Page 37 of Desperate Temptations

C ain raised a hand , pushed the thick tangle of hair over her shoulders, and tilted her chin up for a kiss. The kiss turned carnal within seconds. He lifted his head.

He needed to pull back so they could talk, or he’d take her again. He bent down, grasping the blanket at the end of the bed, and pulled it over them. Cain nestled her against him and watched her close her eyes.

“Jessa?”

She squinted her eyes open, the light from the lamp on the nightstand bright in her eyes.

When he had her attention, he started asking questions.

“How well do you know Gary Nicolson?”

A frown pulled at her brows.

“I don’t know. Gary, his wife, Aubrey, Drew, and I went out to eat a lot.

We even spent a vacation together once. I knew Aubrey better since I spent more time with her, but I haven’t talked to her in over a year.

I have seen her recently in the grocery store.

I smiled and waved, but she turned and walked away.

At first, I thought she didn’t see me, but now I’m not so sure.

Knowing what I just learned, she might have been embarrassed about her and Gary’s breakup.

I don’t know. But I hadn’t known they were separated until Gary told me a few days ago, so I guess not really well. Why?”

He felt the tension build in her body and tried to comfort her in any way he could. He caressed her back and arms, but he knew it wouldn’t get better anytime soon, just worse.

“I had a friend check into him. Something is off about the guy, and I wanted to know what it was. Normally, I would’ve just shrugged it off, but since he wants you, anything he does can affect you, which does concern me.”

Jessa looked up at him. He knew a vein was pulsing at his temple, showing her without words he was angry, more like pissed, but he tried to hide his anger as much as he could.

“What did you find out?”

“His wife left him because of his gambling addiction. One he’s had for years.

The bastard lost their house and most of their savings.

Thank God they didn’t have children. His work has suffered too.

From the information we’ve received so far, if he’s not being investigated, he will be shortly.

There’s also a rumor about another woman, but that can’t be confirmed yet. ”

There was so much he didn’t want her to know about, at least until they could confirm their suspicions.

“Why would they investigate him?”

He pulled her closer against his warmth when she shivered.

“We don’t know. The department is keeping that information close to their vests.”

Jessa was quiet for a long time. “What does this have to do with me, Cain?” she asked softly.

His jaw bunched. “Maybe I'm just a jealous bastard, or just paranoid, but I don’t like the fact that he has feelings for you. He could pull you into something he’s involved in by accident, and that’s what I want to prevent, and to do that, I need all the information I can get on him.”

Jessa yawned, and he could tell it was getting hard to keep her eyes open.

“Is there anything I can do?”

“Hell, no. But there is something else I wanted to discuss with you.” He looked down at her tired face. “I want you to move in with me.”

Her eyes jerked open wide, she lifted her head, and pushed herself up with her hand on his chest. He wrapped a hand around her arm to keep her next to him.

“I thought we agreed it was a little early in our relationship to move in together?”

Cain teased his fingers lightly down her cheek.

“Normally, I’d say yes, but if there is a chance Gary’s involvement is illegal and could affect you, I want to do everything I can to keep you safe.

” She had no idea the lengths he was going to, to keep her safe.

He knew some of them would thoroughly piss her off, and some would horrify her, but he was willing to make her angry if she was alive and well.

She didn’t look convinced and maybe a little suspicious.

“Or are you using this as an excuse?”

The side of his mouth kicked up in a partial smile.

“Probably a little, but in this case, I am telling the truth. I’m not the only one who thinks something is going on, and you could be affected.

” Some of the things Quinton had told him Gary might be involved in, who he might be involved with, had convinced Cain that Gary was in over his head, and it was about to explode.

Jessa shook her head.

“I don’t see how I could be involved, and you warned Gary to stay away from me. I think you scared him enough that he won’t try again. Besides, you’re here every night. So why can’t you protect me?”

“Gary doesn’t know where I live, and he wouldn’t be able to find out because the mortgage is under a different name, and I have better security than you. You would be a hell of a lot safer there.”

He interrupted her when it looked like she was going to continue to argue.

“We can agree that when we find out what’s going on with him and we’re sure it won’t affect you, you can move back here, if you want.

” He didn’t tell her he would do everything he could to keep her at his house.

Yeah, he knew it made him an ass to use this situation to get her where he wanted her, but he wasn’t above using whatever he could.

She laid her head back down, rubbing circles on his chest.

“Will you promise you won’t give me grief if I move back?”

“Hell, no.” He yelped when she pulled his chest hair.

She laughed, as it was what she expected him to say.

“Okay, I’ll agree to do this. We’ll worry about the rest later. When do you want this to happen?”

“I would say tonight, but you’re too tired for that, so let’s plan on tomorrow night after work. Can you get out of the office early?”

Jessa yawned again. “Yeah. I think I can get out around four. I can always call you if I can get out earlier.”

Cain raised her chin and lowered his head, taking her mouth in a long, deep kiss, sweeping his tongue in the sweet depths of her mouth. He raised his head, pleased with the look of hunger on her face.

“That sounds good to me. Plan on me driving and picking you up from work tomorrow.”

“Now, wait a minute, don’t you think this is taking it too far?” Annoyance was apparent in her voice.

Cain reached up and flipped off the light. He turned, pulled her back against his chest, spooning her body with his and then wrapping an arm around her waist.

“Nothing is too much when it comes to your safety. Go to sleep. We can argue more in the morning.”

She made a huffing sound but settled closer against him, holding onto the arm he had placed under her neck.

“Night, Cain,” she said, yawning.

“Night, Baby.” Cain’s eyes stayed open long after she fell asleep. His mind was in overdrive, wanting to have a plan for every scenario he could think of, so he’d be prepared to keep her safe.