“Nick shouldn’t you be wooing her or something?” Jake looked as his sister warningly, only for her to roll her eyes in exchange.
“Oh please, it’s hilarious to think of you brooding over a girl, and that girl being Cara. For years you played it off as if she was just your best friend in the whole wide world.” She emphasized her sarcasm. “Now in the blink of an eye I’m supposed to play it off like you acting like the jealous boyfriend to Cara, is not completely new to me? Hell I’m all for it, but you had to know we’d tease you mercilessly.”
Jake opened his mouth to speak, not sure if he should go with the harshest thing that sat on the edge of his tongue or to engage in the ridiculousness of this conversation. Happy he didn’t have to decide, because Cara made her way over to him and made him completely forget his antagonist of sister. Jake took her hand in his and watched as she smiled up at Nick.
“Hey Nick, what’s up?”
“Hey sweetheart.” Nick said as he winked at Cara. Jake kicked him in the shin, just for the hell of it.
“Sorry, I have a twitching problem.” Jake said sheepishly as Nick grunted.
“Man you need to relax.” Nick said through gritted teeth, shaking his leg out.
Cara stared up at Jake, her eyes questioning him. Shit, was he really going to play the jealous boyfriend? He wanted to kick himself just as he kicked Nick.
“Who’s the suit and tie?” Jake asked, motioning to the man at the end of the bar. He watched Cara glance over her shoulder and then look back into his eyes. She smiled at him before she pressed her lips against his mouth. He felt like an asshole, especially now that she was amused by the jealously that flooded his veins.
“That’s just Bill.” She pulled back and stared at him. “He asked me to dinner, and I graciously told him I am very much in love with my boyfriend.”
Jake couldn’t help but throw “Bill” a dirty look. Cara cupped his face, and forced him to look at her. “Hey, I can handle this.”
“I know you can.” He sighed aggravated with himself. “I just don’t know if I can.” He admitted as he took her hands off his face and kissed one and then the other. “I’m an ass.”
“You’re my ass.” She said as she grinned at him.
“This is going to take some getting used to.” Nick said to Sam as he watched Jake and Cara.
“Yes, and it’s going to be so fun to watch Jake squirm.” Sam said as she blew a kiss to her brother.
Jake supposed he deserved her teasing him, but he would never admit it. He chose to ignore her for now, once he gathered his bearings he was going to embark on a relentless Nick and Sam attack. He focused on Cara. “What time do you get off?”
“One o’ clock.” She said as she licked her bottom lip. He wanted to lean in and take her lip between his teeth, but he had a damn appointment. He cursed to himself.
“I have to go. I have a back piece I’m scheduled to do in a half hour. I’ll pick you up.”
“I have my car.”
“So leave it here, we’ll go for a ride. We’ll go to our place.” He wiggled his eyebrows knowing very well, she wouldn’t say no.
“Okay.” She smiled at him and then he leaned in and took her lower lip between his just as he wanted to. She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding onto the kiss. He restrained himself from kissing her like he wanted to. He may have been acting out, but he knew that there were limits. Slowly, he withdrew himself from her.
“We’ll continue this later.” He promised, loving how turned on she looked and knowing his simple kiss caused it. He stood from his stool and looked over at Sam and Nick. “I’m leaving. Keep an eye on her.” He told Nick.
“Well, if you’re leaving there is no way I’m staying here with him.” Sam said as she pointed a finger at Nick.
Nick sarcastically waved goodbye at Sam, before nodding towards Jake. “I’ve got you.”
“Thanks.” Jake said and watched Sam lean over and kissed Cara’s cheek.
“Happy Birthday, again.” She said and eyed the balloons she turned and looked at Nick.
“What?” He said expectantly. “Going to kiss me goodbye?”
Sam rolled her eyes and stalked off. Jake blew out a breath and shook his head at his sister. She was playing with fire; that much he knew. Nick’s patience with her seemed to be running thin, and he couldn’t really blame the guy. He was trying to no prevail. He patted Nick’s back, consolingly and then gave Cara one more glance. God, she was pretty and she was all his.