Moonlit

twenty-five (Jake's POV)

ummfff okay so i know that i said in the previous chapter that this chapter was important but since i accidentally led u guys to think something then imma allow this sorta filler chapter to make y'all happy because i swear to sweet baby jesus ur hormones run faster than i do when my boyf texts me and my phone is downstairs.

in saying that, the important chap that i said would come is now coming in the NEXT chapter, but i'm v sure you will like this one.

(Should probably do this: There will be erotica of sorts in this chapter. If you are uncomfortable with that, chapter 26 will not be confusing so feel free to just skip this one.)

p.s. y'all need JESUS.

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// Jake's POV //

I had to admit—I was nervous. The anxiety withheld in my body came out through erratic exhales as I waited for her arrival, tapping my feet impatiently against the floor. I hadn't even been able to calm myself enough to prepare the dinner table prior to her coming, so I planned to do it when she was here.

Letting out another shaky sigh, I dumped my head into my heads with pure frustration. What was she doing to me? She's just a girl.

But she wasn't. She fascinated me, the way she dressed herself up like a porcelain doll from the '90s. I could even notice the small things she did, like how she took her lip between her front teeth when she was in thought, or how her hands could never stop moving. Sometimes, I was able to resemble her to a kitten—perky eyes, hair as soft as silk, her body curving sensuously when she walked—which is why I called her that.

She was vivacious. She was witty. She set fire to my bones and never once did that addictive flame flicker out. She was my hope. She was my sin. She was my euphoria. She was mine.

Tahli.

"Is everything all right, dear? You haven't begun preparing for your dinner tonight," Nicole said, interrupting my loving thoughts. She stood at the doorway to my room, her hair done up nicely with an emerald dress reaching just below her knees. 

Another date. Another chance to have a new father.

Another portion of hope lost when she returned empty-handed.

I sighed. "I'm fine, mom. I'm just a bit nervous. You look really lovely tonight." 

She smiled faintly, knowing too that the chances of finding a boyfriend were slim. "Thank you, darling. Well, I should be heading off. You enjoy yourself, okay?"

"I will." Yes, I would. I would have Tahli in my arms.

Nicole pursed her lips, and then left without another word. A few moments later, I could hear the door open and then shut close.

Mature. Sensible. Loyal. That's how I was going to act; that's how I was going to show Tahli that I was nothing like Ryan. 

The sound of a steady rapping against the front door brought me to my senses. Shooting up from my bed, I walked with brisk steps to where Tahli would be waiting on the other side. 

What would she be doing right now? Would she be fixing whatever she was wearing? Was she observing the floral details to my home, like she did that time we went to the Italian restaurant? Could she possibly be nervous, too?

I didn't get to find out, because when I opened the door, Tahli's small hands clasped around my neck and her lips crashed onto mine. She tasted sweet, like honeysuckle, and her lips were softer than anything else I had ever encountered. Even though I hadn't a clue why she was so eager, I allowed her to clumsily push us back inside and slam the door behind her.