Chapter Twenty-Three
“Why won’t you tell me where we’re going?” I ask Jake again, turning in my seat to face him.
He flickers a glance at me. “Because it’s a surprise.”
“Why is everything always a surprise with you?”
He slows the car to a stop at the red traffic light.
“Because I like seeing the look on your face when you discover what the surprise is.” He reaches over and strokes my cheek with his fingers.
“You would still get the surprised look even if you told me you know – I’m great at surprised faces.”
“Yeah, I’m sure you are,” he chuckles. “But still, it just doesn’t equal the look of seeing it in your eyes, as you see it for the first time.”
Huh? Well now I’m just confused.
“Okay, so what if I told you I don’t like surprises.” I fold my arms across my chest.
“Well you haven’t seemed to mind them so far,” he says confidently, shifting the car back into drive as the light changes to green. “And you definitely didn’t seem to mind the one I gave you earlier.”
My cheeks instantly flush.
Memories of Jake sneaking up behind me when I was in the bathroom, brushing my teeth, getting ready to come out tonight … and then I was coming, but in a whole different way.
“Well, yeah I did like that one,” I grin across at him, unfurling my arms.
“See surprises can be good.” He takes hold of my hand and kisses it then rests it back down so he can signal his turn.
Earlier was amazing, but I think it was also Jake’s way of cushioning the blow, pardon the pun, because after we made love; he’d had some of those amazing cakes delivered as we never did get to go to the delicatessens, and while we were sat in bed feeding each other cake, he told me that the pictures of me and him leaving the Louvre had hit the tabloids in full colour glory telling the world we’re together. They also know Jake and I grew up together. That we used to live next-door to one another and had been best friends growing up.
So now the whole world knows pretty much everything about Jake and I.
Except they don’t know we had an affair.
They don’t know I still had a boyfriend when we started seeing each other. They haven’t locked onto that little piece of information, yet, and I hope they never do. For Will’s sake as much as my own.
The word is that Jake has found "the one". His girl next-door.
It’s sweet, in an intrusive, weird kind of way.
Jake was worried how I’d feel because of my privacy concerns, and because of how I had wanted to spare Will’s feelings as much as possible.
I reassured him I was fine with it all. It was bound to hit the press one day, so sooner rather than later.
So now it’s out, Jake and I can get on with just enjoying one another.
I stare out through the heavily tinted window looking at Paris all around me. I feel like I’m the luckiest girl in the world to be with Jake. To have him back in my life, and for us to finally be together.
And for him to love me back, like I’ve always loved him.
If only we’d told one another how we felt when we were younger, maybe we would never have lost touch. Maybe we would have always been together, and Jake would never have had the drug problem and I would have been there for him when Jonny died.
It’s sad to think we’ve missed out on so many years together, but we have each other now and that’s what matters.
So, I have no idea where I’m going tonight, which is a tad frustrating, but the flip side is that it’s just Jake and I tonight. He told Dave and Ben to stay at the hotel.
I know, I couldn’t believe it either.
Dave was not comfortable with Jake going out alone. But Jake is the boss and what he says goes. He can be pretty authoritative when he wants to be. And it’s really very sexy to see in action. I might let him be all authoritative with me in bed later tonight.
I know why Jake wanted to go out alone with me. He’s trying to give me a normal night out after today’s escapade at the Louvre. Trying to prove to me that life can be normal with him at times.
So there’s no Dave following us. Just Jake and I in his new hire car, a two-seater black BMW Z4.
It’s a sexy car, just like its driver.
Jake had it delivered earlier for us to go out in tonight, and Stuart has also changed the Merc’s, so now Jake’s got Audi’s for the remainder of his stay.
However long that will be.
We haven’t talked about going home yet. I know I have to go home soon, as I need to get back to the magazine and do some work before the US leg of the tour starts. But I’m reluctant to bring the subject up because I don’t want to leave him yet, if ever.
Every time I think about being without Jake, I get this awful strangling, tightening sensation in my tummy.
So for now, I’m not thinking about it.
Jake takes the next turn, taking us down the Rue de la Paix.
He pulls the car over just outside Tiffany’s and turns the engine off.
“What are we doing here?” I ask, a little frisson of energy bursting in my tummy.
Of course I have an idea, well a hope, of what we’re doing here, but I have to ask just to be sure.
“There’s something I need to pick up,” he answers.
“Oh, okay.”
My little glimmer of sparkly hope vanishes.
Of course, I don’t want Jake spending lots of money on me, but if he ever felt the need to buy me something pretty from Tiffany’s then I wouldn’t take total offence to it.
I’ve always wanted jewellery from Tiffany’s.
A: Because I love Audrey Hepburn and wanted to be her for a while when I was younger, well I still kind of do.
B: I love the song.
But mainly C: Because the jewellery is just so ridiculously beautiful, but it’s also, so very out of my price range.
Anyway, he’s here to pick something up, and that’s cool.
Maybe it’s something for his mum. He did speak to her on the phone earlier.
He told her about him and me.
Apparently, she’s really pleased and is looking forward to seeing me again.
Honestly, the thought makes me nervous. Maybe it’s because I’ll be seeing Susie again after all these years as Jake’s girlfriend, and not just his friend.
I climb out of the car and Jake meets me around the other side.
Luckily, the streets are fairly quiet tonight, as I don’t fancy another mobbing like we had earlier.
Jake takes hold of my hand and we walk toward Tiffany’s.
I’ve been in a Tiffany’s store before, of course. Looked around then left before I either killed my visa or cried.
The closed sign is up on the door, but the place is all lit up, and I can see a man walking toward the door.
They’ve kept the place open late for Jake.
Oh, the power of money and status.
We’re greeted at the door by the man inside who identifies himself as Devin.
Devin is well groomed and very attractive. He reminds me of Stuart in a way. I wonder if he’s gay…
“Your piece is ready for you,” Devin is saying to Jake as we follow him over to the brightly lit, glossy, sparkly counter.
But I’m barely listening. It’s so damn pretty in here. My head is swivelling on my neck.
It looks even fancier than the one on Bond Street back home. It probably isn’t, it’s just because it’s here in amazing Paris that I think so.
More than anything, I want to visit Tiffany & Co. in New York. The original and the best.
One day Tru, one day.
I’m getting distracted, there’s just so much to look at, and my fingers are itching to touch things.
A display of rings to my left catches my eye, so I drop Jake’s hand and wander over to have a look, leaving him to get his ‘piece’.
The thought makes me want to giggle. I’m so immature at times.
My eyes roam the gems in the glass case, white diamonds, sapphires, yellow diamonds, and oh my god, a pink diamond. A freaking pink diamond! I didn’t even know you could get pink diamonds!
I’m actually freaking out a little here. Because this has to be the most beautiful ring I have ever seen in my whole entire twenty-six years on this plant.
It’s platinum with a pear-shaped pink diamond and a single row of round brilliant white diamonds hugging it.
I think I may have just died and gone to girlie heaven.
I’d sell my Grandma to have this ring that’s how amazing it is. Of course I’d never tell her that, she’d have my hide if I did.
My eyes scan around for a price for the ring, but there isn’t one, which means it’s ridiculously expensive.
Like I could have ever afforded it anyway. I can’t even afford moderately priced Tiffany’s. Not even cheap Tiffany’s, if there is such a thing.
That ring will be worth more than I can earn in a lifetime.
“See anything you like?” Jake says in a husky voice from behind me.
Without thinking, I say in my still dreamy state, “Look at that ring, it’s so beautiful,” pointing my finger to it.
Then I realise, smack bang, how it will look to Jake that I’m standing here, gazing dreamy eyed at pink diamond rings, which actually looks a lot like an engagement ring, and I’m pointing said ring out to him, in a dreamy sounding voice.
I’m such a girl at times.
“Um … I mean it’s nice, you know, as rings go … so did you get what you came for?” I ask, abruptly changing the subject.
I turn away from the dream ring to face him.
“I did.” He pats his jacket pocket looking pretty happy with himself.
Jake looks absolutely delicious tonight. And very smart. He’s dressed in blue jeans, but he’s wearing a shirt and a suit jacket with them. It shouldn’t work but it does on him, and he looks so very hot.
I’m wearing my sleeveless, floral print dress. It’s fitted at the waist, and has a cut out back. It’s pretty, with a real sexiness about it. I’ve teamed it with my cream heels. And my hair is down and curly, just as Jake likes it.
He takes hold of my hand and opening the door for me, I exit first, leaving Tiffany’s.
“Bye sparkly,” I murmur quietly to myself.
“What did you say?” Jake asks.
“Um … what? Nothing.” My face flushes scarlet, and I quick march to the car, leaving Jake to chuckle softly behind me.
I’ve just got in the car and put my seatbelt on, when I turn to Jake, wondering why he hasn’t started the car yet and see a Tiffany’s box sitting on the armrest separating me and him.
My heart does a little dance in my chest.
I look from the box to him.
“I got you a little something,” he says, looking, surprisingly nervous.
“Is that what you went in there to pick up?”
“Uh huh,” he nods.
“What is it?” My insides are doing cartwheels at the moment, but I’m keeping a poker face on. I don’t want to come across as the girlie idiot I truly am.
He smiles, chuckling lightly. “Open it and find out.”
I reach forward and pick the box up. Cracking it open, I find inside the most beautiful necklace I’ve ever seen. Ever.
It’s a platinum heart locket pendant, with a heart shaped diamond set in the centre.
I can’t believe he bought me this. I think I may actually cry.
“It’s so beautiful, Jake,” I breathe.
“Open it up,” he points his chin at the locket.
I remove the locket from the box, putting it back down on the armrest. Then using my fingernail, I pop the locket open.
I gasp. The smile on my face has just reached maximum size.
“Your dad sent me the picture,” he says, looking shy. I love shy Jake. “The other is from the after show party in Sweden.”
Printed inside the locket are two pictures of Jake and I. One from when we were toddlers. We must be three years old max, and the other is from the after show party in Sweden like he said.
Overcome with emotion, I launch myself at him. Kissing him hard and passionately on the mouth, knotting my fingers into his hair, holding him to me. Jake kisses me back as equally passionate, his hand cupped around the back of my neck, holding me to him, his tongue roaming my mouth, moving with mine.
“So you like it then?” he whispers into my mouth as our kissing slows.
“I love it, and I love you.”
“Birthday present number three,” he murmurs, brushing my hair back off my face.
“I’m still yet to get you anything.”
“I got all my twelve the moment you agreed to be mine.”
“Who knew you were such a hopeless romantic, Jake Wethers.” Smiling, I trace my fingertip over his lips. The light bruise from his fight with Will still evident there.
It’s crazy to believe that was only yesterday morning. It feels like we’ve done so much together since then.
“Only with you I am. And I’m also horny twenty-four-seven.” He runs his hand up my thigh, pushing the hem of my dress up with his fingers.
“Again?” I say.
“Always.”
“Well we’re not doing it here, in the car on the street, Pervy Perverson.”
“Pervy Perverson?” Jake splutters out a laugh.
“Friends – you never watched?” I say at his puzzled expression.
“No, dork, I was too busy touring and earning a living, while you were bumming around at uni watching soaps.”
“Shut your face, and put my necklace on PP,” I grin at him.
Jake holds his hand out for the necklace, so I place it in his palm.
I turn away from him, moving my long hair away from my neck.
Jake places the cool metal around my neck, and catches the fastener at the back. His hands linger on my shoulders, and then I feel the touch of his warm lips on the nape of my neck.
It sends shivers running down my spine.
I reach my hand back, touching his thigh, and lean myself into him.
He smells and feels amazing, and a heat starts to rise in my body, pooling in my belly. And now I’m turned on.
I start to inch my fingers up his thigh.
Jake catches hold of my hand. “We’re not doing it here, MP.”
“MP?” I turn, looking at him puzzled.
“Mrs Perverson,” he smirks, then leaving me cold, he starts the car, puts his belt on and pulls out into the road.
Mrs? Hmm… I’m liking the sound of that.
Mrs. Trudy Wethers.
Has quite a ring to it if you ask me. Not now of course. But then Jake’s not exactly the marrying kind is he.
The thought makes me feel a little sad.
“Where to now?” I ask, ignoring my own crashing wedding bells, and instead try to poker some info out of him.
“Now it’s time birthday present number four.”
Jake pulls the car up on the main road, a stretch away from the Eiffel Tour. It is a little busier around here of course. Tourists are all around.
Out of my window, I see a young guy waiting by the roadside, and I instantly know he’s here waiting for us.
“Come on, baby,” Jake says climbing out of the car.
By the time I’m out of the car, the star-struck young guy is taking the car keys from Jake and is walking around to the driver’s side with a huge smile on his face.
“You didn’t just give the car to a random stranger did you?” I ask, smirking.
“No,” he chuckles, gently swotting my behind with his hand. “He works for the place we’re going to. He’s going to go park the car for us … he’ll probably joy ride it first – can't say I blame him because I would if I was him – but as long as it’s back for when we need it, I’m cool.”
“Aww, you’re so sweet, baby, letting the teenager go for a joyride in the hire car.” I nudge him with my hip. “And you’re also silly, romantic, and looking very hot tonight.”
“Yeah?” He turns to me, that lusty Jake fire in his eyes again. “And you’re beautiful and insanely sexy, and right now I want to peel that dress off you and do dirty things to you right here and now in the street, but I think we might get arrested if I do.”
I press my legs together, trying to control the tremble in them he’s just created with his words.
“Later?”
“Oh, most definitely,” he nods. “Now come on, beautiful, let’s get moving before I starting getting stopped for autographs.” He does a quick, comical glance around, then holds his arm out for me to take.
I link my arm through his, boxing up my sudden urges for later, and we start to walk down the Parisian street together just like any other normal couple, heading in the direction of the Eiffel Tower.
I feel relaxed and happy, and not at all worried that we’re going to get mobbed by TMS fans.
If people are looking at us, I don’t even notice, because I’m too busy staring at Jake, drinking him in.
“What?” he asks, staring down at me.
“Nothing. I’m just happy.” I rest my head against his shoulder as we walk.
“Me too,” he murmurs, kissing the top of my head.
As we near the Eiffel Tower, I look up, and get a feeling of vertigo from the sheer height of it.
“Wow, it’s so amazing,” I murmur.
“Yeah, it’s pretty cool, isn’t it,” Jake says, following my gaze skywards.
“Have you ever been here before?” I ask.
“No.”
“But you’ve been to Paris?” I haven’t. It’s my first time here. I’ve always been more of an Ibiza girl.
“Yeah, I’ve been quite a few times,” he replies.
“So why have you never visited here, or the Louvre come to think of it?”
“Because I was saving them for you.”
“What?” I stop walking. We’re just under the tower now.
Jake turns to face me, sliding his arms around my waist, pulling me close.
“I knew one day I would eventually see you again, and I knew when that day came I wasn’t letting you go for anything. And these were the things I wanted to do with you when I had you back. No one else, just you.”
“So you were waiting for me?”
“Yes.”
Holy f*ck.
“And what if fate had decided we were never to be?”
“Then there would never have been anyone else. There is no one else for me. Only you.”
Just when I think he can’t get any sweeter, he goes and says something to top his last heavenly saccharin.
I reach up on my tiptoes and kiss his cheek.
“I’m never letting you go,” he whispers, as my lips touch his skin.
“I don’t want you to. Ever.”
I spy over Jake’s shoulder a guy, an older guy, loitering by a doorway at the bottom of the tower.
“I think one of your staff is waiting for you.”
Jake glances over his shoulder and signals two minutes to the guy.
He nods and steps back just inside the door.
“He’s not my staff, smart ass,” he says slapping my behind. “Just hired for the night.”
“I hope I’m not just a hire for the night?” I press my lips together, holding back my smile.
“Depends on what you have to offer?” He raises an eyebrow, giving me his, f*ck-me-now stare.
“J-Jake Wethers – are you Jake Wethers?” comes a young sounding voice to our right.
Ah crap.
I turn to see a young lad, maybe thirteen – fourteen max, staring at Jake, agape and wide eyed, like all his Christmases have just come at once.
Jake nods to the kid, and puts his finger to his lips, glancing around.
The kid, obviously in some state of shock, just nods his head slowly at Jake.
He looks quite comical, bless his soul.
Leaving me, Jake steps closer to the kid, and says, “I’m out on a date with my girl and I don’t want a crowd, you know.”
“Uh huh,” the kid nods.
“So just don’t tell anyone I’m here – okay?”
“O-kay,” the kid nods again. He sounds like he’s slipping off into a coma.
“You got a camera phone, kid?”
“J-Johnny,” he says coming to life a little, scrabbling to dig his phone out of his pocket. “My name’s Johnny.” He hands Jake his phone without a second thought.
“Great name,” Jakes smiles.
“Tru, would you mind?” Jake turns to me, holding the phone out for me to take.
“Sure no prob,” I smile.
I take the phone from Jake and set the camera on. I take a photo of Jake and Johnny the kid, and then hand the camera back to him.
“Th-thanks,” Johnny says to me.
He turns and stares at Jake again. He looks like he has a million things he wants to say to Jake, but they’re all stuck in his head. Poor kid.
I know the feeling all too well.
“Th-thanks for the p-picture,” he stumbles out.
“Anytime … and remember, not a word.” Jake winks at him, then takes my hand and leads me inside the door.
“I think that poor kid was in a state of shock,” I giggle, as we walk into the lift together.
Jake’s hired hand is here to accompany us for the ride up.
“I think you might be right.”
“That was a nice thing you did back there, baby.” I squeeze his hand.
“Just doing my bit for mankind.”
I look at him puzzled.
“Tru, that picture of him with me, will help that kid get laid, or if not at least get a girl to play with his dick, and that’s all that counts when you’re a teenager.”
“Is that right?”
“Yup.” He leans in close and whispers in my ear, “That’s what I was hoping for at Lumb Falls all those years ago.”
“Oh,” I say, my pulse quickening as the memories flood my brain, but this time in a whole new light.
Letting go of my hand, Jake reaches behind me, resting his hand against my ass, he cups it with his fingers. “We’ll have to go back there one day and you can do all the things to me I missed out on back then.”
I gulp down. Sex with Jake under a waterfall.
Holy hell.
Before I get a chance to respond, the lift doors ping open, and on seriously wobbly legs, I follow Jake out and find myself in the foyer of a restaurant.
There is a waiter here to greet us.
“Mr. Wethers, Ms. Bennett. My name is Adrien and I will be your server for the evening. Please follow me to your table.”
Jake takes hold of my hand again, and we follow Adrien into a large dining space.
I audibly gasp in shock.
The place is clear. I mean clear. Nothing except for a table for two positioned by the window, and when I say window, I mean the place is wall to wall glass all the way around, so wherever I look all I can see is Paris at night.
And draped around the whole place are white, twinkly fairly lights, and Jeff Buckley is mid-way through singing ‘Lilac Wine’ softly in the background.
I feel like I’ve just stepped into Heaven, and it stops me in my tracks.
Stopping too, Jake turns to me.
“You hired the Eiffel Tower?” I breathe.
“I don’t have that much pull, Tru – well I don’t think I do.” He gives me a cheeky smile, pushing his hand through his hair. “I just hired the restaurant for the night – you know.” He shrugs like this is an everyday thing, downplaying himself like always.
My heart is bumping clumsily around my chest.
“Jake, this is…” I’m struggling for words. “How did you manage to pull this off?” I ask, feeling breathless.
“Stuart. He can be pretty persuasive when he wants to be. Especially with my money in his corner.” He rests his hands on my shoulders, running his fingers into my hair. “Do you like?”
“Mmm, just a bit.” I bite down on my smile.
‘Lilac Wine’ ends, and ‘Hallelujah’ begins to softly lilt into the air.
“You ready to sit down?” Jake tilts his head in the direction of our table, which Adrien is waiting by.
I shake my head, no. “Dance with me.”
He smiles and it lights his whole face. Jake turns to Adrien. “Give us five.”
“Seven,” I say, knowing the song hits just about that length of time.
“Seven,” Jake corrects.
Adrien nods, and disappears off through the door to his right.
Jake takes my hand in his, putting his arm around my waist, he pulls me close. I lay my hand against his chest, as he starts to move us, dancing together.
“You are so getting laid tonight,” I say, looking into his blue eyes.
“I’m holding you to that.” There’s this intensity in his gaze which makes me shiver from my head to my toes.
“Do,” I whisper, as I rest my head against his shoulder.
I can hear his heart beating up through his chest, his heat caressing me, his special Jake scent soothing me.
And I know unequivocally this is my happiest moment with him so far, and I just know there’s going to be so many more to come.
“Te amo,” I murmur quietly.
“You too baby, and I will, forever,” he whispers, kissing my hair.
And we stay here dancing for much longer than our seven minutes, with Jeff Buckley and the lights of Paris as our only other company.
The Mighty Storm
Samantha Towle's books
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- Under the Wide and Starry Sky
- Awakening the Fire (Guardian Witch #1)
- Captured (The Captive #1)
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- The Hurricane
- The Program (The Program #1)
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