Light filtering in through the curtains wakes me, along with the empty spot in the bed beside me. I reach for Jake, but find nothing, just blankets and pillows. I sit up, stretching my arms above me and look around the room. On the pillow beside me, Jake had left a note, letting me know he had gone downstairs and he had brought me up coffee. I slip my robe on, grab the coffee, and head towards the kitchen.
"Morning, Princess," Jake smiles at me, handing me a plate of pancakes as I walk into the kitchen. "Is your coffee still warm? There's more here if not."
"It's perfect, thank you." I kiss him before heading to the table to sit. He follows with his own plate and sits across from me.
"Are you feeling better this morning?" He asks between bites.
I shrug slightly, "A little, I guess. I think I'm gonna call and check in on everyone. I'm sure I drive them crazy with this but – "
"Don't worry about it, I texted everyone this morning," I look up at him, surprised. "Everyone is coming over tonight for dinner, they're all gonna bring something. We just gotta make the main course. I figured you would want to check on everyone so I just took it a step farther."
"Jake, you're the best." He smiles with pride. We finish our breakfast in amicable silence and then follow each other to the sink.
"I'm going to head in to work for a couple hours and then I'll be back to help clean or cook whatever you need me to do." He kisses my forehead as I was the dishes. "I love you, Hali."
"I love you too, Jake." He turns my face to him and presses a kiss to my lips. The fire that started to burn between us the first time we were together on La Huerta, rising between us again, I lay the plate back in the sink and turn towards him quickly drying my hands. His presses his lips harder against mine, one hand wrapped in my hair and the other holding me against him.
He lifts me to the counter, kissing along my neck down to my shoulder. I push his jacket off his shoulders, it lands on the floor with a gentle thud. I feel him smirk against my lips, he quickly follows suit and starts undressing me. He picks me back up and gently takes us to the floor. We come together in a quick, passionate embrace, his hand supporting my back as we move together. Faster, harder, until he tenses and lays his head against my chest relaxing once again.
"Figured... we probably shouldn't… do that on the counter… since we'll have company…" Jake pants. I giggle, running my hands through his hair. He lifts his head and kisses me tenderly. "I'll never get enough of you."
"I hope not," I smile and peck his lips again. Once fully clothed again, Jake kisses me goodbye and heads out to work. I watch his truck pull out at the end of the road and then head back in to get the house ready for company.