Page 91 of The One…That I Crave

“Can’t imagine you two not being together.” Rakell smiled, then slid her hand onto Jake’s leg, rubbing his thigh as he talked to Jordan, feeling his muscles tighten under her touch.

“Me either now, but it was on and off for us for a while, and there was a little drama,” she said, smiling.

They ordered dinner, and Rakell picked at her food in between downing two more glasses of wine, feeling the stress of the week start to seep out of her. She leaned into Jake, kissing his cheek. “All I can think about is being with you,” she whispered in his ear.

He finished his bite, took a small sip of his wine, then moved his mouth to her ear. “Welcome to my world, Sweets,” he said. Even in her tipsy state, she warmed, knowing that Sweets drawled out of him once again.

Signing the check, Jordan smiled at Jake, then looked to Rakell. “We have a sitter until twelve. You two up for some jazz and drinks at the Elephant Room or do you just need to rip each other’s clothes off now?” he laughed.

“Well, it’s up to Rakell. She’s the one that has to get on a plane tomorrow,” he replied, thinking she already seemed buzzed. He wasn’t sure another drink was a good idea.

“I’m up for a drink and some jazz.” She smiled at Jake.

“Sure?”

“Yeah, why?” She leaned over, pecking him on the lips. “You’re not going to lecture me, are you?” she admonished.

“Nope, not me,” he said, offering her a small upturn of his lips. “Let’s go,” he added, looking at Jordan.

Friday night at the Elephant Room buzzed with energy. The sounds of live jazz swirled around the room, penetrating the patrons, spurring them to move their bodies to the rhythm. Rakell ordered Tito’s vodka and sparkling water, thinking that was probably the most alcohol with the least calories. She scooted her chair closer to Jake, leaning her shoulder into him.He put his arm around her as she peered up to him through glassy eyes. “Hey, Sweets, you okay? Just don’t want you feeling bad tomorrow,” he said.

“Mm…mm…you promised no lectures.” Craning her neck up, she slid her hand around his neck, lowering his face to hers, biting his bottom lip lightly. “So fucking horny,” she whispered in his mouth. “Wanting to…”

He swallowed her next words, kissing her hard but quick, then pulling back. “Careful, little girl,” he growled.

“I don’t wanna be careful anymore,” she slurred. “I wanna another.” She held up her empty glass.

“Not sure that’s…”

She put her finger on his lips. “Huh, no, no saying no anymore,” she said with a laugh. “No ‘nos,’ got it?” When the waitress walked by, Rakell ordered another drink.

Jordan’s eyes darted to Jake, and he shook his head. “I know.” Jake shrugged his shoulders, feeling like he couldn’t stop her.

She sucked down another vodka. It hit her when she stood to go to the bathroom. Jake stood, holding on to her. “Rakell, you okay?”

“No, think I just need to pee.” She leaned into him for stability.

“Hey, I need to go, too.” Delilah stood, taking Rakell’s hand.

When they returned, Delilah whispered in Jordan’s ear, and he signaled to Jake. Jake took Rakell by the arm. “Let’s head out, Sweets.”

She flashed a smile at Delilah and Jordan and, in a child-like voice, said, “Let’s stay, please, we’re having fun.”

Delilah’s eyes caught Jake’s concerned look. “Rakell, we have to get home for the baby.”

“Oh, love her, okay.”

In the back seat, Rakell pawed Jake, whispering in his ear a little too loudly, “I really do want to fuck you.”

“Shh…got it, Sweets.” With his arm around her, his hand held the side of her head rubbing her hair, then he pulled her head down to his shoulder. “Shh…just shut your eyes.”

“No, don’t wanna shut my eyes. You know what I want, I want to fuck you, yes, finally fuck you,” she slurred.

“Okay, shh,” Jake whispered, catching Jordan’s expression of concern in the rearview mirror.

Listlessly, Rakell leaned partially against the elevator wall and Jake as they headed up to the tenth floor. When they stepped off the elevator, Rakell tripped, and Jake reached out to catch her, preventing her from hitting the floor.

“Jord, help Jake get her in…I’ll go relieve the babysitter. Jake, don’t leave her alone. She’s in bad shape.” Delilah turned to walk toward their apartment as Jordan got on one side of Rakell. Putting one arm around her while Jake supported her from the other side, they semi-walked, semi-dragged her down the hall to her place.

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