Page 52 of Studfinder

I smile, tugging one cup downward to expose her full breast. Her breath hitches as I lower for her nipple, my tongue circling the tightening nub before I pull back with an idea. I reach into the bowl of berries and place a sliced strawberry atop her nipple, perching it on the peak.

“What are you doing?” She chuckles as I lower to nip both the fruit and her sensitive skin.

“Tasting how sweet you are,” I tease. “Almost as sweet as this berry.”

“Is that why you call me sweet instead of sweetheart?”

“I call you sweet because you said you weren’t my sweetheart. As soon as you give me your heart, I’m happy to change the word, although I’ve become partial to sweet.”

Her eyes widen before her smile grows. “You have my heart, Jake.” Her hands wrap around my neck, and fingertips rub through my hair.

“Do I, Rita? Do I have your heart yet?”

“Hypothetically speaking, it’s getting there,” she says, chewing the corner of her lip, fighting a grin.

“And not hypothetically speaking . . .” I whisper, lowering my lips to hers but not giving in to the kiss I want to give.

“It’s already yours.”

Unable to fight a grin, the corner of my mouth curls upward, and I finalize the distance to kiss her as I wish.

“You have mine as well. Of course,” I tease.

“Of course.” She laughs again, and I capture the sweet sound with another kiss. “Now, can I show you how well I use my hands?”

“That ego. Your head is so big.” Rita continues to laugh and adds, “Please, show me how skilled your hands are, handsome.”

I catch one of hers with mine and reach around her for the bowl of berries before tugging her forward. “What are you doing with that fruit?”

“I’m also going to show you how skilled I am at getting drunk off berries lined along your body.”

“Oh my.” Rita chuckles.

Oh my, indeed.

21

Rita

When the law school graduation arrives, Jake sits in the audience with his brother while I sit among the other alumni present. While I’d typically pass on this event, I’m honored to attend because Jake wanted me here. I’ll be meeting his nephew today as well as his nephew’s fiancée. Having not been back to Jake’s house, I haven’t crossed paths with Nolan, but I’m hoping for the best as today is his son’s day.

As the ceremony ends, people gather in the crowded vestibule and spread to the outdoors while awaiting the graduates to find their families. I stand outside by myself, waiting on Jake.

“Rita?” Turning at the sound of my name, I’m surprised to see Parker Avery. Instantly, I recall that Parker prosecuted the case that involved Ian’s death, which means she prosecuted Jake.

“Parker.” She walks toward me with a man at her side. He’s dressed in the academic robes of a professor.

“Rita, I haven’t seen you in years.” Parker reaches for me, offering a hug I don’t expect. We didn’t cross paths much despite us both being lawyers. Parker had eventually been connected with the State, taking on more criminal cases. She often encountered my father as a judge in our area. Her embrace reeks of sympathy from years past, and I grin and bear the pity in her eyes. “How are you?”

Dismissingly, I wave my hand. “Life is good,” I say, finding I mean it. Jake and I are working through things together while experiencing terrific sex. We’re enjoying one another, as he said.

“What are you doing here?” I ask her.

“This is my husband, Lance.” He’s a nice-looking man with streaks of gray at his temple and sharp cheekbones. A firm hand reaches out for mine, and we shake in greeting.

“Nice to meet you.” I didn’t know Parker was married.

“Lance has been teaching a course here this last year. What are you doing here?”