Jobe: Alvarez Security Series (15 page)

BJ entered the conversation, saying, “I got no idea what went down with you two other than what you’ve told me. But it sounds a lot like Suzy and me.”

Jobe turned to BJ, remembering what it was like for his friend when he was working to get his girlfriend back. “So how’d you two do it?”

“Our situations were reversed. Suzy left me and I had no fuckin’ clue why. After a while I gave up but, I gotta tell you, it marked me. Losing the one you love and thought you’d marry? Not ashamed to admit it gutted me. When our paths crossed again, I wasn’t sure I wanted to wade back into those waters again. Hell, once bit by a shark, who wants to take a chance again?”

By this time, the others were listening as well, their minds moving back to two years before. They had all advised BJ to go after Suzanne and find out what had happened. And it worked…for him.

“But I knew she was worth fighting for, so I waded back in. She told me why she left and we talked. Hell, we talked, argued, cried…but when it was all over with, we knew that we were supposed to be together. It wasn’t easy, but I knew she needed to get it off her chest and I needed to forgive. That was the only way we could move forward.”

Vinny eyed Jobe, asking, “You talked to her yet? Told her what happened?”

Shaking his head, Jobe admitted, “Not yet. I was going to and then all of this latest shitstorm happened. Now, I don’t know. She’s got so much on her plate. Do I really want to dump on her?”

The others could not give him a good answer, each thinking that Jobe was always the one they turned to when they needed help. Finally, BJ spoke up, “Yeah, Jobe. You do.” He saw the looks the others gave him and he quickly amended, “I don’t mean dump on her, but you gotta look at it from her point of view, which had been mine. I had no fuckin’ idea what had happened. She doesn’t either. One minute you’re engaged, the next…you break it off. And it sounds like you broke it off clean.”

Jobe winced, knowing it was the truth.

“She deserves to know it all. Now I’m not saying she’s gonna forgive and forget and everything’s gonna be fine. She may hate your guts.”

This time Vinny winced as much as Jobe. “Fuck man, you know how to give someone hope, don’t you?”

BJ ran his hand through his hair and glanced away for a minute. He then turned to Gabe and said, “Do you remember what ya’ll told me back then? You said that if you find a woman that you can’t live without, you do not let that walk away.” He paused, pinning Jobe with his stare. “You gotta let her know what tore you apart and then work like hell to make it right.” With that BJ moved back to the van to continue checking the security system feeds.

The other three watched him walk away, then Gabe and Vinny turned back to their friend. Jobe nodded, “I get it. Loud and clear.”

Their conversation was interrupted when an SUV pulled to the front of the building. Matt, Shane, and a female police officer got out and started walking toward the group on the stoop. The looks on their faces indicated that the news wasn’t good.

“Jesus,” Jobe swore, knowing whatever was coming was going to upset Mackenna, as he and the others met the detectives on the front walk. “This just keeps getting more fucked up by the minute.”

Mackenna was walking toward the front door to see what Jobe and the others were talking about when she saw Matt and Shane coming toward them. Steeling herself for whatever was next, she stepped out onto the stoop and looked down at them all.

“Detectives,” she greeted, noticing the others looking at each other. “Can I help you?”

“Ms. Dunn,” they both said at the same time. “This is Officer Petit.” The young, female officer nodded her head in acknowledgment as Mackenna greeted her also.

“Do you all want to come inside?” she invited.

“Is Selena in there?” Matt asked, referring to one of the women staying at the center.

Blinking in surprise at the question, she said, “Yes. She’s getting ready for the computer class to start. Why?”

“We’d better talk out here first,” was the only response given.

She shut the door behind her and walked down the steps into the group, stopping when she reached Jobe.

He looked down at her, realizing she choose to stand next to him. Whether or not it was a conscious choice, he was glad. He slid his arm around her shoulders, giving her a reassuring squeeze.

Matt said, “Selena’s been identified as a witness to a gang crime that the River Street Kings committed.” Seeing Mackenna about to protest, he quickly continued, “She’s not involved—not a suspect. But it appears that she may have information.”

“What do you need to do?” she asked, hoping her voice was not quivering as much as she felt inside. She felt another squeeze on her shoulder and could not help but lean in slightly toward Jobe.

“Mackenna,” Shane said. “We need to take her with us—”

“But why?” she cried out. “She’s doing so well here. She knows us. She—”

Jobe leaned in and whispered, “Doll, she’s not safe here. You can’t keep her safe and if it gets out that she’s a witness, then no one’s safe here with her.”

Shane nodded, “That’s right. Officer Petit will be escorting her to a secure location.”

For a moment, the others stood around, uncomfortably shuffling their feet, knowing that the realization was cutting into her.

She blinked rapidly several times, then lifted her chin and said, “Will you allow me to speak to her first?”

Matt agreed but added that Officer Petit would have to accompany her. She gazed over at the officer and said, “If you’ll come with me, I’ll introduce you to Selena.”

The two women silently went up the steps and through the front door, closing it behind them. The men let out a collective sigh.

“Goddamnit!” Jobe exploded.

His friends looked at him sympathetically, knowing that Jobe was going to be picking up the pieces when it was all over.

Twenty tense minutes later, the door opened again and this time Mackenna and Officer Petit were with a pretty, young woman who had obviously been crying. Jobe’s eyes were not on her though…he was staring at the woman in his heart. And her tear-streaked face. He started toward her, but she caught his gaze and gave a slight shake of her head.

Mackenna needed to complete her task without falling apart any more than she had already. She had allowed the policewoman to explain the situation to Selena, but the girl’s tears and pleading to stay in the center had gutted Mackenna.

The trio walked passed the men and over to the vehicle that Matt and Shane drove up in. The two detectives got into the front seat as Selena turned to hug Mackenna goodbye.

“Thank you,” she choked out, “for saving me.”

The tears ran unchecked down her face as she hugged Selena. Finally letting go, she watched as the officer and Selena settled in the back seat before they drove away. She stood on the sidewalk, her body quivering as she pressed her fingers tightly against her lips in an attempt to stem the sob that wanted to escape.

Gabe, Vinny, and BJ left, having to walk by her on their way to their vehicles. Each touched her shoulder quickly, in a show of support while understanding her need for privacy. Only Jobe remained.

She turned, seeing him on the sidewalk near the steps of the building. They both stood, not moving, staring into each other’s eyes.

Let me in, doll,
his expression implored.

Take my pain,
was her inner response.

Suddenly, she launched herself at him, running at full speed. He caught her easily in his embrace, holding her tightly.

Not caring who saw or what they thought, she let the sobs release as she poured her heart out in his arms. He cradled her head against his chest, next to his heartbeat, hating the reason she was there, but loving the way she turned to him in need.

“I’m not making any difference,” she cried. “It’s all going to hell.”

“That’s not true,” he shushed. “What you’re doing is amazing,” he reassured, but her head just shook against his neck. After a minute of crying he heard her speak, but her voice was muffled by his shirt. He leaned his head down while still holding her tightly, asking, “What, baby?”

“Take me home,” was the choked response. She lifted her gaze up to his, the red-rimmed eyes pleading, as she whispered again, “Take me home.”

T
he ride back
to Jobe’s apartment was made in silence, as he occasionally spared a glance to the passenger side. Mackenna was leaning against the door, her head on the window, eyes closed. He wanted to comfort her…say something to make it better. But one look at her and he knew she was not ready to hear anything yet.
Maybe I can get her to eat something and take a nap. She looks like she’s going to drop.

The minute the apartment door was closed she whirled around, launching herself at him again. Only this time it was not in tears. As he caught her, she wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled his face to hers for a kiss.

And did not let go.

Jobe, caught off guard, held her up with one hand under her ass and the other around her waist. The unexpected kiss was urgent—hot and wet, and she was not coming up for air. He gladly accommodated, allowing her to rule the moment as he enjoyed the feel of her soft lips moving against his. Her tongue slipped inside and warred with his.

His knees almost buckled with desire as she sucked his tongue into her mouth and began to grind her soft core against his jean-clad cock. Already at attention, it was painfully swollen against his zipper and he wondered if it would have permanent marks.

He pulled her back gently, saying, “Doll, you gotta slow down. We need to talk about a lot of things.”

“Fuck talking,” she murmured against his lips, as she continued to move her hips into his pelvis.

Pulling back again, he tried once more to slow her down.
She doesn’t want me, she just wants a body right now.

By creating a slight space between their chests, she reached down grabbing the bottom of her shirt and whipping it up over her head. His eyes dropped down to her full breasts spilling out of her bra before raising his gaze back up to hers.

“Oh, no, doll. We’re so not doing this now.”

She pulled him, latching onto his lips again and he felt his resolve slipping.

She murmured between kisses, “I just…need…you. Please…”

“Mackenna, I don’t want us to use each other for sex. We meant too much to each other at one time.”

Jerking her face back away from his, she stared him down, seeing his labored breathing. “Talking’s for later. Right now I need a body to let me know I’m still fucking alive. I just want to stop hurting. Please, do that for me.”

Seeing his tortured expression, she instinctively knew he was trying to do the honorable thing.
Fuck honorable.
“Jobe,” she said softly, gaining his attention. “I didn’t go to just anyone. I’m here with you. I. Need. You.”

With that, he pressed her firmly again, one hand behind her head as he took over the kiss. With her legs wrapped around his waist tightly, he shifted his other hand to her bra clasp and quickly unsnapped it. She tossed the offending material away as he walked them toward the bedroom.

The heat between them was explosive and he angled his head for better access to her warm mouth. Sucking her tongue, he moved expertly around, feeling every crevice as he memorized her taste again.

By the time they made it into his bedroom she had grabbed his t-shirt and was tugging it upward. Their lips separated only long enough for that piece of clothing to be discarded as well. Before it landed on the floor, he had pressed her naked chest against his.

His hand fisted in her hair, holding her close as he devoured her lips. Hard. Demanding. As though neither of them could get enough. His tongue delved inside of her warm mouth again and again, capturing her moans.

She squirmed in his arms, her nipples tight and aching as she pressed them against his chest. As her core rubbed against his swollen cock, she cursed the material between them. She tried to slide her hand down to his jean zipper but found herself flying through the air before she could get it down.

Having reached the bed, Jobe gave her a little toss onto the mattress before he jerked his jeans down. He saw her eyes widen for a second before a smile lit her face. She quickly unzipped her pants as well and he peeled them off of her before she could finish.
Slow. I should go slow. This should be special,
his mind interrupted, but before he could act on that thought, she slipped her panties down and opened her legs to him.
Fuck, girl.

She saw the momentary hesitation in his eyes and vowed to erase it. Her body was on fire with need. The need to feel something besides fear. Something besides sadness. Something besides hurt. She saw his gaze move from her face down her naked body, stopping between her legs. Sliding one hand down, she fondled herself as she ran a finger through her wet folds. His eyes dilated with lust as she continued to hold him captive with her movements.

Jobe pulled his boxers off, his erection springing free. Palming himself as she continued to play with herself, he knew his cock was ready to explode.

“Just fuck me,” she pleaded in a whisper, her need overtaking all other thoughts.

Crawling over her body, resting his weight on his arms, all rational thinking flew from his mind. Placing his aching cock at her entrance he peered down at her face as he plunged inside in one swift movement. Her warm, tight pussy welcomed him.
Home. I’ve fucking found home.
As he watched her eyes, hooded with desire, he began moving slowly.

She was having none of that. “Fuck me harder. I need hard,” she pleaded again. She grabbed his ass with her hands, pulling him forward as she moved her hips up.

Answering her need as their bodies slammed together, he leaned down to capture her lips again as his tongue began to emulate the movement of his dick. He had been with women in the past years but never had he felt this connection since the last time they had been with each other. Over and over, he plunged into her warmth.

The friction was building and she forced her hips up in the mating dance that she knew would bring relief. Sweet relief. More endowed than her few past lovers, he reached places deep inside that were longing to be stroked. With her hands moving back and forth from his ass to his back, she reveled in the feel of his muscular body connected with hers.