His words came out harsh and ragged, his breathing filling my ears, and I wasn’t sure if this was the sex talking or if it was sheer, unrestrained, terrifying honesty. I felt my stomach tighten, and his pumps became harsher, his fingers more desperate.

“Come with me,” he grunted, and it was like the words in themselves were an aphrodisiac, because I shattered right there under his practiced touch and he came, his cock pulsing as he emptied himself inside me.

As one, our bodies collapsed onto the bed. His weight on top of me was almost crushing, but then he flipped us so that I lay stretched out on his chest. It was just like the other night, when we’d fallen asleep together under the stars. Now the storm raged on outside our peaceful, spent little bubble, rain pounding the roof. Jack stared at me like I was an apparition, a spectre about to disappear as I ran my fingers through his gorgeous hair, let my eyes memorise every inch of his face. His lids fell closed and his breathing evened out, his arms still clutching me tight. I knew he’d fallen asleep when his breaths grew deep, and I felt brave enough to utter the words that were trying to break their way out of my very soul.

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

Fifteen

A picture lost was then found

“Get the fuck out here and face me now, you bitch!”

I woke to somebody screaming, adrenaline flooding my system as I shot up in the bed. Jack’s warm body wasn’t under me anymore, and I looked around to find him standing by the window, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he peeked through the blinds. A bang rang out, and it sounded like the person who’d been screaming was now trying to kick the door in.

I sat up in the bed, heart racing, and Jack’s attention landed on me as he saw I was awake.

“What on earth is going on?”

He’d pulled on his lounge pants, but he still wore no shirt, and from the tired look of his eyes, he’d just woken up moments before I had. He came over to the bed and cupped my face in his hands before leaning in and pressing a kiss to my lips.

“Good morning,” he murmured. “I’m sorry she’s ruining everything. I wanted to wake you with breakfast.”

“It’s Julie, isn’t it?”

Jack nodded. “By the looks of it, the police paid her a visit. She’s like a raging bull out there. I’m going to go out, but I need you stay in here. Okay?”

“Yeah,” I whispered. “Sure.”

“God, you’re beautiful. I like waking up with you next to me.”

A small laugh escaped me. “You sound surprised by that.”

He scratched his head as he rose and gave me a sexy, perplexed little smile. “I’m am, kind of.”

A moment later, he’d thrown on a shirt and was gone, out to face the wrath of Julie. I buried myself further under the blankets, wishing that I could bury myself so deep she’d disappear and this wouldn’t be happening. Unfortunately, the walls of the camper were thin, and I could hear every word that was said.

“What the hell do you think you’re playing at? You’ve got five seconds to leave, or I’ll make you leave.” Jack.

“Your fucking whore went to the police, telling lies about me. Get her out here now. I want to see her.” Julie.

“Lies? Are you fucking shitting me? Why does she have a head wound, then, huh? Why are there bruises on her neck from your malicious little hands?” Jack.

“I never touched her. She’s trying to come between us.” Julie.

“Come on, Jules, let’s go. You’re making a scene.” Mary or Molly, I couldn’t be quite sure.

“Get off me. I’m not leaving until that bitch comes out here and faces me.”

A lump formed in my throat. I knew this wasn’t going to end until I went out there. Jack must have left my clothes to dry on the heater by the window last night because they were resting on it, now dry and toasty. I pulled on my jeans and top, then slid my feet into my shoes. I just wanted to end this. Jack looked like he was seeing red when I stepped out of the camper, and he immediately came to stand in front of me, shielding me from Julie.

“Go back inside, Lille,” he instructed me, chest puffing out. I glanced around to see that half the circus were hovering close by to take in the disturbance. There was nothing like a fight to garner people’s attention, and around here it seemed that Julie was always the centre of the drama.

“You stupid bitch!” Julie screamed as she lunged for me. I ducked behind Jack, who held his arm out to fend her off. She clawed at him before her sister pulled her away. “They didn’t arrest me,” she said snidely as she glared daggers at me over Jack’s shoulder. “Not enough evidence and no witnesses, obviously, since I didn’t do anything.” Wow, she actually sounded like she believed that as she turned to face the onlookers. “I say we all take a vote to kick her out. She can’t just go around making false accusations, and I refuse to perform another night while she’s still here.”

My heart pounded at her declaration, and tears began to form in my eyes. I didn’t want to leave. Not now. It felt like Jack and I had only just found one another. There were some murmurings among the onlookers as Jack balled his fists.

“You’re being a spiteful bitch, Julie. Let it go.”

I tugged on his arm, and his eyes came to me. “It’s okay. She’s a headlining act. I can’t stay if it’s going to cause trouble with the shows,” I whispered, my voice choked.

His responding tone was firm as he cupped my cheek. “Get off your cross — you’re going nowhere.” He stared Julie down. “She just needs to chill the fuck out and stop being a temperamental violent fucking lunatic.”

Julie’s eyes flashed red, and her mouth formed a thin, sour line. “You’re taking her side!? You’ve known me for years and you’ve known her for a couple of weeks, but still you’d believe her over me?”

At this Winnie stepped forward. “The fact he’s known you for years is the reason he believes her. He knows what you’re like. We all do.”

“You can stay out of this,” Julie hissed.

“I thought you wanted us to have a vote,” said Winnie.

“I do,” Julie scowled.

“Well, then, let’s vote. All those who believe Julie’s version of events stand by Julie, and all those who believe Lille, stand by Lille.” Immediately, Winnie came to stand by me, taking my arm and squeezing it to show her solidarity. In that moment, I felt unendingly grateful to her. I didn’t know what to expect, but after a couple moments of hesitation, everyone began to come and stand with me and Jack. The only ones standing with Julie were her sisters, and even they seemed a little unsure of their sibling. My heart filled with emotion. These people barely even knew me, and yet they were standing up for me. It was like a strange big family of misfits, and they were making me truly feel like one of them. I didn’t know what to say.

“This is ridiculous!” Julie wailed just before she cursed everyone out and stormed off. Looking uncomfortable, her sisters went after her.

Jack turned to me and took me in his arms, his chest moving with a deep inhalation. I looked up at him, anxious. “Is she going to quit? Marina will be mad at me if she quits.”

“I can’t count the number of times Julie’s threatened to leave. She’s not going anywhere.”

“More’s the pity,” Winnie put in, then gave my shoulder a gentle pat. “I’m sorry you had to go through that. If she ever tries to lay a hand on you again, you come to me, and I’ll set her straight.” The way she said it made me feel like she genuinely meant it, which caused me to become even more emotional.

Jack’s arms tightened around me. “It won’t happen again,” he said darkly. “I won’t let it.”

A few minutes later, those who’d gathered to take in the drama had dispersed, and Jack and I returned to his camper. He made me a breakfast of peanut butter and chopped bananas on toast, and we sat close together on his couch as we ate. It was strange to see such a big, sexy, mysterious man carrying out a mundane task like making breakfast, but I loved it.