Hyde and Seek

by Layla Frost

  “Nope. As soon as Jake pulled his head out of his ass, it was clear he’s the one for you. He’s like a brother to me, so I was fuckin’ thrilled he found a good woman to give him what he needs. Never have I heard him laugh so much, or seen him smile so easy. Because of that, my feelings for you might not be romantic, but they’re still to the bone deep, darlin’.”

  “Oh, Rhys,” I whispered, hugging him as I tried not to cry.

  Hmm. Harlow’s single. Oh, so is Melanie. No, wait, maybe Lily?

  “I better let you go before Jake throws a beer bottle at me. He might’ve won, but he still doesn’t look too happy.”

  I pulled away and laughed up at him. “So you know, there’s a blond over there—”

  “Lily?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Not happening, darlin’.”

  “I think you two would have a ton in common.”

  “We do. Which is why it’s not happening. Anyway, your dad said he doesn’t have your Ace Frehley picture, which is disappointing. He does, however, have one of you dressed as Freddie Mercury.”

  “Oh God, I forgot about that. I was like eight or nine. That was a fun Halloween.”

  “I’m gonna go see if I can get him to show it to me.” Rhys headed towards the bar, lifting his chin at Z as they passed each other.

  “Happy birthday, Doll Face.” Z dipped to hug me and kiss my cheek.

  “Thanks. Having fun?”

  “Yeah. Watching Rhys’ date has been entertaining as fuck. Well, until she came over and hit on me.”

  I burst out laughing. “You’ve gotta be kidding! That’s hilarious.”

  “Yeah, it was a barrel of laughs. I’ve gotta head out soon. Enjoy your birthday, Doll Face.”

  “Thanks for coming.” I went up on my toes to kiss his cheek.

  “Anythin’ for you.”

  “Sorry, brother, gotta steal my woman,” Jake said from behind me as he grabbed my hand.

  “What else is new?” Z joked.

  Still holding hands, Jake and I walked over to Ray.

  “Hey, hot stuff,” she said, smiling huge at me.

  “Yo. Having a good night?”

  “Yup, and the best is yet to come.”

  “What?”

  Instead of answering, Ray jerked her head towards Jake.

  “I still have one more present for you.” Jake’s hands shook slightly as he began unbuttoning his shirt.

  “Uh, baby, I’m totally liking where this is going. But not in front of Ray.”

  “Oh no, he promised I could watch,” Ray said.

  “Kinky.” I wiggled my eyebrows at her. “At least let me do some stretches first so I can bust out my best moves.”

  Jake’s shirt gaped open to reveal a bandage on his chest, sobering me instantly.

  “What happened?”

  “Lift it off,” he whispered.

  Moving in front of him, I carefully peeled it away.

  “Oh my God, that’s totally badass.”

  Under the gauze and tape was a fresh tattoo. Similar in style to the one on his arm, it looked like the skin on his chest was tearing away to reveal a mechanical heart.

  “Check out the center gear.”

  “Oh, Jacoby,” I murmured, my eyes filling with tears.

  In the middle of the tattoo was a gear that connected the other mechanisms. Interspersed with the regular square ones, were five block letters made to look like gear teeth.

  “You’ve got my name on you.”

  Cupping my neck, Jake’s thumb pushed my jaw up, though my eyes stayed locked where they are. “Sweets, look at me.”

  I dragged my gaze up to meet his. “Why?”

  “It’s only you.”

  I carefully put my hand on his chest to the side of the ink and felt his heart pounding.

  “I want your name on me.”

  His brows lifted with surprise. “What?”

  “Ray, I want his name,” I declared over my shoulder.

  “Already set aside a block of time on Monday afternoon,” Ray said, her voice thick. “I’m gonna go to the bar, knock back some shots, and pretend I’m not crying like a girl.”

  “You don’t have to—” Jake started.

  “I want to.”

  “Think it over, yeah?”

  “Yeah,” I agreed, though I didn’t need to.

  It was crazy, reckless, and some people might think it was idiotic. It was a risk to ink something that might only be temporary on your body permanently.

  Good thing I know risks with Jake are always worth taking.

  *******

  “What’d you wish for?” Jake’s voice rumbled in my ear after I’d blown out the candles.

  “I can’t tell you, that’s against the rules.”

  “The rules, huh?”

  “Yeah. If I tell you, my wish won’t come true.”

  “You’re wasting your breath,” Dad said to Jake. “Every year I’d try to get her to tell me, but she’d keep it to herself like it was a national secret.”

  “It’s like the birthday law. Everyone knows that. Are you and Nat having fun?”

  “Yeah, but we’re gonna head to the hotel and let you young folks enjoy the night.”

  “I’m pretty sure you could out party anyone here.”

  He chuckled. “Probably, but we’re still gonna go. Walk me out?” I nodded as my dad turned to Jake. “Good to see you, Jake.”

  “You, too, Floyd.”

  “Keep an eye out for Nat? She went back to use the bathroom.”

  “Yeah.” Jake walked towards the doorway to the office.

  “Guess I don’t have to ask if you’re happy,” Dad said when we got outside.

  “Nope.”

  “Don’t have to ask if he’s treating you right either. You’re at your own party, surrounded by friends, and he still watched to make sure you were having a good time. Can’t say I see that often.”

  “That’s Jake.”

  “I find myself wondering, though, are you in this as deep as he is?”

  “I love him, Daddy.”

  “It’s easy to see that. But there are levels to that. Your mom? Broke my heart. I thought she was it. Prissy.” A smile pulled at his lips. It wasn’t sad, just reminiscent. “Fuck, even back then she’d walk around, looking down her nose at everyone. I took one look at her and knew I wanted to spend a lifetime bringing chaos to that order. I was happy putting in the effort to break down those walls she’d built around herself. But she was determined to keep that distance, and I couldn’t get through.”

  If I’d forced that distance with Jake and kept those walls up…

  Holy shit, I’d almost turned into my mother.

  “She loved me, but it was on a different level,” Dad continued, interrupting my panicked relief that I wasn’t as stubborn as my mom. “How I love Nat? Your mom broke my heart, but Nat would shatter it.”

  “Nat wouldn’t leave.”

  “Thank God. What I’m saying, Piper, is there’s nothing wrong with having fun. So if that’s all you’re doing, make sure you’re both on the same page. Now. ‘Cause it’s clear you love him. But it’s crystal fuckin’ clear you’re it for him.”

  “It’s only him.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I figured. You’ve worked hard and built a good life with good people. I’m proud of you, sweetheart.”

  “Thank you, Daddy.”

  When I heard the door open and close, I turned to see Jake and Nat heading our way.

  “Brrr. It’s cold.” Nat rubbed her arms and bounced like it was negative digits and not the breezy sixty degrees that it was.

  “Told you to grab a coat. Not in California, Valley Girl.”

  “If I brought my own then I’d have no reason to steal yours. Which would mean you wouldn’t get that look I love when you see me in your coat.”

  Aww. And ick. But totally aww.

  “Thanks for coming out early,” I said before they continued sweetly skeeving me out.

 
“I’m so glad we could.” Nat pulled me close for a hug. “Go enjoy your night. Get wild.”

  “I plan on it. Love you, guys.”

  “Love you, girly.”

  “Happy birthday, sweetheart,” my dad said, hugging me tight. “Best day of my life, twenty-one years ago. Always been the best kid a dad could ask for.”

  “Daddy.” My voice trembled.

  “No crying on your birthday. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

  I gave Dad and Nat a tear-filled, wobbly smile. Nat returned it with one of her own before they walked towards the cab.

  “Ready for another drink, birthday girl?” Jake’s deep voice rumbled in my ear as he wrapped his arms around my waist while I waved.

  “Oh yeah.”

  *******

  “Why don’t we go to my place?” Jake asked, carrying me to the Camaro because my feet hurt.

  “The surprise is at mine.”

  “Maybe it would be better for tomorrow, yeah?”

  “Why?”

  “Sweets, you’re drunk.”

  “Are you?”

  “No. I only had one beer with your dad.” Jake lowered me to my feet and I got into the car.

  I slid closer to him when he got in on his side. “Then we’re good. Trust me, baby. Me drunk is good. Especially for you.”

  “Oh, really?” He smiled as he pulled me into his lap. “How so?”

  “Well, I’m fun drunk. Happy drunk. Most importantly, horny drunk. Of course that’s not saying much since I’m always horny.”

  “Always?” Jake’s voice was deep, his fingers sliding under my skirt.

  I caught his hand, halting its journey. “Nope, you have to be patient.” Pressing a kiss to the underside of his jaw, I moved over to the passenger’s seat. “Now take me home, Jeeves.”

  “Yes, dear.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Revelations

  “Harder. Faster.”

  “Where’s the fun in that?”

  “You’re in so much trouble when we’re done, Mr. Bossy Pants.”

  Jake smirked. “Doubt it since I’m pretty sure you’re stayin’ tied to the bed.”

  “God, baby. Please?”

  “What do you want?”

  “You.”

  “What about me? You want me to go slower?” he teased, barely inching in and out.

  I hadn’t thought it was possible to go slower. “No, stop!”

  “You want me to stop?” Shrugging, he pulled out and sat back. “If you say so.”

  “No, no, no. I meant stop going slow. Go fast.” I tried, and failed, to move.

  “And end this? I’m thinkin’ I wanna taste some sweetness.”

  “There are cupcakes on the counter,” I muttered flippantly.

  “Good idea.”

  “I was joking!” I pleaded with Jake’s retreating back as he left the room.

  Me and my big freakin’ mouth.

  I’d read books with bondage and had always been intrigued. After our conversation in the limo, I’d ordered soft cuffs online and had been working up the courage to surprise Jake with them.

  I hadn’t planned on him leaving in the middle for a bite to eat. Hell, I hadn’t even thought he’d be this good at torturing me.

  But that’s what it was.

  Body tingling, blood burning, every nerve ending in my body heightened, torture.

  “Get back here and fuck me!” I yelled, pulling against the restraints.

  “Why, Piper, what will the neighbors think?” Jake leaned in the doorway, casually peeling a cupcake wrapper as though I wasn’t on the verge of spontaneous combustion.

  “I don’t care. Throw that out and get over here.”

  “Throw out somethin’ you made? I don’t think that’s possible. They’re near perfect.”

  “Yes, throw… Wait, ‘near perfect’?”

  “See? Imagine your outrage if I tossed it out.”

  “Fine, okay, whatever,” I conceded. “Now, what do you mean?”

  “Oh, I just thought of some ways to improve this one.”

  “Like what?” I glared at him as he came back to the bed.

  “Like all this.” Jake used a finger to scoop a little of the whipped cream frosting. Dabbing it on the spot behind my ear, he licked it off. “Maybe it’d taste better here.” Scraping up more, he rubbed his frosted finger on my hard nipple. He leaned down and took it in his mouth, sucking hard.

  “You’re right,” I panted. “This is better.”

  “Still not perfect.” He positioned himself between my legs.

  My head fell back to the bed with a moan as the coldness of the frosting hit my overheated body.

  Jake lowered his head to lap up the sweet, sticky topping. His thick finger slid into me, stroking slowly. When my hips rose from the bed, he put a muscled arm across my pelvis and pinned me in place.

  “I need you,” I pleaded.

  Jake groaned, his grip loosening before he regained control.

  Bingo.

  “Please, baby. You always make me feel so good.”

  “Piper,” he growled a warning, even as his finger inside me picked up speed, rubbing deliciously.

  “What? I was just telling you I love what you do to me.” I whimpered when he used more force. “It must be ‘cause I’m yours.”

  “Fuck.” Jake’s body covered mine. Cupping my ass in one hand to lift my hips, he slammed into me. His speed and force increased and the head of his cock hit just where I needed it.

  When the tension he built in me broke, I pressed my mouth against his shoulder to muffle my moans.

  “God, I fuckin’ love you.”

  “Love you forever.” Running my tongue up, I tasted sweat and Jake. I nipped at the strong, thick tendon of his shoulder.

  Jake groaned deep, burying his face in my neck and coming.

  Unlatching my arms and legs, he rubbed my limbs as we caught our breath. Starting at my ankle, he slowly massaged up to the top of my thigh before switching legs. Shifting to my wrists, the coarse hair on his forearms was rough against my nipples.

  Closing my eyes, I let myself feel.

  I was undecided about whether I should fall asleep or jump him. I wasn’t even sure if he knew what he was doing to me until I opened my eyes and saw his hard cock jump, straining for me.

  Reaching up, I sank my fingers into Jake’s hair and pulled his mouth down to mine. The tip of my tongue traced the seam of his lips before pushing in. Twirling, stroking, teasing, my tongue moved with his as I let the heat build. The slow burn turned into a blaze and my hips lifted as they sought his.

  Sliding in, Jake’s hand held my hip to the bed while his other arm stayed straight to support him. “Forever. Right, Piper?”

  I nodded my answer.

  “Say it.”

  “Forever,” I moaned.

  “Marry me.” Jake’s thrusts stopped as his eyes went wide.

  I returned his shocked look. “What did you just say?”

  “Marry me. I have a ring at the condo. I can go get it, but I kinda wanna finish first.” He pushed his hips as if I could forget he was in me.

  “Are you serious?”

  “About wantin’ to finish? Fuck yeah.”

  “No, about the other thing.”

  “You mean the you marryin’ me thing?”

  “Uh, yeah, that thing.” My heart felt like it was going to pound out of my chest.

  It’s official. I’m dying. Death by incredible, unbelievable, extreme happiness.

  And here I thought it’d be the sex that ended me.

  His fingers at my hip began to tremble slightly. “I wasn’t plannin’ to ask you tonight, but—”

  “Yes. Yes, definitely.”

  Jake closed his eyes before burying his face in my neck. “I love you, Piper.”

  He rocked his hips as our mouths and hands moved in frenzied abandonment. Our need to touch and taste as much as possible was overpowering.

  “You’ll have my ring, my name. You wa
nt that?”

  “More than anything.” Digging my nails into his shoulders, I leaned up to nip his jaw as my orgasm ripped through me.

  “Never lettin’ that sweetness go. Never lettin’ you go,” he groaned as he came.

  When Jake collapsed on me, I wrapped my arms around him. Eventually, he slid off of me and padded barefoot into the bathroom.

  Pulling the sheet up, I smiled huge as I thought of everything and nothing at all.

  When he returned wearing track shorts, a t-shirt, and his converse, I sat up. “Where’re you going?”

  God, my boyfriend is beautiful.

  No, wait. My fiancé.

  Don’t squeal. Don’t squeal.

  Okay, totally squeal. Just try to disguise it as a cough or something.

  “I’m gonna go get your ring.”

  “I can wait ‘til tomorrow.”

  Jake put his hands in his pockets and shook his head. “You might be able to, but I sure as fuck can’t. I’ve waited long enough.”

  I threw the sheet off and hopped out of bed. “I’ll come with and we’ll just crash there.”

  “Thought you wanted to sleep here?”

  “We did what I wanted to do.” I quickly dressed in a pair of yoga pants and a slouchy, off the shoulder t-shirt, going commando and braless.

  Reaching into my closet, Jake pulled a suitcase from my set and tossed it on the bed. “Grab some clothes for the rest of the weekend, yeah?”

  “No problemo, Mr. Bossy Pants.”

  *******

  “Where do you wanna live?” I heard, and felt, Jake ask.

  On his back in his bed, I was half on my side and half sprawled over him. My head rested on his shoulder while my leg was bent over his hips. One of his hands sifted my hair through his fingers.

  “What do you mean?” I tried to sit up but his grip tightened and kept me tucked close.

  “Do you wanna live here or your place?”

  “I really hadn’t thought about that.” The reality of the changes that were coming made my stomach flip. I was excited. Thrilled out of my freakin’ mind. But I was nervous, too.

  Jake chuckled. “Of course you hadn’t.”

  “What’s so funny?” I again attempted, and failed, to push up.

  “Most women’s minds go wild plannin’ every detail of this kinda stuff from the first date.”