Fade to Black

by Unknown

  Panic registered on her face as a small gasp exited her mouth and Jesse wondered where her heart really belonged.

  He rubbed at the sandpaper that would be shaved off as soon as he made it to the bathroom. “My only hope was that you hadn’t seen it, that you didn’t know, that you wouldn’t care even if you did figure it out.” He chuckled to himself at the irony of the situation. “I’m sure the fact that I was leaving to take care of my dying father gave him a hard-on.”

  “It’s not like that,” she defended the bastard. He rolled his eyes and gave a scoffing snort. “Jesse, you are my past, my present…my future. I love you,” she said the exact words Jessed wanted to hear, but they offered little comfort.

  His eyes drifted over to where his suitcase sat on the floor. The pocket in the front held three months salary in the form of a promise. A promise he was now glad he hadn’t asked her to make last night. “Come on, Kate, get dressed,” an emotionless voice, he barely recognized as his, instructed her. “Let’s get back to Flag. Do you even want to go there now?”

  She just stared at him, which sparked his fury as if she’d tossed lighter fluid on an open flame.

  The damn teeth grinding and fist clenching started again. “Say something, damn you. Don’t think you can just drop this bomb on me and sit there and cry. Are you in love with him? Do you want to go home to him? That’d be one hell of a surprise for his wife.” He took a deep breath to calm himself. Yeah, like that’s gonna work. “Look, KC, just tell me what you want.”

  Her tear-filled eyes met his. “Jesse, I love you.” She crawled out of the bed, and her pure, pale skin was so beautiful, it almost shimmered in the light. She came to stand in front of him, taking his hands and guiding them around her waist. She held them there for just a moment, until he linked his fingers together behind her back. “I know you’re mad, and you have every right to be. I am so sorry.” Her voice cracked as her sobbing began. She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek to his chest. “I’m so very sorry, Jesse.” Her tears rolled down his chest, disappearing into the band on his boxers.

  He lifted her chin with his finger and gazed into her eyes. Looking. Searching. Finding love, sorrow…and honesty. With anger still boiling just under the surface, he released his hold on her waist and took her cheeks in his palms, rubbing the tears away with his thumbs. “I love you, Kate. I will always love you.”

  A large tear began its descent down her cheek and he caught it on his finger. “I’m so sorry. I hate that you’re so pissed at me.”

  “No, KC.”

  She raised a brow. “You’re not pissed?” she asked skeptically.

  “Oh, I’m pissed…but not only at you. I knew the night of the party that Rich would try to win your heart while I was gone. I’ve been making myself sick thinking about what tactics he might try.”

  Now she was pissed. “Did you think I was that stupid?”

  “Stupid, no. Naïve, yes. KC, you’re too trusting.” He wiped off her damp cheeks and kissed each one before brushing his lips against hers. He reached down to squeeze her bare bottom. “Now, get some clothes on so we can get home.”

  “I am sorry, Jesse.”

  There was still a lot that needed to be said, even more to leave unsaid. The diamond solitaire would have to wait until they could work through the uncertainty Rich had introduced into their happily ever after.

  And Jesse would have it. He would stop at nothing to give Kate the fairytale ending.

  After all, all is fair in love and war.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Rich. The piece of Kate’s foolish heart that she’d opened to Rich begged her to reconsider. He cares for you, said the naïve, ever-trusting part of her brain. Shut up! She was grateful when the more rational Kate stepped in.

  Jesse was right about Rich. He had pulled out all the stops, if only by pulling away to drive her crazy. Kate had no doubt that somewhere deep down Rich had feelings for her, real or imagined. Maybe it was just the fact that she was nice to him, that she didn’t yell or belittle him.

  She couldn’t let this go on any longer, couldn’t let her heart drift between two men. A decision had to be made.

  The ride into Flagstaff was quiet, both of them lost in their thoughts. Jesse’s eyes avoided hers as he concentrated a little too hard on the road he’d driven a thousand times. His right hand, the one that usually held her left one, was pinned under his thigh.

  “Jesse?”

  “Huh?” he grunted.

  Her eyes stung with the tears she refused to let fall. She had created this situation. It was only fair that she deal with the aftermath caused by her actions. She reached for his hidden hand, pulling it free without too much resistance, and squeezed it.

  He glanced down at where they were joined, but then his eyes returned to the road. As his fingers slowly wrapped around her hand, Kate allowed herself to ease out a sigh. “Jesse, are we going to be okay?”

  The intensity of his onyx eyes was full of anger, something she had never seen directed at her. Until today. He sucked in a breath through his teeth, nearly growling his response, “You tell me, KC. You’re the one out there kissing other men.” His eyes started to glisten.

  She opened her mouth, but closed it again. There was nothing she could say that would make the intimate exchange with Rich okay. Jesse had a right to be angry. She wanted to say it was all Rich’s fault, that she held none of the blame. The truth was, though, a piece of her did care very much for Rich. And no matter how hard she tried to deny it, the feelings were there—and very real.

  “We’re here, baby.”

  Baby, her thoughts sighed. Maybe things would be fine between them. Her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt and she pulled him toward her until their lips were fused together. “I love you, Jesse.”

  “Kissing is as far as it went, right?” He stiffened, his hands forming white-knuckled fists on the steering wheel, but didn’t look at her. “Now is the time to lay it all out on the table.”

  Guilt licked at her skin like fire. She couldn’t tell him about the feelings she had for Rich. Feelings she would not let herself give in to. Feelings that didn’t matter. Couldn’t matter. She just hoped that when it came time to see Rich again, Kate would be able to keep her heart in check.

  “Kate?” he whispered, his eyes boring holes through the windshield.

  “Kissing is as far as it went,” she assured him in a voice barely above a whisper.

  “Jesse, Kate.” Kate’s mother’s voice bubbled over with enthusiasm as she raced down the porch and across the lawn. “How was your trip?” She crushed her into a hug. “Let me look at you.” She released her hold on Kate’s body and took her hands, holding them out so she could examine her appearance. “How does it feel to be…oh, um…” Her eyes were focused on Jesse over Kate’s shoulder, silently asking him something.

  Kate looked from her mother to Jesse and back again. They definitely had a secret she wasn’t privy to.

  “Kate. Jesse.” Ken bounded down the steps, rushing to Jesse and shaking his hand. “Welcome to the…”

  Jesse shook his head, his eyes communicating. “It’s good to see you too, Ken. Anna.”

  “Well, hell,” Ken mumbled under his breath. He tossed his arm over Jesse’s shoulder and led him toward the trunk, their heads together in hushed whispers.

  Anna pulled Kate by the hand into the house. “Are you and Jesse all right?”

  “Yes.” No. Maybe. I hope. “We’re just fine.” Kate stopped and turned to look at her mother, examining the much too innocent look on her face. “What’s your deal?”

  “My…deal?” Anna chewed on her bottom lip, looking even guiltier with her innocent act. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Kate rolled her eyes and stomped up toward her room with Anna hot on her heels.

  “Kate, did anything happen? Is everything okay with you two?” Her questions were leading ones.

  “Everything’s fine, Mom,” Kate huffed.
<
br />   Anna walked over and tucked a piece of hair behind Kate’s ear. “He’s a great guy, Kate, and he loves you so much.”

  Kate narrowed her eyes at her mother, trying to ignore the sudden sting in them. “You think I don’t know that?”

  “Then why did you turn him down?” Anna tipped her head to the side.

  Kate’s brows pulled together. “Turn him down? What the hell are you talking about?”

  “Oh, um…ah…” Anna’s hands rubbed together with nervous energy. “Never mind. I just thought…”

  “Hey, KC, where do you want this stuff?” Jesse interrupted Anna’s awkward stammering.

  Kate pointed to the bed. “Just set it there and I’ll get it unpacked.”

  “Well, we’ll leave you kids alone.” Ken took Anna by the hand and they closed the door.

  Jesse walked over and slumped down into the chair by the window. He dropped his head into his hands and sighed.

  With an armful of clothes, Kate shifted from the bed to the dresser and dumped them into the drawer. Her fingers brushed against the silky fabric that had been carefully stuffed under everything else.

  “What’s that?” Jesse’s voice caused her to jump.

  “What’s what?” she asked, already knowing the answer.

  His face and eyes were hard, skeptical. She smiled uncomfortably. He’d caught her in deception. How to smooth this over? Her fingers tangled in the straps of the negligee, which floated delicately in the air. “I guess I didn’t forget it after all.”

  His dark eyes flashed, and he rushed over, taking her in his arms. “Lock the door.” His anger was gone.

  “Jesse, my parents.”

  His lips moved over the skin of her neck then a low groan of frustration rumbled as he paused. “I’ll be damned if I don’t respect the hell out of your dad. And since he wouldn’t be exactly happy if I made love to you under his roof—” His lips brushed hers with a short, but very sweet kiss. “—I guess we’ll just have to come up with a place for you to model that for me.” He pulled back and pushed his fingers through his hair. “You’re right, this isn’t the place.” Jesse paced the room, muttering as if he were trying to convince himself more than her. “We’re grown-ups now. We shouldn’t sneak around, having sex in a twin-sized bed while your parents think you’re unpacking.” His eyes contradicted the words that came out of his mouth. “I will get you in that sexy thing just long enough to get you out of it, but it won’t be under either of our parents’ roof.”

  All it took to get his forgiveness was the nightie. She smiled, relieved and nervous. “What do you have planned?”

  “I don’t know yet.” The wheels were spinning in his mind. “Don’t you worry about that. Just promise me that you won’t lose it again.” He closed the distance between them and pulled her into his embrace.

  **

  One week.

  Seven days of torture, of missing Rich. She’d forced herself to not call him—although she’d gotten as far as pressing all the buttons except ‘send’—and part of her hoped he wouldn’t live up to his promise of not calling her.

  Seven days of comfort, of reconnecting with Jesse—walks through the park, hand in hand. Laughing, talking. Making plans for the future. No worries, no concerns, except for the man that wouldn’t live to see Kate marry his son.

  Jesse was talking in hushed whispers with the Home HealthCare nurse assigned to take care of Tony. She showed up every evening and stayed through the night. “Thanks, Nancy, I’ll only be gone for a few hours, but if you need me…”

  “I’ll call you,” she assured him. “Now, go, take that beautiful girlfriend of yours, and have a good time.”

  His eyes met Kate’s and flashed as he held out his hand. “Ready, baby?”

  “Um hum.” She stood and wrapped her fingers around his outstretched hand. They walked outside and he got her settled in the car before going around to the driver’s side and climbing in. “You okay with dinner and a movie?”

  “Sure,” she answered with a smile, “as long as I get to pick the movie. I don’t really feel like an action flick.”

  He nodded. “Dinner first?”

  “Yeah, I’m hungry.

  His long fingers ran over his flat stomach. “Yeah, me, too.”

  The drive didn’t take long and Jesse pulled into the restaurant—if you could call it that—and turned off the car. The place was a little hole-in-the-wall, but had some of the best Mexican food north of the border. Completely authentic. It was one of Kate’s favorites and she was sure Jesse had brought her here for that reason.

  They walked inside and the sound of Mariachi music echoed off the stucco’d walls and Saltillo tile floors. There were large pine poles that held the beams that ran across the ceiling in place.

  Kate inhaled and filled her lungs with the smell of green chilis and onions. “I have missed this place.”

  Jesse laughed. “I stopped for take-out my first night home. I should have brought you here sooner.”

  Her stomach growled. “Yeah, you should have,” she tossed over her shoulder as she stepped up to the counter and ordered a carne asada chimi with extra sour cream.

  Jesse’s hand came to rest on the small of her back as he stepped up next to her to place his order. The contact caused her to jump. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” he whispered into her ear, then said to the girl behind the counter, “I’ll have a beef quesadilla, a chicken burrito, a side of guacamole and a large Coke.” He looked at Kate again. “What you drinkin’, babe?”

  “Dr. Pepper.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she thought of the man she’d been trying to pry out of her thoughts and changed her mind. “Water. I’ll just have water.” She stepped away from Jesse, scanning the room for a table.

  “Kate Callahan!” a male voice shouted.

  Kate’s eyes shot to a guy, clad in a police uniform. She narrowed her eyes at him. “Tom? Tom Phillips? Oh, my…” Her words were cut off as Tom scooped her up into a hug and swung her around.

  “How the hell are you, KC? It’s been nearly forever since I’ve seen you.” He lowered her to the floor, careful to steady her before taking a step back. His finger stroked her cheek as he helped her remove a stray strand of hair.

  She looked at Tom from his thinning brown hair, his eyes the color of cognac, his strong jaw that sported a goatee, down his trim, uniformed body, and finally to his black boot-covered feet. “Wow, you’ve changed since the days of detention,” she stated, adding a wink to soften the insult.

  He shrugged. “What can I say? I saw the light. But look at you…” He lifted her arms, a low growl rumbled in the back of his throat.

  “Easy, Phillips.”

  Tom’s gaze shot over Kate’s shoulder, changing from playful to irritated. “You always were a possessive prick, Vasquez. I was just telling your girl here how good she looks.”

  “And now you have.” Jesse’s arm moved around her waist, his hand formed a fist at her side. “Later Phillips,” Jesse dismissed Tom.

  Kate smiled apologetically and Tom shrugged. “It really was great seeing you, KC.

  “It was great seeing you, too, Tom. I hope to see you around before I head home.” When Jesse stiffened, she added, “Say hello to Maggie—and hug the kids for me, too.”

  “I will.” Tom smiled at Kate, then shot an disapproving glare at Jesse. “Take care of yourself.”

  As Tom walked away, Kate whirled around on Jesse. “What the hell was that? He’s happily married with three kids. Get a grip.” She shook her head and stomped off in the direction of an empty table.

  Jesse slid the tray onto the table and slunk down into the chair opposite her. She’d suddenly lost her appetite and that pissed her off. She loved this place, this dish, and didn’t have the stomach to consume even one bite.

  The phone in Kate’s pocket started to ring. “Who is it?” Jesse asked as she fished it out and looked at the caller id.

  “It’s the station,” she said, surprised. Jesse g
runted his disapproval. “Excuse me.” She stood, but he grabbed her arm and glanced toward her chair, effectively ordering her to sit back down. When she glared at him, he tightened his grip and tugged lightly. She sat, jerked away from him and answered, “Hello?”

  “Kate.”

  “Dale? You’re working late.” She twisted sideways in her seat, bent her head away from Jesse, pretending like he wasn’t desperately trying to overhear every word.

  “Have you seen the news today?” Dale asked.

  She suddenly felt like she was about to fail an important exam. “Um, sorry, I haven’t. I’ve been…”

  “It’s okay, Kate. I’m sure you know who Senator Kelley is.”

  “Of course.” He was a representative for the state she was currently sitting in.

  “It seems he got caught doing inappropriate things with one of his interns,” Dale explained.

  “You’re kidding.” Kate was truly surprised by yet another example of a family man living two separate lives.

  “No. So now to the reason I’m calling. Do you think you could spare a few days to cover the story for me?”

  “You want me to fly to D.C.?”

  “Actually, I was wondering if you could drive to Phoenix. The senator will be there tomorrow sometime to hold press conferences.”

  Her thoughts ran rampant, not even giving her mind time to digest one before moving on to the next. Dale was offering her a great professional opportunity. But…

  Jesse had suspicion written all over his face as his fingers drummed irritably on the table. His other hand moved in a hurry-up motion before grabbing his fork to shovel more food into his mouth.

  “Kate? Are you still there?” Dale asked.

  “Um, yeah, sorry. I, uh…”