She couldn’t imagine why she thought he might succumb to her wiles tonight. He had managed to keep his hands to himself two nights ago when she’d fingered herself naked on his couch. Sleeping was not that big of a challenge, even if she did strip down to her panties.
All she could do was hope it took him an hour to go to sleep thinking about her body so nearly naked and so close to him.
Who was she kidding? It was going to take her just as long to sleep, knowing he was just a few feet away and wearing nothing but flannel pants. Hell, she hadn’t seen him climb into bed, so for all she knew, he’d removed them and was now naked.
She stifled a groan at the thought, but apparently not completely because Jake chuckled. “Backfiring on you, sweetheart?”
“Nope. I’m fine. You?”
“Perfect. Goodnight.” He moved around just enough to make her think he’d rolled onto his side.
Great. Now she just needed to find a way to calm down enough to rest.
Chapter 16
Shayla was lying on her side, her cheek propped on her palm, staring at the gorgeous man sleeping several feet away when he finally opened his eyes.
Jake smiled slowly. “Hey…”
She narrowed her gaze at him. “It’s been Saturday for about eight hours now. Why are you so far away and why am I still untouched?”
He chuckled and slowly slid across the bed toward her, hovering, making her drop onto her back as he came over her. Finally, his lips descended toward hers, and he kissed her. Slow and sensual.
And then it was over. No other contact. Just the one kiss before he withdrew and got out of bed on his side.
She was speechless and blinking up at him as he came around to her side of the bed, leaned over her with a hand on the mattress next to her shoulder, and informed her, “Sweetheart, I’m going to ravage you like you cannot even imagine, but not while we have a houseguest.” He shoved off the bed and padded to the bathroom, leaving her panting.
Shit.
How did the man manage to make a brief kiss with no other skin-to-skin contact seem so passionate that she couldn’t catch her breath?
With no other options, she slid from the bed, grabbed the T-shirt he’d been wearing last night, and tugged it over her head. It smelled like him, which did nothing to dampen her arousal.
When he came out of the bathroom, she slid by him with a seductive smile. “My turn.”
Ten minutes later, she found him in the kitchen holding her phone. “We have a problem.”
She approached him slowly. “Please don’t say that. I’m not in the mood for problems.” I’m in the mood for sex.
Surprising her, he held out her phone so she could read the message on the screen. He hadn’t shown her anything incoming from Hawke to keep her blood pressure from going through the roof. What she read made her stop breathing.
This is Marilyn Richman, Hawke’s wife. I just read the last hundred or so messages he sent you while he was in the shower. Can we meet please?
Shayla started shaking. “Holy shit.”
“What happened?” The voice coming from behind was Raeann’s as she joined them.
Jake showed her the message.
“Shit,” she repeated.
“What time did she send it?” Shayla asked.
“Midnight.”
“My God. I wonder if this is the first time she’s been aware of his infidelity.”
“Only one way to find out.” Jake set the phone on the counter and leaned against his hip. “I say we set up a meeting with her. You’re off today. Maybe coffee somewhere? I’d like to hear what she knows.”
Shayla nodded. “Okay.”
Raeann leaned against the island. “I have to be at work in a few hours, so I’m going to need to go home and get my act together. I hate that you’re having to deal with this.”
Shayla turned toward her. “I’m just sorry it’s blowing back on you and you can’t feel safe in your own home.”
Raeann shrugged. “It’s not your fault. And I’m not overly concerned, but I appreciate you letting me stay here last night. I slept better here than I would’ve at home with all this going on.” She stepped forward and gave Shayla a hug. “Leave me a message later and let me know how it goes with the wife.”
“I will.” Shayla turned back to Jake as Raeann headed to the guest room to get dressed. She took a deep breath. “Set it up.”
Jake nodded and then leaned forward to kiss Shayla, again nothing but lips. Damn him. But it was more contact than they’d had in a week, so she’d take it.
Shayla leaned over his shoulder as he typed a response.
This is Jake, Shayla’s boyfriend. Can you meet us for coffee this morning?
Shayla was surprised when three dots immediately appeared, indicating Marilyn was already responding.
Yes. Thank you. How about the coffee shop at the corner of West and Hardwin? Does that work? Eleven?
Jake responded in the affirmative, which was good since Shayla’s hands were shaking too badly to hold the phone.
Raeann returned. “Did you get ahold of the wife?”
“Yes. We’re meeting her at eleven.” Shayla followed Raeann to the door. “You’re welcome to stay here anytime you want until this is resolved. I know it’s nerve-wracking.”
“Thank you. Let me know how it goes today.”
“I will.” Shayla watched Raeann as she headed for her car and then closed the door and leaned against it. She’d slept fine last night, surprisingly, but suddenly overwhelming exhaustion swallowed her whole.
Jake set his coffee down and came across the room. Seconds later, she was in his arms, and thank God the no-touching rule was over because she needed this more than anything.
He held her close, swaying slightly back and forth. His hug was the best ever, calming her and grounding her. When she tipped her head back, she was choked up. “Thank you.”
He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and cupped her face. “Any time. I’ve wanted to hold you like this every day this week.”
“I needed it too.”
“I know you did. I’m right here. Lean on me. We’ll get through this.”
She nodded. “Guess I better get in the shower.”
“Yes. And please, for the love of God, go move your shit into my room and use my bathroom. Your guest status days are over.”
She smiled. “Okay.”
Chapter 17
Jake put on his most confident façade as he led Shayla into the coffee shop with a hand on the small of her back. He’d rather be in bed with her, making up for lost time, but this meeting took precedence today, and there was no way either of them could relax until they had this behind them.
After dozens of missions overseas against the most horrifying of opponents in the foulest places on earth, he thought he could handle a meet and greet with the wife of Shayla’s stalker, but he was unnerved. He didn’t like any of this or where it might go from here.
A woman across the room stood from her seat and nervously waved their direction, so Jake guided Shayla toward her. “Marilyn?” She was about five-six with long dark hair in a messy ponytail and glasses. She was wearing jeans, a T-shirt, and a cardigan.
“Yes.” She held out a hand.
After shaking Jake’s she turned to Shayla. “You must be Shayla?”
“Yes.”
Jake pulled out a chair for Shayla. Marilyn was already working on a cup of coffee, so he kissed Shayla’s forehead and said, “I’ll order you a vanilla latte. Be right back.”
He hated walking away, but he needed to place their order. It only took a few minutes, and it would seem neither woman had spoken much until he returned, as if not wanting to leave him out, which he appreciated.
“Tell us what happened,” he suggested toward Marilyn.
She drew in a deep breath and dabbed at her swollen eyes. It looked like she’d been crying for hours. Her face was splotchy. “Hawke has been acting odd for months. Or maybe years and I didn’t
see it. I was growing suspicious. Also, it took me a few weeks to find out what his phone passcode was. I had to watch carefully and catch the times when he was unable to use facial recognition, usually in the car, until I memorized the numbers.”
Jake nodded.
“Anyway, last night was the first time I had access to his phone. He usually has it on him all the time, even taking it in the shower. But he was distracted and tired when he got home from work at eleven, so he dropped it on the bedside table with his wallet on his way to the bathroom.”
Jake reached for Shayla’s hand and held it on top of the table.
“He thought I was sleeping. I opened it the moment he stepped into the shower, and then Jesus. There are no words.” She dabbed at her eyes and looked down.
“I’m so sorry,” Shayla said. “I want you to know that none of us had any idea he was married.”
Marilyn flinched as she glanced up. “None of us?”
Shayla nodded slowly. “Sorry. I’m just the latest victim. In the past week, I’ve managed to find three other women.”
Marilyn shuddered and wiped at new tears. “How the hell could I be so stupid?”
Jake cleared his throat. “Your husband is slick. I’m not surprised.”
Marilyn nodded and pulled it together, looking at Shayla. “Anyway, I memorized your number, put you in my phone, and texted you right then without thinking. Impulse.”
“I’m glad you did. Where is he now? Does he know about this?”
She shook her head. “I told him the kids and I were going to my parents’ for the day. He didn’t care. He barely even glanced at me as we left. He was propped in front of the television channel surfing. I’ve never been so nervous in my life. I don’t even think we can go back there. Besides the fact that I never want to see his lying, cheating ass again, I’m not even sure it’s safe. Has he hurt anyone?”
Shayla shook her head. “Not that I know of. Not permanently anyway.”
“Would you mind filling in some of the details?”
Jake gave Shayla’s hand a squeeze, deciding to give Marilyn the CliffsNotes version. “He has a pattern. He picks a woman—always dark hair, slender, on the taller side. Like you. He flirts, makes her feel special, then takes her to his hotel room. I’m sure you don’t want the intimate details, but—”
Marilyn shook her head. “Don’t sugarcoat it. Give it to me straight.” She continued to wipe tears away. Silent ones.
He drew in a breath, watching her closely to make sure she could handle it. “He’s cunning. Never takes anyone to dinner or anything. Just to his room. Yaps about not wanting to waste time. He’s selfish in bed and then falls asleep.”
Marilyn released a sardonic laugh. “Yep. That’s Hawke.” She swallowed. “Sorry. Go on.”
“He texts and calls infrequently between hookups, but never meets up with anyone except when he’s on an overnight. Although two of the women we’ve met weren’t flight attendants, so I’m not sure how he managed with them.”
“Wait. You’re a flight attendant?” Marilyn glanced at Shayla.
“Yes. Sorry.”
It was hard to remember there was a lot Marilyn didn’t know. Jake nodded. “Two flight attendants. The other two are airport employees. Those are the last four. I can’t tell you about anything prior to that.”
Marilyn shivered, her hands wrapped around her coffee. He was honestly shocked she was able to hold it together as well as she was. “Go on.”
“After a few ‘dates,’ he gets verbally abusive and then physical.”
Marilyn cringed, her chest rising and falling rapidly. More silent tears fell. She ignored them. “That’s Hawke for you.”
Jake took a deep breath, hating to think what Marilyn had been through. “When the women leave him, he harasses them until he finds his next victim.”
Marilyn nodded. “I went into his phone records this morning. I could see a pattern of the same number—yours,” she said as she glanced at Shayla. “But going back further, there are other numbers. I didn’t have time to analyze the pattern though.”
“Your husband has a squeaky-clean record with the airline. It’s not even public knowledge that he’s married. I had to do some digging to figure that out. We’ve only known it a few days.”
“Also not shocking. He has always kept his job completely separate from us.”
“How long have you been married? How old are your kids?”
“Ten years. They are six and eight.”
“And they’re at your parents’ right now?”
“Yes. I didn’t tell my mom and dad what was going on yet. I just dropped them off and came here. I don’t know what to say or do yet.” She grabbed a napkin this time to wipe her cheeks. She was shaking violently now.
“Are you going to go back home?” Shayla inquired softly.
Marilyn stared past them at nothing for a moment and then turned back. “No. Definitely not.”
Jake kept his hold on Shayla. This was important to know. If Marilyn confronted Hawke today, the blowback could be bad. At the very least unpredictable.
“I don’t trust him at all. He’s gotten more and more agitated and unpredictable over the past few years. He flies off the handle at the smallest provocation. I’ve been a fool. But I’m a stay-at-home mom with no income and no way to support my kids, so I’ve mostly steered clear of him, holding my breath, trying not to antagonize him when he’s home.”
“Understandable,” Jake expressed as gently as he could. He hated what this woman had been living through. He knew all too well how hard it was to get out from under an abuser. His sister had gone through the same thing and she hadn’t even been married or had kids. He couldn’t imagine how tough it would be to leave someone with two small kids and no job.
Marilyn drew her shoulders back. “My parents will help me. They know nothing about this. I’ve never said a word. I didn’t want them to know my marriage was such a disaster. It’s embarrassing, but I know they will help. I just need to tell them what’s going on and then tell Hawke we’re leaving.”
“I’m glad you contacted us first. I don’t trust him. He might decide to up his harassment of Shayla if he’s driven to.”
Marilyn nodded. “I’m so sorry. I hate that he’s done this to you. Please tell me you have a safe place to stay? I’d hate for him to come to your home.”
Shayla nodded. “I’ve been staying with Jake. I don’t think Hawke has any idea where I’ve been. I have a roommate, but she’s on an overnight flight today, so no one is at my condo.”
“Good. Good.” Marilyn was nodding, but her mind was obviously moving toward what would happen next. She drew in a long breath. “I have no choice. I have to leave him. Today. I can’t take a chance he might blow up and hurt me or the kids. It’s not safe.”
Jake nodded. “You’re right, and I know it’s a huge step, but you can do this. You’re obviously strong or we wouldn’t be sitting here making a plan.”
She gathered her purse and stood. “I’ll go tell my parents first and then…”
“Don’t go to the house to tell him. I don’t think it’s a good idea. Unless you have a few people with you,” Jake suggested.
“Right. I’ll call him. What a weird way to dump your husband.” She chuckled as if they were discussing something far less earth shattering.
“Please keep us informed if there’s anything we should know,” Shayla said.
“I will. And thank you again for meeting with me and listening to me. I’m…sorry for what’s happened to you and the other women.”
“Thank you. Don’t worry about us. Take care of yourself.”
With a last nod, Marilyn left.
Jake turned toward Shayla. “That went as good as could be expected.”
“Yeah. I feel bad for her. What a mess.”
“I know.” He lifted Shayla’s hand and kissed her knuckles. The worst part about this day was that they were in no state of mind to do what he’d intended to spend the day doing
. Wild monkey sex was going to have to wait. He didn’t want to make love to her for the first time on a day when he couldn’t give her every ounce of his full attention. A day when she too was preoccupied.
Chapter 18
Shayla spent most of the afternoon pacing. She couldn’t sit still. It felt like she was waiting for something to happen, even though there was a good chance she wouldn’t even know about it.
Marilyn was under no obligation to keep her apprised of her situation. The woman was facing a demon Shayla couldn’t begin to imagine. She might not even think to keep Shayla up-to-date. It was a wonder the woman had even wanted to meet with Shayla. Even though Shayla hadn’t known Hawke was married, that didn’t mean Marilyn wouldn’t feel some animosity toward Shayla for sleeping with her husband.
It took over an hour to call Renee, Heather, and Katy and update them on the situation. All of them needed to be on alert just in case. It was hard to know what Hawke might do after his wife dumped his lying, cheating ass.
Jake mostly let Shayla pace, though he did guide her to sit at the table and eat a sandwich midafternoon. She was beyond grateful for his support. He didn’t have to do any of this. He didn’t have to take her in last weekend or let her stay with him.
When she took a moment to stare at his profile at the kitchen counter while he cleaned up from their late lunch, she smiled. He was a good man. The best. She was lucky. She hoped to God they could build something real together when this fucking disaster was over.
She wasn’t unaware that they were starting a relationship in the middle of a life crisis. It was intense. It was also possible it couldn’t be sustained in the real world.
He glanced at her and returned the smile before tossing the kitchen towel on the counter and coming to her. He pulled her out of the chair and held her against his chest. “Come on,” he murmured as he guided her to the sectional.
Standby (Open Skies Book 4) Page 10