She sat back and kissed him softly on the lips. “I missed you.”
Those three words would have to do until she said the ones he longed to hear. Until she was fully his.
She nestled back into him, and her breathing steadied. “Did you fall asleep on me?” He kicked his shoes and pants off.
She snuggled closer to him. “Chilly.”
“Come on, let’s go to bed.”
She scooted back, and with his help, she stood. Em picked up their clothes, and Jack scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bedroom.
Jack went to the bathroom and cleaned up. Em joined him a minute later wearing a fuzzy pink robe. They shared the sink as they brushed their teeth. His heart expanded. This was normal.
J
Jack woke suddenly when Emily sat up. “You okay, baby?”
“Shhh, I heard something.”
Jack heard a shuffling sound.
Emily bolted out of bed, grabbed his shirt, and quickly buttoned it. “Someone’s in the apartment.” She slid her closet door open and pulled out a baseball bat.
Jack jumped out of bed, pulled on his pants, and went to the door. This time, it sounded like someone tripped up the steps. “Stay here.” He took the bat from her.
“Not a chance.”
The light from the bathroom night-light illuminated the hallway in a yellow glow. As they started down the hallway, Jack gripped the bat tightly in his hand. He’d get one good swing to take the intruder by surprise.
“Ow!” echoed down the hallway.
“Shit.” Em gripped his arm and stepped around him, moving ahead before he could stop her. She put her hand up to stop him but no way he was staying back. As he walked past the doorway to the kitchen, Jack saw a tall figure through the opening into the living room. He raised the bat just as Emily turned on the light, flooding the living room in bright light.
“Jack, don’t.” She grabbed his arm to stop him. “Sean, what the fuck are you doing here?”
The fucker, in the somewhat drunken flesh. He’d tripped over Emily’s boots that were laying at the top of the stairs.
“Turn the damn spotlight off.”
“You’re drunk.” Anger clouded her face. “Did you drive here like that?” She took a step closer which Jack hated. He suppressed the urge to pull her behind him. His hands held firmly on the handle of the Louisville Slugger.
“Of course not. I knew you’d never give me another chance if I did something that stupid.” The fucker’s eyes finally rested on Jack. Red washed over his fair skin, and he straightened to his full height, his expression a mix of shock and indignance. His lips curled into a sneer as he stepped closer. “Who the fuck is this?”
Oh, yes, please, come at me. Aside from not being shit-faced, Jack was a couple inches taller and in much better physical shape.
Emily stepped in front of Jack. “Who this is, is none of your business.”
Jack was close enough to hear her intake of breath. She must’ve just registered the first thing the fucker said. Emily turned to look at Jack, her expression shocked. Shaking her head, she turned back to the fucker.
“How did you get in here?”
The fucker fumbled in his pocket and pulled out his keys. “Spare key.”
She grabbed the keys from him, quickly taking her key off his ring.
“Hey.” He stepped toward her but stepped back when Jack raised the bat higher. “Call him off, okay. I just want to talk.” His eyes focused on Emily. “Who the fuck is this?”
Emily took a step toward him and raised her chin. “I didn’t ask. I picked him up at the bar. He fucked me up against the wall.” She tilted her chin toward the wall. “It was everything I thought it’d be and so much more.”
The fucker winced.
Jack moved closer and wrapped his free arm around her torso. He looked the fucker up and down and smiled. “Want me to get rid of this guy?”
“No need. He’s leaving. Now. And never coming back.”
That seemed to snap his attention back to Emily, and again, he stepped toward her. “We need to talk.”
Jack felt Emily’s body tense. It wasn’t exactly the same as her dream had been but close enough. “There’s nothing left to say. Except get your shit out of my apartment by Monday, or I’m hauling it out to the trash.”
“Hey, you’re the one calling and texting me dozens of times the past two weeks.” He glanced at Jack with a raised brow and a smirk.
Jack laughed. He would’ve loved to tell him that they’d been together for the past five weeks, but she’d said they’d just met tonight, so Jack wouldn’t contradict that. She was sexy as hell when she was pissed and wearing his shirt.
“Yeah, about that.” Emily stalked out of the room, returning a few moments later with the bill from Elegant Affairs. “I don’t know what you’re playing at, telling the manager to send me this bill. If your groomsmen or you were too stupid to cancel the tuxes, then that’s on you.” When he didn’t take it, she slapped it against his chest, causing him to take a step back. “Now, get the fuck out before I call the cops.”
“Hey, I had a key.”
Emily growled at him. “You’re an asshole. You cheat on me three weeks before our wedding, and you make out like any of this is my fault? Get out before I let J—this guy take a few swings like I know he’s been dying to do.”
Jack stepped forward and placed the head of the bat on the fucker’s chest. “You heard the lady, fuckhead. Out. Now.”
The fucker narrowed his bloodshot eyes but turned on his heel and retreated down the stairs. Emily went to follow him, but Jack stopped her. He went down, locked the door, and put the chain on.
Anger welled through him. Why hadn’t she had the locks changed?
chapter
TWENTY-FOUR
As soon as Emily heard Jack engage the lock, she collapsed to the floor. How could Sully have thought it was okay to break into her apartment in the middle of the night? Powerful sobs wracked her body. She knew she’d have to deal with him, but right now, the thoughts swirling through her head caused her stomach to ache. What if she’d been alone?
Jack sat next to her and pulled her into his arms. “Shh, it’s okay, baby. I’m here.” She wanted to tell him how glad she was that he was here but couldn’t speak through her sobs. She leaned against him, taking all the comfort he had to offer. What had Sully meant about taking him back? How could he think that was possible after what he’d done? She turned her face into Jack’s bare chest and let the tears flush those thoughts away.
When she’d woken because she’d heard a sound in the apartment, she’d felt paranoid. Then she’d heard it again, and fear took over. Her father had taught her how to defend herself, but this was the first time she’d ever been in a situation where she’d have to use it.
The first hint that it was Sully was the overwhelming scent of his cologne. Then fear had been replaced by fury. She could’ve killed him.
Emily cleared her mind and repeated one of her mantras. The calming effects slowly took effect until she was all cried out and resting in Jack’s arms. The calm before the storm.
“It’s okay, baby, you’re safe.” He’d whispered it over and over to her while she cried.
She’d never felt safer. That raised a new wave of emotions. They’d only known each other five weeks. “I’m so glad you were here, if you hadn’t…” She couldn’t say it, couldn’t think it. She lifted her head so she could see his face and was sorry she did.
Anger, bitterness, frustration, and hate. The muscles in his jaw tightened and released several times. He was trying to calm down, but it didn’t appear to be working.
“You didn’t have the locks changed.” His eyes scrunched closed.
The accusation stung. Emily had no reason to think he’d be back after what he’d done. She’d gotten all the keys she’d known about back, so changing the locks hadn’t occurred to her. Jack didn’t understand, an
d she had no idea how to make him. His body vibrated with fury.
Emily stood, needing some physical distance from him. She didn’t want to fight, but it seemed inevitable. She went into the kitchen for a drink. When she returned to the living room, Jack paced and was on his phone.
“Emily’s ex broke in. I want an alarm system installed tomorrow.” He disconnected the call and shoved the phone into his pocket. Emily stepped forward to protest, but Jack put up his hand. “Don’t. I’m doing this, and that’s final.”
“That’s final? Don’t you think we should discuss this? I have no idea how much something—”
He opened his eyes. “I’m paying.” Their normally bright blue depths were clouded with anger. Some of it was obviously aimed at her.
Which pissed her off. “You can’t just—”
“It’s done.” He strode into the kitchen and pulled out the bottle of Maker’s Mark from the pantry. Jack poured himself a generous portion, drank it, then rinsed the glass and left it in the sink. “Let’s get some sleep.” He walked past her and down the hallway.
Sleep? She was too angry to sleep. How dare he? He had no right… But he was looking out for her. It was his thing, taking care of people. She’d known at some point this could be a problem between them. Emily took a few deep breaths. Yes, they’d get some sleep. In the morning, they’d discuss it like rational adults. He’d see that he was being high-handed and understand that this was her problem to deal with since it predated them. She calmly walked into the bedroom.
She crawled in next to him, and he turned off the light. He pulled her to his side, and she rested her head on his shoulder. At least they weren’t sleeping on opposite sides of the bed. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, nestled against the warmth of his body.
Emily woke to Jack’s phone playing “Rooster.” Grabbing it off the nightstand, he answered and then said, “Okay.” Disconnecting the call, he sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. “Jeff’s here. The alarm company will be here in half an hour. Get dressed.” He walked out of the bedroom.
Anger had her instantly awake. So much for adult conversation. This was bullshit. No way she was letting this happen. She threw the covers off but sat on the edge of the bed. Her leg hurt, which only angered her more. She tried not to limp down the hallway. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? We need to discuss this.”
Jack faced her. “I told you last night what was going to happen. There’s nothing to discuss.”
“The hell there isn’t.” She was seething with anger, her head throbbed, and her leg pulsed with pain. She’d slept in one position to long. “You have no right—”
“I have every right, Goddamn it. That fucker didn’t break in at two in the morning to talk!”
Emily slumped against the wall. That was what she didn’t want to think about. Sully thought they would kiss and make up. Emily’s stomach churned. The room started to spin, so she closed her eyes. Would he have tried to force her? She’d never been afraid of him, but she couldn’t trust anything she’d known about him. How could she tell Jack that it wouldn’t have happened? She wouldn’t have let it. She should’ve told him last night that she was well equipped to protect herself. She’d never told Sully, and they’d lived together for almost a year.
This nightmare was spiraling out of control. Nothing was normal about this relationship. How the hell are we going to make this work?
Emily jumped when the doorbell rang. “It’s Jeff. I need that shirt,” he said as he walked into the bedroom. Emily followed, removing his shirt. She quickly dressed as Jack went to open the door.
When she returned to the living room, Jack was talking to Jeff. “We came down the hallway, and Emily realized who it was and kept me from bashing his fucking skull in.” Jack sounded disappointed.
Jeff turned to her. “How did you know it was your ex?”
“His cologne. Then he said ‘Ow,’ and I recognized his voice.”
Jeff nodded curtly. Emily bit her tongue and went to the kitchen. She needed coffee. Lots of it. After setting the coffee to brew, she decided she needed to stop the testosterone fest that was taking place in her living room. This was her home.
“Enough,” she yelled through the opening above the breakfast bar. “You two can’t just waltz in here and take over.” Her anger pushed her forward. Her father was a Marine, so Jeff didn’t intimidate her with his Marine face. “You.” She pointed to Jeff. “Leave. I need a private word with Jack.”
Jeff turned and walked down the stairs. She waited for the click of the door before she turned to Jack. She took a deep breath. “I appreciate that you want to protect me, but you can’t just have an alarm system installed. I don’t own this place.”
“Fuck.” Jack slapped his hand against the wall. “This wouldn’t be an issue if that real estate lady had found me an apartment.”
Emily crossed her arms. “Oh really, why’s that?”
Jack took a deep breath. “I get it. You wouldn’t be moving in with me yet, but at least you’d have a safe place to stay. If I hadn’t been here last night…”
All the anger drained from her body. Jack opened his arms, and when they closed around her, she felt safe and protected. “Okay, we’re both angry and upset.” She looked up at him. “I should’ve had the locks changed, but I got back all the keys I knew about, so it never occurred to me. I’m sorry.”
He hugged her tightly to him. She’d felt cold since she’d gotten up. But now, she felt warm and safe in his embrace.
“Baby, I’m away so much. I worry about you. I told you he’d want you back.” Jack rested his chin on the top of her head.
Emily pulled back so she could look up at him. “Yeah, you did. How’d you know?”
Jack pulled her over to the couch and sat, tugging her onto his lap. “Because”—he brushed a stray hair from her cheek—“you’re the most amazing woman I have ever met. No way you loved someone who didn’t have a soul. And no matter the screw up, that guy would try to get you back.” His eyes were filled with love and worry. “I love you.”
She closed her eyes and kissed him. A knock prevented them from more than a brief kiss.
“Jack, about this alarm…” She knew he worried. Nicki told her how he’d been acting, and she didn’t want to add to his concerns. “Let me pay half.”
Jack visibly struggled. “Baby, the money means nothing to me. I’ll feel much better if I’m sure you’re protected.”
Emily didn’t want him to constantly wonder when Sully would be back. And after last night, she was sure he would be. Sully never drank more than a couple drinks. He was unshaven, and his clothes were rumpled. She’d never seen him so disheveled, and she almost hadn’t recognized him; his whole manner was off. She’d known as soon as she looked into Jack’s worried eyes that she’d give in. It wasn’t much, but it was what she could do to make him happy. “Okay.”
He kissed her deeply until Jeff cleared his throat. “The guys will be here in five minutes.”
Emily hopped off his lap. Jack stood, and it was as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. She didn’t spare a second on regretting her decision. Swallowing her pride to ease his burden was a no-brainer.
“Emily.” Jeff stopped her with a look.
Crap. She looked down. Maybe he wouldn’t—
“Show me.”
“Show you what?” Jack stood behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders.
“Her weapons.”
Jack’s hands tensed on her shoulders. “Em, what’s he talking about?”
When Emily didn’t answer, Jeff cleared his throat again. “No way a Marine left his daughter unprotected.”
“Em?”
She avoided Jack’s gaze. “I have a Beretta 92 in my nightstand. A Glock 19 in my office desk, bottom drawer, locked. And a Marlin 336 chambered in 30-30 Winchester under the couch.”
“Get them.” Jeff wasn’t asking.
&nb
sp; Emily retrieved her two handguns and then pulled the rifle from under the couch and laid them on the coffee table.
Emily spared a glance in Jack’s direction. His stunned expression didn’t surprise her.
“When was the last time you went to the range?” Jeff picked up the Glock and did a chamber check.
Emily looked down. “Six months.”
Jeff shook his head. “Use it or lose it.”
“I know.” She finally looked at Jack.
Shock had melted into a small smile. “You know how to handle all these?”
Emily nodded. She’d planned on telling Jack about them, since he had a bodyguard, but the time hadn’t been right. People could be weird about guns.
“Why didn’t you tell me last night?”
Fisting her hands on her hips, she said, “Would you have let me protect you?”
“I… I’m not sure.”
At least he was being honest.
“You made the right call, Emily. There was no time to debate who protects whom.” Jeff whistled as he held the Beretta.
“He always had a fondness for the Beretta because it was the standard sidearm when he was in the Corps.”
“I love it in stainless.”
The doorbell rang, and Jeff went to answer it. Emily returned her firearms to their proper places.
“Jack, Emily, this is Gary Phillips, Ben Gardner, and Al Darcy from Sentry Alarms. We served together.” Jeff smiled. “She’s one of ours, her father was a Marine.” Jeff’s lips tightened into a line. “Asshole ex-boyfriend broke into the apartment last night. Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
For the next half hour, Emily and Jack followed, as Jeff, Gary, and his installers went over every inch of her apartment. The system would be wireless, have twenty-four-hour monitoring, and an app for Emily’s phone.
No More Yesterdays: A Rock Star Romance (Rocked in Love Book 2) Page 24
