Alone in the kitchen at the break of dawn, Jake felt as though he and MacKenzie were the only people secluded in a world of their own. Knowing the thought was whimsical, he still enjoyed it.
Jake brewed a pot of coffee, one of the only things he could actually do in the kitchen without disaster. At the same time, his thoughts turned to how he would answer MacKenzie when she asked about their plan to get her child back.
Jake had used his time alone to refresh himself on the information he had gathered about Carlos Ernesto. He came across one piece of new information that, for the moment, he would not divulge to MacKenzie. It had been buried so deep that even he had almost missed it.
“So what do you want to eat?”
As he watched her, Jake realized she hadn’t heard his question. Her eyes were fixed on a spot somewhere off in the corner of the room.
Moving towards her, he did his best not to startle her. Her gasp of awareness at his closeness was sufficient to indicate that his care of movement hadn’t been enough. “I didn’t mean to frighten you; I’m sorry.”
Seeing the tears that had gathered in her eyes, Jake gave no consideration to his actions. Picking her up as though she were as light as a feather, he reversed their positions; him sitting and MacKenzie on his lap. Her start at his sudden move didn’t bother him. In fact, it gave him a sense of satisfaction that she knew without a doubt that should the need arise, he would lift and hold her safe. What she still had to learn was that he was also prepared to carry her for as long as she needed him to.
Feeling her stiffen on his lap, Jake refused to allow her to stand. That she wanted to was obvious in the way she squirmed for release.
“MacKenzie, how long have we known each other?”
“I... I don’t remember.”
“Well, I do. I remember everything about you. I remember what you had on the first time we met. I remember every word you have ever said to me. I remember how I felt each and every time we were in each other’s company, and most of all, I remember how it feels to have you in my arms.”
Jake understood that she might feel uncomfortable with what he was saying. In his mind, he knew he wasn’t making a play for her, rather he was attempting to voice his feelings. As far as he was concerned, what he felt for MacKenzie was more than attraction, he cared about her.
While he couldn’t say it was love at first sight, he had recognized the need that plagued him for what it was. He needed to be in her company. He enjoyed their trade of words. When, and it was when rather than if, her child was returned to her, he intended to pursue her without restraint. Such a thing was foreign to him, but somewhere deep inside, he knew they could have something special together.
Without conscious thought, Jake’s hands moved to her face. Gliding his thumbs across her cheekbones, Jake moved on to brush them over her lips. Her small gasp of breath opened her lips to his touch, and his eyes slowing rose to meet hers.
What he saw reflected in her eyes was a battle that was impossible to dismiss. “It’s okay, my lovely MacKenzie. Everybody needs someone whom they can trust when they are at their lowest. I haven’t forgotten Noelle, and I know you haven’t either.”
As though his words of assurance were what she had been waiting for; with a small sigh, MacKenzie pulled his thumb into her mouth and sucked. The feeling was so erotic, Jake didn’t attempt to hold back the groan that passed through him. The pull of her mouth was all it took for his body to harden. As his arousal pulsed through him, his attention fixed on the woman who always seemed so contrary; except when she was in his arms.
His conscious thought wasn’t at play; all he wanted was to feel the closeness they had experience when they had been together in her home. Moving with slow deliberation, Jake pulled his finger from between her lips even as her mouth fought against it. With yet another show of his strength, he lifted MacKenzie and set her astride his body. He wanted her to feel what she did to him, how her closeness was enough to ignite his body.
Placing his hands against her backside, he pulled her towards him as he slowly pushed forward. When she was exactly where he wanted her, he stopped, his erection pulsing against her core. The feeling was so pleasurable, Jake closed his eyes and allowed his hands to roam up and down her back in a sensual sweep.
A rogue thought entered his mind at how stupid Carlos Ernesto was to allow such a beautiful woman to slip through his hands. Following close behind his thought was a feeling of thankfulness that the man had been that stupid.
“You are the most beautiful woman I have ever encountered.” With her sound of laughter, Jake knew she was about to refute his words.
“You don’t need to say that to me, Jake. I know there’s no way that’s true. I’ve been something of an oddity all my life. A black woman with red hair and more freckles than anyone could count; does not a beauty make.”
“Forty-seven.”