Full Contact (Worth the Fight #2) (20 page)

“Mouth.”

Her lips were parted and her eyes glazed with lust. She didn’t dare move.

“Jess. I want your mouth. On mine. Now. This is the point when we kiss.”

“Oh.”
Yeah! Kiss! Woo-hoo!
.

His mouth was on hers before she could have another thought. He kissed her like she’d always dreamed of being kissed. Right there, five feet from her job, right after a date with another man. His tongue slipped inside her mouth. Her arms came down around his neck as his arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her tight. Her back arched as he invaded her mouth. She was not going to have to wait until tomorrow, was she? Please, dear God, she needed an orgasm like right now. Her libido had been at defcon five ever since Slade had left her high and dry—scratch that, high and wet.

He released her and chuckled. “Come on. Let me drive you home.”

She just let him pull her toward his bike. The alcohol and sexual daze were making her woozy.

“Slade?”

“Yes?” He was putting the helmet on her.

“Are we going to have sex tonight?”

He stopped strapping the helmet on her and looked at her. Then he snorted out a laugh. “No, baby. Not tonight.”

“Pleeease,” she begged. Begging was not beyond her at this point. “Slay…please. I really have to have sex with you right now.”

“I want to. Trust me, I do. But we can’t do it tonight. You’ve been drinking, and I want to make sure you understood what I just said.”

“But you did very improper things to me already tonight. So we can just keep going. Really, I don’t mind.”

He laughed and pinched her nose. “Cute.” He helped her onto the bike and then got on himself.

What he’d done earlier wasn’t playing fair, he knew, but this woman infuriated him to no end. He’d had to play a little dirty, and thank fuck it had worked. It could have gone horribly wrong, but luckily her date was a dickwad.

She was piss drunk, and he had to hold her arms tight around his waist and drive carefully to make sure she didn’t slide right off his bike. Her cheek was plastered against his back, and if he felt and heard correctly, he could’ve sworn she sniffed him…repeatedly.

When they arrived, Slade helped her to the front door. “You’re not great on high heels, baby.” It was statement, not a question.

She looked down at her feet and her body swayed slightly forward. Quickly, he reached over and scooped her up before she could fall. “They’re stilettos. Men love them.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, closed her eyes, and buried her face in his neck.

“Are you sniffing me?”

She looked up dreamy-eyed, her body limp against his. “Mmm. You smell yummy.”

“You’re drunk.”

“Tipsy.”

“I’d say hammered. You almost face-planted right onto the sidewalk.”

“That’s kinda rude.” She slapped his shoulder. “It’s my shoes. I’m not good on stilettos.”

“I know. That’s what I just said. Don’t wear ’em anymore.”

He arrived at her front door and set her down. Once she found her legs, she stood up straight. “I told you, men love ’em.”

“We don’t love a broken neck or ankle.”

“I…” She put her finger against her chin and stared off into the distance, apparently deep in thought. “Good point.” She reached down and took off her shoes before searching her small purse for the keys to her house. Once the door was open, he leaned forward, gave her a kiss on the lips, and backed away slowly, hesitantly.

Leaving a drunk, pouty, cute, horny Jessica was up there on his list of the hardest things he’d ever done. He really just wanted to devour her. Was this what being a gentleman was like? What a stupid concept. He wasn’t quite enjoying the whole being-a-better-man thing. It sucked balls.

Jessica tossed and turned all night. She had a feeling of foreboding she couldn’t shake off.

She walked out of her bedroom to find a note from Slade.

Dear Jess,

Hope you’re not feeling too sick this morning. I brought you coffee and your favorite bagel—they’re in the kitchen. Had to work but we’ll talk later. More sunflowers by your door for your neighbor this morning, by the way. I just threw them away at the dumpster. Shitload of flowers!

Slade

Jessica ran outside to the dumpster. There must have been two dozen sunflowers in there. Just looking at them made her eyes water and her nose itch. She began sneezing immediately.

The ominous message conveyed by the flowers made her fear for Slade. She was slightly hungover, but not enough that she didn’t remember her promise to Slade last night. But this warning…it was the precise reason she needed to stay strong and resolute and let Slade go. It was for his own good.

Unfortunately, she didn’t have much time to think. She was walking slowly back to her house, thinking about the situation she’d found herself in, when a strong arm wrapped around her waist and yanked her up against a man’s body. She looked to her right to see a crazy-eyed Dennis. She was so startled, she almost fell over, but he tightened his grip and practically dragged her back into her house. He followed her over the threshold, closing the door behind him and locking it.

“I saw your boyfriend throw your flowers away and I wasn’t sure if you were going to find them. So I waited.”

She backed away a few steps until a wall stopped her. She clenched her hand against her chest. “I—I saw them.” The words were barely a whisper. “W-what are you doing here?”

“I don’t think you’re taking me seriously.”

“I am. I swear I am. Look.” She pointed to the boxes lined up against the wall. “I’ve packed. I just needed to give notice at the bar before I left. I’ve done that—now I’m leaving.”

“Does Slade know that? Doesn’t seem like he does.”

“I obviously can’t tell him the real reason, so he’s being persistent. He doesn’t understand why I’m leaving. That’s why he’s been around. It’s not his fault. The day you came by, I broke up with him. I’ve done everything you’ve told me to do. Leave him alone, please. He was here because I drank too much and he drove me home. That’s all.”

Dennis seemed to be studying her as if he was trying to decide if she was telling the truth. “Good.”

Her heart pounded. She thought it would come out of her chest and land on the floor.

“You better not be lying,” he added threateningly.

“We’re over. I’m leaving.” She didn’t know what else to say.

“I don’t fucking believe you.”

“What else can I do, Dennis? What else do you want from me?” She was squeezing her fists so tightly they hurt.

“I want the fucker humiliated. I want him to feel like I felt,” Dennis hissed. “So you better figure it out!” He took a step closer.

“Isn’t it enough if I just leave?” She took a deep breath. “I only moved here for you, and since we aren’t together—”

“Yet.”

“Pardon?”

“We aren’t back together
yet
. When this is all over, you’re going to come back. People will know you lied and that that’s the reason you didn’t testify. And I, being the compassionate, forgiving, and understanding boyfriend, will take you back.”

Her eyes wide, she nodded in agreement.

“You’ll be at your parents’?”

She nodded.

“I think you’re making the right decision, Jessica. You don’t want to be with that loser. You need a man who takes charge and takes care of you.” He took a few steps closer to her and cupped her face with his large hands. “I love you, Jessica. This will be over soon, and I’ll personally go pick you up and bring you back from your parents’ when this is all over. We’ll move into my house.” Then he kissed her lips so hard she was sure they would bruise. His hand cupped the back of her neck, his nails digging into her flesh. It took all the strength she had not to gag or flinch. The man was delusional. It was best he believed whatever he wanted to believe.

He released her and started to walk toward the door. But then he stopped and looked back at her. Suddenly she saw something in his eyes she’d never seen before…something nefarious, something that sent chills down her spine. This man was crazy. She’d known that for a while, but it seemed as if he was really out of his mind now.

He took two long steps toward her, grabbed her ponytail, and pulled her head back.

“You better not fuck with me, Jessica. Remember what I told you. I will hurt you and everyone you know if I see at you the trial.”

She swallowed and tears spilled down her face. He released his grip, and she nodded.

“Good girl.” Then he left.

She nearly collapsed onto the floor, but she pulled herself up and without hesitation picked up the phone to call the only person who could possibly help her.

“Daniels.” The authoritative voice said through the phone.

“Jack, this is Jessica. Jessica Cross.”

“Oh, hi, Jessica. Everything okay?”

“Actually, no,” she said shakily. “Everything isn’t okay. Can we meet up? I need to talk to you. Alone.”

“Uh…yeah, sure. How about you come down to the station and—”

She knew that wasn’t possible—there were eyes on her. She felt it. She had to be very discreet.

“No. Meet me in thirty minutes at the Pier. There is a back door—most people don’t know it exists. Use that, and meet me in the office. It’s the first door on the right as soon as you walk in. No one goes in there except the accountant on Monday afternoons.”

“You’re kind of scaring me, Jessica. What’s going on?”

“I’ll tell you when I see you.”

“Okay. See you there.”

“Please don’t tell anyone you’re meeting me. Please.”

“Of course. See you soon.”

She got dressed and drove to a small strip mall that was less than a block from work. She parked and walked inside one of the stores. She stayed for a few moments before asking the saleslady, whom she’d met a few times over the years, if she could exit through the back door.

She crossed the scrubby, trash-filled lot to the back of the building that housed the Pier. Once there, she used the keys she had forgotten to return to open the back door, which was rarely used, and left it unlocked for Jack. She snuck in, unnoticed, and went straight to the rarely used office.

Jessica sat in the leather chair behind the old desk, her fingers twisting a paper clip until it was deformed beyond recognition.

The door opened and in walked in Jack. He wasn’t in uniform. His large frame in the tiny office, combined with her nervousness, made her feel as if the walls were closing in on her. He closed the door behind him and locked it. She rose, but suddenly felt dizzy. She gripped the desk, willing the spots swimming in front of her eyes to subside.

He rushed over and helped her back into the chair. “Hey. Talk to me,” Jack said, his voice concerned.

She closed her eyes and concentrated on breathing as he smoothed her hair soothingly. It felt brotherly, and she really appreciated it.

“Better?” he asked.

She nodded.

“What’s going on, Jessica?”

He pulled a chair around, placed his forearms on his lap, and leaned forward. He didn’t rush her. He was patient and listened as she began her story, all the while hoping that telling Jack was a good idea. She told him how she felt someone constantly watching her. She told him how Dennis had threatened Slade and her friends, about the sunflowers, and how he’d been following her.

“I am so humiliated. I can’t believe I’m in exactly the same place I was before I was in the hospital. A prisoner to Dennis,” she concluded sadly.

“No, Jessica. You are not in the same place, and you have nothing to be humiliated about. I am upset you didn’t tell me about this earlier. I can’t believe the son of a bitch put his hands on you again. And I really can’t believe he’d have the nerve to threaten Slade.”

“What am I going to do, Jack? I didn’t know who else to tell.”

“Is this why you broke it off with Slade?”

She nodded. “Dennis said if he saw me near Slade again, he’d kill him, then me. This isn’t Slade’s problem. I can’t have him hurt because of me.”

“Jessica, listen to me. Men like Slade protect their women. It wasn’t up to you to make that decision. You’re his and that’s more important than anything. Men like Slade don’t love easily. But when they do love, they love hard and they love forever.”

Jessica used her palm to wipe her nose and dry her eyes. “What made you so smart?”

“I’m the same kind of man as Slade. And I know how I would react if this was Chrissy.”

“But you love Chrissy.”

“And Slade loves you.”

“I don’t think that—”

“Jessica, I’ve known Slade longer than practically anyone else. When he wasn’t begging for you to go out with him, he was a wreck. Then when you finally agreed to date him, he was like a stupid pussy-whipped teenager. And then when you friend-zoned him and told him you were moving, he was like a man on a mission. Slade wouldn’t put in that kind of effort if he wasn’t in love. Trust me.”

Jessica wasn’t sure what to say.

“I will fix this, I promise you. I will take care of Dennis. Do you believe me?”

Jessica nodded, the first inklings of relief beginning to seep into her mind.

“But there’s something I need to know, Jess. Do you love Slade? Because Slade’s like my brother. I don’t want him to be hurt over some wishy-washy woman who isn’t strong enough to stand by his side. And, as you know, I love Chrissy, and Chrissy loves her brother, and therefore I have an even greater obligation to Slade, more than just my friendship. You get me?”

“Yes, Jack. I get you. I know I should’ve told him, but I swear I wanted to protect him. I love him, Jack. I love him so much. I did this to keep him safe. Knowing he was hurting nearly killed me. But I didn’t think I had a choice.” Her voice was shaky but pleading.

“I believe you, Jessica. Now, from here on out, you do exactly as I say. Okay?”

She nodded. “But what are you going to do? If you tell Slade, he’ll kill Dennis, or at least try to, and Slade can’t fight. Remember the brain damage? It’s one of the reasons I didn’t tell him.”

“I can’t keep this from him, Jessica.”

“No!” Jessica panicked. “You can’t tell him!”

He snorted. “Not ten seconds ago you said you’d do whatever I tell you.”

The tears were streaming down her face. “I’m just scared for Slade. If you tell him, Slade’ll go looking for him. They’ll fight. Slade’ll end up in jail again. Or even worse, he’ll get hurt. You can’t tell him. Please!”

“Jessica—”

Before she could think much about it, Jessica blurted out, “I’ll tell Chrissy!” Chrissy wouldn’t allow her brother to fight. No way in hell. She wouldn’t allow anyone to risk her brother’s life. And Jack wouldn’t do anything to hurt, sadden, or anger Chrissy. It was a low blow but a necessary one.

“You play dirty, woman.”

“Sorry.”

“The trial is scheduled for next week, right?”

Jessica nodded.

“You have to testify, Jessica. It’s the only way.”

“But—”

“No, listen. You have to testify. If you don’t, the charges against Dennis will be dropped, and he’ll be free to terrorize you for God knows how long. Or, Jessica, he will eventually hurt someone else.”

“I want him in prison. I don’t want him hurting anyone else.”

Jack continued to pace around the small room. “I have an idea. We’re going to do what Dennis wants. We are going to have to deceive a few people, and they’re going to feel hurt, but you have to stick with the plan. It’ll only be temporary. You have to do exactly what I say. You understand?” Jessica nodded. “And you cannot tell anyone. Not one soul. Okay?”

Jessica nodded again.

“Today you’ll go to Slade somewhere public, so that if someone is following you they will hear. This needs to get back to Dennis. You’ll tell Slade that you’re leaving for Charlotte tonight.”

“But—”

“Let me finish. I can’t tell anyone from the station, since I am still investigating half of the precinct for possible corruption and I don’t know who’s on the mayor’s payroll. Fill your car up with the shit you packed up. Make it look like you’re leaving tonight. At midnight I want you to start driving as if you are headed to Charlotte. I am going to be following you. When I’m sure no one is tailing you, I’ll pull you over and we’ll head back toward Tarpon Springs. There’s a motel on the edge of town, and you’ll stay there until the trial. Got it?”

She nodded.

“Make him believe it, Jessica. If he doesn’t believe it, whoever is listening will not believe you either.”

“Will this work?”

“Yes, it’ll work. The morning of the trial, we’ll file additional charges based on what happened at your house when Dennis came over, both the first time and now today. He’s violated his restraining order twice, not to mention the conditions of his bail. Plus, he hurt you; all that’s enough to send him back to jail. I’ll let the state’s attorney know that I have you in protective custody, but only right before we go to trial, just in case someone at that office is a friend of the mayor’s. I want Dennis to think he’s in the clear for the time being so we can make sure he spends a long time in prison.”

“Jack…” She swallowed, trying to control her tears. “Thank you. I don’t know what to say.”

He nodded. “Stick to the plan and be safe, Jessica,” he said before walking out the door.

Jessica sat at the desk a while longer, just staring at the closed door. Again! Again, she had to hurt Slade. She only hoped he’d take her back when the nightmare was all over.

Eventually she left the Pier the same way she’d come in, locking the back door on the way out and making her way back across the vacant lot to the store and then into her car, hoping no one had seen her.

Was she just being paranoid? Perhaps she wasn’t being followed. But Dennis, his uncle, and half of the town’s cops could be trying to help Dennis, for all she knew. It was at that moment she realized how someone she had thought she had loved for five years was a complete stranger to her.