Standby (Open Skies Book 4)

by Becca Jameson

  Finally, he rose up above her onto his knees, palmed a condom wrapper from the bedside table, and held her gaze while he rolled it on. His thick erection made her whimper, the promise of finally having him inside her made her arch her butt off the mattress.

  He dropped down onto his hands, hovering above her. “Do you want your arms, sweetheart?”

  “Yes, please.” She wanted to be able to grab him, hold on, stroke his skin.

  She watched his fantastic cock in front of her face as he released first one wrist and then the other. As soon as she was free, she reached for him, grabbing his biceps as he lowered over her.

  She held her breath as he lined up with her entrance, her legs wide, her knees shaking. “Jake…” What was he waiting for?

  In the next breath, he thrust forward, burying himself as deep as he could.

  She gasped, but so did he. And then he held still, his eyes closed, his lips parted. He was shaking as he lowered to his elbows and then opened his eyes and cupped her face. “That feels so fucking good,” he murmured. “I’m afraid to move.”

  She slid her hands up and down his back and then gripped his ass. “It feels amazing, but I need you to move. Now.”

  He gave her a grin and then eased out, the friction causing his eyes to flutter closed again. “Jesus, Shayla…”

  She lifted her hips to meet him as he thrust back inside. Again and again. She’d never experienced anything like this before. Sex had just been sex. Nothing that shook the earth or made her crave more. If she’d known it could be like this… Then again, it couldn’t have. Not with someone else. This was all Jake. It was because she was in love with him.

  And because he was fucking amazing in bed.

  He took his time, reaching for her knees and pressing them high and wide so he could get deeper.

  Her fingers dug into his ass as the exquisite feelings continued to rise. She was going to come again. This time without direct contact with her clit. She’d never considered that a possibility. Granted, she’d never come with a man at all. This was a first.

  Jake held her face, his thumb rubbing her bottom lip. “Come for me, sweetheart. One more time. I want to watch you unravel while I’m inside you.”

  She arched her back, panting as he thrust faster. The base of his cock hit her clit with every thrust. It was enough. With a sharp intake of breath, she stiffened, hanging on the precipice for a heartbeat before falling off the cliff. “Oh God,” she muttered as her pussy clenched around his cock. Best feeling in the world. Other than with a vibrator, she’d never come with something filling her like this. No vibrator she owned was as large as his erection.

  Her body jerked as the pulses of her release consumed her, and Jake didn’t move until she was panting and blinking up at him. That was when he started fucking her harder, his teeth clenched for the few thrusts it took for him to join her in bliss.

  She trailed her hands up and down his back, loving the sound of him breathing heavily as he recovered. He was supporting himself with his elbows, but she could tell he wouldn’t be able to do so much longer. He was trembling.

  Finally, he smiled down at her and kissed her again before easing out and dropping onto a hip next to her. His hand found hers and he drew it to his lips to kiss her knuckles. “We’re never leaving this bed.”

  Chapter 28

  When Jake finally managed to find the muscular strength to pull himself to standing, he leaned over, kissed the amazing, sexy woman in his bed, and then padded to the bathroom to dispose of the condom. He returned a few minutes later with a washcloth.

  She hardly moved as he cleaned her up. He was glad she was comfortable with her body—notwithstanding the current bruising. She didn’t balk at him wiping away the evidence of their lovemaking.

  He grabbed a clean T-shirt from his drawer next and returned. “Sit up for me, sweetheart,” he whispered.

  She groaned as she rose to her butt, and then he removed her bra and pulled the T-shirt over her head. He’d rather have her naked, but he knew she didn’t want him staring at her battered breasts, so he would make a few concessions until the bruising faded. He crawled back onto the bed behind her, spooned her against his chest, and tugged the covers over them.

  He kissed her temple. “How about a nap, and then we’re doing that again.”

  She giggled and squirmed against him. “You won’t get any argument from me,” she murmured.

  A peaceful contentment consumed him for the first time in weeks, and he easily fell asleep with her sweet body nestled in his arms.

  A ringing broke the silence in the room, jarring Jake from his sleep. He opened his eyes and glanced at the clock. They’d been resting for over an hour. It took a moment to realize that sound was his phone, and he groaned as he rolled to one side and reached over to grab it from the bedside table.

  The caller ID said Seattle PD, which forced him to more fully wake as he answered it. “Hello?” He glanced at Shayla as she rolled toward him, blinking awake.

  “Jake Robinson?”

  “Yes. This is Jake.”

  “This is Mark Jarvis with the Seattle police.”

  “Right. I remember you.”

  “I’ve been trying to call Ms. Cosman’s phone, but she hasn’t answered.”

  “She’s with me.” He glanced down at her and put the phone on speaker. “You’re on speaker now.”

  “Good. Ms. Cosman?”

  “Yes?”

  “I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but Hawke Richman was released on bond yesterday. Someone messed up the paperwork and I wasn’t informed until just now.”

  Jake jerked upright. “What? Tell me you’re kidding.”

  “I wish I could. I’m sorry. You have a restraining order, but obviously, that didn’t do any good the first time. He’s not permitted to leave the state of Washington, of course, but again, you and I both know that’s a crapshoot. I’ve got to be honest with you, I don’t like it. If I’d been in charge, I would have tried to stop it, but I wasn’t there. He must have had an amazing sweet-talking lawyer.”

  “Fuck.” Jake ran a hand over his head. “Thank you for letting us know.” He ended the call and glanced at Shayla. She wasn’t moving or blinking. She looked pale and shocked.

  Jake set the phone aside and pulled her into his arms, facing her. “Take a breath, sweetheart.”

  “Please tell me I misunderstood.”

  “I wish I could. You’re safe. I’ll make a few calls and see what I can find out, okay?”

  She nodded. Jake slid from the bed, tucked her in as she curled into a ball, and kissed her temple. “Stay here. Go back to sleep. You haven’t slept much in several days.”

  She nodded, not meeting his gaze. He knew she was freaking out. He was too, but he wouldn’t let her see it.

  Jake grabbed a pair of jeans and shrugged into them. After shutting the door to the bedroom, he padded down the hallway, his phone already open in his hand.

  Hatch picked up on the first ring. “Tank?”

  “Fucking judge released Richman on bond yesterday.”

  “Yesterday? And you’re just now finding out?”

  “Fucking mix-up. Yes.”

  “Shit. Okay. I’ll give the rest of the guys the heads up and come over there now.”

  “Thanks, man. Appreciate it.” Jake ended the call and busied himself pulling food out of the fridge. Neither of them had eaten yet and it was after two. Hopefully, he could convince Shayla to eat a sandwich. She would be panicked now.

  The shuffling of feet made him glance up to see her coming into the kitchen. She was still in his T-shirt, her arms wrapped around her. “I couldn’t go back to sleep.”

  He reached for her and pulled her against his side. “Not surprised. Also, you must be starving. I’m making sandwiches.”

  “Not sure I can eat.”

  “You need to try. Have you had anything besides coffee today?”

  She smiled at him. “Of course.”

  He frowned. �
�What?”

  “Creamer.”

  He chuckled. “She’s a comedian. Hey, Jason is coming over.”

  She pursed her lips.

  “It’s just a precaution. I prefer there be two of us here.”

  “Hawke has never come here. Maybe he doesn’t know where I am. Plus, we don’t know he left Washington.”

  Jake slapped turkey on the bread and then reached for the cheese. He didn’t need to tell her that Hawke was volatile and not to be trusted. There was little doubt in Jake’s mind that Hawke was already in Dallas.

  “I need to call Raeann,” Shayla murmured.

  “Shit.” Jake slapped a palm to his forehead. “My mind is running in ten directions. I forgot about her. Yes. Do that now. Find out where she is.”

  Shayla found her phone in her purse and opened it. “Six missed calls from Mark Jarvis.”

  “Yeah. He said he tried you first.”

  She squinted as she glanced up and to the left, thinking. “Raeann is on a flight. It was out and back. I’ll leave her a message for when she lands.”

  “I’ll get one of the guys to pick her up at the airport. I don’t want her going back to your condo.”

  “Okay.”

  Jake hated that Shayla wasn’t even arguing with him. She knew this was serious. He watched as she fired off a text and then she set the phone down. “I told her I’d let her know who would be there to pick her up.”

  “Good. She can just leave her car in the parking garage for now. I don’t even like the idea of her driving alone. Overkill I’m sure, but I don’t want her near your condo.”

  “I get it. I agree.”

  Jake finished making the sandwiches, put them on plates, and slid one over to Shayla.

  “That’s going to taste like cardboard.”

  “Come on. My cooking isn’t that bad,” he teased.

  She rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”

  He pulled her into his side again. “I do. Now eat and then go put some clothes on before Hatch arrives.”

  Chapter 29

  Shayla couldn’t stop pacing. She hated that there was nothing they could do except wait. Wait for how long? It was nerve-wracking. They had no idea where Hawke was. They had no way of knowing if he would come after her or when.

  Jake had called Marilyn, who found out at the same time as Shayla that her husband had been released. Talk about a fuckup. She hadn’t heard from Hawke either, and she was still at her parents’ house. That was good. At least she wasn’t alone.

  Jason was camped out on their couch. Libby had called several times as the self-appointed phone tree for the posse. She was keeping Shayla’s friends informed of Shayla’s general state of mind. At least that’s what Shayla assumed.

  Shayla tipped her head toward Jake. “Have you spoken to Deacon?”

  “Not yet, but he’s at the airport. Don’t worry. He’ll pick up Raeann. He’ll have her call you the moment she’s in his car.” She had been standing next to Jake when he’d called his office to ask if someone would pick up Raeann, and Deacon had immediately volunteered. It worked out perfectly since he was one of the newest members of the team and single. The other recent hire, Neil, was also single, but he had been out on an assignment with Kraft.

  “How’s he going to find her?” Shayla knew she was fretting unnecessarily over Raeann. Hawke wasn’t interested in her. As long as she didn’t go home where he might potentially be hoping to catch Shayla, she’d be fine. “He doesn’t know what she looks like.”

  Jake closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms. “We texted them photos of each other. Plus, she’s not hard to miss with that distinctive black hair and the stunning white streak she wears in the front. He’ll find her. He’s also going to hold up a sign.”

  She sighed. “I know. I’m just losing my mind slowly.”

  Jake smoothed a hand up her back and held her closer. “It’s understandable.”

  Jason twisted his neck around to look at them. “Deacon was excited about this assignment.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Who would turn down the opportunity to pick up a cute damsel in distress and protect her from the bad guy?” he teased.

  Shayla groaned. Men.

  Jake chuckled.

  They paced. They ordered pizza for dinner. They watched out the window. One of the guys, Bracken she thought, drove by the condo every once in a while and reported he’d seen nothing. Jake put in a romantic sitcom after dinner, but Shayla paid no attention to it.

  At ten o’clock, Jake insisted they get some sleep. Jason was going to stay on the couch in the living room. He said he’d rather be more diligent than in the guest room.

  Jake took Shayla to the master bedroom and slowly removed her clothes. She hated that their day and now their night had been hijacked by fucking Hawke Richman. No way was she in the mood to have sex with Hawke’s whereabouts a mystery.

  She also wasn’t going to sleep naked, which she would have preferred. And Jake didn’t suggest it. He handed her shorts and a T-shirt. He put on flannel pants and a T-shirt.

  When they slid under the covers, he pulled her into his arms. “Try to sleep.”

  She smirked. “Sure.”

  It took over an hour to drift off and then only because she felt warm and secure next to Jake. And then it seemed like she’d only been asleep for moments when her phone pinged.

  She bolted to sitting, sucking in a breath.

  Jake kept one hand on her as he reached for her cell phone on the nightstand. He sighed as he read the message.

  She couldn’t look. She just watched his face. Only one person would text her at this hour.

  He closed his eyes and lowered the phone before sliding out of bed.

  “Where are you going?” she asked, feeling a bit frantic.

  “I’ll be right back. Just going to let Hatch know.”

  “Okay.” She slid back under the covers, but she was shaking.

  Five minutes later, Jake returned. The phone was pinging again in his hand. He waited until he was snuggled next to her once again to look.

  “Is it bad? Just tell me what he’s saying.”

  “It’s bad. I suspect he’s here in Dallas. Not sure if he knows where you are.”

  The phone pinged again, and Jake reached for the button on the side and turned off the volume.

  “I’m betting he’s going to text all night.”

  “I’m going to call Detective Jarvis.” Jake opened his own phone and tapped the screen before putting it to his ear. She watched his face as he waited. “This is Jake Robinson. Just wanted to let you know that Hawke Richman just started texting Shayla. He’s bombarding her phone. I get the impression he’s here in Dallas. I’ll be calling the local police too, but I knew you’d want an update.”

  “I guess you left that on his voicemail.”

  “Yeah.” He kissed her forehead and then made the next call. “Hi, this is Jake Robinson. Can I speak to Detective Rick Stallman?” Jake glanced at Shayla and whispered, “They’re looking for him.”

  Shayla nodded.

  A moment later, Jake spoke again. “Yes. Hi. This is Jake Robinson… Good. I just wanted to let you know that Hawke Richman was released on bond in Seattle yesterday. I believe he has returned to Dallas. He just started texting Shayla about fifteen minutes ago… Yes… No… Will do. Thanks.”

  “What’d he say?” Shayla asked immediately.

  “Exactly what I expected. Not much they can do since they don’t know where he is and he hasn’t actually approached you. But he is violating the restraining order, so they’re going to have someone drive by here and your condo. Until he makes physical contact, though, their hands are tied.”

  She closed her eyes and turned more fully toward Jake, wrapping her arm around him. “I’m so damn glad I’m here with you.”

  “Me too, sweetheart.” He hugged her close.

  They didn’t say anything for a while, but she could feel her phone vibrating every once in a while, and Jake
would glance at it and then lower it to his chest again. Finally, he sucked in a breath and blew it out. “Get dressed. I don’t like this.” He squeezed her hand and then climbed out of bed.

  She slid off the other side. She was shaking as she changed into jeans and a T-shirt. She even put her shoes on, fearing they might need to leave the house.

  Jake dressed similarly and she followed him into the living room where Jason was pacing in front of the windows. All the lights were out.

  Jason looked toward them. “Anything new?”

  “He knows where we are.”

  Jason nodded.

  Jake ran a hand through his hair. “I should have taken her to a hotel.”

  Shayla grabbed his arm. “No. I’m not spending my life running from this asshole.”

  He wrapped his arm around her. “I know, but at least you’d be safer. I’m calling Stallman back.” He padded to the kitchen as he made the call. The only light in the room was from streetlights. The blinds were closed, but Jason kept glancing out the side.

  “Coffee?” Jake asked from the kitchen. She could hear the Keurig already running. He was making the first cup in the dim lighting.

  “No thanks,” she and Jason said at the same time.

  Shayla rubbed her arms, chilled from anticipation. This was a never-ending nightmare. How was she ever going to get the man to stop harassing her? Forget harassment. She was certain if he got his hands on her again, he would kill her without playing with her first.

  She could hear Jake on the phone in the kitchen, undoubtedly talking to the police. When he returned, he was sipping coffee. “Police are sending someone.”

  Jason nodded slowly. “I’d almost rather they didn’t.”

  “I know. I agree,” Jake said, “But I’m not taking any chances with Shayla here in the house.”

  “What do you mean? Why don’t you want the cops to come?” she asked, glancing back and forth between them. When neither answered her, it dawned on her that they’d rather handle Hawke once and for all on their own. “Oh.”