“Drop it, Jake. You’re not my big brother protecting me from the bullies on the playground.”
“Hell no, not a brother. I was thinking more of a superhero, like Superman, sweeping in to fix everything.”
Char rolled her eyes and laughed; there went more giddiness. “So you’d pick Superman.”
“Yes.” Jake exhaled and pulled into the coffee shop. “If for no other reason than wearing super tight Speedo-like pants so everyone on God’s green earth could see that I don’t wear extra small condoms.”
He should have remembered the window was open.
A woman getting into her car gasped.
Her small child asked, “Mama, what’s a condom?”
Jake didn’t think it would be appropriate to say a toy, so he just smiled and mouthed sorry to the mother, all the while thinking God hated him.
“I think you should have explained that.” Char laughed, unbuckling her seatbelt when they’d parked.
Jake got out of the car and slammed the door. “Right, and end up getting arrested for saying the wrong anatomical word to a small child. I can only imagine how that could be taken. Jake Titus flashes small child in parking lot.”
“Oh, come on!” Char threw her hands in the air. “You’re exaggerating. The media isn’t that bad.”
“Um, yes they are.” Jake opened the door for her, and the smell of organic coffee floated around them in the shop. “And how can you defend the media? You know as well as I do that a story about me helping a small child would only get twisted into me somehow stealing their ice cream or something.”
Char reached for his hand and squeezed it. “The media isn’t against you.”
“I’m sorry. Do you watch the news?” Jake clenched her hand within his and refused to let it go. In fact, he was holding it hostage, forever. Wow, mature.
They walked up to a small bistro that served coffee and sandwiches and made their way inside.
“What will it be?” The barista asked, eying Jake up and down and completely ignoring Char and everyone else within her vicinity. Why did it suddenly bother him so much that women checked him out and openly ignored Char?
Irritated, Jake lied. “My fiancée and I—well, we just got back from getting our marriage license.” He sighed longingly and gazed into Char’s eyes. “And the thing is, I want to celebrate with my sweetum’s favorite drink. I want it to be extra sweet, just like her.” Oh, gag him.
With a giggle, Char turned into him and wrapped her arms around his neck, playing right along. Though she seemed a bit stiff in his arms. Jake whispered go with it, in her ear and before he knew what was happening she said. “But, baby, all I really need is you.”
She kissed him.
And suddenly… Hell, forget about holding her hand. He was taking her mouth hostage. With a groan he kissed her back, sliding his tongue into her mouth. Tasting her would never get old. He craved everything about her, the way her hands played with the longer hair at the nape of his neck, the graze of her teeth against his lips.
“Excuse me?” The barista said loudly. “There are people behind you and children present. Geez, get a room.”
With strength he nearly didn’t possess, Jake pulled back and glared at the barista. “Already got one, but thanks for the suggestion. Two iced coffees with cream.” Without releasing Char, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a twenty. “Keep the change.”
The barista flushed red and mumbled a thank you as Jake pulled Char away from the counter and then attacked her mouth again.
Char was saying something, but he didn’t care.
Damn, if they’d been anywhere but a public place he’d already have her stripped. He’d completely lose himself in her, and it wouldn’t be just once. No, it would be a marathon of Olympic proportions. He’d chain her to the bed so she couldn’t leave even if she wanted to.
Wow, never took himself for the BDSM type of guy until now. Until the thought of her actually rejecting or leaving him was potentially a reality.
“Jake.” Char’s lips were cherry red from his assault, and swollen at every plump angle. “She’s not watching anymore. That is why you did that, right? You can stop.”
“Right.” He breathed. “I figured.” He tried to get his ragged breathing under control as he heard air escape her swollen lips.
“But you kept kissing me.”
“I did.”
“Two iced coffees on the bar!” someone called out.
Without waiting for Char to ask any more questions, Jake picked up the drinks and led her outside.
After Char took a sip, she opened that lush mouth to speak, but her phone went off again.
“Yes, Grandma? Yes, we have the license. No, no we, no—”
With a curse Char put the phone on the table. “Do you think they’d put a shot of vodka in this if I asked?”
“Do I need to get you help?” Jake winked.
“Shut up. Grandma needs us to get together the rest of the details for the joint Bachelorette and Bachelor party.”
“Wait.” Jake paused, his drink halfway to his lips. “Joint?”
“You heard me.”