As his lips took possession of hers, Jake had one intention. He wanted to stake his claim. At any moment, Carlos would be joining them. Although he was reasonably sure MacKenzie had no residual romantic feelings towards Carlos, he wanted her to have a reminder whether she wanted to admit it or not, whether this was the right time or not. He wanted her to be left in no doubt that when Carlos stepped through his office doors the only thing she needed to remember was that he was the father of her child, and the man who was singlehandedly attempting to ruin her life.
What he said was true, he didn’t like games, but this woman and her games thrilled him. Finally, he had a handle on her. He understood what he had to do. He needed to put her in a position where she thought she was the one who was making all the plays. He understood, but first he had to make sure she knew what she was missing every moment she tried to deny him.
Jake took her limp arms and draped them over his shoulders. His actions opened her to him, and he didn’t waste a moment cupping her ass as he pulled her against his hard body. Holding her, he bent his knees and slowly pushed upward. He knew as every man did that this was one of the ways a man could show a woman without words what she did to him.
Jake knew this wasn’t their time, they were too exposed, she wasn’t ready for him, but he would make damn sure that before she thought about another man, his image was foremost in her mind.
Cupping her face, his fingers moved against her skin, his touch feather light, even as his hardened cock rotated against her and then withdrew. That she followed where his hands and body led was in its self-exhilarating, a demonstration of how much she was turned on by him. How much she enjoyed his touch. He knew physically she wanted him, but that alone wasn’t enough. He wanted so much more that sometimes the intensity of his feelings surprised him.
He had given her as much leeway as he intended. If she wanted him, she was going to have to show him.
He would get her through this ordeal, but after that, it would be up to her to convince him that apart from her child, he was the most important person in her life.
Chapter 19
The persistent ringing of his cell phone finally registered with Jake. Reluctant to break the tenuous contact he was attempting to establish with MacKenzie, and with an arm still holding her in place, he answered.
“Jacob Kingdom.”
“This is Curtis Ernesto.”
Jake hesitated as his gaze met MacKenzie’s. From their proximity, it was clear that she too had heard who was on the line. The look she gave him told Jake her interest had been piqued as she made no attempt to move away.
“What can I do for you, Mr. Ernesto?” Jake inquired.
“The meeting is off. Carlos isn’t coming.”
Jake could feel his frustration rise but knew he somehow had to keep his anger under control. Through clenched teeth, he could only manage a one-word response. “Why?”
The hesitation that followed his question annoyed Jake even more. With it came the feeling that Curtis was about to fob him off with some form of half-assed excuse. Jake mentally willed Curtis not to voice an excuse, because if he did, Jake knew he would probably go over to their house and do something he would later regret.
Deliberately pulling in his temper, he eased MacKenzie away and walked around his desk and took a seat. He had hoped that what he had found out and what he was about to say would have been done face to face with Carlos.
“Tell your brother, I know everything,” Jake spoke into the handset while finding and maintaining eye contact with MacKenzie.
“What do you think you know?”
The cautionary question confirmed to Jake that the information he’d dug up could be the key to the mess that surrounded them.
“I have MacKenzie here with me. It was my hope that Carlos would also be present when I revealed what I know.”
“I repeat, what do you think you know Mr. Kingdom?”
“Be very sure you want me to answer that question, because once I voice what I know, there will be no turning back. I’m about to do you a favor, Mr. Ernesto. My brother told me that you looked after Noelle while she was at your home, and I always repay my debts; so listen closely to what I have to say and the way in which I say it.
You and your family need to understand that the accusations leveled against MacKenzie are to be withdrawn today. If this doesn’t happen, I will not hesitate to destroy you all.”
“Tell me.”
The dispassion in Curtis’ voice struck Jake as odd. It was almost as though he was resolved to what he was about to hear.
“I know about Hayden Fox, and I do mean, everything.”
The silence that stretched on after he finished was an indication that Jake’s strike had found its mark.
“What are you going to do with this information?”
“Now that depends on your brother, this is a one-time offer. Set it right. I don’t care how you do it, but when you do, make sure that MacKenzie comes out looking like the innocent that she is. Do I make myself clear, Mr. Ernesto?”