Take a Breath (Take #1) - Jaimie Roberts Page 0,57

mine with extra tongue lashings on the side, if it’s not too much trouble?” I offer him the sweetest, most innocent expression I can muster before fluttering my eyelashes at him.

He amusingly shakes his head as he heads towards the door. “I will give you plenty of that. That is one thing you don’t have to worry about. But for now, you need to eat.”

He makes his way down the stairs to the kitchen, and I suddenly realize just how badly I need the toilet. I get up quickly, a bit too quickly. Feeling lightheaded, I sit back down again. Maybe I do need to eat.

Eventually getting up, I walk to the bathroom and wash my hands. I check the time and realize it’s already ten-thirty. I quickly rush to my room to get one of my pills. I certainly can’t forget to take these—especially after my little speech last night about having children.

I grab my toothbrush and phone on the way out. I need to contact John about Sunday. As I light up the screen, I notice I have three text messages. I open the first as I start brushing my teeth. It’s from Jessie.

Jessie: How are you getting on, missy? Spill the beans! I feel like a freak in this pissing dress. Can’t wait for later when Jerry peels it off me! The wedding went well, and the family loves Jerry. Did you knock the mystery man’s socks off? xx

I completely forgot about Jessie with everything that has happened since. I clock the time that the text was sent. It was eight-thirty last night. I know she’ll be pissing mad at me by now. Sighing, I look at the second one sent at eleven o’clock from Jessie again.

Jessie: Answer me, woman!

Laughing, I check the third one sent at ten this morning.

Jessie: Where are you? Is everything OK? I didn’t hear from you last night.

After brushing my teeth, I sit down on Jake’s bed and decide that I must reply to Jessie’s text, but I’m not sure how to word it. First things first, though, I have to text John.

Me: Hi, John. I hope you’re OK? Unfortunately, I can’t make it on Sunday. I will call you later to explain. Sorry.

I hit SEND, knowing it’s a cop-out, but also knowing that I will talk to him in person later. I’m still too busy enjoying my moment with Jake. Next up is Jessie.

Me: Hi, Jessie. I’m glad all went well last night. Everything went well with me too!! See you next week. xx

It isn’t the best of text messages, and I know she will be pretty pissed off with me once she reads it. As if on cue, my phone rings.

“Jessie, hi.”

The first sound I hear is her sigh of displeasure. “Don’t Jessie, hi me. What’s been happening? I want to know. Did you get laid last night?”

I gasp. “Don’t be so crude,” I reply with a huge grin on my face. Boy, did I get laid last night! I’ll be adding “after breakfast” as well … if he lets me have my way.

“Come on. We’re both adults here. Now give it! Did my virginal Ana finally pop her celibacy cherry?”

Jake chooses that precise moment to walk in, making me jump. He’s carrying a tray with toast, orange juice, butter, jam, and a side of strawberries. He sets it down at the end of the bed as I sit there, marveling at his physique. Heat surges through me, making my pussy ache for him yet again.

“Jessie, I have to go. I’ll call you later.” I can hear her objections as I pull the phone from my ear to hit END.

“So how is Jessie?” Jake asks, picking up the glass of juice and handing it to me.

“She’s fine. The wedding went well, and she just wanted to know how the barbecue went last night.”

His eyebrow rises. “Really? What did you tell her?”

“Well, I haven’t actually told her anything yet. I’m not sure what I’m allowed to say.”

He sighs, grabbing a slice of toast to butter it for me. “You’re not my dirty little secret, and in no way should you ever feel that way. I never intended to hurt you. I was just obsessed with my worries about how messed up my feelings about you might be and how others would perceive them. I didn’t want people thinking badly of you because of me, and I didn’t want anyone thinking that I’d led you astray. The last thing I wanted was