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“Tell me,” I said breathlessly.
“To make a long story short, he and I are in an adjoined room.” Apparently there had been a mix up at check in and Lauren’s room was given to someone else. She could have taken a smaller one, but Jake insisted that they switch so she could have his and he’d bunk with Liam. “So,” he continued, “I asked him to go over and check to see if I had left my keycard in my wallet.”
“And…” I drew out.
“And he said that the keycard was sitting on my nightstand on top of my wallet.” I could feel the warmth of his breath against my face as he spoke. “This wallet.” Jake held up the item in question. “I have both my wallet and keycard, so he’s full of shit and just telling me what he thought I wanted to hear.” He smiled triumphantly.
“Genius!”
The air between us stilled and the fine lines around Jake’s eyes relaxed. It was amazing how his demeanor could shift from mischievous to carnal within seconds.
He finally spoke. “For the record, I agree with E.”
I felt like a puppy tilting my head to the side in confusion.
“I do like you for you.”
It was a simple admission. Minimalist at best. And it was honest. And it made my stomach feel like it was filled with butterflies.
“Jake, I…I like you too. Very much,” I managed.
We were caught in one another’s gaze, held captive with a shared understanding. Whatever we started tonight, we’d see it through.
His lips were warm as they slid across mine, tasting, testing, and teasing. My tongue sought his as hands and arms became entangled. It was a feast for my senses.
Firm muscles.
Tantalizing heat.
A residual taste of whisky.
The scent of coherent notes of the sea with nuances of musk.
The view of his powerful form above me, settling me back into the plush bed.
Neither of us let up, our urgency growing, spurred by soft moans and exhalations.
Jake was extremely good at kissing. Like everything he did, he was dedicated to his task. Fully committed and attentive. There was nothing else; it was Jake and me, wrapped up in one another, lost to the goings-on of the world. Life was continuing beyond these walls, its perpetual pace unaware of what was developing between us. It was the most indulgent escapism.
He shifted above me, the mattress dipping from his weight. It was the first time we had come up for air, content in the knowledge that drowning was no longer feared.
Jake regarded me, his eyes full of affection. “I.” He kissed the tip of my nose. “Like.” And then my forehead. “You.” My temple was next. “Luce.”
There it was. The nickname that had never held an ounce of meaning to me until now. I could lose myself with him saying it over and over, drowning anew.
“Jake,” I sighed. “I…”
Tap, tap, tap. He hung his head, resting his forehead on mine.
Seriously? A knock on the door?
As desperately as we both wanted the moment to continue, the spell was broken. “I should get that,” I sighed regretfully.
Reluctantly, Jake righted himself in a sitting position and ran a hand down his face.
His lips had clouded my judgement and I cracked the door open before looking through the peephole.
“E,” I stated. “What…what are you doing here?”
