by Layla Frost
“So you thought if you had kids, they’d have the same life you had?”
Letting go of my hand, Jake went up on his elbows and nodded. “It wasn’t a big deal ‘cause by the time I’d even be thinkin’ about kids, I was already cynical as fuck. I wouldn’t trust a lot of these women to hold my fuckin’ beer, let alone my baby. The crazy shit some bitches have tried to pull on me is laughable in a fucked up way. And it wasn’t just a few women doin’ it. There’s shit with Rhys, babe, that isn’t my story to tell. But what he was put through? If it weren’t for the fact I knew you were mine, I’d have been happy for him.”
“Since it’s only you, thank God your head-ass-ectomy was a success.”
His face went soft. “Love you.”
“Love you, too.” Bending my legs, I wrapped my arms around them and rested my head on my knees. “And?” I prompted again when he stopped his story.
“I didn’t wanna date most of the women I fucked. Even with the ones that weren’t crazy, it wasn’t like that. I had no interest in getting married, so I didn’t wanna end up in a jacked situation where I’m only seein’ the kid every other weekend or some shit.”
“But with me?”
“Without a doubt. You’re sweet and silly as fuck with kids when you’re workin’ up cake designs with them. I can totally picture you with our kids.”
“Really?” I hadn’t known he’d seen any of my planning meetings at the shop, but he was right. I was a dingus.
“Fuck yeah. The thought of you carryin’ my baby? I’m selfish as fuck so I’m happy I get you to myself for a while. But down the road?” His lips tilted up before his expression turned watchful. “You didn’t answer me, though. Do you want kids?”
“Badly. I’d be happy without them, Jake. But I want babies with you.”
I barely finished my sentence before Jake cupped the back of my head and pulled me down to him. Rolling us, his heavy weight settled on me and his mouth brutally took mine.
“Fuck, shoulda waited to talk to you,” Jake muttered against my lips.
“Why?”
“Wanna be inside you.” He pushed his boxer clad hardness against me.
“I want that, too.” I tried to hook my fingers into the waistband of his boxer briefs but he moved away.
Stretching out next to me, he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and curled me back into him.
“I take it that’s a no?” I murmured. Resting my head on his shoulder, my fingertips danced down the contours of his ab muscles.
Jake’s hand captured mine and pulled it up. After pressing a kiss to my palm, he rested it on his chest. “Doc’s orders.”
“You know I’m not good with following orders.”
“Don’t I fuckin’ know it. While we’re talkin’ about heavy shit, have you thought about when you wanna get married?”
“I’m almost done with classes. I thought we’d wait ‘til then.”
“What about where?”
“I did have an idea,” I said, feeling silly. “Vegas.”
“Yeah?”
I nodded. “I just think it’d be kickass. When I’ve done wedding cakes, the event itself always seems so stressful. People are running around in a panic. Someone’s usually crying or ready to bolt. It’s supposed to be the happiest day of their lives, but, more often than not, everyone’s miserable.”
“Sounds like a problem with who’s gettin’ married, not where.”
“I think people just forget that the important part of a wedding is the life that follows it. I’d rather have a fun and easy start to our life together.”
“That’s what you want, that’s what we’ll do.”
“Awesome,” I said through a yawn.
“Get some rest.”
“Okay.” I could feel Jake’s heart under my hand, the beat lulling me. “Love you, Jacoby,” I whispered as I fell asleep.
*******
“This isn’t up for discussion.”
“Oh, so that’s it? You say so, and I’m just supposed to agree. Your wish is my command? Should I put on a genie outfit, twitch my nose, and nod my head, too?”
“Fuck. Now I’m gettin’ fuckin’ hard.”
“Jake, this isn’t funny!” Though knowing he was getting hard was taking some of the wind out of my bitch sails.
“You’re right, it isn’t. It’s about safety. You heard my dad; you need to be careful. And just you and your girls at a club isn’t safe.”
“We’re only going to Voodoo. You and your dad are both overreacting. The flowers could be from anyone and I’m hardly getting any emails.”
Balling his hands into fist, he banged them on the desk that separated us as he leaned closer. “There’s more, Piper!” Jake’s low voice rumbled. His anger was evident, but fear and frustration lurked under the surface.
“What more?”
“Nothin’.” Standing up straight, he exhaled deeply and rubbed his palm down his face. “Edge and Kase are both gonna stick close. I wish I could go, but I’m the only one that can finish this bike.”
I crossed my arms. “What more is there, Jake?”
“Nothin’.”
“I’m cool with them coming, but you could’ve just asked me instead of being Mr. Bossy Pants about it. Now what else is there?”
Jake walked around his desk as he spoke. “I got a couple emails at work. Nothin’ like what you were gettin’ but with the flowers showing up so often, it’s suspicious.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t wanna worry you.”
“I can handle it. I’m strong, but I’d be a lot stronger if I had all the facts. You need to talk to me, okay?”
“Yeah.” Jake leaned on the edge of his desk and spread his legs. “Now, bring that sexy ass over here.”
When I stopped in front of him, one of his hands went to my ass and pulled me close. “I have to get finished up. And you have a bike to work on,” I reminded him.
“Love you.”
“Love you, too.” Placing my hands on his hard chest, I went up on my toes and pressed my lips to his.
Jake’s fingers curved around the back of my head as he took over the kiss.
Neither of us got back to work for a while.
*******
“Time to go, Piper,” Jake yelled over the music.
“See what I mean?” I grinned at Ray and Harlow, then giggled as I gestured with my thumb over my shoulder. “He’s crazy hot. But he’s also crazy bossy. He’s Mr. Bossy Pants. Sometimes it’s hot. Other times? Yeah, not so much.”
When, drunken Piper, is it not hot?
Yeah, good point, girly bits.
Ray burst into a fit of drunken giggles that she was barely able to talk through. “If you don’t like full-time bossy, it’s a good thing you didn’t hook up with Rhys.”
I tilted my head. “Why? Is Rhys a Mr. Bossy Pants, too?”
“Don’t worry about it,” Jake said, shooting Ray a glare.
Since Ray was looking at me and not Jake, though, it was a warning she missed. “He’s beyond a Mister. Rhys is a sir always, but especially in bed.”
We’d been at Voodoo for a few hours. In that time, I’d had a lot to drink. Copious amounts. I was toeing the fine line between fun wasted and thinking I could sing karaoke.
Hmm. But if the song was right, I’m sure I could totally rock it.
Since I was drunk, Ray’s comments were lost on me. Unfortunately, my filter had taken a trip out the window to make room for my fourth shot.
“Like, he fucks fancy with his pinkies out? Or with a top hat on?” My brows lowered as I shook my head. “I don’t think that’d work well. Wouldn’t it keep falling off? I mean, I guess he could hold it on. But then how would he move much? I don’t think I’d like it if Jake wore a top hat in bed. I couldn’t run my fingers through his hair. Hair, by the way, that’s so soft it must be made of angel wing feathers.”
Jake’s loud laughter interrupted my drunken babbling. Edge and Kase were
laughing even harder.
I made wide eyes at Harlow before whispering loudly, “I think I just put my foot in my mouth.”
“I don’t think so. You brought up some good points,” she whispered back, equally as loud. “Is his hair really that soft?”
“Softer. Which is crazy, ‘cause most of him is so hard. Especially his—”
“Piper,” Jake interrupted.
“What? I was just gonna say your abs. Sheesh, perv.”
“Say goodbye, Piper.”
“Goodbye, Piper,” I said, imitating his deep voice. I wiggled my fingers in a drunken wave.
Jake wrapped his arm around my shoulders as we moved through the room. The crowd around us parted like the Red Sea.
“You must be a badass Moses. He had long hair and beard, too. And I think a wooden staff. You don’t have that, but you do have something long and hard and so much better.”
I could feel Jake’s body shaking with laughter. “Funny, that’s not the biblical name you usually scream.”
“If you’re gonna make fun of me, maybe I won’t scream anything anymore,” I huffed.
“That a challenge?”
“Nope. I’m just saying I won’t be screaming, biblical names or otherwise.”
“No, what you’re sayin’ is it’s a challenge. And I’m competitive, baby. I’d rather wait ‘til we get home to win this but if you wanna keep provokin’ me, I’m sure Edge will let us borrow a storeroom.”
I looked up at Jake with wide eyes, but I did it silently.
“That’s okay, we’ll be home soon,” he muttered, looking vaguely disappointed.
By the time we made it outside, my drunken mind forgot to be freaked about the impending screaming. “Soooo,” I sing-songed. “Who ratted me out?”
“Kase about five minutes after you guys got here. Then Edge. Then Felix.”
“Felix?”
“Bartender. Apparently, I owe him and Edge money now.”
“Why?”
“He had to keep tellin’ guys not to bother buyin’ you a drink. Actually, a couple girls, too. He said I was costin’ Edge money and him tips.”
I rolled my eyes. “Guys are so dramatic. And gossipy. It wasn’t bad,” I assured him as I got into the car. “I was getting tired anyway. I just want to crawl into bed and sleep for a month.”
“I’ll get you into bed but it’ll be a while before you sleep,” he said with a wicked grin as he closed the door.
When he got in and started the car, I yawned before resting my head on his shoulder. As he started driving, my hand went to his lap and the sound of his zipper going down filled the car. Jake adjusted himself, allowing me to free his already hardening cock from his pants.
“I’m really tired, though.” I fake yawned. “I think I should put my head down.”
Jake’s voice was soft and sweet. “Okay, sweets.”
Lowering my head to his lap, I took him in my mouth. My drunkenness might have messed with my finesse, but I hoped my lowered inhibitions and enthusiasm made up for it.
Jake’s hips rose up and down to meet my motions. The sound of his deep groans seemed to echo around the small space.
“Play with yourself,” Jake demanded.
My moans joined his as I slid my hand into my pants and panties. Putting pressure on my clit, I moved my fingers in a tight circle. I felt the car jerk to the side before Jake slammed on the brakes and put the gear shift in park.
“Backseat. Now,” he grunted as he threw his door open.
“Yes, Mr. Bossy Pants.”
Chapter Twelve
Deepest Darkest
The lull in emails was done.
I knew because I was sitting at my desk, frozen in terror as I looked at myself.
Being fucked.
In a car.
The picture was dark and fuzzy, our faces impossible to make out. Based on the positioning, though, it was obvious what was happening.
I knew it was us. Which meant someone else did, too.
Someone who watched us.
With shaking hands, I grabbed my phone and touched the screen a few times to call Jake.
“Hey, babe. I was just thinkin’ about you.”
“Jake,” I whimpered, fear soaking into my voice. Soaking into me.
“What’s wrong?”
“I got another email.”
Could someone be watching or listening right now?
“I’m on my way. I’ll call Dad and we’ll be there soon.”
“No!”
“What? What’s wrong?”
“There’s a picture. You can’t call your dad, Jake. He can’t see it.” I was mortified at the thought of Gregory even knowing about the picture. I didn’t want him to see it.
“What is it?”
“You and me on the way home from Voodoo. When we pulled off on the side of the road.” I heard Jake’s breathing change, then something crash. “Jake?”
“I’m here.” Jake’s voice was thick and gravelly. “I’m leavin’ now. Dad will be fine. Call Detective Oscar. Do you still have her number?”
“Yeah.”
Gregory had told us he’d specifically asked for Detective Oscar to look into things. When she’d come with him to pick up one of the flower deliveries, I’d been surprised at how young she was.
Since she was a detective at her age, she obviously worked hard. Though she was very attractive, it was her no-nonsense attitude and confidence that stood out.
Okay, so I was completely wrong and there’s something going on. At least I have a tough fiancé and detective at my back.
“Call her. I’m headin’ out now. Lock the door, yeah?”
“It already is.”
“Okay, sweets. I love you. See you soon.”
I disconnected and dialed again.
“Detective Oscar,” she answered after a few rings.
“Hello, this is Piper Skye.”
“Miss Skye, what can I do for you?”
“I got another email.” Though I tried to fake strength, the fear once again seeped into my voice.
“I’ll be right over. Your door locked?”
“Yes.”
“I’m on my way. I’ll announce myself when I get there, okay?”
After ending the call, I began to pace the room but stayed away from the big window. The way it let so much sun in had been one of the main reasons I bought this house.
At that moment, though, I hated it.
Leaning against a wall, I took some deep breaths in an attempt to calm down.
I knew I failed when the knock sounded and I nearly jumped out of my skin.
*******
After we got home that night from Voodoo, I took care of my bathroom stuff and got ready to go to sleep. I crawled up Jake in bed and snuggled my face into his neck.
“Jake?”
“Hmm?” he rumbled, his hands rubbing my back.
“What did the emails say?”
“Shit about how hot you are and how beautiful your smile is. Since the flowers have been comin’ more and they haven’t been able to track down from where, Detective Oscar and my dad think it might be connected.”
“What about the email tracking on my computer?”
“The locations are pinging from all over. Either there’s more than one person or they’ve got some serious tech skills. Until we figure it out, you’ve gotta be careful, yeah?”
I nodded as a shiver ran through me. Not wanting to think about it, I moved on to another subject I was curious about. “So, about Rhys—”
“Not my place to say.”
“Please?”
“Sweets, I don’t think Rhys even wants you to know. Ray shouldn’t have said anythin’.”
“But she did. And now I want to know. I don’t want to ask him, that’d be awkward. But you know I will,” I threatened, even though I totally wouldn’t. Not unless I was drunk, at least. “Is he… you know?”
“He’s in charge. Of Rye, but also of all areas of his life. I
might like to fuck bossy, but Rhys takes it to a whole other level.”
“I never would’ve guessed that.”
“Everybody has their own kink.”
“What’s yours?” I dragged the tip of my tongue along his stubbled jaw.
“Corruptin’ and teachin’ my woman all the ways I like control while makin’ her mine.”
“How coincidental. My kink is to be corrupted by my man while he teaches me things I’ve only read about.”
“How about we work more on those lessons? Turn around and face the other way on me, yeah?”
I learned a lot that night.
*******
I’d been safe since Jake told me about the emails because he hadn’t given me much choice. He’d started coming with me when I had deliveries or errands to run. When he couldn’t break away, he’d rope one of the boys into taking me.
Key was my favorite since he was so quiet. Usually I forgot he was even there. Xavier and Eli both liked to chat, which was fun, but not very productive.
Unless I had no other options, Kase was banned from helping. Especially when it came to deliveries. Him flirting with brides wasn't good for business. Not that any of them were complaining, of course.
Of them all, Z was even worse than Jake. He was so alert while we shopped that it put me on edge. When he dropped me off at home, he’d made me wait in his car while he did a walkthrough, saying, “Better safe than sorry, Doll Face.”
When I brought up Z’s intense surveillance, Jake told me it’s because he’d been Special Forces. “Don’t know the details. Just know it fucked with his head, the same way it’d fuck anyone. He doesn’t talk about it. Ever. Yeah?”
I nodded. I might like to chat, but even I knew not to go there.
*******
Though I was being cautious, it had only been for Jake’s peace of mind. I hadn’t believed there was a real threat.
