My chest aches at the sight. I’ve never seen the kids so happy. They’ve needed this. And seeing Jake like this, so completely at ease, makes me realize just how much I’ve needed it too.
He glances up mid-sentence, catching me spying, and I feel heat creep up my cheeks. Instead of looking embarrassed, he just smiles at me, a look of understanding passing between us. He’s making himself part of this, whether I’m ready to admit it or not.
When the story’s over, I tuck Meadow in, brushing the hair out of her face. “Mama, I love Jake’s stories,” she mumbles sleepily as I pull the covers around her.
I smile, stroking her face. “Yeah, he’s good at stories, isn’t he?”
“Can he read me stories every night?”
I hesitate, unsure how to answer. “Well, that might be a bit tricky for him. But you know I can read them, too.”
“You’re not funny like Jake, Mama,” she says matter-of-factly, her innocent honesty putting me in my place.
A chuckle comes from behind me. I look back to see Jake leaning in the doorway with a grin. I glare at him, but his smile only widens as he walks over.
Crouching down, he whispers to Meadow. “I’m honored, Princess. I’ll read you stories anytime you want.”
My heart stumbles in my chest for two reasons. One, because of how naturally he cares for my kids. And two, because you can’t make promises like that to a three-year-old and not keep them. I find myself hoping he means every word because if I have to pick up the pieces, there’ll be hell to pay.
“Jake’s not here all the time though, honey bee. Sometimes he’ll be away, and sometimes he’ll be busy,” I add, needing them both to understand this might not be a permanent thing.
Jake turns to me, his eyes resolute, before turning back to Meadow. “We’ll figure it out, Princess. Promise.”
I wait until he’s wished Meadow sweet dreams and has gone back downstairs before quietly checking on Noah. He’s already half-asleep, curled up under the blankets, but there’s a peace about him now. Like he’s had a tough day but come out the other side, thanks to the love he’s received.
I close his door softly and head downstairs, my heart still racing from the sight of Jake with them. As I reach the bottom step, he’s there, waiting in the foyer, eyes on me and hands clenching slightly by his sides.
“Thanks for today,” I say softly, almost hesitantly. “I’m sorry that—”
Before I can finish, he’s closing the distance between us. I don’t have a chance to think as he crowds me up against the wall, tilting my face up to lock his eyes with mine. He takes a breath, like he's about to say something, but stops himself. Instead, his lips crash against mine in an urgent, hungry kiss.
He kisses me like he’s desperately trying to make me understand something. Like there’s something with words he can’t quite say right now. His hands tangle in my hair as he presses into me, and I can’t fight it anymore. I don’t want to. A low groan escapes him as he pulls me closer, his grip in my hair tightening, and I melt into him.
“Jake,” I whisper against his lips, my voice trembling with a mix of need and hesitation.
He pulls back just enough to meet my gaze, his eyes dark and intense as he cups my jaw again. “Please don't doubt this, Charlie,” he murmurs.
So, I do what any respectable woman would do in this moment.
I surrender.
Chapter nineteen
I want you. Do you want me?
Jake
I’ve been patient, giving her the reins to set the pace, but I can’t wait anymore. Not tonight. The need to show her just how much I want her and how much she means to me is overwhelming.
And then I hear her start to apologize, no doubt to tell me I don’t need to be here. That I don’t need to stay. It’s frustrating as hell because all I want is to be near her, to be part of this with her.
Before she can finish, I press her back against the wall, my body caging hers, capturing her mouth in a searing kiss. She gasps, but then melts against me, her hands threading into my hair, pulling me closer. The kiss is hungry, but I can feel the way she’s holding back too.
“Jake,” she breathes, her voice trembling with hesitation.No more, Charlie girl.
I pull back just enough to look into her eyes, my hand still cradling her jaw. “I won’t let you doubt this, Charlie,” I say. “I want you. All of you. Do you want me?”
A soft moan escapes her as her resolve crumbles and she nods, tugging me closer with the same desperation I feel coursing through me. Her hands glide up my chest and over my shoulders, pulling me closer. I step into her, my fingers traveling down her back, gripping her hips and tugging her flush against me.
