by Mia Jones
Jessica took a sip of her wine before sliding him a quick glance. “I’m not sure what to talk about first. The fact you didn’t give me a chance to take care of it, you not trusting me, or your temper.” Her eyes stayed on her hands that encircled her wine glass.
He didn’t move but exhaled a hard breath. “Jessica, look at me.” He nodded when she focused on him. “It’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s them I don’t trust. I see the way guys look at you, baby. You don’t. I know I can be a jealous person, but you have to know I’d never in a million years hurt you, right?” He relaxed when she nodded right away. “But I can’t take the idea of another guy touching you. I’ll promise not to really hurt anyone, but I can’t promise not to mess them up a bit if I feel they’re a threat to you. Can you handle that?”
Jessica saw the nervousness and vulnerability that he tried to hide, some emotions no one would think he was capable of. Her hand slid down his arm before she gripped his hand. “Yes, I can handle that, but maybe next time you could give me a chance to get rid of them.”
He started to shake his head before she finished. “I’d rather you’d let me protect you. I know how men think. Let me take care of you, Jessica.” He pressed his forehead against hers and watched her expressions closely to see if she would accept his request. “Please, baby. I will take really good care of you, I promise.”
Jessica reached up and touched his cheek gently before she curved her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. “I know you will, Garrett. I’ve never felt safer than when I’m with you.”
Garrett groaned and pulled her into his lap before he took her mouth and drove his tongue in between her full lips to taste as much of her as possible while his arms tightened around her. They broke apart to pull in a much-needed breath. “That’s good to hear, baby. You have no idea how good that makes me feel.” He took her mouth again, deeper and hungrier.
Jessica gasped for a breath as she pulled away. She lifted her fingers to touch her swollen lips before she touched his.
Emotions swirled in Garrett’s eyes as he grabbed her hand, turned it, and placed a kiss in her palm before he brought her hand against his face. “You scare me.”
Coming from this man who was twice her size, and strong enough to break her in two, his statement should have been funny, but she knew it wasn’t physical pain he talked about. Her eyes clashed and held his. “You scare me too,” she said, barely above a whisper.
Garrett took her mouth and fed on her until someone bumped up against their table.
“Jesus, Jessica. We need to stop this. I’m about ready to throw you over my shoulder and take you home with me.” He picked her up off his lap and stood her beside him before standing himself. “Come on, baby. Nick and Angie are already out on the floor. Let’s dance so I can hold you without losing it.” His smile flashed before he said, “Maybe.”
Jessica chuckled and let him lead her to the floor before he took her in his arms.
Garrett wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in tight against his chest. Both relaxed and just enjoyed being together, unaware of those around them.
After several slow dances, Jessica’s feet started to ache. She wasn’t used to wearing heels, even short ones. “Can we sit down, Garrett? My feet are getting tired.”
He led her back to the table and sat down close to her with his arm over the back of her chair. Right away, the girls started to talk about some friend of Angie’s. The men talked about business. Garrett tried to− but couldn’t− make out a lot of the girls’ conversation. They had put their heads close together and talked in low tones.
Jessica reached for Angie’s hand and a frown of concern crossed her face. “I don’t know why you put up with Melanie. All she does is bring you grief and frustration.”
Angie shrugged in dejection. “It’s getting to the point when I might have to just let her go. I’ve been trying for years now to help her. Frankly, I think it started in high school. It just keeps getting worse as time passes.”
“Angie, you have tried to help her for so long. I seriously think she needs professional help and maybe even anti-depressants.” Jessica knew most of the things Angie had done for Melanie over the years. She felt bad for the disappointment Angie was dealing with.
“If she could only find a good man that treats her right.”
Jessica shook her head. “I don’t think a man is the answer. I think it’s something inside her that she needs to fix. Maybe she’s just one of those sad people. The only time she seems happy is when she’s making someone else miserable.”
Angie glanced at Nick. “I’ve thought that too. Nick can’t stand her anymore. He thinks she tried to drive a wedge between you and me, and he won’t have it.”
“I don’t blame him.” Jessica couldn’t hide the anger in her voice.
“I know, me either. Maybe if I hadn’t known her most of my life, and our parents weren’t friends, I’d feel better about walking away from her.” Angie shrugged and took a drink of her wine.
“I’m really sorry, Ang. I wish I could help, but she’s disliked me since her and I met in college. There is no way she’ll listen to me.”
Angie shook her head. “I’ve never understood her attitude with you. I know some is jealousy, but...”
“Well, don’t worry about that. It doesn’t bother me if she’s my friend or not. I have you,” Jessica smirked.
Angie snorted. “Not that I don’t love being your friend, but someday you’re going to have to open yourself up and let more people in. I think the only reason we became friends was I spent so much time in your dorm room with my friend, Nancy, when you guys lived together.”
“And you wouldn’t leave me alone no matter how much I tried to ignore you.” Jessica laughed. “The only time I got a little peace was when I locked myself in the bathroom, and that never lasted long before you were knocking and asking if I was sick.”
Angie chuckled. “What can I say, I felt bad for you. All you did was study and work. I don’t think I saw you really smile until our sophomore year and we were living in the same dorm room. Which I was surprised you agreed to, by the way.” Both women laughed.
“I wasn’t unhappy; I was just determined. You know I had reason to be so serious. That was my one chance to break the cycle of poverty that my family had been in for decades.”
Both stayed silent for a minute, each lost in their own thoughts. “That’s enough depressing conversation, Jessica. Come with me to the ladies’ room.” Angie stood and waited for Jessica.
“Whoa, baby, where are you going?” Garrett held onto Jessica’s arm.
“I’m going with Angie to the restroom. I’ll be right back.” She stood and tried to pull away from him. She rolled her eyes when he wouldn’t release her.
“Why do you both have to go?”
Nick snorted. “They always go in pairs, dude.”
“I’ll go with you ladies.”
Garrett went to stand, but Jessica put a hand on his shoulder. It was the look she gave him that seemed to get through to him the most. “No, Garrett. We’ll be right back,” Jessica said, her voice firm, and walked off with Angie, not looking back.
The tone of her voice should have warned him that he was pushing it, but all he could think of was her safety.
“Damn, man,” Nick said as he grabbed Garrett’s arm when he tried to follow. “If you don’t pull your shit back, you’re going to scare her away.”
The muscle in Garrett’s jaw ticked, but he relaxed back in his chair.
“What the hell is going on with you?” Nick lifted his beer and drank, his eyes locked on Garrett.
“I don’t fucking know.” Garrett’s low tone sounded tortured.
Nick watched Garrett struggle. “I think I know how you’re feeling. I feel very possessive of Angie too, but you’re going beyond that and moving toward obsession, which isn’t healthy for anyone.”
Garrett’s gaze cut toward Nick before it returned to the spot the girls disa
ppeared to. “I’m already there. And I don’t know how to stop it. I’ve been this way since the moment I first saw her.”
“What’s it going to take for you to calm down?”
“Her in my house, in my bed, and under me,” Garrett said bluntly.
Nick snorted and shook his head. “I have to warn you, Jessica has little to no experience with men.”
Garrett’s head snapped around. “What do you mean?”
“Just what I said. Angie told me that she’s maybe had one relationship, but she’s not even sure of that.”
Garrett’s heart felt like it dropped to his stomach as leaned toward Nick over the table. “You’re telling me she’s a virgin?”
Nick shrugged.
Garrett sat back in his chair before he glanced the way the ladies had gone. “I knew she didn’t have a lot of experience, but hell. A virgin?”
“I’m not for sure on that, man, but even if she wasn’t a virgin, she’s damn close.”
Garrett’s gaze turned and pierced Nick’s as a muscle ticked away on the side of his jaw. “Nick, if you thought that would settle me down or help me to back off, you’re wrong. It’s making it ten times worse. The thought of me being the only man to ever have her is blowing my mind.”
“Man, listen to me. I told you that so you’d slow down before you scare the shit out of her. You don’t want that, right?” Nick whispered urgently.
Anger mixed with the desperation in his voice. “Hell, no, I don’t.”
“No you don’t what?” a familiar woman’s voice said.
Both men turned toward their women. Garrett reached out and pulled Jessica down beside him before and curved an arm around her. “Nothing, baby. Are you ready to go?”
Jessica and Angie shared a look. “Sure, I’d like that. It’s been a long day.” Jessica stood, and Garrett helped her with her coat before she walked around Garrett to hug Angie. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
Angie hugged her tightly. “Oh, yes you will.” She chuckled. “Be safe. I love you.”
“I love you too, Ang.” Jessica gave Nick a quick hug, and her eyes teared when she watched Garrett lean over and loosely hug Angie. She loved that Garrett tried to get Angie to accept him.
Angie sat down next to Nick. “Maybe we can double-date again for the cancer benefit at the club next Saturday?”
Garrett looked down at Jessica. “If Jessica says okay, we’ll be there.”
Angie smiled. “Good, I’ll buy some tickets for us.”
Garrett’s arm was a steel band around her waist as he led them out of the building and to his car. Only after he had her buckled in and was in his seat did he turn to her. “What did she say to upset you, baby?”
Jessica turned her head to look at him then leaned back against the seat. She tended to forget how observant he was with her. “Please don’t get mad at her. She’s worried about me. She’s like the only family I have in the world, and she knows it, so she’s protective of me.”
Garrett leaned across the console and cupped her face. “You have me now.” He moved toward her and placed a light kiss on her lips. “I’m your family too, Jessica. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you.”
She reached out a hand and ran her fingertips along the side of his face as her eyes searched his. “Am I your family too, Garrett?”
He nodded. “Hell, yes. You and Nick are all I’ve got. I have a sister somewhere, but I have no idea where, and I don’t give a shit.”
“You’ve never said anything about your family or childhood.”
“Baby, I know you haven’t told me everything, and that’s okay. It’s something we will talk about eventually, but it’s not important right now. Right now, it’s us that I’m thinking about. You’re what’s important to me.”
Jessica frowned but continued to study him and run her fingers softly over his face before she traced his lips.
Garrett saw what looked like concern cross her face and nervously pulled back. “I’m scaring you, aren’t I? Shit, baby. I’m sor—”
Jessica pressed her fingers to his lips than sat back to let him concentrate on driving. “No. I’m sorry. There is so much I’m feeling that I can’t find the words for, but I swear to you none of them are fear.”
Garrett visible relaxed. “Then what? Good feelings or bad?” His heart jumped in his chest at what she might say.
“Mostly good.”
“Mostly?” His voice was tight.
“The only thing I’m having a problem with has nothing to do with you but the way I see myself, and that’s something I have to work on.”
A frown pulled his eyebrows together. He didn’t like the sound of that. “We can work on that, Jess,” he said before he pulled her toward him for another heart-stopping kiss. “We can deal with anything if we’ve got each other.” Garrett landed another quick kiss. “Let’s get you home, baby. You look tired. We’ve got plenty of time for us.”
Jessica smiled. She watched the street lights and shadows dart across his masculine face as he drove, showing the many strong angles of his cheek bones, nose, and chin. She could never see herself get tired of looking at him.
Later that night in bed, Jessica thought about the feelings Garrett generated in her. She’d told him the truth about her positive feelings toward him, but what she didn’t say was the strength of the emotions she had for him unsettled her. There didn’t seem to be a minute of the day that went by that she didn’t think about him and wanting to be with him. They’d only been seeing each other a few weeks, and already she couldn’t imagine her life without him.
Jessica turned to her side and pulled the blanket up around her shoulder. She closed her eyes and imagined Garrett loving her, and her body tightened painfully. She imagined his hands and lips on her. She wished she had more experience with men, and she was afraid of she was going to disappoint him.
Sometimes, she wondered why he hadn’t tried more than kissing and holding her. There had been a few quick touches, but she wanted more. She couldn’t find the courage to ask him. A small corner of her heart was afraid he didn’t want her like that, but his actions spoke of wanting her. Then why hadn’t he tried for more with her?
She knew he found her attractive. His gaze never seemed to leave her. Tonight, his eyes took on a certain heated glow that sent shivers up her spine and wetness to gather in her panties. But even when she was dressed as usual, in her grubby clothes, his gaze was always fiery.
Maybe she’d get the guts to ask him someday, but hopefully she wouldn’t have to if Garrett took the next step. Jessica closed her eyes as sleep slowly claimed her. Garrett was the last thought in her head.
Chapter 13
Frustration ran through Garrett. He needed to see Jessica. He missed her and needed to touch her. They hadn’t been able to see each other since Friday and only been able to talk on the phone since Saturday. She had to be at the shelter all day Saturday and had problems with some kind of hoarding case. She’d been called by the police late Saturday afternoon about some woman who’d died and left a mass of dogs and cats in her house.
He didn’t like the thought of Jessica being around something so awful. She’d told him the woman had been dead for a few days, so on top of the animal smells, they had the remnants of a decomposing body. At the last count, there had been thirty dogs and fifty-eight cats. He couldn’t imagine what it looked or smelled like. Garrett glanced at his watch. It was early, but he predicted that Jessica would be at work already. He stood and planned on picking up food. If he had to guess, he thought she probably hadn’t eaten. He walked briskly out of his office. He needed to see Jessica and be able to touch her.
***
Jessica had to call in her whole crew and help from the surrounding counties. They took turns running the animals they’d caught to the shelter, while others kept trying to catch the rest. Jessica had never seen a hoard case this bad before, and it broke her heart. Most of the cats were feral and had several diseases. She might be able to save the th
ree litters of kittens. There were a few adult cats that seemed tame, and hopefully she’d be able to make them adoptable.
Meanwhile, she would take care of them, and if that meant putting them down, she would do it. She never wanted to see any animal in pain, and if it was feline leukemia or aids, she would have to euthanize them. That tore her up and made her nauseated. She would be the one to determine if an animal lived or died. For the time being, she and her staff would make them as comfortable as she could.
Jessica guessed most if not all of the dogs would recover, and after some intensive therapy, they’d be able to find homes for them. None of them seemed vicious, only riddled with several different ailments and needed more socialization. But most of the diseases they had treatments for. When they finally had all the animals, they had to assess each animal’s condition. Mostly all needed medical attention, but Jessica gave them some time to settle before giving treatment and baths. There was still plenty to do, and it kept them all busy.
Jessica managed to get some sleep on her couch in her office for short catnaps. Her employees and she worked all day Sunday into the night again, each taking naps when they could. On Monday morning, Jessica sent home everyone but whom she would need to help her keep the shelter open. Later that day, some of her staff had come back to relieve the others. Jessica was sending everyone home at different times in the last couple days to get sleep and let them rest on cots in the employee lounge if they felt the need. She didn’t feel she could leave and had been there from the beginning of this hoarding case. She didn’t want to leave, but Kari, her manager, had pushed her out. She even called a cab for her and had it waiting.
A wave of fatigue hit Jessica so hard, she fell asleep in the back of the cab before she’d gotten home. She pulled her exhausted aching body into her home, and her purse tumbled from her numb fingers to her wood floors. She knew that she was hungry. She could feel the hollowness in her stomach but didn’t have the energy to look for anything. She made her way into her bathroom, pinned her hair that was still in a braid up to stay dry, and took a quick warm shower. Then she put on a nightgown before she fell into bed. She was in a deep sleep between one breath and the next.