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Instead of spending my night getting energetic, I got ahead on whatever baking I could before starting schoolwork. When my eyes got bleary and I’d begun answering accounting questions in baking measurements, I decided to call it a night.

I climbed into bed and tried not to think about how empty it felt. Since it was the first night that we’d slept apart since Jake and I became ‘us’, I failed miserably.

*******

“‘Ello?” I mumbled into my cell, answering it before I was fully awake.

“Come open the door, babe.”

I yawned. “‘Kay.” I tossed my phone onto my side table and saw it was after three in the morning. I padded into the living room and opened the door for an exhausted looking Jake. “Hey. Everything okay?”

“Tired,” he said as he moved into the room.

I relocked the door and turned to face him. I was surprised when he didn’t move to kiss me. It was something he always did no matter where we were or who was around.

When I’d gone to the shop a couple days before, Jake had been talking to Z. As soon as I got within reach, he’d stopped midsentence to kiss me.

It hadn’t been just a little peck, either.

“Okay. Wanna head to bed?”

“Yeah, that cool with you?” He glanced towards the bedroom, looking dead on his feet.

“Of course.”

I climbed back into bed as Jake stripped. I avidly watched as each inch of his impressive body was revealed. Seeing him naked worked like a triple shot of espresso and I wasn’t feeling nearly as tired as I had been.

Unfortunately for me, Jake belly flopped on the bed and his eyes were closed before he landed.

“Night,” he murmured as he folded his arms under his head.

Seems I’m not the only one feeling these long hours.

Careful not to disturb him, I leaned over and kissed him softly. “Night,” I whispered back, but I knew he was already asleep.

*******

Over coffee the next morning, Jake and I talked for a few minutes about what was going on at Hyde before he pulled his phone out to check his messages.

“Shit. Sorry, gotta go.” Jake walked to where I was sitting on the counter. When he moved between my legs, I instantly wrapped them around his waist.

“It’s okay. I know you’re busy.”

“Can you do me a favor?” he asked against my neck, kissing as he went.

“Sure,” I breathed. As long as his lips were on my neck, I’d agree to just about anything.

Who are you kidding? He just has to look at you.

“I’m supposed to pick up gift certificates at Serenity Spa for the auction today. Can you grab them?”

“Of course, what time?”

“Around eleven.”

“No problemo, Mr. Bossy Pants.”

“I gotta go,” Jake whispered against my lips.