by E A Price
Jessie waved her hand. “Oh, it’s fine, I have to get back to work anyway.”
Norma left huffing and muttering.
“Thank you, Jessica.”
“No problem, Ger… Director.” Rose pink cheeks turned to lobster red cheeks.
Edith raised an eyebrow and then snickered. “Don’t blush on my account sweetie – as long as you’re discreet and don’t have sex in my house I don’t care.”
“Edith!” snarled Gerry.
Lobster red cheeks turned to bloody crimson cheeks that were threatening to explode.
“What? I was trying to put the poor girl at ease; I can smell your arousal a mile away Gerry and this little girl is virtually putting on a strip tease to get your attention.”
Gerry rose to his feet, a picture of trembling ferocity. “Edith!”
“Okay, okay – I just need to talk to you in private for a few minutes and then,” she looked at Jessie, “he’s all yours.”
“I… ah… I have to go!”
Jessie practically ran out of there. Oh god, that was embarrassing! Jessie had done a lot of things other people generally considered embarrassing – karaoke, dancing on tables, skinny dipping… She even posed nude for an art class a couple of times to make money. But this was seriously embarrassing.
Was it that obvious? Did she have it tattooed on her forehead that she was the other woman and considering a relationship with her boss?
Her beast mewled at her as doubts crept forward. But no, she had to get over them. If she wanted to be with Gerry, she would just have to lump it!
*
Gerry’s face twisted into a menacing glare. “Thank you for that,” he ground out through gritted teeth. Talking was difficult when your face was trying to shift into that of a python’s. The beast wanted out. It had taken months to get Jessie to let her guard down. If Edith had now ruined his chances, he dreaded to think what he would do to her.
Edith snickered and collapsed into a chair, rolling her eyes as the seat made a loud farting noise. “I didn’t mean any harm; I was trying to let her know that I wasn’t going to come after her for sleeping with my husband.”
“What do you want?” he demanded. Although that was a Freudian slip – he actually meant to say ‘fuck off and leave me alone forever you demented harpy’.
“It’s about Lance…”
Great, her idiot brother. “Not interested.”
“I just want you to talk to him.”
“Do you have any idea how hard it has been to stop him from being charged with anything?” The boy was a selfish asshole who only gave a crap about himself and his twisted needs.
“It’s delicate.”
“Because he’s sleeping with a married woman?”
It had become clear that Lance pursued married women, and when they left their husbands for him, he dumped them. It was a disturbing pattern, and ended in either the husbands or the wives coming after Lance in one way or another. One day, it was going to end very badly.
“No, well, yes. It’s because he’s sleeping with the wife of a member of the Council of Supernaturals.”
“What?” growled Gerry.
Edith actually looked pained. “I found out by accident. I went over to his house to take him out for breakfast, and she was there – Millie Crescent.”
He almost slapped his forhead and shouted d’oh. The bull shifter’s wife? Maxwell Crescent was by far the craziest Council member and among other things he wanted to legalize honor killings. He seriously wanted to make it legal for packs and prides to kill each other if they feel their honor had been slighted! Crazy wolves and cats would be killing each other if someone took the last napkin and they wanted it. They didn’t need much provocation to go mental!
If Maxwell knew what Lance was up to, who knows what the crazy bull might do.
“Does Maxwell Crescent know yet?”
“No, but it’s only a matter of time. You know how Lance is - he’s not discreet about cheating on a spouse.” She paused before cheerfully adding, “Not like we are.”
“Edith!!” He recalled Jessie’s embarrassed flush and his python grumbled. This really wasn’t a subject they could joke about yet.
“What? I’m trying to lighten the mood.”
“Does your father know?”
Edith’s brow creased. “About you and the squirrel?”
“About Lance!” he shouted as anger thundered through his snake.
“Well Lance’s neck hasn’t been wrung, so no.”
Gerry looked at her impatiently. “What do you want me to do exactly?” Cheating wasn’t against the law. Otherwise, he’d have to arrest himself. Well, technically they’d only kissed, and he’d managed briefly to feel the curvier parts of her body, but it wasn’t for lack of trying.
“Talk to Lance, and try and knock some sense into him.”
His snake huffed. Like that’ll work. “I’ve talked to him every time the cops are called to his house, or he’s arrested – he’s not interested.” The male was obsessed with married women. He seemed to like the chase, and when it was over, he no longer cared. “Besides, how can I tell him it’s wrong to cheat considering the state of our relationship?” Something about pots and kettles and calling them black sprang to mind.
“It’s not the same,” said Edith, dismissively. Gerry gave her a look. “Well, it’s not,” she insisted. “Our relationship is on paper only and has an expiration date. Lance goes out of his way to try steal women out of their probably happy marriages.”
“I don’t think…”
“Look, it’s Daddy’s birthday next week – I’m sorry, but you will be expected to attend the party – please talk to Lance then. If he ruins this marriage, it may have consequences for Daddy and his position on the Council. Try to impress that on him. He’s scared of Daddy.”
Gerry looked at Edith’s pleading face, and for once she seemed genuine. She wasn’t prone to caring about other people, but Lance appeared to fall into the tiny category of people for which she actually felt real affection. Well, he was already going to suffer by attending the party anyway, so how could this make it any worse. He was going to have to find a way to pacify his python about that later.
“Fine, if I get the chance I’ll talk to him.”
Edith beamed. “Thank you. Right, I’m off to…”
“I’d rather not know.”
“Suit yourself.”
She flounced away, and Gerry massaged his temples. Less than a year and they would be divorced. It wasn’t that long to go now. Yes, he had to keep telling his snake that. Plus, at least, Jessie was coming round.
He didn’t like how uncomfortable she was earlier. But, in spite of his snake’s fury, he actually considered the meeting between his wife and her to be a good thing. In a small, tiny, minuscule way. Because at least Jessie now knew that his wife was okay with them being together. Hell, Edith probably welcomed it – it was something to torment him about. Surely that was something. Right?
Chapter Fifteen
Jessie arrived at the address he gave her. Hmmm, strange place for a date. Doesn’t matter, not thinking about that. She was focusing on her possible sort of future with Gerry – if they had one. Ugh.
She was nervous but excited. And before she could let her crazy brain think anymore she rapped on the door. Seconds later, he answered smiling widely. Oh, she hadn’t seen him look so happy. Well, maybe apart from the previous night when he was feeling up her boobs. He looked young and boyish.
“I’m glad you came,” he said, silkily.
“I said I would,” she murmured.
“I wasn’t sure how you’d feel about what Edith said.”
“At least if I am the other woman, she knows about me.”
Gerry frowned. “Don’t think of yourself like that.”
“How else can I?” she sighed. “I just think of my mom’s best friend and the heartbreak she went through when she found out her husband was cheating on her.” Twyla had spent two months on
their couch crying her eyes out when Jessie was sixteen. It was really sad.
“It’s not the same.”
“I know, I really do.”
“If you don’t want to be here…”
“You want me to leave?” she asked quickly.
“Of course not.”
They stared at one another for a couple of moments, as awkward tension crackled through the air.
“Maybe we should start again,” said Jessie as she walked out the door.
Worry darted through his eyes. “Where are you going?”
“We’re starting again.” She smiled and closed the door behind her.
She knocked again. He opened the door again. He smiled again.
“I’m glad you came.”
“I’m glad you invited me.”
See, they were already off to a much stronger start.
Gerry chuckled. “Let me take your coat.”
“Thank you.”
“Wow,” he breathed as his eyes roamed over her body, carefully taking in every detail.
“Ummm hmmm.” Jessie gave him a spin, and she could swear he groaned.
“You look, absolutely beautiful.” This was said to her breasts. Well, they could be good listeners. Her squirrel was thrilled by the compliment. She didn’t get many. Or at least, she didn’t get many about her looks. Mostly it was, ‘wow, you’re on level thirty-nine of The Knights of Wolf Blood Hollow’ – you’re an excellent player’.
Jessie wasn’t exactly the dressy kind, but she found the tight, black dress in a thrift store a couple of years ago. It had a low neck and was covered in small hearts, diamonds, clubs and spades. An ex told her she looked like a slutty deck of cards the last time she wore it – right before she dumped him.
She only regretted that she couldn’t get the black dye out of her hair. She had the urge to be au natural for the night but, the black would have to do.
Gerry didn’t seem to mind anyway. He placed his hands on her hips. “You look lovely no matter what but in that dress… wow.” His fingers skimmed over her body.
“Not too gaudy?”
“No, perfect, just perfect.”
“So, umm, this place is interesting – hint, hint.” Meaning, she didn’t really want to stand in the doorway all night. Plus, she was kind of interested where she was.
“Hmmm?” He smiled at her dazedly for a few moments before snapping back to the present. “Right, yes, this way.” He took her hand, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles and led her into a large living room. It was sparsely decorated, but the view of the city was incredible. While Jessie had the largest bedroom in her apartment, the tiny window was a bit of a letdown – it overlooked a Hola Sunshine parking lot. If she opened her window, she either smelled the cigarette smoke from the Hola Sunshine employees who were on break or the gorgeous smell of tacos. It alternately irritated her and made her hungry.
“Wow,” she breathed. She let go of his hand and wandered over to look at the view.
“It was my brother’s apartment,” explained Gerry.
“Aren’t you going to sell it?” People would pay a fortune for the view alone. You could practically see all of Los Lobos. It looked beautiful in the fading sun.
“Technically we can’t until he’s declared dead or he comes back – whichever happens first.” He didn’t sound like he minded either. Jessie doubted she could be so blasé about one of her siblings, but then, she couldn’t imagine any of them stealing from their parents.
Gerry stood behind her. She could feel his presence, barely an inch away, and when he spoke, she could feel his breath on her shoulder. Her squirrel twittered with excitement.
“For now, my parents agreed I could use it whenever I wanted.”
Given that he only lived ten minutes away by car – because she might have hacked into his personnel file – she wondered if he used this place to get away from his wife. Or maybe she wasn’t the first girl he’d brought here. Her beast gnashed her teeth. No, she wasn’t going to think like that. She was in a beautiful apartment with literally the man of her dreams. She needed to try and relax and enjoy herself, in spite of her reservations. After all, she wouldn’t have come at all if she didn’t think there was a way to move past them.
Jessie cleared her throat. “The view is amazing – you can actually see the beach. Oh, and you can see the frozen banana stand. I love that place.”
“It’s yours if you want it,” he breathed against her skin.
“The frozen banana stand?” she asked with a soft giggle.
Gerry let out a low rumble. “You know what I mean. I don’t like you living with those males.”
Ah, the apartment. Jessie turned around and gently pushed against his chest, so there was a little more space between them. “I have lived with them for more than a year now and…”
“I don’t like it,” he said sharply. Black tainted his eyes, and she felt a ripple of power as his beast pushed to the fore. Dang that should not have turned her on.
“They’re good guys,” she persisted while trying to clamp her thighs together. If he scented her arousal, he’d think she was caving – and despite her animal who wanted nothing more than to submit and give him anything he wanted, that wasn’t happening.
“They are all unmated, and they appear to be slovenly. Surely you want to live alone.”
“Well, yes,” she admitted. Down the line, she had hoped to get her own place. “But…”
Gerry frowned. He really couldn’t see why she would object. “You can move in here rent free, you’d just pay utilities – or I could pay them.”
Jessie had to grind her teeth to stop herself from losing her temper. “So let me get this straight. You want to put me in your apartment and give me money to live on, and you’d what? Come over for sex anytime you wanted? I’d be your kept woman.”
His eyes hooded. “Well, when you say it like that it sounds bad.”
Grrr. “How else would you say it?” Even her squirrel couldn’t put a good spin on it – and she was really trying.
He let out a frustrated sigh. They didn’t seem to be doing very well so far. “Maybe we should start over again.”
“No, we haven’t finished this time.”
Gerry caught one of her hands and brought her palm to her lips. “Let’s forget about the apartment and eat. I don’t want to waste time arguing. We’ve already wasted enough time as it is.”
Jessie scowled but then softened. “Okay, I don’t want to argue either.”
He smiled in relief and led her through to the dining room – which was even bigger than the apartment she shared with the aforementioned thoughtless males. Her traitorous mind couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to live there. She hadn’t failed to notice the huge flat screen TV. It was almost as wonderful as the view. Imagine how great Doctor Who would look on it.
“Take a seat, I’ll be back in a moment,” he purred, regaining some of his previous good humor.
She sat and admired the flowers and candles. The place was fancier than every restaurant she’d ever been to, but then she’d never eaten at a place that didn’t have a ball pit for kids and paper napkins. He’d gone to a lot of trouble for her. The best her previous boyfriend could manage was ordering Chinese takeout and handing her a fork.
Her nose twitched as a delicious smell invaded her nostrils. It was a smell she knew all too well and one that competed with Gerry’s own scent for downright yumminess. “Is that nut roast?”
He smiled as he placed it on the table. “It is, and there’s chocolate hazelnut ice cream for dessert.”
Jessie and her beast almost drooled. “You’re spoiling me,” she chided in such a way that suggested she wouldn’t mind if he continued doing so either.
Gerry cut two huge slabs and placed them on their plates. “It’s probably not as good as your mother’s, but the restaurant who prepared it assured me it was one of their most requested dishes.”
“It looks and smells lovely, thank you.
You know, we could have just gone to a restaurant, you didn’t have to go to this much trouble.”
He hesitated before saying, “No, we couldn’t.”
“Oh? Don’t they let you into restaurants?” she teased. “They don’t let my little brother Joey in anymore because he shifts and likes to jump all over the tables.” People often mistook him for a rat and started screaming and running around like there was no tomorrow. Their family couldn’t eat at any restaurants in town anymore – save for the one owned by a fellow squirrel.
Gerry seemed to be fighting with himself over what to say next. Jessie narrowed her eyes. “What is it?”
“While I’m married to Edith I can’t be seen in public with another woman.”
“Oh.” Jessie put her fork down and tried not to look as annoyed as she felt. She should have realized that, but she didn’t really think it through.
“Her father Grant is on the Council – he knows people everywhere. If they saw me with you, they’d think I was cheating, and the truth would come out.”
“I get it; I understand,” she said. “I just hadn’t thought about it.”
“I’m sorry.”
Jessie bit her lip. “I know, and I wish I could feel happier about the situation, but it’s got me tied up in knots.”
“Please Jessica, try to make this work - for me.”
“I’ll try,” she whispered the words before she even thought about them. Yes, the whole situation was a total pain in the ass, but she knew in an instant that she didn’t want to be as miserable as she had been for the last four months. Although this new situation did present the opportunity to be miserable in a variety of new and exciting ways, at least, she’d have Gerry.
He lifted his hand to her face and stroked her cheek. His cool fingers soothed her burning skin and her agitated beast. He leaned over to her and kissed her. It was just as electric, just as perfect as the first time they met. Time hadn’t dimmed her lust for him, no, it had only grown and strengthened.
Gerry deepened the kiss and pulled her onto his lap. She felt him start to relax his grip and coiled herself around him.
“The food,” he moaned against her mouth.
