Take a Breath (Take 1) (25 page)

   “Oops, sorry Ana, you ok?”  
 
  I nod my head and pull my skirt down as I watch Jake frantically
trying to do his trousers up, hopping around the room.  He falls
down on the floor with a loud thump and I can’t help it the giggles
turn in to haughty laughter.  I press my hand over my mouth as I
try so hard not to laugh too loudly.  Finally Jake manages to get
up from the floor, trousers intact just in time for Matthew’s knocking
on the door.  

   “Everything ok in there?”  

 
  I look at Jake still trying to stifle my giggles as he shakes
his head to answer the door, but not before spying my panties still
lying on the floor.  He picks them up quickly and places them in
his pocket.  Once the door is open Matthew studies us for a moment
and notices my silly grin.  

    His mouth twitches up into a smile, “What have I missed?”  

    I start laughing again as Jake leads Matthews away from the door.  

   “Nothing Matthew, Ana’s just a little drunk and fell over that’s all.”  

    My laughter abruptly stops.  The little shit’s blamed it all on me.  

 
 “It sounds as though someone had a good time tonight and it’s
only 7:30. Are you ok, you didn’t hurt yourself did you
Ana?”  

 
  I shake my head, “No, no.  I’m fine Matthew.  Right as
rain me, but thanks for asking.  Your dad helped me out no
end.”  Matthew smiled obviously a little amused at my
‘drunkenness,’ but completely oblivious to my insinuation.  Jake
however stiffens and leads Matthew towards the stairs.  

   “So how was practice Matthew?”  

    The boys disappear and only muffled sounds could be heard after that. 

I
stumble out of my work clothes and feel a shower is in order after
today.  I step in and let the cool water envelope me as I close my
eyes.  Boy I needed that.  The drink soon starts wearing off
and I’m left a little fuzzy headed from the remains of the alcohol
still in my system.  I dry myself off and look through the
wardrobe and drawers for some comfortable clothes.  I eventually
settle on a pair of short denim shorts and a loose fitting white
blouse.  I then head on downstairs where the smell of cooked
chicken greats me.  My stomach growls in protest, as I head for
the door. 

Jake
comes over and hands me a tall glass of orange juice which I thank him
for and he looks all over me appreciatively.  I nearly melt then
and there.  It’s amazing how my emotions seem to be changing so
rapidly around him.  

 
  He carries on frying his chicken as Matthew speaks, “Are you
coming tomorrow night Ana?  I have a match at 6pm against
Richmond.”  

    I look to Jake and he nods, “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”  

    Matthew beams, “Great.  Should be fun kicking their ass.”  

    Jake spins round, “Hey watch it son.”  

 
  I giggle, Jake certainly has a thing about people using bad
language round him yet he swears like a trooper.  “Well, I’m
certainly looking forward to someone around here getting their asses
kicked.”  Matthew looks at me frowns but then smiles, Jake just
glares at me.  

   “Watch it Ana.”  

 
  I start laughing again, “Jake I’m sorry but I can’t take you
seriously when you have an apron on and you’re pointing your spatula at
me.”  Matthew rears into a fit of giggles and at first Jake stands
there not amused, but even he succumbs to the laughter in the end, and
we all bellowing around the kitchen.  

   “We all look so happy.  It’s so nice to see.”  

 
  Jake and I both smile at Matthew’s comment and then we smile at
each other, seeming to agree with Matthew’s observation. 

A ring on the doorbell brings us out of our moment as I go to answer the door.  

   “Hold up Ana, you’re not answering that.”  

    He flies out of the kitchen as I roll my eyes at Matthew.  

    Jake yells out, “I saw that,” as his back is turned and out the door.  

   “How on earth did he see that?”  

 
  Matthew starts laughing, “I think cops have these special chips
inserted into their brains as they join the force.  It enables
them, as well as other things to see behind their backs.”  

    I ponder his witty comment for a moment as in walks Jake with Marcos behind him.  

 
 “I’m sorry to trouble you all at such a time.  I see you’re
having dinner.  Ana, I just want a very quick word with you that’s
all.”  

 
  I look at him, nod and proceed out of the door and into the
living area where we both take a seat.  “Do you want me to get you
a drink Agent Marcos?”  

    He shakes his head, “No, no that’s fine; I won’t be long and please call me Andrew.”  

    I acknowledge his request as he begins.  

 
 “I assume you know all about what has happened in the last 24hrs
hours?”  I nod.  “Well after what you told me we tried to
match the DNA of the hair we found at the scene with the DNA database,
in the hope a match would be found towards Alan Martin, but it wasn’t
I’m afraid.  Whoever is doing this hasn’t committed a crime that
we know of before.  It makes life a little more difficult, but
rest assured we’re not going to back down.  We will find the
asshole.  As you are probably aware we have requested that
everyone at the station give their DNA willingly, with the strict
instructions to us that all will be destroyed once each person is
eliminated.  We will be calling in people one by one first thing
tomorrow morning.  It will cause a little upset but it has to be
done, just as a precautionary measure.  He obviously knows you and
feels an intimacy connection towards you, so we feel that it is someone
you may know.”  

 
  I nod my head; everything he says is making sense.  I do
feel somewhat deflated that Alan has nothing to do with this after
all.  At least now I don’t have to bring this sordid little detail
up in front of Jake.  My secret is still safe.  

 
 “Ok, well I think I’m done unless you want to tell me anything
else, anything new you have thought about since we last
met?”  

 
  I’m quickly snapped from my daydream as I shake my head, “No
Agent Marcos, there’s nothing.  Thank you.  I do appreciate
you taking the time to come here and tell me personally.”  We both
get up and shake hands.  

   “It was a pleasure and please, call me Andrew.”  

    Jake wonders through the door and gapes at us standing there, my hand still in his.  

 
  I quickly pull it away, “Thank you Andrew.  I’ll see you
out.”  He nods and heads for the door, Jake still stares one
eyebrow raised in my direction.  We say our goodbyes and I close
the door. 

Upon
spinning around to head for the kitchen I bounce off a very rigid big
chest.  “Oh Jake, didn’t know you were standing right
there.”  He looks down at me,    “Oh, you didn’t did
you?  Have fun with Agent Marcos?  I didn’t know we were on
first name basis with the enemy now.  I still can’t leave you
alone for five minutes in my own house.”  

 
  I slap his arm telling him not to be so silly and he smiles
pulling me in for a hug, to let me know he’s only joking with me. 
Maybe only to a certain extent though.  

 
 “I came in to see how long you would take.  Dinner’s
ready.  I’ve made chicken with a mushroom sauce and rice.  I
hope you’re hungry?”  

    I nod on his chest, “Starving, I could eat a horse.”  He mutters ‘good,’ and releases me.  

   “Before we go in, can you quickly tell me what he said?”  

 
  I knew this was coming but hadn’t prepared for what to
say.  I had to think quickly on my feet, “He just wanted to let me
know that the hair they found didn’t match anyone on the database and
that they were going to start testing people at the station
tomorrow.  He also wanted to reassure me that they are doing
everything they can.”  Jake pulls me in and kisses my
forehead.  

   “I guess Agent Marcos isn’t such an asshole despite being FBI.”  

    I laugh at his candidness and he leads me by the hand into the kitchen. 

We sit down to eat, everything looks delicious and my mouth is starting to water.  

   “Everything ok out there Ana?”  

 
  Everything is far from ok and I suddenly feel bad that everyone
around me is caught up in these psychotic games this man is playing all
around us.  “Everything’s fine big fella.  He just wanted to
give me an update on things.  I think we’re getting closer. 
Hopefully soon we will be back to normal.”  Matthew smiles as he
picks up his fork to eat.  I take a bite of the chicken and rice
and it’s gorgeous.  I hum my approval in Jake’s direction and he
looks triumphant.  I can’t help but feel a foreboding in the pit
of my stomach.  I do believe something will happen soon to end
this, but I don’t like the prospects of what that could be, if
anything.  I try to force this feeling away and carry on
eating.  

   “Ana, what are you thinking?  You seem so far away.”  

 
  I jerk my head towards Jake who looks worried.  “It’s
nothing.  I’m fine.  I didn’t realise I was in my own little
world.”  I smile trying to comfort him and we finish the rest of
the meal.  I down my juice in one go feeling the effects of a dry
mouth after all that alcohol, and Jake quickly gets up to refill my
glass.                 
 “Matthew, you want some more juice?”  He finishes off his
glass and puts it on the table.  

 
 “No thanks Dad.  If you don’t mind I’ve got an essay I need
to finish off in my room?”  Matthew collects his plate and glass
and heads over to the dishwasher to load it in.  

   “Of course not Matthew, let me know if you need any help.”  

    He smiles heading out whilst I gather the other plates and make my way to the dishwasher. 

Jake walks over to the inside of his jacket pocket and pulls out a wrapped long box.  

 
 “Ana, sit.  I bought this for you.  I saw it in the
shop window and it had your name on it so had to get it.  I hope
you don’t mind.”  

 
  Jake places the box on the table and sits down
expectantly.  I feel overwhelmed.  He’s bought me a present
for no reason.  Does there have to be a reason?  I sit and
trace the neatly placed bow on top of the wrapping with my finger,
feeling sorry that this will all be messed up shortly.  I unwrap
the gift seeing Jake’s expectant eyes upon me.  When I finally
open it up I gasp.  Before me is a beautiful silver diamond
encrusted Cartier watch.  It must have cost him a fortune.  I
place my hand over my mouth and try to pull back the tears that are
threatening to overtake me at any moment.  

   “Do you like it?  Ana, please say something.”  

 
  He takes the watch for me and places it around my wrist. 
“Jake it’s the most beautiful gift anyone has ever given me, but I
can’t accept this, it’s too much.”      He shakes his
head, “No can do, I’m not taking it back.  It’s yours, I want you
to have it.  Please don’t argue with me about this, and you have
to promise me you’ll wear it all the time.”  

 
  He looks stern like he’s ready for a fight but I just swing my
arms around him. “Thank you Jake, it’s the most amazing gift anyone has
ever given to me.  I love it and I promise I’ll never want to take
it off.”  

    He squeezes me into him and sighs, “My pleasure Ana; it looks beautiful on you.”

Chapter 21

The
rest of the evening went on in eternal bliss from the beautiful present
that Jake bought me.  It was not so much the gift itself that made
me giddy, it was the thought behind him getting the gift and what it
represented.  We went to bed like the evening before wrapped up in
each other’s arms sleeping soundly and peacefully again until the
annoyance of the alarm came beeping through the room.  I moaned,
“Let me guess, is it 6am by any chance?”  Jake presses himself
into me and I immediately feel his hardness.  “I take that as a
yes.  How can you immediately be ready like this the second the
alarm goes off?”  He nuzzles his head into my neck and gently
nibbles my shoulder.  

 
 “I guess it has something to do with the goddess of sex I have
the pleasure of waking up to every morning.  But if you don’t want
me to make love to you this morning, then we’ll just
cuddle.”  

 
  I grab his hand and move it down towards my forever wet
pussy.  “Does that feel like I would say no to you?”  Jake
hums in my ear.  

   “Always so ready for me.”

Just
like yesterday morning we made love careful not to make too much noise
for Matthew’s sake and then got showered and dressed.  Today I
decided to wear a fitted grey dress and peep toe high heels which Jake
disapproved of and told me to take off.  “Jake come on, it’s just
a dress.”  

 
  He shakes his head, “I know but you look so fucking hot, I just
want to rip it off you and take you on the bed right this minute. 
I don’t want to have all the guys at work looking at you thinking
exactly the same thing.”