Secrets of the Great Oak

Chapter 27

The morning light streamed through the blinds of the window behind Jake's headboard and rested on Anna's sleeping face. Jake held her and cuddled her all night. Waking up next to her was all he'd ever wanted. The scent of lavender and eucalyptus caressed his senses and he brushed a kiss to her forehead. He drew the strength he needed for tonight from her in that moment.

As long as he could come back to her, kiss her, hold her again tonight, he could do what needed to be done at that party. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead on hers. Her breath pushed against his mouth as she started to wake up.

Her gentle fingers lifted to touch his face, to trace his features. She ran her index finger along his eyebrow and down the bridge of his nose. Her thumb lightly touched his lips and moved on to admire his cheekbone. The sensation sent tingles all over his skin.

"Good morning," he breathed and turned his face into her palm to plant a kiss there.

"I think I like this," she whispered.

"What? My face?" He smiled and opened his eyes at last to meet her own. Nose to nose, he saw into her ice-blue eyes and swore they shimmered in the morning glow. They were warm and truly peaceful.

"I do like your face, but I was talking about waking up to it." Her hand grazed down the side of his neck and towards his collar bone.

"I think I like it too."

"Good." She kissed his nose, then a light kiss to his mouth.

"I bought groceries so we could have nice meals while you're here." He smiled.

"It's not going to be a nice meal if I cook it." She laughed and kissed him again.

"I'm well aware of that," he playfully flicked her nose and then replaced his hand on her waist. "I want to cook nice meals for you."

"That sounds lovely. I don't mind being pampered one bit," she teased.

"Good, because I intend to utterly spoil you."

"Spoil away," her laugh turned into a shriek as he lifted her shirt to tickle her sides.

Their morning and afternoon were sweet and full of kisses. Neither of them wanted to address what Jake had to go do that evening.

Jake made a lovely breakfast and a delectable lunch while Anna opted to do the dishes instead of help with the cooking. Most of the day they spent tangled together, avoiding all responsibility until it came to get ready for the party that evening.

"The gray and white button-up, untucked with your skinny jeans," Anna suggested. "That'll make you look really sexy." She didn't quite meet his eye as she finger-combed his hair.

"The only one I want to look sexy for is you." He took her hands in his and brought them to his chest. "I can still back out of this."

She looked at him fully at last. "No. I need you to do this. We need to find out what those girls know."

"I'm doing this for you, okay?" He cupped her face in his hands.

"I know," she said weakly. "Thank you. And, I trust you."

That confession meant the world to him. He brought his lips down to hers and placed a tender kiss there before releasing her.

She sighed and looked him over again. "Roll the sleeves up so it looks more casual." He worked on one sleeve while she worked on the other. "There. I think you're ready."

Jake checked his pockets for his keys and his wallet as Anna followed him to the door.

Before opening it, he turned to her to say goodbye and saw a gleam in her eye. He went to comment on it, but she launched herself at him before he could get a word out. He grabbed on to the legs she wrapped around his waist and turned to brace her against the door as she bent to kiss him. Laughing onto her lips, he returned the kiss, passionately, possessively.