"You didn't tell me we're going so far from home." It was part accusation part uncertainty mainly because this was the most spontaneous thing Van had ever done in her life. She believed she has to plan everything down to the last detail before executing even a fragment of it and yet she had all but up and left everything the minute Jake asked her to trust him. Van knew it was stupid of her to believe anything he says but that was just her head talking, her heart on the other hand would follow Jake Calloway to the ends of the earth if he asked her to.
That's how much she loves him.
Jake pulled off his jacket and draped it on the sofa in the hotel room before he turned to acknowledge Van's accusations.
"I'm sorry if I caught you off guard I just wanted you to take time off working so hard to relax a bit."
Van still wasn't convinced so Jake covered the space between them and took both of her hands. "I just confessed to you how much I love you and I won't stop saying it. I love you Van and I am honoured that you chose me in spite of the circumstance that brought us together."
Van recoiled in shame. "Can we not talk about that, like ever?"
There was no way in hell she'd talk about how she'd all but prostituted herself to him to save her dad. That was a desperate time and she'd made such a desperate move. And even if that was the most spellbinding night she'd ever had with anyone the reason for it will always make her feel uncomfortable.
"I promise not to bring it up again. Why don't we make new memories to erase the old ones?" He gave her hands a light squeeze.
Van smiled biting her lower lip. "I'd love that."looking into his warm eyes, Van was able to gauge his sincerity. Gone was the cynical man she knew who used to detest everything about her.
Jake cupped her face in his palms and then he brought his brought his face down and kissed her long and sweet and when he pulled back Van had stars in her eyes all for him.
"I have to call my brother to let him know he might be worried."
"I'll take a shower in the mean time." Jake said and began to leave the room. "Please let him know I didn't kidnap you or anything." He looked pleased with himself when he managed to get a chuckle out of her.
Seeing that immense affection in Van's eyes and his heart damn near burst out of excitement at the fact that it was all for him. He may have had doubts and felt a little insecure when Josh showed up out of nowhere but now he knows he had no reason to be insecure in the first place. Jealous maybe, but it could only be fate that made Josh back down and now here they are, their first vacation as a couple.
As Jake stripped and stepped under the jets of shower, his heart stuttered a bit. Renewed fear suddenly clouded his joy and Jake couldn't help but wonder what would happen if Van finds out the truth about him. Will she see him as a monster with no feelings at all?
Will she detest him?
Jake hoped to God it wouldn't come to that. There were not many people who knew about his plans and it's unlikely that any of them would tattle, even so it didn't put his mind at ease.
Someday, he decided, he'd tell her the truth when she was ready or not at all. He heard her on the phone with her brother and smiled.
Nothing would ruin what they have.
"You don't have to worry Karl." Van assured her brother.
"Where are you and who are you with?"
Van felt like she was being interrogated by her dad right now.
"I'm in New Caledonia with Jake."
"I figured." Karl sighed dramatically.
"What, you knew?"
"It's not that hard to put two and two together you know."
"So you're not mad?"
"Why would I be? Have fun okay don't worry about me. But don't you dare make any babies yet I'm not ready to become an uncle yet."
Van blushed furiously. " Why you rascal! "
He was laughing at her.
"But seriously have fun sis it's been a long time since I've seen you happy and Jake makes you happy so I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt."
"Thanks Karl I love you. Now don't you go causing trouble at school again." She warned although there was affection in her tone instead of the usual scolding.
Karl snorted before he said. "I love you more."
Van ended the call just as Jake was getting out of the bathroom.
"What did he say, I hope I'm not in trouble?"
She turned and the words died back in her throat as she stared at Jake who was naked from the waist up and dripping wet. The towel around his waist was too small and looked like it was going to fall off any second.
Van's heart was hammering furiously. She was imagining all sorts of scenerios in her head.
"Van?"
"Huh?" Van raised her head to meet his eyes and found him staring at her with a knowing smile. The bastard! he knew how much he affected her.
"As much as we both want that I'm afraid we have somewhere to be."
"Can't even let me win for once." She muttered. "Where are we going?"
"It's a surprise."
"But I have nothing to wear."
"Look in the closet." Jake said. "I called ahead while you were asleep on the jet. although I'm not too sure about the size I just guessed from memory."
Van gave him a sceptical look before she walked to the walk-in closet and saw the display of dresses, jeans, halter tops, bikinis…
They were all her size.
The corner of her lips lifted in a half smile when she got to the underwears. Jake had a sheepish look on his face when she turned to face him.
"I hope you don't mind. I'm sorry if that was bit too forward."
"You must have a very vivid memory." She commented.
"You have no idea."
She has no idea how much the image of her that first night tormented him.
"I should go shower now." She said and left him standing there.