Jacked - The Complete Series Box Set (A Lumberjack Neighbor Romance)

by Claire Adams

  “Oh um, hi, Officer,” she said. “What can I do for you?”

  “I'm looking for Tammy McRae and Tim Miller. Are they here?”

  “Yeah, hang on, I'll get them,” the girl said.

  Wade and I slid down in the back seat of the car so that we weren't visible. After a minute or so, Tim and Tammy came down the stairs, both wearing worried expressions on their faces. I couldn't help but snicker.

  “Uh, good evening, Officer; is there a problem?” Tim asked.

  “You bet there is, son,” Peter stated. “I’m going to need you and Miss McRae here to answer some questions regarding an assault and robbery.”

  “I, uh, I don't know what the hell you're talking about, man!” Tim snapped, but there was fear written all over his face.

  “I believe you do, son. Security cameras on the university campus captured everything. Using advanced bio-recognition technology, our digital imaging experts managed to zoom in and a witness positively identified you as the man who assaulted and robbed Wade Vinson earlier today. Remember those digital photos that were taken when you were a student at Florida State? Well, they keep those biometric records forever, son. You're screwed.

  “And you, missy, the same technology was used to identify you from mall security cameras, where you were seen taking possession of the stolen goods from Mr. Carson here. You're both in some very big trouble.”

  “I, uh, it can't be, no… This can't be happening, this can't be happening,” Tammy mumbled, in a state of shock.

  Tim's face was also white with shock.

  “You're looking at a minimum of four years in the slammer for assault and robbery, son, and you, missy, you're looking at two. However, if you cooperate and hand over the evidence now, things will be a lot easier.

  “Give me the stolen wallet and phone, and I’ll personally testify that you cooperated and returned the stolen property. That should get you both leniency and possibly be let off with fines and community service.”

  “We didn't do anything,” Tammy stated. “We didn't-”

  “I don’t want to go to jail!” Tim snapped. “They've got biometric evidence! Just go get the damn phone and the wallet and give it to them! Hell, I’m getting it.” He hurried away before Tammy could stop him. She looked like a deer in headlights. She wasn’t sure what to say or do. She turned to Pete with tears welling up in her mascara-laden eyes.

  “Listen, Officer, I'm so, so sorry. I don't know what came over us. Please, please, isn't there some way we could make this go away? I...I've always had a thing for a man in uniform, you know. God, you're looking really hot in that uniform. It really turns me on.”

  I grimaced with disgust. “Jeez, she really will do just about anyone, won't she?” I murmured.

  “Ma’am, now you’re just adding bribery to your list,” Pete stated. He was playing his part perfectly and hadn’t once slipped up and identified himself as any type of law enforcement.

  Tim came back and handed Wade's wallet and phone to Pete. Pete held out a large ziploc bag for them. “Evidence goes in here,” he instructed.

  Tim dropped the phone and wallet into the bag. “Good. I appreciate your cooperation. I’m sure someone from the police station will be in touch with you both soon. Keep a look out for it.”

  Tammy just stared at him, still shocked. Tim was still trying to throw Tammy under the bus to save his own ass.

  “It wasn’t my idea, sir. I’m truly sorry. I… I just got caught up in-”

  “Just a little advice for you, son. The wrong woman can ruin your life. Keep that in mind,” he said as he glanced down at Tammy. “You two have a good evening.”

  Wade and I high-fived each other as Peter turned and walked away. He got back into the car and drove away, Wade and me still crouched down in the back seat.

  “Oh my God! That was awesome. Well done, Pete!” I said from the back. “You're such a great actor!”

  Once we were a few blocks away, he pulled over. “Here you go,” he said, handing Wade the “evidence” bag. “I enjoyed that!” he remarked. “I'll have to try to look for more police officer parts in the future.”

  “Thanks so much, man,” Wade said, shaking his hand. “You've saved our asses right here.”

  “It was a pleasure to help. I've known Eryn here since she and Leena were little girls, and what that nasty bitch Tammy did to her just makes my blood boil. I'm happy I got to help you guys sort it out,” Pete added.

  “All right, so now we just need to get this to Jack,” Wade stated. He turned to Pete. “Thanks again, man. Can you drop Eryn and me at Toucan Café? My car is parked there, and I think coffee is in order to celebrate this little victory.”

  “Sure thing, guys,” Pete replied. “Do I get donuts, too?”

  *****

  I was feeling ever so slightly buzzed – it turned out that Toucan Café didn't only have regular coffee on offer, but also Irish coffee. I was 21 and not driving, so I figured why not. After all, we were there to celebrate. I had a double shot of whiskey in my Irish coffee, and now I was really beginning to feel it. I wasn’t one to drink much and had never been much of a fan of partying, so my tolerance for alcohol was practically nonexistent.

  But I was celebrating and feeling so relaxed and happy about how well our plan had gone that I had totally forgotten about my agreement with Wade. It was pretty obvious he had, too. After all the stress and pressure and everything that had gone wrong, we were feeling the high of something finally going right.

  And, of course, with a little bit of alcohol relaxing us, both of our guards were down, and I'd caught Wade staring intently at me on more than a few occasions. When our eyes had met, we had smiled and laughed, for we both knew what the other was feeling. I couldn't deny the raw, almost hungry attraction I felt for him any longer, and from the way he was looking at me, I don't think he could either.

  When Pete cut out early, that left the two of us alone with no buffer to help us ignore what was silently brewing between us.

  “Maybe we should go out and get some fresh air,” I suggested.

  “Yeah,” he agreed. “Come on. I'll take care of the bill.”

  I got my crutches and limped outside while Wade paid the tab. It was a beautiful evening; the moon was full and bright as it rose from the horizon. Soon, Wade was outside, and we headed over to his car.

  “Where should we go?” I asked.

  “How about the park on the hill?” he asked. “There's a great spot where we can watch the moon rise over the city.”

  “That sounds great,” I agreed. He helped me into his car and we headed over to the park. When we got there, the small parking lot was deserted, so we pulled into a secluded spot that looked over the city.

  “Let's sit in the backseat so I can prop my foot up,” I suggested. “It’s feeling a little sore.”

  “All right,” he said with a smile.

  I think we both knew why we'd come here and what was about to happen. We knew it shouldn’t happen, but neither of us wanted to stop it, not now that we were caught up in the moment. We cuddled up next to each other in the back seat.

  “It's beautiful, isn't it?” I said, looking at the rising moon.

  “That it is,” he commented. But he wasn’t looking at the moon – he was looking at me.

  That was all it took. His lips were on mine, and mine on his. Soon, we were hungrily exploring each other's mouths. It was just as intense as the first kiss we'd shared – perhaps even more so, with all the frustration of having to hold it in being released.

  Soon his hands were all over me, and mine all over him. I don't think that either of us had imagined we’d be making out in the back of his car in a parking lot like a couple of teenagers. At least it was a high-tier BMW model, which meant the back seat was comfy and roomy. Also, the tinted windows provided some privacy from anyone outside who might happen to peer in.

  I put my hands on his chest as he ran his fingers enticingly down my back. His muscles were hard and chiseled, and
I wanted to see what my hands were exploring. I began unbuttoning his shirt as my hunger grew and our kisses became more passionate.

  He began to run his fingers through my hair and detached from the kiss so that his lips could make their way down my neck then back up to nibble on my earlobes, sending shivers of delightful pleasure rippling through me. His shirt was fully unbuttoned now, and I began to trace my fingertips over his smooth, tanned skin, marveling at his perfectly defined six pack as he continued to nip and bite at my earlobes and the side of my neck.

  His hands moved along the sides of my waist, caressing lightly and playfully as he slipped them down onto my hips. Then, with a smooth touch, he hooked his fingers under my T-shirt and lifted it up and over my head.

  We looked into each other's eyes again, sharing an intense gaze before he moved his head down to my chest, softly kissing the exposed area of my breasts as he reached behind me to undo my bra, which he did with expert precision.

  My breasts burst free as the bra came off. My nipples were already standing at attention, fully aroused and stiff. He cupped my left breast with his hand and started massaging my erect nipple with his forefinger and thumb; on my right breast, he started gently kissing and sucking briefly on my right nipple, which sent wave after wave of pleasure rippling through my body.

  As he continued, I moved my hand down over his hard, washboard stomach to his crotch, where I felt his manhood pressing with an almost painful urgency against the inside of his pants. I ran my fingers gently over it, silently marveling at its length and substantial girth.

  I started moaning and gasping, and my body began to buck and shudder from the bliss coursing through me. I was getting intensely wet while he continued to amaze me with his mouth. He slipped one hand slowly over my stomach, lingering for a moment to playfully caress my belly button, before sliding it down into my jeans, seeking the center of the intense heat and wetness down there.

  With eager hands, I unbuttoned my jeans and unzipped them to give him easier access. He slipped his finger down between my legs, and as soon as his fingertips found the hot, wet opening of my slit, a jolt of intense pleasure rippled through me.

  He gently started moving his fingertips around, probing inside and caressing outside, spreading the warmth and intensifying my arousal. I felt the pleasure from this exploration combining with the pleasure from the stimulation of his mouth on my breasts, and together, they were unleashing the first waves of an orgasm.

  He began rubbing with soft, rhythmic pressure on my clit, which got me shuddering and gasping. I began to breathe faster and harder, and soon I was bucking and grinding myself against the motion of his fingers, losing control as the orgasm built its force inside me.

  Then, finally, it was loosed, and pulses of bliss tore through my body as I came. I gasped and cried out, gripping a fistful of his hair in one hand and digging the nails of my other into his back. Eventually, after the explosive joy of it had passed, I relaxed, panting on the seat. I moved to open his zipper, but just as I did, a police car rolled into the parking lot.

  “I think you’d better get dressed,” Wade murmured with a grin, even though from his heavy breathing and the very visible bulge pressing against his pants, I could tell stopping was the absolute last thing he wanted to do.

  “Yeah...might be a good idea,” I managed to gasp.

  I pulled my jeans back up and slipped my top back on, shoving my bra behind my back. I’d managed to get myself dressed just as a police officer came and tapped on the window.

  Wade rolled the window down. “Yes, Officer?” he said.

  “What's going on here?” asked the cop.

  “We just came out here to watch the moon rise,” Wade informed him.

  “I see. Well, I wouldn't advise hanging around here. There have been a number of robberies in this park recently, all at night. Just letting you know.”

  “Thank you, Officer. We won't hang around too much longer,” Wade assured him.

  “All right. Have yourselves a good evening, then,” the policeman said.

  “You, too, Officer,” Wade replied.

  The cop walked away, and Wade rolled the window back up. Then he looked at me. “Well...that was fun,” he said.

  I smiled shyly and blushed. “That it was,” I replied.

  “I guess,” he continued, “we'd better talk about this then?” A sheepish smile pushed up one corner of his beautiful mouth.

  “Yeah, I guess we should.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Wade

  This was hard – as was a certain part of my body, but I couldn't do anything about that now, as much as I wanted to. Eryn looked even more beautiful, which I hadn't thought could even be possible, but with her skin glowing and a satisfied, shy smile on her face, I couldn't deny being absolutely captivated by this woman.

  Still, we had crossed a line here – a line that we had both previously agreed we wouldn't cross. But once things had been set in motion, it had been impossible to stop.

  I decided that the best thing to do would be to not beat around the bush, and just cut right to the chase. “Look, Eryn,” I began, “I think you know how I feel about you.”

  “I'm pretty sure I do,” she replied. “And, I guess that you realize that I feel the same about you.”

  “Yeah. But what the big issue is, as we both know, is that I'm your coach.”

  “And, I'm on your volleyball team.”

  “And, if anyone finds out, we'll both be screwed. And not in a good way,” I tried to lighten the topic a little. She giggled and I wanted to kiss her all over again…everywhere. But, I got back on point. “The thing is, I could lose my job; you could lose your spot on the team, which would mean your scholarship. And, of course, the vultures in the media will have a field day with the gossip. They always do.”

  “I know. There's a lot at stake here.”

  “I know. But what I also have to say is that, to me, this is not just a fling. It's not simply lust. It's...it feels so real. I mean, I can't remember ever feeling like this about anyone. When I'm with you, I feel totally alive. I feel like I can do anything. And when we talk, it's like I could talk to you forever. Like we could seriously talk all night without getting tired. It's just so easy and natural with you.”

  She smiled at me, reached over, and tangled her fingers with mine.

  “I feel exactly the same, Wade. I have to confess that I had a lot of misconceptions about the kind of guy you were when we first met. Obviously, I'm sure you know a lot of that comes from the gossip magazines, and your reputation, and the fact that you were dating this really famous actress-”

  “I don't blame you for that,” I stopped her before she could start comparing herself to anything in my previous life. They didn’t hold a candle to her. “But you know, that person wasn't me – at least, he wasn't the real me.

  “I got caught up in all that stuff for a time, but really, I hated it. All the partying I did and the craziness, it was just to cover up how deeply unhappy I felt out there. That's why I came back to Florida. I needed a fresh start, I needed to not have all that garbage in my life any more. I needed to live a life true to myself – and I couldn't do that there.

  “But you – you represent everything good about who I am and who I really want to be. You're just this naturally beautiful, unpretentious, kind, generous woman. You work so hard, and you're so focused and selfless. In fact, you're everything that the girls who were after me on the West Coast are not. And that makes me even more madly attracted to you.”

  She nodded, still smiling. “Wow...thank you for all the compliments, Wade. They do mean a lot to me. And, you've been so kind and so generous, helping me out not only with all the car stuff, but with my mom and her health issues, as well. Not to mention, of course, the fact that you're a great coach, who has not only inspired me, but everyone else on the team, to work super hard and be the best players we could be.

  “But what really changed my mind and amplified my attraction to you wa
s your generosity and selfless kindness.”

  I was touched by her honesty and her compliments. “I'm glad you saw past the surface noise and gave me a chance to prove I wasn’t that guy.”

  “So am I. But, I’m not so sure it was just the surface noise that made me think that way. I think part of it was me,” she said.

  “How so?” I asked.

  “Well, to explain that, I think that I have to tell you a little about my relationship with Tim,” she said. “Just to give you some context, really.”

  “All right, you can go ahead and tell me if you want.”

  “I loved him, I did. But he totally played me, badly. I guess I fell for him for all the wrong reasons. He swept me off my feet when we first met. I mean, he was such a charmer. As a narcissist, he's perfected that act, I can tell you that.

  “So, he used his good looks and charm to manipulate me. I was having thoughts of he and I spending the rest of our lives together, but he was sleeping with every other girl on campus.”

  “Oh, man, I'm really sorry to hear that. He sounds like a real dirt bag.”

  “Oh, he was…is, trust me. I have no illusions about that now – I just feel ashamed that he had me fooled for so long.”

  “It's nothing to be ashamed of, Eryn. Guys like him are experts at keeping women in the dark. They've got it down to a fine art,” I tried to reassure her.

  “I still feel like I should have known better.”

  “You can't blame yourself, though. You really can't.”

  “I know that, but it took… Well, it’s still taking time to accept that. And, to get myself to the point where I can fully trust a guy again. It isn't easy you know, especially when, uh, when he’s a drop dead gorgeous guy…good looking, just like Tim.”

  “But I'm not like him, at all. I guarantee you that.”

  “I can see that now,” she said. “But you have to understand that once a person's trust has been totally crushed like that, it takes a little time to allow oneself to trust fully again.”