The cold shower eased my raw emotions and helped to clear my mind. But the lucidity lasted only for a moment because when I came out of the bathroom, I spotted Jake lounging on the bed in nothing but his boxers.
His bronzed abs popped as he leaned on his side. He had one leg was bent, arched just enough to show the outlining bulge in his briefs. It wasn't meant to be a seductive pose, but Jake was naturally sexy. It didn't take long before my mind was muddled once again.
Jake had a novel open across the bed. He was so engrossed in the pages that he didn't hear me when I entered the room. He didn't notice my eyes watching him appreciatively, as they used this rare opportunity to really take in his attractiveness.
Despite my trepidations about Jake's career fighting fires, the physical exertion of the job had helped tone his body better than free weights ever could. I found myself longing to run my tongue along the curve of each of his muscles. What I wouldn't give to have him inside of me right now.
Mind over matter, I told myself, clenching my thighs together.
Jake and I needed to discuss what had happened, and we couldn't do that if we were messing around beneath the sheets. I had taken a firm stance, and I intended to stand my ground.
But suddenly, my view on the matter seemed silly. Sure, Jake could have been gravely injured- but he wasn't. His job could be hazardous at times, but that was beyond his control, so why should I be angry at Jake for something he couldn't change? I should be thankful for every moment I had with him, not dwelling on the things that might happen.
The notion that Jake could have died was terrifying, but it no longer made my stomach want to heave. Instead, it made me realize how fortunate I was to have this man in my life. I couldn't spend my time worrying about what dangers Jake might face each day. I had to start living in the moment because we never know what tomorrow might bring.
At that moment, I realized why Jake was so good at his job- the wildfires were no match for him. He fought fire with fire, for he was as ferocious as any blaze could be. There was no need for me to worry about him, for the meager flames he met each day were no threat compared to the danger that was Jake Lucero.
Staring at Jake's handsome features made it hard for me to think straight. The need in my sex was like a magnet, pulling me toward him against my will. Desire coursed through my body, consuming me, skewing my discernment.
To hell with it, I thought, ignoring my inhibitions and giving in to the burning inside me.
I unwrapped my satin robe and allowed it to fall in a heap on the floor, leaving me standing in only my undergarments. The fire inside of me served as my fuel, as I sashayed across the room and crawled slowly onto the bed.
Jake's eyes widened as he took in my nearly naked body, shock on his face. Ten minutes ago I had been pushing him away, and now I was lusting after him. He must have thought I was crazy.
"Cat, what the..." he started, but I silenced him with my lips pressed firmly against his.
He paused for a moment, unsure what had possessed me. But it didn't take long before he was kissing me back. He rolled onto his back, his lips never leaving mine. I spread my legs, straddling atop his muscular body.
He pulled me passionately against him, deepening the kiss. Jake's kisses trailed down my neck and to the top of my chest. He ran his thumb against the lacey outline of my bra before unclasping it, allowing my breasts to tumble out. He let out a soft hiss of appreciation, making me squirm with insatiable need. His lips closed around my swollen areolas, and I felt my nipples harden against the gentle tug of his teeth.
I smiled when I felt the familiar bulge nudging against my inner thigh. I pressed my hips against Jake in response, and a moan escaped his lips. I knew that he was as ready as I was.
Without hesitation, I pulled my panties to the side and guided him inside me, fulfilling the need I'd been so desperate to subdue mere moments ago. Jake's eyes widened with amazement as I took control.
The tight sensation of Jake being inside of me made me moan, as I rocked my hips back and forth gently. Jake's hands found their way to my behind, as he alternated between caressing me and lifting me up and down, intensifying our mutual pleasure.
My hands fell on Jake's brawny chest, my fingernails scraping gently against his skin as he thrust inside of me. The feeling excited him, and he sighed with bliss. I felt like a goddess as I watched the inferno dancing in his dark brown eyes.
Jake picked up the momentum, entering deeper with every thrust. My breasts bounced with the movement, and Jake stared at them with desire. His lips found their way back to my breasts. The sensation of his member deep inside of me, combined with my mouth on my nipple, was too much. My movements slowed as I was brought to climax, whispering Jake's name fervently as if it was my dying breath.
* * * * * * * * * *
The distraction of Jake's body had worked well... for a little while. Once the euphoria of our intercourse had worn off, my mind drifted back to the burn on his arm. I stared at it through dinner, unable to stomach the steak carnitas on my plate.
I had long ago accepted the fact that Jake and I would never be more than what we were. The fact that he was hurt shouldn't have bothered me any more than it would bother someone who was just a friend. Yet, I couldn't get the notion from my mind. Though our relationship wasn't supposed to be anything serious, the thought of losing him still made my heart ache.
It weighed heavy on my heart knowing that each time he walked out the door, there was a chance that he wouldn't come back home. But I kept my mouth shut. I wasn't Jake's girlfriend, and I didn't have a right to voice my opinion about his career. Especially not if I wanted to stay in his good graces.
The sound of the front door opening and closing brought me back to reality. Mariana came bounding into the kitchen, her red bottom heels clicking against the tile. I used her arrival as a diversion so that I could dab the moisture from the corner of my eyes with my napkin, hoping Jake wouldn't see just how upset I still was about his injury.
"Sorry, I'm late! My meeting ran over," Mariana said, sitting down at the kitchen table. "Mmm, dinner smells amazing."
She began scooping rice and carnitas onto her plate while droning on and on about how pointless the conference was. No one else could get a word in, but nonstop chatter was just part of the charm of Mariana. Besides, I was too nauseous to contribute to the conversation, anyway.
Mariana was about midway through her dinner before the bandage on Jake's arm caught her attention. She nearly spit her food out on the table when she saw it.
"Are you okay?" she asked, reaching for his arm.
He winced at her touch. Jake pulled his hand away. "I'm fine."
"You don't look fine. What happened? Do you need to see a doctor?"
Jake sighed. "I've already been to the doctor, Mariana. Don't baby me," he snapped, causing her eyebrows to jolt upright.
Jake realized his harsh attitude and tried to make light of the situation. "It's no wonder the two of you get along so well," he said, gesturing between his sister and me. "You're both so dramatic. You get worked up over the smallest things," he chuckled, but Jake was the only one laughing.
"Well, someone has to be concerned about your well-being since you aren't," Mariana mumbled irritably, pushing her food around the plate. "Thank God that Cat and I did hit it off. If we hadn't become friends, I would have never known that you were in a coma a couple of months ago. Care to explain why I didn't get a phone call about that, big brother?"
Jake's eyes widened, and my face heated. I could sense him searching for my gaze, but I couldn't bear to look at him, so I kept my eyes trained on the floor. I felt like I had betrayed his trust, in some bizarre way, by telling Mariana about his injury.
"It was nothing," Jake muttered, hanging his head like a child who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
"Don't give me that," Mariana snapped, her eyes swelling with unshed tears. This was the most serious I had ever seen her. Her carefree attitude was long gone now.
"You were unconscious for a week, Jake. You almost died, and you didn't even bother to tell me! I thought we were close, but apparently, you don't see it that way," Mariana muttered. "Do you realize how shitty I would have felt if you had died and I didn't get to say goodbye to you? But I guess you didn't think about that. You don't think about anyone but yourself these days. I know you've had a self-destructive attitude since Elena, but damn."
Jake narrowed his eyes at her. His face turned blood red, and the muscles in his neck tensed intimidatingly. His remorseful sulk was gone and was replaced by an agitated scowl. I saw his mouth move ever so slightly as if he was counting to ten before speaking. Mariana had struck a nerve.
But Mariana was just as daunting as Jake was, and she didn't back down. She matched him glare for glare, unapologetic for whatever cold, hard truth she had just unleashed. I felt my heart racing, racking my brain for ways to defuse the situation; I had nothing.
Finally, Jake broke the silence. "I'm going to bed before I do something I regret," he spit between clenched teeth.
Without another word or a glance in either of our directions, he headed upstairs and slammed his bedroom door.
"Sounds like a good idea," Mariana said.
With a frustrated sigh, she left the room too, leaving me alone in the silent kitchen wondering what the hell had just happened.
* * * * * * * * * *
Jake was asleep by the time I went upstairs, so I crawled beneath the covers of the guest bed. I longed for sleep, but I ended up lying awake most of the night. My mind lingered on Jake and Mariana's argument, wondering what information I wasn't privy to that had caused things to get so heated.
I wanted to ask, but Jake had been in such a foul mood after the fight, I didn't want to probe and risk upsetting him further. But it was hard to let it go when the argument still lingered in the air the following morning.
Things were icy in the house as we sat down for breakfast. Jake and Mariana were still upset with one another, and it made things awkward. They sat as far apart as the kitchen table would allow, their lips pursed in frustration, keeping their eyes on their plates.
I ate my omelet in silence, watching as the two of them avoid each other's gazes. I hated confrontation and wished there was something I could do to clear the tension that hung over the room. Jake and his sister didn't get to see each other very often; I didn't want what little time they had together to be spent in anger.
When the mail ran a few minutes later, I found the perfect excuse to break the silence.
"Look what you just got," I smiled and placed a small postcard in front of Jake.
His sour expression turned to one of horror as he saw the picture. The card showed a group of men standing in front of a fire truck. They were all dressed in brown outfits meant to look like Santa's reindeer, complete with hooves and antlers. In the middle, front and center, was Jake, wearing a fake nose as red as his flushed face was.
Mariana's curiosity won out, and she glanced up at the card. When she saw the picture, she laughed so hard that she snorted, nearly sending her cereal flying across the table.
"Shut up, Mariana," Jake muttered irritably, but there was the hint of a smile beneath his cold exterior. The rigidity in my shoulders relaxed, and the room became a little warmer.
Mariana snatched the postcard from Jake's hand to get a better look.
"You are one handsome reindeer, Jakey," she said, playfully pinching his cheek. He swatted her hand away. I smirked at the sibling rivalry.
She turned the postcard over, and her eyes lit up as she read the back.
"Your work is having a Christmas party?" she asked with unmistakable excitement.
"Yes," Jake replied, grabbing the postcard again. "The firehouse throws a big shindig every year for the staff and their families."
"Can we go?" Mariana squealed.
"I don't know, Mariana," Jake grimaced. "I'd have to get dressed up and everything. The whole thing just seems cheesy."
"Oh, come on, Jake! I never get to go out. Between work and staying with Mami and Papi, my schedule is always full."
I could see the guilt on Jake's face. It was hard for him to tell Mariana no.
"I know you hate this stuff, but this is my one chance to relax before having to go home. And look, the card says all of the proceeds go to charity, so it's for a good cause. Please, Jake. Pleeease," Mariana begged.
Jake sighed. "Okay, I guess we can go," he resigned.
Mariana leaped for joy. She plopped down in the chair beside me and grabbed my hand in excitement. "You can wear one of the new dresses you bought, Cat."
"Woah, I never said that I was going, too," I responded, pulling my hand away gently
Mariana pouted. "But you have to go! Jake, tell her she has to go."
I narrowed my eyes at Jake, daring him to press the issue. The only perk of being friends with benefits was that I didn't have to go to social events like these. Getting involved in his personal life would breach our agreement, and Jake knew it.
But Mariana meant the world to him, and he couldn't say no to his baby sister. So he just shrugged and gave an apologetic smile, leaving me to battle Mariana alone.
Mariana wasn't the type of person that you could say no to. Her greatest trait was her persistence; if she wanted you to do something, odds were that you were going to do it. She stared at me with large, pleading doe eyes until I couldn't stand it any longer. I succumbed to her request with an agitated 'yes'.
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© Dawn Norwell