“Ready!” Kacey threw open the door to her apartment, wearing tight-fitting running spandex, an oversized sweatshirt that fell quite nicely over her shoulder, and a messy bun.
Every man’s worst nightmare. A girl who actually looks good without trying. “And don’t worry, I packed really light!” She flashed a brilliant smile and pulled out two small bags.
Jake nodded his approval. “I must say I’m impressed.”
Kacey did a little curtsy. “I do live for your approval.”
“As you should.” Jake laughed.
“Now, bring my stuff down to the car, slave. I’m your tired fiancée, so the doting must start.”
“Doting?”
“Yup.” She pulled her door shut and locked it. “You know, you have to actually treat me like you find me attractive, sexy, the best thing to hop into your bed since—”
Kacey froze mid-sentence, a look of pure horror crossing her face. Jake didn’t know what to do, wasn’t sure if he should hug her, ignore her, or just apologize for being a complete ass over everything that went down between them.
“Um, Kace—”
“So, we should get going!” She hit him on the shoulder and jogged past him, leaving him the tedious task of carrying her luggage down three flights of stairs.
In all honesty it was like atonement for his many sins. Really, he would rather be stabbed than have to see that look of pain in Kacey’s eyes. It was as if someone had just told her Disneyland wasn’t real.
By the time he reached the car, Kacey was already waiting next to it. “Nice ride.”
“I, uh…” Why was he suddenly feeling uncomfortable about his success? “It’s good, I guess.”
He opened the door to the new SUV and helped her in. All hints of being upset had left her face. Kacey was now jabbering on about how much she liked SUVs and why he’d made a good choice, but all he could really focus on was her lips as they moved, fast and then suddenly, erotically slow.
“Did you get your lips plumped or something?” Jake interrupted. As the words left his mouth, he seriously wanted to rewind time so he could slap himself.
“My lips? Done?” Kacey laughed. “No, Jake, you’re just confused because you date so many woman who have fake lips, br**sts, and h*ps that you forget what a real woman looks like.”
Throat suddenly dry, Jake turned away. “Right, well. Okay.”
Idiot, idiot, idiot. “So, you sure you can handle the forty-five minute flight?”
Jake thought he heard Kacey mumble “bastard” under her breath but couldn’t be sure.
“I’ll have you know that I’ve flown plenty since that little incident.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I believe you’re referring to the time I saved an old man’s life?”
“Saved his life?” Jake burst out laughing. “Kace, you almost killed him! He had a weak heart, and you kept hitting him across the chest because of the turbulence. You were mom-arming him like crazy! I’m surprised he didn’t sue you!”
“He thanked me.” Kacey lifted her chin and looked out the window.
“Um, he did nothing of the sort. He thanked me, not you. And the only reason he said “thank you” was because I put Benadryl in your soda so you’d stop freaking everyone out.”
“I knew I couldn’t have been that tired!” Kacey nearly shouted.
At Jake’s patronizing look she locked her eyes on the road in front of them and murmured, “I’ve grown up since the last time you saw me. You should know that, Jake.”
Oh, he knew it alright, he just wasn’t ready to admit it — or anything else for that matter. The girl had done a lot of growing up and he was very appreciative of said growing.
“Anyway…” Kacey let out a huff of air. “I’m not afraid of flying anymore.”
“Swear?”
“Swear.” She crossed her heart and winked.
****
Kacey gripped the seat so hard her fingers were numb. What the heck? Why were they taking so long getting the plane ready? If her forehead was pressed any tighter to the window, the glass would break.
“So, not afraid of flying anymore, hmm?” Jake’s breath tickled her ear as he pushed his body next to hers. “Liar.” His deep voice caused fluttering in her stomach. She refused to turn and look at his perfectly chiseled face. Damn him.
“How do we know they’re really doing their jobs? I mean, if checking the plane is so important, why are they all smiling?”
Jake’s warm hand cupped her chin forcefully, pulling her away from her stakeout. “People smile, Kacey, and a happy worker is a good worker. Maybe he’s just really excited about his job.”
“Or our deaths…,” Kacey mumbled to herself. Seriously! Her eyes scanned the rest of the passengers. All of them reading or talking. Why weren’t they on the lookout? I mean, as an American, it’s your job — nay, your duty — to look for suspicious characters. Her eyes darted around the small plane, landing finally on a large man who seemed to be talking into his jacket.
“Holy Hell.” Kacey grabbed Jake’s hand. “That man is talking into his jacket. Do you know what that means?”
“He’s insane?” Jake offered. “Like my fake fiancée? Seriously, Kace, if you can’t calm down I’m going to drug you again, and it’s not going to be Benadryl…”
“Fine.” Kacey leaned back and tried to relax, but the minute she closed her eyes she remembered she was still holding Jake’s hand, and he was holding hers back.
Oh crap. It was like sixth grade skate night all over again.
Only worse, because this time the song didn’t end. It was a forty-five minute plane ride, and she had started the whole thing holding his hand. What could he possibly think of her?
Jake’s thumb rubbed across her fingers delicately.
Another involuntary shiver ran down her spine. It’s not real, Kacey. Just remember it’s not real. He doesn’t really like you in that way. Do it for Grandma!
The plane began to taxi and the pressure of Jake’s hand increased just as her palm pushed into his. If the man had any feeling left in his arm at all, she would be shocked.
“Kacey?” he whispered, again dangerously close to her face.
“Hmm?” She refused to open her eyes.
“Let’s make out.”
“What!” Kacey’s eyes flashed open to see the mocking grin on Jake’s face. “You can’t be serious.”
“I’m dead serious. The way I see it, we need to have some chemistry before we get to Portland. Also, the way you’re going, they’re going to have to saw off my arm because of blood loss. So really, you’re doing me a favor all around.”
Kacey’s eyes squinted. “You’re too good-looking.”
“Wow, nice change of subject. Thank you, but not where I was going with that.”
Kacey closed her eyes again and cursed her smart best friend who had warned her of such things happening. Of course Jake had something else up his sleeve; she just didn’t think it would include him making out with her on an airplane.
Not that it sounded completely horrible or anything.
“We made out in L.A.,” he said still holding her hand.
“Oh, you dirty little liar!” Kacey laughed and pushed his hand away. “You made out with me, and after a while I participated.”
“Your tongue down my throat the minute we took off wasn’t participating?”
“Nope, it was an experiment.”
“You realize you explain everything away with an excuse, right, Kacey? How about this? I dare you.”
Kacey snorted. “To do what?”
“Make out, like we’re in high school.”
“I don’t make out.”
Jake laughed, his dimples dancing on his face. “Neither do I, sweetheart. Neither do I.”
His lips came crushing down on hers with such force that she could only relent and allow him to push her back into her seat. Hot and hungry, his mouth slanted across hers with heady need. Everything was the same. From the taste of his lips to the pressure of his tongue as it pushed into her mouth.
And then, just as she was getting ready to rub her hands through his hair, just as she had made the decision to allow her tongue the luxury of tangling with his, he pulled back.
“See?” He patted her on the hand. “Don’t you feel better now?”
His question was truly the type of thing that guys always say. Are you happy now? Do you feel better now? Wasn’t that great, baby? Seriously, the man should count himself lucky that she didn’t smack him across his gorgeous face.
“I’ve had better.” She shrugged and closed her eyes, feigning sleep, knowing it would be a long shot if he believed her to be able to sleep, flying on a death-mobile through the sky.
“I know you’re not sleeping.” Jake’s deep timbre sparked a nerve within her, making gooseflesh pop up around her arms.
“Leave me alone, man-whore. I’m trying to forget about the creepy man talking into his suit, the way too cheerful plane-checker people, and the fact that I’m willingly going into the lions’ den with a man who pays strippers. I think I deserve some shut eye, don’t you?”
Silence ensued, making Kacey think she had won… that is until she felt Jake brush his hand across her arm. “Why sleep when we could talk?”
“Yes,” Kacey said forcing her eyes to stay closed. I will not look into his hypnotic eyes. I will not look into his hypnotic eyes. “Let’s talk about the fact that you’re manipulating me as well as asking me to convince your entire family that I love you. As if that was possible. And seriously, how are they going to fall for this? Don’t you go home, ever? Aren’t they going to be suspicious when you miraculously show up with me in tow?”
Jake cleared his throat. “Not really. Say, do you need something to drink? Water? Scotch?”
Hmm, deliberate change of subject. What the hell was up Jake’s sleeve? “Jake?” Kacey used her sweet voice. “What makes you think they’ll fall for it? Really, I think I deserve to know.”
Kacey opened her eyes to see Jake staring straight ahead, no movements, just staring. In all honestly she wondered if he was breathing at all, he seemed so tense. The flight attendant showed up in time for Jake to motion for a drink.
He downed two shots of scotch but continued to stare, and the plane hadn’t even taken off yet.
“Jake?”
“Shit…” He looked down at the floor. “They don’t know… about us.”
“What do you mean?” Kacey truly was concerned he was drunk at this point. What the heck was he talking about?
Jake cursed again. “Kace, they don’t know we had somewhat of a falling out. Okay?”
“Okay?” Kacey repeated as she mumbled a curse underneath her breath. “So tell me, what do they know?”
Jake exhaled. “All they know is that we’ve grown apart, yet still managed to stay in touch over the last few years of school, okay? It’s possible I’ve led them to assume we still hang out once a week. I update them about your life and work at the coffee shop, and that’s basically it.”