Page 27 of Desperate Temptations

Jessa jerked back from him and vigorously shook her head.

“You? Gary, you’re married. Remember your wife, Aubrey?”

He stopped her from backing away any further, putting one arm around her waist, holding onto her hand with the other when she tried to push him away.

“We separated seven months ago. I’ve always had feelings for you, and unfortunately, Aubrey knew that, had known it for a long time. You and I can start seeing each other. If I’d known you were ready, ready to let Drew go, I would have asked you out sooner.”

Jessa sucked in a quick intake of breath and leaned away from him, putting her hands between them, trying to put space between them. Her face was white and strained.

“Gary, did you get divorced over me?”

“God, no, Sweetheart, it was so many things I don’t want to go into right now. Let’s concentrate on us.”

“I’m really sorry to hear about you and Aubrey. I really am, but there’s no way you and I...” She cleared her throat nervously. “I don’t feel like that about you, I’m sorry.”

He tried to pull her closer despite her struggles.

“You haven’t given us a chance. We could be so good together, Jessa. You can’t be with that man. He’s too rough. He’ll end up hurting you. But I would never hurt you. I’m like Drew, I can make you happy, I’d take such good care...”

A ruthless, stone-cold voice came from the front door.

“Get your fucking hands off her. Now!”

They broke apart abruptly. She was finally able to breathe as Gary took a few steps back and looked at Cain. She had never seen such a horrifying look of detached death in someone’s eyes before. Coming from this man, it wasn’t a simple promise, it was a given, an absolute if you didn’t do what he asked of you immediately, and they both knew it.

Oh, thank God, Jessa thought. Her eyes glistened with tears. She focused on Cain, relief making her weak. She drew air into her lungs, both hands flat on her chest, as she tried to calm her heartbeat.

Without taking his eyes off of Gary, Cain held out his hand to Jessa in silent demand. After a brief hesitation, she walked directly to him, placing her hand in his. She leaned her head against his muscular arm, holding his hand tightly with both of hers.

“Are you okay?” he asked softly.

“Yes,” her voice was shaky, but the little nervous tremors that had overtaken her body a moment before had started to quiet down.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Gary watched the two of them. His eyes became bitter and icy with each second that passed. Cain could almost smell the fear in the other man, but also a scalding fury he tried to hide. Cain knew Gary was torn between wanting to run for his life and wanting to kill him.

Cain knew the man would run. He didn’t have the guts to try to take him. Before the other man took two steps, Cain’s voice lashed out at him.

“Stop!” Cain said sharply, his voice hard and unforgiving. Cain looked down briefly, his eyes instantly softening. “Jessa, go into the bedroom.” When she hesitated, he said gently, squeezing her hand, “Go on, Baby, everything is going to be fine.”

Both men watched her go. When they heard the bedroom door quietly close, Cain took the few steps separating him from Gary. He grasped the front of his shirt, pulling him up till his toes were barely touching the floor.

“I thought I made myself clear in my office. Jessa is mine, will always be mine. If I ever see you within a mile of her, I’ll kill you. And before you say I’ll never get away with it, remember what I did for a living. I can cut you into so many little pieces and throw you in so many places, no one would ever find you,” Cain said in a voice that could cut glass.

Clearly terrified, Gary pushed against Cain’s grip and tried to get away from him.

“Let go of me, you bastard! Don’t you threaten me! I’m a cop. I’ll have you arrested. Let go...” Gary stammered and gasped for breath.

Cain threw Gary from him, crossing his arms over his chest. He watched Gary scramble to keep from falling, then run out the door to get away from him.

“You’ll regret this, you’ll both fucking regret it,” Gary yelled over his back as he retreated.

Cain watched him jump into his car, rapidly back out of the short driveway, and peel out. He gently shut the front door and locked it.

He turned to find Jessa standing by the hallway. He hated the look on her face and wanted more than anything to wipe it off. He opened his arms.

Jessa didn’t hesitate. She ran with a whimper and threw herself into his arms. He was pleased she needed him, needed his warmth and the feeling of security that only he could give her.

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