Page 19 of Desperate Temptations

He tightened his hold on her tiny waist, holding her up and moving her along. His jaw tensed, his eyes blazing black fire. “Stop arguing, Jessa. Now, answer me. Do you have food?”

She licked her lips and tried to remember what she had. “I think I have some food. It might be enough for both of us. I just don’t remember.”

Cain’s displeasure grew. He nodded. “Good, I’ll take you home, and we’ll get your car later.” He interrupted her when she started to speak. “You’re too tired to drive. You don’t want to get in an accident, maybe hurt someone, right?” he asked, but his voice brooked no argument.

Chapter Fifteen

Cain watched Jessa unlock her front door before he led her over the threshold. He could tell she was exhausted, and he didn’t know how much longer she would be able to stay on her feet. She set her purse and briefcase down and stood, looking around in a daze.

Cain stood beside her and scrutinized her carefully. He wanted her to eat and then sleep. He was going to make sure she got what she needed, no matter how hard she fought him.

“I’ll look around your kitchen and make us a quick dinner. I want you to go and change into something comfortable.”

She shook her head, clearly uncomfortable with him in her house.

“Let me at least help.”

He went to her, grasped her shoulders, and bent so he could see her face. Her beautiful green eyes were dull with fatigue, and dark circles under her eyes made her look older than she was.

“No, Jessa, you won’t help. You’ll do what I say, or I’ll come in and help you change,” he said gently, ignoring her look of shock. Cain’s hands traveled up and down her arms in a soothing rhythm. “You look ready to fall over. When you’ve changed, come out and eat, and then we’ll talk. Okay?”

She finally nodded, turned, and walked away. Cain watched her go, disturbed. She looked ready to drop. He didn’t know what had happened this week, but he was determined to find out. He rummaged through her cabinets and refrigerator and decided on a vegetable-and-cheese omelet and toast. Simple and quick.

Within thirty minutes, she walked into the kitchen as he was setting the plates of food on the table. He placed a glass of wine by her plate and grabbed a beer for himself. He watched her drop into the chair and stare at her plate, her face a blank slate.

“Start eating, Jessa.” He’d feed her if he had to, but relaxed when she picked up her fork.

Jessa took a small bite and hummed in pleasure, keeping her eyes on her plate. “This is really good.”

Cain smiled and took a bite of his own.

He kept glancing at her. She looked so young sitting there in sweats and a college t-shirt, with no make-up and her messy hair down around her shoulders. Every time he’d seen her, whether she was tired, happy, sad, or angry, she was the most beautiful woman in the world to him, and that would never change.

Chapter Sixteen

Her shoulders drooped. Her exhaustion was making any decision difficult. She nodded and went to her bedroom, too tired to argue with him. She looked longingly at her bed. She knew if she sat down, she wouldn’t be getting up again that night.

She sighed, then she went into her closet and gathered an old soft t-shirt and sweatpants. Going to her drawers, she took out socks and panties. A fast, cool shower would wake her up for a bit. She needed to be able to understand what Cain had to say.

As the water cascaded down her body, Jessa hoped he had answers for her, because she was afraid that was the only thing that would let her finally get some restful sleep.

When she got to the kitchen, Cain was setting plates down on the table. They ate in silence until both plates were cleaned. Cain stood and grabbed the dishes, taking them to the sink and rinsing them. He came back to find her still sitting, staring at her hands on the table. He bent to grasp her hand and helped her to her feet. Cain pulled her behind him into the living room, sat down on the sofa, and pulled her down beside him.

Jessa leaned her head back on the cushion and silently looked at him. He was such a big, dark man. Everything about him shouted danger. From the top of his dark hair, down to his big boots, and every muscle in between. There was nothing soft about this man. Her eyes followed all the ridges and valleys of his body. She probably should be more afraid of him, but something inside of her told her he would never hurt her. She swallowed. He did make her nervous, though, but not with fear.

“Thank you for bringing me home and making me dinner.”

Cain put his arm around her, pulled her into the shelter of his bulk, and shushed her when she tried to move away.

“I like taking care of you.” Cain shook his head when she continued to sit rigidly beside him. “Just relax, Jessa. Nothing’s going to happen right now. Let’s get comfortable so we can talk.”

She relaxed and tucked her head against his strong shoulder, feeling the muscle bunch as he tightened his arm around her.

“First, I want to know why you’re not taking care of yourself, why you’re so tired?” he asked when she finally relaxed.

He nudged her when she didn’t reply right away, keeping her eyes on her lap.

“I don’t know what to tell you, Cain.”

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