“Are you ready for the surprise?”
“I suppose so.” She couldn’t imagine why he was being so secretive.
He removed his hand. A shiny royal-blue minivan with the farm logo sat in the driveway. “What do you think?”
“Who does that belong to?” she asked cautiously.
“The farm. But it’s primarily for your use.”
She turned to stare at him. “Why?”
He pulled her along as he circled the car and opened the sliding side door. “I saw how cramped the backseat of your car is with Mandy’s car seat and you can definitely use the room. Besides, it’s not fair for you to drive your car for the farm business.”
He handed her a set of keys. “Try it out.”
She bit her lower lip. It was such a pretty car and would save her from having to put a lot more miles on her aging Taurus. “I’ll only use it to go to meetings and to pick up things for the farm.”
“Honey, I want you to feel free to use it whenever you like. I’d feel better if you and Mandy were in this than a car that could break down and strand you somewhere.” He urged her to get behind the wheel, then walked around to close the side door. But before he slid it shut, Nemo jumped in and sat down on the bench seat in the back. “What the hell?”
“He likes to go for rides,” she said, laughing.
Jake patted the big dog’s head, then closing the door, got into the passenger seat. “I guess we’ll take Nemo for a ride.”
By the time they drove several miles down the road and back to the mansion, Heather had fallen in love with the new car. “This is wonderful,” she said when she parked it and they coaxed Nemo out of the backseat.
“I’m glad you like it,” he said, smiling warmly as he picked up a clump of dog hair from the leather seat, then tossing it to the ground, closed the door. “I’ll install a car seat tomorrow and you’ll be good to go.”
As they walked hand in hand into the house, she started to go back upstairs, but he stopped her. “Where do you think you’re going? The evening has just started.”
“What do you have up your sleeve this time?” she asked, smiling.
Leading her into the den, he motioned for her to sit on the sectional couch in front of a large flat-panel television. As she sank into the plush cushions, she noticed a bowl of popcorn and a couple of soft drinks on the coffee table.
“I thought we could watch a movie together,” he said, sitting beside her. He picked up a remote control, pushed a button to start the movie, then put his arms around her shoulder and pulled her close. “We’ve been on the go so much lately, I figured it might be a good way to relax.”
Settling back into his embrace, Heather munched on popcorn and watched the comedy he’d selected for them. She briefly wondered if Jake felt as happy and content as she did. This was her idea of the perfect evening, but she wasn’t sure about him. He seemed to be enjoying the quiet evening at home. But he could very well just be marking time until he could get back to the fast-paced lifestyle he led in Los Angeles. After all, he was used to going out every night and partying until the wee hours of the morning.
“What’s running through that head of yours?” he asked, startling her. He switched off the television.
“Why do you ask?”
“Because you look pensive and you’re not paying attention to the movie.” He used his index finger to brush a strand of hair from her cheek. “Otherwise, you would have laughed. Especially at that last part.”
She stared at him for several seconds before she voiced her thoughts. “I was just wondering if you’re bored yet.”
He frowned. “Where did that come from?”
Shrugging one shoulder, she met his confused gaze. “You’ve been here a week and other than the sedate receptions and the ball last night, you haven’t gone out to any of the clubs. And you’ve had more than enough time after you brought me home to go back out. But you didn’t. I would have thought by now you’d be climbing the walls.”
“Honey, I haven’t missed that scene one time since I’ve been here.” He looked thoughtful as if he couldn’t quite believe it himself. “In fact, I don’t find the idea of going clubbing the least bit appealing.”
“Are you feeling all right?” she asked before she could stop herself.
He unbuttoned his shirt, then taking her hand in his, placed it on his bare chest. “You tell me.”
Her pulse sped up. “I think you feel pretty good. Wonderful actually.”
Pulling her onto his lap, he cradled her to him as he tugged her shirt from her jeans and slipped his hand under the hem. When he cupped her breast, he rested his forehead against hers. “You feel pretty awesome yourself.”
A delicious warmth began to flow through her veins and she closed her eyes as she lost herself to the sensation of his hand on her sensitive skin. Was it possible that he really didn’t miss his old lifestyle? Or when the first opportunity presented itself, would he revert to his old ways?
Jake covered her mouth with his and she gave up all speculation. She didn’t want to think about what tomorrow would bring. At the moment, she was in his arms and that was all that mattered.
“Let’s go upstairs, honey,” he said, ending the kiss. “I think your suggestion about our having a date with the Jacuzzi is an excellent idea.”
Putting her arms around his shoulders, she smiled. “I thought that was my date.”
His mischievous grin caused her heart to skip a beat. “Do you mind if I make it ours?”
“Not at all.”
When he set her on her feet and stood, she didn’t think twice about placing her hand in his and walking out of the den and up the stairs. As they entered the master bedroom, he ushered her into the sitting area and over to one of the chairs.
“Stay right here,” he said a moment before he disappeared into the bathroom. A couple of minutes later, he walked back into the room and smiling, leaned down to kiss the tip of her nose. “Come with me, Heather. I have a surprise for you.”
Doing as he requested, when he led her into the bathroom, she couldn’t believe her eyes. The flicker of white candles in all shapes and sizes lit the otherwise dark room and the filled bathtub was already bubbling.
“When did you do this? There wasn’t enough time—”
“I set the candles out and filled the tub earlier. The thermostat kept it warm for us.” He took her into his arms. “I just lit the candles.”