Guarding Light (25 page)

   His wrist was gripped in an unforgiving vice, twisted as she pulled hard on his wrist. In the dimness Jack could see her do some sort of fancy cartwheel and flipped over his body into a standing position next to the bed, taking his wrist with her. Her motion pulled him to the edge of the bed and then over the side in an undignified heap on the floor with the woman's bare foot planted in the center of his chest and his arm twisted into an awkward angle.

   Jack's reflexes and training kicked in. He gripped her ankle, pulled and spun at the same time, effectively bringing her down and untwisting his arm. He went to grab her but she was fast, lighting fast.

   She was on her feet in seconds and the room was suddenly flooded in light. Her swiftness allowed her to flick the light switch before Jack even stood. Pissed, Jack rolled to his feet in one smooth motion. The woman struck a fighting stance. Was she kidding?

   Jack could only stare. She was black like Catlyn. She was beautiful like Catlyn. She had a killer body like Catlyn. But she sure the hell wasn't Catlyn. Out of respect for Catlyn he kept his eyes on the woman's face, knowing she was naked from the waist up. Her eyes had a slightly Asian slant to them. Those exotic eyes watched him.

   He took a step towards her. Which he found out too late was a mistake. She advanced and struck out. She was really fast. Jack almost didn't block the punch headed to his throat. Didn't even see the one to his head coming and the shove backward was even more of a surprise. She then gave him a series of hard kicks to his side, ribs, chest and she did it all with only raising her leg once. Jack was sent backward several feet with the force of her kicks.

   Her leg went down and rose again to give him another kick. Jack caught her foot, controlling the momentum and force. Or so he thought, without any hesitation, she did a quarter turn and her other leg came up in a back flip, kicking hard him in the chin. Reflexively he released her foot and she finished the flip with both legs, landing expertly on her feet facing away from him.

   Jack saw his chance. He charged her thinking he would propel her into the wall and restrain her. He was able to get to her before she could turn back to him. He used his greater strength to force her forward towards the wall. He almost had her against the wall, abruptly her weight shifted against him and she did a wall run. She literally ran up the wall and when her body was a straight line, using his left shoulder, she planted both her hands and spun in mid-air landing directly behind him as though she were a gymnast dismounting.

   Before he could react he was slammed against the wall by a blow delivered to his back between his shoulder blades, followed immediately by a kick to the back of his right knee, then the left, bringing him to his knees. As she pulled his hair he received her knee to his kidneys, right then left. She then slammed his head against the wall.

   Jack's anger burst forth. Enough of this shit. He turned slightly and rammed his considerable shoulder into her stomach. She cried out and doubled over. Jack caught her around the waist, spinning into a standing position he slammed her hard against the wall, continuing to steal her breath. He pushed his body against hers, his front to her back, with her front against the wall. He used his much bigger body to control her struggles as he slipped her into a full-nelson. Unbelievable! She still struggled. Jack put even more of his weight against her.

   Suddenly, he was grabbed by powerful hands and was flung across the room, hitting the dresser. Ignoring the pain to his ribs Jack came quickly to his feet and squared off with another stranger, a man. His bright blue eyes glared icicles at Jack as he went into a fighting stance. Jack followed suit. They began to circle each other. The woman stood next to the man also going into fight mode. Without taking his eyes off Jack the man said to the woman. "No, he's mine. I 'd like nothing better than to beat the living shit out of a pussy who'd beat a defenseless woman."

   Jack's eyes bugged. Was he fucking serious? What defenseless woman was he talking about? Because she sure the shit wasn't in this room.

   The woman stepped back. And the man struck out. Jack blocked. Extremely happy he didn't need to pull his punches anymore. He fought hard. Jack and the stranger traded blows and blocks. They were very evenly matched in size, strength and skill. Then Jack broke the guy's nose. The woman cried out and sprang into action. But before Jack could sidestep her, the man caught her around the waist, spun her into the corner of the room, giving her a terse, "Stay."

   He faced off with Jack again and within 10 seconds the guy broke Jack's nose. Going full out the two men swapped injuries until suddenly Catlyn was between them. Jack pulled his latest punch hoping it was enough not to hurt Catlyn. The stranger did the same. Their weakened punches landed harmlessly against each of Catlyn's shoulders.

   "What is this?" Catlyn screamed.

   Before either he or the strange man could answer, the woman came away from the corner she was told to stay in and grabbed Catlyn into a hug, "Cat!"

   "Mack?" Catlyn hugged the woman back.

   "Cat, it's an attack." She pointed a finger at Jack.

   Confused Catlyn looked from the woman to the man to Jack. "No it is not." Catlyn told them.

   The man walked to the women. Removing his black leather jacket he placed it around the woman's shoulders. "Ashley, are you alright?" With a tenderness that shocked Jack he took the woman in his arms. The woman nodded and looked deeply into the man's eyes. The man returned her gaze. Jack's eyebrows rose. The look the couple exchanged was beyond heated.

   Catlyn came to his side. He took her in his arms, burying his face in her neck. Mmm cucumber melon, this was his woman. Even through his blood-blocked nostril her heavenly scent engulfed him. Pulling her more tightly in his arms Jack looked over her shoulder and his eyes connected with the strange man. He gave Jack a knowing look. Jack glanced at the woman in the stranger's arms and gave him the same knowing smirk.

   Catlyn pulled back and then gave all of them a look. "What is going on? "

   Everyone started talking at once. Catlyn held up a hand for quiet. "I can only hear one of you at a time."

   Thinking she would choose him to speak first he gave the couple a smug glance. Then she said. "Mack?"

   The woman gave Jack a smug smile before giving Catlyn her attention. "I was here waiting for you. I got tired. I took one of my pain meds and lay down to get some rest until you got here."

Catlyn nodded, with her so far, "And?"

   "And then the next thing I know this guy's hands are all over me, one in my panties and one on my breast."

   Instantly Jack had hostile eyes on him. The man stepped to him. "You fucking touched her?"

   Jack not liking the guy's rabid look and liking Catlyn's hurt look even less, put up his hands in a halting motion. "No, I fucking touched Catlyn, or at least, I thought I was touching Catlyn."

   "Dude, ever hear of a light switch?" The woman inquired testily.

   He turned to Catlyn, pulling her back into his arms, ignoring the man and woman. "Kitten, you were so angry with me. I just wanted to apologize. So I came here thinking we could kiss and make up."

   She turned watery eyes on him and he felt his heart skip a beat. "You didn't know it wasn't me?"

   Jack wanted to die at her look of hurt. "Baby, it was dark, this is your place, your bed." He lowered his voice, "A bed where we have made love." He stroked her back, keeping her close. "There were clues instantly that told me things were different, but not enough to make me think it really wasn't you believe me the second I touched her pus- uh b-body, I knew it wasn't you."

   Looking deeply into his eyes, Catlyn asked. "What clues?"

   A quick look at the couple showed their interest in his answer as well. They both watched him with laser-like eyes. Jack felt his blush to the roots of his hair. "Well, uh, the first clue was that she wasn't wearing a nightgown. With the exception of panties she was naked."

   "And you thought that was me?"

   Still blushing he added, "I thought you were letting me know you were willing to accept my apology."

   Catlyn stepped out of his embrace and crossed her arms beneath her breasts. "Go on."

   Jack noticed the man's amused smile. Jack narrowed his eyes at the man. He would wipe that arrogant look off his face. "When I lay down next to her I knew her perfume or shampoo was different. But, I just thought you changed it for whatever reason."

   Catlyn nodded acceptingly.

   "Then I spooned her. And she sighed and moaned." Jack looked at the man as he said that. As he thought, the man's eyes turned cold and there wasn't a sign of mirth. The woman bowed her head in shame and Jack felt like a heel. Well, better her shame than Catlyn believe he would knowingly caress another woman.

   Giving his attention back to Catlyn he continued. "But then I touched her breasts and her pus, uh, between her legs and knew instantly it wasn't you."

   "Instantly?" Catlyn asked skeptically.

   "Yes, baby, I knew she wasn't you."

   "How?"

   Looking at the couple and seeing their still interested stares, Jack lowered his voice. "Kitten, I know what you feel like down there. It was a no brainer."

   Not satisfied, Catlyn insisted. "How, Jack?"

   Sighing deeply, he took Catlyn back into his arms and put his mouth against her ear and whispered, "Kitten, you are sporting a Brazilian, she is not. Your nipples are bigger than hers and your breasts are heavier."

   Jack hid his smiled. Catlyn was blushing now. He loved it when she blushed. She stepped out of his arms, standing straighter.

   "I believe introductions are in order. S.S.A Ashley Mackenzie of the FBI and Asst. Director of the FBI Kyle Strong please meet Jack Gard, Chief of Detectives of the city of Newburgh, NY"

   Amazement all around was the order of the day. Catlyn looked around at her totally trashed bedroom and took charge, seeing as the other three still seemed to be in shock. "Jack, why don't you grab your clothes and get dressed in the bathroom, Mack you can get dressed in here. Sir, if you could wait for us in the living room. Please help yourself to anything in the kitchen."

   They all moved at the same time. Jack grabbed his clothes. In the bathroom he quickly dressed. Grabbing the first aid kit, he pushed his nose back into place as best he could and shoved cotton into the right nostril. He washed his hands and face. He looked in the mirror. He looked like hell. He had a black eye that was beginning to really shine. His ribs ached something fierce. The Assistant Director packed quite a punch. Actually so did S.S.A Mackenzie.

   Jack had a bone to pick with Catlyn. She had allowed him to believe Mackenzie was a man. If he had known she was a woman, a gorgeous black woman, he would have insisted Mackenzie stay hell and gone from Newburgh. Jack assumed it was his fate to be surrounded by beautiful, bossy, black women. He took the first aid kit with him as he made his way to the living room.

   The assistant director was currently shoving pieces of paper towels up his left nostril. His shirt had blood on it. Jack had washed the blood from his nose off his bare chest. Wordlessly he walked over to the director and handed him the first aid box.

   The man paused but then grabbed the box. He pulled the pieces of paper towel from his nose and replaced them with the cotton. When he was done he set the box down on the coffee table.

   The two men stared at one another, taking each other's measure.

   After a few minutes of trading glares, Jack spoke first. "Marines '88-'97."

   "Navy '89-'94." He countered.

   "Fast-tracked the police academy, patrol, narcotics, homicide, sgt, lt, and chief."

   "Honor recruit, FBI training academy, Quantico, Virginia, probationary agent, special agent, supervisory special agent, assistant director, bank robbery, rapid response, BAU, HCD."

   "Nice upper cut."

   "Great drop kick."

   A slight pause, Jack offered his hand. "Call me Jack."

   The other man shook his hand. "Call me Kyle."

   "Sorry about touching your lady. But, in my defense, she was in my woman's bed."

   "S.S.A. Mackenzie is not my lady."

   Jack gave a bark of laughter before he took in Kyle's somber expression. "You're serious?"

   "Yes I am. My girlfriend's name is Bunny."

   Again Jack laughed, "Right."

   "It's true."

   Jack studied Kyle closer. The man was seriously delusional. Kyle had been ready to kill him for touching Mackenzie. Boy was he in for a rude awakening. Jack smiled thinking there was no reason he couldn't help the poor guy out.

   "When I was accidently feeling up Mackenzie, she moaned-"

   "I don't need details. You made it quite clear the lady enjoyed your touch."

   "Dude, she was sleeping, probably dreaming and she did say she took pain meds so her reflexes were dulled. But, she did try to cuddle closer and moaned--"

   "I don't want to he--"

   "'Oh, Kyle.'"

   Kyle froze. "What?"

   "When I touched her, she cuddled closer and moaned 'Oh, Kyle'. The very second she came awake and knew I wasn't 'Oh, Kyle', she went ballistic. I mean she nearly kicked my ass."

   Jack could see from Kyle's expression he liked what Jack told him. But then he quickly fixed his face. "I am sure you are mistaken."

   Jack shook his head. Whatever, he had tried to help the dude out. Let him find out the hard way. Poor Bunny, she doesn't have a chance.

   The women entered the living room. Jack studied them as they stood side by side. They were almost the same height. Catlyn was maybe half an inch taller. They both had good bodies but again Catlyn's curves were just a shade fuller, lusher. They both had smooth, silky looking complexions of even brown skin. Jack knew both women felt like silk. They both were now dressed similarly in black leggings and a large T-shirt that hid their shapely forms. Catlyn's hair was dyed so it was lighter. Mackenzie's hair was jet black. Both wore a neat ponytail on the top of their heads. Catlyn's eyes were a deep brown but Mackenzie's looked almost black. And although both women had the same G.D. and both were strikingly beautiful, they did not look alike. They could never pass for one another. Well, not unless it was in a darkened room, in his girlfriend's bed, after they had had an argument, then they could pass for one another.