The Freelancer – Chapter 48

Even though Jenna left the room to change, I knew that she might return at any moment. I didn’t think she would try to eavesdrop on me, but I couldn’t risk her hearing anything that might blow my cover. I slipped into the guest bedroom and closed the door before answering the call.

“Hello, Sherry.”

“Well, that’s a nice change from your usual gruff greeting. I suppose you aren’t alone from your tone.”

My tone was rushed, hoping she would get the hint and also be brief.

“I’m at Jenna’s, but I can talk for a minute. What’s going on?”

“I called to find out if there were any new developments since we last spoke. I’m getting a lot of heat up here for the lack of results thus far.”

“I’ve got a team covering Blackstone and Collin is…”

“I don’t care about that. I want to know what you’re doing. You’re the agent I sent to deal with this and nothing’s happened yet. I knew I would regret sending you instead of Franklin from the moment I called you into my office, but we both know his current assignment had to take priority so I was stuck with you.”

I could feel the muscle in my jaw contracting at her words. It took every ounce of my being to stop myself from letting her know what I thought of her opinion about me and Franklin. Her and her golden boy could burn in Hell for all I cared. If they took Melissa with them on the way down then all the better.

If she was expecting a smartass comment from me, her disappointment didn’t show in her voice when she resumed speaking. “You’ve been spending a great deal of time with Miss Monroe and I’m not getting a benefit from it yet,” she said matter-of-factly.

“She doesn’t know anything, Sherry.”

“Or she doesn’t trust you enough to tell you what she knows.”

I fought to make my voice calm before I spoke.

“She trusts me enough to tell me why she left Boston.”

“I’m going to need a little more than your fluffed up pillow talk, Caldwell.”

“Don’t excite yourself over there. You’ll never hear or hear about my pillow talk.”

There was silence for a long moment before she replied.

“Have you considered the possibility she’s in on it and playing you? Or can your fragile male ego not handle being used again?”

“She isn’t,” I sputtered.

“Perhaps. Perhaps not. Step it up, Caldwell. I want you to get her phone tapped.”

“I’ll take care of that,” I said even though I had no intention of doing it.

“I want you to do whatever it takes to make certain you are not wrong, and I do mean whatever it takes. Keep in mind, this country may not officially condone torture, but I sure as shit do. Get it done,” she ordered before ending the call.

I tossed the cell phone onto the bed and sighed. I wasn’t surprised by her attitude and I couldn’t blame her for wanting results. I would feel the same way if I were in her position, but that realization didn’t make things any easier for me.

Jenna had been hurt in the past; I knew that. She would be hurt again if I stayed involved with her. I should walk out her front door and not look back. I knew Blackstone was up to something and I was reasonably certain I could prove it if I personally kept tabs on him until something went down. The best thing for everyone involved would be for me to walk away, but I couldn’t do it.

Not now.

Jenna poured her soul out to me not fifteen minutes before. If I had known, I never would have told her my wife died. I assumed she felt some sort of natural connection to my ‘loss’ when, in reality, I had no idea what she’d gone through. Even though my wife, ex-wife, was dead to me; she wasn’t dead. It was a definite she would be furious with me once she found out the truth. I knew she would think I had said that only to get closer to her. She may have started out as a case and a bet for me, but it had turned into more than that. Would I have done that, used that personal pain of hers to further my investigation?

Maybe. I didn’t know.

All I knew for sure was if I wasn’t careful then I was going to fall in love…

My thoughts were interrupted by a soft rap at the door. The door opened and Jenna hesitantly stepped inside. Despite all my reservations, I couldn’t help thinking she looked great, even though she was wearing plaid, flannel pants and a tee shirt at least two sizes too large for her. Actually, it was the same frumpy thing Melissa would wear when she wanted to make sure I knew I wasn’t getting laid that night. On Jenna, the effect was much different.

“Is everything okay, Jackson?” Jenna asked quietly as she sat next to me on the bed.

“Yeah,” I lied. “My sister is a tough cookie; she’ll be fine.”

“That’s good.”

“How about you? Are you okay?”

“Sure. I feel much better now that I’m out of those clothes. Lana managed to get chocolate on my back, though I’m not sure how.”

I could tell she was being evasive with me on purpose.

“I think you know that isn’t what I meant, Jenna.”

“I do, but I’m ignoring it. I’ve been living in the past for two years.” She leaned back on her elbows. “I’m ready to move on and I think you should move on with me, Jackson. I think I’m ready to pick up where we left things last night.”

Jenna tugged on the back of my shirt until she succeeded in pulling me back onto the bed with her.

“What are you doing, Jenna?”

“You know exactly what I’m doing. Don’t pretend you don’t, Jackson.” Her voice was whisper soft against my neck.

She trailed kisses across my jaw before her lips met mine. I wasn’t sure how I’d let it happen, but she managed to pull me on top of her. Her intentions were evident to me by the liquid way her body moved against me, by the desperate sounds in her throat. No doubt I was tempted.

Damn, was I tempted.

It took every ounce of willpower I could muster to pull away from her. I rolled onto my side and propped myself up on an elbow. I looked into her eyes before I spoke.

“You’re right, Jenna, I do know what you’re doing. I don’t think you do.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I’m fully aware of what I’m doing. What I don’t know is why you’re stopping me.”

“I’m stopping you from doing something you’ll regret in the morning, Jenna.”

“You believe that,” she said evenly.

“Yes, I do.” I took a deep breath before continuing. “Look. Things have progressed quickly between us and I’m fine with that. I’m not afraid to tell you that I care about you a great deal, Jenna, and I don’t want to do anything that would hurt you. I can’t take advantage of you like this.”

“But you didn’t seem to have a problem taking advantage of me last night.”

I sighed. “That was different, more of a lust-fueled reaction to you. You’re emotions are too raw right now. I still have every intention of making love to you, but doing it like this isn’t right. When it happens, I need to know it’s me you want and not just an escape from your past.”

Jenna exhaled sharply, but said nothing. Even though it was only seven o’clock I could tell she was worn out. The events of the afternoon had taken their toll on her. I repositioned myself to lean back against the pillows.

“Come here”.

Jenna hesitated then curled up next to me, allowing me to envelop her with my arms.

“You know I hate it when you’re right, don’t you?” she asked wearily.

“I know.” I also knew I needed to lighten the atmosphere and added, “What’s the deal with the canopy bed? I didn’t figure you as the ruffles and frill type.”

Jenna was half asleep now, but she answered, “Lana is the only person who ever stays over. I keep it cute for her.”

“That’s nice of you.”

“I really love her,” she said, even sleepier.

“I think I’m falling in love with you, Jenna.”

She didn’t respond. At first I started to panic, but I realized she was asleep. It was just as well she hadn’t heard me; things were becoming complicated enough.

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