Leo(A Sign of Love Novel)(45)

"She only made that comment to you about being one of many because she was being vindictive since I was throwing her out. She doesn't even know you, Evie. And she sure as shit doesn't know anything important about me."

"Jake," I say, squeezing his hands. "I feel like when you're talking about yourself, you're talking to me in code. I get the gist of what you're saying but you really haven't told me anything."

He sighs, "I'll give you some examples, just give me some time, okay? This is stuff I've never talked about to anyone and it's hard for me to get into. I've spent so many years trying to pretend it doesn't exist. I know that's not the healthy thing to do. But just… trust me, okay? Can you do that?" He's looking at me desperately, like my answer means his life or death.

I say the first thing that pops into my head. "Okay, Jake. I trust you." And despite all my doubts, I do, I honestly do, and that makes me happy as much as it scares the shit out of me. Nothing makes sense anymore.

He's holding back. Questionable things keep coming up. I shouldn't feel safe with him. And yet, I do. I have to wonder about my own judgement.

"Can you just tell me one thing, though? Why is she in town?"

"Part of it is because my father changed his will in the hospital and left me the company and she's not happy about that. She's here in part to make an appeal to the board. It won't work, but she'll give it her best. Mostly, it's a way to control me and she's angry that she's lost that."

We're both silent for several seconds before he continues. "Forgive me for talking to you like that, for making you feel that way? God, for that whole f*cked up situation?" His looks at me sadly.

I take a deep breath. "Yes, I forgive you. And you don't have to apologize for your mom, Jake. I know better than anyone you can't help who your parents are."

He looks into my eyes and nods. "Thank you," he says, looking down at our hands and then bringing them up and kissing my knuckles one at a time. "I never want to do anything to hurt you, Evie. Everything I do, it's because my feelings are so strong for you… I … Christ, I'm so out of my element here and there are all these f*cked up things… Just, be patient with me?" I wonder for a minute if he's going to tear up but he just looks at me sadly and finally, I do the only thing that feels right. I put my arms around him and hold him close.





CHAPTER 22



Jake grabs a menu from a chinese restaurant down the street and I look it over and then tell him what I want, chicken with broccoli and an egg roll.

He calls in the order and I ask him if he'd mind if I took a quick shower before dinner. Cleaning hotel rooms all day doesn't exactly make me feel all fresh and clean.

"Of course," he says, "You don't have to ask. My home is your home, okay?" He looks at me like it's really important to him that I understand that.

"Okay, Jake."

I take a quick shower and change into a light pink tank top with lace straps and a pair of white cotton shorts. I brush out my hair and leave it down.

I walk back out into the kitchen/living area and don't see Jake. The door leading to the balcony is open though and so I go there and peek out. Jake is standing against the low wall with his hands on the ledge looking out to the city.

I walk up behind him and wrap my arms around his waist, laying my head against his back. He takes my hands in his from the front and inhales a deep breath. As much as I’m rattled by my run in with his mom, I feel like he needs me more than I need him right now. I'm not new to feeling sorry for people for the parental hand they got dealt. I grew up in the foster care system. But I never expected that Jake's situation was so extreme that he had to kick his own mom out of his life, literally and figuratively.

After a couple minutes, I give him a gentle squeeze and then slide my hands up the bottom of his shirt, leaning down and kissing the base of his back, and licking up his spine a little ways. I smile against his skin.

As I start lifting the back of his shirt a little more, his body tenses and I pause, wondering if I'm doing something wrong. I realize quickly that I've never actually seen his back and I wonder briefly if maybe he has scars there too… but I don't remember feeling anything when we were in bed…

Then the moment passes as he draws in air and turns around so that my face is now at his stomach, which I press my lips against. “Evie,” he breathes.

He leans back against the half wall and I go down on my knees in front of him, unbuttoning the top of his jeans. I smile up at him and his eyes are dark and filled with need.

Jake’s lips are parted and at the look of blatant lust on his face, I feel wetness between my legs. I press my thighs together, relishing the sensation.

Along with the butterflies that take flight in my stomach are wisps of excitement, thrilling and heady. Am I really about to do this?

I unzip his jeans and drag them down his legs, Next, I pull his boxers down and his beautiful cock springs free, rock hard. I look up at him and his arms are spread, braced on the wall as he leans back, resting his ass against the stone. I must look a little unsure because he says, “Put your mouth on me, please, Evie.”

He's perfection, his body taut with desire, heavy with arousal and my mouth waters at the sight of him.

I don’t know if I’m going to be any good at this but I decide to go for gusto. I’m so turned on that when I lick up the underside of his erection, I’m the one to moan. I breath in his scent, clean and woodsy but also something muskier down here. It’s all Jake and I love it.