Chasing Rainbows (28 page)

He groaned, that harsh sound thrilled me. He pulled back and with regret, I slid my hands from his hair even though, I didn't want to let him go. We were panting. His chest heaved; the exact same way as mine did. It was nice to know he was just as affected by what we'd shared as I was. He'd felt it too.

His eyes glittered. My pulse jumped at the heat smoldering in his dark gaze. He took a step back and stood by my car. "Go back to the apartment and wait for me. I'll get rid of him."

I nodded my head in understanding. I was incapable of speech. "Be careful," he ordered as I glanced in the rearview mirror with my foot on the brake and shifted the car into reverse. He tapped the driver side door and I looked up at him. He appeared on edge. He seemed as if he could happily devour me whole and I knew without a doubt that I'd let him. My insides clenched. "And by the way, Addie," he said in a low voice leaning down closer until his warm breath once more was fanning my lips. "Be naked when I get there."

And with that, he turned, walking into the building as I sat there stunned, breathless, and grinning like I'd just discovered a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Chapter twenty-three

I
STRETCHED AGAINST
J
AKE FEELING HIS BARE SKIN
slide lovingly along mine. In the short time we'd been together he had shown me three times just how much he'd missed me. The clock on his makeshift nightstand read 11:05. The room was dark except for the thin streaks of light filtering in from outside. I had to get going since I now had a curfew thanks to my parents, who were actually trying to act like real parents.

He nibbled at my neck, soft slow sweet kisses that made me want to say to hell with my curfew and stay there with him despite the consequences, but if I ended up grounded I wouldn't get to see him at all.

"Jake, I have to go," I whispered and he growled out a muffled no, continuing to nibble on me as if I were his favorite bedtime snack.

"I have to be home by midnight."

"Why? Do you turn into a pumpkin?" he teased, raising his head.

I couldn't help but smile back at him. His playful pout was so endearing. I wished more than anything I didn't have to leave him. The perfect ending to this night would have been if I could spend it wrapped up in his arms instead of driving home.

"I have a curfew I have to keep if I ever want to see you again."

He leaned in, kissing me soundly. "I hate to let you go," he whispered, and I rolled over onto my belly away from the temptation of his lips and his touch. "Alright, I'll walk you out," he finally said in defeat when he saw that I wasn't going to budge.

Gripping the sheet, I slid from the bed, coming up short just as I took a step toward my clothes, which were lying in a discarded pile on the floor. He tugged hard, and the sheet flew from my fingers before I managed to catch it. I hadn't been expecting it and found myself suddenly standing naked beside the bed staring back at him. He sat up inching closer and slung his long legs over the side of the bed to reach for my bra and shirt. He looked up at me, his eyes roaming over my body then he stood. I didn't move a muscle. I think I forgot to breathe. My eyes were locked on his frame and the bulging mouthwatering display of his muscles.

"At least let me get another good look at what I'll be missing." He leaned in and brushed my lips with a quick kiss, then vaguely I realized he was slipping the thin straps of my bra up my arms. His broad hands slid back down my arms to settle against my waist. He urged me to turn around, and feeling the faint pressure of those fingertips on my hot skin, I couldn't deny him anything.

I was still half naked and relished in his hardness pressed against my backside. He snapped my bra into place and pulled my hair to the side with his lips deftly moving to my shoulder where he placed a trail of fiery kisses on my skin.

"Raise your arms and turn around," he ordered hoarsely, and when I did the hungry look in his eyes made me squirm.

I had no choice when it came to Jake. My body reacted before my brain could even fire the signals to tell me to refuse him. He slipped my pale yellow T-shirt over my head sliding his hands along my sides, settling them at my hips, and then he sat down on the bed pulling me closer. I gasped in surprise when his broad hands cupped my behind and gently kneaded. When he pressed his face into my stomach and the warmth of his breath caressed my skin, I shivered. He drew in a deep breath as if breathing me, as his hands stroked my bare bottom.

My breath hitched in my throat. He slowly drew back gazing up at me. I reached out and brushed a sandy brown lock of hair from his forehead.

"Lift your foot," he commanded. He held a slip of black lace in his hands.

I did as he ordered, gripping his shoulders for support.

"Now the other one," he said, and his fingers stroked along my skin as he slid the tiny pair of panties up my thighs brushing his knuckle against the part of me that was yearning for what only he could give me. I couldn't stand much more of this. I was melting beneath his heated regard and masterful hands. When he finally reached for my jeans, my sanity returned, and I grabbed them first darting across the room and away from him.

He smiled knowingly as I slipped my foot inside one leg of my pants. I couldn't look away from his naked body and watched as he reached for his own pants and stood; his arousal increasing in size under my stare. A smug smile tugged at his lips as he slid the denim along his muscular thighs. I had to bite my lip just to keep from moaning out loud. I wanted him, but there wasn't enough time.

He made me breathless and hot, and the fact that he was naked beneath those faded blue jeans of his was slowly driving me crazy. I couldn't concentrate. I had to get home. I was trying to find my flip flops when he said my name, drawing my attention. In his hand, he held my shoes.

"Thanks," I whispered, taking the flip flops and dropping them onto the floor so I could slip my feet into them.

"Come on. We don't want you to miss curfew," he said, rolling his eyes as he opened the door smiling tenderly back at me.

"That's what you get for cradle robbing," I snickered, dancing my fingers along the ridges of his hard abs.

He grabbed my wandering hands pulling them away from him and in front of me. "There's only a few years difference between us, Addie."

"I always did have a thing for older men." I teased.

He snorted, pulling me from his room and across the carpeted floor toward the front door and out of the apartment. The moon was full. A thousand tiny stars blanketed the depths of the night sky. It was so romantic, and we were standing beneath them by my car gazing back at one another. I didn't want to leave him… not yet.

"Come on, Addie," Jake said as if he were reading my mind. "I don't want you to go either but you have to. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Promise," I murmured with a pout, sliding my arms around his waist to stroke the sleek lines of his toned back. He practically purred beneath my touch, pulling me tighter against him and tilted my chin until I was looking up at him. His eyes were almost black, and the expression on his face caused my heart to skip a beat.

"I promise, Addie. For every day for the rest of our lives, I promise," he said, his face serious, and then he smiled. The depth of his words were momentarily forgotten as he gave me a quick peck on the lips. "Now, get that sweet ass of yours in the car," he ordered, playfully.

I giggled, as he pulled away and opened my door. When I was sitting in the driver's seat, I looked up at him. I hated to leave. My chest felt tight. He had this effect on me that I couldn't explain. I loved him, but those words could not come close to describing the depths of my feelings for him. I'd always thought that it would be impossible to find someone who could love and accept me for the person I was, but with Jake, he'd taken me by storm and there was no way I was ever running again unless I was running straight into his arms. "I love you," I whispered, overcome with emotion.

He bent down beside the car bringing his face close to mine. He was all I could see. All I ever wanted to see and he was smiling back at me.

Epilogue

May 17
^th
: Prom Night

I
GAZED AT MY REFLECTION IN THE MIRROR.
The hour I'd spent on my hair had definitely been worth it. Blond caramel colored curls hung from the elaborate twist trailing down the middle of my bare back. Jake would have a fit when he saw my dress. I'd chosen it especially for him, knowing it would drive him crazy. The front was deceptively demure. The sweetheart neckline left my shoulders naked and provided a shy peak at the curves of my breasts. The navy fabric was classic and gave the impression of subtlety, but the back was a completely different story, leaving nothing to the imagination. I'd have to be careful. With so much bare skin exposed, I felt indecent.

I'd finally mastered the art of the smoky eye, thanks to Kara's expertise and constant bitching. I looked hot. Smoking hot. My lips were painted a tantalizing berry color which would torment Jake the rest of the evening. I'd tucked the lipstick in my tiny glittering clutch, certain that I would need a fresh coat once he saw me. The clutch matched my dress perfectly. I felt like a princess.

"You look beautiful," my mom said from the doorway, and I smiled back at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. "I can't believe I let you talk me into that dress. Your father will have a heart attack. Don't forget your shoes, Cinderella," she said, and I saw in her hand that she held my pair of black, dangerously high heels.

"I don't think Cinderella wore shoes like those." I replied with a smirk.

They were "fuck-me shoes" as Kara had said when she first saw them; the kind that seductively whispered of dark promises to come, and I couldn't wait until I was alone with Jake inside the cab of his truck.

"Jake's downstairs talking to your dad. I really think he likes him," Mom said, encouragingly.

"What's not to like about Jake?" I replied with a smile as she sat the shoes on the floor before me holding out her hand. I placed mine in hers trying to keep my balance as I slipped into the killer high heels. Once they were on, I stood a good three inches taller than her.

"I've got to get my camera," she said absently and hurried from the bathroom down the hallway.

Excited to see Jake, I made my way down the stairs, taking care in my heels. I had practiced walking in them last week. When Jake had ended up moving an hour and a half away at the first of the year for a job, I'd finally convinced my mom I needed a better phone.

We'd Skyped every single day since he'd left except on the weekends when he drove down on Friday and crashed at Devon's or his parents' house until Sunday night. It wasn't the same as him being here with me all the time, but at least I got to see him and soon it would be every day.

Jake stood just inside the living room with my dad. They were caught up in their conversation and had yet to see me. He looked so attractive. The black tuxedo emphasized his impressive frame, and I had to admit he cleaned up very well indeed. This was the first time I'd ever seen him in anything other than jeans. The sight of him in a tux made my heart hammer and my blood run hot. He was laughing at something my dad had said when he finally turned his head and noticed me standing in the doorway.

His eyes glittered dangerously as they swept over me from head to toe. All traces of humor disappeared from his striking face. I knew that look; the one that curled my toes and made me short of breath. I hoped my dad didn't notice. There would be no way in hell he'd allow me to the leave the house if he knew what Jake was thinking.

"Aww, baby," my dad said breaking the silence. "You look beautiful."

Jake met me halfway across the room. I almost stumbled under the heat of hooded eyes. "You're stunning," he whispered, brushing a brief kiss against my upturned cheek as his hand slid against mine.

"Not too shabby yourself, Mr. Riley," I teased, and he smiled.

"Pictures," my mom announced, coming up behind us.

Jake stood patiently by my side while my mom snapped off at least a dozen or so photos. We said our goodbyes and once again, I was solemnly reminded of my curfew.

"I'll have her home by 2:00 a.m. sharp," Jake promised, leading me down the steps and out into the yard. Since it was prom night, I was allowed to stay out two hours later than my usual curfew. Jake leaned in close to me, his breath warming my skin as he whispered, "You're making me hard in that dress. I can't wait to strip you out of it."

My mouth went dry. My mom and dad stood on the porch watching us. I stumbled, and he gripped my arm flashing me a knowing smile. "Be careful, baby."

He opened my door lightly touching my elbow, and a shiver raced along my spine as I stepped past him and climbed into his truck. I heard him groan and smiled. He'd finally seen the back of my dress. His eyes met mine as he closed the door. I couldn't wait until we got this night over with and I had him all to myself. He walked around the front of the truck, and I scooted across the seat to sit near him.

"That's a shameless dress, Addie. You almost brought me to my knees," he growled and started the truck and put the engine in reverse.

I turned in the seat so I could see him better and laid my hand on his thigh. I leaned over and kissed the side of his neck. He smelled so good, and I sniffed again and heard him laugh. "You make me shameless, Jake Riley."

Jake laced our fingers together as we turned out onto the road. "I can't believe you graduate in two weeks," he said, in disbelief glancing from the road to briefly look at me. It seemed like forever.

"I can't wait," I replied, gently squeezing his hand. We could finally be together.

Jake's apartment in Tyrell was where I planned on staying while I attended college at T.U. this coming fall. He wouldn't hear of me staying in the dorms. My parents were going to flip, but there was no way I could let them pay for my board when I didn't even plan on staying there anyway.