Page 14 of Studfinder

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

He holds a screwdriver in one hand and taps it against his other palm. “No reason, just wondering.” He peers back to the space Alfred’s car vacated and then returns his attention to me. “Did something happen?”

I shift entirely and cross my arms. My ankle wobbles again in my cursed shoes.

“What is your concern, Jake?”

“I don’t want to get you in trouble.”

My brows pinch again. “Why would I get in trouble?”

Looking directly at me, he waves the screwdriver between us. “Because you and me . . .”

“We what?” I give my head a little shake, suggesting I don’t understand and ignoring the discomfort between us.

“We . . . you know.”

The kiss. The incredible kiss that sliced me down the middle and zipped me back together in one swift movement. Kissing has been off-limits for me, but that kiss shattered all limitations. However, Jake’s cautious eyes have the fine hairs on my arms sticking upward.

“You aren’t worried about me. You’re worried about you.” I step toward him as I speak. Wobbling once more in my heels, I fight the urge to reach for him for stability. It’s hard to be tough when your shoes don’t support you. “You’re worried I told on you.”

“Told on me? What? Are we in second grade?”

“You know if I wanted to report that kiss, you might lose this position.”

Jake’s brows lift. His forehead furrows. “Would you do that? It was only a kiss, Rita.”

My mouth falls open, but I quickly shut it. Only a kiss? Only a kiss! I can’t even respond to that comment. However, I could do what he said. I could file a complaint and put Jake at risk of losing this parole situation, but I’d never do such a thing.

“You’re right. It’s just as you said,” I state through clenched teeth. Lowering my hands, I fist them at my sides. “It was only a kiss. I’ve had lots of kisses in my life. It wasn’t even a particularly good kiss. It was just . . . a kiss.”

Good heavens, what am I saying? However, Jake does not need to know it’s the only kiss I’ve had in seven years. He doesn’t even need to know it might be the best kiss I’ve ever had. I’ve never had someone just grab me and kiss the stuffing out of me. He kissed me like I was his first kiss and last breath all in one. And he most definitely does not need to know I went home and gave my pink pleasure toy extra time from only a kiss.

“Well, I wouldn’t say it was awful,” Jake defends, stepping closer to me. We’re only inches apart, and the screwdriver in his hand stops tapping.

“I didn’t say it was awful. I said it wasn’t particularly good. I’m certain I’ve had better.”

“Oh, you have, have you?” My gaze falls to his lips, and he drops the screwdriver to the ground. His breath mixes with mine. He smells of dark roast, cinnamon, and construction sites, and my mouth waters for another not-so-great kiss from him. His hands lift, and he leans forward.

“Rita, everything okay?” Sullivan’s voice breaks my trance. As I turn to our construction manager, Jake takes an exaggerated step backward. He bends at the waist for the screwdriver he dropped, and I meet Sully’s questioning glare.

“I’m good. Everything’s good. Not awful. Not great. Just good.” I huff out a nervous laugh. What am I saying? “I can’t stay again today. Office work.” It’s a lie. I’ve been purposely avoiding the site, and I hate that it has to do with Jake because Alfred was right. These projects are my passion.

“Okay. Well, see you later then.” A question lingers in Sully’s statement, along with his large mass suddenly stationary as Jake remains close to me.

“Yeah, I’ll be back later to check on the day’s progress.”

Sullivan nods but doesn’t move. Taking my first step in the ruts of the mud, my feet fumble, and I automatically reach out to balance myself.

“Nice heels,” Jake mutters, catching my forearm to steady me. As that smirky smirk of his slowly curls his lips, I glare at him. “They go well with your outfit.”

I’d like to show him where these heels can go, but instead, I tug my arm free of his support and stalk off. Only, it’s difficult to make a grand exit when your ankles wobble, and a heel collapses.

Damn these shoes and Jake Drummond.

Later that night is an AA meeting. I’m not chairing this one, and if Jake appears, he’ll have to beg someone else to sign off on his card. Good luck with that, handsome. Quickly, I rid my thoughts of Jake. I’m dressed in comfortable clothes of jeans and my hiking boots, telling myself I need a long hike this weekend to right myself. Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes, bringing myself into the mindset of the meeting.

The meeting begins with a reading of the AA Preamble, a prayer of the chair’s choice, and then the serenity prayer. I blindly follow along, keeping my eyes closed, until the chair mentions new members and introductions.