The door swings open, revealing a shirtless Jake. He's panting, his chest rising heavily up and down. Beads of sweat cover his forehead and my eyes immediately zone in on his body. His skin tone is tanned, stomach rippling as he moves and my mouth almost drops open in shock.
Tattoo's travel up his chest and covered parts of his arms that were equally as defined. I wanted to explore and know every single story behind each tattoo.
A sharp nudge in my ribs caused me to snap out of the trance Jake's body put me in and I turn towards Ivory, confused.
"Stop drooling over my cousin Em, it's weird."
"I was not!" I defend myself but her words cause me to blush a crimson red. Jake chuckles, his eyes landing on my blushing face.
"I've just been for a run, excuse the appearance." His voice is hoarse and low and I physically have to tense my jaw from almost dropping open once again.
"You look great," I respond sub-consciously, my eyes drifting down Jake's body. His eyebrows rise and he smirks at me, knowing I'm checking him out. . . And enjoying it too. I mentally groan and sink lower into the couch.
Did I really just say that?
Ivory jumps up, heading towards the door.
"I'm going to leave you two alone for a minute, looks like you need it." She smirks before disappearing out the door, leaving me alone with a shirtless Jake Melvin.
It should actually be a crime to be left alone in a room with a boy who turned your brain along with all your common sense into mushy peas.
Jake made his way towards me, running a hand through his damp hair, combing it back. I tried my best to keep my eyes trained on the television but to be honest, I'd rather be drooling over Jake's abs rather than a pavlova. Jake stood in the way of the TV, blocking my view and looked down at me.
"Can I talk to you Muffin?"
I look down at his body again before meeting his eyes, nodding.
"Sure but you should put a shirt on first," I tell him firmly, knowing there was no way I could talk to him when he looks like that. Jake tilts his head to the side, studying me intently before chuckling.
"Does it make you nervous?"
"It makes me everything but nervous," I reply suggestively before realising what I'd said. I slap my hand over my mouth and close my eyes, wishing the floor would open up and swallow me whole for being such a Jake crazed idiot. I can hear Jake laughing at my expense and I groan further.
Ivory enters the room, clutching a drink before her eyes flickers between me and Jake.
"Did I miss something?" she asks confusingly which causes Jake's laughter to deepen, the sound filling the room.
Well played Emily. . . Well played.
Chapter Sixteen - “You’re special Muffin… I can feel it.”
"I'm sorry. Forgive me."
Jake is sat on the foot of my bed and I'm cross legged on the top, resting against my pillows. We've spent the last five minutes staring at each other silently until he finally apologised. I look up at him from under my lashes and he grins at me boyishly, looking apologetic.
"You confuse me Jake."
Jake shuffles closer to me, the smile from his face dropping.
"Emily look, I really didn't mean to walk out on you. I don't purposely set out to confuse the hell out of your feelings." He admits, running his hand through his hair. His expression turns serious and I nod slowly.
He’s afraid of something but I don't want to push him to tell me.
"I have a reason for why I'm so cold and distant at times but I can't tell you yet. I'm working on it Emily, I really am. I'm not very good at this whole apologising thing," he mumbles, confirming my suspicions.
My lips stretch out into a small smile. All of us have been hurt somehow and we all put up barriers, some more than others. It takes a strong character to be able to admit they've been hurt in the past and I admire Jake for that.
"I can't ask you to do anything other than work on it so we're cool," I reassure him. He gives me a small smile in return. I watch as he inches closer towards me, causing my breathing to swallow out.
"Thanks for being so understanding," he whispers, sending shivers down my spine. His arms wrap around me in an embrace and I return it, grateful for his apology.
"I'm actually a very understanding person." I say in response, earning a chuckle from Jake.
"Don't be so full of yourself Wentworth."
I know he's smirking and when he pulls back, his eyes flash with intensity as he looks through mine. It feels like he's searching every part of me and I blink, suddenly feeling insecure from his stare.
"Can I be truthful right now?" He murmurs, surprising me and resting his forehead against mine. I suck in a breath, forcing myself to breathe normally.
"Yes," I whisper, breath trembling. His gaze flickers between my eyes before dropping down to my lips.
"You are beautiful," he says suddenly, taking me by surprise. I suck in a deep breath, his words causing my stomach to break out fluttering with butterflies.
"You're not so bad yourself Melvin." I say quietly, my heart hammering against my chest. If I remain silent, he could probably hear it.
"You think so Wentworth?" He questions teasingly and instead of making fun of him, I decide to be truthful, once and for all.
"Yes, I do."
I take in his heart wrenching features, from his deep ocean blue eyes to his lips and sharp jawline. I feel
