Whatever It Takes by Lindsay Paige Read Free Book Online Page A

chuckles.
    “ Do you like the way I smell that much?”
    I playfully hit him on the arm and said, “Not you. I love the new car smell. Can I borrow it until it’s gone?”
    “ Sorry, Em. No can do. The last time I let a woman drive my car it was totaled within five miles. I’m keeping this baby close to me.”
    “ What? You don’t trust me, Kyle?”
    A smile widens on my face as Kyle glares over at me.
    “ I trust you alright. Just not with my car.”
    He pats the dashboard lovingly and I roll my eyes as we pull up at the university next to my car.
    “ Thanks for the ride and for lunch.”
    “ Anytime. If you ever need to talk Em, just call me, okay?”
    “ Thanks, Kyle.”
    With that, I'm out of his car and rushing to class. Once the day is over, I go home to the empty apartment. It's a mess. Dishes are precariously sitting in the sink. Clothes are thrown around the house. Dirt from outside is scattered about the floors.
    I guess Jake assumed I would clean the house when I returned.. It certainly didn’t look like he made any effort. With a sigh, I get started picking up our things. The act of washing dishes calms my annoyed nerves, but the sound of the whirling vacuum suction brings it back. Like a mad woman, I furiously jerk the cleaner back and forth across the carpet.
    Arms snake around my waist and I jump. The zone I was in is broken and I turn around to hit Jake.
    “ You scared me to death!”
    I am about to remind him of his mess around the house when he gives me a sultry smile. Jake hooks his fingers in the loops around my waist to pull me close. He leans down and places a luscious kiss on my lips. Struggling for control I push him away and cross my arms. Jake's gaze drops to my chest and I angrily drop my arms.
    “ Were you waiting for me to return so I could clean the house? Or were you actually going to make the effort? I'm trying to remember the last time you cleaned up instead of me.”
    Irritation boils inside me as Jake smirks.
    “ Don't give me that look, Jake.”
    His eyes ignite at the challenge. He loves getting me mad because we always up in the bedroom forgetting what I was mad about to start with. Jake's hands find my hips once more and he pushes me against the nearest wall.
    “ I'm sorry. I was caught up in the fact that you weren't here with me.”
    His lips brush over mine and my insides quiver. I am not going to let him get away with this.
    “ What about all the other times?”
    “ I took you for granted and I'm sorry. I'll help out more. I promise.”
    Those hot lips graze the skin of my neck and his hands run up my sides.
    “ Don't you have somewhere to be,” I ask in a whisper.
    “ I've got an hour before I have to be at the rink. Are you going to be there?”
    He moves my shirt down my shoulder to expose my skin. His mouth moves to that spot.
    “ Mhm,” is all I'm able to get out. Suddenly, Jake stops, leans against me, and smiles. He kisses the tip of my nose.
    “ I love you Sweetness.”
    I bring my arms up to wrap around his neck.
    “ I love you too.”
    “ What's for supper? I need to eat before the game. Do you want to fix something or go out and eat?”
    My temper flares. Immediately, Jake catches his mistake and corrects his self.
    “ Do we want to fix something together or go out and eat?”
    “ We'll have to go out. Neither of us have been to the grocery store.”
    I give him a pointed look. That is yet another thing that I always do. I cross my arms and ignore Jake's dropped gaze.
    “ Okay, so I have some slack to pick up. I'll work on it. Let's go eat.”
    We leave the house in Jake's Mustang and go to Carrabba's.  A waitress seats us and I scan the menu. Jake is in an exceptionally good mood. Sitting across from me in the booth, his knees  are pressed against mine and one hand is idly running over my knee.
    Jake orders a steak, garlic mashed potatoes, and a sweet tea. I simply order a Dr. Pepper and the house salad. Every few bites, Jake looks over at me