Mistaken Trust (The Jewels Trust Series)

by Spain, Shirley

  Jewels froze. The bullet from the accidental discharge of her gun had hit the porch floor, not more than a foot to the left of where Marshall had been standing.

  Motionlessly, Marshall stood on the sidewalk at the bottom of the porch steps, his hands still in the air. “Put the gun down, Jewels,” he calmly instructed, raising the volume of his voice enough to be heard over the screaming alarm.

  Face illuminating a brilliant shade of pink, she instantly threw the gun on the porch as if it had suddenly required a pot holder to handle.

  Hands still up and out to his side, Marshall cautiously ascended the steps. “Jewels, go turn off the alarm. Your security company will be calling any second. Just answer the phone and tell them your safe phrase.”

  Sure enough, just then, the phone rang.

  Darting into the house, Jewels turned off the alarm and handled the security call, precisely as Marshall had instructed. Flustered, Jewels returned to the entry, planted her right hand on her hip, pushed her hair up her forehead with her left hand and sighed. “I’m so sorry, Marshall. I’ve never had an A.D. before ... I’m so embarrassed, I could have killed you.” Tapping her temple, “I’m gonna blame this on the drug. My doctor gave me a pill he said would ease my anxiety...,” widening her eyes and shrugging, “but I think it made it worse.”

  “An accidental discharge can happen to anyone,” he stated, remaining fixed at the top of the stairs, his arms relaxed at his side.

  Wagging her head, “I’m-I’m so sorry, Marshall. Won’t you please come in,” she beckoned, stooping to gather the scatter of roses. “Oh my, they’re beautiful. Thank you,” she gushed.

  Smiling, he crossed the porch and helped her pick up the roses. “If you get me a broom, I’ll clean this up,” he offered, referring to the broken vase while carefully collecting the larger pieces of glass in his hand.

  “Uh, thanks, but don’t worry about it. I’ll get it tomorrow,” she said, rising to her feet. “Just come in.” Backing through the front door, she made a broad waving motion with her hand as a signal for him to enter the premises.

  Marshall neatly piled the glass pieces he had collected against the house at the side of the door. With the toe of his boot he kicked a few more of the larger stray fragments into the heap that was once a Lenox crystal vase. Then he picked up the gun Jewels had abandoned and stepped into her house. “We should probably dig the bullet out of your porch floor.” Waving his brows, “Evidence,” he said in jest.

  Peering past Marshall’s broad shoulders, the exterior lights illuminated his vehicle: a shiny Ford F-250 Kingcab. It was decked out with a chrome roll bar, mag wheels and big knobby tires. A truck man, she thought. Hadn’t figured him for that, but then again, she hadn’t figured him for a cowboy, either. To her credit, she did have his vehicle color pegged: black.

  Standing in the entry, Marshall checked the gun. It was loaded. “H&K makes a nice weapon. Bet you could drive tacks with this baby,” he said, his eyes searching the room for somewhere to lay it.

  The air was thick with anticipation.

  “Uh, yeah, the fixed barrel really helps with accuracy,” she said walking over to the elegant entry table that sat below a huge, ornately framed mirror. Taking advantage of the opportunity, she glanced at herself in the mirror. She was a mess! Her face was tear-stained. Hair was sticking up in the front and out to the side, and her T-shirt was twisted around her waist. Of course, Marshall had seen her worse. Much worse. “Uh, I have several H&K’s. That little squeeze-cock is one of my favorites,” she said, nonchalantly patting her hair down and fidgeting with her clothes.

  Cramming several of the table’s flower arrangements together to clear a spot for the gun, she motioned for Marshall to set it on the marble tabletop.

  “Sorry for the late hour,” he said, strolling over to the table. “Since I didn’t have the chance to even call you over the last two weeks, it was important to me that I showed up for your homecoming,” he paused, laying down the gun. “Had to wrap-up some details at the office today so I could take the next few weeks off,” he said, casually retreating toward the front door still gaping open.

  Next few weeks off? Jewels’ heart raced.

  Closing the door, he turned to face Jewels, hooked his thumbs in the front pockets of his tight-fitting jeans and shifted his weight to one side. “So I’m here. Better late than never, right?”

  Jewels stared. Oh, good gawd, he was sexy, like the fantasy hunk on the cover of a steamy romance novel. Eyes wide, nodding her head repeatedly, “Right. Of course. Sure. Better late than never,” she responded awkwardly, doing her best to maintain composure and not let on she was ready to jump his bones ... this very second.

  “So how was your party? Belinda called yesterday with a reminder...,” laughing, “like she thought I’d forget or something.”

  “The party was really nice. It felt good to be home and surrounded by friends.” Jewels’ eyes cut to the bundle of long stemmed roses cradled in her arms. “Uh, I better put these in water. I’ll be right back,” she said, spinning around toward the kitchen. Rapidly she crossed the expansive entry to the cafe doors, disappearing between them.

  While Jewels was absent, Marshall surveyed the interior. Having read the reports, he visualized the knife-wielding masked Tank chasing Jewels from the kitchen and up the stairs and could only imagine the terror she must have felt. He couldn’t help but wonder how she was going to live in this house alone. His mind floated. Maybe she wouldn’t have to be alone. Maybe he could make sure she was never alone again. But he was getting ahead of himself....

  Bursting through the swinging doors, Jewels beamed. “They smell so good,” she said enthusiastically, taking a deep breath of the fragrant petals as she carried the huge bouquet of yellow roses in front of her like a shield.

  “Glad you like them,” he said with a satisfied grin.

  Setting the arrangement on the entry table, she slid the crystal vase to the side of the mirror and fussed with the spray to catch the reflection of the bouquet in the edge of the mirror. After a moment she turned to face Marshall.

  Gesturing at the flowers and balloons scattered around the entry, “Looks like I missed quite a party,” he said.

  “Uh-huh.”

  Awkward silence.

  “I understand Howard Dyson works for you. He taught me practically every—”

  “Not anymore,” Jewels interrupted, tension stealing the joy from her face. “He won’t be working for me anymore.”

  “Sorry to hear that,” Marshall said, his tone almost celebratory. “What happened?”

  Raking her bottom lip with her teeth, she nervously stared at the ground. Abruptly she stood up tall, eyes glistening with intrigue, devilment on her face. “Did I really knock you out when I popped you in the head with my shoe ... or were you faking?” she quizzed playfully, blatantly drawing the conversation away from Howard.

  A mischievous grin skipped onto his face. “The fact you’re asking the question tells me you think I faked it.”

  Eyes widening, “Well? Did you? I thought I saw your eyes flutter a couple of times.”

  Folding his arms over his chest and laughing, “Damn, I guess I’ll have to work on that, won’t I?”

  Turning serious, “Marshall, I never thanked you for...,” her voice quivered, gaze dropped to the floor.

  Snickering, “Jeez, you don’t know how hard it was for me not to blow my cover.”

  Sniffling, Jewels brightened, looked up. “When?”

  “Pretty much every time I had to manhandle you, restrain you, or force you to do something against your will.”

  “Really?” Jewels’ voice raised an octave with delight.

  Nodding, “More than once I considered, seriously considered, telling you the truth I was undercover then absconding with you before Hines got you.”

  “That’s why you kept saying, Trust me,” Jewels enthusiastically exclaimed. Not letting Marshall reply, “And you knew Theodore was behind this all along?�
� she asked, her voice serious, reporter-like.

  Sighing, “Oh, yeah. We’ve had our eye on him for some time. Not only for his tie to Jefferson’s Warriors, but for his amazing ability to bust crimes with no suspect ever living to tell about it.” Shaking his head in regret, “I just wish we could have taken him down before you got involved.”

  “But if you had, I would have never met you...,” she said, her voice fading. Stuffing her hands into the back pockets of her Rocky Mountain jeans, she jiggled her right leg, bouncing on the ball of her foot like a little girl who had to go pee really bad, but was forced to hold it.

  More awkward silence.

  “Did you guys catch Tank yet?” she blurted out, ceasing to jiggle her leg.

  “Nabbed his cohorts, but Tank’s still out there. No doubt we’ll get him.” Marshall said with confidence, rubbing the back of his neck.

  Despite everything they had been through together, they acted like nervous teens on a first date.

  The radio station announced they’d be playing a sexy Latin song by Pitbull.

  Stroking his imaginary beard, Marshall took stock of the impressive entry and expensive, but inviting, country furnishings of the adjoining rooms. “Nice place you have here.”

  “Thanks.” Jewels removed her hands from her back pockets to nervously twist her wedding ring around her finger, while nibbling on the inside of her cheek.

  Suddenly “I Know You Want Me” was radiating in surround sound from the Bose speakers.

  Jewels listened. How apropos. The lyrics expressed exactly how she felt about Marshall right now: she wanted him! Goosebumps of excitement embellished her arms.

  Marshall cleared his throat.

  Jewels arched her back.

  Simultaneously, they both began to talk.

  Chuckling, “I’m sorry, go ahead,” Marshall said, shaking his head, taking a step toward her.

  Waving her hands in front of her as if shooing a swarm of pesky mosquitoes, “No, no. I’m sorry,” Jewels said, taking a step toward him.

  They both laughed.

  Marshall sucked in a deep breath.

  Getting her flailing hands under control, she took another step toward him. “What were you saying?” Her Nordic blue eyes sparkled like glistening snow crystals in the sun as she gazed into his dark eyes.

  His eyes locked onto hers. Stepping closer, now within arms length reach of her, “I was just going to say how I ... how much I’d like to, uh, how very much I want to—”

  “Want? What?” Jewels interrupted, stepping closer to him, her heart pounding triple-time, eyes dancing with eager anticipation.

  “How much I really want to kiss you!”

  Beaming a knowing smile while longingly gazing up at the studly cowboy, “Then kiss me, Marshall Watters,” she said slowly, her voice lowering to a sexy tone.

  Swiftly responding, Marshall enveloped her shapely body in his thick arms and pulled her tightly against his iron chest, pressing his lips against hers in an all out kissing assault.

  Throwing her arms around his neck, she squashed her breasts harder into his chest, returning the blistering invasion, stabbing her tongue deep and vigorously into his mouth while moaning in extreme pleasure.

  They kissed long and hard.

  Never had she felt such passion. His kisses were commanding. Scorching. Hypnotic.

  Finally he released his embrace, took a small step back, readjusted his Stetson that had gotten pushed back on his head then gently rested his hands on her shoulders.

  Jewels stood spellbound, her big blue eyes blinking and mouth gaping. Then the helium balloon sensation hit her again. Oh, God, not now! Her body swayed slightly, but she bit her lip, really hard, to keep herself from fainting.

  Concern wiped his face. “Jewels, are you okay? You’re not going to faint on me, are you?”

  Smiling blissfully, “No, I’m okay, I just haven’t been kissed like...,” her voice trailed off as she continued to stare at him.

  Grinning: “You don’t know how long I wanted to do that,” he confessed, tenderly caressing her cheek with the back of his hand. “From the first moment I saw you charging me in handcuffs, blonde hair wildly flowing behind you like a cape, the most gorgeous blue eyes I’d ever seen brimming with fiery determination ... right then, I knew I had to learn more about this fearless little fireball.”

  Dreams really do come true ... and not just in Disneyland! This was the welcome home present she had fantasized about for two long weeks in rehab, except it was better than she imagined humanly possible.

  Snickering, he shyly admitted, “You don’t know how many cold showers I’ve had to take just imagining kissing you.” Widening his eyes and exhaling deeply, “And that show you put on for Hines in your bra and panties, I thought I was going to pass out,” he confessed.

  Devilishly, “Good, because I did it for you,” she said, flashing a sexy smile.

  Marshall’s face turned serious. “I know. I never thanked you for what you did for me at Hines’ cabin. Jewels, you saved my life and paid a heavy price. I’m sorry for everything that lunatic made you do, but,” eyeing her adoringly, “I appreciate it. You’re as tough and trustworthy as any man on my team and I mean that in the most positive and sincere way.” Brushing her hair over her shoulder, “Julia, you really did save my life and I’ll never forget it.”

  Jewels beamed. “And you, mine.”

  “All part of the job,” he swiftly replied with a wink.

  “Regarding that show in my bra and panties...,” a naughty grin blossomed, “you know I did it for you, not only to keep Hines from torturing you, but I actually did it for you.” Her fingers smoothly brushed across his chest. “I imagined you and I were alone and I was luring you in...,” she said, sensually licking her lips.

  Marshall swallowed hard.

  Leaning in closer, “By the way, you don’t know how long it took me to recover from that classic bodybuilder pose you teased me with in your bare chest after rescuing me from Tank,” she whispered, stroking his jaw line, her fingertips wandering to lightly dance over his lips.

  “So you like muscles, huh?” he said, running his hands down her back to rest at the top of her buttocks.

  “Kiss me again,” she said, her tone demanding, as she threw her arms around his neck and once again smashed her full breasts against his muscular chest.

  The feverish kissing resumed. Continued as he scooped her into his arms and carried her to the sofa in the living room, gently laying her down.

  After several minutes of torrid necking, she planted her hands on his iron chest, firmly pushing him away. Her nipples were hard. Femininity oozed in moist anticipation. She was nearly breathless. Felt faint. Was it the tiny pill or...?

  Gazing upon her Aphrodite face, Marshall softly smoothed her silky long hair. His eyes full of tenderness. And want. “Jewels, you’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met—”

  “Shhhhh,” she said, placing a single finger over his lips to quiet him. Tossing his Stetson on the floor, she raked her fingers through his wavy dark brown hair. Unbuttoning the snaps of his fancy western shirt, slowly, one at a time, “Make love to me, Marshall Watters. Right now. Right here,” she said, her fingers grazing the muscular details of his well-defined bare chest and abs.

  His eyebrows raised in pleasant disbelief.

  Smiling archly, Jewels teased, “And then you have to tell me how you got out of those handcuffs without a key back at Hines’ cabin.”

  Thank You!

  I HOPE YOU WERE ENTERTAINED reading my debut work of fiction, Mistaken Trust. If you have a moment, and especially if you enjoyed this novel, I’d really appreciate your review.

  I must confess, I had an absolute ball researching, writing, proofing, and rewriting this story (a zillion times thanks to awesome suggestions by my dear friend and fabulous editor, Peggy Beach). My hope is you had as much fun reading Mistaken Trust as I had creating it.

  If you’re ready for the next novel in this Jewels Trus
t series, a preview of Ultimate Trust follows.

  For more information about the Jewels Trust Series, please visit my website, www.ShirleyASpain.com where you can also sign up for my mailing list.

  Again, thank you for reading, Mistaken Trust.

  About the Author

  Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, (yes, she’s a Steelers’ fan) and uprooted to Utah by her family when she was only twelve years old, (talk about a culture shock) she quickly adapted to the western lifestyle with the help of her horses (yup, she was even a barrel racer). Married at age twenty to Curtis Spain, their children ended up four-legged critters, rescued from animal kill shelters in the Salt Lake area to live out their days lounging on the couch or bed, or wherever they darn well please in the Spain home (yeah, her pets are her “babies” and they’re pampered).

  Over the years she became politically active, focused on the gun rights issue and is an advocate of firearm ownership (with proper training, of course). As the former publisher of American Gun Review, she had the opportunity to meet and learn from some of the most respected defensive firearms experts in the industry.

  As a former certified personal trainer, land aerobics instructor and current water fitness instructor, her personal exercise preferences are weight lifting and Spinning (yes, she has her own gym-quality Schwinn Spinner).

  Of late, writing is her passion, almost an obsession. She enjoys the variety of “research” opportunities her stories offer, including police “ride alongs,” interviews with law enforcement experts regarding matters such as escaping handcuffs (forget the paperclip idea) and “dead man switches” for bombs. And you might be surprised at the experiments she has done on herself (for novel research, of course) involving handcuffs, duct tape, chains, rope, the trunk of car.... Hmm. Knowing this, when you read her novels, you may wonder how many of the stunts described in the story she might have tried on herself!

  Overview Ultimate Trust—Book two in the Jewels Trust series