Please Remember Me (13 page)

He threw his head back and groaned. Light pricked behind his eyelids as he came. She trembled and gripped him tight, milking him of his seed. Thank God for the condom.

Marlon braced himself on his hands and slumped to her side. His heart thundered in his chest. Could he truly be in love? The possibility flashed in his mind. At the same time, a tiny voice in the back of his mind threw doubt on his feelings. He’d fallen too deep and too damned fast for his own comfort. Too many things hadn’t been said—her past, her true feelings for him, her plans for the future.

He squeezed his eyes shut. God damn, love sucked as much as playing it safe.

Chapter Twelve

Moments after coming down from the orgasmic high, Jaden collapsed on the bed—Marlon’s bed. Her mind reeled. Oh my goodness. They’d had sex, but not just run-of-the-mill sex. Raw, bone-deep sex. The kind of sex that seared itself into one’s brain forever.

Whoa.

His breath tickled her shoulder while he drew lazy circles around her belly button, occasionally bumping the piercing. The rasp of his whiskers abraded her skin, yet it didn’t hurt, but rather heightened her awareness of him. As she licked her lips, his masculine taste lingered like a fond memory. Her inner thighs were chafed, but in a delicious way she wanted to experience over and over again. Who knew a man’s beard could be such a mood-enhancer?

Everything about him suited her—the facial hair, the rippled muscles, the determination in his emerald eyes. In his arms, she felt safe. But for how long? Her tastes always changed once she’d sampled the forbidden goods. Was Marlon now a folly or a favoured mistake? She smoothed her hand up his back. No, he was the kind of mistake she’d remember when the rest of her world collapsed.

Moving against her, he chuckled. “I have to get up, Jaden Marie. I don’t want to, but I need to chuck the condom.”

Meeting his gaze, she wriggled. The emotion in his words left her speechless. Making love wasn’t a one-time, attention-grabbing move for him. Commitment, thy name is Marlon Cross. His eyes, still wide and dark, roved over her body. She didn’t want the night to end either. Refused to let him linger as a mere blip on her radar. How could she make the moment last forever? Confess the words in her heart?

Yeah right, and watch him bolt.

“Go.” She brushed her semi-erect nipples against his arm, the move turning her on almost as much as she intended to tease him. “I’ll still be here.”

“If this is a dream, I don’t ever want to wake up.” Marlon shuffled and rolled out of bed, tossing the sheets over her naked body. Not that she wanted to stare, but the sight of his bare ass transfixed her. Her mouth watered. Her hands clenched. If she sneaked up behind him, she could grab a handful and feel her fill—again.

The sound of water running and rustling met her ears. Biting the inside of her cheek, she went with her urges and crossed the thick-carpeted floor on silent footsteps. As she got to the door, the shrill ring of her phone startled her. She shrieked. Marlon bounded from the bathroom and smacked into her with an, “Oof!”

Catching her as they plopped to the floor, he chuckled and wrapped both arms around her. “You know, you can get my attention without waking up my neighbours. I wanted a round two, three…or maybe even six.”

Biting back a laugh, she elbowed him and kissed the hollow of his neck. “It’s my phone. Only a few people know the number.” She rummaged through her jeans pockets for the device and marvelled at how relaxed she and Marlon were together. He didn’t even rush to cover himself when he got out of bed. He felt comfortable in his own skin and, boy, did the image rivet her.

Sitting on her shins, she glanced at him. He’d already stretched out beside her on the floor, propped up on one elbow. “I’m the one people try to call all hours of the night. What’s the emergency?”

She frowned and pressed the keys to retrieve the voicemail. No one who knew her number had anything to say that she couldn’t share with him—even her father. Switching the phone to the speaker setting, she grabbed the rumpled sheet from the bed.

“Cold?” Grabbing her hand, Marlon pulled her into the crook of his arm and kissed the underside of her breast. “I can warm you better than the blankets.”

Although his actions challenged her grip on control, the voice on the other end of the line made her pause.

“Jaden, honey, this is Judi. I’m not good at leaving messages on these things. Honey, if you’d call me. I—do you remember me talking about Pearl McKinley? She has that sweet little terrier, Riley. Oh, my time is probably up. Drat. Bobby called. Come home, okay?”

With trembling hands, Jaden switched off the speaker setting and dialled Judi’s home number. Something felt off. True, Judi wasn’t the best with technology. She hated the timer on her crock pot, but still. Calling at one-thirty in the morning wasn’t her style. Jaden’s heart clenched in her chest. If Judi’s angina was acting up… What a time to have let her emotions get the best of her.

“It’ll be okay. We’ll get through this.” Marlon sat up and wrapped his body around hers. “Why is someone named Bobby calling you?”

“He’s being cautious.” Jaden rested her head on his shoulder. After two rings, Judi answered. “Hello? This is too late to call someone. Go to bed.”

Jaden sighed. “Judi, it’s me. You wanted me? What’s wrong?”

Although flat, her voice still held a hint of her usual humour. “I’m fine. My arthritis is acting up, but the ticker’s fine. Sparky’s wandering around looking for you like he does, but that’s not why I called. Is Marlon with you?”

The tips of her ears burned. “Yes. You said you wanted me to come home. What’s wrong?”

“Bring Marlon. I’ll have the coffee on. We need to talk—the three of us.”

Before Jaden could answer, Judi clicked off the line. She snapped her phone shut and pressed her face against Marlon’s neck. “She wants to talk. I don’t know why.”

Whatever Judi needed to tell her couldn’t be good. She swallowed past the lump in her throat and repressed nervous laughter. Marlon stroked her arm, offering more silent comfort. A rumble vibrated low in his chest. “So I heard.”

Jaden nodded. Duh, she’d had the phone on speaker. People in the next apartment probably heard. “She wants to talk to you, too. I know we aren’t super close, but please come with me.”

He cupped her jaw, rubbing his thumb over her cheek and bringing her gaze to his. His eyes darkened once more. “Jaden Marie, we are very close. Yes, I’ll go with you. You drive me crazy and don’t tell me all the details, but I can deal—unless you’re sharing your affections.”

“Bobby’s…never mind.” Her resolve broke. Someone cared about her—really cared. Tears streamed down her face. Although he hadn’t said the words she longed to hear, he shared her feelings. He wanted to be with her. “Thank you.”

* * * *

Ten minutes later, Marlon raced back across town. Though no longer crying, Jaden held onto his hand with an iron grip. Whatever Judi needed to say at two in the morning had Jaden on edge.

Coming to a stop in her driveway, Marlon threw the Jeep into park and surged to Jaden’s side. A single light in the living room cast pale light out onto the front porch. Jaden trembled and dug her sharp little nails into his palm. “I have a bad feeling. I’m scared.”

“I’m right here beside you, babe.” Marlon wrinkled his nose. Judi didn’t seem like the type to throw someone out in the middle of the night. Heck, she reminded him of his grandmother—a gentle smile, a fresh batch of cookies, and a warm hug when life went south. Still, the unnerving feeling remained in the back of his mind. He needed to get down to who the hell Bobby was. Did she mean his fellow officer? He’d been burned by Hutchins before. Never again.

When Marlon opened the door, Judi sat perched on the couch, tissue in hand, stroking Sparky’s fur. The snoring dog kicked in his sleep, probably chasing a rabbit or something in his dreams. Removing her glasses to wipe her eyes, Judi looked up. “Hi kids.”

Sparky, instantly interested in the commotion, sat up and growled. Wriggling, he slid off the couch and plopped at Jaden’s feet. She knelt to pet the dog. “What’s wrong? You’re crying.” With one hand on the dog, Jaden grasped Judi’s hand. “I can call Steven.”

“Don’t bother him He’s got enough to worry about what with his cholesterol.” Judi blotted the corners of her eyes with the balled up tissue. “Do you remember me talking about my friend Pearl? She had Riley. I have no idea what his specific breed is, but you took him for a walk with Sparks when we played cards. Well, the cancer won this evening and she’s finally with Francis. Her family knew it was coming, but not how fast.”

Marlon sat down next to his friend and wrapped an arm around her. “I’m sorry for your loss, but she’s in a better place and she’s not suffering.”

Judi sniffled and nodded again. “I agree, and thank you, but that’s not the shitty part.”

Taken aback by the coarse language, Jaden looked up.

“Her son doesn’t want Riley. That little dog was Pearl’s lifeline. He kept her company and comforted her while the cancer ate away at her. With Francis gone for so long, Riley helped make her last few months more enjoyable. And that rat wants to have him put down!” Judi turned to Marlon and slapped the arm of the couch. “He can’t do that. I won’t allow it. Riley is a sweet dog who deserves a new family.”

Jaden stroked Sparky’s fur. “He did get along with Sparks real well.” She nibbled her bottom lip. “Do you know someone who can take him?”

Marlon shifted in his seat. He wasn’t sure what his place was in the conversation, but if both women hurt, he’d try to make things better.

“What if we take him?” Jaden waggled Sparky’s head. “Can we have a friend come over for a long time—like an extended sleepover?”

Marlon rolled his eyes. “You talk to the dog like he’s a person, too? He’s just a dog.”

Her brows knotted together. Gentle colour infused her cheeks, as she squared her shoulders. “He’s not just a dog, he’s part of our mish-mash family and yes, I talk to him. If he wants a brother, then we’ll take Riley. I won’t let someone put him down.”

“Having Sparks has been the best therapy for me. I don’t see how another dog would be a bad idea.” Judi patted his knee. “Can you make him turn the dog over to us? Or do we have to go through the Sunny Retreat Shelter?”

Marlon shook his head. “I’m not sure. I’ll ask Carol Ann to look into it and talk to Summer Tyler over at the dog warden. She’s a good friend and always willing to help. Been a godsend to me.”

Jaden averted her gaze and snickered, making his heart clench. Okay, so that sounded strange to say in front of a woman he’d just made love to. Then again, he wasn’t exactly the king of smooth. Never had been. And Jaden constantly kept him on the verge of making a fool of himself.

“Godsend?” Jaden squeezed his thigh, a gleam twinkling in her eye. “I’m glad we can count on her.”

With a grunt, Judi stood. “These late nights are going to be the death of me if the old ticker doesn’t give out first. My hips can’t take the stress either.” She clapped Marlon on the shoulder. “Thank you.” At the doorway, she spoke over her shoulder. “I’ll make an exception to the rule tonight. Bobby can’t come back.”

Before Marlon could process her statement, Judi disappeared to her bedroom. Jaden chuckled and plopped down on her butt. “You know, I think she’s trying to throw us together. That and the little curfew idea. Stroke of genius, if you ask me.”

He rubbed his chin. “Oh, probably. Now about Bobby…”

She stood, her long legs stretched before him. He rolled his tongue around his dry mouth. Dear God, she was sexy. He held out his hands. Jaden pulled him into a standing position. “She’s got a lot of friends with animals, you know.”

He wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled her hair. “I’m sure she does. But I wanted to know—” She sighed and his mind reeled. He was thinking of sex and Jaden, no doubt, had her mind on something totally different.

“Marlon,” she murmured, “who takes those animals when the people die?”

Her innocent question and blatant avoidance knocked him off-kilter. Hell. He wasn’t sure where the critters went. His mind hadn’t diverted from the Bobby situation. Damn, he needed an intelligent answer. “I’d assume the dog warden or Sunny Retreat. I don’t handle many cases where the person dies of natural causes. With homicides, if there were pets, they go to the next of kin or the shelter. If someone passes naturally, then it’s up to their next of kin. Why?”

“Seems like a shame.”

Something more lay under the simple comment. He cupped her jaw, tilting her head to meet his gaze. “Why do you ask?” What was going through her mind at warp speed?

She shrugged and looked away. “I don’t know. It’s just disgraceful and mean.” Wriggling from his grasp, she strolled to the opposite end of the room. “I know how it feels to be left behind and it sucks.”

Marlon sat down on the arm of the couch. Whatever she needed to say, he’d listen. “Tell me what’s on your mind, Jaden Marie. I’ll help you through it.”

She smiled and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “That reminds me of my mom. Each time you call me Jaden Marie, I think about how she’d say it and smile. And in a strange way, I think that’s how Riley and Sparky feel. When Judi or Pearl talks to them, they feel important. With Pearl gone, Riley has no one. And think about all those folks out there who want to keep their pets, their babies, even when they themselves are sick. Animals do have healing powers.”

Without a second thought, he stood and crossed the room. He scooped her into his arms. “I agree.” Her words, though a jumble of thoughts, made sense. Sparky brought out the maternal, selfless qualities in Jaden. The walks kept them both healthy and sociable.

“When Mom died, I felt like my world collapsed. As it did for Daddy, though he never said it outright. He changed and nothing I did was good enough,” she sobbed, wetting his shirt. “Maybe this is what I’m supposed to be good at.”

Okay, now she’d lost him. “Explain it to me, baby. You’re good at plenty of things.”

Leaning back within his embrace, she wiped the tears away with the back of her hand. “When I did all those crazy stunts in California, it was because I thought I could outrun my problems. If I did drugs, I was numbing the pain of not fitting in. When I drank and partied, people noticed me. My actions served the purpose—up to a point. I belonged. Then everything hit the skids and the people didn’t care. The fiasco with Logan and Dex showed me just how far I’d run off the rails.” She sniffled. “I was a mess until I met Cass. She took me under her wing and let me be me. If I hadn’t had the cabin for a detox-slash-retreat, I’d be dead.”