Derek rushes inside as fumes of fury are radiating off of him. I gulp a little. Please God! Protect Jake or my love story will end before it even begins.

Bea casually enters behind him but I'm too worried about Jake to greet her.

Derek makes his way over to Jake and grabs him by the collar, pulling him up. I rush over to them and try to pry off my idiot overprotective brother off my man. Derek gives me a seething look telling me Don't you dare and I back off. I sigh, defeated. I then approach Bea but she is busy eye-raping her husband. Seriously!? Fucking pregnancy hormones. I know it.

“I asked, what the fuck are you doing here?” Derek turns his seething gaze over to Jake who is facing him head on as if he has been already expecting this outcome.

“I'm here for Roxanne. I love her.” Jake says.

Derek loses his shit and pulls Jake ever closer by his collar and gives him a seething glare.

“Don't you dare say that. You were the reason my sister turned into a fucking zombie.” He glowers at Jake.

“And I absolutely regret everything that happened. But I really love her and nothing will stop me from showing her that she deserves the world and for me to make it up to her.” Jake nods my way.

His words make Derek even angrier. He takes a threatening step towards Jake, standing so close in a face-off. Both men are towering giants and had equal heights, so I know Derek can he really intimidating when he wants to be. If I were in Jake's shoes right now, I'd probably piss my pants.

“I don't trust you. Stay away from her.” Derek warns.

“No can do. I can't let the only woman I'll ever love get away from me.” My heart would've fluttered at his statement if it wasn't beating at a rapid fast pace due to the fear of what Derek might do to Jake if provoked. I try talking to Derek.

“Derek, please... stop. He won't hurt me anymore.” I plead with him. He turns towards me giving me the full blown affect of his menacing glare. I feel myself cower a little. He's scary. I pout.

“Stay out of this, Roxy. I can't let the prick who hurt my baby sis go away without a beating from me. I'll probably start by re-arranging his face. I couldn't protect you before. But I can now. So don't butt in.” He snaps at me.

I stare at him blankly. He then turns his attention towards the supposed prick.

“Stay away from her and no one gets hurt.” Derek warns again, trying so hard not to strangle then and there.

“I'm sorry I can't. I love her.” Jake replies determined.

Before any of us can understand what's happening Derek's fist meets Jake's face with so much force that I could hear the cracking sound of bones. Jake is thrown on the ground due to the impact, his nose starting to bleed. A surprised yelp leaves my mouth looking at what just happened.

“DEREK! STOP.” I yell at him and rush over to Jake, examining his nose.

Jake gives me a reassuring smile telling me that he is okay. He then looks at my dear crazy brother and mutters sincerely.

“I deserved that for hurting her.” He nods at Derek. He then gets up and takes the handkerchief I offer him to wipe his nose. He winces a little at the pain, my worried eyes meeting his. He kisses the top of my head. He then walks over to a still angry Derek who is standing beside an equally irritated Bea. I sigh. Looking at her I can bet she wants to have a go at Jake too. She would be much much worse if she decides to. She might just go straight for his family jewels.

“Look, Derek, I know I have given you so many reasons not to trust me with her and I am not going to make any excuses for my wrong doings towards her but I cannot change the past. All I can do right now is atone for my mistakes and show her how much she means to me. She really means a lot to me that if I have to imagine my life without her in it, I'll choose to end it with my own hands. I understand your concern but all I ask for is a chance to prove my love for her.” Jake finishes, his eyes holding so much ferocious honesty that Derek's protective stance softens a little. My heart melts at his declaration of love and I take his hand in mine giving him a gentle squeeze. He looks down at me and kisses my temple softly, pulling me close.

Our sweet moment is then interrupted by Derek. I let out a frustrated sigh. Before I could tell him to stop once again, he breaks us apart and looks at me.

“You love him?” He asks me giving me the look.

“Yes. Yes, I really do.” I reply.

He just nods at me before turning towards Jake.

“Listen to me asshole, I'm only accepting this just because she loves you. Hurt her again and I have my shotgun ready to blow your fucking brains off. And I won't think twice before doing that.” Derek threatens Jake clenching his teeth, holding in so much anger that even I could feel the fear of his threat through me, making my eyes go wide.

I shuffle over to Bea and ask her to stop him. “Can you please stop him? Before he decides to kill my man for good?”

“Why should I? He hurt you. I would've done the same if it wasn't for the fact that I'm preggers.” She shrugs. “Oh and why would I give up the chance to see Derek all riled up? He looks so fucking sexy. Damn.” She says eyeing him like she wants to get down and dirty with him just right there on my couch. Ewe.

“You look so fucking hot and sexy when you're angry baby.” Bea pipes in randomly. He turns his neck a little to give her a wink and says, “Thank you baby.” He blows a kiss to her and she does the same.

I sigh defeated. There's no point arguing with these crazy ass people.

“How did you know that Jake's here?” I ask them, curious.

“Matt.” They both reply simultaneously. They're really made for each other. Aren't they?

I roll my eyes. Of course.

After the whole ordeal between the two important men in my life, we sit down and talk everything through. Jake answers their every question patiently but I know he is nervous, if him squeezing my hand with a death grip is any indication. He is afraid that Derek and Bea might not accept our relationship after everything. But surprisingly they finally give their consent but not before threatening Jake numerous times. Jake handles Derek pretty well but Bea is another story. By the time she was done with him, he was ready to bolt out the door, but stood his ground. Normal Bea is scary but a pregnant Bea? Lord help us all!

After a while we are joined by Matt, Elle and Abby. We are all talking and chatting. Elle is playing with Jake. They are chasing each other as Elle keeps squealing and giggling. Jake is trying to catch her. He is playing the tickle-monster. They both look so cute running around and I can't help but take my eyes off Jake.

I still can't fathom the fact that how in just a numbered days I fell in love with this man.

“You're so whipped!” Abby chuckles breaking my trance. Bea snickers. Thank god Derek and Matt are busy conversing with each other or I would've died of embarrassment.

“Shut up.” I tell her.

“Don't worry. He is equally whipped as well if not more.” Abby nods in Jake's direction and I look at him only to find him already looking at me. I blush.

Abby gave him her own piece of mind too but she was a little less frightening than Bea was.

Things are coming back to their place. After a quick family brunch they all leave us alone. Jake and I spend some quality time together. He told me that he will be spending the next few days with me before he has to go back. I feel a little disheartened at that but I know he has work.

We both sit on the couch with me laying my head on top of his chest as he is caressing my back. I slowly drift off to sleep in his cosy embrace finally getting the much needed peaceful sleep. His arms are my home.

I hear him whisper a sweet "I love you" in my ear when sleep finally consumes me.

★★★★★★

I wake up to the sweet aroma of roses all around me. I get up and rub the sleep off my eyes only to find myself surrounded by endless bouquets of red roses. My room is filled with them, their sweet smell engulfing me. Jake must have carried me to my room when I fell asleep earlier.

I check the time and it is already 6 p.m. Damn. How much do you sleep, you lazy ass?! I ignore the thoughts and make my way in search of Jake. I go to the kitchen and don't find him anywhere. Where is he?

My door bell rings and I go to open it. Jake is standing there with another bouquet of roses but this time they are different. A single red rose is surrounded by baby pink roses. Jake stands there beaming up at me looking absolutely devilishly handsome tempting me to commit every dirty sin with him. We haven't been intimate with each other yet as it was my decision to remain abstinent and Jake agreed to my demands. But that didn't stop him from tempting me like this, looking like an absolute eye-candy.

“Hey, my gorgeous woman!” He says full of love and adoration.

I blush at his words. “Hey baby. What are you doing?” I ask him.

“Here, beautiful flowers for the most beautiful woman in this world.” He gives me the flowers and I happily accept them.

I take their sweet scent in and murmur a thank you to Jake. He enters inside the apartment looking all dashing in his light gray sweat pants paired with a black v-neck tee. His sexy chest peaking through the cut a little driving my hormones into a frenzy. Maybe I should just take what's mine right? I groan at my thoughts feeling as if I'm starving for him.

He turns towards me and grabs me by my waist pulling me close. He places a kiss on my nose and says, “I love you.”

I grin widely at him. “I love you too.”

He gives me a matching grin and places a sweet kiss on my lips overpowering my other senses.

“Get dressed. We're going out.” Jake says breaking off the kiss.

I raise my eyebrow at him. “Where are we going?”

“It's a surprise, baby. Wear something nice. Not that you look bad in other clothes. You can wear a rag and would still absolutely rock it.” He winks at me making me giggle.

“You're such a smooth talker aren't you Mr. Valtor?” I ask him, snaking my arms around his neck and standing on my tippy toes I place a kiss on his nose too.

“Only when it comes to you, my gorgeous lady.” He flutters his eyelashes at me trying to look furtive but instead I burst into laughter. He pouts at me looking too cute to handle.

I peck his pout and he rolls his eyes at me but a smile escapes his lips. “Are you going to tell me where are we going?”

“Remember I told you that I have a surprise for you that I've been working on when we just started talking?” He asks.

I nod remembering what he is talking about.

“It's done. I'm going to show it to you. So get ready.” He says, his eyes held a glinting look.

I nod again and peck his lips before unwinding his arms from around me. “I'll be right back.”

“I'll be waiting.” He says.

I quickly get dressed in a sexy yet elegant white dress and pair it with my ankle length black pencil heel boots. I add on a minimal gold chain. I grab my clutch and apply a little makeup on. By makeup I mean just a dash of red lipstick and kohl on my eyes. I spritz my favourite vanilla perfume and after tying my hair in a loose bun I'm ready to go.

I walk out to the living room where Jake is waiting for me. I call out to him telling him I'm ready.

“That was fast. I thought women take hours to get read- ” He stops saying whatever he was saying as he turns around to glance at me. He stands there in a frozen state, his mouth a little agape. He gives me a once over taking in my dress clad figure. I see him gulp a little with effort.

“Jake? Shall we go?” I ask him. I bite my lip trying to hide my knowing smile aware of the effect I'm having on him. “Earth to Jakie-boy?” I try again to break him off his scrutiny. I walk over to him with an extra sway to my hips. I wave my hand in front of his face. He blinks coming back to his senses.

“Are you trying to kill me? Is this your way of taking revenge?” He gulps a little finally meeting my eyes.

“Mmm... What are you talking about?” I ask innocently as if I have no clue what he is talking about.

“This.” He points to the very noticeable bulge in his pants.

My eyes grow wide at his prominent interest and I start giggling at his pained expression.

“Well, it serves you right.” I say cockily.

His eyes darken, lust taking over his hypnotic eyes making me feel the heat of my own. He walks over to me invading my personal space and bends down. His invigorating scent that I love the most in the world wafting around me drowning me in it whole.

His lips touch the shell of my ear making me shiver deliciously. “I guess it really does serve me right but I will not touch you until you ask me to, my love.” He nibbles the top of my ear seductively and pulls away as if nothing happened. I shake my head a little to break out of the spell he put on me. He straightens himself and holds his hand out for me to take hold of. I gladly do and off we go to whatever he has planned.

He stops in front of a skyscraper with JF Corps. displaying on it. We get out of the car and I stand there looking at the newly formed building confused at first. I take a glance at Jake who is smiling at me adoringly. I ask him confused.

“Why are we here?” I ask him still confused.

“It's for you to figure out yourself. It's your surprise.” He gives me a gentle smile. I raise my eyebrow at him questioningly and when he doesn't say anything else I turn back towards the building trying to figure out the mystery behind why he brought us here. I squint my eyes in confusion at the corporation's name when a light bulb instantly goes off in my brain finally registering what his surprise is.

I let out a loud, shocked gasp and turns towards Jake instantly. He has a knowing smirk on his face. He did not!

“Is this what I think it is?” I whisper still processing what I just figured out.

“Yes. It is. Surprise baby.” He beams at me.

*************

A/N: What do you guys think about the chapter? Also what could it be that Jake surprised Roxy with?? Any guesses??

Don't forget to vote and comment if you liked this chapter.

Until next time
Love
S ❤️