All Shook Up

by Ashley Bostock

  Cole was pointing at himself and her then his car. “We can go pick her up.”

  The two of them got into the car. “We are on our way. Hang tight. We’ll be there soon.”

  “Oh, I’ll be waiting and I’m dying to know about you and Cole Carrington. Um, hello Google? What the hell, sis?”

  Jillian covertly turned the volume down on her phone so Cole couldn’t overhear even though he already knew that they’d Googled him. Who knew what would come out of Arabella’s mouth.

  “You’re always so wrapped up in your own drama. I never had time to tell you.”

  “That’s what texting is for. God, you do act like an old person. Are you sure you aren’t my mother? A simple text…” She went on to pretend to read a message. “Hey sis, you know Cole who we Googled? Yeah, I found out the size of his cock!”

  Jillian held back her laughter and turned her head to glance at Cole out of the corner of her eye. His eyes were set on the road, hand on the steering wheel. Jesus, just at the mention of his cock, she found herself looking down to his sprawled out lower half. He was absolutely gorgeous. Nothing could look better than this man, driving his luxury car and wearing his expensive suit. The starched white collar poked out along his neckline and it took effort not to reach over and smooth her fingers against his green tie.

  “Jilly Bean? Cock got your tongue?” Arabella yelled in her ear interrupting her thoughts.

  “Jeez, please stop. We’re on our way.” Jillian pressed the end button and set the phone in her lap. Cock got your tongue? Arabella was so childish sometimes. So irresponsible. She had no idea how to be couth. Especially around someone like Cole. Ugh, and she was going to be in his back seat in a matter of minutes.

  “She good?” Cole’s deep voice brought Jillian back to the here and now.

  “She says she’s ready.” Jillian led him toward Arabella’s place and the whole way there she couldn’t stop the impending doom that hovered over her. Somehow Arabella would change her mind. Be that today before they arrived or tomorrow or next week, somehow Arabella would go back on her decision and go back to Derrek.

  “What’s a matter?” Cole asked. “Cause I know that no cocks got your tongue.”

  She whipped her head to him, eyes wide as embarrassment flooded her body. Cole’s mouth was set in a mischievous grin while his wicked green eyes gleamed in delight. “You heard her. She’s so…”

  “Matter of fact? Blunt? Calls it how she sees it? I can’t wait to meet her. She sounds fun.”

  “Oh, she’s so much fun, let me tell you. She’s so fun that she’s like a kid still. No cares. No responsibilities. No worries. She might be the only one who doesn’t take her situation seriously.”

  “Maybe she hides behind the laughter, you know? Too scared to let it show?”

  They pulled into Arabella’s and Jillian was already half way out the door before she considered what Cole was saying. That her baby sister was so damn scared she put on this façade of having a no-cares-in-the-world attitude.

  Maybe.

  But Jillian doubted it. Arabella has been Arabella for so long that Jillian knew she was just irresponsible. Mental eye roll.

  Her hand came up to the door bell and before she could press it, the door flew open and there stood her sister laden with a backpack, a large camo duffel bag slung over one shoulder and another smaller duffel in her hand. She flashed Jillian a large, confident smile and for a brief second, she looked like the old Arabella – full of confidence and sunshine.

  “All ready. Let’s get the fuck out of here. You have some ‘splaining to do, Lucy.”

  How could she stay so positive all the time? Jillian shook her head at Arabella, who was already heading toward a gentlemanly looking Cole as he leaned against his car.

  “Hey, aren’t you going to shut the door?” Jillian yelled.

  Arabella turned around, her hair blew in a halo around her head and she lifted her shoulders. “No. Why do I care? Leave it open.”

  Jillian glanced at the open door and back at Arabella. Jillian shrugged and followed her to the car.

  “A Maserati, huh? Wow. You’re loaded. I’m Arabella Winters. Thank you for picking me up.” Arabella put her free hand out and Cole took it briefly before pulling the duffel bags from her and loading them into the vehicle.

  “My pleasure. And it’s just a car.”

  “Right. Just a car, my ass. How long have you been giving my sister the Big O?” Arabella asked, looking between her sister and Cole.

  Cole chuckled and Jillian attempted to give her sister the shut-up look that only sisters knew.

  “Only for the past sixty-three hours. Not long. You are every bit the firecracker she led me to believe about you.”

  “What else did she tell you? That my boyfriend beats me up? It’s true. Mostly. I know you must be wondering where all my bruises are and I have them.” Arabella started to unzip the cardigan she was wearing.

  Jillian cringed. “You don’t have to prove anything to anyone. We believe you, Arabella.”

  “No. Let me show you.” She proceeded to pull the cover off, exposing her thin arms and chest. Faded black and green bruises marred her upper arms and chest. She turned around so they could see her back which looked similar to her arms. Cole’s face burned red and murderous, matching Jillian’s. “I have to show you. I have to prove to myself that I can do this.”

  “Oh, honey. Please tell me you called the police. That they have documentation of what that asshole has done,” Jillian said.

  Arabella’s thin shoulders went up. “Nope. Don’t you get it? For a long time, I felt like I deserved his abuse. Saying anything would have just made him angrier. But this time, I didn’t let it go. Jilly, I’ve never wanted to live that way. But he loves – loved me. I fell into his brainwashing and manipulation. You know what made it click for me?”

  Jillian shook her head and glanced at Cole. She clutched her chest, not knowing how else to help the ache in there. His own fists were clenched at his sides and the deep set of lines around his mouth told her that he wasn’t enjoying this conversation any more than she was.

  “Tell us in the car. Let’s get out of here before Derrek unexpectedly shows up and he have a bigger problem on our hands,” Jillian urged.

  “I could handle him,” Cole grunted.

  “I bet you could,” Jillian said, “but I doubt that’ll help things.”

  Once in the car, Arabella continued, “I saw this man and woman interacting with one another and he was so kind to her. Kind. His hand rested against the small of her back and his eyes were full of passion. I could feel his passion all down in my toes even though he wasn’t directing it at me. I felt it so deep into my soul. I couldn’t look away. For an instant, I wanted that man. I was attracted to him despite his girlfriend. I wanted him to be that way with me. I wanted someone to care about me the way he cared for that woman. I wanted to feel that safety.”

  For the first time in a long time, Jillian began to believe her. To believe in her. That just maybe she could overcome this—that they all could—their mom and dad, they all worried about her. Was it too much to wish for? Jillian reached over and laced her fingers between Cole’s and squeezed.

  Hope. Strength. Love.

  Wasn’t that all anyone could want?

  Later that night, after Jillian fed Arabella and took some pictures of her faded bruises—just in case—they lay in the same bed, Cole’s bed, as he played catch-up in his office from leaving work earlier in the day.

  Derrek had been blowing up Arabella’s phone since she’d left and she responded to his first message asking where she was. Once she sent the three magical words, I left you, it went downhill from there. He got more and more aggressive, even calling Jillian once where she promised him she hadn’t seen Arabella and even managed to pretend she was just as worried as he proclaimed to be.

  Cole hadn’t thought it was a great idea for the women to go to Jillian’s alone which was why the two of them were currently
lying sideways across Cole’s extra-large bed, having long since shut off Arabella’s phone.

  “I feel like I skipped school,” Arabella admitted.

  “Come on, you sneak out every chance you get when he’s working. Think of it as an extended day out.”

  “Oh my gosh, something just occurred to me,” Arabella said suddenly much more serious causing Jillian’s heart to stop briefly.

  “What?”

  “Am I lying in the bed you guys have been banging in all weekend. Eww!” she screamed and both girls burst with laughter as Arabella jumped from the bed.

  “Calm down. His housekeeper has already been here.”

  “A housekeeper? Tell me how you ended up with this.” Arabella waved her hand around Cole’s room as if it encompassed everything that Jillian was feeling inside.

  “I don’t know. We like each other. He’s a good man. He’s great. You know what he’s building? A woman’s shelter, Arabella. Not exactly a shelter, it’s an apartment complex where women and their children can live.”

  “Mom must love him,” Arabella said dryly.

  “They haven’t met yet. We’re not at that place in our…”

  “So just the fucking stage?” Arabella said.

  “Umm. Yeah. And it’s,” Jillian sighed dreamily. “It’s amazing.”

  “At least you’re getting some. Some good lovin’.”

  “Wait. As much as I hate Derrek, you guys weren’t having sex?” Jillian didn’t understand that. She just assumed with the way he treated Arabella and okay, they probably did have some happy moments, she thought sex was always part of their relationship.

  “Sex? What’s sex, even? He hasn’t touched me in a long time. Because I disgust him.”

  Jillian’s stomach rolled. “Arabella, what happened to you? Why did you stay with him this long? Especially learning this, I don’t understand. Help me understand.”

  Arabella lay back down next to Jillian and stared aimlessly at the ceiling. Jillian gave her sister time to think, as Jillian tried wrapping her brain around what made her sister stay with him. Finally, Arabella turned to Jillian.

  A tear trailed down from her eye onto the bed. “Derrek loved me, Jill. He never judged me for being too brash or irresponsible. I thought I needed him for the longest time. But then I started realizing there are things I’m good at, things I can do for myself. I somehow lost my confidence, Jilly-Bean. Just lost it.”

  Jillian placed her hand on her sister’s shoulder. “Please don’t go back to him. I will always be here for you. You can ask me for anything.”

  “I love you, sis.” Arabella’s eyes were already drifting shut and within seconds, she was sound asleep.

  Jillian couldn’t help but worry. Worry that Derrek wasn’t going to give up that easily and worry that Arabella, still so fragile and not fully healed, could run back to him at any time. Time. That was what Arabella was going to need to prove to herself that she could conquer the world without him.

  One snarky comment at a time.

  The two of them stayed with Cole the entire week, mostly because of Cole’s worry that Derrek would show up at Jillian’s house. He’d temporarily moved his office into the upstairs of Lacie’s so Jillian wouldn’t be alone.

  So far, Arabella had stuck to her word and stayed away from Derrek. Cole had a team of lawyers who made it possible for Arabella to issue a restraining order against Derrek and no one had seen or heard from him since the day Arabella left.

  For the first time since Arabella had started dating Derrek, Jillian felt relief. She no longer felt burdened with the terrible feeling that she’d get a call from the hospital notifying them that Arabella was hurt. In a way, the issues with Arabella strengthened Jillian’s relationship with Cole.

  She straightened some gowns on their hangers before she started unpacking a few shipments. A few online orders needed fulfilling and as she was pulling items, the shop bell dinged and swooshed open.

  “Good afternoon,” she said to the woman who entered. She made a beeline straight for Jillian, her manner professional and clearly not interested in the lingerie as she didn’t give it a second glance as she stopped in front of the counter.

  “Jillian Winters?” The woman’s voice matched her gait as well as her starkly pressed dress shirt.

  “That’s me. Can I help you?” Jillian asked, only slightly nervous and a lot curious.

  “Yes. I’m Willow Jackson and I own Party Panties. You’ve heard of it, haven’t you?”

  Jillian had heard of it. In fact, she’d mimicked The Peekeasy off some of their marketing plans from stores that were located all over Colorado. Next to The Peekeasy, and now Lacie’s, of course, Jillian loved her products. The store itself was a step down from what Jillian was used to—nothing high-class or expensive. But the store was decent. It was on more of an affordable level for women of every class whereas The Peekeasy and Lacie’s were not.

  “I have. You’ve got great stuff. What can I do for you?” Jillian asked, no longer feeling on edge when she didn’t know who the polished woman was.

  “I’ll cut to the chase. I’ve been watching The Peekeasy and this place. You’ve done an outstanding job. Party Panties is looking for a new manager. Not only am I prepared to offer you a substantial package with benefits, I’d like to offer you ownership.”

  Jillian couldn’t believe her ears. She looked around the store as if she were on Candid Camera and finding nothing, she straightened her back. “I’m at a loss for words. I wasn’t expecting this.”

  “I was going to call but I’m a straight shooter, Jillian. I thought to myself, why beat around the bush? Are you happy here? Isn’t this the business that put your business out of business?” She eyed Jillian expectantly, almost as though they were co-conspirators if Jillian was seeing correctly.

  “Well, yes and no. I—”

  “Look, you don’t have to make a commitment to me right now. But I’ve come prepared.” Willow pulled out a legal-sized envelope and set it on the counter between them. “I’ve put together an entire dossier on Party Panties, ranging from strip store details and the private parties we give for people. I’ve included sales, projections, net income, everything. I’ve also included what I’m offering you to come onboard – the percentage of ownership as well as health benefits, matching 401(K) contributions. The works. It’s all in here.”

  “I’m flattered, I really am. I’m speechless because I’m surprised. You’ve decided all of this based on what you’ve been able to capture?” Jillian asked, because this woman was prepared to give away part of her store and become business partners with Jillian and they’d just met. It was hard to believe.

  “Those who know me, know I act fast and confidently. If I don’t offer you this upfront, someone else will. You’re good, Jillian. Party Panties would benefit greatly if you came on board. As would you. Unless you have ownership of Lacie’s Lingerie?”

  Jillian didn’t like the feeling that crawled against her neck when Willow asked her that. It wasn’t meant to be challenging, just a mere question to see what the woman was up against. But to Jillian, it spoke volumes. Reminding her that Lacie’s wasn’t hers and never would be. Ouch.

  “No, I don’t have ownership in Lacie’s,” Jillian said.

  “I didn’t think so. I know of Cole Carrington and that man doesn’t do well working with others. As partners, anyway.”

  Jillian couldn’t explain the double-whammy guilt and defensive feeling that washed over her. Cole. He was her…her what? Right now, he was her boss with benefits. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t loyal to Lacie’s right now. Or Cole. Even if they hadn’t defined their relationship yet. Even if he hadn’t offered her ownership of his store.

  And there was the gut-wrenching truth. He hadn’t offered that to her. As much as he applauded her expertise and her ambition and dedication to the store, he never offered her what she wanted most of all.

  To run her own lingerie store.

  That was her dream.


  Her ultimate goal.

  And here, Willow Jackson was offering it on a seemingly very shiny silver platter.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Something had been bothering Jillian all afternoon and now that they were home, Cole was ready to ask her what the heck it was. She was silent the entire drive home and even now, as the three of them sat at his kitchen table—Arabella chatting away at all the places she was looking for a job—Jillian sat quietly taking small bites of roasted chicken he’d had Marge whip up just before they’d gotten home. Had she learned something about Derrek that she hadn’t told Arabella yet?

  “Any place would be happy to hire you. Everyone is looking to hire. In fact, why don’t you go work with your sister at Lacie’s?” Cole suggested.

  Jillian’s head snapped up. “That wouldn’t work.”

  “No kidding. Having to follow orders from my older sister all day. Ugh. Thanks, but no thanks.”

  Cole frowned. “Sorry. It was just a suggestion.”

  Arabella got up and took her plate to the sink. He dropped his voice, assuming this was as much privacy as they were going to get. “What’s wrong, Jillian? You’ve been closed off all afternoon. What’s up with you?”

  “Huh?” she asked, clearly not paying attention. He knew it. There was something on her mind and his need to know what it was, was growing by the second. Arabella chose that moment to join them back at the table and since Jillian was already back to pushing her food around her plate, he let the question go unanswered.

  “Anyone want a drink?” Cole asked. “I’m getting myself a beer.” When both sisters gave him a small shake of their heads—nearly identical—he poured two glasses of beer from the tap and took off with both of them to his office to get some work done. Anything to get his mind off Jillian and what the hell was wrong with her and why she wasn’t confiding in him. If she didn’t want to talk to him, he wouldn’t talk to her then. Okay, that sounded childish.

  The truth was that he was feeling sorry for himself, because whatever was bothering Jillian was something that she didn’t trust him enough to talk to him about. That hurt. It hurt like hell after the last six days they’d become inseparable and she’d barely left his bed since last Friday when she first crawled in.