Jake ignored the tiny voice in his head, calling him a spineless bastard and set about taking care of her.
“Spread your legs.” His command was low, sensual.
Olivia’s sleepy eyes opened half-way. “Again? Already?”
He chuckled and held up the washcloth. “I’m just going to clean you up.”
“Oh, you don’t have to...” she started to say. She actually looked embarrassed, which Jake found absolutely adorable.
When he placed the warm rag against her swollen mound, she closed her eyes again and moaned, all traces of embarrassment lost.
“I like taking care of you,” he said softly.
She surprised him when she admitted sleepily, “I like it when you take care of me.”
When Jake was done, he walked over to the clothes hamper in the corner of the room and tossed the washcloth in. He went back to the bed and slid his arms beneath Olivia’s back and knees. She startled when she felt him picking her up.
“What are you doing?” Exhaustion had her words slurring together.
“You need sleep.”
With her in his arms, Jake pulled back the top cover and sheet, positioning her so her head was on the pillow. He walked around the foot of the bed laid down beside her.
Already half-asleep, Olivia rolled over onto her side, facing away from him. He promptly reached over and pulled her back to his chest, spooning her. His cock twitched from the contact, but he ignored it.
Jake kissed the back of her head. “Rest now, sweetheart.”
“Okay.” After a few beats, he heard her soft voice again. “Jake?”
“Yeah, baby?”
“I’m really glad you’re here.”
He kissed her head again and gave her midsection a little squeeze. “Me, too, sweetheart. Me, too.”
With his entire world wrapped up in his arms, Jake closed his eyes and fell asleep.
****
Olivia woke to a delicious aroma. She smiled, knowing Jake had taken over her small kitchen.
He’d cooked for her at her apartment a few times after Pops died. Each time, the food had tasted amazing. There really wasn’t anything the man couldn’t do.
She stretched. Muscles that hadn’t been used in two months were deliciously sore. A wonderful reminder of Jake’s other talents.
Flashes of their lovemaking played through her mind, and her smile grew even more. Talented, indeed.
Glancing at her bedside clock, Olivia did a double-take. Holy crap! She’d slept for ten straight hours.
Even more surprising was that she hadn’t had a single nightmare. What a difference a day—or maybe she should say, Jake—could make.
Still wearing her stupid grin, Olivia quickly showered and dressed before making her way into her kitchen. She stopped when she came to the room’s entrance.
Without a word, she crossed her arms at her chest and leaned against the wood trim. For the next few minutes, she stayed just like that, admiring the view.
Jake was standing at the stove, stirring something in a steaming pot. Dressed in the same jeans he’d worn earlier, he’d left the top button undone, and hadn’t bothered with a shirt. Thank God for small miracles.
She took advantage of the moment, soaking in the site.
Slowly, her eyes worked their way down over his strong thighs. The denim was stretched tightly there, reminding her of the way those muscles had moved between her own legs just a few hours ago.
Olivia glanced lower and saw that his feet were bare. Her pulse quickened. She should not be so turned on, but cripes...even his freaking feet were sexy.
“Like what you see?”
When she met his eyes, she found them lit with smug amusement. Playing off her embarrassment from having been caught ogling, Olivia stood straight and started toward him.
“You shouldn’t have let me sleep so long.”
“I figured you needed it.”
His bare shoulder lifted in a shrug, drawing her attention to the sexy-as-sin Delta Force tattoo on his left bicep. Cool your jets, Bradshaw.
“I must have.”
She walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. The act felt so natural, as if they’d been together like this for years.
“What smells so good?”
“Spaghetti and meatballs. There’s also garlic bread in the oven. Here,”—he turned around, and she loosened her grip without completely breaking her hold—“tell me what you think.”
Jake lifted the wooden spoon to her lips, and Olivia opened her mouth to taste the red sauce.
“Mmm.” She licked her lips. “Where did you learn to cook like this?”
Turning back around to keep an eye on the bubbling liquid, he said, “In the military, it was either MRE’s or whatever the chow hall had to offer. Sometimes not even that. Even now, when my team takes a job, a decent meal isn’t always an option. I like good-tasting food, and since there was no one else around to do it for me, I figured I’d better learn.”
Olivia wanted to tell him he had to do all of the cooking from now on, but held back. That line was loaded with an assumed future and expectations he may not be ready for just yet.
“Well, since you’re cooking, I’ll set the table.”
Forcing herself to move away from his delectable body, Olivia got their plates and silverware ready. She’d just opened a cabinet and was reaching up for two wine glasses when she felt his arms around her, pulling her back against his chest.
Jake’s warm lips kissed the sensitive area just behind her ear. Smiling, Olivia closed her eyes and tilted her head to the side to give him better access.
“Better not start something you can’t finish,” she teased.
“Oh, there’s no doubt I’ll finish”—his stubble brushed her skin, sending waves of goose bumps spreading from head to toe—“but I’ll make sure you go first.”
Jake spun her around quickly, his words and the sudden movement causing her breath to catch. Her hands flew up to his shoulders, but the strong arms encircling her waist kept her steady.
Jake leaned in but didn’t kiss her. Instead, he spoke in that panty-dropping voice again.
“You burn me alive with your touch, Liv.” His lips brushed along her jawline. “You start a fire in me that I
