Going back to the restaurant he found all the rubble removed as his men worked tirelessly to make sure they met the deadline. The electricians and decorators where already hands on creating the masterpiece he would hand over to her. Leaving the building he left for his house to freshen up. Giving his driver the rest of the day off he went to purchase groceries and not before long found himself in front of her apartment. She swung the door open before he could knock a second time as he lowered his hand a smile gracing his features.

"Jacob," she said surprised.

"Thought I should drop by and make sure you have eaten," he said showing her the bags.

"I... You didn't..."

"Jacob, thank you for dropping by," he heard as Sarah appeared behind her holding a towel in her hands.

He shrugged taking a step towards her as Sarah helped her friend back to the chair.

"I hope I am not intruding," he said.

"Not at all," Sarah said with a smile looking at her friend giving her a wink. All Esther could do was roll her eyes and sigh.

He took a seat beside her careful to not invade her space.

"How are you feeling?" he murmured looking at her his gaze travelling to her leg.

"I'm alright. Just in pain," she said with a faint smile.

"Did you take your medication?" he asked worry etched on his face.

"Not yet. I have to have a meal first," she said.

He smiled at her as he stood up. "I believe I came right on time," he said with a smile as he offered her his hand.

Taking it she looked up at him as he did the unexpected pulling her into a hug. He engulfed her in his warmth as she heard him apologize for her injury. Her arms went around his abdomen as she closed her eyes feeling emotions she knew would cause problems if she allowed them to take over. Slightly pulling away from her, he stroked her cheek a smile on his face.
"Come let me cook for you," he said as she made a move to reach for her crutches stopping her movements as he stopped her.

Before she knew it she was securing her arms around his neck as he carried her towards the kitchen. Sarah was pouring the last glass of lemonade as Jacob gently set her down helping her sit down. Removing his jacket she couldn't help but admire his well toned muscles as his shirt left little to ones imagination. She had dated men of different races but he seemed to stand out amongst them all.

"You do know it's rude to stare," he said as he walked towards the counter holding the rinsed green pepper and lettuce in one hand.
As he maneuvered around the kitchen she realized how small her apartment was as he began to prepare the ingredients for their meal. Sarah on the other looked at her friend with a mischievous smile as she took her phone out.
"Oh my gosh I have to go back home. Will you be alright Esther?" She said as Esther looked at her wide eyed.
"Is everything alright?" Jacob asked with concern as he turned to look at her.
"My son is unwell and the father is hopeless when it comes to these matters," she chuckled making him chuckle as well.
"Leave him for a week with them, he will know what to do from then," he said with a smirk.
"Oh really. Is this talking from experience," she said with a smile.
"Let's just say I once offered to babysit for a week just to give my sister and her husband a break," he said with a fond smile taking the packet of pasta to the stove as he opened the packet turning down the heat.
"Wow," Sarah mouthed making Esther roll her eyes once more as she grabbed her purse bidding them farewell.

-----------

"So how many are you in your family?" She asked once they were alone.
"Just my sister and I," he said with a smile watching her take a sip of her lemonade.
Taking out a pack of strawberries he rinsed them before putting them in a bowl.
"What of yourself? Any siblings?"
"I am an only child but have plenty of cousins to compensate," she said with a light chuckle as he smiled looking at her.
Checking on his pasta sauce he took out two glasses and poured out some grape juice.
Going towards her he stood in front of her taking the lemonade replacing it with the grape juice as he took the seat in front of her.
"So you were never bored," he said with a smile reaching for her hand.
"Never," she said with a shy smile as he caressed her knuckles with his thumb.
"That's good," he said as she licked her now dry lips.
She watched as he looked at her intently as though debating with himself for a minute.
Going to check on his sauce and pasta he sampled the sauce before he took a sample to her watching as she tasted it awaiting her approval.

Dishing out their food he sat beside her once more as she bowed her head to bless the food. He watched as she took her first bite. Finishing her food she sighed in content thanking him for the superb meal. He smiled accepting her thanks. Putting the dishes away in the dishwasher he carried her to her room.
"I'll sleep on the couch," he said as he looked down at her watching as she tried to massage her calf muscles.
Leaving the room he brought back a glass of water as she took her medication. Pulling a chair he sat facing the bed as he told her to face him.
"Trust me angel," he smiled as he gently took her injured leg  resting it on his thigh. Slowly working out the knots in her leg he watched her as her lips parted before clamping shut. A moan escaped her lips making him stop his actions all of a sudden.
Allowing her to straighten up he left her room with a pillow heading for the couch.

—————

Watching over her for the rest of the evening he reveled on someone actually depending on him for once. Usually everyone around him had no challenges or they had the solutions to their problems. By the end of the week as promised he took her back to the hospital this time he had reserved a private room for her checkup.
After being told that there was no nerve damage and that she had to still take it easy and allow the healing process to continue she smiled at this good news.

"Jacob could we pass through the local pharmacy? I want to get a few basic necessities," she asked him.
"As you wish love," he said putting away his phone.

As she made her way down an isle she saw a familiar face. Ben was holding a packet of diapers as she looked at him pain clearly visible on her face. He was surprised to see her as his new wife called him out.

She felt him before she could turn to face him as he kissed her neck pulling her closer to him.
"Did you find what you where looking for love?" He murmured into her ear as she leaned into him stroking his stubble covered cheek catching on to what he was doing.
"No baby. I think the other shop should have the brand I'm looking for," she whispered as he turned her around to face him.
"Hmm okay. I just need to get you home and make you forget about this pain," he said looking at her leg.
"And how will you do that?" She asked with a questioning look.
"Well there are," he said kissing her forehead, "many," he said kissing her left cheek, "ways," he said kissing her right cheek. "But I love this one most," he said taking her lips with his as she froze in surprise. Sliding his hand down her back she felt him give her a light squeeze on her waist as she responded to his kiss. He asked for entrance as she parted her lips granting him the one thing he has wanted to do for several days as he got the desired reaction. He heard her moan before he pulled away from her lips afraid of what would happen if he continued. Stroking her bottom lip he smiled at her.

"That's just one of them," he smiled as she looked at him afraid to speak at a loss of words. Though it had been short she still clung onto him for support as he pulled her to his side picking up the little basket he had let drop to the floor as he kissed her.
"You must be Benjamin," Jacob smiled as he looked at a still stunned looking Ben who simply took the offered hand. His wife eyed Jacob with pure lust but he didn't even bother greeting her.
"And you are?" Ben asked.
"Esther's boyfriend," he said with a smile. "Jacob Sinclair," he added with a sly smile as Ben looked at him in surprise recognizing him immediately. "We should be going love," he said before the man could say anything else as he led Esther away.

"Sinclair?" She murmured as she realized who exactly he was which explained the driver and different cars he drove around.
Helping her into the car he got into the drivers seat and turned to face her.
"First of all let me apologize for what happened back there. I knew he was your ex just from your body language and I just had to show him what he lost. I am sorry for kissing you by surprise but I am not sorry for the actually act of kissing you. I like you, a lot. You don't know how many times I have imagined doing what I did back there and more," he said.
"I should have listened to Angie," he muttered running a hand through his hair as she looked at him without another word.

"Look I understand if you don't want to ever see me again. I will get Vince to fast track the restaurant renovations and be out of your life for good," he said starting the car angry with himself all of a sudden.

She looked at him as he started the car and drove them back to her apartment. Helping her out of the car he walked her to her apartment door.
She did not know how to break the tension as she looked at the ground as he packed away the last of her groceries. With a small smile he said his goodbye before leaving her.

She looked around realizing how dependent she had become upon him this past week.
"Sarah," she whispered into the phone as she broke down. "Everyone I get close to seems to leave me," she said as a tear ran down her cheek.
"Oh no honey that's not true. That man is in love with you and if his feelings are true he will come back. What he did was simply staking his claim showing that douchebag that another man can still love you," she said with a knowing smile.

Just as she hung up she heard a knock on her door.
Trying to wipe away the rest of her tears she hopped towards the door. Opening it she found him standing before her a familiar look in his eyes.

"F**k this," he swore as he took a step towards her claiming her lips in a kiss as he lifted her off the ground wrapping her legs around his waist.