Page 41 of Play For Keeps

“He’s in Brookmont.” I inhale a long breath. “He’s living in the home that used to be ours. We bought the house a year after Birdie was born. It’s huge and it cost a fortune, and I hated it. It was all white—the walls, the cupboards, the couches, the furniture. It felt like living in a museum. But Grant never cared about my opinion. He only wanted a trophy wife who he could parade around at high profile functions. He could have cared less if I was happy or not.” I swallow.

Jake cringes. “What an asshole.”

“I know.”

“So, I assume he fought you on the divorce?” Jake asks.

“It actually went quite smoothly. His parents, who are over-the-top wealthy, were all too happy to be rid of me, so they called in a favor with a judge they knew and had our divorce fast-tracked. I had to agree to 50-50 custody, which I didn’t want to do—”

“They bullied you.”

“Essentially.” I tell him. “I knew I didn’t stand a chance against their high-powered attorneys. I also knew that it didn’t really matter because when it came right down to it, Grant wouldn’t make the effort to see Birdie anyways. So, I agreed, just to make it all go away.”

“I hate everything that you went through to bring you here,” Jake says, his voice low. “But … I’m really glad you’re here.”

“I am too.”

I nudge my knee against his. “Thanks for listening. I haven’t told many people about this.” It’s true. Only Willa knows the entire story.

“I really appreciate you telling me.” Jake says. “You’re an incredible mother.”

The compliment feels equally wonderful and appreciated. More importantly it feels special coming from him because I like him. I like him a lot more than I should or ever thought possible. I have so many reasons I shouldn’t think about him the way that I do, but my heart isn’t listening.

I’m suddenly very aware of how close we are. I inhale a shaky breath, and the scent of his cologne fills my nose. Jake shifts forward, and his strong arms wrap around me, pulling me into his chest. I feel all of the tension in me disappear. I can breathe again in his arms. Jake is a safe place.

His hand massages my back in small circles while I close my eyes, fighting the tears that threaten to escape. I’m exhausted. This is the first time since we moved to Reed Point that I’ve allowed myself to let go and just… feel. I’ve had to put on a brave face for Birdie, to be strong enough for the two of us, but tonight it feels good to let go and lean on Jake. I like the way it feels to be wrapped up in his arms. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been hugged like this. It’s been years.

We stay like that, neither of us moving except for the rise and fall of our chests. I melt into him, my face tucked against his chest. He trails his hand down my ponytail. I want to stay like this forever.

Jake coasts his hands down my arms, and we pull apart slowly. His eyes find mine and he is looking at me with such adoration that my heart expands two sizes in my chest.

Then his gaze falls to my lips and all I hear is the sound of my heart beating in my chest. He must be able to hear it too. I hold my breath, waiting to see what is going to happen next.

Then, Jake’s hand softly finds the edge of my jaw. I shiver at his touch, lost in his gaze. The space between us has been erased.

“I really want to kiss you,” he murmurs, his eyes leaving mine to travel down to my mouth. I lick my lips absentmindedly and I feel his hand roam my leg from my knee up my thigh a few inches, making the space between my thighs ache.

Desire floods through me. I shouldn’t want this—Jake is too young. But I can’t move. I can’t stop it. Also, every fiber of my being wants to lock my lips to his.

“I want to kiss you so fucking bad.” He slides his other hand from my jaw to the back of my neck, drawing us even closer together. Then he tips his head and his lips fuse to mine, tasting me. Soft, a little uncertain. One feel of his tongue against my lips and I’m opening for him, my lips parting as his tongue slips inside to meet mine. With a sigh, he deepens the kiss, our tongues moving together—slow, lingering, and full of promises. Promises I’m not sure I can keep… but I don’t want to stop.

My God, Jake can kiss.

I don’t ever remember being kissed like this.

It’s soothing, and bold and soft all at the same time.

The kiss is everything I have ever dreamed a kiss should be.

His grip on the back of my neck tightens as his mouth moves against mine, his other hand squeezing my thigh, making me moan against his lips. My skin tingles as he kisses me harder.

My God, his mouth on mine feels like magic.

My hands cling to his arms, afraid if he stops, I’ll never feel like this again.

Before I have time to process what’s happening, Jake breaks the kiss. His eyes are hazy, a small smile tugging the corners of his mouth. I close my eyes as he gently swipes his thumb across my bottom lip.

I open my eyes, shaking my head, realizing what I’ve just done. Exactly what I told myself I wouldn’t do.

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