Naked Love(18)

He eyes me with suspicion as I fasten my seat belt. “Occasional cleansing is good.”

I nod, unable to speak past the knot of emotion in my throat. Over the next hour to our destination, he continues to give me quick glances. I sense his confusion, a better feeling than pity, but I refuse to look at him.

“Whoa …” My face presses to the window. “You’re such a tease, Jake Matthews. We’re staying at a boutique hotel. It’s … incredible.”

He chuckles. “It’s a house. Not mine. We are camping on the property.”

“You’re joking.”

“I’m not.”

“Whose house?”

“A friend’s.”

I give him a scrunched-nose look. “I’m pretty sure friends let friends stay in the house, not offer them a ten-by-ten space for a pop-up tent. It’s unfortunate I have to break the news to you, but this dude is not your friend.”

He parks a few hundred yards from the house that sits atop a hill overlooking acres of rolling woods and a winding creek. “She is my friend. I choose to camp.”

“Is she home? I’d love to meet her … see the inside of the house … check out the guest bedrooms …”

“Not home.” He hops out and I do the same, letting Swarley out to roam.

“But you have a key to the house, right?”

“Nope.”

“What if there’s a storm? A tornado?”

He smirks, opening the back of the truck. “We’ll kiss each other’s ass goodbye. Here.”

I shake my head and hold up my hand as he attempts to pass a large bag my way. “I can only carry light stuff. Doctor’s orders.”

“I see.” He frowns at my hand like it’s my fault I’m injured.

“Then take your suitcases.” He plops them on the ground.

“Dude! Those are Gucci. The wheels alone are probably five hundred dollars.” I inspect the two suitcases.

He tosses a few other things out of the back and jumps down, nearly knocking me over.

“Oh shit! You scared me.” I hold my hand over my chest.

“Don’t be scared.” He looks down on me like I’m dinner.

I never thought I’d say the words thank god he’s vegan, but seriously … thank god he’s vegan.

“We agreed. I won’t tie you up to kill you.” Another stupid wink.

It’s wrong for that shade of blue eyes to be wasted on a guy. I bet he can get any girl with just a wink. Good thing I’ve never been just any girl.

“We started from scratch. Remember? The handshake.”

He nods slowly, his gaze making deliberate strokes along my entire body.

Violating bastard!

“Owning a suitcase with wheels that cost five hundred dollars each severed our newly formed friendship.” He shrugs, turning back toward the bed of his truck to grab the cooler. “Did your preacher dad forget to tell you that there are starving people in the world?”

“Thanks for the biblical shaming. I didn’t realize my driver is holier-than-thou.” I drag my suitcases through the grass, cringing as the wheels thunk against the uneven terrain, jarring my injured hand.

“I’m not your driver, or bellhop, or lightning shield.”

“Then what are you besides terribly unmannered?”

Jake plops the cooler down in a small clearing at the bottom of the hill, not too far from the creek.

“Well…” he turns, squinting against the setting sun “…since we agree I’m holier-than-thou, then I’d say I’m your savior. But don’t worry…” he heads back toward the truck “…I’m not expecting constant praise and worship. Silence is your best gift to me.”

“If you get struck by lightning tonight, but leave your truck keys next to my purse, that would be the best gift for me.”

He chuckles. “Noted.”





CHAPTER SIX




Jake


Avery Montgomery is an interesting creature.

Flip-the-visor-down-every-twenty-minutes interesting.

Part-her-hair-a-hundred-different-ways-to-check-for-something interesting.

I’m not sure what she’s checking for with the constant scalp inspections, but I have a good guess.

After I unload everything and set up the tent while she files her nails, frown pinned to her face, I get my dinner.

“Beans? That’s it?” She swats at the swarm of bugs preying on her, thanks to her strong perfume.

“No.” I point my spoon toward the bag of greens on my lap.

“Looks super yummy. Plain beans and greens with no dressing. Scat!” She slaps her arm, squashing a bug.

I return nothing more than a single peaked eyebrow.

“I’m just saying, you own a restaurant—two restaurants. I’d expect you to be more creative than beans and greens.”

“I’m easy to please.”

“No. You’re not. I have yet to please you.”

I return two raised eyebrows this time.

“Ouch!” She slaps her neck. “Don’t give me that look. I’m not implying I’m going to suck your dick like these stupid bugs are sucking my blood.”