It was almost an hour later when Jessie again opened her eyes, the room was slightly lighter now. She climbed out of bed unable to drift back to sleep. She silently slipped out of the room, guessing Zack was sleeping.
She turned towards the living room, then she saw it. The beam of yellow light flickering beneath the kitchen door. She reached for the light brown handle on the door and slowly pushed it open. Zack stood in the middle of the small room his bright blue eyes fixed on the pile of vegetables on the table in front of him. He selected a few and turned towards the cooker. Jessie leaned against the now closed door, a small smile crossing her lips, her arms crossing over her chest watching as Zack continued with his cooking oblivious to her presence.
He felt her eyes burning into the back of his neck. He turned slowly his blue eyes immediately falling from her tousled auburn hair that hung loosely over her shoulders to the short silk that stopped above her knees, baring her long, slender legs. In that moment he wanted nothing more than to pull her against him and feel her bare flesh against his. He wanted those long legs wrapped around him as he came inside. He shook his head banishing the thought. He brought a smile to his lips.
"Morning." He forced his eyes back to her pretty face.
"What time is it?" She asked moving from the door.
"Nearly ten past seven. I didn't think you'd be awake so early."
"I couldn't sleep. It usually takes me a day or two to adjust to new sleeping arrangements." Besides she added silently I can't sleep on make back until the cuts have healed from the last time my father used me as a punching bag.
"Want some break fast?" He turned away from her in an attempt to keep his gaze from falling to her breasts.
"I'd love some." He could feel her breath on his neck she was standing behind him. He could almost feel the heat from her worm body. "Can I help." His fingers were tingling to touch her soft flesh.
"No. It's almost ready, why don't you sit down." He turned smiling as he watched her pull out a wooden chair and seat herself at the table.
He placed a plate of eggs, bacon and tomatoes in front of her, his plate across from hers. He took is seat his eyes never leaving her pretty face.
"Jess I've been thinking." He said a few moments later watching as she began to cut her egg. "I want you to stay here for the next two weeks. I hate the thought of you on your own in that house. And Stellas gone to visit her grandma until she recovers from her heart attack so I know you don't have to work and I'd love having you here." Jessie stared at him for a moment she knew he was waiting for her answer. She would love to stay with Zack but if her parents found out � she shivered at the thought. They wouldn't find out and if they did she'd just have to deal with it like all of the other times. "Yes." She answered placing a worm smile on her lips. She deserved some happiness even if it was just for a few days. After all it would be two weeks she could hold on to, escape to when the things got bad.
"I'll drive you round to your house so you can collect some things once you're dressed. Then I thought we could visit Isabelle. I know she'd love to see you. She's been asking about you she desperately wants you to see the baby. That's only if you want to." Isabelle was Zack's older sister. She was only two years older than them and had recently married. She'd had a son only a month before she'd wanted to see her and the baby but her parents had forbidden her from going to the wedding or seeing the child.
"I'd love to see them. I would have gone sooner only �" Her voice trailed off and Zack saw a flash of hurt in her eyes that she quickly made disappear. She was hiding something wasn't she always? He wouldn't push her to tell him not yet. He'd wait until she couldn't run away like the last time.
Chapter Four
Jessie stared at the flashing button on the answering machine. She through her keys onto the table beside it and pressed the button allowing the messages to play through.
"Jessica it's mother. I have probably caught you out shopping. I thought I would ring and inform you that me and your father have arrived safely, I know how you worry. I will call next week. I will speak to you soon." Her voice was friendly and caring Jessie new it was just for show in case some one happened to over hear the message they'd hear a loving mother.
The next message was from Jessie's aunt
"Jessica, it's aunt Kelly. Listen sweat heart I know your parents have gone away and I wanted to know if you'd like to stay with me and your uncle Lucas until they return. Call me back when you can." Jessie didn't hesitate, she lifted the receiver and quickly punched in the number. She'd always been fond of her aunt and uncle even her little cousin Jack who was only 10 but a handful.
"Hello aunt Kelly it's Jessie." There was a silent pause and then a woman's voice came clear across the line.
"Hello Jessica how are you? Your mother informed you weren't feeling the thing."
"I'm much better now thank you, uncle Lucas and Jack?" She had to ask if she acted like she was in a hurry her mother would get to learn about it. She didn't really care all she wanted to do was gather some clothes and wait for Zack to come back for her.
"We're all fine thank the good lord."
"Listen aunt Kelly I'd like to thank you for your kind offer for me to visit while my mama and papa are away, but I can't except. I really must stay here with the house. You know how fast people learn that a house is empty in a small town like this one."
"Yes I know all those busy bodies that's why I'm glad I moved away." Jessie listened to her aunt for a further five minutes when she made an excuse and said goodbye,.
She stood placing her folded clothes into a small rucksack. She hurriedly fastened it and rushed back down the stairs hearing the door bell ring. She flung open the door. Zack stood in front of a smile wide across his lips.
"Ready?" He asked his eyes fixed on hers. She nodded and walked to wards his car.
Zack pulled up outside a small cottage that lay on the edge River Dove that had been named after a sheriff who had been killed protecting the small town many years before.
Jessie walked nervously towards the tall front door. She hadn't seen Isabelle for over a year even though she'd wanted to she hadn't gone against her parents wishes. The tall door flew open as she and Zack reached the top step leading t the cottage. A tall blond woman with beautiful blue eyes rushed over to them. She flew her arms around Jessie's slender shoulders hugging her.
"It's great to see you Jess, I was so excited when Zack phoned me and said you were coming to visit. Why don't you come inside? Ben's at work he'll be home in an hour you'll like him. Come in and meet my son." Isabelle took Jessie's arm and lead her into the cottage her smile never fading. Zack followed the two women into the elegantly decorated cottage a small smile crossing his lips.
Isabelle led Jessie into the large living room. It was elegantly decorated in gold's and different shades of browns. A long mahogany sofa sat in the centre of the room. Opposite was an empty fire place, a white rug placed in front of it. Jesse's eyes rested on the small blue crib placed by the window, beside a wooden rocking chair. She watched as Isabelle hurried over to the crib, lifting out a tiny baby dressed in a white baby grow.
"His names Alex." Isabelle announced her attention fixed on the tiny child clutched tightly in her arms.
Isabelle watched as Jessie seated herself on the sofa. Zack immediately sat beside her. He was besotted with her, he always had been.
"Would you like to hold him?" Jessie looked up at Isabelle who was now standing beside her, her bright blue eyes so much like Zack's.
"Can I?" She seemed a like surprised that Isabelle had asked her. It was odd but then Jessie had always been different so careful in the way she acted so restrained.
"Course." Gently Isabelle placed the tiny child in Jessie's arms. Jessie stared down at him. He was a beautiful child Isabelle was so lucky. She had a lovely home, the most wonderful baby and according to Zack a husband who doted on her. What would it be like to have a family who loved each other?
Jessie waited a few moments before she spoke.
"Issey, I'm sorry I haven't been round before I wanted to only my parents ..." Jessie didn't continue Isabelle waited but she didn't. She'd never liked Jessie's parents the first time she'd met them they'd seemed polite but Jessie had been nervous afraid of them even. No she was wrong she had to be.
"It doesn't matter. I'm glad you're here now."
"He's a beautiful baby he looks just like you." Jessie's attention fell back to the child in her arms.
It was almost two hours when Jessie stood across from Ben. He had jet black hair and deep blue eyes. He was kind and obviously besotted with Isabelle and Alex. You only had to look at him with them and you could see how much he loved them.
"She's a natural with Alex." Isabelle announced to Zack they were just out of Jessie and Ben's hearing range.
"Yeah, I guess she is." A smile tugged at the corner of Zack's lips no matter how hard he tried to hide it. Isabelle was right Jessie had been fantastic with Alex.
"I think you should tell her how you feel any fool can see you're in love with her. And I think you should get her away from her parents she's not happy there Zack she never has been. She's more withdrawn tan ever before Zack surely you've noticed."
"I've noticed there's something wrong. I've asked her over and over but she refuses to tell me. I can't push her Iss I'll lose her."
Zack stared across the table at Jessie he'd decided that tonight he'd fine out the truth no matter what it was he'd find out and then he could protect her.
He quickly poured two glass's of red wine, placing one in front of Jessie and one in front of him. They talked for a little while of nothing important before they moved to the living room. Zack had been acting a little strange Jessie observed she wandered over to the cabinet immediately lifting one of the photographs of the two of them.
"It was a great night." Her eyes never left the picture. She'd loved every moment of being with Zack and that night was one of the best they'd spent together. The finial dance at the school the end of year one she'd prayed her parents wouldn't find out about, but they had. She'd still gone, uncaring of the consequences she faced when she arrived home.
"You looked amazing in that red dress." He recalled. Her auburn hair hung loosely down her slender back. The V neck Mahogany dress had clung to ever sensual curve of her hips, her breasts leaving little to the imagination. He recalled how he'd taken a deep breath as she'd walked down the stairs from Isabelle's room. How he'd felt something deep, sweet fill him. He'd known he was hopelessly in love with her even then.
"I tried my best." A teasing smile appeared across her lips. "I had to change at your house Isabelle helped me. My parents would have killed me if they'd have known about that dress. I'd saved for months to buy it. I'd been afraid it might have been gone when I finally went to buy it but it hadn't.
You looked great in the tux. I never thought I'd see you in one. Iss told me you'd spent hours trying to find the right one. I remember you telling me you'd have preferred your jeans and T-shirt."
"That night when I saw you noting else mattered. I didn't say it then Jess but in that dress you took my breath away. You do no matter what you're wearing."
He closed the gap between them in three long strides. Removing the photo from her hands, he placed it back on the shelf. His hand lifting to lightly caress her cheek. His eyes fixed on hers. Even as he bent his head. His lips finding hers. His tongue lightly, lingering on her bottom lip. Her mouth opening slightly to allow his tongue to explore her mouth.
Jessie's hands unconsciously slid over his strong chest to his strong face. Her body pressing closer to his. She'd dreamt of kissing Zack but she could never have imagined he'd make her feel so different. His hands slid slowly up her back. The sharp pain immediately made her jerk back away from him. His breathing was heavy his blue eyes dazed partly with bewilderment and partly with desire for her.
"What's wrong?" He didn't understand he hadn't hurt her he couldn't have and from the way she'd responded to his kiss she wanted him as much as he wanted her.
She quickly took a step back from him, she couldn't let him see the slash's. She couldn't.
"I'm sorry. I'm tired." She was grateful that her breathing had began to slow. She quickly turned with out another word and ran from the room. Leaving Zack to stare after her.
Chapter Five
He could here the low sobs even in his sleep. Zack's eyes drifted open to stare at his alarm clock. It was two am. The sobs were louder now as he realised they were coming from Jessie's room. He lay in the darkness unsure if he should go to her. He argued with himself even as he scrambled out of bed and pulled on his jeans.
Zack stood in front of the tall white door the only thing separating him from Jessie. He lifted his hand to the door handle. He paused. Should he knock? No. He shook his head turning the handle. The door swung open, he stepped inside his eyes immediately going to the bed. It was empty.
He saw her then. Her back against the side of the bed, her knees drawn to her chest, her head buried in her hands. She was oblivious that he had even entered the room. He was by her side in an instant. He hated to see her cry it hurt him deep inside.
He gathered her against him.
"It's okay." He whispered soothingly stroking her long hair. She pulled away slightly so she could see his face. Her cheeks were flushed, streaked with tear stains. Her eyes were red and puffy. She looked incredibly vulnerable. Roughly she wiped the back of her hand over her eyes trying desperately to banish her tears but failing. "Talk to me Jess. Please don't shut me out."
"I'm sorry about earlier. It wasn't you." She paused the tears began to fall once again down her cheeks. He lifted his hand smoothing away her tears with his thumbs. "I can't tell you the truth Zack. I want to but I can't."
"Jessie I've known you for over four years, you know you can trust me. Please tell me what you're hiding." Jessie reluctantly nodded. She new she couldn't tell him the whole truth but she could tell him some of it.
Jessie quickly stood up she hurried over to the door flicking on the light switch. Slowly she walked back over to Zack. Who stood silently watching her. Slowly her fingers found the zip on the back her flowered dress she pulled the zip revealing the top part of her back. She brushed her hair over her shoulder and turned allowing Zack to see the long deep slashes.
Zack couldn't believe his eyes he felt anger sear through him. His fingers brushed the material parting it further so he could see the long, deep, fresh slashes. He lifted his finger to the longest and lightly stroked down the cut. She flinched with pain. He immediately moved his hand away.
"Jess what happened." She could here the anger in his voice. She couldn't tell him. She wouldn't allow herself too.
"I can't tell you how I got them. I wanted to earlier Zack but I didn't want you to find the cuts and hate me."
"Jess why would I hate you?"
"For not telling you. I'm sorry I can't tell you how I got them. But they'll be gone soon they wont scar." What the hell had happened to her? They wont scar. Why the hell would he care if they scared or not? He wanted to press her about how she got them but he new she wouldn't tell him not yet. She needed time.
"Okay I wont ask you again but if this ever happens again I want you to tell me." She nodded and zipped up her dress relieved he'd agreed to drop it for now anyway.
Slowly Jessie turned to face Zack she was glad she told him. Her eyes grew wide as she realised he was naked from the waste up.
