Page 109 of Crave

“I’m looking at you, gorgeous. Here you are in my parents’ kitchen in this dress, looking so conservative. We both know that’s a lie, don’t we?” He bites my earlobe and grabs one of my breasts as he continues to grind on my ass. “Not one hour ago, you were doing filthy things to me with your mouth.”

I let out a soft moan as he squeezes one of my nipples.

“And those sinful noises you make when I’m touching you.” Another squeeze is followed by another soft moan. “Your good girl, conservative attire doesn’t fool me for a second. The only thing you’re missing is a string of pearls.” He slowly moves his hand, tracing a finger along my neck.

He takes a small step back from me when we hear his mother’s high heels on the wooden floor.

“Hey, you two.” Lil Clark comes over and hugs us both. “I love your dress, Sandy. What I wouldn’t give for that body.” Jake discreetly squeezes my ass while his mom looks through the fridge.

“I was just telling Sandy that the only thing she’s missing is a string of pearls.”

Lil Clarks looks over at me and smiles.

“You mean like the fake ones I have in my first communion picture?” A picture he managed to get a copy of.

“Real ones.” He lowers his voice so only I can hear. “I’ll give you a pearl necklace tonight.” I give him an elbow in the ribs.

“Jake, honey, I’m so glad you two are here. Sandy, can I borrow my son for a second? Meet me upstairs, Jakey,” his mother says as she leaves the kitchen.

“That will give me some time with Sandy,” Jake’s father says as he comes through the sliding door. “Come outside and have a drink with me.” He goes to the fridge and retrieves a pitcher of something, juice boxes, and a small fruit platter. He arranges everything on a tray and goes back outside to Tristan and Emma.

Once I’m alone with Jake again, I turn to face him and wrap my arms around his neck. I kiss his chin several times. He presses his body into me, turns his face, and devours my mouth. This is the type of kiss he gives me when we’re naked and entangled in bedsheets. This is the type of kiss that requires a change of panties.

“I missed you last night. These weekly camping trips in the backyard are killing my Dee time, and the two hours we had this morning weren’t enough. I’m giving this family brunch another hour, and we’re out of here.”

“No one else is here. I think we’re going to be here longer than an hour, but we have the rest of the day.” I pepper his chin and mouth with kisses. “Go see what your mom wants. I’m going to need a drink to get my body to cool down.” After another kiss, he takes a step away from me. He looks at me up and down and mouths beautiful. He takes one more step back and drops down to one knee. I cover my mouth with my hands and wait for him to speak. He gives me a mischievous smile, and I want to kick his ass and mine for falling for this again.

“Thought I dropped something. What did you think I was doing?” I cut my eyes at him and he smiles at me as he stands up.

“I’m so going to say no when you finally ask,” I yell at his retreating back.

All I get is a laugh.

Shaking my head at his antics, I walk out of the sliding door and join Josh for drinks as we watch Tristan and Emma run around their yard. Luke comes out to join us, complaining about neck pain from sleeping outside.

“Luke, you made me and your brothers camp out with you all the time when you were a kid. Karma, son. It’s called karma. Stop your bitching.”

“Whatever, creator. You’re just mad because you’re old.” Whatever he’s complaining about must not hurt too much because he chases the kids, and when he catches Emma, he puts her on his shoulder.

Josh joins them, and I watch as the four of them run around. I’m so lost in their laughter, I don’t turn around when I hear the sliding door open. I already know who it is. My body always knows when he’s around. He stands behind me, plants a kiss on my cheek and slides something across my throat. I reach up to grab it and realize it’s a string of pearls, but unlike the ones in my first communion picture, these are real.

“Where did you get these?”

“I can get my woman whatever I want.” He takes the pearls from me and drapes them around my neck, fastening them.

“Beautiful,” he says as he spins me around to face him.

Reality dawns on me.

“Did you get these from your mom?”

“She wants you to have them.” Just then, Lil comes out into the yard, looks at my neck, smiles, and winks at her son.

“I can’t accept these, Lil. They’re beautiful but they’re yours.” I reach around and try to unclasp them, but Lil speaks.

“I want you to have them. They look beautiful on you. Please, accept them. And whether you believe it or not, you’ve given me a gift that money can’t buy. These pearls are nothing compared to what you’ve done for this family.” Tears fill my eyes as I hug his mom. “Everyone should be here in a few minutes. We’re going to eat and see what else needs to be done for Tracy’s shower.”

Things between Jake and Troy changed for the better that day in the hospital but took a dramatic turn for the worse between Troy and Lil. When his mother arrived at the hospital, Troy demanded she leave. I remember the hurt look on Lilian’s face, but Troy was serious as he stormed out of the waiting room.

---