HIS Desire: An H.I.S. Novel (H.I.S. series Book 1) (12 page)

“Call 911 and let me throw on some clothes.” He closed the door.

“No 911!” She didn’t wait for a reply. Downstairs, she clumsily clipped on her new holster.

Jesse approached her with damp hair. “Tell me what’s happening while I put on my shoes. And why the hell aren’t you calling 911?”

They left the apartment and were met by Ken and Danny. “Follow us.” Jesse didn’t wait for a response.

They pulled out of the parking space.

“Kate, why aren’t you calling 911?”

She sighed. “Mary won’t allow it. I don’t think she realizes she called me. I’m not sure how she’s going to respond to our just showing up.”

Kate seethed as she thought about all of the times Mary had called her after Dan had beaten her. She’d always made an excuse for him, blaming herself. The last time she’d had to go to the hospital had convinced her to get the restraining order. Once she’d healed, she’d forgiven him, and he’d started turning up again.

Jesse cursed. “Tell me everything.”

As they sped across town, Kate relayed Mary and Dan’s history.

They arrived at Mary’s, heard a crashing sound and entered without knocking. She scanned the room, saw Mary huddled in the corner and Dan on top of Josh, beating him.

Jesse had already started pulling Dan off of Josh, so she rushed to Mary. She looked her over, taking in the split lip.

“Mary, are you hurt?”

Tears streamed down Mary’s face. “No. Make him stop, Kate. He’s hurting Josh.”

She looked over to see Ken and Danny take Dan from Jesse.

“Who the fuck are you?” Dan struggled to free himself from their tight grasp.

“We’re your worst nightmare, asshole.” Hatred filled Jesse’s voice. She’d never seen him this angry. She actually worried about Dan for a moment.

Mary pushed her way up and rushed to Josh. “Are you okay?”

With a swelling eye and bruising cheek, he looked at her as if she’d lost her mind. “No, I’m not okay. What about you?”

“I’ll be fine.”

Kate moved to stand beside Jesse.

Dan’s face filled with rage. “Bitch, you shouldn’t interfere. You’ve stuck your nose into our business one too many times.”

“Dan, she has a restraining order against you. You aren’t supposed to go near her. She doesn’t want you around her. This time, I get the pleasure of seeing you go to jail.”

“Mary won’t have me arrested. She loves me.”

Kate smiled. “First of all, she doesn’t love you, and second, this time Josh will be the one pressing charges.”

Mary grabbed Josh’s arms. “No, Josh, don’t do it. Let him go.”

He jerked his arms from her grasp. “Are you crazy? He needs to go to jail for this. He hit you.”

Through a stream of new tears, Mary looked into Josh’s eyes. “Josh, leave it. I just want him gone.”

Josh’s face softened. “Mary, is this really what you want me to do? Just let him get away with this?” He lightly touched her split lip. “He deserves to be punished.”

“Yes.”

Kate couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She didn’t understand why Mary protected Dan. “Mary, both of you need to press charges. You can’t let him keep getting away with this.”

“If I have him arrested, one day I’ll have to appear before him in court and tell someone everything. They’ll blame me because it’s all my fault. I don’t want to do that, Kate. Surely you understand?” Mary wrapped her arms around her belly in a protective gesture.

Kate swallowed and took a moment before she answered. She’d never have thought Mary let him get away with this for that reason. “Mary, it’s not your fault. You know we’d be with you in court. You don’t have to do this alone.”

Mary shook her head. “I don’t want to do it, Kate. I just want to be free of him.”

She looked at Josh who watched Mary closely. “Do we call the police?”

“No, Kate. I’m not going to press charges.”

“What the fuck? You’re going to let him get away with this? He beat a woman. He beat you.” Jesse’s nostrils flared.

“Mary wants him to be let go, so we let him go.”

Jesse raised his eyebrows. “You may let him go, but we’re not going to.”

Dan’s head snapped up and a look of fear appeared on his face. “What do you mean?”

Jesse nodded to the door. “Ken.”

The first smile she’d seen on Ken’s face appeared. “Let’s go.” He and Danny ushered Dan from the house.

Jesse looked around the room, his gaze stopping on Mary. “Do either of you need to go to the hospital?”

She shook her head. “I’m fine.”

Josh also shook his head. “I’ll be okay. Nothing a bag of frozen peas won’t fix.” Due to the swelling, his smile appeared lopsided.

Realizing they weren’t acquainted, she introduced Jesse.

“I’m sorry we had to meet under these circumstances.” Jesse shook Josh’s hand.

He winced at Jesse’s grip on his raw knuckles.

“Sorry, man.”

Josh nodded.

“I’m thankful you came with Kate. Will Dan be okay?” Mary’s concern had both men’s jaws tightening.

“Don’t worry about him. If he ever shows up here again, you call me.” His voice brokered no argument.

“Okay.”

Mary wouldn’t call. Kate would talk to Josh about watching over her. He wouldn’t mind doing it. She could count on him to call her or Jesse if Dan returned.

Jesse looked at Kate. “You ready?”

“Mary, do you need me?”

“She’s got me, Kate.” Josh moved closer to Mary’s side.

* * * * *

Jesse and Kate rode home in tense silence. They arrived at her apartment, and she waited for him to unlock the door and check it. She felt like an idiot standing there waiting when she could check her apartment herself. He’d been helpful at Mary’s, so she’d let him play the alpha male taking care of the damsel in distress if that’s what he really needed to do. For a few days.

He cleared her to enter.

“Thank you for being there today, Jesse.”

She could see him reigning in his anger with his jaw tight and his lips flat. What was Ken doing with Dan? Did she really want to know?

Jesse surprised her by putting a hand on her shoulder, sending an involuntary shiver through her. “Kate, I told you where you go, I go. I would’ve been pissed had you tried to handle that on your own. I need you to believe me that there is a possible threat against you. You can’t take any chances.”

“I still don’t believe you, but you’re right, I can’t take the chance.”

His thumb began rubbing her shoulder. Her sensitivity to his touch shocked her.

“I’ll not fight you, unless you’re unreasonable.”

He nodded, seemed to realize what he’d been doing, released her and stepped back. “First, you don’t walk Dottie any longer. My men can do it. That is too much time out in the open.”

She couldn’t argue about opening herself up as a target so easily. But she wouldn’t let just anyone take care of her dog. “I agree, but I’d rather have Joy walk her. She wouldn’t mind the extra pay.”

“That’s fine.”

“Jesse, I may be the target, but I’m not hiding in here.”

He grinned. “From you, sweetheart, I’d expect no less.”

CHAPTER TEN

“If you don’t have anything planned for today, I’d like to go see Reagan. It’s Saturday so she’s out of kindergarten.” Jesse pushed his chair back from the dining table.

“I don’t have anything planned. Go and see Reagan. I’ll be fine.” Kate stood, picked up their lunch plates and walked to the kitchen to rinse them, feeling something akin to relief that she’d have some time away from him. The more she was alone with him, the stronger the pull.

She heard Jesse approach and release a heavy sigh. “Kate, I’m not sure why you aren’t getting this. Where you go, I go. So it stands to reason, where I go, you go. You’re coming with me.”

She spun around, tripped on his foot and fell against his chest. She inhaled sharply at the contact and reveled in the smell of the soap he’d used, mingled with his fresh male scent then cursed her body for being turned-on by something as simple as his smell.

He reached for her waist. “Whoa. You okay?”

She nodded and attempted to step back, but his hands held her firmly in place. She froze as he moved one of his hands and tilted her face up to him. She closed her eyes because she knew what would happen if she opened them. His gorgeous golden-brown eyes were her weakness. She’d be lost in them, finding herself melting and wanting his kiss.

“Kate, look at me,” he said softly.

Her well-planned resistance failed. She opened her eyes, and their gazes locked. The smoldering heat in his eyes almost singed her. There was no chance of misunderstanding his desire for her.

The back of his hand lightly stroked her cheek. Her skin tingled where he touched her. His gaze dropped to her lips and her tongue automatically darted out to dampen them. Could she be more obvious she expected to be kissed?

“Kate.” He slowly lowered his head. His cell phone rang, startling them both. She jumped back as if she’d been burned by fire and bumped into the kitchen counter. Her body felt that way, felt as if a roaring flame had ignited inside her, touching her deep down.

His eyes narrowed as he watched her attempt to separate herself from him. His arm circled her waist and pulled her close.

He answered the phone and immediately a smile tugged at his lips. “Hey, sweetheart.”

With nowhere to go, she stood there awkwardly trying not to get closer to him. The idea of him talking with another woman, and calling her sweetheart, irritated her. No man had affected her like this. She didn’t think she could fight where their relationship would lead. Relationship? What the hell was she thinking? It was nothing but sexual desire, plain and simple.

Jesse laughed. “We’re coming to see you in a few minutes.”

Her head snapped up to his sparkling eyes. He knew what she’d been thinking. Knew she’d been jealous. Jealous. She couldn’t be jealous. She had no reason to be jealous.

“Yes, I’m bringing her with me.”

His daughter knew about her? What did she know? Did she know about the danger or did she think Kate was another one of daddy’s girlfriends? She hoped he’d been a better father than to parade women he had no intention of getting into a relationship with in front of his impressionable daughter. Five-year-olds were smart. She’d understand her daddy’s work brought Kate there, not a chance she’d have a new mother.

“See you shortly. I love you, too.”

He laid the phone on the counter. “Now, where were we?”

She put her hand on his chest, felt the heat radiating between them. “We were almost doing something we aren’t going to do.”

He arched his eyebrows. “Oh, really?” The laughter in his voice rang out.

“Really. Now, let me by so I can get ready to go.” She pushed against his chest, surprised when he moved. She’d expected him to try to kiss her and felt a little disappointed he hadn’t. She had to get herself together. This couldn’t happen.

* * * * *

On the drive to Emily’s house, Kate tried to break the tension between them, asking questions about Reagan which Jesse happily answered. His love for his daughter shined brighter than the North Star when he spoke of her.

She looked forward to meeting Emily. She learned that Emily was the baby of the family and had doubled up on her college classes to graduate early with a degree in accounting. It hadn’t settled well with the brothers that she’d talked about moving away after she finished.

Kate asked about Emily’s daughter’s father, but Jesse quickly changed the subject. Okay. A taboo subject. She’d avoided a landmine by learning that before she asked Emily about him. It did pique her curiosity, though. The brothers didn’t seem the type to let a man walk away from Emily and Amber.

A small brick house with about one-half of an acre of lush green lawn that extended to a wooded area came into view.

“I don’t see your men.”

“Trust me they’re there.”

She surveyed the area but couldn’t find them. All the firepower Jesse and his men carried didn’t stop her from carrying her weapon. She wouldn’t be caught off-guard, no matter how many men surrounded her. She’d kept it in her purse instead of in the new holster as she didn’t want to scare the children. She didn’t wear a jacket like Jesse that concealed his weapon.

Two men with visible holstered weapons on their sides walked out of the house and stood on the porch. So much for her concern over wearing a weapon around the children.

Jesse stepped on the porch, but before he had an opportunity to speak, a squeal erupted, and he leaned down to catch the little girl launching herself at him. Reagan squeezed his neck with her small arms. She pulled back and put both hands on his face, and then kissed him with a loud smack.

“Daddy, come see what I drawed.” She noticed Kate and pointed at her. “Is this that lady you have to protect?”

With his daughter held tightly in his arms, Jesse turned to Kate. “Yes, pumpkin. Reagan, I’d like you to meet Miss Kate Ross. Kate, this is my daughter Reagan.”

Reagan smiled at her, the cutest tiny dimples appeared. “It’s nice to meet you, Miss Kate.” She turned back to her father. “Did I do it right, Daddy? Did I do good manners?”

He chuckled. “That was perfect, sweetheart.” He kissed her cheek.

“Did you want to come see what I drawed, Miss Kate?”

Kate beamed. “I’d love to, Reagan.”

“Give us a minute, pumpkin, and we’ll be in there to see your beautiful pictures.” He set Reagan down and shooed her back into the house.

She smiled up at her father. “Okay, Daddy, you have two minutes. I’ll be waiting.”

Kate couldn’t hold in the light laughter that escaped her as she listened to Reagan give Jesse orders. She imagined he followed them.

He turned to her. “What?”

She sobered. “Nothing. She’s precious.” She bet Reagan had all the men twisted around her tiny finger.

“Kate, these are my brothers, Brad and Matt.”

Brad whistled. “Damn, Jesse. No wonder you chose to protect her and stuck us with the kids.” He gave Kate an appraising look. She felt nothing. Nothing like when Jesse did the same thing.

A beautiful woman approached, and Jesse pulled her into a tight hug. Jealousy reared its ugly head again. What the hell was wrong with her? She shouldn’t be jealous. But, he’d lied to her. He’d told her he wasn’t seeing anyone when all along he’d been protecting her here.
All the women I love are in the same place.