The Final Chase (Final Love Book 2) (4 page)

“I own and run the rescue. Currently sitting on 200 acres. We take care of all sorts of creatures, including tigers, lions, and bears.”

“OH MY!” I couldn’t help myself. He smiled at me while I covered my plate with food

“I’m thirty-two years young. Virgo, don’t care for walks on the beach. I feel manscaping is a must, and I can make you come in two minutes with my tongue.”

Maybe stuffing my face while he talked was a poor decision, especially considering his words made me choke. Yep, red face hacking was underway. Holy hell, was this guy for real?

“Okay then.” It was the only comment I had.
“So, Cammy, tell me about the woman behind the rapper.” He smirked, then took a bite of bacon. Lucky bacon.

“I own and run Prism Salon on St. Armand’s Circle. I’m thirty, agree on the beach walking. Not fun at all. And yes, I am one hundred percent pro-manscaping. No skills in the mouth department, I’m actually a poor lay.” His eyebrow raised, obviously not believing me. Not sure why I was lying about my sex life so much to him. I couldn’t truly lie to save my life, maybe that’s why no one took me seriously. I giggle at the thought.

“Yeah, that’s a lie. I’m a fucking pro.” At least I was being honest. I could suck a dick with the best of them. A chuckle slipped from his perfect lips before he continued eating. We ate in silence after that, which I was absolutely okay with. After we were both stuffed, Jake was the one to break the quiet.

“I want to get to know you more, and I feel the only way to do that is to win a bet.” It was my turn to raise the eyebrow at him. What was he talking about?

“I bet I can paint your toes to perfection. If I lose, you don’t ever have to see me again.” He looked at me with a serious expression. I leaned in closer.

“And if you win?” I was a very curious kitten.

“If I win, you stay here for a week and help out on the rescue.” I scoffed.

“Deal. There’s no way you can do that good of a job. I’m a hard critic, so I’ll call your bluff.” Yeah, I was ready for this disaster. The man was practically a bear himself, a handsome bear. But really?

“Let’s get this train wreck over with. I need to get home and into some sweatpants.” I totally unbuttoned my pants like the lady I was—a bloated one. Jake noticed my movements then stormed up the stairs.

I closed my eyes, and when I opened them, he was back and standing in front of me with a large T-shirt and sweatpants.
“Uh, thanks.” I wasn’t going to turn them down. I wanted to get out of last night’s clothes badly.

“There’s a bathroom just down the hall, no need to go upstairs.” He pointed just behind the stairs. Cool. I made haste and changed into the large clothing. I had to tie the sweatpants string really tight and the shirt I tucked the front into the pants, but all in all I looked pretty awesome. As always. Before going back out to see Jake, I needed to have a girly moment with his clothing. They smelled of man. Clean and woodsy. Yeah, woodsy. Wearing his clothes felt really intimate, like he was holding me without touching me. I should have just left. Stupid breakfast. I was starting to like him.

Needing to get out of my head, I left the bathroom and found him in the living room. That jungle cat, Binksie, was lounging on one of the dog beds. It was unreal to see a cat like that, just as domesticated as a normal house cat.

“Have a seat.” Jake gestured to the couch in front of him.  I strutted over and plopped down on the couch. He hadn’t moved, so I looked up at his face. His eyes were moving all over my body. I felt a blush fan my cheeks.

“I like you in my clothes,” he commented as he went down to his knees in front of me. Oh, the thoughts that ran through my head. He grabbed a small bottle of red fingernail polish, as well as polish remover. Interesting that he had that.

“Leftovers from a girlfriend?” I asked. He smirked.

“Sisters. They visit every once in a while, leave their shit everywhere.” He gently lifted my perfectly pedicured foot and started on his bet. I closed my eyes, wanting to see the finished product with a fresh perspective. The longer he worked, the more the anticipation was building inside me. Realistically, I was perfectly able to stay here and help on the rescue if he won. I was unsure about helping with the animals, and this was way different than the busy downtown Sarasota area, but it might be nice. Keeping my panties on would be hard, though. My thoughts then drifted to having a family and being a juice box mom. I really needed to find a husband and get to baby making. Jake popped into my head, but I squashed the thought. Maybe I should just screw him and get it over with.

His life was not the life for me. I wasn’t sure why I was wasting my time dallying with this bet.

“All done. Open your eyes, sweetheart.” I opened my eyes, and well, I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. If a man was so sure of himself that he was willing to make a bet, it’s probably because he knows he can win. My toes looked really good. Was he as good as me? No. But I would have been satisfied. I sighed.

“I have to go home and pack a bag,” I told him. I looked at him just as a bright smile grew on his face. I shook my head. This was going to be a long week.

“I’ll take you to your car.” I nodded in agreement.

“Wait, what about the animals? Can you leave?” I had no clue about anything that went into an exotic animal rescue.

“I’m the boss. I have thirty employees, ten interns, and about ten volunteers. I think I can get away for a bit.” He stood and held his hand out for mine.

“I’m Jake Wild, owner of Wild Rescue.” I took his hand and he hauled me up. My body collided with his. Yep this was going to be a hard week.

“All right, big boy, get me to my car, and I’ll be back later.” I needed some space like yesterday. This man was making my insides go haywire. I wanted him, but I didn’t. I did, but I didn’t. I was getting whiplash over here. I pulled back and waited for him. He nodded his head towards the door.

“Let’s go, sweetheart.” I followed, and stared at his ass as we walked towards a dark blue truck with the logo for the rescue on it. It had mud around the tires and a dent or two. Looked like it was used as a truck. I see lots of people drive trucks around downtown, but they probably had spider webs in the back from it not being used for its intended purpose. Jake opened the passenger door for me and held out his hand in case I needed help. I climbed up in the beast all on my own. I was independent like that. I liked the gentleman type but I was too impatient for them. I didn’t want to wait in the car while they got out and walked around to open it for me, or wait for them to open the door so I could walk through. I had shit to do; ain’t nobody got time for that.

The ride was surprisingly quiet.  I welcomed it. Maybe Jake caught on that I needed some space. I agreed to stay at his rescue for a week. It was a big move, especially when it was with someone I really didn’t know. I just hoped a tiger didn’t eat me. When we pulled up to Bambi, Jake stopped the truck.

“I’ll see you later, sweetheart. Dinner’s at six.” He leaned over and kissed my cheek. Sweet points go to Jake on that one. He wasn’t being weird or clingy.  I got out and once I was finally safe inside Bambi, Jake drove off. Before I started the car, I sent a text to Rayne.

I’m coming over. Tell hubs he doesn’t have to get dressed on my account.

I started my girl up and drove over to their apartment. I needed my Rayne.

Chapter Six

I took the elevator to her floor because only weird exercise freaks like her took six flights of stairs. I knocked on the door, and it was opened immediately by Arson. That man was yummylicious. Too bad he was wearing clothes.

“Cammy, my other half’s other half.”  He smirked and held out a cup for me to take. I looked inside it.

“Oh my God, you’re a lifesaver!” I grabbed the cup and sucked on the straw like I was sucking cock. He got me a smoothie. I loved smoothie time with them. I walked in to see Rayne sitting on the couch sucking on her own smoothie.

I let out a moan when the taste of strawberry and kiwi hit my tongue.

I looked at Arson, who winked at me. That man knew me. I loved this flavor combination.

“So, what’s up?” Rayne took a break from her drink.  I plopped down next to her and rubbed her little Buddha belly. I was the only one besides Arson and her mom that was allowed to do that, so I did it whenever I could.

“I’m being Arson’d!” I whined. It was happening.

“I told you it was going to happen. I so called it.” She beamed.

“Being Arson’d?” Arson piped up and sat on the chair across from us. His brows arched.

“Yeah, Arson’d. You just came into my life like “You my woman” and didn’t let me think otherwise. You Arson’d me.” Rayne explained to him. He shook his head and chuckled.
“So what happened?” she asked.

I started to tell them everything. She laughed and swooned at the appropriate parts, except when I told her about me falling and puking. Then she laughed at my pain.

“I can’t believe you sang Bad Touch to him. That is classic.” She laughed hysterically. It was the highlight of that night.

“I rocked it.” I mentally patted myself on the back, trying to forget the unglamorous exit.

“Man, that was quite a story. He totally did Arson you with that whole
you need an alpha
speech. So hot.” That. It. Was.

“Now I’ve got to let the girls know I won’t be in this week, because I’ll be staying at his house and helping out on the rescue. Whatever that means.” I drank the rest of my smoothie.

“It means you’re going to be having ‘wild’ animal sex. Get it? Get it, wild because his last name is Wild.”  Rayne was mocking me and my corny jokes. I found it funny, but kept my laughter to myself.

“I don’t want to have sex with him. He’s too different from me,” I whined. Was it a lost cause that I was holding off having sex?

“Sounds like a good guy to me,” Arson stated. I looked at him like he betrayed me.

“What? He works hard, stated his intentions upfront, and hasn’t tried to fuck you yet. He’s waiting for you to get accustomed to the idea first.” I thought over his words. What he said did make Jake seem like a nice guy. He was forward with what he wanted with me but he wasn’t aggressive. Hmm, food for thought.

“I’m pro-Jake in this quest. Sorry, hon, you need a guy. This is your 'I want one’ chance.” Back when Arson was trying to win her over, I whined how I wanted one. I wanted a guy to look at me how he did her.

“I still think we’re too different,” I huffed.

“Maybe different is what you need. Guys like you don’t seem to be working,” Arson commented.

“When did you two turn into Mr. Miyagi?” I looked at them.

“I learned from the almighty Cammy.” She hugged me. When did I turn into such a sap? I hugged her and held on. Rayne was such a big part of my life. I loved her so much.

I stayed over for another hour before heading home to put together a bag for my week.

I called Mary to let her know I wouldn’t be in this week. She said it was good and to have fun. I wasn’t needed anywhere. So after a shower, vegging on the couch, and three suitcases later, I was on my way back to the rescue.

It was right around 5:30, so I would be there for dinner. I wondered what was on the menu.

There were people all over the place, doing their jobs, as I pulled up to the lodge. I parked Bambi next to Jake’s truck and hopped out.

No one was paying attention to me as I hauled my suitcases out of Bambi and started lugging them up the wooden porch.

“Hey there, lady. Let me help you with those.” The flannel man from the wallaby incident took hold of my luggage and brought them up the rest of the way.

“Thanks.” I huffed breathlessly.

“Name’s Derek, by the way.” He held out his hand which I shook.

“So why the suitcases?” he asked. I wondered if Jake had mentioned to anyone about me being here.

“Well there isn’t such a thing as too many sexy toys, am I right?” Out of all the answers that could have come out of my mouth, I’m not really sure why that one was it.  His face turned red. Well, at least making him blush was fun. Just as I was about to say I was joking, Jake walked up the stairs.

“I got this. Thanks, Derek.” He smacked the man on the back in a bro type of way before grabbing my bags with ease. Derek, still blushing, muttered bye, and walked away.

“What did you say to him?” Jake’s tone was inquisitive.  I shrugged and blinked innocently.

“He asked why the suitcases, and I asked him if there was such a thing as too many sex toys. Shall we?” I opened the door and walked inside. Leaving Jake on the porch. In shock.  Shaking his head, he walked inside and went up the stairs. I followed behind and noticed he didn’t put my bags in the spare room. I followed him into a larger room with a big bed with wooden posts, and crisp, dark blue sheets.  There was a dresser and what looked like a walk-in closet just before a door I assumed was a bathroom. By one of the two windows there was a sort of cushioned bench and a dog bed on the floor, for Binksie, I was guessing.

“I’m not staying in the other room?” I finally vocalized my confusion. He set the bags down and looked at me.

“Nope, you’re staying with me.” I gasped.

“No way! Being here with you is crazy enough. I don’t really even know you! I’m not sleeping with you. Plus, I snore! And I’m a bed hog. Just ask my best friend, Rayne. I’m the worst. Really, for your safety I should move into the other room.”  He walked closer and I took a few steps back. Was it just me, or was Jake prowling forward making me turn on the water park in my panties? Dammit! When my back hit the wall, I knew I was screwed.

His body pressed up against mine, and before I could stop it, a little mewling sound escaped my lips. I watched as his blue eyes turned darker. Oh God, was he going to kiss me?

“I’ll take my chances. Your perfect ass is cuddling up to me tonight.” He leaned in to kiss my nose and walked out of the room. I sagged against the wall. That man. He did something fierce to me, things I didn’t want to be feeling.  I looked around the room and then to my suitcases. Fine, he wanted me to stay in here with him; I would make myself right at home.

I got to work on unloading my bags and making room in the drawers and closet. I was surprised to see he had cleared some space for me but then I giggled when I saw how little room there was. It was cute, he really must have thought I wouldn’t be bringing too much. As if!

I reorganized his drawers, taking over more than half. And I may or may not have fondled his boxers a bit. Thoughts of him walking around half-naked drifted through my head as I got to work on the closet. After the closet was finished, I went into the bathroom and set up all of my beauty supplies. By the time Jake was calling me down for dinner, I looked around the room and felt at home. Which surprised me. I turned and went downstairs to see what he had made.