Jessie's deep, emerald eyes stared across the small supermarket. She couldn't help but notice him. Zack Clayton, his wavy blond hair and teasing blue eyes were enough to gain any woman's attention.
Zack felt her worm gaze studying him. He slowly moved his attention from the hunched up balding man in front of him and began to stroll towards her, taking long strides to close the distance between them as fast as he could.
"Hi." She felt her heart begin to pound wildly in her chest, she was sure he could hear it. She watched as his lips curled into a soft, sexy smile.
"Hey." Her voice was a soft whisper. She shivered slightly, aware of his eyes wandering over her body.
His eyes studied her. Her glorious, auburn hair hung loosely down her slender back. He longed to tangle it around his fingers, feeling it's softness. Her innocent green eyes gazed up at him. Slowly he lowered his gaze to her round breasts, they were covered with red velvet, only allowing a subtle hint of white flesh, soft white flesh to show. His fingers itched to touch her, caress her, to feel her worm flesh.
She shuffled slightly , uneasy with his constant gaze. His eyes reluctantly moved back to her face, not wanting to make her feel strange around him.
"What are you doing here?" Stupid question he knew, why else would she be in a supermarket ?
"My mama sent me on an errand. She hates shopping. She said if she sends me it keeps me out of trouble." Jessie continued to smile at him, he'd been her best friend for 4 years, ever since he'd moved to this small, quiet town. She'd never had any friends, kept people at a distance never trusting any one enough to let them get close. Until Zack arrived it had been impossible to keep him at a distance. At school he'd stayed by her side not giving her a minute to herself. She'd like it. She'd been so pleased that he hadn't left her alone even when she'd told him to. Zack had stuck up for her, and been their when she needed him. He'd been her protector at school, but they weren't at school any more. She was 18 and capable of looking after herself or at least that's what she wanted him to think.
"I've got a job working with Mrs. Kay at her lawyers office, she took me on as her secretary a few weeks ago. It's not exactly the best job, but at least it gets me some money." Jessie said suddenly, she'd desperately wanted to tell Zack, she new he'd be happy for her, he'd always encouraged her no matter what she'd wanted to do. Unlike her parents, who'd been furious with her. I hadn't been as bad as before. But bad enough to leave long, ragged slash's on her back, where her fathers belt had repeatedly struck. Jessie shivered at the memory, which unfortunately hadn't been the first time her parents had beaten her. At least they'd agreed to let her continue working, after all it would have looked strange if she'd quit after only two days.
Jessie just prayed she'd be able to save enough money to rent some where of her own, and soon.
"Congratulations." Zack replied moving towards her, he wrapped his arms around her hugging her closely to him. For the first times in months she felt save, all her fears were banished, but only for a moment. She wrapped her arms around his back holding him for longer than she should. Zack lightly slid his hands up her back, she felt so good against him, he never wanted to let her go. She winced as Zack's hands slid over one of her wounds that was covered by the thin red velvet. As he released her she prayed he hadn't noticed, but of course he had. His beautiful lips had tilted into a frown, his beautiful eyes showed his concern.
"What's wrong?" He kept his voice low, gentle. Lightly he touched his fingers to her soft cheek.
"It's nothing." She kept her gaze averted from his. He could always tell when she was lying and she had many times. "Relay it's nothing." She tried to force her voice to sound convincing but failed. To her relief Zack changed the subject.
"Why don't you come to my flat tomorrow? I'll get a video and some Chinese and you could stay over, in the spare room." He added quickly.
Jessie had only ever stayed over at Zack's once and that was when he'd lived with his parents less than three years before. She'd been scared that night, he recalled. She'd been trembling, even though she was soaked from the pounding rain he new she was trembling from fear, fear of what he still didn't know. All he knew was that on the day she'd turned 16 she'd showed up at his parents house at 1 in the morning. She'd begged him to let her stay and not to send her back to her parents home. She'd been in tears when he'd answered the door to her. He recalled sneaking her to his room. He held her the whole night, stroking her hair, whispering calm, soothing words to her. He remembered how she'd felt in his arms. He'd realised that night that he was in love with her. He just wished she'd confide in him about what happened that night.
"I can't mama wouldn't like it, how about I come round Friday. My parents are going to America for two weeks aunt Julie. If I stayed they wouldn't find out." Jessie new Zack didn't under stand how could he? She'd been to afraid to tell him the truth. What if he didn't want to know her any more? Zack was the only person in the world that she cared about, she couldn't loose him.
"I'll see you Friday." Zack smiled at her, gentle he lent forward and lightly brushed his lips against her soft cheek. His lips lingered reluctant to move. His breath was hot against her cheek, his lips soft. Jessie wondered how his lips would feel against hers.
"Friday." She whispered. The town was small and she new if she wasn't careful her meeting with Zack would become the local gossip until something else came up and her parents wouldn't approve.
Jessie arrived back at her parents home nearly two hours later. She'd stayed overly long at the supermarket, she new she had to return sometime. She grabbed a brown paper bag from the back of green jeep that she had received from her parents the previous Christmas.
She hurried into the house to see her mother awaiting her, in the small white washed kitchen. She set the brown bag on a long table top.
"You were gone a long time" Her mother stood in the door way, her expression unreadable. Jessie stared at the tall woman, her chestnut hair was painfully, pinned in a tight bun at the nape of her neck. She wore a smart grey suit. Jessie couldn't recall her mother wearing anything but black or grey.
"I'm sorry mama, I met a friend from school, they distracted me. It wont happen again mama." Jessie didn't see any point in lying , her mother would find out eventually and then the punishment would be worse.
"You're allowed friends Jessica. Next time you're late call, you know how me and your father worry."
"Yes mama." Jessie quickly began to UN load the brown paper bag. She heard her mother turn and leave. She new she had get out, she had to escape. But for now she had Friday to look forward to, anytime away from her parents was welcome, especially time with Zack.
Chapter Two
Jessie watched her mother and father climb into the silver, Jaguar. Relief filling her, she was free for two weeks and she was going to enjoy every second away from them.
"I've left the number of our hotel on the refrigerator." Mrs. Winters informed her daughter.
"Yes mama." They appeared the doting parents to anyone watching and Jessie new it.
She forced a smile as she leant down and kissed her mother then fathers cheek.
"Have a wonderful time." Jessie smiled sweetly. She couldn't stand another day of being around them, of censoring what she said in case it offended them. She'd been lucky her father hadn't beaten her the previous week when he'd heard about her meeting with Zack at the supermarket. Her mother had told him that she hadn't behaved inpropaily and that it would have been impolite if she'd ignored even a man like Zack. She'd wanted to defend him, to tell them that he was the kindest, sweetest man she'd ever met, but she'd been afraid to. Still she had understood why her mother had defended her, usually she'd be encouraging, telling him she must be punished. Jessie guessed that she didn't to postpone her holiday, after all it wouldn't have looked good if she'd have left her ill daughter.
Jessie watched as the car, vanished around the corner at the bottom of there long drive way. She was free, two weeks she could be herself without worrying what would happen to her if she said something that wasn't appropriate. Slowly she turned back towards the house, tomorrow was Friday, she smiled at the thought of seeing Zack. She'd already packed a small over night bag, the night he'd asked her. She'd never seen his two bedroom flat, she'd been forbidden to see Zack, after the night she'd escaped them and stayed at his house, he hadn't wanted to let her leave that morning, he'd wanted her to tell him the reason she'd been afraid, but she hadn't. He'd lightly kissed her forehead and told her if she ever needed him, he'd be there for her. When she'd arrived home after hours of wandering the long streets she'd been greeted by her mothers fist, they beat her over and over, some how they'd known where she'd been and they warned her to stay away from Zack or she'd pay for it and she new exactly how they'd make her pay.
She hadn't been able to stay away from him, she'd tried but he was always around, she'd hung around with him at school and sometimes he'd walk her home, she'd even gone to his house on several occasions without their knowledge. He'd only ever asked her once why she'd been away from school for two weeks after she'd left his that night. She'd insisted that she'd been ill which wasn't completely a lie, she'd just neglected to tell him that her father had beaten her so badly she'd been rushed to hospital. She'd lied to the doctor and the police she'd said she was attacked by a gang of teenagers, walking home. Many times she'd wished she had told them the truth, but what could they have done? She was 16 and able to leave them, if she had enough money and a job. And now she did. Soon she'd save enough and be able to escape.
Waves crashed fiercely against the jagged rocks below him. Zack stared at the wide, blue ocean, wind blue violently through his sandy blond hair. The only thing on his mind was Jessie, like always. She'd always been on his mind, even more so the past week. He new she was hiding something, she had been since the day he met her, she'd been a loner, the prettiest girl in the whole school, all of the guys wanted her, he'd seen the stares and jealousy from the other girls, but Jessie hadn't been interested, she'd seemed oblivious to what was going on around her.
He recalled his first day at Heather High. He strolled into the small classroom.
"Welcome, I've been expecting you. Everyone this is Zack Clayton. He's just moved here from London. " Mr. Butler, tall, with light brown hair and glasses introduced him the now very interested students. He stared down the 4 neat rows of two seated tables. He didn't know why but a, beautiful, auburn haired girl who sat on the very back row in the corner of the room caught his attention. She seemed distracted, alone, he was sure she hadn't even looked up when he'd entered the room.
"Take a seat Zack." He saw a brown haired girl motion for him to sit next to her, she was giggling with a blond girl who sat at the table next to hers.
He smiled at her, then continued down the parted walk way towards the auburn haired girl sitting alone. Her head was down, scribbling something onto a peace of paper he new she hadn't noticed him walking towards her. He pulled out the chair next to her, her eyes immediately shot to his face. Bright, beautiful, green eyes stared up at him. He was aware that the entire class were focused on him, so he quickly slumped into the chair, resting his elbows on the table in front of him. Zack waited for Mr. Butler to begin and the classes attention to turn back towards him, before he turned to the slender girl next to him.
"Hi." His lips quickly turned into a worm smile. He didn't understand, how such a beautiful girl came to be on her own, it was obvious from the looks the other girls were giving her that they weren't on friendly terms.
"I think you've chosen the wrong seat." She said quickly, her voice low, so know one around them could hear. "You see Melissa that brown haired girl over there? She wanted to invite you into the popular crowd, but by sitting next to me, I think the offers been with drawn. But you knew that didn't you? Then why exactly did you sit next to me?" She kept her voice whisper and some how her expression remained unreadable.
"You see it's like this, she scares me, she looks like a vampire waiting for her pray and I figured maybe you could protect me." Zack grinned, he even managed a shiver as he glanced once again at the brown haired girl. Jessie laughed a worm, sweet laugh that sounded wonderful to Zack's ears.
Zack held out his strong hand. "I'm Zack." She stared at his strong hand for a long moment, knowing that he was capable of striking someone if he wished, but some reason she didn't believe he'd raise his hand to a woman. There was something in his deep blue eyes that told her she could trust him. She took his hand in hers. "Jessie, Jessie Parker." He lightly shook her hand holding it maybe a little longer than he should have.
Zack grinned at the memory, he wrapped his black, leather jacket more tightly about him as the wind grew stronger. Jessie had continued to keep herself isolated from others, she'd even argued with him, over nothing in particular trying to push him away. He'd refused though seeing the venerability and fear in her emerald eyes, he'd known she needed him. He'd been right after a few weeks she'd stopped trying to push him away, she'd began talking to him confiding in him, secrets small at first, then she'd tell him things he new she'd never told anyone before. Of course Zack had kept his distant from most of the others, he was sociable to the others, but it wasn't them he wanted to be with it was Jessie, she interested him and he new deep down that she needed him.
He stood swiftly, wiping his hands over the back of his jeans, dusting off the sand from the rocks. Tomorrow he told himself, tomorrow he'd answer his question and finally he'd know what she'd been hiding from him. He hurried from the rocks, the roaring thunder crashing above him. He rushed faster and faster, reaching his car just as the rain began to rush from the darkened sky.
Chapter Three
Jessie pounded down the stairs, the rain smashing against the roof of the small house, the thunder roaring, angrily in the sky. She jumped startled as the old grandfather clock struck two. Her hands were shaking as she lifted the small black telephone receiver her fingers struggling to dial the buttons. She could hear her heart thudding in her chest, her breathing erratic. She was pleased now that she had left the lights on downstairs, the sky was a very deep ebony. Being early hours of the morning and the storm making it darker than she'd ever seen it.
The ringing tone seemed to go on and on, she prayed silently to herself waiting and waiting, for what seemed like an eternity for an answer.
"Hello." Her eyes closed for a brief moment in relief, hearing the strong, masculine voice against her ear.
"Zack it's Jessie." Her voice came out a low whisper.
"His something wrong?" He asked eagerly obvious concern in his voice.
"It's probably nothing but, I thought I herd some one trying to force open the kitchen window � maybe it was the wind, but I'm sure I heard a mans voice. I guess I just being stupid."
"Jess, I'm on my way over grab something you can use to defend yourself, in case you need too. If you hear it again, lock yourself in the living room. I'll yell when I arrive, don't open the door unless you hear me." Her hands were still shaking violently as she placed the receiver back in it's cradle.
She waited by the front door, a golf club clutched firmly in her shaking hands, she continued every second that passed by, she waited for what seemed like hours, until finally there came a light tapping at the door. She jumped away from it instinctively. She rushed towards it and began to unlock it, she paused.
"Who is it?" There was a long silence as she waited for an answer.
"It's okay, it's me Zack." She felt relief wash over her as she heard his strong, but gentle voice. She swiftly unlocked the door. Zack stood in front of her, his was wet and wind blown from the pounding rain. She forgot that she was only wearing a pale blue, silk, night dress and flung her arms around Zack's strong shoulders.
"It's okay, I'm here now." He whispered softly, his breath worm against her cheek. He slowly moved her from him and walked into the house out of the thundering rain. He locked the door behind them. If some one was around he wasn't about to give them and easy way in.
"I was probably just over reacting." She watched as he turned to face her. His stunning blue eyes fixed on her pale face. He reached out his hand. His fingers lightly caressing her cheek.
"Do you want me to check the windows?" His voice remained low, soft. Jessie nodded in response to his question. She followed him into the kitchen. He leaned over the long sick his hands busy on the locks of the window.
"It doesn't look like it's been messed with, but it's dark outside. You did right to call me." Zack swiftly moved from the window he turned back to Jessie. She stood silently in front of him.
He hadn't allowed himself to study her when he'd first arrived at the house he was to worried about her. But now he couldn't help but look at her. Rich auburn hung in lose waves down her slender back. The long blue night dress, hugged her body, framing her soft white breasts, showing the slender curves of her hips.
"Thanks for coming." She said after a long moment of silence. Her emerald eyes fixed on his comely face. "I shouldn't have bothered you." She felt a little guilty calling him at 2 in the morning.
"Don't be stupid. I'm glad you called me. I'm here for you anytime you need me." A small smile played on the corners of his lips. He reached out his hand resting it on her slender shoulder.
"Did I wake you? Only you didn't sound like you'd been sleeping when I called."
"No, I was � I had some work for the newspaper to do." He lied. He hadn't been working even though he'd meant to have been. He hadn't been able to concentrate he hadn't stopped thinking of Jessie since he'd last seen her. "Jess, why don't you don't you stay with me tonight? I don't like you being here on your own." He lightly touched the back of his fingers to her soft cheek. She nodded unable to think for a moment his touch distracting her thoughts. "I'll get changed." With that she was gone.
Jessie rushed up the long stair way and down the landing till she reached her room. The smallest room in the house. She hurried to her wardrobe that stood in the corner of the small room. She pulled out a pair of faded blue jeans and a lilac top. She swiftly stripped of her night dress changing in to her jeans and T-shirt. She didn't want to keep Zack waiting. If my parents new I'd let him in the house, no. She told herself silently. They'll never know. Once she changed, Jessie reached under her bed pulling out her small over night bag, that she'd packed ready for when she stayed at Zack's. She slung it over her shoulder and rushed down the stairs.
"Ready." She announced, seeing Zack waiting for her. He was leaning against the closed kitchen door, his arms crossed over his strong chest and a sexy smile on his lips.
Jessie followed Zack into the two bedroom flat. She watched Zack stroll into the living room, He knelt in front of a dying fire and began to shovel coal and wood to rebuild it. Jessie nervously moved to the door way, the room was surprisingly large. It was decorated in a warm terracotta at the bottom of the walls, sandy brown at the top the two separated by a barrier of dark chest nut wood. In the middle of the room sat a mahogany sofa opposite was a television and video. In the right corner across from the sofa was a small brown table that held a black telephone. On the left wall was a tall cabinet that held photos mostly of Zack and his family. It looked like a home, not a bachelor flat but some where you'd expect a couple to live.
"Are you going to stand there all night?" Zack asked moving from the fire place. A small smile played at the corner of his lips. Jessie returned his smile as she slowly walked into the room.
"What do you think?" Zack asked his voice soft, he was now standing before her.
"It's beautiful." She answered honestly, though she didn't think beautiful did it justice.
"You really think so?"
"Yeah, is so worm and welcoming, it's obvious you set out to make it your home."
"I'm glad you like it. I've desperate to it to you since I moved in." Zack couldn't help but notice how the flames from the fire light up her glorious auburn hair more than usual. He longed to touch it, to feel it's softness between his fingers. He made no move to touch her. Wait. He told himself silently. "You must be tired, if you want I'll show you to the spare room." Jessie shook her head.
"I'm not tired." Her voice came out a low, caressing whisper.
"Do you want to watch a film?" He observed that it was almost 3 o'clock, but he wasn't tired. How could he be ? When he had Jessie Parker in his flat. The one girl he'd lusted after, the girl who meant everything to him.
"Yeah."
Jessie watched as Zack placed a video tape in to the machine. She sat on the sofa resting her elbow on the arm.
"What film are we watching?"
"Bitter Sweet, I hired it for tomorrow. It's about the guy Max who gets put in a dorm room with a girl called Sam by mistake, Max falls for Sam he does everything to show her how he feels, but she doesn't see it thinking there just friends." He looked up then to study her expression, but it remained the same. Why can't I tell you how I feel Jess? I love you. He could say the words in his head but not to her. He would soon he told himself silently as he joined her on the sofa.
Jessie couldn't concentrate she felt a little uneasy sitting with Zack. She couldn't understand why. Zack sensed there was something wrong he couldn't ignore it.
"What's wrong?" She sat straight, her body held stiff as if she was afraid. Of what he wondered.
"Nothing." He slid his arm across her slender shoulders, she didn't look at him, neither did she move. He moved slightly closer to her and she was sure her heart was going to leap out of her chest. Why are you acting like this? She asked herself silently. Your with Zack he's your best friend. Why was it so hard to be with him right now? In the dim light just the two of them.
"Okay, Jessie talk to me, now." He put his hands on her slender shoulders forcing her to turn and face him.
"Nothings wrong Zack."
"Like hell there isn't, your acting like you're afraid of me."
"I'm not I'm just watching the film that's all." She prayed he didn't ask her what had just happened, she hadn't been paying attention.
"Okay, prove it." He held open his arms to his surprise she didn't hesitate. She pressed her head against his strong chest hearing his rapid heart beat. Zack stared down at her for a moment then closed his arms tightly around her back, resting his chin on the top of her head. She felt wonderful pressed against him. He longed to make love to her. He turned her attention back to the film, trying desperately not think about how she felt against him.
He stared down at her hearing her soft even breathing. Her eyes were tightly closed, she was burrowing against his chest almost as if she was trying to get inside of him. He stood slowly lifting Jessie in his arms. He quickly walked from the living room and across the hall to the spare room. He kicked open the door and strolled into the surprisingly big room, which consisted of a bed, a wardrobe and a small dressing table. Although the room had a lot of extra space he hadn't acquired anymore furnishings for it. The walls were painted in pale lilac. He strolled over to the bed. He lent down and drew back the covers and lay her between the soft sheets. He quickly removed her shoes throwing them onto the floor. He drew the covers over her. Leaning down he lightly pressed his lips to her forehead. His lips lingering, not wanting to pull away.
He wanted more, he wanted to taste her. To feel her warm body against his, to be inside her, hearing her cry out with pleasure. He quickly moved to the door. He wasn't sure if he could keep his feelings from her any longer. He hurried from the room closing the door behind him.
