***
Rehearsal that afternoon went by
swiftly. Before Jennifer could get out the door, Jake came around from the
drums and asked, “Jenn, are you hungry?” Jennifer stood there speechless for a
few minutes. “I was wondering if you’d like to have dinner with me tonight.”
“Oh, I’d love to have dinner with
you,” Jennifer finally answered after breaking the trance of staring at him.
“Would you mind having steaks and
potatoes cooked on the grill?”
“That’s my favorite meal.”
They walked from the studio over to
Jake’s house and entered the front door. Jake went to the refrigerator and
pulled out the steaks. He selected two large Idaho potatoes and wrapped them in
foil. He then went out the back door to his grill and put everything on.
Jennifer followed him outside and
asked, “Is there anything I can help you with?”
“Nope. It’s all set.”
They sat at the picnic table on the
deck behind the house while they waited for the steaks and potatoes to get
done.
“So, Jenn, what’s really going on
with you?” Jake asked. “What are you hiding or running from?”
Jennifer looked startled by the
question. “Um, nothing really.”
“It just seems odd to me that you
suddenly dropped out of sight a few years ago. Now you’re here trying to decide
what you want to do with your life. Something caused you to drop out like
that.”
“I didn’t really just drop out of
sight. I had planned it for several months prior to going to Africa and working
for the World Hunger Organization. I grew tired of doing the tours, the singing
engagements, and concerts. I had no personal life to speak of because I was
always in the spotlight and couldn’t go anywhere or do anything without a big crowd
hanging about, and I was always on the road. It was okay, and it had its
moments, but I wanted to do something more with my life. I was so focused on
all the glamour in my life that I felt like I was becoming a very shallow
person. I wanted to show others, and myself, that I was a caring person and can
help those who need help. The World Hunger Organization gave me the chance to
do that.”
“It was very commendable for you to
do that, but you never needed to prove anything to me.” Jake looked steadily into
her eyes. “Would you ever consider staying here?”
If you would have me. “I don’t know. That’s what I’m trying
to sort out. I have all these houses that my parents left me, and I feel really
overwhelmed with the sheer number of decisions I have to make.”
“Are the other houses the same size
as the one here?”
“No, they’re twice the size of the
ranch. Plus, my dad collected antiques and he has a number of pieces that are
very valuable. My mother had expensive tastes, and I have to figure out what
I’m going to do with all her stuff.”
“Do you think you would sell all the
houses?” Jake watched her closely.
“If I decide to continue my singing
career and start touring and recording again, I’d probably keep the house in
Los Angeles and possibly this one. I just don’t know yet what I’m going to do.”
They sat in silence for a few minutes.
“I’ll be back in a minute with the
plates and silverware.” He got up and went inside the house. He came back out
with the plates, silverware, and glasses filled with iced tea.
The food was finally done, so he
brought the steaks and potatoes over to the table and they started to eat.
“Mmm, this steak is delicious, Jake.
What did you marinate it in?” Jennifer asked, hoping to change the subject.
“That’s my secret sauce, and I don’t
divulge it.” Jake stopped long enough to drill her with a steady stare.
She laughed. “Well, it’s really
good.”
“This is not the only delicious meal
I can make. I don’t suppose you have ever even had any experience in meal
preparation, huh? I remember you hadn’t when we were going together,” he said
mischievously.
“Oh, what you don’t know about me,
Jake,” Jennifer responded demurely. “I can cook just as good a meal as you.”
“You’ll have to prove it,” Jake
challenged.
“Is that you trying to get me to have
you over for dinner?”
Jake threw his head back and laughed.
“Yep.”
“Okay, you’re on. How about tomorrow
night after rehearsal?”
“Tomorrow will work for me. It’ll
give you time to come up with some concoction and call it cooking.” He smiled
at her.
“Some concoction, huh? Boy, are you
gonna be sorry.” Jennifer chuckled.
“Are you trying to tell me that
you’re now some culinary artist?” Jake asked.
“No. But I’ve learned a few things
about cooking.”
“Hope my stomach can handle it.”
They both burst out laughing.
Finally Jennifer brought up the
subject of Kaitlin. “How come you broke up with Kaitlin?”
“How’d you know about that?”
“She stopped by the house this
morning. She was upset and threatened me because she thinks I’m the reason you
broke up with her. Right after I started rehearsing with you guys, she walked
me out to the car and told me that she expected you two would be announcing
your engagement soon.” Jennifer watched Jake’s reaction.
“Jenn, there was nothing going on
with Kaitlin and me except friendship. There was no intimate relationship
between us.” He looked deeply into her eyes.
“So, why did you end it with her?”
Jennifer wanted to know. She also sensed that he was searching for a reaction
from her.
“You and some other folks have told
me that she was after more than I was willing to give.”
In her heart, she was secretly glad
that his relationship with Kaitlin had ended, but it also reminded her of his
stance on marriage. She doubted he’d ever want to settle down.
After they finished their meal, they
took the dishes inside, rinsed them off, and put them in the dishwasher.
Jennifer looked up at Jake. “Thank you for dinner. I enjoyed it.”
“I’d like to do this more often.” He
smiled at her and put his hands on her waist.
“What, dinner together?” Jennifer
asked.
“And that too.” Jake looked deeply
into her eyes.
Suddenly the song Maybe Later echoed
out. Jennifer looked at him confused.
He smiled and cocked his head. “My
ringtone.” He went into the other room to grab his cellphone and answer it.
When he came back, she asked him,
“You have me on your ringtone?”
“Yep.” He smiled.
He came to her and drew her close to
him. She lifted her head up to meet his kiss. His kiss started gentle and
slight, then became stronger and more forceful as he slipped his tongue inside her mouth. He kissed her jawline, her cheeks, and
back to her mouth again. His hands gently caressed her arms and to her breasts.
Jake pulled back and asked, “Are you
ready for this, Jenn?”
“Oh yeah,”
Jennifer whispered.
COMING OCTOBER 20TH
When Jennifer Summers returns to the U.S. after spending two years in Africa, she has some decisions to make. Should she resume her singing career or continue to live a secluded life out of the spotlight in the hopes that her stalker won't be able to locate her?
Years ago Jake Ackerson let Jennifer go so she could pursue her dreams. When she suddenly returns to their hometown he's determined to rekindle his relationship with the woman he never stopped loving.
Jake's band is temporarily without a singer, and Jennifer agrees to take the position, but in doing so she is once again pushed into the limelight, and she knows it's only a matter of time before danger strikes.
Will Jake be able to protect her, and can he convince her to put past hurts aside and give their relationship another shot?
Content Warning: contains some sexual content
This sounds good like the other books you have written.
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