3. An Expert.

I waited impatiently for my father to pick me up from school, a sense of surprise washed over me when Jake pulled up at my feet instead. I wondered curiously as I looked up at the finely handsome man before me. He was absolutely gorgeous, and my heart fluttered with nervous excitement.

However, reality quickly set in. Jake had a girlfriend, a fact that dampened my fleeting fantasies.

"What are you doing here?" I blurted out, my voice betraying a hint of surprise and curiosity.

"Hello, Avery. Your father has asked me to take you home. I hope you haven't forgotten that he'll be away for two weeks," Jake's deep voice resonated, sending a rush of butterflies swirling within me.

Could I really contain myself being so close to my crush?

"I'm sure I could just walk home. You didn't need to come all this way just to pick me..." I started to protest, but Jake cut me off with a gentle insistence, ushering me into the car once again.

Feeling Jake's presence so close, his scent enveloping me, I could not resist the surge of desire that coursed through my veins. The sexual tension between us was evident, and a thought of kissing him senselessly crossed my mind.

As Jake leaned over to buckle me into place, his proximity sent my heart into overdrive. His touch was electrifying, and I found myself yearning for more.

"How was school today, princess?" Jake's question broke through my thoughts, making me feel a rush of excitement at the endearment.

"School was... fine," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper as I nervously toyed with the hem of my skirt.

"Good," he responded, his attention already drifting back to his phone.

Thankfully, Jake's business phone calls provided a temporary distraction, easing the tension between us as we made our way home.

To my surprise, Jake stepped out of the car when we arrived at my house, and my confusion grew as he headed towards the front door alongside me. In my state of bewilderment, I bit my lip feeling curios about his unexpected actions.

"What are you doing?" I asked, puzzled by Jake's unexpected gesture.

"You're home alone. I'll be staying with you until your dad comes home," Jake responded, meeting my gaze with a sense of determination that sent my heart aflutter.

"You don't have to do that. I'm basically an adult," I protested weakly, though his intense gaze had me instantly swooning.

"Adult or not, I insist," he replied firmly, his eyes softening as he looked at me.

"But you're the CEO of a billion-dollar company. You don't need to insist on babysitting anyone. Don't you have a company or something to run?" I questioned, feeling a sense of incredulity at his decision.

Without waiting for a response, I pulled the door open, allowing Jake to enter my home. He moved with purpose, his presence filling the space with a sense of calm assurance.

"It doesn't matter. Your father is one of my family's most trusted workers. I will not let him down," Jake explained, his voice carrying a note of sincerity that touched my heart.

"Well, make yourself comfortable in any of the rooms," I told him, feeling a rush of warmth at his gratitude.

"Thank you, princess," Jake replied, his words sending a blush creeping up my cheeks.

"I'll go and have a shower," I told him before leaving.

Soon, I descended the stairs after my shower, the aroma of food wafted through the air, leading me to the kitchen where I found Jake preparing what appeared to be a full-blown dinner.

"So, not only do you run a successful billion-dollar company, but you also know how to cook as well," I remarked, settling onto a stool and watching him with a mixture of fascination and surprise.

"There's a lot of things you don't know about me, princess," Jake replied, his focus on the task at hand.

"We could've just ordered takeout or waited until Dad gets home to... cook?" I suggested tentatively, unsure of why Jake was going to such lengths.

"Your father won't be home for quite some time, little Avery. And why order when I can cook?" he explained, his tone confident as he continued to work.

"Okay," I accept, feeling a flutter of excitement mingled with uncertainty at the unexpected turn of events.

The way he always called me princess sent a shiver down my spine, igniting a warmth in the pit of my stomach making me close my leg every time.

Oh, lord. This was going to be an interesting week, indeed.

"So, what should I call you, 'Jake the Exceptional'?" I quipped, a playful smile dancing on my lips as I watched him work.

Jake responded with a smile that could win a worldwide fan's choice award, his gaze holding a warmth that sent a flurry of butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

I wonder what Jake's life must have been like back in university. With his charm and charisma, he must have had the entire cheerleading squad, football players, and even teachers running after him.

I glanced down at the counter and noticed Jake's phone silently ringing, displaying the name 'Reina' on the screen.

"Reina is calling," I mentioned, but Jake ignored my observation, focusing instead on preparing dinner.

A few minutes later, Jake emerged from the kitchen with two plates in hand, heading towards the dining room. He returned momentarily with two glasses filled with apple juice, and I followed suit, grateful for the prospect of a meal that didn't consist of leftovers.

I sat down at the dining table, a nagging question lingered in my mind: why was a billionaire like Jake spending so much time and effort cooking dinner for me? Surely, he had a myriad of other responsibilities and pursuits to attend to.

Was I missing something here?

I settled into my seat, noticing how it had been pulled unusually close to Jake's. Despite my initial confusion, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me as I prepared to indulge in the meal he had prepared.

"Thank you," I murmured gratefully, my anticipation growing as I took my first bite of the creamy garlic shrimp pasta.

"Hmmm, this tastes so fucking incredibly good," I couldn't help but moan out loud, the flavors exploding on my taste buds in a delightful symphony.

"Language, Avery, you wouldn't want for me to punish you, would you now princess?" Jake chided gently, his voice tinged with amusement as he looked at me with a satisfying expression, mixed with what seemed like a hint of a smirk.

"Sorry," I apologized sheepishly, feeling a flush of embarrassment creep into my cheeks at my slip-up.

I wonder what punished would he give me? 

Jake's unexpected gesture took me completely off guard as his hand reached over to gently wipe my lips, sending a jolt of electricity coursing through me. His touch was surprisingly tender, and I found myself frozen in place as he casually sucked his finger, his actions leaving me speechless.

"I'm glad you find it tasty," Jake remarked nonchalantly, returning to his meal as if his intimate gesture was nothing out of the ordinary.

Clearing my throat to dispel the awkward tension that hung in the air, I resumed eating my food in silence, stealing glances at Jake as I watched him enjoy his meal.

Suddenly, I noticed a speck of gravy on his lips, and without hesitation, I reached out to wipe it away, our eyes locking in a silent exchange that seemed to linger for an eternity. Slowly withdrawing my hand, I placed it to my lips, trying to maintain a facade of nonchalance.

"You had gravy on your lips," I remarked casually, pretending as though our brief moment hadn't affected me in the slightest.

I smiled to myself as I finished my dinner and chugged down my apple juice, but my curiosity soon got the better of me as I observed Jake sipping his glass of wine.

"How did you know I liked apple juice?" I questioned, puzzled by his knowledge of such a minor detail. It was something I had been drinking religiously since childhood, and I doubted my father had thought to mention it to him before leaving.

Jake rose from his seat, collecting my plate before answering with a cryptic smile, "I know a lot of things you don't know, little Avery. You'd be surprised at what I have to offer you."

Little did I know, I was going to get more than I had bargain for.