Page 78 of The Sweet Life

“How? I just asked—”

He held up his hand. “Don’t say it. I just told you I missed you, a lot, and then you ask me if I’m breaking up with you? After you also asked me if I’m bonking my ex?”

“I’m sorry if I’m being needy. It wasn’t easy learning that the father I’d built up in my mind was a creepy con man who doesn’t even like me.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry for being a jerk. I guess Abbott’s comments got to me more than I realized.”

He’d told Jake he wasn’t good enough for her. He’d obviously been in Sunshine Bay longer than they’d realized. He’dknown about Jake’s family and juvenile police record and had thrown it in Jake’s face. At least she’d shut down that line of Aaron’s attack, but apparently, he’d landed the blows he’d wanted. He was smarter than they gave him credit for.

“I’m sorry I gave him the opportunity to hurt you. I… Um, Jake, there’s a…” She raised her finger, pointing at the screen. “A monkey behind you.”

“Sweetheart, I’ve got to go. I’ll see you—”

“Don’t you dare hang up on me. You’re not in San Diego, are you? You’re in Costa Rica.”

He sighed. “Yeah. I am. Look, I know you told me not to investigate him, but I had to follow my gut, and my gut said we needed whatever we could get on this guy.”

“Please tell me you got the goods.”

He cocked his head. “You’re not mad at me?”

“I’m not thrilled you went without telling me, but if you’ve got what we need to shut him down, we’ll play boss and naughty PA when you get home, and I’ll fulfill your deepest desires.” Sage didn’t know if it was her offer or the monkey jumping on Jake’s head that made him drop his phone. Whichever it was, their connection cut out, and the screen went dark.

Half an hour later, as she was crawling into bed beside Willow, she got a text from him.I survived the monkey attack with barely a scratch, but you nearly gave me a heart attack. I’ll be home Sunday before noon. Be ready.

She smiled.I’m counting down the hours until you get home and fulfill my deepest desires.

I don’t care who does the fulfilling as long as we do it all day long.

Sunday afternoon, Jake walked into Sage’s bedroom to find her in bed with Max and her sister. He sat on the edge of the mattress beside her hip, gently swept her hair aside, and pressed his lips to her shoulder. Her eyelids fluttered open. “This isn’t what I was expecting. Are you backing out on your promise already?”

“No. I set my alarm for ten.” She pushed herself up, wrapping an arm around his waist and reached out with her other hand to pat around the bedside table. She kissed him and brought her phone to her face. “How is it one in the afternoon?”

“It looks like you shut off your alarm.” He leaned back, smoothing her hair from her face. “Have you not gotten any sleep at all while I was away?”

“Not much, and before you give me crap, Brenda and Renata needed my help with a couple of cases, and then I had to prepare a brief for one of my pro bono clients and organize the farm’s opening next weekend, and Alice’s celebration next month.” She snuggled into him. “That’s what happens when you leave me on my own. I don’t follow doctor’s orders.”

“We’ll start making up for it now. I’ll keep you in bed for the next twenty-four hours.”

“I don’t think the doctor would approve of your plans.”

“I promise, I’ll let you rest in between.” He nuzzled her neck and then brought his mouth to her ear. “I missed you.”

A pillow smacked him in the face. “Don’t you dare start making out with my sister. You’re going to scar Max and me.” Willow raised herself up on her elbows, her hair in her face. “Did I hear you say it’s one in the afternoon?”

“You did,” Sage said.

“You, close your eyes, and you, shake a leg,” Willow said first to him and then to Sage. “We told Nonna we’d help cook for tonight’s family dinner.” The bed bounced, and there was a loud thump.

“Don’t use all the hot water,” Sage called out.

“Am I good to open my eyes?” Jake asked.

“You are,” Sage said, and tugged on his arm. “And you’re good to get into bed with me.”

“But from the sounds of it, you won’t be staying in it with me for long.”

“You better make the most of it then,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck as he slid his body on top of hers. Her moan went straight to his groin. “Don’t leave me on my own again.”

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