Jardin's Gamble (Haven, Texas 9)

“I know, man. I know. Feels fucking good to me too. Just come.”

He stared into his best friend’s face. The man he loved more than anyone. The he drove deeply one final time, coming hard.

Fucking bliss.

Thea got off the phone with Jardin and placing her elbows on the desk, rested her head in her upturned hands.

She was still shaking. After asking her if she was okay, he’d only talked about work. Which had been a relief. She was still processing everything that had happened. That had been . . . it had been a complete mess. She wasn’t even sure what the hell was going on. Obviously, Carrick and Jardin knew each other.

But why would Carrick th

ink their meeting had been a setup? How would that have even been possible?

She wasn’t sure. But she’d seen his anger and his hurt. And that made her feel ill. Her entire life was a mess and she had no idea what to do. Where to turn next.

At least she didn’t have to face Jardin this afternoon. That gave her some time to think. Not always a good thing in her situation.

Mr. Stein had popped his head in before to check on her. She couldn’t believe that Jardin had sent one of the law firm’s partners to check in on her.

She hurriedly got to work, moving Jardin’s appointments around. He’d only had two this afternoon. And none in the morning. She managed to shift them both to Friday then she did a few other jobs. The afternoon seemed to tick by, and she was ashamed to say she counted down the last ten minutes before she thought she could safely leave.

Without looking around, she hurried to where she’d parked her car. She didn’t get a parking spot in the same building as where they worked like Jardin did. But she’d managed to find a cheap parking lot not too far away. It was outside and looked more like an abandoned lot. And it was poorly lit at night, which was going to be a problem when the days grew shorter. But, right now, it was a godsend.

It wasn’t until she got close to her car that she spotted it. A single red rose sat under her windshield wiper.

Her hands shook as she pulled it out. There was a note attached.

Three days until you’re mine.

Her stomach revolted and she leaned over to vomit. When she’d rid her stomach of what little food it contained, she moved around to the driver’s door and opened it. She sat inside, tears streaming down her face. He knew what her car looked like. She was under no illusions he didn’t know where she lived. And worked.

She had until Saturday. What the hell was she going to do?

15

Carrick groaned as he came.

Jardin had woken him with his mouth around his dick. Fuck, what a way to wake up. Jardin hummed and swallowed him down, licking his cock clean before he slid up his body, pressing kisses to his skin.

Smiling, Carrick leaned in and kissed him. “Fuck, man, you suck cock like you’ve been doing it all your life.”

Jardin threw his head back and laughed. Joy filled Carrick. Most people only saw Jardin’s serious side. And he was an intense guy, but he had a softer side. Usually, it only came out around women and children. And Carrick.

“I’m going to take that as a compliment,” Jardin said with a grin that turned into a groan as Carrick grasped his firm cock with his hand.

“Oh, it certainly is.”

“I can’t believe how much we fucked all night. I’m not twenty anymore.”

Carrick snorted as he continued to jack him off. “Neither of us are. But we’ve got lost time to make up for.”

“Fuck. Yes. God, we do.” Jardin leaned in to kiss him. “Nothing I want more than to spend the day here with you.”

“But you have to work. I get it.”

“I . . . holy fuck, Carrick, that feels good . . . don’t have appointments this morning. I can sleep in for a bit. If you can.”

“Hmm, I think we can do better than sleep in.” Carrick scooted down the bed until he came face-to-face with Jardin’s hard-on.