Char opened her mouth to speak but Jake cut her off. “Of course. Why else would we be here?”
Her mother’s mouth pinched into a tight smile as she glanced down at Char’s outfit and then at her plate. “Oh, sweetie! Of course, it’s your birthday! How could we forget again?”
“Not sure,” Char croaked, reaching for her champagne. “I’m twenty-three today. Cheers.”
Jake lifted his glass and clinked it against hers.
“Oh, that’s so nice.” Her mother tilted her head at Char. “Jake took you out for your birthday then, so it’s not really serious.”
“Serious?” Char repeated. Were they insane? How did this go from them lamely apologizing for forgetting her birthday to not being convinced that Jake would actually date her? She bit down on her lip and looked across at Jake. All her insecurities came flooding back. Why would he be with her? He was one of the most famous bachelors in Seattle. He’d even dated a few models.
She made a move to stand. Birthday or no birthday, she couldn’t take it anymore. But as she stood, Jake pulled her to his side and down onto his lap. “Maybe it is best that they hear it from us, Char.”
“Hear what?” Her father seemed totally oblivious to the underlying tension.
“About us.” Jake ran his hands slowly up and down her arms. “We’re dating, and it’s quite serious.”
Char tensed.
Her mother laughed.
Her father joined in.
Char tried to pull away but Jake held her firm. She could feel the anger radiating off of him.
“You know what, sweetheart?”
Char turned in his lap.
“Why don’t we celebrate somewhere else? I have a condo right on the beach… We can celebrate your birthday with the rest of the family.” Well, he’d gone and done it; he’d rescued her and turned from assy frog into a prince. Her breath quickened when his fingertips grazed her cheek. It wasn’t real. It couldn’t be real. Insecurity from junior high came rushing back. A whale. She’d been a whale, and now she was sitting on his lap. Char told her heart to stop beating so fast. She needed to remind her body that the physical reaction was what Jake was good at. That’s why he was so well-known. He’d made her love him twice in her life; hell if she was going to fall for him again. And then he moved his other hand and rubbed up and down her back. She gave an involuntary shiver. Hadn’t she always wanted Jake to stand up for her? Granted, she was a lot older now, and of course it was too late, but she could almost believe he had the potential to be the man she’d always dreamed of. The one who didn’t just take every single easy route thrown at him, but the hard ones, too. And she needed that quality in a man desperately, especially after seeing her mom and dad again. She didn’t want the type of relationship they had. The type where they lived in their own special bubble. Char wanted love, excitement, a hero, a best friend. Damn, maybe she was just projecting all of her needs and desires onto Jake because he was the one giving her the time of day. Which just brought her back to insecurity number one: Why would he of all people, suddenly want her? He wouldn’t. The truth stung, but she needed to stay strong in front of her parents so they’d believe the lie even though she wished to God it was the truth. He was there because for some reason he was trying to do what was probably his one yearly good deed—not because his heart had suddenly broken away from its icy cage and beat after her.
“Family?” Now her mom seemed irritated. “What family? Her family is all here. Right now… Well, except Beth; she’s on a work trip in LA.” Her mother sighed. “So successful, our Beth. Did you know she was a chemist?”
Char wanted to cry. Actually, she wanted to jump out of Jake’s lap and throw something. Jake had been a better family to her in just a few hours than her parents had been in years! Family? As far as she was concerned, he’d just acted more like family than they ever had. A battle raged within her: stand up and slap her own mother across the face? Or storm out?
Instead, she pulled away from Jake’s viselike grip and stood glaring at both her parents for a minute. She would never seek their approval. It was pointless to try, so instead she was going to enjoy showing them that she could be happy without them.
“Jake, you’re right. Let’s call Grandma and see if she wants to join us for dinner.”
He stood and pulled her into his arms. “Great plan.” With no warning whatsoever, his lips were on hers. He kissed her as if he wasn’t faking it. As if he really liked her and wanted to prove to her parents what they were missing out on. Again, she was swept up into the moment of what it would feel like to be wanted. She wrapped her arms around his neck and sighed into his mouth. It was her birthday, after all.
They broke apart when her dad cleared his throat.
“Now, Char. Do you think it’s best to be seen with a playboy—”
Jake laughed. “Millionaire playboy.” His smirk was so condescending Char wanted to punch him, but they’d asked for it. “At least get the title right.” With a wink he reached into his pocket and pulled out a few hundred-dollar bills. “Let’s go, love.”
Without so much as a wave, they left the restaurant and got into Jake’s car. Satisfaction felt sweet when her dad’s eyes bulged at the sight of Jake’s car.
And then, once they were at least a mile from the restaurant, Char burst into tears.
Chapter Sixteen
Cursing, Jake pulled the car over and turned it off. “I’m so sorry, Char. If I’d had any clue they’d treat you like—”
He cursed again, wanting nothing more than to strangle both of her parents for ruining their daughter’s birthday. What the hell were they thinking, comparing Char to her sister? Char was unique, her own person. Normally that was how he described women with no body or personality, but not Char. He actually meant it. She was different, but in a way that made a man take notice. She was undeniably fierce… With a body as beautiful as sin and an attitude to match, it didn’t even make sense that they would find her lacking. A chemist? Her sister was a boring chemist? It made no sense. They made no sense. The more he dwelt on it, the more pissed he became.
“dirt?” Char offered, wiping her eyes. “It’s fine. I don’t know why I expected any different. I guess maybe it was the car, or the dress, or maybe even you.”
“I thought if they at least saw you they’d feel guilty, and if that didn’t work then at least they’d be envious that you were having the time of your life.” Jake swore. “I swear that was not what I had planned.”
“Oh, yeah.” Char giggled. “What was your plan?”
“Oh, you know.” Jake played with a piece of her hair and tucked it behind her ear. “Sweep you off your feet. Be Prince Charming to your Cinderella… only this time the plan was to actually be the guy to take off the shoe rather than to try to find the girl fitting into it.”
“So you would be the naughty Prince Charming? Taking off the princess’s shoes? Scandalous.”
Jake laughed as his heart pounded loudly against his chest. “I didn’t say I was totally redeemed, you know.”
Char seemed to like that. She laughed and then looked up at him with clear green eyes. “I like a little bad boy.”
She was so close. He hadn’t meant to kiss her at the restaurant but he was just so damn pissed at her parents; he’d wanted to prove to them that even if they didn’t find their daughter worthy, he sure as hell did. The only problem was, as much as Char probably felt like he was being the prince, he really felt like the villain. He couldn’t fall for her—and he was a bit terrified that he was already halfway there.
“Are you going to kiss me again?”
Jake nodded. “Another rule of birthdays.”
“Oh yeah, what’s that?” Char leaned in closer until her lips grazed his.
“Kisses don’t count. So if I kiss you, say, right now…” His lips met hers. “And again right now… you can’t slap me or hold it against me.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah.” He licked the corner of her mouth
and then placed his hands on either side of her head as he deepened the kiss.
His phone buzzed in his pocket but he ignored it. He ignored everything but her taste as the tart champagne from her tongue drove him insane.
The phone, however, wouldn’t stop.
Finally, with a curse, he pulled back and answered with a gruff “Hello?”
“Those bastards!” Grandma yelled.
“Huh?”
“I’m on my way.”
“What?” Jake was too focused on Char’s low-cut dress and swollen lips. “Where are you going?”
“To find you. I had Stuart call me. He told me everything.”
“Stuart? Who the hell is Stuart?”
Grandma sighed heavily, as if he was the one being ridiculous. “The waiter, Jake. You know, sometimes I wonder about you. He had a nametag. Meet me at the condo. We’re staying the night and we’re going to give her a party she won’t ever forget!”
Grandma hung up.
Jake swore and looked at Char. “So that was Grandma.”
“Yeah, I heard her. The woman doesn’t do quiet.”
“She wants to throw you a party.” Jake was still staring at his phone, then back at Char’s lips. “We should probably humor her.”
“Well.” Char buckled her seatbelt. “It is my birthday, after all… and I’m starving.”
“Me too.” Jake agreed, but he wasn’t hungry for food. No. He wanted more of her lips. Damn, but he wanted to consume her. Reining in his lust, he started the car again. “Well, let’s not keep her highness waiting.”
Chapter Seventeen
Jake wasn’t at all prepared for what Grandma had planned. It was only four in the afternoon, after all. He had only planned for an early dinner with drinks.
What had previously been only him sweeping Char off her feet was now Grandma outdoing every nice thing he’d ever thought to do.
Because she brought along Char’s best friend.
“Kacey?” Char’s mouth dropped open when both Kacey and Travis walked into the condo. Grandma told them to have some champagne and sit tight, and wait for the party of the century. Her words, not his.
After two hours Jake was convinced Grandma had fallen asleep at the wheel. Not that he cared. Char wanted to walk on the beach; he obliged her. Then she wanted more champagne, and hell, he would have given her whatever she wanted. He just wanted her to feel… wanted… desired. And damn if he didn’t want to be the guy to make her feel that way.
It had been a few hours since their last kiss, and he was seriously thinking about locking the door to the condo so he could do it again when his brother and future sister-in-law burst right in.
“Surprise!” Kacey squealed, running into the large living room.
“I can’t believe you guys are here!” Char ran into Kacey’s arms and hugged her. “How did you even—”
“Grandma.” Everyone said in unison.
Jake rose from his seat on the couch and went to shake his brother’s hand. “I’m surprised you could catch a flight out.”
Travis cursed. “You and me both. We barely had time to pack anything. I just tossed clothes from the floor into my bag and grabbed some frilly things for Kace.”
“Lingerie.” Kacey sighed. “He grabbed my silk lingerie.”
Travis shrugged. “I’m a guy.”
“And I can’t walk around naked!” Kacey all but shouted.
Travis didn’t seem to care, lucky bastard. “You’ll be fine.” He winked.
Kacey blushed and looked away. “So Char, Grandma tells me Jake’s been your knight in shining armor today.”
“Whoa, there.” Jake put up his hands. “Don’t go ruining my bad reputation.”
Kacey winked. “Wouldn’t dream of it. He’s still an ass, Char. I hope you know that.”
Char laughed with Kacey.
Jake wasn’t laughing.
Not at all.
Was he a giant joke to everyone?
“So.” Kacey pulled Char onto the couch. “I’m glad I get to say this to you face to face so I can see your reaction.”
“You’re pregnant!” Char yelled.
Travis spit out his drink and began to cough.
“Uh, no.” Kacey glared at Travis. “Make that two asses.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time she’s accused both of us.” Jake lifted his champagne in a toast to his brother and took a long sip.
“Do you remember Jace Munroe?” Kacey asked.
Char’s eyes widened. “The Jace Munroe? The quarterback at our rival school who looked like a hotter version of Justin Timberlake?”
“Um, yeah, that one.” Kacey laughed. “I invited him to the wedding.”
“Not following.” Char pulled off her shoes and tugged her legs underneath her on the couch. Pity, because Jake was watching her shapely legs quite closely. “Why would you invite someone you barely know to your own wedding?”
“Travis plays golf with him.”
“So?”
“They hang out, they’re friends, and he’s single.”
Jake sucked in his champagne too fast and began coughing but hid it with a laugh. Even though he found nothing about the situation amusing.
Char cringed. “I don’t want to be set up like that.”
“Don’t think of it like that.” Kacey put her hand on Char’s arm. “Besides, he remembers you.”
“He does?” Char’s face lit up. Aw, hell. How could she be so blind to her own charm? The girl was gorgeous. Of course that tool would remember her; the ass had probably dated a hundred women in his lifetime and was finally ready to settle down with the one. Which was exactly what Char was. Bastard.
“We kind of told him you’d be there and, well, I don’t know, you should go for it!”
“I’m sorry,” Jake interrupted. “ ‘Go for it’?”
“Um, yeah?” Kacey pinched his arm. “She needs to get out there and start dating. At the rate she’s going she’s going to end up buying a hundred cats and living in a trailer in our backyard.”
“Not true.” Char blushed. “I’m just picky.”
“I blame junior high.” Kacey sighed. “I swear, ever since eighth grade camp you’ve sworn off most men who even look twice at you.”
Char blushed and looked down at her folded hands.
“Eighth grade?” Jake repeated. “Hey, I was at that camp with you guys.”
Char lifted her head and smiled. “Right. I forgot.”
Jake sure hadn’t. He’d made out with tons of girls that summer. It had been the best summer ever. He’d even had a small crush on Char before she started going all crazy on him: one day they were friends and the next, sworn enemies.
Until that fateful night he’d slept with her.
Then they’d been more than friends for a few hours.
Which begged the question, what were they now? It wasn’t like he wanted her dating anyone else. No, he’d kill any other guy that touched her.
Not that he wanted to be the guy that got to touch her.
Then again. His eyes scanned her face, lips, eyes. Shit, maybe he wanted to try to be that guy she giggled with Kacey about. You know, if girls still did that at twenty-three.
“Please?” Kacey begged. “For me? Just keep an open mind when you meet him, okay? And if anything happens—” she shrugged—“it happens.”
Jake came to Char’s rescue, at least in his mind, when he added his two cents. “Don’t pressure her, Kace. Being alone isn’t a terrible thing. I know lots of single girls who are perfectly happy with their careers and lives. Not everyone wants to get married and have kids.”
“Right.” Kacey pointed at Jake. “And if you want to end up like him, then by all means, Char, be my guest.”
“But…” Jake shook his head. “I’m just trying to say it’s her choice.”
“Just like your choice is to whore around.” Kacey slapped his back. “To each his own, right?”
Why was he suddenly embarrassed by his past? And why
the hell was he letting Kacey browbeat him?
Char was looking at him as if she expected him to say something or defend her, but he didn’t know what he was supposed to be saying or doing. The only thing he noticed was that her color was high. Was she embarrassed, too?
“Finally!” Grandma burst through the front door with tons of bags in her hands. “Do you even realize how hard it is to find a good firework in Seattle?”
“Um, should we be concerned?” Sure enough, Char pointed at a bag labeled “Fireworks”.
“Not unless she has matches.” Travis answered just as Grandma pulled out enough matches to burn down the whole of Alkai Beach.
“I told you it would be the best birthday!” Grandma smiled, dropped her bags, then walked over to Char. In an instant she was in Grandma’s arms. “You’re a special girl, and you deserve a special day with family.”
A tear ran down Char’s face when she pulled away from Grandma and said thank you.
The room fell silent again, and then Grandma began barking orders about a cake, fireworks, and margaritas.
Chapter Eighteen
If someone had told Char when she woke up this morning that she’d be having the best birthday of her life in a million-dollar condo on Alkai Beach, she would have laughed. It was hard to believe it even though she was living it.
Grandma had bought a ridiculously good cake from downtown. It was red velvet with sprinkles and had the most amazing frosting she’d ever had in her entire life. She’d even brought the makings for margaritas, Char’s favorite.
Since Grandma’s arrival, Jake had been distant, almost cool. She only hoped it wasn’t because of all the kissing. She’d been upset, and he was just trying to be nice. Like he’d said before, it wasn’t real. It didn’t count because it was her birthday. Right?
“How you holdin’ up?” Jake said, taking a seat by her. “Best birthday ever?”
Char laughed and clinked her glass with his. “Best birthday ever. That is, unless Grandma sets someone on fire, then that would trump it.”
“We’ll be lucky if no one ends up in the ER tonight,” Travis said from their spot on the beach. He and Grandma had been fighting a losing battle with the fireworks for the past hour while everyone else drank margaritas and watched.