Island (Portentous Destiny Series Book 1)

by S. E. Rose

  He rises and wraps my legs around him. He is still semi-erect and sunk deep into me. He walks me to my bed and not releasing himself from me, he lays me down and manages to chuck off his pants as he begins moving inside me again. This time the wetness between us is so great that he glides in and out of me completely, thrusting over and over. He places my legs on his shoulders bending me nearly in half. He’s so deep that I feel he can’t go any farther, but then I feel myself opening more to him and he plunges into me faster and harder. I can’t move in my current position. I can only receive his thrusts. He feels so good and he’s pressing on that spot inside of me. I begin to lose myself again as I feel him expand. I cry out first and then feel him still a moment later with one final deep thrust. He falls on me and leaves himself buried deep inside of me. It takes him a minute to realize he has on no condom and then I can see a glint of panic strike his eyes.

  “Laura, shit, I’m sorry. I…” He looks down at himself buried in me but makes no effort to remove his erection from me.

  “It’s OK. I’ll pick up something at the pharmacy tomorrow,” I say. He nods. And I can feel him calm down. Perhaps it’s time I got back on the pill.

  “I love feeling you,” he says finally, still making no effort to remove our intimate physical bond.

  “Me too,” I whisper as I search his eyes.

  He doesn’t leave me, but proceeds to make love to me very slowly, keeping me tucked underneath him the entire time, and when we finish, he rolls over and I lie motionless on top of him. He still remains within me.

  We lie in silence. He traces invisible pictures on my back and I listen to his heart beating while I rub his upper arms with a thumb.

  “I don’t know what to do,” I finally say. “I’m usually good at problem-solving, but this…this is something in which I have zero expertise or knowledge.”

  “Love, if there were an easy way out, I’d have already figured that out, OK?” he murmurs, kissing me.

  We fall into a deep sleep and I wake at about 4:00 a.m., his now soft penis rests at my entrance. I don’t want to move, but I finally have ideas.

  I lean up and kiss Jack, letting him slide out of me. It takes a minute for him to stir, but when he does, I feel his arms wrap around me tighter.

  “It’s early,” he says, glancing sideways at the clock.

  “Yes, but I’ve been thinking and I wanted to wake you.”

  He arches an eyebrow at me.

  “You said you were working for the ‘quasi-police-slash-spy-guys’ for a while, right?” I ask, using air quotes.

  He sighs, “Yes, love, I was, was being the operative word.”

  “So call them.”

  “It’s not that easy.”

  “What do you mean?” Now, my eyebrows are arched.

  “I can’t just call them. First off, I don’t have a number to call. Second, I’m pretty sure my services are no longer welcome as they believe me to be a compromised asset.”

  “Well, what if you let them find you again.” It’s out of my mouth before I really have thought about the ramifications of the statement.

  He pauses. “Interesting…no, no, Laura, I can’t do that. That means I have to get back in…I mean in…all the way. That took me years. I just don’t think I can manage that again. I don’t want to do that to you or to me. I’ve come so far.”

  I let out an exasperated breath. The lightbulb comes quickly, really quickly. “Me,” I whisper, pointing at myself.

  He shakes his head not understanding what I am saying.

  “I can do it. They don’t know me. No one will suspect me. I’m just some lowly writer. I had some shady college friends. I’m sure I can Facebook them and square away my appearances. I dabbled in some marijuana back in college.” I’m rambling now and I know it. Seriously, what the fuck am I thinking? Me, involved with organized crime. Yes, but only if they are organized by Betty Crocker, Martha Stewart, or the like. God, I’m an idiot. But…maybe, just maybe.

  He looks at me like I told him I would be setting my hair on fire right after breakfast so we can roast marshmallows. “Have you completely lost your fucking mind? You can’t get involved in this shit. Did you not listen to anything I told you last night? These are dangerous fuckers, Laura. I mean I watched them beat the shit out of guys and I know without a shadow of a doubt they’ve killed guys just for looking at them wrong. I’m not sending you into this world, especially after I’ve worked so hard to get the fuck out of it.”

  “But, don’t you see, it’s perfect. I just need to pretend. Just for a few weeks. I’m new blood. I know I can spark intelligence’s interest.” I start thinking of the folks that live near me, I know at least two are in the FBI and one works for the NSA, maybe if I call them. No, Jesus, what the hell am I thinking?

  “I’ll find another way, OK. There has to be another way,” he says, searching my eyes with desperation.

  We lie there until it’s time for his jog. I watch as he throws on shorts and running shoes. I sit with my legs pulled up to my chest and my arms curled around them. Hagrid jumps up and leans against me. I look down and I swear he’s giving me a look that says I am f’ing insane.

  “I know,” I whisper to him as I rub behind his ears. Jack bends down and kisses my forehead. “I’ll be right back. Don’t unlock the doors for anyone. I have a key so I’ll let myself back in, alright?”

  I frown. “But I’m going for a walk too.”

  “No, you’re not. Are you serious? First off, your ankle is still a mess and I don’t know where those men are at. You can’t go.”

  I give him the look and get up, walking, well hobbling, across the room and throwing on my clothes. Suddenly, and a bit harshly, I feel myself grabbed by my wrists and then I’m whirled around to face a very unhappy-looking Jack.

  “Please, Laura.”

  “Why are you allowed to go then?”

  He sighs and rubs his forehead. Then he hands me my shirt. “Laura, your ankle is still a mess. You can’t possibly climb up on that rock.”

  “Well, maybe I can.”

  “Woman, you are going to be the death of me, I swear.”

  “So I’ve heard,” I mutter under my breath.

  “OK, I’ll walk you to the rock and then watch you go back. But absolutely no climbing on that rock. You can meditate here.”

  “Fine,” I huff.

  He hands me my shirt and I finish dressing. We walk slowly, hand in hand, in silence to my rock. I look at it longingly. And when I turn to face him, I see him smile at me. Before I know what he’s doing I feel myself being lifted up onto the rock.

  “Don’t move and keep your phone with you. Good Lord, I am bloody mad, but I know you need this.”

  I smile a big thank you smile and watch him run off past me. I don’t cross my legs, as my boot makes it much too difficult. I dangle my legs over the side and lean back so I’m staring up at the morning sky. It’s going to rain, but not till later. The clouds are starting to thicken. It feels ominous and that makes me nervous. I try to clear my head and meditate except I’m having a tough time of it. Eventually, I hear movement and look up to see Jack coming down the path. I look at my watch, he’s right on schedule. It’s rather unbelievable.

  He stops in front of me, placing a hand on the rock on either side of my waist. He leans in and kisses me.

  “How do you know I’m coming? You can’t possibly hear me every time,” he says.

  “I don’t know. I just know.”

  He shakes his head in disbelief and sets me back down on the ground. I wrap my arm through his and we walk back to the cottage. We drink tea in silence and then shower and sit at the kitchen table just staring at each other for the longest time.

  “I should get back to my house,” he finally says.

  “Jack, no. You can stay here.”

  “No. I can’t stay here forever, plus they are likely gone by now.” He starts to stand and I grab his hand.

  He bends down so that he is at eye level with me.
“Eventually, I’m going to have to face the music. I’ll be back tonight. OK?”

  I nod and my eyes prick with tears as he walks out the door.

  My second light bulb comes a moment later and I reach for my cell phone.

  “Laura? You alright?” Oliver asks as he answers my call, his voice etched with worry. “Where’s Jack?”

  “I’m fine, Oliver. I’m good. Jack just had to run home.” I take a deep breath. Oliver has to know a good deal about what happened with Jack, but how much does he know?

  “Oliver, can we meet later? I need to talk to you.”

  “Uhhhh…sure. You sure you are alright?”

  “I am, but I don’t know about Jack.” I hear him swear under his breath.

  “OK, I’ll come over now. I have to be in town for a lunch meeting at noon.”

  “Thanks, Oliver.”

  We hang up and I sit at my computer staring at the screen. I send some emails and FaceTime with Nick.

  “Miss you, Mom,” Nick says. “It’s been ages since I’ve been over there. How’s is it?”

  “Good. The same,” I answer. We chat about school and his friends for a while. Afterwards, I call Lily, but she doesn’t answer, so I leave her a message. I outline the next chapter in my book. My head isn’t quite clear enough to write yet, but I am able to jot down some notes.

  All of the excitement has me drained and I want to crawl into bed and take a nap. Then I hear a tap at the door and I jump up a mile. I peek through a window and see Oliver’s car. Breathing a sigh of relief, I open the door.

  Oliver’s concern is clear the moment he enters and gives me a big hug. “So he told you about everything did he?”

  I nod. “The drugs, Simon, Leo, the accident that killed Abby.” I see a look cross Oliver’s face, but he smiles, trying to hide it. I let it go for now. I have too much else to worry about at the moment.

  “So he’s back into drugs?” He looks at me expecting a certain answer.

  “No, God no,” I say aghast.

  He actually looks quite shocked. “Then I…I don’t understand. Why am I here? What’s wrong?” Concern changes to confusion and then back to concern on his face.

  I take a deep breath, knowing I need to be fast before Jack gets back. “Jack told me everything because last night we went to his house and when we arrived, there was a car waiting by the house. Jack drove off and they followed us. We sped through some back roads and Jack hid us in the woods. We made it back here without seeing them again.” I watch as the color drains from Oliver’s face.

  “The organization wants to expand its drug reach up here and they are trying to get Jack back in the business to help them. He doesn’t want to do it. He keeps saying no, but they are relentless.”

  Oliver puts up a hand to stop me. “Laura…shit, shit, shit. Bollocks!” He slams his fist on a table. “I knew I should have told you earlier. I should have stopped him from coming here. I just knew he’d get sucked back in somehow. I—”

  “Stop, Oliver, stop it! I am not letting you cut him down like that, he wants out. He’s clean and he wants to stay that way. He’s worried now. Worried about all of us and what they might do. He seems to think they will stay away from you and your family because they think you guys hate each other.” I see a look flash across his face that tells me their relationship is not exactly rainbows and sunshine. “But now, there’s me here. He’s worried.”

  “Laura, there’s nothing I can do.” He throws his hands up in the air. He’s defeated and it looks like he has felt defeated for a very long time now.

  “Do you know he worked for the good guys for a while?” I ask him and I watch as his mouth falls open.

  “What? What do you mean ‘the good guys’?”

  “He was acting as a sort of informant or something for some enforcement or spy agency. His cover got compromised and he pulled out and told them he was done. I offered to get involved in the hopes that the same folks would get in touch with me, but he’s refused my idea.”

  “Damn right he refused that idea. That’s insane first off, Laura, and second, you don’t know fuck all about drugs and the underworld.” Oliver glares at me and shakes his head. His hand rubs his temple as he sits down next to me.

  “I know,” I whisper, partly embarrassed and partly ashamed that I even thought of doing that, but deep down the idea still stirs in my head.

  “I never knew that,” he says. “Never. I just assumed…FUCK!!” He bangs his fists on his thighs and puts his head in his hands. I put my hand on his leg.

  “Had I known…,” he says as he looks up at me through his fingers. “I will make some calls. I have some friends.”

  “You have friends?” I smirk, trying to lighten the mood. I only get a hard look from him. “Sorry, this is way too serious for me.”

  “Listen, don’t let Jack know that I know this, OK?” He grips my hand hard.

  “Sure, yes, of course,” I say, pulling away from him.

  “I’ll call or text you later.” He kisses my cheek and leaves, but not before reminding me to lock my door. Damn, I’m really bad about that and now more than ever I need to remember to do it.

  About ten minutes later Jack is back.

  “Coast clear?” I ask.

  “Yes,” he says. I look down at the bag he’s dropped in front of me. He follows my gaze and shrugs. “I guess staying here for a few days isn’t the worst idea. If anything, it’ll buy me a little time to figure out what to do. But we need to be careful now. I can’t go into town. So if you need to run an errand we’ll have to call Oliver or Mal, OK?” I nod and bite my lip, hoping that my expression doesn’t give away anything, like, oh, I don’t know, Oliver was just here. But he doesn’t say anything. We spend the afternoon watching mindless TV and he tends my garden. We make dinner and then love.

  Chapter 21

  Laura’s Playlist: “Look What You’ve Done” by Jet

  I don’t receive a text from Oliver for two days. Jack and I hide out at the cottage. I make some notes and manage to wrap up my book in at least an outline form. Another few days and I can fill out the chapters and get my final draft submitted. It’s been almost two months since I first arrived and I need at least a few weeks to edit in peace, although I’m beginning to think that the peaceful editing time I’d imagined will not be while I am here.

  On day three, I decide I can’t possibly stay around the cottage any longer. I talk Jack into getting in my car and we drive way out into the countryside and picnic at a park. We stop at a little town on the way back and load up on more provisions. I feel like we are Bonnie and Clyde, some type of outlaws biding time at our hideout, lying low while we are wanted.

  On the way back I hear my phone buzz and I look down to see a text from Oliver. I quickly stick the phone back in my pocket. I’ll need to view that later. Jack looks at me quizzically.

  “Just Oliver, making sure we’re OK. I guess he’s noticed that you haven’t been home.” He just nods.

  He pulls my rental car up to the cottage and we unload our groceries. Hagrid greets us at the door meowing and weaving between our legs. I pick him up and give him a cuddle. I know he can feel our stress the last few days. Animals are intuitive like that, of course, more so when they aren’t sleeping twenty hours a day. I kiss him and put him down by the French doors. As Jack puts away groceries, I slip into my bathroom and pull out my phone to read Oliver’s text.

  Oliver: May have a lead. Talking to a friend of a friend that seems to know someone in this special unit. Will text more when I have info.

  I delete the text before remembering to “pretend” to go to the bathroom. I look at myself in the mirror. What the hell am I doing? I look tired and the stress is clearly showing on my face. Screw it, I say to myself as I march out of the bathroom and nearly run into Jack.

  “What?” He looks at me as though I’ve gone mad.

  “Nothing…,” I mumble. “I was just thinking. We should have a spa day.”

  I don’t find
my sentence to be that crazy, but for some reason he does and he actually laughs, not a polite laugh, but a bend-over-can’t-catch-your-breath laugh. I watch him for a moment, a smile spreading across my face and then I too start laughing. We both literally come crashing down to the floor where we roll around laughing like small children who’ve been tickle-tortured. After a few minutes, the fit subsides and we both roll on our sides to face each other. He smiles at me and puts his hand to my cheek running his fingers across it as he pulls me to him.

  “You’re amazing, you know that?” he says, breathing me in as he kisses me.

  “You’re pretty amazing too,” I murmur against his lips. As my senses come back to me, I decide to try another tactic. “I’m serious though. Let’s get away for a day or two and clear our heads.”

  “OK,” he agrees. “Where exactly are we going?”

  “Hmmmmm…” I pull out my phone, and in a manner of minutes, I locate a posh spa not far from Edinburgh and they have availability starting tonight for two nights. I turn it around and point to the screen. “Here,” I announce triumphantly.

  He shakes his head and smiles. “Sure, love, wherever you want.”

  “Well, had I known that, perhaps I would have chosen a more exotic location.” I smirk at him and sit up. He helps me to my feet making sure I have my balance on my good foot before stepping back to look at me. I throw a few items in my bag and ask Mal to check on Hagrid tomorrow. I explain I’m going to explore Scotland for a few days. I toss extra food out for my very annoyed cat who repeatedly tries to smuggle himself in my luggage.