Emma had had relationships, but they didn’t last long. Her relationship with Ben had actually been the longest at three months. Her inability to see his deception had her questioning her abilities. Ben’s touch had never given her the tremors she felt from the slightest caress of Jake’s hand.
They stepped out to the drive. The night had turned pitch black, and fog had rolled in, leaving a mist covering everything, it touched.
.
The dampness in the air clung to her hair and clothes, causing a shiver to run down her spine as they made their way to the car.
Maybe the dampness will help
. She chuckled at her thought.
“What’s so funny?”
“Just thinking I probably look like a mess. This wasn’t how I was planning on spending my Saturday night,” she muttered more to herself than to him. “You know, you don’t have to take me home. I can call a cab.”
“Mike asked
me
to take you home, and I never fail a mission.”
“Jake, I’m not your responsibility; besides, I’m sure we lost the guy chasing us.”
I hope.
“Sorry, Emma, you won’t change my mind. I told Mike I would see you home, and I intend to.” A muscle jerked in his jaw. He seemed set on his actions as he opened the car door for her.
“I’m sorry you have to waste your night on me.” Shoulders slumped, she climbed into the car and pulled the door closed.
“Baby girl, this one sure is stubborn.” Emma swung around, surprised to see Momma Mae in the backseat, A ghostly chaperone was the last thing she needed tonight.
“Don’t I know it,” she managed to whisper before he got in on the other side.
“Baby girl, you and your young man need to buckle up.” Emma turned and smiled, then she straightened again and tried to cover her actions.
“Nice car,” she said as she shifted in her seat, grabbing for her belt and clicking it in place. She noticed he did the same, and she smiled. She considered Momma Mae’s request, wondering if it was just a safety issue or a warning of some kind.
Let’s hope she just doesn’t want us to get a ticket.
He stopped at the end of the drive and looked at her with a tilt of his lips. “Which way is home?”
“I live at 612 Langford. Take a right and I’ll point you the rest of the way.”
“No need for directions. I know my way,” he said.
“You don’t live here. How can you possibly know the way?”
The man that doesn’t think he needs direction. Typical.
“Don’t tell me… you have some type of internal GPS?” Sarcasm dripped from her tone. With her own abilities, she couldn’t discount the possibility of others with unique gifts.
“Don’t be mean to the man, baby girl. He’s going to be important to you,” Momma Mae warned.
Oh puleeze, this man was just pretty to look at. Several delicious possibilities immediately came to mind. Definitely one-night stand material, but there was no way he would ever mean more to her. Hell, he didn’t even live here, did he? She waited for an answer. He just sat there, his gaze wandering over her. What was he thinking? Maybe that she was a nut case? She realized she was being mean to the man her brother trusted, and he was actually doing her a favor. She took a deep breath, inhaling the fragrance of his manly aftershave and exhaled slowly, trying to rein in her inner bitch.
“I’m sorry. I’m not usually this mean.”
Jake’s smile was unexpected. He sported dimples on both checks. His blue eyes glittered with amusement. When he winked at her, she decided he was definitely one-night stand material. He confused her. One minute she wanted to deck him again, and the next, she wanted to flirt. Emma figured the emotional roller coaster was just from her lack of sleep with Ben calling at all hours and the long, crazy day she’d had. Jake placed his palm on her leg, the heat from his touch warm even through her clothes. He grinned.
“It’s okay, Emma, I understand.” Making a turn, he continued. “I know where Langford is because I have a vacation house near there. But, no, I don’t live here.”
Emma nodded. “I appreciate you taking me home. I’m sure you weren’t planning on babysitting tonight.” Emma offered a sad smile then looked down at her fidgeting hands in her lap.
Jake reached over and took one of her hands in his. Emma couldn’t help but notice the hand holding hers. Unfamiliar but strong, his calloused fingers lightly scratched her skin as he caressed her palm with his thumb before he brought it to his lips and placed a gentle kiss. “It’s no hardship, Emma. I’m in a town where I only know one person, and I’m with a beautiful woman.”
The car came to a smooth stop, and she pulled her gaze from his. She hadn’t even noticed they’d arrived. Emma needed to put some distance between them. His proximity was getting to her. She pulled her hand from his and reached for the door handle and gave it a tug. “Thanks for the ride.”
She pushed open the heavy door and climbed out, glad to be home at last.
“Wait.” Jake insisted as he quickly exited the car. “I need to make sure it’s safe.”
Emma looked up from digging for her keys in her purse. “That’s not necessary. I told you we probably lost the guy.” Emma ducked her head and continued digging as she turned to walk toward the door. Jake’s hands shot out to steady her when she almost tripped on the sidewalk.
“Emma, don’t you ever watch where you’re going?” His gentle tone indicated he was just worried, so she didn’t snap back.
Emma pulled her keys out and gave them a little shake before she jammed the key into the lock. “Really, I’ll be fine.”
Jake gently placed his hand over hers, stopping her from turning the key. “Please, Emma, just let me check it out. I’ll sleep better tonight knowing that you’re safe.”
Emma let out a sigh and stepped back, letting Jake take the lead into her house. She followed on his heels, flipping on light switches as she went, scaring off any would-be thieves. “It’s really not necessary.”
Emma walked to the cherry-wood table in the foyer, opened the drawer, and pulled out her revolver. “I can take care of myself. Mike insisted we know how to protect ourselves.”
Jake looked at the gun in her hand, his mouth hanging open, not sure what to make of the little vixen. Remembering the punch she got in on him, he shouldn't really be surprised considering who her brother was. Mike wouldn’t leave them defenseless. Jake wondered what other skills she possessed and was dying to find out. “I’m sure you can, Em, just humor me.”
Jake continued to walk through her house checking possible hiding spots where a criminal could be lying in wait. He could almost feel her rolling her eyes as he carefully checked the locks on her back door and windows. Jake could learn a lot about a person by their house, but he didn’t want Emma any more uncomfortable than she’d already been tonight. He just wanted her safe. Jake followed behind Emma to the door forming a plan in his head, to get to know her better.
Emma pulled the door open and stood patiently with her hand on the knob. He stopped before crossing the threshold. Jake stepped into her personal space, placed his hand on her hip in an intimate touch, and leaned over, gently brushing his lips against hers. He pulled back and watched her eyes slowly flutter open, before walking out the door. Looking over his shoulder, he called out, “Sweet dreams, Emma.”
Jake looked back at the brunette, her fingers touching her lips as she watched him walk away. “Don’t forget to lock the door.”
Jake waited to watch Emma close the door before he put his key in the ignition and gave it a turn. His phone vibrated in his pocket. He knew who was calling; he didn’t even need to check the caller id.
“Hey, Mike, I just dropped her off and checked out the place before I left.” Jake didn’t blame his buddy. If it had been his little sister, he probably would have acted worse. Hell, he probably wouldn’t have trusted the guys to keep their hands off of her and would have driven her home himself.
“Thanks, Jake, I knew I could trust you. Listen, I’m going to be busy trying to figure this out, so can you keep an eye on her? I know you’re on vacation, and I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. She needs a bodyguard, someone out of sight that can keep an eye on her and be unseen.”
“It’s no problem, Mike. I’ll watch out for her.” Mike didn’t have to ask twice. He had saved Jake’s ass several times in the military. That was the least he could do for his old friend.
“She’d be pretty pissed at me if she knew that’s what I had you doing.”
“It’s our secret, dude. She won’t even have to see me. I’m good at staying invisible. If I notice anything out of the ordinary, I’ll give you a call. She’s locked up tight for tonight, so I’m heading to the house to get some shuteye, after I make a few trips around the block of course.”
Maybe it was safer this way. When he touched her, his mind spun with the things he wanted to do to her little body. His pants tightened at the thought. If he stayed out of sight, he wouldn’t be tempted by the little spitfire. Jake didn’t think she was like the other girls, hell, she didn’t know a thing about his financial status or him in general, and still, he could see the reaction his touch had on her. It was hard to miss the quick intakes of breath and shivers that racked her body. Jake shook his head. Yeah, at a distance would be better.
I’m going to need a cold shower
.
“Thanks, Jake. I’ll check in with you tomorrow.” Mike disconnected the call. His relaxing vacation had just turned into work, but he wasn’t complaining, he would have done it anyway, even if Mike hadn’t asked.
When Jake arrived home, he showered and crashed on his bed. The day for him had been exhausting. Not as bad as Emma’s, but just a long. It was only minutes after his head fell on the pillow that he’d fallen asleep.
The next morning, Jake groaned when he felt the sun on his face pulling him from his dreams of Emma. The erotic dream had left him hard as a rock.
Damn, another cold shower
.
When Jake emerged from the bathroom, he toweled the remaining water from his hair and shivered. He hated taking cold showers, and it looked like this wouldn’t be his last, not if he was watching Emma every day. After dressing, he bypassed the coffee and breakfast, grabbing his keys and heading straight for the café.
He’d expected to find her there, although he couldn’t be sure since she didn’t have her car. He’d make it a point to make sure she got it back, even if he had to take her there himself, which probably wasn’t a bad idea in case the lunatic was still around. Jake had secured a booth in the corner where he was able to see everyone who came and went without having his back exposed. The same waitress from the night before instantly brought him a coffee and a menu then left him in peace. She didn’t attempt idle small talk, and he was thankful to be left to his own thoughts. She returned to take his order and promptly left again.
Jake was doctoring up his coffee when Emma walked out from the back. She was beautiful in a girl-next-door kind of way. Her fitted gray slacks emphasized her curves in all the right spots. Her pink sweater showed just enough cleavage his hands itched to hold her ample breast. She was wearing only a hint of makeup today displaying only her natural beauty as she smiled and spoke to the waitress.
Her gaze traveled over the room, taking in the customers, and landed on him. Her smile slipped as she waltzed over to his table and slid into the booth opposite of him.
“Did Mike send you to babysit me, Mr. Donavan?” Emma placed her arms on the table, locking her fingers, and tilted her lips with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She wasn’t happy he was here and didn’t try to hide it.
“Not at all, Emma. I’m just here for breakfast, but if you need a babysitter, I’m sure I’m up for the challenge. And please, call me Jake.” He flashed her a smile that worked on most women, but it didn’t seem to be working on her. At least not today. He’d keep his plans to seduce her to himself until Mike found out what was going on. She was a temptation he was finding more difficult to resist.
Emma looked down at her hands and shook her head. “Don’t tell me. You’re one of those guys.”
Jake leaned back and laid his arm over the back of the booth while he studied her. Her tone hadn’t been playful; it had been downright accusing, maybe even with a hint of disappointment. It was evident she wasn’t falling for his game. “And what kind of guy would that be, Emma?”
“Oh, I’m sure many women have fallen for those dimples and blue eyes and right into your bed with a pick-up line like that.” Emma stood and turned her back to him before slowly turning around again. “But, I’m not most women. It was a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Donavan. I do appreciate what you did for me and Abby, but I really must get back to work.”
Emma’s whole demeanor had changed. She’d done a complete one-eighty on him, and all he’d done was some harmless teasing.
What is going on in that head of hers?
She now held him at arm’s length, and he wasn’t about to let that slide.
Jake grabbed Emma’s hand, momentarily halting her departure. “Emma, you don’t know me… but I’d like to change that. I’m not the player you’re making me out to be.”
Emma lowered her gaze to his face. Searching for something maybe; he wasn’t quite sure. He’d been sincere about wanting to know her better. She eased her hand out of his. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”
****
Emma’s heart sank as she retreated to her office.
It’s better this way; he’s going to be leaving soon anyway
. Even though that was probably the truth, it didn’t make her feel better. The thought of losing her heart when he left wasn’t going to be an option; it was better stopping it before it started. Emma stared out the back window and watched the work crews pouring new curb. They’d be done and gone soon, just like Jake. A knock startled Emma, pulling her from her depressing thoughts. She spun around, her lips tilted. Her heartbeat quickened when she thought it might be Jake, but slowed to a steady beat, disappointed to find Claire standing there.