Page 127 of Heartless

Two steps into my apartment, I dropped my purse on the side table just as someone knocked on my door.When I opened the door to Jake, he curled one hand around my nape, the other around my waist, and pulled me into a drugging, whole-body shiver kiss.

“Hey, baby.”

“How was your day?”I panted.

His lips twitched.“Better now.”

We kissed again before he curled his arm around my shoulders.As we turned toward my living room.I gasped.There was a giant bouquet of yellow flowers sitting on my coffee table.

I whipped my eyes to Jake’s.“Is this for me?”He nodded.“I love them.But why?”

He kissed the tip of my nose.“Your new job.”

Oh wow.I hurried toward the vase holding the explosion of yellow beauties, brightening the room.Falling on my knees before the coffee table, I picked up the card while Jake settled on the sofa behind me.

It read, ‘Congratulations on your new job.’It was signed, ‘Jake.’

My grin was so big, it was hurting my face.I hopped into Jake’s lap.Grabbing the sides of his neck, I peppered kisses all over his face, ending with longer, firmer touches over his curved mouth.

“Thank you.”

His gaze had that mix of softness and heat I loved.“Proud of you, baby.”

Warmth crawled up my face, and my shoulders twitched.“It’s just a job.”

Jake wrapped his hand around my nape while his expression filled with unexpected seriousness.“It’s a job in a field you love.You went for it, and people saw how talented and passionate you were, and that’s why you got it.”His voice deepened.“This is all you, Sienna, and you deserve it.”

My throat tightened, so my voice came out scratchy.“Thank you.”

“I’ve got something else for you.”

I wriggled my hips and curled my arms around his neck.“You can give it to me right here.”

His chest shook with his silent chortle.“That’s all yours, kitten.But there’s a real gift for you upstairs.”

I jumped off his lap.“I’ll be a minute and a half.”

After rushing to my bedroom, I kicked my heels off, slid into my flats before returning back to the living room where Jake was on his feet.

Once we were in his living room, Jake kissed my lips.“Have a seat, baby.”

I sat cross-legged in the middle of the sofa as Jake stalked to the end of the bar and came back with a large box adorned with a perfect yellow bow.He placed the box beside me, and I grinned as he lowered himself on the other side of the box.

As I gnawed on my bottom lip, Jake’s curled index pressed under my chin, and I fell into his slightly frowning gaze.“What is it, baby?”

“The...flowers were more than enough, and...and you’re scaring me a little.”I cleared my throat.“Not you...I mean yes, you.I’m just not used to that much awesomeness.”

He pecked the tip of my nose.“No more awesome after this for tonight.Open it.”

Shifting to face the box, I took my time and pulled both tips of the bow.I glanced up at Jake and slowly lifted the lid I set on the rug.The silk paper hiding the gift was also yellow.I uncovered my present and gawped.

“A first edition of the Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales?Oh my God, Jake.Oh my God.”

The corner of his mouth quirked.“You like it.”

I gently took the book out while Jake grabbed the packaging and set it at his feet.Grazing my fingers over the cover, I whispered, “Oh my God.It’s completely decadent but I love it.Thank you.”

I was still entranced by the book when Jake’s amused voice said, “Stay with your book.I’ll make dinner.”