by Lisa Lovell
“I’m not afraid,” she says quietly. I know she’s lying, but I don’t call her on it.
Chapter Seven
Lilly
“Are you ready for this?” Jake talks to me through the phone. I’m about to go to the garage and give my dad the fake message. We’ve been working together for a few days now, creating a script and practicing what I need to say.
He’s been surprisingly helpful in all of this. I can’t say I’ve hated spending time with him. I’ll almost be sad when this is over.
“Yeah,” I say, though I taste the lie on my tongue. My hands won’t stop shaking. I tell myself I shouldn’t be scared. My father is completely innocent and I know this will prove it. Yet, a tiny voice in the back of my mind keeps whispering to me. Warning me. Telling me to prepare myself. I refuse to listen to it.
“And you remember what do to?” Jake asks.
“I said I got it,” I snap, letting my nerves get the better of me. I feel horrible the moment the words are out of my mouth. I never snap at people.
“Hey,” he says softly. “I’m not doubting you. We just need to make sure we get this right, otherwise, we won’t learn anything. Okay?”
“You’re right,” I sigh. “I’m sorry. I’ve never done anything like this before. I’ve never tricked someone.”
“I know,” he says. “I wouldn’t ask you to do it if it wasn’t necessary.”
“I know.” I take a steadying breath. “Okay, I’m going. I will call you if he does anything.”
“Good luck. You’re going to do great.”
His words have a calming effect as I hang up.
With the fake message in my pocket, I go to my father’s garage. I know he’s inside. I watched him come home from the kitchen window. He answers when I knock.
“Hey, angel,” he grins. “What’s up?”
“I ran into a friend of yours on the way home from work,” I say with a smile. “He has a message for you.”
My father’s face goes steely. “What friend?”
“I can’t remember,” I say. “It was a weird name though. Sled, or something?” I deliberately give a wrong name, just like Jake and I practiced.
“Could it have been Sledge?” He asks, naming one of the cartel’s lackeys.
I brighten even though his words cut me like a knife. “Yeah! I think that’s it. He wants me to give you this.” I pass him the note.
He looks at it for a long moment before taking it and shoving it in his pocket. “Did he say anything else?”
“No.” I tip my head to look confused. “Why? Should he have?”
“He’s just a weird guy, that’s all.” My father shakes his head and smiles. “Thanks for giving me the message. I’m going to head to bed.”
“Okay,” I grin. “Goodnight, dad!”
“Goodnight angel.”
I hurry back to the house, heart pounding. I turn off all of the lights except my bedroom light then I creep into the kitchen in the dark and I wait.
Within ten minutes, my father leaves his garage and walks away. He never walks.
Once I’m sure he’s not close to the house, I call Jake.
“What happened?” He asks.
Tears well in my eyes and spill over before I can stop them. “He took the message. He knew the name Sledge. He left the house a few minutes ago.”
“I’m at the drop-off location with Rhodes and Max. I’ll call you if anything happens. It’s going to be okay.” He hangs up before I can say anything else. It doesn’t feel like it’s going to be okay.
I pace the house in the dark, trying to talk myself through this.
Maybe my father wouldn’t go to the drop location. Maybe he’ll go right to Chief Howard and report the whole cartel. Maybe he’s a good person after all. Even as I form the thoughts, I know they aren’t true.
My father didn’t turn his life around, he just got better at lying to me. He used me for shelter, money, and an alibi. He knew I’d defend him. He knew I’d believe him.
I’m crying when my phone rings again.
“Hello?” I do my best to hide my emotional state.
“It’s me,” Jake says softly. I know what he’s going to say. My father’s been arrested.
“He-”
“I know,” I choke through a sob.
“I’ll be over in a few minutes.”
“You don’t have to,” I assure him.
“They don’t need me and you do. You shouldn’t be by yourself. I’ll be right there.”
I don’t argue with him. I pace the length of my living room until there is a knock at the door. When I open it, I try not to cry, but Jake’s kind, understanding face is my undoing.
“It’s all right,” he murmurs, pulling me in close. I didn’t expect such warmth from him. Normally, I wouldn’t act like this, but I’m too tired to think about what I should and shouldn’t do.
“I feel so stupid,” I cry. “Everyone is right. I can’t handle the real world.”
“How can you say that?” He tips my chin up so I have to look him in the eyes. He uses his other hand to wipe the tears from my cheeks. “You just helped me crack this case wide open. You’ve done something good for every single person in town in less than an hour. That’s pretty damn incredible.”
“I haven’t done anything good for my father. I just ruined his life.”
“No, you didn’t,” he says firmly. “You gave him a place to live, food to eat, and a year’s worth of chances to make a change. You did everything right. It’s his own fault that he is where he is now. He should have realized what a gift you are.”
“Why are you being so nice to me?” I ask.
He shakes his head, perplexed by the question.
“Because you deserve it. Because… I’m drawn to you in a way that makes my head ache when I try to figure it out.”
“Because you want to shield me from the world,” I finish.
“No,” he laughs. “I want to watch while you unleash yourself on the world. You’re so much more capable than you realize.”
“Do you really think so?”
“I know so. All of the Rangers know so. We’d be stuck in a cold case if it weren’t for you.”
My heart pounds as gratitude towards him floods my body. The way he’s looking at me right now, I could mistake him for a storybook prince. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m emotional or finally starting to understand what I’m capable of, but I can’t resist the feelings stirring inside of me.
“Thank you,” I say. “For not doubting me.” My heart pounds so loudly, I’m surprised he can’t hear it.
“I’m just disappointed I don’t get to work with you anymore,” he smiles. “We make a good team.”
“You’re right. We do.”
Feeling bold in a way I’ve never felt before, I rise up onto my tiptoes and kiss him.
Chapter Eight
Jake
I didn’t expect her to kiss me, but I’m glad she did. I’ve been wanting to kiss her since the moment I saw her. Hell, I’ve wanted to do much more than kiss her. Keeping myself focused on the case was a challenge.
Now, I can’t think of anything else but Lilly even if I wanted to, which I definitely don’t.
When our lips break apart, I freeze up. I want her so badly my head spins with desire, but I’ve never been with a girl like her before. She’s not the kind of girl you fuck once then never talk to her again.
As pathetic as it sounds, I’ve never had a proper relationship. I was too busy getting bounced from place to place to learn how to do things like that.
When Lilly looks up at me, her golden eyes shining, I know I won’t be going anywhere any time soon.
“I don’t do this,” I blurt. No, wait. That’s not the right thing to say at all.
“Do what?” She frowns.
“What I mean is…I don’t know how to do this,” I amend. “All my life, I’ve told myself that people aren’t good or caring. I’ve never encountered anyone like you be
fore. Everything I’m feeling is completely illogical, but I don’t want it to stop. When I look at you, I feel like I can trust you. I feel like you need someone on your side. All I can think about is how badly I want to be that person.”
Her mouth drops open in surprise. “Is this really happening?”
“You tell me,” I say. “If you want me to leave, I’ll leave. We never have to talk about this again.”
“No!” She blurts. “I don’t want you to leave. In fact, all I can think about is kissing you again. You treat me like a person, not a child or a doll. You’ve made one of the most painful and scary experiences of my life less horrible. It makes no sense, but to hear you say you don’t believe there is good in people breaks my heart. I want to show you that people care because…I care.”
“This kind of thing doesn’t happen in real life,” I say. “This is something out of…”
“A fairytale book?” She finishes with a weary smile. “People are entirely too dismissive of those old stories.”
“You’re right,” I say with a thoughtful nod. “Maybe you can show me what happens next?” I wink.
She grins and stretches up to kiss me again. “I think this is the happily ever after part.”
I’ve never considered that I’d get a Happily Ever After in my life. It just didn’t seem like a possibility.
I haven’t known her long, but she’s so different from anyone I’ve ever met. I can be comfortable with her. I can be myself and feel safe with her, just as I hope she does with me.
I tuck one of her golden locks behind her ear. The silk of her ribbon brushes against my fingers. I tug on it, letting her hair tumble loose like a waterfall.
“Sounds good to me.” I pull her in and kiss her deeply. At first, I worry I’m getting too carried away with her. Has she ever been kissed like this? Has she done anything…more?
“Don’t hold back on me now, Ranger,” she purrs. “Or do you think this is too much for me?”
“I would never presume to tell you what you can and can’t handle,” I grin. “With that being said, I have half a mind to carry you into your room.”
“I have half a mind to let you,” she giggles.
I scoop her up and carry her through the house princess style. It’s only fitting.
I lay her down on the bed before climbing on top of her. I kiss everywhere my lips can reach. Her skin is so soft and tastes vaguely like honey.
“How can every inch of you be this sweet?” I ask between kisses. Any moment now, I expect her to pull away, but she doesn’t. In fact, she eggs me on with laughs, sighs, and soft, sweet moans.
Her dress rides up her legs, exposing her creamy thighs. I run my hands down her body, savoring every perfect, voluptuous curve. I grip her thighs and pull them apart with no resistance from Lilly.
“You’re far naughtier than you let others believe,” I tease.
“I don’t just read fairytales,” she says with a wink.
My cock strains against the confines of my jeans. I’m loving this new side of Lilly. She locks her legs around my waist as I undo my belt buckle and slide down my zipper. Her golden eyes twinkle with delight, and hunger. I slide my hands beneath her and grapple for the frustratingly small zipper running up the back of her dress.
“Why do they make women’s zippers so tiny?” I groan.
“So men trying to unzip them have to prove they’re worthy,” she teases before undoing the zipper herself. I tear the dress from her gorgeous curvy body and toss it to the floor. When I reach for her white lacy panties, the fabric damn near shreds apart in my hands.
“Holy crap,” she giggles.
“I will take you shopping for new ones,” I promise. Guess I don’t know my own strength.
“In that case, feel free to rip up all of my underwear.” She removes her matching white lacy bra and tosses it away. I dip my head to kiss her breasts, swirling my tongue around each of her nipples. Her breath quickens.
With one hand, I reach down and stroke my finger along her slit. She’s dripping wet. It’s too much for me to bear.
I push my cock between her lips. Pleasure jolts through my body like a shot.
Lilly lets out an airy sigh as I slowly enter her. She constricts around my cock, eliciting a deep moan from me.
A million thoughts collide in my mind all at once.
She’s the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. No one has ever made me feel like this before. Am I taking advantage? Can I get fired for this? Will this come back to haunt her? Will she hate me tomorrow?
Lilly’s teeth sink into my neck in a gentle bite and all of those pesky thoughts disappear from my head. Her legs tighten around my waist, pulling me deeper inside of her.
I stop trusting, to her disappointment, and urge her onto her belly. As if she can read my mind, she rises up so she’s on her hands and knees.
I move behind her, taking a moment to gaze at her perfect ass and parted thighs. After that, a raw, almost animalistic desire takes over my completely.
I position my cock so I can quickly sink back into her warmth. I thrust hard and fast, in quick bursts. Lilly tips her head back, her golden curls splaying over her back. I can’t resist lightly grabbing a handful of those illustrious curls.
Her eyes roll back. Her lips part in a permanent sigh of pleasure.
Moments later, she tightens around me. Her body trembles, vibrating against my cock. It’s more than I can take. As cries of pleasure tear from her lips, I reach my peak.
I hold myself inside her, unable to move until I’m completely drained. She collapses onto the mattress with a sweet smile on her face. I lay down beside her and pull her into my arms.
With her body still shaking from her orgasm, he cuddles into the crook of my neck. In a few minutes, she is still. I’m not sure if she’s asleep, but I don’t want to disturb her. I stroke her golden locks until sleep claims me too.
Chapter Nine
Lilly
I wake up in my own bed, wrapped in Jake’s arm. At first, I thought the events of last night had been a dream. I’m beyond happy to see that they aren’t.
Memories of the bad parts start flooding back before I’m ready to face them. To stave them off for just a few moments longer, I prop myself up on my elbow, and press a kiss to his lips. I know he’s awake when he starts to smile and pulls me closer.
“Aren’t I the one who is supposed to wake you with a kiss?” He asks, cupping my face in his hands and kissing me with enough heat and passion to warm my entire body. My body moves of its own accord as I slide on top of him, straddling his hips.
Desire surges through me. I would have thought last night’s tumble in the sheets would have cooled it a bit. I guess not. I want him again.
He wants me, too. I feel his thick length pressing up between my thighs. We’re both still naked. It would be so easy too…
He swollen tip of his manhood slips inside of me. A deep shudder runs through my body.
Then the phone rings.
We freeze.
“That’s mine,” he chuckles. “Just ignore it.”
“We can’t!” I say, wide-eyed. “What if there’s an emergency? What if someone needs your help?” I slide off of him and push him toward the edge of the bed.
“It’s Rose Haven. Name one emergency we’ve had in the last year.”
I can’t. Aside from anything related to the cartel, Rose Haven has been peaceful.
“Don’t worry,” he smiles. “I’m still going to answer it. It might be about what happened last night.”
“Right.” I pull the sheets around me, tightly. I’m not yet ready to think about the bad parts of last night. Not yet.
“Ranger Diggs,” Jake answers with a professional tone. “Chief Howard.”
My fists tighten around the sheets. I can’t make out much of the conversation. Jake nods, grunts, and mutters one-word answers for most of his end of it. When he hangs up, he purses his lips.
“Is it bad?” I ask.
&nb
sp; “I’m not sure,” he says. “Your father confessed to everything we thought him guilty of and more.”
I feel the color drain from my face. “More?”
He sighs and looks me in the eye.
“He was instrumental in helping the cartel set up shop here. Apparently, they paid him pretty well for it.”
“They what?” I snarl. Anger wells up in me, more intense than any anger I’ve ever felt before. “He didn’t’ pay a cent for the garage renovation. I gave him the money for that. I bought his car, too!”
“That just means you’re a wonderful person willing to go above and beyond to help those you care about.” He approaches the bed and takes me gently by the shoulders. “Don’t let his selfishness take away from the fact that you’ve done everything right.”
“I housed a criminal for a year!” I cry.
“And then you helped put him away.” Jake presses a kiss into my forehead. “You read all those fairytales. Haven’t you figured out you’re the hero and the princess?”
“I think you’re confused,” I laugh. “You’re the hero. You’re quite literally paid to be the hero.”
“Let’s look at our respective track records.” Jake jumps onto the bed beside me, making me bounce. “I haven’t actually done anything impressive yet. The biggest impact I’ve made in the Rangers is directly related to you. You did the hard part.”
“But I never would have been able to do the hard part if you weren’t there to guide me. If you had a blonde wig and some ribbons, you could have done by part.”
“Somehow, I don’t think Buck would’ve fallen for that,” he grins.
“For all I know, he doesn’t even know my name. He always called me angel.”
Sadness seeps into me. My shoulders droop. Jake slides closer to me and tucks me under his arm.
“His loss.” He presses a kiss into the top of my head. “I haven’t known you long and even I understand that he fucked up by taking advantage of you.”
“Speaking of…” I transition awkwardly. I’ve never had a conversation like this before. I’m not sure how they’re supposed to go. “We haven’t known each other long. Where is this going to go?”