Chances Are - By Christy Reece Page 0,76
spoiled and cosseted her, treating her as if she were the most important person in the world to him. Angela didn’t need the words. Jake’s actions told her more than enough.
Not a night went by that they didn't make love. She loved his tender, gentle lovemaking. He would kiss her all over, taking his time with her, until she was so aroused she was almost screaming with need. When she was to the point where she barely knew her own name, he would slide into her and they’d fall into oblivion together.
She also adored his wilder side—watching him lose that famous control was an incredible turn-on. He went after his pleasure like he was starving for her. It wasn’t until she performed an erotic striptease for him that she saw that side of him again. After they had recovered, he had fulfilled his promise and had her stand in front of a full-length mirror while he stood behind her and made her come with his fingers. They’d both watched as she climaxed. Even though she had blushed the entire time, she had almost passed out from the pleasure.
Once she was able to get around without her crutches, Jake returned to work but came home to her each night. She knew there were longer, out-of-town jobs he could have taken and didn’t because of her.
She should have realized the idyllic time wouldn't last. What they’d experienced wasn’t the real world. It had been almost honeymoonish—too good to be true. But when gritty reality raised its ugly head and ensnared them in its nasty claw, Angela never saw it coming.
The day began as perfect as all the others. She had a consultation appointment with a plastic surgeon to have the rose tattoo removed. She hadn’t even realized it was there until Dr. Bittner mentioned it when she was examining her. Apparently Delacourte had applied the tat during one of the many times she’d been unconscious. When she had seen what the fiend had done, she had been determined to rid herself of the ugly reminder of her experience.
Dr. Goldstein, the plastic surgeon, inadvertently changed her mind.
After examining the tat and assuring her it could be removed with minimal scarring, he’d asked how she’d gotten it. Angela had given him a condensed version of events. Dr. Goldstein had nodded his head approvingly. “You’re a survivor.”
She had walked out of the doctor’s office with a new perspective. The instant she was in the car, she had instructed Jake to take her to a talented tattoo artist she knew. Marcel had been horrified at the ugly tat and promised to turn it into a work of art. He succeeded beyond her expectations. Two hours later, she had walked out of the building with a beautiful rose in full bloom and in the middle of the flower was the word: Survivor.
Even Jake, who’d been shocked to learn what she was going to do, said it was beautiful.
After that, the day had only gotten better. They’d eaten a late lunch at one of her favorite restaurants. Jake ordered a bottle of wine and they had laughed and talked like they didn’t have a care in the world.
When they returned home, they’d fallen into each other’s arms, ravishing each other as if it had been days and not hours since they’d made love. The perfect ending to a perfect day.
It was late that evening when everything blew up in her face. They were sitting in front of the fire, drinking wine and relaxing when Angela made the announcement that changed her world once again. “I'm going back to work next week.”
Jake had been playing with her hair, smoothing it behind her ear. His mouth turned up in a small smile. “That’s good to hear. I figured you’d want to get back soon. As busy as you like to be, you've probably been bored stiff these last few weeks.”
“Absolutely not. This time with you was wonderful but I’m feeling fabulous now and I’m completely healed. There’s no reason I can’t work.”
“I've missed seeing you there. Deidre’s a sweetheart but when I walk in, I expect to see your beautiful face. I’m always disappointed when I don’t.”
“Noah said she’s doing a great job.”
“She really came through for us on Delacourte. You trained her well. Having two brilliant researchers instead of one is only better for LCR.”
When her body went stiff, Jake looked down at her. “What’s wrong?”
Angela hesitated. For obvious reasons, they hadn’t discussed the future. When existing in a