by Anna Wild
I heard that song you mentioned to me that night. God… I can’t even begin to describe how I felt; so full of pain, so emotional, that I started crying before the first chorus. Then that chorus hurt more: much more. Because no one will hold me from dark until dawn, baby. No one will love me like you. You never said it, but you didn’t have to. I saw the love in your eyes, Jake. I saw it when you talked to me, when you made love to me. I saw it in your tears, the day I came by the bar. I heard it in your voice. God, how I’ve missed that voice… I miss you so much… I’ve never missed anyone so much in my whole life.
I love you with every beat of my heart.
All my love,
Holly”
Chapter Thirty-One
“He’s never going to call you, sugar. You’d better suck it up: move on; this is not healthy.” Cathy’s emphatic tone did not go down well with Holly. Heated arguments between the two friends had become part of their everyday routine. Place or time didn’t matter. Holly claimed there was still hope, whereas Cathy expressed her doubts. As usual, she was being quite blunt. “Man, I’ve met my fair share of stubborn people, but this guy? He’s as stubborn as a mule.”
“Here we go again,” Holly sighed, gazing out her living room window. “You call him that every time we meet. Aren’t you tired of repeating yourself?”
“Not when it comes to him. You made one mistake: just one.” She raised her index finger in the air. “And he doesn’t want to forgive you. Doesn’t he make mistakes? Who is he, God?”
“Why don’t you put yourself in his shoes?” Holly would still not raise her voice, preferring to look up into the cloudy, evening sky. “What would you do if you found out your boyfriend doesn’t trust you?”
“I don’t know, Holly,” Cathy sighed (it now being her turn to do so), using a sweeter tone than before, as she handed her friend a mug of tea. “I wouldn’t like it. That’s for sure. But, break up with him? I don’t think so.”
“I broke up with him.” Holly corrected her, lifting the mug to her lips. “I hurt him; I said he wasn’t true.”
“He has too much pride,” Cathy concluded. “That pride has built a wall between you.”
“He’s a military man,” Holly stated, turning to her friend. “He may be retired, but, in his heart, Jake will always be a marine.”
“So, what: marines are made of stone?” Cathy’s voice was reeking of sarcasm. “They’re human, aren’t they?”
“Seriously, are you pretending to not understand?” Holly wondered, a hint of annoyance in her voice. “I insulted his honor. That’s the worst thing you can do to a man like him.”
“I thought honorable men didn’t hang out with criminals,” Cathy scoffed.
“Jesus!” Holly replied in a raised her tone, shaking her head. “You don’t let up, do you? That ‘criminal’ saved his life the other day. Jake would be dead if it hadn’t been for Marshall.”
“You’ve told that story a million times already,” Cathy complained.
“That’s because we’ve had the same conversation a million times already,” Holly remarked, furrowing her brows. “Frankly? I’m sick and tired of arguing about the same things, over and over. I know how you feel. Just stop reminding me on a daily basis, okay?”
“I’m only looking out for you, honey,” Cathy said in a much nicer tone, raising her hand to her friend’s face. “You haven’t been the same since you guys broke up. You don’t smile anymore. You don’t eat. You hardly sleep. You always bring him up. Why are you doing this to yourself?”
“Because: it’s the only way for me to feel closer to him,” Holly replied, her voice low and wobbly, as tears welled up in her eyes. “Every time I talk about him, I think he’ll just…” She faltered. “Walk through that door.”
“Awww; baby,” Cathy whispered, opening her arms. She took her in her embrace, as two tears rolled down Holly’s cheeks.
“I’m sorry, Cathy,” Holly said, her voice broken as she rested her head on her friend’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry.”
“I’m sorry,” Cathy put a little force in her own voice. “I should be trying to change the subject, instead of calling him names all the time.”
“Could you go get me some water?” Holly politely requested. “I don’t feel so good.”
“What’s wrong?” Cathy spoke, a touch of worry in her tone as she leaned back.
“I’m fine,” Holly sighed, wiping her tears off her face. “I’m just a little tired, that’s all.”
“Sit down,” Cathy whispered. “I’ll be right back.”
Holly bent her knees, attempting to ease her mug down on the living room table to the right, as her friend made her way towards her kitchen; but as she did, the world around her darkened. She closed her eyes, as the mug slipped through her fingers. It landed on the table. Hot tea spilled all over it and the carpet, as Holly’s body swayed backwards. She landed hard and flat on her back, her arms close to her waist, her legs slightly apart.
“Holly!” Cathy’s voice was riddled with tension and fear, as she sprinted across the living room. “Oh, my God!” she cried, dropping to her knees beside her friend. “Open your eyes, baby. Come on. Open your eyes for me,” her words tumbled over each other as she gently slapped her friend. Holly’s eyelids twitched. Cathy cupped her cheek and put her free hand on her wrist.
“Are you alright?” Cathy asked with her own eyes dark with shock, as her friend slowly opened her blurry eyes.
“What happened?” Holly whispered.
“You passed out,” Cathy gasped. “You look so pale… when was the last time you ate?”
“Last night,” Holly responded, her voice faint.
“What?” Cathy’s face loosened in utter disbelief, as she opened her eyes wide. “That was twenty hours ago! And a power bar doesn’t really qualify as ‘dinner’, does it? Jesus Christ, Holly! Hold on to me.”
Holly grabbed her left forearm, as Cathy pulled her hand away from her face. She reached down and took her friend’s wrist into her palms, before pulling her up.
“I think I can walk,” Holly’s said in a voice that was still somewhat faint, as Cathy helped her back to the couch.
“Don’t tell me what you think,” Cathy urged, panting for breath, as her friend seated herself.
“I’m scared,” Holly confessed, leaning her back against the couch. “I won’t be alone in a few months.”
“Oh, my God…” a whisper of deep concern left her lips, as she covered her mouth with her hands. “You’re…”
“Pregnant,” Holly finished her friend’s sentence, her voice broken, as a flash of lightning lit up the night. “I went to the gynecologist yesterday.”
“What are you going to do?” Cathy inquired in a barely audible voice. “Does he know?”
“I’m keeping it.” Holly’s answer was quick. “He doesn’t have a clue.”
“He’s the father. You have to tell him.” Cathy’s emphatic tone returned, as she leaned over her. “If you don’t, then I will.”
“I’ll tell him.” Holly whispered. “I just don’t know when.”
“The sooner, the better,” Cathy suggested, her voice firm, as a streak of lightning tore through the night. “In fact, I think you should go talk to him tonight.”
“Okay.” Holly said with a nod. “Tonight it is.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
A few minutes later, Holly felt better and decided to do as promised. Cathy had a point; Jake had to know. Still, she would not allow her to do this all by herself. She seemed a little too frail to drive and it had been pouring with rain. In spite of her objections, Cathy insisted she drive her to Jake’s bar. Holly was left with no choice other than to allow her to do so. Another heated argument with her would only make things worse. So, the two friends left her living room and went to her front door. As Holly opened it though, she saw a familiar face: Jake. He was standing next to his car, with his arms folded across his chest, getting drenched by rain.
“I’ll be inside if
you need me.” Cathy said. Closing her front door behind her, Holly began to climb down her small staircase. As Jake started towards her, feeling cold water dripping down his face, his heart began beating so loudly that he could hear it.
“What are you doing here, Jake?” she asked, sucking in a deep breath. “Are you here to tell me off again?”
“No,” he replied, taking one last step closer to her. “I should, though. What you did was pretty reckless. You could get fired for it. But, it was also very brave. Clay and his crew owe you their freedom.”
“I don’t care about my job!” Holly yelled, her voice broken, as large tears brimmed up in her eyes. “I only cared about one thing: and I lost it.”
“We both did,” Jake nodded, keeping his voice calm and steady, as the rain pelted down around them. “I came here to thank you. You kept them out of handcuffs.”
“I didn’t do it for them,” Holly shook her head sideways. “But it doesn’t matter, does it?”
“Yes, it does,” he disagreed, his voice deep and soft, leaning over her, as rain drops rolled down her hair, her forehead and her cheeks. “Of course it does. You messed up, but I made mistakes, too. I shouldn’t have left that night. I should have stayed here, until you heard me out. I was just too shocked: too sad; I had lost…” He paused, feeling tears rising up in his eyes. “I had lost my angel.”
“I’m not an angel,” she said, her voice thick with emotion, as two tears rolled down from her eyes. “I’m just a girl, who fell in love with a boy.”
“You are…” Jake whispered, biting his lower lip as he lifted his hands to her face. “You will always be an angel. My angel…” his heart melted, as she more tears fell out of her eyes. Tilting his head down, he ran his thumbs across her cheekbones. Their lips locked in a long, tender kiss, as one more flash of lightning lit up the night. Holly wrapped her arms around his waist, as he pulled her closer. Jake’s right hand crept around her neck and into her hair, as a deafening crack of thunder tore through the night. Drowning in her scent, he let go of her cheek and circled his arm around her upper back, as she held him tighter by the second. A single tear streamed down his face, as he ran his fingers through her long, silky hair. Strands of it were brushing against his soaked skin, as he tasted her salty mouth. Jake kissed her upper lip and then laid a quick kiss on the tip of her nose, before taking her in his embrace.
“I love you, my angel,” he said in a loving whisper, as she rested her head on his chest.
“I love you too, baby.” She sniffled, as he circled his arm around her neck. “But, there’s something else you need to know,” she added, slowly leaning back.
“I’m listening,” Jake spoke in his baritone, as he caressed her back.
“There’s no easy way to say this.” She took a deep breath, as her gaze shot up to meet his. “I’m pregnant.”
“Pregnant?” He whispered: gazing deep into her eyes; his heart leaping with joy; as a small smile formed on his face. “I’m going to be a father?”
“Yes.” Her short response widened his smile. In a split second, it turned into a huge grin. He didn’t speak. Instead, Jake took her back in his arms and tightened his grip around her, laying a soft kiss on her cheek.
“That’s the best news I’ve ever heard,” he confessed, his sweet words bringing a broad smile to her face, as she ran her hands up his back.
“A wonderful father,” Holly said in a voice filled with bliss.
“My angel’s having my baby,” Jake allowed himself a small laugh. “I can’t believe this.”
“I didn’t know how to tell you.” She heaved a long, deep sigh, leaning back. “I didn’t want you to think I was using the baby to get you back.”
“I wouldn’t have hung you out to dry.” He assured. “Let’s go inside.”
“Oh, no,” she snorted. “Cathy’s in there. She doesn’t like you very much. Get back in the car and wait for me. This won’t take long.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he smiled, loosening his grip. “Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Ecstatic with the idea of paternity, Jake returned to his car. Nothing could wipe the smile off his face. His angel was back in his life and, more than that, she was pregnant with his baby.
“I couldn’t have wished for a better development. Or could I? I mean, I’m thrilled about the baby, but isn’t there anything else I can do to make this better? Yes! I can think of something that will make you happier, my angel.”
He hadn’t even finished his thought, when he saw Cathy emerging out of Holly’s house. Jake kept his gaze fixed on her, as she crossed the small pathway. And, much to his amazement, she did the exact the same thing. The stiff look on her face was not a good sign, but he would not look away. Finally, Cathy moved around his car and stopped, right outside his door.
“Um, hi,” he said, rolling his window down. A big smile spread across her face, before she bent her head in towards him. Incredibly, Cathy kissed him on the cheek.
“I guess you’re not such a dick after all,” she said in a mellow tone. “You better take good care of her, okay?”
“Always,” he nodded, as Holly entered the SUV. “Goodnight.”
“Nighty-night,” Cathy waved, as he started the engine.
“You’ve done the impossible,” Holly said, her tone lazy as she laid her head on his shoulder. “She hated your guts, until a few minutes ago.”
“Up until tonight, I wasn’t my biggest fan, either,” Jake said, driving off. “I made such a mess of everything.”
“If you’re talking about us, let me assure you that you didn’t.” Holly continued. “I agree; you could have forced the issue on your side, but I don’t blame you.”
“It’s not just us,” he pointed out, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. “When I found out the hacker’s location, I got careless. I wasn’t thinking straight. All I wanted to do was beat the crap out of him. I should have been a hell of a lot more careful, but I just barged in there willy-nilly. I should have known he’d have eyes in the area. He was waiting for me.”
“Always a hothead,” she teased, putting her hand on his knee, “a really wet hothead.”
“Exactly; I should have kept my cool,” Jake admitted. “You’re not so dry yourself, missy.”
“I don’t mind,” Holly purred, rubbing her cheek against him. “I could have stayed there for hours. It was a lot like our first kiss.”
“The weather sure was.” He chuckled. “But, the only way to recreate that kiss is to go back in time, to a point when you and I were not together yet. The weather was just part of what made it so great.”
“Well, yes, but it reminded me of how much I needed to feel your arms around me,” she explained, stroking his knee. “I need more of those big hugs.”
“I beg to differ,” Jake smiled, turning into his driveway. “What we both need right now is a hot cup of tea by the fireplace. We also need to get out of these wet clothes.”
He offered her the keys to his house and went to pick up some firewood from his shed. Grabbing a large pile, he brought it into his living room. Jake threw most of it into the fireplace, and placed a large starter log on them, before lighting a match. The fire roared into life, as he reflected on the night’s events.
“I put my pride aside and now my angel is back together with me.” He thought to himself, smiling. “I should have done that a lot sooner. It would have saved us both a lot of agony and all those sleepless nights. I still can’t believe you risked your job to keep my friend out of jail, Holly. This just goes to show what kind of person you are. You’re a piece of work, baby.”
Jake felt her featherlike touch on his waist. Her small hands came quickly into view, as she hugged him from behind.
“The fireplace looks and sounds like a great idea.” She said in a husky voice, as her hands traveled down towards his crotch. “But, I need something else first.”
He flipped around and faced her, only to discover tha
t she was completely naked. Her darkening gaze was clouded with lust. He lifted his hands to his chest and yanked off his shirt. In a swift move, he put his hands under her armpits and lifted her body upwards. Holly’s body crashed against him, as she tilted her head down. She snaked her arms around his neck, as their lips locked in a long, sensual kiss. Her wet hair tickled him, as he lost himself in the moment, savoring her touch. She grabbed and held onto his shoulder blades, making his manhood throb in his pants. Holly’s familiar, soft sighs filled his ears, as she pressed herself into him. Releasing her armpits, he reached down and cupped her ass, just before she curled her legs around his hips.
“Who’s naughty now?” He teased, whispering in her mouth, as her smooth palms collected water from his back.
“Guilty as charged.” Her husky voice sent chills down his spine, and the feel of her wet, juicy butt cheeks added to his arousal, as she gently bit his upper lip. “Take me to bed.”
Jake turned his body left and walked with her down the narrow hallway to his bedroom, as their kiss grew in intensity. He kicked the door open, but, as he stepped inside, her sweet voice forced him to stop.
“Please, put me down,” she whispered, opening her eyes as she slowly leaned back. Her hands slipped up his back, as he eased her down. Her feet touched the floor, as she dragged her fingers down his body. Shutting her eyes, she planted a hot, fiery kiss on his chest. A deep, manly groan of delight escaped him, as she cupped his rock-hard pecs. They flexed beneath her fingers, as he tilted his head back, his breath getting heavier by the second. Jake dove both hands into her hair, feeling the tip of her tongue in the middle of his chest. Holly nipped her way down, as he kneaded his fingers through her hair, the precum leaking out of his big, stiff cock soaking his boxer shorts.
“Yeah, you bad girl,” he grunted, as her lips reached his stomach. Her low moans aroused him almost as much as the short kisses she laid all over his cut, toned abs. Holly seemed to be enjoying every second of this. She squeezed the firm flesh of his stomach, as her warm tongue traveled further down. Flicking it into his bellybutton, she slid her hands down his body, until they made contact with his jeans. She unhooked the button of his pants, gently biting his skin. Jake took his hands off her head and hooked his thumbs into the waistband of his jeans. Just after she unzipped them, he pushed his pants down, releasing his large, throbbing cock. Holly kissed his groin one last time and opened her eyes.
