Imperfect Love (24 page)

Two of the guys smiled broadly as she entered the kitchen.

Why she couldn’t remember their names was beyond her knowledge, but they were much easier to talk to than the girls who constantly glared at her, or had
that
look on their faces, the one that constantly wondered what Jake Peters saw in her.

“I am running late, but simply need your coffee. What on earth do you put in there?” Tony, or Richard—she couldn’t remember the tall, skinny, blond guy’s name—asked.

“That is my secret.” She chuckled, reaching for her Starbucks house blend in the cabinet and pouring it into the percolator.

She then took out her own syrup, made from nut essence, vanilla syrup, and a hint of chili, and squirted it into the coffee jug. A heap of hot chocolate joined the rest of the contents. That done, she then switched on the percolator and watched how the coffee dripped into the jug.

She started thinking about Jake’s body again, pushing against hers in the shower. How he’d pressed her hard up against the cold, shower wall and fucked her the way only he could.

Holly snapped out of her naughty thoughts when the coffee stopped dripping. She also noticed Robin staring at her as she grabbed a slice of toast, handing her an empty cup.

She blushed, looked away, and began filling Robin’s cup, as well as one for herself and Jake who at that moment walked into the kitchen.

“You know some of us still have a day’s class right?” One of the girls, Molly—Holly thought that that was her name—asked while staring at Jake.

“And how is that my problem?”

“The way the two of you carry on each night, it’s extremely hard to concentrate, Jake.”

One of the guys laughed.

Jake chuckled and threw in a shrug for good measure.

Holly, on the other hand, burned with shame from deep within.

“Uh-huh,” Robin mumbled, still staring at Holly.

“Shut up,” Holly whispered, bending over to give Jake a quick kiss on the cheek. Just as she was about to leave, Jake pulled her back gently and gave her his Bimmer’s keys.

“What is this?” Holly looked perplexed.

“That Beetle of yours is running by a miracle. Take mine, I don’t need it for today.”

“Excuse me!” Robin stated with a surprised look.

“It’s no big deal. Quinton,” Jake said the guy’s name in a not-so-pleased tone, “let’s you borrow his Jeep all the time.”

“He’s not that bad, Jake.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Really?” Robin asked, sounding hurt and angry at the same time.

Holly knew what that was all about; they’d told her how they trusted their brother when it came to approving their boyfriends.

She hadn’t witnessed the lip yet, but the look on his face at that moment was beautiful.

“Okay, see you then later,” Holly said, kissing him on his cheek.

Robyn was still waiting for an explanation from her brother as to why he didn’t approve of Quinton.

Holly didn’t hang around any longer and ran out to Jake’s car, still shocked that he’d let her borrow it for the day. She couldn’t believe her luck, and by the almost choking sound that had escaped Robin, Holly knew it was a first for Jake as well.
At least he trusts me
, she thought.

She yanked her heels off and chucked them, along with her handbag onto the passenger seat. She adjusted the seat in order to reach the pedals, but jumped when she found Jake, who was still wearing his PJs and a robe, standing at the window. She rolled it down and received a passionate goodbye kiss.

“Don’t scratch my baby,” he growled.

Holly rolled her eyes. “I’ll try my best,” she joked.

Jake took a step back and gave her a stern look.

“I’m joking, relax,” she said, putting one hand up. “I know how to drive. Actually, women are better drivers, I think.” On hearing Jake’s snort, she turned the key with a flick of her wrist and the engine roared to life.

Winking at Jake, she shifted into reverse and backed out down the driveway and through the gate Jake had opened with the remote in his hand. She honked twice as she drove down the street, feeling like an absolute diva. Never in a million years had she thought that she would ever find herself behind the steering wheel of a BMW.

Work was hectic as usual, but at noon Holly bid her goodbyes excitedly. She had a couple of weeks off, which she’d be spending with Jake, her two best friends, and their beautiful little boy at his family’s beach house. It was going to be a super amazing holiday, and the best part was that she wouldn’t have to say goodbye to Jake in the mornings, or just see him only over weekends again.

Holly had thought about a lot of things lately. Especially in regards to his mom being overly protective, or it could be said, possessive of him. He was twenty-seven years old, and for him to still follow her rules was a bit on the crazy side. But, Holly figured that it was better to have someone care like that, than have no one care at all. So, in the end she tried to not put much thought into it.

The thing that worried her the most, though, was that Jake would be starting with his internship soon, and that entailed shifts. With her luck, it would probably be the night shift and she would never see him at all.

All kinds of fears emerged with that, too. Number one on her list was the biggest, that Jake would find someone else who wouldn’t be a hassle to see or spend whatever limited time he had with.

She wasn’t a complete idiot; she’d watched Grey’s Anatomy plenty of times to know exactly what took place in those sleeping quarters at hospitals. What if Jake bonded with another blond-haired bimbo and told Holly to take a hike?

She hated feeling insecure, but it was something she just had to get used to. The conclusion Holly came to was simple; if she wanted to be in his life, she would have to trust him and hope for the best.

He wasn’t a Brandon Morgan and if she were honest, she didn’t really know who Jake was. Not really. The only side she’d seen of him was this beautiful, sweet guy whose personality clashed with his looks. Men who usually looked like Jake were womanizers—most of the time, and had no qualms about jumping into bed with any number of women, especially those who looked like models.

But those very women on the other hand, were her other worry. They would do anything to get into his pants. She’d seen the looks many gave him, the smiles, the drool that literally ran down the side of their mouths, and the lust in their eyes. This would all disappear in a heartbeat the second they’d see her touching his arm, or giving him a kiss. But the want never disappeared. That much she knew.

It was never hard to figure out what they’d been thinking: What the fuck was he doing with someone like her? But Holly made peace with this, too, deciding to let the next month be and just enjoy what was left of this one.

On her way to Jake’s house from work, her thoughts had been so all-consuming she’d almost driven past. Slowing down, she picked up her phone and dialed his number.

“Hey,” he answered in a seductive voice.

Holly smiled. “A tree jumped in front of me and I think I wrecked your car.” She bit hard on her lips to keep from laughing.

Her reply was dead silence.

“Jake?”

“Are you okay?” That was all he asked and bless his heart, he really sounded worried about her.

“I’m joking! Sorry. I’m right in front of the gate. Open up, pretty please.”

“Damn it, Holly, you need a hiding!”

“Oooh… you going to give me one?” she flirted.

Jake uttered not one word, and that was followed by the phone’s dead tone as she watched the gates open. She drove in and saw Leo’s SUV parked in front of the garage. She parked next to him and turned the engine off. She slipped her feet into her high heels and adjusted the seat to its original position. Climbing out, she began to laugh when she saw Jake emerge from the house.

“That was not funny. You have no idea how my heart dropped. It’s still lodged somewhere inside of my stomach.”

“Your car is fine, Jake. Really. Stupid joke, I know. I’m sorry.”

“Are you serious? Do you honestly believe that I’d worry over a piece of metal?” He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her tightly against him. “I had this insane visual of you bleeding somewhere, alone.”

Holly’s heart melted. “Nice comeback.”

“It’s not a comeback, Holly, it’s simply the truth.” He kissed her hard on the lips, and squeezed her ass just as hard.

Holly blushed. “You really missed me that much?”

“Baby, I always miss you.”

This pleased Holly no end, but not wanting to show how much, she replied, “I miss you, too. On occasion.”

Jake faked being hurt by holding both hands over his heart, which only served to make Holly giggle. Chuckling, he grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the house.

Sam ran straight to Holly as soon as she stepped over the threshold. Bernie and Leo had arrived earlier.

“Hello, baby. You’ve gotten so big, and it’s only been five days, wow.” Holly praised, picking Sam up and giving him a huge hug, while waving at Leo and Bernie.

Sam babbled something, but the only word Holly could understand was ‘home’. “Soon, I promise.” She kissed him a couple of times on both of his cheeks and then put him down. She needed to change into more comfortable clothes.

Shortly thereafter, they left for the beach house in one car. It wasn’t a particularly long drive, and only took them about half and hour to get there.

They ended up listening to all the children’s songs that ever existed, laughing on occasion when Leo and Jake imitated animal noises every time ‘Old McDonald Had a Farm’ played. The ones Jake didn’t know, he quickly learned, and by the fifth time they played he sang along with them. He really loved Sam, and Holly doubted there wasn’t a thing he wouldn’t do for that boy.

Veering sharply, Jake took a road hidden within a tunnel of trees.

Holly gasped as he pulled into the grounds of a beautiful mansion. It had soft, sandy colored walls, and a huge veranda that circled the entire house—simply breathtaking. Every room on the upper level had a balcony. Glancing around at the grounds, Holly noticed an old woman playing ball with a gorgeous black lab.

The woman stopped, bent ever so slightly and stroked the lab. She immediately smiled when Jake climbed out of the SUV.

Jake wasted no time in making introductions. “Dani, this is Holly.”

“Holly?” She looked at Jake in a teasing manner.

“Yes, Holly,” he repeated, smiling.

The old woman’s gaze reverted back to Holly. Suddenly, she grabbed Holly around the neck and gave her a grandmotherly hug. Holly could hardly remember hugging her grandmother, but she assumed it must have felt similar to this woman’s hug.

“Nice to meet you,” Holly greeted.

“Dani lives right around the corner,” Jake elaborated at the same time Leo went in for a hug, lifting the woman off her feet. “She and her husband keep an eye on the place.”

Dani hit Leo playfully as he released her. Chuckling, she went over to Bernie and kissed her twice on both cheeks.

Holly sidled up close to Jake and whispered, “She seems very nice.”

“She’s the best,” Jake stated, giving her a kiss. He excused himself and made his way toward the SUV, mumbling that they had to unpack.