Tangled Love

I nod my head slowly, my breathing catching in my throat. Jake is inches away, his alluring scent wrapping itself around me. He suddenly steps away, dropping down onto the bed beside him.

It snaps me out of it and I plaster a grin onto my face.

"Sounds great." I reply, feeling my heartbeat slow down now he isn't so close to me. I will end up having a heart attack one day from having Jake Melvin invade my personal space.

"I'll find a job and pay you back everything I owe." I tell him, taking a seat on the end of the bed. I sit cross legged and turn to face Jake.

He's looking at me with one eyebrow raised, the blue in his eyes lit up with passion.

"Did you just say you're going to pay me for staying here?"

"That is kind of what people do Jake." I say in a duh, isn't it obvious way and he rolls his eyes, sitting up straighter. He places his hands behind his head, the muscles in his arms tensing. I tear my eyes away from him in fear that I'll start drooling and won't be able to stop.

It should be a skill to stay focused when an insanely attractive human being who smells divine is sitting inches away from you.

"You're not paying me." Jake says firmly and I narrow my eyes, shaking my head in disagreement.

"Of course I'm going to pay you, I can't stay here for free."

"Yes you can."

"No I don't want to."

telling you I don't want any money. So I win." Jake

look at him gratefully. He shrugs, brushing it off as

you."

widen in surprise at the little white dog, laughing as it attacks Jake's face with licks of its pink tongue. He lets out a groan, bringing his hands up to protect his

I coo over her, patting my knees. She notices me and heads over, her tail wagging in glee. A small pink rhinestone collar covers her neck which

"This is Boe, she's my dog." Jake says, introducing us. I scratch the back of her ears and her tail begins to wag faster.

especially with this little beauty." I coo over her. She spins around a few times before

"She's your dog?" I ask in disbelief, the surprise

Jake chuckles. I smile back at him, my heart warming at

say softly, stroking the little dog in my lap. I've always wanted a pet but Mum

call me adorable."

"Does it bruise your man pride?" I tease him and he rolls his eyes. "Definitely."

to come clean and explain everything to Ivory. Two tissue boxes and forty minutes later, I'm done. Ivory sniffles, pulling me into a

red with tears. I gently pull her away from me, giving her a reassuring smile.

I explain, my eyes drifting over to Jake who's sat cross legged on the floor, Boe fast asleep in his lap. Ivory notices me staring at him and a triumphant smile stretches across her face.

and I frown, wondering what she's up to. She disappears out of the room,

says quietly, looking up at me. I swallow the emotional lump lodged in my throat —

about

"You are strong."

lip, a red tint covering my cheeks.

being under his intense stare. Ivory re-enters the room, causing me to blow out the breath I didn't realise I was holding.

you go, these are yours!" She says excitedly, throwing a bunch of stuff down onto the bed. My eyes scanned over the toiletries and girl essentials and I smile, my heart bursting with love for her.

this." I say, hugging her. She pulls back, shaking her