Secrets of the Great Oak

Chapter 19

Anna awoke with the warmth of Jake at her back and the safety of his arms around her. She intertwined her fingers with the hand he had around her waist and squeezed. She smiled to herself as he yawned awake behind her, tucking her in closer.

"Good morning," he whispered in her ear. The heat of his breath on her neck sent goosebumps all down the side of her body.

"Good morning," she replied, turning over to face him. Goodness, his eyes were beautiful. He replaced his arm around her and she settled into his chest. She was damning the line between them in being so close to him, so forward with him but, she didn't particularly care. His sturdiness and his warmth were what she wanted. She didn't want to move from inside of his embrace. He leaned back a little bit to look into her face.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, tracing those circles on her back again. She breathed in deep and placed a hand on his chest, making the same motion.

"Better. Much better. Thanks... for everything." She dropped his gaze at the last words, color rising in her cheeks. But, he caught her chin and tilted it back up.

"Hey, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. I'm here for you. I will always be here for you." He had carried her like a baby last night, undressed and dressed her again, and tucked her into bed. He had cared for her in ways that no one else ever had and she was unbelievably grateful to him for that. Everything she needed to make it through the night, he supplied willingly.

"I just... thank you."

"Any time, Matthews. You ever need help getting undressed again, I'm your guy," he said with a wink as his hand found her back again. That made her laugh and she could have sworn that Jake's eyes sparkled at the sound. There was the flirting she had been expecting last night, it was refreshing. Jake's gaze dropped to Anna's mouth for a fraction of a second. He moved a stray curl behind her ear and let his thumb gently graze her lips. Anna closed her eyes and took a deep breath, calming the sensation that the contact sent through her body. She wouldn't mind being kissed by Jake. Not after everything he had done for her. She even found herself wishing he would lower his mouth to hers.

***

Every molecule in Jake's body was roaring for him to kiss her. She looked as if she was readying herself for it, as if she'd welcome it. But, he couldn't. Not yet. Not now. He had to tell her how he felt first. A kiss from her would mean too much to waste on a moment where she was feeling slightly indebted to him.

He cupped the base of her head and pulled her further into him. She snuggled into his neck and he stroked her hair for a moment. He left his fingers in her hair, unmoving and he gently pressed another kiss to her forehead. Feeling her hands still on his chest, he wondered if he had gone too far. But then her hand traveled down his chest, to his waist and his back, grazing his skin all the way and she hugged him. The motion was almost his undoing. And then she pressed a kiss to his neck. He had to stop a moan from escaping his throat with an immense effort.

Removing his hand from her hair, he ran it down her arm and her waist. He gently pulled her shirt up and slipped his hand underneath. He waited for a protest, but she just pressed her body against his, arching her back ever so slightly. Taking another deep breath, he started tracing those circles all over her back again, savoring the feeling of her skin on his. Oh, her skin felt marvelous. The tension between them was mounting to a place Jake wasn't sure he could withstand.

***

Anna let a small whimper out as he made contact with her bare skin. She was mortified but heard him laugh softly as his fingers pressed deeper into her skin. How far was she willing to take this? How far was he willing to take this? What time was it even? If she was being honest, she could've sat there in his arms all day, letting him caress her, pressing kisses to her brow every now and again.