22. Trust You

22

TRUST YOU

" I 've never spent New Year's Eve in a casino before," Andi said the following week. "Is it going to be crazy?"

"Most likely," he said. Jarrett hadn't gone out on a date with his brother in years. Never Mac, but often with Alex when they were younger.

But a double date set up with a significant other? Nope.

"Jennie's brother works here, right?" she asked. "Head of security?"

Jarrett turned to look at her as they pulled into the parking garage. "Yes. Not just security here, but he does things for the whole family on the island. He's got a military background and connections. He finds things that others can't."

He saw her gulp. "Huh."

"Don't worry," he said. "I'm not asking him to do anything in terms of you. He knows nothing about you other than you are the woman I helped when you fell. Alex would have been careful what he shared with Jennie and if he did tell her more it'd be just your cousin came and maybe what he did for a living. Jennie wouldn't even think of saying that to Griffin. She knows what it's like to be watched."

"What does that mean?" she asked.

"I hope this stays between us. It's not a secret, but not anything broadcasted either. I'm saying it so you know you can trust me and my family."

"I do trust you," she said. "And I'm almost there with your family. I guess the fact you trust them and I trust you,that helps."

"Griffin and Jennie's father murdered their mother. Domestic violence in the house and not a lot of help. Griffin was seventeen and a senior in high school. Jennie is much younger. Maybe elementary school at the time. They were separated in foster care, then Griffin went into the service. He and Jennie lost contact, but he always knew where she was. When he got out, he'd been watching her for years but never let her know."

"Why?" she asked. "I'm assuming their father is in prison?"

"He died there years ago. I'm not sure the reason Griffin didn't reach outprior. He's not someone many get close to. But Jennie got a letter from their father that he was dying and wanted to see her. She freaked out. She didn't know what to do. She tried to find Griffin, which was pretty easy at this point since his name was tied to the casino. She was positive it was him though there were no pictures. She came here and before she lost her nerve to leave, Janet Bond, Eli's mother, happened to be in the lobby and overheard the name, pulled her asideandwouldn't let her leave. The rest is history."

No reason to go into more detail. It didn't matter. Jennie moved here and Griffin and his younger sister were now as close as they were when they were children.

"Talk about fate," she said.

She'd only grinned over that word. The same word his mother used last week and she'd had the same reaction.

Working for Amanda and in a place where the women talk, the lore and legend of the island had been brought up more than once around her.

He would say he didn't really believe much in it, but now his mind had changed.

Not that he'd admit that to anyone.

"There you go," he said. He found a parking spot and got out. They walked to the elevator and made their way to the lobby and then the restaurant where they were meeting Alex and Jennie for the night. Mac had been invited, but they decided to stay home. "Can I say you look sexy tonight?"

She was wearing a pair of fitted jeans that went straight to the floor,blackheeled ankle boots on her feet, but they were covered up some, just the toe and heel popping out. Her top was a sparkly silver sweater that was almostblousyon top and had a thick band around the waist hugging her tight and meeting the top of her jeans. If she lifted her arms you'd see skin.

Her auburn hair was pulled back on one side in a braid tight to her scalp and then loose waves where it ended and met with the rest of her hair falling down the center of her back.

Her makeup was minimal like it always was, but her light blue eyes were standing out more than they normally did and he wasn't sure the reason.

It didn't matter other than she took his breath away and he knew he'd dive into the line of fire to protect her and not just because it was his job.

"Thank you," she said. "I haven't had the opportunity to dress up much since I've been here. Not that this is dressing up, but it is in a fun way."

"I suppose I should take you out more then," he said.

"Yes, you should," Alex said. "Don't be a cheap boyfriend."

"He's not cheap," Andi said. "We are both busy, but we do go out."

"Don't listen to my husband," Jennie said. "He thinks he's being cute, but he's not."

"You know I'm cute. You love it. Don't lie. Tell everyone you've got my calendar shot hanging in your home office."

"What?" Andi asked. "Calendar shot?"

Jennie slapped his brother's arm. "The fire department did a calendar to raise moneyoneyear. Shirtless for most of them."

"I was the main attraction," Alex said.

"Only because he begged for it," Griffin said, coming from behind them. "Come here." Griffin grabbed Jennie and lifted her in a hug. "Damn. I was expecting it though. Or Penelope was. Congrats, Alex."

The two men shook hands and Jarrett assumed he knew what was going on but wasn't going to guess. "Don't worry," Alex said. "It only means I'm going to be watching her even more than I do."

"I expect that," Griffin said. "Good to see you, Jarrett."

"Griffin, this is Andi Benson. Andi, Griffin Zale, Jennie's older brother."

"Nice to meet you," Andi said, shaking the bigger man's hand. Griffin was always dressed to the hilt in a suit that probably cost more than his mortgage payment. Eli had an image here to uphold.

"You too," Griffin said. "You guys are in room D."

"We've got a private room?" Jarrett asked. He hadn't known that.

"Griffin bumped it up when he found out we were coming here last week," Alex said. "But he didn't tell Jennie until today."

Jennie rolled her eyes. "He knows how I feel about these things. I'm not even sure the room was empty that late, but Griffin would never say. We at least get a lot of good food and privacy for dinner."

It did explain why their dinner was earlier than he thought it'd be. Griffin most likely set it so they had a few hours before another party got the room.

They walked toward the restaurant once Griffin left but didn't get far before Eli came overandlifted Jennieupoff the ground and spun her. "I'm going to get another niece or nephew. Adrienne is going to be so excited. Guess I need to get to work on number two."

"Eli Bond, this is Andi Benson."

"The new girlfriend," Eli said. "Nice to meet you. Sorry to interrupt the dinner, but I had to give my sister a big hug. Enjoy and I'll see you guys in the casino later, right?"

"We'll be there," Alex said. "I'm feeling lucky tonight."

"Sister?" Andi asked.

"Room D," Jennie said when they got to the restaurant.

"This way," the hostess said with them following along.

When they were in the private room he'd never seen before—it's not like he'd ever had the opportunity to rent one out nor would he spend the money for it—Alex turned to Andi and said, "Griffin is like a brother to Eli. So he treats Jennie like a sister. We're all a prettyclose-knitfamily."

"That's sweet," she said. "I've never had that close of a relationship with anyone before. I guess I missed out on those things being an only child."

"Having siblings isn't always what it's cracked up to be either," Jarrett said, scrunching up his nose.

Jennie had confirmed that she was pregnant, but it was obvious when Eli said what he had. She apologized that her brother and Eli spoiled their announcement. Jarrett didn't care about those things though. He was just happy he'd have another niece or nephew to add to Mac's twins and son Jace in June. He couldn't wait.

And maybe Jarrett was starting to think that his time was finally coming. Much later in his life than he thought, but there was no reason to jump when it never felt right before.

It just felt so right now.

"I can't believe I won four hundred dollars," Andi said hours later.

They'd stayed until a few minutes after midnight and watched the ball drop. It'd been loud and thrilling and they'd gambled for a few hours.

Jarrett and Alex were at the blackjack tables, the girls at the slots for most of the night. He didn't like leaving her alone but realized it was a nice thing that she got to spend time with his sister-in-law.

"Any time I come home with the same amount I started the night, it's a win for me."

"That was fun and exciting," she said. "I'd love to do it again. But I know the next time I'll probably lose."

"The house always wins," he said.

"I know. I can see where it's addictive too."

"You want to know what is addictive?" he said. "You."

They were back at her house for the night. They switched back and forth. It never really bothered him either way.

"I feel the same way," she said, her arms going around his neck. "And for such a wonderful night that you gave me, I want to give you something special in return."

"And what is that going to be?" he asked.

He lifted her togive her a kissand she wrapped her legs around his waist. He took that as a sign to make his way to her room, their mouths attacking each other.

She slid down his legs before he could put her on the bed and start to strip her. Her hands went for the button on his jeans and undid them, then yanked them down fast.

His dick sprang free and, before he could kick off his pants or remove any other clothing, her mouth was on him and her head moving up and down.

"Jesus," he said. "Slow down."

She shook her head no, her hand coming up and cupping his balls, massaging and squeezing, her tongue licking the length of him, then her mouth applying pressure.

Her movements and actions were changing up and down so much he couldn't get a handle on what was going on and before he could stop himself or give her warning he started to come. He was going to apologize left and right for losing control like that, but she swallowed a few times and then looked up and burst out laughing.

"You should see your face right now."

"Why is that?" he asked. "And sorry for not warning you."

"I didn't need warning," she said. "If I did I would have told you that. Or know when it was coming. I wanted to do it. But your face is red. Are you embarrassed because I made you lose control?"

He wasn't sure how he felt that she knew him so well.

"Maybe just a little."

"No reason to be," she said and stood up. "Got a foot cramp. I didn't realize I was on my toes so much with these heels."

He picked her up and gave her a little toss onto the bed, which had her laughing even more.

After kicking off his shoes and jeans,he found the zippers on her bootsandremoved them fast, then tackled her jeans while she was pulling off her shirt.

He removed the rest of his clothing and she reached for his hips and pulled him toward her.

"I need to get a condom."

"I'm on the pill if you're fine with it. I am."

He hadn't evernotbeen protected before, but with all the baby news and how he was feeling, for once in his life, he didn't give a damn.

He didn't answer her, just climbed on the bed,nudgedher legs apart, his mouth found hers and he sank in fast.

What a feeling it was to beskin to skin. Like heat and silk all at once.

Her legs went around his waist again and squeezed him tight, making it hard for him to do any big movements.

It didn't matter, they were more locked in place and grinding back and forth until she started to come, the pulsing sending him over the edge once again.

He wasn't sure the last time he came twice that fast in a night and wondered why it even mattered.

Nothing with Andi was normal and he was completely fine with it.

"You know I love you, right?" he said. He just couldn't keep it in anymore. It might not be the way he planned on saying it, but it was this beast clawing to make its way out.

"About as much as I love you," she said.

Yeah, everything would always be all right with them.