by Cyndi Raye
His jaw dropped. He was not sure if it was because she was mostly right about his usual repertoire with women or because he had not been shot down so fast since his was fourteen years old.
When he didn’t say a word, she spoke up. “Sorry, bud, you’re not my type. Go back to your blonde friend over there. She might appreciate what you’re offering.”
She patted his chest condescendingly before moving away to sit at a table overlooking the harbor with its many docked sea crafts. A server was quick on her heels and placed a plate of something yummy looking in front of her.
She looked up and their gazes caught. She raised her bottle at him then pointedly turned her head away to ignore him.
He looked down at his chest, still feeling her brief touch and not sure about what just happened.
Expensive perfume made him wrinkle his nose and suddenly Blondie whose name began with a K was at his side again.
“You ready to blow this joint? I'm getting bored.”
She ran her hand up and down his chest in the same spot that Jennifer had just touched. Whereas he welcomed her touch just minutes ago, he had to fight to stop himself from batting away her hand now.
How could a virtual stranger make him feel ashamed of his approach to romantic relationships in less than ten seconds? No one else in his life had ever accomplished that feat and suddenly he was angry.
She had no right to judge him.
He smiled at Blondie and tried to get his head back in the game.
It did not work. The things he found appealed about the blonde a while ago seemed exceedingly shallow.
“I just remembered, I’ve got to wake up early tomorrow.” The lie got past his lips before he could stop himself. “I’m going to have to take a rain check on tonight.”
Blondie lifted an eyebrow and looked over at Jennifer before her eyes came back to him.
“Your loss, Jake,” she told him, shrugging. “But if you change your mind, here's my number.”
She pushed a piece of paper into the back pocket of his jeans and snuck in a saucy squeeze of his butt cheek before leaving his side.
He would have felt bad for ditching her if she did not immediately slide up next to another guy and say, “Buy me a drink. If you play your cards right, you’re going to have one hell of a night.”
He stayed where he was, unable to take his eyes off Jennifer. He watched the way her lips closed over her fork as she ate. She browsed through her cell phone between bites. The wind played with the loose bits of her hair and she pushed them back absently.
There was nothing about her that called for attention. She was understated in her beauty but the more he looked at her the more gorgeous she became.
A few other guys approached her. She was a lone woman in a bar on Saturday night. It was like bees to honey.
He tensed every time a man went up to her and silently breathed a sigh of relief when she turned them away, too.
She finished her meal, paid and left without another glance in his direction.
He felt oddly bereft when she disappeared.
After checking in with his friends, Jacob left the bar, too. He went home to his condo situated in the opposite direction of Lenny’s renter, feeling frustrated and trying to figure out how his night went so off track.
When trouble walked in the door, that’s when.
Maybe a few hours of blowing zombies heads off would improve his mood.
Jacob had not been much of a gamer as a kid or teenager but he discovered the hobby after he left the army and was now hooked.
He turned on his computer, got comfortable in his leather chair with snacks and beer gathered close, and logged into his online profile for his current favored first person shooter gamer.
He greeted the other players presently online and immediately noticed a new player obliterating her way through a bunch of gruesome-looking monsters.
Impressed by her moves he introduce himself.
DeathGod88: Sweet combo you just did. It’s rare to find a woman as vicious and bloodthirsty such as yourself. I think I’m in love. ;)
GamerChicksRule: Sorry, bud, you’re not my type. Nice try, though.
That was the second time tonight a woman had shot him down using those same words.
Jacob’s feet fell to the floor from where it had been resting on his desk, his mind working fast.
He checked GamerChicksRule’s address.
Boot Key Harbor, Florida, USA.
It could not be, could it?
Chapter 2
Mornings were the bane of Jennifer’s existence.
Alarms clocks.
Deadlines and meetings.
Traffic, grumpy motorists and even moodier pedestrians.
Jennifer had little patience for such things. They were some of the reasons why she left the rush of the big city in preference to the more laid back feel of Boot Key Harbor.
No morning person could convince her that leaving the warmth and comfort of fluffy pillows and soft bedding was ever a good thing. Even as a child it took bribes of chocolate chip pancakes to pry her out of bed.
So it was no wonder her alarm clock was currently smashed on the floor near the left wall of her bedroom. She had thrown it there after it had rudely interrupted a dream she could not remember right now but seemed like a cinematic portrayal deserving of an Oscar before it was dashed away by the irritating sound.
She snuggled back into the covers but alas, catching a few more Zs was not meant to be… A wet tongue swiped at her chin and doggy breath made her wrinkle her nose.
“Ah, Benny, stop it. Mommy needs some more sleep,” she whined.
The border collie barked once, which she took to mean no dice since he kept on slobbering all over her face and pushing his body against hers.
With one eye open, she glared at him. “Don’t you feel sorry for me? I went to bed at three AM. I was working hard so I can afford to get you those pricy doggy treats you like so much. I just need five more minutes of sleep.”
Another bark. No.
“Two minutes,” she countered, flopping onto her back with a sigh and already knowing his rebuttal.
He gave her a great big doggy grin and another bark, eyes begging for a walk and breakfast.
“Fine, you rascal. You’re lucky I love you or I would kick your behind right out of my bedroom.”
Benny made a delighted sound and hopped onto the floor where he proceeded to run circles that produced click-clack noises where his trimmed claws met the tile floor.
Nope, there was no sleeping in for Jennifer this morning.
Another sigh and she got out of bed at the ungodly hour of - she grabbed her smart phone to check the time - seven forty-seven AM?
Oh shoot, if she had slept any longer, she would have missed a very important meeting with a client scheduled for nine thirty. A conference call to discuss the particulars of this latest project would have been all fine and dandy with Jennifer but the guy in charge - Mr. Ryan Jeffers, Finance Manager of CYW International Bank- wanted to meet in person. Who was she to say no when she was getting paid six figures to fiddle around in his institution’s computer network?
Mr. Jeffers hired her, a white hat or ethical hacker, to find the weak links in the bank’s computer security where money and credit card information could be stolen. A breach in security by a former employee prompted the need for her services. Jennifer had already provided a report on the holes she had found and her recommendations on tightening them.
Still, the older gentleman wanted a face to face meeting so she could thoroughly explain her findings and advice.
Jennifer had started her business two years into her college education – offering her skills as a hacker to reveal cracks in a company or individual’s computer system’s defense against other not-so-honorable hackers. Her business was booming and more often than not she had to turn away clients due to the demands on her time.
Her career was very lucrative and she had more money in the bank than she
knew what to do with, though you could not tell by her simple lifestyle.
She did what she did more for enjoyment than profit. She loved computers. They were easy to understand compared to humans.
Jennifer was about to put her cell back in its customary place on the night stand near her bed when she noticed the notification announcing a text message from the gaming chat room she frequented.
Her heart skipped a beat and she was suddenly wide awake. She knew who it was from before she tapped on the application that opened up the text bubble from DeathGod88.
DeathGod88: Good morning, beautiful. Did you have naughty dreams about me?
Her lips curved into a silly grin she could not prevent. She bit her lip, trying to contain the show of giddy delight.
Her fingers were racing across the keyboard before a conscious command from her brain.
GamerChicksRule: You wish.
DeathGod88: Too bad because I had quite a few about you.
She wondered what exactly those dreams entailed and her mind instantly went to the gutter. She flushed, heat blooming under her skin.
Still, she could not have him getting a big head knowing the effect he hand on her with a few, simple words.
GamerChicksRule: I’ve already told you I’m immune to your sweet talk.
DeathGod88: I bet if I were to say them in person, I’d be a lot harder to resist.
Probably, she thought.
Doubt it, she texted.
DeathGood88 sent a pic of his bare chest. The lighting was not the best but there was no missing the eight pack abs and smooth, tanned skin. Jennifer gulped to keep drool from dripping onto her chin.
DeathGod88: Would you be able to say no to all this gorgeousness?
She snorted, saved the pic so she could admire it while she was alone in her bed late at night then replied.
GamerChicksRule: Easily. You’re not as irresistible as you think.
DeathGod88: How about we meet up and you say that to my face?
GamerChicksRule: Nice try but I will have to say no.
DeathGod88 had been trying to be get her to go out with him for the last month and a half - ever since he initiated their communication during an online game. From his profile info, she knew he lived in Boot Key Harbor too.
Their conversation started out teasing and soon a full blown flirtation across cyberspace. DeathGod88 was a player. She did not need to meet him to know that. He was too smooth to be anything but. Introverted, nerdy and almost a virgin, Jennifer could not handle a man like that.
The face of another such man entered her mind.
Honey-colored eyes. Chiseled jaw. His hair was faded on the sides and longer on the top and perpetually gave the impression that he just rolled out of bed – in a way that made a woman want to go back there with him. Tall and muscled with tattoos running up both arms and one visible above the collar of his shirts, Jacob Holinseed was gorgeous and looked every bit the bad boy.
After meeting Jacob on the same night she met DeathGod88, they had crossed paths a few times. He had been polite if not a little stiff in his attitude toward her and she told herself she was glad she had rebuffed him that night. She wanted nothing to do with a man like him.
She had gotten her heart broken by a player once before and she was determined to stay away from that type of guy. They were nothing but trouble.
She allowed herself to enjoy DeathGod88’s attention this way, safe in the knowledge that nothing would result from it.
DeathGod88: I’m going to wear you down one of these days.
She did not know what to say to that but she did not have to say anything because another text quickly followed.
DeathGod88: Duty calls, got to run, hon. Have a great day. Think of me. I’ll be thinking of you.
She replied with a blushing emoticon because she was afraid she would type words she would regret. Words that would reveal just how deep a crush she had on a man she had never met despite her best efforts. Exactly why a person to person meeting would be disastrous.
Replacing her smart phone, Jennifer stretched, enjoying the pleasant feelings coursing through her.
No longer hating this morning, Jennifer kicked the covers off and practically skipped to the bathroom. Benny followed her with his tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth as she hummed while rushing through her morning routine.
Teeth brushed and hair thrown up into a messy ponytail, she hopped into thick leggings, a worn shirt and an old pair of Nikes. She grabbed her pedometer and strapped it to her wrist. She might as well fit in a run while she was out.
One cup of coffee later, Jennifer hustled Benny out the front door of the two bedroom house.
Benny barked and turned toward their favorite trail - a park situated alongside the harbor. Feeling the tug of the leash strapped to the collar around his neck, she followed him.
The crisp, cool breeze hit Jennifer’s cheeks as her brisk walk turned into a run. Even she had to admit it was a beautiful morning. It was autumn in Boot Key Harbor but the tropical air felt great against her skin.
She inhaled the clean air and let her mind drift.
Jennifer was not always a runner. Having been the fat kid in class most of her life, running definitely was not one of her favorite activities.
A close call with a childhood illness forced Jennifer to take her physical health seriously and she began running, anticipating hating every second.
And she did for the first few days, griping about aching muscles and the early mornings. But then a feeling of euphoria starting taking over her mind every time her feet ate up the miles. The exercise became her mental escape, a way of de-stressing and letting her thoughts drift wherever they pleased as the pounds melted off her like butter.
Her health had stabilized but she still ran several times a week, usually in the evenings since mornings are the devil in disguise.
About a mile into the run, she came to a stop. She had taken a more isolated path without realizing.
She pulled Benny back in the direction they came from. “Come on, boy. We need to get back or I’m going to be late.”
He did not listen. Instead, his head turned sharply to the right, toward a densely forested area. He started to bark and the hair on Jennifer’s nape rose, a sense of foreboding engulfing her.
Benny was not an aggressive dog by nature but he was very protective toward his mistress. His behavior combined with the sixth sense causing a roaring in her ears told her she was in danger.
She ran, pulling her dog with her.
There was the shuffle of leaves then heavy footsteps sounded.
A brief turn of her head revealed a large figure dressed in black pants and a hoodie. A pair of cold eyes the color of steel stared at her. Even with several meters separating them, she could see how flat and distant they were.
That was the only clear feature she made out before she tripped over a tree root. She righted herself before hitting the ground then turned her head resolutely forward. Her only objective was to get away.
“Help!” she screamed but this far from the main trail there was no one to hear her.
Boot Key Harbor was a relatively peaceful place. The crime rate was low and the people were friendly.
No place on earth was crime free though.
Damn, I really should have taken the pepper spray with me, she thought. What use was it if it was sitting in a drawer at home while she was being chased by a potential murderer?
Just as she broke the edge of the trees, a heavy weight plowed into her from the back. They went down together, hard. She heard a sickening crack then there was a terrible pain in her head.
She heard Benny yelp in pain and thought she yelled his name but she was not sure since darkness took away her consciousness.
Chapter Three
Jennifer was not allowed the luxury of working her way back to consciousness in comfortable increments.
Cold water hit her face, painful against the wound on her forehead and in its chill
iness. She inhaled sharply and the liquid filled her nostrils. She spattered and coughed, fighting for breath.
Her eyes snapped open only to close right back against the sting of light and water. She brought her hands up to wipe away the moisture but they felt heavy with the effort.
“Oh, look who’s awake. I was beginning to think you’d gone and died on me. That would have been a waste.”
Jennifer froze, the memory of events leading up to the current state of affairs slamming into her aching head. Given that her hands were taped behind her back and she was lying on an uncomfortably hard surface, she would guess she had been kidnapped.
One of the many guns she used while playing video games would come in mighty handy right about now.
“Oh, don't play dead now. I’ve got water where that came from if you need further incentive to get up. We’ve got work to do. Or rather, you’ve got work to do.”
She opened her eyes slowly and encountered those cold gray ones - so at odds with the smile tugging at the man’s lips.
Her kidnapper was a good-looking man with hair shaved close to his head and a dimple in his chin. He looked to be around her age of twenty-four and had an expensive watch on his left wrist and a handgun in the right hand.
He had changed out of the hoodie and jeans and now wore beach trunks with a light vest. With the British accent he was sporting, he would have seemed like quite the catch if Jennifer did not know he was a violent criminal.
He was on his haunches next to where she laid awkwardly on the floor. A small bucket sat next him.
She wondered if she could use the bucket to bash his head in so she could make a break for it.
She looked at the gun again. The odds were not in her favor.
“You’re a feisty one, aren’t you? I can tell you’re going to be a handful just by the look in your eyes. I would advise against fighting me though. You won’t like the consequences. They will be painful, I can assure you.”
