JACKS ARE WILD Page 2

  Collins and his creative punishments. Terrific.

  During each of his four loops, he had looked ahead to the store in the middle of the block, Vitagliano’s Tattoo Parlor. This time the lights were off. On his other circuits, he’d crossed the street before he passed by it.

  She’s gone home. Damn. I should have stopped in, but what am I going to say? I’m out of my mind. I once had Marisa, who’s hot as hell and all over me, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell her how much I cared for her, so I let her walk away? And then I start thinking maybe Alice, who can drive me crazy in a good way, is sending me signals, and I might have a chance, but now she wants to stop?

  Jack stared at his reflection in the store window for a moment before he realized he’d stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and was talking to himself. He quickly looked around and walked again.

  I should have been a monk.

  “Are you stalking me or picketing?” Marisa’s velvety voice called out from the darkened doorway.

  Jack grinned as she stepped into the light. Marisa Vitagliano was tall for a woman at five ten, and her four-inch heels brought her to eye level with Jack. Her black leather pants showed off her curves, and a cropped, black leather jacket did little to hide her generous proportions. Jack exhaled. She was drop-dead gorgeous.

  He locked onto her big brown eyes. He loved to lose himself in them. “Hey, Angel.” Jack’s lips pressed together.

  She tilted her head back toward the store, and her long, black hair flowed around her shoulders. “Do you want a cup of coffee?”

  Jack hesitated but then slowly nodded.

  Marisa opened the door before she spoke. “I already put a pot on. I turned the lights off so you’d come over to this side of the street.” She smiled.

  Jack tried to hide his embarrassment with a cough. “I fell right into your trap.”

  He blinked as the lights flicked on. There was a long counter with stools against the back wall. In front of the windows were a couple of tall metal tables with high-back stools pushed underneath.

  “Does that make you my prisoner?” Marisa slid one hand along the counter as she walked halfway down it. ”I like the sound of that. Pull up a stool. Or are you not allowed to take a break?” Jack caught the edge of concern in her voice.

  “It’s sort of a walking penance, like KP in the Army, but they still let me take a break.” Jack stood at the counter as Marisa turned around with two cups of coffee already prepared. “You were pretty confident I’d come in, huh?” Jack asked as he tried to interpret the meaning hidden in her eyes.

  She smiled smugly as she held her cup between her hands and leaned on the counter. “After your third lap, I was pretty confident.”

  “You’re okay?” Jack set his cup down.

  “With you avoiding me?” The corner of her mouth curled up.

  “I’m not avoiding you. It’s just that I’m trying—”

  “Jack, you know how I feel about you.” Marisa sipped her coffee but never took her eyes off his. “The ball is in your court.”

  “You’re not making this easy, are you?”

  She smiled. “I’ll try to behave and keep my hands off you.”

  Jack swallowed. “Thanks.”

  “How’s your puppy?”

  Replacement would go crazy if she knew that’s what Marisa called her.

  Jack exhaled. “Marisa…”

  “Sorry. I just want you to be happy.”

  Jack scratched his jaw and smirked.

  “I do,” she protested.

  “It’s not that I don’t believe you. It’s just me,” he said. “Happy? I don’t know if I’ll ever be happy.”

  “I could make you happy.” She scanned his toned forearms, and then back down his muscular chest.

  “Marisa…”

  “I didn’t say I wouldn’t try to seduce you; I just said I wouldn’t use my hands.” She set her cup down and bit her bottom lip coyly.

  “You and me, we’ve been down this road before.” Jack breathed out. “How about we stick to coffee tonight?”

  Her eyebrow lifted.

  Jack leaned back. “It’s complicated,” he admitted.

  Marisa smiled as she peeled off her jacket. The T-shirt clung to her body, and Jack had to force himself to look at her eyes.

  “It’s not complicated.” She shook her head, her long black hair shimmering. “I can give you a refresher.”

  “Marisa, you’re making this hard.” Jack’s jaw clenched.

  “Hard?” Marisa smiled suggestively, and then held up a hand. “Sorry.” She leaned back and crossed her tattooed arms over her chest. “You must have your hands full with your new roommate.”

  “That’s an understatement. She’s—” His smile vanished. “Why do you say that?”

  “She stopped in this morning.” Marisa shook her head as she walked over to the cash register. “She said she knew that you and I were close friends. She’d like us all to get along.” Marisa picked up a piece of paper as she came back. “Then she asked to put this in the window.”

  Jack took the paper. It was a flyer. The top half had a large picture of a woman holding a magnifying glass. His eyes went wide as he began to read: REPLACEMENT INVESTIGATORS. DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM THE POLICE CAN’T, OR WON’T, SOLVE? CALL US FOR RESULTS. WE HELP YOU WHEN THE COPS WON’T.

  “Oh crap. Is she out of her mind? She’s gonna get me fired.”

  “At least she used her own phone number.” Marisa smiled.

  “Great, just great.” Jack smiled as he folded up the paper and put it in his pocket. “I need Sheriff Collins reading that like…” He turned toward the door. “Speaking of the sheriff, I better go.”

  Marisa suddenly stood bolt upright. “Before you do, can I show you something?”

  Jack eyed her suspiciously as she walked in front of the thick, red velvet curtain that covered the entrance to the back rooms. She stopped beside the Italian statue of a female gladiator that perpetually stood guard there.

  He shook his head. “I have enough trouble right now—”

  “No.” Marisa’s cheeks flushed. “I want to show you something I made.”

  One look at her smoldering eyes drove any thought of the sheriff out of his mind. “Sure. Lead the way.”

  Jack followed Marisa down the hallway to her office. His eyes immediately went to the tattoo table, and he grinned when he remembered that hot and heavy night. Jack’s grin straightened into a more serious face as he noticed Marisa impatiently standing next to an easel covered with a tarp.

  “The Darrington Art Festival is next week.”

  He pressed his lips tightly together to hide his smile. He noticed her wringing hands, the twisted foot, and her eyes darting from the floor to him and back again.

  “I was thinking about entering this.” She pulled back the tarp.

  He just stood there and stared. It was a painting of a young girl running away through a field. Her long hair flowed out behind her and her arms were outstretched. You could just make out her face and a hint of her smile. It was beautiful.

  “Do you…do you like it?” Marisa’s brows arched up as her voice became so soft it was just above a whisper.

  “That’s the sketch you were drawing on the cocktail napkin the night we first met.”

  Marisa nodded and walked forward. “You remember?”

  Jack’s eyes traveled around the painting. The only color in the piece was a hint of blue in the girl’s eyes. It was stunning.

  She was right beside him now, and he could feel her breath on his neck. He nodded but said nothing. Jack was speechless. Something about Marisa’s work always moved him, but there was a part of this painting that truly touched his heart.

  Is it the little girl’s smile? I want to just jump in and run away with her, too.

  Jack inhaled deeply and enjoyed the feeling of warmth that spread in his chest.

  Don’t say it. Don’t. She’s going to enter it in the festival. Don’t…

  “
I want it.”

  Idiot.

  He turned to look at Marisa, and she searched his eyes. He felt her hand on his shirt, which slowly tightened as she pulled him closer.

  “It’s unbelievable,” he whispered.

  She leaned forward. The dam broke. They crashed together like two dancers, a fierce impact filled with delicate grace. As they spilled into each other, hands frantically sought out straps and buttons. All of Jack’s tightly restrained, pent-up desires poured into a fiery passion. He wanted her.

  A deep, primal moan of pleasure roared in his chest as he let himself go, giving in to his need. Her full lips found his, and her tongue slid between his, parting his lips. He reacted, claiming her mouth.

  Her hands slid up his taut muscles; he could feel the heat from her body against his. Her hand rose up the back of his neck until her fingers entwined in his thick hair. Slowly, she pulled. He ground his teeth in pleasure. Seizing her waist in his strong hands, he drew her hips closer. As they ground against each other, a deep, lush purr escaped her lips. His hands traveled over her toned muscles. Their tongues circled and curled together as her hands traveled down to his waist, grabbing his lean hips, and she pressed herself against him. Jack’s powerful arms wrapped around her and he pulled her close.

  “Marisa,” he whispered, their hands desperately seeking each other’s bodies as their passions intensified.

  Suddenly, Marisa froze. Jack felt her body turn. He stopped. Her eyes were enflamed with desire, but the look on her face was filled with fear.

  “What’s wrong, Angel?”

  She swallowed and her lip trembled. Marisa inhaled and then stepped back. “My hand touched your gun.”

  Jack looked down. “The safety’s on. There’s no way it could go off.”

  “I know.” She let out her breath. “It just brought back memories. That’s all. I hate guns.”

  He held his arms out. “I’m sorry you’re upset.”

  She hung her head and stepped forward. He pulled her into his arms. He could feel her body trembling.

  “It’s okay.” Gently, he stroked her hair as she rested her body against his. Her hands gripped his shirt as she held on.

  “I’m sorry I ruined the moment,” she murmured into his chest.

  Jack placed his hand under her chin and lifted her face up. He knew a little of her past—but not all of it; he wanted to know more. He looked deeply into her eyes. “Marisa, you didn’t ruin anything. Do you want to talk about it?”

  “No.” She lowered her gaze and swallowed. “I need a couple of minutes.”

  He let out a long deep breath. “I think I’d better get going anyway.” He started to straighten up. “I’m supposed to be on duty, and I’ve already taken too long of a break.”

  He let go of her and grabbed his jacket off the floor. She looked hurt. He tried to soften it. ”Besides, I don’t think we’d only be a few minutes.” He grinned.

  She blushed and nodded.

  “I’ll let myself out the back.”

  “Are you working tomorrow?”

  Jack walked out to the hallway and over to the rear exit. “I have to start at seven,” he grumbled.

  “Seven? You’re working the night shift again?”

  “Collins wants to experiment with a twelve-hour schedule of walking a beat, and I’m the lab rat.” He jerked his thumb toward himself.

  “Why? Is he out for your head?”

  “I broke protocol, and I didn’t go to him first. Simple as that.” Jack picked up his hat and ran his fingers through his hair before he put it on. “Well, back to protecting, serving, and walking.” He smirked as he pulled the hat down.

  “Will you stop by tomorrow?” Marisa held the door open for him.

  “Right after you close.”

  She kissed his cheek.

  Jack walked out the door and into the alley. He reached back to catch the door before it closed. Marisa stood there and smiled at him.

  “If you enter that picture in the festival, you’ll win,” Jack declared.

  Marisa clasped her hands together before she brought them against her chin. “Do you think so?”

  “Anyone who doesn’t love that painting is crazy. It belongs in a museum.”

  She smiled. “Thanks.”

  “See you around.”

  He let go of the door and it clicked shut.

  The alley was well lit and Marisa always made sure it stayed clean. Even the garbage bin and recycling container were neatly arranged. The space between the buildings was just wide enough to back a truck down, but tonight it was empty. As Jack started down the alley, he noticed a pair of legs sticking out from a doorway. He moved over so he could walk along the far wall as he approached whoever was sitting there. Jack’s hand moved closer to his pistol. He had been trained to be prepared for anything. Just like a traffic stop—it could be a little old lady, or it could be a little old lady with a shotgun…

  “How you doing?” Jack called out, as he got closer.

  The legs pulled up, and whoever it was stayed partly concealed by the wall. Darrington was a small town, but it still had its share of homeless.

  “Warm night, huh?” Jack kept talking.

  Thaddeus Ferguson stuck his head around the corner and blinked rapidly at Jack.

  “It’s a warm winter. A very warm winter. Good evening, Jack.” He adjusted his glasses with one hand and scratched his bushy, unkempt beard with the other.

  Jack walked over so he could see all of Thaddeus, including his hands. The small, thin man stepped out as he thrust a dirty hand forward.

  Don’t make a face. Shake his hand.

  Jack shook his hand and cleared his throat. “Not warm enough for camping. Are you sure you don’t want to head to Father Bill’s tonight?”

  Thaddeus shook his head and moved closer. Jack tried not to wrinkle his nose at the smell.

  “I got layers.” He pulled at his thick, worn jacket and Jack could see a rainbow of different cloths and materials. “And Ms. Vitagliano gave me a Danish and a coffee.” He held up a battered thermos and something wrapped in a napkin.

  Jack looked back at the closed door. “She’s a nice lady.”

  “Ms. Vitagliano is a very nice lady. Makes a fine cup of coffee, too. Not too much cream and lots of sugar.” He smiled and shifted on his feet.

  “If you get too cold, be sure to head over to Father Bill’s, okay? You have a good night, Thaddeus.”

  Jack started down the alley, toward the street.

  “I will, Jack. You take care of yourself, too.”

  Jack’s Junk

  Jack walked into his apartment as the clock on the oven showed 7:28 a.m.

  It’ll take me an hour just to fall asleep.

  He tossed the contents of his pockets onto the counter.

  “Hey!” Replacement swiveled around in her chair at the computer, set against the far window. “I just cleaned the counter in case you wanted breakfast.” She hopped up and rushed over. She grabbed a little wire bin labeled JACK’S JUNK and slid his keys and change into it. She had purchased the bin in an effort to try to domesticate him. It wasn’t working. “How was your night?”

  “Filled with danger and excitement.” Jack tossed his jacket on the chair. “I’m gonna take a quick shower and get a couple hours of sleep.”

  “No breakfast?”

  He shook his head. “Thanks, anyway. Will that offer still be open when I get up?”

  “Sure. What time? I’ll set my alarm.”

  “Two o’clock? That way I can get a workout in before I go to work.”

  “You don’t need any cardio,” Replacement quipped.

  “Funny. Have you been up this whole time, kid? You don’t have to do that. Collins is trying to put the screws to me by putting me on the night shift. You don’t have to go through it, too.”

  Her hands went out. “I don’t mind. This way I get to spend more time with you. Your shower is ready, sir.” She bent at the waist and held her arm out toward th
e bathroom.

  “Thanks,” Jack mumbled as he walked by.

  This part of her is awesome. It’s like I have a cute girl butler or something. What guy wouldn’t dig that?

  Jack closed the bedroom door, pulled off his clothes, and smiled as he tossed them on the bed.

  I mean, my clothes won’t be here when I get out. She’ll wash them. It’s awesome. She treats me like a king. I don’t know why she’s doing it.

  He walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind him. Jack stared in the mirror as his reflection glared back.

  It’s not my choice. I tried to get something going with her. She shut me down. The whole stupid wait-stop thing. Damn.

  He turned the water on hot and leaned against the sink as he waited for it to heat up.

  Marisa offers herself up on a platter, but I’m driving myself crazy about Replacement. But Marisa and me…part of me knows it will never work out.

  The steam started to rise, and he inhaled deeply. His shoulders were sore. Even in a quiet town like Darrington, being a cop was a dangerous profession. On patrol, his head was constantly in motion and, even though he tried to relax, his muscles were always tense and alert. He stepped into the shower and let the warm water rush over him. Now he could let his head hang forward so he could loosen up as the heat radiated into his muscles.

  The door flew open and Replacement hurried in. “Can I ask you a big favor?” she blurted out.

  Jack’s left leg slipped, and his toes smashed into the tub as he quickly twisted around. He caught himself with his right hand and managed to remain on his feet.

  “Damn it,” he snapped as he grabbed his foot.

  “Sorry.” Replacement leaned against the sink.

  “Get out!”

  “The shower curtain isn’t see-through. I need to ask you something.”

  “Is this about that flyer?” Jack called out.

  “You saw it?” She took a step back.

  “Are you trying to get me in more trouble?”

  “No, I just…I need to get a job, so I thought I could start my own business.”

  “As a private investigator? Why don’t you do something with computers?” He stuck his head under the water.

  “I am. Look at what I’ve done so far. I’m good at it. I can make good money, too.”