Chapter 142

“What exactly did his mother do to him?” I slide my arm through his now that he’s got both hands on his
phone and rest my head against his shoulder. Looking up at him with wide-eyed, inquisitive adoration.

“Let’s just say Daniel caught her in a lot of compromising positions from early in life with men who
weren’t his father. She had time for affairs but never any time for her only kid or her actual husband.
The boy has serious mommy issues that I don’t even think he understands, and he completely idolizes
his father.”

“So that’s why he surrounds himself with endless porn stars and one-night stands?” I blink in surprise,
this little insight into a guy I thought was just a jerk and a sex addict. Maybe he has as many issues as
me.

“Daniel doesn’t trust women; he doesn’t have much respect for them either. He looks at them all the
same way he looks at his mother. The guy needs therapy but try telling him that.” Jake throws me a
look that means the conversation is over as we see Daniel swaggering back toward us, his hands
jammed in his jean’s pockets. Watching him walk over with renewed knowledge helps me see him in a
different light. The face I always dismiss as smarmy and arrogant looks a little lost and vulnerable, the
confident swagger more like a veil to hide an insecure person. Something I know about all too well.

“We done here?” Daniel looks us over and doesn’t attempt to sit.

“We’ll meet you back at the apartment before two,” Jake says. “I want to take Emma shopping for some
things we need.” He glances at me with a blank expression as though checking if I’ve any objections, I
just smile up at him. I’ve never been shopping with Jake. I used to either deal with it for him or had no
part in it. He did it on his own time and despite most men avoiding any form of clothes shopping or
anything shopping, Jake seems to enjoy it.

“We?” Daniel smirks and I dismiss the urge to make a face at him. Still a jackass under that sad look.



“She lives with me, Daniel. There are things we need. I know that’s beyond any of your mental
capabilities to comprehend. You know? What a relationship is.” Jake smirks at him and throws down
the napkin he was using on his hands, standing fast and pulling my chair out for me then offering a
hand to help me up.

“I thought you were just shacked up temporarily for some hot sex and tension release, I didn’t predict
you joining the long line of shackled men in the world.” He grins but Jake just shakes his head at him.

“Green isn’t your color, princess. I know you’re hot for me, Danny Boy, but don’t belittle yourself in this
way.” Jake, now beside Hunter, pats his butt and gets a slap back in the chest.

“Whatever, asshole.” Daniel grins and we turn to go. Heading out through the hotel foyer into the bright
morning light.

“We leave for LA at two … Don’t be late as I won’t wait for you.” Jake continues, Daniel shrugs then
turns and takes off with a grin toward our car with Jefferson patiently waiting.

“He can drop me off first then. You pansies can enjoy your shopping without a third wheel.” He throws
back, but Jake just shrugs in return.

“Take him, we can walk … I need the air.”

We watch Daniel slide into the car and turn away toward the busy streets. Jake’s hand already
entwined with mine. He stops me from walking forward with a small tug and I’m pulled back to face him.

“Can’t go anywhere with you looking like that without doing this first.” Jake leans down kissing me
softly, his hand coming to the back of my neck before he deepens the intensity. Pretty soon he has me
almost panting as his tongue smoothly caresses mine, his lips brush delicately and his whole mouth



makes me melt against him. It’s a sensual kiss, meant for the pleasure of the kiss yet he has me
burning up with longing. Finally, he lets me go and I lean back on my heels, unaware I was on tiptoe.

“Bit sexy for the pavement, isn’t it?” I giggle as he smooths the corner of my mouth with his thumb,
fixing my nude lipstick smudges.

“Staking a claim on my beautiful girl. Too many men already checking you out.” He grins and turns me
with a twirl under his arm as though we’re dancing before pulling me along the sidewalk toward the
hustle and bustle of the busy, New York streets.


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