Rough Draft: Big Easy Read online

  Jett tried to rise, his slow, clumsy movements prompting Carissa to throw his arm over her shoulder, offering her own strength to help him stand.

  “I don’t know what the hell that woman drugged me with, but it was pretty powerful stuff.”

  Phillip helped Carissa lead Jett to the golf cart, where a security guard waited to escort them to the castle. They rode to the hotel in silence, the adrenaline of the past hour giving way to exhaustion.

  Phillip and the security guard helped Carissa get Jett to the room and into bed. Jett refused when the security guard offered to call Dr. Magdalene to examine him, claiming all he needed was some rest.

  Carissa thanked the men for their help and bid them good night. Jett’s eyes were drifting closed as she returned. She actually thought he was going to go right to sleep, so she was surprised when he turned his head to watch her as she tugged off her clothes and crawled in next to him.

  “Get in bed,” he demanded, his voice deep and Dom-like. She’d never noticed that commanding tone at home, never realized her fantasy man had been sitting at the end of her bar for years. “I was afraid you were going into shock out there on the beach.”

  She turned to him, nestling close to soak up his warmth. “Yeah. I think I was, but it’s okay. I’m only sort of slightly freaked out now instead of in a state of complete and total panic.”

  Jett chuckled, then sobered up. “You saved my life, Carissa.”

  She shook her head. “No. I didn’t. Phillip did.”

  “I’m not just talking about tonight.” His voice was heavy, his words coming slowly. She wondered if he would even remember this in the morning.

  It didn’t matter if he didn’t. She would. She moved closer and pressed her lips to his.

  “You saved mine too,” she said.

  Jett was asleep within seconds. Carissa thought it would be harder for her, but in the next instant, she drifted off to sleep too.

  Chapter Nine

  Jett nudged his shoulder against Carissa’s as they walked along the shore. Dusk was setting in. The two of them had slept in late that morning, and then meandered through the afternoon like a couple of exhausted zombies.

  The master of the island had sent a word of thanks to them for their help catching the killer. He’d also invited them to return to Eden for another vacation—free of charge.

  Jett liked the idea of coming back here with Carissa for their honeymoon, but he didn’t mention that to her. The issue of their relationship and whether or not they even had a future was still up in the air.

  “Penny for your thoughts,” he urged. She’d been uncharacteristically quiet all day. He’d thought she was merely tired, but as afternoon led to evening, he realized she was troubled.

  She paused, using his grip on her hand to stop him as well. “What are we going to do, Jett?”

  “I thought we were going to finish up this walk, go back to the castle for a late dinner, then hit the dance club.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “I’m not talking about tonight.”

  He knew that. “I’m not sure what you want me to say, Rissa. I think I’ve made my feelings clear.” He grasped her waist and pulled her closer. “I want you and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”

  “And you don’t think we’re too different to make it in the long term?”

  He tilted his head, shocked by her concern. “Different? No. Not at all.”

  “I own a seedy little bar, Jett. That’s pretty much going to be my life. Forever.”

  He grinned. “That’s the closest you’ve ever come to admitting you actually like that dive.”

  She gave him a dirty look. “Dive?”

  He chuckled. “So it’s okay for you to talk badly about it, but not me.”

  She lifted one shoulder. “Exactly.”

  “I love that place, Rissa. And the regulars. And the bartender.”

  “You could do better.”

  Now it was his turn to scowl. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  She sighed. “I’m saying this so badly.”

  His temper was piqued. “No. I think you’re finally saying exactly what you’ve been thinking all week. But I’m struggling to decide if you’re suffering from low self-esteem issues I’ve never noticed before or if you’re calling me a stuck-up snob.”

  Carissa put her hands on her hips. “Neither, you jackass. All I’m saying is we sort of exist on two different planes. You read constantly. You know so much worthless crap, it’s mind-boggling.”

  He struggled not to laugh. “Worthless crap?”

  “I, on the other hand, have only ever read your books. My idea of relaxing is sitting in front of the TV all day watching a Dance Moms marathon.”

  Jett pretended to wince. He gave her shit for her love of reality shows all the time.

  Carissa ignored him. “You aspire to bigger things while, the truth is, I’m pretty happy in my little bar, listening to a bunch of drunk guys talk about sports and their bodily functions.”

  Jett laughed loudly. “There’s nothing wrong with that, Rissa.”

  “We have nothing in common.”

  When he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, she waved him away.

  “Besides sex.” She paused. “And actually, we can’t even confirm that. We haven’t had sex yet. It could totally suck.”

  He sobered up, shaking his head. “It’s not gonna suck.”

  Carissa crossed her arms, her stubbornness and pride coming out in spades. “You say that like you’re going to confirm it.”

  He stepped closer, enjoying how she backed away, her expression leery. With the murder investigation closed, there was nothing else standing in their way. “You’re thinking about this too much.”

  She frowned. “At least I’m thinking.”

  Lifting his arms, Jett gestured to the beach, the ocean, the beautiful evening surrounding them. “We’re in paradise, Rissa. Everything about this place is magic. So we’re going to let fate decide this for us.

  She rolled her eyes, but he could see she was beginning to give up the fight. Regardless of what she said, Carissa clearly wanted him too. He was simply going to have to teach his no-nonsense best friend how to throw caution to the wind.

  “You can’t leave something like this up to fate.”

  He shrugged easily. “Why not?”

  “Because it’s not practical.”

  “Love isn’t practical, Rissa. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.”

  “So how are we supposed to let fate decide?”

  He gave her a wolfish grin. “Easy. You’re going to run. If you make it back to our hotel room without being caught, you’re right. It’s not meant to be. But if I catch you, you’re mine.”

  Jett watched her process his words. He’d asked her their first night on the island what her favorite fantasy was. The answer—a single word—had come quickly and without hesitance.

  Capture.

  She studied his face and he worried for a moment that she’d refuse, that she’d continue to hide behind this roadblock she’d built between them.

  Then she looked over her shoulder at the castle. “Fine.”

  The word had no more crossed her lips, than she’d taken off in an all-out sprint.

  Away from the castle.

  Jett waited four, five, six heartbeats, and then he began his pursuit. Carissa was physically fit and no slouch in the running department. She jogged three miles every morning.

  He matched her pace and studied their surroundings, not turning on the speed just yet. They were still on the beach and there were too many people around.

  He silently rejoiced when she altered course, turning inland toward the tree line. She found a narrow path, then much to his chagrin, increased her pace. She was in better shape than he realized. She’d merely been toying with him.

  Jett picked his way along the rough path, struggling not to trip over a branch or lose sight of his quarry. He was impressed with Carissa’s surefooted ab
ilities. She had no intention of making this easy for him.

  The only thing that set his mind at ease was the fact she was still heading away from the castle. She was setting fate up for a win.

  Several hundred yards from the shore, the trees thinned and a glade appeared. Someone had built a gazebo in the middle of a field of tropical flowers. Vines covered the wooden structure, leaving something that looked like it belonged in the middle of a fairy tale. Carissa slowed, obviously surprised by her find as well. Then she headed straight for it.

  Jett slowed his pace when he reached the steps to the gazebo. Carissa was inside, waiting for him. The race was over.

  “Caught you.”

  She laughed. “Did you? Or did I lure you here, capturing you in a trap of my own?”

  Jett crossed the gazebo, tugging her into his arms. “Does it matter?”

  She shook her head. “Not at all.”

  “Carissa—”

  She placed her fingers on his lips. “Shhh. I know you’re a writer, Jett. But sometimes words aren’t necessary.” She reached up on tiptoe, intent on kissing him. Jett met her halfway. He pulled her against him, loving the way her body fit his. The passionate kiss spoke volumes, leaving both of them breathless. Several minutes later, they parted.

  There was a pile of plush pillows in the center of the floor. It felt as if someone—maybe fate—had been expecting them. The gazebo was intimate, secluded, romantic.

  Jett slowly unbuttoned her blouse, letting his fingers dip beneath as more skin was revealed. Dropping the silky material to the ground, Jett added her bra and his own shirt to the pile.

  Carissa ran her hands along his chest reverently. They’d spent the past few days in a mad dash, letting pure driving need overpower the beauty of a slow touch. She leaned closer, drawing her tongue over his nipple, then blowing on the suddenly tight nub.

  Jett repeated the same process on her, loving how Carissa held his lips tightly to her chest, the way she threw her head back in utter surrender.

  He reached lower, sliding the zipper of her skirt down. When the material cleared her hips, he realized his sexy lover wasn’t wearing any panties. He rewarded her naughty behavior by running his finger along her slit, paying special attention to her clit.

  Carissa took a tiny step away. “I need to see you. Touch you. All of you.”

  He unfastened his light summer pants, tugging them and his briefs off. For one spellbound moment, they simply looked their fill. Though they’d seen each other in all sorts of states of undress over the past few days, this was the first time they’d both been completely naked and could relax and enjoy it.

  Carissa, quite simply, took his breath away.

  Again, words fell to the wayside as they moved together at the exact same moment. He kissed her once more as her breasts rubbed against his chest, his cock tickling her stomach.

  They both went to their knees on the soft pillows, then Jett pressed her to her back. As he came over her, Carissa opened her legs. Time seemed to stand still when he placed the head of his cock at her opening.

  He paused.

  “Nothing between us,” she whispered.

  He agreed. He was certain she was on birth control, though it didn’t matter to him if she wasn’t. Jett wanted her forever and that included marriage, babies, a family and a home.

  He pressed inside, her tight heat a welcome retreat. She felt as wonderful as he’d imagined. More so.

  Carissa lifted her legs, wrapping them around his waist when he reached the hilt. Neither of them moved as he placed his lips against hers, kissing her, relishing this closeness.

  Carissa was the first to falter. She raised her hips, seeking sensation, silently urging him to move. He broke off the kiss with a grin.

  “Impatient.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “I think you’re forgetting I have a vibrator that I can and will use if you leave me hanging too long.”

  He lifted his hips, coming back inside her with a fair amount of force. “You use that damn thing without me ever again and I’ll flip you over my knee and spank your ass.”

  She giggled as he thrust in once more. “You really need to work on your threats. That one sucked.”

  Jett pounded inside three more times, then forgot what they were talking about. He gave up trying to think about anything. It was impossible. All he could see, all he could feel, was her.

  Though he’d intended to make love to her, to give her soft and romantic, Carissa refused. Her nails pierced the skin on his back as she arched.

  “Harder! God. Please. Fuck me harder.”

  Her words released him and he took her exactly as she requested. Jett realized this hunger would never be assuaged, the fire never stoked. He thrust in until she came roughly, her pussy squeezing his cock so tightly he winced.

  Once that wave had passed, he pulled out and flipped her onto her hands and knees. She cried out as his cock entered her again, assaulting her still quivering pussy.

  He gripped her hips tightly as together they fought for more power, more speed. Their bodies matched, mated, fit.

  His fingers pressed into her skin when he felt her second climax build, then crash. He was helpless to resist giving in to the same. He exploded—physically, emotionally.

  Jett fell to his side, gathering Carissa into his arms, his eyes heavy. Eventually they’d need to make their way back to the castle, but Jett wasn’t ready to give up their private paradise just yet.

  “I love you,” she whispered.

  His heart expanded, swelled with her admission. He could write a million books and he’d never, ever find more perfect words than those. “I love you too, Rissa.”

  She snuggled closer. “I was a fool. Do you forgive me?”

  He placed a soft kiss on her head. “There’s nothing to forgive. You thought you were protecting us—our friendship, our hearts.”

  “Can I ask you for something else?”

  “Anything.”

  Something in her tone and the twinkle in her eyes warned him to be on guard. “And you’ll give it to me. No questions asked.”

  “Um…sure.”

  He tried to prepare himself for her request, but the truth was he knew there was nothing he wouldn’t give her. “What do you want, Rissa.”

  “I want to read your damn book. The rough draft. I’m not waiting until the damn thing is published.”

  He chuckled, then shrugged. “We’ll see.”

  She narrowed her eyes and started to light into him. He cut off her complaint with a long, deep kiss.

  When they parted, he pressed his forehead to hers. “I’ll give you everything, Rissa. My love, my friendship, my body, my words. It’s all yours.”

  She caressed his face and he was surprised to see tears in her eyes. Before this week, he’d never seen Carissa cry—not at funerals or sad movies or even when the Saints lost the Super Bowl.

  “Riss—”

  “I don’t have much, but everything I have is yours as well. I love you, Jett Lewis.”

  He kissed away the lone tear that slid along her cheek. Then he came over her once more, not even bothering to search for the words to respond. With her, he didn’t need them.

  Epilogue

  Carissa wiped the counter at the Royal Lunch. Her small bar was packed to the rafters with regulars, Jett’s family and friends, his publisher and his editor. Everyone was in a celebratory mood. His latest book had released and rocketed to number one on the New York Times bestseller list during the first week of sales.

  Critics and reviewers were calling it his best book ever, raving over the intensity of the criminal investigation while marveling over a new element. Jett’s detective had found himself a new female partner. It seemed Riley James had fallen head over heels for a straight-shooting, ball-busting, sexy-as-sin bartender. Longtime female fans of his series were delighted to see the diehard hero reveal his romantic side and they swooned over the sexy scenes Carissa had helped her lover research for the story.

>   Caliph lifted his glass, toasting his baby brother as everyone clinked glasses and drank. Carissa grinned when Jett handed his mother a check for two-hundred dollars, claiming he was paying her back for the loan she’d floated him when he first started writing. Everyone laughed as his brother Justin teasingly remarked that Mama Lewis was letting Jett off easy by not charging him interest.

  Carissa walked around the counter to join them. His family had accepted her instantly, Mama Lewis chastising her and Jett for taking so long to see what was clear as day to everyone else.

  Jett’s sister Chloe mooched a dollar from him, declaring it was time to fire up the jukebox and start dancing. As the sound of Zac Brown’s Chicken Fried filled the bar, everyone except Justin shifted tables to the walls and started moving to the beat on the tiny makeshift dance floor.

  Justin punched Jett’s shoulder. “I’m still waiting for you to give me credit for breaking your writer’s block. Sort of suspected you to dedicate this last book to me, instead of Carissa.”

  Jett crossed his arms. “What makes you think you had anything to do with helping me write again?”

  Justin gave Carissa a charming wink. “I told you the secret was to get laid.”

  Carissa and Jett laughed, neither of them bothering to tell Justin sex had nothing to do with it. Jett had confessed shortly after their return from Eden he believed it was love that had set him free.

  Carissa had told him that was the corniest thing she’d ever heard, but deep down inside, she loved the idea.

  Jett was just reaching for her hand, intent on dragging her out for a dance, when a man entered the bar. Jett stopped when he spotted the stranger.

  “Who is it?” Carissa asked.

  Jett didn’t answer her question. Instead he changed direction, the two of them going to greet the man.