Sweet Southern Nights (Home In Magnolia Bend Book 3) (19 page)

There was only Eva and him and freakin’ sweet pleasure.

And all Jake could think about, besides climbing to that earth-shattering peak awaiting him, was how had he not known how perfect Eva was for him.

* * *

E
VA
SCREWED
HER
eyes closed and moved her body in perfect rhythm with Jake. The warm gooey desire she’d felt earlier had simmered into a full rolling boil of heat that consumed her—she felt out of control, fully involved.

She’d envisioned tons of ways Jake could make love to her. In the shower at the station. In her fluffy down bed. In his probably not fluffy but who really cared bed. Against the kitchen counter. On the tailgate of his overzealous truck.

But she’d never imagined she’d actually have sex with the man she’d loved for years...and she damn sure hadn’t envisioned it would be on a bed of prickly grass as the sweet Southern night descended around them.

And she’d never known it could be so damn good.

Jake knew where to touch, as evidenced by the way he cupped her breasts, rolling her nipples in delicious torture. And the way he kissed her neck, running up and down the sensitive length, nuzzling her ear, murmuring things like “just like that, baby. Just like that,” which only amped her even more.

One of his hands clasped her hips, helping him achieve the perfect depth, knowing the exact spot inside her that needed to be hit. And then he lifted himself from her, emptiness taking the place of his torso, and slid his fingers to where their bodies joined, finding her clit, strumming her, making her arch.

“Mmm, Jake,” she groaned, arms dropping onto the grass behind her head. Delicious pressure built, overflowing, shimmering up her body, unleashing.

She broke apart beneath him, fingers clutching grass as she rode the strong orgasm that tossed her so high, high enough to brush her fingers against the sun. Her body pulsated as the small yelp of release escaped her lips.

“Oh, sweet Eva. Just like that,” Jake murmured, increasing his tempo.

Eva opened her eyes and watched Jake. He’d anchored her hips with both hands, exquisite torture stretching every muscle in his neck.

Then he pitched forward, his face pressing into the valley between her breasts. Turning his head, he sucked one nipple into the heat of his mouth, and the small respite she’d felt vanished. Almost immediately another hard climax seized her.

Her body trembled as waves of pleasure crashed over her. Jake’s hips moved faster, his breathing matching the pace. Then he pulled his torso off her, his mouth falling open, eyes screwed closed. Lifting her hips, he thrust jerkily into her. A quick hard surge and she felt him come.

“Oh, yes...so good...so damn good.” He gave a small shiver and then stilled, leaning on an elbow in order to take the brunt of his weight off her.

For a few seconds they lay frozen, the only sound the tangle of their labored breaths.

She hugged him to her, wrapping her arms tight across his back, inhaling his scent, savoring a moment that would never come again—that wonderful sweet first time between lovers.

Jake kissed the spot between her ribs right over her heart and then lifted his head. His russet hair fell rakishly over one bright blue eye. He smiled.

Eva smiled back.

Then for a good ten seconds they merely smiled at one another. Then Jake laughed, making her laugh, too. Words weren’t really necessary. Not with the way he looked at her. She knew his thoughts.

Damn, that was good.

Why in the hell have we waited so long?

Could this be what we’ve both needed...both been waiting for?

He inched up and dropped a kiss on her nose. “I’d say something dorky like I think you complete me or whatever, but that’s already been said in, like, a ton of movies. What just happened can’t be treated so...”

“Nonchalantly?” she finished.

He caught her lips in a tender kiss, the kind a woman dreams about receiving from the man she loves. “Exactly. This ain’t a light thing for me.”

“I know.”

Jake withdrew and rolled off her, sitting up and dealing with the spent condom with a slight snap of latex. Eva sat up, pulling her knees to her, mimicking the pose she’d assumed on the rocks...minutes ago?

Her world had changed in the blink of an eye.

Tipped sideways by the words of a man she believed in.

“I’d love to snuggle up next to you and count the stars but I have to get back,” she said, tracing a line down his naked back. He was so gorgeous, so absolutely beautiful. And he said he was falling for her.

Eva pinched her thigh before looking around for her panties. Jake had tossed them onto her dress, but her shoes were nowhere to be seen.

“I know. Homework. I’ve never dated a woman who had a kid before.”

“Well, technically he’s not my kid and was this a date? ’Cause I never do it on the first date.”

Jake looked back at her. “Guess I should have followed protocol, huh?”

Eva thought about Jamison and his rules. “Eh, protocol is probably overrated. But a date would be nice. I wouldn’t mind some footsie under the table.”

“Exclusively,” Jake said. “I don’t want prissy pants Jamison sniffing around anymore. Or anyone else, for that matter.”

Eva sobered when she thought about Clint.

Lord, they were sitting there naked not even a mile from where Clint lived. The pain in Clint’s voice wafted through her head, and she felt a sort of shame for having lost her mind over Jake merely a day after she’d shot Clint down, after she’d uttered the words about Charlie and putting him first. What would their friend say about her and Jake dating? Likely no warm fuzzy congrats. Not with the invisible wall of guilt and blame Clint and Jake had danced around for years.

But deliberating all of the hard stuff could come later. No sense in ruining the magic of the evening. She wanted to savor this tenderness, relish the potential for a while longer. Before reality broke in, throwing elbows and knocking cracks into her vision of happily-ever-after with Jake.

Did that mean she doubted a rosy future with Jake? She didn’t want to.

But she would never regret what had happened here today. Jake was right. This could be exactly what they’d been waiting for all their lives.

“So you know, I told Jamison that things were too complicated in my life at present to continue dating. He didn’t kick up a fuss so I think the flirtation is over,” she said.

Jake gave a Cheshire cat smile. “Good. Like you want someone who knows the difference between cashmere and blend to hang around your brother.”

“You know what cashmere is?” Eva joked.

“Hilda sent over a dozen men’s catalogs a few weeks back. She thinks I need a makeover.”

He helped her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her. Rubbing her back, Jake kissed the top of her breast, looked up and said, “I’ve never been this happy in my entire life.”

“Me, too.” Eva lifted onto her toes and kissed him, meaning every word of what she’d said. “Now, let’s get back before they send the police. I don’t want to greet my ex wearing my birthday suit.”

Jake glowered. “I never liked Chase. He’s—”

Eva pressed a finger over Jake’s mouth. “Chill. I never even slept with him. No need to be jealous.”

“Like I’m jealous of him,” Jake scoffed, releasing her to tug on his clothes. “He probably watches the Hallmark channel and secretly knits baby blankets or something.”

“You are so immature,” Eva teased.

Jake cocked his head. “Look, I like both Jamison and Chase fine. I just don’t like that they put their hands on you.”

Eva struggled gracelessly into her dress, tugging it into place with a grunt. “If I were jealous of all the women who put their hands on you, I’d hate half the town. Let’s just leave past relationships where they belong. Let’s live in the present, including that I presently don’t know where I kicked my shoes.”

Jake found her shoes and soon they were slipping back through the woods, leaving behind their hidden piece of paradise. Jake held her hand, stopping intermittently to kiss her or cop a feel. Made Eva feel very much like a teenager living in the moment, uncaring of what lay ahead. At that moment, laughing with the man she’d just made love to, life was butterscotch lollipops and warm fuzzy panda bears. Good and delicious.

They reached the truck, still laughing, acting like two kids in Disney World. The sun had dropped beneath the horizon, bronzing the darkness before slipping out of sight. As Eva paused, taking one last look at the rickety fence and the secret spot that lay within the woods, she wondered if she had, indeed, ever been so happy.

To have the man you’d loved for so long take your heart and close his hands around it and say, “This is right,” made a gal dream of lace veils and side-by-side rocking chairs. To even nudge a toe toward happily-ever-after with the Magnolia Bend’s resident hound dog seemed wishful thinking.

She climbed in the truck and turned to him. “Are you sure we’re doing the right thing?”

His answer was another tender kiss. “As I am of anything, E.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

T
HE
FLYING
ELBOWS
and cracks in the rosy veneer of love came at Eva the next morning. Charlie had a high fever, and the toilet had backed up, leading to an expensive plumbing call.

The plumber—Mickey Guillot—she could deal with. He liked coffee, conversation and gave discounts to civil servants like Eva. The high fever and crying from Charlie was something she’d never faced before.

She’d consulted WebMD and then bathed his head with cold washcloths before finally calling Jake’s sister, Abigail.

“Did you give him ibuprofen?” Abigail asked.

“No. I thought kids couldn’t take that stuff,” Eva said, peering down the hall to where Mickey worked in her bathroom.

“That’s aspirin. He can have children’s ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Do you have any?”

“No,” Eva said, wincing as Mickey trudged toward her with a drenched sock in his hand. “I guess I can go to the store at some point...if I can get someone to watch Charlie. Is that a sock?”

Mickey nodded.

Abigail said, “Huh?”

“Hold on a sec,” Eva said into the phone.

“No, I’m coming over with the medicine. Be right there,” Abigail said, hanging up.

Mickey pressed the foot pedal and dropped the sock into the trash can. “Yep. That’s your problem.”

“How did it get in the toilet?”

Mickey shrugged. “Kids do the damnedest things.”

“Grr,” Eva growled, setting her phone on the counter, begging the low throb in her head not to grow any worse. “It’s hard to be mad at him when—”

“Eva,” Charlie cried out.

“No worries on my account,” Mickey said, pulling out his clipboard. “The toilet’s working now, and you shouldn’t have any more problems.”

“Thanks, Mick. Just leave the bill on the counter and let yourself out. I need to check on Charlie.”

“This one’s on me,” Mickey called out as she made her way to the guest bedroom, aka Charlie’s room.

She’d left the small lamp on, and it illuminated the little boy blinking plaintively at her. “Eva, I don’t feel good.”

“I know, sweetie,” Eva said, sinking down next to him on the full-size bed, brushing the hair off his sticky, hot forehead. “Birdie’s mom is bringing you some medicine that will help you feel better, and then once the doctor’s office opens, we’ll go see what’s going on with you, okay?”

“Okay.” He nodded, tears welling in his eyes. “Mom sings to me when I feel icky.”

“I’m not a good singer.”

“Okay,” he said, his lower lip doing that pouting thing that breaks hearts and earns kids things like candy bars at the checkout.

“When I was a little girl, playing on my farm, I jumped into a big haystack and there I broke my arm,” she sang in a warbled voice that could only be described as excruciating.

“I know this one. Daddy sang it.”

Eva nodded. “He sang it to me, too, when I was little.”

“That’s ’cause we’re brother and sister,” Charlie said.

“Exactly.”

“Sing some more, ’kay?” Charlie said, closing eyes brightened by fever. His cheeks were flushed, and looking at him made her heart squeeze.

Eva sang the words she knew by heart, all the while wondering how she’d deal with something bad happening to Charlie on her watch. She didn’t know how to take care of a kid. Why hadn’t she ever babysat or something? Or finished reading those books she’d bought about raising little boys. Not that she was raising him. This was temporary. But she couldn’t screw up.

The doorbell sounded, and Eva left Charlie sleeping fitfully.

When she opened the door, Abigail didn’t greet her. Leif did.

“Hey, Eva. You remember me? I’m Leif.” He held a small bag. He wore some weird-looking karate pants, a rough-hewn linen shirt and his hair was in a ponytail. Even though he had an earthy, hippie vibe, he was so good-looking a person had to look twice. He totally had that Chris Hemsworth thing going. Like Thor on her doorstep...except wearing flip-flops.

“Of course,” Eva said, stepping back. She saw Leif quite frequently and didn’t know why he acted as if they hadn’t attended the same Beauchamp get-togethers.

“Abigail forgot she was baking something and sent me instead. Said you had a little guy not feeling well.” Leif held out the bag to her. “Abi sent some over-the-counter stuff, but I have to say, using some natural methods would work as well. I have some honey here—found this over in Mandeville a few months back. That will help the cough. And if he has a headache, you can take this lavender oil—” he handed her a vial “—and this coconut oil, and rub a little on his forehead.”

“Oh, thanks,” Eva said, taking each container.

“And if that doesn’t help, you can use the other stuff,” Leif said, pulling out two bottles of over-the-counter medicines. “How’s he doing, anyway?”

“He’s resting.”

“Best thing he can do. Now, do you have any bourbon?”

Eva swallowed. “I’m not giving alcohol to a child, Leif.”

Leif laughed, and Eva swore angels sighed and a rainbow appeared over his head. The man made laughing sexy and reverent at the same time. He could probably get women to pay just to watch him laugh. “No, for you.”

“Oh,” Eva chuckled, pushing her tangled hair from her face. She probably looked like something a dog had barfed up...or just a tired woman. Not that it would matter to Leif. He was engaged to Abigail, and the glances they exchanged could singe anyone standing nearby. “Well, I probably should lay off the booze with a kid in the house.”

“In my experience, having a kid in the house is the best reason to drink,” he said with a kind smile. “But seriously, are you okay?”

“Sure. Just dealing with a sick kiddo.”

“Jake will probably be by to check on you, but if you need anything, just holler.”

Eva made a face. “Why would Jake check on me?”

Leif looked confused. “Aren’t y’all...wait, I thought you two were...” He clamped his mouth shut.

“Did Jake say something to you?”

Leif eyed the door. “Uh, I better run. I still have to go to the Short Stop and pick up coffee creamer.”

“No, wait. Did Jake tell Abigail he and I are together?”

“No.”

“No?”

“I just assumed. I mean, I see the way he looks at you. The same way I look at Abi. Like I can’t wait to get her alone. I didn’t mean to imply something that wasn’t. Sorry about that. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Eva smiled, warmth flooding her. So even others could see she meant something to Jake? That was actually comforting.

Last night during the few moments she wasn’t bathing Charlie’s forehead or sleeping with one ear crooked toward the open bedroom door, she’d wondered if her rendezvous with Jake at the lake had been something she’d dreamed up. Her sane self whispered that Jake falling in love with her couldn’t be true...that Jake liked the ladies too much to settle down with just one...that he would move on and leave her way worse off than merely a pathetic woman carrying a torch. He’d leave her broken.

But Leif gave her validation.

“What is it?” he said, his blue eyes growing relieved at her smile.

“Nothing. I just...it’s just a good thing you mentioned it.”

“Whew.” Leif swiped a hand across his broad forehead. “Guess I’ll see you around.”

“Thanks so much for bringing me these things. Send Abigail my thanks, too.”

Leif left her with good thoughts and something that smelled like peppermint? She pulled a soft peppermint from the bag and popped one in her mouth.

“Eva,” Charlie called out.

She sighed and went back to her brother. Charlie’s eyes were bright, and when she placed a hand against his forehead, panic hit her.

He was really, really hot.

“Uh, Charlie, I think we need to go to the doctor right now,” she said, tugging the covers off him. He lay small and feeble in his Mario Bros. pajamas. Eva helped Charlie sit up, but he seemed to be playing the role of limp dishrag. She scooped him up, shoved her feet in her UGG knockoff slippers and looked for her purse and cell phone.

“I’m cold,” Charlie cried, his arms wrapped around her neck, his body so hot she started to sweat beneath her long-sleeved T-shirt.

Eva grabbed a blanket off the sofa, grimacing when she caught sight of the mess in her kitchen. The whole house looked a disaster, but it would have to wait until after Charlie saw a doctor.

The doorbell rang again, and Eva hoped it was Jake. He could drive them to the quick-care facility that she prayed—
please, dear God
—was open.

She opened the door to find the foster care worker standing on her porch.

Crap on a cracker.

“Uh, Mrs. Gunter, uh.” Eva blinked, shifting Charlie over to her other arm.

“We had an eight-thirty appointment,” Mrs. Gunter said, looking at the watch on her wrist. “You requested an early meeting.”

She’d totally forgotten Mrs. Gunter was coming that morning. Perfect. She looked a mess, the house looked a mess and Charlie was near death.

“I forgot, but even if I hadn’t, I can’t do the home visit right now. Sorry. Charlie’s sick.” Eva patted her brother’s back. He lay limp against her, dead weight.

The foster care worker’s expression turned from annoyance to concern. “What’s wrong with him?”

“I don’t know,” Eva said, trying to hold back the emotion. She wanted to sink down and cry...and at the same time she wanted to tell Melba Gunter to get the hell out of her way because she had something more pressing than discussions of bed-wetting and proper nutrition. “He’s got a fever. I think it’s high and I’m on my way to the doctor’s office.”

Melba stepped back. “Come on. I’ll drive.”

The older black lady closed the door behind Eva and jerked her head toward the dark sedan parked behind Eva’s car. “Door’s unlocked. Have you given him anything for the fever?”

Eva trotted down the stairs, sweet relief flooding her. She wasn’t alone. People who wanted to help were all around her. She could do this thing. She could be the guardian Charlie needed. “No. My friend just brought over some medicine, but then I felt Charlie and knew I needed to take him to a doctor.”

“Was it that man who just left? I wondered about him,” Melba said, sliding into her car, which had smooth leather seats and smelled like cherry air freshener. The car shone like a new penny.

“He’s engaged to my friend,” Eva said, making sure Melba understood she wasn’t playing footsies while Charlie was in the house. Nope, she did that beside lakes—and had an ant bite to prove it. Eva settled Charlie in the backseat. “I need to get his booster. Be right back.”

She jogged over to her car, ripped out the booster and resettled Charlie in the proper restraint. She looked at Melba to see if it netted her a brownie point.

Melba gave nothing away, so Eva slid into the passenger seat and clicked her seat belt into place in the nick of time. Melba shifted into Reverse and shot backward as if they were in a cop movie, chasing a bad guy. Eva grabbed the handle above her head as Melba shifted again, earning a squeal of tires as she headed out of the subdivision. “So where to?”

“Head into town. I’ll call Fancy and see what she thinks is best. Fancy is the woman—”

“I know who she is. We’ve talked before. Let’s get Mr. Charlie taken care of, and sweetheart, I’m a by-the-book hardass when it comes to these kids. I don’t play. Know what I mean?”

Eva swallowed. “Yes, ma’am.”

“But, sugar, what I just saw back there tells me all I need to know.”

Eva closed her eyes. “I know. I’m sorry.”

“Sorry? For...?”

“For forgetting the appointment. For my house being a wreck and me looking like death warmed over. And then Charlie... I was supposed to help him get over all that happened to him. I was supposed to keep him healthy and well. And he’s so sick.” Eva sniffed to keep from crying. She didn’t want to be weak in front of this capable woman, but she was so tired. Instead of reveling in what had happened between her and Jake yesterday, she’d been deluged by laundry, going over homework and a horrid night of tears, high fever and, yes, wet bedsheets.

“You do know that kids run high fevers often. He has a virus, at worst, the flu. Kids are remarkably resilient. Charlie will be fine, Eva. And I do believe you mistook my meaning. This was not criticism for failing at having your house vacuumed or not wearing lipstick. It was a compliment. You’ve made Charlie a priority, and a woman who looks like you do—no offense—is worried about the right things in life.” Melba reached over and patted her leg. “You’re doing fine.”

Eva pressed her fingers to her eyes and tried like hell not to cry. Melba’s words were exactly what she needed. “Thank you. I wasn’t sure I could do this, but I’m hanging in there.”

“You’re doing good, Eva,” a small voice in the backseat said. “You singed me my favorite song.”

Melba cocked an eyebrow as she whipped into a turn. “See?”

Eva nodded. “Yeah, but you didn’t hear how bad my singing was.”

“Sugar, I don’t have to.”

* * *

J
AKE
HAD
TEXTED
Eva four times that morning and received diddlely-poop from her.

After yesterday at the lake, his step was lighter, his heart fuller and his back a little sore from a rock he’d rolled onto while making love to Eva. He’d been looking forward to being a bit more front and center in Eva’s life, but her failure to respond indicated the opposite.

He wasn’t a needy sort of fellow, but her lack of response had dinged his pride. Which was silly. But still.

“Where’s Eva?” he asked, tromping into the firehouse, juggling a tin of muffins his mother had made.

Dutch looked up from his position on the couch. Jake’s fellow firefighter was deep into another sudoku puzzle. “She ain’t comin’ in. Moon’s switching shifts with her this week.”

Irritation filled Jake. “Why?”

“Something to do with the kid.”

“Charlie?” Jake asked.

“I guess.”

Jake pulled out his cell phone. Still no response to his earlier queries. “I better call.”

Dutch ignored him and Moon came in, cracking a fart joke and breaking into the muffin tin. Jake slipped to the back and called Eva.