Page 15 of Desperate Temptations

“Why the hell did you do that to me?” she nearly shouted, and her voice shook with nerves.

“Because the first time there were men in the warehouse, a lot of men,” he growled. He watched her eyes widen in realization, a quiver of fear streaking through them. “You didn’t know that, did you? They came in the back door. I had to get you out of there quickly and quietly. I couldn’t take a chance of you screaming or trying to fight me and alerting them.” It still terrified him to know how close she’d come to that level of danger.

She flinched at the tone of his voice.

“It frightened me to wake up and not remember anything.”

He grasped her shoulders and held her still when she tried to pull away.

“I know, Baby. I’m sorry. I couldn’t stay and explain. I wanted to go back and find out what they were doing. I want to find out what happened to Drew, too. Besides, I think it would have scared you more to have me sitting there when you woke up, right?”

“You’re right about that.” She nodded and rubbed her arms as if chilled. “How’d you get back to the warehouse for your truck, it’s clear across town?”

“I brought you home in your vehicle, and after getting you to bed, I jogged until I caught a cab.”

He watched her and rubbed his chin, contemplating her for a few minutes.

“I’ve got an idea, but I want you to promise to hear me out.” She looked skeptical but nodded. “How about you promise to never go to the warehouse...” He held up a hand when she opened her mouth. “Wait and give me a chance. The warehouse, or anywhere else around Martinez. I’ll keep looking into Drew’s murder and keep you up-to-date on what’s going on in the investigation. If you don’t agree, I’ll spend my time taking care of you instead of finding his killer.” He eyed her with a dangerous glint in his eyes. He held out his hand. “Deal?”

Chapter Eleven

Jessa stared at his hand. She got the impression he really wasn’t giving her a choice. She sighed and tried to relax. How could she get herself to let go of this? She felt dread tightening her stomach at the thought of quitting or giving up. She just wanted to get answers, but the undeniable fact was she knew Cain could get the answers quicker than she could.

Before she lost her nerve, she slowly raised her hand, grasped his much larger one for a brief moment, and then tried to let go. Her eyes darted up to his when he tightened his hold as she went to pull away. She gave up the struggle and lifted her chin in false bravado.

“Deal. But this is void if you don’t keep your part of the deal.”

He nodded but wouldn’t release her hand. Heat slid up her arm and through her body, spreading like warm molasses. Her body was coming alive as her eyes darkened in pain. Tears came to her eyes as a stab of guilt grew in her chest. She didn’t want to feel, not this desire.

His face shifted to tenderness. He pulled her gently into his arms and held her tightly against his chest.

“Why are you crying again, Sweetheart?”

She shook her head and wrapped her arms around his trim waist, holding tight, while her tears still fell silently down her cheeks. This felt so good. She hadn’t been embraced since Drew was alive. The feeling of comfort and peace she felt in Cain’s arms, mixed with the flood of passion, combined with guilt, was turning her inside-out.

He squeezed her and tucked her closer to his big body. One hand pressed her head to his chest, the other glided leisurely up and down her slim back.

“Talk to me.”

She shook her head, pulling her chin down, and pressed harder against his chest. She didn’t want to talk about it. Her feelings were too raw to discuss.

“It’s nothing, Cain, I’m just emotional tonight, I guess.”

Cain bent his head down and whispered in her ear, causing massive, heated shivers to run down her spine. She knew he wasn’t going to take no for an answer this time.

“It’s something. Now tell me.”

Jessa sniffed and wondered how she could explain something she didn’t understand herself. How her world had gone from gray and cold to vibrant and warm, just by meeting this man. In one moment in time, Cain brought life back to her when nothing else had in the last two godforsaken years.

“I never expected I’d feel like this again,” she murmured without raising her head.

“Like what?” he asked, rubbing her back, spreading heat wherever he touched.

“Wanting someone again.” She had known of the intense passion within her, but what she felt for this man surpassed anything she’d felt with Drew. Drew had always been so sweet and gentle with her. He never asked her for anything more than the sex life they had. It was good, but she knew deep down she had desires that surpassed anything Drew had given her. She had learned to ignore her passions because the love she had for her husband was enough.

He nuzzled the top of her head.

“I’m glad you’re starting to want me. I’m sorry it’s upsetting for you, but you need to come to grips with the fact that I’m here now and I’m not going anywhere.”

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