Take a Breath (Take #1) - Jaimie Roberts Page 0,36

to you.”

He brandishes that winning smile, and I can’t help return it. “It was nice talking to you too. Thanks for coming over.”

“No sweat. Can I ask you a question?”

“Shoot.”

He shifts nervously in his seat. “I’m off on Sunday, and although I know you said you weren’t ready for a relationship, I wondered if you would consider spending the day with me—just as friends, of course.”

I see how nervous he is, and I feel drawn to that. I know he isn’t a bad person, but I can’t help but think that his intentions are not one hundred percent platonic. “Just as friends, huh?” He nods with a laugh. “Are you sure you can keep your hands to yourself?” I joke, referring to his last statement.

We both chuckle. “I don’t think there is a man alive who would want to keep his hands to himself around you, but I promise I will. Cross my heart.”

We giggle some more, and I’m about to respond when I sense a presence in the room. I turn and find Jake staring at me before turning his gaze on John. He’s practically glaring at him, and he looks like he’s going to pop that vein again. “Am I interrupting something?” he asks with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. He must have heard what John just said.

John, sensing the tension, clears his throat and grabs his hat. “I was just about to leave, sir. I was in the area and thought I would stop by to see Ana.”

Jake walks towards the fridge and pulls out a bottle of water. “Well, I’m sure you have work you need to get back to.”

If I can sense the hostility, then John must be able to as well. He looks at me a little timidly and then moves out of his seat. “I’ll get going.” I nod with a smile and glare back at Jake for being so rude. “Do you want to call me about Sunday?”

I nod my head and follow him as he makes his way to the door. “Sure. I’ll let you know by tomorrow afternoon.”

When we reach the door, I open it for him, and John makes his way out. He turns, looking over my shoulder a moment before gazing back at me. “Speak soon.” He leans down, kisses me on the cheek, places his hat back on, and nods with a smile. I watch as he walks back to his squad car before shutting the door.

Turning to give Jake a piece of my mind, I’m met with his solid chest. “What the fuck was he doing here?”

I inhale a sharp, angry breath and push at his chest. “How dare you talk to him like that? Wasn’t it obvious what he was doing here? He came to visit me, and you were just plain rude to him.”

Jake’s face suddenly turns red. “I can do whatever I want in my own damn home. If I want to punch the fucker for being a disrespectful asshole, then I will.”

My eyes widen. “Disrespectful? What are you talking about?”

Jake runs his fingers through his hair. “Oh, I don’t fucking know,” he growls out sarcastically. “Maybe it had something to do with his comment regarding not managing to keep his hands off you.”

I squeeze my fists together. “Why does it even matter to you?”

“Because he’s saying it in my house!”

My God, this man is infuriating!

“Was it really just because he said it in your house, or was it because he said it to me?” Jake stares at me for a moment in silence. It’s almost as if he’s trying to think of what to say. “You can’t say it, can you?” He looks torn but remains silent.

Sighing, I move towards the stairs, but he grabs my arm. “What is Sunday all about?”

I shake my head. “It’s nothing.” I try to move, but he holds his grip. I sigh again. “It’s none of your business. That is what Sunday is about.”

Jake glares at me as he releases my arm. “Like hell it is. What does he want with you?”

I laugh at the absurdity of this man. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe whatever it is has something to do with the fact that he actually likes me. He actually wants to spend time with me.”

“Or maybe it has something to do with the fact that he wants to fuck you.”

I throw my hands in the air. “Well, maybe it does. Who knows? I guess I will have to find out on Sunday,