Her phone rang again. Caley opened her mouth and snapped it shut, then looked at the caller ID. This time, she decided not to answer. Instead, she grabbed the corner of the comforter and pulled it off the bed to cover herself, leaving him in nothing but those boxers. She watched him warily, waiting for him to make the next move.
Did you think I was someone else? he asked.
Yes, she snapped. But from the guilty look on her face, he could tell she was lying.
Some other guy named Jake?
Yes. I happen to know three or four other Jakes.
He grabbed a corner of the comforter and pulled it over his lap. It would be hard to sell the nothing happened story with a raging hard-on pressing against the front of his boxers. Jake cleared his throat and forced a smile. So, how have you been? Its been a while. How long? Eleven years?
She nodded, clutching the comforter to her chest. Her cheeks were flushed and her breath was coming in quick gasps. And her hair, thick and wavy, was tumbled about her shoulders. Shed never looked more beautiful. Jakes gaze drifted down, stopping at the perfectly painted toes peeking out from under the blanket. Shed always had really pretty feet. Hed spent a lot of time looking at her feet when he was younger, simply to avoid looking at her breasts, which were also pretty incredible.
Your mother said you wouldnt be arriving until this morning, he commented.
I decided to drive directly from the airport. When did you get in?
Yesterday, he said. So, what have you been up to?
Not much, she replied. Just working. Im still with that public relations firm that I joined right out of college. I was made partner last month. What about you?
I have my own design firm now. Im doing mostly residential architecture. I kind of specialize in vacation homes based on classic camp designs.
Interesting. She drew in a sharp breath, impatient with the idle chitchat. What are you doing home? Why would you want to come to my parents anniversary party?
A slow realization dawned. Emma hadnt told her what was going on. Jake wondered if he ought to be the one to break the happy news or if she should hear it over the breakfast table. For now, it might prove a distraction from what had just happened. This isnt an anniversary party, Jake said. Its Emma and Sam.
She frowned at the mention of Jakes youngest brother. Emma and Sam?
Theyre getting married.
At first she gasped, then regarded him with disbelief. This was the Caley he remembered. She always found a way to disagree with him, even if he was only claiming the sun rose in the east and set in the west. Not funny.
Its the truth, Jake said. Thats why were all here. Its going to be a small wedding at the Episcopal Church in town on Valentines evening. Shes got the dress and theyve got the license.
They arent even dating, Caley said.
I guess they have been. Theyve been secretly seeing each other for the past three summers. They didnt want anyone to know. You know how our mothers are and how theyve dreamed about making a match between the Lamberts and the Burtons. They got engaged on New Years and decided to get married right away, before Fran and Jean could plan a big event.
But theyre only twenty-one, Caley said. Thats too young. What do they know about marriage? She drew a ragged breath and stared at him, as if she were taking a moment to digest the news. Then, her eyes slowly dropped, first to his chest and then his legs. She pulled the comforter up beneath her chin. Do you think maybe you could get dressed and
The door to the bedroom swung open and Caleys youngest brother, Teddy, stuck his head inside. Hey, Jake. Are you going to want some His words died in his throat as he took in the scene in front of him. Hey, Caley. Youre home. He glanced over at Jake, then forced a smile. Yeah, okay. Breakfast, he murmured as he closed the door.
Oh, no, Caley moaned, scrambling to her feet. No, no, no. Now hes going to go downstairs and this is going to be the subject of breakfast conversation. The two of us, in our underwear, in the same bedroom.
And in the same bed, he said. We could always crawl back under the covers and really mess with their heads, Jake offered. She sent him a withering look and he held up his hands in mock surrender. Bad joke. Sorry.
With a low growl, Caley scrambled to her feet and tossed the comforter aside. You havent changed at all, Jake Burton. Everything is always a joke to you. You never take anything seriously.
Jake watched as she searched for her pants. Dont get your panties in a twist. Ill explain the mistake. Although Im not going to give them all the details.
The state of my panties is none of your business. And I dont remember any of the details. Why? Because I was asleep.
Jake laughed. To think hed dreaded seeing her again, knowing how uncomfortable it might be. But theyd slipped right back into their normal dynamic. Jake swung his legs over the side of the bed, fighting the urge to grab her arm and pull her back on top of him, to remind her of her reaction to his kiss.
There had always been a heat between them, an attraction that hed been reluctant to act upon. Shed always been too young, too naive. And hed known she was in love with him, so it could only end badly. Hed thought hed done the honorable thing that night so long ago, the night shed offered up her virginity for his taking.
His rejection obviously still stung. If not that, what else could she possibly be angry about? If youre still angry about
Caley gasped, then threw a shoe at him. Im not angry about that. Just forget about that. I was young and stupid and Ive slept with plenty of men since then and all of them much better lovers than you could have possibly been. Some women might find you attractive, but not me.
Her phone rang for a fourth time. Jake jumped off the bed and caught her arm, then pulled her against him. Without a second thought, he brought his mouth down on hers and kissed her, deeply and thoroughly. He felt her soften in his arms and when her knees buckled, Jake grabbed her waist to steady her.
When he finally drew back, her face was flushed and her eyes closed. He felt his own reaction in his boxers, the desire returning immediately. This was going to be one helluva week if this was how they were starting, he mused. There had always been a sexual curiosity between them. Maybe it was time to satisfy it.
Are you going to answer that? he asked.
It can wait, Caley replied breathlessly.
Yeah, he murmured, thats what I thought. Nothing had changed. He wanted her just as much as he always had.
Caley opened her eyes and stared at him, a sigh slipping from her lips. I-Id better get dressed. Everyone is going to be expecting us at breakfast. She quickly grabbed her overnight bag and rushed to the adjoining bathroom, then slammed the door behind her.
Jake sat down on the bed and smiled. This was a start and maybe that was all he could hope for. He glanced around the room, grabbed his jeans from the bedpost and tugged them on. He found a clean T-shirt in his duffel and pulled it over his head. Hed find a way to continue what theyd begun later in the day.
When he got downstairs, the huge kitchen was filled with people. Caleys mother, Jean, was busy at the stove, preparing pancakes for her family. Her eldest, Evan, was just a year older than Jake, but already had a wife and three children. After Caley came Adam and Emma, followed by Teddy, who would graduate from high school in June. Evan was reading the sports section and discussing the Bulls game with Jakes younger brother Brett.
When he got downstairs, the huge kitchen was filled with people. Caleys mother, Jean, was busy at the stove, preparing pancakes for her family. Her eldest, Evan, was just a year older than Jake, but already had a wife and three children. After Caley came Adam and Emma, followed by Teddy, who would graduate from high school in June. Evan was reading the sports section and discussing the Bulls game with Jakes younger brother Brett.
Good morning, everyone, Jake said, taking the first empty spot at the huge table.
Sausage or bacon, dear? Jean called.
Bacon, Jake said. A moment later, a plate was dropped in front of him. He reached out for the lazy Susan, which held utensils, napkins, butter and syrup.
The Lambert house was so much like his own that he felt at home at their table. He couldnt remember the number of meals that hed eaten in their kitchen, usually with several of his siblings. Jean and Jakes mother, Fran, never bothered to sort out their respective children at mealtime. Whoever was sitting at the table at the beginning of a meal got fed, no matter which family they belonged to.
Jake had just dug into his pancakes when Teddy walked in the back door, covered in snow and carrying an armload of firewood. He sent Jake a knowing smile, then dropped the wood next to the door. Morning, Jake. Howd you sleep?
Teddy, I want you to take some firewood over to Ellis and Frans house, Jean said. Load a bunch in the back of your truck. We have plenty. Jake can help you load it.
Teddy grinned. Oh, I think he might be too tired to load firewood, Ma. So didja get much sleep last night, Jake?
Ive been meaning to get a new mattress for that bed, Jean said. It wasnt too lumpy, was it?
Not lumpy, Teddy said. Maybe a little crowded.
Caleys mother scowled. Teddy, what are you talking about?
The entire group turned to hear Teddys response. Caley was sleeping with Jake.
Jean gasped. Caleys home? When did she get in?
At about three in the morning.
They all turned again, this time to Caley, who stood in the doorway of the kitchen. She was dressed in a bulky wool sweater a shade of blue that complemented her eyes. Faded jeans hugged her long legs and slender hips.
I thought I was crawling into bed with Emma, she explained. It was a mistake. And nothing happened.
Emmas staying at the inn, Jean said, bustling over to give her daughter a huge hug. She stepped back. Thats right, you dont know the big news, do you?
Jake told me, Caley replied. Sam and Emma. Who would have thought? She cleared her throat and looked at the curious gazes of her siblings. Nothing happened. It was a mistake.
Of course nothing happened, Jean said. You two are like oil and water. She kissed Caleys cheek and smiled at Jake. How could you possibly mistake Jake for Emma?
He had the covers over his head, Caley explained.
Well, since I dont have to worry about you two getting cozy, maybe I should just have you bunk together for the rest of the week, Jean teased. Oh, and Emma is going to ask you to be her maid of honor, darling. I hope youll say yes. Bacon or sausage?
Ill just have the pancakes, Caley said, glancing across the table at Jake. And you dont have to worry about me. I booked a room at the inn. She paused. Ill be able to help Emma out. Since Im her maid of honor. And Jake can have Emmas room all to himself.
Caley searched for a spot at the table and Adam moved his seat to make a space between himself and Jake. Caley reluctantly retrieved a chair and sat down. Her mother put a plate down in front of her and Jake picked up the pitcher of orange juice and poured her a glass. He held it out and she hesitantly took it and set it beside her plate.
They ate in silence, the both of them pretending to listen to the conversation around them. Jakes foot brushed against hers and she coughed on the orange juice she was drinking.
It was so nice to be able to touch her, Jake mused.
He felt her hand push his leg away and he reached beneath the table to grab it, weaving his fingers through hers. Her eyes grew wide as his thumb rested on her wrist, just over her pulse point.
Whats the schedule for today? Caley asked, her voice cracking slightly.
Emmas chosen a dress for you at the bridal shop in town and you need to go try it on this morning. The snow is getting deep. Adam will take you in his truck.
Ill take Caley into town, Jake volunteered, giving her hand a squeeze. I have some errands to run anyway.
I can drive myself, Caley said, tugging her hand from his.
Jean smiled at Jake. Thank you, dear. I knew I could count on you. She folded her hands in front of her, then looked back and forth between Jake and Caley. Its so nice to see you two together again. How long has it been?
Eleven years, Caley said. She grabbed her plate and stood up. Ive got to make some calls. And I can drive myself to town. I have to check in at the inn before I go to the fitting. She sent Jake a cool look, then stalked out of the room.
Jake stood and carried his plate to the sink. Not much has changed. Come on, Teddy, lets get that firewood loaded.
As they grabbed their jackets and walked out the back door, Teddy chuckled softly. Oh, I think a lot has changed.
And Im not so sure you need help with the firewood, Jake replied.
Sorry, Teddy murmured.
Jake used to be able to hide his feelings for Caley. But from the moment he woke that morning to find her wrapped around his body, Jake knew he wanted to explore those feelings. He and Caley werent teenagers anymore, they were adults. And there were no rules keeping them apart. Now that there was time to test their attraction to each other, he planned to take full advantage of it.
2
THE GENTLE SNOWFALL increased in intensity throughout the early morning. Caley watched it from the window seat in her fathers den. Shed been trying to work, making calls back and forth to the office and trying to send a report via a dial-up modem. She decided to wait until she had better Internet access at the inn and sent a text message to her assistant in the meantime.
Trying to concentrate on work had been impossible. Her mind kept returning to the bedroom upstairs and to the kiss that she and Jake had shared. A shiver skittered down her spine and she rubbed her arms to quell the goose bumps. It was usually so easy to focus on work and now just one silly kisstwo, reallyhad completely consumed her thoughts.
She closed her laptop and gathered up her things; she would check into the inn right after her fitting. But right now she had to concentrate on getting to her car, which was probably buried. She remembered Jakes offer of a ride, but thought it best not to tempt fate. It had been far too easy to kiss him. Given another chance, who knows what they might do?
Caley found a hodgepodge of winter outerwear in the hall closet and pulled on a jacket, boots, mittens and a cap. She tucked her phone into her pocket and trudged outside to shovel. She was glad for the distraction, for something productive to occupy her thoughts.
Other things had happened in that bed and she searched the haze of her memories for details. There had been a long, delicious dream in which Jake had finally succumbed to her charms. Shed spent most of her teenage years fantasizing about that moment when hed pull her into his arms and kiss her, so it was no wonder that back in North Lake those thoughts had invaded her sleep again.