Page 44 of Worthy Now
I wrap my arms around him and mindlessly play with the damp curls on the nape of his neck when I feel his deep chuckle against my skin.
“Goddamn, woman. Pretty sure I was two seconds away from a heart attack.”
I giggle, running my fingertips over the bumps of his spine while we wait for our breath to return to normal.
“It’s not like I’m doing any better over here, big guy. What we need is more bubbly and sustenance. Maybe some exercise that doesn’t require us to be naked. A walk, perhaps?”
Jake sighs into my ear before he reluctantly lifts himself off me and strides to the bathroom. Flopping onto my stomach, I nuzzle my cheek into the fluffy pillows and allow my eyes to drift shut for a moment. I yelp when the palm of his hand connects with my bare ass and graciously accept the warm washcloth he offers me.
“Get dressed, woman. As much as I’m enjoying the view, I promised to take you out on the town, and if we don’t leave right now, I’m gonna end up with my head between your thighs again.Don’t get me wrong, I love the taste of you, but I need a proper meal before I bring you back here for dessert.” I watch his Adam’s apple bob as he casually empties the contents of his champagne flute like he hasn’t just set my nether regions on fire with a few carelessly delivered words.
Blowing out a regretful breath, I plant my feet on the ground and get ready in record time. I only apply a minimal amount of make-up—knowing it’s what he prefers—and pull my hair into a simple ponytail before joining Jake at the door. I take his outstretched hand and don’t hide the content smile that must light up my entire face before we leave the room in search of much-needed nourishment.
Twenty-Seven
Tessa
The following day, we’re strolling along the San Antonio River Walk, holding hands and exchanging glances like love-struck fools, when Jake decides it’s time to shop for souvenirs. Touched by his thoughtfulness, I happily follow him into one of the many shops packed to the rafters with knick-knacks and touristy items.
I’m eyeing a pair of beautiful brass earrings I just know Megan would love when Jake rounds the corner with a goofy grin on his face. He’s gripping a coffee mug that reads ‘Blow me! I’m hot’ in bold red letters, and I can’t help but shake my head.
“What? Sometimes, Megan needs a little nudge in the right direction. You have no idea what it’s like to work with Carter when he hasn’t been getting any. I was right there,holding his hand through each and every dry spell, and I’m telling you, he’s insufferable. And then he ends up irritating me, and I’ll get moody and bring that shit home where it affects us and our relationship, and nobody wants that. Trust me. This will be good for us all.”
“How considerate,” I mutter, fighting a smile. “Call me crazy, but judging by the number of rugrats they have running around the house, I’d say they’re doing just fine without your meddling.” I turn my back on him and his ridiculous gift but can’t hold back my laughter when he returns seconds later, holding up a frilly apron with the words ‘World’s Okayest Cook’ printed in bold letters across the front. “She’s going to kill you. You know how much she prides herself on her culinary skills. She’s spent a fortune on cooking classes over the years.”
Jake’s eyes twinkle with mischief as he looks down at the fabric with a faraway look, most likely picturing Megan’s face as she holds up her special gift. I can practically see her jabbing a pointy finger into his chest, demanding his apology while he throws his head back and barks out a laugh at her expense.
“That’s kind of the whole point,” he shoots back with a careless shrug, flinging the offending article over his shoulder. “You know I live to get a rise out of her. I find it entertaining when her little nose scrunches up, and the color gradually creeps up her neck. Have you ever noticed that she vibrates when she’s really pissed? I kid younot, it’s like she’s got a tiny sledgehammer up her ass or something. It’s quite impressive, actually. Besides, she wouldn’t know how to react if I ever bought her something nice.”
“It’s your funeral,” I say and snatch the earrings off the hook, deciding my friend would get at least one quality gift out of this trip. When we meet up to pay for our purchases, Jake surprises me when he places a gorgeous teal purse on the counter.
“For Anna,” he tells me when I give him a questioning look before he reaches out to push my items closer to his. “I’ll be damned if I let my girl spend even a single dime on this trip.”
“Those earrings are expensive. Plus, they’re for Megan, so if you pay for them, you practically bought her something nice. There’s a slight chance she’ll cry, and the dynamics of your relationship might be forever changed.” Jake cracks a smile and takes out his wallet, handing over his credit card when the saleswoman gives him the total.
“If you keep this between us, I promise to reward you for your discretion,” he murmurs in a suggestive voice that has the poor lady behind the counter lighting up like a tomato.
“Hm.” I tap a finger to my lips, pretending to give it some thought. “Throw in a dinner and drinks, and I’ll keep your dirty little secret.”
“Deal,” he says before we step back into the blinding afternoon sun.
We dine on a patio right beside the river in a quaint little bistro that is as charming as it is classy. Jake orders a bottle of Merlot and a variety of appetizers for us to share. The price tag on the wine made my eyes bulge out of my head, but it goes down so smoothly, I can’t help but give an appreciative moan.
Jake’s eyes darken when I suck the piece of brie he hand-feeds me off his fingers, purposely grazing the pad of his thumb with my teeth. We each order the 8oz steak with sweet potato fries and share a garden salad before we move on to a neighboring Salsa bar, where we dance until our feet ache.
Sweaty and tired, we finally tumble into our room just after two in the morning, where Jake doesn’t waste time peeling me out of my sundress. After another round of vigorous lovemaking that leaves us both gasping for breath, I lie in his embrace, feeling content in a way I haven’t been in a very long time. Letting the sound of his steady heartbeat lull me to sleep, I’m only aware of a single thought before darkness claims me,Best day ever.
Twenty-Eight
Tessa
It’s not even 9 p.m. on our last night in San Antonio, and we’re already cuddled up in bed like an old married couple. My head rests comfortably on Jake’s warm chest as I laugh at the ridiculous rom-com flickering across the screen, content to share a simple moment with my man after a fun packed day.
It all started when Jake woke me up with a slow sensual kiss before handing me the steaming cup of cappuccino he’d purchased at a nearby coffee shop. It warmed my heart that he went out of his way in an effort to spare me the hotel sludge he’d sampled and immediately deemed unsafe for human consumption. I’d thanked him for his kindness by pouring myself between his legs and proceeding to suck him off in two minutes flat, leaving him feeling a little embarrassed but a lot sated. Jake returned the favor in theshower, where he bruised his knees on the hard tile floor because he refused to stop until he’d wrangled multiple orgasms out of me to make up for his lack of control.
In dire need of sustenance, we’d ordered room-service and spent the next couple of hours in bed, feeding each other bits and pieces of the impressive spread laid out across the comforter. Everything from freshly baked baguette, various cheeses, a medley of smoked meats and seafood, and fresh fruit. It was a simple lunch, as far as ingredients go, but I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a meal more.
In the early afternoon, Jake surprised me with a tour of the Natural Bridge Caverns, and I loved every second of it. I’m a huge fan of caves, and the idea of undiscovered underground worlds excites me. There’s a reason my all-time favorite book is ’Journey to the Center of the Earth’. Our guide was a hoot, as well as highly knowledgeable, and made the tour that much more enjoyable. Exploring the underbelly of the caverns was both a magical and exhilarating experience, and the high I floated on when we finally emerged from the dark carried me through the remainder of the day.
