Page 44 of Journey to Love

I dive into my slices of pepperoni and sausage pizza with gusto, devouring them so quickly that even I'm surprised. Jacob hands me a stack of napkins to combat the inevitable grease stains on my hands and arms. As I wipe them off, I realize there's still some residue on my face. Before I can react, Jacob calmly reaches over and wipes the corners of my lips with another napkin.

Caught off guard by his gesture, I instinctively wipe my mouth, even though there's nothing left to clean. Jacob chuckles softly and leans in to give me a tender kiss.

"Mmmm, I like kissing you," he murmurs with a smirk, planting another kiss on my lips.

I snicker playfully. "Yeah, well, that's only because I taste like pizza grease," I quip.

He chuckles, shaking his head. "I think I'll always want to be kissing you," he replies, his words making my cheeks flush with warmth.

“You sure have a way with words,” I tease.

“I just go after what I want, sweetheart,” he grins back.

I can't help but roll my eyes and shake my head. But then he leans in closer and I feel a jolt of electricity through my body. “If you keep rolling your eyes at me, I might have to take you behind one of these buildings and give you a spanking,” he playfully threatens.

His words make my heart race, and normally the thought of anyone laying a hand on me would send me running. But there's something about Jacob that tells me he wouldn't actually hurt me; it would be for his own pleasure, as well as my own. The thought sparks a warm sensation through my body, even though it's already sweltering outside.

I chuckle nervously, trying to mask the sudden heat rising to my cheeks. "You wish," I retort, my tone a mix of amusement and surprise.

Jacob flashes me a mischievous grin, his eyes dancing with playful delight. "Oh, I don't just wish, Anya," he says teasingly, his voice low and suggestive. "I have a feeling you might just enjoy it."

I raise an eyebrow incredulously, feeling a mixture of amusement and curiosity at his boldness. "Is that so?" I reply, unable to suppress a playful smirk. "And what makes you so sure?"

He leans in even closer, his breath warm against my ear as he whispers, "Because I know you, Anya. And I know exactly how to make you squirm."

A shiver runs down my spine at his words, a tantalizing thrill coursing through me. Despite the playful banter, there's an underlying intensity in his gaze that sends my heart racing. It's as if he's peeling back layers of my inhibitions, daring me to embrace the unexpected.

Before I can respond, Jacob leans back with a devilish grin, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "But for now, how about we finish our pizza and enjoy the rest of the day?" he suggests casually, as if our previous exchange had been nothing more than a lighthearted joke.

I laugh, feeling a mixture of relief and excitement at the return to lighter conversation. "Sounds like a plan," I agree, feeling grateful for the easy rapport we share.

As we sit together on the boardwalk, basking in the warmth of the summer sun and the promise of a carefree day ahead, I can't help but wonder what other surprises Jacob has in store. And despite my initial reservations, I find myself eagerly looking forward to finding out.

As we finish our pizza, Lana and Caleb appear, both wearing satisfied smiles that suggest they've indulged in more than just a meal. I raise an eyebrow at Lana, who winks playfully in response, confirming my suspicion.

"Looks like someone's had a good time," I tease, unable to resist poking fun at Lana's adventurous antics.

She grins unabashedly, draping an arm around Caleb's shoulder. "Oh, you have no idea," she replies with a mischievous gleam in her eye.

Caleb, a blush creeping up his cheeks, gives a sheepish grin and waves in greeting. "Hey there," he says, his voice slightly hoarse from their amorous activities.

Jacob chuckles, exchanging a knowing glance with me. "I hope you guys saved some energy for the fireworks later," he quips, his tone light and teasing.

Lana laughs, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Oh, don't you worry," she says, her tone dripping with innuendo. "We had plenty of fireworks of our own."

I roll my eyes, but can't help but smile at Lana's unabashed enthusiasm. "Well, I hope you saved some room for dessert," I say, gesturing toward the ice cream stand nearby. "Because I could really go for some ice cream right about now."

Jacob nods in agreement, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Ice cream sounds perfect," he says, standing up and offering me a hand. "Shall we?"

I take his hand with a smile, feeling a sense of warmth and contentment wash over me. Despite the unexpected twists and turns of the day, being surrounded by friends—and the promise of sweet treats and fireworks—fills me with a sense of joy and anticipation for the rest of the day.

The afternoon unfolds seamlessly after Caleb's gracious invitation to cool off in his pool, a welcomed reprieve from the stifling July heat. With Jacob and Lana by my side, we eagerly accept the offer, relishing the chance to escape the oppressive temperatures. As we lounge by the water, laughter and chatter fill the air, washing away the tension from earlier in the day.

The cool sensation of the pool water soothes my skin, and I find myself relaxing into the moment, enjoying the camaraderie and carefree atmosphere. Despite the lingering unease from the morning's events, being surrounded by friends helps ease my worries, if only for a little while.

As the sun begins its descent, casting a warm glow across the sky, Caleb suggests that we stay to watch the fireworks from his backyard. With his brother's party in full swing, the air is filled with music and the aroma of grilled food, adding to the festive atmosphere. We gladly accept the invitation, eager to witness the dazzling display of lights that will soon illuminate the night sky.

As twilight settles and the first bursts of fireworks fill the air, we gather on the grassy lawn, our eyes fixed on the spectacle above. Each explosion paints the sky with vibrant colors, and I can't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder at the beauty unfolding before me. Surrounded by friends, immersed in the magic of the moment, I feel a fleeting sense of peace wash over me.

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