by tani shane
Thanks for the wild ride babes. If you want we can do it again. And remember there’s no point trying to prove your innocence. The pics show otherwise. What dyu say I share them with my pals?
And oh, by the way, I left you there for your dog to find u. C if he’ll have u now that u know whats a good fuck!
Jessica shook her head in horror. This was not happening to her! Not only had Jake raped her but he had also managed to make the whole thing look consensual! How could she possibly expose him for the evil he really was?
Mark grabbed the phone from her, his eyes blazing with fury at the messages. “That bloody piece of shit! I’m going to kill him!” Jessica was shaking out of control and he took her back in his arms. “We have to go to the police,” he managed against her hair but she shook her head.
“No! We can’t prove anything against him!” Tears streamed down her face as she hid it in her hands feeling thoroughly ashamed. “I went there on my own! Everyone saw that!”
“But he drugged you! If we run tests they’ll find it in your system,” Mark reasoned feeling frustrated.
Her eyes opened to plead him. “No, Ty, no! I can’t let anyone see those horrible pics. Jeff! What will he say? The media; they will say all sorts of things about me! They’ll think I’m just a rich girl who deserved this!” She threw her arms around his neck and cried into his chest. He held her in his safe arms wishing he could turn back time.
When Jessica raised her eyes to him, he knew he would die but he would ensure she never felt pain again. “I want him washed away from my body. Do you understand, Ty? I want him washed away!” She clutched his shirt, her eyes wild and distraught. “Help me, Ty. Will you help me? I want his smell gone! I can’t breathe! Help me!”
He nodded not trusting himself to speak. He stood up and helped her to her feet. Turning her to face him, he gently pulled her tank top over her head. He followed it with her bra, his gut clenching painfully when he saw the bites around her nipples. He then helped her out of her skirt and finally her panties.
Mark led her to the bathroom where he turned on a hot shower and gently stood her under it. She gasped as the hot jet struck her skin then turned to face him with imploring eyes. He understood her silent plea and removed his clothes to enter the shower with her.
He took the shampoo and helped wash her hair; he then took the soap and lathered her, washing away the memories that lingered on her skin. When he touched her thighs, she winced and he began moving his hand away but she held it in place.
“Wash him away, Ty, wash him away!”
He did as she asked and lathered her carefully, touching her intimately, caressing her, removing all the filth till she felt clean.
He was aroused now and she leaned in his embrace, her arms around his waist, her cheek against his chest. The hot water caressed their naked bodies making him acutely aware of every inch of her skin touching him.
She stood unmoving in his arms for a long time. When she finally stirred and looked up at him, he knew she was still crying. He turned off the shower and reached out for her robe. Grabbing a towel for himself, he led her out of the bathroom.
When he laid her on the bed, the shadows under her eyes made his heart shatter into a million pieces. “Jess?” It was a question and her response was to open her arms to him.
He went to her willingly, wanting to restore her dignity. His lips found hers in a passionate kiss and she returned it with equal abandon clutching at him as though she was drowning.
Mark reined in his desire, wanting to be gentle with her but she wrapped her hands around his neck and lifted her hips to him. “I want you now, Ty, no more waiting,” she whispered through unshed tears. “I want to wipe his every memory and I can’t do it on my own.”
“Oh my, baby girl!” he groaned, kissing her fervently. “I’ll give you what you want honey, but are you sure you want this?”
Her eyes glittered bitterly, silent tears once again rolling down the sides of her face. She looked up at him as he waited for her answer. “I could feel him when he was taking my body, Ty, I could feeeeel him!” she hissed through clenched teeth, “And I couldn’t do a thing to stop him. He forced himself on me over and over again and I..I…felt good.” She began sobbing again, closing her eyes to avoid his. “I hate myself, I hate myself! How could I get an orgasm when I was being raped?!”
His heart raced with the acknowledgement of the injustice done to an innocent like her. If she wasn’t in the state that she was he would go find Jake and cut his dick off! “It wasn’t your fault, Jess. He slipped you a powerful street drug that is regularly used to rape women by getting their submission. There is usually no proof of rape as it all appears consensual.”
“But to feel that kind of horrible passion?”
“It wasn’t your fault,” he stated touching his forehead to hers. “I swear he’ll pay, Jess, I’ll make him pay for what he did to you!”
Jessica’s lips quivered as she attempted to hold back her sobs. “Love me Ty. Show me how. I want it just once; but promise me something.”
“What?” he murmured in between the small kisses he placed over her face.
“You will leave me after we’re done.”
He paused, the shock of her words sinking in. He knew she meant forever. “Why?”
Her smile was lost and forlorn. “I know you too well, Ty. You will never be able to face Jeff after this. And then you will hate yourself. You will love me but you will hate yourself and I can’t let that happen. Take my memories with you and be there when I need you.”
“What if I can’t leave? What if I love you so much that I will die if I leave?”
She laughed then between her soft sobs. “Oh, Ty, you love me! You really love me!” Tears kept streaming down her face while she smiled sadly. “Say it again, please say it again.”
Mark kissed the sides of her face where the tears streamed down. “I love you Jess, I have loved you since I saw you the very first time and I will love you till my dying breath!”
A half laugh with a sob escaped her and she kissed him back with tiny kisses all over his face. “Thank you, Ty. I love you too. But if you stay, you will die from wanting me too much.” Her wet lashes almost touched his cheeks. “Promise me you will leave?”
For an answer Mark crushed her lips in a kiss he wanted to burn into her memory forever. He felt her response, tentative at first and then bold as her tongue entangled with his, drawing as much as she could from him.
He left her mouth to place tiny kisses across her breasts before capturing her nipple in his mouth and sucking it gently. Jessica arched towards him moaning as a sharp arrow of desire throbbed between her thighs with anticipation. “I want you now, Ty, I want you in me now!”
His mouth left her breast and he towered over her as he parted her willing legs. He positioned his hard member near her entrance and then slid into her warmth with a thrust that left her gasping. Her body stretched to accommodate him and she caught his waist tightly.
“Wait, don’t move,” she whispered, her eyes dazed with her desire for him, “I want to remember how you feel in me.” She closed her eyes, memorizing the fullness of him within her and he obliged her by cupping her bottom and sliding as deeply in her as he could, relishing her velvety depths.
Mark gazed down at the beautiful young woman under him. He reveled in the feel of being within her as one. It was the moment he knew he could never fall in love again. He would cherish her forever. He laid tiny kisses over her closed eyes whispering his love for her over and over again.
She sighed heavily and opened her eyes to smile at him. “Now, Ty, take me now. Love me as much as you can!” He captured her mouth in a wild kiss as he began thrusting slowly in and out of her. She moaned, her head falling back. She kept pace with him and rose to meet his thrusts even as the torturous journey to her climax began leading her higher and higher. “Harder! I want you harder!” she screamed through clenched teeth, her sore body reveling in his large member ramming
into her. He claimed her mouth once again in a passionate kiss as he moved in and out of her with an urgency he had never felt before.
He grabbed her hips and drove in deep within her depths, almost losing control as he felt her hot muscles beginning to clench around him. “Oh, yes, baby girl, yes, come for me.”
She almost lifted off the bed as her orgasm suddenly crashed over her in waves of ecstasy and she clenched around him screaming his name over and over again. Mark felt his restraint break and he slammed into her with one last thrust and pumped his hot flow deep into her womb. “Jessica! I love you!” He kept rocking till the last wave of his orgasm passed over and collapsed against her. He rolled off her and drew her in his arms, stroking her arm lazily. “You ok?”
When she didn’t answer, he looked down and smiled to find her fast asleep. He held her for a while, wondering if he could ever let her go. She was right of course. He had to leave her. They were never meant to be.
He left her sleeping peacefully and packed his stuff. He would get someone from the agency to replace him. He was leaving but he would be damned if he didn’t make Jake Wallace pay before he left.
Chapter One
Present day
The early September morning was bright, blue and full of the fluffy, white clouds that made the scene look as though it were straight out of a children’s picture book. As usual, Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica’s famous shopping district, was bustling with crowd that comprised of locals and tourists alike. The tourists mostly went about looking a bit dazed as they encountered one magnificent shop after the other. There was something for everyone. Clothes, shoes, jewelry, music, books and newsstands, cafes, restaurants, bars, bakeries and even exclusive art galleries that made up a rather tiring excursion. One could never have enough of this street that was one of the most popular and likely places in Santa Monica to spot a celebrity strolling by.
Jessica Cantrell watched the enthusiasts who thronged the place with irritated eyes. She was having one of her recent bad days and longed to go home and curl up in bed rather than give polite money-related answers to people who couldn’t afford to buy most of the stuff in her garment boutique anyway. Of course, her staff never bothered her unless they thought some customer was showing genuine interest. But today even the thought of a prospective client bothered her.
She scowled at her own reflection on her office window that was situated on the mezzanine floor above her garment boutique. Life wasn’t fair. Here she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown while the people out there looked as though they had not a care in the world.
A knock sounded on her office door and when she did not bother to respond, it opened to let in Lynn Rogers, her marketing director and closest friend. “Jessi?”
Jessica turned from the world outside, her attractive features drawn in a sullen mask. “Save it, I need a break.”
“You’re in a foul mood,” Lynn observed, closing the door behind her.
“Foul mood?” Jessica drawled sarcastically, “My dear, I’m never in a foul mood; I’m merely grumpy!”
Lynn flashed a dimpled smile well accustomed to her friend’s varied mood swings. “Well, since you’re already at your grumpiest best, I think you’ll survive the news I have for you.”
Deep, gray eyes narrowed over her. “I might blackout.”
Lynn laughed this time. “I don’t think so, you’ve withstood worst.”
Jessica slumped in her chair, running her hands through her luxurious cinnamon colored tresses. “Oh, all right! Shoot, but be gentle.”
Lynn hesitated momentarily before sitting down on the visitor’s chair. “Maxwell Mason called; his bank refused to sanction the loan. Two more orders have been cancelled and Alex resigned this morning. Here’s his resignation letter.” She moved to place an envelope on the desk but Jessica waved her off.
“Don’t bother, you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. It’s just as well he resigned. The way things are I don’t think I can keep on any of the staff much longer.”
“That’s not true, Jessi…”
“Oh, be realistic!” Jessica snapped, her stormy eyes reflecting the frustration she felt. “Mason was our last hope, now we have nowhere to turn. And those cancelled orders; today it’s a couple, tomorrow the entire lot will back out and then the creditors will start banging on my door and then they’ll sue me for what I’m worth. Either way, it’s money they want, it’s money that I want too! Do you know the insurance company is giving me the third degree about the fire?”
“Yes, but…”
“Sheer negligence caused that fire. I know it was an unintentional human mistake but it has ruined me! Short circuit because of a hotplate that was left on in the pantry! Gawd! That sounds so pathetic! So pathetic that we might not even qualify for an insurance claim! Damn them and damn all their rules! It wasn’t my fault was it? I didn’t start the fire, did I?” She looked around the room at the untidy piles of semi-brunt dress materials and shook her head wistfully. “This happens to be the humble remains of my little company.”
The intercom buzzed abruptly and Jessica jabbed at it with an impatient finger. “What?” she demanded.
“Er..Mr.Cantrell’s here to see you,” her secretary’s hesitant voice came through.
Jessica closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Thank you, Ruth. Send him in will, you?” Her eyes opened to show the storm had subsided. She smiled apologetically at Lynn. “I’m sorry. When I let go, I really let go, don’t I?”
Her friend smiled warmly as she rose to her feet. At five feet two inches with blonde hair and bright hazel eyes, Lynn was the epitome of a fragile beauty. “Once in a while, we’re all allowed to, Jessi. Just remember, we’re all there for you.”
“I know.” Jessica came round her desk to place grateful hands on her friend’s shoulders. “Thanks for being there Lynn; from start to finish.”
A brief rap sounded on the door and Jeff Cantrell’s tall frame filled the office, a wide grin splashed across his dashing features. “Whoops, did I interrupt something important?”
“Just some friendly reassurance, Jeff. Good to see you again,” Lynn said moving towards the door. “Watch out for dragon lady, she’s looking for fresh blood,” she whispered before heading out.
“Thanks.” Jeff’s grin widened as he held the door open for her. When they were alone, Jeff turned to his sister warily. “Is that smoke I see coming out of your ears or am I imagining things?”
“It’s smoke!” Jessica confirmed sulking childishly. She folded her arms across her chest then frowned. “Why are you here, Jeff?”
He put on a wounded look and sat at the edge of her desk. “Still mad at me?”
“Yes,” her answer was gruff before her eyes took on a look of anticipation. “Unless of course you’re here to offer me a loan.”
“I’m not here to offer you anything except some good advice.”
Jessica gave an exasperated sigh. She moved behind her desk to once again slump into her chair. “What makes you think I need your advice?”
Jeff’s gray Cantrell eyes cast a meaningful glance at the mess around her cabin. “I don’t think, angel, I know you need my advice.” He lowered his large form on the visitor’s chair, a grave look on his face. “How long do you have?”
Disturbed eyes rested on him. “I’m in a bad shape, Jeff. The insurance company has proof that the fire was caused by human negligence but they also have a very alarming theory that they are trying to prove.”
“Which is?”
“Arson. The investigation team has reasons to believe that the hotplate was left on deliberately. Someone broke in through the pantry window and turned it on.” She sighed looking resigned. “I would like to believe it was the poor security guard who wanted a cup of hot milk or something but that doesn’t quite explain the broken window or the sprinkler system that failed.”
“Hmm,” Jeff muttered, frowning thickly, “Any ideas who it could be?”
“Lord only knows.
But I’m the likely suspect, if you must know.”
Jeff sat up, his eyes widening in disbelief. “What?!”
She gave him a dry smile. “That’s what the insurance company seems to think. It’s what they call ‘foul play’. They think I torched my company to claim insurance.”
“That is the most nonsensical accusation I’ve ever heard! Do they have an explanation as to why they think you would do such a thing?”
Jessica hesitated biting her lower lip nervously. “To repay my debts.”
Her brother’s eyes narrowed dangerously over her. “What debts?” Jeff saw faint color touch her cheeks and he rose to his feet ominously. “Jessica. What debts?”
She sought to avoid answering him but he was already before her, drawing her out of her chair to stand her for interrogation. With Jeff’s kind of determination, she knew it was better to tell him the truth than have him find out on his own. She tilted her chin defiantly. “I had to expand sooner or later and I took a couple of loans from certain finance agencies over the past two years. I had several orders on hand but I didn’t manage to repay the loans. I was supposed to pay them back by the end of this year but I was nowhere close to doing it.” Her dusky gray eyes were wide and honest. “In fact, I had already calculated I couldn’t do it at the pace I was going.”
“Heaven help you, Jessi,” her brother breathed slowly, “And just how did you plan to get out of this mess?”
She lifted her chin boldly; her beautiful face a picture of confidence. “I still have two months to go, Jeff.” She paused, faltering briefly. “I’m getting married.”
He stared at her with unconcealed shock. “To Warring?”
“Adam asked me to marry him last week.”
“You’re not wearing an engagement ring,” he observed shrewdly.