Next Morning
NYC
Emma's POV
It was almost seven am when Jake dropped me home from the airport. "But I want to get back to work today. If you can, then why can't I?" I pouted.
"Because you need to rest. You were stuck in a storm Emma, you were unconscious for seventeen hours and then travelled for over fourteen hours" He held my face, cupped between his hands.
He took a deep breath and continued, "I can work in peace if I know you are alright. Don't be too hard on yourself; you can start work tomorrow. I will let the legal department be informed of your leave today."
Reluctantly I nodded and agreed to him. He gave me a soft kiss on lips and then I hugged him goodbye.
In reality, I felt like a complete mess, as soon as I reached my apartment. I took a long warm bath, and changed into my favourite shorts and spaghetti top. I was in front of the mirror, brushing my hair when I saw a deep red mark on my collar bone. Immediately vivid memories of my short make-out session with Jake filled my mind. I was feeling so turned on just by thinking about him.
Get a grip girl. I immediately shoved back all the sexy intimate thoughts to the back of my mind. After a while, I hit the bed with a big smile on my face and dozed off within minutes.
I woke up when it was already five pm in the evening. Crap. I really slept through the entire day.
I got up and dragged my lazy self to the kitchen and cooked some salad with garlic bread. After eating, I started unpacking my stuff, putting half of my clothes in the laundry; and organised my remaining things to where it usually was placed in my closet.
An hour or so later, I heard my doorbell ring.
I rushed to the door and found an exhausted Jake with a small bag in his hand.
"Where have you been, Emma? I have been worried, sick."
"Well. Hello to you too, Jake." I instantly gave him a tight hug. His stiff posture relaxed, and he hugged me back.
I would be lying if I say I wasn't expecting him here, a part of me knew and wanted him to come over. I was overjoyed to find him at my door.
"You look so tired. Did you have a long day?" I asked him while pulling out of the hug and looking in his eyes.
"Please come in. I am sorry my place is not in the best shape at the moment." I strode in and started keeping things in their place, making room for him to sit comfortably.
"Hey. Shh! Relax. It's me. You don't have to put up a show for me. I like everything about you. When you are with me, nothing else matters." He gave me a warm hug again.
After minutes, he stepped back, his eyes trailing down my body. He was completely checking me out. Suddenly his gaze got stuck on my collarbone. I could see mischief in his eyes, a smirk forming up his lips.
"Did I mark you already?" He chuckled.
I was embarrassed now, "Umm... Why don't you sit, I will get you some water." I immediately rushed to the kitchen, dodging his question and hiding my flushed cheeks.
As soon as I got back, Jake took my hand and made me sit close to him, "I asked you to buy a phone, Emma? You do realise that you are totally unreachable without a phone? Don't you?"
"I know Jake. I am sorry, I slept in all day, and then I started unpacking and lost track of time. I just couldn't go out."
"Sleepyhead." He chuckled while nudging my nose with his finger.
"Hey, don't blame me. I was exhausted. I am glad you made me skip work today". I was snuggling in him now, his arms around my shoulders.
He placed the bag he was carrying in my hands and gestured me to open it.
"A new phone? Hey, you didn't have to. I really cannot accept this."
"I didn't have to, but I wanted to. This is not for you. This is for me, actually. It was difficult surviving through the day today when you were not reachable, sorry I cannot take the torment for another day tomorrow."
"Please, Jake. I cannot take this."
"Shh Emma, it's just a phone. I got it for you because I missed you today, please accept it." He whispered while squeezing me tightly in his arms again.
"I know. I missed you too."
We stayed in each other's embrace for a while, "Did you eat anything? You came straight from work, right?"
"No, but I don't feel very hungry."
"No way. I am going to fix you something to eat, any preferences?"
"Anything you will cook would be my preference, Emma." He said with a soft smile.
"Alright, coming right up. You can freshen up meanwhile."
I went to the kitchen after showing Jake the way to the washroom. I made him some chicken steak with ravioli pasta and mashed potatoes. After a while, I entered the living room with a tray full of food. I saw Jake lying on the couch, sleeping soundly.
My heart melted, looking at him. He must be exhausted. I took back the food and then covered him with a blanket. I dimmed the lights and adjusted the temperature of the room to make his sleep comfortable.
I then took out my new phone, and synchronised it with my existing Apple ID, before calling dad.
"Hi, Dad. It's me, Emma."
"Hey, baby girl. I was starting to get worried. I was checking my phone every ten mins to see if you called."
"Sorry, dad. I just landed today and then slept in all day".
"It's fine. I am so relieved to hear your voice. Is this your new number now?"
"Yes, umm ya I bought a new phone and number. I will just get the previous one deactivated, I guess".
"That's fine. Please get some rest and keep in touch."
"Absolutely, dad! Say hi to mom as well, I will call her tomorrow. Good Night!"
"Good Night, darling!"
Next, I dialled Niki's number, but it went straight to voicemail. I made a mental note to call her tomorrow again.
I got my laptop and started to check my work emails. I responded to a couple of them and also wrote Benjamin an update on the Norway project.
It was midnight, and I almost finished catching up with work. I closed my laptop and saw Jake was still sleeping soundly. I went closer to him and was now silently scanning his features; this man was gorgeous. He looked so handsome even in his sleep.
How did I get so lucky? Having someone like him sleeping in my living roon couch? With no care in the world?
I kissed his forehead and was about to get up when I heard him call my name.
"Emma?"
"Hey sorry, I didn't intend to wake you up. Please go back to sleep." I sat on my knees next to the couch and gently caressed his forehead.
"I am sorry, I remember you were cooking, and I don't know when I slept. It's so late; I should leave now." He moved to sit up straight. He was still looking very tired.
"Shh... Jake. No. Please stay. I want you to rest. You have been working non-stop."
"Are you sure, Emma? I don't want to rush you into things, will you feel comfortable if I stay?"
"Absolutely. Come, let's go inside; you will be more comfortable on the bed."
Suddenly his eyes were shining with a hint of mischief in his tone, "Is this your plan to get me into your bed? If yes, then baby, all you have to do is ask." He stated cheekily.
Before I could respond, within a minute, he got up and picked me up in his arms in one swing.
"Jake. What are you doing? Put me down."
He shook his head against my requests, and gave me a sexy smirk. God! Did I just wake the devil?
Jake entered my room and carefully put me down on the bed. "We are going to sleep, Jake! Just sleep. You need a good night's sleep"
"Of course. What did you think? You really have a dirty mind." He mocked me. I threw my pillow at him, which he easily dodged. He removed his shirt and jumped in the bed along with me.
"What are you doing? And why are you shirtless, again?"
"Do you expect me to sleep comfortably in my office shirt? Come here now. I know I am irresistible to you, but your wish is my command. We are just going to sleep."
He pulled me in his arms, my head resting on his chest, while his fingers were playing with my hair. Slowly we both drifted to sleep.
***
The next morning we both woke up in each other's arms. This was officially the best feeling in the world.
We took turns in freshening up and were now eating breakfast together. Jake insisted on eating the food I prepared for him last night, he loved it, and I felt so warm watching him enjoy the food I cooked.
It made you happy when you cook and feed the person you love. Did I just say, love? I quizzed myself, utterly shocked at my own thoughts.
No No No, it's too soon to know. I chided my inner self. Suddenly, I was taken out of my thoughts when I heard a ring; it was Jake's phone.
"Yes." Jake said in a stern voice after picking up the call.
"What? When?" He stood up hastily, completely shocked.
"How is she?"
"Text me the address."
Jake took a deep breath after disconnecting the call. His eyes were restless, and his body language was tensed. I was scared at his reaction, whoever was on the phone, definitely gave terrible news.
"What happened Jake? Is everything alright?"
"I need to rush Emma. It's an emergency. Sorry, but I have to go."
Jake started wearing his shoes and picked his coat lying on the sofa before making his way out. "Wait! You are scaring me. What happened?"
"Don't worry. I will call you later today and explain everything." He gave me a quick kiss on my forehead and quickly strode out.
I stood there dumbfounded, still comprehending what just happened.