Tangled Love

"But your face . . . " I question, confused. Jake looks up at me from under his thick dark lashes.

"My face is the consequence of my line of work." Jake explains, choosing his words carefully. I scrunch my face up in confusion and take a small step towards him. He immediately knows my intentions and shakes his head, looking apologetic.

"I can't say Muffin."

I pause for a few moments before nodding. If he didn't want to or couldn't tell me, I wouldn't press the subject further. I take a hand towel and begin cleaning his face and hands up. Once I'm done, he kisses the tip of my nose and grins down at me —

"Cheers for patching me up, doll face."

"Doll face? That's new."

"Yeah, it doesn't really suit you, does it? I much prefer Muffin."

I playfully roll my eyes and he shoots me a heart stopping smile. I grin back at him, unable to stop staring at his smile. Despite his lip being split, he looks as good as ever. I look away, feeling guilty for wanting to kiss him. The memory of our first kiss flashes through my mind and I bite down on my lip once again to stop the smile from spreading across my face. I don't think I'll ever forget my first kiss with him.

How can I?

"You're blushing."  Jake notices, closing the space between us. I don't respond and watch as his eyes roam my body, stopping on my legs. His eyes flash with approval and his lips twitch up into a smirk.

We spend the next few minutes inches away from each other, our breathing laboured. I'm unable to tear my eyes away and can barely breathe in anticipation. Eventually he clears his throat and runs a hand through his hair before walking away from me and towards the shower. I watch him, making no effort to leave. Jake turns slowly, his eyes flashing with amusement.

"Do you want to watch me shower Muffin? Or even better . . . you can join

daze I'm in and huff, crossing my arms over my chest before opening the

I nod towards his jeans and he stares back at me for a second, mouth open before his lips turned up into a

around me looking like that," he shoots back smoothly, eyes turning a shade darker. I leave the bathroom quickly so he wouldn't notice my cheeks blushing a bright

Control my cheek

tiptoe downstairs, careful not to wake Ivory or Tobias. Tobias and I are keeping our distance from each other and I have a strong feeling we wouldn't be the best of friends anytime soon.

into the kitchen and turn to find Jake's dog following me, yawning having just woken from a sleep. I bend down and

little cutie," I mutter, planting a soft kiss on her head. I stand up, reaching for the freezer. My hand instantly wraps around the tub of heavenly ice cream and I lick

get in

reach over to turn the screen on and flicked

you, when the rain starts to pour!" I sing along in a hushed whisper, using the spoon as my microphone. I flip my hair forward dramatically before settling further

the first spoonful of my ice cream, murmuring in approval when the door pushes open slowly. I turn to find

the ice cream need a moment together? Because you really seem to be

narrow my eyes at him before lifting the tub of ice cream to

"Don't listen to him C.D. He's just jealous." I whisper loudly, cradling it close to my

a confused smile on his face.

initials, cookie dough."

glistening in his dark hair from his shower and the bleeding from his lip was now gone. I give him a small smile before holding out my spoon for him

I