Page 67 of Into the Dark
He laughs out loud. “I’m shitting myself, just so you know. They’re never going to think I’m good enough for you. Which I’m not.”
“Stop that,” I warn. “They just want me to be happy. You make me happy, and so that’s all there is.”
‘“Sounds simple when you say it.” There’s weight to his words.
“It is simple, Jake. It’s the only thing in our lives right now that is.”
He says nothing for a long time. “I love you. You know, the whole drive up here I felt the cold, dead weight of this. The dead weight I’ve lived with for the past fifteen years. But then it hit me.”
“What hit you?”
“That from now on, I get to come home to you,” he says. “That I’m nearly done with this shit, and then it’s just you and me and Caleb. You’re the light at the end of this. You always have been.”
I’m in post-orgasmic bliss, and his words are so warm and enveloping they just settle around me, sweet and comforting. “I’m so glad you came to the surgery that night. And I’m so glad you liked my voice,” I whisper, tears welling up behind my eyes.
He makes a small noise that sounds like a laugh. “Me too. Me too, baby. I should let you get back to your boring partnership work. Sorry I distracted you.”
“It was the best kind of distraction,” I tell him. “Be careful.”
“Always. Night. “
“Good night, Jake.”
I’m just about back on track with my paperwork when my phone vibrates. I open what my phone tells me is a picture message and gasp out loud. Jake stands in front of a bathroom mirror, totally naked, his hair mussed and sexy and his mouth tilted in a mischievous smile. As I gaze closer, I see his tattooed abdomen is covered in something—something wet. The text that arrives with the picture explains it all.
Jake: Guess I better go clean this mess up? Will think about you in the shower like I always do. Love you baby. Jxx
A nude. Jake actually sent me a nude photo. Jesus Christ. I’ve never been sent a nude photo in my life. I thought they were folklore! I feel the heat spread over my body as I stare longingly at it. Nope, nothing sleazy about this. In fact, it’s the best picture message I’ve ever received—and Nick sent me a photo of the Aurora Borealis once.
I quickly type out a reply.
Me: You’re a deviant. Hurry home. I love you back. Ax
I get a message with a smile and about a hundred “X”s back.
I fluff my hair before reaching forward for the powder brush and bronzer in an attempt to give my face some modicum of color. There is some color in it from my three weeks in France, the freckles across my nose a shade darker and more evident than usual, but the oft spoken of pregnancy “glow” still hasn’t arrived.
Jake reappears from the bathroom behind me and crosses to where I’m sitting at my dressing table. He’s dressed casually but looks smart in dark navy chinos and a crisp white linen shirt, the sleeves rolled up and his sunglasses tucked into the pocket.
“You sure I should keep the beard?”
“I told you, it looks great on you.”
“Yeah, but does it look lazy?”
“Beards aren’t an indicator of laziness anymore,” I assure him.
In truth, the beard will make no difference to how my parents feel about him. I’ve told him that. He’ll have his work cut out to win Mum over, I know that, but I’m almost certain Dad will see how happy he makes me and accept him right away. At least I hope so.
He nods. “You almost done?” he asks. “You look almost done.” His hands settle on my shoulders, and he leans in to kiss the side of my neck.
“Almost.” I smile.
He kisses my neck again, and I close my eyes in pleasure as a shiver rolls through me. He moves his hand down to my throat and turns my head around so my mouth meets his. He tastes so good—spice and heat and promises of delayed passion. Pulling back from my mouth, he touches his nose to mine and licks his lips. “I’ll wait for you downstairs,” he says.
“Okay.” As he moves away from me I remember something. “Would you mind putting some food out for Fred? Just half a pack is fine—in case we’re late back.”
He nods. “Sure. I’ll feed your pussy, baby, no problem.” He winks before disappearing out of the bedroom.