Hiding Away (Anchored Hearts #1.5)

by J. M. Witt

  “You want to get out of here?”

  She whispered back, “I thought you’d never ask.”

  After harassing James and Cassidy, we told them we’d see them in the morning and headed toward the house. I was thankful that Lisa had overhauled my bedroom and made it a suitable guest room. When we made it to my room, Jane poured two glasses of white wine, wine that she’d snatched off the bar before we headed to the house, along with a pair of glasses and a corkscrew.

  We undressed in harmony and soon she was standing in front of me with nothing but black lace panties, matching stockings and bra. She tilted her head as her eyes scoured my body seductively. The glass of moscato hung delicately from her fingertips as she stood and waited for my next move. I was frozen in place as I took in her radiance. She turned, walked toward the bed, and in that moment I wished I had my phone to take a picture of her perfect ass. She was taunting me and I was going to let her.

  The next morning I woke to the smell of breakfast. Jane was still sound asleep when I headed downstairs. I was surprised Cassidy would be up so early cooking. When I entered the kitchen I found James cooking and not Cassidy.

  “You’re up early.” I took a seat on a stool as he nodded at my statement.

  “Early riser most days; have been since the military. And those are the nights I can sleep at all.” I was surprised he was divulging this information to me and didn’t realize he was in the service. But I understood where he was coming from. It took a long time for me to sleep more than an hour or two at a time after leaving the desert.

  “What branch?”

  “Army, same as you.”

  “Cassidy never mentioned it. When did you serve?”

  “She doesn’t know.” I was surprised at that. James went on to tell me a little bit of his history. He’d joined a couple years after me and after going to school at West Point for three years. He was about to tell me more when we heard the girls chatting to each other as they walked into the kitchen.

  “Morning sunshines!” Cassidy groaned at Jane’s chipper tone. Cassidy never was a morning person. Jane hopped up on my lap as she pulled a piece of bacon off a platter that James sat down on the island.

  “Morning baby doll,” I nuzzled in her ear for only her to hear before she gave me a bite of her bacon.

  I heard Cassidy ask James what we were talking about and James just told her it was nothing important. I immediately wondered what he was hiding. Cassidy wasn’t even aware that he served. I knew some guys didn’t like talking about their time, especially if they had a rough tour, but it was important. It was part of us, part of what made us who we were. The good and the bad.

  Chapter Nineteen

  ~ JANE ~

  The four of us finished our breakfast and sat laughing and chatting for over an hour. It was like we’d all been friends forever. I could get used to this. I couldn’t stop myself from daydreaming about family vacations, with the four of us, and our kids running around as we created our own extended family. I needed to reel it in.

  “Jane?” Startled, I realized I was daydreaming as Cal called my name once again.

  “Sorry. What’s up?”

  ~<>~<>~<>~

  December

  The first week of December flew by. I decided to get a new car, sick of borrowing mom’s. With the help of Calvin and his dad I got myself a new Ford Edge. I absolutely loved it. A week later I was out Christmas shopping and racking my brain on what to get Cal. He’d asked me the night before what I wanted for Christmas and I told him I was all set. I then asked him the same question and he responded the same way.

  “I have everything I need right here.” He was such a schmoozer.

  I’d picked him up some clothes and gift certificates, but I wanted to get something more personal for him. I decided to call my mom to see if she had any ideas. She brought up getting him a watch, cuff links, and other flashy things.

  “Mom, Cal is not flashy.”

  “Well, then just flash him!”

  “For the love mother. I’ll talk to you later.” After I hung up I looked around and across the street was a photo studio. It was then that I had a brilliant idea. He’d mentioned the other night that he wanted a picture of me that was just for him.

  “Do they still make polaroids?” I’d laughed at him as he posed me and pretended to take my picture.

  “You have the pictures from the auction.”

  “No, I want a naughty photo of you. Maybe of you cuffed to the bed.” I’d blushed at that.

  I pulled up my browser on my phone and started looking for a photographer. I would need someone I could trust and someone I was comfortable with. I couldn’t afford to have pictures of me leaking to the press and I hated having my picture taken. After a few minutes of browsing, with no luck, I decided to call James. He might know someone trustworthy.

  “What do you need a photographer for?”

  “Don’t ask. I just need someone one hundred and fifty percent trustworthy. That should give you enough info.”

  I heard him chuckle before he said, “I’ll text you his name and number.”

  “Thank you! You’re the best.”

  If I could actually pull this off, in time, this would be epic. I couldn’t’ wait to see the look on his face when he saw his gift. After James sent me the info, I called and left a message with the photographer. I went to set my phone down when it started vibrating in my hand. I looked at the screen, expecting to see Cal and his killer dimples pop on the screen. Instead it was just a number, a number I recognized, and dread filled me. I hit reject and put my phone in my purse on the passenger seat.

  “Fuck!” Why the hell was he calling me? I cranked my radio and tried to forget about it. I needed music to take me away.

  When I pulled into the driveway at Cal’s place, ok it was our place, I was belting out Stay the Night by Zedd and Hayley Williams. I let the song finish before I turned off the engine and carried my gifts inside. Not sure where to hide my presents, I decided to stash them in the guest bedroom closet. I couldn’t get the nagging feeling, about Derek’s call, to leave me. Digging into my purse I pulled out my phone and found I had a voicemail waiting for me.

  I stared at my phone for a good five minutes, debating about whether to listen to it or delete it. As the front door opened, I about jumped out of my skin. I turned to see that it was Cal, of course it was Cal. Who else would it be you paranoid psycho? I deleted the voicemail and went and greeted my man.

  ~ CALVIN ~

  “How was your day?” Jane walked to me, eyeing the bags I was carrying. “I thought you had to work today? What’s with the gift bags? Did you get me something nice?” She waggled her brows at me, the same way her mother did and I inwardly laughed at that.

  She was teasing me and I decided to tease right back. “Nah, nothing for you. You said you didn’t need or want anything.” She stuck her tongue out at me while scrunching up her face. “I got out early and decided to do some Christmas shopping.”

  “Great minds. I did some shopping today too.” She wandered back over to the kitchen as I dropped my bags on the floor by the stairs. She eyed them again suspiciously.

  “Don’t even think about it woman!”

  “Yeah, yeah. So, you still up for having dinner tonight with my parents?”

  “Of course. Your Dad’s gone for the next two weeks right?” She confirmed that he was indeed gone until a few days before Christmas. We got ready and were headed back out the door within the hour.

  I’d met her father one other time. He seemed like a nice enough guy, but his phone continually rang so we didn’t get much chance to talk. And even then her mom did most of the talking.

  After dinner that night we were sitting around the living room discussing Jane’s job at the hospital. She was very happy and had nothing but praises for her coworkers. Her phone rang a couple times, but she just sent it to voicemail. I told her she could answer it, but she insisted it could wait.

  Jane and her mom left th
e room shortly after that to discuss Christmas plans and to grab some dessert for us. The silence between her father and I started to become uncomfortable.

  “So, Calvin?” He looked at me the way I would expect any man to look at the turd dating his daughter.

  “Yes, Sir?”

  “What are your intentions with my Janey?”

  “I love her sir. I actually wanted to talk to you before the holidays came.” Shit! It was now or never. “She’s my world, Sir. I know that we’ve only been together a short time, but I would like your blessing.”

  He eyed me up and down as my palms began to sweat. “I like you Calvin. Straight shooter. Not like Derek. I couldn’t stand that guy; something off with him. Long as you’re what Jane wants, then you have my blessing.” He stretched his hand out to me and I shook it with vigor. “Has Jane told you about the whirlwind courtship her mother and I had?”

  “No, she hasn’t.”

  He snickered before saying, “Well, let’s just say we were the talk of the town. Met, got engaged and married within ten weeks. The rumor mill was rampant. She wasn’t in the motherly way for another three years. We knew what we wanted, grabbed on tight and never looked back.” He seemed lost in thought for a moment. “Even after the loss of Jason, I wouldn’t take a single day back. Bev is my world.”

  Jane and her mom reappeared at that moment with chocolate pie for everyone.

  “Everything good here?” Jane was eyeing us both suspiciously.

  “Everything’s fine dear. Calvin was just telling me about his new position at work.” I looked to him and he winked. My secret was safe, for now. I was relieved to hear that he wasn’t opposed to our relationship.

  We finished dessert while discussing Christmas plans. The whole family, James and his parents included were going to have a family get together the Saturday before Christmas, which was next weekend. As Jane and I were making our exit, her dad shook my hand again and thanked me for taking care of his baby girl. It was an honor that he did that. I imagined if I ever had a daughter I’d lock her up until she was at least fifty.

  We were driving home when she started massaging my neck as I drove. “You ok, you seem stressed.”

  Looking to her I smiled and lied through my teeth. “Just work bullshit. I’m good.” I pulled her hand from my neck and kissed her fingers before joining our hands. “I’m glad our schedules lined up and that you’ll be home tonight. I’ve missed you.”

  “Always the romantic.” She flashed that million dollar smile that I liked to think she reserved for only me.

  “You really need to smile more. It’s breathtaking.”

  Chapter Twenty

  ~ JANE ~

  That weekend, after talking with Cassidy, we arranged a double date for the four of us. James had purchased a new truck; it was almost identical to Cal’s, just black and a newer model. We met at the Christmas tree lot and the guys were surprised to see one another.

  “Hey man, how you doing?” Cal and James exchanged hellos as James responded to Cal.

  “I think we’ve been played by our ladies.”

  “I think you’re right, James.”

  Cassidy and I just snickered. We were happy to have someone to double date with, and Cal and James got along really well, so it was a win-win. The lot was selling hot cider and donuts and Cassidy and I insisted on getting some. We sat down at a table, inside a heated tent, as we all devoured the donuts and cider.

  James took the lead, always a planner. “Alright. We’ll meet back here in an hour with our trees and then head to dinner.”

  Cassidy and I said in unison, “Yes, Sir.” We shared a laugh as Cal rolled his eyes.

  James and Cassidy started walking into the mass of trees and I saw her jump on his back before they disappeared into the trees. I stole her idea as I did the same and jumped on Cal’s back. We walked for several minutes, attempting to follow James and Cassidy, but they were long gone.

  “Oh, over there.” I pointed over his shoulder towards a tree that looked like a prime candidate.

  “You’re gonna have to get down and show me. My back can’t take much more of carrying you.” He was being sarcastic but it didn’t stop me from socking him in the arm.

  I jumped off his back and headed toward the tree I had in mind. I was jolted forward as I was hit in the upper back and snow sprayed over my shoulders. “Oh, no you didn’t!” I bent over and took a handful of snow as I turned to face him. As I turned I was hit again in the chest. “All right. Game on!” I threw with all my might and my snowball scraped his shoulder as he dodged behind a tree.

  “YOU MISSED, BABY DOLL!”

  “Barely! Why are you hiding? Scared?”

  I’d already reloaded my hands when he popped his head out from behind his hiding spot. I ran toward him and nailed him in the back as he ran away. He turned, throwing another one and I ducked to grab more snow of my own. I looked up, unsure of where he went. I tried to follow his tracks, but it was useless. Before I knew it, he wrapped an arm around my waist and his other snow covered hand dove into my unzipped coat and into my shirt.

  “Gotcha.”

  “Ahhhh, you jerk!” I was laughing and cringing at the same time. I remembered I still had the remnants of a snow ball in my own hand. He turned me to face him and I rubbed my snow all in his face. “Gotcha back Officer Charles.”

  He was spitting the snow out of his mouth and wiping his eyes. “You’re going to pay for that one baby doll.”

  I turned and ran as fast as I could, seeing a grove of tall evergreens in the distance. Ducking behind a large tree, I spotted an opening in the low hanging branches of another tree and snuck my way in. I was trying to catch my breath, quietly, when I heard his voice. Barely able to control my laughter, I couldn’t remember having this much fun since I was a kid. I spotted him through the branches as he stood not more than ten feet from me. Shit, he found my hiding spot.

  As he pulled the branches aside, his blue eyes met mine. “You’re trapped.” That devious smile of his spread across his face and I put up my hands up in defeat. He stalked toward me as my back butted up against the tree trunk. I watched intently as he bent his face to mine. “They’re green.” He smiled wickedly at me.

  “Always green for you.”

  His lips gently brushed mine, but his eyes were open. The lust that surged through me had me melting against him as his blue eyes drilled into me. Unable to keep mine open any longer, I closed them as I pulled him closer. He wrapped my legs around his waist, bracing me against the tree. His erection dug into me and I wanted him right then and there.

  “Calvin, I want you.”

  I watched as he pulled off his gloves, dropping them to the snow and I did the same. His hands traveled under my shirt, to my back, and scoured my skin. Reaching between us, I dug my hand into his jeans and captured his cock in my small hand. He groaned in to my mouth before resuming his kiss.

  “Jane, you’re killing me. I don’t have protection with me.”

  Lost in my delirium for him I panted, “I don’t care, just pull out.”

  He reared back and looked at me as he set my feet back on the ground. I immediately started pulling my leggings and panties down to my knees. He stood paralyzed, looking like he thought I was crazy. I grabbed his buckle and yanked him to me as I undid his zipper and reached inside. Releasing his cock from its confinement I stroked him as he closed his eyes.

  “Touch me.”

  His eyes opened and his hand trailed my thigh and hip before moving to my damp folds. “You’ll freeze.”

  “So warm me up.” His finger dove into me then, “Mmm.”

  We worked each other over for a moment, my head resting on his chest, and then he pulled away abruptly and turned me to face the tree. I felt his hand on my hips, pulling my ass up, as his cock slid between my legs. I braced myself against the tree and felt him rubbing himself all over me.

  Unable to wait any longer, I reared back, eliciting a groan as he shifted and plunged into
me. We both stilled for a second, reveling in our joined bodies, and no barrier between us. His arms wrapped around me as he whispered, “I love you, Jane.”

  “I know.”

  One of his hands moved to my clit while the other gripped my hip. He began pumping in and out of me and his other hand moved in circles to the rhythm of his thrusts. The spirals were forming deep in my belly and I could feel his release building in him.

  “Jane, are you close, baby? I’m so close.”

  “Not yet, harder, Cal.”

  He increased the pressure of his fingers and pushed into me harder. It was just what I needed. A few moments later I began crying out. Cal brought his hand up to muffle my cries and I began sucking on his fingers as the waves began to slow.

  “Shit, Jane.” He went to pull out and I just couldn’t let him go. “Jane?”

  He flooded into me and I smiled in satisfaction. I was being reckless, but at that moment I didn’t care.

  After we got ourselves put back together, we quickly picked out a tree and made our way back to the front of the lot. James and Cassidy came strolling up with a tree of their own. James joined Cal at the register to pay for the tree and I spotted a twig caught in his hair. I looked back to Cassidy and as I scanned my eyes over her I noticed the knees of her jeans soaked. When I lifted my eyes back to her face, recognition filled her eyes, and I burst out laughing as she looked to me horrified.

  “What’s so funny?” Cal was oblivious to what I’d noticed as he turned back to me.

  Winking at Cassidy I said, “Nothing, nothing at all.”

  We enjoyed a quick dinner at a local restaurant and had a great time as usual. Cal shared the news that I had moved in with him. Cassidy seemed a little surprised, but congratulated us. She also congratulated me for taming her brother’s wild ways. We laughed at that.

  When we walked out of the restaurant, I swore that I saw Derek across the street. My heart started hammering in my chest. The traffic was heavy considering the time of day and everyone who was out doing last minute Christmas shopping. When the traffic cleared I focused on the figure across the street, but he, it, was gone. I was losing it.