Pieces (Riverdale #1) (9 page)

     
“I spoke to Rudy, he knows all about our
little escape. He says Happy Birthday by the way.” He said smoothly before
pushing her through the door of the hotel.

     
“You really thought of everything didn’t
you?” She looked at him, amazed as they approached the check-in counter.

     
“Well, except for clothes.” He smiled at
the receptionist. “But we’ll fix that. Hi, checking in, Lanza is the name.”

     
While Jake dealt with the details of
checking into the hotel she took the time to glance around. The hotel was
gorgeous. Marble floors accented by the largest crystal chandeliers she ever
saw. It had a modern feel though, all sleek lines and white leather couches.
She was certain, between the hired car and the sleek hotel, Jake had an
expensive day planned. She didn’t like him spending all this money on her, she
wasn’t used to it, but she would never act ungrateful. She looked back at Jake,
watching as he took the envelope from the receptionist that had the keys to
their hotel room. He smiled at her. “Ready?”

     
“Lead the way.” She said, and followed him
to the bank of elevators. “Jake?”

     
He pressed the arrow that pointed up and
looked over at her. “Hmm?”

     
“Thank you. This is the best birthday I’ve
had since, well since I can remember.” She said sincerely and shoved her hands
in her back pockets, feeling foolish for admitting that.

He
swung his arm over her shoulder, a casual gesture that he always did, and she
didn’t feel so foolish anymore.

     
“And to think, we didn’t do anything yet,
but take a ride in a clean car.” He laughed at her as they stepped onto the
elevator. “Damn Cara, you’re easy to please.” He pressed the button for the
floor their room was on and, turned to her. “Do me a favor?” She nodded, her
eyes questioning his, hell she’d do just about anything for him. “Don’t say
thank you anymore.”

     
“But—“She furrowed her eyebrows and he
placed his finger to her lips, silencing her.

     
“No buts.” He took her hand and pulled her
out of the elevator once the doors opened. He led her to their room a few doors
down and slid the card into the door. When the green light lit up, he pushed
open the door and held it for her. She dipped under his arm and walked into
their room, flicking the lights on. Not that she needed to, there was one wall
of glass windows letting the daylight stream into their room.

     
The windows were definitely the focal
point of the modest room. Much like the lobby, the room was modern with two
double beds centered along the main wall. There was a small glass table
centered in front of the windows with two white deco chairs. A nice size flat
screen adorned the wall across from the two beds. There was a long sleek black
dresser beneath it, with a vase of fresh flowers. She glanced back towards the
two double beds, reminding her, this was just a friendly birthday rendezvous.
She didn’t realize she frowned until he called her out on it.

     
“What’s wrong? If you don’t like the room,
I can ask them to switch us.” He said, studying her face.

     
She felt like kicking herself, and forced
a smile. “No, it’s perfect. Everything is perfect.”

     
“Then what’s up with the frown.” He asked,
tilting her head so she looked directly into his eyes, trying his hardest not
to allow her to mask her feelings.

     
“I just don’t like you spending so much
money on something as minuscule as a birthday.” She covered, she wasn’t about
to tell him she was beginning to think this was a date.

     
“Birthday’s aren’t meant to be called
minuscule. They’re meant to be celebrated, and that’s what we’re doing.” He
threw his backpack onto one of the beds, claiming it as his, she figured. “Come
on.” He grabbed her hand.

     
“Now where are we going?” She said as he
dragged her back out the door.

     
“Shopping, why do I look more excited than
you to shop?”

     
She bit her lip and eyed him suspiciously.
“Can I pick where?”

     
He grinned. “Now you’re getting the idea.
Of course, where do you want to go?”

     
“Macy’s, Herald Square.” Her charge card
just went platinum status, and throwing caution to the wind, she decided what
better way to celebrate, other than a little retail therapy.

     
“You got it.”
 
He said and raced her to the elevators.

     
By the time they were finished shopping,
they were both starving. They grabbed a quick bite at The Cellar, and Cara
secretly wished every Macy’s had a restaurant in the store. Jake told her they
had to hurry after lunch, or they’d be late. Late for what, he didn’t say. When
they got back to the hotel they took chance a piece showering. Jake was first,
giving Cara a chance to marvel over all her new purchases. She had gone a
little overboard, but she didn’t care. She had put her foot down. She demanded
that, she would pay for own clothes, shoes and accessories. When she threatened
to find her own way back to Riverdale, he backed off. He wasn’t happy about it,
but she insisted. She was even able to sneak in a present for him, that she
planned on giving to him, when they got back to Riverdale, to say ‘Thank You’
since she wasn’t allowed to actually say the words.

     
He wouldn’t reveal where they were going,
but told her to pick something out that wasn’t dubbed casual. When she saw him
pick out a pair of slacks, dress shirt and vest for himself, she had an idea
what to wear. She found an emerald green wrap around dress. It wrapped at the
waist and the fabric was cinched with a gold pin. She paired it with strappy
gold stilettos that made her legs look miles long. She even splurged on few
bracelets and tear drop gold earrings. She couldn’t wait to get dressed.

     
Jake stepped out of the bathroom with a
towel wrapped around his waist, and one draped around his neck. He had shaved,
and was wiping the remnants of shaving cream off his jaw line. Her breath
caught as she took him in. Beads of water dripped down his sculpted chest, she
had her eye on one in particular, and watched it slide down his tattooed abs,
losing sight of it as it disappeared beneath the towel that hung loosely around
his waist. She licked her lips, her mouth suddenly parched.

     
“Your turn,” he said, his voice full of
amusement. She closed her eyes and turned around abruptly gathering her clothes
in her arms. There was no way in hell she was walking into the bedroom in just
her towel. She heard him chuckle when she slammed the door and dropped all her
belongings in the bathroom.

     
Jake stared out the window of their hotel
room, staring at the lights, the skyscrapers, taking in all the beauty that was
Manhattan. He was starting to sweat, waiting for Cara and unbuttoned the top
button on his shirt. He was dressed in black slacks and a white button down
shirt. He had paired it with a vest and dress shoes. Not his usual choice of
clothing, but he was comfortable enough. He unbuttoned his sleeves and rolled
them up to his elbows, the beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He blew out
a breath and turned the air condition up. He glanced at his watch; she never
took this long to get ready. He knocked softly on the bathroom door.

     
“Cara, are you okay?” He asked as the door
opened and she stood before him. He stared at her; sure his mouth was gaping
open.

     
She looked beautiful in the emerald green
dress, it actually brought out the specs of green in her hazel eyes. She had
put on eye shadow or something because her eyes were smoky and sultry as they
stared back at him. Her hair was wavy and fell beautifully around her
shoulders. She took a step towards him, gnawing on her lower lip that was sleek
with a nude color gloss.

     
“I’m sorry are we late?” She said softly.

     
She was beautiful, that he knew, but
tonight she looked exceptionally beautiful. And tonight she was his, his to
enjoy, his to love, his to hold, even if only he knew it.

     
“Jake?”

     
“I’m sorry, what did you say?” He was
surprised by the effect she had on his voice, he barely recognized his tone.

     
“I asked if we’re late.” She blushed.
“Don’t look at me like that.” She pleaded.

     
“I can’t help it.” He said honestly, not
caring that he was making her blush, in fact he liked it. “God Cara, you look
so beautiful.” He smiled at her, gathering his bearings.

     
“You look pretty good yourself.” She
murmured and forced herself to look up at him. A grin tugged the corners of his
mouth and his voice was full of laughter.

     
“Glad you approve. Are you ready for your
next surprise?”

     
Her eyes lit with excitement, and his
heart raced at the sight of her. She completely knocked him off his axis.

     
“Are you going to give me a hint?”

     
“I wouldn’t normally.” And when she stepped
into the frigid room, her nipples strained against the silky fabric of her
dress. He remembered he turned the room into an arctic blast. “Oh shit, sorry.”
He hurried to the thermostat and shut the A.C. off. “I was getting antsy
waiting.” He turned back towards her and saw that her cheeks were pink again
and her arms crossed in front of her chest. He looked at her thoughtfully
before grinning mischievously. “But since I’ve embarrassed you and turned your
headlights on I figured I kind of owe you one.”

     
Her eyes widened at his boldness, and when
his hands snaked around her waist, she tried to shove them off. He loved
getting under her skin, and found himself dreaming of getting underneath her,
period. He struggled with her wrapped in his arms and began to push the
thoughts of unraveling her dress from his mind. “Ready for your hint?”

     
Begrudgingly, she answered. “Yes.”

 
    
He
leaned into her and tucked a tendril of hair behind her ear, his lips brushed
against her lobe as he whispered. “A nanny.”
 
Her eyes were closed when he pulled back. He watched her eyebrows
scrunch and he laughed, reaching around her to open the door.

     
“We’re going to see Fran Dreschner?” She
asked a little disappointed, and he tugged her hand pulling her out the door.

     
“That’s all I’m going to say.”

     
They hailed a cab and Jake whispered their
location to the driver. Cara leaned back against the seat and smoothed down her
dress, when Jake leaned against the seat too, she smiled at him, taking his
hand in hers. She looked down at their joined hands and then back at him.

     
“You’ve been incredible today, you know
that right?” She whispered.

     
“Ah shucks, you’re going to make me
blush.” He teased and kissed her cheek. Then his expression grew serious as he
stared at her. “You know what makes me happy?”

     
She watched his lips move and then averted
her eyes back to his. “What’s that?”

     
“Your smile, and knowing I put it there.”
He ran the back of his hand down her cheek. She closed her eyes at his touch
and wished he would kiss her. She couldn’t explain why she yearned for his lips
on hers, and she didn’t want to read into it. She was two steps away from
begging him to kiss her when he leaned his forehead against hers.

     
“Cara.”

     
“Jake.” They said at the same time and she
smiled. “You first.” She whispered, sharing the same breath as he.

     
“I know you probably have a list of
reasons why it’s not a good idea, and half of them are probably valid ones. I
wouldn’t even ask you, but I don’t want to ruin your night.”

     
“Just ask.” She said barely audible.

     
“Would you let me kiss you?”

 
    
She
didn’t speak, instead she pulled his face towards hers and pressed her lips
firmly on his. It started as a whisper of a kiss, brushing her lips back and
forth against his mouth. And then she threw her restraints to the wind and took
his mouth to hers forcefully. Her tongue slipped past his lips and found his,
stroking it, devouring his taste. She felt his hands travel down her back,
desperately. She moaned and he swallowed it, his teeth tugging on her lower
lip. When his tongue traveled the path of his teeth, soothingly she snapped her
legs shut, willing the throbbing between her legs to wither. No such luck, and
so she clung to him, her body ready to implode with lust. She heard the driver
clear his throat, and that’s when Jake broke the kiss. She glanced at him
through hooded eyes, wanting to see if he was just as affected as she. She
whimpered when she saw the lust in his eyes, and how difficult it was for him
to catch his breath.

     
Her heart was beating erratically and she
was sure that she had never been so thoroughly kissed before in her life. He
didn’t take his eyes off of her as he paid the driver, which only caused the
heat in her to rise.

     
He closed his eyes and blew out a breath
before opening the door. She heard him laugh, and was taken back. There was
nothing funny about what just happened, and she was insulted.

     
“Are you seriously laughing right now?”
She asked as she shooed his hand away and climbed out of the taxi on her own.

     
“Yes, I am.” He said and grabbed her hand
regardless. “You’re giving me the come fuck me eyes, and if I didn’t laugh, I’d
do exactly what your eyes pleaded for.” He smiled at her, confident and sexy.
“But I have other plans that I know you’ll regret missing out on.”

     
 
Just hearing him say that he’d fuck her made
her wet. Frazzled by her body’s reaction to his words she forced herself to
take in her surroundings. She went from hot and horny to completely blown away
as she stared up at the Matinee sign. Her eyes filled instantly, at the two words
that lit the sign. Mary Poppins. It was her favorite childhood movie. She
probably could recite the entire movie if she tried, and she had made Jake
watch it at least a dozen times throughout the course of their friendship. She
blinked, and made sure she wasn’t imagining it.

     
When she had heard it was going to be a
musical on Broadway, she had promised herself to see it. She never bought the
tickets, and put it out of her mind. There were better things she could spend
her money on, and besides whom would she convince to sit through a musical with
her. She turned and stared up at Jake, he was smiling at her, as he brushed the
tears that fell from her eyes when she blinked.

     
“I heard they even sell Rum Punch at the
concession stand.” He winked and she wrapped her arms around him, squeezing him
tightly. She felt like a kid on Christmas morning, believing in the magic of
Santa Clause.

     
“I can’t believe you remembered.” She
pulled back and shook her head. “Of course you remembered.” She sighed and
grabbed his face and pressed her lips against his quickly. “You’re the best.”

     
Beyond excited, she grabbed his hand and
pulled him towards the theatre. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out
their tickets, handing them to the usher. Cara had never been to a Broadway
show, and she was pretty sure Jake hadn’t either. They both glanced around the
lobby of the theatre, taking in the crowd of people and all the booths set up
to sell souvenirs. Jake insisted they buy a program, and his and her t-shirts
to remember their night. She didn’t need a t-shirt to remember this night.
Jake’s birthday celebration for her had left an indelible impression on her,
one she’d never forget as long as she lived.

     
Jake carried their Rum Punches, and she
their bag of souvenirs, and they made their way to their Orchestra seats. Any
closer and they would be on the stage. She was amazed by all the thought and
effort he had put into this night. They settled into their seats, sipping their
drinks and anticipated the opening act.

     
When the lights dimmed and the music
sounded. Jake leaned into her ear and whispered against her skin. “Happy
Birthday.”

     
She smiled and took his hand in hers,
their fingers interlocked and her heart swelled. She was completely,
hopelessly, in love with her best friend.

     
Once the curtain closed on the show, they
hailed a taxi to China Town. They sat in a little corner table at Ho- Wop and
ate authentic Chinese food. The both of them were disappointed that the menu
wasn’t like the ones back home, they couldn’t find General Tso’s chicken on the
menu anywhere. The only thing either of them recognized on the menu was Peking
duck, so they ordered that. Once their meal was finished, they walked around
Mott Street for a little while. Taking in all that was Little Italy, they made
a pit stop at Ferraro’s for an espresso, and shared one of their famous
cannoli.

     
Jake hadn’t remembered a night when he was
happier, and so at ease. Seeing the smile on Cara’s face the entire night, was
enough to ruin him for any other girl. He didn’t want the night to end and was
pretty sure she didn’t either. He knew her feet were killing her in those
shoes, but she wouldn’t dare admit to it. In the taxi, on the way back to the
hotel, she became quiet, and he knew that she was battling her conscience. He
wasn’t about to put his two cents into that war, instead he decided to let her
figure it out on her own. He had made peace with the war that he had been
struggling with, and now it was her turn to realize what had developed between
them wasn’t a friendship anymore. Maybe neither intended to fall in love with
the other, but they had, he knew and so did she. The difference was he had
accepted his fate and wanted to begin this next chapter of their life together,
that’s what it had become to him, their life. It had been since she crawled
into his bed all those years ago. That night she became his to protect and to
love unconditionally.