NINE

I’m Mocking You

That sonofabitch, he’s waiting for her. The anger rose up my throat and almost choked me. I knew he couldn’t see me, but he turned his head and looked right at me as if he sensed me. I watched that smug bastard as his eyes scanned around, searching for what he couldn’t see… That’s right, Sheriff, I’m here, I can see you. I’m watching you…can you feel me? Not tonight, but soon, very soon, one way or another you will die…then MY Jennifer will be free of you.”

Denver, I bet I could find a job in Denver.

I’d decided Breckenridge wasn’t big enough to hide in; I needed a big city to avoid the long arm of the law, or, in this case, one lawman in particular. I could buy a cabin closer in and drive to work like all the other mountain dwellers. I turned onto Old Saw Mill Road and as the lights of my cabin came into view, so did the truck of the Gunnison County Sheriff. Dammit, caught before my escape. I pulled in next to his truck. Jack leaned against it with his arms crossed over his chest, glaring at me. I smiled weakly at him, and he just shook his head slowly at me. I knew I should be contrite, but I felt my survival instincts kick in, and I squared my shoulders for the confrontation that was coming. Jack shoved off his truck and headed to my door to open it, so I grabbed my bag and turned as he pulled it open.

“I should tan your hide,” was the first thing out of his mouth, and, being the idiot I was, evidence to this fact after agreeing to look for dead bodies in the first damn place, my temper flared.

“Oh, yeah? Well, you can try, but I’ll warn you now, I took self-defense classes back home and my instructor said I had a mean aim…. between the legs.” Jack didn’t even react to my threat, just leaned closer and barked out his reply:

“Woman, you had a gun pointed at you tonight, you were trespassing, and let’s not forget conducting an investigation into a killer, which, I might add, you’re on the victims list of. You were reckless, you disobeyed me, and you put Mandy in danger.”

“I am not reckless; we wouldn’t even have been caught if you hadn’t called me.” Jack’s head snapped back, and he looked at me like I had grown two heads. I took this opportunity to move past him and ran up the steps, unlocked my front door, pushed it open, and flipped on the living room lights. Jack slammed the door behind me.

“I’m not done talking about this, Jenn.”

“Fine, tell me how stupid I was, tell me how you’re gonna arrest me if I leave the county, threaten me with interfering in an investigation, and then leave. I’ve had a weird twenty-four hours, Jack, and I just want something to eat and go to bed.”

“How come I get the feeling anything I say is gonna go in one ear and out the other?”

“Perceptive man,” I shouted.

“Christ, you’re a pain in my ass,” he shouted back.

“Well, there’s the door, Jack, don’t let me keep you.” I turned towards the kitchen and grabbed the kettle, filling it with water. I heard the door behind me open and then slam, and just like that I deflated. Shit. Lowering my head and taking a deep breath, I knew it was for the best, that the man would chew me up. I had no business starting something with him. He was too bossy, full of himself, beautiful, interesting, and altogether out of my league. But that didn’t stop me from wishing it could be different. With all my mouthing off about not wanting him to pursue me, saying he was moving too fast, the truth hit me hard…I may not like it, but I clearly wanted it.

“Shit.” Sighing, I turned to the stove and gasped when I looked up and saw Jack leaning one shoulder against the front door, silently watching me.

“You got a temper on you, babe.” I could feel the blood rise on my face, so I ducked my head and continued on to the stove.

“You gonna tell me why you put yourself and Mandy at risk?”

“It just sort of happened, Jack. Mandy was going over my suspects list and when I gave her a ride home we were passing Chad’s cabin and it just, ya know, happened.”

Jack shook his head again and stared at me for a moment, then he looked back at my windows and moved toward them. He checked the latches on each window and then moved to the bathroom. I stayed in the kitchen, got a mug down and a packet of hot cocoa mix, trying to stay busy and not watch Jack move around my house. Having him in the cabin, taking care of me, I realized how long it had been since I’d had anyone in my life on a daily basis. With Bailey at school and Doug gone, I went to work and came home. Other than Ben, who stopped by frequently to check in on me, I hadn’t had anyone in my house since I got here. And all those plans I had for hiking and riding the river with Gerry had never happened, either. I may have moved to my dream, but it occurred to me I wasn’t exactly living that dream. Jack being here reminded me of what it was like to come home from work and have someone waiting for me, and it was painful to remember.

“Windows are secure; the locks are solid. Noticed your front door has double locks and a barrel bolt, so use them all.” That caught my attention, and I looked to the door. When I left this evening, I had a single lock and no barrel bolt. Looking around, I saw an envelope with my name, “Jenny”, written on it in Ben’s hen scratching lying on the table by the front door. I walked over and opened it and saw a short note with keys. “Jenny, keep them locked, Ben.” I smiled. Having a father figure looking out for me this far from home warmed my heart, but it just intensified the feelings I was already having. I felt a tear fall down my cheek and wiped it away, but there were more replacing it. I didn’t even know why I was crying. Loneliness maybe, or knowing someone cared and was looking out for me? I was about to turn around and move back to the kitchen when I heard Jack move in my direction.

“Sweetness?” I heard from behind me, and then Jack wrapped both his arms around my waist and pulled me into his chest. I closed my eyes at the feeling of arms around me again. What was wrong with me tonight?

“Hey, Jenn, talk to me. Why the tears?”

“Sorry, it’s just been a while since I felt cared about, and Ben reminds me of my dad.” I pulled away from him and wiped my face with my hands, then picked up my key chain to attach the new keys.

“Must have been hard moving here on your own?”

“Actually, it’s one of the easiest things I’ve ever done.” I looked back at Jack and smiled, then moved back to the kitchen.

“You want some hot cocoa?”

“I’ll pass, thanks, but tell me: why was it easy?”

“It’s been my dream since I was little. When Doug died and Bailey left for school, I thought about what I wanted in my life, and the mountains were the first and only thing that came to mind.”

“That’s still a big step to take, moving away from your family.”

“My brother moved to California ten years ago, and my mother and father retired to Florida three years ago, so I wasn’t leaving anyone behind except for a few friends.”

“So here you are, ready to take on the whole of Colorado and a killer at the same time.” Rolling my eyes since he managed to get us back to the subject of my disobeying him, I decided not to fight again.

“You made your point earlier, Jack, and you’re right. It was stupid what we did and I don’t plan on making the same mistake.”

“Babe, I’ve known you about thirty-six hours, and in that time I’ve learned pretty damn quick that you’re going to do whatever the hell you feel like doing. That being said, I’m gonna do my damnedest to try and keep up with you so I can catch you when you fall. But honest to God, right about now, locking you in a cell sounds pretty damned good to me; at least I know you’re safe there.” I rolled my eyes, but then it hit me what he said.

“Has it only been thirty-six hours? It feels longer.”

“Longest fucking thirty-six hours of my life.”

“I know what you mean.”

And I did. Two bodies, one break-in, three toe-curling kisses, a gun pointed at me, three men either asking me out or giving me puppy dog eyes, and let’s not forget Ben and Gerry. Mandy was right: I was the shiny new toy, and, just like with all toys, they would get tired of playing with me. Was I hoping for or dreading that day?

“Jesus, you’re somethin’ else, you know that?”

“What’d I do now?”

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re fearless.”

“Ha! I’m scared to death most days, Jack. I just hide it well.”

Jack had been slowly moving toward me during our conversation and by the time I finished my statement, he was looking down at me. Without warning, he picked me up and deposited me on the countertop so I was even with his face. He pushed in, forcing me to open my legs, then grabbed my ass and pulled me against his hips, making me suck in a breath at having his crotch up against my heat.

“You scared of me?” he whispered, looking into my eyes.

“Yes,” barely came out, but I nodded with the word.

“Let’s see if we can change that?”

And just like the last three times he kissed me, I didn’t stand a chance. He went slower this time, keeping his eyes locked on mine as he lowered his head infinitesimally, and my heartbeat picked up. Right before his lips touched mine, he smiled, and then his eyes lowered to my lips and he closed in, nipping my bottom lip. I moaned as the shock of it went straight through me like an electrical current. Jack’s eyes darkened at my reaction, and he whispered, “Jesus.” I didn’t need any more prompting. I threw my hands in his hair, wrapped my legs around his waist and went straight for his mouth. His hand grabbed my hair, and he pulled, holding me back. He looked down at me with a face full of need, and I felt that run through me and up the amps of electrical current coursing through my body. Jack moved to my exposed neck and kissed his was up to my ear and then nipped my lobe. I shuddered, and he growled in my ear, “You like my teeth?”

“Please,” came from my mouth. Even though I’d never been bitten, the evidence pulsing between my legs suggested that I did, in fact, like his teeth. He nipped and bit his way down my neck. I was a trembling mess when he came back to my mouth. “Jack—” was all I got out when he slammed his mouth over mine.

He leaned into me, and I found myself flat on the countertop, my hips arched up to feel the pressure of his body on mine. Jack’s free hand moved down my side and lifted the hem of my shirt. Then, with light fingers, he caressed my side from my ribs to my hip, causing a shiver. Jack ripped his mouth from me and put his forehead to mine.

“If I don’t stop now, I’ll be buried deep in you till morning.”

“Right now I can’t think of a reason to stop you.”

“Baby, do not tempt me. I’m trying to be honorable here.”

“Jack, I haven’t had sex in sixteen months,” I whimpered. God, I sounded pathetic, begging him when I knew I shouldn’t be jumping into bed with this man.

“Jesus,” Jack replied, conflicted.

His mouth said no, but his body rubbed against mine, and I felt a building in my core. I groaned and bucked my hips, and he rubbed again.

“Jack, more,” I begged, and his face grew darker, hungrier. His hand moved up to my breast; his thumb and finger found my nipple, and then he pinched and pulled as I whispered, “Yes.” He ripped my shirt up, and pulled my bra down, attaching his mouth to my breast. He sucked my nipple deep and then used his teeth; the resulting friction and his mouth pushed me further toward orgasm.

“Jack, please.” I couldn’t wait any longer; I needed this. Then, with more pressure and a hard pinch on my nipple, Jack threw me over the plateau and into bliss saying, “Let go, baby, I got you. You’re safe with me.” I tensed when it hit me, holding my breath as the warmth ran over my body, and then relaxed as it swept through me like no drug could. Jerking with the aftershocks, I saw Jack’s eyes watching as I fell over into sexual heaven. “Jesus,” he groaned and lowered his head to my ear. “Gotta tell you, Sweetness, you’re every man’s wet dream. I can’t wait to watch your face when I’m deep inside you.”

I was too relaxed to care. I nuzzled his neck, nipping and licking. My sex-starved body decided being a slut worked for her, and after hearing Jack talking dirty, I was ready to test his theory. Jack inhaled deeply as I worked his throat, moaning.

“Jenn, baby, only so much a man can take.”

“Let go, Jack, your heart’s safe with me,” I whispered in his ear, and he froze, turned his head to look at me, his face going soft. Do not ask me why I said that, I plead the fifth. Jack smiled at me, then kissed my lips gently and on a whisper said, “Good to know, Jenn.”

I was about to come up with some flippant excuse for talking about hearts and flowers thirty-six hours after meeting this man, but something crashed through my window, shattering the calm.

Jack jerked up, bringing me with him, then shoved me down into a squat on the kitchen floor and ordered, “Do not fucking move, do you hear me?” Nodding my full agreement, ‘cause after the last two days I wasn’t arguing, I watched Jack draw his weapon from his holster. He moved to the window, looked outside, and then moved to the door, unlocking it. He brought his gun up in front of his chest then moved through the door, swinging his outstretched arms back and forth, scanning with his gun. After what seemed like an hour, but was more like five minutes, he came back inside and shut the door before locking it. I stood and watched him move toward whatever broke my window, then he bent over and picked up something dark, and I gasped when I saw it was a bird.

“It’s too dark for birds to be out flying, isn’t it?”

“It’s a mockingbird; they like to come out at night, and they’ll drive you nuts with their mocking calls.”

“Is he dead?”

“Yeah, baby, a bird flies through a window, it usually kills them.” Nodding as Jack went to my kitchen and got a plastic bag to put the bird in, I got a broom and dustpan to sweep up the mess. Jack came back after digging in my odds and ends closet with duct tape and heavy cardboard he’d found in my craft box. Purple sparkled cardboard, a leftover from a graduation party I’d made invitations two years earlier for, now graced my window.

As we cleaned up the mess, Jack got a call from the station and had to leave to take it, so I walked him to my door. With everything that had happened with the bird, I hadn’t had time to think about what had occurred in the kitchen, but that didn’t stop Jack from reminding me.

“You ok with my taking off after what happened?”

“Jack, I…oh, man, this is embarrassing.” Jack put his hand to the side of my face and rubbed his thumbs across my cheeks, then dipped in close and, with a gentle voice, eased my nerves.

“Jenn… look at me.” I looked up into his crystal blue eyes and saw them gentle and warm, looking back at me. “You’re amazing and sexy as hell. Do not be embarrassed. I’m only sorry I have to go.”

“You’ve got a job to do, Jack. I know that, I’m not mad you’re leaving.” Jack seemed surprised by my answer and studied me for a moment like he was looking for the truth of my statement.

“Christ, you get me, don’t you?”

“Get you?”

“Get that my badge means more than a paycheck.”

“Of course. Isn’t that why you do what you do, ‘cause it means something to you and the people you protect?” His face got even warmer, and he whispered, “Jesus, you’re something.” So I smiled at his compliment. He watched my smile, then he leaned in and kissed me softly before he pulled back and winked.

He barked out, “Lock up, I want to hear it click before I leave.” I nodded my agreement and opened the door for him to leave. He walked out onto the porch, then turned back and smiled.

“Night, Sweetness.”

“Night, Jack.” Then he moved down the steps, turned back and waited for me to close the door and lock it. So I did as he said and locked my doors, then watched as he pulled out of my drive. Looking back around my cabin, I noticed the silence was deafening…A killer, men with guns, and a gorgeous sheriff with a magical mouth…

Welcome to Colorado, Jennifer. You asked for it, you got it. Now what are you going to do with it?