Free Operation: Endgame by Christi Snow Page A

in with her?

Chapter 16
     

    Cassie stumbled over Julie’s legs as she staggered into the kitchen. The memories of the night before assailed her. Damn, that cocoa had been potent. Cassie could have sworn she was stone-cold sober by the time they all settled down for the night, but the pounding in her head was telling her differently. She rubbed at her temples to alleviate some of the throbbing going on there. Luckily, the aroma of strong coffee lured her into the kitchen, until the sight which greeted her caused her to stumble again.
    The sight of Jake’s very naked, very defined, very gorgeous, very luscious chest drew her up short. He was wearing sleep pants low on his hips. She felt a shiver of awareness flare through her body. Right above the waistband of those pants was the ridged lines of his very defined 8-pack, topped off by his muscular pecs, shoulders, and biceps. Cassie’s eyes followed the line of hair which led enticingly from his chest into the waistband of the pants and her mouth was suddenly dry.
    “Ahem,” Jake interrupted her perusal. Cassie’s eyes flew to his humor-filled eyes and she realized she was basically standing there with her mouth hanging open at the sight of him.
    She was busted for gawking at his gorgeous body. Cassie felt her cheeks flood with embarrassment, and decided the best tact may be to pretend she hadn’t been drooling over him. “Do I smell coffee?” Her voice sounded scratchy, but that could be attributed to her over-indulgence last night rather than lust at the sight of his gorgeous half-dressed body.
    Jake grinned at her and nodded towards the coffee maker. “It just finished brewing and you’ll like it. I brought my special brew from Germany.”
    Cassie sighed in expected ecstasy. Nothing compared to the German coffee Jake could get on base. He and Colton always brought her a couple of bags whenever they came home.
    Jake gave her a chance to inhale her first few sips, before attempting conversation. Cassie was never a good conversationalist until she had a little bit of time to get awake and mainline some coffee. After a few more sips, Jake jumped in, “So roomie, what are the plans today?”
    Cassie looked at him seriously. “Do you honestly plan to move in here Jake?” At his nod of affirmation, she continued. “I’m really not sure that’s such a good idea. Seriously, think about this. Things have been beyond awkward between the two of us.” Cassie had always been direct, but Jake wasn’t ready to talk about the issue yet, or quite honestly, ever.
    “Cassie regardless of anything else, you’re still my best friend and if you think I’m going to stand aside while you could be in danger, then you don’t know me at all. This isn’t even up for debate. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere, except wherever you go. Get used to it. Everything else will work out. We’re too good of friends for there to be any other option.”
    Cassie reached across the counter to grasp his hand. “I’ve missed you, Jake.”
    He squeezed her hand. “Me too, Cass. So again, what’s the plan for today, because I have an idea if you don’t have anything else going on.” He grinned like the little boy he’d been when they first met.
    She grinned, but it turned into more of a grimace as she reached into the cabinet for some aspirin. “First, I have to do something about this headache, and then we can do whatever you have in that mind of yours.” She gestured towards the slumbering beauties still lying in a mass of blankets on the living room floor. “But we also still have house guests too.”
    “No problem. We have all day. How about for now I whip up some breakfast? It will help absorb the alcohol in your systems.”
    “Thanks Jake. That sounds great.”
    Jake created a scrumptious breakfast of homemade waffles complete with a strawberry drizzle and whip cream on top. After everyone had eaten way more than was healthy, Penelope and Julie headed out and Jake headed to