Absolute Trust (Absolute Power Duet Book 2)

by Jeana E. Mann

  “Okay.” Beneath my palm, her throat muscles constrict as she swallows.

  I lower my mouth to hers. Her lips part. Her tongue duels with mine in a deep, wet kiss. We had sex this morning, but I need her again. Rage has always been a turn on for me, and right now, I’m fucking livid that one of my team has caused harm to the most precious person in my life.

  “I need to fuck you. Hard.” I stare into Jagger’s eyes, seeking permission to use her body as an outlet for my fury.

  “Do it.” She presses her palms to the wall behind her. Her breath comes in short pants.

  I release the tiny bows on each of her hips. The bikini bottoms whisper to the floor. Jag widens her stance, shoves my shorts down. My cock springs forward, fully erect. The heaviness of my balls says this isn’t going to take long. I curl my fingers around the back of her knee, lift her leg, and hook it over my hip.

  I slide into her slow and easy then drive home in one vicious thrust. Her hands fly to my shoulders. The edges of her fingernails dig into my flesh as I stab upward a dozen times.

  “Oh, yeah. That’s good.” Her words act as fuel to my lust. As always, she accepts my darkness with understanding. She knows what I need and gives me the freedom to take it.

  We slam into each other, seeking mutual release. It arrives in an explosion of profanity and grunts. I’m pretty sure Em, Gage, and all the neighbors know what’s happening, and I could care less.

  Twenty-Three

  Jagger

  The next day, after meetings with the insurance adjuster and more questions from the arson investigator, I visit the nursing home to tell Mr. Mercer about the fire. He’s waiting for me in the lounge, dressed in his usual plaid shirt and tan trousers. His shoulders hunch forward as I explain the situation. He studies his gnarled hands before summoning a small smile. “Things can be replaced, my dear. At least you’re okay.” The pat of his hand is small consolation for the devastation on his face.

  “I don’t think you understand. Everything is gone. Everything.” Tears burn my eyes. I blink them away, determined to remain brave. “I’m so sorry.”

  He peers through the beige curtains of the nearby window and sighs. “Most of that stuff was junk and no good to anyone. All of my memories are in here.” The tap of his fingers to his heart renews my tears. “And let’s face it. The business was failing. Maybe it’s time to start fresh for both of us.”

  “Cash wants you to stay with him. His house has a mother-in-law suite with a kitchenette and a separate entrance. There’s a beautiful lake. It would be like your own apartment. He has a housekeeper and a maintenance crew. You won’t have to do anything. And I’ll be there.”

  “That sounds marvelous.” He leans back in the chair. “I humbly accept his offer. You thank him for me, will you?” His eyes grow round. “And Lucy? Oh, my goodness. What about Lucy? Is she okay?”

  “She’s fine. Living the good life at Cash’s. He spoils her rotten. I think she likes him better than me.”

  “So things are going well for the two of you?”

  “He says he loves me.” The heat of a blush warms my cheeks.

  “And you love him back.” It’s not a question, but I nod anyway. He chuckles. “I knew it. When’s the wedding? I’m ready for grandkids.”

  “No, no!” I hold up both hands. The warmth of a different kind of love unfurls in my chest. Love for this man who cares for me like the father I never had. Despite my denial, I can’t help smiling at the suggestion. “It’s way too soon for that. We’re still figuring things out.”

  “Whatever you say.” His knowing grin minimizes my sadness. “And when are you going to stop calling me Mr. Mercer? My name’s Bob.”

  “I like calling you Mr. Mercer. It has a ring to it, you know?” I smile back at him. “It might take me awhile to break the habit.”

  The visit with Mr. Mercer rearranges my priorities. As he suggested, the fire could be a blessing in disguise. I can either dwell on the negative or opt to find the positive side of the situation. With the burden of the store gone, I can concentrate on building a new business, one that belongs to me and fulfills my dreams. Thanks to Cash and Loretta, I have enough money to help support Mr. Mercer. Even the fire has a silver lining.

  When I arrive back at Cash’s house, he’s hanging out in the kitchen with Em and Gage. As usual, he’s shirtless and barefoot. The ink on his neck and arms is on full display. The sight of him causes my heart to skip a beat. He greets me with an arm around my waist and a kiss on the lips. Mr. Mercer’s comments have spurred my thoughts in a new direction. How good would it feel to come home to this man every day?

  “How was Mr. Mercer?” he asks.

  “Fine. Good.” My stomach does a somersault when Cash’s brown eyes meet mine. He’s thinking about sex. I can tell by the way his lips curl upward at the corners. He tilts his head toward the stairs and lifts an eyebrow. Fire races up my neck then drops to settle between my legs.

  Em is chopping onions. She glances up from her work. “We’re making lasagna.”

  “You mean, I’m making lasagna,” Gage interjects. He’s hovering over a large pot of red sauce. “You’re my sous-chef.”

  “It’s my recipe.” She scowls at him.

  “Don’t play me. You got it off the Internet.” He snaps a dish towel at her rear end. She yelps and hops to one side.

  “They’ve been like this all day,” Cash says, his lips curving into a smile against my temple. He lets go of my waist long enough to thread his fingers through mine. “Let’s go have a swim. Pretty soon, it’s gonna be too cold to use it. You can tell me about Mr. Mercer, and I want to hear what the adjuster had to say.”

  We splash around in the heated water then sit on the edge of the pool with our legs dangling in the water. Cash listens to the details of my day, nodding to show his interest. He listens until the end before asking questions. I love this side of him. Aside from Mr. Mercer, Cash is the only man to value my thoughts and opinions.

  “When’s your next drop from Loretta?” His question catches me off guard. In all the hubbub, I forgot about her.

  “Next week.” I press a hand to my head at the sudden ache between my temples. “Why?”

  “I need to go to Chicago. Some business stuff. Nothing major.”

  An icepick of fear stabs my chest. “Is Gage going with you?”

  “No. I want him to stay here. I need to know you’re safe.”

  “Don’t go.” I grab his hand and squeeze like I can physically restrain him from leaving. As long as we’re locked behind the gates of this compound, I don’t have to worry about him.

  “Not an option, baby girl.” With an index finger, he taps the bottom of my chin. “You just concentrate on bringing in the money.”

  “I’ll go with you.”

  “Nah. Can’t have that. I need you here.” A smile plays on his lips. “Don’t worry about me. I’ve been doing this for years. You keep your eyes on business here. Everything will be fine.” His hands find my bottom and squeeze. “I can’t keep my hands off you. After supper, why don’t we go upstairs and take a bath?”

  “I like that idea.” I smile back at him, intoxicated by the idea.

  “Food’s ready,” Gage yells as he carries a steaming pan of lasagna from the kitchen to the patio dining area. Em follows behind him with garlic bread, tossed salad, and a bottle of wine.

  We sit down to eat beneath the bright yellow umbrellas. Em places a bouquet of flowers in the center. Cash pours the wine. Behind us, we hear the swish of water against the shore and birds twittering. My eyes blur with tears of gratitude. These people mean so much to me. Beneath the table, I grab Em’s hand. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “Me, too,” she replies. Our eyes meet, and I see my emotions reflected in her expression.

  “I think we need a toast,” Gage says, lifting his wine glass. “Cash, say something.”

  “To good friends, good food, and great loves.” His gaze flickers to mine. The smile on his sexy
mouth heats my blood.

  We raise our glasses, drink, and begin the meal. The food is amazing. Em and Gage bicker about who did the most work, but their banter is laced with flirtation. Cash talks about the upcoming football season with Gage, and we all laugh over Lucy as she begs for food at our feet.

  Afterward, Gage builds a fire in the fire pit. The four of us stare over the lake, wrapped in blankets to ward away the chilly air. We’re silent for a long time, watching the shimmering reflections on the water and listening to the noises of crickets and bullfrogs.

  “Have you heard from Tony?” I ask Em when the men are distracted.

  “He’s called me a dozen times, but I haven’t returned any of his calls.” She pulls her blanket closer around her shoulders and shrugs. “There’s no point, really. I sent him a text and told him it was over. That’s more than he deserves.”

  “What are you talking about?” Gage’s head whips in our direction.

  “Nothing.” Em waves a hand to dispel his question.

  “Em broke up with her boyfriend.” I pat my lap, inviting Lucy to sit with me. She snuggles under my blanket, curling up on my legs. Gage and Cash share a look—a wordless conversation between two old friends. I straighten and cock my head at Cash. “What was that about?”

  “What was what?” He places a hand on my thigh and squeezes.

  “You two. You’re always doing that. Looking at each other like you’re sharing some kind of telepathic message.”

  “We’ve been friends a long time.” Gage takes a drink of his beer, avoiding my gaze.

  “I’d really rather not talk about it.” Em glares at me.

  “Maybe we should talk about it,” Gage says, raising his eyebrows at Em. “If he hurt you, he should pay for that. You want me to pay him a visit?”

  “Aw, fuck.” Cash scrubs his free hand over his face. “Here we go.”

  “That’s not necessary.” Em sits up in her chair, grabbing the arms with both hands. “Besides, he’s a cop.”

  “Well, I’m going to check him out anyway.” Gage shifts forward in his chair until his knee touches hers. “It can’t hurt.”

  “Stay out of it, Gage. It’s not your business.” Em throws aside her blanket and storms into the darkness. I start to go after her, but Cash tightens his grip on my knee.

  “I’ll go talk to her,” Gage says. The shouting causes Lucy to leap off my lap. She lands in the grass with a startled squeak.

  “Is something going on with them?” I twist around to face Cash.

  “Beats me.” He raises both hands in the air. “Would it be so bad if there was?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe.” I throw the blanket off of us and stand. “He’s a player. She doesn’t need that right now.”

  He grabs my biceps, holding me gently in front of him. His voice lowers. “He knows how much you love her. He’d never hurt someone you care about. He also knows that I’d kick his ass if he got out of line.”

  I stare into his eyes. His brown irises reflect the dancing flames of the fire. The longer I look, the better I feel. “Okay. You’re right.”

  He pulls me into his chest, circling his arms around my waist. “I’ve got your back, baby girl, and so does Gage. I promise.”

  I rest my chin on his chest and smile. “Damn right, you do.” I tighten my arms around his neck. “And you’re going to start by drawing one of your awesome baths for me.”

  “Only if I get to join you.” He chuckles and drops a kiss on the tip of my nose.

  Twenty-Four

  Jagger

  At the end of the week, Mr. Mercer moves from the nursing home to Cash’s mother-in-law suite. Together, Em and I redecorate the room to suit his taste. Gage stocks the refrigerator with food. Although I hope Mr. Mercer will eat the majority of his meals with us, I want him to have options to dine in. It’s nice having him so close.

  “This is just wonderful,” he exclaims once he’s settled. With an exaggerated sigh of contentment, he eases into the leather recliner and props his feet up. “I can sit here and watch TV, and I can see the lake at the same time. Amazing. I feel like a king.” His positivity reminds me to look for the silver lining in the darkest of moments. He’s lost everything—his home, his business, his wife, and his health—but he still manages to smile.

  “If you need anything at all, you let us know.” Cash pats Mr. Mercer on the shoulder.

  “You just take care of our girl. That’s all I ask.” Mr. Mercer points the remote at the TV.

  “You can count on it,” Cash replies.

  “We’ll see you at supper, right?” I ask, bending to give the old man a kiss on the head.

  “I think I’ll stay in tonight and enjoy my new home. I haven’t had a moment to myself in months.” A huge smile illuminates his face. “Gage brought over some mac and cheese and fried chicken.” He waves a gnarled hand through the air. “Go on. Get out of here. Leave an old man in peace.”

  “All right. See you tomorrow.” My heart is ready to explode with happiness as we walk back to the house. Cash links his pinky through mine. The scent of freshly cut grass hovers in the air.

  Inside the house, I notice his duffel bag at the bottom of the stairs. My stomach flips. “Where are you going?”

  “Chicago.” He gives my hand a squeeze. “Wanna come?”

  “I can’t. I’ve got too much going on here.” I cling to his fingers. Panic tightens my chest. I like having Cash close where I can keep an eye on him. The threat of the FBI continues to loom over our daily activities.

  “I thought you’d say that.” He presses a kiss to my forehead, strokes my cheek, and brushes the tip of his nose against mine. “Athena’s going with me. Unless you want her to stay here with you.”

  “Very funny.”

  “You trust me, right?” He whispers the question against my temple.

  “Yes. Please be careful.” I don’t ask about his business, because I know he won’t tell me. We walk to the door together.

  “Always.” His parting hug brings moisture to my eyes. “Get some of the guys to help you move your stuff in here, if you wanna stay. I think we should make this thing permanent between us, don’t you?”

  We haven’t spoken about moving our relationship forward, but I’m ready. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than here. “Are you sure?”

  “Baby girl, I’ve been sure for a long time. I’m just waiting on you to catch up.” His light kiss stirs my emotions. The simple act carries infinite affection and tenderness.

  “I’m ready.” I hold on to him until he gently peels my arms from his neck.

  “Okay. Gotta go. Be good.” He gives my ass a final pat.

  “Call me when you get there. I’ll worry.” I cross my arms over my chest, needing comfort, and watch as he walks out of the house and to the Escalade. Athena’s seated behind the steering wheel, her eyes hidden behind sleek black sunglasses. She flips a middle finger at me. I don’t respond. I stay in the doorway until their taillights disappear through the gate and out of sight.

  “Was that Cash leaving?” Em trots down the stairs wearing a pair of flirty shorts and a bikini top. A few days of rest and relaxation by Cash’s pool have erased the exhaustion from her face.

  “Yeah. He’ll be back tomorrow.” I summon a smile, not wanting to show how deeply his departure has affected me. “How are you doing?”

  “Okay. Good, I guess.” She gathers her hair into a ponytail and pulls it over one shoulder, smoothing the tresses with her palms—something she does when she’s contemplative. “I was just getting ready to watch a movie. Do you want to join me?”

  “Sure. You know, there’s a theater room downstairs, right?”

  Her eyes widen. “No way. Seriously?”

  “Yep.”

  She follows me downstairs. We lounge on the giant leather sofa with a bucket of buttery popcorn between us. After a spirited debate, we choose a rom-com. I toss a velour throw to her and draw up a knitted afghan for myself. Watching movies with Em
is one of my favorite pastimes. One I’ve missed.

  “Do you think we should ask Gage to join us?” She casts a sideways glance at me. The blush on her cheeks is from more than sunburn.

  “I thought you were mad at him.” I narrow my eyes at her.

  “Not really, but I thought it would be good for him to suffer for a bit.” A mischievous smile brightens her face.

  I point to the far wall. “You can use the intercom over there. Just dial nine.”

  “Okay.” She trots over to the phone on the wall. After a few seconds, she’s back. “He’ll be down in a few minutes.”

  Lucy rockets into the room, overshoots the sofa, and skids to a stop before colliding with the wall. She sniffs around the floor for popcorn crumbs then hops onto my afghan and flops onto her back for a tummy rub.

  Em shovels a handful of popcorn into her mouth then licks her fingers. “Can you imagine living like this all the time? I’d weigh six hundred pounds.”

  “Well, it doesn’t suck. That’s for sure.” The butter from the popcorn runs down my fingers as I take a bite.

  “It’s weird not having a job to go to. I suppose I should start looking for something.” She stretches out, snuggling into one of the fluffy pillows

  “There’s no harm in taking a week or two to clear your head. Mr. Mercer said to pay out your unused vacation time before we close out the accounts. And you have the money that Cash returned. That should tide you over for a while.” In the turmoil, I failed to grasp all the ways this fire is going to change our lives. We won’t be working together anymore. If she finds a job in a different city, she’ll probably move away. I swallow down the lump in my throat. “He wants me to move in here for good.”

  “Really? I’m happy for you. You guys are good together.” The genuine happiness in her eyes means more to me than all the money in the world. “He said to stay here as long as I like.” Her lips roll together like she has more to say but can’t find the right words. “What do you think about that?”