AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“At least she’s quiet there,” he adds.
I scowl.
She potters away, laughing under her breath and refusing Jake’s offer of help.
He doesn’t interrupt, but his eyes remain on me for what feels like endless minutes, until finally, I catch sight of movement. He places my coffee on the floor next to the chair.
His breath sweeps across my neck, inducing a violent shiver as he whispers, “Coffee. Two sugars. Keep playing.” My head almost snaps back, but he’s so close, I can’t move. “You’re beautiful when you play.”
I swoon.
***
The music room is painted in Fresh Air Blue.
So is Jake.
I made sure of it.
He looked too pristine.
Maybe he’ll invest in overalls now.
I key the room, making sure the kids can’t spy and ruin the surprise.
After we say goodbye to everyone, I wipe a paint-coated hand across my forehead. I tried to clean up, but I’ll need a long shower to get the rest.
Chest heaving, Jake pulls me by the wrist as we step outside.
He’s dragging me around a lot today, and I can’t say I’m completely opposed to the idea.
“You are not getting into my car like that.”
Meeting his stare, I crane my neck to look at him. “Want me to strip?”
His grip tightens as his brows shoot up to his hairline.
I hold out my hand. “I took two towels. Your leather seats will remain paint-free. If you’re not happy with that, we’ll simply have to drive commando.”
I bite down on my lower lip to smother a laugh bubbling in my throat. His eyes drop and my threatening laugh dissolves. I swear his fingers are scorching my skin.
His white button-down is covered in light blue blotches, but he’s kept his hair and face free of my markings.
I want to change that.
Dropping the towels, I move too quickly, and he can’t step out of the way fast enough when I press my finger to his forehead and spread the paint down his nose.
I pop my bottom lip over my top and rest my hand on his chest. “Jake, why so blue?”
In the next breath, his hand goes to my lower back, pulling me toward him until my chest is flush against his.
I gulp.
He’s crowding me and stealing my air in the process.
The vein in his temple is throbbing and I’m so close I can see the blood pulse in his neck. Slowly, he lifts his hand and simply tucks my hair behind my ear.
Breathe, Claire. You’re going to die if you don’t breathe.
