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

in a bad way. He was caring and concerned about her. He never once mentioned what he wanted. He’d only asked her about her issues and how he could solve them. He couldn’t, but the fact that someone cared to try meant the world.

After a quick shower, Shayla exited the shower and stood naked in her bathroom while she blow-dried her hair and put on minimal makeup. She didn’t need much. She had nice skin and dark lashes. Mascara was usually overkill. Blush was not necessary. Lip gloss was about all she really needed, especially for a daytime date.

Was this a date?

She padded across her room and opened her closet, pondering what she should wear. Jake was wearing jeans and a casual black button-down shirt. She chose to take a similar approach. Jeans. Short-sleeved, soft, pink sweater. Flats. She grabbed a pink lacey bra and panty set and dressed quickly.

When she descended the steps, she found Jake standing next to the bookshelves holding a picture of her with her friends from Destiny’s wedding. He lifted it. “This is the Shayla I remember. Let’s see if we can get her back.”

Shayla flushed as she approached him, and he drew in a slow breath as he watched her grow closer.

“You clean up nicely,” he teased.

She swatted playfully at his arm, and he pretended to cringe out of the way, but a moment later, he had her in his arms, his hands on her back.

She stopped breathing as she looked up at him.

He stared into her eyes for several seconds and then asked, “May I kiss you?”

She smiled. “Yes.”

When he lowered his lips to hers, she melted into him. Literally leaned toward him, her hands flattening on his chest as she tipped her head to one side and let him slide his tongue into her mouth.

Nothing like Hawke. Not even close. In one kiss, Jake reminded her how a real man kissed.

She was moaning as she drew back. Her face felt hot. Her nipples were hard points against her bra. He could probably see them through the thin lace and the tight sweater. Who cared? He’d seen them earlier too.

Jake lifted a hand up to stroke her cheek. “This is officially a date.”

She smiled. “Okay.” She didn’t know how he’d done it, but he’d chased the stupid pilot out the door to make room for something much better. She wasn’t stupid enough to think her problems would disappear. They wouldn’t. But at least she could forget for a while.

“Is there anything you don’t like?” Jake asked.

I don’t like being smacked around or screamed at. She cleared her throat, knowing he was talking about lunch. “Nope.”

“Okay then. Leave it up to me.” He released her and nodded toward the door.

Shayla grabbed her purse and followed him, feeling lighter than she had in months.

Chapter 5

Jake was both elated and concerned. He would stop giving Shayla the third degree for the afternoon because she needed to have some fun. She needed to smile and laugh and relax. He suspected she hadn’t done that at all lately. So, if he could chase her problems away even for a few hours, she would feel better. And so would he.

Damn, she was sexy. When she returned from upstairs wearing tight jeans and a fitted sweater, he nearly swallowed his tongue. He covered up his reaction by making a silly comment about wanting her to be happy like she was in that picture at Destiny and Trent’s wedding.

He couldn’t stop himself from kissing her, even though it had probably been too soon and inappropriate. But she hadn’t balked, so he refused to regret his move.

He took her to a quaint Mexican place he knew nearby. Privately owned. Authentic. Quiet. Small. A perfect date venue even for lunch. The owner recognized him and seated them in a back corner.

“You’ve been here before,” Shayla commented.

“Yes. They have excellent fajitas, and their homemade salsa is the best in the area.”

She smiled and ignored her menu. “I’ll let you order then.”

When the waiter returned, he ordered two glasses of water and fajitas for two. After that, he returned his attention to Shayla. “Tell me about yourself.” He had a pretty good idea from his friends, but he’d rather have her tell him.

“Well, my mom is from Thailand and my dad is from San Diego. He met my mom when he was there on business. They fell in love, married, and she moved here with him and got her green card. She owns a small Thai restaurant in San Diego. My dad is retired, so he helps her run the restaurant now. No brothers or sisters. I think my birth freaked my dad out because my mom is so small, so he wasn’t willing to watch her go through that again.”

Jake loved listening to Shayla talk. Her voice was lyrical. He wondered if she ever sang.

“What about you?” she asked.

“My parents live in Miami. My dad retired from the Army. My mom is a retired school teacher. My sister is still pulling her life back together. She lives nearby.”

“Why did you leave the Army?” Shayla asked.

Jake shrugged. “I spent too many years doing very intense undercover work in the Middle East. When it came time to re-up this last time, I bailed. I was tired. I wanted to get a real job and settle down, not having to keep one eye open every night for fear I might be killed.”

She cringed.

He winced. “Sorry. TMI.”

“No. That’s okay. It’s who you are. Makes sense.”

He drew in a breath. “I opened my own computer programming business, Westside Programmers, and proceeded to hire other Army buddies as they got out. The business has been growing, and since Sweets quit, I’ve hired two new people full time, Deacon and Neil.”

“That’s great.” She leaned forward, setting her chin on her palm. Her smile melted him every time he saw it. Now was no exception.

Their food arrived, and they savored the meal slowly, chatting about her job and his until they