Keeping my eyes closed, I toss my coin, opening my eyes when I hear thekerplunksound as it hits the water. When I open my eyes, I see someone that I did not wish for across the square, peering around the fountain watching us.
Jake’s gaze follows mine, and he clocks Mandy across the way with her arms crossed. He quickly turns back to me.
“Look, I’m sorry, but she’s been impossible. She’s a stage-one clinger and it’s really uncomfortable, especially since she’s married.”
“Well,” I say, threading my arms around his neck as I step closer to him. “Looks like we need to nip this in the bud.”
“Am I allowed to pull you in like this?” Jake wraps his arms around my waist and he pulls my body tight against his. “Maybe if she sees us like this, she won’t try to get my attention anymore.”
“Hmmm, I’m not sure about that,” I retort. Honestly, I don’t know who this Riley is, but she’s sassy and flirty, and she’s taking no prisoners. I let my eyes drift to his lips, then back to his eyes, hoping he gets my message. “I think there are other methods we can utilize to make her think you’re…off the market, shall we say?”
“You don't have to tell me twice.” His fingers dig into the soft flesh of my hips as his mouth comes down across mine. And I’m just done.
At this moment, I don’t care that he’s a hockey player, and I don’t care about my stupid old rules. I don’t care that Mandy is watching, and I definitely don’t care that Todd broke my heart because I can feel clearly that it’s mended.
It’s the second time today that Jake’s pulled me into his arms and kissed me like I’ve never been kissed before, and it’s showstopping. It’s a stop the presses, we’ve got a new headline type of kiss. His lips are the kind of thing that makes history—at least it will go down in my memory banks as the best kiss ever.
EVER.
One of us has to stay focused on the fact that we are in public, so I slow things down and start to pull away, slowly untangling myself from his warmth. We both take a moment to laugh, little nervous ones, if I’m not mistaken. My hand flies to my lips in sweet shock as we both look around.
And Mandy’s nowhere to be seen.
THIRTEEN
Jake
Yesterday was the day that will go down in the history books as the day I kissed Riley Richards. Twice. Two times, people. In one day. There were two times that my lips were on hers, and it was amazing. Blissful. Full of promise.
Addictive. I want more.
Today is the day that I’m lying on her old bed, in her old bedroom, in her parents’ house thinking about the fact that when I go downstairs to do anything, I will be carrying the pleasurable guilt of having made out with their daughter.
That kitchen pantry will never look the same.
Rolling over, I stick my legs out straight from under the covers and throw my hands above my head to get a full-body stretch flowing. Something at my feet jumps, straddling me for a second until sloppy doggy kisses remind me that my main woman is in need of my attention.
“Here, girl.” Cooing, I wrap my arm around her and pull her close. Posh closes her little eyes, sighs a happy doggie sound, and lays down with me, falling back to sleep almost immediately. Stroking the spot between her ears slowly, wondering what it’ll be like when she gets to meet Becks.
I sit up straight in bed, again scaring my girl to the point she jumps up and glares my way. Posh. Becks.
Posh.
Becks.
What are the odds? Could our dogs be showing us the sign that we’re supposed to be together?
Laughing at my ridiculousness, I fling myself back down on my pillows and grab my phone from the bedside table to check emails and messages. One email makes my hair stand on end. It’s to Greta and it’s from Travis, but he’s copied my lawyer and someone else at her publication. The subject line is “Cease and Desist.”
Tapping a few buttons, it’s only a ring or two in when Travis answers.
“Guess you saw the email.”
Do I tell him I was in the middle of daydreaming about kissing his little sister when I did? Nah. Not this time. I like my teeth. “I did. Has she responded?”
“Not yet. I’ll let you know when she does. Until then, just ignore any articles and tell your dad to hang in there. If she tries to call again, he can hang up and let us know. We’ll handle it from here.”
“Thanks, man,” I say, pulling Posh onto my lap. She’s passed out again and snuggled down into my arms. “I owe you. A lot.”
