Free Finding Rebecca by Jessica Silver

shining, the flowers were blooming, and the birds were singing their lovely songs. I finally found a spot under a large oak tree and spread my blanket out. Fully engrossed in my book, I didn’t even notice the group that had begun playing football near me until their ball invaded my space, knocking my book from my hands.
    “I’m so sorry,” the guy said as he jogged over to me. “Are you all right?”
    “I’m fine,” I answered as I picked up the football and tossed it to him.
    He snagged it out of the air with one large hand and knelt down beside me.
    “Are you sure? We didn’t mean to hit you.”
    “It’s okay,” I reassured him. “It only hit my book. The only damage is me losing my place.”
    “C’mon Jake!” one of the other guys called.
    “Your friends are waiting on you,” I smiled at him and motioned toward the other guys who were all staring in our direction with their hands on their hips.
    “Yeah,” he said and got up. “See ya later.”
    I watched him run back to his group and then buried myself back in my book. I secretly watched him off and on as they played. He appeared to be slightly older than the other guys that he was playing with, but I wasn’t sure exactly how old he was. I guessed that he was just under six feet tall. He was fit, but not incredibly muscular. His curly blonde hair bounced wildly as he ran. He was incredibly attractive and I caught myself wondering if he was attached.
    I had been so devastated by the ending of my relationship with Neil that I had not even noticed any other man, until that moment. I felt an attraction to him, along with that familiar twinge of sexual excitement. I had to force myself back into my book to take my mind off of him.
    “That must be a good book.”
    I jumped at the sound of his voice and dropped my book, once again losing my place.
    “It is, actually,” I said as casually as I could.
    He picked it up, looked at the cover, and gave me a sly look.
    “The artwork doesn’t leave a lot to the imagination,” he said. “I don’t think I even have to ask what it’s about.”
    “It’s a fantasy love story,” I told him. “It’s just my escape from reality.”
    “So you don’t have that steamy relationship with your husband?”
    I wasn’t sure how to handle his question. Should I just blurt out that I don’t have a husband? Should I try to cover? Was he trying to find out about me? How much should I tell him?
    “I’m divorced, and we didn’t have that kind of relationship,” I finally admitted. “I have had much more since then though.”
    I almost immediately regretted that last statement and felt my face burn as it turned red. I looked down and picked at an imaginary piece of grass on the blanket until I felt his finger pulling my chin back up.
    “I’m sorry,” he apologized. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
    “You didn’t,” I laughed. “I embarrassed myself.”
    “I think I’d like to hear more about that then.”
    “Well, buy me a drink and maybe I’ll tell you about it.”
    I was shocked at myself for saying that and even more shocked at what happened next.
    “I need a shower first,” Jake said.  “Why don’t you follow me to my place and I will get cleaned up. There’s a quiet little bar by my house. We can hit it once I’ve changed.”
    Was I crazy for following him back to his place? Probably, but I was also human. I had a need that wasn’t going to be taken care of without the help of someone else. Judging by Jakes demeanor and apparent interest, I figured he was just the one to take care of it.

Chapter Fourteen
     
    His house was pretty typical from what I had seen of other bachelors. It was sparsely furnished with only the necessities. There was a sofa, chair, and television in the living room, a small table in the kitchen, and no pictures or decorations anywhere.
    “Make yourself comfortable,” he said as he walked through the bedroom door. “I won’t be long.”
    I sat down briefly,