Free Fever Pitch by Ann Marie Frohoff

dark and it’s freezing.”
    I trotted my naked body out to the front room and wheeled my luggage in next to the bed. “Come on. It’ll only be for a minute,” I begged.
    “No, it won’t.” He swept me up into his arms and tossed my bare ass back onto bed.
    I yelped with laughter. “Hey! Don’t forget I’m tender and need to be handled with care!”
    “Oh really?” He dropped down next to me, covering me up snug. “How much care? You know I’ll take care of you. Just say when.”
    I shoved playfully at him. “I want to see the snow. I want to feel it.”
    “I know what you wanna feel,” he sang softly into my ear, giving me the chills.
    “Stop it.” I tapped him away and he bit his bottom lip, looking at me, too sexy for words. If my vag weren’t swollen shut, I would have climbed on top of him and tried a new position. I was eager to explore our new sexual terrain.
    He sniggered. God, if he only knew what I’m thinking. “There’s not enough snow on the ground, Aly. By morning it’ll be covered.” He pulled me close. “Are you hungry?
    Yeah, for you. I sighed and thought about it. “Yes. I could eat.”
    “I had Emily stock the place. She cooked all sorts of shit. All we have to do is warm whatever it is, up.”
    Emily. Hmm, I need to know more about Emily . “Emily is your…?”
    “She is my housekeeper, cook, errand girl,” he stated, matter-of-fact.
    I nodded, trying not to be jealous of some British girl taking care of my boyfriend. “Hmm.” I pursed my lips together.
    “You’ll meet her tomorrow, so stop those wheels turning.” He tapped his index finger to the tip of my nose and got out of bed. “I’ll bring you dinner in bed.” He bowed and disappeared behind the curtain.

 
    10
     
    A melody filled the loft. Jake had turned on music, and the jazzy beat got me out of bed. As I tiptoed to the black drape, I noticed that it was on a runner. I peeked around the velvet fabric, and Jake was pulling containers out of the fridge. I began to slide open the drape and Jake turned to watch me, smiling. The space was now one big open room.
    “You’re supposed to stay in bed.” His eyes twinkled.
              “My curiosity is getting the better of me.” Cold chills ran over me. “Brrr! It’s cold in here.” I went to my luggage and pulled out a pair of cozy grey sweats and my favorite grey cashmere sweater.
    Next thing I knew, Jake was beside the fireplace restarting the fire. “Don’t get too used to those clothes. I wanna make it so warm in here you’ll wanna be naked.”
    “Go for it,” I challenged, beaming as I walked into the kitchen. I was nosey to see what Emily had prepared for us.
    I opened each container. Emily had gone all out; baked chicken, a rice dish, mashed potatoes, several different vegetarian dishes, and even lasagna. My mouth watered. I decided to make an executive decision and warm up the tray of lasagna. I turned on the oven and slid the clear glass-baking dish in. When I turned to put the other containers back in the fridge, Jake was leaning against the counter, staring at me with a pleased look stamped on his face. Just seeing him standing there, staring at me, made my hands tingle.
    “What?” I felt the heat rise up my neck. Why am I getting embarrassed? Really?
    “I just love watching you.”
    “Yeah, well I love watching you too.” I matched his sentiment, but my mind was on Emily and her mad cooking skills, a tinge of jealousy simmered. Stop it! I told the voices in my head as they argued with each other; one coaxing me to inquire more about her and the other telling me to relax.
    Jake’s phone was ringing. He picked it up and stared at the screen blinking a few times, thinking and decided not to answer it.
    “Who was that? My dad?” I laughed ironically.
    He placed the phone on the counter. “Nah, thank God. It was the guys.” Jake moved behind me, wrapping his strong arms around me. “I’m supposed to be at