Page 13 of Desperate Temptations

Her misery was so severe, her face so bleak with sorrow, she could tell it affected him on a deeper level.

“You can’t understand until you lose everything,” she cried out and tried to pull away from him. “I could die tomorrow, and there might be a few people who would shed some tears, but after a few weeks, I’d just be a vague memory. The people who would mourn me are all gone. I’m alone, an orphan, a widow, a...” She couldn’t go on.

Chapter Eight

He could tell she was holding something back. She wasn’t telling him all of it.

“Who else are you talking about? I know about Drew and your parents, but who else?”

He frowned at her, held his breath, and waited. He watched as first defeat darted across her pretty face, then a glazed look of despair began to spread across her features.

With a vacant stare, she replied in a tormented voice, “I’ll tell you this, I was hit with the bullet that killed my husband. It went through him and lodged in my stomach. It took everything from me. I almost bled to death. Before I learned about Martinez, there wasn’t a day that went by when I didn’t think I would hurt anymore if they’d just let me die. I watched the life drain from my husband’s body. Have you ever watched someone you love die right before your eyes?”

Cain pulled her into his arms, held her tight against him, and overcame her struggles easily. One hand was curled around her head, and the other was a tight band around her waist. His heart was breaking for her. She finally settled and stood frozen, lost in her memories. He was frustrated that he didn’t know how to help her, so he did what he could and held her tighter.

She shuddered and gripped Cain’s shirt tightly as her emotions bubbled over.

Cain murmured softly to her, words she couldn’t hear over her sobs, but just the sound of his voice calmed her. Her sobs finally slowed. He ran his hand up and down her back as he nuzzled her head.

“How are you doing?” he asked.

Jessa wiped her tears, embarrassed. She pushed away from Cain, unable to look him in the eyes. Jessa snatched up some napkins, wiped the tears from her face, and then threw the wad in the garbage before she turned and faced him again.

“I’m fine. Sorry about that. I don’t usually cry around people I don’t know.”

Cain crowded her against the counter again. He raised her chin with his hand, his tone easy but with underlying steel.

“Don’t apologize. I’m sorry you lost Drew, and I can’t imagine what you went through.” His eyes were sharp and assessing. “But it sounded like there was something else. Tell me.”

She frantically shook her head.

“I can’t talk about this anymore. Please, not right now,” Jessa’s voice cracked as she pleaded with him.

He could tell she was at her limit, so he didn’t want to push her anymore that night. He held her shoulders.

“I hate that you’re going through this, and I wish I could make it better. But I can’t until you get to know me better and give me your trust. Right now, what I can do is keep you safe.”

Cain pulled her tightly against him again. He loved her soft curves that molded to his hardness. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. He was at a loss for what to do as he watched her misery. He was a hard man, one not used to dealing with emotions, especially female ones. He did know how to protect people, and there was nothing he wouldn’t do to keep her safe.

Jessa leaned back with a gleam of determination in her eyes. “I won’t stop.”

Cain’s lips flattened in anger, and his jaw bunched. He gripped her arms and shook her gently. “Yes, you will. You need to let the authorities get this guy.”

Chapter Nine

Jessa held back the panic that crept up her throat, ready to strangle her. The feeling of losing control of her life again felt like a heavy weight pressing on her chest.

“I can’t just sit back and wait.”

He narrowed his eyes to slits, his lips white with anger.

“Yes, the fuck you can and will.”

His harsh words made her flinch, but she listened as he continued, “Even if I have to tie you down. And I’ll do it, damn it. I’ll do whatever I can to keep you safe.”

She felt drained, hollow, and lifeless. Her eyes were deep pools of arousing emotions. Weary and a little desperate.

“Why? Why the hell do you care? Like I said before, you don’t even know me.”

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