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.

Muffin? Or even better . . . you can join me?"

snap out of the daze I'm in and huff, crossing my arms

shower to calm yourself down Jake." I nod towards his jeans and he stares

shoots back smoothly, eyes turning a shade darker. I leave the bathroom quickly so he

Note to self - Control my cheek

now (thanks to Jake) so I 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.

walk into the kitchen and turn to find Jake's dog following me, yawning having just woken from a sleep. I bend down and stroke her behind her ear, smiling as she leaned upwards in

freezer. My hand instantly wraps around the

in my face.

down onto the main couch. I reach over to turn the screen on and flicked through the

whisper, using the spoon as my microphone. I flip my hair forward dramatically before settling further back into the couch, getting comfortable.

taken the first spoonful of my ice cream, murmuring in approval when the door pushes

and the ice cream need a moment together? Because you

eyes at him before lifting the tub of ice cream to

I

confused smile on

initials, cookie dough."

beads of water are glistening in his dark hair from his shower and the bleeding from his

"I'm impressed," I admit.