It is a couple days later and Paulina finds herself at the address Jake requested her at a few days earlier. Walking around the newly built penthouse near the downtown district, Jake stands near the fireplace letting Paulina take it all in. "We can't stay in a hotel forever. The girls need room and I need my oversized tub."
"Those babies really have changed you… it's nice." She laughs, "It has a fantastic view of the city. Did you already buy it?"
"No. I wanted your opinion." He walks towards her in the unfurnished apartment. "Plus, I was thinking of just leasing until we found our home."
The words 'our home' keep repeating silently in Paulina's head causing her to be immobile, "Yeah?"
He smiles resting his hand on her lower back. "You're at the Cory's for now, but I want you to feel comfortable here too. Let me give you a tour before the realtor shows up for me to sign papers."
As they walk to the nursery, "Jake, it's great. Really. It has plenty of space for everything; you're going to need it."
"What do you think the other room should be next door?" He inquires already having an answer. They look inside to find a standard sized room.
"Maybe an office or playroom…" Paulina answers without looking at Jake.
"Honey, look at me." She appears to be shy. He raises her head propping it up with his index finger. "This should be Dante's room."
There is shock spread across her face, "What?"
"I want you to feel, when you're ready, that this place is just as much yours as the townhouse was for us. That includes, your son. Any place we live together should feel like home." His hands are on her hips. "Is that okay?"
Paulina is speechless. His heart continues to exude pure kindness and selfishness. She rests her hands on his chest, like she does, nodding yes. She kisses his cheek and continues the tour.
As they head towards the master bedroom suite, "I'm going to start searching for a nanny next week. I really want you to be apart of it."
"Of course." She takes survey of the amenities in the master bathroom. "Wow, duel showerheads."
"I'll email you the applications I've received so far."
"We want to make sure this person is right for the girls, for Dante." He watches her eyes light up.
Early the following week, Paulina finds herself alone in Jake's office awaiting to discuss the nanny search. He walks in seeing her check out the pictures, books, and trinkets on his bookshelves. He is super quiet as she examines one photo in particular.
"Hi you." Jake makes his way to his desk. "What brings you by?"
Ignoring his question, Paulina looks at him with dismay. "I can't believe you still have this."
He moves to stand directly beside her, "I have everything." He puts the photograph of them back on the shelf.
She smiles and turns to hug him. "Hi." Paulina inhales his striking blend of mahogany, black teakwood, and lavender before removing her trench coat to show off a simple teal wrap dress.
"Damn." Jake is in a trance outlining her figure. "You look gorgeous." He brushes his lips on her collarbone. She lingers for a moment before taking a seat on the leather couch.
"I came here to talk about the nannies."
"Okay, great. What did you decide?" He thinks to himself 'do not get too close or she will be raptured'.
"I narrowed the list to three. Can you set up the interviews for this week?"
Jake nods after taking note of the perspective nannies. "Lets see what we can do."
After he makes the call to solidify interviews for Friday mid-morning, Jake helps her to her feet and that's when Paulina spots another surprise. She looks at his wrist and then back up at him. "The watch?"
"One of the best gifts I ever got from you."
Paulina calls Jake rather late the following night. It's well after midnight, but she just needs to hear his voice.
He answers the phone on the third ring, "McKinnon."
"Hi." She replies softly. "I woke you, didn't I?" Paulina rolls onto her side in her pitch black bedroom.
Jake opens his eyes, "Honey, you can call me anytime. You okay?"
"I just miss you." She exhales loudly. "I knew this was going to be difficult being away from you, but sometimes I get so burned up imagining you…"
If Jake was not up before, he is now. "Paulina…"
It doesn't help how he calls out her name. "You always have the ability to… give me what I want in the moment."
"I will do anything. What do you want right now?" Jake props his head up on the pillow.
Paulina runs her hand thru her hair and is thankful she is no longer sleeping in the same room as her child. "You know what I need, Jake." The tone of her response is deep.
Jake smirks and ready for the challenge. "I know how it feels to be completely consumed by you. Close your eyes and picture me laying beside you…"
Paulina sighs and follows his directions. "Do you feel it? Do you feel me wrapped around you… melting into me as I touch, slow and steady from your hips down between your thighs?" He hears her breath catch, "Stay with me… feel me getting closer, closer to you." She calls out his name as her heartrate speeds up. "That's it… you reach out to pull me tighter. I run my tongue on the spot we both know, right below…" He exhales. "You taste so sweet." She moans fading in and out. "Just breathe, baby… and let go." Jake hears what he hopes for on the other end of the phone. "You better, Cupcake?"
She does not respond right away as she tries to regain her composure. "Yeah…" She licks her lips, "Thank you."
They do not see each other until Friday for the nanny interviews, which are at a local coffee shop near Jake's Penthouse. The two of them are sitting on the same side of the booth with the last candidate. His hand continues to rest on her upper thigh causing Paulina to periodically look at him questionably.
"Your availability is very important. And in the near future, this position may change to a live-in nanny." Jake states moving his hand higher up her thigh. Paulina grips tighter the edge of the tabletop turning her knuckles white.
After the last nanny exits, Paulina smacks Jake on the arm. "You, Mr. McKinnon, will pay for that." She runs her hands over her face.
"You're even more beautiful when you blush," he whispers.
"Get on the other side, right now. You are too dangerous…" she snaps back. He laughs and moves as directed. "Which one do you like?"
After deciding to do a test run with the Irish retired elementary teacher, Jake escorts Paulina back to her car. They refrain from any public displays of affection; however, they walk leisurely absorbing the closeness without touching.
She opens the door and turns back to him who is centimeters away from her nose. "How about a date tomorrow?"
"Really…" Paulina grins happily, "I'd like that very much." She glances at his lips wanting to kiss him, but refrains.
"Meet me at the office parking lot tomorrow around four." Jake gives her a neighborly hug to maintain their public persona.