My Despicable Ex - Book 2 Read online

  We spent the next thirty minutes chitchatting about the simplest of things, from the weather to the wildlife in the forest. Jake bent down to pick up a wildflower in full bloom and held it out to me, smiling. I murmured my thanks, then clasped my hands daintily around it. Then I rose on my toes and planted a soft kiss on his lips, my heart beating like a drum in my ears. When he pulled back, he didn’t seem to react, but I could see something change in his attitude, his skin glowing as though a weight had just been lifted off his shoulders. Right then and there, he knew I wanted him as much as he wanted me.

  Gripping my hand, he pulled me along, smiling down at me. I could sense the immense pleasure and joy he felt from holding my hand, and I was sending the same vibes right back. I looked away as heat spread across my cheeks; I knew I wasn’t going to be able to hide anything from him ever again.

  We lounged around, goofed off some more, then hiked. After a wonderful day together, we cuddled up in bed for hours. When Jake went to get ice, I went online and found the video where the old woman beat him up with the umbrella from the charity event. I’d been dying to see it. It was so funny that I couldn’t stop laughing.

  Jake came back and walked over. “Okay, that’s enough.” He closed the laptop and smiled.

  “Wait! I want to see it again.”

  He chuckled. “I knew you couldn’t resist sneaking a peek. But listen, I’ve got a better idea.”

  I arched a brow. “What?”

  “How about snuggling up by a romantic fire?”

  “It’s way too hot for a fire,” I said.

  “Not a virtual one.” He tapped away on my laptop, and then set it down on a chair he scooted over and placed by the bed. And last but not least, he shut off the lights. Our virtual fireplace was so beautiful and captivating. I wrapped my arm around him as he pulled me close. Big, logs blazed and the crackling flames were so realistic. Snuggling up to each other, we both sat and watched the popping and roaring fire on the laptop screen. The flickering, mesmerizing, and leaping flames made the room glow as the soft crackling timber echoed all around us. Nothing was more romantic than this. I propped my head on Jake’s chest, using it as a pillow, and he wrapped an arm around me. I could hear his heartbeat; I loved being that close to him. My hair spilled across his chest, and he played with the stray strands, curling it around his fingers.

  He looked up and caught my eye. “You have the most beautiful hair,” he said.

  “That title belongs to you.” I wove my fingers through his thick, wavy, glorious locks.

  We both smiled at each other.

  I gazed into Jake’s eyes as his lips gently brushed mine.

  “Thank you,” I said.

  “For what?” he whispered, running his fingers through my loose hair.

  I touched his face softly. “For showing me that’s there’s more to life than just being a workaholic.”

  He kissed my lips in a closed-mouth classic that lingered for over ten seconds. I loved those kind of kisses and I couldn’t believe he remembered. Then he gave me little pecks all over my face…so softly and passionately.

  I needed more.

  I climbed on top of him and straddled his waist, then leaned down to claim his lips. Jake pulled me closer, my breasts pressed against his powerful chest. The taste of him was divine. His tongue moved across my lips, touching, teasing, and exploring. He moaned as I kissed his neck just like the way I used too when we dated. His tongue took a long and slow expedition through my mouth. He put his heart and body into that slow kiss. I loved how he alternated pressure from gentle too deep with his mouth slightly open. We had such an intimate and emotional connection. Words couldn’t even express what I was feeling. He was slowly tearing down every wall I’d ever put up against him. My skin shivered from his touch…from where his fingers wandered, gliding down my sides. I melted into the devouring kiss and I knew I’d be fantasizing about it over and over again.

  I knew this is how a fantastic love story begins. Nadia had once told me the endorphins produced by kissing are 200 times more powerful than morphine. Locking lips with Jake was the most amazing thing ever.

  And that’s why love was my drug of choice.

  Chapter 14

  After tossing and turning for an hour, I got up to get a drink. It was four a.m. The floor creaked, and I heard Jake stir.

  “Ashly?” he said.

  “Yeah, it’s me. Can’t sleep. Sorry to wake you.”

  “I wasn’t sleeping so good myself. You can turn on the light if you wanna read or something.”

  I flicked the switch on. “Wow. You know me better than I know myself. I was just thinking that.”

  “I’ve got a better idea if you’d rather. How about we go for a walk and check out that moonbow?”

  “A moonbow?” I arched a brow. “What’s that?”

  He smiled. “Get dressed, and I’ll fill you in.”

  “I don’t know, Jake. It’s a little late for a walk.”

  “Trust me,” he said. “It’ll be worth it. I heard the ranger talking about it, and he said conditions tonight are perfect for it.”

  “Okay. I’m always up for a little adventure,” I said.

  We hiked to the falls, but no one else was around, considering that we were there in the wee hours of the morning.

  I stared up at millions of tiny, twinkling stars. “I’ve never seen so many.”

  “I could lose myself in this place,” Jake said, gripping my hand tightly.

  “Me too. It smells like the air after a heavy rainstorm, fresh and crisp.”

  A great waterfall tumbled down the towering, steep canyon walls. Everything gleamed under the silver moonlight. In the soft, swirling mist, a geometrical formation in the air caught my eye. A giant, stunning arc of opalescent light and bands of pastel hues appeared in the droplets of moisture, spreading across the falls like some kind of giant banner. I couldn’t stop staring; there was something magical, mystical, and addictive about nature’s perfection, her fragile beauty. “A glowing rainbow…at night?” I asked as a soft breeze blew through my hair.

  Jake wrapped his arm around me. “It’s called a moonbow. You can only see them on clear nights, with dark skies, lots of waterfall mist, and a full moon that rises over the granite walls.”

  “So it’s light reflected from the moon rather than from direct sunlight?” I smiled and snuggled against his chest. “It’s breathtaking.”

  “It’s very rare,” he said. “It happens only a few days a year.”

  “Wow. I can’t believe we’re actually witnessing it.”

  Jake leaned in against me. “Maybe it’s a glorious sign that we’re meant to be together for all eternity.”

  How romantic! I grinned as he placed a soft kiss on my lips. I knew in that moment that if we went back to our room, it would all be over. How could I possibly resist such temptation? “I’ve got an idea,” I said. “Let’s go in for a dip.”

  His mouth opened to speak, but before he could refuse, I grabbed his hand and started pulling him into the cool pool of water.

  “Ashly…” he tried to protest.

  “What? Surely there are no sharks or crocs in there, right?”

  “No, but the water is probably freezing.”

  “Are you forbidden from spontaneity, from having a little fun?”

  His eyes twinkled. “You know full well I’m not.”

  “Then I dare you!”

  His laugh echoed off the canyon walls.

  I started to wade toward the middle of the pool and called his name. When he didn’t respond, I turned around, and my jaw dropped. All I could do was gasp at the sight of Jake, clad only in his underwear, his body glistening in the moonlight. Rippling muscles stared right back at me: rock-hard biceps and abs, broad shoulders, and a chiseled chest. I thought I might just faint right there in the water. “I don’t remember asking you to skinny-dip!”

  A smug smile crossed his features. “Just wanted to prove to you how spontaneous I am.”
/>   I put my hand over my eyes. “A little notice would be nice before you take your clothes off, Jake,” I said, peeking through my fingers.

  He winked. “And miss seeing the expression on your face? Now what fun would that be?”

  “I’m so gonna soak you for that.”

  “Only if you can move quicker than I can,” he challenged.

  “Bring it on!”

  In a flash, he grabbed me around the waist and threw me in the air.

  I landed with a splash, laughing as streams of water poured down my face. “Sneak attack? Okay, buster. Watch out, because you’re going under!”

  “We’ll see about that!” he teased, swimming to the middle of the pool.

  I cut the water with a few broad strokes and easily caught up to where he’d gone, but when I looked around, I didn’t see him anywhere. “Jake?”

  There was no answer other than the echoing roar from the waterfall.

  “Jake!” I scanned the dark waters and called louder, my voice more urgent. Maybe I’d seen one too many horror films, but he’d disappeared into the fog and mist, and that scared me. Suddenly I gasped as arms snaked around my waist from behind. My stomach clenched. I tried to wiggle away, to no avail. Glancing over my shoulder, I was relieved to see Jake’s playful grin. “You just about scared me to death!”

  A blanket of white mist swirled around us, and vivid colors of the moonbow splashed across the sky overhead.

  “Well, in that case, you should surrender to me,” Jake said, laughing as he held me tight in his arms, spinning me around.

  I met his gaze. Melting into his warm embrace felt intoxicating, like wine, instantly warming me. “That would be so easy, Jake…yet so complicated.” Of course he was talking about our innocent game of horseplay, but I’d just taken it to a deeper level. Giving in would be the easy part; believing that everything would work out was the hard part.

  His blue eyes pierced mine, and shimmering droplets dripping down his face. “Do you want me to leave you alone?”

  Right now? No. My fingertips traced the hard muscles in his chest.

  He pulled me even closer.

  I drew in a short breath, but the words remained frozen in my throat.

  He stared into my eyes, waiting for an answer. When I could give him none, he loosened his grip. “Just tell me you don’t love me and go back to the hotel room without me.”

  A light, steady drizzle fell over us as I reached for his hands. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  He intertwined his fingers with mine, and a cocky grin spread across his lips. “I know.”

  I playfully slapped his arm. “Then why did you ask?”

  “To make you admit it to yourself.” Before I could retort, he held a finger over my lips and said, “You’re so beautiful in the moonlight.”

  “I could say the same about you.” The way the moon shone down on his beautiful eyes, his slicked-back hair, and his gleaming white teeth made my heart pound like a drum. When his lips lowered on mine, I wrapped my arms around him as tightly as I could. Somehow Jake had pushed past the emotional wall around my heart, and I could only imagine what making love to him would be like after all those years. There was only one way to find out. Why not live for the moment? “Jake…” I whispered.

  He regarded me intently, his hair swaying in the soft breeze that was carrying over from the silent woods. “What?”

  The moon stood high on the horizon and cast a glowing hue on the shimmering water. I cupped his face, emotion flooding through me. “I love you, and—” he began, melting my heart.

  I put a finger up to his lips. “Shh. Let me finish.” I placed a sweet kiss on his soft lips. “I want to make love with you right here, right now.”

  Jake stared at me in silence, as if he was trying to contemplate what my words exactly implied. He wrapped his arms around my body, and our lips connected in a heated kiss, his tongue swirling gently against mine. Jumping into his arms, I wrapped my legs around his hips and pulled him close.

  His beautiful blue eyes shone as he gazed straight into my eyes. The chemistry between us was electric and mind-blowing, but it was more than just chemistry. Our bond was steadily growing; I could even feel his heart, his love, his emotions, his strong affection and personal attachment. There’s nothing greater in the world than pure, unconditional love. Caressing my face, he stared into my eyes, then devoured my lips in a hungry kiss. He scooped me up in his arms while lavishing my neck and shoulder with hot kisses, then strode toward the soft, green, moss-covered ground, where there was a bed of tiny white flowers.

  The sweet fragrance of wildflowers wafted in the breeze. Jake’s lips were soft and warm against my skin, utterly inviting. As my stomach fluttered, he lowered my body down gently.

  His mouth drifted down my neck while I let out a soft moan, and his hard, pulsating manhood brushed against my thighs. “You’re so beautiful, Ashly.” His long hair tickled my shoulder, and I slid my fingers through his tangle of wet, dark hair. My heart thrummed as his hands roamed up and down my sides, heat spreading across every spot he touched. My nipples tightened, and the fire between my legs throbbed. I rubbed my hands in circles over the hard contours of his broad shoulders, strong arms, and finally his sculpted chest.

  Jake’s hands slipped under the hem of my dress and pulled it up over my head; he then threw it into a heap. His hands slipped to my breasts and cupped the fullness as he gently cradled them. Then he closed his mouth around my hard-tipped nipples. A soft whimper fell from my lips, and I knew I’d never forget that magical night when we reconnected, when Jake made love to me under the starry sky.

  * * *

  Jake cuddled me close, and his powerful arms wrapped around me tightly.

  Turning to face him, I said, “That was mind-blowing. I saw fireworks!”

  “Absolutely amazing,” he said, nearly out of breath.

  My heart pounded as our eyes connected.

  “What’s wrong, Ashly?” he said.

  “Well…”

  He squeezed my hand. “You can tell me anything.”

  “Are we getting back together, Jake, or is this just a fling?”

  He touched my face. “Haven’t you been listening to me at all? You’re all I’ve ever wanted. This isn’t a fling, Ashly. I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy.”

  Tears welled up in my eyes. “It almost feels like a dream.”

  “I love you. You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved.”

  Cupping his cheek, I felt the stubble on his unshaven face. “I love you too. You’re the only man I’ve ever loved.” I couldn’t stop the smile from forming on my face. “You’re the one I’ve been searching for my entire life, my soulmate. Now, after all this time, it’s like I’ve found you all over again.”

  He stared deep into my eyes. “I love you, Ashly, with all of my heart, body, and soul. Being with you at all these wonderful destinations around the globe has been like a beautiful dream, one I hope I never wake up from.

  Tears welled up in my eyes. “That’s the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me.”

  “I haven’t been this happy in five years,” he said.

  I grinned. “I feel the same way.”

  “I’m so sorry for creating so much havoc in your life, but I can truly say my life is worth living now because I’ve found someone worth dying for.”

  I could tell by the emotion in his voice that he meant every single word. “Love doesn’t mean anything until someone comes into your life and gives it meaning,” I said.

  “I feel the same way.”

  I grinned and snuggled against the warmth of his chest.

  Off in the distance, the wavering beam of a flashlight moved in our direction, and my heart fluttered. I grabbed Jake’s hand. “Rangers!”

  “Quick! Get dressed!” he said, slipping on his pants.

  I put my clothes on as fast as I could, and then we darted into the vegetation and sneaked back to our hotel room in the dead of ni
ght.

  I locked the door and laughed. “Close one!”

  “Boy, sneaking around sure brings back some old memories,” he said, kissing my lips.

  I laughed. I couldn’t remember ever being so happy and in love, and it was an amazing feeling as we cuddled up in bed and fell asleep in one another’s arms.

  * * *

  Morning came, and we packed our belongings. On the flight, I reached for Jake’s hand and sighed like one of those girly girls in those silly romance movies. tried to switch on my brain again, but all I got was some mushy, hazy feeling that reminded me of how I felt when I stayed up watching Lifetime for too many hours in a row.

  A jolt shot down my spine as I gazed into his eyes; he was still regarding me with that look that told me he couldn’t stop thinking about our tryst, and I blushed at the thought.

  He smiled widely. “I can’t begin to tell you how nice this is.”

  “I know. It’s much better than not getting along.”

  I couldn’t stop staring at the handsome guy holding my hand. Even now, my heart continued to race. I had known from the second I’d laid eyes on him that he was the one. My mother, rest her soul, had tried to tear us apart on numerous occasions, but I had never given up the fight for the man I loved. I wondered what my mother would think, now that I was back with him. I knew she’d never approve, even if she had thrown us together. Then again, I knew she’d want me to be happy. I felt like I’d been given a second chance with the love of my life, and nothing made me smile more.

  Chapter 15

  Our next stop was Providenciales, on Provo, an island in the Turks and Caicos Islands. We would be checking into The Tuscany. After we unpacked, I handed the genuine shark tooth necklace I’d bought.