Devil in Texas

by Calista Fox

  Panic skittered through her at the thought of being unemployed. And, in the grand scheme of things, sans identity.

  “I’ve just processed your last check,” Judith said. “I need to know where to send it.”

  “Oh of course,” she mumbled.

  Had she really just quit her job? Chucked it all and driven halfway across the country? Settled into a small lakeside cottage with no prospect of employment? No family? No friends?

  Anxiety welled within her. Sure, she’d just had mind-blowing orgasms delivered by her idea of the Sexiest Man Alive, but still.

  She was unemployed.

  I have no job!

  That had never been the case for Responsible, Dependable Elizabeth Brooks. Not since she was sixteen years old—an adult in her mother’s eyes. And saddled with all the responsibilities that went with the role. Even at that age.

  Oh. My. God.

  What had she been thinking when she’d resigned from McClellan-Piper?

  “Elizabeth?” Judith prompted.

  She tried to speak, but she was still reeling from the reality that had just hit her like the iron anvil in the Roadrunner cartoons.

  Seriously. What the hell had she been thinking?

  “If you just want to email me the address, that would be fine,” Judith said.

  “Um, yeah, sure. That would be easiest.”

  “Okay, then.” Judith paused a moment before adding, “I’m not sure if Human Resources explained this to you, but all that paid time off you’ve accumulated since you started with M-P gets converted to cash. So I’ve included that amount in your final check.”

  A consolation prize?

  “Great,” she said. “That’s just great.”

  Because I have no freakin’ job!

  Okay, she told herself, bring it down a notch.

  Breathe.

  “I’ve never converted so many vacation days,” Judith was saying. “Did you ever take a day off?”

  “Oh uh, well… No. Not really.”

  She’d been so focused on chasing the carrot her boss had dangled in front of her since her first day as an intern, her sophomore year in college, that she hadn’t stopped to smell any roses. But she’d sure as hell felt the thorns along the way. And the glass ceiling at the end. How utterly depressing it hadn’t shattered, after all her time and effort. Her dedication and hard work.

  “Elizabeth?” Judith inquired of her silence.

  She sighed, hating that she’d hung so many hopes and dreams on this job. Had deserted life in general for it. Yet she still felt anxious over having left a stable career without having something else lined up.

  Her mother would be so disappointed in her, if reality ever set in for her.

  “Thanks for the heads up on the check,” Liza said, pulling her thoughts from the smoldering remains that was her life.

  “Email me today so I can get your money to you,” she said.

  “Absolutely.”

  The line went dead. Liza snapped her phone shut. The frown was still on her face, the cell still in her hand, resting in her lap, when Jack returned.

  “Everything okay?”

  She stared up at him. God, he was gorgeous. And he’d just made love to her with the kind of raw intensity and passion every woman dreamed of being the recipient of.

  Above all that, he hadn’t skipped out on her while she was on the phone. It would have been a valid excuse. But he hadn’t used it.

  Her heart skipped a beat. Her little world was crashing down around her and yet… She smiled at Jack. It was easy and natural. An innate response to the mere sight of him.

  “I may be jobless, but it seems paying my rent won’t be a problem.”

  He chuckled. “Good to know, considering I’m the one collecting the checks.”

  Feeling a little numb and a lot lost, she got out of bed, dragged on her clothes and headed into the kitchen, wanting to return the phone to her purse so she wouldn’t forget it the next time she left the cottage.

  “Hey,” he said in a soft tone as he propped his large, gloriously naked body against the frame of her bedroom door. He crossed his thick arms over his wide chest. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  Liza shrugged. “Financially, yes.” That was a blessing not to be overlooked.

  He stared at her, curious and possibly a bit concerned. She turned away from him, because she couldn’t find the words to describe what she was currently feeling. Nor did she get the chance to because the doorbell suddenly rang.

  One of her brows jerked up. “Who could that be?” The only person she knew in Wilder was already at her house.

  When she glanced over at Jack, he was scowling. He went for his jeans as she finger-combed her hair in hopes of making it a little less yes, I was just fucked by the hottest man to walk the face of the earth and have the sex-hair to prove it.

  She set her phone on the counter and crossed to the living room, pulling the door open. Standing on her porch was a lanky man, about forty, with neatly trimmed, sandy brown hair and blue-gray eyes. He wore brown slacks and a pale yellow dress shirt that was buttoned all the way up to his very prominent Adam’s apple. He didn’t wear a tie, but the extreme buttoned-up look—especially in this heat—made him appear stiff and uncomfortable.

  In his left hand, he held a bible. His right hand extended to Liza as a friendly smile touched his thin lips. “I’m Reverend Jonathan Bain. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Brooks.”

  “Oh hi, Reverend,” she stammered, perplexed by his appearance at her new rental. Not to mention a bit off-kilter at having a man of the cloth arrive shortly after her rather promiscuous interlude with Jack. “Nice to meet you too,” she said as she composed herself and slipped her hand in his. She added, “And it’s just Liza.”

  “Of course.” He raised the good book a few inches in her general direction. “I just wanted to welcome you to Wilder and invite you to worship with us tomorrow morning. Nine o’clock.”

  Liza pulled her hand from his and crossed her arms over her chest, fighting the frown that threatened her lips. Polite as the reverend was, her mother was a devout Catholic. She’d dragged Liza to church every Sunday morning and every Wednesday night for “spiritual cleansing” as a child and as a teenager. Back then, Liza had shared some doozies with Father Joseph during confession. The way Reverend Bain looked at her now made her think he was already anticipating hearing a lengthy list of sins.

  No way, José.

  Liza wasn’t about to air her dirty laundry. Not in a town this small. And not when all of her most recent sins starred the very sinful Jack Wade.

  “I appreciate the invitation, Reverend. I’ll keep it in mind for the fu—”

  “Well, hello, Jack.” The reverend’s gaze shifted away from her.

  Liza didn’t have to turn around to know the Devil was standing behind her.

  How ironic. She stifled a grin.

  “Reverend,” Jack said as he moved to the doorframe and placed a hand at the small of Liza’s back.

  Interesting move.

  “I didn’t expect to see you here,” Bain said.

  Jack’s tone was cool and reserved when he spoke. “It is my place,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone. “Liza’s my new tenant. There were some things here at the cottage that needed my…attention.”

  It could’ve been her imagination, but she was sure she’d heard a suggestive hint in his tone. Liza bit the inside of her lip to keep the smile at bay.

  Okay, so it didn’t take Sherlock and Watson to deduce what they’d just been up to. She was sure the afterglow was still…glowing. But she could also sense a peculiar vibe coming from Jack. Protectiveness mixed with a weird brooding over the interruption. No doubt the good reverend caught wind of his tension.

  “Something you needed in particular, Reverend?” Jack asked. “You were out this way rather late last night.”

  Thus the mystery of whom they’d passed on the desolate road was instantly solved. Still, she recalled Jack’s c
onsternation over the late-night visitor and she swore the air turned even more oppressive as the two men stared each other down.

  Several very intense moments passed. Until the reverend spoke. Ignoring Jack’s comment, he changed the subject by saying, “I heard you’re putting in your bid for a seat on the City Council.”

  “Word spreads like wildfire in this town,” Jack replied. Liza had the distinct feeling he was saying that out loud for her benefit.

  “Well, of course I wish you the best of luck. You being family and all.”

  Liza’s brows shot up, but whether her piqued curiosity stemmed from learning Jack and the reverend were related or that Jack was running for City Council or the fact that Bain’s tone held a hint of “how dare you?” to it, Liza didn’t know. Perhaps all three things had her even more interested in this peculiar exchange.

  “Just want to do what’s right by the town,” Jack said. “If that’s all you wanted to say…” He inclined his head toward the walkway. Liza didn’t miss his curt tone. The finality in his voice. The move along, Mister, nothing to see here inference.

  If she wasn’t mistaken, Jack’s fingers pressed a little harder into her back muscles, as if he was about to curl his fist around her tank top and yank her back if she dared to step into the Golden Light.

  Something she had no intention of doing.

  “Well, then,” the reverend said. He took a step backward, as though he felt Jack’s rebuff physically. But he didn’t turn to go. His gaze dropped to her as he said, “Sunday at nine, Liza. Or anytime you’d like to stop by. My door’s always open.”

  “Sure, Reverend.” He seemed nice enough, after all. She had no reason not to be courteous. Though it was obvious Jack had some beef with him. So Liza simply smiled and gave a slight wave, adding, “Thank you for stopping by and introducing yourself.”

  “Pleasure to meet you,” he repeated. He seemed almost reluctant to leave. As though his presence would put a halt to any more sinning taking place in Jack’s rental? Seriously?

  Jack took a small step closer to Liza. She could feel the heat emitting from his body, could smell his dark, musky scent, which aroused her senses all over again. Her insides coiled tight and she wished Bain would snap up his exit because she really wanted to get back to Jack.

  “Have a nice afternoon,” she said.

  He nodded, then turned and descended the three porch steps, in no particular hurry.

  Liza’s brows knitted together. “Strange bird,” she muttered when Bain was out of earshot. She whirled around to go back inside the house, but Jack didn’t budge.

  Staring up at him, she tried to read his expression, but couldn’t make out the dark look on his handsome face.

  “Problem?” she asked.

  His jaw tightened for a brief moment. Then he moved out of the doorway and ushered her in, putting his hand on her back again. Liza noticed he locked the door behind them.

  What was with the super-massive lock-down in Mayberry?

  Confused, she plopped down on the leather sofa and said, “So what gives? You went all Rebel Without a Cause on me.”

  Jack rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry. I don’t like him shoving his personal beliefs down everyone’s throat.”

  “Oh well, yeah. I didn’t need a house call to let me know about Sunday worship. Not exactly a New World Order.”

  She realized a moment later that Jack hadn’t directly referred to the reverend’s occupation. He hadn’t used the word “religion.” Rather, he’d said “personal beliefs.” Which, in her mind, cast a much wider net.

  He sank into the sofa next to her and she snuggled close to him, wishing like hell he was naked again. Dropping a hand on his rigid stomach, she said, “So, you’re running for City Council. That’s a pretty big undertaking.”

  “That’s putting it mildly in this town.” His voice sounded distant, as though he was lost in thought. When he moved away and stood up suddenly, Liza wondered what was weighing so heavy on his mind.

  The answer hit her like another anvil.

  “Oh hell,” she said as she smacked her palm against her forehead. Duh! His gaze snapped to Liza as she asked, “You’re not experiencing some sort of ‘I debauched the innocent’ moment, are you?”

  His expression changed completely. From pensive to surprised. He shook his head and said, “I hadn’t exactly thought about it in those terms. But I do know how people react in this town. Your reputation’s gonna take a hit, darlin’, now that the reverend knows what we’ve been up to this morning. Even though it’s been a long time since…” His voice trailed off and he rolled his eyes.

  She stood and took a step toward him. “A long time since…what?” she asked in a soft voice, liking this new revelation. “Since you’ve made love?”

  Jack smirked at her as if to say, “No, since I flew a kite.”

  Smiling, she confided, “You’re not the only one. But again…not a virgin, so you’re off the hook.”

  He didn’t exactly grin at her, but the scowl was gone. “So you’re not feeling debauched?”

  “Are you kidding? In fact, I was just thinking—”

  “Are you hungry?” he interjected before she got her say in how to spend the rest of the afternoon. Under the covers.

  Her brows knitted together at the sudden change of subject. But she spared a glance at the clock in the kitchen. It was after two.

  “As a matter of fact, yes, I am.”

  “Great. Why don’t we head into town? I’ll buy you lunch.”

  “You made breakfast. I owe you.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” he said, his voice still holding that far-off note.

  He was totally lost in thought, she could tell. So she let him stew over whatever it was that bothered him as she went into the bathroom and cleaned herself up and changed into a new outfit. Seemed she wasn’t the only one with demons. Hadn’t he said as much last night?

  When she was presentable, she returned to the living room and asked, “So where are you taking me for lunch?”

  “Italian.”

  Liza frowned. In a little Hill Country town called Wilder, Texas? “You remember I’m from New York, right?”

  He gave a short laugh. “Trust me, city girl.”

  “Okay.” She followed him out the door and to his truck. The brooding thing was a little challenging to decipher. She couldn’t tell if his mood had shifted immediately after he’d come, during her phone call or when Reverend Bain had shown up. Or anytime thereafter. It sucked to have so many options from which to choose.

  When they reached his truck, he didn’t bother with the rung below the door. He simply clasped her waist from behind and all but hefted her up. She had to laugh at the He-Man power play. “I was expecting a hand on the ass.”

  Jack grinned that slow, easy, sexy smile that drove her wild. Dimple and all.

  Yet another quick change in mood.

  “If I touched your ass, we’d never make it to lunch,” he said with a flash of white teeth and a wicked glint in his eyes.

  The ache deep in her cunt came back full force. “And that would be a bad thing?”

  Seriously, she’d skip a meal or two or ten if it meant falling back into bed with him.

  Jack reached for her, gently taking her chin between his thumb and forefinger and easing her head to his. He kissed her, long and leisurely, as if he didn’t have a care in the world. An odd contradiction to the ominous mood he’d been in previously.

  But that was ancient history now. One scorching-hot lip-lock from this guy and Liza was melting all over again, completely forgetting about the strained attitude in her cottage and the unexpected visit from the good reverend.

  When Jack eventually pulled away—and it felt as if he’d kissed her for at least ten minutes—she sighed. Her eyes were closed and the corners of her mouth lifted. “Another hot one,” she said.

  Jack groaned. “You’re making me hard again.”

  “I’m up for skipping lunch.” Unfortunate
ly, her stomach protested, choosing that exact moment to remind her they’d worked up one hell of an appetite in bed.

  The Devil chuckled. “There’s time for more sinnin’ later, city girl. Let’s get something to eat.”

  She opened her eyes and sighed. “Never thought a man would choose food over sex.”

  He kissed the tip of her nose. “It was your stomach that growled.”

  Oh yeah.

  She tucked herself into the cab of the truck and latched the belt, much more steadily this time, as he closed her door and rounded the front end. Had it only been last night that she’d watched him do that very same thing? And had anticipated how the rest of the evening would play out?

  A little flutter of excitement rippled through her.

  What more did she have to look forward to where this handsome devil was concerned?

  Chapter Seven

  Town was always an interesting place to be on a Saturday afternoon. The citizens of Wilder were out in force—relatively speaking, of course, given a population of right around three thousand. Parents bustled about, grocery and shopping bags in tow, while their rambunctious kids raced up and down the sidewalks. There were a few cafés with outside seating, and plenty of people braved the summer heat and thick humidity for some fresh air.

  Jack pulled the truck into a dirt parking lot and climbed out. He was already rounding the front of the truck to help Liza when she eased her way to the ground while trying to keep her short skirt from hitching up. He was disappointed to find she’d just about mastered that maneuver. A little hitching would have gone a long way with him.

  Diverting his attention from her shapely legs, which he hoped to have wrapped around his hips later tonight, he shut the door behind her. Though the little head wanted to overrule the big one and take her right back to bed, he’d been raised with better manners than that. She was probably starving. He certainly was.

  Of her independent nature, he said, “So much for the chivalry thing again. I could have helped you out of the truck.”

  “I already know you’re a gentleman. Well,” she amended with a flash of lust in her deep green eyes, “sometimes.”