The Ex (Enemies to Lovers Book 2) Read online

  “It was me.”

  Her eyes searched his, and her lips parted. But she didn’t say anything. He wasn’t sure what he read on her face, but it didn’t sit well with him. This wasn’t a mistake, but he worried if they stayed here like this too long, she’d start to change her mind.

  So instead of talking, he rolled away from her and stood. “Lunch.”

  “What?”

  “I’ll make you something to eat. You need fuel after your workout.”

  He reached into his dresser and tossed her a T-shirt. Now wasn’t the time to talk about the future, not when she looked so uncertain.

  So he’d feed her, get her to relax again, and broach the topic later.

  He gestured to the island when they reached the kitchen. “Have a seat.”

  “You’re going to cook for me?”

  He nodded, turning to the refrigerator. “BLT’s, because I remember how much you like them.”

  And memories were what had gotten him this far. She was still quiet, but he stayed optimistic. Halfway through cooking their sandwiches, he had an idea.

  “What are you doing tonight?” he asked.

  “I’m going to make sure Dad eats something healthy and maybe get some work done.”

  He grabbed plates from the cupboard. “And after?”

  She smiled. “Sleep.”

  “How about dinner? Make sure Burt is taken care of and then I’ll pick you up at 7:30.”

  She angled her head at him, looking confused. “You’re making me lunch now, and you want to take me to dinner?”

  I want to make sure you’re taken care of. He wanted to give her everything he hadn’t given her before. He wanted to make it up to her, and then he wanted to make her his.

  “Yes.” He returned her smile. “Say yes.”

  She thought for another moment, then nodded. “Yes.”

  Chapter 7

  ________________

  Holly

  Jake had taken her out or cooked for her every day for a week. In fact, he’d barely left her side. He’d helped her take care of Burt, kept her fed, and kept her entertained. Holly remembered why she’d fallen for Jake in the first place.

  But she was starting to forget why she’d vowed to never be with him again, and that was dangerous.

  After she made sure her dad wound down for the night, she retreated to her bedroom and read a chapter of a manuscript she needed to start editing.

  Then she heard the tap of something on the window. Holly looked up, eyes narrowing. She laughed when she saw Jake.

  Holly walked over and opened the window. “What are you doing?”

  “I wanted to see you.”

  She stepped back and let him in, transported right back to high school. He used to climb through her window almost every night after practice.

  “What are you doing?” he asked, glancing to her desk.

  She closed her laptop and grinned at him. “Right now? Hopefully you.”

  He snagged her around the waist, giving a low growl. “Lock your door.”

  Holly grinned and locked her bedroom door. She didn’t expect her dad to come wandering but she didn’t want to embarrass him either just in case.

  She forgot all about her worries concerning Jake when he took off his clothes and pulled her to the bed. She stripped off her own clothes and pushed him down so he was lying on the mattress.

  Jake was already hard, his cock curved up to his belly, waiting to enter her. And she was wet for him, her pussy aching to feel his dick deep inside of her.

  Holly walked to the other side of the bed as Jake watched her, his gaze like a hawk following its prey.

  “Holly,” he said, voice low and gruff.

  In response, she leaned over, kissing him upside down. She slid her tongue in deep, massaging his, and thrilled when his hands reached for her. She crawled over the top of him, her pussy in his face. And once she was in position, she wrapped her lips around his cock.

  He groaned at the contact. Then he wrapped his hands tight around her thighs and buried his tongue in the lips of her sex.

  Her body shook with the feel of it, but she wouldn’t stop the tortuous assault to his dick. She hollowed her cheeks and sucked, feeling him twitch inside her mouth. She ran her lips all the way to the end, licking off the drop of pre-cum that coated the surface.

  “Don’t stop,” Jake said.

  She wrapped her lips around him once more. He pulled at her ass cheeks, thumbs sliding toward her anus and fingers wrapping around to her pussy. He licked up and down, finding her sensitive nub and moving his tongue in circles.

  Holly exhaled, her legs trembling, trying not to come.

  Then, suddenly, Jake moved out from underneath her and gripped her hips. She was still on her knees, ass up in the air. He ran his fingers down her spine, pushing her cheek to the comforter. Then he slid his cock inside of her, filling her full. As he started to pound into her, his hand snaked around to the front, fingering her clit and making her vision go black with ecstasy.

  “Jake. God. I want you so bad.”

  “I’m right here,” he said, voice rough.

  “Harder.”

  He did what she asked, pumping in and out of her like they may never come together like this again. His dick hit her in all the right places, and in seconds, she came. Her hands clenched on the comforter as the orgasm rocked her.

  “You’re squeezing me so fucking tight,” Jake grunted.

  With another thrust, she felt his cum hot inside of her. His arms locked around her, hands clutching her breasts as he poured himself into her. She squeezed her eyes shut as her heart pounded out of control.

  Finally, after her body stopped trembling, she relaxed on the bed.

  Jake pulled out of her and turned on his back. He tugged her over to rest her head on his chest.

  “What are you thinking?” he asked.

  “Think? After that?”

  He chuckled, staying silent a minute. But the truth was, all she could think was how much she was going to miss him when she went back to New York.

  Not just the nights and the dinners and his strong arms around her, or his body warmed against hers as he came long and hard, but waking up next to him in the morning.

  Having him in her life.

  “Your dad is doing better,” Jake said.

  She nodded. “He insists on making his own meals now. And he’s going for walks in the evenings.”

  “It’s good for him.”

  “I know. I’m glad. He’s getting back on track.”

  Jake ran his hand along her arm, giving her goose bumps.

  “Why do you sound sad when you say that?” he asked.

  Holly sat up and gazed down at him. “Because that means he doesn’t need me. And I have to get back home.”

  Jake swallowed. He sat up as well and gripped her arms. “There’s no need for you to go back so fast, is there? I mean, you can still work from here.”

  “I could, but…” Holly broke eye contact. “New York is home.”

  “What about Spring Creek? You used to love it here.”

  “I still do,” she said honestly. “But I don’t live here anymore.”

  He gripped her chin and lifted her face. “I love you.”

  The words hit her hard, right in the heart. She shook her head, feeling tears well in her eyes. “Jake…I love you too.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. “This is a good thing.”

  Holly sighed. “I’m sorry Jake.”

  “Why?”

  She looked up at him again. “Because I don’t think that’s enough.”

  Chapter 8

  ________________

  Jake

  Jake screeched through a stop sign and took a corner too sharply. He was risking getting pulled over, but right now he didn’t give a shit. He needed to make it to the airport before Holly’s flight left.

  After she’d told him she was still going to leave, he had no idea how to fix things.
How to make her understand that his love for her went above and beyond what it had when he’d been a teenager.

  He was a different person now. When he said he loved her, he meant forever. He couldn’t live without Holly in his life.

  So when he’d found out she left early for the airport this morning, he’d gone after her.

  Damn her for not giving him a chance to say goodbye. He would have convinced her to stay.

  He still planned on it. He just had to catch her first.

  Jake pulled haphazardly into a spot at the airport and jogged across the lot. He grumbled a rough apology when he ran right in front of a car, but didn’t stop. Once he reached the building, he raced inside, searching for her airline.

  When he saw the sign, he raced in that direction, dodging rolling suitcases and little old ladies with overstuffed bags.

  And there she was. Halfway through the line.

  “Excuse me,” he murmured to the man at the back of the line.

  “Hey, wait your turn, buddy.”

  He pointed to Holly. “That’s my wife.”

  At least, he hoped she would be soon.

  The man grumbled a few curse words but moved aside to let Jake through. He kept going through the line, asking people to let him by, until he reached her.

  “Holly.”

  She glanced up from the book she held in her hands and her mouth dropped open. “Jake? What are you doing here?”

  “I’m not letting you leave.”

  “What?” She glanced to the rest of the line, looking nervous.

  “You left without saying goodbye.”

  She bit her lip. “I said goodbye yesterday. And you knew I was leaving. It’s better this way.”

  “What way? Where we never see each other again?”

  The line inched forward and they both moved with it.

  Holly shook her head. “That’s not what I want, but Jake…”

  “Can we talk?” He angled his head away from the line.

  “I can’t miss my flight.”

  “Then I’ll say it right here. I love you, Holly.”

  Her eyes welled with tears. “I know, Jake, but…”

  “Don’t say but. I love you and you love me. We belong together.”

  Holly glanced around again, looking pained. “I thought that before, too.”

  “But then I left.” He nodded. “I know. It was a dick move and I regret it every day of my life. I’m not that person anymore. We belong together and I want to prove it to you.”

  “How?”

  Jake reached into his pocket and pulled out the velvet box. Her mouth dropped open when he knelt.

  “Holly,” he said, well aware of the eyes on them. “Will you marry me?”

  She put her hands over her mouth as tears fell down her cheeks.

  He reached for her, touching her hip. “We belong together and I want to prove it to you for the rest of our lives. Marry me, Holly.”

  Her hands trembled when she lowered them, but then she nodded. “Yes. I’ll marry you.”

  Jake slid the ring on her finger, and then stood, wrapping her in his arms. He pulled her off her feet and swung her around while the crowd around them clapped.

  He kissed her hard and then walked out of line with her still in his arms. “Don’t go,” he said. “Let’s work this out. Figure it all out.”

  Holly nodded, still smiling—tears still streaming down her cheeks. “Okay. Let’s figure it out.”

  “I’ll move to New York if that’s what you want. As long as I’m with you.”

  “No. I want to be here in Spring Creek. And I want to be with you.”

  He touched her cheek. “That’s what I want, too. I love you, Holly Martin.”

  She kissed him with all she had, and then stared at the diamond on her finger. “I love you, too.”

  Epilogue

  One Year Later

  ________________

  Holly

  She put the finishing touches on the package. A bow with curls of ribbon over the edge. Tonight was Jake’s birthday, and she wanted to make sure it was one he’d never forget.

  With a smile, she stood and wandered to the kitchen, waiting for Jake to come home from football practice. She put together a salad for dinner and made sure there were cold beers in the refrigerator.

  Once she heard the garage door, she put bread in the oven and waited for him to walk in.

  Jake grinned when he entered the kitchen. “Hey.”

  “Hey. How was work, Coach?”

  “Long.” He kissed her. “I’m glad I’m home. Are you cooking?”

  “You said you wanted to stay home.” She smiled. “But we can still go out if you want. I was thinking—”

  “No. I want to be here with you. Just us.”

  “But it’s your birthday.”

  He kissed her again. “I’m sure I can think of a great birthday present for you to give me.”

  Holly’s body warmed instantly. She pressed against him, nipples hardening. “I’m happy to oblige.”

  “Please say that’s going to happen right now.”

  She laughed. “Soon. Very soon.”

  Holly walked to the refrigerator and pulled out his beer. She passed it to him. “Unless you want something else.”

  “This is good. You want anything?”

  “I’m good for now,” she said. “But speaking of birthday presents…”

  His eyes narrowed. “I told you not to get me anything.”

  “And I didn’t listen.”

  “Holly.”

  “You should open it now.”

  “Now?”

  She started to the bedroom, where she’d left the gift, but he caught her around the waist.

  “What’s going on?” Jake asked, lips brushing her ear.

  She wrapped her arms around him, holding him close. “Nothing.”

  “You’re acting weird.”

  “I am not.”

  He eased back and narrowed his eyes. “Do not tell me you put together a surprise party.”

  Holly chuckled. “Not a party. But I do have a surprise for you.”

  She felt him harden against her hip. “Holly.”

  “Come with me.”

  He followed her down the hall, hand on her waist. “I think this is going to be a very good birthday.”

  Holly stopped at the bed, tugging his hand to get him to stand beside her. He looked down and spotted the present.

  “A literal surprise,” he said with a grin. “I thought, being a writer and all, it was something metaphorical.”

  “Kind of. Open it.”

  He angled his head at her, confused again. She put the package in his hands.

  “Open it,” she urged.

  Jake tore the paper. Blue shreds fell to the ground, along with the ribbon. He revealed a white box. “You got me clothes?”

  “Ha. Yes.”

  “Really?”

  She grinned. “Not clothes for you.”

  “What?” Jake opened the box and then froze. “Holly…” He set the box on the bed and pulled out the tiny yellow onesie. “Is this…?”

  “It’s for our baby.”

  He swallowed and then lifted his eyes to meet hers. “Our baby?”

  “Jake. I’m pregnant.”

  He didn’t respond for a moment. Then he snatched her into his arms and lifted her off her feet. “Holly. This is wonderful news.”

  “Really? You’re happy?”

  He set her on her feet, then ran his hands down her arms. “I’m sorry—I should be careful. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “You won’t.”

  His eyes danced with love. “I’m more than happy. This is the best present ever.”

  She hugged him, tears in her eyes. “I want a big family with you.”

  “I want one, too. I love you, Holly.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Next in the Enemies to Lovers Series…

  THE PROFESSOR

  Professor Davin Holme
s has never had a student as challenging as Savannah Peterson. She’s smart as a whip and one of the best students in class. She’s also sexy as hell. But he does the right thing and keeps his distance. Until they run into each other at the bar and one thing leads to another…

  Savannah appreciates that her professor challenges her, but hates that he won’t just cut her some slack. The highest grade in class should be hers, and he knows it. But after a few drinks and a night of flirting, hate turns into desire. Savannah is playing with fire and she’s about to learn Davin Holmes has a lot more to teach her.

  Chapter 1

  ________________

  Davin

  He tapped his red pen on the edge of the paper, considering. B+ or A-? Savannah Peterson was one of his top students. Also one who didn’t push herself to her full potential. He knew she could do better. And if she wanted an A in his class, she needed that motivation. That push.

  Davin scribbled a B+ and grinned. She’d flash that dagger glare at him from her seat at the front, arms folded across her taut breasts. He couldn’t help but notice them—or her—as she was one of the most striking students he’d ever had.

  And one of the feistiest. She challenged him at every turn, almost as if she was trying to prove him wrong. She knew a lot about the literature, but he knew more.

  When his students filed in and he spotted her, he bit back a smile, and prepared himself for a fight. Savannah never missed the chance to argue with a grade.

  He returned the papers one by one, putting them face down in front of each student. When he reached her, he tapped the back of the paper. “Almost.”

  She snatched the paper up, eyes scanning for the grade, and then gritted her teeth. He moved on before she could argue, unable to hold back the chuckle this time. A few other students around her laughed, used to their arguing.

  Savannah had been his class all year and she was this close to achieving the top grade. The other students knew it.

  Davin returned to the front of the class and began today’s lecture. He did his best to keep his eyes from Savannah, even though she looked amazing all fired up like that. He turned away from her. She was a student. He wasn’t supposed to be thinking of her like that.

  With a sigh, Davin finished the lecture and put Savannah out of his mind.