Paul Leighton instinctively jumped off the bed, completely thrown off by what he was seeing. "Uh, Jess, I've gotta talk business with Alan real quick. I'll come back later, alright?" He bolted out of the room, head a mess of confusion. But one thing he knew for sure-until he figured out how he really felt, he couldn't risk hurting her.
A tall figure in black stepped in from the balcony, voice cold and dripping with anger. "Back for one day and already hooking up with my cousin? Jessica, how desperate can you get?"
Jessica met Alan's glare head-on, her eyes sharp and frosty. A bitter smile tugged at her lips. How pathetic was she, not even able to successfully come on to someone? That familiar pine scent in the air told her he was there. Even after all these years, she could still pick up on him instantly. She'd only meant to mess with him, but somehow ended up being mocked herself.
"What does my love life have to do with you, Mr. Knight? Thinking of stepping in? Oh wait, weren't you worn out after last night? I doubt you've got anything left in the tank."
She sat on the bed, blouse half undone from earlier, revealing just enough to tease. Her fingers tangled through her messy hair, a wicked glint in her eyes. The whole act screamed defiance and bait.
Alan's gaze darkened, a dangerous swirl of red in his eyes. "Do you even hear yourself right now?"
Jessica gave a faint smile, totally unfazed by his rage. Her fingers reached casually for her shirt buttons again. "Since you're clearly out of commission, just do me a favor and call a bodyguard up here, would you?"
"Jessica! You've got a death wish?" he snapped, losing all control. In the next second, he shoved her onto the bed, pinning her beneath him.
"Tell me! Has any other man touched you?" She'd been missing for four years, and this was what she came back as? What the hell had she been doing all this time?
Jessica swung her hand toward his neck. Four years of training weren't for nothing. She might have meant to piss him off, but she wasn't about to just lie down and take his crap.
Turns out, her skills were no match for the hand-to-hand combat training he'd had growing up. After a few quick moves, he had her wrist caught in his big hand and forced above her head.
"Alan, Chloe's downstairs. You really think it's okay to mess around with your sister-in-law upstairs? Don't you feel the slightest bit guilty?" This situation was spiraling way off course-she had to shut it down, fast.
"You didn't seem to remember she was your cousin when you were throwing yourself at me. Now you wanna play family values?" His voice was ice, biting and cold. "Tell me. Did that so-called Count guy lay a hand on you or not?"
"Alan! Get the hell off me, don't touch me!" Jessica couldn't move her arms, so she kicked at him with all her strength.
The man pressed her legs down with his own, trapping her beneath him as he yanked at her clothes, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "I've seen this body countless times since we were kids. What's one more time? Don't let any other guy touch you. Got it?" His voice dropped, icy cold.
Jessica was stunned. He had completely lost it. He was still hung up on his ex, hooking up with her cousin, and now he wanted her to stay chaste for him? Seriously?
"Alan, I must've been completely clueless back then to fall for a jerk like you!" she shouted through gritted teeth, struggling to free herself. There was no way she'd let him do this.
That clearly pushed his buttons. He lowered his head and bit down hard on her lips like a punishment, rough and angry-like he really wanted to tear her apart.
Her mouth filled with that sharp taste of blood. He was dead serious-he looked like he was ready to devour her whole. So that's how much he hated her now? Fine. With all her rage, she bit him back-harder.
"Jessica, ah-!"
The bedroom door suddenly burst open and a woman's gasp followed. Jessica didn't need to look to know-Chloe had just walked in.
Chloe froze at the sight: two tangled figures on the bed, Jessica's clothes torn and disheveled, Alan still latched onto her lips. Her expression turned hard as ice, unable to process what she saw, and she practically bolted down the stairs.
Chloe's voice snapped Alan back to his senses. His grip relaxed for a second.
Jessica didn't hesitate. Like a cornered animal, she lashed out with a fierce kick to his stomach, yanked her arms free, shoved him off, and scrambled onto the floor, hugging herself tightly. That self-defense training finally came in handy. If he tried that crap again, she'd kick him into next week.
Her clothes were a mess and barely holding together, so she ran to the closet and dug through it. Most of the clothes were from when she was a kid-useless. Eventually, she found an old V-neck nightdress and slipped it on.
Alan was still stunned, doubled over, clutching his stomach. He stared at her-it hit him just how much she'd changed. The sweet, obedient girl he once knew was gone. She might still look a little like that sly little fox when annoyed, but when she was mad? She was a whole different person. Not his little doll anymore.
Then came the knock at the front door-Paul's voice.
"Jessica, are you okay?"
Alan immediately stopped her from going to the door. "Put that on! And don't even think about Paul! You're not worthy." He yanked off his suit jacket and shoved it onto her.
Her body had filled out over the years, and that thin nightdress hugged every curve. Just the thought of Paul seeing her like this made Alan's head explode. He didn't even want to imagine it.
