Page 62 of False Flag

Elsewhere stepped out of the pantry, holding a box of powdered hot chocolate mix and wearing Jake’s shirt. And only Jake’s pale blue button-down shirt. “Found it!” Dahlia grinned at Staci. “Oh! Staci, would you like some hot chocolate too?”

Staci gave her a tight smile. “No. I’m here for ice cream.” Her gaze flicked from Dahlia to Jake. “This seems…sudden.”

“It’s odd how naked women regularly throw themselves at me.” Jake’s tone was dry.

“Really?”

“Yeah, just two weeks ago⁠—”

Dahlia threw the hot chocolate box at him, hitting his bare chest. “No one wants to hear about that. And I didn’t throw myself at you.”

Jake gave a smug smile as he kicked the fallen box in Dahlia’s direction. “Uh-huh.” To Staci, he said, “Seems Dahlia decided to go skinny dipping, but she left her clothes and towel too close to the waterline. The tide came in and swept everything away.”

“And you just so happened to be the one to find her?”

“I was on the far end of the beach, skipping rocks to see the bioluminescence.”

No way had Dahlia been in the Salish Sea long enough for the tide to sweep away her clothing. The water was too cold, the tide too slow, and if he was skipping rocks, there couldn’t have been much wave action.

Dahlia gave her an innocent shrug. “I was so lucky Jake was there and willing to give me his shirt.”

“Lend you my shirt.”

Right. That shirt was Dahlia’s now.

“And instead of going straight to your room to shower and get warm, you came to the kitchen?”

She grinned. “Hot chocolate will warm me right up.”

Uh-huh.

“Well then. You two enjoy your hot chocolate. I’ll grab my ice cream and get out of your way.”

She went to the freezer and opened the door, scanning for her favorite flavor. She would skip the bowl-and-scoop part of the process and take the whole container back to her room. She didn’t care if it was a full half-gallon. She did not want to be here while Dahlia set her trap for Jake a minute longer than she had to.

She shouldn’t feel jealous or irked. Jake could do what he wanted. Or rather who he wanted. But still, it stung.

She’d had sex with him thirteen days ago. And she had, in fact, stripped down and thrown herself at him.

The look on his face as his gaze had swept down her body… She felt herself flush.

At least the ice cream would cool her down.

“Staci?” Jake asked.

She realized she’d been standing in the open freezer longer than necessary. She grabbed a pint of Mudslide, then stepped back and closed the door. She set the container on the kitchen island, then turned to face the cupboards and drawers that lined the wall. She fumbled around, searching for the silverware drawer. Dammit. She knew where it was. Why had her mind gone blank?

The feel of Jake’s hands as he scooped her up and pressed her to the wall. His mouth…

She shook her head and yanked open another drawer, finding plastic wrap and aluminum foil. She shoved it closed.

Where are the damn spoons?

Then Jake was behind her. So close she felt the heat of his bare chest, inviting another memory. “Looking for one of these?” His arm slipped around her as he held out the elusive utensil.

She turned, but he didn’t step back. They were chest to chest. His, perfect, bare muscle. Hers, home to a wildly pounding heart.

She cleared her throat. “You’re invading my personal space.”