Page 173 of Withered

“Please let Rose enjoy her food.” She gives him a tight smile.

I cough loudly as I choke on my food.Busted.Jake groans on my side as Esme winks at me.

After dinner, I help Esme with the dishes.

“Thanks for the dinner, Esme,” I say as I wipe the dishes.

“Nothing to worry about, dear,” she adds, “Except Jake.” I laugh out loud, which caused her to chuckle.

“You know, I can hear you both, right?” Jake says as he walks into the kitchen.

Esme reminds Jake, “You have some table manners.”

I try not to chuckle, but it bursts out, “I’m sorry.”

Jake shakes his head. “Are you leaving?”

“I can stay,” I say. I texted Mom earlier that I was having dinner at Jake’s. So it won’t matter if I stay a bit longer. I live right next door.

“Awesome. I’ll see you upstairs,” Jake declares.

Esme turns off the tap and places her hands on her hips. “Close the door and use your inner voices.”

Jake rolls over in laughter and exits the kitchen, leaving me to pick up my jaw from the floor, too stunned to process what just happened.

I leave the cloth on the counter and go after Jake. The door to his room is slightly open, so I enter without knocking.

When the door behind me shuts, I turn to find Jake standing against it. He grabs my wrist, takes me to his bed, and drops me. I bounce a little, but that doesn’t last long as his body is on top of me, pinning me down.

“Seriously, Jake, footsie?” I ask, giggling.

“Wow, Evans. You know the word.” He mocks me while adjusting his body with his arms.

“Haha. Very funny.” I mock him back.

“Well,” he begins, “I could’ve fucked you right there on the table.” My eyes widen. “But then poor Aria would have been scarred for life.”

“Yeah, as if Esme would let you.” A dry laugh spills from my mouth.

“I’m sure she would’ve walked right out.” He smirks, and I push him with all my might.

He doesn’t even budge. He pins my hands above my head, and his face inches closer to mine. “Here we celebrate our win.”

He leans down and kisses me softly, and that’s how our night was complete. That’s where we belong: in each other’s arms.

OnSundayafterlunch,I go up to Jake’s house. It’s not that cold today, so I settle for a simple top and denim shorts. I knock on Jake’s door and wait for an answer. I was looking forward to seeing Kristy today, but I assume she must’ve been tired from yesterday’s party. She also has Tyler now, which means she is busy. I must have been thinking for so long that I forgot where I am.

I knock on the door again. A few seconds later, the door opens to reveal Jake on the other side, and my mouth waters at the sight of him. He is shirtless, as usual, with only a towel wrapped over his hips. His toned body gleams with water beads; his hair is brushed back from the forehead, with loose strands falling over. My gaze travels down his torso, where I notice his abs narrowing.

Rose, get a grip. Get out of it. He’s just the son of Satan, here to seduce you.

A laugh snaps me out. “Son of Satan?” he says.

I look to find him watching me in amusement. “Did I say that out loud?”

“Sure, you did,” Jake confirms.

My cheeks flush because I was caught staring at him.

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