Straight Up Love (Boys of Jackson Harbor 2)

I grab my purse and hold tight, as if it’s a life preserver in this disaster of an evening.

“I’m sorry, Ava. I hope you can forgive me for reading this situation all wrong.”

Swallowing hard, I shake my head. “Let’s forget this happened, okay?”

“I hope this won’t make things at work awkward. I value you as an employee.”

Just breathe, Ava. It was a big misunderstanding. “It’s fine.”

He nods, but something in his expression tells me he knows fine is my favorite lie.

Jake

I show up at Ava’s house Sunday morning with a box of fresh donuts and two giant cups of fresh coffee from Ooh La La! I knock on the door before using my key to let myself in, practically holding my breath. Please be here. Please tell me you came home last night, and the date was a complete bust.

“Ava?” I call softly as I walk into the house. It’s dark, but I head to the kitchen, expecting to see her sitting at the table with a book and a cup of coffee. The kitchen’s dark too. “Ava?” I call again, a little louder this time.

I hate the idea of her going home with someone. It’s ridiculous. She’s young and beautiful and deserves a healthy sex life. But the idea eats at me. And she never texted.

Still holding our coffees in each hand and the box of donuts under my arm, I decide to check her bedroom.

Soft morning light filters in through her sheer blue curtains. She’s twisted in her sheets, one bare arm thrown over her head, her hair splayed out on her pillow. The gnawing jealousy of imagining her spending her night with someone else—waking up with someone else—fades and is replaced by a gut-deep ache of lust. Her pink lips are parted slightly, her cheeks flushed.

What would I give to be the man who got to wake up to that face? To start my day by brushing my knuckles over her cheek before lowering my mouth to hers?

I swallow thickly and try to make my feet move, but they don’t. I just want to keep looking at her.

Ava wants a baby more than anything. Being a mom has always been important to her, and ever since she told me her plan, I’ve caught myself plotting ways I could make that happen.

I could grant her the favor she drunkenly asked of me. Jack off into a cup, watch her belly grow with my baby, watch her raise my child. On the one hand, it would feel good to give her what Harrison couldn’t, but on the other hand, I know without a doubt I couldn’t handle the outcome. I’d insert myself into her life so completely that she’d resent me. If Ellie’s worried that a kid will make it hard for Ava to find love, imagine if the kid’s dad refuses to get lost. I can’t stop thinking about her proposal, but I also know it’s not an option.

I’ve always wanted to give Ava everything, but for once I’m thinking of offering her what she wants. But on my terms. Would she go for it? Or would she panic and shut me out?

I walk into the room, slide the coffees on the bedside table, and put the donut box next to them. “Good morning, sleepyhead.” I lower myself to sit on the bed.

Her eyes flutter open and she looks at the clock then at me. “Good morning.” Her voice is husky from sleep and tugs at my gut. “What are you doing here?”

I open my mouth to answer, and she stretches—both arms over her head, her back arched, her breasts thrust forward—and I forget her question.

She blinks at me. “Is everything okay?”

Right. Words. Use your words, Jake. “I just wanted to check on you. You never texted me last night, and I wanted to make sure you weren’t tied up in some creep’s basement this morning.”

“Oh, shit.” She pushes herself up in bed and the sheets fall, exposing her thin tank top and the outline of her perfect breasts beneath it.

Her eyes are up there. But I don’t know that I can be trusted to keep my eyes where they should be, so I turn my attention to her coffee, handing her a cup.

“You’re a prince. I’m sorry I didn’t text. Last night was so weird that I just wanted to get home and wash it all off.” She shudders delicately.

“What happened?” My guard goes up immediately. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just . . . my date was my boss.”

“Mr. Mooney?”

“Yeah.”

“Gross.”