Condemned (8 page)

Jesse watched as Andie’s eyes grew larger. He could see the
pleading of her voice reflected in them. Part of him understood why she was
asking for this and felt honored that she trusted him enough to be the one she
asked. Another part of him feared that his giving in would only make her feel
worse. Still a third part cursed both Brett and Tish for putting her in the
position to need him in the first place.

“Please,” she repeated as her bottom lip began to quiver.

“Aw, Andie,” Jesse whispered against her mouth. “How can I
deny you?” He brushed her lips softly. “Promise you won’t be embarrassed and
awkward with me later.” Another fleeting kiss. “No hiding from me afterward.”
One more kiss. “And no resentment toward me for doing what you asked me.”
Again, a kiss. “We never have to acknowledge that we shared this but I won’t do
it unless you promise still be my friend when it’s over.” A lighter kiss. “I’ll
let you control it as long as you stick to just a kiss.” A kiss like butterfly
wings. “You have to let me know when you’ve had enough, whether it lasts ten
seconds or ten minutes.” A touch to her lips that was barely there. “Promise
me, Andie. Promise me or I can’t help with this. Promise me and take what you
need or we’re leaving right now to get your things. I’m in your hands. All I
ask for is your promise.” She looked deeply into his eyes and nodded. “I have
to hear you say it. If this is what you honestly want, you have to say the
words.”

“I promise, Jesse. I promise everything you just said,”
Andie declared so softly that he could barely hear her but it was enough.

Very slowly, giving her every opportunity to change her
mind, Jesse pulled her body more firmly against his. She’d asked for a kiss
that he would give a woman he wanted. No problem. She was a woman he wanted
even though he’d never act on it. His heart knew they weren’t meant to share
everything she’d said she’d do without in her life. Starting with several more
of the soft kisses he had been pressing on her mouth, Jesse made sure he
touched every bit of her lips. Only then did he use his tongue to trace them.
When he nibbled on her bottom lip, Andie gasped, opening her lips to him.
Teasingly, Jesse let his tongue dart partway into her mouth. When he shifted to
caress her face with kisses, he heard her sigh his name. He returned to her
mouth, finally covering her lips fully with his. She moved, seeking more
contact. This time, Andie parted her lips in invitation, without any urging
from him. Jesse slid his tongue in, tasting every bit of her mouth. Soon, he felt
her tongue begin a tentative exploration. He couldn’t resist sucking it
completely into his mouth. As the kiss gained intensity, Jesse felt Andie shift
slightly so her breasts were pressed against his chest. He could feel the peaks
of her nipples and wasn’t able to stifle a groan.

She was trying to kill him. He’d told her he could give her
this much but it was rapidly becoming so much harder than he anticipated. And
speaking of hard, surely she could feel what she was doing to him. Knowing
there was absolutely nothing he could do to prevent his penis from reacting to
the moment, he made himself stop thinking about it. He was the one who said no
embarrassment and this definitely qualified under that heading. If Andie didn’t
stop devouring his mouth soon, Jesse was afraid he’d have to hide in the
bathroom and jerk off before he could go out in public. How could she ever
question her ability to inspire desire?

Damn Brett Hudson. Jesse was positive he was having a much
more satisfying and fulfilling few minutes than the ones that had landed Brett
in this whole mess. What the hell was wrong with that guy if he couldn’t sense
the passion in this woman? Jesse was getting singed and he wasn’t the one who
filled her heart. Just thinking how much hotter she’d be with Brett evoked
another groan.

She moaned and he felt it in his balls. Thank God she was
pulling away. Jesse had passed the point where he feared he would need to jerk
off and began to worry that he would come in his pants. When Andie slid her
tongue back into her own mouth, he traced her lips again. Finally, he returned
to the butterfly kisses they had started out with. After she lowered her head
to his chest, he held her without speaking. Apparently, her thoughts were as
scattered as his were.

Andie took a few moments to collect herself. Once she was
calmer, she lifted her head to peer at him. “Wow.”

“Yeah. Wow.” He smiled broadly.

“I think this backfired. I’m going to die anyway.”

“At least you won’t go alone.”

“I know I asked you to pretend you wanted me but wow.”

“How can there possibly be any doubt left in your mind that
you are an extremely desirable woman? Of course, I want you. So much you have
me in pain.”

“I want you too.” She giggled.

“Sit still.” He grimaced.

“Oh.” She blushed as she realized the reason for his
request. “Sorry.”

“Damn, you’re cute,” he teased. “Get a guy all worked up,
bounce around like you’re trying to break him, and blush when he reminds you of
the power you hold.”

“Thank you,” she said seriously.

“You’re welcome.”

“What, no any time on the end of that one?”

“I don’t think I’ll survive if we attempt that again. You
said one would be enough.”

“It is. It was exactly what I needed. I know I’m only going
into hiding now. I may hide forever but I’m not dead inside.”

“You’ll let yourself consider the possibility of finding
someone eventually?”

“Only if he kisses even better than you do.”

“Did I mention how good you are for my ego? Seriously, we’re
going back to friendly cuddles from now on, right?”

“Yes. It would be so easy to give in to what we both want at
the moment but that would destroy our friendship. I bet you’d make me feel
incredible physically but I couldn’t live with the emotional impact of letting
desire overrule knowing what we would be temporary. Hot but still temporary. I
don’t want to lose you like that. You’re too important to me to be so
careless.”

“If Brett were here right now and asked me to shoot him, I
think I would do it.”

“Jesse!”

“I mean it, Andie. Why can’t the fool see that he should
throw everything into getting away from that woman and fighting for you? How
can he be so stupid! If you didn’t love him so much, I’d try my damnedest to
convince you that he didn’t deserve you.”

“You said he made his choice. I’m sure he thinks it’s the
right one. I can’t even make myself hate him although I probably will generate
a whole bunch of anger soon. You’re the best.”

“So are you. Hop up. I think I’m decent again.”

Andie stood and pointedly looked at him. “Close enough.” She
giggled.

“Hey. Knock it off. Just the gaze of a sexy woman can have
an effect on a guy.”

“Oops, sorry.”

“Oops, she says. Sorry, she says. Tries to kill me and
thinks a little oops, sorry will fix it all. You’re right, Andie. You’ll make
it through this. You can still laugh so I know you’ll survive.”

“Thanks to you. I’m not done crying yet.”

“I’d be very worried if you thought you were.” He opened the
car door for her. “And don’t ever try to hold back when you’re around me. I
promise not to morph into one of those guys who puts a girl down for needing a
good cry. I’m sure you’ll go through plenty of emotions in the next whatever it
takes. You know, if you ever need another female to talk to you can always call
Holly. She’s always been very good with emotional things and I know she’d do
anything she could to help.”

“I may just do that.” She sniffed.

“Stop thinking about Sadie. You pack. I talk. That was the
plan and we’re sticking to it.”

“I didn’t know mind reading was on your list of abilities.”

“Sure it is. You must have missed it because it’s right
below the ability to kiss senseless line.”

“That explains it. I stopped reading when I saw that one.”
She paused. “I’m never going to be able to thank you for this.”

“I’m not doing it for the thanks, as you already know. This
is for a friend who needs me. And later, I’m likely going to end up drinking
straight gin again with my other friend who needs me.”

“Are you sure you want to look after both of us? I’ll
understand if you change your mind. I’m sure Brett truly needs you more than I
do.”

“I can manage as long as you don’t mind the time I plan on
giving him. From his own actions, I seem to be all he has right now. I might
not be around all that much for the next few days.”

“That’s perfect. I really do need a place to hide and
regroup more than anything, now that you’ve shown me I’m still alive. I’ll call
Holly if I need someone and you’re not home. Or I know I can always turn to
Sadie. I need some space but she’ll help if I ask. I’m not entirely alone, even
if it does feel like that.”

“You can call me too. I may have to give cryptic answers but
I’m available.”

“I won’t interrupt when you’re with Brett.”

Jesse saw her chewing on her bottom lip. “What is it?”

“If Brett needs me… I mean, I know he won’t but if he does…”

“I’ll get you together instantly. I haven’t lost all hope on
you two yet. There must be something we’re missing. I’ll do everything I can to
find it.”

“Oh, Jesse, don’t say that. Don’t even think it. I can’t
lose him again and if I let myself believe it, I will. Once in a lifetime is
enough pain for anyone to have to live through.”

“I’m sorry. I won’t mention it again. Ready for Sadie?”

“No but let’s go in anyway. The sooner you take me back the
sooner you can check on Brett.”

“Don’t worry about him. I’m sure he’s still sleeping. I left
out how I put him to bed last night. He was too drunk to make it up the stairs
by himself.”

“You will try to find a way to make him stop doing that to
himself if you can?”

“Definitely. Even if I have to sneak into his house and
replace all the alcohol with colored water. If I get desperate I’ll fight dirty
and point out that he’ll end up killing himself if he keeps it up and how that
would hurt his friends even though he is shutting them out at the moment. It
worked when he asked me to shoot him last night. It’ll work again. Hey, don’t
look at me like that. I won’t use it unless there is no other way to make him
see what he’s doing. I really don’t want to hurt him more now. He’s already
hurting too much.”

Andie couldn’t contain the tears that reformed. Wordlessly,
Jesse held her and let her cry. When she was ready, he escorted her into the
house and faced Sadie while Andie packed. A short time later, he had her at the
store selecting comfort food. He extracted a promise that she would eat,
whether he was home or not, by guaranteeing that he would ensure that Brett did
too. Once he was sure that she was settled, he headed to Brett’s. He didn’t
tell Andie how afraid he was of what he might find when he got there.

Chapter Ten

“I can’t believe this,” Holly exclaimed after Andie told her
all Jesse had said. “If you don’t mind me saying so, this whole situation
sucks! Really, there’s just no other word for it.”

“You don’t have to convince me,” Andie agreed. “I can’t
thank you enough for your encouragement since we met.”

“Hold on, Andie. That sounds suspiciously like a brush off.
Don’t you think for one minute that I’m giving up on our friendship just
because the ending wasn’t what we’d all hoped for. Jesse isn’t likely to let
you walk away from him either, in case you’re considering it.”

“That’s not what I meant at all,” Andie replied quickly. “I
was just putting the lid on the subject of Brett, not anything else. For now,
I’ve said all I can. If we keep talking about him, I’ll cry again and I really
want to spend the next hour or so without tears.”

“Fine.” Holly nodded. “One last comment and I’ll be done
too. I’m sure it’ll take quite some time for the pain even to begin to fade.
All I want to say is that I’m available for listening, crying, yelling, voodoo
doll construction, or anything else you can come up with.”

Andie managed a grin. “You’re as good for me as Jesse is.”

“Thanks. I consider that a true compliment since I know how
incredible my cousin is. I’m glad he introduced us.”

“Me too. I don’t have many friends in the city yet and I
kind of feel like I just lost a big chunk of them.”

“You don’t honestly think that any of the McKades are going
to retract their friendship because another friend married the wrong woman?”

“Oh no, not at all. It’s me not them. I don’t want to become
one of those desperate women who pump mutual friends for information. Until I
learn to be comfortable around Brett and his, um, wife, I’m afraid I’ll
probably need to avoid the rest of them too.”

“I’d tell you not to but I see your point. I haven’t met
them, but Jesse is clearly fond of the whole group and that says a lot to me.
How about if I give you an open invitation to join Dwayne and me whenever the
urge to socialize strikes? We have some interesting friends and you’d be
welcome any time. And don’t think you need to wait for Jesse to be available.
I’ll have you over for dinner soon, so you can meet Dwayne.”

“Holly, I know you mean well, but…”

“But right now, I’m already more than you can deal with? I
won’t push. I won’t let you hide forever either. I give my word that I will
never attempt to set you up but you need human contact. We’ll start slow, you,
me, Jesse, and Dwayne, and go from there.”

“I know you’re right.” Andie gasped and turned her head away
from the door.

Holly instantly swiveled to see what had startled her. “Now
isn’t this interesting?” She watched as the hostess seated Tish and a man at
the booth behind Andie. Squeezing Andie’s hand, she whispered, “Her back’s to
you. Any idea who the peacock is?”

Andie shook her head. “I have to get out of here.”

“Absolutely not,” Holly disagreed softly. “Not until we
determine what’s going on. I say we hang out and listen for a bit.”

“To the most convincing performance in history.” The man
raised his glass to Tish as she giggled. “Hats off to you, darling.”

“Thank you, Craig. I couldn’t have done it without your
brilliant plan.”

Holly slid her tiny dictation tape recorder from her purse,
clicked it on, and handed it to Andie. “Put this on the ledge at the corner. I
think we may be about to hear something worth saving.”

Andie did as she was instructed as the couple continued to
congratulate themselves. “So tell me,” Craig said, “Where are you tonight?”

“Shopping for a wedding dress. Brett told me to be sure I
found the one I loved and not worry about the expense. Now that Daddy’s
withdrawn his financial support, due to our rushed plans, Brett has stepped up
nicely.”

“As I expected. I told you a few tears would do the trick.
What an ego that patsy has! How could he refuse you anything your little heart
desires? Especially after your treasured daddy said such harsh words to you. I
wish I could have been a fly on the wall for that scene.”

“You would have loved it. As soon as I said that Daddy
refused to reschedule his trip to the Orient so he could attend the ceremony,
Brett was offering everything to make me smile again. Don’t worry, Craig. I’ll
make sure he more than covers the cost of my dress. And I’ll pad the rest
enough so he can pay for our wedding too.”

“Oh he’ll be paying for much more than that.”

“I know but don’t you think that wedding expenses should
include all of them? After all, we have to wait a year for ours. It’s only
right that he pick up the tab for the inconvenience of it. He agreed to the
pre-nup as soon as I said that was the only way Daddy would even acknowledge
our marriage.”

“That was a nice touch. I knew it would keep him from asking
for the same from you. Even the great Brett Hudson isn’t that presumptuous. He
may strut around the office, acting like he’s God’s gift to advertising but it would
be just too much for him to move to protect his measly fortune in the face of
your stepfather’s. It’ll be so delicious to watch you suck it through his
fingers.”

“In due time, darling. At the rate he’s going, I won’t need
to do that.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s well on his way to becoming a drunk. Some boys just
don’t hold up well under pressure.” They both laughed. “I doubt if he’s been
completely sober since the auction. At this rate, he’ll drink himself to death
before I get the chance to file the papers.”

“Careful, Tish. We don’t want his demise to come too soon.
You’re not in the will yet.”

“Relax, Craig. Brett’s babysitter rarely leaves these days.
Aren’t I lucky, the way his trusty lapdog of a friend dotes on him? Nothing
will happen to him before the wedding. And, since I’ve already assured Jesse
that I am as concerned as he is, I’ll take over afterward. Once he changes his
will and sells that monstrosity of a shack in that dreadful hick town, we have
all sorts of possibilities. One, since he’s sure to be tired on his long
commute home, he could doze off…”

“And have a tragic accident.”

“Two, he could be drinking…”

“And have a tragic accident.”

“Or three, he could chose to stay over again.”

“And desert his lonely wife who spends all her time just waiting
for him to come home. This is so easy I’m almost disappointed. I expected at
least some level of challenge from the moron.”

“He didn’t even question my spiel on why I decided to wait
on sex even though we’re getting married so soon.”

“Why would he? I’m sure you played it beautifully. He
wouldn’t dare ask you more about it for fear of upsetting you again.”

“Trust me, I was brilliant, leading him on again to the
point he couldn’t think straight and then shedding a few tears over how much I
wanted him but didn’t dare to allow things to go any further for fear of
jinxing everything. I was so coy and innocent. You wouldn’t have believed it.”

“Such a treasure you are, Tish. It takes a rare woman to
subdue her true nature for our mutual benefit like you are. I’m sorry you’ll
have to put up with his clumsy pawing.”

“Not a problem. After all, it’s not likely that he’ll try to
touch me again before the wedding. And afterward, it won’t take long for him to
be too much of a drunk to get it up.”

“Maybe you can catch him with the schoolmarm before then.
You said she was making eyes at him. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he goes
prowling as a last hoorah. He does fancy himself quite the stud.”

Tish snorted. “It’s something worth keeping in mind. She’s
welcome to him. After the wedding that is. I can’t imagine that dowdy little
mouse turning away any attention. She probably doesn’t get enough to realize
how dreadful he is.”

“So his attempted seduction was that unpleasant?”

“Jealous, darling?” Tish laughed wickedly. “There’s no need.
I told you Brett Hudson’s fumblings were so lacking, you have nothing to worry
about.”

“That’s because you are an insatiable slut.”

“Craig.” She giggled.

“Admit it. You would have done anything so I didn’t forfeit
our turn at hosting the poker game tonight. I know how much you enjoy being the
prize. I already told the guys how deprived you’ve been lately, spending time
with Hudson, so I hope you’re ready for some rough stuff.”

“Ooh, do you think so? They’ll have to watch where the
bruises are. Don’t want any to show, you know. Perhaps I should skip it this
time.”

“Bullshit! You’re looking forward to this game even more
than I am. I bet you’ve been soaking your crotch for days in anticipation of
being passed between us. I know how much you got off the last time when you
took on all five of us at once.”

She shrugged. “What can I say? I like to be filled. Why
would God have given me three holes and two hands if I wasn’t meant to use
them?”

“And use them you did. You were such a debauched slut that
night, begging us all to keep using you. We almost forgot to finish our game.”

“I know, I know. I was so bad to distract you like that.”
She giggled. “Just make sure you watch where the cane lands.”

“I’ve already told the guys. You know, I almost feel sorry
for Hudson. He’ll never witness your true passion.”

“Oh please. What would a clueless little boy like that do
with a real woman like me? No, he’s better off sticking with his prissy
schoolmarm and leaving someone like me to the big boys.”

Craig laughed. “Maybe I’ll have the guys come over to play
with us as your wedding present right after the big event. Think between
tonight and that it’ll tide you over so you can bear your wedding night? I
don’t guess you’ll be able to avoid him then. After all, we wouldn’t want him
to claim that the marriage was never consummated, would we? You’ll just have to
get through it with the promise that I’ll make it up to you.”

“I’ll hold you to that but you’ll have to watch the marks
even more then.”

“Don’t worry, Tish. We’ll take good care of you without him
knowing.”

“And I want a real celebration as soon as I ditch him.”

“You’ll have it. I promise we’ll beat every inch of you
until you’re that beautiful shade of red.”

“And then you’ll all fuck me until I can’t stand anymore.”

“We’ll fuck you longer than that, darling. I’ll make sure of
it even if I have to invite a few extra cocks.”

“The thought of that just might get me through this marriage
with Brett. Did I tell you I have a decorator coming next week? I refuse to
live with those ridiculous drawings of his. Don’t worry. I’ll pick things that
suit our tastes. Why shouldn’t I get Brett to furnish the house for us? You’ll
be moving in as soon as everything is finalized anyway. I may as well take
advantage of this opportunity too.”

“A woman after my own heart. I can’t wait for him to find
out that I’m gonna be taking over his duties as your husband. I can see the
look on his face now.”

“Piece of cake, Craig. I told you all we needed to do was be
patient. He may be able to fool that idiot you work for but we always could see
right through him. Things are falling into place exactly as we planned. Don’t
worry. It’ll be over before you know it and I’ll be back where I belong, with
you.”

“Oh, Tish, we’re never going to be truly apart. He’s too
stupid for us to need to avoid seeing each other during your marriage. I doubt
if you’ll even need to miss one of our games. Now eat up while it’s hot. You
need your strength for tonight or I won’t let you play.”

“Don’t threaten me or you’ll be the one who doesn’t get to
play tonight. I’ll get the guys to tie you up and stick you in a corner and all
you’ll get to do is watch if you don’t behave yourself.”

Andie slid the tape recorder from the ledge and motioned for
Holly to follow her away from the table. When they were out of the restaurant,
she said, “I’m going to be sick.”

“Me too. I’m very glad we decided on a leisurely drink
before we ordered dinner.”

“Ooh, I can’t believe that bitch! I want to go back in there
and scratch her eyes out. Did you hear all that!”

“Not only did we both hear it but we have it on tape. Wyatt
gave me that when I started my own practice and it’s very high tech. I bet we
have every word. Do you realize what this means?”

“He doesn’t have to marry her! I have to call Jesse.”

“Wait! Hold on. Listen to me, just for a minute. You, the
woman who loves him, has found a way, purely by accident to save him from the
worst kind of scam. You need to go tell him in person, not have Jesse do it.”

“Holly, I don’t know.”

“Well I do. Trust me, Andie. Don’t think. Follow your heart.
Call Jesse but only to get him out of Brett’s house. Tell him it’s important
for you to see Brett alone. Tell him I’ll meet him at his place with the tape
and will explain everything. I’ll enlist Wyatt and Frank and we’ll have more
proof than anyone could ever want in no time. You go talk to your man. As soon
as he gets the big picture, you bring him to Jesse’s and we’ll fill in the
blanks. By morning, Brett will be a free man and who better for him to turn to
than the woman who saved him? Seems to me that fate was in your corner all
along.”

“Are you sure he won’t end up resenting my interference?”

“If he does, then he’s not the kind of man you want to spend
your life with anyway. Why are you questioning this cosmic plan thing that you
and Jesse mentioned? You have to go fight for your man. Now. Stop stalling.
Call Jesse and tell him to get his butt home. If I have to stand in the hall
and wait for him, I’ll be annoyed. I’d better call Dwayne too since I’m sure
I’ll be home later than I anticipated. Do it, Andie.”