Chapter 161

“You said you wanted to go see her, so we’re going.” He hands me my case to pack, but I put it back
down on the bed moodily.

“I’ve changed my mind.” I pout, trying to avoid his gaze on me, sitting on the edge and pulling at my
hair. I’m emotional again and I’ve no idea why. This was decided by me and yet now he’s making good
on my decision, I’ve changed my mind.

“Look, Emma … I know things with her are messy, but I don’t want you waking up one day and
regretting this. Go, talk … Just do it.” He picks up my case and flips it open, pulling my fingers out of
my hair as he passes, wandering to the wardrobe he starts pulling out some of my casual clothes and
throwing them toward it.

What is this obsession he has with packing for me?

“Why do you care if I see her or not?” I snap, irritated by his pushiness. We’ve had a week of lazing
around and lots of bedtime play. Suddenly, he wants to vacate the apartment and take me to Chicago.

“Because I love you … And I want what’s best for you. I happen to think this is going to help. You need
to talk to her.” He walks over with a pile of clothes and dumps them onto my lap so I’ve no choice but to
take them. He leans down tugging on my chin to pull my lip free of my teeth and replaces it with a
chaste kiss and a ruffle of my hair as though I’m a child.

“You’re a bossy ass.” I pout, glaring at him as he grins. He stops, looks down at me in a very manly
manner, his shoulders relaxed and his hands slipping to his back pockets.

“Baby … You haven’t seen the full extent of my bossy assholeness … I don’t think you should tempt
fate.” Our eyes meet and lock … Simmering, stubborn, fire on fire.



“Fine.” I finally break, not in the mood for a head to head when I’m feeling so fragile. “But I’m not
staying in that house.” I glance away from him.

“I’ve already booked us into a hotel nearby, miele. Close enough to walk if that’s what you want to do.
Look we don’t need to stay for the whole weekend, just go and see her once.” He bends to kiss me, his
green eyes distracting, and I surrender, letting his mouth capture me and push me back onto the bed
slowly. He slides up over me, his heavy torso pinning me to the bed. “Just don’t fight with me over this,
can we just get ready and go and argue on the plane?” He kisses me again, slowly, and teasingly
before getting back up, satisfied that he’s quieted me for now.

“You need to stop using your sexpertize to get your own way!” I pout up at him from the bed, my body
still tingling from his touch.

“With you it’s the only weapon I have … You’re infuriatingly stubborn and strong-minded, baby. I’ve
never known a woman like you.” He grins down at me before padding off, barefooted, across the plush
carpet of our room to drag his case out of the closet and start filling it with clothes.

“Well, you better hope I don’t get as good as you.” I smile wickedly “Else you will have zero chance of
bending my will.” I lift my chin with a defiant smile, watching as he straightens from the lower half and
turns.

“Baby, your sexpertize is already beyond my capabilities … You’ve no idea how crazy you make me.”
He winks and leans down to scoop shoes from the bottom shelves, his sexy ass tight and alluring as he
bends over in tight blue jeans. My inner body react and press my knees together.

Okay, my horny levels the last few days had certainly peaked, even for us I have been insatiable.
What’s up with that?

I watch him for a moment, biting my lower lip and squirming on the bed. The downside to a super-hot
boyfriend I guess is the inability to think about anything other than sex. Even when you are mid-



conversation and mid-argument about a trip home.

“Jake?” I purr seductively, my eyes almost attached to his ass now. He stands up and glances over, his
face breaking into a wide smile, his eyes instantly changing to dark.

“I guess the plane could wait an extra half hour.” He strides over to me. “The upside to owning it I
guess.” Sliding onto the bed he catches my mouth with him in a sweeping effortless motion, his hand
coming up under my dress to find me already willing.

* * *

Chicago is cold when we get out of the car, I scan around the familiar street and close my eyes, taking
a steadying breath. Jake’s hand comes up over my shoulder giving me the extra strength I need.

“You okay, bambino? he asks bringing his face to my ear and kissing me lightly.

“Yes.” I smile up at him, inner peace washing over me at his touch, and I lead the way to my mother’s
apartment. The street is dull and gray, matching my mood as we pick our way up the internal stairway
of her building. It stinks of urine and the corners of the concrete stairs are littered with condom
wrappers, dried leaves, papers, and broken needles. I pick my steps carefully, angry that this place
seems to fall into more disrepair the longer it stands.

Jake’s hand comes up to my ass behind me, holding me from behind to guide me, I smile at his choice
of grabbing place already knowing, without looking back, that he’s grinning. It lightens my mood and as
we finally round the corner into the hall leading to my mother’s door, I take a deep heavy breath. His
hand comes up my back resting on my shoulder.

“It’s going to be fine … I’m right here,” he whispers before leaning past me and knocking on my
mother’s door confidently. We barely have to wait as she yanks the door open, the waft of baked cakes
and perfume hits us in the face with an almost alarming force.



She’s certainly gone all out!

She’s obviously tried a little too hard for this visit. Her long gypsy style dress, in rainbow colors, is on
over silver sandals and, for once, her hair is down, gleaming in all its tawnyness and brushed into long,
loose, shining waves. I can see why men flock to my mother, she’s still beautiful, with her delicate face
and calm, blue eyes. She smiles, leading us in with a flow of idle chatter.

“Seeing her minus bruises, I can see the resemblance,” Jake whispers in my ear. I frown up at him, I’ve
never seen the resemblance with my mother apart from the color of my hair. Maybe the same pouted
lips and eye color but my mother is beautiful, whereas, I’m just average.

“My mother got the looks, but I inherited all the brains,” I whisper back as my mother swans off to fill the
coffee pot while still gushing and chattering animatedly about our arrival.

“Bambino … You got the beauty too … More than your mother did.” He leans down quickly, kissing me
on the mouth and moving off to accept the serving dishes she’s holding out to us. I can’t help but smile
at his back, a warm feeling washing over me because I know he isn’t one to make empty compliments.
Jake really does think I’m beautiful.

“Take them to the table.” She grins, nodding to the lounge as he carries the cooked chicken and salad
bowls over to the dinette set in the small room. It’s already set up with other dishes and plates. Coming
out of the tiny kitchen she walks up to me and lightly kisses me on the cheek.

I stiffen automatically because we don’t do this kind of touchy-feely stuff, ever! Feeling awkward I reach
out and pat her on the shoulder before making a swift exit toward Jake and sliding into the nearest
chair, draping my jacket on it behind me.

“My beautiful daughter is home.” She gushes toward me before choosing the seat facing me and sitting
down, Jake sits beside me after sliding out of his leather jacket and slides it onto the back of his chair.



He seems to occupy this space a little too much; it’s always been a small table in a small room, and he
seems massive in it. We bang elbows as we both reach for a plate in the center of the table and laugh.

“Ouch,” I say rubbing my arm, he pulls it up automatically and kisses me where we connected, before
handing me a plate.

“Sorry, bambino.” He winks at me and I catch my mother watching us closely with a strangely serious
look on her face. She looks away when our eyes connect and continues dishing out food for
us.


62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda