Jobe: Alvarez Security Series

by Maryann Jordan

  Matt said, “Selena’s been identified as a witness to a gang crime that the River Street Kings committed.” Seeing Mackenna about to protest, he quickly continued, “She’s not involved—not a suspect. But it appears that she may have information.”

  “What do you need to do?” she asked, hoping her voice was not quivering as much as she felt inside. She felt another squeeze on her shoulder and could not help but lean in slightly toward Jobe.

  “Mackenna,” Shane said. “We need to take her with us—”

  “But why?” she cried out. “She’s doing so well here. She knows us. She—”

  Jobe leaned in and whispered, “Doll, she’s not safe here. You can’t keep her safe and if it gets out that she’s a witness, then no one’s safe here with her.”

  Shane nodded, “That’s right. Officer Petit will be escorting her to a secure location.”

  For a moment, the others stood around, uncomfortably shuffling their feet, knowing that the realization was cutting into her.

  She blinked rapidly several times, then lifted her chin and said, “Will you allow me to speak to her first?”

  Matt agreed but added that Officer Petit would have to accompany her. She gazed over at the officer and said, “If you’ll come with me, I’ll introduce you to Selena.”

  The two women silently went up the steps and through the front door, closing it behind them. The men let out a collective sigh.

  “Goddamnit!” Jobe exploded.

  His friends looked at him sympathetically, knowing that Jobe was going to be picking up the pieces when it was all over.

  Twenty tense minutes later, the door opened again and this time Mackenna and Officer Petit were with a pretty, young woman who had obviously been crying. Jobe’s eyes were not on her though…he was staring at the woman in his heart. And her tear-streaked face. He started toward her, but she caught his gaze and gave a slight shake of her head.

  Mackenna needed to complete her task without falling apart any more than she had already. She had allowed the policewoman to explain the situation to Selena, but the girl’s tears and pleading to stay in the center had gutted Mackenna.

  The trio walked passed the men and over to the vehicle that Matt and Shane drove up in. The two detectives got into the front seat as Selena turned to hug Mackenna goodbye.

  “Thank you,” she choked out, “for saving me.”

  The tears ran unchecked down her face as she hugged Selena. Finally letting go, she watched as the officer and Selena settled in the back seat before they drove away. She stood on the sidewalk, her body quivering as she pressed her fingers tightly against her lips in an attempt to stem the sob that wanted to escape.

  Gabe, Vinny, and BJ left, having to walk by her on their way to their vehicles. Each touched her shoulder quickly, in a show of support while understanding her need for privacy. Only Jobe remained.

  She turned, seeing him on the sidewalk near the steps of the building. They both stood, not moving, staring into each other’s eyes.

  Let me in, doll, his expression implored.

  Take my pain, was her inner response.

  Suddenly, she launched herself at him, running at full speed. He caught her easily in his embrace, holding her tightly.

  Not caring who saw or what they thought, she let the sobs release as she poured her heart out in his arms. He cradled her head against his chest, next to his heartbeat, hating the reason she was there, but loving the way she turned to him in need.

  “I’m not making any difference,” she cried. “It’s all going to hell.”

  “That’s not true,” he shushed. “What you’re doing is amazing,” he reassured, but her head just shook against his neck. After a minute of crying he heard her speak, but her voice was muffled by his shirt. He leaned his head down while still holding her tightly, asking, “What, baby?”

  “Take me home,” was the choked response. She lifted her gaze up to his, the red-rimmed eyes pleading, as she whispered again, “Take me home.”

  Chapter 11

  The ride back to Jobe’s apartment was made in silence, as he occasionally spared a glance to the passenger side. Mackenna was leaning against the door, her head on the window, eyes closed. He wanted to comfort her…say something to make it better. But one look at her and he knew she was not ready to hear anything yet. Maybe I can get her to eat something and take a nap. She looks like she’s going to drop.

  The minute the apartment door was closed she whirled around, launching herself at him again. Only this time it was not in tears. As he caught her, she wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled his face to hers for a kiss.

  And did not let go.

  Jobe, caught off guard, held her up with one hand under her ass and the other around her waist. The unexpected kiss was urgent—hot and wet, and she was not coming up for air. He gladly accommodated, allowing her to rule the moment as he enjoyed the feel of her soft lips moving against his. Her tongue slipped inside and warred with his.

  His knees almost buckled with desire as she sucked his tongue into her mouth and began to grind her soft core against his jean-clad cock. Already at attention, it was painfully swollen against his zipper and he wondered if it would have permanent marks.

  He pulled her back gently, saying, “Doll, you gotta slow down. We need to talk about a lot of things.”

  “Fuck talking,” she murmured against his lips, as she continued to move her hips into his pelvis.

  Pulling back again, he tried once more to slow her down. She doesn’t want me, she just wants a body right now.

  By creating a slight space between their chests, she reached down grabbing the bottom of her shirt and whipping it up over her head. His eyes dropped down to her full breasts spilling out of her bra before raising his gaze back up to hers.

  “Oh, no, doll. We’re so not doing this now.”

  She pulled him, latching onto his lips again and he felt his resolve slipping.

  She murmured between kisses, “I just…need…you. Please…”

  “Mackenna, I don’t want us to use each other for sex. We meant too much to each other at one time.”

  Jerking her face back away from his, she stared him down, seeing his labored breathing. “Talking’s for later. Right now I need a body to let me know I’m still fucking alive. I just want to stop hurting. Please, do that for me.”

  Seeing his tortured expression, she instinctively knew he was trying to do the honorable thing. Fuck honorable. “Jobe,” she said softly, gaining his attention. “I didn’t go to just anyone. I’m here with you. I. Need. You.”

  With that, he pressed her firmly again, one hand behind her head as he took over the kiss. With her legs wrapped around his waist tightly, he shifted his other hand to her bra clasp and quickly unsnapped it. She tossed the offending material away as he walked them toward the bedroom.

  The heat between them was explosive and he angled his head for better access to her warm mouth. Sucking her tongue, he moved expertly around, feeling every crevice as he memorized her taste again.

  By the time they made it into his bedroom she had grabbed his t-shirt and was tugging it upward. Their lips separated only long enough for that piece of clothing to be discarded as well. Before it landed on the floor, he had pressed her naked chest against his.

  His hand fisted in her hair, holding her close as he devoured her lips. Hard. Demanding. As though neither of them could get enough. His tongue delved inside of her warm mouth again and again, capturing her moans.

  She squirmed in his arms, her nipples tight and aching as she pressed them against his chest. As her core rubbed against his swollen cock, she cursed the material between them. She tried to slide her hand down to his jean zipper but found herself flying through the air before she could get it down.

  Having reached the bed, Jobe gave her a little toss onto the mattress before he jerked his jeans down. He saw her eyes widen for a second before a smile lit her face. She quickly unzipped her pants as well and he peeled them o
ff of her before she could finish. Slow. I should go slow. This should be special, his mind interrupted, but before he could act on that thought, she slipped her panties down and opened her legs to him. Fuck, girl.

  She saw the momentary hesitation in his eyes and vowed to erase it. Her body was on fire with need. The need to feel something besides fear. Something besides sadness. Something besides hurt. She saw his gaze move from her face down her naked body, stopping between her legs. Sliding one hand down, she fondled herself as she ran a finger through her wet folds. His eyes dilated with lust as she continued to hold him captive with her movements.

  Jobe pulled his boxers off, his erection springing free. Palming himself as she continued to play with herself, he knew his cock was ready to explode.

  “Just fuck me,” she pleaded in a whisper, her need overtaking all other thoughts.

  Crawling over her body, resting his weight on his arms, all rational thinking flew from his mind. Placing his aching cock at her entrance he peered down at her face as he plunged inside in one swift movement. Her warm, tight pussy welcomed him. Home. I’ve fucking found home. As he watched her eyes, hooded with desire, he began moving slowly.

  She was having none of that. “Fuck me harder. I need hard,” she pleaded again. She grabbed his ass with her hands, pulling him forward as she moved her hips up.

  Answering her need as their bodies slammed together, he leaned down to capture her lips again as his tongue began to emulate the movement of his dick. He had been with women in the past years but never had he felt this connection since the last time they had been with each other. Over and over, he plunged into her warmth.

  The friction was building and she forced her hips up in the mating dance that she knew would bring relief. Sweet relief. More endowed than her few past lovers, he reached places deep inside that were longing to be stroked. With her hands moving back and forth from his ass to his back, she reveled in the feel of his muscular body connected with hers.

  He knew he was about to come, but wanted her satisfaction first. He ground his pelvis against her clit, eliciting more delicious moans from the beautiful woman writhing beneath him. Leaning on one arm he slid his other hand down her body, over her breast and stomach until reaching that swollen bud. Moving his fingers around the wetness where their bodies were connected, he gave her clit a little pinch and that was all it took.

  Her slick inner walls began to tighten around his cock and she threw her head back onto the mattress as her orgasm roared through her.

  With a few more thrusts, he felt his balls tighten and as the muscles in his neck corded and the veins threatened to burst, he powered through his release as he pumped through his orgasm.

  Panting and bodies slick with sweat, he fell on top of her before he could remember that he would crush her. Forcing himself to roll to the side, he pulled her along with him so that she was sprawled partially on top of him. They lay for a long time, neither saying anything as coherent thought was impossible.

  As the air around them began to cool their bodies, he reached over to grab a light blanket and pull it up over them, making sure it was tucked around her.

  As reality slowly returned, she lifted her head to peer down into his face. Wondering what she would see, she was surprised…his expression showed vulnerability. Sucking in her lips, she fought the desire to lean over and kiss him. I just wanted a fuck, right? That’s all. I don’t need anything else from him. But…she felt a tear slide down her cheek and she quickly lay her head back on his chest to keep him from seeing it.

  Jobe knew she was trying to hide her emotions. She thought she just wanted a fuck to forget what was going on. Yeah, right. That’s not Mackenna. He knew for himself that what they had just done was no casual fuck, regardless of what she tried to tell herself.

  Before she could begin to make excuses, he gave her a little squeeze forcing her to look up at him once again. “Doll, hard and fast may have worked for right now, but you gotta know that’s not how I wanted this to be.”

  She wanted to give a quick, flippant response. An “it was great, thanks for the fuck” kind of answer. But he deserved more. And if she was honest with herself, so did she. So she just nodded.

  He sat up and tossed several pillows against the headboard before sliding up and resting against them. Before she could process what he was doing, he pulled her up, tucking her into his side, enveloping her in his embrace.

  “You wanted to forget and I’ve been dying to be close to you again. I guess we both got what we needed at the moment.”

  He felt her nod against his chest and wondered what her thoughts were. Was that really all she wanted? He felt moisture on his skin and could not hold back the smile as tears slid from her eyes down onto his body.

  “Doll, it’s time. We gotta talk. You deserve to know everything. Then and only then can you decide what you want. What you need. What place I can have in your life.”

  She leaned up again, peering deeply into his eyes, finding uncertainty again. I’ve held onto my hurt for so long. Can I possibly let it go and take a chance again? Fear wrapped around her heart but, seeing his expression, she knew that his fears were just as real.

  Nodding, she slid out of bed and grabbed his t-shirt from the floor since hers was still by the front door. Sliding the soft material over her head it settled down her curves, hanging to her knees. She crawled back onto the bed and faced him. Armored, she sat quietly with her arms around her middle, waiting to see what was coming.

  Jobe watched in fascination as she put on his t-shirt and climbed back into bed. His heart ached at seeing such a familiar sight. Familiar…and different. This woman was harder, more closed than the Mackenna of old. She hides her vulnerability from me. From everyone. And I am the only one that can take that away.

  Suddenly unsure as to how to start, he realized that of the many times he had practiced this speech, now was different. Because she was staring straight into his eyes. And the words choked.

  She saw the struggle in his face. That handsome face that haunted her dreams. No matter how much she cursed him over the years, she never forgot his face. Reaching out her hand, she palmed his jaw rubbing her thumb over the stubble. His eyes held hers as he leaned his face into her palm.

  Now or never, he realized.

  He looked at her and blurted, “This may take a while. I haven’t spoken about all of this to anyone other than the Army psychologist or counselor.” He watched her carefully for signs of discomfort.

  She settled against some pillows on the bed, gazing up at him with trust in her eyes. “Okay,” she said softly.

  Sucking in a huge breath, he let it out slowly as his mind went back. To a different time and place.

  “You know my family. We never had much money, but my parents gave me and my sisters nothing but love. I was the oldest, and a boy. It was my responsibility to help take care of the girls. I walked them to school. Settled their squabbles. Threatened their dates. I had a part-time job in high school to help pay the bills even though my parents wanted me to save for college. I just wasn’t sure that college was what I wanted…not when the military called.

  “See, when I was about eight years old, we went to a Fourth of July parade and I saw soldiers marching. I’d never seen anything so amazing. Perfect uniforms. Perfect unison.” He gave a little smile as he looked back down at her, “That was it, doll. I knew at eight years old what I wanted to be. I began to study everything I could about the military and knew I wanted to be in the Special Forces. So I got my grades up in high school, went to a community college and then enlisted.

  “The training for SF was the hardest thing I’d ever experienced but when it was over, I understood real responsibility. Real duty. The team and the mission were everything. That kind of discipline was perfect for me.

  “The first tour was difficult, but I was in Tony’s squad and those men were the best of the best. I wanted to always make sure I deserved to be there. Put them first. Put the mission first. We all cli
cked as a group and were successful.”

  He shifted in the bed to find a more comfortable position before continuing. “I met you and thought I had it all. Perfect career, perfect woman.

  So far, his recitation had been impressive, but nothing that she did not already know. When they had first gotten together, she was around his family and knew how close they were…how his sisters leaned on him for strength and protection. They were so proud of his military career. His father would nearly burst with pride when talking about his son.

  “It took years for me to realize that my life was about control. My control helped protect my sisters. Helped my family. Helped my squad. Absolute control. If I left nothing to chance, then nothing could go wrong. When I left to go into the military, I had my best friend look after my family. Took over my duties.” He hung his head for a moment, the memories washing over him. Feeling a small hand on his arm, he looked up at Mackenna’s concerned expression but could not find the words to reassure her.

  Like ripping off a band-aid quickly, he blurted, “I got an email from my parents telling me that Hannah had been hurt. My goddamn best friend tried to rape her.”

  Mackenna’s gasp slipped out as she saw Jobe’s face contort in pain and anger. She watched as he slowed his breathing, regaining the control he so desired.

  He swallowed several times before continuing, “She wasn’t hurt badly, at least physically. He was supposed to be escorting her home from the library when he took advantage of her. When she rejected him, he drug her into an alley…someone heard her scream and called the police.”

  The silence in the room crept over them, each to their own thoughts. “What happened to him?” she asked softly, her fingers still stroking his arm.

  “Asshole served some time. Got back out but isn’t in the area anymore. I dealt with him when I got out of the Army.”

  She did not ask him how he dealt with it…she was too afraid of the answer.