Page 75 of A Taste of Trouble

“I was beginning to question your skills.” Things just weren't adding up.

Jake laughed. “For the last two years, I've been focused on pursuing photography. I've been taking classes, visiting galleries, doing just about everything other than dating.”

He wasn't a player. The real Jake—the one who surprised her, the one who she connected with on a level she never thought existed, the one who sat across from her, vulnerable and hesitant—that's who she was falling for. The man who risked embarrassment in order to be honest. Maybe real men did exist.

“Thank you for being completely honest with me.”

His face darkened, but only for a second, because he quickly shook off the look that seemed to appear out of nowhere. It was time to lighten up the conversation.

“Shall we get dessert? If this is my payment for sex, I'm eating as much as I can.”

Once dessert was eaten and the bill settled, they stepped out into the cold evening air. Liv pulled the collar of her jacket up to cover her neck. The temperature had dropped and she was now sorry they'd decided to walk.

He pulled her to him. “Come on, gorgeous. I'll keep you warm.”

She took his hand and they walked into the night.

For someone who wasn't actively dating, he knew all of the right “boyfriend” moves—hand holding, leading her into a room by the small of her back, buying her favorite beer.

About a block away from Jake's place, she started to feel like a fake. He had been so honest during dinner. The least she could do was be honest with him. If she was going to have any hope of making this work, she felt she needed to come clean.

“You're not getting serious on me again, are you?” Jake nudged his cheek against the top of her head.

“I want to tell you something.”

“Okay.” He pulled her to a stop and squeezed her hand in reassurance. “What is it?”

“Jake?” Liv looked up into his green eyes. They were watery from the cold, his nose red at the tip. He looked at her with support and kindness. “I just think you should know that this isn't me.” She stepped back and waved her hands in front of her body. “I feel like I'm trying too hard. The boots aren't mine. At least they weren't until today, and the jeans are so tight. I'm not usually this stylish.”

“And that's a problem why?”

“Without Austin, I would probably need one of those wardrobe makeover shows. I know about fashion, I just can't seem to incorporate it into my own life.”

“Well…” He leaned in and pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her body. “I may not know that much about fashion, but I know those jeans are the perfect size.” He lowered his hand to lift up her coat, exposing her denim covered behind. She giggled as he gently rubbed her left cheek. “In fact, I have been strategizing on how to get those off your body all night.”

Her stomach fluttered. She was finally going to see his bedroom. “Is that so?”

“Yep. I think I finally have a plan.”

She wondered how long his plan took to devise. Maybe that's what he was thinking about whenever he winked at her from across the dinner table. “Does it include the Jaws of Life? Because you may need them.”

“I think I'm man enough to battle a pair of jeans, don't you?”

Definitely. He was all man.

“Then if everyone's in agreement, let's take this party upstairs.” He kissed the top of her head. “My bed is dying to get to know you.”

…

Liv lay wrapped in Jake's cream-colored cotton sheets. She stared out the window, watching the stars light up the night sky.

Every time with Jake was different. Every time was fantastic. Each time, she found a new height of pleasure or a new emotion. She glanced at the alarm clock sitting on the nightstand, the neon numbers indicating it was 12:45. It was way past late. Her five a.m. wake-up call would not be pleasant.

A clicking noise caught her attention. She looked over to see Jake at the top of the stairs, camera in hand, with two bottles of water and what looked like a bag of pretzels.

“Oh no, you don't.” Liv gathered up the sheet and held it to her chest. “There will not be any photography happening in this room.”

That smirk she loved curved at the side of his lips. “I'm feeling inspired.”

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