by Cathryn Fox
D-I-S-A-P-P-E-A-R-E-D.
"Holy shit,” Jillian whispered. Her gaze slowly swept the room. She was the only one in it. But that was ... impossible. “Okay, this isn't funny anymore. Now you're just plain freaking me out."
Silence.
"Seriously. Where are you hiding and how'd you move so quickly that I ... didn't ... even ... see ... you go."
No answer. There wasn't even the faintest whisper of breath coming from another body. Jillian knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that she was alone in the room.
"I'm sufficiently creeped out,” she mumbled. Then she turned to go. She wanted to get the hell out of The Old Age Saloon. Clearly, she needed sleep. A lot of it.
"Believe me now?” The voice was familiar, but it was muffled.
Jillian's head whipped around and she searched the room, but still didn't see the girl. Expect ... A movement on the middle shelf caught her attention. She stepped slowly, tentatively, toward the shelving unit and craned her neck, peering past the box of napkins and bags of pretzels. There, standing on top of a large canister of mixed nuts was Sera. A miniature version of her, but it was Sera nonetheless.
"Holy hell.” That was all Jillian managed to get out because suddenly darkness hit her as hard as the tiled floor when she fell to it. She was out cold.
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One Wish: Chapter 3
Luke rolled over and stared at the alarm clock sitting on the nightstand next to his bed. It was past one and Jillian hadn't arrived yet.
He frowned. She usually had all her closing chores wrapped up by now. He raised his arms and stacked his hands on the plump pillow. He rested his head on his hands and stared up at the ceiling fan, which wasn't cranked all the way up, though it should be. It was damn hot in his house because, like so many others in Sedona, he didn't have air conditioning. It usually didn't get hot enough in the summers to necessitate a unit, so he'd never had one installed. But this heat wave was a bitch.
Kicking off the covers, he lay in bed with no more on than his boxers. He wondered how long he'd have to wait for Jillian. She wasn't serious about not being interested in coming over, was she?
No.
He'd seen the look in her eyes when he'd come through the door of the saloon. It had likely mirrored his own. She wanted him, as much as he wanted her. He didn't doubt that. He could tell when she was in need of him. And he wasn't above admitting when he needed her.
Something about Jillian Anderson kept him coming back for more. True, they were both too caught up in their careers and personal responsibilities to consider settling down right now, but someday...
Luke thought they just might end up together. For good. It was what he hoped for, at any rate.
But he and Jillian had never discussed it. Probably because they both knew they weren't in the position to pursue something more permanent. He had his assignments, which took him all over the world, and Jillian had the bar. She'd promised her uncle she'd tend to it the way he had. And that meant devoting her life to running the joint.
Well. It didn't really have to be that way. She could hire some more help. Luke wondered what held her back. Sure she was busy, and he could understand that that would make it difficult for her to find the time to interview potential employees. Still. If she really wanted to, she'd make the time.
So what had Jillian killing herself with the insane hours she put in?
As Luke contemplated the answer to this, the phone rang. Excitement surged through every inch of him as he reached for the cordless on the nightstand with the clock and said, “Tell me you're on your way over."
"I'm sorry?"
Luke sat up. The female voice on the other end of the line was not Jillian's. “Who is this?"
"My name is Serafina. I ... work ... for Jillian. Is this Luke Parsons?"
"Yeah. What's going on?” he demanded as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and flipped on the light on the nightstand. Panic crept up on him. “Where's Jillian? Is she okay?"
"She will be. She just ... hit her head. Will you come help her?"
He was already on his feet and stalking over to the dresser where he pulled out a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. “Does she need to go to the hospital? Is there any blood?"
"No. No blood. She just needs help getting up and I'm afraid to move her."
"Then don't. I'll be there in less than ten minutes.” He clicked the phone off, tossed it onto the bed and slid into his sneakers. He was out the door a moment later. Only when he was in his Jeep and heading toward The Old Age Saloon did it occur to him that he didn't know this Serafina. And hadn't Jillian said earlier that she hadn't found the time to hire anyone new? So who was this girl? And why hadn't Jillian mentioned her? Why hadn't Luke seen her at the bar when he'd been in?
Feeling a bit out of sorts, and extremely worried about Jillian, his foot got a little heavier on the gas pedal. He rounded the bend that led into town and pulled into the parking lot of the saloon. Jumping out of the Jeep, he used the key Jillian had given him when she'd taken over the saloon. It was a spare she'd wanted someone to have, in the event anything happened to her. Luke had never anticipated using it, and doing so now made him even edgier.
What if something was seriously wrong with Jillian?
Unlocking the door and pushing it open slightly, he peered inside the bar. It occurred to him that this could be some sort of set-up. Considering he'd never heard of or met the woman who'd phoned him, it was possible Jillian was in danger. He should have called the sheriff before he'd driven over. But he was here now, so he opened the door further and stepped inside the dimly lit bar.
If anyone dared to hurt Jillian, they'd be sorry. Luke would make them pay. No one would harm her and get away with it.
"Jilly?” he called out as he moved further into the bar.
"She's in the back.” The same voice he'd heard on the phone now echoed in the saloon. A young girl with dark hair stepped out from the narrow hallway and said, “She's conscious now, but a bit sluggish. I don't think she's seriously injured, but she's got a terrible headache."
Again, Luke wondered if this was some sort of set-up. Was Jillian being robbed? Was he about to be?
"Who are you?” he asked.
"Sera. Please, I think you should go see Jillian."
She stepped to the side so he could pass her. Keeping his wits about him, Luke surveyed the immediate area, but didn't find anything out of place. No struggle had happened here. And Jillian clearly hadn't been robbed. Her night deposit bag still sat on the counter.
Moving past Sera, he walked slowly down the hallway and entered the storage room, though he remained standing in the doorway, just in case.
Jillian sat with her back against the leg of the workstation across the room. She rubbed her head and mumbled something he couldn't hear. Satisfied they were alone, and no one was going to jump out and surprise him, Luke entered the room.
"Jilly?” He knelt before her and lightly brushed strands of hair from her face. She was pale and looked a little dazed, but she eventually gazed up at him and smiled softly. He was relieved to find that she wasn't bleeding and, as best as he could tell, there were no bumps or bruises on her.
"What are you doing here?” she asked in a quiet voice.
Luke's fingers slid beneath her chin and he tilted it up slightly so he could look into her silvery-blue eyes. They wandered in the sockets just a bit, but he didn't see anything that alarmed him about her condition. “Your new employee called me. Did you fall?"
She looked confused for a moment, then nodded her head. “Something like that. Where's Sera now?"
"She's out front."
"Will you drive us home?"
It was Luke's turn to be surprised. “Is she staying with you?"
"For a while, yes."
He gently took Jillian's arm and helped her stand.
After getting Jillian to the Jeep, Luke locked up the saloon and climbed behind the wheel. Sera said she'd never seen a
vehicle like his, and she curiously inspected the interior. At Jillian's house, she wandered from room to room before settling on one of the guest rooms.
"I like this one,” she announced. “Very old-fashioned and pretty. It reminds me of the last house I lived in."
"Make yourself comfortable,” Jillian said.
"I will.” And then Sera disappeared inside the room, closing the door behind her.
Luke turned to Jillian. “Wanna explain that to me?"
She shook her head. “Long story. But she needs a place to stay, so..."
"Taking in strays now?"
Jillian shrugged. “She's ... unique. And kind of funny. She could be interesting to have around."
"As long as you know what you're doing.” Luke wasn't sure he liked the idea of a stranger staying with Jillian. So he said, “I'm crashing here tonight."
"You're overprotective."
"Whatever. Deal with it.” He lifted her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom. Placing her gently on the bed, he set about undressing her. When she was naked and snuggled under the covers, Luke stripped down to his boxers and climbed in next to her. “How's your head?"
"Fine,” she insisted. “I'm fine. Really."
He studied her a moment, then reached for the light beside the bed and turned it off. He wrapped an arm around Jillian's shoulders as she rested her head on his chest. The enticing scent of lavender from her shampoo wafted under his nose. Luke's groin tightened. Just having Jillian close to him, inhaling her fresh scent, feeling her silky skin against his, and listening to her steady breathing turned him on more than anything else. She never failed to excite him, to make him want her.
He couldn't explain or define what it was about Jillian that evoked such deep emotions and sparked his desire. But she was the only woman he'd ever spent time fantasizing about, wishing for, wanting. Jillian was as mystical, magical and untamable as the mustangs he photographed. And he loved that about her.
As her fingertips lightly grazed the bare skin on his chest, his erection swelled. He let out a low groan when her hand skimmed lower, over his abdomen to the waist of his boxers. She toyed with the elastic band, driving Luke wild with thoughts of what she might do. What he wanted her to do.
Finally, he couldn't take any more teasing. His hand covered hers and moved down to his crotch. When her palm rested against his cock, he squeezed her hand, pressing it more firmly against the hard shaft that begged for her touch.
"I wasn't going to let this happen,” she said in a quiet voice.
Luke tensed. “Why do you fight it?"
Her head lifted off his chest and she stared at him. “Because every time we're together, you leave the next day."
"Not this time."
She eyed him a moment longer, hope flashing in her silver-blue eyes. “Promise?"
He grinned at her. “Oh, yeah. I'm not going anywhere.” Especially not while there was a stranger living in Jillian's house. Luke wasn't about to leave her alone until he knew more about this Sera person who had suddenly insinuated herself into Jillian's life. And, too, Luke really didn't have the desire to go anywhere just yet. He'd just come home after a three-month assignment to Europe. He could think of nothing better than spending a night-or several nights-in Jillian's bed.
But he wasn't oblivious to her concerns. He'd left too many times after a hot night of passionate lovemaking to not know her insecurities. He wasn't a complete dolt. He just ... didn't really know how to be with Jillian.
Yet, he could try.
"Look, Jilly,” he said in a steady voice, his hand still holding hers against his ever-growing erection. “I know it's always complicated between us. Let's deal with that tomorrow."
She smiled at him. “You always say that, Luke."
He groaned. “Damn it. I don't know what else to say. Except ... I'm not going anywhere in the morning."
Her brows knitted together. “Really?"
His head rolled from side to side on the pillow. “No. I'm staying in town for a while. I'd like to spend that time with you."
She nibbled her lower lip a moment, then said, “I'd like that, too. But..."
"No,” he whispered as he shifted on the bed, forcing her to roll onto her back. Luke's hand left hers and his fingers brushed strands of hair from her forehead and cheeks. His hand eased down the column of her neck to her collarbone. “Don't give me reservations, Jillian. You always do that. There's a ‘but’ around every corner with you. Sometimes, I catch you off guard and we end up like this. And it's good, Jillian. Damn good."
Her eyes narrowed. “What do you mean, ‘there's a but around every corner'?"
Luke chuckled. “See ... you can't even take a compliment without questioning it."
"I-no, that's not true. I...” She shook her head. “Okay, yes. It's true. But that's not what I'm talking about. What are you saying, Luke?"
His fingers swept over the top of her left breast. She was naked beneath the sheet and his body tensed at the thought of touching her and making love to her. But Jillian was easily spooked. So he needed to tread lightly with her.
"I'm saying that, with you, Jillian, there's no black and white. You bring a lot of gray matter into the equation."
"I do not!"
He eyed her, cocking a brow.
Her mouth snapped shut. She opened it suddenly as though to protest, but then closed it again.
Luke grinned. “Admit it. You dissect everything to death, Jillian."
She seemed to contemplate his words, then asked in a tentative voice, “Are you saying I intentionally drive you away?"
He shook his head. “On a subconscious level, yes."
"That's not true.” He cocked his brow again. She closed her eyes and let out a long breath. “Okay. Maybe it's true. But it's just because you're so ... so ... you know..."
"Irresistible?"
"Arrogant!” she huffed. “You are so full of yourself!"
He laughed. “Come on. Be serious."
She shook her head. “You're a huge pain in the ass. And you have a fear of commitment."
"I have a fear of commitment?” he demanded, taken aback. “Let's talk about who's really commitment phobic in this dysfunctional relationship. It's not me, sweetheart. You're the one with the intimacy issues."
She opened her mouth once more to protest, but no words came out.
Bingo!
Talk about hitting the nail on the head.
Jillian sat up suddenly and said, “We'll see who's got the commitment and intimacy issues. We're going to have sex tonight,” she told him. “And then we'll see who's racing for the door in the morning."
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One Wish: Chapter 4
Of all the asinine things he could have said to her! Accusing her of intimacy issues.
Seriously!
But even as Jillian plopped back against the pile of pillows on her bed, she suspected Luke had a point. Okay, she didn't purposely push him out the door, she knew, but Jillian had to admit she employed a certain sense of detachment when it came to Luke. Not on the physical level. Oh, hell no. When she and Luke were together, Jillian gave him all of her body-she denied him absolutely nothing.
Yet, afterward...
Hmm.
She'd be a hypocrite if she said she didn't keep him at arm's length emotionally.
But that was just because she was ... scared. Terrified, really. Not just frightened of putting herself out there emotionally. Jillian was afraid of needing Luke.
"Fuck,” she whispered.
"Now you're talking,” Luke said as his hands returned to her body.
She laughed. “That's not what I meant. I was just thinking that ... maybe ... you might actually be ... right. About me."
He leaned in close to her. His body was stretched out next to hers, his warm skin so soft and inviting. As his head dipped and his lips brushed hers, Jillian instantly conceded the fight. Maybe she was on the wary and paranoid side most of the time. When
Luke kissed her, she forgot all about that.
"Do that again,” she whispered, her eyelids fluttering closed. How long had it been since he'd kissed her or made love to her?
Too long.
Way too long.
Like, parts-of-my-body-are-shriveling-up-from-neglect too long.
Luke's mouth pressed to hers and excitement jolted her body. She parted her lips, inviting him inside. As his tongue swept over hers, tangling with it, her arms wrapped around his neck and Jillian Anderson gave herself over to the moment. Completely.
No thoughts of what tomorrow would bring invaded her mind.
No thoughts of what the future held for her stifled her current needs.
Nothing stood between Jillian and one very hot, steamy night with Luke.
Except, of course, his boxers.
"These have to go,” she said as she broke their kiss. Her fingers curled around the waistband of his shorts and she gave them a quick tug. Luke worked his way free of the garment.
Jillian let out a long sigh. So yeah, maybe she had some reservations about her strange relationship ... association ... whatever ... with Luke. But she had to admit, nothing felt quite so right as having his naked body pressed to hers. As he settled between her legs, she let go of any and all doubts. At the moment, the only thing she could think of, the only thing she could concentrate on, was having Luke bring her the kind of pleasure only he was capable of delivering.
And Lord knew she was in need of some pleasure in her life!
So it really wasn't so difficult to push aside his earlier comments. She didn't need to think about her role in their estrangement. She'd give thought to it tomorrow. For tonight, however ... she intended to do nothing more than enjoy and savor every single second with Luke.
In fact, she could barely contain the grin that teased her lips. He incited a riot of emotions and erotic sensations inside her. Her stomach quivered, her breath caught. The sensitive spot between her legs throbbed and ached, in desperate need of Luke's attention.
