“Ha.” Chloe had also bought Jane a giant margarita, which Jane finished by the end of the meal. Felt a little loopy from it afterward, too. “I’ve completely sobered up, thank you very much.”
“Too bad.” Chloe sighed. “I wouldn’t mind going home and indulging in a drink or two right now.”
“Chloe. It’s almost eleven.” They’d shopped until they dropped, almost literally. Lucky for Jane, the children were staying at their grandparents’ house for the night.
“Eleven on a Friday night, I might add. We could go back to my place and have a drink or two. Come on. I think we both deserve it.”
“I don’t know. I’m exhausted.” Jane would probably pass out if she put any more alcohol in her system.
“Me, too.” Chloe laughed. “Man, what a bunch of old ladies we’ve turned into, huh?”
“Speak for yourself,” Jane teased just as her cell phone rang. “Who could that be?”
“Maybe it’s that guy you’re seeing,” Chloe teased as Jane reached for her phone.
“Oh.” Jane saw who it was on her caller ID and her heart started to go pitter patter. Chloe was right. “Hello?”
“Hey.” Just that one word spoken in his deep, sexy voice made her stomach twist, her toes curl in her boots. “Are you done shopping?”
“We are.” She glanced at her friend, who had a smirk on her face. Jane refused to be embarrassed. “What’s going on?”
“Tired?”
“A little.”
“Want to come over?”
“Christian.” She turned away from Chloe, wishing she had a bit more privacy. “Are you suggesting a…booty call?”
He laughed, the sound of it slithering down her spine, making her skin tingle. “Maybe.”
“You’re a man of few words tonight.”
“I’m a man who wants to see you tonight. Care to come over?”
“I’m with Chloe.”
“Have her drop you off. I’ll take you home.” Tomorrow. The unspoken word hung heavily between them.
She was silent, contemplating something she already knew she would say yes to. Letting him hang, she had to admit, was kind of fun.
“All right,” she finally said, her voice low. “I’ll come over.”
“Where are you?”
“Almost to Lone Pine Lake.” Chloe was about to take the turnoff that led home.
“You need directions?”
“I know where you live.” She closed her eyes the second she let it slip, feeling like some sort of spy. But they lived in a small town. Of course she knew where he lived.
“You been keeping tabs on me, Clark?” His voice held a teasing quality she didn’t hear often enough. She liked it.
“Maybe,” she teased back, enjoying this.
“Well then I’ll see you in a few. I’ll leave the door unlocked.”
“Okay.” She gulped. “Where will you be?”
“In my bedroom waiting for you. Come find me, Jane.” He hung up.
Oh, wow. His words left her body flushed and hot, her skin prickled with awareness. That was by far the sexiest phone call she’d ever received.
“I take it I’m dropping you off at Chris’s house.”
“Um, yes.” Jane slowly dropped the phone back into her purse, feeling as if she were in a fog. “If you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind, though I’ll admit I’m jealous. I wish I had a hot guy calling me, asking me to come over.” Chloe shook her head and flicked the signal on. “Booty calls on a Friday night. I’ve never experienced one.”
“I haven’t, either.” Jane turned to look at her. “You heard me say booty call?”
“Of course I did.” Chloe smiled. “When my friend’s hunky boyfriend calls her at eleven at night, I’m going to eavesdrop.”
“Chloe!” Jane’s cheeks felt as if they were on fire. Why this embarrassed her so much, she didn’t know. It was just Chloe. No big deal. They’d known each other forever, had seen each other through puberty, for goodness sake! “Someday you’ll be getting booty calls, and I’m going to harass you, I promise.”
“I doubt that. I’m a small town girl stuck in a small town world. You snagged the best guy here.” Chloe mock sobbed.
“Oh, there are plenty of great guys in Lone Pine Lake.” Not really. “Um, what about Mac?”
“No way. He’s like my brother. We’re way too close.” Chloe wrinkled her nose. “I can’t imagine kissing him. Eww.”
Jane laughed. “I remember when you used to have a crush on Cameron.”
“Don’t remind me. I made a fool of myself over him.” Chloe laughed weakly. “So, um, have you talked to him lately?”
“Who, Cameron?” Jane wondered at the odd tone in Chloe’s voice. “He came home briefly for Thanksgiving before he took off again.”
“He was here? In town?” Chloe squeaked. “I had no idea.”
Hmm, there was definitely something going on there. “He hasn’t been back in a few years. My mom convinced him to come home. All five of us were there for once.”
“Wow.” Chloe remained silent for a while. “I-I would’ve loved to see him.”
Ha, Jane just bet. “He’ll be back at Christmas.”
“Oh, really? Hmm.” Chloe tried for nonchalant but she wasn’t fooling anyone.
“You know where Chris lives?” Jane asked as Chloe turned onto his road.
“I know where everyone lives. And lucky for you, you won’t leave a car out in the driveway tonight so the whole town can whisper.”
“Hey, they’re already whispering because he stays so long at my place.” Jane shook her head. “Don’t people have anything else to talk about?”
“Well, between your sister’s divorce and your and Chris’s steamy relationship, you’re keeping Lone Pine abuzz with gossip.” Chloe shook her head. “That was rude. I’m sorry.”
“No, not rude. It’s the truth.” The old Jane would’ve been mortified. The Jane from a month ago would’ve avoided this sort of situation at all costs. But now, she didn’t care. She was thankful for the relationship, thankful she had Chris in her life.
She wanted him to be even more a part of her life. Like a forever kind of more.
Jane breathed deeply and grabbed her purse when Chloe pulled into his driveway.
“Don’t forget the cheesecake,” Chloe said, and Jane reached down to grab the takeout bag. “Maybe you could share it with Chris.”
She didn’t think Christian had food on the brain. “Maybe.”
“I’ll take your bags home with me and drop them back to you tomorrow if that’s okay, though I noticed you didn’t buy much.” Chloe paused. “You were already finished with your Christmas shopping, weren’t you?”
“I was. All of this was just for fun.” She knew Mindy had been in a bad state shopping-wise and still wished she’d come with them. And she’d invited Chloe because she knew she wasn’t much better. She was the last-minute type, which drove Jane bonkers.
“So you did this for me.”
“I did this for the both of us. But yes, I also did this for you.”
Chloe reached out and they embraced quickly before Jane climbed out of the car. “I’m so glad we did this, Jane. Thank you.”
“I’m glad, too. I had fun tonight. And thanks for dropping me off.”
Chloe raised her eyebrows. “I don’t need to tell you to have fun. I know you will.”
Jane rolled her eyes, anticipation making her giddy. But she knew Chloe was right. “Shut up.”
“Booty call!” Chloe yelled just as Jane shut the door.
Squaring her shoulders, she went to the front door, admiring the fragrant wreath that hung from it. It was adorned with a red velvet bow and a few pinecones, simple yet beautiful.
Much like the man who’d hung it there.
Chloe waited until Jane got to the entrance before pulling away. Jane shut the door quietly behind her, taking in her surroundings. The room was dark, a dim light glowing from the kitchen the only i
llumination. It was simply furnished; she could just make out the brown leather couch and the big screen TV that dominated one wall. Typical man décor. She went to the hallway, noticed another dim light shone from the last open door on the right.
Chris’s room. It had to be.
She padded down the hall toward the open door until she stopped in front of it, her gaze alighting on Chris.
He lay on top of a huge bed, leaning against a mound of pillows. His arms were angled behind his head, hands clasped at the back of his neck, looking as casual as could be. A smile tilted his mouth, that sensual, delicious mouth that knew just how to kiss her. He flicked his chin in her direction.
“What’s in the bag?”
“Oh.” She glanced down, saw she still clutched the to-go bag in her hand. “Dessert.”
A dark brow lifted. “Dessert? Like what?”
“Cheesecake.” She set her purse on the floor by the doorway and turned to head back to the kitchen. “I’ll go put it away.”
“Wait a minute. What kind of cheesecake?”
She turned back around to face him, surprised he asked. “Uh, lemon raspberry cream.”
“I love cheesecake.” His expression read sweet young boy, yet the glow in his eyes was undeniably hungry, aroused male. “Got a fork in that bag?”
“I think so.” She opened it, saw the black fork in plastic wrap nestled inside. “I do.”
“Well, come here and share it, then.”
Jane went to him, admiring his lean physique. He wore navy blue flannel pants and nothing else, and all of that exposed, warm male skin left her momentarily speechless. Good thing he didn’t say anything, just offered his hand and she took it. Settled herself next to him, her booted feet hanging off the edge of the mattress.
Chris took the bag from her and opened it, peering inside, and she caught the gleeful expression on his face. He pulled out the plastic container and popped the top off, admiring the generous slice of cheesecake.
“You went to one of my favorite restaurants.” His gaze met hers, so serious, his mouth a straight, firm line.
“I love it, too. I haven’t been there in forever.” She pulled the wrapped fork from the bag and opened it, then handed it to him.
“Me neither.” He glanced down at the cheesecake then back up at her. “This looks good. I’ve never tried this kind before.”
“It’s new.”
“You want some?” He dug the fork in, slowly cutting off a small bite and then offered it to her.
She nodded.
Smiling, he held the fork in front of her and gestured for her to open her mouth. She did and he went to feed her, then yanked the fork away, popping the bite in between his lips instead. She watched, indignant, as he put on a big show, chewing and making all sorts of noises.
“That’s delicious,” he said once he’d swallowed.
“I’m sure.” She shook her head. “Thanks for sharing.”
He laughed. “It’s what you get for going there without me.”
“I didn’t choose. It was up to Chloe.”
“Yeah, blame poor innocent Chloe.” He forked up another bite. “Excuses, excuses.”
She wondered at his playful mood. “Are you going to share this time?”
“Are you worthy?” He held the fork in front of his lips, nibbling on the edge of the cheesecake, and she watched. Transfixed by the sight of his lips, the way the creamy cheesecake lightly coated them.
Goodness she was tempted to lean over and lick them clean.
“I think so,” she answered, sounding breathless.
His lips curved and he tilted his head toward her, the fork poised between them. She caught the rich scent of the cheesecake, lemony creaminess and tart raspberry tickling her nose. She sniffed loudly and parted her lips, touched the tip of her tongue to her bottom lip, and she heard his sharp inhalation of breath.
“Please?” She blinked up at him, put on her most innocent of expressions, and couldn’t help but marvel at her own audacity.
The man brought out a different side to her, a side she didn’t even know she had.
Chris dabbed the bite of cheesecake against her mouth once, then drew away. She licked at her lips, the creamy, fruity taste dissolving on her tongue. His eyes darkened.
“More?” His voice sounded strained and she smiled, proud of herself. She could definitely give as good as she got.
“Yes.” She waited, smiled when he brushed the bite against her mouth, leaving behind a dollop of cheesecake. She licked at it again, the yummy taste almost more than she could stand, all of it heightened by the teasing way she was being fed.
It was arousing. She’d never played with food before in a sexual way and she liked it, even though it was torturous.
This time when he brought the bite back to her lips, he kept it there. She opened her mouth and he gently pushed the fork between her teeth. Wrapping her lips around the tines, she took the bite clean from the fork, savoring the sweetly tart taste, the crunchiness of the graham cracker crust. A low murmur of approval sounded deep in her throat, and his lids lowered, giving him such a sexy look she almost choked on her cheesecake.
If he continued to look at her like that, she wouldn’t be able to eat another bite. She’d want to save room for him instead.
“You missed some of it. Right…there.” He leaned in, his lips touching just the corner of her mouth, and when she felt the sweep of his tongue there, she almost melted into the bed. “Got it,” he said as he pulled away from her, smacking his lips.
Okay, this was too much, too heady for her tired, still-a-little-buzzed mind to take. She watched him, caught the devilish glint in his eyes, took in all of that exposed, tanned skin, and she held out her hand, an idea forming in her mind.
“How about I feed you?”
He sat up straighter, handing over the container and fork. “I’m ready when you are.”
She bet he was. Carefully, she cut off a small bite, forked it up, and then brought it close to his face. His lips parted, his gaze never leaving hers and she flicked the fork, the cheesecake falling off and landing right on his pec.
“Whoops. I dropped it.” She could barely keep the smile back and wanted to laugh when she saw him glance down at the mess on his chest. She set the fork into the container. “Guess I’ll have to clean it up.”
Jane bent over him, swiping her tongue at his chest as she licked up the dessert. The ragged groan that escaped him urged her on and she licked again, loving the taste of the sweet bit of cheesecake and the salty, earthy taste of man just beneath.
He clasped his big, warm hand to the back of her head, threading his fingers through her hair. With his other hand he took the container from her, setting it on the bedside table. He held her, but not so tightly she couldn’t glance up at him. The devilish look was long gone. The expression on his face was now one of stark, raw need, and her breath caught at the sight.
“You surprise me, Jane. Each and every day we’re together you surprise me.”
“That’s a good thing, right?”
“Oh, yeah.” He stroked her hair, his fingers tugging on the ends, and she closed her eyes in bliss. “It’s a very good thing.”
…
Something had shifted between them tonight, sending them straight into un-chartered and completely welcome territory. Chris had known ahead of time she was off shopping with Chloe Dawson and he’d told himself he would leave her alone. Let her get that one-on-one time with her friend she’d told him she needed.
He’d spent the evening alone, eating delivered pizza, watching crappy TV, and nursing a lone beer. Curious what she might be doing, what she wore, what she smelled like. But then he remembered her mentioning her parents were keeping the kids overnight.
So he’d called and invited her over. Decided to make a sexy game of it and waited for her in his bedroom. He loved the way she quietly appeared in his doorway, her dark jeans making her legs look endless, the cream-colored sweater she wore emphasizing
the soft curve of her breasts.
It had been fun, teasing her with the cheesecake. And then she’d taken it to the next level, licking at his heated flesh, her wet, slick little tongue raising havoc within him. Stripping her naked, admiring her pretty body before he made love to her. He’d imagined this moment more than once. Jane, in his house. In his bed. Smiling, laughing, moaning, calling out his name…
“That was amazing.” She lifted her chin, the little smile curving her lush lips beautiful, dreamy.
“Definitely.” He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, exhaling slowly when she snuggled close, her tousled hair in his face, her cheek resting against his chest. It felt so good, having her here with him. Since he’d spent so many nights at her place, he was eager to show her where he lived. At first, he didn’t understand that need.
He got it now. He wanted to reveal a piece of himself, a piece he didn’t often share with others. Wanted her to know all of him and was ready to lay himself bare at the altar of Jane.
She’d grown so comfortable with him that she hadn’t covered her skin with the blankets, despite the cool air. He barely even noticed the scars anymore, didn’t really care. They were a mark, a part of her, a memory of what she’d suffered, what she’d gone through before she came to him.
And he was so very, very thankful that she’d come to him.
He let his gaze wander over her pale skin, knew that she’d gained a few pounds since that first night they’d spent together. The accident, the months of being in a coma, the burns she’d suffered and the recovery time she’d been through, all of it had made her bone thin. He liked to believe her happiness helped with her weight gain, and that he’d brought her some of that happiness.
“What are you thinking?”
Ah, the question more than one woman in his past had asked him, usually at the worst moment. A question that usually struck panic within his soul, because he knew she wouldn’t want to know how he was plotting to get away before things got too deep.
“I’m thinking how beautiful you are,” he answered truthfully.
Jane glanced up, offering him a sweet smile. He’d never been with a woman who looked at him as if he hung the moon, who depended on him, who took care of him as Jane did.
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