Chapter 4: Jewelry, Mrs. Santiago, & Italian Food
Author: WriterGirl89
Fandom: Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Rating: M (some adult material)
POV: Third-Person
Pairing: Jake/Amy
Summary: Our pair share a charged, intimate moment together, Jake meets a member of Amy's family, and an unexpected gift keeps Amy guessing about what's coming next.
Author's Note: I am writing concurrently with something else so, that's the reason it's taken a little long for me to update this V-Day treasure of mine. That and I've had my mind on other things. Real life's a big pain in the ass, guys.
Disclaimer: I don't own Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
…
When Amy gets into work the day after Jake gives Holt and Kevin their surprise dinner as an apology for their party, she's happy. Giddy. Close to ecstatic.
It's nearing Valentine's Day.
And she can feel something in the air. A shift. She can feel something great is gonna happen because she is already expecting something nice that night.
She has a date.
With Jake.
A Valentine's Day date with the man who's been wooing her – for lack of a better term – for the past several days.
It's also been two nights since she kissed him. Since she felt what his breath could taste like, how soft and pillow-y his lips are.
To have him completely at her control as he fights himself for more.
"Mmm." She hums smiling to herself, as she goes through a few files in the evidence lock-up archives, getting so caught up in her own thoughts that she completely misses the new presence lurking near her.
"Hey." She spins around, started, a gasp leaving her as she hears the familiar voice near her ear but, relaxes when she sees who it is. "Jake!" But, then completely seizing her breath once she catches onto how close he is, in the darkened corner, to her. Just a hair away from her face.
He grins - wide and toothy - a mischevious edge to the corners of his mouth and it's enough to make her heart beat faster. "What are you doing here?"
"Would you believe it's because I'm grabbing something for Holt?"
She shakes her head, still smiling. "No."
"It's just-" His eyes start bouncing between her mouth and eyes, her breath catching sharply as he steps closer still, looking at her like she's the hottest thing on earth, despite the fact that she is wearing her large, grandma glasses that are, per usual, hanging low on her nose. "-I wanted to- and I haven't - ah, fuck it." Then he's closing the small distance between them and kissing her.
Well, attacking her, more like. Immediately encircling his strong arms around her frame and hauling her up to his lips once he aggressively seals his mouth over hers, a deeply guttural sound ripping itself from his chest as he pushes his tongue between her teeth, pulling her so close up to him that she can feel him - all of him - through the checkered blue of another one of his flattering button-downs, the denim of his pants, pulling him by his lighter sky-colored tie to kiss him deeper. More passionately.
But, then he bumps his nose on her glasses and instead of ruining the moment like it probably would anyone else, he just pulls away, breathing harshly, and carefully - in spite of the urgency she can sense curdling in him - takes off her enormous glasses and settles them on a shelf behind them. "Yeah, those need to go right now."
"Okay." She manages, her voice weak and raspy, before he kisses her again and pushes her up against the shelves and it's very much a testament to how good a kisser this man is because she barely feels the edges of them jabbing into her back, her entire focus on him and him only, the minty spice of his hot breath, the shape of him through his clothes, and that giant, talented mouth stealing her breath.
Especially as he lifts her - making her squeak into his mouth because hello! - and the contact lights a fire in her belly as she can really feel him, what their make-out is doing to him, and is eternally grateful that she's already changed into the pencil skirt and a nicer blouse to go have dinner with her mom later, the new angle inadvertently causing the substantial bulge in his jeans to move against her now ruined, suddenly thin underwear.
"Ah!" She moans out loud, unbidden, as the clothed ridge of his - she's gonna guess generous - cock rubs at her sensitive, poor hidden entrance, her head falling back only to have him take complete advantage, moving his attention from that mind-numbing area behind her ear to go down, tongue laving and teeth scraping along the column of her throat until he's kissing her clavicle, unbuttoning her blouse to reveal the lacy top of the underdress she has on because it's cold out and she thinks ahead, and then going straight at her breasts, holding one firmly in his large hand as he mouths at the other and before she could stop him, takes down the strap of her chemise, cool air hitting the hardened bud before he's quickly back and taking the flesh in with his teeth.
"Ohhh my go-" She moans, clutching his shoulders as they continue moving - essentially, this has become glorified dry-humping - against one another and both their breathing starts getting rapid... and then she feels it. A light tingle. A warmth starting between her thighs and spreading towards her limbs and then it's like, oh no, she recognizes this sensation. Real well. It's never been quite like this and it's less familiar exactly than with actual, naked contact and/or self-pleasure but, she knows this. She knows what's coming.
She is. She's about to cum in Jake Peralta's arms as he mouths her breasts and dry humps her against a bunch of shelves in the darkened corridor of files at their workplace.
And she's too out of her mind to stop it.
Oh God. Oh God. Oh God. Oh God. Oh God-
"Jake!" She yells, without meaning to, her voice high-pitched and startled as she trembles and spasms and bites her lip so hard that she thinks she draws blood, her leg muscles stiffening as she gives way to feeling and sensation and oh boy, if she can get this reaction with this, she can only imagine what could happen with real, skin-on-skin, glorious-
She starts coming back to earth, slowly, gradually, to realize that Jake is now spreading kisses over her skin and sighs, enjoying the attention, before taking a deep breath and leaning into her, nose nuzzling her throat and for a long beat, it's quiet, the only sounds in the air being their soft breathing as it goes back to normal. "Did you just-?"
"Yeah." She says, dropping her face onto his warm, muscled shoulder, wrapping her arms around him to get in her own cuddling because this is really nice and she's trying not to be embarrassed. "I did. Thank you." She adds, voice muffled in his shirt, inhaling the subtle, masculine scent of him, a pleased sigh escaping her. "That's nice." She says out of nowhere, her mind relaxed and hazy as she roves a hand up the build of his back. "Is it cologne?"
"Yes." He responses with a chuckle, the sound husky and low in her eardrums. "I've been known every now and then to spritz on the good stuff before starting the day." He continues, amused, as big hands go up and down her own back.
She only laughs breathlessly against him as they enjoy this. Each other. This... feeling.
...
They do eventually get out from the evidence lock-up separately - her first and then, after a few minutes, him - and it's just like they never did anything. Like he hadn't just made her climax through their clothes. Like she doesn't now know what he could accomplish with touch and that mouth of his alone.
"Nice hickey, Santiago." Rosa says breezily, as she passes her, ever perceptive and Amy turns beet red, trying not to glance at Jake, who - as if it's a great idea - sits down next to her in the debriefing room and she feels her hands, that are lying flat on the table, twitch slightly and it gets even worse when half-way through, he reaches under the table and places his hand on her bare knee.
And keeps it there.
It makes her so distracted and fluttery in the stomach that the moment they are dismissed, she flies out of there and back to their shared desk to grab the rest of her stuff, though not before grabbing a hold of Gina's mirror and looking at herself and seeing that yup, Rosa's right on the money and she does have a hickey right behind her right ear and she kinda curses Jake because she's having dinner with her mother in half an hour and her usual updo is now out of the question.
"Hey." The devil himself steps in front of her just as she's leaving and she stops. "Where are you headed?"
"I'm having dinner with my mom."
"Nice." He smiles brightly. A strange, odd smile that causes alarm bells to go off inside her brain though, weirdly enough, she says nothing. "Where at?"
"Italian place near here." She answers, being purposefully vague but, smiles at him genuinely because it's sweet that he's interested and then looks down at her watch. "And I'm gonna be late so, I'll call you?" She adds hopefully, peering at him.
"Yeah." He nods, affection in his eyes and her tummy flips at the sight. "Yeah, we'll talk later."
There's a moment then - a moment where she's almost tempted to kiss him, just a peck on the cheek before she leaves but, she fights it and instead gives him a nod and leaves to the elevators, feeling his eyes on her the entire time.
...
al di la Trattoria is a nice Northern Italian restaurant that Amy remembers specifically taking her mother to on her fiftieth birthday and that Gloria Santiago - the pickiest of eaters on earth when it's not something she herself cooks - loves it from the appetizers all the way through dessert and now, since they don't see each other as much they'd like, she case any better place to take her and her mother proves as much when she becomes excited as they walk in.
And also, here's the crazy thing: Jake shows up.
And at the most inconvenient moment.
"Are you seeing anyone?" She lifts her head to see her mom giving her one of her looks that indicates she's hoping against hope that she is, in fact, dating and/or in a relationship.
And because the words - used so often in the past and with great agita - are nearly automatic coming out of her mouth. "I'm not-" Then she stops and thinks about it. Thinks about the way Jake smiles at her when they're alone. "Ah... maybe." She spots that familiar, hopeful glint in her mother's eye grow brighter. "Maybe. I don't know right now." The image of the roses - the rose that start it all - grow in her brain. ""I'm in a... good place right now." She adds, her voice sounding to her own ears, a little introspective before she nods and goes back to her food.
There's several minutes of silence after that and then. "Who is he?"
"Come on, Mom." She complains, food in her mouth, her fork collapsing onto her plate, the clattering sound of silver wear on porcelain signifying her impatience. "Not while we're eating."
"I'm just curious!" Gloria exclaims, throwing her arms out dramatically. "You're always just saying you are either seeing someone or you're not." She makes a balancing gesture with her hands before tossing it at her in a vague fashion and taking her wine glass. "I've just never seen you look the way you just did."
She will regret it but, she asks anyway. "Like what?"
"Like-"
"Amy!" A startlingly voice familiar calls behind her. "Fancy seeing you here."
And when she looks up, there's a double-take involved because Jake Peralta is standing there, dressed in a dark blue button-up - her favorite on him - with a tie and dark pants and shoes that look suspiciously dress-like and his black leather jacket, smiling that insufferably charming grin of his.
He looks handsome as hell.
And she wants to kill him. She's also happy to see him... but, she wants to kill him.
"Jake." She says through her teeth. "What are you doing here?"
"I was in the neighborhood." He responses easily, looking over at her mom.
She nods with certainty. "No, you weren't."
But, if he hears her, he doesn't show it and leans across the table, extending a hand towards Gloria. "And you must be Amy's mom." He greets, charisma dripping off of every syllable and oh, son of a bitch, he's good, she thinks as her mom's expression beams brighter than any sun you could ever see. "I'm Jake Peralta."
"Yes! I'm Gloria, it's a pleasure to finally meet you!" She exclaims with excitement as they shake hands and Amy could almost cross her eyes at the pure joy radiating off the woman who birthed her. "My, my..." She adds with appreciation as she gives him a once-over. "... They sure don't make them like they used to..."
Her head snaps in her mother's direction. "Mom!"
"What?" Her mom harps right back before rolling her eyes and taking a sip of her wine. "It's true. Goodness, I'm married, not dead."
God, she could eat her own hair, she's so embarrassed right now.
"Mind if I join you ladies?" He asks as he laughs at Gloria's words, pulling out a chair and stating to sit next to her.
Yes. She thinks immediately but, says nothing and lets her mother enthusiastically answer no for them because why, oh why in the world would Gloria Santiago guess that it'd make her own daughter uncomfortable to have her much talked about partner share dinner with them?
It doesn't exactly turn out the way she originally thinks.
She sorta pictures, the moment Jake sits down, that he would hog all the attention and charm the pants off of her mom and keep her to the side as she drinks more and more into a weird, drunken rage.
It's a crazy thought. And also, she knows, completely unfair. Because of what's happening between them and his clear intentions towards her and her own growing feelings for him and it's just, god, so odd to have here, meeting her mother, no less!
And no, he doesn't do what she expects and does the exact opposite, including her in conversation and bringing up case stories and they both end up making her mom laugh, her stomach doing somersaults when she catches him looking at her openly, that big, toothy smile on his face as they all share a laugh, though at this moment his attention is strictly on her, dark, sparkling eyes catching her gaze and when he winks at her, she quickly looks away, blushing unaware of Gloria watching all this, smiling secretly to herself as she clears her throat. "Well..." They both look at her then. "...I'm headed to the ladies'. Won't be long." She says with a flourish before getting up and leaving them for the moment.
For a long beat after she's gone, there's a silence that fills the space between them before Jake speaks up. "So, your mom's nice-"
"Yes, she is." She finds some bravery within herself and turns to him. "Why are you here?"
"Why do you think I'm here?"
"To meet my mom. To prove something. What are you doing?" She hisses, not wanting to speak too loudly.
"To prove something?" He says slowly after a minute, nodding his head before turning fully towards her. "You think I'm here to prove something? After... everything?"
She stares at him, speechless, before opening her mouth to speak and when nothing comes out, she shakes her head. "I- I didn't-" Then, after taking a deep breath, she looks at him again. "You surprised me. I wasn't expecting you to be here."
"That was kinda my intention here." He says, peering into her face, before sighing and looking away and back again. "Amy, I like you. I really do. But, you need to start trusting me. Really trusting me." He locks her into his gaze, moving closer and grabbing her hand, the large enclosure of his fingers over hers, feeling nice and natural. "I'm here because I wanted to meet your mother and because I know you." That's said along with a pointed eyebrow raise. "I knew you wouldn't allow it and you wouldn't let me because you're still freaking out about... this." He gestures between them.
She just looks at him because she has no idea what to say and also, he's not wrong. Much. It's not something she allows herself to dwell on a lot. Their situation. The fact that everything is happening so fast and that they have a Valentine's date that could seal it all up and yeah, that does scare her some but, she does trust him... so much. It's taken her a while but, she does and he's been wonderful and good and romantic and her feelings are getting really out of control at this point.
And this. Here. Now. Charming and making her mom laugh is only showing her what a good idea to give in. All the way. Not only into a relationship but, a future... with him. With Jake.
He must sense the turmoil going on in her head because what he says next causes her heart to stop and her whole body to freeze up. "You want me to end this?" He asks, thinly veiled emotion in his eyes. "Want me to leave you alone? Forget this whole thing?" He leans even closer now and she can feel every breath near her lips. "You want me to stop? Huh? Amy?"
She can't breathe. She can't do a proper human function right now when he looks at her like that.
"I... I trust you." She's able to say after a quick glance at his lips. "I trust you. I'm sorry."
After Gloria returns just in time for dessert, they chat some more and Amy doesn't think twice about reaching under the table and holding onto Jake's hand the entire time, feeling herself relax more as she does and he pays for their - again, surprising the hell out of her - they end up outside and as her mother heads towards their car, she stays behind with Jake, standing face to face as she stuffs her cold hands in her pockets to protect them from the chilly air.
"Thank you for dinner." She says softly, staring up into his face illuminated by the golden street lights.
"You're welcome."
They keep looking at each other for a minute longer before he abruptly reaches into his jacket pockets. "Hold on, I actually... have something for you." He says, looking around a moment before pulling out a small, black triangular box.
"Another gift?" She can't even begin to contain the excitement in her voice as she sees the box.
He looks at her. "It's the gift." He responses, handing her the box. "I just wanted to give you one last thing before our date."
Date. The word still makes her heart jump.
"Come on, open it." He gestures at her hands, an expectant look in his eye.
She smiles at him brightly before looking at the box - the weight of dark velvet in her hands - and opening it.
She lets out a gasp because inside the most beautiful necklace she's ever seen.
"Now, normally, I like the whole element of surprise as you may very well know but... I kinda wanted to see your face when you opened it."
It's a lovely gold filled chain, with the centerpiece being a glimmering plumeria charm that shines as she takes it out carefully, the chain swinging as she gazes at it. "It's so... beautiful." She manages breathily.
"Yeah." She hears him agree though when she looks at him, he's staring at her and not the necklace. "Yeah, it is."
She flushes and looks back at her gift. "I can't believe you got me this." She says, feeling tears collect in her eyes.
"Well, I did." He says, stepping closer. "Want me to put it on?"
She nods immediately and turns around, lifting her hair out as he takes the necklace and laces over her neck with steady hands, sucking in air as he touches the bare skin of throat, trailing his fingers smoothing over her clavicle before he pulls away and she turns for him to see.
"Damn." He says, rubbing his thumb over lip. "I did good."
She lets herself laugh at that because there are no words over how she's feeling right now.
"So..." He begins softly, gazing at her. "You like it?"
"I love it."
"I'm glad." He volleys back and then as he's stepping towards her again, he stops and looks behind them. "And your mom is watching us." He gives her mother a small wave as she blatantly peeps at them from her car window.
"Yeah, she does that."
He looks like he wants to kiss her then and she exhales sharply as he leans in closer, placing a hand on her hip and then planting a soft kiss on her cheek, right near her mouth, his scent taking over her senses and her eyes drifting shut because yeah. "Goodnight, Amy." He whispers in her ear before ever-so-slowly moving away, still looking at her with his expressive eyes as he backs away. "I'll see you tomorrow." He adds more loudly, winking at her before turning around.
"I'll just... ah... see you." She says lamely before heading towards her vehicle, head spinning, limb, shaking, her heart racing and trying her very best to ignore Gloria's excited chatter and questions once she's in her car.
...
A/N: Soooo... Happy V-Day! For those of you who celebrate it and for those of you, like me, who don't *shrugs* well, at least you still get chocolate, right? ;)
Also, al di la Trattoria is a real place - I could not have made that up - that specializes in Northern Italian cuisine and is located in Brooklyn's very own Park Slope and though, I've never been, the research I did on it made it sound goddamn delicious. And the necklace Jake gives Amy is from the jewelry company Dogeared and you can just go on their website to research their lovely selection of jewelry and the piece I chose for this chapter is even better with a visual and you can also see what the necklace symbolizes on the site, if you want.
Just for those info nuts out there.
