Jake turns. “We’ll be there.”
Rona turns to face me with a smile on her face. “I’m so glad that things have worked out for Jake and Elise. They’re perfect for each other.”
I walk over to where she’s resting against the cabinet near one of the kitchen windows, and caress down the side of her face. “Just like we are,” I whisper, moving in for a taste of her luscious lips.
One taste though isn’t enough so I dip my head for more and get rewarded when Rona wraps her arms around my neck. Her sexy little body presses into mine as I deepen the kiss, wanting and needing more, but knowing I’m going to respect her wishes to not get her naked.
For now.
Chapter 28
Jake
After Elise’s call about what happened to Rona in town, all I wanted to do was get home to check on Rona and to hold my woman. Elise didn’t let on that she was upset, and told me she was fine. The thing is, I’ve known Elise a long time—since we were seven, to be precise. She can’t hide anything from me, which in the past has annoyed her to no end, but now, I hope she doesn’t mind and finds it easier to talk to me.
Ever since Daniel shot Tom, I’ve been waiting for her to break down, but so far she seems to be handling everything. Elise can be a determined little thing when she puts her mind to it, and other times damned indecisive, which drives me crazy. I’d thought she was handling everything until she called me earlier, now I’m not too sure.
Beyond my bedroom door, the room is dim. The blinds are closed, keeping out the view of the heavy snow falling outside. My heart thuds in my chest with worry for Elise, as my eyes adjust to the darkness in the room.
Glancing toward the bed, I find Elise curled up against a pillow.
Is she asleep?
I’d already removed my boots and outwear when I came through the backdoor, so as I walk closer to her, I don’t make a sound in my bare feet. Gently, lying down beside her, and her head settles against my chest.
“Jake,” she mumbles.
“I’m here, babe. Go back to sleep, and I’ll hold you.” I kiss the top of her head.
“I don’t want to sleep now that you’re here.” She snuggles deeply against me. Raising her leg, she curves it over my hip, wrapping herself around me.
I certainly don’t mind, and I have every intention of taking advantage of her in the future when she’s like this. But right now isn’t the time as I notice tear tracks on her beautiful face. Cupping her face in my hands, I use my thumbs to wipe away the new ones that are slipping out of her eyes.
“Oh baby. Please don’t cry. I have you.” I kiss her lips, and kiss her some more before forcing myself to break away and pull her back into my arms. “Are you upset because of what happened today or everything in general?”
She sniffles, and then mumbles into my chest, “First of all, I couldn’t get out of my head that Rona could have been hurt today, and then I started thinking back over everything that has happened and the tears wouldn’t stop. I just wanted your arms around me.”
Fuck!
It’s a well-known fact that men don’t cry, but hearing Elise tell me that she wanted me to hold her, nearly has me reaching for a tissue. As it is, I can’t get any words out because they’re stuck in my throat. Instead, I just hold her close and stroke her back while placing tiny kisses on the top of her head. “I love you,” I finally whisper, but in a choked voice.
Elise tips her head and meets my gaze. “I love you, too.” She kisses me. “I’m sorry you came home to me lying here asleep. I obviously tired myself out earlier.”
“Don’t ever apologize to me for being upset, or needing time alone.”
“I just . . .”
I cover her mouth with my fingers. “I love coming home and finding you here waiting for me, and I consider it my job to hold you when you need holding. To listen when you need to talk, and to love you when you need a good . . . lovin’.” I can’t help grinning at the end. I’d nearly replaced good lovin’ with good fuckin’ but thought better of it as my words sound kinda sappy. Girls love sappy, and from the look on Elise’s face and the roll of her eyes, I’d say she knew exactly what I was thinking.
“Don’t say anything else and ruin what you just said.”
I chuckle. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
I roll her to her back and looming over her, I drop another kiss to her lips. Before I can change my mind, I jump from the bed, and take her hands in mine.
Her eyes widen as I pull her up from the bed. “I know what you thought we were going to do,” I tap her on the nose, “but dinner is nearly ready, although I don’t think Rona would interrupt us.” I usher her into the bathroom. “Let’s wash up and then I want you to come to the barn with me.”
She gives me a quizzical look and smiles before turning the faucet on to wash her face.