Battle Lines. Page 7

  Amanda dried herself roughly on a towel and then finally in the small hours she fell into bed and into an exhausted sleep.

  But even in her dreams she wasn’t safe. There was no escaping the dark rugged man who took her into his arms and made love to her until she cried out his name. She willingly gave in to the pleasure of his hands, his kisses, his mouth, his body.

  Chapter 7.

  Amanda groaned loudly as the alarm intruded into her dreams. She turned over and pulled the covers up over her head. But it was no use she could still hear the insistent peel of her alarm clock.

  She turned jerkily in frustration and picking it up off the bedside cabinet and then she threw it at the wall. It met its target where it broke and then pieces of it clattered to the floor. Damn thing.

  Amanda turned back over fully intending to go back to sleep. Everything could wait for her to catch up on some much needed rest.

  And then reality hit her like a lightning bolt. She sat up in her bed.

  Jake would be here at ten this morning. Great, she had forgotten about that. Though, how she could have when she had spent, what had been left of the night, tossing and turning worrying about it. Her heart raced unhappily in her chest as her stomach flipped and churned.

  She threw back the covers and pulled herself out of the bed so that she could get ready and be dressed before he got here. If he turned up and she still wasn’t dressed… well, she knew where that would end up leading and that wasn’t a good idea.

  Amanda rushed through a shower, not even bothering to wait for the water to heat up properly and once dry she threw on some clothes. A pair of dark jeans and a plain lavender long sleeved top. She brushed her shoulder length hair and popped it back harshly in a ponytail.

  The simple unadorned look took at least five years off of her. She looked youthful, though she felt anything but. Her face was softer without all the makeup of last night. She hated having to wear so much. Much preferring a more natural look. Or none at all.

  She decided not to even put on lip gloss like she normally did. Jake would probably think that she had made an effort for him and that was one impression that she did not want to give him.

  She did not want Jake to think that she was trying to impress him. She popped on some of her perfume that she always wore no matter what, so she definitely hadn’t put it on for Jake’s benefit. No way at all.

  Once she was done she went downstairs to the small kitchen and made herself some coffee as she waited for Jake to turn up.

  She made a quick phone call to the office whilst she was waiting. Talking to Harry, letting him know where she was going and with whom and giving instructions that if anything should crop up then he was to let her know immediately.

  “Sure thing boss.” Harry told her.

  “I mean it Harry.” She said. “Anything happens at all then you need to call me. Don’t make any decisions without me.”

  “Got it boss. Have a nice day today.” And then Harry was gone and Amanda was listening to the crackle that he left behind.

  Now she was leant up against the kitchen counter as she nurtured a coffee cup in her hands.

  she took a sip and then grimaced. It was too strong for her really and it made her shudder. But she needed the pick me up that it would produce so she decided to grin and bear it.

  She was not an avid coffee drinker at the best of times and today, with very little sleep, and nerves that were fit to breaking point, the coffee seemed thick like treacle.

  The clock on the wall struck ten o clock and Amanda began to relax. No sign of Jake.

  Perhaps Jake had been drunk last night, though she had not been able to taste it. She blushed profusely and pushed the memory away.

  But that had to be the answer. He had been drinking and that is why he had acted the way he had. It was so simple she did not know why she had not thought of it before. He had been drunk, why else would he have kissed her?

  It was that or… Jake had wanted to kiss her. Had actively sought out to kiss her.

  That was dangerous territory and opened up a huge can of very ugly worms. Perhaps he would have forgotten all about last night in the cold light of day.

  Which meant she was off the hook, she wouldn’t have to deal with Jake today and she could figure something out that would mean that she wouldn’t have to deal with Jake any other day either.

  She smiled in relief, her body relaxing, but then she jumped in shock at the shrill peel of her doorbell. Her heart sank to her feet. Damn, well that put that theory right out of the window.

  So, what explanation was she left with? That Jake had sought to kiss her. Amanda shook her head. That was ridiculous. Jake hated her just as much as she hated him.

  Therefore, there had to be another motive. Another reason for his behaviour last night. Perhaps it was about teaching her a lesson in Jake’s own unique style.

  Revenge. That was it, revenge. It was the only natural conclusion. Amanda chastised herself for being so slow. She should have seen it.

  It was certainly more in keeping with Jake’s style. The knowledge did not, however, make her feel any better. Instead it made her feel far worse.

  The door peeled again, a little longer this time and Amanda sighed as she pushed herself away from the counter and put down her cup as she slowly, reluctantly, made her way to her front door.

  She could feel the knots in her stomach tighten making her feel nauseated. She could just not answer the door. Pretend that she was out. If she kept quiet she might just get away with it. It wasn’t like he was going to know that she was actually in.

  The doorbell peeled again twice in quick succession. No, that was not going to work. He would keep that up all day, of that she had no doubt. She sighed and slumped her shoulders in defeat, she would just have to resign herself to her fate.

  The doorbell peeled four times and then, after a short pause. It rang out continuously that did not stop.

  Amanda reluctantly walked out into the hallway and to the front door. With shaky hands she reached for the door and opened it.

  Her breath caught in her throat, as her eyes were treated to the sight of the man standing before her still ringing on her doorbell.

  Jake was wearing much the same as she was. His light blue jeans moulded to his extensive muscled legs. He had teamed it with a crisp white shirt, rolled up just passed his elbows, the dark hair on his arms on show, and it was unbuttoned at his neck, showing a little dark hair there too. He hadn’t tucked it into his jeans either, she noted.

  He removed the pressure of his finger from her door bell. As she stared at the hard wholesome lines of his chest beneath his shirt, it defined them rather than covered them. Damn her for noticing him. Damn her body for responding to it.

  He smiled at her, briefly flashing those white even teeth at her and her heart danced and flipped in her chest.

  Amanda felt herself begin to glow and without thinking she began to smile back warmly at him, until she caught herself and the smile died abruptly on her lips.

  What did she think she was doing? This was Jake. She would be wise never to lose sight of that.

  Amanda’s mind wasn’t listening to her, along with her body it seemed. It snuck back to the thoughts of his lips, his mouth, and his hands on her body. O for heaven’s sake get a grip, she told herself off. What was wrong with her?

  This was her brother. No, he wasn’t. He was her stepbrother, she mentally corrected and then. No, we are not related.

  That made things worse. Knowing that they were not related. It left the gates open for permission. It did not make it wrong. And she needed it to be wrong.

  It was the only protection she had against Jake. The only protection she possessed. Take that away from her and she had nothing.

  “Who’s winning?” Amanda looked blankly up at Jake and then she frowned deeply.

  “I’m sure I don’t know what you are talking about.” But she knew.

  “You have such an expressive face. I can almost se
e your thoughts from here.” Amanda blushed profusely, god she hoped he couldn’t.

  Jake gave a throaty seductive laugh, which left her in doubt whatsoever, that he probably could tell what she had been thinking.

  “Jake, don’t be an arse.” She replied flippantly.

  He leaned casually against her doorframe and he leaned closer to her. The spicy scent of him filled her nostrils and she breathed in deeply. God he smelt good.

  “And you smell pretty good yourself.” He told her intuitively. “I have always like that perfume, Isn’t that the one I bought you for your sixteenth birthday? The one you said you would never wear even if your life depended on it?” How did he remember what it smelt like?

  The truth was she had not found another perfume that suited her as much as this one and so she had stuck with this one all these years. She actually drew comfort from it, not that she would ever admit to that. Most especially to Jake. He would have a field day and she would never hear the last of it.

  She opened her mouth to say something but she felt his lips on hers as he kissed her. “Mmmm.” He murmured as he drew his mouth away from hers. “I love coffee in the morning.” He told her. Amanda blushed. Vivid crimson colour.

  Jake laughed, a hearty sound that had him throwing back his head. That laugh did strange things to her insides. Amanda tried to rein in her emotions and tried to get a grip of her body.

  She knew that if he grabbed her right now. She would put up little resistance, who was she kidding? She would put up no resistance whatsoever.

  “It’s turned out to be a nice day today.” Great, she was talking about the weather, how terribly clichéd of her. But it was all her brain could come up with on such short notice.

  “Are you ready?” Jake asked her, allowing her to play safe. But, he had that all knowing look in his eyes.

  “Not really. But seeing as you are not giving me much of a choice…” she shrugged her shoulders.

  “You always have a choice Mandy.” He told her.

  “Really.” She asked him.

  “If you don’t want to go just say no.” Just like that? Amanda didn’t think so, there was no way he was going to let her off the hook that easily. She knew him too well for that. But if he was offering then she might as well try to make use of it.

  “And that will work will it? Okay then no.” She made to move to close the door on him.

  But as usual Jake was far too fast for her and he put a hand up to stop the door from going any further on its travel.

  “Oh come now Mandy.” He cajoled.

  “Move your hand off my door.” She snapped at him.

  “Don’t be like that.” He mocked her. “Just look around. The sun is shining. The birds are singing and everything is right with the world. It is a beautiful day. It would be a shame to miss it.” He told her softly and Amanda tried to stop the shiver that ran down her spine.

  “I don’t mind, really.” Amanda assured him.

  “Now wouldn’t you rather be out in this than stuck in some stuffy office somewhere.” He smiled sweetly at her.

  It was a big grin that spread across his face and reached his eyes making them sparkle with merriment. He was playing with her again. Toying with her. Didn’t he ever get tired of that? “Never.” He whispered knowingly with a gleeful glint.

  “Jake, what is the point of offering me the choice if you have no intention of letting me take it.” She chose to ignore the ‘never’ remark he had made. It was probably much safer to do so. Cowardly, yes. But she did not mind that in the least.

  Amanda was under no illusions that somehow Jake could actually see what was going on in her head. She wasn’t sure how he did it only that he did. It was a shame that she wasn’t a computer, at least she could have put up a firewall to protect herself from him.

  But alas, she had no protection from him, had never had any protection from him. She had always felt exposed and vulnerable around him. Even more so since last night.

  Amanda blushed as her mind cast back to the passionate kisses that they had shared.

  “Would you like a repeat performance?” He asked softly and Amanda looked up at him as if only just realising that he was still standing there.

  “What?” she stared at him blankly for a moment still trying to tear her wandering thoughts away from his lips? “No.” she shook her head, suddenly realising what he had been talking about. “No I do not. What made you think that I would be even thinking of such a vile abhorrent thing?” she bolstered immediately jumping guiltily to her own defence.

  “How do you know what it was that I was referring to if you were not already thinking it?” Amanda opened her mouth to say something but then stopped abruptly, she had to admit he had her there. No mistake in that.

  Jake leaned in closer to her then, his lips hovering over hers. They were so close that it would not take much moving for either of them to close the gap.

  For a moment Amanda’s heart stopped. She swayed on her feet and then to her horror she felt herself come forward to close the gap that existed between them. She caught herself just in time and moved back but, the tell-tale movement did not go unnoticed by Jake.

  Jake’s lips curved into a small smile and his head moved closer to her. His lips touched lightly against Amanda’s and then it was gone. The briefest of touches but it had Amanda’s body humming with anticipation.

  It had been far from a kiss more of a delicate brush of skin on skin. Amanda slowly looked up at Jake through hooded eyes, when she saw the look of triumph in his eyes Amanda knew that if he had kissed her she would not have put up a fight despite her verbal arguments to the contrary. Jake knew it and he was showing her that he knew it. Making sure that there were no doubts in her mind.

  “Come on.” He told her. “The day is wasting away. The sooner we get out there the sooner we can enjoy it.” He flashed a boyish grin at her.

  “You gave me a choice, remember.” She reminded him.

  “I didn’t say that I was going to let you take it. If you will recall, I just said that you have more than one choice.”

  Amanda wanted to hit him. Hit him good and hard. Her palm itched at the thought. “Now we both know that your hand is never going to get anywhere near my face. So, stop thinking such bad, wicked thoughts and let’s go.” Oh how she hated this smug arrogant man.

  Amanda turned to collect her mobile phone and keys and put them in the pockets of her jeans. Whilst her back was turned Jake told her. “I told you last night. Hate is the last emotion you feel towards me.”

  She sighed deeply and spun round to confront him. He was far too quick for her. His arm snaked around her waist and she was pulled up against his hard body.

  He danced around with her. So that she found herself standing on her doorstep and he was between her and her front door. Where she had been standing just a moment ago.

  Then she heard the door close behind him and he let her go. Sidestepping her and walking to his car parked on the street beyond the small front garden. “Come on, let’s get the show on the road.” He called over his shoulder.

  Amanda gritted her teeth and ground them together as she tried to pull back her temper. She really did hate him. Really, really.

  Jake was already sitting in the driver’s seat of his car when she walked towards it.

  What was she going to do about the situation she now found herself in? She wasn’t sure at the moment but, she would have to think of something. The trouble was that whenever she was around Jake she seemed to lose the ability to think straight. She lost the ability to talk properly too.

  In fact, the only thing that she seemed not to have lost the ability for was falling neatly into Jake’s arms. She was doing a damn excellent job of that so far.

  Amanda took a deep breath and sent up yet another silent prayer that would probably go unanswered. She tried anyway, wishing that, just this once, someone up there was listening to her. It wasn’t too much to ask for surely?

  She did not think that she
was asking for much, perhaps Jake could get struck by lightning or something. She smiled at the thought. That sounded like a good idea.

  She made her way grudgingly down the garden path and to the car. She could feel Jake’s eyes on her, they were burning into her like a relentless flame.

  She did not dare look up at him, her step would falter, of that she was sure. She reached the passenger side of the car and after a longing look back at her home she opened the door and lowered herself down into the seat of the car and closed the door on the outside world

  The awkward silence of the interior swamped her as she fumbled with the seatbelt. The heady scent of Jake filled her nostrils, the heat from his impressive body reaching out to her within the close confines of the car.

  Amanda clenched her hands together in her lap as she heard the purr of the engine and the car pulled away from the curb.

  They had been driving along for ten minutes, in an uncomfortable silence. Jake was busy concentrating on the road ahead and Amanda did not mind that at all. It was easier than fighting with him.

  Amanda stared blindly out of the passenger door window as the world flew past her in a blur. She wasn’t really interested in what was going on anyway. She just needed to keep her gaze away from Jake. It was a pity that she could not keep her thoughts away from Jake just as easily as her eyes.

  “You know you shouldn’t feel too badly.” Amanda jumped at the unexpected sound of Jake’s deep voice.

  “What?” She frowned as her head snapped round to look at him.

  “You shouldn’t feel too bad about what happened between us.” He supplied for her. His eyes never leaving the road ahead.

  “I have no idea what you are talking about.” She stiffened. She really did not want to discuss anything personal. Not sitting this close in a car with him. That was just asking for a whole heap of trouble. Trouble, she knew, she could not handle.

  “Last night.” He told her and then stopped, he turned to look at her and flashed her that all knowing wolf like smile of his before turning back to the road. “A kiss, is a kiss, is a kiss.” He shrugged a shoulder as he turned around a corner. “I think you will find that we are both mature adults. You enjoyed it. I enjoyed it. So there’s no problem. The way you have been acting anyone would think we had been plotting to commit murder.” His voice dropped lower, imitating a menacing mysterious tone.