by Elle James
JoJo sighed. “About Thursday…I have to cancel.”
“Are you sure? I mean, we don’t have to do the hypnosis then. We can wait for another visit.”
“No, really, I need to cancel. We have a big event happening this weekend on the ranch. It’s all hands on deck. I have to be here.”
“Is it Lawrence Stover’s big meet and greet that they’re having on Friday? I saw a report on the news about it just a few minutes ago.”
JoJo nodded. Politicians knew how to work the media to get the word out quickly. “That’s the one, only Stover and his sidekick will be arriving tomorrow. His campaign staff arrives on Thursday. So, I need to be here.”
“Understood,” Emily said. “You know, I didn’t schedule any appointments for Friday, and my last appointment on Thursday is around two. I could come out, and we could do the hypnosis session at the lodge.”
“I’m not sure I’ll have time.”
“Well, I’d like to come out anyway and visit with Gunny, RJ and you. Maybe I can help with the events this weekend as well.”
JoJo smiled. “Gunny would love that. I swear you’re one of his favorites.”
“As are you, JoJo, as are you,” Emily said. “That old curmudgeon has a heart of gold.”
“He does. And he collects strays,” JoJo added.
Emily laughed. “And I’m grateful for that. I wouldn’t be the therapist I am today without his help.”
“And I wouldn’t be able to put a roof over my head without the job he gave me.”
“You know he’d put you up at the lodge.”
JoJo smiled. “I know, and he keeps asking when I’m moving in, but for now with my nightmares…it’s best that I’m in my own apartment. That way I don’t disturb him, RJ, or their guests.”
“That’s a good point, but then you also don’t have the support handy when you do have those terrible nightmares.”
“They’re mine,” JoJo said. “I don’t want the others to be involved in them.”
“Ever heard that phrase, no man is an island?” Emily asked.
“Yeah, so?”
“That goes for women too. RJ and Gunny are family. They’d happily help share your burden.”
“Are you trying to get rid of me?” JoJo asked.
Emily chuckled. “Not at all. I just want to help make you whole again. I didn’t know you before, but I can guess you’re only half the person you used to be…walking in shadows, afraid of the dark. RJ and Gunny have enough love in their hearts to help chase away those shadows.”
“I know,” JoJo said. “And Gunny helped by putting me through Krav Maga lessons, and not a day goes by that RJ doesn’t ask for me to open up and tell her what’s wrong.”
“You’re not ready, are you?” Emily said.
“No, it’s still too raw. And though I know it wasn’t my fault and I didn’t ask for it, I still feel embarrassed and humiliated.” JoJo’s throat tightened, and tears welled in her eyes. “They found me naked and buried in the sand.”
“JoJo, we all came into this world naked. Don’t let that bother you. And again, it was not your fault. No woman asks to be raped, and they sure as hell don’t ask to be beaten and left to die.”
The love and kindness in Emily’s voice hit a chord in JoJo. She took a shuddering breath and held back the tears. “The logic in me agrees with you one-hundred percent, but then there’s the emotional side of me that wonders how people will look at me if they know what happened. I don’t want them to think of me as dirty. And I don’t want them to look at me with pity in their eyes.”
“I really wish you’d consider joining the sexual violence survivor’s support group. It really does help to know that you’re not the only one. JoJo, you survived. Not everyone who went through what you have does. And you’re worthy of love and acceptance. Join the group. It’ll help.”
“Again, maybe someday,” JoJo whispered. “I’m just not ready.”
“Neither were they,” Emily said gently. “But they did it.”
“So noted,” JoJo said. “Now, I really have to get to work.”
“And I need to wrap things up and get ready to go home,” Emily sighed. “I’ll see you on Thursday?”
“You bet,” JoJo said. “I’ll let Gunny know you’re coming.”
“Good, I enjoy being outdoors. I can help him do anything he needs done. I owe that man so much.”
JoJo ended the call. She owed Gunny, too. He’d taken her in, no questions.
She hurried over to the Watering Hole where a crowd had already gathered, hollering for drinks and food. Hopefully, she’d get through the evening without another Roy pushing her buttons. Max would be there as well. She might even bump into him a time or two. The thought sent shivers of awareness across her body, and warmth coiled at her center. Since her rape, she hadn’t wanted any man, but Max gave her a sense of hope that one day she would.
Thankfully, the regulars didn’t stay past nine o’clock. They headed back to Fool’s Gold or their ranches for the night since the next day would be another workday.
After they stacked the chairs, mopped the floors and cleaned the kitchen, Gunny, RJ, Jake, Max and JoJo left through the rear exit of the Watering Hole.
Jake took RJ’s hand. “Feel like a cup of hot cocoa? Maybe even a foot rub?”
RJ sighed. “You are a man after my own heart.”
“I certainly hope so.” He raised her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to the backs of her knuckles. “They say the way to a woman’s heart is through her feet.”
RJ laughed. “Whoever they are, they’re right.”
Jake and RJ walked away, leaning into each other and holding hands.
Once again, JoJo felt her heart ache with the sight of the love the two had found in each other.
“I’m headed to bed,” Gunny said, breaking into JoJo’s thoughts. “Got an early morning. Before I go, JoJo, do you want me to follow you into town and make sure Roy doesn’t give you any trouble?”
JoJo shook her head. “No, I’ll be fine.”
Gunny nodded. “Let me know. Give me a call when you get in, so I know you got in safe.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Max said. “I’ll follow her into town and see that she makes it to her door.”
JoJo frowned. “I can make it on my own. You don’t need to follow me.”
He shook his head. “I’m going that way anyway. I need to stop by the grocery store and pick up a few things.”
Her frown deepened. “You’re not just saying that?”
He shook his head. “No, actually, I hate to admit it, but I have a sweet tooth, and I’m all out of my peppermint candies that I love. And I know that I don’t need the sugar,” he patted his flat stomach, “or need the calories, but life wouldn’t be worth living if you couldn’t indulge every once in a while.”
She laughed, imagining this big Special Forces guy sucking on a peppermint candy. “Fine. You can follow me to town, but you don’t have to follow me all the way to my apartment. Once we get to town, you can go off to the grocery store. It’s in the opposite direction.”
His lips pressed together tightly. “What kind of gentleman would I be if I didn’t make sure that you made it to your door?”
JoJo cocked one eyebrow. “One that’s not nearly as irritating as you are?”
He grinned. “Ha, but I think deep down you like that I’m irritating.”
Her lips twisted. “It has to be because you’re cute. Otherwise, people wouldn’t put up with you.”
His grin broadened. “Oh, so you think I’m cute?” He puffed out his chest. “And all my friends told me I had a face only a mother could love.”
JoJo rolled her eyes. “Liar. You’re too handsome for your own good. Lucky you didn’t land on your face in that fall.”
He nodded. “Yes, I was. Fortunately, I was wearing a helmet, which probably saved my brain from being scrambled. I guess that’s one more thing to be thankful for.” He grinned. “Look, I promise not to
walk you up to your door. However, I would like to see you make it into your apartment before I go to the grocery store.”
JoJo’s eyes narrowed. “Why do you care?”
“I guess I feel like I’m responsible for your wellbeing after rescuing you from Roy’s lap.” He winked. “I promise you chivalry is not dead.” He raised his hands in surrender. “It’s not like I’m asking for anything in return. I just want to know you’re safe getting in your own apartment.”
She rolled her eyes. “Fine. But I don’t need somebody looking out for me. I can take care of myself.”
He rubbed the back of his head. “I realize that.”
Her lips twisted into a wry grin. “You’re not going to let me forget that are you?”
He shook his head. “Nope. And I’m not likely to forget it either.”
JoJo hit the unlock button on her car. Before she could reach for the door handle, Max was there opening the door for her. She frowned but said a grudging thank you as she climbed into her car and closed the door.
Chapter 5
Max limped to his truck, tired after a day on his feet. He hated that the limp was even more pronounced, and he hated that JoJo saw it. Why he should be so concerned about what she thought of him, he didn’t know. He kind of liked the spitfire. She didn’t take any guff from anybody, including him.
Max followed JoJo into Fool’s Gold. When he was supposed to turn right to go to the grocery store, he instead turned left and followed her. After three or four blocks, she turned to the right and drove another block to a small apartment complex. He hung back, giving her room until she drove into a space in the parking lot.
When she got out of her vehicle and started up to her apartment on the second floor, Max pulled into the parking lot with the intention of turning around. He paused and waited to see that she made it into the apartment and closed the door behind her, locking it, he hoped.
Her light came on inside.
Max sighed, backed out of the parking lot, and pulled out onto the road.
As punchy as she’d been when she’d flipped him over in the barn, he was almost certain that she had experienced some kind of attack. And based on her reaction to Roy pulling her down into his lap, she’d probably been attacked by a man.
Max pressed his foot to the accelerator, his fingers tightening on the steering wheel. As he drove away from the apartment complex, a dark, four-door sedan passed him going the opposite direction. He slowed and watched as the vehicle pulled into the parking lot. For all he knew, it could be another resident of JoJo’s building.
He started to drive away, but something tugged at his gut. Instead, he circled the block and came back to the apartment complex. The dark sedan stood in the parking lot, someone still in the driver’s seat. He’d backed into a position across from JoJo’s door.
Max frowned. He took another turn around the block and came back.
The same vehicle remained, the driver still behind the wheel. Granted, he could be on the phone talking to someone and didn’t want to get out until he ended the conversation. But why had he backed into the parking place, and why was he sitting right across from JoJo’s door?
Max didn’t think it was Roy. He’d watched Roy leave the bar in a jacked-up truck. Unless Roy had borrowed somebody else’s car, or had a car of his own, and was waiting outside of JoJo’s apartment. What would he hope to gain? Or was it even Roy? The man behind the wheel didn’t look nearly as large as the six-feet-seven Roy.
Or was Max getting punchy like JoJo? He drove around the block again, pulled out his cellphone and called JoJo.
She answered on the third ring. “Hello?”
“Hey, JoJo, this is Max.” He hesitated, not really wanting to get her stirred up if the lurker was just another apartment complex resident. Then again, it didn’t hurt to be overly cautious.
“Did you forget your way to the grocery store?” she asked.
“No, I’m still outside your apartment building. I just wanted to make sure that you’re all right.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he realized how lame they sounded.
She chuckled. “I’m fine like every other night that I come home by myself, but thanks for asking.”
“Do me a favor,” he said.
“What’s that?”
“Without being too obvious, look through your front window. There’s a vehicle backed into a space directly across from your apartment. Do you recognize that a vehicle? Is it a regular in the parking lot?”
“Give me a minute,” she said. “Okay, I’m at my window. I’m peeking through. Are you talking about the dark one that’s backed up against the bushes?”
His grip on the steering wheel tightened. “Yes.”
“I’m not sure I’ve seen that one before, but then again, I don’t really know everybody in the apartment complex or their vehicles. It never dawned on me to watch them.”
His gut knotted. “Well, just for grins, keep an eye on him and keep me on the line for a little while.”
“You really need to go to the grocery store and go home,” JoJo said.
“I agree, but I got you this far. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“Thank you for that sentiment. I have a can of mace and a handgun. Just so you know, I’m also licensed to carry.”
“Is that handgun loaded?” he asked.
She didn’t answer immediately. “Maybe.”
“Do me a favor and load it. Have the mace handy, and double check your locks.”
She snorted. “And I thought I was a scaredy cat.”
“You started my paranoia when you flipped me.”
JoJo chuckled. “I told you I was sorry. Or is this payback for landing you flat on your backside?”
“No, not at all,” he said, “I just don’t trust Roy. He doesn’t look like a guy who would take that kind of rejection without retaliating.”
“Well, thank you for caring,” she said, “but you really should go on. You’ve done your job by alerting me. I can take it from here.”
“Okay, but you have my number. If you need anything, you call me. I’ll still be in town for a few minutes more to make that run to the grocery store.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, and thank you for caring,” she said.
“I’ll see you in the morning, if I don’t see you sooner,” he said. “I’m looking forward to our ATV trip.”
“Goodnight, Max.”
Max ended the call and drove around the block one more time. The guy was still there in the parking lot. Instead of driving past, he pulled in and parked right next to the guy. From what he could see through the darkened windows, the man was not on his cellphone, and it didn’t sound like his radio was on. So why he was sitting there staring up at the apartment building?
Max couldn’t find a good reason. So, he sat there until the driver next to him cranked up his engine and drove away.
Max’s cellphone rang. It was JoJo’s number.
“You don’t give up, do you?” JoJo said.
Max chuckled. “No, I don’t.”
“Well, that car’s gone now,” she said. “I think it’s safe to say that you can go to the grocery store.”
“You’ll let me know if he comes back?” Max asked.
“You’ll be the first on my phone tree,” she said. “Goodnight, Max.”
“Goodnight, JoJo. See ya tomorrow.”
He drove to the grocery store, picked up what he needed, and then drove out to the ranch, half-expecting a phone call from JoJo at any moment. When he didn’t get one, he sighed. Yeah, he was probably just making it all up in his head.
He’d had gut feelings before, but maybe his gut had it wrong this time. The day he’d fallen from the cliff, his intuition had told him it was a bad day to be out there. He’d ignored it, and he’d paid the price.
Max’s gut told him that the man sitting in the car had a nefarious purpose. Was it aimed toward JoJo? Max couldn’t be certain. Hopefully, the guy hadn’t gone back to the
apartment building after Max had left.
* * *
JoJo peeked around the edge of the blinds and watched as the car Max had identified remained in the parking lot. Even though Max had said he was leaving, he’d come back and parked next to that car.
JoJo smiled. The man didn’t give up.
Max’s truck sat next to the sedan until that driver decided he’d had enough and left. If it were anybody else, JoJo might have accused Max of lurking himself. But he left after the other vehicle left.
JoJo’s heart swelled.
Once both vehicles had gone, she left her vigil at the window and headed for the shower. In the bathroom, she stripped out of her clothes, turned on the shower faucet to hot and stepped beneath the spray.
JoJo tipped back her head, letting water run down her face over her shoulders and down over her breasts. That heat that she’d felt at her core, earlier with Max, built again. She closed her eyes and imagined his hands, instead of the water, feathering across her skin, over her breasts and down her torso to the juncture of her thighs. How would she react if she lay naked with him? Would she freak out and run? Or would she lie stiff as a board, dreading his touch, afraid of what would come next? Would she ever react normally again to a man’s touch? Would she ever crave a man’s hands on her body?
Though she felt the urge and the aching need to be touched, she was too afraid to act on it. If she wanted sexual relief, she could pleasure herself, and she proceeded to, letting her hand trail down to that juncture between her thighs to stroke that very special spot over and over again, while thinking about Max and how it would feel to have him do this.
The more she imagined him, the hotter she grew. She stroked herself, increasing the pressure and pace, getting faster and faster, her body tensing, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Water rushed over her head and eyes, warm rivulets streaming over her naked skin. When she rocketed over the edge, she let out a little cry.
“Max.”
JoJo rode the wave all the way to the end. When she could breathe normally again and her pulse slowed, she turned the water to cool, barely chilling the fire that the Green Beret soldier had inspired. Her lips quirked up on the corners. What would he think if he knew that she had come while she was thinking of him? Would he be turned on or would he be appalled? Fortunately, he’d never find out.