by Jen Talty
“We haven’t found him yet,” Katie said.
“Try Alice Carson. She lives in Saratoga. According to one of my patients who recently died, her mother was screwing her boyfriend, who I suspect was Alex,” Shannon said. “I learned that my patient had a visitor right before she killed herself, and that visitor’s name was also Alex. According to the security guard who just called me, Alex was at the hospital asking questions about me. I can’t imagine that those are three different men.”
“I’ll get my guy on it,” Katie said.
“Thanks. I’m not going to leave Shannon’s side until this is over.” Jackson took her into his arms.
“I’d fire you as my partner if you did.” The phone went dead.
“He’s coming for me,” Shannon whispered.
“Well, he’s going to have one hell of a surprise when he does.”
Chapter Ten
Shannon sprawled on Jackson’s sofa, resting her head on his lap as she stared at the television while some movie played. She’d picked it out, but she really hadn’t been paying attention. All she could think about was the man who currently ran his fingers through her hair with a tender touch.
She glanced up, catching his gaze. “Thank you.”
He ran a thumb over her cheek. “For what?”
“For being so kind to me.”
“That’s easy to do.”
She moved to a sitting position. It had been a long time since she’d had the desire to be with a man.
And not just sexually, but really invested in any kind of a relationship.
“Tell me about your ex-wife.”
“Not much to tell. She’s a bitch.”
“You married her, so she has to have some redeeming qualities.” Shannon made a bold move and sat on Jackson’s lap, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, massaging gently. “One thing I know about you is that you don’t jump into things without careful consideration.”
He arched a brow. “That’s true. And you’re right about Jasmine. At first, things were good.”
“So, what happened.”
“She cheated on me when I was in the hospital after nearly dying.”
“That sucks.”
“It does. I’m not sure what was worse—the cheating or the fact that it was with my partner.”
“Okay. She’s a bitch, and I’m glad she’s not in your life anymore.”
“You and me both.” He kissed her nose.
“I’ve really struggled most of my adult life with relationships with men. I have trust issues and—”
He pressed his finger over her lips. “I’m not surprised. What happened to you isn’t easy to bounce back from. I hope you’re proud of the woman you’ve become.”
Her lips tugged into a bright smile. “I am.”
“Good,” he said. “As far as your issues, we all have them.”
“I imagine you have some trust issues with women.”
“You can say that again,” he said with a hardy laugh. “I’ve always prided myself on being able to read people well, and Jasmine threw me for a loop. I thought we were happy, so when I found out about the affair, I lost it. The worst part was that it started while I was in surgery. She tried to make it out to be that she thought I was dying and was looking for comfort—”
“That’s a pretty lame excuse.”
“I agree,” she said. “How long have you been divorced?”
“My divorce only became final about six months ago. I dug my heels in and tried to take a lot of her money. Katie finally talked me into settling for a lump sum.”
“And you bought Sweet Freedom.”
“Exactly.”
“That is pretty sweet.”
“No. You’re sweet,” he whispered. “I’m struggling to remain a total gentleman when all I want to do is carry you up to my bed.”
“I can walk.” She stood, tugging at the hem of her shirt, lifting it over her head and tossing it across the room. It landed on the lamp.
He groaned. “Are you sure? Because I don’t think I have the ability to say no when it comes to you.”
She took him by the hands and helped him to his feet. “I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.” She reached behind and unclasped her bra, letting it drop to her feet.
His eyes widened as his gaze lowered. “We might not make it upstairs.”
“I’m not complaining.”
He reached out and traced a path down the center of her chest. “I’m not saying this because you’re standing here half-naked, but you are gorgeous.” His fingers toyed with the button on the top of her jeans. He pressed his lips to the top of her breast as he lowered her zipper and removed her pants.
Normally, with any other man she’d been with, sex happened in the dark, under the sheets. The few times she’d branched out of her comfort zone, it just wasn’t very good. It might have been for the men, but she was too tense to truly enjoy herself.
With Jackson, she found herself in uncharted waters.
She threaded her fingers through his thick, soft hair, guiding his mouth toward her excited nipple.
He didn’t disappoint.
She arched her back, closing her eyes, letting the sensations overtake her mind, body, and soul.
His tongue glided down her stomach, circling her belly button. “Please, sit on the sofa.” Gently, he guided her to the couch, removing her panties. He rested her legs over his shoulders. “I want to know what you like. Please, tell me.”
“I like this.”
He smiled as he lowered his head, his hands toying with her puckered nipples.
“Oh, yes.” She blinked, watching him please her, something she’d never done before. She’d always been embarrassed by her sexuality. She knew in part that had to do with her past, but being with Jackson, she had to wonder if it also had to do with the kind of men she’d always chosen to be with.
Her past boyfriends had been safe.
They were the kind of men who weren’t all that into anything but vanilla sex. They didn’t make sexual jokes and always backed down when she said no.
One of the reasons she’d always turned Jackson down was that he’d come off like a man who enjoyed more.
And she wasn’t wrong.
Only she hadn’t expected that she’d be willing to push her boundaries.
Her breath caught in her chest. Her toes curled. The build came hard and fast, and she wasn’t prepared for the onslaught of sensations that exploded inside her as he stroked her, bringing her to new heights.
She clutched his head, tugging at his hair. Her body convulsed. She gasped for air. Orgasms weren’t a problem. She’d given herself many. And a few men had managed to find their way around her body.
But no one made her feel like this.
“Jackson,” she managed with a throaty groan, her climax still gripping at her muscles. Her pulse soured out of control. “Oh, God.” A second one built in the pit of her stomach. It vibrated through her veins, hitting every part of her body.
He lifted his head, kissing his way up to her mouth, which he took in a hot, wet kiss.
She tugged at the fabric of his clothing, desperate to feel his naked body against hers.
“You are amazing.” He tore at his shirt, tossing it to the side. Slowly, he lowered his slacks over his hips.
Licking her lips, she adjusted herself on the sofa. Her chest heaved up and down with every deep breath. She’d never wanted anything so much in her life.
He pulled something from his pocket and held it up as he stood before her, gloriously naked. “Birth control,” he said.
“Good call.” She took the condom in her fingertips. “We’ll use it in a second.”
“What are you doing?”
“Having my own little party.” Taking him into her mouth, she did something that had always been uncomfortable for her, but she’d been determined to overcome.
And she had.
But not like this.
She stroked, licked, and tasted
, enjoying his harsh groans and the way his thigh muscles flexed, and his fingers brushed her hair from her forehead.
“That’s enough of your party. Time to mix it up.” He lifted her off her feet, spun her around, and sat on the sofa. He took the condom and tore the package open with his teeth.
Straddling him, she accepted his length as if they had always been together.
He held her by the hips, guiding her, slowly at first and then picking up speed as they gazed into each other’s eyes.
“Shannon. Sweet, beautiful Shannon,” Jackson whispered.
In his arms, she felt as if she’d come home. This is where she belonged, and she would do whatever it took to keep Jackson in her life.
He thrust into her hard and deep as he buried his face in her neck, kissing wildly. He groaned, holding her still as his climax spilled out.
He held her tightly, leaning back on the sofa while running his hands up and down her back. “I’ve fallen so hard for you, I can’t see straight.”
“I know what you mean.”
“It’s unexpected and a little scary, but I would never intentionally hurt you. Ever.” He cupped her face and gazed into her eyes.
She smiled. “It’s a lot scary how much I care for you. And I want you to know, you can trust me.”
“That is something I’m not worried about.”
She kissed his cheek. “It’s time for my own personal Sweet Freedom.”
He jerked his head back. “Are you saying you want to board my boat?”
“Yes. And I want to do it now.”
“We’re kind of naked.”
She tilted her head. “After we get dressed. Maybe we can grab a bottle of wine. Because I might need a drink.”
“Are you sure?”
“Just like being with you, I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.”
Chapter Eleven
Shannon stood at the edge of the dock. The moon and the stars shone over the Tartan, casting an eerie glow. She glanced over her shoulder. Jackson had raced back up to the house because he’d forgotten his cell. He waved as he stepped into his cottage.
He’d be back in less than five minutes.
The sailboat wouldn’t swallow her whole in that time.
She blew out a long breath. “I can’t believe I’m going to do this, but it’s time I stop letting you control my world.”
“That’s impossible,” a familiar male voice rang out.
“Who’s there?” She squinted as a shadow appeared in the aft of the boat. She gasped, dropping the bottle of wine. It shattered into a million pieces around her feet. “Alex.”
“In the flesh.” He smiled, holding his hands out wide. “I have to say. You’ve turned into quite the little sex kitten.”
She swallowed her heart, then opened her mouth to say something but no words tumbled from her lips.
“Why don’t you let me help you aboard this beauty?” He offered his arm. “We can start where we left off.”
“That’s not going to happen, and Jackson will be here any second.”
“No, he won’t. Your uncle Ned is taking care of him.”
She clutched her pendant. “Why are you doing this?”
“Come onto the boat and—”
Bang!
She turned on her heel. “No.” She took one step, but her foot landed in a pile of glass. She screamed in pain. The dock vibrated, and Alex lifted her into his arms. “Put me down, you bastard.”
“Sure thing.” He carried her onto Sweet Freedom, tossing her onto the back bench. He turned and untied the sailboat from the dock. “This is just like old times.”
She jumped to her feet, only to fall to her knees. “I’ll kill you before I ever let you touch me again.”
“Good luck trying, you little bitch.”
“What the hell did I ever do to you?” She crawled to the corner of the boat and glanced at the bottom of her foot. At least five pieces of glass stuck out. Carefully, she pulled the ones she could find.
She didn’t have her cell, which meant she only had two options.
Jump.
Or kill.
Jackson glanced over his shoulder and waved before stepping into his house. He reached for his cell, which he’d left on the table by the door. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw movement.
Shit.
“We meet again,” Ned said as he emerged from the kitchen.
“What the fuck are you doing in my home?” And where the hell was Katie? But he’d deal with that question in a second.
“Getting my revenge.” He waved a gun in the air.
“For what?” Jackson fingered his cell, calling 9-1-1 before putting it into his back pocket and laying his hand on his weapon. Thank God he never stepped outside without it.
“A few things.”
“Explain it to me. Because I’m confused about what Shannon ever did to you.”
“When my brother died, I was in charge of my own club. I had people, and I was back.”
“I thought you lost your wife and your job when you were arrested and turned over a new leaf.” All Jackson had to do was buy some time. Only he knew he didn’t have it because he suspected that Ned wasn’t alone.
“I had to act as if I did. But I also had to prove to my brother I had what it took, and he was about to let me back in. Until he up and died.”
“Shannon didn’t kill him.”
“No, she didn’t. But she’s the one thing that Annette loves, and she might as well have put the final nail in my brother’s coffin.”
“Why not go after Annette?”
“I have different plans for Annette. But I promised Alex I’d help him first.”
“Why?”
“Shannon stole everything from Alex. He was in love with her, and she wouldn’t give him the time of day after Dwight died.”
“That’s not love.” Jackson had heard enough. He didn’t need to know any more about these sick, twisted, demented minds. There was no understanding their logic. But he did need to find out one thing. “I had someone following you. What happened to them?” He was very careful not to mention whether it was a male or a female, just in case Katie was hiding in the shadows somewhere.
“Spunky little redhead?”
Jackson drew his lips into a tight line.
“Seems she had a car accident.”
“You’re going to regret that.” In one swift motion, Jackson pulled his weapon and pulled the trigger.
Bang!
He nailed Ned in the gut.
Ned dropped his handgun and doubled over.
“Stupid fucking idiot.” Jackson raced across the room and snagged the Glock. He took off his shirt and handed it to Ned. “Put pressure on the wound. The cops are on the way.” He pulled out his cell and spoke quickly with the operator before racing toward the waterfront.
Only his boat was about two hundred feet from shore, with the engine running.
Fuck.
“Jackson,” Katie yelled from the top of the driveway.
“Thank God, you’re okay.”
Katie jogged down the path with a slight limp. “My car’s totaled, but I’m fine. What the hell is going on here?”
“Ned is in my house, bleeding out, and Shannon is on my boat with Alex. The cops are on the way.”
“We found Lilly and her mom. They were hiding out in some motel. Lilly’s mom was terrified of Alex and what he’d do to her little girl. She knows she was wrong, but Lilly was reunited with her father and stepmother, and her mom wants to go back to rehab.”
“That’s good news.”
Katie pointed to Jacob’s SUV sitting in the driveway. “We can leave Jacob here. Let’s take his boat and go save your girlfriend.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“You’re not yelling at me, saying she’s not your girl.”
“That’s because I’m officially off the market,” Jackson said. “And I don’t like it when assholes kidnap the chick I’m falling in love with.”
“You’re not going to get away with this,” Shannon said.
“Get away with what?” Alex stood behind the steering wheel with a proud smile, just like he’d done when he was a nineteen-year-old boy and trying to impress and please her father.
“Killing my patients.”
“I didn’t kill them. They killed themselves. Even Belinda and her boyfriend. It was a murder-suicide. I mean, I might have helped that along a little bit, but I didn’t actually pull the trigger.”
“What about Gretchen?”
He shrugged. “I just gave her the drugs she wanted.”
“You were fucking her mother.”
“I fuck a lot of people,” he said as if the world should be impressed by that.
“What about Lilly?” Shannon’s heart skipped a beat. There had been no word about her yet.
“I wish I knew. I helped her mom get out of rehab, and that bitch paid me back by taking off.”
Shannon let out a long breath. She prayed that was true and that Lilly was safe. “Where are we going?”
“Well, first, we’re going to float and reacquaint ourselves.”
“Like hell we are.” She gripped the side of the bench, glancing around for something hard she could use to beat him over the head. No way would she let him touch her.
Ever.
“It always bothered me that I wasn’t first when it came to you. That I had to go in second or third. Sometimes, even last. Your father would often tease—”
“I’m not listening to this bullshit. My father was a sick man, and so are you. What you did to me was criminal, and I’m not going to let you do it to me again.”
“No. You’re not. You’re going to give yourself freely to me like you used to.” He cut the engine and sat next to her, resting his hand on her thigh.
She brushed it away. “Don’t ever mistake my passivity for willingness.”
“You forget about the times we held each other after, and how you always smiled at me.”
“I didn’t hold you. You laid on top of me. Big difference.” She tried to stand, but the pain in her foot forced her to the fiberglass floor.
“Oh. All fours. I can be talked into that position.”