Page 26 of Winter's Surprise
“Yeah, baby?” he asked as he prodded the fire to life.
She took a breath and hoped for the best. “Um… do you have plans?”
“My plans were to spend time with you,” he said, and his confused eyes met hers. “I’m sorry, I came over here assuming you didn’t have anything until I came over.”
She watched him stand, tension tightening his body. “No! That’s… I’m happy you’re here.”
Power vibrated through his body. “Talk to me, Elle.”
Michelle tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and bit down on her lip. “I meant for the holiday weekend.”
“My family doesn’t live near here anymore, so the only engagement I have outside of spending time with you is going over to Eric’s for Christmas dinner. Why?”
“Okay. Janey asked me to come over too.”
Jake crossed his arms over his chest. “What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?”
Michelle didn’t know why she was having a hard time asking him this. “I…”
“Spit it out,” he said after a few moments passed.
“I’m trying!” she mumbled. “How… how would you feel about going back to your place for an overnight bag?”
His eyes softened, and some of the tension in his body visibly released. “Okay.”
“Okay?” she asked, echoing him.
Jake smiled at her and nodded before checking the fire.
“If you want to do that now, I can get dinner started early?”
“Sounds good,” Jake said and stalked toward her. His arms caged her in, and her heart slowed as his lips dove in for hers. This kiss was filled with promises. It was also too short. She wanted more and found herself whimpering when he pulled back.
She sat on the couch staring at the flames until the sound of her front door shutting snapped her out of it. Michelle moved to her kitchen with a huge smile plastered on her face.
Their original plans included her making dinner, but now that Jake would stay the night, she was both nervous and excited. They hadn’t been able to seal the deal since their first try when Bobby had decided to come into the world. Since then, she’d shaved every single day, making sure her body was ready.
As she pulled out the pots and pans she needed for lasagna, she considered jumping in the shower. She startled when the front door opened again. Michelle wondered if Jake forgot something. She couldn’t be sure since she had been in a fog while he put on his shoes and coat.
“Hello?” she asked as her eyes darted toward her knives. She took a step in their direction when no one answered. Her heart raced as seconds ticked by slowly. “Hello?” she asked a little louder, but her voice shaky.
When a large figure appeared, she screamed at the top of her lungs.
“Elle?” Jake called out as she dropped the knife on the counter. “Baby? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” He walked the few feet to her and wrapped his arms around her.
“Fuck, Jake!” she finally yelled when she could find her voice.
Jake pulled back and looked at her with amusement. “Why, Michelle Harper, I don’t think I’ve heard you curse.”
“You scared the living shit out of me! I should cut you!” she threatened, the latter coming with a chuckle.
“I’m really sorry, Elle. I didn’t mean to scare you,” he told her and pulled her back against him.
Michelle pushed against his chest. “I thought you were going to get your things? I didn’t expect the door to open so soon.”
“I did.”
“You did what?”
