Forgetting Jane (21 page)

He gave a slight nod and released her hand.

“Elias, I need to check my house. And I forgot to grab the tea. We’re running out,” Magda stated while she pulled out the ham.

“I’ll go check your house and grab your tea, but Magda, I need you to sit.”

“No. I’ll go— And before you start saying no, I need to be seen. And while I’m out, I’ll head to the hospital and check on what’s going on. You’re here, so Jane will be safe.”

“Miss Magda—”

“She is right,” Jane interrupted, stepping up next to her, showing unity.

Eli turned off the subtleties. “I need both of you to sit down. Please,” Eli said solemnly. He pointed to the table.

“Elias, I don’t like your tone,” Magda said, taking a seat.

“Please, Jane, sit.”

Jane sat down next to Magda.

“Sometime early this morning, a nurse was killed.”

“Oh, my lord.” Magda clenched sweater to her chest. “Who was it?”

“Her name was Georgia Hammond. I think whoever is after Jane, was the one who killed her.” He kneeled in front of the old woman and held her free hand. “Magda.”

“Georgia? She was a sweet girl.” Tears streamed down Magda’s face.

“Eli, are you sure it’s the same person who’s after me?” Jane asked. Her voice cracked when she spoke.

“I have no doubts about it. I don’t want you leaving this house—not until that bastard’s found. I can’t chance losing either of you.”

Jane leaned over to Magda and wrapped her arms around the old woman. “I’m so sorry.” Tears rimmed Jane’s eyes.

Magda’s brows knit, she tightened her hold on Jane’s hand. Her voice turned sharp. “Don’t say that. It’s not your fault that maniac killed someone.” She then turned her attention to Eli. “I have to go now.”

“No.”

“You don’t have the right to keep me here. Besides, a nurse died. I have to show. I am going, Elias.” Magda refused to budge on her decision.

Eli knew it was bad idea but he couldn’t refuse her. “All right. But please, don’t stay long.”

Magda wiped away her tears with a tissue she pulled out of her sleeve. She stood up and grabbed her coat and purse. While she bundled herself up, Eli took out her car and warmed it up.

He walked Magda to the car and helped her in. “If you’re not back in two hours, I’m coming after you. Got it?”

“Yes, yes. I’ll be back as soon as I’m able—and Elias?”

“What?”

“Thank you.”

Eli nodded as he closed the driver door. He rubbed at his jaw as he watched the white Corolla drive off. He walked back in the house with a heavy weight of worry on his mind. He shouldn’t have let her go, but Magda was right. Although he didn’t like it, she had to show up and keep up with appearances.

As he walked in the living room, he found Jane on the couch, slouched with her hands folded around her knees, her cheeks wet and red.

“Don’t cry, Jane. Magda is right. This isn’t your fault.” Eli sat down next to her, but kept his hands to himself.

“Are you sure about that? If it weren’t for me, that woman would still be alive.”

“Don’t blame yourself for that bastard’s actions. You are innocent in all this,” he said while he reached out and brushed off her hot tears with his thumb.

She leaned into his hand. “This is so hard.” Her eyes were a storm of emotions.

“I can only imagine,” Eli whispered back. A strain in his chest was hard to breathe through. He hated seeing Jane cry.

Then like a flip of a switch, her face turned stony. “We have to talk, Elias.” Jane let out a breath, stood up, wiped the wetness off her face and faced him.

He was leery about what she had to say. “Okay, let’s talk.”

“I told you I’m twenty-six years old.”

“Yes, you did tell me that,” Eli replied. The late sun beamed through the window and blinded his view of her steady pacing. “Jane, sit down.”

“I can’t. I’ll lose my nerve if I stop. Anyway, I remember a few more things. After what Magda told me about being…possessed, a few things weren’t lining up. Did I tell you I have a brown Impala? Or had—not sure how old but it’s not new—and we can’t sleep together anymore.”

The way she switched topics caught him off guard. “What?”

“I have a brown Impala.”

“Not that part.”

“About us sleeping together?” Jane stopped pacing and sat down next to him.

“You’re right.” Eli tried to stay calm, but his insides were knotted tight. “We shouldn’t have slept together. It was impulsive and I crossed the line. I promise it won’t happen again.” The last sentence came out a little harder than he wanted it to.

Jane turned away quickly. Eli wasn’t able to see her reaction.

“I’m only agreeing with you, Jane. We shouldn’t have done what we did. I’m here to protect you.” That was a lie. He doesn’t want to stop touching her. But the truth was, he couldn’t focus on the case when his mind was consumed with her body.

“Yes,” she said and turned around to face him again. “There’s something else.” She blew out a quick breath and continued. “Don’t ask me why but I know all those pictures of those dead women are connected to me. And somehow they are also connected to that little girl in the yellow dress.

“That girl, Jane? She is the key to this. I know it. I’d get flashes, like a movie in my head but wasn’t sure if they were from my life or some else’s. And I saw your mother. She was the one who knocked the gun out of your father’s hand. Not me—Do I sound crazy? I sound like I’m crazy.”

Eli leaned forward onto his knees and raked his fingers through his hair. So much to take in. “No, you are not crazy.” Another lie.

“She thanked me and told me to…take care of you. I know you don’t believe in—” Jane got up and walked by the window, a rule she broke on many occasions.

“I do. As crazy as it may sound, I do believe you, Jane,” Eli said as he got up from the chair and walked over to her. He wrapped his arms around her waist, not caring if he broke his promise not to touch her again. Jane’s trembling body leaned back against him. He couldn’t help it and hugged her tighter. “Jane, do me a favor. When you do remember something, tell me right away. I need to know right away.” His voice was gentle but he got his point across.

“All right, I will.”

He turned her around and kissed her forehead. “Is my mother happy now?” His voice was slightly strangled.

Jane wrapped her arms around his neck. “Yes, she’s at peace.”

Eli lightly kissed her cheek. His heart pounded hard and heavy against his chest. He tightened his arms around Jane’s waist and drew her in closer. “Thank you,” he whispered. His forehead met hers.

J
ane leaned up and kissed him with all the passion growing in her. “Make love to me, Elias.”

So much emotion swam between them. High and low, like a roller coaster in full throttle. She saw the need in his eyes, but she wanted more. Her vow to never sleep with him again flew out the door the moment her lips touched his.

Her pulse quickened. Her breasts ached for his touch. Heat pooled in her middle; it was hard for her not to rip his clothes off right there. His smile assured her that he felt the same way.

Eli picked Jane up, and carried her upstairs, taking the wooden steps two at a time until he reached the threshold of his bedroom door.

Cradled in his arms, Jane felt safe—protected, and loved.

He kissed her with gentleness, but swiftly changed to urgency when her feet touched the floor. His tongue danced a fast tango with hers while his hands fumbled with his buttons.

Jane was engulfed by a yearning desire. Her body charged up from his kiss. She was desperate to get her clothes off, and his.

She pulled at his shirt while stepping backwards into his room.

Eli took her hands and kissed each fingertip. “I. Don’t. Want. To. Rush.” He then looked into her eyes. “I want to take my time with you.”

He released her and took a few steps back. A wicked grin played across his face. Eli unbuttoned his shirt. Jane wanted to rip the material off his body fast and devour him. When a tiny bit of skin was exposed, she took a step forward. He was taking his time, which she didn’t like.

Two can play that game.             

Jane stepped back until she felt the bed against her legs. She gingerly got on the mattress and kneeled before him. She undressed, one piece at a time. First her flannel shirt, then she pulled off her sweat pants, one leg at a time.

She was down to her bra and underwear. His reaction was what she wanted. His erection drew tight against his faded jeans.

Eli took a sharp intake of breath as Jane unclasped her bra and released her breasts.

“Is this what you want, Chief?” He stepped forward and reached for her but Jane swatted his hand away. “Not yet.”

Eli frowned. “I’m not liking this tactic.” He unzipped and pulled his jeans down on his hips.

Half of his luscious cock stuck out. Her mouth watered for a taste. She was tempted to reach out and wrap her fingers around his hardness, but she stayed planted on the bed.

Instead, he surprised Jane and grabbed her around her waist. He pulled her hips to his. Holding her ass tight, he ground her against him.

“How about that for fair play?”

Jane laughed. “Elias, I— ”

“Shut up and kiss me.” His lips covered hers. His hands were rough on her skin but it didn’t hurt. He trailed down to her breasts, giving them equal measure. Nipping, tasting and sucking until they peaked tight and red.

“Oh Elias,” Jane purred. She wrapped her arms around his neck and enjoyed the torture he was giving.

“You have no idea what you do to me, Jane.” Eli leaned forward, letting her fall back onto the bed.

“Ditto?” Jane hummed. She gripped his shoulders as he made his way down to her belly button.

Eli winced as she dug into his shoulder.

“I’m sorry.” Jane said in a stifled cry. She turned her face away from his.

“No. Look at me, Jane.” He commanded. But there was no anger in his tone.

Jane turned and saw his gentle smile. Her anxiety ebbed.

“I got shot because of my father. You had nothing to do with this.” His gentle touch of her face soothed her conscience. “You saved my life. If it weren’t for you knocking the gun out of his hand, James would’ve shot me in the chest.”

Jane touched the cotton square pad that was taped to his shoulder. “Is it still painful?”

“It doesn’t hurt,” Eli said.

She knew he was lying. “Really?”

He smiled at her and then kissed her soundly. “Really.”

A rush of blood to her brain made her slightly lightheaded. She was falling for this man. That admission hit her like oncoming traffic. She wasn’t sure how it happened, but her heart soared whenever he looked at her with such endearment.

In just the short time they spent together, it was a miracle they didn’t strangle each other. Instead of war, love made a play and possibly won.

***

E
li stood and took her mouth with all the gentleness he had. Their kiss turned ravenous. Their tongues dueled, teeth clashed and their bodies entwined as the fever reignited between them. He wasn’t able to get enough of her.

As his hands found her warm mounded flesh, her nipples were perked tight. He grazed them between his calloused fingers, replacing them with his mouth, his tongue.

His left hand trailed down her abdomen, to her inner thigh, to the center of her wetness. Eli nudged her legs apart and caressed the inner folds of her silken flesh. He dipped his fingers inside, invading her tight core.

A sharp moan escaped Jane. He loved the way she shivered and called out his name.

While his fingers played, his mouth took advantage, tasting every inch of her skin, but he wasn’t done with her yet. Eli slipped off the bed without breaking rhythm and tasted her. Licking from her clit to the very center of her heat. His tongue jabbed deep. His teeth scraped, coaxing her to give him more.

Jane almost came right off the bed. The harder she shuddered, the faster he delved.

As she shouted out his name, Eli stood up, his dick just at her entrance.

“I need you.” His voice was hoarse.

“I need you,” she repeated back.

Eli encouraged her to turn on all fours. He lifted her right leg and wrapped it around his waist for easier entry and slipped into her to the hilt of his balls. Jane cried out his name. He ground against her as he reached for her breast, not moving his hips.

“You make me forget who I am,” Eli confessed as he kissed her back.

Jane rocked back and forth. It was all the encouragement he needed. Eli pulled back almost completely and drove into her again. His hips moved in a constant rhythm.

She met him with equal speed. Her movements were unexpected, so he let her take over.

“Don’t stop,” he crooned, holding onto her hips and leg.

Jane’s pace quickened, goading him to move as well.

He couldn’t stand the torture any longer and took over. He pushed her further down to where her breasts touched the bed. He picked up her other leg and wrapped it around his waist, while holding onto her. He had total control of her body.

The pace he set careened them both over the edge. Eli’s strength was spent. He released her legs, letting them fall gently on the bed. He lay on top of her but rolled onto his back.

Jane’s breathing was labored, which matched his own. He reached over pulling her to him. He nestled himself tight behind her.

“Oh yeah, you do make me forget myself,” he whispered in her ear and kissed it.

“You make me want to remember,” she whispered back, entwining her fingers with his.

Eli was happy, until an ache suddenly weighted his chest. He recognized the fear and held Jane closer. He wasn’t sure which scared him most, keeping her in his life or letting her go.

“I’ve done things, Jane.” He was ready to confess his past. Eli wanted what they had clean. She deserved to know what he had done.

“Hmm.”

“Jane?” He sat up a little and looked down at her. She was asleep.