JAKE STARED AT the email address and the twenty plus emails sent to Madi’s computer. She could tell he didn’t want to open them. She knew he didn’t want her to see his picture again.
Something inside of her clicked with his words and his face. She knew him. His reaction was not the one of someone getting caught and trying to apologize; it was of a man who needed the girl he loved to have faith in him.
“It’s okay,” she said. “You can open it.”
He glanced up at her as his body twisted to face her, concern etched on his brows.
“I know them by heart,” she explained, pointing.
“I don’t want you to ever look at these again,” he stated through gritted teeth. “She’s obviously trying to break us up. I just don’t know why she’d go to such lengths,” he said.
“She wants you. It’s obvious. Sometimes people want the things they can’t have. Maybe she likes the challenge.”
He nodded as he watched her lips move. Madi knew he wanted to kiss her, but she wasn’t ready for that. Even though she believed him, it was hard for her to look at him without seeing his hands onherbody. The thought made her cringe.
“You know I want to kiss you, don’t you?” he asked hesitantly, as if he’d read her mind.
“Yes, but please don’t try. I do believe you and I love you, but I just need to process everything and let it all sink in. It’s still too fresh in my mind. My heart still hurts.”
Jake nodded as he reached around her to bring her close, burying his face in her chest. She drew in a quick breath as his face pressed into her stomach. She put her hands into his hair and rested her head on top of his.
“I understand. I’m just thankful to be this close. I was scared.”
“I know,” she said, drawing him against her, that familiar tug to have more of him pulling at her heart.
“Do you?” he asked, glancing up to meet her eyes.
“I hoped it was all a mistake, but I’m still processing how this happened.”
Jake shook his head as he turned back to her laptop. “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.” He lifted his phone from his pocket as it buzzed. “Do you have her?”
Madi’s eyes widened.
“Where are you? Okay, I’ll be there. Don’t let her out of your sight.” Jake ended the call and glanced up at her through the tops of his eyes.
“Who do they have?”Madi asked.
“Allison.”
Madi took a step back in disbelief. “She’s in Chicago? What the fuck, Jake? You’re going to see her?”
Jake rose up out of his seat, taking her arms in his hands. “I need to figure this out. I need to know why she did this. She said she’d only talk to me. Please understand. I’m not going toseeher. I’m going to get some answers.”
Madi sighed. “Well, if you’re going, then so am I.”
“Are you sure?” he asked.
“I want to kill her,” Madi said as she felt the hate rise around her like a cloak.
Jake smiled and her heart melted. “You and me both.”
All four of them piled into her car, with Rob taking the wheel. Kendra sat in the front seat next to him, being a backseat driver. She criticized every turn he made and tried to explain why he should take I-88 to I-294 verses I-55. Rob ignored every word as well as her pointing fingers, frustrated sighs, and imaginary brakes.
“You’re a lousy driver,” she huffed. “And you don’t take directions well at all.”
“I can assure you, Ms. Parker, I’m an excellent driver.”
“Not from where I’m sitting.” Kendra turned and watched the exit go by. “I told you to turn there. When’s the last time you drove in the city? Hell, when’s the last time you drove at all?”
“I’ve driven all types of vehicles, Ms. Parker. Humvees, tanks, jeeps and buses. I’ve jumped out of planes and stormed buildings with my tactical unit. I’m pretty sure I’m capable of maneuvering a Toyota into the city.”
Kendra studied him for a moment. “Brag much?” she asked, unimpressed.
Rob shook his head and sighed heavily.
Madi felt Jake’s eyes on her as they sat in the backseat. He’d been staring at her since they walked out of her room and into the hall. Kendra had insisted that there was no way in hell she wasn’t coming along, and I’m pretty sure even Rob was too smart to argue.
His right hand rested on his lap, but slowly slid into the seat between them. Madi wondered if he wanted to touch her. She longed for the security his hand provided. The simple gesture of holding his hand suddenly seemed foreign. This situation had taken them back months in her comfort level. He seemed unreachable and untouchable once again.
The back of Jake’s hand skimmed up against her thigh and her breath hitched. He’d always had that effect on her. The energy between them burned like a constant flame. She pressed her left hand into her leg. Jake observed her movement and almost seemed to moan. His other hand moved to his lips as he pinched them together and glanced out the window. His head turned slightly as he placed his hand on top of hers. She spread her fingers to intertwine them with his. She watched him out of the corner of her eye and saw a slow smile cross his lips. She stared down at their hands and couldn’t help but smile too. Twenty-four hours earlier, she’d thought her life was over. Now it was sitting next to her.
