“Don’t worry about that.”
She stopped right before they made it to the driveway that led to the bed and breakfast. “Don’t worry about it? What if the police search for you because that guy decides to charge you?”
Jace laughed out loud at the thought. He couldn’t imagine ever having to worry about it. “Just trust me when I say that it’s the last thing on my mind.”
“It’s not like a regular person can just walk away from something like that. What if those guys found out,” she paused, and brought her hand to her mouth, as though catching her words mid-air. “I mean, they could find out who you are or where you live.”
“You seem more worried than me. Just relax.”
She let her hands drop to her sides and sighed. “Fine, if you really think this won’t cause problems for you.”
“The only thing that might cause a problem is the swelling that’ll happen by tomorrow morning,” he said, showing her his knuckles, even though she’d barely be able to see them in the darkness. “His nose got me pretty good.”
“I’d say you got his nose, but either way, thank you. I don’t even want to think about what might have happened.”
“Let’s just hope nothing would have happened at all. Best case scenario.”
She lifted her eyes up to his, which caused him to step closer. “How many people have you killed? In the Marines, I mean.”
“How did you know I was a Marine?”
“Your friend said it the first night I met you.”
He tried to think back to that night, but everything turned into a blur after they’d met. He could barely remember which bar he and Damien ended up at after the strip club. She seemed to remember and know more about him than he felt comfortable with. “I’ve never kept track of those kinds of things. Sure, I’ve beat up a few guys and may have killed others, but that was all in the line of duty. Anyone who sees it as more than a job has it affect them later on. It can really cause issues when they get home.”
He held his breath as she lifted herself to her tiptoes and brought herself so close to him that he could feel her breasts pressing up against his chest. Her perfume had the light scent of lavender, and her hair fell against his face. He wanted to grab her at that moment, take her back to his car, and rip her dress off. His muscles tensed at the thought, and he forced himself to allow her lips to touch his lightly.
He brought his hand to her face and kissed her deeper, letting his tongue slip between her lips. Every muscle in his body clenched as he ran his fingers through her long hair, holding her to his lips as he pushed her deeper. He could feel her lips forming into a smile as she pulled back and brought her half-opened eyes to align with his.
“Now we’re even,” she whispered softly, and lowered herself. “Have a good night, Jace.”
Her dress fluttered in the light summer breeze as she walked up the driveway towards the white colonial house. It took everything in him not to lift her up off her feet and take her back into his arms. He wanted more, even if there were sirens ringing in his head everytime she was around.
Chapter Ten
Yvette
Yvette let her finger graze her lips as she looked into the rearview mirror. The feeling of that kiss, alongside the adrenaline that had raced through her veins, felt like a ghost haunting her mind. She couldn't get the previous night out of her thoughts. She wished she’d asked Jace why he had fought for her like that. It seemed like it was out of character from the person she’d thought he was.
She sighed and shifted uncomfortably in the driver’s seat. She’d eaten too much at breakfast. As the bartender had mentioned, the B&B’s was one of the best breakfasts she'd ever had. She could still taste the fluffiness of the pancakes across her tongue and the rich maple syrup they’d slathered overtop. Even their butter had come from a nearby farm, ensuring that it was creamy and fresh.
She lifted the coffee cup from the middle console and took a sip as she glanced at the screen along the dashboard of the Jeep. She was only seven hours away, and it was early morning. Not long until she was in Tallulah. She tapped her fingers against the cup and wondered if she should have sent the information about the previous night to Fred. It seemed too personal - especially the kiss. Yes, she had been the one to initiate, but she was overwhelmed in the moment.
No one had ever stuck up for her like that. She’d never even seen a fight. Jace had made it seem like the most natural thing in the world, as though intimidating people was his part-time job. She wasn’t sure why he did what he did, or why she’d reacted the way she had, but she was secretly glad.
It meant that she had a chance of getting her whole charade to work. She suppressed the pang of guilt that rippled throughout her chest, reminding herself that this was just a job. Sure, it was important that she explained who she was to him before it was published, but it was also important that she got it done. She would just make sure that the information they did get showed him in a good light.
~
She could feel her eyes beginning to close and forced herself to stay awake. Being trapped in the Jeep for six and a half hours had caused her legs to go numb and her body to feel exhausted. Driving was a mindless thing to do. She was used to sitting in one place for a while. She just wasn’t used to doing it without being able to stretch or relax for a few moments.
She hit the volume button on the GPS to ensure she could hear the directions. The turn off for Tallulah was coming up soon, and she’d been apprehensive of that moment since she’d left the bed and breakfast. She wasn’t sure what to expect, and she was nervous about seeing the place where she’d be spending the next few weeks. She tapped the screen, just to make sure the address was correct and pushed her hair behind her ear. Every strand was staticky, and it was a huge mess from having had the top down earlier in the day. Usually, it just blew behind her without a care. Unfortunately, that also came with her hair getting tangled afterwards. As far as Yvette was concerned, it was worth it.
She could remember being younger and seeing her mother brush her own long, dark hair back as her father sped down the highway. A small smile formed upon her lips, knowing that they were back home and sending her every encouragement that everything was going well for her in the big city. They had, after all, paid for her Bachelor’s in Journalism, hoping that their daughter would one day make it to the New York Times. If this job went right, there might still be a chance. After all, Jace Johnson was a high profile interview, and she had the exclusive. No one else knew where he was.
“In two miles, get in the right lane and take exit 138.”
Yvette inhaled deeply. The turnoff was coming up. Once again, she felt her nerves jangling. The exit was just ahead. She turned off and lowered her window once she was off the highway, letting the warm summer air into the Jeep. She could smell the faint scent of wet, dewy grass and leaves as she turned off into a highly forested area.
“In five hundred feet, turn right.”
She followed the voice like it was a beacon on a dark night. She began to see houses interspersed between the trees, and slowly the terrain began to turn into a town. Further along the main street, she could see the businesses on either side. It was an adorable town, small and quaint. Older buildings came into view as she slowed down, the trees giving way to civilization.