“Goodnight, Holly.”
4
“Damn, what have I done…? Good job, Jake. You kept saying you wanted to keep it professional between you two. Now, she’s going to think you were full of crap. I couldn’t help it. Her hands just felt too good. And they felt even better when we kissed. Let’s hope she can understand…”
For all his fatigue, Jake could not sleep that night. Not only did he keep thinking about the kiss, but he had also forgotten to ask Holly about when she would be available for work. Whenever that would be though, he knew that things between them would be awkward. Very soon, he was in a dilemma: call her and fire her over the phone, or pretend like nothing ever happened between them. Jake rejected both ideas. Firing people for no cause (or for something he had done) felt very cruel, and he was not a good actor.
In his confusion, he found something to be happy about: Holly’s reaction. She had not discouraged him or stopped him. On the contrary, she had enjoyed the kiss, maybe even more than he had. That fact alone was enough to take his mind off complications, at least for a while. Still, before he could jump into a relationship with her, he had to consult a friend with a very extensive knowledge of the local law enforcement agents. Clay Marshall was an Adams native and was sure to know much more about her than Jake did. He found the motorcycle club president under the shed of his workshop, working, with two more of his men, on a silver Harley Davidson motorcycle.
“Holy shit,” Clay said, surprise and joy written all over his face, as he tossed a wrench across the floor. “Big Jake: here in my workshop?”
“How are you doing, Clay?” Jake winked at him. “I haven’t seen you guys in a while.”
“We only come to your bar to celebrate things, man.” Clay spoke, a hint of sadness in his voice. “We haven’t had much to celebrate lately. We’ve had some problems.”
“What’s wrong?” Jake squinted at him.
“Come with me.” Clay urged, before starting towards the front door of the aging building. Within seconds, Jake found himself staring at poster-lined walls. There were more than twenty Harley Davidson posters on each wall of the narrow corridor and things were not different in the rather luxurious hall.
“Strike three.” Clay remarked, stepping into his office.
“What are you talking about?” Jake asked curiously.
“You’ve been here three times.” Clay smirked, seating himself at his office desk. “And I’ve caught you staring at bikes all three of them.”
“They’re really striking.” Jake remarked. “I like them a lot.”
“Are you sure?” Clay insisted, putting his feet up on his desk. “I see that look in your eyes. It says: ‘I want to be a biker. Ride the streets like I own them.’”
“Nah,” Jake waved his hand in front of his face. “Maybe I’ll buy one someday. But that’s about it. Anyway, you said you had problems.”
“We’ll get to that later.” Clay said in a calm and steady tone. “Now, tell me, to what do I owe the honor?”
“Holly Hutchinson,” Jake responded in a raised tone. “What do you know about her?”
“Why?” Clay’s smirk reappeared. “Are you banging her?”
“Just answer the question, Clay,” Jake grumbled.
“You seem a little too tense, brother.” Clay laughed. “Why don’t you take a seat?”
“Fine,” Jake reluctantly agreed and sat in front of Clay’s desk. “I’m listening.”
“Nice girl.” Clay attempted a serious tone. “Born and raised here. Her parents own the grocery store down the street. She kind of…” he paused, “pissed me off a few years ago. She was a rookie officer back then. She didn’t know the understanding between the club and the Sheriff’s Department.”
“You mean she wasn’t on the take yet?” Jake stiffly inquired.
“Nope,” Clay replied. “She’s still not. In fact, she’s the only cop in town who doesn’t take bribes.”
“Good for her.” Jake commented, his eyes sparkling with admiration.
“Good?” Clay’s voice went up an octave. “If she was on our payroll, she’d be driving a Benz just like the Sheriff.”
“Is that all?” Jake asked.
“Pretty much,” Clay shook his head. “About our problem: we’ve been having some problems with some gun shipments lately. Some of the weapons are defective. It makes us look bad, you know? A Mexican gangbanger shot himself in the leg the other day. Do a favor for me, will you? If any Mexicans show up at the bar asking questions about us, give me a call.”
“I thought you guys were just a bunch of Harley enthusiasts.” Jake teased, with a big grin on his face.
“We’re a lot more than that, baby.” Clay returned the grin. “Are you sure about that ‘biker’ thing? I mean, can I do anything to change your mind?”
“Why do you insist so much?” Jake wondered aloud, a touch of frustration in his rich baritone.
“Because, you’d be the perfect front, pretty boy,” Clay replied in an emphatic tone. “Young, big, strong jaw… with you, no waitress would deny us service. Most of them would just…” he faltered, “spread their legs for you.”
Jake burst into loud laughter, upon hearing his friend’s remark. He banged his palm at his forehead, clutching his stomach.
“Spread their legs?” He chuckled.
“I’m serious, man.” Clay stated. “Last summer, Tom’s girlfriend Jennifer saw you at the bar. You know what she said?”
“What?”
“Why can’t you look like that hot bartender? You lazy son of a bitch,” Clay made his voice high-pitched, impersonating her, “I swear to God, if you don’t start working out right now, I’m going to fuck him, you hear?”
“Oh, man.” Jake laughed even harder, banging his hand on his friend’s desk.
“Yeah, that chick’s crazy.” Clay laughed. “Remember what I said to you, brother. If you want in, all you got to do is ask, alright?”
“Thanks a lot, Clay.” Jake smiled. “I appreciate it.”
5
Jake left his friend’s workshop in high spirits. The woman that Clay had just described fit his moral standards perfectly. At the same time, however, it occurred to him that he had not found a way to approach her again. A phone call would be awkward, and a visit to the police station could embarrass her. On the way to his car, Jake racked his brain, in an attempt to find the right words to say to her. It was Saturday; she would very likely visit his bar tonight. However, fate stepped in, and he quickly realized an encounter with each other would be happening very much sooner than he anticipated. A patrol car had been parked just outside the grocery store Clay had mentioned. In a matter of seconds, Holly emerged, talking to a middle-aged woman.
“Oh, shit… Now, what do I do? Run like hell? No. She’ll think I’m a coward. You’d better pray she doesn’t notice you, Jake; because if she’s mad at you, you’ll be humiliated.”
She turned her head to the left and looked down the road. He felt a cold sweat down his back, as their gazes met. Sadly for him, there was no turning back now. Holly had noticed him and she was heading towards him. Jake took a few furtive glances around him, as she closed the gap between them. The serious look on her face was not a good sign.
“Good morning.” She spoke in a businesslike tone. “Um… What are you doing here?”
“Morning,” he muttered. “I was visiting a friend.”
“I… um… I’ve been meaning to talk to you,” she stated in a voice filled with tension, “about last night.”
“I’m sorry about that, Holly.” He attempted a mellow tone. “I screwed up. I shouldn’t have done…”
“Screwed up?” She leaned forward, her voice squeaky as she narrowed her eyes at him. “I’m a big girl, Jake. You didn’t force me into anything.” She lowered her voice, taking a short step closer to him. “You really broke my heart last night, you know that?”
“There are a few things you just can’t escape.” Jake spoke, his face ridden with sorrow.
“I didn’t mean to break down like that. It just…” he paused, “…happens.”
“I know the feeling,” Holly agreed with a nod. “I’ve lost a few loved ones, too. I just wanted you to know that you shouldn’t feel bad about what happened in the parking lot. If I didn’t want you to kiss me, I would have said ‘no.’ Okay?”
“That’s nice to hear.” A small smile spread across his face. “That kiss was really something. I’ve been thinking about it since last night.”
“Damn it, I’m on duty,” Holly replied in frustration. “There are some people watching.”
“What would you do if you were not on duty, deputy?” He asked, bending his head down towards her.
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” she grumbled, dropping her gaze to the pavement. “So, who’s this friend of yours?”
“Clay,” Jake responded. “I needed some information.”
“On what,” Holly asked abruptly while looking up at him sternly; “dealing drugs?”
“No.” Jake’s eyes glinted with amusement. “I wanted to know more about the sexy cop I’m looking at.”
“Oh, crap.” Holly hummed, biting her lower lip.
“What, you’re going to pretend you didn’t hear that, either?” Jake teased her even more.
“Stop doing that,” she said, in a wobbly voice. “Do you really trust that guy?”
“He’s been my best friend since I moved here.” He maintained, as his smile fled his face; “we have a few things in common.”
“I know,” Holly assured, “But still, he’s an outlaw.”
“I won’t discuss this on the street, Holly,” Jake responded in a lazy tone. “Besides, you and I can talk about a lot more interesting things than my friendship with Clay. Maybe we can talk if you come over to the bar tonight.”
“We can’t have this conversation at the bar, Jake,” Holly objected. “You’re always running around like a chicken with its head cut off. How does a late-night dinner sound?”
“Are you asking me out on a date, deputy?” He teased, putting his hands on his waist.
“You have a problem with that, Captain?” She returned the tease, but Jake was not at all amused. The mere mention of his past made him look away from her. “I’m sorry. I…”
“Please don’t call me that again.” He interrupted, his voice dropping an octave. “When’s your next day off?”
“I don’t know yet,” Holly replied. “I’ll check next week’s schedule and let you know tonight.”
“I don’t think so.” Jake turned his gaze back to her. “We shouldn’t go down that road. We can’t.”
“What about last night?” Frustration was lingering in her voice.
“It was a mistake, Holly.” He murmured, the sadness within him lowering his tone further. “It shouldn’t have happened.”
“I can’t believe you!” Holly couldn’t keep her voice down. “Last night, we were hugging and kissing, about a minute ago you flirted with me and now you say it was a mistake?”
“I’m sorry,” Jake whispered, guilt written all over his face. “Excuse me. I have to go.”
Holly smiled bitterly to herself, shaking her head sideways, as he entered his black SUV. He started the engine and drove off, feeling more consumed by guilt by the second.
“I did screw up, Holly; both last night and today. I’m sorry I led you on like that. I thought I was ready to move on. I was wrong…”
6
Saturday night went precisely as he predicted: “Allison’s” bar was bustling with people: screaming to get their orders as fast as possible; loud music blaring; cheering; teasing; and even some flirting. As usual, Jake was not in the mood. He paid no attention to any of those signals, with the image of Holly’s angry face still lingering in his mind. His behavior had pushed her away from him. Not only had he lost a potential girlfriend, but, judging by the look in her eyes, he had also lost the only woman willing to assist him. However, finding an employee was perhaps the least of his troubles. Jake had been doing this for far too long; he was used to the workload and he could handle it. The only thing missing from his life was a woman’s touch and he had managed to discourage the one woman who seemed genuinely interested in him.
Long after midnight, he closed his bar and drove home, with a buzzing sensation in his head and a heart full of regret. Just when he turned into his driveway, though, he realized that it was not empty. Holly’s Ford was parked right outside his front door. She was standing next to it, with her arms crossed over her chest. His eyes glimmered in hope; yet, as his SUV rolled to a halt behind her car, his heart was filled with worry. The moonlight reflecting off her golden skin revealed her face. Much to his disappointment, it was stiffer than ever.
“Hi,” he said, getting out of his car. “What are you doing here?”
“I just wanted to get a few things off my chest,” Her sweet, feminine voice had vanished. Instead, her tone was strict, as if she was about to reprimand him.
“You can yell at me,” Jake spoke in a soft, deep voice, slowly closing the distance between them. “I deserve it.”
“I’m not going to yell at you,” Holly continued. “It’s the last thing you need right now. Look…” She took a deep breath. “I’ve come to apologize for this morning. I’m sorry; I snapped at you.”
“You’re sorry?” He squinted at her. “Girl, I’m the one who should apologize to you. I messed up… again.”
“Jake, you’ve been through hell,” she said, her tender tone raising every hair on his body, as he stopped in front of her. “I can’t imagine the pain you’re in, but…” Her voice broke, as she covered her mouth with her hand. Jake smiled down at her, his heart beating faster as he raised his own hand to her face. He gently pulled her hand away from her face, then taking it into his palm, as he bent his head down towards her.
“I need you,” he confessed, his voice a sweet whisper as he gazed down deep into her watery eyes. “And last night…? I haven’t felt like that in a long time.”
“Do you really mean that?” She asked, her voice trembling as he tightened his hold on her hand. Jake did not verbalize. Instead, he raised his hand to her face and cupped her cheek, tilting his head down. Her warm, loving kiss made his heart flutter, as she put her arms around his waist. Jake released her hand and chose to slide his own up her arm, sensing her hot breath on his skin. He stopped it at her shoulder and then pulled her closer, before running his hand across it and up her neck. Cupping her other cheek as well, he stroked her face, as their kiss deepened, her soft sighs making his body tingle. Jake’s hands slid up and into her hair, as he planted one last kiss on her lower lip.
“Here’s your answer,” he whispered, leaning back, as he threaded his fingers into her hair.
“Wow…” she silently mouthed to him. “Please, don’t say ‘goodnight’ again.”
“I’m afraid I have to,” he spoke in his deep, manly voice. “I’m so tired I can barely walk.”
“Oh, no…” Holly let out a huff of exasperation. “I think I’m having a déjà vu.”
“Don’t be silly, darling,” Jake teased. “This is nothing like last night.”
“We kiss and I get to sleep alone.” A long, deep sigh escaped her. “How is it any different?”
“Well…” Jake snorted. “I could say a lot of things about last night. That kiss was just…” he faltered, “out of this world; but, it wasn’t the best thing about it.”
“What do you mean?” She wondered, as her face was lit up with a broad smile.
“The terrace,” he was quick to respond. “What you did up there was pretty amazing.”
“I didn’t do anything,” Holly said, her sweet tone filling his ears once again, as he ran his fingers through her hair.
“Trust me.” Jake nodded. “You did more than enough.”
“So, now what, Mr.?” she asked, using a mellow tone. “Are we going to keep seeing each other in parking lots and driveways? How about going on a real date?”
“The bar’s closed tomorrow night.” He informed her with a devilish smile on his face. “Come over after your shift. I’ll cook. What time do you get off?”
“8pm; sounds delicious.” Holly’s toothy grin amused him. “I guess this is ‘goodnight’ then.”
“Not really,” Jake disagreed, pulling her head closer to him. Once again, he claimed her lips, as a gasp of surprise escaped her. Running his hands down her hair, he drowned in her scent, losing himself in the magic of her gentle, passionate kiss, as she flexed her arms around him. This time, her grip was much stronger than before. Jake stroked her upper back, his heart pounding in his chest. Before long, he understood that this could get out of hand. As much as he wanted to have her, he was exhausted. Gently pushing her back, he ended their kiss.
“This is ‘goodnight’,” he whispered, as she opened her eyes. “Sweet dreams, Holly.”
7
The following morning, Jake woke up in a fantastic mood indeed. To his relief, his little misunderstanding with Holly had been solved. Now that they had a date, he wanted to prove to her that he was determined to move on. More than that, her visit the night before had startled, but also moved, him. She had shown understanding and kindness, traits that Jake valued very much. Nevertheless, this would be his first date with someone in more than three years. He couldn’t help but feel nervous about it. If he wanted to impress her, everything had to be close to perfection. Jake caught himself worrying about otherwise ordinary, mundane things, like dinner and his outfit. It was then that he realized just how much he liked Holly. They hadn’t been on their first date yet and he was stressed about cooking, and choosing a suit for the occasion.
Filthy Desires: A Romantic Suspense Collection Page 112