Web of Lies (8 page)

Jack led her back to the swing seat and sat with her.  He told her the whole story, from his arrest for breaking and entering and larceny, to his two-year stint in jail, to his meeting her dad again soon after he was released on parole.  They let him go because he had not ratted on them but took the blame for everything in the heist that got him arrested. 

He told the gang that he wanted to go straight, and he would fight to the death to do it.  They knew he was serious, and told him if he changed his mind, he knew where they were.  He knew he wouldn’t get accepted into the armed forces with his record and jail time, but he wanted to be somebody.  He ended up in a program where he met Grant again, and things just took off from there.

“I never knew my dad,” he said.  “Grant was the father I never had; but, he was also my big brother and my mentor.  And eventually my friend.”

Faith listened to him with quiet pride, in him and in her dad.  She felt her heart warm at the thought that she had not been wrong about her father.  Plus, she was happy he had made a way for her to meet Jack. She knew she wanted to be with him as more than a passing acquaintance.

“Faith...”

“Jack...”

They spoke each other’s names at the same time. 

“You go first,” she told him.  She wondered if he was going to ask for payment, now that he’d told her his story...

CHAPTER EIGHT

Three weeks earlier--Jack

Jack let Faith go first.  He watched her face, as she thanked him for telling her his story.  There was a lot he hadn’t told her, and maybe never would.  All water under the bridge, yet things that helped him grow up and become the man he was. 

With Faith, he wanted to focus on the future, not the past.  She was like a breath of fresh air that he couldn’t get enough of.  She was nothing like the countless women he had been with over the years. There were women who taught him how to be a lover, and those who used him to get their kicks.  There were those he cared about, and those he didn’t.  He wanted things to be different with her.

“Your turn,” she said, when she was done, and he smiled at her.  She had the ability to make him smile about everything.  No one had ever had that effect on him in all his thirty-eight years. 

“I’d like us to go out,” he began, “on a date.”  He waited, watching the look on her face change from surprise to anticipation.

“I’d love to,” she said.  “When are we going?”

“As soon as you can be ready.  You’ll need to wear your leathers.  I have a helmet for you already.”

He loved the way her eyes sparkled at the thought of going for a ride.  They walked in together, going to their separate rooms. Within half an hour, they were on the road, with Faith holding his sides lightly.  She was warm behind him and completely at ease. 

He took her to the park for a picnic lunch, and he watched her smile at the babies and the dogs.  Then, he rode to the next town over and took her to the Native American museum where Grant had been a member of the board.  He introduced her to the staff.  They all shook hands and expressed their condolences, and, as expected, Eva Jones hugged Faith tightly to her motherly bosom.  He listened as she fielded invitations to dinner, barbecues, and even a wine tasting, and then they said their goodbyes. 

He took her to dinner at a restaurant by the river, and they sat outside on the wide porch and watched the boats go by and the sun set on the water.  He had never seen her so relaxed, and he was glad he had been the one to help ease her grief.  He would not always be around, and he knew the pain of her father’s death would return.  He hoped their date would be a happy memory for her.

He called for the check.  It had been a long day out, and he could see that she was flagging. 

“Time to go.”  He stood and held out his hand to her.  She took it with a smile, and followed him out to the bike.  “I think you’ll have to hold on a bit tighter going home, else you’re likely to fall off.”

She laughed, and once he was on, she got on behind him, and obligingly wrapped her arms around his waist.  His body kicked him hard, and he was glad her hands went no lower.  She relaxed against him, her breathing deep and even.  The roar of the engine and the feel of the wind around them wrapped them in a cocoon of comfortable intimacy.  Back home, he asked if she wanted a nightcap.

“A glass of wine would be great, thanks,” she said and went to sit in the living room. 

“Red or white?” he wondered.

“Sweet,” she said.

He brought the wine to her and sipped his gin and tonic while she dozed over her wine.  He let her be until he drained his glass, and then he woke her.

“Bedtime,” he said.  “You’ve had a long day.”  He helped her to her feet and walked her down the hall to her room. 

“Sleep well, honey,” he said, letting the endearment slip.  “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Thanks, Jack.  I had a great day!”  She reached up to kiss his cheek, her hands on his chest, and suddenly, there was no air.  He held himself stiffly, but she seemed to be in some kind of trance, as she feathered her lips from his cheek to his ear, where she whispered, “Whenever you’re ready, I’ll be here.  I believe I owe you something in return for the tattoo story.”  She licked his earlobe, and he groaned.

“Faith, stop it!”

“Why?  How much longer do you think I can wait?  How much longer can you wait?  We’re grown, and I believe I told you I didn’t need protecting.”  She slid her hands down his chest to the waistband of his jeans, then lower, to the bulge straining against the zipper.  “Isn’t there some trite come-on about you being happy to see me?”  She stroked him through his jeans.  “Are you?”  When he hissed, she stroked him again.  “You feel so big!”  The wonder in her voice killed him.

“Faith...”  He pulled her hands away from his body, holding her by the wrists and pushing her face up to his.  “Faith, if I come in, there’s no stopping me this time.  Are you sure this is what you want?”  His words were a growl of sound, as he couldn’t seem to articulate clearly past the lust she had so effortlessly called up from his gut.

For an answer, she reached up and feathered her lips over his.  Jack let go.  He pushed her up against the door and kissed her hungrily, all the pent-up desire of the last two weeks spilling over into his lips and tongue.  She moaned when he suckled her lips and squirmed when he sucked her tongue into his mouth.  He pressed in against her, letting her feel the bulge in his jeans against her mound.  She groaned, and the sound pleased him.

“Unless you’re willing to get fucked standing up, we’d better get inside now.”  He was still growling, and he kissed her again, deep and slow, before letting her open the door so they could go in.  Impatient suddenly, he pulled her across the room to the bed and lowered himself over her, all the while kissing her breathless.

“You’re a miracle to me, you know that?” he whispered, as he stripped her bare.  “Every fucking inch of you!” He traced her body with his lips, from the long column of her neck down to her toes.  He paid extra attention to the rosy nipples which stood out from her very full breasts and to her neatly-trimmed mound.  He loved the sounds she made, as he licked and nipped and suckled on her sweet flesh. 

Coming back up from her feet, he settled his head between her thighs, eating and drinking from her. His tongue and his fingers wrung harsh cries from her for every orgasm he gave her.  She was so responsive to him that he was shaking with his need to come inside her.

Hoping to slow his body because he wanted to take her in the most basic and intimate way, he slid back up.  He felt the tremors from her last orgasm, as he shared her taste with her in a tender kiss.  Over time, he had many lovers, but Faith was the first one to bring him so close to losing all control.  He didn’t know why, but he felt the way he supposed men who stayed with one woman felt.  He felt that she was his, and he would never find complete satisfaction with anyone else but her.

“You’re still dressed,” she complained when he released her lips.  “No fair!”  She pouted, and he smiled, as he kissed her again, unable to resist her.

“What are you going to do about it, then?” he wondered, rolling back on his knees.

She sat up at once and pulled his shirt over his head.  Throwing it to the side, she began working the buckle of his belt loose, and then she unbuttoned and unzipped his jeans.

“Stand up,” she said and pushed him off the bed, so she could push his jeans and boxers down together.  His cock sprang up, and when he bent over to remove his shoes and socks, she protested.  “I want to touch you,” she said.  “Sit down again.”

Jack sat down, so turned on he could barely breathe.  He loved how demanding she was, as she reached for him and stroked his rigid penis while he finished undressing.  He turned to her, rolling her underneath him and suckling her breasts hungrily.  At the same time, he circled her clitoris.  He did not touch it directly but slid his fingers up and down her slit, pushing into her soaking vagina, just to the first knuckle.  Her moans built his need higher, and when she spread her legs even more, he could no longer resist his desires. 

Pushing her up the bed, he plunged into her body. His hard planes slapped into her soft places, and her walls squeezed and milked him. Her arms stretched around him and held him so tightly he could feel the bones in her wrists. 

They took each other wildly. The sounds each of them made was a passionate accompaniment to their hips rising and falling. His body thrust and retreated, and her body was grasping and welcoming.

“Fuck, I can’t wait any more.  Come for me, honey!”  His command was almost feral, and Faith needed no further invitation.  He felt her relax the muscles that she had been tightening on his rigid length. The ripples in her walls swallowed him and sent him crashing into the ocean of sensation with her. 

She came and came, and he took her and took her.  He was out of control, pistoning in and out of her hot core until she milked him dry.  His body shuddered in ecstasy as he climaxed with her, and then he collapsed on top of her, both of them gasping for breath.

He rolled with her, and she rested her head in the hollow of his neck and shoulder, her hair tickling his cheek.  He held her tightly to his chest, feeling his cock inside her still spasming. 

“You okay?” he asked when his breathing calmed.

“I’m better than okay,” she whispered and turned her head as he did, so their lips met.  “I...I’ve never...”  She didn’t seem able to go on, but Jack understood what she couldn’t say.  He had never, either.  He felt she ought to know.

“I’ve never, either, baby,” he told her.  He kissed her again, wondering if the stirring he felt was his cock readying itself for round two.  He prayed it was because he wanted to consume her, and he knew he had not had enough.

CHAPTER NINE

One week earlier--Faith

Faith watched as the vintage motorcycle was offloaded from the truck.  It had taken almost a week to settle the question of ownership, after the key her father had given her opened the storage space in which it had been housed.  It did not seem the worse for wear, but she supposed having been under wraps, and apparently periodically cleaned, it would look as pristine as something kept in storage for six years might look. 

It had taken Bob and the others a week to find the storage facility.  Her father had taken no chances with his precious possession, keeping it in a place as far removed from his home as he could, yet still wanting to be able to check on it from time to time.  He had never paid for the storage in person and had never gone there when anyone was around.  The owner of the facility did not know who he was.

When Faith saw the bike, she understood at once why it was her father’s most prized possession and why he would go to such lengths to safeguard it.  It was a gorgeous 1957 Harley-Davidson Road King, fire engine red, chrome so shiny that it was blinding.  She fell in love instantly.  The story of the contraband in the saddlebags only added to its mystique.  She could imagine her father roaring down the highway on the beast.  The thought made her smile.  And at last, she would have something of his, something personal, to keep for herself.  She would probably only ride it when she came to visit, but it would always be here for her.

Her thoughts went to the manila envelope that they had found in one of the saddle bags.  The instructions on it were clear. The envelope was to be delivered to the Law Offices of Farrell & Hughes, and then she was to wait until they called her to hear what it contained.  She had to call her boss to ask for a week’s extension, and he had given it to her.  Now, all she could do was wait. 

Jack had been watchful of her ever since they made love that first, and so far, only time.  It had been a night to remember― another souvenir for her to take back with her.  Following their all-night lovemaking marathon, neither had been able to make it down to breakfast.  When she had finally crawled down to the kitchen to find food, Jack had just finished making a plate of sandwiches and was setting a tray for her.  His back was bare again, and she enjoyed a quiet moment of admiration of the artistry of his tattoo before he sensed her there and turned around.

“And the dead awake!” he quipped, smiling at her.  “Come and sit down.  You must be starving!”

She couldn’t keep the blush from sweeping up her cheeks, and she lowered her eyes before the knowing look in his. 

“What would you like to drink?” he asked, as if nothing had happened.

“Just water, please.”

The silence as they ate was not uncomfortable, but it was charged with knowledge and desire.  Lunch over, Jack had said he had some errands to run and left her to clean up.  And that had been the trend since then. 

He never stayed long in her company, and though his eyes said he wanted her, he did nothing about it.  Bob came for dinner every evening and breakfast every morning. Neither man was around for lunch. 

She had the keys to her dad’s pickup truck, and she took off every day for an outing.  She had discovered the vineyard that her dad had sold, and she bought a few bottles of wine and some fruit from them.  She could share the wine with the Clancys when she got back. She knew her boss would love a bottle, as well.  It was the least she could do for all their kindness to her.

The night before the bike arrived, her thoughts about Jack and what they had shared seemed set to drive her crazy.  Finally, she confronted him after dinner. 

Bob had gone back to his cottage, and Jack was pouring himself his usual gin and tonic.  She walked over and stood next to him, invading his personal space.  He looked down at her quizzically.

“What?”

“Why are you avoiding me?”  The question was bald, as it was all she could do to keep any hurt from leaking into her tone.

His brows shot up.  “I’m not avoiding you,” he said, denying her accusation.

“Oh, really?  When was the last time you sat with me after dinner to shoot the breeze?  About anything?”  She glared up at him, daring him to find a reasonable answer to the question.  When he remained silent, she poked him in the chest hard with her index finger.  “See?  I can tell you when.  Over a week ago!” she fumed.  “The last time you said anything other common pleasantries to me was the night we made love.”  She stopped and stepped away from him, suddenly unwilling to feel the heat of his body, or the strength of his limbs against her.  “Why, Jack?  Wasn’t I good enough?”

If he had missed it before, the hurt was all too plain by the time she stopped speaking. She turned and walked away, sitting in the armchair by the fireplace, her eyes on the empty grate. 

“Faith,” his husky whisper caught her just at her ear and she turned to see him crouching next to her, “You were wonderful, honey.  You were the best!”

His eyes were solemn and his face serious.  At last, she turned fully to him, asking, “Then, why avoid me?”

He sighed deeply and stood up.  “What are your plans? Once everything is settled here?”

She frowned, confused about where he was going with his question, but she answered him anyway.  “Back to my job.  Why?  What does that have to do with anything?”

“D’you think it’s been easy for me to leave you alone?” he demanded, walking away to refill his glass.  “We had something special.  But there’s no place for me in your world, Faith. No matter how much I might wish there were, there’s not.”

“Who gave you the right to decide your place in my world?  Did you ask me?  Or is this really about you?”  Faith was livid.  Apparently, he had forgotten what she had told him and her dad before Grant’s death.  Clearly, he had gone back on his promise not to treat her like Grant’s little girl.  “If all you wanted was a one-night stand, you’ve made it pretty clear.  I’m disappointed though, Jack.  I thought you were bigger than this.  Suddenly, you’re suddenly running scared, and I get to wonder if I sucked in bed.  Dumping a woman for her own good is such a lame excuse for being a jerk!”

She wheeled around and rushed out of the room, slamming the door to her bedroom to emphasize her fury.  The tears fell angrily at first, and she dashed them away as she changed for bed.  However, the nightgown against her skin made her want to rake her fingers down her arms and legs, so she threw it off and lay on top of the covers in her panties alone. 

It wasn’t as though Jack is going to come in and find me.  I am as safe as houses.  In fact, I’d bet if I left my door open, he wouldn’t even notice
, she thought.

The tears changed then from anger to hurt and shame.  She had given herself to someone who wasn’t interested in more than a one-night stand, and who, it appeared, couldn’t see her as more than his friend’s little girl. 
How humiliating is that!
  She swiped the tears away and rose to take a shower. 
Maybe it will calm me enough so I can get some sleep.  From now on, I will be the one doing the avoiding.  How hard can that be?  All I have to do is...

She had been thinking so hard as she slipped on her dressing gown that she stepped out of her room to cross the hall without paying any mind to anything else.  Suddenly, she bounced off a hard chest.  Her breath caught in her throat, as she stared up into the dark eyes of the stranger before her.  This was not a Jack she had ever seen before.  He was livid, and...

He kissed her.  No small, waiting-for-permission, I’m-so-sorry-for-being-an-asshole kiss.  This was a dominant, in-your-face, let-me-show-you-who’s-the-boss kiss, and it melted her where she stood.  It was a full frontal assault on her senses because his cock was making furrows in her belly and his hands were holding her firmly against his massive chest.  She was surrounded by well over two-hundred-fifty-pounds of pissed-off, turned-on male. 

And instead of being scared, I am turned on, too.  Hell, what is wrong with me?  I had just decided to avoid him for heaven’s sake!  Instead, here I am, giving him back kiss for hungry kiss
, she thought.

Faith pushed against his chest, but she might as well have been trying to move a mountain.  He did not budge.  Instead, he cupped her bottom and pulled her up, so she was settled over his straining cock.  And as he kissed her, he moved her body up and down his length, driving them both insane with desire.

“Does this feel like I only wanted one night with you?” he growled, anger and lust warping his deep voice almost beyond recognition.  “Do I seem like the type to walk around with a hard-on for almost two weeks for someone I don’t care about?”

Apparently, her answer was not important enough for him to let her give it because he took her mouth again.  Then, he rubbed her against his body until she climaxed in her panties. Her juices flooded her dressing gown and the front of his jeans.  She was pretty sure there was some pre-cum on his jeans, as well; but, he was still rock hard when he let her slide down his legs.

“You want to tangle with me?  I’m here.  I’ll always be here, even when I’m not around.  And I’ll always want you.  So, don’t dismiss me like I’m some boy you can flick off!”

Despite the air still not quite reaching her lungs, Faith felt anger rise up inside her at his words. 

“What gives you the right to treat me like some girl you can flick off, then, huh?  My body is mine to give to whomever I choose, and I haven’t chosen you!”

The lie enraged him, and she knew she might just have gone a smidge too far when he tore the gown and her panties off her and shoved her hard up against the door.

“Is that the game you want to play?  Huh, baby girl?  You want to beg for me?  That makes you wet, does it?  The thought of me making you ache so much you need to beg me to take you?”  He held her away from his body as he spoke. His hands remained on her arms, and his eyes bore into hers. His face was set in harsh lines, as he said,  “All right.  I can do that for you.  Turn around!”

Faith did as she was bid, too scared of the passion she had unleashed now to do anything else.  Somehow she knew he would not hurt her, but she knew she would not come again unless she begged him to let her come.  He would let her choose, as she had demanded a moment ago.  She swallowed, as she felt his hips push up against her, pressing her into the wood.  He took her hand and forced it between her closed legs, right over the hard bundle of nerves that would send her shooting off into space.  However, he wouldn’t let her move her hips or her fingers. 

She moaned, as the pressure built inside her.  He ignored her, rubbing his fingers against her nipples, slowly and patiently.  He felt her body tense, as he stroked his tongue up one side of her neck and down the other.  He cupped her breasts and squeezed, wringing another moan from her.  He pressed his erection against her, raising and lowering his big body so it rode between the cheeks of her ass. 

The impact pushed her into the door, her hand into her mound, and her middle finger onto her clitoris.  The climax began to build, and she knew she would reach it if she could hold out, if she could just move against him, if she could just...

Jack slid his own hand over hers.  His middle finger topped hers, holding it still as he dry humped the space between her ass cheeks.  She could feel everything he was doing to her― his tongue on her earlobes, his mouth on her neck, his teeth on her shoulder blades, his hand on her breast, his cock at her back end.  The fire was burning her.  With his finger over hers, he was driving her wild with the need to roll her hips and take what she wanted.

When she thought she would die from the teasing, he whipped her around to face him and sucked her tongue into his mouth, still pressing her against the door.  His cock was now firmly planted over her clitoris because he had pulled her in and spread her legs just enough for her to feel him. 

Still, he would not let her move.  He only kissed her and kissed her until she was breathless, aching, and ready to give him her unborn child for the orgasm he kept just out of her reach.

“Jack, please...”  Faith’s voice was rough with need.

“Please what?” 

His own was just as harsh, and when he looked into her eyes, she saw the need he had for her.  It was clear that it matched her own.  However, she had said her body was hers to give to whomever she chose, and he was not going to give her anything she did not choose.