Granting Wishes Page 14

  Jake kicked the door shut and threw the lock in place before grabbing her ass and lifting her off her feet, holding her tight against him. He was ravenous, feasting on the sweetness of her mouth like a starved man. He pushed her back against the door and ground his hips into the warm vee of her thighs as she linked her legs around him. He had intended for them to start out with a nice dinner, maybe even drink a few glasses of the wine he’d purchased even though he’d forgotten pick up some nice wine glasses and they’d be drinking out of mason jars. Now all he could think of was pulling her lemon yellow dress off her soft, brown hips and burying himself inside of her slick, tight heat.

  Lilah wanted him to take her rough and wild, soothing the deep ache inside her that his kisses had conjured. In her mind she knew she needed to talk to him first. Explain her current situation. But her body was demanding the fire he’d stoked inside her to be satiated. Her inner turmoil was settled when his rough hands pushed her dress over her hips and he ground his hard ridge of desire against her now damp panties. Lilah sucked his breath into her mouth as he kissed her and groaned into his hot, wet kisses.

  That was all the admission of pure need that he had to have to go on. Jake shoved her panties to the side and stroked his fingertips through her silky wet slit. “So wet,” he gasped against her mouth, sucking her tongue between his lips as he swirled his thumb over her tight bundle of nerves. Her back arched and her thighs quivered around his hips. “Yes, right there is where you need me now, don’t you darlin’?” He chuckled and continued stoking the fire within her that was burning bright, showing in the molten chocolate depths of her eyes.

  Lilah was quite certain she’d died and gone straight to heaven. Or maybe it was hell, being kept right on the brink of ecstasy. He mastered her mouth just as he mastered her body, dragging carnal moans from her throat that would have made her blush if she wasn’t past the point of no return. She tore at his shirt with desperate fingers that needed to touch his hot skin, wanting to press hers against his and rub against him like a cat in heat. She was so delighted when she heard the plinking of his buttons hitting the wood floor she giggled, then ran her nails down his broad chest. Mesmerized by the hot look in his eyes, she grasped the hem of her dress where it pooled at her hips and pulled it over her head. The primal growl that rumbled from his chest once his eyes locked on her chest and burned down her body made her feel like a goddess of desire. Never had she felt so beautiful, so wanted.

  His thumb stayed in place, rolling over her taut nub of desire in a slow torturous manner, but when he paired that with pushing his finger deep inside of her she couldn’t help but cry out his name. When she arched hard against him, her head hit the door but she didn’t even care, she was dying a slow and beautiful death, bucking her hips with abandon.

  Jake sealed his mouth over her dark brown nipple, suckling it like he was starving and couldn’t get enough. He wanted to shout for joy when he released it to bite across her chest to the other one and she fisted her hand in his hair and held him to her as she whimpered the sexiest sound he’d ever heard.

  “More, Jake. Please, I’m dying.”

  He slipped another finger inside of her, nearly coming unglued when he felt her slick walls tighten, then quiver around his fingers. He curled them up, just a bit, and ran his tongue along the underside of her breasts, loving the taste of her salty, damp skin. Jake quickened the pressure of his thumb and thrust his fingers harder, knowing she needed it and was so close, so very close to giving in to the orgasm he wanted so badly to give her. And when he felt her orgasm hit her fast and hard with the incredible clenching heat of her around his fingers and the beautiful cry of her screaming his name from her lush lips, he wanted to shout. Hell, he wanted to sing he was so happy.

  Lilah’s body was shaking and her eyes were still closed when he gently slid his hand from between her thighs and kissed her with such tenderness she wanted to cry. Her body was alive like it had never been before and her heart was so overwhelmed she didn’t know what to say. So she kissed him, holding his face in her hands while she pushed his shirt off his shoulders. What he did next drove her wild. As his sky blue eyes stared into hers, he lifted his fingers to his sexy mouth and sucked her wetness off of them, pumping his hips against her in a slow, sexy roll when his eyes shut and he savored the taste of her. Damned if he didn’t just make her hot all over again.

  Jake gave her the sexiest, lopsided grin. “I sure have missed you, darlin’.”

  She entwined her arms around his neck, her heart near bursting with emotion and love paired with desire. She wanted to giggle like crazy from the way he made her feel. In the same breath, she wanted him naked between her thighs with her mouth on his skin. Her fingers dug through his hair and she pulled his mouth to hers, kissing him with all the love and desire she felt. When Lilah finally pulled away, she pressed her mouth to his ear whispering, “I missed you too.” She reached between them and flicked open the button of his blue jeans, taking her time to slowly drag down his zipper, rubbing his thickness on the way down. “Take me to bed, cowboy. I’m ready to go for a ride.”

  His response was something between a pained growl and a bark of laughter, but he gripped her ass and pulled her close, carrying her to the bedroom. Her teeth scraped down his neck in tender love bites soothed with soft licks of her tongue. Once when she bit him a little harder, he swatted her ass, sending her into a fit of giggles. Probably not the reaction he’d expected, but he quickly took control when he laid her back and sucked her throat, giving her gentle, but insistent bites that made her thighs part on their own accord while she rubbed against his groin. He kissed her lips, long and hard until she was a pliant puddle of need beneath him.

  Hours later when she woke up it was dusk and the sun was casting its final splash of color on Magnolia Lake. She was lying on her side with his warm body pressed against her back, his arm draped across her waist. His big, rough hand was resting on her stomach. For some reason it brought tears to her eyes. Lilah wondered how he would react when she told him about the baby. Jake was such a good father to Roxy, Lilah had no doubt he would be just as good with their baby, but how would he feel about her then? Would he still love her the way he said he did now? Was he truly over Alana?

  There were so many questions and so much fear of the unknown.

  It didn’t help much that stupid pregnancy hormones had her emotions in a state of confusion. One moment she felt ridiculously happy, the next she was crying. It was embarrassing. Not wanting to wake him, she sniffed, wiped her eyes and started to ease away from him intending to go to the bathroom and have a good cry before she lost it in front of him. Unfortunately, Jake had other ideas and dragged her back against him when he felt her pulling away.

  “Where do you think you’re going, darlin’?” he mumbled in his sexy drawl, kissing the back of her neck and palming her stomach with a tenderness that made a sob catch in her throat. Quickly she covered her mouth, trying to play it off with a cough.

  “Bathroom,” she croaked, attempting to pull away again, nearly frantic to get away before he discovered her tears. But his grip wasn’t giving way. She flailed a bit while he chuckled.

  “Kiss me first, maybe then I’ll let you go.”

  She melted a little, or maybe a lot. Thankful for the beginnings of darkness, she turned just enough to give him a quick kiss and started to scoot away again.

  He snorted and rolled her on top of him, looking into her eyes. “Now that wasn’t a real kiss. That was the kind of kiss you give your auntie on Easter Sunday.”

  She choked out a laugh, “I can assure you, I’ve never been naked when I’ve kissed my auntie.” But this time when she kissed him, she really kissed him. She loved this man. Loved him so much she couldn’t imagine her life without him and she sure as hell didn’t want him to compare her to Alana. Ever. When she broke the kiss, his hands were on her face, something she hadn’t considered him doing when she lip locked him a good one so he’d let her escape to the bathroom t
o compose herself. Now he ran his thumbs under her eyes, then quickly reached for the bedside lamp and turned it on.

  “You’re crying,” he softly said. He looked concerned and confused.

  Lilah didn’t know what to say, so she tried to smile and succeeded only in dripping tears that landed on his cheeks.

  “Did I hurt you?”

  She shook her head no, wiping her tears off his face.

  “Go to the bathroom, I’ll start coffee, and then we’ll talk.” He’d released her and yet now that she was free, she didn’t immediately move. Instead, she stroked his cheeks and gave him another tender kiss before she quietly padded off to the bathroom.

  To say Jake was confused was an understatement. Things had been going so well between them that he was at a loss as to why she was crying. As he got out of bed he slipped on his blue jeans and headed to the kitchen. It looked like they were going to need coffee, and according to his rumbling stomach, food was a necessity too.

  He heard the shower come on and decided there was time to whip up some breakfast. He wasn’t a chef by any means but he had a knack for cooking thanks to his mother raising him right and teaching him as he grew up. By the time Lilah padded in on bare feet wearing one of his button up cowboy shirts with her gorgeous brown legs on display, he was plating their breakfast and putting it on the table with steaming cups of coffee. Jake watched her as she walked towards him. She was so beautiful it made his chest ache. He gathered her in his arms and hugged her against his chest. Her skin was still warm from her shower. She smelled like his soap and her own light scent that drove him crazy. She nuzzled against his ear as she whispered, “I love you, Jake.”

  Jake sat at the table and tucked her on his lap, running his thumb down her cheek. “I love you too, Lilah.” He gave her a tender kiss. “Feel like talking now or do you want your dinner first?”

  ***

  How was she supposed to think clearly when he had his jeans slung low and unbuttoned while he puttered around the kitchen? No shirt on to hide the way his muscles rippled as he moved around. He shot her a tender look of concern when he noticed her walk in the room. As she looked at the table and saw what he prepared, she started to tear up again because he was the first man to ever cook for her. Now she was sitting on his lap like he was Santa ready to grant all her wishes and the only one she wanted was him. To have a family with him and Roxy, and their baby was the only thing she wanted. But she couldn’t say it. Fear clogged her throat so she kissed his nose and slid off his lap and sat in her own chair, crossing her legs Indian style.

  “Thank you for cooking. I’m starving. I ate breakfast but skipped lunch so I could get my work done and leave earlier.” She cut into her omelet and sighed when cheese oozed out. “Oh my gosh, this smells so good.” It looked good too. A thick slice of ham lay beside a fluffy omelet and a toasted, buttery English muffin.

  “You’re welcome.” Jake picked up his fork. “I wasn’t sure what you’d like tonight so I kept it simple.”

  Lilah took a bite and groaned, closing her eyes as she savored it.

  “I take it you’re pleased?” he laughed and started eating while he continued to watch her. She was avoiding, for now, to talk about why she was crying. That was okay, he wouldn’t push her just yet. Sometimes, it was best that way. He hoped it would make her comfortable to see he was available to talk, but not being pushy about it. Let her come to him when she was ready. As long as his patience stayed intact.

  “Mmm, so good.”

  The rest of the meal was casual conversation when they spoke at all. There wasn’t tension, but there was an underlying tone that hung over them like a raincloud. After clearing their plates and tag teaming the dishes, he refilled his coffee and raised an eyebrow at her. “Don’t like my coffee or not in the mood for it? You only drank your juice.”

  Lilah’s smile disappeared and she began fidgeting. Shoot! Why didn’t she think of that while they were eating? She should have known he would notice that his coffee addicted girlfriend wasn’t drinking her steaming cup of java. She couldn’t just flat out lie and say she wasn’t in the mood for it, because she was. It had smelled so good she’d been hard pressed not to chug it. It was time to tell him. This wasn’t going how she had planned. Now she felt tongue twisted and awkward. So she did what came naturally, to hell with trying to sugar coat it.

  “I wanted to, but I can’t.”

  Jake looked confused and sat down his cup. “Why? Is something wrong?”

  Oh shit. He was clueless. Lilah dropped the towel on the counter that she’d been using to dry the dishes. “I’m pregnant. I can’t have caffeine. You don’t have decaf. There. I said it. I’m knocked up. One time was all it took for you to turn me into a hormonal, no coffee drinking crybaby.”

  Jake looked like he’d been hit by a truck. He went from confusion, to surprise, and his mouth was moving but a single word hadn’t come out yet. If it wasn’t such a serious subject she would have laughed at him. He braced his hands on the counter on either side of her, effectively trapping her as he towered over her.

  “We’re having a baby.” It wasn’t a question; he said it as a statement. She wasn’t sure, but it almost sounded like he said it with awe. She nodded her head yes, not trusting her voice since she was near tears again. Stupid hormones.

  He broke out into a slow, sexy grin, laughed, then lifted her up in his arms and twirled her around the kitchen. “I’ll be damned. We’re having a baby!”

  Lilah squealed when he spun her, starting to laugh and feeling like the world just lifted off her shoulders. When he sat her down on her feet again, he kissed her so good her toes curled and she was considering crawling back up his lean body again.

  “Wait, that’s why you were crying?”

  She nodded her head and looked up into his gorgeous green eyes. “When I woke up, your hand was on my tummy. My hormones are outta whack so I got teary eyed. All I do now is cry. It’s so stupid!”

  He laughed and kissed her forehead. “It’s not stupid, darlin’. It’s beautiful. You’re beautiful. One thing though, I still don’t get why you were crying.”

  She smacked his chest, “Because I was afraid to tell you, ya big oaf. I’ve known for weeks but I couldn’t decide how to tell you since I wasn’t sure how you’d react. So when your big o’ hand rubbed my belly it just hit me how much I want to us to be a family.”

  Jake went to his knees in front of her and held her sides, “All of us. Me, you, Roxy, and our baby.” He kissed her belly and rested his head against her. When he looked back up at her she saw tears in his eyes. That was when she knew for sure that everything was going to be okay.

  Chapter 25

  Being a parent was no joke. After the last couple of weeks, Dom had an all new respect for parenting. Tonight, Peyton was staying the night with Jade at her parents’ house and Dom had plans to spend time with Chelsea. After dropping his son off, Dom had a few stops to make before going to her house. He was going to spoil his girl tonight. The last few weeks had been a transition for all of them. While he was at school, his mom took care of Peyton. Once his last class of the day was over, he took time getting to know his son. Something he cherished now was tucking him in at night and reading him a story. Afterwards, Dom had to study and do his homework before falling into bed exhausted, only to sleep a few hours and start all over again. But doing all that had cut his available time to spend with Chelsea. Not that she complained. She handled it well so far. Better than Dom had. There were times that he and Peyton had what his mom called growing pains, but it was all in adjusting to each other. Peyton had never had a father in his young three years, and Dom had never been a father. It was a learning process and he understood it was even more of a shock to Peyton since he was used to his mother taking care of him. That’s why he made sure to allow for them to have time together as well.

  Dom pulled into the flower shop and picked up the bouquet he’d ordered. It flourished with sunny yellow solidago, two toned Circus roses,
blush pink Alstroemeria, and golden sunflowers arranged in crystal vase. He had to admit, he hadn’t given the florist much to work with other than telling her he wanted it bright and summery without having any traditional red roses. It reminded him of Chelsea, full of life and sunshine.

  She offered to make dinner because she didn’t feel up to going out but Dom offered to pick up some Chinese takeout from her favorite restaurant. He was worried that she hadn’t been feeling up to par lately. He wasn’t sure what was going on because when he asked her, she avoided the questions and told him she was tired, but fine. He knew her well enough to know that was not the case. He was worried that it had something to do with finding out about his son although when he asked, she denied that it was a problem. It could just be the lack of time they’d had together. That was affecting him too. Whatever the case, Dom intended to get to the bottom of it tonight.

  The sound his stomach made when he walked into the bakery was a direct response from the smell of fresh baked banana nut bread that washed over him when he opened the door. It smelled like a slice of heaven. He ended up adding to his order of chocolate dipped strawberries, buying a half dozen powder sugar dusted cannoli’s with the ends tipped in chocolate, and a half dozen banana nut muffins that were still warm from the oven.

  By the time he pulled into her driveway, the smell of Chinese food and baked goods was about to make him crazy. He rarely skipped meals but he’d spent his lunch hour finishing a paper so he wouldn’t have to worry about school this weekend.

  Chelsea’s front door was open and her cat, Chewy, was looking out the screen at him when he walked up with his hands full and pushed the doorbell. Chewy meowed a greeting, doing running man on the screen with his paws.