Whatever It Takes (15 page)

Hours later, we finally get some time to ourselves back at my house. My dad takes Drake to try out his new skates and I lead Emily up to my room.

No hesitation is shown as she leans forward and kisses me. I grab the back of her neck and pull her down onto the bed. My heart is bursting with joy that Sweetness remembers us. My hands slide down her body until I reach her hips. I pull her body weight on top of me as a scorching heat runs down my body.

Emily moans as she feels my length pressed against her. I hear her sigh as I suck on her tongue before moving mine around to dance with hers.

Emily's fingers leave a trail of fire as they lift my shirt up and over my head. I need to run my fingers over her bare, hot skin and remove her shirt in one swift movement. She feels tiny between my large hands. My hands run up and down her back, over her stomach, then travel up to her breasts. Emily's weight sinks into me and I roll us over.

Hovering over her, I feel powerful and broad. I want nothing more than to savor every inch of Emily with my mouth.

So, I do just that.

Delicious.

Sucking and running my tongue along her body fills me upright with pleasure until I have to give in to both of our desires.

17

Emily

The memories come swiftly back like the rushing water of a waterfall. Even if my memory had never returned, Jake and I would still be together. All the little moments keep me falling head over heels in love with him.

One night, I remember being in a very light sleep and he whispered, “I'll do whatever it takes to bring you back to me.” What he didn't know was that he already had me. Laying in his arms, in my favorite spot, I am so happy. I can't help but admire my present.

Tears spring to my eyes as I look at the precious baby with a gleaming halo over its head. It is beautiful. A perfect way to remember our baby.

“
Hey, what's the matter?”

“
I love it. Thank you. For everything.”

“
You know I'll do anything for you, Sweetness.”

“
I know. I also know that we could be experiencing our first Christmas with a baby right now. There's a twinge of sadness, but that's it. It more of a subtle feeling, like it's not even trying to take over.”

“
That's how I feel. I acknowledge that it's there, but it doesn't consume me. It'll happen one day Sweetness, when the time is right.”

The thoughts that come to mind are not spoken. What if the time is never right, as he promises? What if I – no. I'm not going back to that. We'll deal with it together whenever it happens.

“
I love you Jake.”

“
I love you too Sweetness.”

With that, I fall back asleep.

***

When I wake up, it's morning and I'm alone in Jake's bed. My clothes are scattered on the floor and I quickly move to put them on due to the chill air in Jake's room. The door to Jake's room opens slowly and I freeze in panic, praying it isn't Drake as I sit there topless, having not yet put on my bra. Jake's head peaks in and a flow of air rushes out between my lips.

“
Hey,” he says, stepping in and closing the door behind him.

“
I was hoping it was you and not Drake,” I say as I hook my bra. Jake wraps his arms around my bare waist as I stand back up with my shirt in hand. He kisses my shoulder as his hands run down my arms.

“
Why didn't you wake me so I could go home? Dad's probably worried.”

“
No, he isn't. I called him last night to let him know you'd be staying with me,” he says in between feather kisses on my shoulder.

Leaning in to him, my muscles relax and there's no other place I rather be. Jake takes a step backwards, slaps my butt, and tells me to get dressed.

With a giggle, I slip on my shirt. I follow Jake downstairs where
breakfast is waiting for me. Drake and Mr. Benson are in the living room watching cartoons. I take a seat in Jake's lap. In front of me is a plate full of eggs, grits, bacon, and a biscuit.

“
Do you think I need this much food, love?”

Chuckling is the answer I get. I dig in and savor the taste of the delicious food. The feel of sturdy legs beneath me and a lean but muscular torso behind me make me feel at home. Completely comfortable and relaxed.

“
How about we go ice skating today? Coach probably left the rink open.”

“
Sounds like fun. We can see Drake in action.”

Watching Drake and Jake skate around the rink while I take my time makes me think. They say that whatever is meant to be will happen. That if a love is true, it will always come back to you. Bullshit. You can't wait around for love to come back or for something to happen. You have to make it happen. Have you ever heard of someone accomplishing their dreams by waiting around because 'what is meant to be will happen'?

No.

Those people fought for what they wanted and loved. They didn't lean back and wait for their dreams to come rushing at them. Each and every one made their dream come true. They found love because they were searching for it. They didn't let anything get in their way. Every day for the rest of my life, I will fight for my love and my dreams. I will work to make things stick together instead of working to make them fall apart.

People in love can't just be on the same page, but on the same word of the same line of the same page.  Each has to work together to build a beautiful masterpiece that only
their
puzzle pieces can do. Some edges are smooth and round, while others are jagged and harsh. Together, though... Together, they fits with a love so sweet that neither person can ever live without. I know because I tried and it almost broke my heart.

The rest of Christmas break is going to be spent in bed with Jake. Even though I've been with him since the wreck,
I
and all that I am has not been with him. I want to relish in this simple luxury.

It is a gift as sweet as the charm bracelet he gave me. It's something that I'll never take for granted again. I think Jake learned this lesson as well. Without realizing it, we took each other, our relationship and our love for granted. Of course we cherished it, but not in the same way as we do now.

“
Sweetness,” Jake calls.

Looking up from my bracelet, I see Jake skating towards me.

“
Everything okay? You aren't skating.”

“
Yeah,” I say looking into those green beauties.

A smile captures his lips. Grabbing my hands, Jake pulls me with him and we glide across the ice to Drake. What a wonderful day.

***

I pick up the slack that is apparent in my schoolwork. One semester down. One to go. I can't believe that I've already completed a semester of college. There's no way I could have done it without Jake. Laying on our bed, studying over a book, I glance over at him.

He's chewing on the cap of his pen and his eyebrows are scrunched together as he studies. As if he knows I'm looking, he cocks his head to the side and looks over at me. That mischievous smile smirks at me. My body leans towards him and I gingerly lay my lips upon his.

The kiss is tempting us towards more and better things. With my eyes still closed, I end the kiss and pull away.

“
Thank you,” I say in a hushed tone.

“
What for?”

“
Everything. Anything. I love you,” I finish as I open my eyes.

“
I love you too, Sweetness. You should thank me more often for all of my extraordinary talents and traits.”

A giggle escapes and I playfully smack him on the arm for ruining my moment.

“
A simple 'you're welcome' would suffice.”

“
I know,” he grins. “Back to work missy.”

With that, he ignores me and goes back to studying. Sighing, I focus on my work until I'm exhausted and finished. My face is smushed against my book and a dull ache penetrates through my skull. My eyes flutter until they close for good. It's not the most comfortable of pillows, but it does the job.

That is, until Jake shakes me awake.

“
What,” I ask, clearly ill.

“
Go change and get in bed.”

Grudgingly, I do so. When I come out of the bathroom, Jake has the bed cleared off and the covers thrown back.

“
Lay on your stomach,” he instructs.

Jake straddles me and begins to knead my shoulders. I close my eyes as the pleasant motions of Jake's hot hands put me at ease. Before I know it, I'm asleep.

18

Jake

I massage Emily until I feel all of the tension leave her muscles. Once done, relief flows through my cramped hands. I head to the bathroom to prepare for bed. When I crawl in beside Emily, she gravitates to me until we are tangled together. Soon, my eyes shut and I slip into a peaceful sleep.

“
Jake,” I hear in the distance as something pushes against me.

“
Jake,” it comes again, louder this time. I open my eyes to see Emily propped up on her elbow beside me.

“
What is it, Sweetness?” I ask with a yawn.

“
I woke up and couldn't fall back asleep. Will you stay awake with me?”

“
Of course. C'mere.”

Emily nestles against me, filling the empty space between my body and hers. I rest my chin on the top of her head and close my eyes.

“
Jake?”

“
Mm?”

“
Don't fall asleep.”

“
I won't,” I yawn.

“
Yes you will. Please Jake.”

Leaning back, I look at her. The rims of her eyes are red and puffy. My lips graze hers twice before I use my tongue to part her lips and give her a sultry kiss.

“
Feel better?”

Sweetness laughs softly. “A little bit.”

“
What's the matter?”

“
I'm sure it's nothing...”

“
Sweetness, c'mon. Open up that coconut.”