Chapter Six: Unshown Date.

I'm tangled in hot, heavy limbs. Jake's arm is over my waist, his legs between mine. He spoons me from behind, his warm breath hitting my neck. I've been awake since three in the morning even after burning energy in a two-hour long run. However, I at least managed to get a sleeping pattern after our flight back to New York, two days ago. It's nearly eight thirty in the morning and Jake has a photo shoot at ten in the morning. I turn around to wake him up. As I face him, his grip on me tightens and he groans in protest.

"Jake? Bunny?"

"Is that my new name?" He manages to ask. His voice almost incomprehensible due to his sleep haze and deep husky tone.

"Maybe," I reply. "I can find other one if you don't like it." I grin when a few come to mind, "Baby cakes? Jelly bean? Mu--"

"Okay, I'll stick to Bunny." Jake answers. I laugh as his two-day stubble rubs against my cheek and he cuddles me closer to him.

"You have to get up if you don't want Mark to scold you for being late." I peck his jaw, all the way to his lips.

"You certainly won't get me to get up by doing this," he tells me before his hand goes under my shirt on my back, pulling me closer and deepening the kiss.

His hand caress my skin as his soft lips against mine. His tongue prods mine for entrance, granting it to him and eliciting a pleasurable groan from him. His hand leaves my back and moves to my thigh, bringing it over his waist. My hand moves to his jaw before slowly moving to his nape.

"You're going to end up killing me," Jake says against my lips.

I chuckle before telling him, "No. We're going to end up killing each other."

"Couldn't agree more," he replies before connecting our lips again and moving us, changing the position to him hovering over me instead of facing each other.

"You're going to be late." I remind him, grabbing one of his wrists situated next to my face as his lips move to my neck.

"Couldn't give a shit." He replies between kisses.

"Jake!" I scold him, more playfully than serious. Mark hasn't marked a late-blame tally on my chart in a long time and now Jake is going to ruin my perfect score, so far.

"I'll handle him," he assures me as he comes up and removes a strand of hair from my face, his eyes on me the whole time before lowering his lips to back mine.

His hands start to wander as do mine. He's only wearing boxers, his chest on display. My fingers touch the hard ridges of his muscles before stopping at the waistband of his underwear. We're under the covers of the bed, the temperature becoming warmer by the second. Jake slightly pulls away -- our lips still grazing -- to remove his shirt that I wear as mine. My skin is begging for his touch and I know his is begging for mine. He starts to grind on me, getting a sigh of pleasure out of me. His fingers only get to touch the waistband of my underwear before we're interrupted.

"Wake up, lovebirds! No funny business!" Sara's voice echoes through the apartment as I hear the front door slam shut.

"Jesus Christ," he groans before dropping his head on the crook of my shoulder and neck. "You've got to be fucking kidding me?"

I try to silently laugh at Jake's defeat but the rumble of my chest under him gives me away. He comes up and glares at me, "Remind me why you gave her a key."

"Because she's my best friend and I love her just as much as I love you," I peck his lips and make a move to get out of under him.

"Nearly." He corrects me and I laugh. Ever since he said 'I love you', he's been more possessive and easily jealous than before. First, at the beach in Miami with my bikini and now, with Sara which is ridiculous.

A knock on the bedroom door and Sara's voice interrupts us again, "Let her out, pretty boy. You had her all weekend."

"I'll be out in a minute!" I reply before hearing her footsteps fade. I return my attention to Jake with a small grin on my lips, "Why are you jealous? Sara is like a sister and you're the only man in my life right now." My hand cups his cheek as we look at each other.

"Good and it better stay that way," he kisses me and starts to deepen it. He's trying to distract and get me to forget about Sara but I won't.

I pull away, pushing him away from me as I stand. I put my shirt back on and readjust it as I search for shorts. "Start getting ready, caveman." I say, leaving the room.

Sara is sitting on the living room couch, typing on her phone. She feels me enter the room and locks her phone, "Finally! My goodness."

I laugh at her exaggeration as I start to prepare breakfast for Jake, getting the coffee to brew. "I'm sorry." I apologize. "Caveman, over there, isn't quite happy with your visit." I walk closer to her, not really whispering, "He's jealous of you."

Sara raises her eyebrows at the piece of information before laughing, full-on. I have no doubt Jake has heard her. "Seriously?" I nod, assuring her and making her laugh harder. "The little celebrity boy is jealous." She sings, smirking.

Sara, like me, isn't faced about Jake's status and treats him like any other best friend would treat her boyfriend's friend. She loves giving him shit, riling him up. Sara forced me to introduce her to Jake before I agreed to date him, saying that her blessing to our relationship was just as obligatory as my parents', in order, for us to move to that stage. Needless, to say I'm quite surprised Jake still decided to date me after the endless amount of questions Sara submitted him to.

"Hi, Sara Livingstone. Sky's best friend." Her business tone with him made me want to face palm myself, right then and there in the café.

"Jake. Nice to meet you." Jake introduced himself, shaking Sara's hand as his other hand stayed on my hip.

Even though, he still hadn't been approved as my boyfriend by Sara, we were acting as a couple. I noticed Sara's disapproving look at our actions and instantly knew what we were in for. We sat on our table, Sara sitting across from Jake and me as we sat next to each other.

After ordering, Sara cut to the chase. "What makes you want to date Sky? And don't fill me up with the 'she's different' bullshit. That won't be enough for me."

I felt an embarrassed blushed crept my cheeks at Sara's words. Jake took my hand and interlocked his fingers with mine before answering, "Even though, you don't want me to say she's different, I still will say she is because it's the truth. She doesn't treat me like most women I have met have treated me. I can be myself with her without worrying if she's using or manipulating me."

The waitress arrived with our order, giving Jake a flirty side glance. Sara scowled at her as she left. And I knew Sara wouldn't be generous with her tip. She took a sip of her coffee before speaking again, "Okay." Jake looked at me and kissed my temple as he waited for Sara's next question. "Hey! No touching or kissing. You haven't been approved yet, buddy."

I rolled my eyes which earned me a scold from her, too. "Sky, if you want me to approve him, don't roll your eyes at me."

I saw Jake hide a smile behind the rim of his cup as he took a sip of his drink. Sara proceeded with a few more questions before approving Jake as my boyfriend. It was quite a laugh but I appreciate her worrying for me.

She let us go with a final threat to Jake, "You hurt her and--"

"Don't worry, I won't. I promise." Jake interrupted.

Sara nodded and hugged me, putting an end to her embarrassing question and answer.

"Look who has emerged. You're quite selfish, pal." Sara announces while she sits on a stool in front of the kitchen as Jake enters the kitchen. "I heard you were jealous, caveman." She brags.

Jake looks at me and I shrug, handing him a mug of coffee and a plate with his breakfast. He pecks my lips, thanking me.

"You're welcome." I smile.

"God, you guys are even worse than when I last saw you. You're like love sick puppies, now, instead of birds." Sara groans.

"You were the one who decided to barge in on a busy morning." Jake argues before taking a piece of his omelet into his mouth.

"Well, I'm sorry but, you had this gal for an entire weekend. I'd figure you'd have your fill."

"Okay, can we just drop this? I'm really not liking the fact we're discussing my love life, right now." I manage to say. They both nod in agreement and I thank them, "Thank you." I turn to Sara, "I'll go get ready."

A few seconds after I enter the room and head to the walk-in closet, I hear the knob turn, following the sound of the door closing. I'm searching for a blouse when Jake's big frame hugs me from behind. "You didn't tell me you were going out with Sara, today. I was planning to invite you to have brunch with me while I was at the shoot."

"I'm sorry. Since you were going to be shooting for hours, I thought I'd give you the day to yourself." I explain, turning around and hugging his waist. "And it's only for a Starbucks run. I have to head to the headquarters as soon as I can."

Ever since, I was revealed as Jake's girlfriend, orders have been growing. Before everything went out, orders were okay. Wanderlust wasn't popular but it wasn't unknown, either. The store's Twitter account grew from thirteen thousand followers to nearly one hundred thousand. I do appreciate everyone who buys but, I hate to think that Jake's career has been the one to give me part of my clientele, at the moment. The store reached part of its success because of me -- and, of course, I feel proud -- but, I wanted it to stay that way. I wanted to keep being the only to bring success to it but that's just pride and it's something I have to put aside when it comes to Jake's career influence on my business.

"I'll see you for dinner, then?" He asks me.

I nod before kicking him out, "Now, go. You're going to be late." I remind him.

"I'll see you tonight, babe." He kisses me goodbye, later exiting the room.

• • •

"I'll have a grande iced caramel macchiato." Sara tells the barista, turning to me. "You?"

"I'll pass." She raises her eyebrows in surprise. I'm just as much of a coffee addict as Sara and rarely decline the chance of drinking it. "I'm on a roll, don't need all the caffeine."

She nods in understanding, paying for her drink. "Does he know yet?" She questions, putting her change away and stepping aside to wait for her coffee. It's beyond me why Sara would order an iced coffee during November, near the winter season. Nonetheless, I don't judge or question her for it.

"No. It caught me off guard so he was skeptical and worried the first night but, I've managed a small sleeping pattern. It's almost done, though." I answer her.

"Are you planning to tell him anytime soon?"

The barista calls Sara's name, announcing her drink. She takes it and we walk to a nearby empty table, sitting down. "I don't think so." I answer honestly.

"Sky, he's going to have to know sooner or later."

"I know but, you know what happened last time. Ben ended up leaving and I don't want him to leave." I say, expressing my biggest insecurity.

"He's not Ben, though. He's more affectionate than Ben and clearly loves you more than Ben ever did. I think that's enough to prove you he won't leave." Sara explains, trying to change my mind. Despite her efforts, she won't. I'm naturally stubborn and when it comes to this matter I'm even more.

"I know that but, just because he does, it doesn't mean he won't. I'm his escape from his world, Sara. If I tell him, I'll turn into the burden he comes home to and that's not what I want to be. I want to continue being his escape; the one that relaxes him not turn into another thing he has to worry about." I rant. Nobody understands me because they've never been in my position and will most likely never be.

"I worry about you, Sky. And I -- more than anyone -- know how happy you are with him. I don't want you to lose him but, if you feel like this is the best choice then I won't intercede anymore." She tells me before reaching for my hand. "I'm here for you. Anytime."

I nod before standing up from the chair, "I better go. The girls are waiting for me at the headquarters."

Sara nods, standing up and hugging me goodbye. She's aware I'm leaving to avoid the subject more than I'm leaving to get to work. I don't like talking about it and she knows that yet she bothers asking about it. Everyone bothers asking about it.

• • •

I'm back at the apartment by seven, thirty at night. I remove my coat and boots, getting comfortable in leggings and a top. Jake still hasn't texted, telling me he's on his way home but, having it ready and only have to heat it up will save us time and will give me something to do in the meantime. With the chicken already ready, I spoon marina sauce over the cutlets before sprinkling mozzarella and parmesan cheese over them. Then, I set them in a pan in the oven; ready to cook when Jake texts. With Thanksgiving coming tomorrow, I know he's trying to get as much hours as possible in the studio to be able to take those holiday days free and spend them with me and my family.

Jake's parents died in a car accident when he twenty years old, five years ago. He has an older brother, who's a real estate agent and already has a family. Being the younger child and not really close to the rest of his family members, he has spent most of his holidays alone. Last year, he spent them partying from what I gathered when I met him. This year, it's his first holiday with my family and me as a couple. He's nervous; even though he hasn't admitted it, I know. It's been five years since he was last surrounded by that type of environment and no matter what, I want to make it as comfortable as I can for him. I have warned my parents about it, more Mom than Dad. Asking them to please not overwhelm him, both of them agreeing. Carter is bringing a friend -- which happens to be a girl -- to apparently make the dinner more comfortable for Jake by having another non-family member over. I'm not entirely convince about the friend part since he never brings a girl home but, we'll see about it. I had planned on inviting Sara also but, she's flying to Chicago to spend time with her parents.

Time passes and Jake's text doesn't arrive. I clean the kitchen, do laundry, clean our room, take a bubble bath and nothing by the time nine at night arrives, I've given up. My phone has been chiming with Twitter notifications, non-stop for the past minutes. I ignore most of them since they're from fans and haters. I haven't tweeted since Sunday when I shared a picture of Jake and me on the beach. He suggested taking a selfie together; my head of his shoulder, my hand on his chest, sunglasses on and hair in the way while we shared a lounge chair. He, then, forced me to share the picture by saying, "People have to get use to us and the fact that we are together."

When I open the twitter app, I instantly notice what all the fuzz is about. And it isn't good; whether I'm angry or betrayed is not up for debate.