During the past two months, she’d picked up the telephone a hundred times to phone him, but couldn’t. What would she say? That they had a future together? Nothing had changed. She pulled her thoughts up short. Maybe she had changed. Lately, her work failed to fulfil her. Being independent had lost its appeal. Maybe she could fit into his world.
With a start, she realised she knew nothing about where he lived, what he did when he wasn’t working, what food he liked and disliked. How could she love a man she knew so little about? Easy, her mind answered. He was kind, gentle and loving. And she missed him. Hugging her legs to her chest, Cassie lowered her head to her knees. She had two weeks to work out how to convince Jake that they would be good together and even if he didn’t love her, she had enough love for both of them.
Jake watched from a distance as Cassie sank to the sand. The last couple of months were sheer torture. He kept tabs on her from the day he walked out, telling himself he was only doing his job. Making sure there were no other surprises they missed during the investigation.
After a while, he stopped deluding himself. He needed to see her, even if she didn’t want to see him. She was like a thorn in his side he couldn’t get rid of. When he didn’t watch her from a distance, he dreamed of her in his arms, in his house, carrying his child. He couldn’t get her out of his mind.
Only when Matt insisted he take time off to sort his personal stuff out, did Jake realize what a mess he had made of his work. He couldn’t concentrate on anything else but seeing Cassie. He needed her. If that meant he had to change to fit into her world, he was willing to do so. He loved her. He loved the way she managed to turn a cup of coffee into a gourmet meal just because she enjoyed it with him. He loved the way her hips swayed when she became agitated. He loved the way she tried to hide her beauty by pulling her hair into a tight bun, trying and failing to add years to her appearance. He loved the way she fit right under his arm. He loved her. Just as she was.
Learning she had booked a flight to Mauritius gave him hope she might feel something for him as well. She’d lost weight and the dark circles under her eyes made no sense. His Cassie was not happy. And he hoped like hell it had something to do with him. Afraid of being hurt and making a fool of himself, he procrastinated in approaching her. He couldn’t wait any longer. He had to know that she would be part of his life. He couldn’t let her go.
Jake stepped onto the beach and started towards the lone figure on the dune while the sun touched the ocean, colouring the sky in a myriad of pinks. His heart beat frantically in his chest as he walked closer to the small figure with her chin resting on her knees.
Someone else was on the beach. Cassie lifted her head and stared in the direction of the man walking towards her. From this distance, the fading light made identification impossible. Her body reacted as though it recognised the man. Jake. She giggled softly. Her imagination wanted him here with her so badly, it was conjuring up visions of him everywhere. Turning her attention to the ocean, she watched as the sun drowned half its size in the ocean. Twilight surrounded her and although the island was safe, she cast a quick glance in the direction of the approaching figure again.
He was much closer now and heading straight towards her. Still her mind played tricks on her and the familiar gait of the large man had a lump forming in her throat all over again. She must be losing her mind. Just now, her body would insist she jump into the stranger’s arms and kiss him senseless.
“Cassie?”
Great. Now she was hearing things as well. Joshua would have a field day if he knew how accurate his assessment of her state of mind was.
“Cassie?”
Her head snapped up. “You’re real?”
Jake chuckled and the rumbles resonated deep within Cassie. He was real. She wasn’t losing her mind. Cassie bolted from the sand and stumbled.
“Jake. What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you.”
“Why?”
He stepped closer and held out his hand to her. Her memory didn’t do him justice and her eyes devoured the contours of his face. She ached to fling herself into his arms and hug him close, feeling every inch of his hard body against hers. His eyes questioned hers and she looked at his outstretched hand. If she took his hand, there would be no backtracking. She wouldn’t be able to even if she wanted to. That was fine with her.
Jake’s fingers closed over hers and he pulled her closer to him. “I missed you.” The huskiness in his voice opened a flower inside Cassie and emotions overflowed through her eyes.
Not trusting her voice, she nodded and kept her eyes rooted to his lips. They were moving, but Cassie couldn’t hear the words for the want of him kissing her. She needed his lips on hers, on her mouth. On her breasts. On her body.
“You’re not listening.”
She shook her head and reached up to pull his head to her. He obliged, but kept the kiss light, only exploring the outside of her mouth. She wanted more. Much more.
“Not yet. We first have to talk.”
“Talk is overrated.”
He chuckled. “Might be so, but we have to talk first. If I keep touching you, I’ll never get to say what I came here for.” He gently put her from him. “You screw with my head and body in ways no other woman, no other human being, ever achieved.”
Cassie sighed softly. Jake had a point. If they continued touching, they would end up making love and conversation would be the last thing on their minds. “All right. Let’s walk.”
Hand in hand, they strolled along the water’s edge as the sun lost the battle against the ocean and twilight descended on the beach. It didn’t matter that they were walking further from the resort or that the beach became more rugged the further they walked.
“The past two months had been hell.”
Cassie looked at Jake’s silhouette next to her. She couldn’t make out his features, but maybe it was just as well.
“Were you busy at the agency?”
Jake laughed, but Cassie detected no mirth in the sound. “No. Yes. Hell, I don’t know. Matt offered me a choice to either sort out my personal problems or he’d fire me.”
“Why?”
“I couldn’t concentrate on anything else but keeping an eye on you. You invaded my thoughts, my dreams, my existence. When I messed up an operation for the second time, Matt threatened to fire me.”
Jake pulled her to a stop, but Cassie thought her heart would bounce out of her chest. A sliver of hope blossomed. Maybe he loved her. Even if it was just a little bit. She could work with a little.
“And?” she whispered through her tight throat.
“And I realized he was right. I can’t live without you because I love you. I need you. Not just in my bed, but in my life as well.”
Emotion clogged her throat and Cassie forgot to breathe. He loved her. He needed her. That didn’t solve the problems they faced. They still lived in different worlds, but for now, she’ll take what she had craved for the past two months.
“Oh Jake.”
Cassie flung herself into his arms. Burying her hands in his short hair, she pulled his face towards her and claimed his lips, pressing her body tight against his. His gasp warned her of his impeding withdrawal before he gently put her away him.
“First, we finish talking.”
She shook her head. Talking was the last thing on her mind. “No, we can talk later. I need you now.”
Jake remained motionless for so long that she thought he changed his mind about wanting her. Grateful for the darkness that shrouded the beach and their faces, she started to retreat from him, her face crimson with shame. He caught her hand in his and brought her body in full contact with his, pressing his arousal against her stomach.
Before Cassie could form another coherent thought, Jake claimed her lips in a kiss that seared her to her toes. Want, need, excitement and love warred in her mind and blood, heating her body to fever pitch. A hoarse cry escaped her throat as he slipped his hands under her blouse an
d lifted it over her head, exposing her heavy, bra-less breasts to the evening air.
While exploring her mouth with his tongue, he traced the outlines of her nipples, promising touch but not delivering. Cassie pressed her swollen breasts into his hands and ecstasy flowed through her as his palm rubbed over the sensitized peaks. Jake chuckled and rubbed his palms over the hardened peaks before sliding them over her sides.
She wanted his hands at her breasts, but when he lowered the zipper on her pants, she changed her mind. The beach was deserted and only a pale moon competed with thousands of stars. Perfect.
Cassie forgot all about the atmosphere when Jake slipped his hand between her legs and gently coaxed them apart. He parted the swollen lips and rubbed his finger over her clit. She rose on tiptoes to accommodate him, tilting her hips to allow him better access. Need raged like a wildfire through her veins.
“I want you now. Slow is for later.” She followed her whimper with tugging at his belt, untying and unbuttoning until his trousers dropped to the sand and he stood before her. Proud and naked. And very much aroused.
Cassie sank to her knees in the sand and took his silky shaft in her hand. A quick flick of her tongue over the sensitive tip earned her a sharp intake of breath and a gentle tug on her hair. He moved behind her and pressed her buttocks against his bulging erection. She wiggled her backside, rubbing against him, begging for release.
Jake eased his cock into her warm and moist pussy in one swift motion. She was home. Jake was her home. He grabbed on to her hips and increased the pace of his strokes until Cassie’s legs threatened to buckle under the weight of her arousal. Faster and faster he slammed into her. Cassie lost all sense and purpose in the pleasure of the orgasm raking her body. Moments after her, Jake cried out and filled her pussy with his warm cum.
They collapsed on the sand and Jake pulled her on top of him. A long time later, when her heartbeat returned to normal and sleep threatened to claim her, Jake lifter her off him and helped her to her feet.
Cassie waited until they were both dressed before dragging Jake’s head towards her and planting a kiss on his lips.
“I love you, too. I don’t know how we’re going to work this out, but I’m willing to try. The past months had been hell without you.” She inhaled deeply. “So, if you’ll have me, just as I am, I’m yours.”
Jake sighed. “We’ll work it out. The hardest part is already done.”
At her frown he continued. “I want you again.”
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Accounting for Lust Page 15
