Once I say goodbye, I shut the door behind me. As I spin around to head for the kitchen, I find myself bouncing off of a very rigid chest.
“Oh,” I gasp. “I didn’t know you were standing right there.”
He looks down at me. “Oh, you didn’t, did you? Have fun with Agent Marcos? I didn’t know we were on first name basis with the enemy now. I still can’t leave you alone for five minutes … and in my own house, of all places.”
I slap his arm, telling him not to be so silly. He then pulls me in for a hug and smiles, letting me know he’s only joking. I think it’s only to a certain extent, though.
“I came in to see how long you would be. Dinner’s ready. I’ve made chicken in mushroom sauce with rice. I hope you’re hungry.”
I nod on his chest. “Starving. I could eat a horse.”
He mutters, “Good,” and releases me. “Before we go in, can you quickly tell me what he said?”
I knew this was coming, but I haven’t yet prepared myself for how to answer. I have to think quickly on my feet. “He just wanted to let me know that the hair they found didn’t match anyone in the database, and that they are going to start testing people at the station tomorrow. He also wanted to reassure me that they are doing everything they can.”
Jake pulls me in, landing a kiss on my forehead. “I guess Agent Marcos isn’t such an asshole, despite being FBI.” I laugh at his candidness as he leads me by the hand into the kitchen.
We sit down to eat, and everything looks delicious. My mouth waters at the look and smell of all the food.
“Everything okay out there?” Matthew asks.
Everything’s far from okay. I suddenly feel bad that everyone around me is caught up in the psychotic games this man wants me involved in.
“Everything’s fine. He just wanted to give me an update on things. I think we’re getting closer. Hopefully, soon we will be back to normal.”
Matthew smiles as he picks up his fork to eat. I take a bite of the chicken and rice, humming my approval in Jake’s direction.
As we sit there eating, I can’t help but feel this foreboding in the pit of my stomach. I just know that something’s going to happen soon, and whatever it is will end this. I don’t like the prospects of what it could be. I try to force the feeling away and continue to eat, but it’s very difficult.
“What are you thinking? You seem so far away.”
I jerk my head towards Jake, who looks concerned. “It’s nothing. I’m fine. I didn’t realize I was in my own little world.”
I smile, trying to comfort him, and I get back to finishing off the rest of my meal. I down my juice in one go, feeling the effects of a dry mouth after all the alcohol. Jake notices and dutifully refills my glass.
“Matthew, you want some more juice?”
Matthew finishes off his glass and places it on the table. “No, thanks, Dad. If you don’t mind, I have an essay that I need to finish before tomorrow?” Matthew collects his plate and or glass then walks to the dishwasher to load them in.
“Of course not. Let me know if you need any help.”
He smiles and heads out as I gather up the other plates. I make my way to the dishwasher and load the rest of the dishes in. Jake walks over, reaches inside his jacket pocket, and pulls out a long, gift-wrapped box.
“Ana, sit. I bought this for you. I saw it in a store window on Sunday, and it had your name on it.” Jake places the box on the table and sits down expectantly. I feel overwhelmed. He actually bought me a present for no reason.
Does there really have to be a reason?
I sit, tracing the neatly placed bow on top of the wrapping paper with my index finger. I can’t help but feel kind of bad, knowing that it will all be messed up soon. Between Jake’s excited eyes resting on me and my own curiosity, it doesn’t take me long to unwrap it. When I finally open the box under the paper, I gasp. Before me is a beautiful, silver, diamond-encrusted Cartier watch. It must have cost him a fortune. I place my hand over my mouth and try to stop the tears that are threatening to flow.
“Do you like it? Please say you like it.”
He takes the watch from me and places it around my wrist. I admire it for a moment. “This is the most beautiful gift anyone has ever given me, but I can’t accept it. It’s too much.”
He shakes his head. “No can do. I’m not taking it back. It’s yours. Please don’t argue with me about this. You have to promise me you’ll wear it at all times.”
He looks stern—like he’s ready for a fight—but instead of fighting, I swing my arms around him. “Thank you, Jake. It’s the most amazing gift I’ve ever gotten. I love it, and I promise I’ll never even want to take it off.”
He squeezes me to him and sighs. “My pleasure, baby.”
21
For the rest of the evening, I’m blissful because of the beautiful present Jake bought me. It’s not so much the gift itself that makes me giddy, though. It’s the thought behind him getting it in the first place and what it represents.
We go to bed like the evening before—wrapped in each other’s arms, sleeping soundly and peacefully. We stay like that until the annoyance of the alarm comes beeping throughout the room.
I sigh loudly. “Let me guess … is it six by any chance?” Jake presses himself into me, and I immediately feel his hardness. “I’ll take that as a yes. How can you immediately be ready like this the second the alarm goes off?”
He nuzzles his head into my neck and gently nibbles my shoulder. “I guess it has something to do with the sex goddess I have the pleasure of waking up to every morning. But if you don’t want me to make love to you this morning, then we’ll just cuddle.”
I grab his hand and move it down towards the wetness between my legs. “Does this feel like I want to say no to you?”
Jake hums in my ear. “Always so ready for me.”
Just like the morning before, we make love, being careful not to make too much noise for Matthew’s sake. Once showered, I decide to wear a fitted grey dress and peep-toe, high heels. Jake disapproves of the dress, practically ordering me to take it off.
“Come on. It’s just a dress.”
He shakes his head. “I know, but you look so fucking hot. I just want to rip it off you and take you on the bed. I don’t want to have all the guys at work looking at you and thinking the exact same thing.”
I shuffle over to the door and open it. “You’re being ridiculous. Oh, hey, Matthew, I didn’t see you there.”
I immediately turn a bright shade of pink as Matthew smiles at me. “My dad is being ridiculous? Who would have thought? Nice dress, by the way.”
I nod my approval and turn to Jake. “Well, thank you, Matthew.”
“I take it Dad doesn’t like it?”
Jake crosses his arms in distaste. “I’ll not have my own son ganging up on me.”
I quickly try to change the subject. “You’re up bright and early this morning.”
Matthew scratches his head. “Yep. I want to get this English essay handed in, and I must admit I’m a little excited about the game tonight.”