Tobias leads me out into the back garden. He reaches into his pocket before emerging with a box of cigarettes and a lighter. He places it between his lips and shields the end from the wind before lighting the cigarette. The scent of smoke surrounds us and I lean back against the wall as I picture Mom smoking at the dining table. The scent is comforting and causes panic within me at the same time. That was the day she threatened me with Trevor if I didn't go along with her wedding guest plans. "You're scowling," Tobias comments before handing me the cigarette. I reluctantly take it from him. Maybe choosing to smoke wasn't a good idea after all.

"It's been a tough couple of weeks," I mutter an explanation. Tobias' gaze drags from my face to the cigarette in my hands. It's almost as if he can sense my reluctance to smoke, so he plucks the cigarette from my fingers.

"Smoking isn't going to take it away," Tobias tells me. I mumble in agreement before sliding down to the floor. I pull my knees into my chest and keep Tobias company as he works his way through the cigarette. Neither of us speak, but the silence isn't uncomfortable. I hear the back door open and Jake steps out into the garden. His eyes scan the area before dropping down to me.

"Hey. I've been looking for you," he says quietly. His jaw tenses slightly when he notices Tobias standing next to me. I give him a half-hearted wave in greeting. "Well, you found me," I respond. His eyebrows crease together with concern and he walks toward me before turning to give Tobias a cold glare.

"Don't smoke around her. Second hand smoke is just as bad as smoking cigarettes." Jake tells him. My lips curl up at the edges when I hear him repeat the same words I'd told him weeks ago. It feels like an eternity when Jake was questioning me about my jumpy behaviour in the school corridors."Whatever, man." Tobias mutters under his breath. He finishes his cigarette before dropping it to the floor and heading back into the house. Jake drops down beside me before gently nudging me with his knee. "Are you okay?"

"Not really," I whisper before resting my head on his shoulder. He slides an arm around my shoulders before nestling me closer into him. His scent instantly calms the emotions brewing inside me. "The police came to question me about tonight." Jake sits up straight before turning to look at me. "Fuck, I'm sorry I wasn't here. What did you say?"

"I lied. I told them we were home all evening and Tobias confirmed our alibi. It won't be long until they find a video of you beating Trevor though," I tell him. My thoughts turn to Detective Jones and I feel goosebumps scatter down my bare arms. I turn to look at Jake with pale cheeks and fear in my eyes. "I recognised one of the police officers. It was my stalker." Jake's eyes grow wide with disbelief. "What? He was inside the house?" Jake jumps to his feet with panic. He begins pacing the garden in front of me while tugging at the strands of his hair.

"Yeah, his name is Detective Constable Jones." I tell him. My features twist with uneasiness when I speak his name. Jake suddenly stops pacing the garden and his shoulders turn rigid. He turns to look at me with a flash of recognition in his eyes. "Did you say Jones?" Jake breathes out in disbelief. I nod my head in confirmation. I would never forget his name, his dangerous aura or his cold eyes.

"Yes. You know him, don't you?" I question Jake. He pulls his phone out of his pocket before dialling a number. "Yeah, I know him." Jake mutters darkly. His jaw ticks, and the muscle above his eye twitches with frustration. I expect Jake to walk away from me during his conversation, but he doesn't. "Jones is back on the scene. He's been following Emily for a couple of weeks. There's been texts and random phone calls." Jake says down the line. Is he speaking to Amil? What link does Jake have to DC Jones, and what does it have to do with me? Jones started to stalk me before I became involved with Jake. His plan with me feels personal, but I have no idea why.

"Keep me updated, it's important." Jake says down the line before hanging up. He turns to look at me and a deep frown takes over his face. His usual blue eyes cloud with emotion, and he exhales a deep breath before running a hand over his face.

"Jones used to be part of Amil's team years ago. He was a rogue police officer, which worked well in Amil's favour. He became untrustworthy so he was cut short with a warning to stay out of his business. We haven't heard from him since." Jake tells me. It makes sense DC Jones is involved with someone like Amil. They both radiate the same shifty, dangerous, power-hungry energy. "I was right, Jones is a corrupt police officer. Why did he become un-trustworthy?" I ask Jake.

"A bust went down between the police and Amil's gang. Jones was supposed to keep Amil informed, but he went dark. Nobody could contact him. Amil decided he wasn't trustworthy anymore and he let him go after threatening his life if he ever told anyone about their previous business arrangement." Jake tells me. "What does that have to do with me?" I question quietly. Jake pauses for a moment and his eyes linger on my face. He looks like he's being plagued with the same questions running through my mind.

"I don't know, but I'm going to find out." Jake mutters. He extends a hand for me to take and I slip mine inside it. He pulls me to my feet before guiding me into his chest. I bury my face in his shirt while taking a deep breath. My thoughts feel like they're spinning inside a washing machine and I can't grasp them quick enough. "I need time to slow down," I mutter inside Jake's shirt. He fists his hand in my hair before massaging it in slow circular motions. I release a soft moan of delight and my eyes flutter closed. I sink against him while breathing in his soft scent. Jake drops his head until his lips align with my ear. "Let me help you relax."

His words ignite heat throughout my body. He gently brushes his lips down my ear, my jaw and my neck. My breathing hitches in my throat and arousal pools between my legs. Drowning myself in Jake Melvin sounds much more thrilling than drowning myself in a cigarette. "What about Jones? Trevor? The police? Am I supposed to ignore it all?" I whisper while fighting the urge to melt against him. Jake's warm breath tickles my neck and his free hand circles around my waist.

"There's nothing you can do about it right now. It's late and it's being dealt with. Come to bed," Jake tells me before gently pulling me in the direction of the house. I nod my head and allow him to guide me up to his room. He shuts his bedroom door before turning to give me all of his attention. He places one hand against the wall beside me so I'm caged in between him and the door. His blue eyes drink in every little feature on my face and he releases an uneven breath.

"Our date didn't go to plan," Jake whispers in the darkness of his room. I nod my head while trying to ignore the ferocious thumping of my heart. "It was a disaster," I respond. His quiet laughter fills the space between us and he takes another step closer. "Yeah, it was. Drama seems to follow us both, Wentworth." Despite the darkness of the room, I can make out the bright light in his warm eyes.

"Our first date isn't over yet," Jake mumbles before dipping his head low to kiss me. His tongue swipes between my lips and I part them to grant him access. "Jake," I whisper before pulling him closer. He releases a groan and his eyes grow hooded with arousal.

"I love it when you breathe my name like that," Jake tells me. This interaction alone is enough to turn around the events of the disastrous first date. I weave my fingers through the back of his hair before deepening the kiss. Jake groans and he pins me against the wall before turning his attention to my neck. The room fills with the sound of our laboured breathing as Jake kisses every inch of exposed skin. When he runs out of skin to cover, he tugs at the hem of my clothes to remove them.

"Can I?" Jake breathes out while resting his forehead against mine. I've shown Jake the bruises on my body, but I haven't removed my clothes yet while making out with him. I want to be bold and confident, but I can't help the insecure side of me that wants to hide away forever. I'm aware of the bruises and scars covering my body, and the sight of it isn't pretty.

"I don't know. The bruises," I whisper with uncertainty. Jake leans back before staring down into my eyes. "Listen to me, Wentworth. Every part of you is beautiful." Jake tells me with a firm, no nonsense voice. My cheeks continue to warm due to his compliment and I chew on my bottom lip. I believe Jake when he calls me beautiful, I really do. My insecurities don't lie within our relationship, but within myself. I know I should love myself before committing to love someone else, but Jake came into my life when I least expected it.

"We don't have to do this," Jake tells me before intertwining our fingers together. He lifts our clasped hands before brushing his lips over the tips of my fingers. His actions push aside the insecurities consuming me and I smile back at him. He's patient, loving and attentive. Best of all, he's mine. I take hold of his hand before guiding him toward the bed. Jake allows me to take control, going at my own pace so I feel comfortable and safe. He drops down on the edge of the bed and I slowly climb into his lap. His eyes darken with arousal.

"Emily..." Jake says quietly before snaking a strong arm around my waist. I release a trembling breath when I hear the lust lining his voice. I grab the edge of my shirt before lifting it over my head. It falls to the floor and my dark hair lands in soft waves around my shoulders. Jake drinks in the sight of me. He looks at me like I'm everything he craves, desires and lusts after. It's enough to cause goosebumps to erupt over my bare skin. He makes me feel seen, valued, respected and beautiful. It's everything I've always wanted. "You're perfect," Jake whispers before closing the distance between us. Every kiss melts away the stress of the day. I rotate my hips over him once to test the water. Jake groans with pleasure and I feel my lips tug upward into a smile. Losing myself in Jake has quickly become my favourite way to forget about my worries.