She wrapped her arms around him and laid her head against his chest. “This is perfect. Thank you.”
“Let’s get undressed and see if it’s as relaxing as it looks,” he suggested.
Taking turns removing each others clothes, Jake stepped into the Jacuzzi and eased her between his thighs. The feel of his body against hers when he pulled her back to lay against him sent electricity skipping over every cell in her being.
“This feels so good,” he said as he tightened his arms around her.
“Yes, it does.” She blissfully closed her eyes. “The water is just right.”
His low chuckle caused goose bumps to shimmer over her. “I wasn’t talking about the water.” A shiver of excitement coursed through her when he kissed her shoulder at the same time his hands covered her breasts. “Tonight is all for you, honey. I’m going to love you so well that there won’t be a doubt left in your mind how much I desire you.”
The sound of his deep baritone promising a night of passion and the feel of his rapidly hardening body against her backside caused her to feel as if she never wanted to be anywhere else but in his arms. And that’s when it hit her. She’d told herself that it wasn’t happening and tried her best not to do it, but she’d fallen hopelessly in love with him.
If she’d had the chance, she might have been frightened beyond words. There was a very real possibility that she would get hurt again. But Jake didn’t give her the opportunity. His hands were moving over her body with precision care and robbed her of all thought.
When he slid his palm down her abdomen to the apex of her thighs, then gently parted her to stroke the tiny nub nestled within, Heather felt as if a spark ignited in her soul. The intensity of the sensations coursing through her caused her body to hum with a need stronger than anything she had ever known.
“Jake, please.”
“What do you want, Heather?”
“Y-you.”
She turned her head to look over her shoulder at him. “Please make love to me.”
His deep groan vibrated against her back. “Turn around, honey.”
When she did as he commanded and straddled his thighs, he lifted up to meet her and entered her in one smooth motion. The feel of his hard body nestled inside of her and the hunger darkening his blue eyes stole her breath.
She watched him tightly close his eyes as he struggled for control and she knew his need was as great as hers. Without hesitation she wrapped her arms around his neck and slowly moved against him. His eyes immediately snapped open and placing his hands on her hips, he helped her set a steady pace.
Feeling more cherished than she had in her entire life, she bit her lower lip to keep from crying out at the intensity of emotions swirling through her. She loved Jake with all of her heart and soul.
As the knowledge filled her, an undeniable tension built inside of her and she rapidly began to climb toward the peak. Jake must have sensed her readiness and deepening his thrusts, sent her over the edge. As her body clung to his, waves of pleasure flowed through her and almost immediately, she felt him tense, then give into the force of his own climax. His tremors rocked them both and she held him close as they rode out the storm together.
When they slowly drifted back to reality, Jake’s heart suddenly pounded so hard against his ribs, he wasn’t entirely certain it wouldn’t jump out of his chest. “Dammit all to hell.”
“What’s wrong?” Heather asked, clearly startled by his outburst.
He set her away from him and moved to get out of the Jacuzzi. “I wanted you so much, I didn’t even consider protection.”
She smiled. “Oh, that.”
Why was she taking it so lightly? They already had one baby they hadn’t planned. And although he loved Mandy more than life itself, he didn’t think having another was going to help an already complicated situation.
“Let’s get out of here and dry off,” he said, wondering if he’d lost his mind. As he got out of the bathtub, he handed her a plush towel, then dried himself off with another.
There was no question about it. He didn’t want to make her pregnant again. Hell, he didn’t know if he was a good father to one child yet, let alone two.
He shook his head in an attempt to clear it. There hadn’t been one time in his life that he’d failed to use protection. Even as a teenager, he’d been conscious of the implications and responsibilities attached to an unplanned pregnancy.
“Jake, are you listening to me?” she asked, wrapping the towel around her.
He’d been so distracted, he hadn’t realized she was trying to talk to him. Securing the towel at his waist, he motioned toward the door. “Let’s go into the bedroom, honey. We need to talk.”
“But I’m trying to tell you—”
He placed his index finger to her lips. “Not until I’ve had my say.”
She looked thoughtful for a moment before she nodded and walking into the bedroom, sat down on the side of the bed. “I’m listening.”
Unable to stand still, he paced back and forth in front of her. “There’s no excuse for my forgetting to protect you.” He stopped and ran his hand over the tension building at the base of his neck. “But I want you to know that if you do get pregnant because of my carelessness, I’ll be there this time.” He knelt in front of her and took her hands in his. “I promise you won’t have to go through everything alone like you did when you were pregnant with Mandy. This time I’ll know, and I give you my word that I’ll be there for you, Heather.”
“Are you finished?”
He couldn’t believe her lack of concern. Did she want to become pregnant again?
Nodding, he drew in a deep breath. “Yes, I think that about covers it.”
“You can stop worrying. I’m not going to get pregnant.” She shrugged one bare shoulder. “There was an issue of my being regular after Mandy was born, so the doctor put me on the Pill.”
Instead of the relief he should have felt, disappointment settled in the pit of his belly. Had he really wanted to make her pregnant again? Had he lost what little sense he had left?
Of course not. The thought was ludicrous. But he couldn’t seem to chase away the let-down feeling that accompanied her announcement.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked.
“The subject never came up. And besides, it really wasn’t any of your business.”
She was right, of course. But what he couldn’t understand was why he wanted it to be.