Time Changes Everything (6 page)

Chloe scooted her chair out. “I’ve got to go, too. Jeff promised me a massage after working the parade all day.” 

“We can leave together.” Veronica walked to the coat hanger and got their jackets. “Come on, I don’t want to be late.”

“Okay. Hold on to your knickers.” Chloe took one more bite of the pie, pushed her chair in and took the plate to the sink. “I’ll clean when I get back, Amanda, I promise.”

Amanda lifted a single eyebrow.

“Don’t worry, I’ll help her.” Jake downed his last bite.

“You two have fun.” Chloe winked and Veronica pulled her out the door.

“So, you up to having fun?” He leaned over the chair frame with his elbows resting on the frame.

She studied him, stacking a few dessert plates. “The only fun we’re having is to clean all these disgusting dishes.” She walked toward the kitchen.

“Oh, dirty talk. I like it.” When she turned around with a frown, he held up his hands up in defense. “Just kidding.”

She bounced a foot and asked, “Are you really? I don’t know with you, Jake. One minute I think you’re serious and the next you’re laughing it off.”

He strode to her and lifted her chin. “I was serious earlier in the kitchen. I meant it when I said I could do this.”

She bit her lip. “But, if we did anything...” She pointed in between them, making a fork clatter against the plate she held. “We’d pretty much destroy our friendship. You told me you don’t do commitment. I’m not ready for that either. I don’t want to lose you now that we’ve found each other again.”

He held her face in his hands. “I don’t want to lose you either, but I’m having a hard time keeping my hands to myself when I’m around you.”

“You don’t have any self-control, then?”

He laughed. “I’ve had self-control all night. If I didn’t, you’d already be naked in your bedroom by now.”

She rolled her eyes. “Men.” She turned on her heel and strode to the kitchen. “If I can do it, so can you.”

He followed behind her with dirty dishes. “You don’t even know what I can do.” His wicked grin flashed at her.

She stopped at the sink to look at him and crossed her arms across her chest.

“Okay. I’ll shut up. When you’re ready, let me know.” He held up one palm to stop her glaring.

“What if I’m never ready?”

“Baby, you just wait and see.” He picked up a towel and exchanged a smile with her, then shook his head. “You wash, I’ll dry.”

When the last plate hit the cabinet, Jake looked at his watch. “Wait a minute.” He tugged her hand and led her to the living room. “It’s time for the big game.”

“What big game?”

He found the remote control and turned on the television. “The Cowboys and the Patriots. You can’t miss this.” 

“You don’t have any friends to watch the game with?” she asked.

“I’d rather sit right here next to you.” He patted the sofa. “Do you mind?”

She shrugged and sat down next to him, moving the remote to the coffee table.

He stretched his legs and flung his arm against the back of the couch, not waiting for her answer. “You look exhausted. Why don’t you come closer?”

Amanda hesitated a moment and then scooted against his body. He looked down at her and smiled.  It was very domestic of him. He could do this, and like it at the same time. Soon, her body softened and she snuggled against him.

It was hard to concentrate with Amanda asleep in his lap. He enjoyed the moment, watching her lie there as if she belonged, as if every soft, voluptuous curve was his. What surprised him most was the fact that he never had this overwhelming need to be with a woman. He didn’t know how to react. 

He meant it when he told her he could move past his issues. For some reason, she made him feel different. Even though they’d only been together a few times since meeting up again, she pulled out a desire in him to want moments like this. Moments of being with a woman and enjoying each other.

What he liked best was the fact that Amanda knew him – the real him. He didn’t have to put on a show around her and try to impress her. And seeing Amanda on his lap, he had to wonder what a commitment would be like, with her.

He raked his hand through his hair and sat up straighter. Shit. The gut-wrenching recognition of wanting – needing a woman, and not just any woman, but Mandy – scared the shit out of him. Was he capable of giving her what she needed? Usually inexperience wasn’t in his dictionary, but when it came to this, he had no clue. 

There was no doubt he had feelings for her.  What direction should he take with Amanda to convince her to risk her heart on him? He knew it was a huge risk to take. She deserved someone who knew how to take care of a woman. He had no experience in that department. He was ashamed to admit it, but she was right. Damn, she tore him up.

He stroked her hair and squirmed in his seat with the sad realization. At the same time, she stirred and turned her head toward his stomach. The hairs stood on the back of his neck.

He had it bad.

If he leaned down, and felt her soft lips on his, he could imagine her reaction, similar to the night when she was in high school. He remembered how she wanted his kiss, and how she moved to
his touch. If only she had let him kiss her earlier. Maybe that would have awakened her desire to try something with him.

The door opened, and Chloe stepped in and smiled, “Still here?”

He shifted his weight, trying not to wake Amanda. “The game just finished. I’m leaving.” He looked down at Amanda one last time and wriggled out from under her. “I guess I’ll leave Sleeping Beauty on the couch.” He pulled the throw-blanket on top of her.

“If she doesn’t get up soon, I’ll wake her.” Chloe hugged him. “Goodnight.” Then she walked away to the kitchen.

As he put his jacket on, Amanda stirred and woke up. “You’re going?” The hoarseness in Amanda’s voice shot Jake’s pulse up.

“Oh, hey.” He patted his jacket pocket to check for his cell phone. “Time to go.”

“What happened with the game?” Amanda strode over to him with disheveled hair and sleepy eyes. She was so damn sexy without even trying.

When she stopped in front of him, he smiled. “Cowboys won.”

She bit her lip. “I guess that’s good, right?”

His eyes roved and appraised her. “Out of the two teams, yeah, it’s good.” He pointed at her chest and raised an eyebrow. “You have a button undone.”

A blush spread across her cheeks. “Oops.” When she reached up to button it, he grabbed her wrist to stop her.

He captured her eyes with his. “You don’t have to do that.” He rubbed his thumb in circles across her wrist and brought her hand down.  His finger rose to her neck and gently drew a line down from her chin to the opening of her shirt.

Her lids lowered over her eyes and a gasp escaped from her lips. 

He leaned over her and breathed softly. “Thanks again for tonight.” He planted a soft kiss on her lips, reveling in the taste of her mouth. She didn’t protest, which was a good sign, and she moaned instead. Before he got carried away, Jake broke the kiss, lifted his head and bit his lip, hoping she enjoyed it as much as he did.

Her eyes fluttered and he smiled. She liked it.

He caressed her bottom lip with his thumb. “Have a good night, Mandy.” Leaving her apartment quicker than a fumble in a football game, the smile wouldn’t leave Jake’s face, because he knew he wanted more of his Little Squirt. And this time he didn’t doubt she wanted him, too.

****
*

“Well, I’ll be.” Amanda touched her lips and leaned on the door. That was not a friendly goodbye kiss. That kiss made a woman weak in the knees. She slid down the door.

She closed her eyes and tried to piece together all her thoughts. She cared about Jake and wanted him in her life, but she wasn’t sure how. With kisses like that, it would be easy to picture them together in compromising positions. But she didn’t do the casual relationship. Plus, Jake outright told her that he didn’t do relationships, period.

Those looks and touches throughout dinner confused her more. He definitely wanted something more than just friends. It was impossible, because she wasn’t willing to share. Jake would never settle for one woman, especially not her, and especially when he’d made it clear he wasn’t the commitment type.

Chloe walked by carrying a slice of pie. “Why are you on the floor?”

Amanda opened her eyes. “Jake just kissed me.”

Her eyes widened. “And you guys were rolling on the floor or something?”

She smiled. “No. I’m just thinking about the kiss, and Jake.”

“That good, huh? Grab a piece of pie and give me the scoop.” She held up her own plate. “I’ll meet you at our regular spot.” Chloe referred to the window with a view. They often sat there and stared at the passersby or the moon at night.

Amanda snagged her huge slice with whipped cream on top and a drink and found Chloe sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of their window.  Amanda needed to vent so she started right away. “So, he kissed me and walked right out.” She sat and put her glass of milk on the windowsill. 

“Did he say anything?” Chloe had a mouthful of pie.

“Just goodnight and left.” She sighed. “More happened tonight at dinner. He kept looking at me with those damn blue eyes.”

“I noticed.” Chloe tilted her head. “And this is a problem because...”

“He told me he doesn’t do relationships, which is no surprise. He never did. Then before you and Vero showed up, he told me he could try.” She shook her head and grabbed her glass. “I don’t know what that means.”

Chloe pointed her fork at her. “He’s crazy about you.”

“You’re crazy.” Amanda couldn’t believe he wanted more.

“One way or another he’s got the hots for you.”

“Why do you say that?”

“You were asleep when I came home and he sat on the couch with you in his lap, just staring.” Chloe placed her plate on the floor next to her.

“You’re imagining things.”

“He feels for you. Trust me. Why else would he kiss you like that?”

“He’s good with women. Maybe he’s lonely.” She nodded. “In fact, I know he’s lonely and he knows I had a crush on him and probably thinks he can get in my pants or something.”

“If that’s true, he really doesn’t know you at all.”

“I’m not going to make the same mistake I did seven years ago. I fell for him and was left alone to deal with my feelings.” Amanda licked some whipped cream off her finger.

“Amanda, you can’t be so scared all the time. Besides, that was seven years ago. You have to take a risk.  Maybe what he’s saying is true. At least you’d get good sex out of it. What’s the harm in trying?”

“The kiss was amazing.” Amanda got to her feet.

“Now you’re talking.” Chloe stood and grabbed both their dishes and walked to the kitchen. “I’m going to wash these since you did everything else today.”

Amanda smiled and hugged herself. Was he worth the risk? Chloe made it sound so simple, but she wasn’t the one who had her heart-broken years ago. She couldn’t afford feeling down at this time in her life, not with her big show coming up and her countless hours of work. She had some thinking to do, but her mind only drifted to that kiss and what more he had to offer. It terrified her, but thrilled her at the same time.

FOR THE NEXT FEW
days, work occupied Jake’s time. He spent a weekend in the Hamptons with several colleagues, but his mind wasn’t in it. It was all about Amanda. He found himself distracted constantly and thought about her in everything he did. Hell, he had sat on the porch of an exquisite beachside cottage, with a few ladies who offered themselves, and he could only think about kissing Amanda and the gleam in her eyes.

After Thanksgiving dinner, he told his mom that he and Amanda ran into each other. Thrilled, she informed Amanda’s mother and the whole gang back home spewed questions from left to right. How did he find her number? What have they done together? When would they see each other next? He had the same question and knew he needed to plan something perfect in order to persuade her to move forward with him.

Ryan stepped into Jake’s office. “Hey buddy. What do you think of that Seavers contract?”

Jake wheeled his chair around to stare out his window. “I wish I knew.”

“Did you read it?”

“Twice.” Jake grunted and turned to look at his coworker.

“What’s going on, man?”

Jake didn’t answer.

“It’s that woman isn’t it?” Ryan smiled and gently kicked the office door closed.

Jake held up his pen. “A woman never–” He sighed and put the pen down. “Yeah. It’s Amanda.” He scooted his chair away from the desk. “I’m trying to figure things out.  I used to be interested in her when we were in high school. Shit, I’d be stupid if I wasn’t interested now.”