Page 147 of Withered

“Would you like some tea, dear?” Esme asks, and I politely decline the offer.

I smile. “I’ll come by later, promise.” Then ask, “Where’s Jake?”

She tilts her head and says, “He’s upstairs.”

After a moment, I nod, and she says, “Thank you, Rose.”

“For what?” I ask her, confused.

“For choosing him,” she says it lovingly, and I can’t help but beam at her, my cheeks flush.

I climb upstairs to Jake’s room and knock twice. “Come on in,” he answers, and I push the door open.

“Shouldn’t you be ready by now?” I sit on the bed.

Jake is naked on the floor doing push-ups. His muscles flexed in and out with each movement. A thin layer of sweat is helping him glisten.

He just chuckles but doesn’t stop his workout. He continues for five minutes more, and I’m practically lying on my stomach, watching him in awe. Wanting to distract him, I lay down on the floor next to him.

“What are you doing?” He asked with a smirk on his face.

“I couldn’t see your face. Watching your gorgeous face is more fascinating than watching your back.” I lean on an elbow. The dragonfly chain is dangling from his neck, and a smile spreads across my face.

My plans for distraction go down the drain, as he isn’t affected in the least. I think it is me who is getting distracted more and more.

My thoughts are cut short when Jake pulls me under him in one swift movement. His hands are on either side of my face, and he is looking down at me with amused eyes. “I know what you’re trying to do. Won’t work on me.”

He restarts his push-up, and I get a closer view of his face than I wanted. With every push-down, his lips graze mine, but before I could react to it, he pulls back.

“Tease,” I mutter. “Hop in the shower and get ready. We have to go.” I tell him.

He grins. “I’m fucking enjoying this. Can’t we reschedule?”

I can think of a way to get myself out of here. Hell yes, I am enjoying this myself. But the longer I stay here, the more clouded my thoughts are. Just as Jake approaches, I lift my head and press my lips to his. His posture stumbles, but he manages not to crush me with his weight.

I feel Jake’s tongue trying to slip inside me, and I take this moment to break the kiss.

He groans and opens his eyes. “And you call me a tease?”

He flicks my nose and stands up. I raise my hand, motioning for him to help me up, but he cutely scrunches his face and shakes his head.

I laugh a little and feel arms around me, lifting me. Jake sits me on the bed and grabs a towel to wipe his sweat.

He walks towards the bathroom, saying, “I’m going to take a shower. You-”

“I’m not joining you,” I complete the sentence for him.

“Your loss.” He tells me, and I show him my tongue.

I return downstairs and talk to Esme and Aria.

Jake enters the room sporting his trademark white shirt, black jeans, and a leather jacket.

We say bye, and I get into his car. “Why didn’t you have breakfast?”

He fastens his seatbelt. “We’ll grab something later. I’m sure it’ll be done in no time.”

I hope so. My fitting lasted nearly an hour.

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