moaned wantonly, and he gritted his teeth.
"Play nice, Addie," he whispered, then his long fingers sneaked up underneath my arms and he began tickling me. Laughing, I begged for mercy; screaming for him to stop. Then, suddenly he did.
"Hey man," said Jake as he tugged my shirt over my bare stomach before moving. When he pushed himself away from me, I saw a guy with a crocked baseball cap and cocky grin standing just inside the door watching us.
"Just wanted to check on my ride," he said.
"It's in the garage, man. Go on back; I'll be with you in a minute." Jake told him.
"Sure thing!" The stranger smiled and tipped his baseball cap at us as he walked through the office heading into the garage.
"Sorry. I forgot that he was stopping by," Jake apologized; a frown marring his face. "I wanted him to check out the bumper before we reattached it tomorrow."
"It's alright," I said, rising to my feet to stand in front of the couch. I walked around the coffee table toward him. "I better get on out of here."
"I'll walk you out," Jake said, and he took my hand in his leading the way.
I followed him outside. I didn't want to go, but he was busy, and I'd taken him by surprise. He opened my car door and let go of my hand. I slipped inside and he pulled my keys from his back pocket handing them to me. I hadn't even realized I'd lost them. Then, he shut my door and stood by the car watching me. I slid the key in the ignition and started the engine glancing back up to meet his eyes. My hands were shaking.
"Wait," he said, and I nodded my head as he turned away, walked around the front of his truck and opened the door. He came striding back to my car and confused; I stared blankly at the silver key gripped in his fingertips. With his other hand, he reached for mine and laid the key against my palm and closed my fingers around it. When he let go, he bent down leaning inside the car through the opened window. "Kiss me," he ordered, and I released the steering wheel and placed the key in my cup holder. There was no need to tell me twice. My hands slid into his hair, the tips of our noses briefly touched. For a second, we smiled at one another. Then his lips melded with mine for a deep, desperate kiss. God, I'd missed him.
He groaned, that harsh sound thrilled me. He pulled back and with regret, I slid my hands from his hair even though, I didn't want to let him go. We were panting. His chest heaved; the exact same way as mine did. It was nice to know he was just as affected by what we'd shared as I was. He'd felt it too.
His eyes glittered. My pulse jumped at the heat smoldering in his dark gaze. He took a step back and stood by my car. "Go back to the apartment and wait for me. I'll get rid of him."
I nodded my head in understanding. I was incapable of speech. "Be careful," he ordered as I glanced in the rearview mirror with my foot on the brake and shifted the car into reverse. He tapped the driver side door and I looked up at him. He appeared on edge. He seemed as if he could happily devour me whole and I knew without a doubt that I'd let him. My insides clenched. "And by the way, Addie," he said in a low voice leaning down closer until his warm breath once more was fanning my lips. "Be naked when I get there."
And with that, he turned, walking into the building as I sat there stunned, breathless, and grinning like I'd just discovered a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Chapter twenty-three
I STRETCHED AGAINST JAKE FEELING HIS BARE SKIN slide lovingly along mine. In the short time we'd been together he had shown me three times just how much he'd missed me. The clock on his makeshift nightstand read 11:05. The room was dark except for the thin streaks of light filtering in from outside. I had to get going since I now had a curfew thanks to my parents, who were actually trying to act like real parents.
He nibbled at my neck, soft slow sweet kisses that made me want to say to hell with my curfew and stay there with him despite the consequences, but if I ended up grounded I wouldn't get to see him at all.
"Jake, I have to go," I whispered and he growled out a muffled no, continuing to nibble on me as if I were his favorite bedtime snack.
"I have to be home by midnight."
"Why? Do you turn into a pumpkin?" he teased, raising his head.
I couldn't help but smile back at him. His playful pout was so endearing. I wished more than anything I didn't have to leave him. The perfect ending to this night would have been if I could spend it wrapped up in his arms instead of driving home.
"I have a curfew I have to keep if I ever want to see you again."
He leaned in, kissing me soundly. "I hate to let you go," he whispered, and I rolled over onto my belly away from the temptation of his lips and his touch. "Alright, I'll walk you out," he finally said in defeat when he saw that I wasn't going to budge.
Gripping the sheet, I slid from the bed, coming up short just as I took a step toward my clothes, which were lying in a discarded pile on the floor. He tugged hard, and the sheet flew from my fingers before I managed to catch it. I hadn't been expecting it and found myself suddenly standing naked beside the bed staring back at him. He sat up inching closer and slung his long legs over the side of the bed to reach for my bra and shirt. He looked up at me, his eyes roaming over my body then he stood. I didn't move a muscle. I think I forgot to breathe. My eyes were locked on his frame and the bulging mouthwatering display of his muscles.
"At least let me get another good look at what I'll be missing." He leaned in and brushed my lips with a quick kiss, then vaguely I realized he was slipping the thin straps of my bra up my arms. His broad hands slid back down my arms to settle against my waist. He urged me to turn around, and feeling the faint pressure of those fingertips on my hot skin, I couldn't deny him anything.
I was still half naked and relished in his hardness pressed against my backside. He snapped my bra into place and pulled my hair to the side with his lips deftly moving to my shoulder where he placed a trail of fiery kisses on my skin.
"Raise your arms and turn around," he ordered hoarsely, and when I did the hungry look in his eyes made me squirm.
I had no choice when it came to Jake. My body reacted before my brain could even fire the signals to tell me to refuse him. He slipped my pale yellow T-shirt over my head sliding his hands along my sides, settling them at my hips, and then he sat down on the bed pulling me closer. I gasped in surprise when his broad hands cupped my behind and gently kneaded. When he pressed his face into my stomach and the warmth of his breath caressed my skin, I shivered. He drew in a deep breath as if breathing me, as his hands stroked my bare bottom.
My breath hitched in my throat. He slowly drew back gazing up at me. I reached out and brushed a sandy brown lock of hair from his forehead.
"Lift your foot," he commanded. He held a slip of black lace in his hands.
I did as he ordered, gripping his shoulders for support.
"Now the other one," he said, and his fingers stroked along my skin as he slid the tiny pair of panties up my thighs brushing his knuckle against the part of me that was yearning for what only he could give me. I couldn't stand much more of this. I was melting beneath his heated regard and masterful hands. When he finally reached for my jeans, my sanity returned, and I grabbed them first darting across the room and away from him.
He smiled knowingly as I slipped my foot inside one leg of my pants. I couldn't look away from his naked body and watched as he reached for his own pants and stood; his arousal increasing in size under my stare. A smug smile tugged at his lips as he slid the denim along his muscular thighs. I had to bite my lip just to keep from moaning out loud. I wanted him, but there wasn't enough time.
He made me breathless and hot, and the fact that he was naked beneath those faded blue jeans of his was slowly driving me crazy. I couldn't concentrate. I had to get home. I was trying to find my flip flops when he said my name, drawing my attention. In his hand, he held my shoes.
"Thanks," I whispered, taking the flip flops and dropping them onto the floor so I could slip my feet into them.
"Come on. We don't want you to miss curfew," he said, rolling his eyes as he opened the door smiling tenderly back at me.
