Chapter 28

"Don't worry you go ahead I'll just be a minute and then I'll lock up." Said Van to Monica later that evening. It was eight p.m. and Josh's flight is in two hours, she hoped she'd be in time as she briskly straighten out her hair.

  Sifting through her bag, she brought out a little hand mirror and smeared her lips with lip-gloss. She was about to drop them back into her purse when she suddenly felt she was not alone.

  "Going somewhere?" Her spine stiffened in a fraction of a second before she regained her composure. After not hearing from him for many days now Van thought she'd gotten rid of him. What rotten luck she had.

Ignoring him, she slung her purse across her shoulder.

  ''I can't let you go.''

  ''Don't waste your breath.'' She began to leave but was caught by surprise when he grabbed her wrist. In a flash, she was flushed against him before his lips crashed down on hers hot and demanding, forcing her mouth open, she fought furiously against him but his hands tightened around her, pinning her in his embrace.

  Unable to resist for much longer and realising that the only way to punish him was through the kiss so Van kissed him back with the same ferocity biting his lip. 

Jake pulled back in surprise and stared at her speechless.

Van stared back, her chest rising and falling frantically then Jake cursed under his breath and he was reaching for her again, this time holding her tenderly like he was afraid she might break. His hot mouth fused on hers and Van didn't try to stop him, she would have if she wanted to but she let him kiss her with such fiery passion that made her forget why she was supposed to be mad at him her hands wrapped around his neck as she clung unto him reacting to his caress in a way she never had before. He made her feel so good and she didn't want this feeling to end. 

  It abruptly ended when they both came up for air. She was on fire from the kiss and one look into his smouldering eyes made her forget everything else–everything but the burning passion he ignited in her–and only now realising how much she craved his touch.

  ''God I've missed you so much.'' He admitted in a sultry murmur. She shivered at the bold caress of his fingers on her cheeks and before she could stop herself she admitted breathlessly, ''I missed you too. Jake...''

  ''Did you respond with the same passion when he kissed you?'' Van squeezed her brows in confusion ready to ask him what he meant by that when it suddenly dawned on her…

  ''How did you–''

  ''Did you like it? Please tell me you didn't.'' he gazed at her with a pained expression on his face, even though Josh had told him she loved him Jake wanted to hear her say it.

  Van watched the varying emotions on his face and not wanting to torture him further she answered with a plain no. he sighed with relief.

  ''But how did you know? Were you spying on me?'' she pulled away from his embrace instantly feeling cold at the lose of his warmth.

  ''Well…yes–'' but as she opened her mouth to lash out he hurriedly added, ''It's not spying per se–''

  ''Stalking?'' she supplied between clenched teeth.

  ''No. Van, I was making sure you were okay.'' when he saw her eyes narrowing he elaborated, looking away as if he was ashamed of being caught in the act. ''I come here every day to watch over you, make sure you were safe. I'd make sure you shut the door behind you when you go home every night.'' He shifted from one foot to the other nervously as he waited for her response but Van only stared in stunned silence. She thought she had everything figured out this past few days but his revelation changed everything.

  ''You did that? For how long?''

  ''Ever since the day you said you never wanted to see me.'' That was like two weeks ago. Her throat suddenly closed up and her heart clenched tightly.

  ''Why didn't you let me see you?''

  ''Because I needed to be ready to say the right words and know that I mean it with all my heart.'' He swallowed hard. He had rehearsed this moment so many times and those three words were at the tip of his tongue. ''Vanessa i–''  he held her expectant gaze and the words felt right. ''I love you.''