Chapter 10

Jack had been around the block a time or two. He knew great sex, but this … this was something else. He saw stars, fireworks, and the future all flash before his eyes; he thought his heart would explode. His entire body went limp, causing his forearms to give way, and he collapsed on top of her, resting his forehead against hers as they recovered. Their breathing was ragged—though hers might’ve been partly because he was still on top of her—and they glistened with sweat. When he finally spoke, all he was able to formulate was, “Damn.”

Chrissy smiled, her breathing still erratic. “That may be too tame a word for what just happened.” Moments later, he pulled her to her feet. She immediately tried to cover up.

“What are you doing?”

“It’s just … My God, your body is so perfect. You make me self-conscious,” she admitted.

With an amused smile he crossed his arms over his chest, still completely naked, and said, “Seriously? After what we just did? After what we—well, I did the night before, not to mention what we’ve done against many a wall, you’re going to be shy around me?” She shrugged in response. “Trust me, I like what I see. Why do you think I keep coming back for more? You,” he said, reaching for the arm that she was using to shield her breasts and kissing her palm, “are perfect.” He gave her a thorough and incredibly erotic once-over and then slapped her butt on the way to the bathroom. She squealed.

When the temperature of the shower was to his liking, he pulled her in with him.

Chrissy reached for the soap and sniffed it. “You always smell of this,” she said.

“And since you’re inhaling it, you must like it?”

She gave a lazy smile. “Mmm.”

Jack took the soap from her hand and started lathering her body.

“Turn around,” he ordered.

She obeyed. He put one of her hands against the cold white tile of his shower, then the other. He began washing the back of her, starting at her ankles and working his way up. When he reached her midsection, he wrapped his arm around her waist, then roughly lifted her ass up and pushed her back down, so that she was perfectly bent over.

“You couldn’t possibly be ready aga—”

“The correct question is, are you ready?” he said in a husky voice that was so sensual that, had she not already been willing and eager, hearing his voice would have gotten her instantly ready for anything he had to offer. One finger found its way inside her and then another. When she let out a moan, he slipped his very large and very erect dick into her. Like in the bed, it wasn’t slow. It was hard and fast and wonderful. Once again they climaxed together. Her legs gave way and they both slid down to the floor of his shower. He held her firmly against his chest and kissed the top of her head and her shoulders as they both tried to steady their breathing.

After a moment he stood and finished bathing himself. “Looks like you’re all dirty again,” he said with a wink, and tossed her the soap. He stepped out of the shower and wrapped his bottom half in a towel. Then, when she was done, he gently helped her out and swathed her in a big fluffy towel.

“Come on. Let’s go to bed.”

“I feel like jelly. My feet don’t seem to be cooperating, and without my glasses I can’t see a thing.”

He reached down, scooped her into his arms, and carried her to his bed. “You know, Jack, I’m not that light. Besides, I can walk.” She giggled when he nuzzled her neck with his slightly-overdue-for-a-shave face.

“Honey, you weigh next to nothing. If I could, I’d carry you around all day.” She laughed into his neck, and he tossed her onto the bed, making her giggle again. “That is my favorite sound in the entire world,” he said as he settled them under the covers.

“What?” she said, still laughing. For the first time in a long time, she looked really happy.

“Your laugh. It’s my favorite sound.” She smiled at him. “Scratch that. You screaming my name when you come is my favorite sound in the world. You laughing and giggling is my second favorite.”

She threw a pillow at him, and he lunged toward her, ready to tickle her, but instead pulled her to his chest. “Goodnight, baby. Sleep well.” Her body fit so perfectly against his. He gave her a kiss on the back of her head, and she sighed.

It was almost midday when Chrissy and Jack made their way out of bed. During the night Jack had awoken with Chrissy’s ass wiggling suggestively against his dick, which hardened immediately. He could take a hint. So at some point in the middle of the night, Jack made love to Chrissy again. Slowly. Gently. By the time morning came around they were sated and exhausted. But the exhaustion had been worth it.

“You got any plans for today?” asked Chrissy.

“Not really. You?”

Chrissy shook her head.

“How about I fix you breakfast and we have a lazy day? We can even go to the beach.”

Chrissy sat up and knelt next to him. “Oh, yes!” she squealed excitedly. “That sounds like a plan. I’ve been eyeing the beach since I arrived. In Miami, the beach is always so packed. One of the things I miss most about this town and my old house is that I can be at the beach all day and not see one single person the entire time.”

“I’m going to start breakfast. You want to use the shower first?”

“Sure. Thanks, Jack,” she said with a silly grin from ear to ear.

Before he did anything, Jack went next door. He’d been worried about Slade all night. He had tried to sneak in a few calls during the night while Chrissy slept, but Slade didn’t answer. After knocking several times and getting no response, Jack used his spare key to let himself in. Nervously he opened Slade’s bedroom door and was relieved to find him spread out on his bed, one foot dangling off and the other wrapped around his sheets. These Martins certainly know how to take over a bed! Jack quietly approached the bed to make sure that Slade hadn’t gotten himself badly injured. He noticed a swollen eye, the opposite one from the previous fight, and a scratch on his cheekbone. “Fucking idiot,” he whispered before silently walking out of the room. Chrissy’s going to kill him, and when she’s done killing him, she’s going to kill me. Shit. Shit. Shit. Maybe once she understood that it was for her own good, she’d get it. She was a reasonable and rational woman. Right?

Nope, she was going to kill him.

Back in his own house, he started breakfast, and was almost done cooking when Chrissy came down.

“Smells wonderful.” She got close to Jack and picked a piece of bacon from a plate. She ate half of it and gave the other half to Drogo, who was by her feet.

Suddenly she looked a little uncomfortable. “I’m not so good with this kinda thing,” she admitted. “I don’t want to be clingy. Maybe I should go next door and—”

“If you think you’re going back to Slade’s while you’re in town, I clearly did a bad job last night.”

She giggled. “No. No, you did an excellent job.”

“Dig in.” Jack gestured to the food on the table. “We’ll go for a swim after breakfast.”

They ate in relative silence, and when they finished, Jack went upstairs and took a quick shower while Chrissy cleaned up the mess from breakfast. He came back down in camouflage board shorts and no shirt. He really was a work of art.

“You’re staring, babe.”

“Oh, uh … sorry ’bout that,” she said. “Gonna change into my bathing suit. Be right back.”

“I’ll grab us some towels and some bottled water. Meet you outside.”

Fifteen minutes later, Chrissy was lying next to Jack on a beach towel enjoying the scorching Florida heat on her skin.

Jack rolled onto his side, his head resting on his palm, while he drew little circles on Chrissy’s exposed abdomen. “I haven’t relaxed by the beach in years,” he said.

Chrissy turned her face to him. “Really? But that’s a sacrilege, since you live on the beach. Nothing better than sand, sun, and the salty warm water of the ocean.”

“Most mornings I do go jogging on the beach, but actually bathing in the ocean and lazing around on the beach … nope, it’s been a long time.”

“Well, I think you need to start doing it more often,” she said. His hands were now a little lower on her body. He skimmed the waistband of the bikini bottom with his index finger. Chrissy’s brain went into overdrive.

“There are lots of things I need to do more often.” He lifted his sunglasses and winked at her.

“Are you flirting with me, Daniels?”

“If you can’t tell, then I’m doing a terrible job.” His hand slipped a little farther down her bikini bottom.

“Jack …,” she whispered.

“Shh. No one can see us. Just go with it.”

Chrissy sat up on her elbows and looked around. Between the sand dunes and the sea grass, it was pretty secluded. Certainly people could walk by and see them, but there was no one around. And if the neighbors stayed inside, they couldn’t see anything either.

Jack’s hand went lower still. She gasped. “Relax,” he soothed.

When he reached the exact spot he wanted to touch, he found her wet. Soaked. And they hadn’t even gotten in the water just yet. “I can tell you want this.” He rubbed just enough to elicit a little moan. He then went lower still and, without warning he thrust two fingers inside of her. She gasped and bucked. He leaned into her so that the weight of his body held her down. “Jack! Oh, God, more …”

He obliged and moved in and out faster until her hips bucked so wildly that he had to use his other hand to pin her down. Her arms wrapped around his neck and when she was about to come he silenced her scream with his tongue in her mouth. Then he put his sunglasses back on and rolled back onto his towel. Chrissy wanted to reciprocate, but the heat from the sun and the intense orgasm made her completely immobile.

Jack stood up and extended his hand. “Come on. Let’s go in the water.”

Chrissy grunted.

Jack chuckled. “What was that?”

She grunted again and waved his hand away. “Nap. I need a nap.”

He laughed. “You are so adorable.” He reached down and picked her up. “Someone told me I had to enjoy the ocean more often.”

Chrissy squealed and kicked. “No! Don’t you dare!”

Jack threw her glasses on the beach towel and carried her to the water. She was sure he was going to hurl her in. Instead he walked in slowly, cradling Chrissy.

“Aren’t you … don’t you … I mean, it was a great orgasm, don’t you want me to …”

“Sometimes it’s about us, sometimes it’s about you, and sometimes it’s about me. This time it was about you. Now be quiet and enjoy the beach.”

Chrissy draped her arms around his neck and nuzzled closer. Yes, it had certainly been about her, and she was okay with leaving it that way. Next time it would be about him.

By midafternoon they were both hot, hungry, and a few shades darker.

“Sweetheart, can you hand me my glasses? I can’t see without them,” she said as she scrambled for her towel blindly.

“Sweetheart?”

“Huh?” She looked up at him, dumbfounded.

“You just called me sweetheart.”

“I did? Hmm, I guess I did. Is it a problem? It’s weird, right? Sorry.”

Jack walked over to her and placed her glasses on her nose, then cradled her face with his hands. “No, baby. It’s not a problem and it’s not weird at all. It’s nice. I like it. It’s just unexpected coming from you. You’re not a ‘sweetheart’ kind of girl.” He placed a very tender kiss on her lips, and they headed back to the house, hand in hand. Drogo stood by the door, tail wagging, as they walked in.

It had been one of the best days of Chrissy’s life. Well, if she was being honest, it had been the best day of her life.

That evening, Jack picked up some Chinese takeout since they were both too tired and lazy to cook. They sat on his bed with cartons of food and chopsticks, eating, talking, and laughing. He had put an action movie on the TV, but it had gone mostly unnoticed. After dinner they made love again, but this time it was about them.

“Good morning, beautiful girl.”

“Hey, you.”

“You know you take up the entire bed when you sleep?” he asked with a chuckle.

“I do not.”

“Yes, you do. I almost fell off.”

She hit him with a nearby pillow. “Well, at least I don’t snore.”

“Actually, you do.” When Chrissy pulled the covers over her face, mortified, he threw his head back and laughed. “I’m just teasing you. You don’t snore. But you are a bed hog.”

“Sorry?” She said it as a question, and he smiled.

“The chief just called me,” he told her. “I have to go in to the office for a few hours this morning. Wanna go grab breakfast at the diner before I have to head out?”

“Sure. Give me fifteen.”

Jack nodded and went to get ready. He was in his uniform waiting downstairs when Chrissy came down ready to leave. “We gotta take both cars, so I can head straight to work afterward.”

“Okay,” Chrissy said. “Did you feed Drogo?”

“Of course. I feed him every day. Although by his attitude, you’d think I didn’t give a damn about him.”

“He’ll warm up to you. You’ll see.” She crouched down and said goodbye to the pup.

When they arrived at EE’s, Jack walked behind Chrissy, his hand on the small of her back. The place was packed. There weren’t too many restaurants in the small town, and the diner had been around for years. They looked around to see if there were any available tables. Esther saw them from the other side of the diner and smiled. “We’re swamped today. Grab yourself some menus and find a seat, ’kay?”

“Sure, Esther.”

Jack got the menus while Chrissy located a booth and sat down. Instead of sitting across the table, Jack slid in next to her. He didn’t even bother looking at the menu, obviously familiar with the selection. While she scanned the choices, he nuzzled her neck with tiny kisses, which made Chrissy giggle. No one noticed, since she held the large menu in front of her face. “Your hair smells delicious,” he said, inhaling deeply. “Your neck tastes delicious.” She giggled again when he took a nibble of her neck. “Without sounding like a total pussy, which I undoubtedly will, I don’t remember ever being so happy. You make me happy.”

Chrissy turned her face to his and looked at him. He had a big, silly grin. It was the same silly grin that had taken up residence on her face in the last few days. She reached her hand to his face and cupped his cheek, and he leaned into it. Her heart skipped a beat as soon as her skin came into contact with his. This was bliss. This was happiness. It was the first time she’d experienced it. Unfortunately, the moment was interrupted by Melinda, the clerk she’d spoken with a few days prior.

“Honey, I’m so glad to see you here. Remember I told you about my brother Miles? He’s here with me. Just stepped out to the bathroom. I can’t wait for you to meet him.”

“Um … I … uh …” She looked over at Jack, who had a mischievous smile on his face. He was enjoying her discomfort. Bastard.

“Hey, Jack, how you doing? Nice shiner.” Melinda pointed to Jack’s eye. “I heard you kicked that out-of-towner’s behind in that fight on Thursday. Good for you.”

“Thank you. I’m looking forward to meeting Miles as well. You said he was a doctor just like Chrissy, right? A chiropractor? I have the worst kink in my neck.”

Chrissy kicked him under the table, and Jack smiled, exposing the dimple that Chrissy loved.

“Oh, he’s the best. Really. He’ll fix you right up,” Melinda told him. Then she turned back to Chrissy. “Well, I’m gonna go have a seat. As soon as he comes out of the restroom I’ll introduce you two.” She leaned across the table, completely ignoring Jack, and whispered, “He’s a handsome devil. You’ll see.” She winked before walking away.

“Jerk!” Chrissy punched Jack’s shoulder as soon as Melinda was out of view. “You didn’t say anything.”

He grinned. “Actually, I’m kinda offended that it didn’t occur to her that you and I are here together.”

“That’s because … well, Jack, you look like … like … well, like you do. All muscular and hot. And I’m just Chrissy. If anything, I should be offended.”

“I don’t think so, babe. They think you, the town darling, the big-shot doctor, wouldn’t be caught dead with a nobody like me.”

“I doubt that, Jack.”

Before they could continue their conversation, Esther came to take their order. Jack told her what they wanted, which Esther didn’t bother to write down. Chrissy wasn’t sure if it was because Esther had been waiting tables for so long that she could easily remember the order or if it was because she was totally ignoring Jack. “Jeffrey’s back in the office helping with some paperwork I needed filled out. He’s an accountant. Did I mention that the other day?” Esther turned toward the counter and hollered at her husband, “Earl, go get Jeffrey. Tell him to come out here. There’s someone special he needs to meet.”

“Sure thing, darlin’,” Earl responded.

Jack leaned back and crossed his arms, obviously enjoying Chrissy’s discomfort. While they waited in silence for Jeffrey, someone spilled a drink at the table across from them, and Esther excused herself. That’s when a familiar figure walked over to the table. His white T-shirt strained around his biceps. She couldn’t see his hair because he had a baseball cap on, but she could see the top of a tattoo on his neck, running down under his shirt. He had a white apron wrapped around his jeans, and he wore black combat boots that he hadn’t even bothered to finish fastening. “Yo, Jack. Still celebrating your victory?”

“Travis. Hey.” Jack stood and shook the man’s hand. “Didn’t know you worked here.”

“I don’t. Well, not really. I had to get a temporary part-time gig for some shit I’ve got going on, and Esther needed help, so she hired me.”

“Cool.” Jack slid back into the booth, and Travis smiled and tipped the bill of his cap to Chrissy. He had perfect white teeth, and his smile crinkled the corner of his eyes.

“Chrissy Martin. Didn’t reckon I’d see you again so soon.”

“Yep. I saw your sister a couple of nights ago. Jamie Lynn hasn’t changed a bit.”

“Yeah. She told me she saw you. So how long you in town for, baby?”

Jack’s eyes narrowed.

“Just for a few days.”

Jack tensed. What the fuck? Was this guy—his friend, a guy he saw all the time at the gym, a guy he trained with, competed with—was this fucking asshole hitting on his girl again? No fucking way! And, again, she wasn’t stopping it. He looked at her, and she smiled wryly.

Ha! Since he hadn’t helped her fend off Melinda and Esther’s matchmaking schemes, she was trying to rile him up by not setting this asshole straight. Well, he was going to have to do it himself.

“Before you leave, maybe we could grab—” Travis began.

Oh, fuck no! Didn’t Travis notice he was sitting right next to her? They were obviously together. He was starting to get pissed. Really pissed.

But before Jack could say anything, a lanky man in his mid-thirties with thinning black hair, wearing what looked like an expensive suit, came to their table and just slid right into their booth. What the hell? This has to be a prank. Jack looked around to see if there were hidden cameras somewhere. His hand squeezed Chrissy’s thigh under the table. She’d better set the bookworm across the booth straight, and immediately.

“Hi there, pretty.”

Cheesy as hell! Jack thought.

“Do I know you?” Chrissy giggled, and Jack turned to face her. He growled inwardly. No one was to hear the beautiful sound that was her giggle except him.

“Mom sent me over. She said you were interested in meeting. I’m Jeffrey.” He extended his hand, and Chrissy hesitantly took it. Jack squeezed her thigh harder and she stepped on his foot, hard. Luckily he was wearing his steel-toed work boots. “And you must be her brother. I just moved into town, but I’ve heard all about you and your pro fights.”

“No. No. He’s not my brother, he’s—” Chrissy began, before she was cut off.

“This is Jack. He’s Slade’s best friend. See, Slade is Chrissy’s brother, and she was raised with Slade and Jack. So yeah, they might as well be brother and sister,” Travis, who was still standing there, answered.

Jack was speechless. Damn it, Travis! I wanted to hear how she was going to finish that sentence.

“Listen, I’m so very flattered, Jeffrey, but—”

And the three-ring circus continued when Miles, Melinda’s brother, walked up and slid in next to Jeffrey, interrupting Chrissy’s train of thought. Jeffrey seemed a little agitated at having to scoot over.

“Oh, God. What now?” Jack heard an annoyed Chrissy mumble under her breath.

“You must be the beautiful Chrissy Martin. I’ve heard lots about you,” Miles said to her. “I remember you. You were gorgeous back then—”

“When she was fifteen, dude?” Jack interrupted, angrily.

“Well, nothing wrong with a little admiring from a distance. So, why don’t you say you and I get outta here and catch a movie or something? Or better yet, we’re both doctors, so why don’t I show you my practice? It’s right around the corner.”

“Um,” Chrissy murmured, clearly nervous.

This was getting out of hand, Jack thought. One of them needed to set these three idiots straight, and Chrissy seemed too confused to be the one to do it. And again Jack thought: Why the hell are they just assuming she’s not with me? What am I, chopped liver?

“Hey, man. I was here first,” Jeffrey whined. “Come get a drink with me, Chrissy.”

“It’s ten in the morning!” Chrissy replied, but before Jeffrey could say anything Travis cut in.

“Actually, I was here first. So, if you two wouldn’t mind …”

Just then Esther approached. “Go back to work, Trav.”

Travis groaned. “Yes, ma’am,” he replied, but he remained where he was.

“Guys, listen. Truly, I’m flattered. Any woman would be,” Chrissy began, but again she didn’t seem to be able to get any further. Now she really looked mad. She leaned back and crossed her arms over her chest. He could feel her foot tapping the floor.

“Darlin’, this is just silly,” Esther told her. “Miles is too old for you and clearly not your type. Jeffrey is gorgeous and a professional. It’s obvious that you and my son are a perfect fit.”

“Put a cork in it Esther,” Melinda snapped, suddenly joining the party that was taking place around the booth. “My brother’s a doctor, not some boring accountant.”

Esther defended her son. “He ain’t boring. He’s perfect for Chrissy. She needs a real man, not some old divorcé.”

Suddenly Earl was making his way over to the scene as well.

“Oh, God! Is this really happening?” Chrissy glanced at Jack, who looked … Well, a rainbow of emotions played across his face. He looked livid, embarrassed, jealous, and utterly amused, all at the same time.

“What’s all the hoopla?” Earl asked. “You got the whole restaurant craning their necks to try to hear what’s going on.”

“Your very sweet wife and Melinda here are trying to set me up. And although I am really flattered—”

“You’ve said that three times already, baby,” Travis interrupted. “Just spit out the rest of the sentence where you let them down easy and tell me you’ll meet me after work.”

Jack had both palms on the table and was about to get up and hit his buddy.

“Back to work, Travis!” Earl yelled.

Travis rolled his eyes.

“Your wife and son are trying to steal Chrissy away from my brother,” Melinda informed Earl, irate.

“I was here first!” Jeffrey griped.

“I am not a piece of property!” Chrissy cried, but no one seemed to be paying attention to her.

“Actually, I was here first. Wasn’t I, baby?” Travis interjected with a sexy wink at Chrissy, who smiled back at Travis.

A deep, guttural growl escaped Jack. He looked like he was going to punch Travis right in the face. He’d been only slightly irritated by the flirting coming from Miles and Jeffrey, and mostly amused—two silly-looking, mildly attractive men who didn’t stand a chance with his feisty Chrissy. But apparently gorgeous Travis made Jack insecure.

“Get back to work, Trav!” Earl and Esther yelled at the same time.

Travis threw one last seductive smile at Chrissy, then slowly strolled back toward the kitchen.

“My boy is clearly the better choice. He stands to inherit this here diner, and he’s handsome as all hell.” Esther reached toward Jeffrey and pinched his cheek. “Aren’t you, sweetie?”

“Mom …,” whined Jeffrey, embarrassed.

Jack snorted. Luckily, with all the commotion and bickering, no one except Chrissy had noticed. She kicked him under the table.

Just when Jack was about to get up and whup all three men’s asses, Slade came into the diner.

“Holy shit!” Chrissy yelped at the sight of her brother. The herd of people surrounding the booth all turned to look at Slade, who by now had spotted them.

“What’s going on? We having a party or something?” he asked, noticing the crowd of people. His words were barely decipherable because his lips were so swollen.

Chrissy planted her palms on the table and leaned across Jack to get a better look at her brother.

“Holy shit, dude. I heard you got fucked up, but shit, man, you look terrible,” Travis said as he walked back toward the circus.

“Thanks a lot, dickhead,” Slade said playfully.

“Oh my God,” Chrissy cried, her mouth agape.

“I won the fight,” Slade said to Chrissy.

“What fight? Your fight’s tonight,” Chrissy said, looking first at Slade and then at Jack.

“Nope. It was late on Thursday. I won,” Slade said with a smile that came out a little contorted.

“But you said it was on Saturday. Today is Saturday. You’re taking me later,” she said, turning to face Jack. Travis had left to go take care of his tables but the other two men remained, watching the exchange between Jack, Slade, and Chrissy. “I was going to go. I wanted to go.” Getting no response from Jack, she reached up and gently touched Slade’s face. “What hurts?” she asked.

“Nothing and everything. I’m too excited to be in pain.”

“Slade! This is serious,” Chrissy yelped.

“My head hurts, but only a little.”

“You took a hit on the head, didn’t you?” Chrissy asked, and Slade nodded. “It’s amazing you’re still alive. I think you have a concussion, again. You’re slightly pale. You need to go get a CT scan and make sure there’s no internal bleeding.”

“No way. I’m fine. My reflexes are fine. I’m on top of the world. You know how much money I just banked? A hundred grand, baby. And if it makes you feel better, I stayed awake for twelve hours after the fight. You know … not falling asleep if you have a concussion and all that bullshit.”

“Why didn’t you come tell me?”

“I didn’t want to worry you. Oh, and by the way, I went to speak with Jessica last night. She’s not going to help me. She’s back with Dennis and doesn’t want to get him in any trouble.”

“Shit,” Chrissy responded, and glanced over at Jack, who was uncharacteristically silent. The other men didn’t bother moving away from the intimate family conversation. Melinda and Esther were bickering a few feet away, and Earl was back in the kitchen. “Of course I’m going to worry. If you’re bleeding inside your skull, you could die. A hundred thousand dollars won’t mean much if you’re dead,” Chrissy said.

“I’m not disoriented and I’m not vomiting. Just a slight headache. I know the drill.”

“You’re so damn hardheaded! That’s probably why you keep surviving these concussions. Let me check the rest of you and perform a few more stupidectomies!”

“Stupid what?” Miles interjected.

“Dude, don’t even ask,” Slade answered.

“Seriously, man, butt out. Why haven’t you two left?” Jack said to Miles and Jeffrey, annoyed.

“I gotta eat something,” Slade said to Chrissy. “I’m starved. Then we’ll go home and you can check whatever you want.” Slade looked at the two men sitting in the booth with Jack and Chrissy. “You guys mind?”

“Yeah, man, actually we do. We’re not leaving. We’re waiting for Chrissy to pick one of us,” Jeffrey said.

“Oh my God.” Chrissy slumped down and put her head on her palms. Her mood had gone way past anger and was now bordering on complete breakdown territory.

“Enough!” Jack had had it. “She’s not interested. Get out. She needs some time with her brother.”

Cocky, creepy Miles winked. “I love a girl who plays hard to get.”

Filled with rage, Jack began to get up, but Chrissy pushed him back down. Having had enough herself, Chrissy sat up straight and addressed Miles and Jeffrey. “Please, just go away. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be harsh, but really, I’m not interested. For the last twenty minutes I’ve been trying to get a word in edgewise to tell you that. I am not interested,” she repeated, louder and firmer. “So, can you please excuse us?”

They slid out of the booth. “I don’t understand why you’d ask my mother to introduce us if you weren’t interested,” Jeffrey grumbled.

“I didn’t! She asked me!” Chrissy cried with exasperation.

“You’re making a mistake, honey. We’d be great together. Look how much we have in common—both doctors and all.” Miles winked again before he walked away.

“You’re a fucking chiropractor! She’s a doctor, you are a chiropractor. Not the same thing,” Jack said, but Miles didn’t even turn around to respond.

Now that the three were alone, Chrissy continued her conversation. “So, Jessica’s not helping. Now what? Can he actually go to jail, Jack?” Chrissy asked. As she spoke, she was scrutinizing the fresh wound under Slade’s eye. “I need to check out that cut when we get home. It looks deep, and I doubt you did a thorough job cleaning it out.”

Slade nodded. “Fine. As soon as I finish eating. So, Jack, can I go to jail or what?” He was the epitome of cool. No concern at all.

“Yes, it’s possible you could go to jail. There’s a lot of pressure coming from the mayor, but I’ll do whatever I can to help.” Jack reached over and squeezed Slade’s forearm. “I know you really like that girl too. You’re worried about her, aren’t you? It’s not just about the jail thing.”

“Yeah, man. I’m pretty sure that guy Dennis hits her. He needs to be taught a lesson.”

“Well, I appreciate your concern over this girl,” Chrissy put in, “but I don’t want you getting into any more trouble. Your answer to everything is kicking someone’s ass, and there are other ways to handle this situation. You’re my brother, and I’m looking out for you. As things stand, you could potentially go to jail for this girl, who isn’t willing to help you back. And I’m furious you didn’t tell me about the fight. I wanted to be there.” Slade gave a sideways glance at Jack. Luckily, Chrissy didn’t notice.

“I gotta go,” Slade said suddenly.

“Wait. What? You didn’t even eat.”

“I know. Not so hungry anymore. Come by the house later if you want to bandage me up.” He bent down and kissed her cheek. “Don’t worry about me. I feel great.”

“Famous last words,” Jack said, softly slapping Slade’s shoulder.

“I’ll be there as soon as we finish breakfast,” Chrissy said.

“Yes, Doc,” Slade said to his sister before walking out of the diner.

Jack was surprised Chrissy hadn’t flipped the fuck out on him yet. But approximately 2.3 seconds after Slade left, Jack saw the lightbulb over her head go on, and she whipped around to look at Jack. Shit! It’s about to get real bad!

“Did you know?” Chrissy hissed.

“I … um …”

“Did. You. Know?” she asked again slowly.

“Did I know what?”

“Don’t play stupid, Jack.”

“I didn’t know Jessica wouldn’t help.”

Jack rubbed his head with his hand, something he did when he was worried.

“Jack!”

“Don’t be mad, Chris.”

“Tell me!”

He took a deep breath and braced himself. “He won. He’s safe. Isn’t that great?” Maybe if he turned it into something positive she wouldn’t be pissed, he thought briefly, before realizing, No point kidding yourself. No matter what, she’s going to be furious! “He’s a hundred grand richer. Never has to fight again. Isn’t that great?” he repeated, not even convincing himself.

She didn’t speak for a few moments. Her nostrils flared. Her cheeks were flushed, and the red was working its way up her face to her ears. Not good. Not good at all.

She shoved him. “Let me out!”

“What?”

“Move, Daniels! Let me out of this fucking booth.”

Jack slid out, and Chrissy followed. They hadn’t even finished eating. Chrissy began walking out of the diner but was stopped by Travis. Jack threw some money on the table and made his way toward them.

“So, baby, how ’bout that date?” Travis said.

“Fuck off, Trav! She’s mine!” Jack hissed.

Chrissy took a step toward Jack. Blind fury filled her eyes. Never had he seen her so angry. She reached back and slapped him across the face, hard. He knew he deserved it.

“Uh … dude? I think not,” Travis said. Jack was too stunned to reply.

“So, is that a yes, baby?”

“No!” both Chrissy and Jack replied.

“And never call her ‘baby’ again, jerk-off.” Jack followed a raging Chrissy out the door.

Once they were outside the diner, she turned back to face him so abruptly that he almost crashed into her. “You lied to me!” Her chin quivered, and a grave look gripped her soft features. “I confided in you. I let my guard down, and you lied to me and deceived me. You slept with me just to distract me so I wouldn’t go to the fight.”

“No, baby. I—”

“Shut up!” she yelled. “Do not ‘baby’ me!” Her fists clung to her sides. “If something had happened to Slade and I wasn’t there because of you, it would have killed me.” She stood on her tiptoes, her face inches from his. “You both knew I wanted to go. I expected nonsense like this from him, but after the last few days, I thought I meant something to you. I thought … You know what? It doesn’t matter. You knew how worried I was. Both of you lied to me so I wouldn’t go. But you slept with me to distract me!” she repeated. This time tears formed in the corner of her eyes. “He hadn’t even recovered from the last fight.”

“He promised me he was ready to fight. I thought it was for the best you weren’t there. For you and for him. It’s not a place you should go, and if you’d been there, he’d have been distracted. It could have been so much worse. These fight-to-the-finish fights can be brutal. He—”

“Fight to what?” Chrissy demanded.

Shit. Didn’t Slade mention that to her before? Keep your stupid trap shut, moron! You’re making it worse!

“Um … fight-to-the-finish? It means that there are no time restraints or referees. They basically fight until—”

“Oh my God! Until someone dies!” Chrissy yelped.

“No! Not dies. Well, not on purpose. Wait, this is coming out all wrong. Someone always gets tapped out, knocked out, or choked out.”

“Oh, geez. Thanks. That makes it all better!” She looked ready to knock him out.

“What I’m trying to say is that I heard from some of the guys that were there, and it didn’t end as badly as it could have. They even said that the crowd wasn’t happy because they paid for action but got none.”

He was trying to placate her by explaining that Slade was perfectly fine, but she wasn’t budging. Her anger and hurt were palpable. He wanted to reach out and touch her, comfort her, wipe away the lone tear that was making its way down her cheek, but he thought it was better that he keep his distance at the moment. She was too upset. “Chrissy, it was too dangerous a place for you. I wasn’t just mad at Slade for fighting, I was mad at him for fighting in that particular underground ring of fights. Why do you think they make so much money? This is mob-type stuff, Chrissy. The fight was in a very bad part of town in an abandoned warehouse.” He wanted to explain that there were heavy bettors in the crowd, not to mention the potential for prostitution and drugs—all things she didn’t need to see. Not only didn’t he want her there, but as law enforcement, he couldn’t be caught in a place like that. The last time she’d gone, she’d wound up hurt and accosted by two assholes, and he wouldn’t have allowed her to get hurt again.

Chrissy stormed away from him before he was able to finish his explanation. Jack pushed off the car he had been leaning against. “Chrissy, please don’t do this.” Seeing her hurt and angry made his stomach flip and his heart ache in a way he’d never experienced before. “I want to apologize, bu—”

“Don’t bother. I know I was just a quick fuck to you, and now we can both move on,” she interrupted.

“Can you just be quiet for a second?” He tried to rein in his mounting anger. “You couldn’t possibly be more wrong about the way I feel about you. It wasn’t just sex, and please don’t call it a fuck ever again. Don’t cheapen what we did, what we have. I will always, always”—his voice became louder—“protect you from harm. Do you understand?” He took a step closer, his features hardening. “I don’t need your fucking permission to protect you. I didn’t need it for fifteen years and I sure as hell don’t need it now. Making sure you are safe is my goddamn job. And that is something I will not apologize for.”

She whipped around and poked his chest. “You’re a manipulative Neanderthal. I’m not the same little girl that you had this misplaced obligation to protect. I’m a grown-ass woman, and I decide if something is too dangerous for me to handle, not you. If we were together, is this how it would be? You lying and deciding what’s safe and what’s not? Like I’m an infant? Like you used to treat me all those years ago? Stifle me? Whatever this was between us is over.” She took a deep breath before continuing. “Look, Jack. All this”—she waved her finger between them—“it’s been great. Really great. Best fuck ever, actually. You don’t have to worry. I never had any romantic notions that this would be more than what it was. I’m a big girl. I wanted it as much as you did. We’d never work out, anyway.” It was as if she was trying to convince herself. “In fact, I don’t even know what this is. I’m a doctor. I heal people for a living. And you fuck people up for a living. I’ve been fucked up before, and I can’t live in fear. You’re the definition of not right for me. I saw your face as you were beating the crap out of that guy on Thursday. I heard you talking to Cain that day when Slade was getting out on bail. You were proud—ecstatic, actually—that the guy you beat up might be seriously hurt. That scares me so much. One minute you’re this sweet, protective cop who has me so completely smitten that I forget all logic and reason, and the next you’re violent and savage and happy about it. Guess who that reminds me of? I hate to even say it out loud because I promised myself never to be afraid of a man again, but you scare me, Jack.”

“Chris, you know I’d never hurt you.”

“No, Jack, I don’t know that. I’ve been down this road already. I never should’ve gone with you to your fight. It made me see you in a different light. Actually, I shouldn’t have slept with you. You scare me,” she repeated. “I tried to push that feeling aside because all the sexiness that is you made my head all fuzzy. I’m sorry, Jack, I gotta go,” she said, holding back tears and climbing into her car.

“Chrissy, please,” he whispered through clenched teeth, but she was already driving away. Shit. I don’t think I handled that well. She was right, though. She did deserve to be able to make her own choices. Why was it that every time he was around her he felt this overwhelming need to protect her? He had a constant urge to sling her over his shoulder and drag her back to his cave and keep her safe. Apparently she didn’t like it all that much.

And she’d called it a fuck. Jack couldn’t help but flinch at that word. Even if it had been fast and rough, it wasn’t just a fuck. It was more than that. A lot more than that. What the more was, he wasn’t quite sure. There were feelings there that he’d never had with any other woman. His hand involuntarily went to his chest to rub the tightening he felt there. It was an unfamiliar feeling. He found himself thinking about her: the moment their eyes had locked for the first time after eleven years when he stopped her for speeding … her unabashed giggles … the way her glasses constantly fell down her nose … the way she let him take charge, touch her, hold her, even when she was uncertain … the way she sometimes looked scared but straightened her spine and made sure the world never saw her waver … the way her body fit so perfectly against his. But most of all, his mind wandered to the way she looked at him with those piercing blue eyes. How she called him “sweetheart.” How easily she had given herself fully to him in bed. The way she made him feel.

He continued to rub his chest, then suddenly stopped when it hit him like a two-by-four. “Son of a bitch!” he whispered to himself.

He was in love with Christine Martin!

How the hell had he not seen that coming? And even though he had just realized it himself, how the hell could she think it was anything less than love? Suddenly the tightening in his chest changed to a hollowness, because these newly discovered feelings made him nervous.

If there was one day Jack was happy he had a twelve-hour shift ahead of him, today was that day. At least it would give Chrissy time to calm down.