Holding Out For A Holiday Hero

Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

“Be merry, bright, and make love to a hot bounty hunter tonight. I get that isn’t a real saying, but…maybe it should be?”

– True Blakely (who intends to make love to a certain hot bounty hunter at the first opportunity)

Perry shot to attention when he saw them approaching the condo. He bounded forward, waving his hands. “Boss, I didn’t get to finish! I have the tree inside, but no decorations yet! You aren’t supposed to be here so soon! You texted and said you were going to the museum and that I’d have more time.”

Yeah, and he’d also just texted to say he was five minutes away. Thus, the reason Perry was outside of the condo, waiting for them. As to the rest of what his assistant had just revealed…Jake let out a long-suffering sigh. “It was a surprise, Perry.”

“You coming back early was a surprise? Then why’d you text me?”

Patience. Have patience. “The Christmas tree. It was a surprise.”

“But…you asked for it.” A furrow appeared between Perry’s brows. “How could it be a surprise?”

Jake stepped to the side but kept his grip on the large box—and the broken computer inside the box. When he sidestepped, True waved at his assistant.

“Hi, ma’am,” Perry greeted her.

“The surprise was for her,” Jake explained.

“Oh.”

“Right. Oh.”

Perry winced. “Didn’t think it made sense that you’d want a tree. You hate Christmas.”

True lightly touched Jake’s arm. Cold air swirled around them. He swore he could smell the faintest hint of snow. They were due for another downpour. She inched closer.

Snow and strawberries.

“Jake, you got a tree?” True appeared stunned. “For me?”

“Uh, ma’am, technically, I got the tree,” Perry informed her. “But it doesn’t have decorations. There are a few boxes of lights inside that I left near the tree, but I didn’t have time for anything else.” He took a quick hop forward. “I was running more background checks on the museum staff. Wanted to let you know that no one is living beyond their means. No one seems to have hit the lottery with a new bank deposit. The financials are all coming back clean.” He poked at the box Jake held. “Why are you carrying a broken computer?”

“Because something very important is on the computer.”

Perry’s mouth kicked up in a half-smile. “You mean something very important was on the computer.”

Yeah, that was what he meant.

Perry didn’t just poke at the box. He started poking around inside the box. “The exterior doesn’t matter. All this plastic? Big metal chunks? Dump them.” More poking. “It’s the hard drive that matters most.” He tugged something out. “Ugh. Poor baby was beat to hell and back.” He pulled the box from Jake’s arms. “But I’ll see what I can do.”

“Hold up.” Jake squinted at the kid. “You think you can actually retrieve data?” He’d been bullshitting with Robert. Just trying to make the guy slip up.

“We’ll see. Maybe I’ll give you a Christmas miracle. Those happen, you know.” Perry bobbed his head toward True. “Ma’am. You stay safe tonight.” He began to walk back down the small sidewalk.

Jake grabbed his arm.

Perry’s eyes widened. “Something wrong?”

Yeah. Me. “I’m an asshole boss.”

“No, you’re not.” An adamant denial. “You’re the best boss I’ve ever had.”

“I’m the only boss you ever had.” And he was too tough on the kid. Dammit.

But Perry shook his head. “I’ve worked at diners. Car washes. Factories. Been employed by people who didn’t give a damn about me.” His chin lifted. “Nobody gave a damn, not until you.”

Oh, hell, the kid had better not bring up the time he’d?—

“You stopped my stepdad from beating the hell out of me.”

True sucked in a sharp breath.

“You think I’ll ever forget that?” Perry gave a slow shake of his head. “His fist was coming at me, again and again, and I was a scared sixteen-year-old who just wanted to keep my mom safe. Every part of me hurt, and I was curled in a ball because I couldn’t stop him.” His cheeks darkened. “Then you were there.”

Perry had better not cry. That had been one of the rules when Jake hired him. “I was chasing a bounty. That jerk had jumped bail. I was just doing my job.”

“You’re such a liar sometimes, boss.” Perry rolled back his shoulders. His hold on the box never wavered. “You weren’t even a full-time bounty hunter back then. You were on leave from your special ops work. You were in Rosewood and doing a favor for the agency’s old owner, Lorenzo Lake.”

Yeah, he had been doing a favor for a friend. Lorenzo had been overextended, so Jake had stepped in. Who would have known that he’d one day take over the business? Take it over, make the thing thrive. Now, Jake chased bounties for half the state.

“I always kind of thought it was fate that you happened to be working that particular bounty. Saw you as my guardian angel.” Perry swallowed. “You pulled my stepdad off me. You knocked him out and had cuffs on him in an instant. You got me to a hospital. You got me and my mom a new place to live. You paid the rent for two years while she got her LPN license and while I finished high school. And then you paid for my college.”

Jake could feel True’s gaze on him. But he didn’t look at her. He kept his focus on Perry. The kid who’d wormed his way past his guard, despite Jake’s best efforts. “You should have gone to work for one of those tech headhunters who came after you.” How many times had he told the kid that very thing?

“Not gonna happen, boss. I’m where I belong.” Perry lifted the box higher. “I’ll get the information back for you. You’ll see. You’ll be proud of me.”

Fuck. “I already am,” Jake groused. Shit, did the kid think he wasn’t?

Perry blinked. A lot of blinks.

“Rule number two, Perry,” Jake fired at him.

“No tears, yes, sir, but since we violated rule number one, I thought it was okay. Thought we were breaking rules left and right now.”

True sidled closer. “You love to break rules, Jake.”

Yeah, he did. Sue him. “Don’t pick up my bad habits,” he warned Perry. “Be better than me.”

“No.” Perry stared straight at him. “I want to be just like you, sir.”

Why the hell would he want to do that?

But Perry gave another nod before he marched away. Jake stared after him, shaking his head.

“What’s rule number one?” True asked, voice soft.

“No Christmas trees.” But he’d broken that rule when he let Perry bring in their Charlie Brown tree.

And then he’d broken it again today when he asked for a tree to give True.

Yeah, right. Fine. I love to break rules.

“He loves you,” True said.

His head swung toward her. Jake gaped at her. He must have misunderstood. Must. Have.

“He does. You can see it on his face. Hear it in his voice. Perry idolizes you.”

Jake spun and strode for the condo. “He needs a new idol.”

“I don’t think he does.” She followed him.

Jake stopped in front of the front door. Then, slowly, he turned toward True.

“You’re not as bad as you want the world to think.” Her hand rose and pressed over his heart. “First, you take my case when no one else will believe me, then you’re Santa for the kids, and now, I find out that you’re Perry’s protector.”

He hated remembering that long-ago scene with Perry. “The stepdad was wanted for two robberies and an assault. He was an abusing bastard. He’d broken Perry’s arm. Broken two of the kid’s ribs. Like I was just going to let him get away with that?”

“No. Not you.”

“He wanted Perry to suffer. So I made him suffer instead. The guy knows to never, ever come close to Perry or his mom again.”

She searched his gaze. “You’re not a bounty hunter because you like chasing down prey.”

Don’t be too sure. I live for the adrenaline rush. I enjoy the hunt. I’m good at hunting. I’m ? —

“You do it to make sure the bad guys don’t get away. You’re a protector at your core.” Her hand was still over his heart. “You’re Perry’s hero, and you’re mine, too.” She pushed onto her toes.

He bent toward her.

His mouth skimmed over hers. Just a tease. A light taste.

“Thank you, Jake,” she murmured.

He didn’t want her gratitude.

He unlocked the door. Perry had a key of his own—he’d given it to the guy long ago. Jake shoved open the door and waved for True to enter first. She did, hurrying inside, only to draw up short with a gasp.

Jake followed her and froze, too. He got why she’d gasped. The top of the Christmas tree scraped his ceiling.

“That is the biggest Christmas tree I’ve ever seen in my life,” True declared as her eyes widened.

He could smell the scent of the Christmas tree filling the room.

“How did he even get it inside?” she wondered.

Yeah, that would be an excellent question. Jake had no clue.

She slowly walked closer to the tree. One hand extended as she touched a branch. “You asked him to get a tree, for me?”

Well, it sure as shit hadn’t been because Jake wanted it for himself. “You love Christmas.”

She slanted a glance back at him. “But you don’t.”

Jake rolled his shoulders as if the tree didn’t matter. What matters is making True happy. “Maybe Christmas is growing on me. You lost your tree, so I asked Perry to bring in another one. Simple. No big deal.”

“You…wanted to surprise me.”

He looked at the giant tree. The slightly lop-sided, giant tree. “Perry has a real good heart on him.” Jake cleared his throat. “He’s like you. You have a good heart, too.”

“So do you.”

He’d almost forgotten he had a heart, until his Ghost of Christmas Past had slipped into his office. Now he seemed to feel far too much. With her. Because of her. “We can decorate the tree.” A box of lights sat to the side, as promised by Perry. “We’ll go buy ornaments and anything else you think we need.”

“I think I have what I need.”

His gaze flew to her face. She was staring right at him.

Sweets, do not look at me that way. You do, and I’ll have you naked in five seconds. Then I’ll be inside you in the next breath.

He backed up a step.

Her brows rose in confusion. “Jake?”

“We put the bait in our trap at the museum. If Robert is guilty, if he’s the one who smashed the computer and who trapped you in that sarcophagus, he will come after the computer because he’ll want to stop us before we can recover anything. He will be coming here.” Robert’s possible trip to Jake’s place was the reason why—when he’d been talking to Harris on the ride over—the detective had agreed to have undercover units patrol the area. “We need to catch him in the act.” Jake took another step back. Green needles were scattered on the hardwood floor and on the rug in front of the fireplace.

I had True on that rug last night. She screamed for me.

“There’s something I need to give you,” he said. Jake motioned for her to come closer.

She darted closer. She wore black tennis shoes. Faded jeans. An oversized red sweater. Her hair tumbled over her shoulders, and her bright eyes were locked on him. “Give me?” she seemed confused. “I think you just gave me a Christmas tree. You don’t need to give me anything else.”

“This isn’t exactly a gift.” This was about something that had been bothering him since last night.

If Jake had his way, then, hell, yes, he would gladly stand between True and any threat. Every threat. That was the plan. To be there. To protect her.

But what if I’m not there? As he hadn’t been there when she’d been bound and gagged in the Egyptian display room.

“What is it?” She stood right in front of him. Her head tilted to the right.

“You said your attacker was too fast. Too strong for you to get away.”

The delicate column of her throat moved. A flash of fear came and went in her eyes. “Yes.”

“You ever had a self-defense class, True?”

“No. I-I wanted to sign up for one at the gym once, but life got so busy and I…” Her voice trailed away. “No,” she said again. “No, I haven’t.”

He nodded. “I’m gonna teach you some quick and dirty tips. Then, for Christmas, I’m signing you up for some classes that I want you to take.” His gaze remained locked on her. “I don’t want you to ever feel helpless again. I want you to be able to fight back. I want you to do as much damage to any bastard who comes at you as you possibly can.”

“Who will teach the classes?”

“Me, sweets. I teach self-defense classes at the local community center. I’ll be your teacher. The full course is what you’ll take. But for now, like I said, you’ll get my quick and dirty version.”

She nodded. “Quick and dirty. All right.”

“Show me how he grabbed you.”

True blinked. She didn’t show him. The fear flickered in her eyes again.

He kept his body loose with an effort. “Are you afraid of me?”

“No.”

“Good.” His voice was mild. Careful. Because it’s True. “You don’t ever need to be afraid of me. I’d sooner gnaw off my own arm than ever so much as bruise you. I’ll show you some techniques, but if you get uncomfortable and you need a break…well, you remember what to say, don’t you?” The safe words she’d picked out before. Right in this same room.

Fear didn’t flare in her eyes. A flash of heat—of lust—did. “Sleigh bells.”

“That’s right. You know I’ll stop instantly.”

She nodded. Some of the tension slid from her delicate shoulders.

“Show me how he caught you,” Jake urged her.

True turned away. “I was running. He came up behind me.”

Jake edged closer behind her.

“H-he put a hand on my mouth. He did it so fast that I couldn’t scream.”

Jake covered her mouth with his hand.

Immediately, she stiffened.

He lifted his fingers, hovering them about an inch in front of her mouth. “Where was his other hand?”

“He curled his arm around my stomach and jerked me back.”

Jake curled his arm around her stomach. He pulled her back against him. Her body trembled. “Don’t be afraid of me,” he rasped. “You said you trusted me, remember?”

She nodded.

“Good.” He pressed a kiss to the back of her head. “I want you to understand that it doesn’t matter how much bigger your opponent is. Everyone has a weak spot.”

“Even you?” Her soft question.

“Hell, yes.” You are my weak spot. “If someone is covering your mouth and you want that creep’s hand gone, you reach for the weak spot.” Carefully, he put his hand over her mouth. “The pinky, sweets. Do you know how easily a pinky breaks? You grab it, and you wrench it as hard as you can. When you yank that pinky and it breaks, that might be enough to distract the bastard so you can get away. His weak spot.”

Her hand rose up. Her fingers curled over his pinky.

“Good. Now, if I were attacking, you would twist that digit back as hard as you can. If his grip eases on your waist because he’s battling pain and surprise, you haul ass away, understand? The goal is to always get away.”

“Yes.” Her hand fell back down to her side.

“Next lesson.” The scent of strawberries filled his nose. “Head, knees, and elbows. Those are the hardest parts of your body, and they are the ones that can cause fast, rough damage to an attacker. If the prick has you from behind and your hands aren’t free, then slam your head back as hard as you can. You might break his nose. You might just hurt him like hell and that will make him loosen his grip. Like I said, the goal is always for you to get free. You can also take your elbow and shove it back.” He pulled her elbow back, showing her exactly how to target her attack. “I know the attack at the museum happened fast, and there was little time to think. Don’t worry about thinking. Just act. Just attack.”

He went through drills with her, showing her again and again just how to get free of his holds. Her body still trembled, but she followed his directions perfectly.

“Attacks are often about balance,” he told her. “Just because someone is bigger, it doesn’t mean you can’t take their ass down.” He moved in front of her. “Front attack,” Jake explained. “I’m coming at you, and your goal is to use my own momentum against me so that you can drop me to the floor.”

“That’s not going to work. There is no way I can drop you.” She seemed definite.

“It will work.” He was equally definite. “Lean away from the attack.”

Biting her lower lip, she eased her upper body back.

“When I grab for you, you also grab for me. Get your hands on my arm or on my shirt and you pull me toward you and down.”

She stared at him with her intense gaze.

“Reposition your leg. Slide it behind mine. That’s going to help throw off my balance. You’ll trip me.” He showed her where to place her leg so that it was now behind his. “It’s the unexpected that will work for you. You can get your attacker on the ground, and you can run.”

She never took her gaze off him. “There is no way I’m getting you on the floor.”

“Try it,” he urged. She wouldn’t believe it until it happened. So it had to happen. “You get me off-balance, then you get away. You haul ass and run.” He pulled his hands back to his sides. Took a deep breath. Then he grabbed for her in a sudden lunge.

True’s hands flew up. They curled around his arm. She yanked him toward her even as horror flashed on her face. Her leg hooked behind his. And he?—

“Jake!”

He slammed down on the rug.

Immediately, she crouched beside him. Her hair fell forward as her hands pressed to his chest. “Are you okay?”

“Sweets.” His chest ached. He lifted a hand and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Didn’t I say you were supposed to haul ass and run? Stopping to make sure your attacker is okay isn’t part of the game plan.”

She licked her lips. What could have been amazement filled her eyes. “I got you on the floor.”

“Yeah, you did. And it was sexy as hell.”

Her gaze darted over him, and then, shocking him—delighting him—True climbed on top of him. She straddled him, one knee going on either side of his body. “I didn’t run because I don’t want to get away, not from you.”

Be careful what you say.

Her hands were still on his chest. He was still right under her. Like he wanted to get up. Hell, no. He wanted to stay exactly where they were. Though, it would be a bonus if their clothes were gone. And he was, oh, say…slamming home inside of her.

“What happens when the case is over?” True asked suddenly. Then she bit her lower lip. “I shouldn’t have asked. Forget it.”

He would forget nothing when it came to her. “Ice skating.” A nod. “Though I should warn you, I can’t skate for shit.”

Her eyes widened. A quick laugh sputtered from her. Sweetest sound ever.

“Maybe we’ll go out for some fancy dinners.” He could not look away from her eyes. “Movies. A bit of dancing.” Oh, yeah. Dancing would be great. Getting to hold her close? Sign him up. “I would imagine it would be the usual dating routine.” Bullshit. There would be nothing usual about dating True.

“You—you want us to keep seeing each other?”

Now his stare sharpened on her. “You think I’m just fucking you and planning to walk away?”

“I think…” She pulled in a quick breath, then slowly released it. “I don’t want to walk away from you. When I’m with you—despite the murder and the craziness that’s happening in my life—I’m happy. Happier than I have been in a very long time.” She leaned forward. He thought she was going to kiss him. He was more than ready to taste her.

True is happy with me.

If he had his way, he’d make sure she stayed happy every single day of her life.

But True didn’t press her lips to his. Instead, her mouth went to his neck. A light, soft press of her lips. Then he felt the lick of her tongue against his skin. And… fuck me, the sexiest bite of her teeth.

His hands clamped around her hips. “True, don’t play with me.”

“I would never.” Husky. Breathless. Designed to drive him wild.

She licked him again. Lightly sucked his skin. Her hips arched against him, and it was both heaven and hell. Heaven because she was riding his dick. With her legs curved on either side of him, she was in the absolute perfect position to rub against his aching arousal. But also hell because their clothes were still in the way. The clothes needed to go.

“I was rough last night,” he gritted out.

“You were perfect last night,” she corrected.

“Can you take me again?” He didn’t want her to be too sore.

“Try to stop me.”

Fuck, he could love this woman.

The thought stopped him cold.

No, no, it wasn’t about whether he could love. His entire body had gone rock hard. I do love this woman.

True lifted up and frowned down at him in concern. “Jake? What’s wrong?” Alarm flared on her face. “Don’t you want me?”

“As long as I can breathe, I’ll want you,” he told her, dead honest.

Her lips began to curl.

He rolled her beneath him. A fast, quick roll. Then he was on top. Staring down at her and realizing she was far, far too important for any screw-ups. He had to tell her everything. No lies. No bullshit. “I’m not a hero.”

Her long lashes fluttered. “Why would you say that?”

Because it was the truth. She deserved the full truth. He pulled in a deep breath. Don’t hate me. But he had to confess. He stared in her eyes and said, “I took the case because I wanted you.”