KariDinner was delicious, Kari eating a small version of the steak Jake enjoyed. The sounds of appreciation coming from him after almost every bite had her in knots by the time the evening ended. The waiter offered dessert, but they both refused, Jake's voice a little more steady and calm than hers.He smiled over at her as they slipped out of the booth and wrapped an arm around her shoulders as they left the small building, the afternoon and night having been magical. Kari snuggled into his side, her fingers slipping into the top of his jeans and rubbing softly along the back of his hip. He looked down at her, his eyebrow raising. The fire burning inside of her had a few more minutes of patience before it exploded and she gave him a look to let him know.They drove in silence back to the hotel, Kari's knee bouncing up and down as she tried to think through what would happen. It had been a while, and having been with Frank for so long, she wasn't sure what another man might want in t
KariThe night had been like nothing she'd ever experienced before, her body sore and sated beyond belief. Soft light filtered through the room as she rubbed Jake's chest, her body tucked against the side of his, her legs wrapped around his. He was sound asleep, the subtle rise and fall of his chest the only way of knowing he was alive and well. His face was tilted toward her, his long eyelashes resting on his high cheekbones.Her heart swelled in her chest, the man beside her scorching her with his passion. He'd spent hours learning what made her come unglued. He did things she'd never even known possible, the memory of them causing her to groan softly. To lose him would be the end of her. She squeezed her eyes close tightly and fought back a wave of nausea at the deep feeling of loss that rolled over her.Surely this time things would work out - they had to. It was her turn.Kari lay there for a few more minutes before slipping out of his grasp and going to take a long, hot shower.
KariKari pulled into the drive, her eyes heavy from staying up all night. Getting out of the car, she stretched, her heart almost stopping at the yelps of her friends as they rushed out of the house and toward her."What?" she yelled and moved toward them, shutting the car door behind her.Lisa wrapped her up in a big hug and squeezed so tight her back popped."Nothing. We're just glad you're home and that you had a magical night with Mr. Big Stuff." Sicily clapped her hands, her smile wide and filled with adoration."Was he 'Mr. Big Stuff'?" Lisa asked, licking at her teeth as she moved back. Kari swatted at her and rolled her eyes."I'm not answering that." Kari walked around to get her bag out of the car as Lisa pouted and Sicily chided her."Are you up for helping us paint today? I know you have to be tired." Sicily reached for her bag, and Kari gladly handed it over."Yeah, and Jake's going to join us this afternoon. He went home to sleep a little and then he'll come." Kari smil
JakeThey all hushed after Kari turned on music using her phone, their paint brushes coating the wall in a muted teal. Jake stayed close to Kari, making small talk here and there, loving the concentration on her face as she painted. He looked up as Drake walked in, the closest friend in Bar Harbor he’d made at the small gym where he’d spent many nights trying to purge the memories of Bethany from his mind.“Someone call for a help?” Drake stopped at the door, his hands on his hips as he looked around.Jake moved to extend his hand to him. “Hey, buddy. Thanks for coming.” He turned and pointed to Kari. “This is my girlfriend, Kari. Her friends Sicily and Lisa.”Lisa smiled and waved flirtatiously, forever a redhead. Sicily stared a bit longer than she might have realized. Jake moved Drake over to the pile of supplies and picked up a brush.“We’re just doing the base coat now. Pick a place to get rolling and let’s go. We’ll try and do two coats before we break for the day.”Drake took t
KariThey arrived at the house a few minutes later, Jake opening her door and offering his hand as she slipped out. Drake was already there and got out as they walked to the front. He jogged to catch up, looking over at Kari."How did this rascal talk a beautiful girl like you into giving him a chance?" He winked at her and she laughed, fishing in her purse for the keys."Money. He's loaded if you didn't know." She winked back and worked to get the door opened, the boys following her into the warmth of the house. Drake's laugh was deep and warm, rich like good wine."That's hilarious. I know him and he's broke most of the time."Jake popped his friend in the chest and pointed to the sofa. "Go sit down and stop killing the mystery of my character."Drake shook his head and walked to the living room, turning on the sports channel and sinking down into the couch. Kari laughed as she watched them, Jake walking up and letting his eyes drag over her."Money... who needs money when you have
JakeKari crossed her arms over her chest, as Jake lifted the phone between them and shook his head."I'm not answering it. I don't know what she wants, but I'm not interested."Kari shrugged and reached to pull him down for another kiss. The soft ding of a text message sounded between them and worry spread across him. Bethany was never one to need attention, or to be a bother. Something was up and the nagging sensation that he needed to see what it was washed over him. He broke the kiss and shook his head, pulling the phone back out."She's never this insistent. Something’s wrong." He unlocked his phone and read her message, his heart almost stopping in his chest.Mom's dead."What the fuck?" me mumbled, moving from Kari and dialing Bethany's number. His dinner threatened to push its way back up his chest as the phone rang, Kari moving to stand beside him, worry on her pretty face.Bethany answered on the second ring, the sound of her sobs filling up the phone."Hey... what's going o
KariJake shook his head. "No, now isn't the time. Emotions will be high and I don't want you to be uncomfortable or put Bethany in an awkward situation when she's lost to her grief."Kari stiffened as Jake leaned down and kissed her. She returned the gesture, but his words gave her concern. Was he planning on comforting her with his hugs? His kisses? His body? Kari felt tears well in her eyes and hated herself for being so insecure and selfish. She leaned into the kiss, moving her arms to wrap around his waist. Beating back her emotion was painful, but she managed to do it.He moved back, the moonlight washing over him and making him devilishly handsome. The thought of not being in his arms all night caused her heart to throb painfully in her chest."You gonna be okay? I'll call you the minute I get there." He leaned in and kissed her again, moving back to stare into her face as if asking her permission."Of course. I'll be right here, and if you need me to call the school or the fir
JakeJake woke to the buzzing of his phone, his dreams horrific, his night long and arduous. He reached over and pulled it to his ear, turning it on and realizing that it was only a text. Sitting up, he read his mother's prayer over him for safety, her loving words for his quick and easy arrival warming him. He checked the time and jumped up, his flight leaving in less than an hour. He'd never make it in time."Damn," he yelled and jumped up, throwing on jeans and a T-shirt and working fast to get his shoes on. He would have to drive like a bat out of hell. The house was clean as usual, so worrying about any last minute picking up wasn't a problem. He rushed around looking for his phone charger and cursing himself for not finding it the night before.Resigning himself to having a dead battery on the phone for a few hours, he got in the truck and rushed to the airport, the closest one a few towns over. Good thing Maine was so small in comparison to Texas. In the Lone Star State there w