“Rachel, I want to know if there is an ‘us’,” Jake asked her.

She laughed.

“What?” asked Jake uncertainly surely not expecting that kind of reaction from her.

“Nothing. I thought you said… What did  you say?”

“I asked whether there is any chance for us to be together.”

“Why?” she asked wanting to know the reason why he wanted the affair. Shut up! her heart told her. Grasp the chance that you are being given. And she truly wished she could. But she did not want to build her castle in air.

“Why what?”

“Why do you want us to get together? Now? Because we have slept together? There is no need to be so chivalrous you know. My virginity had to go one day or another. No big deal.”

“The hell it is!” he rasped and sat up.

What the hell was wrong with her? If he wanted an affair for whatever reason, why should she bother? She should be accepting readily.

“I want to give our relationship a try.”

“Sure. We still have two weeks left for our marriage to end,” she agreed readily not daring to hope that he might be offering more. Her heart was already in so much turmoil that she preferred not to have any expectations whatsoever.

He growled down at her. “Two weeks?”

Damn! “Is it too long?” she queried uncertainly.

He stopped to think before replying. “If it’s too much for you then okay let’s give it a try for the next two weeks. By that time, I’ll try to make you change your mind,” he muttered as if talking to himself.

“You’re kidding, right?” she was still unwilling to believe what he had just said. It must be her lovesick heart playing tricks on her.

“Do I look as if I’m joking? You don’t have to answer me right now. I know it’s too early for you and I don’t expect you to reciprocate my feelings.”

“Reciprocate your feelings?” she repeated like a parrot and her heart nearly jumped out of her chest. Could she hope what she wanted to hope?

“I’m trying to tell you that I love you and I would like to continue our marriage until well for several decades.”

“Decades?” she repeated again her mind not functioning properly.

“You heard me,” he answered firmly. “I love you – with all my heart. But I don’t want to rush you into something you are not ready.”

“You love me,” she whispered dazed.

“Yah, Rach. Will you stop repeating what I’m saying please? I’m opening my heart to you and all you can do is copy me?”

“Oh Jake!” she shrieked with elation finally snapping out of her astounded state and wound her arms around his neck tightly until he fell back on the bed. “Oh Jake,” she repeated less loudly. “I love you too.”

His eyes rounded in surprise. “You do?” he asked incredibly.

“Oh yes,” she nodded enthusiastically.

“I should have known!” he mused toying with her hair in a tenderly manner. “You wouldn’t have given yourself so easily otherwise.”

She blushed. “Was it really okay for you?” she asked doubts still assailing her.

He laughed gleefully ay her silly question and hastened to cast her doubts aside. “Okay? Hell, I nearly forgot to use protection and that’s something that has never happened to me before.”

“You do want children, don’t you?” Rachel couldn’t help asking still unable to completely digest the fact that he loved her too. It was too good to be true.

“I do but not yet. I want you for myself first.”

Finally, Rachel allowed the tension to leave her and she felt happiness fill her heart. She had waited so long to hear those words from Jake and had finally lost all hope that she had never imagined he could fall in love with her too. She grinned widely not able to stop herself and kissed him shyly on his cheek.

Jake smiled against her skin as he bent to nuzzle the valley between her breasts. She felt desire stir inside her again. “I still have a hell lot to teach you sweetheart.”

“Such .. as ?” she managed to croak trying for an innocent poise but failing miserably as he took one nipple in his mouth.

Jake chortled. “Let me show you.”

And boy, did he!

                                                               ****************************

Later, Jake lay spent in his wife’s arms.  He had never felt so at home with the woman beside him fitting him like she was made for him.

Teasing, he bent to blow a soft breath on Rachel’s cheeks and smiled when she stirred. There was nothing better than to wake up with the person you loved at your side. They had already made love twice in the morning and he still hadn’t had enough of her.

Wickedly, he outlined her lips with his tongue and watched as her eyes fluttered open wildly.

“What…?” she asked sleepily and smiled as comprehension dawned on her.

“Pretty tired, aren’t you? I wonder what you have been up to last night,” he teased her bestowing her with a mischievous smile.

“Are you aware that you are wearing a foolish grin on your face?” she mumbled her voice still husky with sleep.

“Aha! Not a morning person, are you? Let’s try to improve your mood,” he said before kissing her.

“Jake, I think there’s a problem,” she breathed between two kisses when Jake had stopped to catch his breath.

Immediately, he felt concerned. “What’s the matter sweetheart?”

“I’m… well aroused again!”

He burst out laughing his heart nearly bursting since it was so full of emotions. He loved her even more if that was possible. How did he get so lucky to find someone to love him as much as he did? In response to her remark, he pressed his thighs between her legs to make her feel his arousal, so big he was already on the verge of exploding.

Her eyes rounded and she blushed prettily. “Is it … normal? To be feeling … hmm… you know… so quickly?”

He laughed again at the innocent remark. Once it would have scared him. Now he found it endearing and a complete turn on.

“Not usually. But I’m sure it’s normal for people so in love like us.”

Hours later, she snuggled into his arms after having lived another life shattering sexual experience.

She sighed happily. “I still can’t believe that you love me too.”

“When did you know that you love me?” he asked.

She laughed self-consciously. “In the restaurant – when your ‘supposed’ fan was hovering around you thinking you were some movie star.”

“Back then?” he eyed her with interest as he remembered that event.

“Yes, you were of course your charming self. And I was so jealous and…” she stopped and her eyes clouded with something akin to sorrow.

“Oh, baby. There was absolutely no need. It was flattering I have to admit but there was nothing more to it.”

“What about Elizabeth?” she asked with a catch in her voice.

“What about her?” he repeated frowning.

“It’s okay… I mean…”

“Out with it now,” he groaned fiercely.

“Are you having an affair with her?” she asked with a sad look in her eyes.

“What makes you say that?”

“I… I saw the two of you once…going inside a restaurant and I …,” she stammered uncertainly.

“And you assumed that we were having an affair?” he finished for her.

“Well, yes. And you can’t blame me,” she suddenly fired at him accusingly. “You were certainly wrapped up in her arms.”

“I told you we were – are only friends. I’ve never even dated her.”

She looked at him in his eyes for a long moment as if searching for the truth and Jake felt irritated at her mistrust. “Hell, Rach! Why would I lie to you? I had a business meeting on that day and incidentally met her in the same building. So I invited her for lunch. That was it.”

“It was just after you suggested we had an open marriage and I thought you wanted some lover to satisfy your sexual needs.”

He groaned. “I see. That was so stupid of me. I’m sorry I was being so selfish.”

“It’s okay,” she said instantly. “I’m just glad you didn’t do anything.”

“Oh I would never have cheated on you sweetheart. Love or no love. But even at that time, the only woman I wanted was you. But I was too busy running scared to realize it,” Jake admitted.

“Well, nothing matters now that we’re finally together.”

“Yeah but if you’ve loved me for such a long time, why were you so determined to end our marriage?”

“Because I couldn’t bind you to a marriage against your will.”

“Why didn’t you fight for me?”

“That was what everybody told me to do but I was too scared that you would become bitter being in a marriage you didn’t want. I wanted you to have a choice.”

“Everybody? Who everybody?”

“Kyra, your dad, Uncle Sean…” she named.

“Wait a minute. They all knew?” he queried stunned. And he had never even guessed. What kind of a fool that made him?

She nodded.

“Ah and that was why my dad was ready for the annulment,” he mused understanding now what the mystery was all about. Then he frowned. “Why were you so hell-bent on calling me Jacob? Then switched to Jake?”

“When your father chose me as your bride, you started avoiding me and was so rude to me, remember?”

He nodded listening intently.

“Well…,” she continued. “That hurt terribly. I thought it was an ego thing at that time. Calling you Jacob was my way to show you that I didn’t care.”

“It’s not what you think, baby,” he began instantly. “My behavior or antagonism towards you had nothing to do with you although I admit I was wrong.  But my dad can be real pushy sometimes and that infuriated me. I guess, later on trying to marry me off became more a challenge to him and as stubborn as I am I didn’t want him to win. It was the main reason why I was still fighting the attraction I felt for you even after we were married.”

“And I thought it was my virginity that was putting you off,” Rachel confessed.

His brows knitted in a perfect pattern. “Didn’t put me off. Never. On the contrary, it filled me with pride and humility that you chose to offer me such a precious gift,” he delivered before kissing her.

“I’m hungry.” She said and quickly added “For food” when he gave her a look that sent her hormones soaring.

“We’d better go downstairs,” he agreed. “We won’t be able to make love for another week now.”

Her heart sank in dismay. “Why?”

“Because you’ll be sore.”

“For one whole week?” She knew nothing of such thing but since Jake was more experienced, she reckoned that he knew what he was talking about.

“Yah.”

Disappointment welded all over her. Only when things were starting to get better!

He laughed then. “Just kidding!”

“You moron!” she threw a pillow at him, her face filled with indignation.

****************************

“Mmm, that was good,” Jake growled appreciatively as he emptied his plate.

Rachel flushed with pleasure. “You never told me how did you realize that you loved me?”

He smiled fondly at the memory. “When I as making love with you for the first time. You looked so beautiful that I knew there could never be any woman for me other than you,” he delivered confidently.

“Oh Jake,” she whispered thrilled and wrapped her arms around his shoulders in a bear hug.

He scowled. “What’s between you and Slade anyway?”

She looked blank. “What do you mean?” she queried puzzled.

“I don’t like him,” he muttered roughly.

Comprehension dawned on her as she watched his fierce scowl and her heart leapt in joy. “You’re jealous,” she stated shaking her head in wonder.

“The hell I am!” he grouched.

“Oh yes you are,” she chuckled delightfully and gave him a light peck behind his ear.

“Okay… maybe a little,” he admitted grumpily after some time.

“And here I was thinking that it’s a disease affecting the female species only,” she taunted recalling his conceited comment in the restaurant.

His scowl got even more fierce and that was almost impossible.

“You fool, I love you,” she whispered deciding to take pity on his state and rained kisses along his jaw to soothe him.

“Some wife you are!” he mocked. “You insult me and praise me in one breath!”

She chuckled and then felt like a heel to put him through such misery knowing how it was when jealousy gnawed at your insecurities.

“We’ve always been friends – good friends since childhood, Jake and you know it. That’s all there is to it.”

“You went out with him,” he accused refusing to be mollified.

“Nothing romantic, I can assure you. It would have been difficult with Kyra tagging along!” she informed him ruefully and watched his scowl fade.

He grinned sheepishly, “Did I tell you how much I love you?”

“Not lately,” answered Rachel offering him her lips for another kiss.

“Mmm, it gets better each time,” Jake murmured.

“Jake, do you realize that we have a lot of work awaiting for us?” Rachel told him.

“What kind of work?” he asked frowning. They had finished the penthouse contract which had been the only one pending work he was supervising for the moment. The rest Ash could take charge of it.

“Well, your dad has ordered for five grand-children. I think we should be getting into action immediately,” she winked at him.

He grinned and then feigned shock. “And we haven’t had a proper honeymoon yet. What will people say?”

“Exactly!” she answered.

“And you don’t worry about my dad. He’s gonna have a nice surprise,” he said cryptically and enfold her in his arms. “Now come here and let me work on my new project!”

****************************

The two months were over and still nothing had happened. No miracle. He had been expecting that his pig-headed son would have seen some sense at last. But there was still no word of hope from Rachel. He was starting to get worried and desperate. And he was too proud to tell them of his medical crisis. Now what?

And damn! He had promised not to interfere in their matters again.

To hell with his promise! He could pay them a harmless visit and maybe land a few truths in his son’s mind. Only it wouldn’t be interfering…merely giving a last try.

So, without any guilt, Devin Crighton drove down to the house he had offered his son some six months ago.

He frowned at the locked door. The house seemed deserted. Where the hell were they? Maybe they were already at Sean’s place preparing the divorce papers. He was going to try his luck one last time and then they could do what the hell they wanted.

Cursing, he drove to his friend’s house unwilling to let go of this last chance.

“Surprise!!!” cried a chorus as he entered the study.

Everybody was present. Well, practically everybody. Jake and Rachel were nowhere in sight.

“What’s going on here?” he asked eyeing the festive atmosphere in perplexity.

“A celebration,” Slade announced him solemnly.

“Of what?”

He figured he must have missed something here. Surely, they could not be celebrating a divorce? Or was it the latest trend?

“I’ve got something for you,” Ash said seeming to relish his confusion and he handed out a paper which looked like a print-out. “It’s a mail. From the Bahamas,” he added mysteriously.

Bahamas? He had no family there! Frowning, he opened the enfolded paper. It read.

Hi dad,

Knew you wouldn’t be able to keep away. Your marriage conspiracy was simply genius except for one thing. One vital thing. You forgot the honeymoon! So, Rach and I thought we should remedy it. After all, we have to work hard to give you the five grandchildren you’ve ordered! Well, be back in … maybe a month or more. Go ahead and enjoy yourself for the celebration of our divorce! And well thanks for everything.

P.S: A good thing we don’t need your intervention to make the kids!!!

Love Jake & Rach

“The impudent!” he exclaimed. “That’s how he’s repaying me for my wisdom and astuteness. Wait till he gets back!” he threatened.

Then he grinned smugly at everyone. “But I was right all along!”

“Congratulations,” Sean and Nash surrounded him. “The project Double J is finally going to be a resounding success!”

“Yes. I’m simply the best, aren’t I? Devin asked modestly. “Now time to see my other son settled,” he continued mercilessly.

“Devin! You never told us you had another son,” Susan reprimanded shocked.

He chortled. “Oh but I do,” and pointed towards Ash who choke on his drink.

“Uncle Devin! Leave me alone,” he grumbled.

“No way!”

Ash scoffed confidently then. “Catch me if you can!”

“Funny but that was exactly what Jake had said.”

****************************

“I bet your father’s already plotting Ash’s wedding by now,” Rachel chuckled as she snuggled closer in the cocoon of her husband’s embrace.

Life was good.

Jake grinned wickedly. “Poor Ash! I can assure you he’s going to put up a better fight than us. I can’t help wondering who Dad had picked for him.”

“Kyra,” supplied Rachel.

“Kyra?” Jake “repeated in question. “How does he think of stuff like that?”

“A good thing,” Rachel reminded him.

He cuddled her closer and looked down at her with a feigned innocent look. “Could you remind me why?”

“You rogue!” she laughed and did her best to jog her memory.