A Man to Trust (7 page)

“No, not at all. Give me a call in the morning if you get anything.” There was a pause and a chuckle. “Information, that is.”

“Kiss my ass, Smyth.” Jake ended the call. At the sound of footsteps, he glanced over to see Angela enter the room.

Instead of the T-shirt he’d given her, she wore one of his blue flannel shirts. The sleeves were rolled up to her elbows and it hung to mid-thigh. His eyes dropped the length of her body, noting her long, shapely legs. Damn she was cute. Cute and sexy, with legs he imagined wrapped around him as he took her. She looked good in his clothes.
But not as good as she’d look out of them
. His cock surged to life.

He braced himself against the impulse to claim her. Resisting the urge to strip off that shirt, find her sweet spot, and thrust deep inside her until she came, screaming his name.

It had been a long time since he’d desired a woman like he desired Angela. After his wife’s death, he’d been so lost in grief and raising his son, he hadn’t even thought about a relationship for over two years. After that, it never seemed to be the right time to begin dating. He raised his eyes to meet hers.

Her eyes narrowed and she glared at him. He grinned. She was obviously not feelin’ the love. He patted a spot on the couch next to him. “Come have a seat so we can talk.”

Her lips pursed, she huffed and took a seat on the matching leather chair across from him. She crossed her arms under her breasts and glared some more, which only made her look even more appealing. He wanted to lean over and kiss the pout right off her pretty face. He bit back a laugh, not wanting to piss her off any more than he had already.

“I’m here.” Her voice held a note of defiance. “So what do you need to know?”

His humor fled as he studied the injury to her face and remembered what she’d been through that evening. Leaning forward, he placed his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands together. “For starters, what are you hiding?”

“What makes you think I’m hiding anything?”

“Call it a gut feeling.”

She scowled. “Well your gut’s wrong. I’ve told you everything I know.”

“What about your marriage?” Jake didn’t miss the way she paled and glanced away.

“What about it?”

“Why were you a prisoner in your own home?”

“I wasn’t. That’s ridiculous.”

“That’s not what you said earlier, Angel.”

She glared at him. “My name is Angela. Use it.”

He raised a brow in amusement. If he could keep her off balance, maybe he could get to the truth. “Answer the question. Why were you a prisoner in your home?”

She shifted in her chair and there was a short pause. “Scott was . . . controlling.”

“How so?” Tension poured through him.
Controlling?

She twisted the chain of her necklace around her finger. A gesture he was becoming familiar with when she was nervous or upset.

“He preferred I didn’t go anywhere without him, that’s all.”

“And if you did?”

“He would become upset.”

Jake straightened and rolled his shoulders back, instinctively preparing for battle. His blood thrummed a fast rhythm at the implication of her words. “Did he hit you?”

She peered at him from under her lashes before lowering her gaze to the coffee table. “Sometimes.”

“Bastard,” Jake said harshly. If the guy weren’t already dead, he would’ve kicked his ass. “Why did you stay?”

She shrugged and glanced away.

Jake regretted the question as soon as it left his mouth. He’d been a cop long enough to know better.

From the stubborn look on her face, he knew he’d blown it and wouldn’t get anything more from her. Not now anyway. “Okay, then tell me what happened tonight.”

Her hand curled tightly around the arm of the chair. “You know what happened. Some guy broke into my house and attacked me.”

“Tell me what you remember. What he said or did?” She nodded, but didn’t look at him. “I was in my bedroom at my vanity table getting ready for bed. From out of nowhere, Shelby suddenly freaked out and dashed from the room. When I went to see what was wrong, he grabbed me from behind.” Her voice shook and she paused.

“Go on, Angel.”

She glanced at him, then looked away. “He—he knocked me onto the bed and when I tried to get away, he hit me.”

“Did he say anything?”

“He said I’d never get the chance to testify.” She chewed at her lower lip.

Jake placed his hand over hers where it gripped the chair. “Did he say anything else?”

“He said that the cops would never be able to touch them.” She jerked her hand away and placed it in her lap. “He told me I was nothing more than a drug dealer’s whore and the cops wouldn’t care what he did to me.” Her voice was accusing and her eyes snapped with anger.

He tensed. “You know that’s not true.”

“Do I?”

“Yes.”

“But you don’t trust me.”

“No,” he admitted. “You haven’t exactly been honest with me and until you are . . .” He shrugged.

“I’ve been honest,” she denied.

“You didn’t tell me about the phone call.”

Her lips pressed together in a thin line, and she lowered her eyes until her lashes swept across her pale cheeks, but not before he saw the tears that filled her eyes.

Jake fisted his hands against his thighs and fought for some semblance of calm, when what he really wanted to do was punch something. He struggled against the need to comfort her as she trembled and struggled for composure.

Damn.

Before he could remind himself that touching her was a bad idea for a whole shitload of reasons, he reached over and tugged her onto his lap, closing his arms around her.

She stiffened and pushed against his chest. “Let me go.” Her voice shook.

“Sshh.” He tightened his grip. “It’s okay to cry, Angel.”

At Jake’s comforting words,
It’s okay to cry Angel,
Angela lost the will to fight and went still in his arms as he cradled her head against his shoulder and began to stroke her hair. The gentleness of his touch tore her open.

When was the last time she’d been touched with tenderness, the last time she’d allowed herself to cry? Having learned early in her marriage that crying only increased Scott’s sadistic pleasure she’d soon learned to keep her pain hidden. Not wanting to give him complete power over her, she had learned to shield her emotions and play the dutiful wife as she planned her escape.

Jake’s softly spoken words and comforting arms shattered the shield she’d placed around her heart. A savage rush of emotion ripped through her.

She collapsed against him and let her tears flow as her pent-up anguish burst forward. She let go of the pain, the fear, and sadness that had been her constant companion for far too long. For now, for this moment in time, with this man, her need to be comforted and held, won the battle that raged within her for caution.

Angela wrapped her arms around him and buried her face against his neck, breathing in his masculine scent. She allowed herself to cry, sheltered in his tender embrace, his soft touch and whispered words of comfort soothing her.

A sense of peace flowed through her and her tears slowed to a stop. Jake continued to hold her, making comforting circular motions on her back. The feel of his hard body against hers, the strength of his arms wrapped around her made her feel safe. He was one of the good guys. Her heart thudded a powerful beat.

She needed to move away from him, but froze as a burn started in her belly and traveled to her core. A sensation of need that she hadn’t felt since before the horrifying night of her wedding captured her. For just tonight, she needed to feel wanted, desired.

Angela lifted her face until her lips brushed softly against his. He stiffened, his hand fisted at her back. She lifted her hands to his face and kissed him with a sense of desperation. He didn’t kiss her back, but he didn’t pull away.

“Jake, please,” she whispered, looking into his heated gaze. Tension radiated off him.

His eyes burned with lust and the evidence of his desire pressed at her bottom. Angela pushed away the sense of unease that shadowed her thoughts. Tonight, she wanted . . . something, she didn’t know what. But she was tired of being afraid and for just tonight, she wanted the promise of passion that Jake’s eyes offered.

For a moment, he didn’t move, then he groaned and buried his hands in her hair, kissing her with a soft, gentle touch. When he licked her lips, she opened for him and he entered to caress the inside of her mouth with his tongue. His heady flavor mixed with the taste of her tears. The sensation of him exploring her mouth sent tingles of need throughout her and her nipples tightened. She welcomed his seeking tongue with her own and they moved together as one in a mutual exploration. Tasting, touching, as exploding sensations of need and desire rolled over her.

Jake tore his mouth from hers. His gaze scorched her with their heat, molten hot. “You drive me wild.”

He unfastened the first three buttons of her shirt and slowly slid the fabric from her shoulders and down her arms, until it pooled at her waist. A shiver of anticipation rolled through her, tightening her nipples. She licked her lips and stared into his darkened gaze.

His eyes flamed with desire. He leaned down and kissed the tops of her breasts. First one, then the other, then sucked a sensitive nipple into his mouth, sending a shockwave of pleasure to the apex of her thighs.

“Jake,” she purred.

He lifted his head and their eyes locked. “I love the way you say my name.” His hand slid to the inside of her legs and caressed a path of fire to the part of her that wept for him.

“Say it for me, Angel,” he whispered.

Holding her with a steady gaze, he pushed her panties aside and brushed his thumb across her sensitive bud, testing her. She inhaled sharply at the intense pleasure induced from his soft caress. With a sexy glint in his eyes, he thrust a finger inside her body. A look of satisfaction crossed his face when she moaned her pleasure and trembled in his arms.

“Jake,” she managed, as another wave of pleasure coursed through her. A sensation she’d only dreamed of washed over her. She wanted more. More of this pleasure, more of his touch, more of him.

He chuckled, then lowered his mouth to hers and took her in a long hard kiss as his finger began a slow dance that drove her higher and higher.

His arm around her waist kept her from sinking onto the couch. Holding her tightly against him, he continued his intimate exploration. She gasped and her body quivered when a second finger joined his first as he carried out his wicked dance of seduction.

Jake lifted his head and watched her with eyes that burned hot. “God you’re beautiful,” he murmured. His thumb moved to the tiny bud between her folds and sent her spiraling over the edge into a chasm of ecstasy. She gasped, then closed her eyes as she shuddered with her orgasm.

Jake’s breathing grew harsh, then he took her mouth in a deep, searing kiss. He continued with soft gentle strokes inside her as tiny aftershocks of pleasure shook her.

When he lifted his mouth from hers, she met eyes that still burned, sending another quiver through her.

He gave her a sexy grin.

Angela stared at him in a daze. “I—I didn’t know it could be like that,” she breathed.

The grin dropped from his face. “What?”

Her mind snapped back into focus and her heart skipped a beat. What had she just said? Too much. She shook her head. “Nothing.”

His body was taut, his rock-hard erection still pressed against her bottom. He removed his hand from between her legs and his eyebrows drew together. “Was that your first orgasm, Angel?”

Blood rushed to her cheeks and she looked quickly away. “Of course not,” she lied.

Even to her own ears, her words rang with bitterness. She grimaced and refused to meet his penetrating stare. Her pleasure had not been high on Scott’s lovemaking radar. It was only something she’d found on her own, never at the hands of a lover.

There was a long moment of silence and she dared to sneak a peek at him. He studied her with a deep scowl on his face. Her insides quivered. The intensity of his gaze scorched her. He set her away from him, adjusting the shirt she wore so that it properly covered her.

“Things got a little out of hand. I think it would be best if we called it a night.” His body was tense and a muscle pulsed at his jaw. He rose to his feet and studied her with narrowed eyes.

Angela eased herself off the couch, not sure what had just happened. He seemed angry, as though he was about to explode. Her unease blossomed and she slowly backed away, until she put a safe distance between them. Without another word, she hurried to the safe sanctuary of her room.

Jake watched Angela flee the room with a look of fear in her eyes.

What the hell?

He took a step forward to follow and stopped, turning instead to walk to his floor-to-ceiling picture window and stare out. He needed to keep his distance for a while. Get his head on straight. That he’d frightened her, for even a second, was like a punch to the gut. But he didn’t trust himself to be near her yet, needing his passion to cool first.

He could still smell her desire, and his body tightened remembering the feel and taste of her, her sweet sounds of pleasure. The look of surprise in her eyes after her orgasm. Then, her words had stopped him cold.

He frowned. She was no virgin and had been married to Scott Beebe for over two years. Was Beebe such a bastard that he hadn’t cared about her enjoyment when he made love to her?

Jake narrowed his eyes, waves of jealousy hitting him at the thought of Angela with another man. Even if that man had been her husband. A husband who, it seemed, had been unable to satisfy her. The bastard had abused her . . . hit her.

A flash across the street grabbed his attention. He hit the floor in the same instant a bullet splintered the window over his head. No sound of gunfire at all. Bastard must be using a silencer.

“Sonofabitch!” Jake crawled to the end table to retrieve his Glock, then rolled over to the window, and came up in a crouching position to peer outside. It was quiet on the darkened streets. But he knew the sniper hadn’t left. The prick was just waiting for a target. He needed a clear shot before he could return fire, not willing to take the chance of hitting one of his neighbors.

Rage tore through him. They attacked him in his own home, where he lived with his son. The thought of his son being near danger caused his blood to grow cold. He retrieved his cell phone and punched in Rick’s number on speed dial, relieved when he answered on the first ring.

“Rick, trouble at my place. I have a sniper across the street—” He cursed when he heard Angela open the door to her room and head down the hall. “Call for back up and get here now.” He dropped the cell and spun around.

“Angela, stop,” he yelled, even though he knew it was too late as she stepped into the room.

He launched himself at her, knocking her flat on her back. As his weight slammed down on her, she yelped in pain. Curling his arms protectively around her head, he tucked her beneath him, shielding her body with his. “Sorry,” he gritted in her ear, “but somebody’s shooting at us!”

As if to prove the point, a fusillade of gunfire showered them with splinters from the doorframe. He wrapped himself around her and pressed her to the floor as a series of bullets passed overhead.

“Stay low and crawl to the bathroom,” he ordered. “Get in the bathtub until I come for you.”

“The tub?” Her voice shook.

He rolled off her, met her fearful gaze and nodded toward the bathroom. “It’ll shield you from any bullets. Now move.”

He didn’t have time to comfort her, expecting more trouble. Her beautiful eyes widened in alarm, and she quickly crawled to the bathroom.

“Close the door.” He returned to the window to peer cautiously outside.

His tension receded a little with Angela safe, leaving enough room for fury to move in. There wasn’t much he could do but wait it out, guard the door, and stop anyone from getting to her. He couldn’t have a shootout in his front yard. He struggled against the instinct to target the shooter and take his ass down.

The sound of shattering glass from the back door reached him and he dove behind the couch and lay on his belly, taking aim at the living room entrance. His heart thudded heavy, his attention caught between the broken window and the door, not knowing how many shooters were out there or how long it would take Rick to arrive. He was the only barrier between Angela and certain death.

Jake’s jaw clenched as he took in the sight of his shattered wide screen TV, the glass spilling over his son’s game system. Hot waves of anger burned through him at the invasion. They dared attack him in his own home!

His eyes narrowed and he forced everything from his mind but the steely resolve to take the bastards down. He set his shoulders and waited, his gun steady in his hands.

When a man leaped through the living room door, Jake managed to squeeze off a couple shots, before the guy rolled behind a chair. He caught a glimpse of a tattoo along the prick’s face, but couldn’t make out what it was. A pain-filled curse let him know he’d at least hit his target. But not enough to stop him.

Only a whisper sounded from the silencer when the shooter opened fire, followed by the shattering sound of impact as the bullets ripped through his living room. Angela’s frightened cry sounded from the bathroom, giving away her location. He tensed, a hard fist twisted his gut.

He cursed when a series of shots hit the bathroom door. This guy was not your normal gangbanger. He was a professional. And he needed to take the sonofabitch out. Now. Jake took aim at the chair shielding the shooter and emptied the clip of his gun. For the length of a few minutes, the sound of battle filled the room.

Then all went silent.

Jake reloaded, then rolled to a crouch. The wail of sirens drew near. There was no sound from the bathroom and images of Angela hurt and bleeding flashed across his mind, causing his stomach to churn. His grip on the Glock tightened and his muscles tensed for action. With his back pressed against the wall, he prepared to stand at the sound of footsteps running from the room.

He took off after the shooter, noting droplets of blood leading to the back door, reaching it just in time to see the guy launch himself into a waiting car and take off. It was too dark to get the plates, but it was either a blue or black Chevy four door. He turned back. Not knowing if Angela had been injured, he sprinted toward the bathroom. Not even trying the doorknob, he kicked the door open.

Angela was curled into a ball inside the tub and, as he’d directed, her hands folded protectively over her head. Jake crouched next to the tub and touched her shoulder. She gasped and drew her arms tighter around her head. The sound of her panicked breathing was loud in the small space.

“Hey, it’s me,” he said in a soothing tone.

Her body relaxed as she lowered her arms and peered at him. Tears wet her lashes, although she determinedly blinked them away.

“What happened?” she asked in a voice so low he barely heard her.

“Are you hurt?” He ran his hands over her, seeking any injuries.

His tension eased when he found none. Other than being scared shitless, she appeared unharmed. The sirens stopped in front of his house.

A strong surge of protectiveness floored him and he swept her into his arms. Her startled gasp and frightened eyes hit him hard. He needed to remove that scared expression from her lovely face. She’d been through enough for one evening. Before he could stop himself, he leaned in and covered her mouth with his own.

Some of his tension eased when she relaxed against him and opened her lips to let him in. Every cell in his body jumped to life as he kissed her. A surge of triumph filled him when she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back as though her life depended on it.

Lost in a haze of pleasure and relief, he groaned at the intrusion when the sound of a clearing throat reached his aroused brain. He lifted his head, taking satisfaction at the look of feminine desire that burned in her eyes.