Take a Breath (Take #1) - Jaimie Roberts Page 0,58

to be labeled as the evil stepfather who took advantage of and abused you and your trust.”

I instantly grab his hand. “I have never thought of you that way. This is what I’ve always—” I stop myself. I can’t say that to him … not yet anyway, so instead, I finish by saying, “—found so endearing about you. And I really don’t give a shit what other people think.”

He hands me my toast, and I take a tentative bite. “I don’t personally give a shit either. As I said, it’s you I’m worried about. Having said that, I’m not sure how Matthew will take it, though.”

“He already knows,” I sigh.

He chokes on his juice, and I slap his back for him. “What did you just say?” he asks, clearly shocked.

I put the juice down on the side table and continue. “The day by the pool right before he left with his friends to go camping, he saw what happened between us. He saw how angry you were. He looked at me and winked. I knew then that he knew. He’s not stupid, Jake. He can see what’s going on under his own roof. He’s not a little boy anymore.”

I stare at Jake as he looks away, obviously still shocked. “And here I thought he had a crush on you all this time.” It’s my turn to choke on my toast. “That’s what made my feelings for you seem even worse—knowing that my son, who is closer to your age than I am, had feelings for you too.”

His words immediately irritate me. “Matthew is like a little brother to me, and I am sure he thinks of me as his big sister—nothing more.”

“Then what about that business by the pool with the suntan lotion?”

I laugh at the misunderstanding. “Oh, that? He asked me the night before to help him wind up his friend, Clive. Apparently, Clive actually has a crush on me. Matthew told me that they were always teasing each other and playing practical jokes. It was Matthew’s turn to get Clive back for something. And, before you ask, the answer is no. I don’t know what he was getting him back for exactly. I never asked. I just said I would help. It was never anything more than a practical joke. Believe me.”

He lets out a chuckle. “The little shit.”

I slap his arm gently. “Hey, don’t be too hard on the boy. It was only a bit of fun.”

He grabs me by the waist, pulling me to him. “No one gets to look, feel, and devour this body except for me,” he states, kissing me and making my body go limp. My breathing quickens as he gently strokes my cheek with his finger.

“I can’t bear to think about what Clive gets up to when he’s alone in his room and thinking of you at night. The boy’s poor parents must be washing his sheets every single day.”

I gasp in horror at the thought, and Jake starts laughing. I slap him on the arm again. “Hey! That is more than enough of that kind of talk.”

“Well, I can’t say I blame the poor kid. And I love that those fantasies can now become a reality for me,” he says, looking my body up and down, “whenever I want them to. Now, eat your toast.”

I salute him. “Yes, sir, Captain Bennett, sir!”

He puts his finger up at me as I take another bite of my toast. “Don’t be a smart ass with me, or I will have you over my knee.”

The very thought of that sends shivers down my spine.

I quickly finish off the rest of my toast, knowing that he won’t touch me until I do.

Jake notices my impatience and smiles. “We are the little eager beaver this morning, aren’t we?”

“Well, I do have a very eager beaver.” I barely get the words out before I burst out laughing at my own joke.

Jake shakes his head from side to side with a smirk. “You are too much. Do you know that?”

In my most seductive tone, I reply, “Well, I’m sure you can handle me.”

Knowing that he’s watching, I take a gulp of my juice and allow a little to spill onto my lower lip. I take my finger and trace the juice’s path with gentle strokes, pushing my tongue out to lick all the juice up as I go back and forth. I know exactly what I’m doing. There are few things I love more than getting the reaction I