by J. E. Taylor
“You’ll give me a hand?”
She sighed and nodded and he turned back to the cart wiping the smirk off his lips before he glanced back in her direction.
“Thanks,” he said and they headed toward the check out where he paid for both of their groceries despite her protests.
“What would you have done if you didn’t bump into me?” Jessica asked as they stood by his overloaded car and the four more bags sitting in the cart.
He shrugged. “Probably would’ve given these to the nearest person.” He put the rest of his bags along with hers in the trunk of her car. “I appreciate the help,” he said and closed the trunk. “Think you can keep up?” He smiled devilishly and climbed in the Corvette.
Her laugh chased him out of the parking spot and it took her a few seconds to catch up, handling her car like a racecar driver, keeping on his tail through the twist and turns, enough so to make him nervous, checking his rearview mirror every few seconds and chuckling as she waved her fingers at him.
* * * *
Jessica took in the modest home and the manicured lawn as she passed through the gate and parked behind the garage he pulled into, impressed with the stately beauty of the property. She popped the trunk and grabbed his bags, following him inside.
“How’d you get furniture so quickly?”
“I bought the house with all the contents.” He dropped the bags on the kitchen table. “Feel free to look around,” he said, heading outside to get the rest of the groceries.
Jessica wandered through the house with her mouth gaping. It was beautiful, homey, regal, all the things she would have never pegged him for. She paused in the doorway of the master bedroom taking in the finely crafted king size bed. Drawing a deep breath, she fanned herself with her hand.
Oh my, what he could do to me in that bed.
What the hell are you thinking? Admonishing herself, she shook her head and turned, jumping back a step. Chris stood behind her at the top of the stairs, his eyes the crystal blue of her dreams, intense, hungry, scanning her.
A tingle crawled up her spine along with a fiery glow in the pit of her stomach. She forced a breath and side stepped around him. Instead of investigating the rest of the house, she descended the stairs in a rush. “I should be going,” she stammered.
“Come see the back first,” he said, following behind her.
“Chris, I really should be going.”
“Please.”
“Okay, but I’ve really need to leave after.” She followed him into the back yard.
“Holy...” she trailed off and looked around. The pool was gorgeous, but it was the bay view that captivated her. She walked over to the rock wall surrounding the back yard and looked over the small marina and the ocean beyond. “This is amazing.” And familiar. Her brow creased and she glanced around trying to place her surroundings.
“Not the view you have, but it’s pretty good,” he said and stood next to her surveying the ocean.
“Pft, this is a much better view than mine and you know it.”
The crooked shy smile that appeared catapulted her heart into overdrive. Sexy was one way to describe it, more so than the cocky all knowing grin he usually flashed in her direction.
He opened his mouth to speak, but snapped it closed and the smile vanished. He turned heading back in the house.
The oddness of his behavior piqued her curiosity and she followed him into the kitchen watching him unpack the groceries, putting the items away with no rhyme or reason.
“This place is lovely.”
“Thanks.” His eyes flashed in her direction and away, like he had something to say but couldn’t quite formulate the words.
“What is it?”
Chris looked at her and crossed to the corner drawer, pulling it open and plucking something from the contents. He approached her and placed it in her hand. “You dropped this on the beach last night.”
She stared at her iPod.
“I carried you home.”
Jessica stared at the music player, her mind reeling, searching the blank canvas that represented last night. A fragment of memory surfaced and she blinked. “You kissed me?”
Chris laughed a little. More than that.
“How much more?”
He blushed. “I keep forgetting you can hear what I’m thinking,” he said aloud, avoiding the question and blocking her from getting any information from his mind.
“How much more,” she said again, her vision warbling through fresh tears. Oh God, what the hell did I do last night?
“Jess.”
His eyes said more than enough and her hands flew to her mouth covering the gasp. “We didn’t!” Tears spilled over. “Tell me we didn’t.”
“We didn’t,” he lied and she knew it immediately.
“How could you?” She took a step back.
“Me?” Chris pointed at himself, the first sign of anger flared in his eyes. “You’re the one who...” He closed his mouth and turned away from her, putting his hands on the counter.
“I was drunk.”
Chris turned and in two strides, had her in his arms. She saw the frustration in his eyes just before his mouth crushed down on her lips. Jessica struggled in his grasp, trying to ignore the sweep of raw lust, but this close to him, in his arms with his lips on hers was too much and she opened her mouth, allowing his tongue to dip in and tangle with hers. His kiss weakened her knees and she wrapped her arms around his neck kissing him with the same fervor.
He pulled away from her and stepped back. “You want me just as badly as I want you,” he said and took another step away from her. “So don’t stand there and blame it on being drunk.”
“I’m...”
“You’re what?” he snapped. “You’re married?” he laughed. “Then why the hell did you seduce me last night on the beach?”
Her eyebrows rose and she stepped back.
“That’s right, you kissed me first. You undid my pants first.”
“You should have stopped me.”
“I’m in love with you, Jessie!” He completely lost his composure. “Why the hell would I say no when every fiber of my being wants to take you in my arms every single time I see you.” He took a deep breath. “You’re lucky... if you hadn’t passed out...” He ran his hand through his hair. “I carried you back to your house, to him. Do you know how much it took to do that?”
“I... I…” She didn’t know what to say to the pain and anger visible in his eyes.
“You what?” he growled advancing on her, looking like the predator he was deep inside. The kitchen door closed with a bang, making her jump.
He glanced at her shirt and the buttons unhooked in quick succession.
She gasped and grabbed at her shirt, buttoning it up as fast as he undid them with his mind. “What are you doing?”
He looked back into her eyes. “Using what you gave me,” he said and her pants began to unzip.
“Ty don’t,” she said and zipped them back up.
He pushed her against the wall and knelt down in front of her, running his hand up the front of her legs, sliding them up under her shirt.
His hands on her skin was like walking into an inferno, hot, sensual, consuming and she trembled under his touch, running her hands into his hair and taking a handful before this got any further out of hand. She yanked his head back. “Don’t!”
His hands went up in the air and he stood, backing away. “I’m sorry.”
“God help me,” she whispered and looked over at him.
“Go home.”
“Ty?”
“Don’t call me that,” he snapped. “I left everything dark and evil back in that room. I let him die that day.” He turned away from her. “At least I thought I had until now.”
She stepped toward him.
“Go home, Jessica,” he warned, glaring over his shoulder at her. “You can’t stay.”
“Chris,” she said and took another step toward him.
“If you
stay, I won’t be able to let you go.”
He held her gaze this time, and what she saw scared the daylights out of her. She backed out of the kitchen and into the garage, turning to head to her car.
“Jess?”
“What?” She stopped at her car door without looking at him; she didn’t want him to see the tears tracking down her cheeks.
“I’ll still do my best to protect you if he comes back.”
“I know,” she said and got into the car. The wheels spun on the gravel and she tore out of the driveway without looking back.
Chapter 23
Jessica parked the car by the beach and got out, looking at the sand like she had never seen it before. The events of last night remained sketchy and broken, a kiss here, the caress of his hands there, his blue eyes glimmering down at her and the dimples etched in his cheeks from the sexy smile she loved so.
Each fragment dragged the breath out of her, not because of her betrayal, betrayal would have been manageable, but because of the purity of the emotions wrapped around his raw power.
Consuming.
Overwhelming.
Irresistible.
God help me, I still want him.
She looked toward the bluff and guilt bit at her, paling in comparison to the magnetic pull from the opposite side of the beach where his new home stood.
Slowly, she slipped back into her car and headed home.
“What took you so long?” Tom asked, crossing to grab the last of the grocery bags from the trunk.
“I went for a drive.”
“Where?”
“Down by the marinas. I needed to think.” The lie came too easily and she wanted to scream and tear her hair out and erase the silky feel of his hands against her skin. She concentrated on putting the food away, avoiding eye contact.
“Jess?”
His worried tone pulled her gaze to him, but she still couldn’t meet his wide-eyed stare.
“Look at me,” he said and crossed the room.
She forced herself to meet his gaze and the torrent locked inside broke through. Tears blurred her vision and burned her throat.
“I’m so sorry,” he apologized.
Oh God, he thinks I’m upset with him. The thought knocked a hole in the center of her stomach, devastated her and almost knocked her to her knees. The tears that brimmed were accompanied by a shallow sob and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to his chest and saying “I’m sorry” over and over, stroking her hair.
She pushed him away. “Stop saying you’re sorry,” she said and wiped her face. “Please stop apologizing to me. It’s not your fault.”
“I left the closet door open and I couldn’t stop him.”
Jessica looked up into his baby blue eyes and sighed. “Neither could I.”
“But he can,” Tom said and stepped away from her. His lips tightened into a thin line and the muscles in his jaw worked.
Jessica studied her hands. “Yes, he can stop him, but that doesn’t matter Tom because I’m with you and there’s nothing on earth that can change that.” She tried to smile but it felt foreign on her lips.
“Yeah right.”
“Cut the shit, you weren’t raped by a ghost. You’re not the one he wants to kill.”
“And there is nothing I can do about it! Do you know how useless I felt?”
“Well join the club!”
They stared at each other and their words sunk in.
“I’m sorry, it’s been a hell of a week,” Jessica said, breaking the thick silence.
Tom nodded. “I’m actually glad the kids are coming this weekend.”
“Me too.” And I need to get the hell away from this town. She hugged him and when she pulled back, she said, “Can you book three more tickets for us next week?” The smile that spread over his face made Jessica want to cry. She couldn’t imagine the hurt he would feel if he ever found out.
“Really?”
“Yes, I need to get away just as much as you do. And I’ll come with the kids to the set if you still want that.”
“I would love that.” He swept her of her feet and kissed her.
“Stop.”
“Why, they aren’t due until later tonight, right?” He kissed her neck.
“Really, Tom, stop.” She pushed him away. “Not now. I need to make dinner.”
His grin widened and his hands wandered over her. “I’m only hungry for one thing.” He nibbled on her ear.
“Later.” She skittered out of his grip.
“All right.” He sulked away settling on the living room couch.
He will never forgive me.
Chapter 24
Chris stepped back into the kitchen and squashed the urge to smash everything in sight. Instead he closed his eyes, willing the feral beast inside to calm the fuck down. This wasn’t a situation within his control and as much as he wanted her, she was not his for the taking.
Still, he replayed the last few minutes over in his mind, relishing her every move, the feel of her lips, the frantic flush in her face as she buttoned up her shirt.
His eyes snapped open. “What the...”
Her shirt had unbuttoned on its own accord. The second they started unlacing, he had wanted her shirt off, to feel her skin again, but he was across the kitchen when that happened.
“Jesus.”
His gaze shot to the remaining groceries on the counter zeroing in on the six-pack of beer. He put his hand out and willed a can of beer from the six-pack on the counter to come to him. The entire six-pack flew through the air to his hand.
“Holy fucking shit!”
He looked at the cupboards and thought ‘Open.’ Every last one of them opened. “Close,” he said and they all closed.
“What the hell did she do to me?” He stared at the six-pack and with a trembling hand peeled one off and cracked it open, draining it in one long chug.
The power surged inside him, raging through his blood, getting stronger with each use and he suddenly understood the fear in her eyes five years ago when he told her that Eric wanted to help her unlock the door that contained this, that this ungodly power was the only way for her to get out of that hellhole.
“Jesus,” he said as he walked out into his back yard. She really couldn’t break the mirrors anymore. When he healed her, she transferred this to him.
Chris inhaled, if Jessica had had an inkling of how to use this power back when he had kidnapped her, he wouldn’t be alive today. He sat down in the lounge chairs facing the harbor, glancing at one of the hurricane lamps, willing it to light. Flame leaped from the wick and then settled into a slow burn.
Underneath the shock and fear racking his brain, the possibilities began churning in his stomach. A slow smile formed and he glanced in the direction of the lighthouse.
Chapter 25
Chaos descended on the house when Daniel and LeAnn dropped the kids off.
“Guys, take your things to your rooms,” Jessica said and Eric and Emily grabbed their bags from Daniel and LeAnn and ran down the hall to their rooms.
Tom chuckled. “It always looks like they are moving in every time they come.”
“I told them to pack light,” Daniel said.
“Speaking of packing,” Jessica began. “We would like to take them out west for the week.”
“I think the kids would love that,” LeAnn said.
Tom smiled and put his arms around Jessica. “I’m planning on taking them on the set with me.”
Daniel and LeAnn exchanged a glance. “That ought to be fun,” he said.
Jessica nodded and looked up at Tom. “Pretty plastic people.”
“Don’t laugh. I can make you one of them.” He kissed her cheek.
“We’ll be heading out on Sunday night and we’ll be back in town next Saturday. We can drop them at the cottage on the way through town,” Jessica said breaking free from Tom’s arms. She brought Daniel and LeAnn to the door and hugged them goodbye.
“Have fun Jessie,”
Daniel said.
“I intend to.” Jessica closed the door and walked back into the living room.
The kids were crowding around Tom firing questions at him about who they would see and what they would get to do in Los Angeles. He smiled over at her.
“Ok, guys, stop badgering him.” Jessica shooed them away from him.
“Mom, can I use the phone?” Emily asked.
“Who are you calling at this hour?” Jessica asked, looking at the clock. It was after ten.
“Sara, she’s going to flip when I tell her I’m going to L.A,” Emily said.
“Sure,” Jessica said, remembering when she was a senior in high school. She looked around for Eric and saw him leaning on the banister out on the deck. She went out and put her arm around him.
Eric looked at her. “Thanks, Mom.”
She squeezed him. “I just thought it was time we went out there as a family.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about,” he said. “I’m talking about Emily.”
She looked out at the water. Thank Ty. she thought and glanced to the south.
“You miss him?”
Jessica glanced at Eric, the smile on her face fading. She nodded a little and then glanced inside at Tom.
“Tom can’t protect you, Mom,” Eric said and looked back at the water.
“I know. But that doesn’t make me love him any less.”
Eric nodded and headed inside. He plopped himself next to Tom on the couch.
Jessica looked back toward the south. She closed her eyes for a minute and felt his lips on hers again. Yes, she did miss him and she turned, heading back inside.
“I’m turning in early,” she announced, kissing Tom and messing up Eric’s hair.
“Night, babe.”
Jessica popped her head in Emily’s room. “Don’t stay on too long, okay, Em?”
Emily smiled and nodded.
She changed into a nightshirt and headed into the bathroom to brush her teeth. His name floated to the forefront of her mind.
The mirror rippled and Chris stared back at her with his toothbrush in his mouth. He spit in his sink. “Your timing is impeccable as always,” he said wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.