My Hot New Year (5 page)

Jake glances up, and a waiter hurries forward with the bottle of champagne he ordered.

While the waiter fills my glass, I begin to get anxious.  What am I going to say to Jake?  What if he starts asking about Scott?  I don't want to have to tell Jake anything about that painful time.  I've got to get it together.

"So," I say, looking up into his chocolate eyes, and raise my glass.  "To your new company!"

"To the new company," says Jake, and gives a smile I don't recognize.  "But, you know, Jillian tonight isn't just about my business.”

"Is that right?  You clearly know all the right words, now don't you?"  I say with a bitter tone.

That wasn't nice.  Where did that come from?  I bet it was all those years of listening to my Aunt talk about how men are just out for one thing.  I feel a pang of remorse hit my stomach. "I wouldn't go that far.  But, I'm not afraid to get what I want, when I want,” Jake says without hesitation.

"Oh well."  I wave my champagne glass.  "You are the owner of Wilshire Publishing now, after all." I meet his eye.

He leans in and places his elbows gently on the table.  "You know, you're different from other women."

What am I supposed to say to that?  Different?  Not exactly the words a girl wants to hear from the man who had her in bed, begging like a dog.

I take a gulp of champagne and look up in silence.  He's gazing at me with a mysterious expression on his face.

"Oh," I say, feeling uneasy.  "Well, I will try and take that as a compliment."

"It IS a compliment," agrees Jake, and gives a little smile.

A waiter appears from nowhere, refills my glass, and I take a sip. When I look up, Jake's staring at me again.

"Jillian, I want to tell you that our night together was nothing short of spectacular.  It has been on my mind since the morning I left your side..."  Jake tails off, staring down into his glass, then looks up. "I think it's important we get to know each other."

He fades into silence.  I stare down at the tablecloth, feeling hot all over again.  It's just perfect for him to say this NOW.  He takes me to dinner at Randolph's and expects to wow me with these perfect words of his on the same day I get transferred to New York.  It's just taking punishment to a whole new level.

"That's wonderful to hear, but I'm moving, remember?"  I say without looking up.  "It's not my choice, but it's my reality..."

"I know," says Jake, and sighs.  "The timing isn't exactly spectacular.  I had no idea who you were on Christmas Eve, and honesty, I was shocked when I figured it out."

"I can imagine..."  I can't help but grimace.

"So, did you consider never talking to me again?  Is that why you didn't call?"  I say, looking down at the table.  There's silence, and after a while I look up.  Jake's looking at me with a serious expression, which makes me feel suddenly light-headed and breathless.

"The reason I didn't call is because I didn't know what to say to you.  You left me speechless and frankly, that's not common," he says quietly.  He holds my eyes for a few seconds while I stare back, unable to move, and then looks down at his menu.  "Shall we order?"

The meal seems to go on for hours.  We talk and talk, and eat, and talk some more.  The food is  amazing, and the wine is so perfect that I abandon my plan of giving up alcohol for good.  My drunken breakdown at Mom's seems like centuries ago now.  Who was that woman?  I don't feel anywhere close to a breakdown right now.

How was your salmon?" says Jake, finishing off his wine.

"Excellent," I say, recognizing that I'm feeling a tad bit light-headed and not just because of the company.  I don't want the night to end. I feel so happy.  The terrific thing is how comfortable and safe I feel around Jake.  He tells fascinating stories about publishing, but he also makes me laugh.  Laughter isn't something that's been a part of my life for a very long time.

A waitress comes and clears away our dishes and presents Jake with the bill.  I look down, close my eyes, and take a few deep breaths.

"Thank you, Jake."  I shake my head from left to right.  "This night has been perfect."

"Not bad for a date you didn't want to go on, right?"  he asks with a wink.

"It wasn't that I didn't want to go.  I was just scared. I'm still scared,” I confess.

He reaches across the table and grabs my hand.  I look up and meet his eyes and feel my stomach flip again. I can't break my stare.  I'm utterly frozen.

"There's no reason to be scared...."  He trails off, holding my gaze.

There's an endless pause. I can't quite catch my breath, but I try to conceal it.

"Well, the only reason to be scared would be if you turned down my next invitation..."

What might that be?"  I mutter. I feel a zap go through my body.

"This is a resort, you know, and they do have quite a few rooms in this place," Jake says at last.  "What do you think?"

Unable to speak, I just nod my head.

"Okay, I'll be right back," says Jake.  "I'll go and see if there's one available."  He gets up and I stare at him in a trance.  My heart is bouncing around my chest.

I watch him at the counter and then suddenly he signals me.  I realize it's time to put one foot in front of the other and prepare for something that I can’t quite believe I’m willingly going to participate in again.

We walk onto the elevator, and watch the doors close in silence.  I glance over at Jake, but he's fidgeting with his phone.  When I comment on how beautiful the resort is, he just stares downward.  I am beginning to get a bit anxious.  Was it all the wine and champagne that made him seem so nice? Then, in lightning speed, I feel my body jolt back and hit the steel wall and my lips begin to tremble.  His mouth smothers mine, and his tongue sweeps deep inside my mouth.  I groan as his hand slides under my blouse, and I feel his lips form a smile on mine.

He pulls away just as the elevator comes to a stop.  "Come on."  He gives my arm a tug toward the door.  "Jake,” I stammer, “I can't. I can't fall for you all over again.  It hurt too much when you left the last time, and now I'm the one who has to leave."  I don't look up, and wait for him to break my sad silence.

"Jillian, I have a surprise for you."  My eyes lift toward his with a twinge of hope.

"You do?"  I beg.

"Yes.  You only know part of my story.”

“What's the rest of it?”

“It's true I have a home in Oyster Cove, but I live in New York City."  His eyes twinkle.  "I believe you are looking at THE perfect tour guide for you and your kids."

And with that, he pulls me tightly toward him, and I hope he never lets me go.

A new beginning in New York City -- it's pretty obvious our options are endless.

###

Don't miss the next installment of Jillian and Jake's story,
My Hot Valentine
, available February 2013 from Kate Crown!

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