To Protect the Heart of a Brazen Woman [Brazen Sisters 6] (Siren Publishing Classic) (13 page)

She shouldn’t care that they were going to be stuck together for at least a little while longer. After all, the longer it took them to find Patrice, the longer she had Jake all to herself. It also gave Jake more time to find a reason to either end their affair, or make a move to ensure some kind of future for them. She wasn’t asking him to marry her—yet, because she hadn’t planned on getting married until she was at least twenty-five—but she had foolishly hoped he considered it. She’d actually thought she could wait for him to come around. Hell, she’d waited so long for him already. What would a few more years be? Then they slept together and something changed.

Waiting was no longer an option. She could see herself spending Thanksgiving, Christmas, and every other holiday or birthday with her sisters and their families while she was there alone. Maybe Jake would come around like he did before, and instead of stolen kisses they’d take things a lot further, but Bobbie wanted more than that. Jake had to know she wouldn’t be comfortable with a situation like that. And her sisters would string him up for putting her in the position to have to make a choice like that. More than likely, if he couldn’t commit, he’d cut ties altogether, because she didn’t think there was a way to pretend they didn’t want to rip each other’s clothes off and get busy.

If in another few days there was still no sign of Jake’s mystery woman, she was going home. She’d given him everything she had, and if he still didn’t want to believe in her love there was nothing else she could do. He was right about one thing. There would always be something between them, and she was just going to have to do her damnedest to ignore it.

“Honey, I know school starts in a few days and you’re probably pissed you’re going to miss the first couple of classes, but we agreed on this plan and we need to follow it through to the end.” He sat on the bed next to her and put his hand on her lower back.

She wanted to arch into the heat, but somewhere deep inside she found the willpower to restrain herself and not move at all. “I have every right to be angry. I took double classes so I could graduate a year early and this stunt better not jeopardize that.”

“I promise it won’t.” She could have told him she believed him, but she just grunted.

He leaned forward and snatched the catalog out of her hands. “What the hell is this?”

She rolled onto her side to face him. “We’re throwing Georgie a bachelorette party slash bridal shower. Everyone invited is going to bring her a little something sexy and something useful.”

Bobbie noticed the slight tremor in his hands as he flipped through the catalog. She wondered, and hoped, that he was picturing her walking around in some of the sexy nightgowns. Or better yet, maybe he’d love to find her lying in his bed wearing one of the corset combos. Maybe once this was over—which should be soon if this lunatic, Patrice, was as eager to get her revenge as her threats indicated—she’d buy a really sexy one and model it for him.

“You’re awfully quiet.” Bobbie couldn’t help but prod him.

His lips curved up into one of his cocky, sexy smiles. “Kind of hard to think right now.”

“Typical man, the sight of a half-naked woman fries any brain cells that might have been working.”

“No, it’s the sudden blood flow south that deprives them and turns us into babbling fools.” He tossed the thick catalog aside and dove for her.

They both laughed as he rolled them so he had her pinned beneath him. She could have gotten away easily and they both knew it. Jake wouldn’t have put up much of a fight. Instead, she arched into him as he slid into the cradle of her thighs. The weight of him pressing against her mound brought out a moan that she hadn’t expected. He smiled down at her, and she felt her cheek grow hot. Jeez, the man undid her without even trying. Luckily for her she seemed to have an equal effect on him. The more she turned him on, the more she turned herself on, which he pointedly told her was a compliment unlike any other he’d ever received. She loved that.

Right now all Bobbie wanted was both of their minds clear of everything but the pleasure they would give each other. The rough texture of his jeans abraded her soft skin, but it wasn’t enough to keep her from hooking her heels around his legs to hold him tight. The rise of her hips brought the stiff ridge of his cock flush against her pussy. She cursed the two layers of material between them that prevented them from doing what they wanted to most.

Bobbie was eager to get him inside her. Maybe a little too eager, because she felt her nails graze his skin as reached for the hem of his shirt. Jake laughed and lifted up a little so she could tug it over his head and toss it aside. With equal vigor, though a bit more gently, he wrapped his fingers in her shirt, well, technically it was
his
shirt, and started to tug it upward. Jake had it just above her boobs when he stopped. He let out a little growl as he stared at down her bare breasts and her nipples hardened into stiff little peaks begging for his attention

“What’s wrong?” Her excitement gave her voice a sexy, breathless quality a lot of women craved.

“Shhh…” He let go of the shirt and slid off the bed, taking her with him. “Go in the bathroom. Lock the door and don’t come out unless I give the okay.”

“Screw that, I’m coming with you—” She paused her protest as he opened the drawer of the nightstand and pulled out his gun.

Bobbie didn’t ask why, because by then they could hear the distinct rumble of an engine and clunking of something trying to get up the rutted dirt path Jake tried to pass off as a road. He pointed to the bathroom, and though she was curious to see who it was, she did as instructed. She closed and locked the door.

“All bathrooms should have a window,” she groused as she paced the tiny room.

Bobbie pressed her ear to the door, but she couldn’t hear anything. What if something happened and Jake needed help? Okay, that would probably never happen, but still, with her locked in the bathroom he was totally on his own. That just wouldn’t do. She unlocked the door and eased it open. A horn beeped loud enough that Bobbie assumed she would have heard it from the safety of the bathroom.

On the balls of her feet, she made it to the doorway in three strides. She was just in time to see Jake open the door and her sister, Jessie, barge into the room. Jessie’s husband was right behind her. Something was wrong or they wouldn’t be there.

“What happened?”

The three of them turned to face her. “You were supposed to be in the bathroom.”

“What happened?” she repeated, walking into the room.

Jessie turned back to Jake. “There’s a fire at your place.”

“How bad?” She heard Jake ask as she ran back into the bedroom.

“They’ve got it contained to the garage right now.” Victor’s voice carried down the hall.

Bobbie tugged on a pair of sweatpants and stepped into her sneakers. She grabbed Jake’s T-shirt off the bed and rushed back into the other room.

She threw the shirt at him. “Let’s go.”

“No. We need to stay here where you’re safe.”

“Fine, I’ll stay here with Victor and Jessie. You go home and make sure everything is okay.” She shoved him toward the door.

“She’s right. You’ll drive yourself crazy up here wondering what’s happening,” Jessie said and Victor nodded in agreement.

Jake groaned and tugged the shirt over his head. “Do not let her out of your sight for a second. All the same rules apply. Don’t go anywhere.”

Bobbie nodded. She’d agree with anything right now to keep him calm. He took her hand and she walked with him to the door.

“Stay put. I’ll come back as fast as I can.” He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.

His peck left a lot to be desired, but it was enough to make her sister go bug-eyed. If the situation hadn’t been so dire, Bobbie would have smiled. Now wasn’t the time to dissect Jake’s every move. Most likely, he didn’t even think before kissing her good-bye. When he realized what he’d done, if he did, she hoped he wouldn’t regret it. She stood just inside the door and watched him run to where the Quad Runner was parked.

Jessie joined her by the door. “I take it you guys have worked out some of your issues.”

Bobbie shrugged. She would have liked a little more of some type of commitment from Jake. Even if it turned out they were just a couple for now, but that hadn’t come. He drove into the woods, and she grabbed her jacket off the peg by the door.

“Let’s go.” Bobbie and Jessie were halfway out the door when Victor grabbed them and dragged them back inside.

“No. We’re staying put. I promised not to let you out of my sight and I meant it.” Victor sounded really firm on his decision.

Bobbie smiled up at him. “I know, that’s why you’re coming with us.”

“Bobbie…” He turned to his wife, probably thinking he’d get further with her. “Jessie, Jake asked us to stay here.”

“I know, but he’s going to get there and start worrying about her. We can go down to his place and stay in the truck where he can see her.”

“No. I promised.” He turned back to Bobbie. “And so did you.”

“Not really. Besides, think about it. Do you really think he believes I’m going to stay here?”

“Fuck me.” Victor’s feet thudded with each step he took to the door.

“Maybe later.” Jessie patted his chest as she walked past.

“Not a chance.” Bobbie giggled as Victor’s cheeks turned bright red.

“You’re getting your way, you little minx, so don’t push it.” Victor closed the door and followed them to the pickup truck parked a few feet away.

* * * *

Jake shouldn’t have left her. Damn it, she was his responsibility and this didn’t change that. He was tempted to turn around and go back even though he was close enough that could see the smoke from his place drifting out of the trees. The closer he got, the stronger the acrid scent grew.

When he reached the ATV trail that could take him into town or to his place he headed for home. The way the red lights from the trucks reflected off the leaves made it look like they were flashing. By the time he pulled into his yard, the fire seemed to be almost out. Firemen, most of them volunteers, and even the chief were rushing around.

Jake climbed off the four-wheeler and walked over to where the chief, Gerry, stood talking to Jake’s deputies, Clint and Fred. “What do you know?”

“Shit, Sheriff.” Fred spun around, almost slamming into Clint and Gerry.

“Jake.” Gerry nodded. “There were two ignition points. One was set behind the garage and the other was on the backseat of your truck.”

Jake glanced around, taking in the damage. He was damn lucky that they had managed to keep the blaze contained to his garage and truck, which were both destroyed. Whether it had been chance or the skill of the guys—he wasn’t sure and he didn’t care—his house had escaped any major damage, though one side was a bit scorched. It would take some work, but it could be repaired.

“Sir.” Clint’s tone had Jake following his gaze to where Victor’s truck was pulling to a stop at the end of the driveway just beyond the fire trucks.

“Son of a…Watch her like your job depends on it, because it does.” Fred took off running at Jake’s command.

Jake turned his attention to Gerry. “Show me what you’ve found.”

Gerry led him and Clint to the side of the garage. Jake glanced back once to see Victor, Jessie, and Bobbie talking with Fred. He should have known the little witch wouldn’t have stayed at the cabin. The rest of Bobbie’s family had arrived and were currently getting out of their cars. Gerry explained his suppositions and told him nothing was conclusive yet, but after some tests, he was pretty sure his guesses would be proven right. Gerry had been doing his job for years, and Jake trusted his opinions.

“I’ll give you a preliminary report for your insurance company, but they probably won’t be able to do anything until we file a final summation.” Jake knew they’d get it done as soon as possible.

There were still some glowing embers, but basically, the blaze was out. Jake could only think of one person who hated him enough to do this. The question he was asking himself was if this was the extent of Patrice’s plan? Somehow, he didn’t think so. He knew she wasn’t the most creative criminal, but still, he thought there would be more malicious and personal intent to her revenge than this.

Jake stood there unable to say a word as the guys knocked his garage down board by board. From experience, he knew they wouldn’t leave until all that was left would be charred hunks of wood and all his ruined stuff. Just thinking about the thousands of dollars’ worth of tools he’d lost made Jake want to hit something. Over and over, his gaze was drawn back to Bobbie. She stayed safely off to the side with Fred and her family, who had all showed up over the past hour. Even with the distance between them her presence had a strange soothing effect on him.

Her sisters stood together in a small group, talking. Her brothers-in-law were all busy helping the firefighters in whatever way they could. Jake kept scanning the crowd looking for a face that shouldn’t be there.

Statistics showed time and again that people who committed crimes often stuck around to see the devastation they created. Patrice was just stupid and vain enough to do just that. It was one of the reasons he’d told Bobbie to stay at the cabin. If Patrice was there he didn’t want to give her the chance to get close to Bobbie. Jake turned to find Fred standing by his side.