Hyde and Seek (24 page)

“Fuck, baby, your mouth feels like heaven, but you don’t have to do this,” he rumbled, though his hand stayed at the back of my head as he rocked his hips.

I looked up at him, unsurprised to find his eyes on me.

He always loved to watch. It didn’t matter how many times I’d gone down on him, he watched each time with the same rapt attention. There’d been a new intensity when he looked at me lately, and even in the dim lighting, I could see it.

“So gorgeous, so fuckin’ perfect. Dressed up so beautiful, but down on your knees for me,” Jake groaned, his voice thick.

His words warmed me, making me ache to give him all he gave me. He made me indescribably happy, and I loved the chance to make him feel that, too.

Jake rocked his hips as I went faster, no longer worried about hurting him. I knew that no matter what we were doing, he liked it hard, fast, and rough.

I felt his cock pulsing in my mouth as it swelled, and I knew even before his warning that he was close. His groans filled the small space as he came.

When he was finished, I eased my mouth off of him and sat back, looking up into his hooded eyes as I slowly licked my lips.

Jake growled as he tucked himself away, his gaze locked on my tongue.

Leaning forward abruptly, his hands spanned my ribs as he lifted and settled me back onto his lap. I barely had time to process the movement, when his mouth lowered to mine, cutting off any chance of my brain functioning. With one hand stroking my thigh, his other trailed tenderly up my side, stopping at my neck as he pulled away and ended the kiss.

I stared at his mouth, silently willing him to kiss me again, when he applied pressure to my jaw with his thumb. I tilted my head back to look up at him, though my brain was still mush.

“You could do that a million times, and, baby, I hope you do,” Jake said, his lips tipping up before his expression turned thoughtful. “Still don’t think I’ll ever get used to how perfect you look and how fuckin’ good your mouth feels.”

“I like that you like it.”

“Fuck, Piper, I love it.” Jake moved his thumb, slowly sliding it across my bottom lip as his eyes followed the movement. “Now I wish we were headin’ home since I’m feelin’ hungry.”

“Okay,” I breathed my agreement. I’d been looking forward to the night, but a hungry Jake would win every time.

A hungry Jake meant that I was winning every time,
multiple
times.

I jumped when the door swung open, not having realized we’d even stopped.

Jake’s low chuckle rumbled against me. “Ready, sweets?”

I nodded my head, though I was feeling anything but. I carefully moved off of Jake’s lap, facing away from him as I took a second to try to prepare myself.

With the noises and lights from outside surrounding me, I couldn’t settle my nerves. My stomach churned and flipped as my heart pounded in my chest. I was seconds away from passing out or running, screaming into the night. I honestly didn’t know or care which at this point.

I just knew that I wasn’t leaving the limo.

Nothing is getting me out these doors. I’ll live in here if I have to. There is
no
way I’m doing this.

My inner freak out was interrupted when my hair was pushed to the side and Jake’s strong arms wrapped around me. He pulled me back into him, kissing the spot behind my ear before whispering, “I love that you’re here with me.”

Time to get out these doors. What’re we waiting for? I’m
so
ready to do this!

Chapter Eight

^{Back Against the Wall}

“Fuckin’ hate that shit. Thank fuck it’s only once a year,” Jake muttered after we got into the event.

The press line had been more extensive and time consuming than I’d anticipated. Not to mention, intrusive. I wasn’t sure how celebrities put up with it. The thought of someone watching every move I made skeeved me
way
out.

Jake spent most of the time politely, and occasionally impolitely, ignoring personal questions.

Though he didn’t verbally respond about us, he was his usual openly affectionate self with me. It spoke volumes that his touch was casual and familiar, not forced or awkward. He’d wrap an arm around me, kiss me, or talk softly to me, whispering something naughty if he could get away with it.

Every time I tried to shift out of his way, his grip would tighten and he’d pull me close.

In the middle of being asked a question, Jake turned to kiss my shoulder and the spot behind my ear. When he’d gently tugged the back of my hair, I’d tilted my head to look up at him.

I’d been fairly certain I could hear the subtle whoosh of women’s panties dropping around us. I was absolutely sure I heard more than a few wistful sighs.

“You doin’ okay, sweets?” he’d asked, his voice soft and tender. At my nod, he’d smiled down at me and moved his hand from my hair to my neck. He kept his hand there, his thumb rubbing the spot behind my ear, as he went back to answering questions.

As much as I loved all of that, my favorite part was when Jake actually answered a question. It was baffling to me that he didn’t handle more of the publicity for Hyde.

He’d told me how much he hated interviews, which was why he let Z handle it all. Since Jake wasn’t always great at communicating, I’d assumed that it leaked into his public speaking, too.

I was
way w
rong.

While Jake’s confidence and roughness came across in an appealing way, he also simply had a way with words. It made people want to listen. His dad was half right because he probably would have made a successful lawyer.

However, his passion as he spoke came from his work now, from doing what he loved. That was what made his words so compelling.

Within moments of walking inside, I yelped as strong arms wrapped around me and lifted me into the air.

“Damn, Piper, lookin’ fuckin’ good,” Kase said, setting me back down. His bogus, innocent smile grew into a grin at Jake’s growl.

It didn’t matter that I wasn’t Kase’s type, or that he flirted with almost any woman, it still irritated Jake.

Which meant, of course, Kase kept doing it.

“Hey, Pipe,” Eli greeted, rolling his eyes at Jake and Kase’s usual routine as he dipped down to kiss my cheek. “You look great.”

Jake pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “I need a fuckin’ drink after all that shit out there. Wait here, I’ll go get us somethin’.”

“Seriously, though, you look beautiful,” Kase said after Jake was out of earshot.

“Thanks. You both look very handsome.” Wearing traditional tuxes, both men cleaned up well.

“I know. I feel like James fuckin’ Bond, yo.”

“What about me, Doll Face?” Z asked from my side, startling me.

“You scared me. I didn’t see you sneak up. You’re also looking quite dapper.”

His dark slate gray tux complimented his eyes and hair, which he wore in his usual pompadour. He looked more in his element here than he did at the garage.

“Perfect. Just what I was going for. You look lovely as always.”

I scanned the quickly filling room. “Thanks. There are a lot of people here. All of your work has paid off.”

“You’re giving me too much credit. I should just say, ‘Tax deductions. Open bar. Hot chicks.’ It’d probably draw more people.”

“No way. I think the longer you talk, the more likely those hot chicks are to show up. Otherwise it’d be a big sausage fest in here.”

When conversation took the inevitable turn to the shop, I felt Jake behind me. He handed me a drink, his hand going to my back as he leaned close to me.

“I gotta go up and talk. Stick with the men.”

“Why?”

“Peace of mind. I’ll be back as soon as possible, yeah?”

Before I could ask what that meant, Jake pressed a kiss to my head and walked away.

I tried to figure out why he wanted me to stay with the boys. When the only reasons I could come up with were bumming me out or pissing me off, I decided to focus on his ass rather than him possibly being an ass.

I love the way his loose jeans hang from his hips, but I could seriously get used to the way the slimmer fit ones look.

I pulled my thoughts out of his pants when the room quieted as Jake’s voice came across the sound system. It was easy again to forget how much he hated public speaking as he thanked everyone for coming and introduced the charity.

When Jake stood back so the representative from Tools for Teens could speak, I took the opportunity to use the ladies room.

As I was returning to the main room, I heard my name called. I was surprised to see James heading towards me.

“Hey,” I greeted. “How’re you?”

“Good.” He shook his head slightly, smiling. “Wow, Piper, you look stunning.”

“Thanks, you look great, too.”

“It seems like it’s been forever.”

“Yeah, it’s been a while.”

We often saw each other at Mother’s, but I’d used my schoolwork and cakes as an excuse to bow out of her last few dinner parties. She’d been her own version of understanding since the only thing worse than a baker for a daughter was a
failed
one.

“I didn’t realize you’d be here. Thomas sent me in his place, but he didn’t mention…” James trailed off, looking around.

“Oh, I’m not here with Scalding. I’m with Jake Hyde.” I glanced towards the stage where Jake stood while the representative still talked.

“As in his date?”

“Yeah, we’ve been seeing each other.”

“Interesting. I was under the impression that the two of you were just friends.” James reached out and tucked my hair behind my ear.

I moved away when, for the first time since I’d known him, I began to feel uncomfortable. “We were. Now we’re more.”

“Does your mother or Thomas know?”

“About Jake? Why?”

“You never know someone’s intentions.”

“Yeah, you never can be too careful,” I murmured, taking another step away. “I should get back. Goodbye, James.”

“James, there you are,” a familiar voice called out. Dana approached, stopping
way
in his space. “Oh, hello, Piper.”

“Hi, Dana. How’re you?”

“Wonderful. We can’t seem to get our schedules lined up for that dinner, though, can we?”

I tried to sound appropriately disappointed. “No, sorry, things have been crazy.”

“Well, the last couple of weeks James has kept me very busy, haven’t you, darling?” Dana looped her arm through his.

James looked uncomfortable as he nodded. It appeared to be more of a noncommittal gesture than an actual agreement.

“Well, that’s fantastic,” I said with genuine enthusiasm.

Maybe this will get my mother to stop pushing him at me.

“This isn’t your normal crowd. Are you helping bake for the event?” Dana asked, eyeing my outfit.

It was obvious that I wasn’t dressed for work. I knew it and she knew it. Any idiot could see that. Just like any idiot could see that she was trying to make a jab when there wasn’t one to be made. I’d have been proud to bake for a function like this.

I was always careful about keeping my walls up with Dana, and this was the perfect example of why. There were times when we’d have such a blast together that it made me forget the times like these.

Those good times were coming few and far between.

Instead, she’d become focused on climbing the social ladder.

Even if it meant using her friends as rungs.

“No, not working. I’m actually here with Jake Hyde. So if you’ll excuse me, he should be done soon. Enjoy your evening.”

“Goodbye, Piper,” James replied, his face and tone not matching his polite words.

I nodded as I turned from them.

My progress was halted a few steps later, when a vaguely familiar man stepped in front of me and blocked my way.

I couldn’t place where I recognized him from. His chestnut hair was styled to look casual and wild when I’d put money on a hairdresser spending ages getting it just right. His brown eyes weren’t warm, and his smile was more of a sneer.

He was definitely attractive, but it was obvious that he knew it.

“Hey, gorgeous.”

“Hi,” I replied politely, moving to walk around him. He shifted his large frame to block me again.

Uhh, ever hear of personal space? ‘Cause you’re all up in my bubble right now.

“And what might your name be?” His voice was condescending as he looked me over.

“Piper. And what might yours be?” I asked, using the same tone.

“You don’t recognize me?”

“Vaguely.”