After yawning three times, I decide it’s time to head home and rest up for tomorrow. “Jake,” I call out for him.
He makes his way to me. “What’s up?”
“I wanted to pay my tab.” I hand him my credit card, but he shakes his head.
“You’re leaving?”
“Yeah, I need to be up early tomorrow.” His pout makes me laugh, “Really?”
“Maybe a puppy dog face will convince you to stay.”
“Nice try. You know I need to be up early.” I say this hoping he understands my own career demands.
“I know. Give me a few and I’ll walk you to your car?”
“Okay,” I hand him my card again.
“Nope. It’s on me. You’re my date tonight.” His smile is captivating.
“Thank you,” I smile back.
I put my wallet away feeling more excited than I thought I would and wait for Jake to walk me to my car. When he makes his way around the bar, he reaches for my hand and leads me out. I see some people looking at us, and I’m sure they’re wondering what’s going on between us. The kiss earlier wasn’t discreet and neither is the way he’s holding me close to his body.
“Thank you for coming tonight; I really am sorry. This is not the way I wanted our first date to be.” Jake’s eyes are intense on mine as we stand by my car.
“I get it. I would have appreciated a phone call instead of a text message,” I say.
“I know. I don’t have a lot of experience dating.” I arch an eyebrow at him and he laughs. “That’s not what I meant. I already told you I’m not that kinda guy. My job is just demanding, and I’ve had my eyes set on someone who has been difficult to attract.”
“Maybe you needed to try harder.”
“That’s why I went in for a kiss when I saw my chance.” I smile. I was surprised about that.
“What took you so long?”
“Are you kidding me? You would always brush me off as if I were joking or a jerk. You had this idea about me, and I had too much fun flirtin’ with ya. You’re a stubborn woman, but I love rufflin’ your feathers. But when I saw you standing there on New Year’s Eve with your eyes closed as if you wanted to freeze that moment, I knew I had to take a leap. You looked gorgeous. All night you were driving me crazy but at that moment you were natural and raw.”
“Why’d you walk away?” I’m enthralled by his words, getting first hand how he sees me.
“I don’t know. I’ve been kicking myself about that. I also didn’t think you were going to avoid me. You put me through hell.”
I laugh as his expression. “Well . . . I didn’t know how to react. I did think you were a flirt and you just walked away. Maybe you felt pity for me because I didn’t have anyone to kiss at midnight.”
“Or maybe I wanted to be your first kiss of the New Year.”
“Well, you were, and my only one so far.” For some reason I tell him the truth.
“I’m hoping the only one, period.” He leans in and kisses me. There’s nothing gentle about this kiss. It is hungry and passionate as soon as his lips touch mine. I wrap my arms around his waist and pull him to me, his body crushing me against my car and I moan into his mouth. Our tongues spark desire and want as they move together. My hands reach under his shirt to feel his skin and I lightly scratch his back. This causes him to growl and pull away.
“First we go out on a date, and then you can have your naughty way with me.”
I feel breathless and hot, but I unwillingly release him. “One thing’s for sure, Jacob Green, you’re a good kisser.”
“I have perfect lips, remember?”
“Ugh! Ass, I was drunk!”
“Don’t mean it ain’t what you really think.” He laughs.
“Whatever.” I shake my head as I roll my eyes. Men!
“I meant what I told you. I want more. I’m not gonna screw you and leave. You give into this, Beth, you’re stuck with me. I really like you.” He pulls me in and kisses my forehead without waiting for my response.
I nod when he looks back at me. “I’m off Thursday night. Can I take you out?” Some part of me thinks he’s asking for more than just a date. He’s asking me to give into my feelings for a chance at more. And at this moment I want so much more with him.
“You’ve got yourself a date.” I kiss his cheek and open my car door. “Bye, Jake.”
“Bye. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“You better.” He chuckles at my response and waits for me to pull out of my parking spot before heading back into the bar.
These past few days have been exciting and slow. I have been waiting for my date with Jake. This time around he did call, and we have spent quite some time on the phone late at night and early afternoon before he goes into the bar. I am hooked on him. It’s like a high school crush all over again but sweeter because the possibility of more is around the corner.
All I know about our date is to dress casual. Assessing myself in my full-length mirror, I glance at my ivory lace shorts and half tucked, blue flowy tank and approve. I love the contrast the color of the shorts has on my tanned legs and my gold long necklace adds to the outfit. A knock at the door brings back my focus. I happily hop over to open it.
“Hey,” I smile up at Jake.
“Hi,” he says while staring me up. “You look amazing.” He kisses me on the cheek and smiles.
“Not too bad yourself.” I admire the V-neck t-shirt hugging his arms and torso. “Come on.” I lead him into my apartment while I grab my purse from my room. I walk back out into my small living room and like the way Jake looks in here. I catch him looking at some family pictures and walk up to him.
“You were even hot in high school. Cheerleader,” he states wistfully.
I blush and I shake my head. “Yes, I was a cheerleader.”
“Too bad I didn’t approach you when you were in that outfit back then.”
“What would you have done?” I challenge him, thinking nothing of this exchange besides playful flirting.
“Well, not sure my team would have liked their quarterback to be distracted with their rival cheer queen, but I would’ve risked it.”
“Rival cheer queen? Hardly! And Stones High wasn’t our rival. Hart High didn’t have rivals. We were simply the best.” I let my cocky high school self show. “Besides, Stones’ QB never noticed any cheerleaders from Hart. He was always busy showing off.”
“Really? Because I remember a certain flyer that was always hot and ready for fun. She was, however, oblivious to anyone who wasn’t in her face.”
“And you were too shy?” Jake and I graduated the same year. I remember seeing him around at some of our games, but I never gave him a second thought. He was hot but a typical jock back in the day. We weren’t friends then. I hadn’t really become friends with Savannah then either, but once I got to college things changed and my circle of friends changed with it. I’m so glad it did. Savannah and I connected in college almost immediately, and we have been friends ever since.
“Maybe shy? Maybe I didn’t think I was good enough.”
“Oh, please! Don’t feed me that crap.” I laugh.
Jake pulls me into him and kisses the top of my head. “I have had my eyes set on you for some time, shyness or not. Are you ready to go?”
“Yes.”
Once inside his truck, I ask Jake where we’re going.
“I heard about a whiskey tasting that I thought would be fun to check out. Sam’s is hosting it and figured it would be something cool to do. I know you love your whiskey.”
“That is so awesome! I do love my whiskey.”
“Good. You’ll be trying plenty of it tonight.”
We arrive at Sam’s and I am excited about trying different kinds of whiskeys and learning about them. Mostly, I want to drink it all. I’ve apparently got some whiskey obsession that has been pointed out to me recently, hence a date to a whiskey tasting.
“After you,” Jake holds the door open for me, and I must admi
t he’s been a perfect gentleman so far. We take our seats in the dim lit bar, and I lean back into the leather couch while we wait for the waiter to come by with the menu of samples and explain their items.
They have samples for scotch whiskey, bourbon, Irish whiskey . . . So many choices. We take our time to review the samples and choose a variety. Who are we to discriminate?
Between sips of whiskey and bites of crackers with mild cheese paired with the whiskey, Jake and I get to know each other better. We talk about our childhood and our families. Jake’s sister is a few years older than us and still lives in town unlike my brother who moved to Birmingham. Our conversation flows freely and we laugh while the aroma of the liquid warms us.
After we finish our samples, we each order a drink. I ask for a Kentucky Mule and Jake orders a soda since he’s driving.
“What do you wanna eat?” Jake is analyzing the menu. “The pulled pork sliders sound like a great choice.”
“Not sure. I don’t eat meat,” I say and notice his eyes shimmer with mischief. I slap his shoulder with the menu. “That’s not what I meant!”
He laughs, his eyes shining brighter at my sorry excuse to make up for my dirty thoughts. “I didn’t say anything,” he shakes his head.
“But your eyes betrayed your thoughts, Perv.”
“I think you’re the perv. All I did was look at you, although I do admire your naughty mind.” His smile is contagious. “However, I am kinda bummed out.”
“I’m a vegetarian!” The pink on my cheeks rushes down my neck, heat conquering my body. How embarrassing.
“So . . . you’re saying you do eat a different kind of meat.” His laugh echoes through the bar.
“Shut up.” I look back down at the menu trying to hold in my laughter. Damn perverted mind.
“I’m going to have the fish tacos.”
“Thought you said you didn’t eat meat.”
“Fish isn’t meat. Not exactly, anyway. I eat fish at times.”
“Good to know. Not sure what I would have done if I had cooked for you not knowing you’re a vegetarian. Now I know what kind of foods to impress you with.”
“You cook?”
“And I’m great at it.”
“Bartender, cook . . . What else are you great at?”
“Hmm . . . I can think of a few more things,” he says intimately.
My skin heats and prickles as the tension between us crackles. I stare into Jake’s baby blues as thoughts of us being physically together invade my mind. Jakes strokes his thumb across my cheek leaving trails of pleasure, and I suck in a breath through my parted lips.
The intense moment is interrupted by the waitress asking if we’re ready to order. Coming back to the here and now, we both place our orders. I take a hefty drink from my cocktail to cool myself down. I’m pretty sure Jake will rock my world in bed, and I’m not one who is usually proven wrong. He can rock me all night long if he wants.
We head home after enjoying our meal, and I can’t contain the smile on my lips. Outside my apartment I thank Jake for such an amazing date.
“My pleasure,” he says. “I should be thanking you for being patient with me.”
“It was worth it.” I smile.
“Good,” Jake says before leaning in for a kiss. I hook my arms around his neck and lazily kiss him back. I heat at the feel of his tongue invading my mouth in a sensual movement that awakens my longing for him. I moan into his mouth and push further into him as our kiss transforms from lazy into frenzied in a matter of seconds; all logical thought is thrown out the window.
“Open your door,” Jake’s muffled voice vibrates against my lips. I quickly fish the keys out of my purse and turn around to open it while Jake’s hands on my hips pull me back against him. I clench at the feel of his hands so near where I want them as his lips continue kissing and seducing me on my neck.
We stumble into my apartment in a tangled mess, lips colliding and hands roaming chaotically. The build up of the last few months finally is set free to express the desire we both feel. I moan, allowing my mouth to sensually dance with his as my hands move over his back. His muscles contract under my touch as he presses into me, and I feel his erection growing against my body.
Jake’s lips move to my jaw, trailing kisses down my neck leaving goosebumps behind on my skin. “God, Jake . . .” I breathe out.
“I know.” His hands under my thighs pick me up and I wrap my legs around him, wanting to get as close to him as possible. He kisses me again before carrying me to my room.
“Is this okay?” he asks before opening the door. I nod, rendered speechless by my desire. “We don’t have to.”
“I want to,” I manage to say and kiss him with all the passion I am feeling. My tongue pushes through his lips and takes control of his mouth.
“I want you.” He drops me gently on my bed and looks down on at me. My breathing is fast and erratic, mimicking what I’m feeling inside, the thumping of my heart giving away how turned on and excited I am.
Jake hovers over me and his breath tickles my skin as he reaches for my shirt and pulls it over my head. Soft touches caress my exposed skin over the swell of my breasts and down my sides.
“Jake . . .” I plead for more than just these teasing touches.
“I’ve been fantasizing about this moment for longer than I care to admit.” He kisses me with urgency, dropping most of his weight on me. I’m lost in our bodies and the connection between us.
In between kisses, I peel off his shirt and feel his skin on mine. His rocking hips cause me to moan into his mouth, and if we don’t do something about the rest of our clothes, I’m going to orgasm just from the friction.
“I know, babe. I feel it too,” Jake whispers against my ear and removes my bra. His hands move down and remove my shorts. I’m lying there naked with his eyes roaming over my body.
With a final kiss, Jake is on his knees at the end of the bed and pulls my body towards him. Propping myself up to watch, I look down at him as his lips travel up the length of my leg and then imitate the movement on the other. He has me squirming and almost begging by the time his lips land on my clit. His tongue sucks and licks, pleasing me. I uncontrollably buck my hips seeking more of the sensation his mouth and tongue are giving.
His tongue continues to flick my clit as his fingers enter me and begin to move in and out doubling the pleasure. I giggle to myself, double the pleasure, double the fun. God, am I seriously thinking about an old Doublemint Gum commercial during . . . ?
“Ohhh . . .” His tongue quickly brings my mind back to my building orgasm. With a final lick, I clench the sheets and fall apart around his mouth.
Words are unnecessary as I watch Jake undo his jeans and grab a condom from his pocket. His cock is hard and it intensifies the anticipation of feeling him pushing inside me. His body leans over mine as he pushes into me and at the same time his tongue pushes into my mouth. The combination of thrusts and my taste on his lips drives me wild. We move together, and I can feel Jake trying to control himself.
“You feel amazing,” he murmurs against my lips. “So perfect.”
“God . . . You do, too.” I arch my back and push further into him.
All thought is pushed away, as my body reacts to his. Before I know it, my body is climbing towards its second orgasm and my skin prickles with heat. I fall into a desire-laden orgasm that rocks me throughout my entire body. I feel Jake climax right after me with a groan, his cock swelling even more as he stills inside me.
“You totally put my fantasies to shame,” Jake breaks the silence after we’ve caught our breath. I laugh and shake my head.
“I’m glad I didn’t disappoint.”
“Never could.” He kisses me before pulling out of me and heading to the bathroom to throw away the condom.
Jake settles next to me, answering my unasked question of whether he was going to stay or leave. His arms wrap around me and pull me into him. He kisses the top of my head and I inhale his scent
—woodsy mixed with sex, an intoxicating combination. I fall asleep drawing circles on his back and breathing him in.
“Coffee?” A sleepy Jake walks into my kitchen, and I drink him in as I lean against the counter. His jeans are undone and hang low on his hips, and he hasn’t bothered to put on his shirt.
“Please,” his hoarse voice sweeps through my body causing me to shiver.
“How do you like it?” I laugh at Jake’s cocked eyebrow, “The coffee. How do you like your coffee? Who’s the perv now?”
“First, I want a kiss.” He puts my mug on the counter and wraps me in his arms, his lips brushing against mine in a passionate caress. “Good morning,” he murmurs against my neck, planting one last kiss there.
“Good morning,” I reply. “Do you want cream and sugar in your coffee?”
“Just black, thanks.” Jake crosses one foot over the other and leans back against the opposite counter from me. He keeps his eyes on me while he drinks his coffee.
“Even in the morning you’re beautiful,” he says as his eyes roam up my body, starting at my legs and landing on my face. “Instead of baking today, I could think of a few other things you could do in the kitchen.”
“Really? What would that be?”
“Me.”
I shake my head at his adorable expression and put my mug in the sink. “I wouldn’t mind frosting you up and licking my way down, but I need to go to work. Sorry it’s so early.”
“It’s okay. I know you do, but I’m going to make sure you keep your word on the frosting. I know a few places I’d want to lick clean.”
Damn, this man is hot. I feel heat consume me as I stare into his eyes. The connection is so deep and honest. At no point has it been awkward or has either of us felt the need to ask just exactly what it is we’re doing. Yeah, we slept together on our first date, but then again Jake isn’t a stranger and this wasn’t a one-night stand.
I get dressed for work, and Jake puts on his shirt. “I’ll call you later.”
Whiskey Nights Page 4