But as his deft fingers released each button, there was no denying her growing arousal. It had to be some pathetic version of Stockholm syndrome. If shed paid more attention in her psychology elective, she might know how to combat it.
The dress came loose, and she clasped her forearms against her chest to keep it in place.
That should do it, he said.
There was a husky timbre to his voicea sexy rasp that played havoc with her emotions.
Thanks, she said before she could stop herself. I mean... She turned to take the sentiment back, and her gaze caught with his. That is...
They stared at each other.
I dont usually do this, he said.
She didnt know what he meant. He didnt usually kidnap women, or he didnt unbutton their wedding gowns?
She knew she should ask. No, she shouldnt ask. She should move now, lock herself in the bathroom until her emotions came under control.
But he slowly lifted his hand. His fingertips grazed her shoulder. Then his palm cradled her neck, slipping up to her hairline. The touch was smooth and warm, his obvious strength couched by tenderness.
She couldnt bring herself to pull away. In fact, it was a fight to keep from leaning into his caress.
He dipped his head.
She knew what came next. Anybody would know what came next.
His lips touched hers, kissing her gently, testing her texture and then her taste. Arousal instantly flooded her body. He stepped forward, his free arm going around her waist, settling at the small of her back, strong and hot against her exposed skin.
He pressed harder, kissed her deeper. She met his tongue, opening, drowning in the sweet sensations that enveloped her.
Good thing she didnt marry Vern today.
The thought brought her up short.
She let out a small cry and jerked away.
What was the matter with her?
What are you doing? she demanded, tearing from his hold.
Her dress slipped, and she struggled to catch the bodice. She was a second too late, and she flashed him her bare breasts.
His eyes glowed, and his nostrils flared.
Back off, she ordered, quickly covering up.
You kissed me too, he pointed out.
You took me by surprise.
We both know thats a lie.
We do not, she snapped, taking a step away.
Whatever you say.
Im engaged.
So Ive heard, he drawled. Are you sure thats what you want?
She couldnt seem to frame an answer.
If not for Jackson, shed already be married to Vern. Theyd be at the reception, cutting the enormous cake and dancing to Strausss Snowdrops, Deloress favorite waltz. Cristas knees suddenly felt weak, and she sat down on the padded bench beside her.
The thought of being married makes you feel faint? Jackson asked.
Im worried about my mother-in-law. I cant even imagine how she reacted. All those guests. All that planning. What did they do when I didnt show up? Did they all just go home?
Youre not worried about Vern?
Yes, Im worried about Vern. Quit putting words in my mouth.
You never said his name.
Vern, Vern, Vern. Im worried sick about Vern. Hes going through hell. Then a thought struck her. You should call him. I should call him. I can at least let him know Im all right.
I cant let you use my phone.
Because then theyd discover it was you. And theyd arrest you. And youd go to jail. You know, sooner than youre already going to jail after I tell the police everything you did. Crista paused. Maybe she wouldnt tell them everything. Better to keep certain missteps off the public record.
Ive got five guys working on this. Jackson lowered himself to the bench opposite, the compact table between them.
Five guys working on what? Her curiosity was piqued.
Verns infidelity.
Vern wasnt unfaithful.
Jackson smirked. Right. And you never kissed me too.
Crista wasnt about to lie again. Just tell me what you want. Whatever is going on here, lets please get this over with so I can go home.
I want you to wait here with me while I find out exactly what your husband-to-be has been up to with Gracie.
Gracies a business acquaintance. Crista immediately realized her slipup.
Jackson caught it, too. So, you do know her.
Crista wasnt about to renew the debate. She knew what she knew, and she trusted Vern.
Why are you doing this? she asked Jackson again.
So you can decide whether or not you want to marry him.
I do want to marry him.
His gaze slipped downward, and she realized her grip on her dress had relaxed. She was showing cleavagea lot of cleavage. She quickly adjusted.
Maybe, he said softly.
Theres no maybe about it.
Whats the harm in waiting? he asked, sounding sincere. The weddings already ruined.
Thanks to you.
My point is theres no harm in waiting a few more hours.
Except for my frantic fiancé.
Jackson seemed to think for a moment. I can have someone call him, tell him youre okay.
From a pay phone? she mocked.
Who uses pay phones? Weve got plenty of burner phones.
Of course you do.
You want me to call?
Yes! But then she thought about it. No. Hang on. What are you going to tell him?
What do you want me to tell him?
The truth.
Yeah, thats not going to happen.
Then tell him Im okay. Tell him something unexpected came up. Im...uh... She bit down on her lower lip. I dont know. Other than the truth, what can I possibly say that doesnt sound terrible?
You got me.
Hell think I got cold feet.
He might.
No, he wont. She shook her head firmly. Vern knew her better than that. He knew she was committed to their marriage.
But Jackson would never send a message that incriminated himself. And anything else could make it sound like it had been her decision to run off. Maybe it was better to keep silent.
How long do you think this will take? she asked. To clear Verns name?
Jackson gave a shrug. It could go pretty fast. My guys are good.
Crista rose to her feet. Then dont call him. Im going to change.
Good idea.
It doesnt mean Ive capitulated.
I took it to mean you wanted to be dry.
Thats exactly what it means.
Okay, he agreed easily.
She turned away from his smug expression, gripping the front of her ruined wedding dress, struggling to hold on to some dignity as she made her way into the bathroom. She could feel his gaze on her back, taking in the expanse of bare skin. He knew she wasnt wearing a bra, and he could probably see the white lace at the top of her panties.
A rush of heat coursed through her. She told herself it was anger. She didnt care where he looked, or what he thought. It was the last hed see of her that was remotely intimate.
Three
Three
Jackson recognized Macs number and put his phone to his ear. Find something?
Norway talked to the girl, said Mac.
Did she admit to the affair?
She says theres nothing between them. But shes lying. And shes doing it badly. Norway got thirty seconds alone with her phone and grabbed some photos.
That was encouraging. Anything incriminating?
No nudity, but they do look intimate. Gerhards got an arm around her shoulders, and his expression says he slept with her. Were combing through social media now.
Good. Keep me posted.
How are things at your end?
Crista emerged from the bathroom. Her hair was still wet but combed straight. Shed washed her face, and she was dressed in Jacksons white and maroon U of Chicago soccer jersey. It hung nearly to her knees, which were bare, as were her calves.
Pants didnt fit? he asked.
Huh? asked Mac.
Fell off, she said.
Stay safe, Jackson said to Mac, setting down his phone.
Whos that? asked Crista, moving to the sofa. She took the end opposite to Jackson and tucked the hem of the jersey over her knees.
Mac.
He works for your agency?
He does.
She nodded. She looked curious but stayed silent.
Are you afraid to ask? he guessed.
She flicked back her damp hair. Im not afraid to ask anything.
They found some pictures of Vern and Gracie.
Youre bluffing.
Theyre not specifically incriminating
I know theyre not.
But they are suggestive of more than a business relationship.
If suggestive is all youve got, then let me go.
Its all weve got so far. He glanced at his watch. Weve only been chasing this lead for five hours.
She heaved an exaggerated sigh.
You hungry? he asked.
He was, and he doubted brides were inclined to eat heartily before their weddings.
No, she said.
You really need to stop lying.
Youre criticizing my behavior?
Youre not going to help anything by starving.
He rose, taking the few steps to the small kitchen and popping open a high cupboard.
Youre not going to make me like you, she said from behind him.
Why would I want to make you like me?
He wanted to convince her not to marry Vern. No, scratch that. He couldnt care less if she married Vern. No, scratch that, too. Vern didnt deserve her. If Jackson was sure of one thing in all this, it was that Vern didnt deserve a woman like Crista.
To make me more docile and easy to manipulate.
Jackson located a stray bag of tortilla chips. Docile? You? Are you kidding me?
Her tone turned defensive. Im really quite easy to get along with. I mean, under normal circumstances.
He also found a jar of salsa. It wasnt much, but it would keep them from starving. If they were lucky, theyd find a few cans of beer in the mini fridge.
He turned back.
She froze, her expression a study in guilt, his phone pressed to her ear.
He swore, dropping the food, taking two swift steps to grab it from her. How could he have made such an idiotic mistake?
Nine-one-one operator, came a female voice through the phone. What is your emergency?
He hit the end button. What did you do?
Tried to get help. Her words were bold, but she shrank back against the sofa.
Jackson hit the speed dial for Mac.
Yeah? Mac answered immediately.
I have to move. This phone is compromised. Tucks dock, zero eight hundred.
Roger that, said Mac.
Jackson pushed open a window and tossed the phone overboard.
That was stupid, he said to Crista.
I was trying to escape. How was that stupid?
You were reckless. I was stupid.
He grasped her arm and pulled her to her feet.
Hey, she cried.
Listen, Im still not going to hurt you, but you had no way of knowing that for sure. I could have been a vengeful jerk. He tugged her to the bridge, holding fast to her upper arm while he started the engine and engaged the anchor winch.
Her tone turned mulish. I had to try.
I shouldnt have given you the chance.
You let your guard down.
I did. And that was stupid.
Not to mention completely unprofessional. He wasnt sure what had distracted him. Their kiss? Her legs? The sight of her in his jersey?
Hed have to worry about it later. Right now, he couldnt take a chance on an overzealous 911 operator tracing their location. Anchor up, he opened the throttle, and they surged forward.
She swayed, but he held her steady.
You were trying to be nice, she said.
He struggled not to laugh at that. Youre trying to make me feel better about being stupid?
Im saying... Im not unappreciative of you offering me something to eat.
Well, Im definitely unappreciative of you compromising our location.
He set a course north along the coastline. His friend Tuck Tucker owned a beach house north of the city. Tuck wouldnt mind Jackson using his dock. He might mind the kidnapping part, but Jackson didnt plan to mention that. And if Mac and the others didnt come through with proof positive by morning, Tucks reaction would be the least of Jacksons worries.
Where are we going? Crista asked.
Jackson did chuckle at that. Yeah, sure. Im going to tell you.
Its not like we still have a phone. As she spoke, her gaze flicked to the radio.
Ill be disconnecting the battery to that long before I take my eyes off you, he told her.
What are you talking about?
You just looked at the radio. You might as well be wearing a neon sign that says its your next move.
She drew an exasperated sigh and shifted her feet.
You probably dont want to consider a life of crime, he said.
She lifted her chin and gave her damp hair a little toss. Im surprised you did.
Its been a surprising day.
Not exactly what I expected, either.
Hed have to hand her the win on that one.
He switched screens on the GPS, orienting himself to the shoreline.
Im hoping youll thank me later, he said.
Hoping? You dont seem as confident as before.
The stakes just keep getting higher and higher. Now were headed for the state line.
Her attention swung from the windshield to him. Youre taking me to Wisconsin?
Whats wrong with Wisconsin?
Its a long way from Chicago. Why are you taking me there? Whats happening? She struggled to get away from him.
He regretted frightening her again. They werent really going all the way to Wisconsin.
I didnt plan to grab you today, he told her. I was only there to get a look at Gerhard.
Why?
To take his measure.
I mean why do you care about us at all?
Its a job.
Who hired you?