TRUSTING JAKE: MONTGOMERY HEROES OF ALASKA

by Becca Monroe

  Josie stood up and gave Mike and me a hug. “You guys want a drink? I brought beer because Jake’s selection sucks and Delaney got wine to go with the stuffed shells she made.”

  Mike nodded. “I want a beer.”

  “I’ll take one I have in the fridge,” I joked. “They don’t suck,” I said, still staring at Delaney, who was looking everywhere but at me.

  Her hair was up in a long braid, trailing down her back, her bare legs visible from under the apron she was wearing. The kitchen was the perfect scene for cooking dinner for a group of people she cared about, and the pan of food she was tending looked delicious.

  “Ok, this needs to sit for about ten minutes, and then we can dig in. I’m going to run and throw some different clothes on. I put the salad in the dining room, so you guys can get started and I’ll be there in just a moment,” she said, still ignoring me.

  Mike let out a low whistle as she disappeared down the hall. “She set the dining table?”

  Josh smiled. “Hell yeah, man, she’s been slaving away all day. The woman knows her way around a kitchen. I helped with the table, though. Josie and I had lunch with her, and she invited us back here. We’ve been hanging ever since. Delaney had to stop for some super-secret ingredient she needed for this sinful looking dessert she made. I’m going to eat so much tonight, I may die,” Josh teased.

  “Don’t do that, I’d miss you,” Josie said, and they both laughed.

  I took a long pull from my beer, and Josie caught my gaze. “She’s been through a lot. Don’t make her go through any more bullshit. If you aren’t over Callie, then leave that woman alone. There’s been enough heartbreak there to last a lifetime, and I will kick your ass if you hurt her. I’m already going to kick Brittany’s butt when I see her.”

  Josie wasn’t one to pull any punches. I respected her and loved her. She was part of our family. I considered her words for a moment and took another pull from the bottle, as everyone moved into the dining room. “Has she told you about her past? What happened?”

  Josie shook her head. “She doesn’t have to. I see it. The effects of it. One night over the Fourth of July weekend, I drug her out for drinks and dancing. The night our old dive bar burned to the ground. Remember?”

  Mike started laughing. “How could I forget? Who lights a bottle rocket inside the bar?”

  Josie pointed to Mike. “Remember seeing me outside with Delaney after the place burned? We were being checked out by the paramedics.”

  “Yeah, I remember, but you were okay.”

  She pointed down the hall in the direction Delaney disappeared. “She wasn’t. Full-blown anxiety attack inside while the building was burning. Tucked herself so snug into a corner under the bar that Tim Collins had to pull her out kicking and screaming. When the paramedics looked her over, she had some scars they asked her about. I didn’t see them, but they asked her and she said it wasn’t important, they weren’t from that night.”

  “She said nothing to you about it?” I asked.

  Josie shook her head. “I don’t think she knew I overheard them, and I wasn’t about to push. All of you have experienced trauma, it affects everyone differently. She’s kind to everyone she meets. For someone like her, processing brutality must be difficult. She’ll talk to us when she’s ready to, and not before. We can’t pressure her, but just let her know we’re here. That’s all I’ve done, and we talk about a ton of things all the time, just not her past, and that’s okay. She’ll share when it’s right for her. Be patient.”

  She pointed directly at me. “Especially you-you make her insides tingle,” she joked.

  That comment had all three of us boys looking at her in surprise. “Did she tell you that?”

  She smirked. “Sorry Jake, I cannot confirm or deny the sacred words spoken between women on lady’s night.”

  The guys erupted in laughter, but I excused myself from the dining room. They knew I needed to see Delaney.

  Delaney

  I heard the knock on the bedroom door, and I knew it was Jake. I thought about what I wanted to tell him all day. Now he was here and all I wanted to do was hide. “One second,” I said, fastening my bra as the door opened.

  Jake walked in, his eyes taking in the picture of me in nothing but my shorts and black lace bra, standing there with what I am certain, was the most surprised look on my face. “Jake!” I hollered at him, trying to cover myself with my hands. Grateful that my left side wasn’t visible to him.

  “Shit, I’m sorry,” he said, turning around quickly to face the door. “My mistake, I thought you said come in.”

  I slid the tank top over my head and tried to calm my heart rate down a little. Jake Montgomery just saw me in my bra, and I felt like I may as well have been naked standing before him. “Ok, you can turn back around.”

  His eyes went to mine. “Sorry about that. Can we talk for a second?”

  “Sure, what did you need?”

  He took four long strides until he was standing just inches from me. “Please accept my apology for what happened with Brittany. I should have intervened and not allowed her to say all those things to you.”

  “You aren’t responsible for what other people say or do, Jake, but thank you for saying that.” A timid grin crossed over my mouth. “I thought you were going to apologize for catching me half-naked.”

  His eyes scanned over my face and down the front of me. “I’m not sure I’d mean it,” he whispered. “You’re beautiful.”

  I could feel my breath hitch when he said the words. He thought I was beautiful. When did that happen? “We should get out there. I invited guests.”

  He smiled, and the butterflies in my stomach all took flight at the same time. “Why did you do that by the way?” His stare was too intense, too full of desire. It made me want things, things we could never have.

  “I promised you dinner but wasn’t sure I could do that, just the two of us. This was less pressure for us to…

  He moved into me. “To what, Delaney?”

  I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself. My hands went to his chest and his eyes closed as if he was reveling in the feel of my hands on his body. “Talk, just talk,” I whispered.

  His forehead met mine and our eyes found one another’s again. “What if I want more from you than just talking? What if I want to kiss you?” His breath on my skin, his hard chest under my hands, all I wanted was to get lost in him.

  Our lips drifted to one another’s and my eyes closed, wanting this with him.

  “Dude, come on, we’re starving!” Mike banged on the bedroom door, breaking the moment, and I backed out of his arms immediately.

  “I’m going to kill him,” he said, and I started laughing.

  “Maybe wait until after dinner? I’m starving too,” I said, shrugging my shoulders. He reached for my wrist and pulled me into him, as I tried to walk by. My reaction was something that happened anytime my mind thought I was in danger. My body just reacted. I pulled my arm back and retreated, until my shoulders fell against the door, my breaths coming in quick gasps.

  His eyes were full of worry, and I hated my body reacted the way it did. “God baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “No, it’s my fault. I just get,” I stopped. What the hell was I going to say? I freak out when I think a man is going to hit me? That would be just wonderful for all of us to discuss over dinner.

  “I shouldn’t have reached for you like that, but I wanted to whisper to you we would pick that up later. That was my only intention. I’m sorry if I frightened you. Can I give you a hug?”

  I wrapped my arms around his waist. His powerful arms tucking me into his body. It was safe there, and it made me feel loved and protected, and I never wanted to leave. “I would never hurt you, not in a million years,” he whispered. “There are things you aren’t ready to tell me or anyone, but know that I would never hurt you, and I would kill anyone who tried to.”

  He stepped back so I could see his face. “Prom
ise me you’ll remember that in moments when you’re afraid.”

  “I promise,” I whispered. Jake Montgomery was the only thing that made me feel safe, so I had to remember that. My stomach growled.

  He took my hand in his, smiled, and led me out the door. “Let’s get some food in that perfect body of yours before you faint on me.”

  Jake

  The stuffed shells were the best thing I’d ever tasted in my life, and the homemade Tiramisu she made for dessert was mouthwatering. Every time I turned around, Delaney gave me another reason to fall for her. From her heart to her cooking skills, everything about her made me want to spend more time with her and get to know her better.

  By midnight, the food eaten, drinks downed, and the card games wrapped up, all I wanted to do was pull her into my bedroom for a little alone time. I walked Josie and Mike up to the guest rooms, not wanting them to drive. Josh had already headed to his room on the other end of the house.

  I came back downstairs to find Delaney finishing the last of the dishes. “We can get this tomorrow. You’ve done enough for tonight.”

  She smiled a tired smile, and it made my dick twitch with need. “That meal was amazing. I can’t thank you enough for that.”

  “I’m glad you liked it,” she said, putting the last of the glasses away.

  “Who taught you to cook like that?”

  “My mom was full-blooded Italian, and she and my grandmother taught me everything about cooking authentic food for the family, but I’ve been trained as a pastry and sous chef.”

  “You have red hair, green eyes, but your mom was Italian?”

  “My dad was full-blooded Irish. Red-haired, emerald green eyes, and signature pale skin. Guess God wanted me to take after dad,” she said, giggling a little.

  “You’re beautiful. Can I walk you to your room?” I asked, trying to be cute.

  She wrapped her hand around the arm I offered. “I would like that.”

  We stopped outside her door. “Thank you for letting me stay here. It means a lot to me.”

  I leaned closer to her. “You can stay as long as you like, but I was thinking about something that I wanted to run by you.”

  “What is it?”

  “Would you help me host Thanksgiving dinner here next Thursday? I want to invite my mom, Josh, Mike, David, Josie, the usual group from the celebrations mom holds. Tonight made me remember why I built this house. The laughter, friends, family. I want to have my first holiday here, and I’m asking you to help me with it. Will you?”

  She stood on her tiptoes and placed a soft kiss on my lips. My arm wrapped around her waist, the other tenderly held her face close to mine. Our lips met again, and the kiss deepened as she opened her mouth for me. My tongue dipped inside, tasting the sweetness of her, and my mind wanted more. She moaned as she wrapped her arms around my neck, and my cock swelled between us. Her hands gripped my hair, and I broke away from her mouth to leave kisses down her neck.

  “Jake,” she whispered, her breathing shallow. “God, Jake, I…”

  I stopped kissing her neck and moved back up to claim her mouth again. “You’re so perfect.” Her little noises were driving me insane, and I found myself unable to get close enough to this magnificent woman. We stumbled inside her room, our mouths still exploring one another, and I shut the door behind us. She stepped away from me, her fingers going to her lips. That’s when I saw it. Doubt.

  “We’re moving too fast, right?”

  She shook her head no, but I saw it in her eyes. “I’m going to kiss you goodnight, walk to my room, take a freezing shower and let us both get some rest.” I cupped her face in my hands and allowed myself a few moments to bask in the softness of her skin, the beauty of her eyes on mine.

  “You should know that I want you. I want to get to know everything about you, take you out on dates, laugh with you, and explore everything we’re feeling. You captivate me, and I want you in my life. So yes, tonight, we’ll slow this down, so you understand how important you are to me.” I turned to leave, then her hand wrapped around my arm.

  Her eyes were swimming with confusion. “You don’t want to make love to me?”

  I turned my hand up, offering it to her until she took it and I pulled her close. “Baby, believe me, the only thing I want to do is make love to you, but not in a rush, or a little buzzed state from too much wine. We have time. Just promise me you won’t leave Kodiak. The first few kisses can’t lead to sex that fast, it would scare you away. I don’t want that.”

  She kissed my lips again. “Will you stay until I fall asleep?”

  “You sure?”

  “I would like you to stay until I fall asleep,” she whispered.

  “Then I’ll stay.”

  I laid on the bed while she went into the bathroom. Self-torture must be something I enjoy. Holding her in my arms and not making love to her was going to kill me once again, but I couldn’t leave her. She came out of the bathroom, her hair long hair lying over her shoulder, wearing an NYU t-shirt and little cotton shorts. Yep, self-torture would be the order of the evening. She grabbed the hairbrush on the nightstand, and I covered her hand with mine. “May I?”

  “You want to brush my hair?” She asked.

  The surprise in her tone upset me. It bothered me that the men she was with before didn’t treat her right. They didn’t take care of her how she deserved. “I would love to brush your hair. Do you want to leave it down or want me to re-braid it for you?” I asked and motioned for her to sit at the end of the bed.

  She didn’t answer, so I began brushing her long red locks. Her hair was beautiful and unique. Natural redheads weren’t common up here, and her hair was perfection. I noticed she was wringing her hands in her lap and she sighed when I set the brush down and began strumming my fingers through it, weaving it into a long, thick braid over her shoulder. I tied it off with the little band that was around the handle of the brush and kissed her temple. “All set.”

  Her hands reached for the braid as she stood, her back to me. “Delaney?”

  She wiped her eyes and turned to face me. “No man has ever done something that kind for me before. Thank you.”

  I stared at her for a long moment, taking in her beauty, her kind, but broken heart, and made a promise to myself that I was going to make Delaney Newcomb mine. She deserved a man who knew how to treat a woman. Nobody would ever harm her again. I laid down on the bed and reached for her hand. “Let me hold you.”

  She climbed in and laid her head on my chest, my arms wrapped around her. “What shampoo do you use? It smells like strawberries and vanilla.”

  “I make it with oils.”

  “You make your own shampoo?”

  She giggled. “Kind of. I buy pure shampoo without fragrance and add the oils I love. Strawberry and vanilla are two of my favorites, so I use them the most.”

  “They’re now my favorite scents on the planet. They are a perfect representation of you.”

  “What makes you say that?

  “Strawberries smell sweet and they can grow wild and free in fields and meadows, enjoying the sunshine. Vanilla brings comfort and smells delicious and warm.”

  “You think I’m sweet, warm, and delicious but have a wild streak?” she asked.

  My laughter was louder than it should have been, but I couldn’t help it. Naïve innocence coated her words, and I wanted nothing more than to capture her heart for myself and never let it go. “I know you are delicious, and I only got a taste. Sweet? That’s a fact too, because you’re kind to everyone, even when they aren’t always kind to you. The wild streak? Hmm, that is a little more of an unknown, but sometimes I see it flash in your eyes.”

  She sat up, resting her chin on my chest, bringing her gaze to mine. “What do you mean you see it flash in my eyes?”

  My thumb outlined her jawline and her eyes closed at the contact, then opened again when my thumb stopped on her bottom lip. “Sometimes when you’re afraid, I see this fire flash in your eyes. Almost
like you’re breaking free of something. It looks real, and raw, like freedom. I can’t explain it any better, but maybe one day, you’ll let me in on the thoughts in your head when you’re in that moment. If it’s wild freedom you seek, I’ll go there with you. I’d go anywhere with you.”

  She laid her head back down, and my fingers stroked up and down her arm. “Please stay.” She snuggled into me as close as she could. “You don’t have to say anything yet, just promise me you will think about it.”

  “Think about staying?” She asked.

  “Yes, staying here and being with me. I want to make this work. See where things go. You need to be here for that, so I’m asking you to stay with me.”

  When she didn’t respond, I figured I scared her away and one day soon I would wake up and she wouldn’t be here. Maybe I overstepped, but tonight, with her, hell, the past few days with her in my house, nothing had ever felt more real in my life.

  “I promise I’ll think about it,” she whispered.

  “That’s all I ask. Goodnight, beautiful.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Delaney

  By Wednesday morning, I had spent the past five nights falling asleep in Jake’s arms. We kissed and talked until all hours of the night, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell him the truth. He didn’t push, just respected that I wasn’t ready. Not moving things forward physically was difficult, every part of me desired him, but Jake showed patience, and we both stopped things when they got too intense. At least we both agreed taking things slow was the best route.

  The more time we spent together, the more I hated having to leave, but Kelly hadn’t contacted me on Saturday and worry was taking over my every thought. It felt like I was running on borrowed time and the greatest fear I had was that I would have to slip away in the middle of the night, and he would never forgive me. I stepped out of the shower and pulled the burner phone from my bag, turning it on. A new message light flashed.