“Dinner’s done,” I announced and Jake came down the stairs, not acknowledging the big elephant in the kitchen. Or so I thought.
His arms wrapped around me, turning me in his embrace.
“What’s going on in your head? Be straight with me, sweetheart. Remember?” I did say I was a straight shooter, and he wanted that from me, like I wanted it from him. He had been nothing but straight with me this whole time.
“This whole place scares me,” I admitted. It was hard to say out loud, but I did it. His eyebrows pinched in the middle, he was confused.
“It’s not the creatures. I’m not afraid I’m going to get bitten or anything.”
“Elaborate, sweetheart.” The dramatic flair in me reared her head. I pulled out of his arms and started my flailing.
“I could like it here and that scares me. This isn’t me. This life isn’t me. You’re too damn amazing for your own good and your evil plan to keep me is working and it freaks me the hell out.” There. I voiced my thoughts. Jake was digging his way inside me and I feared it would soon be too late to get him out.
“Maybe what you wanted isn’t what you need. Maybe what you need is here. Change is okay, sweetheart. Change can reveal a future you never thought possible. Whatever you want, you can have.” He took a step closer.
“I can give you the world, sweetheart.” He meant it, but alas, that was where my problem lay. I didn’t know what I wanted. I wanted him. But I wanted my salon, I wanted a family, I wanted to be a soccer mom. I didn’t want to go back to my empty apartment when this week was over. But I wasn’t sure I could stay here, either.
“I don’t know what I want.” I gave it to him straight.
“I know I want to eat this chili, though. I worked hard on it. So let’s just eat, and go from there. One step at a time.” I grabbed a bowl and loaded it with some corn chips, cheese, sour cream, and chili, then handed it to him. He grabbed the bowl and sat at the table. I made my own, then joined him. He complimented my cooking and we chatted about what we would do tomorrow for the Gala, which started at 6 p.m. I promised to help him with a few things in the morning, but then I was going to head over to Rayne’s to get ready. I told Jake I would meet him at the Mote Marine Aquarium, then ride back with him after it was over.
“I know a good place you can get a tux, if you need one.” I doubted Jake had a tux lying around. If it wasn’t a Henley shirt, boots, or jeans, he probably didn’t ever wear it.
“I’ve got it covered.” He winked and got a beep from Derek that they needed him over by Koda’s enclosure. He looked at me like he wanted to stay and felt bad for leaving, but honestly, it was ok. I could play with the kitties, read, or pass out. I was sort of tired.
“Go, I’ll be here.” I stretched my arms over my head, and yawned. Maybe I was more tired than I thought.
“Be good. Don’t let Casey destroy the house too much.” He stood and put his bowl in the sink before heading out. I sat there and watched Binksie and Casey lying on one of the dog beds together. Two peas in a pod. I finished eating my chili, then went upstairs to shower and dress in my jammies, a simple shirt and shorts again. I spent the next couple hours watching the cats play together— it was wildly entertaining.
Jake came back in and put Casey in a large crate he had set up in the living room in the corner. It was her bedtime. She went peacefully into her quarters and I laid on the couch with Binksie and told them funny stories about my life.
Jake had once again carried me up to the bed some point in the night, because I woke up snuggled in his arms. Keeping my eyes closed, I simply listened to his even breaths, and felt his chest move with every inhale. It was peaceful enough that I fell back asleep.
When I finally woke back up again, the sun was shining brightly through the windows. Jake was missing from the bed, but Binksie had taken his spot.
“Where’d he go?” I asked the giant kitty. Binksie continued to snooze and didn’t even bother to acknowledge menthe clock on his side of the bed glowed 9 a.m. He let me sleep in? I told him I would help with stuff. On the other hand, I felt very refreshed and rested. Maybe I needed it.
Chapter Nineteen
“Morning.” The man of the hour came walking in with coffee. I squealed in delight. Yeah, I squealed.
“Thank you!” I gripped the handle of the cup and smelled the delicious aroma. Heavenly.
“Thought you’d like to sleep in. I have to make a video today and thought you’d want to watch. After that, you can go get ready with your friend.” He looked fine on the outside but I could feel something stewing underneath.
“You okay?” I took a sip of my coffee. I moaned, it was so good.
“Yeah.” He rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
“Uh huh,” I mumbled into the cup. Something was up, but he wasn’t ready to talk about it. That’s fine. I had plenty of those moments lately. I trusted that soon he would tell me whatever was bothering him.
“Finish your cup, get dressed, then meet me outside.” He rubbed Binksie’s ears, then walked briskly out of the room. I did as he said and was ready in my cute jeans, boots, and a pretty, blue short-sleeved shirt. He had the ATV ready and I hopped on, arms around his waist.
We drove over to the bobcat area first, where a couple of interns were setting things up with a camera.
“Are you doing a show?”
“We do videos of everything that happens on the rescue and put them on YouTube. It helps educate the public, and keeps up interest in what we do. Today is box day.” He pulled up and stopped.
Autumn and Helen were there, waiting with thumbs up at Jake. They rolled their eyes when they saw me get off the ATV with him, but otherwise kept to themselves. Jake walked over to the enclosure and stood in front of it. I noticed two other rescue workers on the other side of the cage with their thumbs up.
“Okay, ready?” Autumn asked Jake and the person holding the camera. They all signaled that they were okay and I saw the little red light on the camera blink on.
“You know how house cats love boxes? Well, it turns out so do the big ones!” Jake beamed at the camera and then a bobcat was let loose from its eating nook, heading straight for the box. The camera person moved so they could get a good angle of the cat sniffing and scratching at the box. I laughed a little when the bobcat tried to crawl into the box just like I’d seen normal kitties do.
We went around to each of the cat enclosures, and watched as each of them investigated and played with their own box. It was really fun to watch, and cool that everyone who looked online could watch and have fun, too. When the fun was over, I kissed Jake goodbye and left to get all of my things from my house so I could go get ready with Rayne.
“Okay, all set.” I finished the last bit of blush on Rayne’s cheeks and took a step back. My little blossom was utterly beautiful and ready to wiggle into her cute purple dress. I did my makeup and hair while she took a nap; the only thing left for me was the dress and accessories, as well.
“Okay, no looking!” When I dolled her up, I never let her look in the mirror until she was a completely finished product. That way she saw herself in all her glamour, not piece by piece. I unzipped her garment bag and helped her get into the Grecian-style dress that flowed over her belly and wrapped over her left shoulder. My eyes started to glisten seeing her all pregnant and looking like a goddess. I hopped into my dress quickly, then went back to her.
“Rayne, babe, you are gorgeous.” I helped her get to the full-length mirror in her room and took a step back.
“Wow. Arson is not going to let me leave the house!” she giggled.
I would probably have to drag them both out the door. Moving in next to her, I looked over my own princess outfit. I was wearing a black floor length dress, but instead of the Grecian look, I went with something different. My shoulders and neck were exposed, thanks to the open neckline that wrapped around my quarter-length sleeves. The material was glittery, but soft. A four-inch ribbon started at the back seam from the
zipper and came to a square bow in the front of my waist. The soft material flowed down from there. All I needed were some earrings to compliment my smoky black eye shadow and red lipstick. My red hair was pulled back into a low bun with little wisps around my face.
Rayne’s pretty green eyes stood out, thanks to the golden eye shadow that coated them. But it wasn’t her eye shadow that was standing out now—it was the look on her face.
“What?” What was her deal?
“You are so getting pregnant tonight. That wild man of yours is going to put a baby in you.” She laughed at me when I rolled my eyes.
“Those pregnancy hormones are affecting your brain. No babies will be planted tonight. I am on the pill, thank you very much. Not until it’s planned.” I put in some earrings and handed Rayne a pair as well.
“Uh huh.” I ignored her comment and as expected, wound up having to drag both of them out of the apartment by their toes.
“So I was telling Larry the other day that it was silly to buy a Porsche. So we bought a Range Rover instead. Very responsible of us. Now we will have room to fit the boy in the backseat.” The wife of a plastic surgeon was talking to me, rattling on about their new son, who the nanny took care of, and how they bought a Range Rover over a Porsche. I plastered a smile on my face.
“Excuse me one moment, I need to go to the restroom.” I walked away and headed off in a different direction. I glanced over at Arson and Rayne, they were working the room just like I was. We could be ourselves to a certain extent, but I was no millionaire. If someone happened to get pissy and complain to the right person, causing the closing of my salon for some reason, I would be screwed. All of my girls would be out of a job. I would be okay for a while, but I would have to get a job somewhere. Arson and Rayne were the same. They had money, but other people depended on them to play nice.
Wanting somewhere quiet I stepped into the little alcove to the shark tank. Fish swam by peacefully while being surrounded by a couple of sharks. Story of my life.
“Hanging with the good sharks. Smart, sweetheart.” I didn’t turn at his voice. I’d been at the Gala for an hour and a half and he hadn’t shown up. I was beginning to think he wasn’t going to come.
“These ones looked safer.” In truth, I bet people go in those tanks all the time. Cleaning it, moving things around. The sharks probably just went on with their shark lives. The rest of the sharks in this aquarium were on the lookout for blood in the water.
“I’ve been waiting all day to see you dressed up. Now turn around, beautiful.” His voice was calm but demanding. I took in a short, but deep breath and did as he said. He was standing five feet behind me, looking drop-dead gorgeous in a black tux. Both of our gazes roamed over our appearance. Jake in a tux was beautiful, but oddly, I felt myself longing for the animal Jake.
“I like your other look better.” You could tell he was toned underneath the suit, but his normal attire made him look all muscled, warm-blooded man. Tuxed Jake looked like a high- powered someone from the city. He still had an air of authority, even if he was uncomfortable. It was the alpha in him that he talked so much about.
“Good to know, only words I have for how you look tonight is, I’m glad you’re mine. Shall we?” He held his hand out to me and I accepted it.
“I thought you were going to chicken out.” We walked back out towards the crowds of people.
“Had a branch fall on one of the enclosure fences. I had to fix it up before I could head over.” Well, that shut me up. The rescue was his life; it came first. It had to.
“Well, thank you for coming,” I told him as a man and his wife, whose names escaped me, walked up to us.
“Jake Wild! I’ll be damned, never thought I’d see you at something like this in a million years.” The gentleman had brown hair and wrinkles around his blue eyes. He was fairly in shape, and dressed in an Armani suit. His female guest was several years younger, wearing a short blue cocktail dress and eyeing up Jake with her overkill make-uped eyes.
“James, pleasure to see you again. Have you met my date, Cammy Jennings? She owns Prism Salon on St. Armand’s.” Jake’s posture was strong, but I was confused how they knew each other.
“Oh, I’ve been dying to go to that salon. It looks so swanky.” The date squealed. That was nice of her to say, but swanky…? Not sure about that.
“No, I have not. Ms. Jennings, pleasure.” He held out his hand, which I shook in return. Our introductions died and there was an awkward silence spreading.
“Sorry, I’m just so surprised to see you. Marlene is going to blow when she sees America’s most eligible bachelor is here. Better dig your claws in deep with him, because I think we have company.” James was having a spout of the nervous giggles. It was awkward and weird, to say the least.
Chapter Twenty
“Jake Wild. Ever since you left the city and moved down to our little town, I have been waiting to see what you have been up to.” A supermodel-looking woman wearing a red dress, with curled blonde hair and who was probably close to my age, walked right up to Jake and kissed him on the cheek. She did not care that I was holding his hand or that she pushed the other couple out of the way.
“Marlene,” Jake acknowledged her but kept his face void of any emotions. I did not like that.
“I’m Cammy. Nice to meet you,” I said, interrupting her roving eyes.
“Oh, pardon, didn’t see you there. I’m Marlene Debarue, James’s sister. We own all of the Rue Diamonds in the country.” She bitch-smiled at me. Like I cared. I was more of a sapphire girl, anyway. James was rolling his eyes like she was the bratty little sister.
“Wonderful to meet you.” It was hard for me to reel in the bitchiness, but I was succeeding thus far.
“I’m so excited you have resurfaced. It’s been, what, five years? What have you been up to? We must get together, for old times’ sake.” Oh dear God, did Jake penetrate this skanky woman’s vagina? Ew.
“I’ve been running a rescue for exotic animals,” he commented, but didn’t elaborate.
“Animals?” She gasped at the word.
“Yes. All sorts.” He was short in his answer. I could tell he wasn’t too happy to be around this woman, either. James and his date were watching their conversation with absolute attention.
“I can’t picture you around animals. I mean, you’re Jake Wild.” She was looking at him like she was trying to figure him out. If I was being honest, this conversation was starting to confuse me, and I didn’t like that.
“So how do you two know each other?” I asked, voicing the question I had been asking internally since she walked up.
“We played in the same circles back in the day. Much has changed but it seems you still fill out a tux very well.” She turned back to him and eyed him up. Ew. I was done with her eye-fucking him.
“That he does. You should see him at the rescue, talk about melting panties!” I fanned myself and Jake covered his laugh with a cough. Marlene’s eyes darted to mine.
“Cammy, may I have a word with you?” She wrapped her hand around mine and pulled me away from Jake. Not wanting to make a huge scene, I allowed.
“Are you and Jake an item? I must know.” She stopped and turned to me, a few feet away from our little circle.
“Yes, he’s mine.” Declaration made, bitch.
“Well, as you probably know, Rue Diamonds is worth millions. Name your price to leave Jake, and I will handle it.” My jaw dropped. Her face said she was completely serious, but surely she was joking.
“Uh, no.” It was all I could utter, in my shock.
“Honestly, Cammy, you have no idea who you are even with. Jake Wild needs a woman of sophistication. A woman who can handle his personality, his home life. I understand what all he goes through, being of his stature. You, my dear, have no clue.” She stood up higher, like she was proving her point of superiority. Fuck that.
“Honestly, Marlene,” I used the sweet tone she just used with me, “you can go fuck yourself. Jak
e is mine, and trust me, I handle him just fine.”
She leaned in closer. It was an aggressive stance.
“I could ruin you, you know. I get what I want and I want Jake. He’s been gone from my life too long, and now I want him. I will do whatever it takes to get him.”
Did this bitch just threaten me?
“Hell, no, you did not just threaten me, bitch. I may not be as bad ass as Rayne, but I can sure as hell choke a bitch up in here.” I was starting to turn on the flail when strong arms wrapped around me.
“I’m sorry, Jake, she just started getting attitude with me. I tried to calm her down, but she just threatened me.” Her little pouty pink lips poked out. OH. HELL. NO! I tried to reach her with my hands, but Jake pulled me back.
“Marlene. I suggest you leave.” His voice was harsh, but I didn’t flinch hearing it.
“Me? She’s the one that threatened to attack me,” she whined.
“She just tried to buy you from me. Then threatened to ruin me. Which, by the way, try it. See what happens.” That was a bluff. She could probably bring my business down.
“I did not—” Marlene tried to get in another word, but Jake cut her off.
“Leave. If you try to touch Cammy’s life in any way, I WILL ruin you. You know I can. Cammy is my future and you’ll damn well treat her like fucking royalty. I mean it, Marlene. I will destroy your pampered life.” His voice left no trace of confusion in it. He meant it. But how the hell could he ruin her? Set his bear on her? I was down with that, but the look on her face said it all—she was scared that he would do exactly what he said he would.
“Come on, Marlene.” James came and collected his sister.
“Sorry about her, Jake. She will stay away.” They walked away and I noticed Rayne and Arson walking over towards us.
“Cammy! Are you okay? We heard some shouting.” Rayne looked full of concern and Arson was giving Jake the eye. But more like in a way that men talked to each other telepathically: Like, everything ok? face. Yeah, I solved it face.
The Final Chase (Final Love Book 2) Page 9
