Текст книги "Claiming Her"

Автор книги: Alexis Noelle

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Текущая страница: 6 (всего у книги 9 страниц)

Chapter Eighteen

Nina

I hear clanging downstairs and am jolted out if my short-lived nap. I can hear Jake cursing and hurry down the steps to make sure that nothing is wrong. When I walk in he is completely covered in white powder.

“Oh my God. What happened to you?” My hand covers my mouth, hoping to hide the huge grin and to stifle the laughs trying to escape.

“Don’t you dare laugh.” He looks up at me and each time he blinks a small puff of white dust pillows around his eyes.

“I’m totally not laughing.” I try to bite the inside of my cheek in an attempt to keep my composure. I take a look at the counter and see flour, sugar, and eggs.

“I was going to make you a cake to try to cheer you up. Unfortunately, my culinary skills are very limited. The stupid directions said to mix all the powder ingredients so I put them in here turned on the mixer, and it exploded.” He mimics an explosion with his hands, and I finally lose my composure. I am laughing so hard that I lean on the counter for support. “This is funny?” His voice is deeper and closer to me than it was before. When I open my eyes he is standing right next to me, his frame almost towering over me.

When his hands wrap around me, I try to run but he holds me to him. Then he proceeds to rub his face, all over mine even going down to my neck. I am screaming and squirming the entire time, but it does no good.

“Let me go!” His arms release me, and now he is the one laughing. “You suck.”

“Hey, you know what they say. Misery loves company.” His finger swipes some of the excess flour on the counter before dragging it down my nose.

“Really?” I spring toward him but he moves and when I go to chase him, I slip on all the flour. I land on my back and just decide to count my losses and lay there.

“You okay? You’re a real klutz.” I hear his footsteps coming close to me. Then a loud bang next to me. I look over and Jake is in the same position I am on the floor.

“You okay? You’re a real klutz.” I mock him, and he laughs. “You know there are these cool things they make called cake mixes.”

His head turns toward me with a smile. “Well, excuse me for trying to be creative.”

“Well, your creativeness has left us both covered in flour after busting our asses on the floor. I needed this laugh though so thank you.” I lean in and kiss him.

“I totally did this on purpose then.” We peel ourselves off the floor and spend the next hour cleaning up ourselves and the kitchen.

“What do you say we order dinner and dessert? That way there are no more casualties.”  I search through the drawer where I found his menus when I was cleaning earlier.

“Sounds good. Order whatever you want, I’m gonna go grab a shower.” He gives me a quick kiss before going upstairs.

I settle on pizza because it is something easy and I don’t have to worry about getting something he won’t like. The pizzeria even sells slices of cake so I can feed my now present craving. I head upstairs and grab some clothes that I left here last time I was so over so I can shower once Jake gets out. When I get to the second floor landing, the door to the bathroom opens, Jake comes out with a towel tied around his waist and I’m frozen in place. His chest is hard and I’m mesmerized by the drops of water slowly trailing down his muscular build. Each one carefully making its way over each ripple. My body heats as I look up to see his eyes on me.

I should say something, apologize for basically drooling like an idiot. Say anything! Even something awkward would work at this point. Just form words! Nothing comes out. He takes a few steps toward me and my heart starts to race. I have never had these feelings toward any guy. The kind of feelings that make me want to give myself to him. Unlike most girls, I really didn’t go through the stage where I wanted a guy’s physical attention, but I want his.

Jake’s hand grips my neck slowly bringing my lips to his. When we kiss, I decide to let go. I want to trust him, to not hold anything back and give into what I’m feeling. I pour myself into the kiss and wrap my arms around his neck pulling him toward me. Our bodies are pressed tightly together as I hold onto him for dear life. His muscles are pressed against me, and his strength is making me feel safe. He keeps me grounded. He’s my anchor right now in all of this craziness. He has been someone I can turn to no matter how hard I pushed him away.

“You gotta tell me what you want, babe. I don’t want to take this further than you are ready for.” Whenever we have kissed, I have always been the one to break it up and know he has sensed my reluctance. The fact that he wants me to be comfortable only makes me want him in more. Carly told me I could trust him. I believe it was her in that dream, she came to me for a reason. Maybe that reason was to tear my wall down and open my eyes. With the danger surrounding me and all the unknowns, I need to feel the comfort only Jake gives me. I need to feel wanted, cherished, protected.

I take his hand and lead him into the bedroom. I spin us around, and he sits on the bed. I climb onto his lap and rest my forehead against his. “I’m not sure what to do. I’ve never…I haven’t done anything before. I know I want you. I want us.” I can feel a blush creep up my neck. I feel so embarrassed admitting to how inexperienced I am. I feel like a weight has been lifted with my confession. I’m free. I’m not scared to tell him this; I know that he won’t hurt me.

“I am going to make you mine tonight. You don’t need to be embarrassed. I love that I am the only one ever to have you. If you want me to stop at any time I need you to let me know.” His hands grip my hips, and a chill runs through me.

I nod.

As much as being with him scares me, I think I’m ready.

Chapter Nineteen

Nina

Jake stands up holding me and taking me with him. He eases me down his body before his hands grip the hem of my shirt and slowly drag it over my head. I reach behind me, my trembling fingers undoing the clasp on my bra and letting it fall to the floor. He doesn’t move his eyes are fixed on mine, and I wring my hands uncomfortable under his gaze. His hands bring me closer to him, and his mouth gently presses against the skin on my neck. I sag against him relieved and relishing in the gentle contact. His mouth begins to trail down my body until it comes to my breasts.

His hands cup them and when he captures my nipple in his mouth I moan. My breathing picks up as he continues his descent. When he reaches my waistline, his fingers slowly unbutton my pants easing them and my panties down with a slow torturing pace. I lean on his shoulders, stepping out of them, becoming aware I am naked in front of him. I feel completely and utterly exposed. I have nothing to hide behind right now, and it is scaring me.

His fingers trace their way up my legs, until he is standing. His towel drops and I can’t help but look down. I have no idea how to react. Jake is the first guy I have ever thought about doing stuff with. He spins me and pulls me down onto the bed with him.

“Are you okay?” Can he sense my inexperience? I mean I know I told him but I hope I don’t act like a complete dunce. I’m so scared that I won’t do this right. I nod taking a deep breath. “If you’re not ready it's okay.”

He needs me to tell him it’s okay. “I’m ready; I’m just nervous.” My shaky voice is almost a whisper. His lips press against mine, and I relax at his touch.

“Don’t be nervous. I’ll take care of you.” His hand trails down my side before slowly moving to my front. He cups me gently, slowly stroking me while he continues to kiss my neck. When his finger slips inside me, I grip his shoulders. “It’s okay, relax.” Easy for him to say! I try to take deep breaths, but the more he moves, the more I become unable to control my actions. Sounds are coming out of my mouth that I’ve never made before.

His thumb strokes my clit, and I jerk. He laughs a little before his other hand grabs my ass. “Don’t run away from me now.” He kisses my mouth as both his fingers start to move, his other hand holding me tight so that I can’t squirm away. The sensations shooting through my body begin to build, I feel like I’m about to explode. I can feel my muscles tensing. I’m slowly becoming less able to handle the feelings, and then I explode. I scream his name while I feel like I am shattering into a million pieces.

He stills, and lets me come down from the high I’m on. He kisses me, and I look at him. I know what’s coming next, and it scares me. I nod at him, letting him know I’m okay, and I’m ready for more. He slowly moves on top of me and reaches for a condom in his nightstand. Tina has super sensitive skin like me, she always says how much they irritate her skin. The thought of not using one crosses my mind; I have an IUD for medical reasons. Would it be horrible if I told him that? What would he think of me?

“Hey, what’s wrong?” He’s looking down at me confusion in his eyes.

“I-I’m just scared that it will hurt and I have really sensitive skin, and I’ve heard those make it worse. I’m on birth control, but I know that you should still use one. My mind is racing and I just—” He kisses me ending my rambling.

“If you don’t want to use one, and you’re protected that’s fine. I’m clean I haven’t been with anyone in a while, and I’ve been checked. Whatever makes you feel more comfortable.”

“I just know how it must sound and…”

“Nina, I won’t think any less of you.” He kisses me once more.

“Okay, can we not use one?” I take a deep breath.

“Anything you want. I’ll go slowly. Tell me if you want me to stop.” I bite my lip and close my eyes. I’m so scared, and I’m not even sure why. I can feel him at my entrance. “Look at me, Nina.” I open my eyes. “I won’t hurt you.” He starts to enter me, and I don’t know what to think. It feels so foreign. He thrusts forward once, and a flash of pain shoots through me. I wince and Jake stills. He waits a minute before beginning to move.

He’s being gentle, and soon his movements start to feel good. The friction and the way he presses into me has my body beginning to hum with pleasure. My fingers grip him as his pace quickens. My body starts to tense as it did earlier. Am I going to have another one? Can I this soon?

Jake starts to pull out before sinking all the way back into me. Each time he presses against me I yell. It feels so good. His hand reaches down and slowly strokes my clit. My body tightens, and I let out another scream and I break apart once more.  Jake moves a few more times before sitting up quickly and finishing himself on top of me.

As I’m coming down from the high of my two orgasms and getting to be with Jake, I realize what is covering my stomach. I look over at him. “Can you get me a towel?”

He laughs and smiles, before walking out of the room. The doorbell rings and I see him freeze in the doorway.

“Shit, I forgot about the pizza.” He comes back into the room grabbing a shirt and pair of shorts before moving to leave again. “Hey! What about my towel!”

“Sorry, babe, gotta get the door!” Ass.

I look down at my stomach. Ugh! I slowly get up and do a weird, awkward walk to the bathroom the entire time praying it doesn’t drip off of me. I am sore, but it’s a good sore. It reminds me of what we just did. I make it to the shower in one piece, thankfully.

As I’m washing off, I keep picturing the expression on Jake’s face while we were doing it. He never once took his eyes off of me. It almost seemed as if he was examining for any sign of discomfort, making sure I was completely comfortable.

He’s making it so easy to lose myself in him.

Chapter Twenty

Nina

The next morning when I wake up there is a note on the pillow next to me.

Had to go to a meeting. Be back in a couple hours.

Lying in bed, I can’t help but think back to last night, he was so gentle and caring with me. It felt incredible to be that connected with someone. As quick as this might be, I think I love him. He is the most amazing person I have ever met, and he treats me so well. I never thought after losing Carly I would ever feel as connected with anyone as I do with Jake.

I hear a knock at the door. I’m only wearing one of Jake’s t-shirts, so I throw on a pair of shorts and run downstairs. When I open the door, it is the absolute last person I wanted to see. Jaimie.

“What are you doing here?” She looks me up and down as if she is judging my walk of shame attire.

I couldn’t care less about what she thinks. I’m finally happy. “I think the question is what are you doing here? I was invited to be here.”

“I meet Jake every morning, and we go for a run.” She shifts her weight, and I look at the skimpy clothes she is wearing. All she has on is a sports bra and booty shorts. It’s November and thirty degrees outside! Put some damn clothes on!

“Well, he isn’t here. He went to a meeting.” I begin to close the door, but she sticks out her foot and stops it.

“You know he’ll never stay with you, right. I mean, Jake probably loves your ‘hard to get, damsel in distress’ bullshit, but he always gets sick of it. Once he ‘saves’ you, he’ll drop you and then come back to me.” She smiles at me.

“See, you might think your lies are going to get to me but I know the truth. He’s never touched you, and you’re bitter about it. You think putting me down will make you feel like a bigger person and like you’ve won. But this is the thing, I won. He’s with me.” I move to shut the door again when a punch blindsides me to the face.

Holy shit! This bitch just hit me! I have never been in a fight in my life, but I am ready to tear her apart. I swing back at her and soon we are both on the ground rolling around. After what feels like forever, she is pulled off of me. I look up to see a confused Jake and a laughing Brian.

“What the hell is going on?” He is looking at me for an answer while he loosens his hold on Jaimie.

“Why don’t you ask her? She’s the one that came over here and tried pretend like you guys hooked up. I told her to leave and went to shut the door when she punched me!” I am so mad that my hands are shaking.

Jake looks over at Jaimie. “Seriously?”

“No, she’s lying. Why would I do that?” She tries to give him her innocent face.

“She’s in love with you!” Silence falls, Jaimie gives me a death glare.

“Jake, I…”

“Wait a minute. This whole thing with Nina. This fight. Jaimie, I’m only going to ask you once. Have you been sending that crap to her?” His tone is harsh.

I never even thought about that. I mean the cops asked if I had any enemies, but I guess I never thought to include Jaimie. I just dismissed her as a jealous idiot.

“What? No! I would never!” She seems shocked and a little hurt by his accusation.

“I don’t know that I believe you, but what I do know is that this is done. You are fired effective immediately. If I find out you had anything to do with this bullshit, there will be hell to pay.” He turns his back to her and walks past me into the house. Brian joins him while Jaimie is still standing outside. I give her the finger before smiling and shutting the door. I know it’s immature, but it felt so damn good.

Jake and Brian are sitting in the kitchen and when I walk in Jake hands me an icepack. “Here, Rocky.”

“Shut up! I have never been in a damn fight in my life. Leave it to you to get me into one, Flash.” I smile at him.

“Flash?” Brian looks back and forth between the two of us. “What the hell is that about?”

I look over at Jake. “Well…”

“No, Nina. Don’t do it.” He arches an eyebrow at me.

“Don’t you listen to him, girl. I need to hear this.” Brian is goading me.

“Let’s just say it has to do with the first time we met.” Jake’s eyes narrow at me.

“That is awesome! I can’t wait to tell the guys that!” Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.

“You’ll pay for that later.” His gravely voice whispers in my ear. A sense of excitement runs through me. His threat sounds more like a dirty promise. Jesus, when the hell did I become this girl?

“You want to grab lunch? Brian has to leave.” Jake’s hands land on my hips.

Brian raises his hands in surrender. “I can take a hint. Bye, Nina, see you later, Flash!”

I start to laugh until I catch the look on Jake’s face. He starts toward me, and I run up the steps and into the spare bedroom locking the door. “I’m still up for lunch whenever you calm down!”

“Yeah, well just remember I might forgive, but I won’t forget, Sparky. Get dressed and meet me downstairs, I’m hungry!” I hear him walk away and can’t help but laugh. I love being here, and being with him.

We decide to go into town for lunch. There is a cafe that has the best paninis and chocolate cake. When the waitress comes over, I decide to order my cake first as an appetizer, then I give her my sandwich order. As Jake orders, he spends the entire time looking at me like I have two heads. Once she walks away, he shakes his head. “You have a crazy sweet tooth.”

“Nina?” I hear a voice call my name and my stomach drops.

I turn to see all the people I have been avoiding for years. My mom, stepdad, and Camden. Can I just pretend it’s not me? Maybe I have a doppelganger. Nope, totally wouldn’t work. “Hey.”

I have no idea what to say to them, even though my mom has tried to reach out I never really responded. All their memories held for me was pain. I know I shouldn’t have taken it out on them, but I just don’t feel at ease with them, and I’ve pushed them away because of it.

Everyone is just standing there frozen in awkwardness. “Hey, I’m Jake.” He offers his hand to my stepdad, then Camden, before greeting my mother as well. They introduce themselves as I am still in shock. “Would you guys like to join us?”

Say no!

“That sounds nice.” My stepdad replies in his no-nonsense tone.

Fuck my life.

Chapter Twenty One

Nina

Sitting here with my family and Jake is the most awkward thing, ever. Everyone is sitting in silence, and I am glaring at Jake, cursing his soul for initiating this.

“So, Jake, how do you know Nina?” My mother asks in her singsong voice.

“Um, we are dating.” He looks over at me and seems confused as to my irritation.

“That’s nice. How have you been, Nina? We miss you.” She looks at me, and I swear she has tears in her eyes. I know I hurt her when I left, but that house and everyone in it is just a bad memory. They all remind me of what I lost that night. My sister.

“I’ve been good.” What else do I say? I mean it’s not like I can sum up six years in a sentence. Even if I could, I’m not sure that I would.

“You know, you’re always welcome to visit.” My stepfather joins in. He and I have never really been close. In a way, I guess I always resented him for not being my dad. We never bonded and I know that is largely because of me. He and Camden moved into our house a year before Carly died.

“I know, thanks.” I nod, completely uncomfortable.

My phone rings and I thank God. “Hey, Sam!”

“Hey, did you want to hang out tonight? I haven’t seen you in forever. I could kick Hunter out, and we can have a girl’s night.”

“Oh my God! Are you serious? No, don’t worry about it. I’ll be right over.” I know it’s wrong, but I need a way out of this lunch.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Her voice raises in confusion.

“Okay, I’ll see you soon!” I hang up the phone. “Hey, sorry, but I have to run. A friend of mine is having an emergency.” I stand up, wave goodbye to everyone and run away from that nightmare. I don’t even care that I don’t have a car I will hail a damn cab.

I feel like a complete bitch. I wonder if any of them even bought my story. I know they are my family but being around them just seems wrong and I don’t understand why. My attitude is completely immature but I don’t know how to handle this any other way. Avoidance is the easiest method and the one that has been doing just fine for me.

“Nina!” I turn around to see Jake running up to me. “What was that all about?”

“You know you shouldn’t have done that.” I cross my arms still angry with him.

“Done what? Be polite and introduce myself to your family, or offer to let them eat with us? I don’t understand the issue here.” I know he was just trying to do the right thing. Besides the one time we talked about Carly, I haven’t told him much about my family.

“I know that you didn’t know, but I’m not close with my family. I was completely uncomfortable.” I look down embarrassed for being mad at him and for how poorly I handled the situation.

“Why? What happened that you are so closed off from them? I mean I know you lost Carly, but I would have figured you would lean on your family.” His words hurt, mainly because I know he is right.

“It’s not something I want to get into right now. Maybe in time.”

He wraps his arms around me. “It’s okay, I’m here whenever you’re ready. Just next time clue me in.”

I nod. “Deal.”

“Okay, well, I’m still starving. Are you going over to Sam’s?”

“Yeah, but not ‘til tonight. Let’s get some food.” I grab his hand, and we walk toward his car. I shoot a text to Sam letting her know I haven’t lost my mind and that I’ll see her tonight.

***

I pull into Sam’s driveway for our girl’s night. Before I can knock, the door opens, and Hunter is standing there. “Hey, I was just leaving so you girls can spend the rest of the night binge eating and man-hating.” He smiles at me before walking to his car.

“Sam?” I walk into the house and close the door behind me.

“In the kitchen!” I walk through the house finding her opening a bottle of wine. “Hey! I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.” She walks over, giving me a hug and then handing me a glass of wine. “Come on let's sit down.”

We head to the living room, and Sam puts on some movie that we have seen a million times. We tried renting movies before, but we usually just end up talking through most of it, so it’s a waste.

“So what’s been going on? How is everything with Jake?” She crosses her legs and faces me.

“Everything has been good. It's…different. He is the first guy I have ever been in a relationship with. Honestly, I feel lost most of the time because I have no idea how to function in it.” I take a sip of my wine. “I’m also scared that I’ll screw it up. I just don’t want to get hurt.”

“Let me fill you in a little bit on Jake. He is one of the most genuine guys I have ever met. He means what he says, he doesn’t play games, and he will do anything for the people he loves. Don’t second guess anything. You’re lucky because Hunter and I spent most of the first few months we were together messing with each other’s heads.” We both laugh. I remember how she used to vent to me that he drove her crazy. “Just relax. Let things happen naturally. If you spend every minute trying to prevent bad shit from happening, you’ll never experience any of the good.”

“You are very wise, Yoda.” I laugh, and she throws a pillow at me. “Hey now! You almost made me spill my wine. That’s a party foul and a crime punishable by execution.”

“Yeah, yeah. Any way, I’m glad that you guys are giving it a shot. I swear the boys were about to start taking bets on how many times you told him to get lost.”

I laugh thinking about Jake’s persistence. I’m going to try to follow her advice and stop stressing all of the little things. Jake has never given me a reason to worry or doubt him; I need to relax.