Standby (Open Skies Book 4) by Becca Jameson (popular e readers .TXT) 📕

Now she just needed to find a way to calm down enough to rest.

Chapter 16

Shayla was lying on her side, her cheek propped on her palm, staring at the gorgeous man sleeping several feet away when he finally opened his eyes.

Jake smiled slowly. “Hey…”

She narrowed her gaze at him. “It’s been Saturday for about eight hours now. Why are you so far away and why am I still untouched?”

He chuckled and slowly slid across the bed toward her, hovering, making her drop onto her back as he came over her. Finally, his lips descended toward hers, and he kissed her. Slow and sensual.

And then it was over. No other contact. Just the one kiss before he withdrew and got out of bed on his side.

She was speechless and blinking up at him as he came around to her side of the bed, leaned over her with a hand on the mattress next to her shoulder, and informed her, “Sweetheart, I’m going to ravage you like you cannot even imagine, but not while we have a houseguest.” He shoved off the bed and padded to the bathroom, leaving her panting.

Shit.

How did the man manage to make a brief kiss with no other skin-to-skin contact seem so passionate that she couldn’t catch her breath?

With no other options, she slid from the bed, grabbed the T-shirt he’d been wearing last night, and tugged it over her head. It smelled like him, which did nothing to dampen her arousal.

When he came out of the bathroom, she slid by him with a seductive smile. “My turn.”

Ten minutes later, she found him in the kitchen holding her phone. “We have a problem.”

She approached him slowly. “Please don’t say that. I’m not in the mood for problems.” I’m in the mood for sex.

Surprising her, he held out her phone so she could read the message on the screen. He hadn’t shown her anything incoming from Hawke to keep her blood pressure from going through the roof. What she read made her stop breathing.

This is Marilyn Richman, Hawke’s wife. I just read the last hundred or so messages he sent you while he was in the shower. Can we meet please?

Shayla started shaking. “Holy shit.”

“What happened?” The voice coming from behind was Raeann’s as she joined them.

Jake showed her the message.

“Shit,” she repeated.

“What time did she send it?” Shayla asked.

“Midnight.”

“My God. I wonder if this is the first time she’s been aware of his infidelity.”

“Only one way to find out.” Jake set the phone on the counter and leaned against his hip. “I say we set up a meeting with her. You’re off today. Maybe coffee somewhere? I’d like to hear what she knows.”

Shayla nodded. “Okay.”

Raeann leaned against the island. “I have to be at work in a few hours, so I’m going to need to go home and get my act together. I hate that you’re having to deal with this.”

Shayla turned toward her. “I’m just sorry it’s blowing back on you and you can’t feel safe in your own home.”

Raeann shrugged. “It’s not your fault. And I’m not overly concerned, but I appreciate you letting me stay here last night. I slept better here than I would’ve at home with all this going on.” She stepped forward and gave Shayla a hug. “Leave me a message later and let me know how it goes with the wife.”

“I will.” Shayla turned back to Jake as Raeann headed to the guest room to get dressed. She took a deep breath. “Set it up.”

Jake nodded and then leaned forward to kiss Shayla, again nothing but lips. Damn him. But it was more contact than they’d had in a week, so she’d take it.

Shayla leaned over his shoulder as he typed a response.

This is Jake, Shayla’s boyfriend. Can you meet us for coffee this morning?

Shayla was surprised when three dots immediately appeared, indicating Marilyn was already responding.

Yes. Thank you. How about the coffee shop at the corner of West and Hardwin? Does that work? Eleven?

Jake responded in the affirmative, which was good since Shayla’s hands were shaking too badly to hold the phone.

Raeann returned. “Did you get ahold of the wife?”

“Yes. We’re meeting her at eleven.” Shayla followed Raeann to the door. “You’re welcome to stay here anytime you want until this is resolved. I know it’s nerve-wracking.”

“Thank you. Let me know how it goes today.”

“I will.” Shayla watched Raeann as she headed for her car and then closed the door and leaned against it. She’d slept fine last night, surprisingly, but suddenly overwhelming exhaustion swallowed her whole.

Jake set his coffee down and came across the room. Seconds later, she was in his arms, and thank God the no-touching rule was over because she needed this more than anything.

He held her close, swaying slightly back and forth. His hug was the best ever, calming her and grounding her. When she tipped her head back, she was choked up. “Thank you.”

He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and cupped her face. “Any time. I’ve wanted to hold you like this every day this week.”

“I needed it too.”

“I know you did. I’m right here. Lean on me. We’ll get through this.”

She nodded. “Guess I better get in the shower.”

“Yes. And please, for the love of God, go move your shit into my room and use my bathroom. Your guest status days are over.”

She smiled. “Okay.”

Chapter 17

Jake put on his most confident façade as he led Shayla into the coffee shop with a hand on the small of her back. He’d rather be in bed with her, making up for lost time, but this meeting took precedence today, and there was no way either of them could relax until they had this behind them.

After dozens of missions overseas against the most horrifying of opponents in the foulest places on earth, he thought he could handle a meet and greet with the wife of Shayla’s stalker, but he was unnerved. He didn’t like any of this or where it might