11 comments/  50345 views/  35 favorites

The Job Pt. 01

By: DreamCloud



Author's Note: This story was edited by Tim413413. His work was embarrassingly difficult. I actually think he spent more time on this than I did. Thank you sir!

*****

The Sun began to threaten Jayden's chair. The awning just wasn't big enough to block the tropical rays. He scooted the chair back another couple of inches and it hit the café's wall. He had maybe fifteen minutes left before the heat began to attack his feet. He sighed and looked around for a better position. There wasn't one. He relaxed and decided to enjoy what time he had left. He readjusted his sunglasses and scanned the boardwalk for more bikinis.

Jayden enjoyed this part of the beach. He could sit in the shade while sipping a sweet rum concoction and watching all the women parading around in next to nothing. Every so often, a woman would walk by who really fleshed out a bikini. It was a momentary thrill in his otherwise boring existence. He never confronted any of them or stalked them to their destinations. He just flirted in his mind. 

Jayden loved the female form in all its iterations. He rated women in his mind according to how enticing they looked in their chosen attire. Not that he was a fashion expert, far from it. He just knew what looked right and what didn't. A heavy woman in the right clothes could be much more enticing than a skinny model dressed like crap. It all depended on the curves the woman accentuated and how the colors worked with her skin. He was a visual connoisseur. 

Jayden tried not to smile when the raven-haired woman walked past him for the third time. She was obviously proud of her look and had decided to spend the afternoon showing herself off. Her bikini top was perfect for her chest. It held her breasts up just enough to form a modest bit of cleavage that worked very well with her frame. Jayden wasn't impressed with the bikini bottoms. She had chosen bottoms that were too small for her butt and stomach. The woman had a slight tummy paunch and her butt cheeks rode a bit low. He would have picked a bit fuller bikini bottom for her. She would have been a knockout in something more akin to boy shorts. 

The woman turned into the café and surprised Jayden by choosing a chair at his table. She placed her elbows on the table's glass surface and rested her chin in her hands. She didn't say a word as she stared at Jayden with a flat expression. Jayden smiled at the unexpected intrusion. It would, at the very least, break up the day.

"Have I offended you somehow?" Jayden asked, making it sound innocent. He was looking into her brown eyes wishing she would have picked a better eye shadow color. Her choice was a bit too dark for such a bright day. 

"You've been watching me so I came over to watch you," she smirked highly confident in her delivery. She was almost challenging him to contradict her. Jayden gave her half a laugh.

"I've been watching everyone. You just happened to walk by a few times," Jayden declared. He wasn't easily put off kilter and he responded without looking away. The woman lifted her head off her hands and pulled her elbows off the table. Her modest cleavage was now front and center. 

"You looked lonely sitting here by yourself. No one to share a drink with?" She teased and smiled which improved her look tremendously. Jayden smelled a come-on. He knew it wasn't his physique or the cutoffs and Hawaiian shirt he was wearing. He shook his head no. 

"I just enjoy a private drink now and again," Jayden replied and tried to figure out her angle. He gave a quick glance around to see if something more sinister was afoot. The coast seemed clear.

"I specialize in lonely men," she whispered through a set of pouty lips. Jayden realized she wasn't parading. She was advertising. He wasn't really in the market, but his dick was willing to jump at the chance. She would certainly be more entertaining than the night of TV viewing he had planned. He pulled his sunglasses off and returned her gaze.

"I do so enjoy being specialized," Jayden said, giving her his biggest smile. He stood up from the table and pulled out his full money clip. He ripped off a twenty and placed it under his glass. "I have a place two blocks from here," he said as he tilted his head to the south indicating the direction. Her eyes followed the money clip back into his pocket. She also rose from her chair and moved closer to Jayden.

"You don't want to know how much?" she whispered in Jayden's ear so she couldn't be overheard. He laughed again. 

"Spend the night and I'll make sure you don't have to work for a week," Jayden promised and wrapped his arm around hers and escorted her out of the café patio. "What should I call you tonight?" he asked as she looked up at him and smiled. 

"I'll be Debra tonight." The name seemed to fit her look. Jayden was pleased with the choice. "Do you have a name or should I call you Sir?" Debra made it sound flirty. She reached over with her opposite hand to caress his arm. 

"Debra is a lovely name." Jayden looked down into her eyes. "My friends call me Jayden. I am certainly not a 'sir.' " He wrapped his fingers in hers as they walked down the street. It pleased him to treat her like a girlfriend. Debra sensed his thoughts and leaned her head into his shoulder as they walked. 'Smart girl,' Jayden thought as they headed to the apartment. 

They entered the sparse condo arm in arm. Like all of Jayden's homes, there were no pictures on the walls and only minimal furniture. He never spent the time to decorate since they all felt more like hotels than homes. "Can I offer you a glass of wine?" Jayden queried as he broke their entwined arms and headed to the open kitchen. 

"That would be nice," Debra commented, secretly hoping it wasn't the expensive stuff. She enjoyed wine that measured its age in months instead of years. 

Jayden reached into the cupboard and grabbed one of the bottles of Norton he had picked up from a Missouri winery he visited a few months back. He had become tired of driving and simply followed some signs to the winery for what he hoped would be a scenic lunch. The waiter had talked him into trying the wine and Jayden was surprised how much he enjoyed it. He usually preferred his rum, but the wine had just the right mix of dryness and berry flavor. He bought a case and tipped the waiter well. 

Jayden popped the cork and filled two wine glasses. He remembered something about letting the bottle breath before pouring, but he was never one for protocol. He slid a glass over to Debra and watched her hesitantly take a sip. A smile formed on her face. 

"Wow, that's pretty good," Debra enthused and she began to think this night might not be a bad gig. She never knew how a new guy was going to turn out. Her profession was a risky one. Jayden pulled out his money clip and counted off five hundred dollar bills. He looked into Debra's eyes and pushed the bills across the counter toward her. 

"This is just to build some trust," Jayden smiled as he said it. He wanted to make sure she knew he wasn't going to rip her off. He knew the risk she was taking. Debra took another sip of the pleasant wine as she watched him slide the money across the counter. She was a bit surprised when the money clip didn't go back into his pocket. He just placed it on the counter and ignored it. She knew it wrapped a few thousand more. 

Debra didn't reach for the five hundred. She was certain it would be there in the morning. This man wasn't muscled, aggressive or even exceptional looking. When she first saw him at the café, she pegged him as a married man on a trip without the wife. That couldn't be farther from the truth. His confidence almost bordered on scary. Debra sensed that to take more than he offered would be dangerous. She also felt that he would offer more than she would ever ask for. No, tonight it would go Jayden's way. She placed her glass on the counter and began to saunter around to his side. 

"What are you looking for tonight, Jayden?" Debra projected her sexiest smile. She had every intention of making this man happy. 'Smart girl,' Jayden thought for the second time. He was pleased she didn't just snap up the money. 

"Do you think you could be my girlfriend tonight?" Jayden asked. He enjoyed the couple fantasy. He would never find it in real life. It was the one thing he regretted when he chose his profession. Wives and family didn't mix with his career. Debra was pleased with his desire. It meant that it would be a tender night. She was a bit bored with "wham bam thank you ma'am." 

"New girlfriend? Old girlfriend? Engaged?" Debra asked and moved closer and lightly stroked his arm. She decided she would work on her non-existent acting career. What would be her motivation? Jayden placed his glass next to hers. 

"Engaged would be wonderful," he stated and pushed some of her errant hair behind her ear and caressed her neck. Debra responded by softly encircling the back of his neck with her hands. 

"I am so glad you're home, Jayden," Debra cooed and pulled his head down to hers and softly merged her lips with his. She rarely kissed a customer. It somehow seemed right in this case. She decided his fantasy was more important than any stupid rules. Her tongue flicked across his lips and Jayden responded by wrapping her in his arms and parting his lips. He felt the stirrings of arousal and couldn't believe his luck. It was going to be a wonderful night. Jayden swept her off her feet. Debra felt a slight tinge of fear at the ease with which Jayden lifted her.

"I couldn't wait until I got back to you, Sweetheart," Jayden responded and smiled into Debra's eyes as he began to move toward the bedroom. Debra's fear gave way to a strange sense of security. His confident, yet tender, cradling made her feel cherished. She instinctively knew nothing would harm her tonight. He had been acting, but, for now, it was real for him. Nothing bad would ever touch Jayden's fiancée. She smiled back and snuggled deeper into his shoulder. 

Jayden smoothly maneuvered his precious cargo through the door and carefully kneeled as he lay her on the bed. "You are so beautiful," he whispered as he cradled her face in his hands. Jayden didn't just see Debra. He saw, in his mind, every woman he had ever been with. Every shape and size, both submissive and aggressive and both sweet and cruel. He loved them all. His lips met hers again as he ran his hand softly down her side. Debra mewed into his lips as she placed her hand behind his head to pull him closer. This was a bit more passionate than she was accustomed to. Men usually used, not made love to, her. She knew she shouldn't enjoy it and should try to maintain some mental distance. It was going to be difficult.

A shiver ran down Jayden's spine as he sampled the softness of Debra's skin. He thought it felt like warm silk. He could happily spend hours just caressing every square inch. Debra giggled at his touch and scooted over to give him room to join her on the bed. Normally, she would be naked already, but today she knew better. He would undress her. Jayden rose off his knees and onto the bed. His fingers traced the outline of her bikini top and circled her breasts. He looked for how it was clasped. Debra smiled at his search and sexily arched her back in response. He briefly chuckled, sensing they were in sync. He followed the strap under her arm to the middle of her back. He found the clasp and deftly released the teeth to free her breasts. 

"You have freed me, kind Sir." Debra played the innocent as Jayden tossed the top off the side of the bed. She figured a bit of playful pillow talk would fit his mood.

"Only to devour you, my princess." Jayden sported a sinister grin as he leaned into her breasts. Debra sucked in her breath, remembering less thoughtful customers. He attacked with only kisses and she laughed with delight. He relished her breasts. They had a bit a maturity, but maintained their soft, pillowy nature. They weren't the fake rocks that seemed to make the rounds these days. He massaged one and softly suckled and kissed the other. Devilishly, he ran his tongue around the nipple, slowly increasing the pressure as he circled. Debra felt the sensation go from pleasant, to ticklish, to unbearably ticklish. She started to laugh as she tried to push his head away from her breast.

"You're a beast!" she chided as he finally relented with an ecstatic smile on his face. Debra was a responsive woman. Jayden's need was beginning to match his happiness. He leaned back to remove his shirt. She reached up and stroked his chest while he disrobed. Debra was surprised to see the lean muscles that were hidden away. They weren't bodybuilder type muscles. Instead, they were formed by use. She could see why he had carried her so easily. 

Jayden looked at the nearly naked woman with admiration. He imagined himself spending a lifetime with this body. Learning every square inch of it. Enjoying making it squirm. He ran his hand between Debra's breasts and down to her stomach. He caressed her belly, imagining a child growing there. His child. Jayden leaned in and kissed her belly button. The experience was new to Debra. It was more sensitive than she would have imagined. She reached down and stroked his hair, as a mother would console a young boy. 

Jayden came back to his senses. It was a wonderful fantasy, but children weren't in the cards for him. He looked up into Debra's loving eyes. She had sensed, but didn't understand, his strange desire. Debra played along the best she could. At least he was tender and nice guys got the full treatment. She smiled as his fingers carefully entwined in the sides of her bikini bottoms. She lifted her butt a bit to help him. with his efforts. Jayden lifted the last bit of Debra's clothing straight up, forcing her to lift her legs high. He followed the bottoms with kisses up the back of her legs. They were as soft as the rest of her. He caught a scent, possibly lavender, that lingered behind her knees. He wondered if she bathed in the scent. He imagined her, the mother of his children, behind a layer of lavender bubbles, soaking the day's worries away. He lowered her legs tenderly to the bed and stood to remove his shorts. 

"Let me." 'Full treatment,' Debra reminded herself as she sat up to lower his pants. Jayden was obviously aroused, which pleased her. Everything was more fluid when the man needed little encouragement. She lowered his shorts and boxers in one smooth motion. After he stepped out of them, she ran her hands and eyes slowly up his legs until she faced his manhood. Debra moved her hands around his hips to his butt. She looked up into his eyes with a smile. "I've been waiting all day for this, Honey." She lowered her lips over his hard-on and, ever so softly, began to lick and suck the head. She wanted it to be lovely, like what a future wife would do for the man she loved. She felt a shiver go through his legs as she used her hands to pull him in a bit deeper. 

Jayden dropped a hand behind her head. He loved the softness and warmth of her mouth. He caressed behind her ear, letting her know how much he enjoyed her efforts. Debra tasted a bit of sweet pre-cum and knew it would ruin it for him if he came in her mouth. He wanted a lover, not a slut. She released his cock while caressing his thighs. She looked back up into his eyes. "I need you in me, Baby." Debra was proud how it came out. It was almost a whisper and it sounded desperate. She might just be an actress some day. 

Jayden smiled at her need and carefully pushed her back onto the bed. He remembered the condoms in the nightstand on the other side of the bed. He hated to break the fantasy, but she was a hooker. He started to climb over her. 

Debra panicked for a second, thinking he desired unprotected penetration as he moved over the top of her. She caught his arm and used his momentum to roll him across her and onto his back. She ended up sitting on his legs, smiling. Jayden felt the move coming. Not feeling threatened, he let her continue, wondering what Debra was up to. He was just about to call a pause, thinking she intended a bare-back ride, when she produced a condom packet from behind her back. Jayden smiled, trying to figure out where she had been hiding that. 'Smart girl,' he thought again. 

"You know the rules, Honey. No babies 'til we're married." She tried to retain the illusion as she tore into the wrapper. Debra saw his eyes brighten when she said the word "babies." She knew how to read men. She realized why he was kissing her belly. Debra smiled as she rolled the condom down his now-twitching member. Every man had a fetish. Something that got him hot and she now knew his. She was going to rock his world and it pleased her to no end. 

Jayden watched in rapt attention as Debra applied the condom. He was so pleased she did it without breaking character. Her tip was going to be large, that much he knew. He was so turned on when she mentioned "babies" and "marriage." That was his real fantasy. Men always want what they can't have. He saw a sparkle in Debra's eyes. Something had changed and he had no idea what it was. It made her look sexier. So it couldn't be a bad thing.

Debra rose above his cock and guided it with her hand between her legs. The condom was lubricated, but she realized that wasn't really necessary. Jayden's tender teasing had already forced nature to take its course. She looked deep into his eyes. She had him. He wouldn't know what hit him. Debra was proud of herself as she slowly dragged the tip of his manhood across her wet opening.

"Jayden, can you imagine what our kids will look like." Debra made it sound like an everyday conversation. She felt his cock twitch and his hips jerk. A new glow appeared in his eyes.

"They would be so beautiful," Jayden said softly, looking deep into her eyes. She knew she had read him perfectly. He felt her lower herself onto him. There was little resistance, only a wonderful warmth. He knew he wouldn't last long. He loved that Debra had figured him out. 

"Soon you'll make my belly so big." She felt him struggling to hold on. Debra reached out and grabbed his hands. 'A weird fetish, but rather sweet,' she thought. She placed his hands softly on her belly. "You can almost feel him growing." Jayden was in heaven as he caressed her belly. Debra would look truly wonderful pregnant. She kept riding up and down. His hips began to match her rhythm. She decided to finish him. She knew it wouldn't take much.

"Fill me, Jayden, make a baby in me." Jayden exploded. It was the best he had felt in years. Such a lovely wife and the baby would be so beautiful. He pulled her chest down to his as another spasm filled the condom. His eyes watered as his emotions got the better of him. A smaller spasm finished him and his legs went slack. Jayden hugged Debra close.

"Thank you, thank you, oh thank you." He whispered into her ear. Debra was a bit shocked about the end. She stayed in his arms and didn't try to struggle. She was incredibly uncomfortable with the closeness and didn't want him to bond. They lay that way for a few minutes until Jayden's heart returned to normal. He released her and she slid off his softening member. 

"That was rather intense," Debra said nicely, looking at his face. She wanted to see if he thought it was more real than it was. Jayden smiled, looking at the ceiling. 

"You were wonderful, Debra." He turned his head toward her. "You should be an actress. I loved every minute of it." He said it without any endearment which relieved Debra. He smiled. "What's your real name?" She thought about lying, but she knew his secret desires and saw little reason to hide her secrets. 

"Sandra." She hoped that it wasn't a mistake to let it out. Jayden hopped out of bed. His energy had returned. 

"Why don't you leave Debra in the bed. I would really like to have a drink with Sandra." Jayden was in full conversation mode. Nothing sexual, just two people having a drink. Sandra laughed while looking between his legs. 


The Job Pt. 01



"Are you sure you don't want me to help you with that first?" Jayden looked down and laughed with her. It looked pretty pathetic after Debra wore it out. He scooted over carefully, hoping the condom wouldn't just fall off. She had coaxed out a rather healthy load. Sandra removed it clinically.

"Is that the bathroom?" Sandra asked, looking at the door they didn't enter through. 

"Yep, there are a couple of robes in there." Jayden started walking out of the room naked, with the confidence he had displayed earlier. "Grab one for me too, please." He was gone and down the hall before she was off the bed. Sandra breathed a sigh of relief. It turned out great, but there were brief moments of concern. She remembered the tasty wine and hurried to the bathroom. 

Sandra returned to the kitchen in an oversized terry cloth robe. She handed a duplicate to Jayden who wasn't the slight bit self-conscious about his parts hanging out. Her money pile on the counter had grown substantially. She was so pleased with herself for taking the risk at the café . Jayden would be her vein of gold. She lifted the newly-refreshed glass of wine, attempting to ignore the cash Jayden had set aside for her.

"I come here a couple of times a year," Jayden said between sips. "I would like to know how to contact Debra in the future." Sandra looked at him quizzically. It sounded almost like a dismissal. She was a bit confused.

"Are we done here?" She spread her hands apart to emphasize the point. For some reason, she was disappointed. The money was excellent, but she felt she was shortchanging him. She was starting to think of it as a long-term investment. Jayden chuckled.

"Debra is." He lifted his glass in a toast. "The only way you could top that performance is to bring in a Justice of the Peace and neither of us want that. I intend to bore you with conversation the rest of the night. I also wouldn't mind falling asleep next to a warm body tonight." Sandra smiled and tapped her glass against his. Actually sleeping with a customer would be new. It had happened by accident before, but never planned. This guy was the sweetest pervert she had ever met. 

"Do you have pen and paper?" Sandra asked, excited about the future paydays. A wealthy repeat customer who wasn't after what she wasn't willing to give was as good as gold. She knew what he liked. 'No bikini next time,' she thought, 'possibly a skirt and a blouse. Something a respectable girlfriend would wear.' Jayden handed her a pad and pen and watched her scratch out her name and number. By the time she was handing the pad back, he already had her number memorized. His mental Rolodex was well trained. The first five sheets of the pad would be destroyed to prevent anyone from connecting him to Sandra. His life had to remain as anonymous as possible. He slid the pad to the side and smiled.

"You ever play Cribbage?" Jayden thought it would throw her off balance. He knew how strange his requests could seem. This night was going so well, he figured he would see if he could squelch another of his desires. Sandra laughed, almost spilling her drink.

"You have a naked woman in your house and you want to play Cribbage." She pointed her free hand at him. "You are a pleasantly strange man, Jayden." Jayden was thrown a little off balance. He was surprised at her candor and pleased that she didn't ask what Cribbage was. "I'll play, but it's been a few years. My brother and I played a lot when we were younger." Sandra gave him a mischievous smile. "I have every intention of kicking your ass." 

Jayden smiled while rubbing his hands together. "It's on. It is so ON!" Jayden was excited. It was rare he could get in a real game. He played online all the time, but it just wasn't the same. He was doubly happy he wouldn't have to teach the game. It felt like he had discovered a gold mine in Sandra. The perfect woman for his lifestyle. Part fantasy, part companion and no attachment. He headed to a drawer in the great room table and retrieved a rarely used Cribbage board. "Since it's been a while, I'll let you have the first deal." He said it quickly since he was anxious to get started. Sandra followed him into the great room.

"No freebies, we cut for deal." Sandra flashed back to the Cribbage wars she had with her brother. It went back and forth for years before they drifted apart. The memories were good ones and tonight was bringing them back. "Best three out of five, loser deals" She was proud it was coming back to her so quickly. 

Jayden won the first two games. He wasn't going to let up, but he really wanted Sandra to win at least one. Sandra knew she blew the first game. She had forgotten how to handle the pegging round which cost her quite a bit. She corrected that in the second game, which was much closer, but she still lost. Her mind was no longer on the job. It was focused solely on the game. Jayden wasn't a customer anymore, he was an opponent. 

Sandra eked out a victory in the third game. She would have lost had Jayden counted first. She didn't care why. She just relished the victory. Jayden was pleased the game would go on. With her victory, he could now win the match happily knowing they both had a bit of fun. He was shocked when she almost skunked him in the fourth game. If she had counted first, he would have been skunked. It was getting serious now. Sandra was no pushover and the smile on her face was just a bit too much for his taste.

"I think a wager is in order." Jayden decided to up the stakes. He wanted to make the game mean more than just the match. It would have to be something worth it to both of them. 

"I've seen your money clip." Sandra looked at him with a superior smile. "Losing the kind of money I could afford would be meaningless to you." She would be happy just winning the match. There was no way she was risking her pay on the game. 

"This is going to be for all the marbles." Jayden was getting hungry now. "Winner picks the take-out and chooses the movie." He was stretching into his fantasy again. A real relationship with shared simplicity.

'What a wonderfully strange man,' Sandra thought."You're on!" She had no idea what to do with her winnings. Sandra just knew she wanted to win. 

Half way into the game, Jayden realized he was getting his ass handed to him. Her luck was incredible and he seemed to misplay every pegging. He couldn't believe how the tables had turned. 

A buzzing from the kitchen attracted their attention. 'Fucking work,' Jayden thought to himself as he went to view the text. Only one entity knew the phone number so it could only be work. He tapped his code into the phone and read the text: 'XXOOOOO.' 'Someone had really pissed someone off,' he thought. It would be his best payday in a while so he couldn't turn the assignment down. He replied, 'Love ya.' Then he waited for the location. 'Evansville, IN' buzzed into his phone a moment later. It would be a long drive tomorrow. 'Best get started early,' he rationalized as he darkened his phone and returned, smiling, to the game. 

Sandra tried desperately to not smile when Jayden returned to the table. She so enjoyed winning, but she didn't want to gloat at a customer. She felt the muscles straining in her jaw as she dealt out the cards for the next hand. Jayden was semi-pleased with his cards. He had to drop a jack and five into her crib, but it preserved a double run, sevens through nine. If her hand and crib were weak, he may have a chance to come back. He cut the cards and Sandra turned a jack. Her luck wouldn't end as she added two more points. Pegging was inconsequential with Jayden scoring three and Sandra pegging two. Jayden smiled as he turned over his hand. 

"Twelve points, double run with two fifteens." He jumped his peg just shy of the skunk line. A nice count next turn would put him back in the running. He lost his smile when he looked at Sandra's straining face. She looked like she might explode as she dropped a double run of fives through seven. 

"Sixteen points, double run with four fifteens." Sandra could hardly get it out. She knew what she put in the crib and figured there was no way she could lose. A worried feeling began to grow in Jayden's stomach. He knew what he put in the crib and, with a jack turned, it didn't look good. She flipped the crib and nearly jumped out of her skin. Two jacks and two fives. Sandra was biting her lip and her face was starting to blush. Jayden kept looking at the cards wondering where the downfall began. He was skunked. He looked at Sandra.

"Go ahead, get it over with," Jayden grumbled with a flourish of his hands. Sandra jumped up and her robe opened as she spun around.

"I kicked your ass." She was adorable spinning in all her glory. "You thought you had me, but I kicked your ass." Gloating suited her. Jayden laughed at her happiness. For a brief moment he regretted the life he chose. He would have loved this night to be real.

"Enjoy your victory, Missy. It will be the last you ever see," Jayden teased as he headed to the kitchen. He was beginning to feel hunger pains. Rum and wine was about all he had today. He heard a whispered 'I kicked your ass' as he walked away. 'Maybe she should be paying me,' he wondered humorously to himself as he grabbed the stack of menus from the drawer. 

Jayden suffered through the Chinese take-out. He had no idea how Sandra deduced that it would be his last choice. There was no way he was going to admit it so he ate like he loved it. He felt Sandra's movie choice was also picked to hurt. A black and white fifties flick called "Sabrina" that he had never seen. Surprisingly, he liked that one. Audry Hepburn knew how to dress. Every outfit was perfect. Jayden only wished he could see the colors. He enjoyed the movie with Sandra snuggled in close. It was almost like they cared for each other. This was how he pictured his imaginary life.

They retired to the bedroom after the movie. Sandra knew what he wanted and she wanted to give it to him. She spooned into his back and placed her arm over his chest. 

"Good night, Lover," Debra whispered in his ear and lightly kissed his neck. Jayden smiled and closed his eyes.



The Job Pt. 02



Author's Note: This story was edited by Tim413413. His work was embarrassingly difficult. I actually think he spent more time on this than I did. Thank you sir!

*****

Sandra woke to the wonderful smell of coffee. She moved slowly before she realized she was alone in bed. The memories from last night flooded back and, judging by the brightness of the Sun breaking around the curtains, she had slept late. She donned the robe from last night and followed the smell of the coffee to the kitchen. The condo felt empty as she moved down the hallway.

Jayden was gone. There was a note on the counter next to the cash she hadn't touched. The coffee maker gave a friendly hiss as Sandra picked up the note.

I had to leave on business.

I don't know when I'll return.

Enjoy the coffee. There are fresh towels in the bathroom.

I'll call for a rematch when I'm back in town.

-J 

Sandra smiled. She couldn't believe the trust he had placed in her. She poured a cup of coffee and counted the wad of money for the first time. There was $2,500 in the stack. 'What a wonderfully strange man,' she said to herself. Sandra had never met anyone like Jayden. She was good at reading people and she knew she had only seen the surface. She wondered briefly what he did for a living. Her instincts kicked in and she decided she would rather not know. She remembered his confidence and how he carried himself. Jayden wasn't to be played with.

Sandra took a sip of the coffee and looked at the pot. The coffee had an incredibly good, woodsy flavor. She looked around the kitchen and spotted a glass jar filled with coffee beans. She lifted the lid and a wonderful smell hit her nose. There were obviously several types of beans in the jar. The beans didn't match the decor. The coffee reeked of hominess, but the rest of the condo smelled of hotel. She took the coffee into the great room and relaxed. 'I will enjoy the coffee,' she thought as she took another sip, 'and I will be back when you call.'

*****

Evansville was over a twenty hour drive. Jayden was debating whether to do it in one shot or stop in Chattanooga or Nashville on the way north. He knew if he stopped he would be a bit more functional the next day. It was always good to be at the top of your game. A lot fewer mistakes were made that way. On the other hand, with $500K at stake, time could be of the essence. When the numbers got this high, multiple contractors were the norm.

Jayden's usual fee was $100K a hit. The two targets indicated in the text must have really pissed off the powers that be to warrant $250K each. 'Fools,' he thought to himself. 'Why would anyone ever get involved with the syndicate and then try to screw them? They had to know the end results of their actions. They might as well paint targets on their backs.' Jayden had no sympathy for idiots who dug their own graves. He was good at what he did. Even criminal organizations had rules and Jayden enforced them. 

It was a well-thought-out arrangement. Jayden always remained separated from the people who hired him. Their mistakes, or his, wouldn't spill over into the other's world. He knew better than to think he was totally separate. One traitorous move and he would find himself as an "X" on someone else's phone.

Jayden was also a coffee expert. As far as the IRS was concerned, he was a high-paid coffee consultant. He had seen other's greed put them in jail and was adamant he wouldn't follow them. All of his paydays were funneled through Caravan Coffee as a fee for consulting services. Sure, he had to pay the US government over 30%, but, by doing so, they never looked deeper. All his money was accounted for as far as the IRS was concerned. Caravan Coffee had been a legitimate front for the syndicate for years. It was so clean the feds had never made the connection. How could it not be? It had thousands of outlets all over the country.

It was a good life. A couple of jobs a year was all it took to be financially secure. There weren't many professions where you could work a few weeks a year and vacation the rest. It did have the drawback of no family life. He could never mix innocents with his profession. They would always be at risk. A bargaining chip for those who meant to control him. No, he would have to be satisfied with hookers and skip the girlfriends.

His memory went back to last night. Sandra provided the best time he had had in years. Jayden was a little concerned she figured him out so quickly, but the results couldn't be denied. His favorite part was the loving kiss goodnight. What he wouldn't give for that to be real. No, he made his choice long ago. He could never risk taking a wife. Sandra now knew what he liked and he had to be happy with that. She seemed a little out of sorts at first, but after that brief start, the fantasy took hold and she steered it wonderfully. He wondered how he got so lucky with her Cribbage knowledge. Things just came his way sometimes.

If it wasn't for the weapons, he could have flown to Evansville. It was risky acquiring clean weapons and Jayden always limited his risks. It was much better having licensed equipment in the trunk and a carefree attitude in the front. Show your firearms license and a hunting permit and the cops wanted to talk about deer. There was no risk in hunting and no electronic trail the airlines created. Driving was the best method of travel in the US. It was also the most boring.

Jayden had tried audio books. He had tried spanning the radio frequencies. The only thing that really kept him alert was uninterrupted music. His tastes leaned toward the 60s and 70s, but newer sounds were always finding their way into his phone. A few tricks of modern networking had the sounds shuffling across his car stereo. Jayden was bouncing to "Panama Red" as he passed Gainesville on Interstate 75. It was a goofy song that made him feel good. When he felt good, time passed more quickly and that was important on a long drive.

Getting through the Macon/Atlanta connector was hell, as always. By the time Jayden neared Chattanooga, he knew it would be useless to continue. He had the stamina, but his mind would be less than one hundred percent if he continued to Evansville tonight. It was better to sleep it off and get an early start the next morning. Jayden only needed a bed and shower. There was no need to break the bank on comforts for a six-hour stay. A sign for a Days Inn promised what he was looking for so he pulled off the interstate. 

Check-in was quick and painless. They were used to late-night travelers and knew not to lengthen the process with too many pleasantries. He got the first floor room he wanted and parked near the entrance closest to his room. He was a little miffed when a beat up blue Mustang pulled in the slot next to him when the parking lot was basically empty. It was a pain getting out of the car when the door could only be opened half way.

A tall man, scruffy with tattoos running down one arm, exited the Mustang and slammed the car door. He turned to Jayden and gave him a dirty look, daring him to question his parking etiquette.

Jayden smiled and walked back to his trunk. He had no desire to get in a fight over parking spaces. He retrieved his overnight bag and headed to the door. Scruffy was there fumbling with his wallet, obviously looking for a key card. Jayden snickered at the twenty-something idiot. The tough act would have to wait now that he needed a favor.

"Ah, I left my card in the room with my girl. Mind letting me in?" Scruffy asked. He was about six inches taller than Jayden and about fifty pounds heavier. Jayden smiled at the apologetic look on the young man's face. It looked as phony as he sounded. It was nice to see Scruffy eat crow, though.

"Sure," Jayden said as he swiped his card. The idiot grabbed the handle and walked in. A polite man would have held the door for the arms-loaded favor-giver. Jayden smiled again, inwardly noting that Scruffy would never amount to much in life. Useless aggression only worked in sports and never in real life. He imagined Scruffy in his sixties, living in a rundown trailer and waiting impatiently for his next Social Security check. There was no need to waste energy on people like that.

Jayden got to room 129 and swiped his card. He noted that Scruffy was lightly knocking on 131. 'Damn my luck,' he thought, 'I hope this asshole isn't a night-owl.' Jayden entered his room and shut the door. He could hear the continued knocking and Scruffy begging for his other half to open the door. Jayden could only image what kind of hideous creature would be attracted to a jerk like that. 

Jayden pulled his toiletries out of the bag and transferred them to the bathroom. The knocking continued. He applied toothpaste to his toothbrush as the knocking became louder. A scowl began to form on his face. Of all the rooms the hotel had to offer, he got placed next to Scruffy. He began to brush. The knocking turned to pounding that rattled the mirror.

"Bitch! I know you're in there!" Scruffy shouted while he pounded on the door. "No one leaves me. Fucking open this door right now!"

"Fuck," Jayden chastised himself. The asshole didn't have a room. He was chasing after a girl. Maybe he should have wasted some time on Scruffy. He hated feeling guilty.

"Go away, Kyle!" The woman's shout came from inside the adjoining room. She sounded scared. Really scared. "We're leaving and you have to let us go." Jayden heard a loud crash and the sound of wood splintering. A child's scream echoed through the walls. Jayden entered combat mode. He moved quickly, opening the door and flipping the swinging bar guard out to hold the door open. A woman's cry permeated the hallway as Jayden closed the distance between the two doors. As he entered room 131, he assessed the situation and acted simultaneously.

Kyle was holding a crying, petite woman by the hair. Two small boys cowered behind a bed that contained a crying baby wrapped in cloth. There were enough suitcases lined up against the wall to indicate a permanent trip had been planned. Kyle's free arm was pulled back and his hand was balled into a fist. He was going to strike and Jayden wasn't going to let him. 

Continuing his forward momentum, Jayden grabbed Kyle's wrist in the iron grip of his left hand. Coming over the top, the full force of Jayden's right fist drove into the side of Kyle's neck, just under the jaw. There was an audible gasp from Kyle as he released his hold of the woman's hair. Jayden leaned his weight into the back of Kyle's right knee and Kyle dropped to a more manageable height. Jayden drove his knee into the right side of Kyle's diaphragm and heard a rib snap. Kyle was gasping and no longer a threat to anyone. Jayden grabbed him by his scruffy hair.

"You don't mind if I have a chat with Kyle?" he asked as he smiled at the frightened woman. She looked fairly young. The boys looked too old to be hers. She nodded her head and ran back to the children. Not wanting to do this in front of the kids, Jayden half-dragged Kyle back to room 129. Kyle was still trying to find his breath as Jayden leaned him over the bed and twisted the asshole's wrist the wrong way behind his back. Jayden knew what was needed. Pain wasn't enough. He reached into his overnight bag and withdrew his Colt and placed the barrel between Kyle's eyes.

Jayden asked Kyle, "Do you understand the type of man you're now dealing with?" Kyle's eyes were tearing. He was still having trouble breathing so he nodded his head. "If I ever see you again, you're dead," Jayden snarled as he pushed the barrel hard into Kyle's forehead. "If you ever go near that woman again, you're dead. I will not hesitate the next time." Jayden released Kyle and tossed his Colt back into the bag and took a step back.

Kyle stood slowly. His side felt like it got hit by a train. He looked through foggy eyes at the man, now unarmed, who took him down so easily. The man's eyes dared him to try something. Kyle knew he was outmatched. He coughed up a bit of blood and decided it was time to leave.

"Who needs the bitch?" Kyle sputtered as he backed out of the room and limped for the exit. Jayden knew Kyle wasn't coming back tonight. He would most likely look for easier targets to soothe his wounded ego. Jayden took a deep breath to slow the adrenaline pumping through his veins. He needed to look calm when he went back into the woman's room. The kids would be scared and need some reassurance that Kyle wouldn't return. How could anyone do that to kids? Jayden knew it happened all the time, but it was the first time he had seen it up close. Kids were precious to him and they should never experience that type of aggression. Once calmed, he headed back to the woman's room.

The woman and children were right where he had left them. The woman was in front of the boys, holding the baby. Her shoulder-length brown hair, with blond-tinted strands, was still askew from Kyle's hand. Her expression was one of fear as she stood guard in front of the children. She was visibility shaking. The oldest child, maybe five, poked his head around the woman and gave Jayden a weak smile. 

"Kyle decided to go home," Jayden said calmly. "He had a change of heart and thought it best to let you all go." He tried to sound reassuring. He didn't enter past the broken door frame so they wouldn't think him a threat.

"He'll be back ," the woman said with a weak voice. Jayden saw tears on her cheeks. He also noticed one of her teeth was chipped and she had a silver stud below her lower lip. She was a walking billboard for making wrong choices.

"Maybe, but not tonight he won't." Jayden smiled. His confidence radiated for the woman. She collapsed onto the bed with the baby and started crying. The boys stayed standing, staring at Jayden, not knowing what to do about the whole situation. Jayden sighed; sleep wasn't going to be much of an option tonight. He moved forward slowly and sat on the first of the two beds.

"My name is Jayden." He tried to sound friendly. He wasn't used to talking with kids. He wished he was, but life wasn't going to let him. "What are your names?" Jayden asked, gesturing at the two boys while trying to keep a happy face.

"I'm Sebastian and this is Tristan," the older boy answered while indicating his standing younger brother, "and Mommy's holding Xavier." Sebastian seemed anxious to talk with Jayden. Jayden was trying to put the pieces together. Sebastian looked a bit old to be the woman's son.

"And how old are you, Sebastian?" Jayden asked as Sebastian took a step forward. He didn't have the fear Jayden would have expected.

I'm five. I started school." Sebastian seemed proud of his accomplishment. Jayden smiled at the boy's pride.

"And what's Mommy's name?" Jayden asked, directing the question at the woman who had stopped sobbing. She sat back up and wiped her eyes. Sebastian moved closer to her, as an almost protective gesture.

"Marissa," the woman answered, wiping her nose and looking at Jayden. She was slender and didn't seem to have an ounce of fat on her. Jayden wondered how three kids came out of that body. He wanted to ask a slew of questions, but thought it would be a bit inappropriate with the kids around. 

"Those are some pretty nice names for your boys," Jayden commented. He was sure talking about the kids would be a neutral topic. "You can be pretty sure they will be unique when they hit school," Jayden continued.

Marissa smiled. "That's why I picked them." Marissa started to animate a bit. "I wanted them to be the only ones in their classes with those names," she added. Jayden could tell she had put a lot of thought into the names. She clearly loved her boys and that was all Jayden needed to know. 

"Shall we call the front desk and get you a room with a working lock?" Jayden asked. He wanted to move her out of the damaged room and try to salvage some sleep.

"You're leaving us?" Marissa asked as she scooped up the baby protectively. There was panic in her voice and eyes as she looked a Jayden.

"Kyle's not coming back, Marissa." Jayden emphasized the "not" so she would understand he had already taken care of Kyle.

"Okay," Marissa stuttered while visibly shaking again. She didn't believe a word he had said about Kyle. Both of the older boys were looking at their mother with blank expressions. Jayden sighed again.

"You can stay in my room tonight, but I only .." Marissa didn't let Jayden finish.

"Thank you, Jayden," she said and he saw relief wash across her face. Kyle really had her scared. Jayden wondered how she got that chipped tooth.

"I only have two beds," Jayden finished. He wasn't sure how they would all fit. Marissa was already putting Xavier in his stroller. She had no intention of letting Jayden back out of the offer.

"Xavier will sleep in the stroller," Marissa said as she started wheeling it toward the door. "The boys and I will share a bed." She smiled at Jayden and asked, "What's the room number?" Jayden smiled back pointing in the direction of room 129.

"Right next door," Jayden said. He was going to have a family for a night. Not quite the family his fantasies pictured, but a family all the same. He laughed at himself for not driving straight through to Evansville.

It took Marissa ten minutes to move her entire life into Jayden's room. Another fifteen minutes to get the kids tucked away before she sat down on the end of the bed and buried her head in her hands.

"It can't be all that bad," Jayden whispered. It sounded useless as soon as he said it. He looked at the kids and knew any problem she had was multiplied by three. 

"My cousin was supposed to pick us up," Marissa said with red eyes. "That was two days ago and now he isn't answering his phone. I'm running out of options." She waved her hands toward her children. "I fucked up my life and now I'm about to fuck up theirs. I have got enough money to stay two more days and that's if they don't charge me for that door."

"Look, I can loan you some cash to get yourself out of here," Jayden said. He was still feeling guilty for letting Kyle into the building. "You can get somewhere safe and divorce the bastard."

Marissa laughed more to herself than to Jayden. "He isn't my husband and certainly not any of the boys' father." She shrugged her shoulders. "He's just the latest in my long list of bad decisions. I met him outside Atlanta and spent a year trying to get away. My life is just one dirty snowball rolling downhill. If it weren't them," she glanced over at her children, "I'd be dead on some street corner by now. Had Sebastian when I was sixteen; another fine choice in boyfriends, that one." 

"Look, I can't stay here and neither can you," Jayden said. He needed to move on, but he didn't want to leave this family high and dry.

"I've got to stay here in case my cousin comes." Marissa buried her head in her hands again. "If not, I have to go back to Kyle so my kids can eat. Kyle will calm down after a while." Kyle would beat her nearly to death and Jayden knew it. He went too far with his threats and Kyle would take it out on her. There was no way Jayden would let her end up back there.

"Look, I'm going north. I can drop you off in Nashville or somewhere else and I'll loan you enough money to give you time to think," Jayden said. He couldn't stay in contact for long, but he could give her a few months to think up new options. He already knew Kyle was a bad option. Marissa rose from the bed and took Jayden's hand in hers. She led him to the bathroom and closed the door.

Marissa looked Jayden in the eye and said, "If you help me take care of my boys you can have me every night, any way you want." He was flabbergasted. Jayden had never seen such desperation. No wonder she ended up with slimeballs.

"Marissa, I would be your worst decision." Jayden tried to say it nicely. "You will only find assholes with offers like that." There was no way he would risk those boys' lives by exposing them to his profession. There was also no love here. What was a family without love?




The Job Pt. 02



"Assholes that feed my kids." Marissa was moving closer to Jayden. "I can't work with a baby and the two others. I can make you happy though." Jayden placed his hands on her shoulders to stop her advance.

"We aren't doing this, Marissa," Jayden said firmly. Marissa pushed harder for a moment then sank down and sat on the toilet. "I'm sorry; I just can't use you like that." He thought back and realized this was the first time he had ever refused a woman sex. This was truly a strange pit stop. Marissa's shoulders slumped and she looked at the floor.

"I don't know what else to do," Marissa said despondently. "I've got nothing but sex to offer. No money. No property. Only sex and a never-ending pile of problems." She started to cry again as she looked up at Jayden. "And now men don't want sex from me." Jayden wasn't sure which direction to go with that statement. He decided to be blunt.

"If you want to be a hooker, I'm sure you'd be great at it and make fortune," Jayden sighed. "I'd be your first customer. If you're looking for a father for your kids then you need someone to love. If there isn't love there, your boys will end up suffering the most." He took a deep breath. "I can buy you some time, that's the best I can do." He was exasperated because he was getting in much deeper than he should. 

"How much?" Marissa asked as she wiped her eyes.

"How much will I loan you?" Jayden was confused.

"I won't take a loan I can't pay back," Marissa stated, standing up. "How much for me tonight? You will be my first customer." She reached down and pulled her shirt off over her head. Across her stomach was an artistic tattoo rendering of her first two children's names. She was wearing a stretch athletic bra over her smallish breasts. Jayden wondered how three children could have come from such a slim belly.

"I don't see Xavier's name," Jayden said, trying to give himself time to think.

"Haven't had time yet," Marissa said as she reached across her breasts and pulled the sport bra over her head. Two adorable handful-sized breasts bounced back and pointed proudly at Jayden. "Probably have to go down the arm." She started to undo her jeans and Jayden knew he was running out of time.

"I really didn't mean you should be a hooker," Jayden said without much conviction. "I was just making a comparison." Marissa was a very enticing little package. He watched her lower her jeans leaving her in only white panties.

"Kyle will beat me, then fuck me." She put her fingers inside the elastic of her panties. "You will pay me, then fuck me. Not much of a choice there." She lowered her panties to the floor. She had the cutest shaved pussy Jayden had ever seen. He felt himself getting aroused and hated himself for it.

"I'll just give you the money," Jayden said, hoping she would agree. His dick was hoping she would decline. This time he didn't stop her approach.

She pulled up to him, chest to chest, and whispered, "No handouts. How much?" Marissa smiled through her red eyes. She had been selling herself for a lot less for many years. Jayden's statements just drove it home. It was time she took control and got real pay for services rendered. Jayden surrendered.

"Two thousand for the night." Jayden wanted to make sure she had enough time to think about the future before she committed to this course permanently. Marissa dropped her hand down to the inside of his thigh and slowly raised it 'til it wrapped around his growing erection. 

"It's customary to pay the lady up front," Marissa said and smiled as she gave him a soft kiss on the neck. She was playing it to the hilt. She felt safe with Jayden. She secretly hoped she could please him enough to make him stay with her. She wasn't sure love was as important as security.

"It's in my bag," Jayden said and nodded at the door. Marissa released him with a giggle, trying to make a "ssh" sound with her finger on her lips. He snuck out the door and quietly brought his travel bag into the bathroom. The boys didn't move a muscle. He re-closed the door and fished for his cash. He chastised himself as he pushed the Colt to the bottom of the bag. 'What kind of man leaves a loaded gun alone in a room with kids?' he thought and vowed to be more diligent when it involved children. He found the money clip he had tossed in the bag earlier and peeled off twenty hundreds and handed them to Marissa. She smiled as she took the money. She had never held that much cash at any one time in her life. She lifted her jeans and stuffed the wad into the pocket.

"I am yours 'til the sun rises," Marissa said and moved back into him. Both her hands went to this belt and removed it deftly. She untucked his shirt and began unbuttoning. Jayden leaned back against the sink, letting her undress him. He just overpaid a novice hooker for a night of sex in an eight-by-eight motel bathroom. He reached over and locked the door. This was going to be for mature eyes only. 

Marissa enjoyed being in control. She could see and feel Jayden's desire and knew he had tried to fight it. She had power over him now and it was strangely exhilarating. Her past experiences always had her on her back being pounded quickly. Jayden paid to have her and she knew he preferred her to have him. Marissa finished the last button and removed his shirt. She stroked his chest, feeling the tight coils of thin muscles that had so easily handled Kyle. She had never seen Kyle so submissive, so beaten and Jayden had done it so quickly. It scared her for a moment, knowing that he could do the same to her. She looked up into his eyes and found them closed in lust, a happy grin on his face. His violence was so controlled and practiced.

Marissa swept her hands slowly down his sides, kissing down his torso as she dropped to her knees. Jayden scooted his butt off the sink to help her pull his pants down. His cock sprang to attention as she lowered his boxers. 'Kyle would have to be angry to get that hard,' Marissa thought, smiling as she softly caressed Jayden's cock. She marveled at how hard it had become just from seeing her naked. She heard a quiet moan and looked up into his eyes. He was watching her stroke his hard-on. He wasn't trying to force her head down or flipping her over to be used. The tremors she felt in his legs were due to her caresses and nothing more.

When Marissa slowed she could feel his body trying to beg for more. She could feel its satisfaction when she increased the pressure. She saw, on the head, a clear drop of pre-cum voicing his need; telling her she was doing it perfectly. There were no vile words, no pulling of her hair, just quiet submission to her hand. She moved closer and cleared away his drip teasingly with her tongue. She felt a shudder travel through his entire body.

"Oh God... Marissa." Jayden's reaction surprised her. He made no move to use her harder, but she knew his need was intense. She had never met a man so in control. She put him in her mouth and used her tongue around the head. He moaned louder and his legs stiffened a bit. She felt his hand move to her head. Marissa braced herself for the gagging she knew was coming. 'All men reached a breaking point; Jayden just took longer,' she thought.

Jayden was in a special part of a personal heaven. Marissa was so tender it felt closer to tickling. He was straining to not lose it early, to enjoy it for as long as possible. It brought memories back of the first times in high school when he and his girlfriend didn't know what felt good and what would hurt. It felt like Marissa was discovering a man for the first time. When her lips engulfed his cock, the feeling was exquisite. He placed his hand on the side of her head and caressed behind her ear. He had to let her know how wonderful it felt.

Tears formed in Marissa's eyes and her lips caressed his cock. There was no gagging, no "take it, you whore." Jayden's hand was so tender; it felt so loving as he stroked her neck in satisfaction. She took more of him down, desperately wanting to make him happy. She heard him groan and knew he loved what she was doing.

Jayden couldn't hold out much longer. He was moments away and wasn't sure Marissa would want it in her mouth. "Honey, I am going to cum," he whispered as he dropped his hand to her shoulder and pushed lightly to let her know it was time.

Tears were flowing down Marissa's cheeks. Jayden was warning her. Letting her pull off and not fill her mouth. He was letting it be her choice. There was no way his seed would find the floor. This man would finish in her. She would give all of herself to him tonight. She placed her hands behind the small of his back and pulled him deeper. She felt Jayden's hips begin to jerk and his cock spasmed in her mouth. His hand squeezed her shoulder as he came. Each shot was accompanied by an involuntary moan of pleasure as he filled her mouth. Marissa swallowed his cum as fast as he delivered it. Not because she had to, but because she thought it might please him more. Spitting seemed like rejection and she didn't want him to have that impression.

Jayden's orgasm subsided slowly. Marissa was still massaging his cock with her warm mouth when reality returned to him. He took a deep breath to slow his heart and chuckled as he remembered the pleasant intensity she had caused. Her tongue tickled the end of his cock and it jumped a bit at the growing sensitivity. He laughed as he carefully lifted her to her feet.

"Marissa that was wonder..." Jayden saw the tears. He wondered if he had gone too far. Why did he mention the hooker thing? Marissa looked so distraught. He thought she was ruined.

"That was so beautiful," Marissa said through her tears. Jayden was shocked. That was supposed to be his line. That was her gift to him, not the other way around. He wrapped his hands carefully around her face.

"What kind of men have you been with?" Jayden's question was rhetorical. He now knew exactly the slime she had known. He pulled her close and enveloped her in his arms. Her skin felt good against his.

Marissa couldn't believe Jayden was holding her. He had cum and now he was hugging her. His closeness felt so good. She hugged him in return. She knew he wasn't done with her. He was concerned and she felt it. Sex meant something different to him than the other men she knew. It was a shared experience for him and it didn't feel like a duty to her. She reluctantly separated.

"Has a man ever taken care of you like you just did for me?" Jayden asked with a sly smile on his face. He secretly hoped Marissa said no. There is nothing more erotic than seeing a woman's first oral orgasm. He also felt she needed some tender loving care.

"No. I thought men think it's gross," Marissa said with an air of curiosity. "I'm not sure I would like someone down there." Jayden's smile deepened. There was no way he was going to be functional in Evansville unless he got some sleep and there was no way he was going to bed now. Evansville would have to wait one more day. Marissa was about to have a life-altering experience and Jayden was going to have the pleasure of delivering it.

Jayden grabbed Marissa by the hips and hoisted her up on the counter next to the sink. She realized what was happening and closed her legs. She was scared that she would be smelly and disgust him. She didn't want him thinking of her that way. Jayden didn't try to force her legs apart or even caress them apart. He just smiled and stepped back. If Marissa wanted to play at being a hooker, then she had to go all the way. He placed his hands on his hips.

"Who's the customer here?" he reminded her and smiled, then indicated with his hand that she should spread her legs. Marissa was shocked the tables had turned. She had lost control, but he wasn't being physically forceful. Hesitantly, she spread her legs a bit. She looked away, wishing the lights weren't so bright.

"You'll have to do better than that," Jayden intoned. Marissa bit her lower lip and spread her legs farther apart. Embarrassment began to redden her face. She was ugly down there and now Jayden would know. Jayden laughed inwardly at her blush. Women would never understand a man's desire. Marissa's pussy was adorable and she had no idea.

"You are one gorgeous woman," Jayden said, trying to embed as much lust as possible. Marissa relaxed her legs a bit at the compliment. She didn't understand how anyone would find that part of her pretty. Jayden moved closer and caressed her ankles as he slowly lifted her feet to the counter. This splayed her even more which brought a few more shades of red to Marissa's face. She felt utterly exposed as Jayden knelt before her, his face only inches from her sex. 

Jayden started by kissing the insides of her milky soft thighs. The first signs of motherhood were there. Barely visible stretch marks were evident starting at her groin and running down the inside of her thighs. He kissed them tenderly, knowing they were caused by three miracles.

Marissa shivered, once again wishing the lights were dimmer. She knew the marks her children had left. She couldn't believe Jayden wasn't disgusted by them. Men loved flawless skin. It was a well known fact.

Jayden smiled when his eyes went back to the tattoos across her stomach. He traced Sebastian's name with his finger. 'Brilliant,' he thought. There were probably more stretch marks camouflaged behind the tattoos. What an endearing way to hide the evidence. He kissed her belly, trying to imagine what it was like when she was near term. It had to look wonderful on such a small frame.

Marissa was in a panic. She had no idea what Jayden was doing. He was kissing her awful stretch marks and was now playing with the small bulge that was her tummy. She was getting more self-conscious by the moment. She tried to inch away but there was no room on the counter to move. 

Jayden moved his lips lower and took in her scent. It was a young musky odor that was more than enticing. Her body was betraying her hesitation. It was letting him know it was ready for him to continue. He bent in and lightly kissed the top of her pussy, right over the tiny hood. He heard a gasp from Marissa as he continued to kiss downward. The lips were a bit puffier than when he had begun and Jayden liked the response. He tentatively gave a little lick where the bottom of her sex had opened slightly. Another gasp and a wonderful oily, sweet flavor coated his tongue. He looked up at her face and saw her head leaned back against the mirror. Marissa's eyes were closed. He couldn't tell if it was lust or fear the way her legs were twitching.

Jayden had his mouth down there. That was all Marissa could think about. How could anyone want to do that? She couldn't deny the warmth that was spreading in her pussy and around her thighs. When he kissed her sex, she gasped and leaned her head back to the mirror. She closed her eyes wondering when it would end and if she wanted it to. When he licked her, she involuntarily gasped in surprise and the flood of warmth increased. She began to be concerned she would have to pee.

Jayden licked his index finger and gently searched for her opening. He started low and slowly followed up between her lips. Marissa was warm and very wet inside. He circled her opening and licked above his finger. He received a low moan in response and slowly inserted his finger into her well-lubricated channel. Her pussy clamped down as he curled his finger upward, looking for what would please her the most. Her legs began to shake as he massaged the top of her channel with little swirls from his finger tip.

"Jayden, I think I have to pee," Marissa warned him. Jayden smiled. He had heard that description before. She was about to have an orgasm. By the sound of her desperation, it would be her first. He moved the flat of his tongue to the bottom of her hooded clit and dragged his tongue slowly across it. He heard a series of sharp intakes of breath and no exhales followed. He continued to massage her insides as he tortured her exposed clit.

Marissa had warned him. It was all she could do. Her body was approaching something different and she was losing control. The electricity kept climbing from her pussy up her back and warming her thighs. She felt his tongue and finger join through her skin and the feelings increased. Her clit was on fire and the urge to pee was great. She reached down to push him out of the way when a wave exploded through her groin and her hips shot up. She heard a low groan she barely recognized as her own. Her body exploded in pure pleasure. Instead of pushing his head, she grabbed it and pulled it in tighter. Another wave washed away all pain and every muscle in her body clamped tight. Jayden's tongue was all over her clit, sending electricity to every extremity. A bigger wave hit and the pleasure intensified. He had to stop, she couldn't take it any more. Every touch of his tongue bordered between ecstasy and ticklish pain.

Jayden rode out her orgasm with delight. Marissa hadn't even realized she was squeezing his head between her thighs. He knew she had reached hyper-sensitivity, but still he teased her clit. He was proud of her response and how he had achieved it. He finally let her push his head away when he knew she couldn't take it anymore. Marissa was panting on the counter, her hands guarding her sex as he moved back.

"What did you do to me?" Marissa asked between deep breaths. Jayden helped her lower her legs since they seemed to be slightly cramped from being in the awkward position.

"Nothing more than you did for me," Jayden said and laughed as Marissa continued to recover. He helped her stand on her very wobbly legs. He got a glimpse of some uncomfortable looking red spots on her butt. There was a reason most sex occurred in a bed.

"No wonder guys want it all the time," Marissa enthused, shaking her legs trying to get them back to normal. "I didn't know that could happen to me. I mean, it was decadent and heavenly all at the same time." She smiled and smacked Jayden's shoulder. "And then you tortured me at the end. It felt like a thousand feathers tickling one spot, you beast."

Jayden laughed again. "Sex is supposed to be fun. If it isn't fun you're doing it wrong," he said as he thought, 'Wisdom from a pervert.'

"You liked it as much as I did," Marissa said as she smiled and pointed between Jayden's legs. He hadn't noticed how excited he got watching Marissa travel through her personal heaven. He usually didn't bounce back so quickly. 

She directed him to sit on the toilet and straddled his legs. He was about to mention the condoms in his bag when her warmth covered his manhood. She was tighter than he expected. "Protection?" Jayden grunted as she lowered herself completely.

"I'm on the pill," Marissa moaned as she rose back up. Jayden grabbed her hips and scooted his butt out a bit to make it easier. He prayed Kyle wasn't fucking everything in sight as his dick overrode his reason. She was going slowly and purposefully. He could feel her grinding on the downstroke.

Marissa loved the feelings Jayden had awakened. She didn't know sex could feel that good. As she rode him, she shifted her weight and ground her pelvis into his. She found she could guide his cock to sensitive areas inside her by shifting her hips. Areas she was unaware of just moments ago. When his pelvis and hers met, the combination was extremely pleasurable.

"Are you sure you won't stay with me?" Marissa smiled, her hands around the back of his neck for support. She could see the pleasure in his eyes. She stopped moving when he didn't answer.

"Blackmail is it?" Jayden smiled, trying to get his hips to generate more of the lovely friction. Marissa laughed and started moving again. She loved that he wanted her right now.

"If I thought it would work, I would do it." Marissa smiled in return, feeling the heat beginning to grow again. It was exciting knowing she could help it along.




The Job Pt. 02



"I can't stay, Marissa." Jayden moved his hands up to her breasts and enjoyed the pillow-like softness topped with hard nipples. "I'll get you somewhere safer and you'll have some time to work out a better plan," he said as she started grinding into him a bit harder.

"Damn, you're built for me," Marissa managed to say between breaths, "we fit together so well." Her hips were starting to jerk harder. She could feel those wonderful sensations growing again. This time she controlled the electric jolts. Jayden was giving little groans each time she ground into him. The feeling was good, but the lust in Marissa's face made it great. He dropped his hand back to her hips and helped her grind. He was nearing his tolerance of bliss.

Marissa felt the beginnings again. She recognized it for what it was and relished her impending release. It seemed so much easier this time. She pushed her forehead to his and, breathing deeply, said, "Cum with me." That request was all Jayden could take. He exploded in Marissa as her body stiffened and began to shake. They groaned into each other and shared a most intimate embrace.

Marissa opened her eyes, inches from his. She smiled as he opened his. "My opinion of sex has been greatly improved," she said and kissed his forehead. She dismounted him and the toilet. She reached into the shower and started the water. Jayden grabbed a hand towel and started to clean up the mess in his lap. When Marissa judged the water to be warm enough, she took Jayden's hand and led him in. 

"You're my last customer," Marissa said, washing Jayden's back. "I could never be a hooker. My kids are screwed up enough." Jayden turned around and looked at her. She was a bit more confident than earlier. He felt it was more the familiarity than any real change.

"I'm going to give you more money," Jayden said and shrugged his shoulders. "If you don't take it, I'll give it to Sebastian and he is bound to lose it." He smiled and stroked her wet face.

"You're a strange man, Jayden." Marissa accepted his caress and wished it was more. Jayden had an aura of security surrounding him. She could easily wrap herself in it and live happily. Love had little attraction to people who merely wanted to survive. "I'll take the money only because Sebastian would lose it." She smiled at her temporary savior as he took the soap from her hands and began to wash her.

*****

Way too early, reality broke into Jayden's dreams. A terrible song about a square-panted sponge was blaring on the TV and someone was bouncing on his bed. Marissa was trying desperately to retrieve the remote control from Tristan as Sebastian was doing his best to wake Jayden. It was like a mini zoo in the room. Jayden found the whole scene enchanting. This is what it would be like to be a father. Boredom would be at a premium and he would never wake up alone.

Marissa was mouthing "I'm sorry" to him. He smiled and waved his hand in a "just forget it" gesture. He looked at the clock and saw it was almost six o'clock. It was Sunday so the complimentary breakfast wouldn't open 'til seven. Jayden sat up and stacked his pillows so he could watch.

"So what's a Sponge Bob, Sebastian?" Jayden thought it would be a simple question requiring a simple answer from a five-year-old. It turned out that Sebastian was a connoisseur of all things Sponge Bob. Jayden was impressed how much knowledge could fit in his young brain. Every now and then Sebastian would take time to breathe and Jayden would ask him to clarify an earlier statement. The boy didn't miss a beat and expounded greatly on any topic Jayden seemed interested in.

Marissa was spoon-feeding Xavier some strained peas, thankful Jayden was holding the older boys' attention. Jayden looked like he was enjoying himself. She couldn't believe he could look so interested in Sebastian's babbling for so long. Tristan had crawled onto the bed and shared Jayden's pillow. Every now and then Tristan would help Sebastian remember some episode or character's name. It wasn't long before seven o'clock rolled around.

"Who's hungry?" Jayden asked in a cheerful manner. The two boys jumped up insisting they were starving to death. Jayden smiled at the frazzled Marissa who was dealing with a less-than-pleasant diaper. "I'm taking these men for some food," Jayden told Marissa. "What would you like us to bring back for you?"

Marissa looked a bit surprised at the reprieve Jayden was offering. "Ah, maybe some juice and coffee. Some kind of danish and maybe fruit if they have any." 

Jayden smiled and looked at the boys. "We have work to do," Jayden said, rounding up the boys and herding them down the hall. The incessant jabbering dissipated as the door closed. Marissa was alone with her baby. She shut off the TV and curled up on the bed with Xavier.

"That's a wonderfully strange man," Marissa said to Xavier as she caressed his little feet. He responded to his mother with a goofy smile. "Yes he is...Yes he is," she giggled as she played with her baby.



The Job Pt. 03



Author's Note: This story was edited by Tim413413. His work was embarrassingly difficult. I actually think he spent more time on this than I did. Thank you sir!

*****

Packing up children was another new experience for Jayden. They were so small and had only been up for a few hours, but had generated mountains that needed repacking. The smaller they were, the more work they created. Jayden was ready in five minutes. Xavier took twenty. The inverse relationship amazed Jayden. Marissa took it in stride and packed them away in reverse age order. Her hardest task was making sure the older boys didn't start unpacking again. 

It was 8:30 before they were finally exiting the room. Marissa was thinking that Jayden really helped speed things up. Jayden couldn't imagine the departure being any slower. He saw how much slower it could go when they finally exited the hotel.

Jayden stood before his car and thought back to what he had told Kyle. Kyle was not supposed to go near Marissa or Jayden again. Jayden did not specifically tell Kyle not to knife his car's tires. Jayden dropped the bags he was carrying and burst out laughing. Marissa was in shock and slightly afraid that Jayden would cut his losses and leave her at the curb. She didn't find anything funny about the situation. 

"I'm so sorry, Jayden," Marissa said as she checked the other side of the car. "I can't believe he did this."

Jayden met her on the other side and verified that Kyle had gotten all four tires. "It's not your fault," Jayden said, still chuckling. He couldn't believe he didn't follow Kyle out last night. Kyle's ego just wouldn't let him pass up the opportunity to even the score. "Well, we have tires to fix. I'll see if anyone at the front desk knows where to go," Jayden stated, heading to the office with Sebastian and Tristan in tow. 

Marissa created a seat out of a suitcase and waited with Xavier. She had begun to think things were getting better. She chastised herself for getting her hopes up so high. Problems always slammed her back to earth. This was just another lesson to help her harden her heart. Some people were just not allowed to be happy. Marissa was one of them and she needed to learn to live with it. 

Jayden returned with the boys about twenty minutes later. "A Doug Molson is coming with a flat bed," Jayson said and sat down next to Marissa on another suitcase. "He owns a tire shop not far from here. It took a while to find him since he's normally closed on Sunday," Jayson continued as the boys began balancing on the parking block next to the car. "One of the clerks is related somehow. Says he's a straight shooter and works quickly." 

"I've really screwed up your day," Marissa said, resigned to sadness. Jayden pulled her head to his shoulder.

"I don't regret any of it," Jayden whispered in her ear. "Parts of it were pretty wonderful." He chuckled, "I have to remember to thank Kyle next time I see him." Marissa gave him half a smile, not really seeing how he could ignore all the problems. She knew he secretly couldn't wait to be rid of her and her kids. 

>>>>

A large red twin cab flatbed truck pulled into the lot. Molson Tire and Auto was emblazoned on the side. The operator rolled down the window and inquired, "You Jayden?" Jayden nodded and gave him a little wave. The door opened and a young lanky guy with dusty brown hair and a big smile dismounted. His overalls looked like they had seen better days, but he looked clean cut. He boldly held his hand out to Hayden and proclaimed, "Doug Molson." Jayden took his hand and felt the confidence behind it. "Looks like you made an enemy," Doug said, looking at the four flats on Jayden's car. 

"I was hoping you could fix them today or tow us to someone who can," Jayden said, a little concerned about Molson being closed on Sunday.

"I'm sure I can get you back on the road in a couple of hours," Doug said as he was looking for the best way to align his truck. "Between you and me, I can use the money," he smiled at the statement like it was a private joke. "You can ride with me and leave from my shop," Doug said as he headed back to the cab. Doug thought he had enough room to back up to the car and draw it up without having to reposition the car. 

"Doug, I have mother and three kids with me," Jayden stated, pointing at Marissa and the pile of suitcases off to the side. Doug turned and stared at Marissa and the confidence seemed to leave his face. 

"Ah..well..ah," Doug practically stuttered then looked at Jayden. "Load the suitcases in the car." His confidence returned. "The cab has a back seat so everyone will fit. I'll align the truck and we'll pull it up." He continued to the cab.

Jayden moved toward Marissa to begin loading the suitcases. "You know him?" he queried as he grabbed the first one and popped the trunk. 

"No, never seen him before," Marissa responded. She was also a little concerned about Doug's reaction to her. The two boys began grabbing the smaller suitcases and pulling them toward Jayden. He waited patiently for the boys to struggle the suitcases closer and loaded them with a smile. Marissa wondered how he got them to work without saying a word. One of the suitcases wasn't going to fit and ended up in the back seat. 

Doug had the car secured on the flatbed in another five minutes. He was obviously very practiced at the art of towing. There didn't seem to be any wasted movement in the whole process. Jayden liked the efficiency and was more confident in his decision to let the clerk call a relative. 

Doug moved to the cab and opened the back door. He looked at Tristan and Sebastian. "Think you guys can climb this high?" He smiled at the boys, making it sound like an adventure. Both of them came running and began the short climb one by one. Doug's hand, unseen by the boys, was secretly placed behind their backs in case they fell. Luckily it wasn't necessary. 

Marissa followed the boys to the cab with Xavier in her arms. Doug suddenly became uncomfortable trying to help Marissa in the cab. Marissa finally placed Xavier safely on the seat and climbed up without assistance. Doug was staring at the ground as she climbed, his face a bit redder than a moment ago. Marissa thought he was a little weird and raised her guard a bit. 

Doug felt like a fool. He had always had trouble talking with women he didn't know. If they were pretty like Marissa, it was doubly difficult. He cursed himself inwardly and tried to concentrate on the job at hand. He needed every job he could get. Doug hated to see someone get his tires slashed, but this was how he earned his living and he wasn't going to pass it up. 'Time and a half,' he thought to himself. It was Sunday and he could certainly use the extra cash. He climbed into the driver's seat and Jayden climbed into the passenger seat. 

It was a five minute drive to the three building complex that was Molson Tire and Auto. A glass front on one of the buildings was layered with advertising and was obviously the customer entrance. Off to the side was another building with a connected series of four garage doors. This looked like where the real work was done. Another building in the back had the look of a small warehouse. Surrounding the buildings was a very large tract of vacant land. 

Doug backed up to the first garage door and looked over to Jayden. "We have a waiting room for your wife and kids," he stated, pointing at the customer entrance. 

Jayden chuckled. "That would be fine." He hopped out of the cab and helped the boys and Marissa out of the truck. Doug was already unlocking the door to the customer building. He lead them to the waiting room turning on lights along the way. The room was set up with comfortable seats and a Lego table the boys gravitated to immediately. Doug smiled at the boys as they began to build. Doug had always loved Legos and made sure the table was well stocked with many colors and shapes. It made him happy to watch kids enjoy themselves. He had fond memories of creating worlds with his dad. They had spent hours together playing with the magic blocks. Sadly, Doug grew up. 

Marissa moved a bit closer to the boys. She put herself between them and Doug. She was a bit concerned at the way Doug was looking at them. She knew something wasn't quite right with him. Doug got flustered as Marissa moved into view and moved hesitantly to a coffee machine that was off to the side. 

"I can start a pot of coffee." Doug looked back a Marissa and then his eyes dropped to the floor. "I mean, if you would like some," he said weakly, forcing his eyes back up, "or not." He hated himself right then. 

"No thank you," Marissa said and forced a smile. Doug looked away quickly and headed back to the truck. Jayden chuckled at Doug's awkwardness. Doug was highly confident until he was faced with a woman. Marissa gave Jayden a questioning look, seeming to try to get his impression of Doug. She was very happy she wasn't alone with Doug. Jayden just smiled and shrugged his shoulders. He could sense Doug wasn't any kind of threat. He also knew Doug wasn't stupid, his coffee machine was advertising Caravan Coffee's Breakfast blend. Jayden followed Doug out the door.

Doug had the car up on lift in no time. Jayden watched as Doug quickly removed the wheels with the pneumatic wrench. Doug looked at the threads on the tires and then up to Doug.

"I should be able to patch these. It looks like you would get another 5,000 miles out of them." Doug shrugged his shoulders. "If you want, I can also fix you up with a new set." Jayden examined the treads pretending he knew what he was looking for. Doug seemed honest enough and 5,000 miles didn't seem like a lot. 

"Which would get me on the road quicker?" Jayden thought he would use "time" to make the determination. 

Doug stated, "New tires will be quicker, but about $800 more." Doug took another look at the tires. "I suspect it would cost about $120 to patch the set." Jayden thought about the cash he had already given Marissa. He hated to leave a trail, but this was an emergency and he was getting low on cash..

"If you take plastic, I'll take the new tires," Jayden stated and smiled. At least he wouldn't have to worry about them again for a long time. 

Doug smiled back. "Let's get going then." He walked out of the garage and headed to the warehouse building. Jayden followed. Doug couldn't believe his luck. It was rare for a tow to end with a high-ticket sale. 

"So how long have you owned Molson Tire and Auto?" Jayden inquired. He felt like talking instead of following like a mute. 

"It's been in my family for three generations." Doug unlocked the warehouse door. "I inherited it when my parents passed a few years back." He flipped on the lights and a sea of tires on the right side of the building appeared. "I grew up a grease monkey." He grabbed a flatbed hand cart and moved knowingly toward the racked tires. 

"Looks like you got a lot of land around here," Jayden opined as he watched Doug grabbing tires and piling them on the hand cart. 

"Yeah, I own most of the surrounding land and the big old house on the hill," Doug replied as pointed to the north when he described the house. "At least for now." He laughed at himself. "Might have to sell some land so I can afford to keep what's left."

"Business kind of slow?" Jayden realized Doug had no problem discussing his life. 

"Getting chewed up by the chains," Doug replied as he began to push the hand cart toward the door. "It's hard to compete with all that TV advertising." He exited the door and turned to lock it after Jayden exited. "One of them tried to buy me out, but I just couldn't see the family name being removed right now. It was kind of important to my pop, so it's important to me." He laughed again. "I got too much house, too much land and not near enough business." He looked over at Jayden. "Needless to say, I really appreciate your business." 

"That's your house?" Jayden asked while looking at a large two story sitting about a quarter mile away on top of a hill blanketed with old trees. 

Doug answered, "Yep. At one time we had three generations living there." Doug's expression got a bit somber. "Now it's just me." He continued to the garage. "Kind of a pain in the ass, that house. I wish I had more time to keep it up. Lots of memories, you know."

Wheels were turning in Jayden's head. He saw Doug as a good man. He saw Marissa as a good woman. If he left Marissa in some hotel, there was a possibility she would end up with another Kyle. Doug had a big house he was having trouble managing and Marissa needed a place to stay with her family. It pleased Jayden to think Kyle's childish tire slashing could result in a stable situation for Marissa. There were a couple of hurdles to get over first. 

"You have trouble talking with ladies?" Jayden hated to be blunt, but Doug was highly efficient and might have them on the road before Jayden could lean the conversation toward his proposal. 

"I guess it's kind of obvious," Doug sighed and forced a laugh. "I hope I didn't make your wife uncomfortable." 

Jayden responded, "She's not my wife." It was Jayden's turn to laugh. "I'm just helping her out. She got stuck in an abusive relationship and I kind of unstuck her. Her ex is a violent man and I'm trying to make sure she doesn't have to end up back there." 

"Who would want to hurt her?" Doug looked shocked. He couldn't believe anyone would want to hurt such a pretty woman. She had kids. You never hurt a woman with children. 

"A jerk by the name of Kyle. The same guy who sliced my tires," Jayden said, trying to set it up quickly. "He was going to hit her in front of the children." Doug's face went from shock to anger. He didn't even realize he had stopped working. 

"I can't even imagine that kind of evil!" Doug's hands were animated. "Those boys are so young and she has a baby. There's special places in hell for people like that." Doug wondered if he could have stopped Kyle. He had never really been in a fight. 

"I have to agree with that," Jayden responded and nodded his head. "I'm trying to find a place she can lay low for a while and get her head together. She doesn't have a lot of options right now. Not a lot of places would accept a young mother with three kids." Jayden looked down at the ground in defeat. He could see the wheels turning in Doug's head. 

"I got a big house." Doug blushed at his proposal. "I mean, I got plenty of room. If she would take care of the house, she could stay for free for as long as she needs." Just talking about Marissa made him nervous. Jayden could see it in his face. That would need to change. 

"You're kidding? You would take them in?" Jayden asked, already knowing the answer. But he thought it best to emphasize the gesture Doug was making. 

"Yes!" Doug answered adamantly. It would be good for him, he thought. He needed to do something other than work and he would also love having some boys under foot. He had been going home to that empty house for years now. It suddenly struck Doug that Marissa may not feel the same way. Women never really liked being around him since he made them feel uncomfortable. Doug lost his confidence. "I mean, do you think she would? I don't think she would want to." He stuttered out the last part. 

"Let me go talk with her," Jayden chuckled and patted him on the back. "Not many guys would be willing to do this, Doug. You've got my vote for man of year." Jayden headed out of the garage, hoping he could convince Marissa. Doug wasn't as sure that a pretty lady like Marissa would want anything to do with him. 

>>>>

"So what do you think of Doug Molson?" Jayden queried, while sitting down next to Marissa. They were watching the boys building some Lego structure and only Sebastian and Tristan knew its true function. 

"Kind of a weird guy. He scared me a bit," Marissa replied, holding Xavier who was sound asleep. 

"Then you have something in common," Jayden said as he smiled. "You scare the hell out of him." He chuckled a bit. 

"How could I scare him?" Marissa felt a little self-conscious. She tried to think back to how she acted when she met Doug. Why would anyone be afraid of her? 

"Pretty women are his Achilles heel," Jayden stated, still trying to keep the conversation light. He needed Marissa to accept Doug as the nice guy he was. "He doesn't know how to act around you so he fumbles around like an idiot. I don't think he has had much success in the girlfriend department."

"What? He's not ugly or anything." Marissa was trying to straighten her thoughts. Doug's fear would explain the uncomfortable meeting and the weird coffee offer. 

"Let me show you something," Jayden said and grabbed her hand and helped her out of the chair. "It's just outside. The boys will be alright for a few minutes." He led Marissa and Xavier outside. The boys were so engrossed with the Legos they didn't even realize they left. 

Jayden pointed to the large house on the hill. "Doug owns that house, this business and all the land around. It's been in his family for years and he's lived there alone since his parents passed on. He is struggling to keep it without selling out to the big chain garages. Doug doesn't want to remove his family name from the sign." Jayden looked at Marissa while pointing at the overhead sign. "He is a romantic. He sees all of this as an extension of his family and will do whatever it takes to hold on as long as possible. That, my dear, is a real man." Marissa could hear respect in Jayden's voice.

"This is leading somewhere," Marissa said, trying to figure out what Jayden was up to. 

"I told Doug about your current predicament." Jayden looked in her face for signs of overstepping her bounds. There weren't any, so he continued. "He's offered a trade. You take care of his house and he will let you and your boys stay for as long as you need." 

"Why would he want to do that?" Marissa quizzed, sounding like she was full of distrust. She couldn't fathom why anyone would take her in, basically for free. 

"Because he has a big house and a big heart," Jayden replied, concerned that Marissa might pass on the offer. "Some people are just willing to help and don't need a reason. You have to admit, it would be a big change for you." Jayden chuckled, trying to lighten the conversation some more. "A guy more afraid of you than you are of him. Look, all you will have to do is keep the place clean and maybe cook some meals. You and the kids will be safe without fear of running out of money for a while. It will give you time to think." 

"That doesn't sound like enough." Marissa was hedging. She was trying to see Doug's angle in the offer. She wasn't accustomed to handouts. 

"Marissa, don't look too deep into this gift." Jayden was trying to not get frustrated. "If you try to give him more, like the offer you made me last night, Doug will go running for the hills. He is just a nice guy so let him be a nice guy." Marissa was lost in thought. She looked at the house. There were a lot of windows so the kids might even get their own rooms. She could be a maid. Marissa wasn't as certain about her cooking. 

"What if he doesn't like me?" Marissa was back to her self-loathing. Men wanted her for sex and nothing more. 

"I really don't think that will happen. If it does, then you can pack up and leave," Jayden sighed. "I personally think you and Doug will become good friends. You can help each other." He thought Doug could use a real woman to talk to. Someone to help ease his awkwardness. 

"Okay, but I'm going to blame you if it turns out badly," Marissa insisted, still trying to see the bad in every situation. She didn't have a lot of experience with happiness. 

Jayden hugged Marissa and Xavier while saying, "It will work out fine. I think this will be one of your best decisions." He was happy with himself. He breathed a private "thank you" to Kyle for slashing his tires. Jayden returned to the garage and Marissa returned to her boys. 




The Job Pt. 03



"Marissa is grateful for your offer and would like to accept," Jayden said as Doug was finishing attaching the last wheel back on the car. Doug dropped the last lug nut and it went rolling across the garage and came to rest under a work table. He had trouble believing Marissa accepted. Now he was concerned about what came next. What kind of fool would he look like to her. He started breathing hard, staring at where the lug nut landed. 

Jayden walked over to the work table and reached under for the the nut. He was trying to not smile as he brought the nut back to Doug. "Doug, she needs help. You're giving her that help. Everything else will work out fine." He handed the nut to Doug who was taking some deep breaths. "Marissa won't bite and she will never treat you poorly. You two will be good for each other," Jayden said as Doug hand-tightened the lug nut and then drove it tight with the pneumatic wrench. 

Doug took another deep breath and let it out. "What's done is done," he responded and looked over at Jayden. "She can stay for as long as she needs." Jayden smiled and slapped him on the back. Doug outwardly smiled back, but inwardly he was in full panic mode. Jayden stepped back as Doug lowered his car. It was finished in well under two hours. Doug was a man of his word. 

Doug and Jayden headed back to the waiting room. Doug led the way until just prior to the entry. He hung back a bit until Jayden passed him up. Doug had no idea what to say to Marissa. He thought of two or three things on the walk over, but they seemed ridiculous now that he was almost upon her. Maybe he shouldn't have made the offer. 

Marissa watched them enter and saw Doug's eyes looking at the floor. The first thing that came into her head was that Jayden talked him into it. Doug looked sad about the whole prospect. She tried not to get angry at Jayden since he saved her ass last night. He was only doing what he thought was right. She couldn't force this poor man to put up with her and the kids. 

"Jayden told me what you offered, Doug," Marissa said while watching for a reaction. Doug lifted his eyes briefly and then looked toward the boys. "I can't let you take on my burden. These kids are a handful and I'm probably the worst of the bunch." She had to give him a way out. Jayden threw his hands up in the air. He thought it was already settled. 

"My house has been empty for a few years now." Doug took another deep breath and looked straight at Marissa. "I would love to see your boys there." He spoke the truth. Doug wanted to relive the moments with his own father, only this time, he would be the oldest. "If you can put up with a dumb hick, you are welcome to stay as long as you need." Doug couldn't believe how long he was looking into her eyes. They were the prettiest eyes he had ever seen. 

Marissa's head tilted a bit. Her impression of Doug and the whole situation changed in that moment. Doug's eyes were glued to hers and she saw sincerity in them. She also saw how hard he had struggled to get out the words. She and her kids would be safe with him. She moved toward him with Xavier still in her arms. Doug flinched at her approach, but she saw it for what it was now. She continued and held out her hand. Doug hesitantly took it in his. 

"We thank you for this." Marissa was pouring sincerity back at him. "We could really use a safe place to figure things out." Doug's grasp was tender even with the coarse skin of a working man. Doug thought her hand was as soft as her eyes. Jayden was grinning from ear to ear. Doug thought he had held on to her hand too long when he finally broke his grasp. He headed over to the two boys who looked like they had finished their strange Lego creation. 

"Well guys, it looks like you'll be staying at my house for a little while." Doug smiled for them and for the joy he was feeling. "I am Doug," he said as he lowered himself to their level. "What should I call you." Sebastian and Tristan rattled off their names and Sebastian included Xavier in the introductions. "Have I got a room for you two. It was mine when I was your age." Doug stalled for effect. "It's got bunk beds," he said it with a flourish. He might as well have told them to eat all the candy they wanted. Marissa smiled at the joy the boys showed Doug. Inwardly, she had visions of her boys falling off and breaking bones. 'Boys will be boys,' she told herself. If not a bed, it will be a tree. "Let's get you guys home," Doug said without thinking. Marissa wasn't quite ready to call it home, but she let the word slide. 

Marissa and Xavier rode with Jayden while Doug spent all of two seconds talking the other boys into riding in the truck again. Jayden looked at all the open land and saw boy heaven. This is where young boys should grow up. So much to explore and do. He suddenly envied Doug. 

"He would make a good father," Marissa said out of nowhere. She wasn't sure she wanted to say it out loud, but she hung it out anyway. Jayden did a double take. 

"I am sure he would, but you've known him for less than a day," Jayden reminded her. "Don't you go attacking him. It would scare the hell out him." Jayden thought another warning was in order. "And never tell him what we did last night. If I know guys like him, he would take it very personally. Doug is willing to help you without preconditions or payment of the kind you're contemplating. Just let him be the good man he is." Jayden was inwardly praying that Marissa wouldn't sabotage the whole arrangement.

"What if I end up liking him?" Marissa already liked him because he liked her boys. 

"Then let him make the first move." Jayden gave her a target that he was sure was years away, if ever at all. "If he does, then you can jump his bones. Just don't throw away this arrangement thinking you owe him anything more than he is asking for. Think how good this could be for your boys."

"Okay. I promise I won't be the one to screw this up." Marissa thought about her boys. It was time they had a little stability, even for a little while. Jayden was right, she would take it slow.

>>>>

The house was a huge wooden structure. It was built to house many generations of family together and built at a time when that was the norm. There were six bedrooms with three baths upstairs. A huge kitchen with a dining room that could seat twelve. Most of the front of the house was taken up by a large family room with a slew of comfortable chairs and an extra large couch. The entire house was about thirty years out-of-date and looked well lived in. Someone, at one time, was a serious doily lover. It smelled of home. 

The boys loved the bunk beds. They loved that the room was packed with toys from Doug's and his father's youth. They were just getting to the age that electronics would begin to take hold, but for now, these toys would do nicely. Marissa found a bedroom across the hall from the boys. It was large enough to house her and Xavier. Doug had pulled a large bassinet down from the attic that would work perfectly. 

"We'll need to take a trip to the grocery store later." Doug started talking as he walked between the two rooms. "Looks like we will be forced to eat Mac & Cheese for lunch." The cheers from the boys were expected and welcome. "I like hotdogs in mine. Think you two can slice some hotdogs for me?" The boys thought that would be a wonderful idea. Marissa cringed and was about to stop the inevitable bleeding when Doug poked his head in her room and whispered, "Plastic knives," with a smile on his face. He herded the boys to the downstairs kitchen. 'What a wonderful man,' she thought to herself. 

"I have to go." Jayden poked his head into Marissa's new room. "I wish I could stay longer, but I'm a bit late already." Marissa rushed to his arms and gave him a hug. 

"Thank you." Marissa's eyes were a little watery. "I don't know what would have happened if you weren't there last night." Jayden stroked her back, pleased he could do as much as he did. 

"Looks like you'll be safe for while." Jayden broke the embrace. "Whatever decision you make, I am sure it will be a good one." He kissed her forehead and headed downstairs to say goodbye to rest of the crew. Marissa watched him walk down the stairs. 'What a wonderfully strange man,' she thought. 

The boys said quick goodbyes. Doug had a truck, bunk beds and let them play with knives. Jayden was now second fiddle as far as they were concerned. He smiled at how quickly they made the transition. He shook Doug's hand and headed out the door. He made a mental note to check up on them in the future. It was more out of interest than any sense of responsibility. He figured he had handed that off to Doug, who he now envied just a bit.

Jayden hopped into his car and made his way back to the interstate. He was very pleased how the day turned out. Evansville was back in his sights and only about four hours away. He fired up his phone and kicked off Steppenwolf's "Born to be Wild." The ultimate way to start a day of traveling.



The Job Pt. 04



Author's Note: This story was edited by Tim413413. His work was embarrassingly difficult. I actually think he spent more time on this than I did. Thank you sir!

*****

Jayden hit Evansville just before the dinner hour. He had stopped for gas in Nashville and picked up a candy bar and a cup of Caravan Coffee's Mountain Dark. Other than that, he hadn't really eaten anything substantial since breakfast. His stomach was complaining so he pulled into a small steak house off 62. 

An older gentleman, quite possibly the owner, seated Jayden at a corner table at Jayden's request. A young redhead, with freckles across her nose, walked up to the table to take his order. She was wearing the jeans and cowboy shirt that seemed to be the uniform. The jeans were perfectly tight and gave her a wonderful rear end. Jayden smiled a little flirtatiously as she introduced herself. 

"I'm Cathy and I will be taking care of you today." Her voice was pretty and she had a nice smile. Jayden was trying not to look like he was undressing her with his eyes. In his mind, he already had her shirt off. "Can I get you something to drink while you look at the menu?" 

Jayden looked at the back of the menu. "Let me have a Guinness." He looked back up into her eyes with his best smile, trying to see if there was a chance he might be running his hands through that red hair tonight. 

"Yes, Sir," Cathy said as she scribbled on her pad. "The bartender will bring it right over. I'm not allowed to serve it 'til I turn eighteen." She smiled at him then headed toward the bar. 

Jayden lost his smile and looked around to see if anyone saw him flirting. 'She looks older,' he told himself. Nothing makes a man feel more like a pervert than catching himself ogling a young girl. He laughed inwardly wondering how many high school boys were fantasizing about that redhead. He was sure the tissue industry was showing record profits in this town.

The bartender had poured the Guinness correctly and had allowed it to sit a moment before it was served. The temperature was optimal. Jayden was pleased to see the care that was taken and hoped the kitchen would be just as competent. It had been a while since he had a really good steak. 

Cathy returned a moment later. "Are you ready to order?" Her smile was a little more than friendly and she was leaning closer than necessary. Jayden leaned back a bit and lifted his menu between them. 

"I'll have the sirloin, medium rare, with a loaded baked potato," Jayden said, with the best fatherly tone he could muster. No smile and he didn't try to hold her eyes. 

Cathy reached over the menu and pointed to the paragraph above the steak section. "You get a salad with that." Jayden wished she didn't lean over like she did. He glanced around to see if anyone else saw it as he pushed the menu farther away, hoping her finger and chest would follow. "What kind of dressing would you like?" She was trying to catch his eyes. Jayden felt like a super perv and held the menu up to her at arms length trying to increase the distance between them.

"Ranch will be fine." Jayden pulled out his phone as Cathy took the menu. He thought ignoring her and playing with his phone would give her a hint. It seemed to work as she left in a small huff. Cathy didn't understand why he suddenly had no interest. He was practically asking her out just a moment ago. Jayden sighed and then prayed she wouldn't spit in his food. 

Jayden figured he had a few minutes before his food arrived so he sent a text. It simply said "in town." The response wasn't immediate as he had expected so he sat back and enjoyed his beer. The restaurant was beginning to fill as the clock continued into the dinner hour. Cathy brought some rolls and butter to the table. He could see a little anger behind her eyes as she put the basket down a little harder than necessary. The rolls bounced a bit as she turned quickly and headed to the kitchen without a word. Jayden made a mental note to card everyone he flirted with from now on. 

The steak arrived with more disdain from Cathy. Jayden ignored her and enjoyed the aroma. This place knew how to make your mouth water. "Will there be anything else?" Cathy made it sound final. Like she didn't have any intention of coming back if Jayden said no. 

"I thought I got a salad with this." Jayden looked up at Cathy with the same disdain she was showing him. He was getting a bit tired of her attitude. 

"Oh, yes. I'm so sorry. I'll get it right away." Cathy blushed when she realized she had let her anger mess up her job. It wasn't like she would let the old guy touch her, but she felt insulted when he stopped flirting. She just wasn't used to being spurned by men. She hurried off to correct the salad situation. 

The steak was wonderfully juicy. It had a hardwood flavor and just the right amount of peppery seasoning to make it almost melt in Jayden's mouth. There was no need for any steak sauce on the perfectly-cooked cut of meat. Jayden savored every bite and added the restaurant to his mental Rolodex. There was no way he would ever drive past Evansville again without stopping here. 

Cathy brought the salad with another apology. Jayden let her off the hook with a smile and a compliment about the steak. She seemed satisfied and moved on to her other tables in a much better mood. 

Jayden's phone vibrated as he was finishing his potato. He looked at the text; "XXXOOOOOOOO!!" Something had gone very wrong. There were now three targets for 800K and the text recommended extreme caution. An address and three names followed:

1045 Stricklen Ave.

Beverly Nusome

Pat Thomas

Susan Thomas

Pat and Susan sounded like a couple. Jayden really disliked dealing with couples. He secretly hoped there were no kids in the relationship. Three photos followed in three separate texts. 

The first photo was of a blond-haired woman in her thirties. She wasn't smiling and her hair was pulled back tightly into a ponytail that was mostly hidden. Her features were pleasant, but Jayden could tell there was a bit of thickness to her. Not fat, but muscle. She carried it well. Jayden was searching his memory. He thought he may had seen her before. He couldn't place the name and had no idea if it was Beverly or Susan. He shelved his thinking until he looked at the other photos. 

The second photo was another thirty something woman with raven hair. The hair was loose around her smiling face. This photo was posed, unlike the first. The hair was styled and a serious amount of makeup was used to bring out color in her skin. It looked like a portrait taken for a holiday postcard. This face didn't jog any memories at all. 

The third photo made Jayden cringe. It was of a girl around ten years old with raven-colored hair. This was some kind of retribution hit. There was no way a ten-year-old turned against the mob. He didn't do retribution and could in no way harm a child. Jayden knew they understood this. Something was screwed up beyond recognition and they wanted him to straighten it out. 

Jayden slammed his fist on the table which bounced his plates. The restaurant became silent and all heads turned toward him. He ignored them and the old head waiter who was approaching quickly from the front. There was no way he was killing a child. Jayden's face was starting to turn red and his anger was reaching a boiling point. There was no way he would let anyone kill a child. 

"Is there a problem, Sir?" asked the old guy who seated him earlier. He didn't come within arms reach since Jayden was looking less than cooperative. Jayden took a deep breath and stood up from the table. The man took another step back. 

"No. Just some family issues." Jayden reached into his pocket for his money clip, pulled out a hundred and laid it on the table. "Thank you for a wonderful steak. That should cover the meal and the tip for my lovely waitress." Jayden's face was slowly returning to its normal color as he headed out the door. 

Cathy, who was only two tables away, blushed at the "lovely" remark. The meal was less than thirty dollars meaning she just earned a seventy dollar tip. She went over and lifted the bill and watched, through the window, Jayden getting in his car. 'What a wonderfully strange man,' she thought as she tucked the hundred with Jayden's meal ticket.

Jayden sat in his car taking deep breaths. He couldn't afford to go off half-cocked. He had to think it through. Jayden was trying to figure out why they sent the job to him. They must be very desperate if they thought he would take care of it. He had to know where he stood. He picked up his phone and texted, "Drop," and waited for a reply. It was five minutes before his phone vibrated again. He looked at the text and realized how serious things were. There was one word, "Run." 

At least they gave him a warning. He started his car and programmed the Stricklen address into the GPS. He took one more good look at the photos and began following the car's GPS down the road. About two blocks from the restaurant, he threw his phone into a drainage ditch. From hitter to hittee in five minutes. He regretted giving Marissa so much of his cash. He would need more, lots more. Giving seventy dollar tips would have to stop.

>>>>

1045 Stricklen was in a lower-middle-class neighborhood. It was a one story, wood-framed home that looked like it was built in the sixties. It was a dirty white, more from neglect than desired color. Its bushes needed trimming and the grass had a week of too much growth. Jayden didn't understand why anyone who lived there would be of any interest to anyone. He pulled to the curb a few doors before the house and waited. 

All the windows had their shades and drapes closed. There didn't seem to be any lights on inside, but full darkness was still an hour away. There was a one car garage with the door down. From all appearances, it looked like no one was home. 

Jayden waited low in the car as night began to fall. A delivery truck pulled up to the front of the house. It was colored like UPS, but there were no distinguishable logos. A man stepped out with a clipboard and opened the back, seemly fishing for a package. His movements were too slow for Jayden. This late, a delivery driver should be running his ass off. The driver's clothes were ill-fitting, at least a size too big. The man found the package he was looking for and closed the back doors. 

Jayden opened his door, with his Colt in his hand. The interior lights of the car attracted the truck driver's eyes. Jayden stepped out of the car, hiding the Colt along his leg and walked around the back of his vehicle onto the neighbor's front walk. The driver committed to the walkway leading to the house. Jayden made sure the driver reached the door before he reached the neighbor's door. Once the driver rang the doorbell, Jayden turned ninety degrees and walked quickly, straight for him. 

Before Jayden crossed the property line, the door opened and the phoney delivery man shoved the box through the opening and tried to follow. Jayden spotted the gun when the clipboard fell to the ground. He broke into a run hoping to catch the man before he was fully inside. He cursed himself for waiting until the driver showed his hand. 

The phoney delivery man shoved the gun through the opening in the door and a shot rang out. Then the man screamed as the door closed forcefully on his hand. Jayden reached him as he retracted his broken wrist and empty hand from the door opening. Jayden grabbed the wrist with his free hand and twisted it, sending the man to his knees in pain. Jayden followed with a strong knee to the diaphragm, breaking a rib, and momentarily incapacitating the assassin. Jayden looked up to the door and stared at a barrel of a gun held by a very imposing blonde-haired woman. 

"There's no payday here," the woman insisted. Her hair was pulled back severely, just like in her photo. She held the weapon with confidence and her eyes told Jayden she would not hesitate dropping him where he stood. He knew her for what she was. 

"I don't do kids." The only muscles that moved were Jayden's lips. He knew better than to provoke this woman. The woman studied Jayden for a moment then dropped the barrel toward the ground.

"That gunshot will bring the police," the woman said. "Get him inside." She grabbed the unbroken hand of the wheezing assassin. Jayden grabbed his other arm and they quickly hauled the guy inside. She grabbed a table lamp and ripped the plug from the wall. Kneeling on her captive, she bound his hands tightly behind his back with the power cable. She left him on the floor, attached to the lamp, as she stood up. 

"The targets shouldn't be here," Jayden said, once the door was closed. He looked around the dark house, wondering where she had them stashed. 

"They're not here and we need to get gone." She glanced at a watch. "We have maybe two more minutes. Where's your car?" Jayden realized she must have stashed the targets then came back to deal with the hitters. 

"Out front, one house down." Jayden was impressed with her thought process. 

"Mine is too dirty. We'll take yours." She grabbed the assailant's gun off the floor, put it in the back of her pants and held on to her own. Jayden headed out the door and she followed. They both had guns held at their sides as they moved to Jayden's car. Lights were coming on and faces were at the windows. Both continued walking confidently to the car like nothing had happened. A moment later they were driving the speed limit away from the house. They were a few blocks away when they heard the first sirens. 

"You were on my phone," Jayden said to the woman now that they were in the clear. 

"I hope it's a good picture," she said, smiling at her joke. 

"Nope, you're much better looking in person." Jayden meant it. She could be described as thick if you wanted to be rude. Jayden would have used the term voluptuous. There were curves exactly where he wanted to see them. Her pants accented her hips, but gave her room to move gracefully. She had a pullover white shirt mostly hidden by a thin brown leather jacket. The brown in the jacket accented her hair perfectly. 

"You're not so bad yourself." She admired Jayden's confidence. He wasn't hard on the eyes and seemed to be in sync with her. 'A rarity,' she thought. "I'm Bev. What do I call you?" she queried.

"Jayden." He looked briefly at Bev, then continued, "My picture should be making the rounds now." Jayden loved her straightforwardness. This woman had no fear and knew what she wanted. He wondered what it would be like to sleep with her.

"Same job and same limits," Bev chuckled softly. "We'd be great in the sack." She reached over and gave Jayden's shoulder a little squeeze. Jayden reached up and covered her hand with his. 

"I would love to find out." Jayden had never met someone so in sync with him. Bev was practically reading his mind. He smiled at her and she gave him a beautiful one back. "First, we need to make the girl safe." He dropped his hand back to the wheel. "Where am I going?" 

"Take 41 north up ahead," Bev said, pointing forward. "They are just out of town in a Super 8. Just before the 64 interchange." She looked back at Jayden and carefully said, "I have decided to make it my mission to make sure the girl dies of old age." Jayden liked Bev more and more.

"Old age it is," Jayden chuckled. "They can't make it through the both of us." He felt a hand on his thigh and enjoyed it immensely. 

"I'm going to hold you to that sack thing." Bev's voice was low and sultry. It sent a wonderful shiver up Jayden's spine. 

Jayden spotted a bank ahead. It had a drive-up ATM, but he parked at the curb a good hundred feet away. "Last stop for cash. Won't be able to use an ATM again for while," he said as he opened the door and stepped out. Any hunter would already know he was in town so he could freely withdraw money today. Once he left the area, electronic transactions would be too risky. Parking at a distance kept the car out of any transaction photo. Unfortunately, the ATM had a $400 limit. He withdrew the $400 and headed back to the car. 

"Seems saving children is costly. I have less than a grand in cash," Jayden told Bev as he started the car again. "I have a clean place in Chicago that should have another couple of grand," Jayden continued as the car started forward. 

"I have a few thousand," Bev added, "we should be okay for a couple of months. We can work out cash access once the initial assault winds down." Jayden pulled onto 41 and headed north. 

"Have you figured out why the child was targeted?" Jayden asked as he merged onto the highway. 

Bev readjusted her seat belt before she responded, "Pat, the mother, said she has no idea. Her husband was a DEA agent. He was killed three years back during a failed sting operation. Supposedly, two boats blew up in a firefight, killing all aboard and losing a large shipment of cocaine and millions of dollars." Bev paused to look behind them through the passenger side mirror before she continued. "His body was never found, but his partner's washed up a week later so they pronounced her husband deceased."  

"Let me guess," Jayden chimed in, "they didn't find any coke or money either."

"Yep. My guess is the coke just started to hit the streets and the Cartel has realized they have been had," Bev said. "Nothing pisses them off more than being taken."

"We need to find this wonderful husband of hers," Jayden said with a bit of disdain. "I bet they would trade him for them in a heartbeat." 

Bev smiled and added, "I would love to be there when it happens. Any asshole who would risk his family for money, deserves whatever the Cartel can dish out." Jayden was in complete agreement with Bev. He wondered if she fantasized about the family she could never have. 

Jayden and Bev pulled into the Super 8 a short while later. Bev pointed out that the rear exit was closer to the room, so Jayden took the first empty stall close to the exit. They hid their weapons beneath their clothes and entered the motel. 

Bev stopped at room 118. She gave one knock, then inserted her key card and opened the door. Standing at the back of the room was the raven-haired woman who looked a bit older and a lot more frazzled than the photo Jayden saw earlier. She was holding a small handgun in her shaking hands, pointing it in Bev's direction. 

"Just me, Pat," Bev said before entering. There was an audible sigh and Pat dropped the gun to her side. 

"Tell me why I can't call the police," Pat demanded nervously. She became agitated when she saw Jayden follow Bev into the room.

"Pat, this is Jayden. He is here to help," Bev said casually as she closed and locked the door after Jayden entered. 

"The people who are after you are relentless," Jayden stated in answer to Pat's question, "and they only need a location. I assure you there are police scanners waiting for you to do just that. If you feel you need the police, go to them, don't call them." A small head poked up from behind the bed. She looked at Jayden and then ran to her mom. Jayden thought she was younger than ten. He was about to say more, but he changed his mind and smiled, trying to lighten the conversation. "You must be Susan," Jayden said in his friendliest voice. The girl nodded and moved behind her mom's leg. 

"Why don't we do that? I mean go to the police," Pat said as she moved her gun to the other hand, farther away from Susan. 

"They can protect you for a while," Bev replied in a pessimistic tone, "in time, their protection will weaken. They only have so many resources, but the threat has basically limitless resources." 

"And you think Vincent did this to us?" Pat questioned as she sat down on the second bed and lifted Susan to her lap. Bev mouthed "husband" to Jayden. 




The Job Pt. 04



"It looks that way," Jayden said knowing how crushing it must be for Pat. "We can't think of anything else that would cause this type of response. Finding him would be the key." Jayden sat on the first bed. 

"Is there anywhere he thought was special? Perhaps some place you went on vacation?" Bev asked.

"We've only been to Disney World and San Antonio. I don't think he was impressed with either of them," Pat responded after thinking for a moment. "The rest of our trips were to see family. You don't think he went back to where he grew up, do you?"

"No. It would have to be someplace where he isn't known well." Jayden analyzed, "San Antonio is a possibility, although it's not where I would go if I just had a windfall."

"He used to talk about a deep sea fishing trip he took with his dad when he was young. I think it was in the Gulf of Mexico," Pat said, digging deep into her memories. "It really stuck with him. He talked like it was the greatest adventure ever. It was some island: Milo, Maco, something that began with an 'M.' " 

"Marco Island?" Jayden interjected.

"I think that's right. He just kept talking about how great it was to fish in the Gulf," Pat said in an excited state, "if you're right and he's alive, I'm going to kill him." The last came off more like an idle threat. Jayden smiled, knowing that if this was going to end, Vincent's death was exactly how it had to end. 

"Do you have a photo of Vincent?" Bev queried. 

"In my purse. It's got to be six years old or so." Pat stood and dug into her purse sitting on the end table. She liberated the three-inch photo from her thick wallet and handed it to Bev. "I have better ones at home," she added.

"This will have to do, for now," Jayden said, leaning into Bev and looking at the brown-haired, slightly overweight, ex-DEA agent. "Your house is off limits for the foreseeable future."

"How long do we have to stay away?" Pat asked, a bit irritated. "I had to tell my mother I didn't know how long we would be gone."

"When?" both Jayden and Bev interrogated in unison. There was agitation in their tone and it wasn't lost on the cowering Pat. 

"About fifteen minutes ago," Pat said quietly, "I know you said no calls, Bev, but I couldn't just leave my mother in the dark. She's in a nursing home for God's sake." Jayden moved to the door and looked out the peephole into an empty hall. "It was a really short call," she added, trying to add more justification. 

"It's clear right now," Jayden informed Bev. Bev thought about moving the curtain and looking out the window. She dropped the idea. The movement would be too easy to see if they were being hunted. It would be like painting a bulls eye on the room. "I can pull the car closer to the the lobby door than the back door," Jayden told Bev. He figured fewer steps would translate to less exposure. 

"Agreed. I'll meet you there," Bev said, gathering the one suitcase the Thomases had hastily packed earlier. Pat saw the precision in their movements and fear began to cross her features.

"You mean there might be someone like yesterday, here?" Pat stuttered. She pulled Susan close. Jayden looked questioningly at Bev.

"Yep, we have to move now," Bev said and led the way to the door. She shooed Jayden forward with her hand and spoke to him quickly, "I'll tell you later." Jayden opened the door and looked down both sides of the empty hallway before he took off for the car. Bev led the Thomases in the other direction, toward the lobby. 

Jayden unlocked the car doors before he exited the motel. His next car would have remote start he told himself. He glanced around quickly as he made his way to the car. There was no one close that he could see. The other cars all looked empty. Nothing seemed amiss, but it was fairly dark.. He didn't stop moving, knowing a moving target is much harder to hit. He hit the driver's seat hard and slammed the door shut. Jayden started the car and ignored the seat belt warning as he quickly backed up and then headed to the lobby entrance. 

Bev was cursing when she saw the large glass windows and well-lit entry way. Maybe the darker back entrance would have been better. They were going to be lit up like a Christmas tree when they made their exit. The desk clerk was looking at them with curiosity as they stood off to the side by a large fake potted plant. Bev saw Jayden pull up. She whispered to her charges, "Don't stop moving 'til you're in the car." Jayden leaned over the seat and pushed open the rear passenger side door. 

Bev led the Thomases out the motel door. They were five steps from the car when Bev saw the flash off to the left in a field across the street. She was already turning toward Susan when the the sound of a round breaking the sound barrier passed by her head. A large pane-glass window next to the entrance exploded into a million pieces. Pat screamed.

"Move!" Jayden bellowed. He put the car into drive and pushed the brake to the floor. Bev smothered Susan with her body and dove for the back seat. She roughly pushed Susan to the floor and turned for Pat as more rounds shattered more glass. The car's rear window blew out as a round traveled through it and took a chunk out of the glove compartment. 

Pat felt like she was kicked in the side as the round ripped through her abdomen. She looked for her baby as her legs gave way and she dropped to her knees. She saw Susan on the floor of the car. There was so much blood on her hands as she reached out to her daughter. Susan instinctively reached back yelling something that Pat could no longer hear. Another round silenced Pat forever. 

"Mommy!" Susan screamed, trying desperately to get to her mother. Bev watched in horror as the innocence was permanently wiped from the child's face. She grabbed Susan to her breast and kept her from leaving the car.

"Go, damn it, GO!" Bev commanded Jayden. Susan was flailing in her arms trying to get out of the car. Trying to get to her mother. Jayden pushed the gas pedal to the floor and the rear door closed part way from the lurch forward. Susan was screaming and hitting Bev as the car accelerated out of the parking lot. A few more shots were fired, but the car's movement shielded them from anymore accuracy. 

Jayden headed straight for the highway and turned north. He saw no one following, at least not closely. He took a deep breath and pulled the seat belt across his body to silence the warning tone. He looked in the rear view mirror and saw the shadow of Bev's pony tail whipping in the wind that dovetailed through the broken window. An oncoming truck passed and briefly lit Bev's face. Jayden's heart broke when he saw the tears streaming from her stoic expression as she held the bawling Susan. He looked away knowing that Bev didn't want him to see. 

"We need new transportation," Jayden said above the highway noise.

"I want Vincent, Jayden." Bev's statement was laced heavily with malice. Jayden could almost smell the hate.

"We'll find him," Jayden responded as he turned west on 64, toward Illinois. 

They drove, listening only to the highway noises, for thirty minutes and crossed into Illinois. Bev climbed deftly over the seats and sat next to Jayden. "She's asleep," Bev stated matter-of-factually. "Her life will never be the same. I wonder how many other kids we left that way." She looked at Jayden. 

Jayden fidgeted a bit, then answered, "I don't want to know." He had never stayed around to see the aftermath of his jobs. He had never looked past the target. It hurt him to think about it now.

"Are we just driving?" Bev inquired, not really caring what the answer was. She wasn't too excited about the Sun coming up and seeing Susan's face clearly. It was easier in the dark. 

"Centralia. We'll catch the early train to Chicago," Jayden responded. He had been thinking about it for a while, but didn't want to disturb Bev while she was consoling Susan. "I have a place on Lake Shore Drive that's pretty clean. We should be safe there for a while. It will give us a chance to do some research." 

"I hate trains," Bev commented, "are you sure Amtrak is the way to go?"

"No. I just know this car is a bad idea. Stealing another is even more risky," Jayden said as he ticked off some of the things he had already considered. "We can ditch the car a few blocks from the station. Might even be able to catch some sleep on the way." 

"Sorry for losing it back there," Bev said, nodding to the back seat. 

"I thought you handled it well," Jayden responded, not taking his eyes off the road. "Kind of ripped out my heart too." Bev gave him a thin smile and laid her head on his shoulder. She wanted to share her grief; something she had never had a chance to do before. Jayden nuzzled her head with his cheek for a moment before returning his concentration to the road.

>>>>

Jayden hated leaving the car in Centralia. Not because he had any special affinity for the car itself. It was because of the four new tires. They would never see the fifty thousand miles Doug had guaranteed. He thought back to the last two days and wondered if Marissa was having as shitty a time as he had been having. 

Bev was sleeping with Susan snoring in her arms. The four AM train was always quiet and sleep came easier when the Sun wasn't beating at the windows. Jayden looked at Bev and saw what looked like a mother. He knew what she was, but right now she looked heavenly. He found himself regretting his life choices more and more these days. Today was the worst. He sat next to a child who he had been hired to kill. The choice to not pull the trigger was suicide. Suddenly, the easy money didn't have any appeal. 

Except for being delayed by a freight train for twenty minutes, their ride to Union Station was uneventful. The cab ride was equally forgettable. Susan had attached herself to Bev. When Bev tried to use the bathroom on the train, Susan almost hyperventilated with fear. Bev ended up taking Susan with her. Bev had resigned herself to always be touching her for the near future. Susan sat on her lap in the cab and held hands from the cab to the elevator and into the condo. Once the door was closed, Susan let go and seemed calm as long as Bev remained within eyesight. Jayden was concerned about Susan's silence. She hadn't said a word since she saw her mother die. He decided to wait a while before talking with Bev about it. 

Jayden ordered in pizza for dinner. A cheese pizza for Susan and pepperoni and sausage for the adults. Susan ate one piece of the pepperoni and sausage and Bev attacked the cheese. Jayden joined Susan on the meat pizza, inwardly smiling about his assumptions. They channel surfed, trying to get Susan's mind off yesterday's events. The only thing that seemed to slightly distract Susan from her inner pain was a SpongeBob marathon. She curled into Bev on the couch and let Bev stroke her hair as she watched with a blank stare. Jayden sat next to them, trying to get into the show. 

"What is this?" Bev asked, looking at Jayden with a confounded expression.

Jayden was shocked how useful his SpongeBob knowledge had just become. He silently thanked Sebastian as he explained about Patrick, Squidward, Gary and Krabby Patties. The explanation was as in-depth as Sebastian had given earlier. Bev just listened with fascination wondering how a grown man without kids could know so much about a sponge cartoon. She barely noticed when Susan slowly shifted over to Jayden and laid her head in his lap. Jayden was a bit surprised at her change of allegiance. Susan stretched her feet across Bev's lap, ensuring Bev didn't leave. 

Jayden felt curiously comfortable with Susan's head in his lap. He leaned back into the cushions and tried to relax so she wouldn't be disturbed. Bev was strangely pleased at Jayden's comfort. She thought he would have made a good father. Why else would a man seem so happy sitting still with a small child and watching a cartoon sponge. She accidentally smiled at Jayden which caught his eye. Jayden smiled back, wondering what that was for. 

It wasn't long before Susan had a bout of long yawns. Jayden struggled to hold back his. The last two days had been horrible and exhausting. Jayden lifted her easily from the couch and carried her to the master bedroom. Jayden had decided Bev and Susan could take the master with its attached bath and he would would be in the smaller second bedroom. The master had a large king bed and he would make due on the queen. After he got Bev and Susan settled he moved to his room. 

Jayden hadn't had any good sleep in forty-eight hours. He didn't even try to dig his pajama bottoms out of his bag. He just stripped to his birthday suit and climbed under the covers. He felt like he might sleep through the whole next day. 

"She's sound asleep," Bev whispered as she entered Jayden's room. Jayden was suddenly aware he was naked under the covers. "She may sleep most of tomorrow." Bev was wearing one of Jayden's robes. Jayden was wondering what she had on underneath. She had to leave all her clothes in her car back in Evansville. 

"I thought you might like some company," Bev teased as she dropped the robe and revealed herself to Jayden. Jayden couldn't believe how good she looked. Her large breasts looked perfect for her frame. Bev had rid herself of her pony tail. Her long blond hair cascaded down her shoulders in a most alluring fashion. The trickle of hall light informed Jayden that her blond hair was a choice, not a gift from God. This woman had a body built for sex. Jayden felt a tingle between his legs as he stared at the beauty before him. 

"I haven't really slept in two days and it's been about that long since I showered," Jayden offered. 

"Are you turning me down?" Bev put her hands on her hips, sounding like an angry school teacher. 

"Heavens no! I'm just prequalifying my performance," Jayden offered with his most lecherous smile. "I'm not at my best." He threw the sheets aside and reached for Bev. His member was already at half mast caused just by looking at her standing there. Her sexual confidence was intoxicating. She joined him on the bed, lying down next to him. 

Bev wrapped her hand carefully around his arousal. "Poor tired baby," she teasingly whispered in his ear as she kissed his neck. She slowly stroked him to hardness while Jayden played with her breasts. He had never played with tits so large before. He dipped his head down and used his hand to lift the nipple to his mouth. Bev lifted her chest a bit to help him. 

Jayden suckled on the large nipple, totally enthralled at how it grew. Bev mewed and softly kissed the top of his head. She loved having her nipples teased. She stroked his manhood, pleased about how hard he was getting. Jayden started to get his second wind and moved to roll Bev onto her back and get a bit more dominant. Bev laughed and shifted her weight to keep him on his back.

"Tonight you're my sex toy." Bev kissed him on the lips. "I took a nap on the train. I'll do all the work." She kissed his neck and moved down his chest dragging her gorgeous breasts down his body. Jayden shivered at her dominance. It felt wonderful letting her take care of him. She continued kissing down his stomach as her breasts began dancing around his erection. Bev briefly encased his cock between her heavenly pillows before dropping her mouth over the head and tickling the underside with her tongue. 

Jayden twitched involuntarily and a groan escaped his lips. Bev's mouth was like a furnace as it dropped lower down his shaft and slowly sucked its way back up. His hips gave a little jerk and Bev giggled and raised her mouth. "Someone is not as tired as he let on," she teased, then engulfed him again. Jayden couldn't believe how good it felt. There was no hesitation in any of her actions. She knew what she wanted and just took it. His hips were trying desperately to meet her down strokes and he felt the beginnings of a monstrous orgasm. 

Bev sensed his impending need. She released his erection, rose up on her knees and straddled his groin. She tenderly reached between her legs and pushed Jayden's cock toward his stomach. She lowered his pussy over the underside of his erection and slowly dragged her sex up and down his length. 

"Oh..fuck!" Jayden moaned. The feeling was incredible. Her wetness made him slick and the sliding was massaging the most sensitive part of his cock. 

"Don't you dare cum yet," Bev purred her command. She licked her finger and began circling the head of his cock, creating a powerful tickling sensation.

"You keep that up and I will," Jayden whispered with a smile as he struggled to ignore the sensations. Bev enjoyed her power over him. She loved to tease men and men loved her teasing. She could sense she had Jayden near the edge. Bev rose up a bit and lifted his cock to her opening.

"I have some condoms in my bag," Jayden continued, more out of habit than desire. Bev stopped and looked down at him with a silly grin. 

"You're kidding, right?" Bev rhetorically asked. "The Cartel will kill us long before anything we could possibly give each other." Bev was under no illusion about their chances. She came to Jayden tonight because it could be their last. She wasn't going to pass up a good time when time was so limited. 

Jayden gave her a broad smile and pulled her hips down onto his erection. If this was going to be the last woman he made love to then it was going to glorious. He reached up and pulled her face down to his and kissed her full on the lips. Bev responded and their tongues danced. Jayden loved the feel of her breasts on his chest. He stroked her hips and ass as he pulled himself into her. She had child-bearing hips. He remembered how she held Susan and found himself drifting a bit toward melancholy. Bev sensed the change and dropped her lips to his ear.

"What's done is done," Bev whispered softly. "Let's just enjoy each other." She rose slightly, lifting her breasts off his chest. "I find you very stimulating, Jayden. I have never been with someone who knows about me." Bev lifted so his cock was barely in her entrance and then lowered herself again with a passionate groan. 

"I find you stunning," Jayden responded lustfully. He moved his hands to her chest and massaged her breasts. "The way you carry yourself, your confidence and these magnificent breasts." 

"If you're a tit man, then I'm your girl," Bev giggled as she rode him. She arched her back, making her breasts even more prominent. Bev's movements were getting more sporadic. Her hips were moving back and forth as well as up and down. Jayden couldn't find the rhythm and just pushed up with his hips to give more of himself. He was truly her sex toy and he found himself enjoying it. 

"I think I may be a Beverly man," Jayden opined between gasps. He had never felt so submissive in bed. He had been pleasured before, but had never mentally entered this "no control" mode. It was so refreshing to be used and let Bev be responsible for her own joy. He vowed to turn the tables tomorrow. Bev was panting at his words. She was losing a bit of control as her pussy began to clamp down on Jayden's erection. Her need was evident to Jayden and he grabbed her thighs as she leaned back and closed her eyes. 

Bev reached behind her and gently caressed Jayden's balls as she ground into his groin. Bev was breathing in gasps as she tried to hurry Jayden along. She wanted him with her. She was so close. Her hand dropped lower, just before his anus, and she rubbed with more force. 

"Oh.. fuck!" Jayden groaned as his orgasm was coaxed out of him. Bev seemed to know exactly what would send him over the top. He exploded into her as Bev's thighs clamped down on his sides and she went stiff. Bev's hips jerked hard every few seconds, in time with Jayden's ejaculations. The waves that traveled through her body were exquisite. All the pains of the world left her mind. Sex was such a wonderful drug for her body. 




The Job Pt. 04



"I think I may be a Jayden woman," Bev panted as she collapsed onto Jayden's chest. Normally, she would have parted from her lover. She was usually so aloof once sated. Now, she wanted him to stay in her. She liked feeling him there. It was very comfortable and reassuring. Jayden loved how her sweaty skin felt against his. He held her and felt the lovely little squeezes her pussy gave his exhausted cock. 

Jayden had always sensed a little fear from the women he had bedded in the past. Bev was fearless, tender and forceful. A mixture that was new and intoxicating. He could spend a lifetime exploring her. He laughed inwardly, remembering that he probably would. The Cartel would most likely give him his desire. Enjoying their new-found closeness, they fell asleep in each other's arms.

>>>>

Bev woke as the room began to brighten from the morning Sun. She was a bit chilled and felt for covers by her knees and found none. She had separated from Jayden sometime in the night and found herself on the edge of the bed facing out. 'Jayden obviously hogged the covers,' she thought to herself. Bev smiled as she rolled over to give him a rude awakening by snatching the covers back. Jayden lay on the pillow making the "shh" sign with his finger to his lips. Between them lay Susan, sound asleep. Jayden wore a warm smile and just watched Susan's breathing.

Susan had awoken alone and terrified in the middle of the night. She had searched the condo in a panic, remembering what happened to her mother. She turned on every light she could find, trying not to cry. She found Bev and Jayden sleeping in each other's arms. Relieved, Susan pulled Bev away from Jayden. Neither woke as Susan crawled between them. She was safe here. She was soon fast asleep again. 

Jayden looked across Susan to Bev. Bev's hair was tussled about and the little bit of pubic hair he could see was matted from last night's activities. Her breasts were even more beautiful in the light of morning. If Susan wasn't in the bed, he would have attacked Bev immediately. 

Bev blushed under Jayden's gaze. She didn't understand why his eyes affected her. Having a man look at her naked body never brought butterflies before. It struck her they were both naked with a young child in bed. Bev quickly and quietly exited the bed and retrieved the robe she dropped last night. 

"Get your naked ass off that bed," Bev whispered in Jayden's ear. Jayden would have preferred to just watch Susan sleep. She was like a little angel, even with the drool. He knew Bev was right so he carefully stood, trying not to disturb Susan. Jayden pulled Bev close and kissed her lips.

"You look wonderful this morning," Jayden breathed, his lips never moving more than an inch from Bev's. Bev smiled at his affection and slapped his naked butt. 

"Take a cold shower, Stud. We'll go into extra innings tonight," Bev sighed, kissing his cheek and sending him out of the room. She wondered if her breath smelled as bad as his. It didn't matter, she would have gone animal on him anyway. That is, if Susan hadn't joined them. Bev smiled at the sleeping girl as she lay down next to her. She didn't want Susan to wake up alone again. 

Jayden spent the morning unpacking and updating a new laptop. He had left a clean one here, in case of emergencies. It was over a year old, but it would serve well as an anonymous research platform. His old electronics weren't as clean and he didn't want to attract undue attention. They needed to find Vincent Thomas if they wanted Susan to ever make it to high school. Their clues were minimal, but they had to try.



The Job Pt. 05



Author's Note: This story was edited by Tim413413. His work was embarrassingly difficult. I actually think he spent more time on this than I did. Thank you sir!

*****

Marissa was having trouble with the meat loaf. Xavier kept trying to crawl away and her hands were covered in meat. "Sebastian, come watch your brother for a minute," Marissa called. She desperately wanted to have dinner ready when Doug came home. Sebastian rounded the corner with sunken shoulders.

"Mom, I was playing," Sebastian said sadly. 

"Just watch him for a moment, Honey," Marissa repeated and smiled when Sebastian straddled his brother and waddled along with Xavier's crawling. She cursed herself when she tried to open a lower cabinet with the back of her hand. Doug had baby-proofed the whole house when Xavier started crawling. Marissa gave up, rinsed her hands and maneuvered the internal plastic catch with her clean hands. She retrieved an old loaf pan from the cabinet and re-dirtied her hands by hand packing the meat mixture into the pan. 

Marissa washed her hands again. Then she set the oven temperature and placed the pan inside. She now had thirty free minutes and walked into the family room. Sebastian was still dutifully standing over the curious Xavier. "Thanks, Honey, I'll watch him now," Marissa said happily. Sebastian took off back to Tristan. Probably to build some new mystical object. 

The last four weeks had been the best of Marissa's life. There was a sense of stability. Doug and the boys had become incredibly close. They never had a good father figure like him in their lives. Now she saw young gentlemen growing, not the fearful cowering kids Kyle and his like were trying to create. Marissa stood behind Xavier and let him explore. 

Marissa had fallen in love with Doug, although she hadn't told him yet. It had taken her all of three weeks to just have a normal conversation with him. He still couldn't hold her eyes for long when they did talk. She remembered her promise to Jayden; she'd let Doug make the first move. She had almost broken that promise three times. Marissa feared, as did Jayden, that any strong advance on her part would be followed by Doug's panic and the end of any hope of a relationship. She couldn't risk the boys' happiness because of her greedy heart. 

Marissa even remembered the exact moment when she fully committed her heart to Doug. Sebastian had been playing with a wooden car he had found on a shelf. Doug had explained it was a Pinewood Derby race car he and his dad had made. Doug talked about how they had made it and the race they won on a scout outing. Marissa could see how important the car and its memories where to Doug. She reminded Sebastian to play with it carefully. There were a lot of 'vrooms' and 'scerreeeches' as Sebastian pushed the car around the family room and into the hall. 

It was the sudden silence that had attracted Doug's attention. He entered the hall and stopped cold. He yelled for Sebastian in a rather strict voice that shocked Marissa. She ran to the hall and saw the racer in three parts up against the wall. Sebastian entered the hallway slowly and Marissa cringed, looking at the tears in his eyes. They all remembered the punishments Kyle could inflict. 

"You can't just break something and leave it," Doug said into Sebastian's tears. "You have to fix it."

"I don't know how," Sebastian cried, expecting a beating. 

"Well, I suspect it will take a lot of sawing, hammering, drilling and sanding." Doug smiled at Sebastian. "Get your brother, we're going to need his help." Sebastian's tears stopped and a smile crossed his lips as he rushed off to find Tristan. Doug kneeled and began picking up the pieces. Marissa stood there staring at Doug. He was teaching them responsibility as well as continuing to bond. Doug even looked like he was having fun doing it. 

Marissa's men were in the basement for two hours. There were all sorts of noises from machines they couldn't possibly need for such a small car. She opened the basement and yelled down that it was getting late. 

"We're almost done," Sebastian yelled back and appeared at the bottom of the stairs, wearing large plastic goggles and covered in sawdust. He looked so serious. 

"We gave it bigger wheels," Tristan called from behind his brother. He was also in oversized goggles, covered in sawdust and sporting a smile too big for his face. The biggest child appeared behind them both. He was also covered in sawdust and wearing goggles.

"How about ten minutes more?" Doug requested. Marissa knew at that moment, looking down at her sawdust-covered family in the funny goggles, Doug was the love of her life. She nodded okay quickly and closed the door before Doug could see her tears. He was everything she needed, everything she wanted. 'He just needed time,' she told herself. She swore she would give him all the time he needed. 

The doorbell brought Marissa back to the present. She lifted Xavier to her shoulder and went to answer the door. The door was halfway open when her world came crashing down. She tried to close it quickly, but Kyle kicked it back open. Marissa screamed and began backing up in a panic, trying to shield Xavier in her arms. 

"Bitch, I fed your bastards for a year. You think you can just leave?" Kyle shouted vehemently, spittle flying from his mouth with every word. He looked around, making sure the "hotel guy" wasn't around. Kyle knew the grease monkey was a wimp so he wouldn't be a problem. "Get your ass in the car. We're going home." He spit out the orders. 

Marissa reached for the phone sitting on the end table. Kyle backhanded her across the face which sent her backward and started the tears. She was gripping Xavier too hard and he started crying. "Get your slut ass in the car right now!" Kyle snarled as he continued to advance on her. 

Doug drove up the road to the house in a good mood. He really liked going home at night. The boys were always happy to see him and Marissa seemed happy also. He wished he knew how to tell her how he felt. Doug was terrified she only tolerated him because she needed him. He had no idea how to approach her or read her signals. Women were so confusing and he didn't want to chase her away. It had been a long time since he had felt this happy. The last four weeks had been the best time he had had in years.

Doug spotted the blue Mustang as he pulled up. He shook his head at the poor condition it was in. Who would let such a classic car go to pot? He hopped out of the truck, wondering who was visiting. 

Kyle had Marissa backed up against the wall. He loved the power he could exert over her. She cowered perfectly and her lithe body was a perfect fuck machine. He was already getting aroused by her tears. He grabbed her by the chin, knowing she wouldn't move with her youngest in her arms. 

"You're going to regret running out on me," Kyle said sardonically. Marissa's shaking was turning him on more. Sebastian looked slowly into the room from the kitchen. He had heard the shouting. Marissa was crying when she saw Sebastian peek around the corner. 

"Run, Sebastian!" Marissa screamed in terror. The thought of her boys in Kyle's hands again frightened her more than the beating she knew was coming. Kyle swung and caught Marissa in the jaw. He didn't use his full force. He had no desire to fuck a dead girl. Marissa screamed in pain and she dropped to the floor, trying to protect Xavier. 

Doug was running for the door. The scream terrified him. He pulled out his phone and dialed 911 as he entered the house. He saw Marissa on the floor holding Xavier tight. Blood was coming from her mouth. Above her was a scruffy man about a six inches taller than he. Doug was completely out of his element. 

"I'm calling the police!" Doug shouted, hoping the man would leave. Kyle turned and smiled. This wasn't the hotel guy; this was the grease monkey. Kyle walked quickly to Doug and swung before Doug even knew he was in a fight. Doug's knees buckled as the fist caught him in the right cheek. Pain shot through his head and his vision flashed. He dropped the phone. Kyle followed up with a fist directly to Doug's nose. That collision caused a crunching sound. Doug's face exploded in pain as his ass hit the floor. Blood poured from his broken nose and his vision clouded. 

Sebastian had had enough. He didn't want Kyle in the house. His mother was crying and Doug was bleeding. He did what any five-year-old would do in a stressful situation. He ran up to Kyle's leg and bit down hard. Kyle screamed and swung backhanded at Sebastian's face and the boy went flying into the wall. 

"Sebastian!" Marissa screamed and started to crawl to him. He wasn't moving and her heart was breaking. 

Pain disappeared from Doug's face. It was replaced with anger, then rage. His vision cleared and he stood up. This was his house and no one hits his kids. 

"Get the fuck out of our house!" Doug yelled as he moved forcibly at Kyle. Kyle laughed and swung hard at the grease monkey. He caught him in the jaw again and blood splattered onto the couch. Doug barely felt it as he reached up and grabbed Kyle's collar. Marissa reached Sebastian who was moaning on the floor, his face already starting to bruise. She pulled him to her lap, wondering why her family wasn't allowed to be happy. 

Doug swung harder than he knew he could. Years of hoisting wheels, tires and fenders had molded his muscles into a fierce coiled spring. His fist connected with Kyle's cheek and bones broke in both Doug's hand and Kyle's face. Kyle's vision disappeared and pain filled his brain. He tried to raise his hands before the next one came, but he was too slow and Doug was too enraged. 

"You will never hurt my family again!" Doug screamed as the image of Sebastian flying into the wall replayed in his mind. Doug shattered Kyle's nose. Kyle's legs gave out and he dropped to the floor. Doug followed him down and swung again, connecting with Kyle's jaw and more bones broke. Marissa panicked at the change in Doug. She hated seeing him like that. Kyle was out cold and Doug kept swinging. "You hit my boy you son of bitch!" he screamed while he pummeled Kyle's now-lumpy flesh. 

"Doug, don't kill him!" Marissa yelled. Two men burst through the front door carrying shotguns at the ready. One was only in his teens, the other nearing forty. Marissa instinctively covered Sebastian and Xavier. The older man handed his gun to the younger one and grabbed Doug around the shoulders. 

"He's done, Doug," the older man said forcibly as he pulled Doug off Kyle. "You got him good, buddy. You got lots of help now." There were sirens in the background. Doug was shaking, pain began to reappear in his face and his hand hurt like hell. He looked over to see a shocked Tristan staring at him from the kitchen. No kid should have to see what had just happened. 

A woman with short blond hair, maybe thirty-five, entered and surveyed the room. She was obviously not a squeamish woman and took over immediately. "Bobby, put up those guns and see what kind of towels you can find in the kitchen," she ordered as she moved toward Marissa. "Are you alright, dear?" she asked as she looked over Sebastian's bruised face. The sirens were getting closer. 

"I think so," Marissa said slowly. Bobby returned with a handful of towels and gave them to the woman. She took one and wiped the blood from Marissa's chin.

"I'm Maggie and that's my husband, Tom, and Bobby's my boy. We're Doug's neighbors from down the way," she said as she nodded toward the east. "Debbie called Tom when she couldn't get a response from the 911 call. Figured we could get here quicker than the sheriff." She finished cleaning Marissa's face and looked sadly at Marissa's shirt. "I think it's ruined and such a pretty color too."

Kyle was unconscious and wheezing heavily. Tom picked up Doug's phone off the floor. 

"You there, Debbie?" Tom queried into the phone. 

"Yep, we're going to need some paramedics. Everything's quiet now and I hear the sheriff," Tom continued before hanging up. "Yeah, I'll talk with you later." He placed the phone on the table and helped Doug sit up. The flashing lights shown through the windows as the sheriff pulled up. Tristan ran to Doug and hugged himself close to Doug's leg. Marissa saw how natural it was that her boy sought and gained comfort from Doug. Doug hugged Tristan while hoping Tristan wasn't scarred permanently by the fight. 

The sheriff ran in and slowed when he realized the action was over. He looked around and had no idea why a hermit like Doug had a house full of people. "What happened here?" he queried to anyone who would answer. 

"That's my ex on the floor," Marissa said, pointing at the wheezing Kyle. "He tried to take me and my boys with him. Doug wouldn't let him." She smiled at Doug and inwardly cringed at his bloody face.

"Is he the one who hit you and the child?" the sheriff asked as he pointed at Sebastian's bruised face. 

"Yes. He enjoys beating people," Marissa answered. 

"Is that how it happened, Doug?" the sheriff asked as he kneeled next to Kyle.

"Pretty much," Doug answered without the help of his nasal passage, "I tried to call you guys and get the guy to leave. When I saw him hit Sebastian I kind of lost it. I didn't mean to hurt him so bad, but he hit the boy." 

"It looks like you were within your rights, Doug." The sheriff consoled him as he handcuffed the unconscious Kyle. "He's lucky you didn't have a gun." He looked back over to Marissa."Ma'am, can I ask you what you're doing here?" All the heads in the room turned to Marissa. It was a small town and this was unknown information. Marissa realized she didn't know how to answer.

"Marissa and her boys are staying with me for a while," Doug said, looking into Marissa's eyes. Everyone looked at Doug, then back at Marissa. Marissa blushed at his look and smiled. There was going to be new gossip in town.

>>>>

It was well past midnight when they all returned from the hospital. They had promised the sheriff they would give their statements formally in the afternoon. They had promised Maggie they would stop by for dinner in two days. Sebastian's and Marissa's injuries were superficial and looked much worse than they felt. Doug had his nose set and his hand put in a partial cast. The boys were exhausted. They were asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillows. 

Doug donned his pajama bottoms and crawled into bed. He was sore all over, but felt good that he was able to defend his home, Marissa and the boys. It was more than he had expected of himself and he was a bit proud. 

Doug's bedroom door opened and Marissa strolled in without knocking. She was wearing only her nightgown. He was surprised to see her this late and in his room. Women were truly confusing. Her face looked serious or at least he thought it did. She moved directly to the side of his bed and sat down. Doug's insides began to panic. 

"You called it 'our' house," Marissa said quietly while looking into Doug's eyes.

"What?" Doug stalled, not understanding what she was saying. 

"You called it 'our' house. You said 'my family' and 'my boy,' " Marissa said as she put her hand softly on the side of his head to bring his eyes back to hers. "Is that how you see us?" Doug had never felt anything as nice as Marissa's hand on the side of his face. It was so soft and warm. 

"Ah...I was pretty...you know," Doug stuttered while looking into Marissa's gorgeous eyes. Her hand was caressing his cheek and he flushed at the attention. She wasn't looking away or trying to leave. She was there with him and softly touching his cheek. He could stay this way forever. "Yes, that's how I feel," he said with conviction and prayed she didn't pack and leave. The opposite happened.

Marissa brought her bruised face down to his. She lightly kissed his taped nose and then moved her lips to his and softly touched them together. Doug experienced heaven for the first time. Marissa's lips fused with his and his entire body warmed and the pain from his injuries left his mind. Her lips were as soft as they looked and melded wonderfully with his. He felt a stirring between his legs. 

Marissa broke the kiss and brought her lips to his ears. "I love you too," she whispered softly. Doug's heart cried out with joy. This was worth a hundred beatings, a thousand. He pulled her close with his good hand and felt her warmth against his skin. She was so beautiful, so warm and so heavenly. Marissa returned the hug and kissed his neck softly. Happiness swelled through her body and she felt his hand pull her in. She was his, and he was hers. Jayden was wrong - no one was running for the hills. 

Marissa rose from the bed and grabbed the hem of her nightgown. She slowly lifted it over her head and stood before him in only her panties. Doug was mesmerized. He saw her thighs, then her panties, then her tummy, followed by her breasts. The nightgown then revealed her glowing bruised face. Doug swore to himself that no one would ever hit her again. She was too precious. His eyes returned to her stomach and the flowery letters that formed "Sebastian" and "Tristan." He smiled and reached out a shaking hand and touched the letters.

"Where's Xavier?" Doug whispered, mesmerized by her painted skin. 

"Haven't had time yet," Marissa giggled as she steadied Doug's hand with her own. She loved him touching her. It was so gentle, so tentative and so very needy. She smiled at the tent forming under the sheets. "Might have put it down my arm. Where should I put Douglas?" Marissa moved his hand slowly up her tummy. Doug looked into Marissa's eyes with a surprised expression. "I want all my boys' names on me," Marissa proclaimed softly as she moved his hand over her breast.

Doug's heart was beating so fast he thought it might explode. His hand covered her soft, pillowy breast and Marissa had put it there. He ran his finger lightly over the nipple and Marissa mewed. He wished the cast would fall off his other hand. Marissa leaned closer, allowing him easier access as he explored her breasts for the first time. She had nursed the boys with those breasts, making them all the more precious. Marissa kept leaning closer, bringing one breast closer to his mouth.

Doug was a little confused and worried. He didn't know what Marissa wanted him to do. It was easy when she pulled his hand to her breast. Now her breast was inches from his mouth and he had a strong desire to kiss and suck on the soft, pretty flesh. The breast moved closer and he tentatively kissed it just below the nipple. Marissa giggled at the light kiss and Doug took that as a sign. He began kissing around the nipple, relishing the soft texture. The sounds Marissa was making made Doug braver. He lightly licked her nipple. It was stiff, yet spongy at the same time. He grabbed it with his lips and tickled the tip with his tongue. 

"I like that," Marissa cooed as she slowly ran her hand down Doug's chest and under the covers. The muscles that took down Kyle and helped her boys fix a wooden car were there. They felt so smooth covered by only a trace of soft hairs. She continued lower to his stomach and the top of his pajamas. Marissa felt Doug's hips jerk as she neared his manhood. She sensed he was wound up like a spring and knew he wouldn't last. This was all too new for him. She wished he could have been her first like she was his. They could have learned together. 

Doug felt the cover being pulled aside and embarrassment flushed onto his face. He could feel how hard he was. He knew what was going to happen if Marissa continued lower and he struggled to shift away from her hand. Marissa buried her face into his neck and kissed it to soothe his mind. The kisses' tingling traveled down Doug's neck and entombed themselves in his chest. He stopped struggling so he could enjoy her lips on his neck. 




The Job Pt. 05



Marissa let her hand slide under the elastic of his pajama bottoms. Doug gasped as he felt her hand continue slowly through the patch of hair above his erection. He panicked, knowing what his body was about to do. She was too warm, too sexy and way too beautiful. His entire groin was on fire.

"Marissa, don't...I kind of.. stop," Doug requested, trying to stop the inevitable mess he was about to make. What would she think of him? 

"Let me do this, Baby," Marissa whispered softly in his ear, "let me make you happy." Doug couldn't think straight. Marissa's hand wrapped around his erection and pulled it out into the air. The feeling was too intense and Doug's hips strained upward. "Let it go, Baby. Just let it go," Marissa whispered as she began to stroke his cock. Doug didn't last the first stroke. Pleasure surged through his body as he ejaculated high into the air. Each down stroke brought another fountain of sperm shooting up. He closed his eyes, not wanting to see the mess, as more pleasure emanated from Marissa's hand. 

She was kissing his ear lightly as Doug came. She loosened her grip as his spasms began to subside and he started breathing again. All Doug could think of was how much better it was than with his own hand. He felt his cum on his chest and stomach begin to drip down his sides. He kept his eyes closed, not wanting to see her disgust.

Marissa lifted herself a bit, looked at Doug's blushed face and smiled. She was still gently caressing his stiff erection. Doug slowly opened his eyes to see a smiling angel looking down at him. Her hand still felt wonderful and so loving. He looked down his body and saw the awful mess that covered her hand and a good part of his abdomen. 

"I'm sorry about the mess," Doug embarrassingly apologized. 

"I hope not," Marissa chuckled sweetly, "sex is messy and I intend to get messy with you a lot." She stroked the side of his face, pushing a bit of hair behind his ear. "Did it feel good?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

"Oh, yes!" Doug exclaimed. If she didn't care about the mess then he had every intention of letting her know how it felt. Her reached over and caressed her side just above her delectable green panties.

"Good," Marissa said, smiling as she stood and pulled her panties to the floor. "That's all sex is. We make each other feel good." Doug was staring between her legs. She had a cute little slit that seemed to glisten. Marissa saw where his eyes were going and glowed inwardly. She knew Doug needed to make her feel good. He wasn't a one-sided man; he was caring and wanted desperately to share. She put one leg on the bed which opened herself to him. She took his good hand and pulled it between her legs. 

"Do you feel how wet I am?" Marissa sighed as Doug's fingers ran up her opening. "You did that. You played with me and got so hard just looking at me." She gasped as his finger found her love channel and entered slowly. She guided his finger deeper and opened her legs wider. "You told me how you felt about me." She followed his finger into her with her own. She guided it deep and tucked it to the top of her channel and taught him how to massage her special spot. The one she now knew existed. Marissa withdrew her finger and smiled when Doug replaced it with another of his.

Doug was enthralled with what he was doing to Marissa. She was dripping all over his hand as his fingers did their sensual work. Her hips were jerking involuntarily and she wore the most delicious expression. It was a mix of joy and love. He had never seen an expression like it. He was doing this to his love. Giving her joy was as good as getting it. It made him feel strong, happy and loved. The smell in the room was so musky and pleasant. It smelled of Marissa, only ten times more powerful. 

Marissa was riding Doug's hand with her eyes closed. He learned so quickly and felt what she wanted. She smiled as she saw, in her mind's eye, Doug in the goggles, covered in sawdust. The sexiest man she had ever seen. She felt the peak coming. Doug was going to make her cum. 

"I love you," Doug said deeply. Marissa opened her eyes and looked at his broken face. The face he broke saving her. Saving her boys. His eyes weren't fleeting. They were staring straight into her soul. The tremors started quickly and she ground into his hand as a tremendous wave crashed into her. His fingers were so strong, so determined. She bit her bottom lip as another wave of pleasure brought tears to her eyes. The leg holding her up from the floor began to tremble as Doug's fingers coaxed another wave forward. He wrapped his cast hand around her waist and pulled her fully onto the bed, next to him. His fingers were still buried deeply as he coaxed another wave of joy through her body, joined by a loud moan from her lips. 

Marissa gently pulled his hand from between her legs. She didn't think she could take much more. Her body felt as if it had just run a marathon. "That was incredible, Doug," she said with a sated look on her face. 

"Teach me some more," Doug said excitedly. Marissa looked over and saw the same smile that Sebastian and Tristan had on with the goggles and sawdust. She laughed. 

"We'll teach each other a lot more," Marissa said, kissing the unwounded parts of his face, "every night if you want."

"I really liked doing that to you," Doug said as he brought his good hand instinctively to his nose. His fingers smelled like Marissa. He wondered if they would still smell wonderful in the morning. This was so exciting and new. "Are there other ways to make you feel good?" Doug asked. He didn't want her to get bored. He wanted her naked and happy as much as possible. Marissa laughed at the monster she had created. She wondered if she would ever miss the hesitant Doug. 

"I already know one way. I'll figure out the rest," Doug said happily, "I'll have a lifetime to find them all." His statement was matter-of-fact. It hit Marissa like a speeding train. He didn't just love her now; he loved her forever. This wasn't pillow talk to him at all. Her exhaustion faded away and she knew she had to have him. Forever wasn't going to be long enough. 

Marissa rolled on top of him and straddled his groin. Doug's eyes went wide as she guided his still raging hard-on between her legs and lowered herself quickly. He filled her and she wanted more. Marissa hugged him close and rolled over until he was on top between her legs. She wrapped her legs behind his back. 

"Take me, Doug. I want you to own me," Marissa moaned, looking into her lover's eyes. Doug sensed her need and ignored the new sensations his cock was experiencing. He drove into her, pulled back and drove again. Marissa grunted with each thrust and hugged him closer. She wanted to bury herself into him. Doug felt the power she was giving him and it was intoxicating. She was his forever, but he also wanted more. 

"I own you," Doug extolled as he continued to drive into her, "and you own me." He started grinding into her. She was his forever. "I want you as my wife." Tears formed in the corners of Marissa's eyes. "I want to adopt the boys. I want to take care of my family." He drove into her again and her muscles tensed and a protracted groan escaped her clenched teeth. The feeling was a mixture of emotional and physical exaltation. Doug withdrew again, then sank himself deeply as he exploded with her. Shared tremors ran through both of them. The orgasms were merged into one. 

Marissa collapsed, spent, below Doug as he kissed every part of her skin he could find. A memory ran through his mind and he separated quickly from Marissa. He leaped out of the bed and ran to his desk, yanking drawers and throwing contents on the floor. Marissa felt strangely naked without him near. She thought it might have been too intense, maybe she had scared him. Doubts stoked fears and she looked at him, bewildered.

Doug found what he was looking for and ran back, naked, to the bed. He dropped to his knee before the bed and opened his mom's ring case. A small glittering diamond attached to a gold band sparkled in Marissa's eyes. 

"Marry me, Marissa. Please take me so I can take you." Doug said it quietly, sincerely and laced with an ocean of love. Marissa choked up and more tears flowed. 

"Yes" was all Marissa could get out. It was all Doug needed. Their bruised faces met at the lips again. This time it was forever. Marissa loved her goggle-wearing, sawdust-covered man.



The Job Pt. 06



Author's Note: This story was edited by Tim413413. His work was embarrassingly difficult. I actually think he spent more time on this than I did. Thank you sir!

*****

Jayden breathed deeply, enjoying her scent. Bev had shaved her nether regions to add some spice. He was still grinning at her earlier comment. "If you're going to be spending so much time down there, I don't want anything slowing you down." Bev wasn't even slightly bashful about her body. She shared it freely with Jayden. There were no white lies between them. Sexual honesty sped up their enjoyment and neither took it as an insult. Jayden ran his fingertips across her now uncovered bare skin. It was silky soft. 'She must have used lotion,' he thought. He kissed the newly-exposed skin, admiring the texture. 

"Jayden, are you trying to torture me?" Bev asked sardonically. Jayden saw the glistening between the folds of her sex. He kissed her softly just below her clitoris.

"It's new and adorable. Let me play," Jayden responded. He knew what he was doing to her. He was still overcome with her shaving gesture. In her own way, Bev was trying to please him, beyond sexual release. She was letting him know what she thought about him even when she wasn't in his bed. 

Jayden ran his finger between Bev's folds, gathering her moisture. He smiled at the giggle his caress created. He used his lubricated finger to tease her little bud with slow, sensual circles. Bev responded with a soft moan. He had no intention of bringing her off with his fingers or tongue. Her gesture was personal and deserved a more personal response. Jayden rose between her thighs and met her eye to eye as he moved on top of her. 

"It's gorgeous and I love that you did it for me," Jayden admitted. 

"I love that you love it," Bev returned as she laced her fingers into Jayden's hair and pulled his lips to hers. She had learned, over the past four weeks, she loved kissing Jayden. It was a strange change for a woman whose past lovers were mere tools for her enjoyment. Jayden sparked something deeper within her. Bev found herself doing things just to be physically closer. Earlier, she didn't ask him to move when he blocked the silverware drawer. Bev just slid up behind him and reached around while caressing his waist with her other hand. It earned her a peck on the cheek which brightened the otherwise ordinary moment. 

Jayden melted in Bev's lips. He felt her breasts cushioning his chest and warming his desire. This is where he would choose to spend his life. The world seemed so much more alive when he was in her arms. Jayden lifted his head until he was eye to eye and nose to nose. He entered her and relished her lustful change in expression. "I want to call you Beverly," Jayden whispered during a slow in-stroke.

"Why?" Bev questioned softly as she caressed the side of his face. 

"Beverly is so much prettier. So much more 'you,' " Jayden responded and shifted his hips to make his strokes deeper. Bev wrapped her legs around his waist as her breathing became deeper. She loved it when he went slow. It meant he wanted to be with her longer. No one had called her Beverly since she was a small child. "Bev" seemed to fit her tomboy attitude and she never looked back. She knew Jayden saw her in a different way. She felt so full with him in her and the determination on his face was delicious. 

"I love being your Beverly," she groaned with passion. Jayden's thrusts became more determined. She watched his eyes tighten and sweat form on his brow.

"I love you, Beverly." Jayden was looking straight at Beverly when he said those words. He said them slowly and carefully so she knew it was the truth. Beverly tried to answer, but her body answered for her. The words drove her over the edge of an impossibly high cliff as passion exploded between her legs and traveled through every fiber of her being. 

"Jayden...Jayden," Beverly moaned through clenched teeth. His name sparked Jayden's climax and he spent himself in her. She pulled him deeper with her legs and melted through heaven with him. Beverly, spent, collapsed deeper into the bed. Jayden smiled into her eyes. 

"I love you too, you lovely man," Beverly breathed and pulled him in for another kiss. It was the first time anyone had ever said those words to her and meant it. It made her feel beautiful and returning the truth made her feel so connected. Her life was shared in way she never knew she wanted. Jayden sighed and separated from Beverly and her wonderful afterglow.

"I found him," Jayden claimed as he lay next her with his head propped up in his hand.

"What?" Beverly exclaimed, "why didn't you tell me?" 

"You want to have sex again?" Jayden inquired with a lecherous smile. 

"NO! I want kill that bastard!" Beverly's voice was dripping with venom. Jayden just stared with a goofy smile. He knew what she would turn into once she knew about Vincent. He loved her deeply and wanted to be with her at least one more time. 

"Oh, you greedy boy." Beverly's venom had turned to sugar. "You knew that would be a mood killer. God, I love you." She grabbed him by the hair and pulled him back to her lips. The kiss was deep and hard. Beverly was back on the job. She lightly pushed his head back, "How did you find him?"

Jayden smiled and replied, "It occurred to me this morning that the reason we couldn't tie him to a house lease or purchase was that he may not be living in one." Jayden smiled as he laid out his deduction. "I spent a few hours online looking at the marinas and, low and behold. There was Vincent's smiling face standing in front of his boat 'Dream of Clouds.' He seems to be pretty popular at the Marco Island Yacht Club. He died his hair dark and sports a mustache, but it's him. He goes by 'Thomas Saunders' now." 

"So he did go to Marco Island." Beverly was smiling. She wanted Vincent badly. Susan still wasn't talking and Beverly wanted to take that out of Vincent's hide. "When do we leave?" 

"I figure we should leave tomorrow morning," Jayden responded as he lightly ran his finger across her lips. "I want to stop at a bank in Gary, Indiana. I can make a large withdrawal and hope no one flags the transaction until the next day. We can really use the cash," Jayden sighed. "Either way, this part of the country will be dead to us for a while. We'll just head south and not look back." 

"What about Susan?" Beverly asked.

"We take her with us," Jayden replied, "I know someone just outside Fort Myers who can watch her." 

"I not sure we can trust anyone in the business," Beverly said with a bit of concern.

"She's in business, but not our business," Jayden chuckled. Beverly felt a tinge of jealousy at the word "she." Another new feeling for her. She really wasn't interested in sharing Susan with a Jayden ex. She didn't like the idea of thinking about Jayden even being near an ex.

"I'm not comfortable with leaving Susan with someone new." Beverly tried to make it sound motherly, not bitchy. "What happens if it's a one-way trip for us?"

Jayden thought a bit before responding. "I've got nothing else. You?" 

"No. I just don't like it," Beverly sighed. Jayden curled up close and hugged her to his chest. 'That helps,' she thought. Jayden kissed her neck and shoulders and nibbled a little at the top of her breast. 'That helps a lot,' she thought, inwardly smiling. 

>>>>

Jayden used an alias to rent the SUV. It wasn't a great solution, but they needed travel freedom and stealing a car was out of the question. The morning drive was uneventful. They stopped in Gary and withdrew funds without any difficulty. Jayden was sure Gary would host a few hunters by tomorrow. 

Susan was as silent as ever. She would nod or shake her head in answer to questions. When she wanted something specific, she would point. Beverly was starting to get worried that this wasn't just a phase. It may be more permanent. They stopped at an IHOP for lunch and the picture menu was all Susan needed. She pointed at the smiley-faced pancakes and Beverly added some juice to her choice. Beverly wanted to grab her and just shake out some words, but she knew anger wasn't the way to go. She feared for Susan's future. She was really beginning feel responsible for that future. Beverly wondered if it was okay to cut Vincent's nuts off before she killed him. 

It was around three in the afternoon when they passed through Chattanooga. Against Beverly's objections, Jayden pulled off the highway to Molsen Tire and Auto. Jayden had given Beverly the short description of Marissa's problems and Beverly felt that little green twinge again. She hated the feeling. It was persistent and nagged at her. Beverly began to really dislike the bad parts of love. 

Jayden hardly recognized the place. All the buildings were there, but the parking lot was filled with cars and there seemed to be an abundance of customers. All the bays were filled and the mechanics were hard at work. Business certainly didn't look slow. 

"Jayden!" Marissa yelled when she saw him get out of the car. Beverly cringed when the lithe girl with the trim body jumped into his arms. Jayden hugged her in return and let her happiness infect him. He separated from her and pointed at Beverly.

"Marissa, this is..." Jayden's next words caught in his throat. "Who did that to you?" Jayden's tenor changed to anger as he looked at the large bruise on Marissa's face. 

"Kyle stopped by three days ago," Marissa laughed and continued, "you were wrong, he did come back." Jayden was lost. How could she possibly be happy about Kyle. Marissa's eyes shifted to behind Jayden and went from sparkling to mesmerizing. Jayden turned and saw a confident Doug walking up while wiping his hands on a rag. His right hand was wrapped in a cast. His face looked like it was hit by a truck. Following behind him walked two very dirty boys. Sebastian was sporting a bruise like Marissa's. 

"Where is that asshole?" Jayden was seething. 

"I think he is still in the hospital," Doug said, smiling. "He has a date with the judge after that."

"I hope he looks worse than you," Jayden offered as he calmed down. Doug laughed, hugging Sebastian to his leg.

"This guy bit him," Doug said, looking down proudly at Sebastian. Sebastian just gave Jayden an it-wasn't-anything look. Jayden sensed a profound change in the whole group. It was like they were floating on air. "And you are?" Doug quizzed while holding his now clean left hand out to Beverly. Jayden didn't give her a chance to answer.

"I'm sorry, this is my girlfriend, Beverly," Jayden replied casually, "Beverly, this is Marissa and Doug, and that's Sebastian and Tristan" He pointed them out one by one. Beverly only heard "girlfriend" and blushed uncontrollably. Most of the tinge disappeared. "Where is Xavier?" Jayden asked. 

"Maggie's got him inside," Marissa said.

"Maggie?" Jayden queried.

"She's our neighbor from down the road," Marissa answered and moved toward Beverly. Jayden heard her use of the "our" and realized Doug just introduced himself to a woman. Something drastic had happened and everyone was way too happy about being beaten up. 

"Girlfriend, we need to talk." Marissa grabbed Beverly's hand and led her to the customer building. Jayden noticed the pink shade on Beverly's cheeks as she willingly followed Marissa. Marissa waved her left hand at Jayden as she passed and chided, "You were wrong again." 

Jayden's jaw dropped to the dirt when he saw the ring. He looked up in shock at the smiling Doug. "What the hell happened? You couldn't even talk to her when I left a month ago," Jayden asked. 

"Kyle happened," Doug laughed, "he hit Sebastian and I kind of lost it. I said some things in the heat of the moment about him hitting my family. Turns out my Marissa was thinking the same way. I really love that girl." Jayden almost forgot about Susan. He opened the back and took her hand as she hopped out. 

"This is Susan," Jayden informed Doug. 

"Hello Susan, I'm Doug," he said, trying to sound friendly. Susan curled into Jayden's waist and nodded her head. 

"She's kind of shy," Jayden said with a soft smile. "So you're getting married?"

"Yep. Haven't worked out the date yet." Doug grinned. "Maggie's kind of taking over the planning. I'll just show up in the monkey suit and say "I do." 

"Looks like business picked up," Jayden observed, looking around.

"It's the gossip effect," Doug opined, "seems suddenly turning up with a full family piques the curiosity of some folks. It won't last, but it sure is nice right now."

"You know Marissa made me ask her twice," Doug said seriously, "she said yes at first then the next day she told me her entire past and she made ask again." Jayden saw a little change in Doug's eyes. "She told me what you did for her...and to her. I am not sure whether to hug you or hit you." Doug gave a tight-lipped smile. 

"I told her it would be a bad idea to tell you about that," Jayden explained as he steeled himself to take a hit. He was going to let Doug hit him once.

"You were wrong about that too," Doug laughed, "it's better that I know in case any more Kyles show up. Of course, that doesn't mean I want you to stay for dinner. You're kind of an enigma." 

"We only stopped by to say 'hello,' " Jayden said a bit calmer, "I just wanted to check up on Marissa and it seems I have. She is in great hands." Jayden pushed his left hand out to Doug who took it and shook it. "I better gather everyone," Jayden continued, a bit more uncomfortable as he headed into the customer building with Susan in tow. 

Jayden found Beverly holding Xavier, standing next to a woman with short blond hair and Marissa. Beverly was enamored with the smiling boy. Susan left Jayden's hand and ran to Beverly to hug her waist. Jayden sensed a bit of jealousy in Susan. Beverly smiled and handed Xavier to Marissa and picked up Susan. 

"Susan, this is Marissa, Maggie and Xavier," Beverly said. Susan nodded as she laid her head on Beverly's shoulder. "Maggie, that's my boyfriend, Jayden." Beverly loved saying "boyfriend." It was so unnatural for her tongue, but it flowed so well anyway. Jayden smiled and waved. He was still thinking that they had been here long enough. 

"Marissa, we're going to have to hit the road," Jayden insisted as he moved toward the group, "I'm so happy for you and Doug. You guys look perfect together." 

Marissa gave Jayden a big one-handed hug and whispered, "She loves you. I hope I didn't fuck it up." She gave him a peck on the cheek, with a devious smile on her face. Jayden looked at Beverly and saw nothing different in her face. Marissa looked at Beverly, "It was so nice meeting you, Beverly."

"Likewise, Marissa," Beverly said, sharing a slight smirk with Marissa, "and so very enlightening." Beverly gave Jayden a tight-lipped grin, topped with a set of dagger eyes. Jayden should have listened to Beverly and not stopped. He had a strange feeling he wasn't going to enjoy the next part of the trip. 

Marissa watched Beverly and Jayden drive away. 'What a wonderfully strange couple,' she observed to herself. 

>>>>

Beverly was pleasant as they continued the drive toward Atlanta. Jayden was going to try to find out what Marissa had told her, but Beverly seemed perfectly happy to ignore the whole issue. 'Ignorance is bliss,' Jayden thought as he happily put Chattanooga behind him. Inwardly, Jayden was happy Doug had grown a pair. He was even happier Marissa and her boys had a future. Jayden smiled as he remembered the night in the bathroom with Marissa. Doug may hate him for it, but Jayden knew Doug was having a bit more fun because of it. 'Jayden, savior and sex guru,' he thought proudly. 

"What are you smiling about?" Beverly asked with a serious face. 

"Just thinking about how well everything turned out for Marissa." Jayden looked over at the frosty expression on Beverly's face. He lost his smile.

"You like them thin and young like that?" Beverly asked, staring at Jayden and daring him to answer. Jayden felt fear for the first time in a long time. This was one of those "am I too fat" questions. There was absolutely no correct answer. 

'Fuck it,' Jayden thought and spilled the truth. "Yes, she sure is cute. Although, I prefer someone a lot less fragile. I like the give and take in equal amounts. It's so very ... satisfying," Jayden finished, in a euphoric tone. He was reliving his first sexual encounter with Beverly. 

Beverly blushed and quickly looked back at Susan who obviously didn't fully understand the conversation. Beverly wasn't supposed to get aroused by his answer, but the way Jayden said "satisfying" burned right between her legs. She decided they should stop for the night.

"We shouldn't do the Atlanta/Macon drive tonight. It's bad enough during the off hours," Beverly said, a little hoarsely. She took a deep breath and coughed to straighten her throat. Love was making decisions for her and it made her feel weak. Fighting it made her feel ill. She remembered her conversation with Marissa and smiled. 

"What are you smiling about?" Jayden asked with a serious face. 

"Just thinking about how well everything turned out for Marissa." Beverly looked over at the frosty expression on Jayden's face. She didn't lose her smile.

They stopped outside Atlanta, just before they would hit the heavy traffic. Jayden found a Day's Inn and took a first-floor room. Two beds and a bathroom. He set the alarm for four in the morning, hoping to be well on the road before the morning rush. Susan picked her bed and took control of the remote. Jayden was pleased Susan was making independent choices. He just wished she would talk. 

Jayden ordered in sandwiches. It took a lot of nodding and head shaking to get Susan's order correct. IHOP picture menus were much easier. They ate to an array of cartoons. Susan spent fifteen minutes traveling through the channels until she settled on the Cartoon Network. Both Jayden and Beverly rolled their eyes, but allowed her to play TV dictator. Beverly wasn't sure TV was the best thing for Susan. Beverly didn't feel a hotel room was the best place to put her foot down. Stability first, then repair.  

Susan didn't make it past eight o'clock. Jayden lifted her while Beverly turned down the covers. They both tucked her in and stood staring at the sleeping angel for a moment. Jayden broke first and headed off to the bathroom. Beverly turned off the TV and turned off most of the lights. Then she headed to the bathroom. 

Beverly entered while the shirtless Jayden was brushing his teeth. He was a little surprised when she walked in unannounced, but he wrote it off as another addition to their growing familiarity. He lifted his eyebrows and stopped his brush in mid-stroke when she closed and locked the door. 

"You took advantage of that girl," Beverly said with some bitterness in her voice. 

"I just tucked her in," Jayden said in exasperation. He drooled a bit of toothpaste as he attempted to fathom where this conversation was going. 

"Not Susan, you idiot. Marissa!" Beverly's voice leaked disdain. "She was in a fragile state and you used her for sex." Jayden now understood Marissa's earlier comment. Telling Doug was one thing; why did she have to tell Beverly? He was never going to live this down.

"That's not quite how it happened," Jayden protested, "I tried to give her the money and she wouldn't take it. She really needed the money. I was kind of stuck."

"So it was a charity? You trying to turn her into a whore?" Beverly reprimanded with a school teacher tone. "What the hell were you thinking?"

"I wasn't thinking. She kind of got naked and twisted my words." Jayden was frothing at the mouth. Toothpaste and arguments don't go well together. "I tried to stop her. She was really persistent." Jayden lowered his hand and toothbrush. "Besides, she liked it and needed it. It was first time anyone really took care of her. Damn it, I don't regret it. I mean look how it all ended up." He waved the toothbrush and splattered white spots on the mirror. Beverly smiled and handed him an envelope from her back pocket. Jayden opened it and saw a slew of hundred dollar bills.




The Job Pt. 06



"Marissa?" Jayden questioned.

"Yep. She said she didn't need it anymore." Beverly ran her hand through Jayden's hair. "I'm jealous as hell. She said you were the second best guy she knew. She knew you wouldn't take it back so she gave it me."

"You're jealous?" Jayden smirked with white lips, "I didn't even know you then."

"Cute little skinny ex-lovers will do that to a girl," Beverly admitted. Jayden quickly rinsed and spit in the sink and grabbed a towel to clean his mouth. 

"I am well skilled at satisfying women in small bathrooms," Jayden retorted and smiled seductively. 

"So I have been told. That's why I locked the door, you idiot," Beverly smirked as she pulled Jayden's head in for a powerful kiss. Jayden was trying to mentally catch up. She had obviously been planning this since they left Chattanooga. He returned the kiss and pulled her shirt out of her jeans and began lifting it over her head. 

"You going to be mad at me all night?" Jayden quizzed grimly as he finished removing Beverly's shirt. He wasn't sure if mad sex would be as good as the fun sex they had been having for the last four weeks. Jayden had no desire to get angry. Beverly took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Jayden watched her bra-encased breasts rise and fall with her sigh. 

"Sorry, I just hate thinking about you with that little tart," Beverly apologized as she stroked behind Jayden's ear. " Marissa had some honesty revelation and thought I needed to know every detail." She paused a moment before continuing. "You had her in ways you haven't had me. It makes me think she will always be special. I can't compete with cute, thin and special." 

Beverly's confidence was gone. Here was a woman who would never shy from danger, cowering about tiny Marissa. Jayden didn't like "mad" or "cowering" Beverly. He liked "confident" Beverly. Jayden reached around her and unclasped her bra. Her magnificent breasts were free and they stood out proudly with just a slight weighted sag. They were real and all Beverly. Jayden pushed them together and lifted them to his smiling face. 

"No thin girl in the world can compete with these," Jayden lustfully commented. "This is what I see in my dreams, Beverly. Your beautiful face and your beautiful chest." He began kissing each breast and massaging his cheeks with their cool softness. Beverly giggled at his greedy obsession with her breasts. "No other woman has my heart like you do. No one else can compete if you've already won." Jayden raised his lips to hers and felt her melt into him. 

Jayden's words soothed Beverly's soul. The mixed-up, terrible feelings she hardly recognized faded to the background as they kissed. She parted her lips and their tongues caressed in a blissful dance. This is how she wanted him. Love was so confusing until it wasn't. Beverly felt Jayden's fingers at her waist, undoing the button at the top of her jeans. She giggled into his lips as her mind left the foggy pain and passionate fun took over. 

"The only 'special' will be our special," Jayden emphasized as he lowered her jeans and Beverly stepped out of them. He cupped her sex through her panties as his lips returned to her lips. Jayden felt her lustful heat and loved her gentle moan.

Beverly's mind went back to Marissa and the discussion that ignited her lust and her pain. This had to be solved. Tonight! She needed that girl out of her head. She wanted what Marissa had. The vision of Marissa on the bathroom counter had to be replaced in her mind as well as Jayden's. Beverly separated from Jayden quickly which confused him. She removed her panties and swept their toiletries into the sink. With the gracefulness of a gymnast, Beverly lifted herself onto the counter and brought her feet up to her hips.

Jayden flashed back to Marissa in the same position. Marissa's eyes had shown panic; Beverly's showed lust. He realized Marissa had left no detail out of her conversation with Beverly. Jayden moved, with a lascivious grin, between Beverly's limber legs. He stroked down both thighs with light fingers. She was spread before him and her body's desire was evident. "This is not exactly how the night started," Jayden chided as knelt before his goddess. 

"This is the part that pissed me off," Beverly whispered as Jayden's lips moved closer to the apex of her thighs. "I need this out of my mind."

"I need this vision in my mind," Jayden whispered as he kissed Beverly's thighs. He felt his arousal tighten in his pants. Jayden slowly ran his finger down her tender flower and it parted, glowing with moisture. Beverly moaned deeper as Jayden slowly inserted a finger, looking up at her reaction. Her eyes were lightly closed and her mouth formed an O. He added another finger, rotated his palm and massaged the roof of her channel. Jayden smiled when Beverly's legs began to quiver. She was so ready for this. 

Beverly placed a hand on Jayden's head, encouraging his tongue forward. She could feel herself building, climbing high to the peak. "Please, Jayden..." she whimpered. Beverly had been smoldering all day with the thought of Jayden between her legs. Jayden, led by her hand, leaned in and lightly flicked her clitoris with his tongue's tip. Beverly gasped, "Please, Jayden..." If it wasn't for her current jealousy, Jayden would have loved to torture her a bit longer. Instead, he gave her the release she needed. Jayden dragged the flat of his tongue across her exposed bud and slowly increased the pressure. Beverly's hips came forward and she pulled his head tighter. A long groan started deep in her stomach and came out as a one-note mantra. 

Jayden felt Beverly's sex clamp down on his fingers as she inwardly exploded. Her body jerked arrhythmically as Jayden continued his assault. Beverly briefly lost touch with the world and knew only Jayden. They floated in space and, locked by love's gravity, pulled to each other in eternal bliss. A brief slice of heaven in her now-awkward world. 

Jayden slowed when Beverly's breathing eased. Her eyes were closed above her sated grin. Beverly's hand was no longer pulling, it was caressing. Jayden rose to his feet and tenderly kissed her blushed cheeks. "That...was lovely," she said, completely out of her normal character. 

Jayden smiled, saying, "You tasted wonderful." He seductively put one of his moist fingers in his mouth and pulled it out, tasting her again. "Finger lic..." Beverly interrupted his obvious male comment. 

"You compare me to chicken and I won't return the favor," Beverly scolded and caressed his face to soften the comment. Jayden chuckled and carefully helped her straighten her cramped legs. She pulled him into her and kissed him deeply, sharing her flavor. Beverly hopped off the counter and used Jayden's shoulders to steady her still-quivering legs. She grinned at Jayden and said, "There's a reason most sex occurs in beds." Beverly rubbed her sore behind. Jayden reached behind her and helped. 

It took Beverly less than a minute to undress Jayden. She was thrilled to see his erection straining between his legs. It was her toy now. Beverly pushed him against the counter and wrapped a hand around his manhood. "You know I love you, right?" she queried, wanting to hear his response. 

"Yes," Jayden panted as he felt her wanton caress. "You are all I can think about." Beverly squatted in front of him. She smiled and kissed his crown which caused him to jump. She giggled at the jump and took him into her mouth. All of him. 

Jayden gasped as he watched his erection disappear into her mouth. He sucked in his breath as Beverly slowly withdrew, her tongue working the underside along the way. She plunged back down. All the way down. Visually, it was the most erotic thing Jayden had ever seen. 'Why hadn't she done this before?' he wondered. Beverly repeated the process while reaching between his legs and started rubbing his perineum softly. 

"Oh... Beverly," Jayden whispered and raised on his toes involuntarily. He was white-knuckling the edge of the counter as Beverly sucked her way back to the crown. Jayden was barely hanging on. He wanted it to last forever, but it felt too good. He knew his body was about to betray him. "Honey, I'm going to cum," Jayden warned.

Beverly drove her mouth back down Jayden's shaft and held it there. He moaned loudly and a quiver began in his right leg. He felt her finger rub around his anus and he was done. Jayden erupted into her with a series of loud grunts. Beverly never moved her mouth and let him finish down her throat. Jayden couldn't believe the sensation of her warm, wet mouth tightly surrounding all of him. He was spent.

Beverly teased his sensitive crown with her tongue when Jayden's orgasm subsided. He laughed as he tried to dodge the horrible tickling sensation. He grabbed her and lifted her lips back to his. He tasted himself in the kiss, but tasted her love more. "That was incredible. I had no idea you could do that," Jayden said with lustful incredulity. 

"There's always more, Jayden," Beverly responded with an abstruse smile and kissed his forehead.

"I'm going to need a moment," Jayden panted with a silly grin. "That was a bit intense, the toilet thing will have to wait." 

Beverly smiled and kissed him sweetly, "No, that will be Marissa's. Every time you think of her, I want you remember a toilet." She kissed him again, grabbed her clothes and seductively shimmied her way out the door. 

'That's my girl,' Jayden thought happily. No lack of confidence there.



The Job Pt. 07



Author's Note: This story was edited by Tim413413. His work was embarrassingly difficult. I actually think he spent more time on this than I did. Thank you sir!

*****

Jayden put the sleeping Susan into the SUV. They woke up early to beat the Atlanta/Macon traffic. Beverly was feeling a lot better after being woken by an amorous Jayden. The morning affection was one of the good parts of love. The jealousy she brooded about the day before had receded to a small speck of a feeling. Not gone, but manageable. She caressed Jayden's thigh as he drove out of the hotel lot. The petting was becoming natural. Beverly wondered when that started. It was foreign to both of them. 

Jayden knew they would reach Fort Myers today. He was concerned about his plan to have Sandra watch Susan. If Marissa caused Beverly heartache, Sandra was bound to double it. They really didn't have a good alternative. He debated waiting to have the discussion to make the trip a bit smoother. He decided it would be better to have the discussion while Susan was asleep. 

"I should tell you, I have a past with Sandra," Jayden stated in a neutral tone. 

"Sandra who?" Beverly asked.

"The lady who is going to watch Susan," Jayden answered as neutrally as possible. He hoped this would remain a civil conversation. 

"What kind of past?" Beverly queried as she retracted her hand from Jayden's leg. 

Jayden didn't think there would be a good way to spin it, so he just laid it out, "I hired her for a night." 

"You want to leave Susan with a hooker you spent a night with?" Beverly was incredulous. "What is wrong with you?" 

"It's not like that... Well sort of," Jayden stammered, defending himself. "She's a really smart woman and the only one I know who isn't involved in any way." 

"Well as long as she's a smart hooker!" Beverly exaggerated, "what were you thinking?"

"I was thinking we don't have any better options. I trust Sandra to watch Susan for a day or two as long as we pay her. You think she could be any worse than us? Who would you hire to watch your children, an assassin or a hooker?" Jayden inquired.

Beverly was taken aback by his question. She never thought of herself or Jayden as being unfit to care for Susan. On the surface, it did look like Susan had two poor choices. But Sandra was the unknown quantity. 

"She must have really impressed you in one night," Beverly said callously,"what did she do, give you her ass?" Beverly felt the speck of jealousy start to grow again. 

Jayden looked into the back seat with a frown. Luckily, Susan was still asleep. "No. She actually gave good fantasy," Jayden replied defensively. "She quickly figured out what excited me, and then we played Cribbage and watched a movie. It was a pleasant evening." Beverly felt the speck grow into a stain. "I feel we can trust her." 

"Do you know how fucked up this is?" Beverly asked, seething. She wanted to hate him again. But it was before she meet him. She shouldn't be affected by his past, but it gnawed at her. The bitch figured him out - that's what he said. She hadn't figured him out yet, how could the bitch do it? Love hurts on so many levels. 

"You're mad again," Jayden said, trying to keep his temper down. This roller coaster was starting to grate on his nerves. He would have never given Sandra the time of day if he had known Beverly at the time. It wasn't his fault he met Sandra first. 

"Yes," Beverly stated smartly while folding her arms across her chest. She hated the way she felt. One minute, everything was right with the world, and the next it all came crashing down. Ways of killing the bitch ran through her head. She looked straight ahead, hating that her eyes were welling up. 

Jayden was about to vigorously defend himself. His temper was climbing and Beverly had no right to be angry with his past. He looked over to lay down the law, but stopped when he saw her watery eyes. His stomach churned. Jayden felt like crap. He didn't think he would ever see pain in Beverly's eyes. Anger, yes, but not pain. She was too strong, wasn't she?

"I'm sorry, Beverly." Jayden's tone was contrite. "I would never have touched her if I had known you." He reached over and caressed behind her ear. Beverly leaned into his hand.

"I want to be your pleasant evening." Beverly couldn't believe she said it. A tear started to run down her cheek. She sounded like a blubbering girl. She was a skilled assassin, not a love-struck teenager. Why did his hand feel so good? Why did she hate a hooker she had never met? Why did her insides feel like a sewer?

Jayden took an off ramp and pulled over. He got out of the SUV, walked to the passenger side and opened the door. Beverly had tears running freely and didn't want to look at Jayden. She couldn't control herself. "I don't even know what Cribbage is," she sobbed. 

Jayden half climbed into Beverly's seat and surrounded her head with his hands. He pulled her lips to his and kissed her deeply. Beverly melted into him. Tears flowed as she fisted the hair on the back of his head and pulled him tighter. She wanted all of Jayden. Why did there have to be other women in the world? Sharing just wasn't in her nature. 

Jayden broke the kiss and whispered, "I love you too." Beverly pulled him back to her lips. They felt so wonderful on hers. She could spend a lifetime on the off ramp. Jayden slipped his lips to her ear. "Let's get Vincent and save Susan. Then I will teach you Cribbage and we'll share a lifetime of pleasant evenings together." Beverly smiled at the thought. She took her jealousy and anger and focused it on Vincent. The sooner he was off the planet, the sooner she and Jayden could move on, together. They were an insurmountable force together. 

Beverly lightly pushed Jayden out of the car. "Drive, lover, we have a date with an asshole." Jayden smiled as Beverly's confidence returned. He jogged to the driver's side and climbed in. 

Jayden looked over at Beverly as he started the car. "Our last job, baby." He grinned at her tear-stained, smiling face. Beverly loved that grin. She hated herself for breaking down in front of him and loved him for cherishing her because of it.

"Yes, the last job. Let's get the fucker!" Beverly exclaimed as the car pulled forward. An unfathomable future lay before them. Something neither had ever thought they could have. One last job and the world was theirs. 

Jayden called Sandra on the burner phone as they passed near Tampa Bay. His "Rolodex" was as sharp as ever. Sandra was a bit surprised Jayden wanted to meet her at her place. Jayden's place was a hell of a lot nicer, but a gold mine is a gold mine. She agreed, gave him the address and started cleaning as soon as the call ended.

Before Jayden's call, Sandra's week was going badly. She was late on the rent and her second attempt at wooing a man at the café was thwarted by a screaming wife and an angry café manager. That was the first time she had felt less than human. The contempt in the wife's eyes told the whole story. She had cried herself to sleep that night. 

Jayden's call perked her up. The night she spent with him barely felt like work. She briefly wondered if she should attempt to make the relationship more permanent. A shudder involuntarily traveled her spine. Sandra remembered his almost scary confidence and her thoughts took a step back. Jayden was not the kind of man she wanted a real relationship with. Whatever he was in to, it was best left as a mystery. 

Sandra fished through her closet. She found a nice summer dress, softly colored with surrealistic flowers. It was short enough to show some nice leg, but long enough to not look slutty. The thin straps exposed her soft shoulders. It was cut just low enough to hint at her cleavage. In a word, it was cute. That was what Jayden wanted. She would be his girlfriend again tonight. At least it was more fun than being his whore. 

The doorbell rang about two hours after Jayden's call. Sandra adjusted the ribbon she had tied her hair with and straightened her dress. "Girlfriend, fiancée," she whispered to herself as she prepared her mind for the role. She moved to the door and opened it with an I'm-so-glad-you're-home smile. The smile disappeared. 

When the door opened, Beverly's apprehension was replaced by instant hate. 'Another skinny cute one,' she thought to herself. Why were they all so skinny? How could Jayden like all these twigs and then love her? How she hated the bad parts of love. Jayden grabbed her hand.

"Sandra, this is my girlfriend Beverly," Jayden said proudly for Beverly's benefit, "and this is Susan," he continued, mussing Susan's hair. Beverly's hate went down to dislike with the "girlfriend" honorific. 

"I'm not sure I understand, Jayden." Sandra spoke with confusion. She winced at Beverly's eyes. The vision of the wife at the café still smarted and it now looked like there would be a repeat. Her week was still shit.

"Can we come it for a minute?" Jayden asked, not wanting to talk in a public area. 

"Ahh... Sure," Sandra stuttered as she stepped aside and reluctantly let in Jayden, Susan and Beverly, who looked like she was about to strangle her. When the door was closed she stood uncomfortably, looking at Jayden. 

"Sorry about springing this on you," Jayden apologized. "We are in a tight situation and need someone to take care of Susan for a couple of days." Beverly snarled to herself. Sandra stared in disbelief. She could barely take care of herself, why would anyone think she could care for a child? This week was getting shittier by the minute.

"I don't babysit children, Jayden. You know that," Susan replied forcefully. 

"It pays twenty-five hundred a day," Jayden countered. Susan was staring again. "In advance," he added. Susan was doing the math. Five thousand for two days smelled of trouble. A lot of trouble. She really needed the money and Jayden didn't cheat her the first time. But Jayden and Beverly seemed like trouble. Either they were in trouble or they created it. Susan needed more information. 

"Why?" Susan inquired. Beverly was surprised she asked. Beverly raised her opinion of Susan by a few notches. 

"Can we talk in private?" Jayden asked, glancing quickly at Susan, indicating Susan shouldn't hear this. Beverly didn't like the idea of a private conversation and her opinion of Sandra dropped. 

Sandra led Jayden into her bedroom which was the only other room in her small apartment. She didn't close the door so Beverly raised her opinion again. 

"I can't tell you everything," Jayden started slowly, "Susan, through no fault of her own, is in big trouble. Beverly and I need to few days to clear it up." 

"What kind of trouble?" Sandra asked. 

"The permanent kind," Jayden responded. Sandra covered her mouth with her hand. 

"I'm not sure I can do this," Sandra said, shaking her head. 

"The risks to you are minimal, if you keep her in the apartment. We'll be back in two days and you will have helped a child." Jayden's eyes were pleading. 

"What if you don't come back?" Sandra asked nervously. Jayden had forgotten about that possibility. This could be the end of Beverly and him. His savings would be useless to him if he was dead. 

"I'll give you access to an account." Jayden rubbed his chin as he spoke. "It will keep you flush for two lifetimes." Sandra was staring again. He meant for her to take care of Susan if he didn't return. How had she earned this type of trust? Cribbage, not touching the money, kissing him goodnight? An account worth two lifetimes to Jayden was worth at least ten to her. Sandra needed to know more.

"Who is Susan to you?" Sandra queried.

"You don't want to know," Jayden answered with sincerity. Sandra didn't like being in the dark about how bad it was. The risk was too great.

"I have to know." Sandra crossed her arms. Jayden sighed. He needed Sandra more than she needed him. This had to happen now if they were going to save Susan.

"I was hired to...you know...and I couldn't do it," Jayden said, looking at the floor. Sandra's insides went sour. She kept her arms crossed and her expression neutral as fear turned over in her stomach. 

"Beverly?" Sandra asked hoarsely.

"She couldn't do it either," Jayden said, looking back at Sandra. He saw a stoic face attached to a hesitant body. It was not often you let two assassins into your home. He saw her eyes begin to water. Jayden was right, she didn't want to know. Sandra realized she knew too much. 

"Are you going to kill me when it's over?" Sandra whimpered, trying to hold it together. All she could think of were all the movies where they never left witnesses. She kept her arms crossed in an attempt to hold it together. Jayden's face went pale. 

"Oh no, no, no," Jayden consoled as he hugged Sandra to his chest. "We need your help. I wouldn't let anything happen to you." Beverly was livid when she saw Jayden hug Sandra. Her opinion of Sandra hit rock bottom. She wished she knew what the skinny bitch said to warrant the affection. Beverly decided that enough was enough and marched into bedroom, forgetting Susan was at her heels. 

Jayden saw Beverly was on the warpath. Susan was following dutifully behind her. He quickly sat Sandra on her bed and turned to face Beverly in hopes of slowing her advance. He subconsciously placed his hand over his crotch to protect his valuables. "Beverly, I told her what's going on - everything." Jayden held up his other hand like a crossing guard as he spoke. Beverly slowed as his statement sank in. She saw the tears in Sandra's eyes and Beverly's jealousy waned again. 

Jayden pulled Beverly close and whispered in her ear so Susan couldn't hear, "She thought we were going to end her." Jayden pulled away and saw the anger evaporate from Beverly's face. Beverly felt like crap again. The love/jealousy roller coaster was confusing her idea of how the world worked. She softly kissed Jayden's cheek to apologize. 

"Let me talk with her," Beverly said in a sane tone. She indicated with her hands that Jayden should take Susan back out to the main room. Jayden complied and Beverly shut the door. She sat next to Sandra and took her hands.

Jayden waited with Susan in the main room. He fired up the TV and found the Cartoon Channel to entertain her. Susan grabbed the remote and surfed the channels until she found Nickelodeon. The now-familiar SpongeBob song started and Susan curled into the couch to watch. Jayden was carefully watching the closed bedroom door. There wasn't any screaming so he assumed the conversation was civil. 

Sandra emerged smiling with Beverly. Jayden was a bit surprised by the transformation. Sandra moved in front of Susan and kneeled. 

"Looks like we are going to spend a few days together," Sandra said sweetly, "that means I need some food. Do you like Brussels sprouts?" Susan shook her head. "Asparagus?" More vehement head shaking. Sandra was smiling, "Mushroom casserole?" Susan was making an ugly face while she shook her head. "Maybe some liver?" Susan was smiling and shaking her head. "Mac and Cheese?" 

"Yes!" Susan shouted in glee. Jayden and Beverly stared in shock. Sandra grabbed Susan's hand.

"Come on, let's make a list," Sandra said conspiratorially, "we'll make Jayden go shopping." Susan followed along giggling. Jayden looked at Beverly and shrugged his shoulders. Beverly couldn't understand how a hooker could be better with children than an assassin.

>>>> 

The drive to Marco Island was a bit slower and a bit more scenic. Beverly was still trying to figure out how Sandra got Susan to talk so quickly. Beverly held Susan and comforted her for weeks. How did thirty seconds with Sandra pull Susan out of her funk? Maybe it was because Sandra just expected her to speak and Susan sensed it. Children were a mystery. A lovely mystery. 

"How did you get Sandra to babysit?" Jayden asked to break the silence. "I thought I lost her when she demanded the reason."

"She's a woman, Jayden," Beverly answered, "I just made sure she knew that we three were the only thing keeping Susan alive. It wasn't really a decision at that point." She paused and smiled. "Oh, and I told her I wouldn't let you kill her." 

"You know I wouldn't do that!" Jayden exclaimed.

"Don't worry. I made sure she knew," Beverly chuckled. 

"She was smiling. How did you get her from tears to smiling?" Jayden asked.

"The smiling was about you," Beverly said, but she didn't offer any more information. 

"What about me?" Jayden asked impatiently, after waiting an excruciating number of seconds. 

"Just girl talk." Beverly grinned. Jayden knew he wasn't going to get any more out of her. It irked him to think another woman may have opened up to Beverly. Sandra was a professional. Didn't discretion mean anything any more? He really hoped they weren't discussing the fiancée thing or, God forbid, the baby thing. Jayden blushed thinking about that becoming public knowledge. Beverly didn't seem to notice. 

>>>>

The way to the Marco Island Yacht Club was the first right after crossing the bridge. Beverly's face was becoming grim. All she could think of was different ways of making Vincent suffer. Her life with Jayden would start as Vincent's ended. A perfect target for a last kill.

Jayden parked by the pool near the entrance. They walked to the second pier and about halfway down they saw "Dream of Clouds." It was about seventy-five feet long with sleek lines. Two levels of dark black windows pulled back rhombus style to portray speed. It was a beautiful craft, born by the cost of a family.

Jayden and Beverly boarded as quietly as they could. The main room was luxurious. A glass-topped table, seating six, ran across the port side windows. The starboard side hosted a monstrous, comfy couch. End chairs bordered the seating area that was centered on two glass-topped coffee tables, sitting on a fashionable throw rug. The whole decor was a pale tan, edged in stainless steel that oozed wealth. 

A search of the vessel uncovered more luxury, but no Vincent or anyone else. Jayden helped himself to the fully-stocked bar. Not many people stocked Bowmore. He smiled as he poured himself a finger of the scotch whiskey. Beverly rolled her eyes. 'Men, always mixing pleasure with business,' she thought. Jayden returned to the main room, sat in one of the comfortable end chairs and waited for the captain to arrive. Beverly chose to wait outside, on the opposite side of the boarding ladder. 

Just as the Sun began to descend, the sliding glass doors opened and in walked Thomas Saunders. He was a slightly overweight man with dark, black hair and mustache. Thomas was half way into the room before he saw Jayden sitting in the chair, nursing the same finger of scotch. Jayden didn't drink on the job. He did, however, like the idea of the expensive scotch in his hand. 

"Who the hell are you?" Saunders shouted. He had stopped dead in his tracks and even took half a step back. 

"Good evening, Vincent," Jayden said calmly. He swirled the glass of scotch to release more of its aroma. Jayden imagined himself living like this. One of the elite sitting back and watching the world work itself to death. 

"I...don't know...I'm Tom Saunders," Vincent stuttered. He was inching backward toward the sliding glass doors. Fear was in his eyes.

"Why don't you sit down Vincent," Jayden said, indicating the couch. "That would make all this a bit easier." Vincent turned and ran for the doors. He almost made it all the way out before Beverly's knee found his groin. She didn't hold anything back. Susan's cries and silence fueled Beverly's knee. Vincent's body actually left the floor for a brief moment, then collapsed into a whimpering ball. Beverly lined up and kicked, aiming for his privates once again. Fortunately for Vincent, his ass caught most of the force which scooted him a good six inches. 




The Job Pt. 07



"I told you it would be easier to just sit down," Jayden chided, "Beverly really dislikes you and I happen to agree with her. Please get on the couch."

"Okay, okay," Vincent said weakly, straining to raise a hand in surrender. He crawled slowly to the couch with Beverly following. She prayed he would stray from the path. He lifted himself, never letting his thighs separate, hoping to protect his jewels. Once he was seated, Jayden pulled out the burner phone.

"Look at me, Vincent," Jayden instructed calmly. Vincent looked up from his pain and Jayden snapped his picture. Vincent grimaced. "You ready for this, Honey?" Jayden requested of Beverly.

"Do it, Sweetie," Beverly returned with a smile.

Jayden texted the picture and 'Vincent Thomas for Susan Thomas.' "It's done. Now we wait." Jayden smiled at Beverly. 

"I'll give you a million each if you let me go," Vincent pleaded. Beverly walked up and swung as hard as she could and caught him on the cheek with a haymaker. Vincent's body followed his head to the couch cushion. He didn't rise; he just lay there and moaned. 

Jayden retrieved some nautical rope from a closet and tossed it to Beverly. She tied Vincent's hands and arms behind his back. Vincent felt the circulation cease below the wrist and caught a fist in the nose when he complained. His beautiful couch now sported reddish brown stains. 

Twenty minutes later, Jayden heard the phone vibrate on the coffee table. The return text contained only a phone number. Jayden sighed and dialed. Beverly nervously listened to the one-sided conversation. 

"Yes," Jayden said, then smiled and gave Beverly a thumbs-up. His suddenly got serious. 

"No, I don't know where she is."

"Why would I do that?"

"I'll be here."

Jayden hung up the call and looked up at Beverly, "Susan is safe, but you need to leave. They don' t know you're here." He was talking fast and didn't sound like himself. 

"And you're staying?" Beverly asked, dumbfounded. 

"I have to, but you don't," Jayden said, trying to shoo her out the sliding glass doors. Jayden needed Beverly safe. He was fucked and only the thought of Beverly being safe gave him any solace. 

"What's going on?" Beverly asked, pushing back into the room. She wasn't leaving without Jayden. It was both of them forever - that was the deal.

"I made a mistake. I have to stay," Jayden said with pleading eyes, "please, Beverly, you have to leave. They've tracked the phone by now." Beverly pushed back hard, sending Jayden back a step.

"What the fuck are you saying?" Beverly shouted. Her eyes were welling up. Jayden stopped trying to usher her out and pulled her into his arms.

"I used a credit card at Molson Tire & Auto," Jayden said quietly. "They know about Marissa. It's me or the family. Please, Beverly, I have to know you're safe." Beverly stared at Jayden and tears flowed down her cheeks. Every dream shattered. Why did she even try to dream? Jayden grabbed a fistful of her hair and pulled her lips to his. The kiss was hard and final. "God, we would have been so good together," he said, looking into her eyes, "you have to go now! Think of Susan." Jayden tried pushing the car keys into her hand.

Beverly looked at the keys and then back at Jayden. She had nowhere she wanted to go. There was no other place where anything made sense. Her rock was in front of her. Her life was shit without him. 'Fuck it' she thought, 'it was a one-way trip to begin with.' She dropped the keys to the floor and pulled Jayden in for another, more passionate, kiss. She drove her tongue between his lips and felt him respond with his. She lost herself in his arms, wishing it was forever and knowing it was only moments. 

"I need a drink," Beverly said, as she broke the kiss and headed toward the bar. 

"Beverly, you have to..." Jayden started up again.

"Don't!" Beverly stated firmly and turned around. "I don't want to die angry at you. I want to have a drink with you. I want to be with you. I don't want to be anywhere else." Jayden left the keys on the floor and took her hand in his and walked to the bar. There was no point in trying to change her mind. He was just going to enjoy being with her while he could. 

>>>>

Beverly and Jayden were three-sheets-to-the-wind by the time the Cartel members arrived. They had laughed together more in those hours than they had for the last month. Vincent tried to hobble away, but was thwarted by an empty bottle of Bowmore. Beverly had fun tying him flat on the coffee table. They used him as a foot rest until they realized it was just as uncomfortable for them as it was for Vincent. 

Two foot soldiers entered first and disarmed the pair. It was fairly easy since their guns were on the dining table. They had been playing a game of shot-glass hockey across the glass tabletop, using their guns as the strikers. A well-dressed South American man entered with four more soldiers. He looked at Vincent tied on the table and then at Jayden and Beverly who were having trouble standing. 

"I was told the woman wasn't going to be here," the well-dressed man stated with a rich accent. 

"I lied," Jayden slurred and burst into laughter. Beverly followed suit and they ended up struggling to hold each other up.

"Had a bit to drink have we?" the man continued without a smile. 

"We can drink as much as we want," Jayden slurred and smiled at Beverly. 

"Won't have any hangover tomorrow." Beverly completed Jayden's thought and started laughing again. They had discussed the topic at length before. Sharing it with others had them laughing again. The man smiled and shook his head.

"This is Vincent?" the man asked, pointing to the coffee table. Vincent's eyes showed true fear. Somehow, despite his bindings, he managed to start shaking. 

"The fucker...that's him," Beverly said sloppily as she pointed at Victor. Jayden tried to steady her which only exacerbated the balance issues.

"Looks like you had a hard day, Victor," the man teased, "your night will be a bit harder. As for you two," the man said, looking up at Jayden and Beverly, "it pains me to lose you over this slime. You know, Victor, they gave up their lives to save your daughter. Unfortunately, I can't have disobedience in the ranks. Unlike you, Victor, their deaths will be quick and clean." Victor lost control of his bladder. Beverly laughed. The man raised his hand to one of the foot soldiers and the soldier removed a .45 from inside his jacket and began affixing a silencer. 

Jayden steadied himself and turned Beverly to face him. He placed his forehead to hers, "You're my angel. I wouldn't trade my time with you for anything." Beverly pulled his lips to hers. The soldier moved behind her head and aimed.



The Job Pt. 08



Author's Note: This story was edited by Tim413413. His work was embarrassingly difficult. I actually think he spent more time on this than I did. Thank you sir!

*****

"Alejandro!" The voice was a strong female alto. It came from outside the boat and was followed by a string of Spanish words that sounded angry. The well-dressed man rattled off a command in Spanish and every gun quickly disappeared into a jacket. The sound of loud heels echoed off the deck and the female's Spanish words began to sound meaner as she approached the sliding glass doors. 

In walked a buxom raven-haired Spanish beauty. Her curly hair flowed across her light brown shoulders. She was dressed to kill in a dark red dress that did little to hide her curvaceous figure. Her legs were made taut by a set of four-inch red pumps that looked like they were designed for the dress. Behind her followed a very contrite man trying not to look at the well-dressed leader.

"Alejandro...!" The woman in red went into a Spanish tirade as she moved, in a very threatening manner, closer to the well-dressed Alejandro. She was pointing everywhere and yelling about 'bebes' and 'familia.' Jayden recognized the 'no hay sexo' imbedded in the yelling. The contrite man was trying to avoid the daggers shooting from Alejandro's eyes. 

Alejandro and the woman argued for a few minutes. It was obvious to Jayden who was winning. The woman never backed away and almost had Alejandro leaning backward. A few of the soldiers were desperately trying not to smile. It finally ended with the woman tapping her beautiful pump on the floor. 

"It seems I was a bit hasty targeting the child and the mother," Alejandro said begrudgingly," it sets a precedent that puts my own family at risk." The woman kept tapping her foot and signaled him to continue. "You two are retired and free to go." Alejandro obviously had a very difficult time getting that out. The woman spilled more vicious Spanish, pointing at Beverly and Jayden. Alejandro's shoulders sagged.

"Thank you for saving the child." Alejandro looked at the woman with pleading eyes as he spoke. Her pump tapping continued, "Is there something I can do in return?" Alejandro's teeth were clenched as the last part leaked out. The woman smiled and grabbed Alejandro's face and kissed him deeply. It looked like there would be 'sexo' tonight.

"No, we're good," Beverly slurred and started to pull Jayden out of the room. Jayden pulled back. He smiled at Alejandro and staggered toward him. Beverly wasn't sure if she should be concerned. She was feeling no pain, but thought they should be leaving. She spotted the SUV keys on the floor and nearly toppled over picking them up. It took her three tries before she had a firm grasp on the ring. When she brought her head up the boat began to spin a bit. 

"And that's what I want," Jayden said with just a bit of spittle and way too much emphasis. The woman gave Alejandro a severe look and he relented.

"Okay, but, I never want to see either of you two again," Alejandro stated ominously, "you don't work for anyone, understand?" Jayden staggered backward.

"Okay, it's a deal then." Jayden pointed at Beverly a couple of times. "We'll be leaving now." He had a little trouble turning around and had to readjust his aim at the door. "Come on Bev, we got to go." 

"I thought I was Beverly," she said with a small frown while trying to grab his hand. 

"That's right!" Jayden overstated, "cause you're so damned pretty. My pretty Beverly." Beverly smiled and they helped each other out the door. Getting down to the dock was a bit more difficult. Miraculously, they made it to the car without falling into the Gulf. 

"You're going to have..to have...drive to," Jayden mumbled. It took Beverly four tries to find the right button to unlock the doors. She had to close the back hatch manually when she couldn't figure out what button would close it again. It was just too dark and the closest light seemed too far away.

"Sleep...then drive," Beverly slurred as she pulled open the back door. Jayden climbed into the middle and Beverly pushed until he was on the left side. She climbed in herself and lay down, using Jayden's thigh as a pillow. 

"Love you," Jayden mumbled as he absently stroked her hair. The car was spinning a bit as he lay his head in the nook between the window and seat back. "Damn...gonna have...hangover," Jayden drooled out as blackness invaded his mind. Beverly was already snoring. 

>>>>

Jayden and Beverly partially regretted their survival. The early morning Sun was burning holes into their bloodshot eyes and the sound of traffic tore at their eardrums. Beverly was concentrating on not vomiting again. Jayden was cursing the world for the pain throbbing through his head. It felt better to close his eyes, but that made driving a bit risky. He settled for long blinks.

Jayden pulled into a Super Center. They hobbled to the restrooms and tried to rinse the night off. It didn't help much. Jayden purchased a case of bottled water and they headed back into the laser-like Sun. Jayden felt like he was wading through waist-deep water. It didn't help that the parking lot was radiating the tropical Sun. He threw the case into the back seat and brought four bottles up front. They climbed into the SUV and Jayden handed a bottle to Beverly. Beverly looked up with bloodshot eyes and a sickly, pale complexion as she took the bottle. 

"No offense, but I'm not attracted to you right now," Jayden said sardonically. 

"Puke does kind of ruin the romance," Beverly said with a weak grin. Jayden uncapped the water bottle and gulped down half. It was followed by a burp that tasted like scotch. Beverly waved her hand in front of her face. "Open a window when you do that." 

"Sorry," Jayden apologized and started the SUV. He acquiesced and briefly let the window down for some hot, muggy air. The rest of the drive to the Fort Myers area was mostly silent. The water gradually dissipated the worst of the scotch-induced hangover. 

>>>>

"Oh thank God!" Sandra exclaimed when she opened the door and saw Beverly and Jayden standing there. "What happened? You two look terrible," she declared.

"Hangover," Beverly replied as she stepped inside. 

"I worried all night and you two were out drinking," Sandra scolded like an ignored wife, "you could have called."

"Nope, we couldn't even walk," Beverly smirked.

"It was a last-minute reprieve," Jayden added, "your worry wasn't unfounded. Susan is safe, we are safe and all is well but our brains." 

"Safe? Do you mean forever safe?" Sandra asked.

"Forever and ever," Beverly smiled, then added, "and we are now retired." She looked around the small apartment. "Where is Susan?"

"Asleep in my bed. She tried to wait up for you last night." Sandra smiled. "Poor girl made it to about four this morning before she passed out. I think she partially knew what was happening. She kept asking if you guys were alright."

"Can we leave her here 'til she wakes up?" Jayden queried. "We'd like to get cleaned up and maybe shut our eyes for a few hours."

"Of course, Jayden," Sandra answered flirtatiously, "you already paid me for the whole day. Babysitting or anything else." Sandra batted her eyes, trying to be humorous. Beverly felt that stab of jealousy again. She knew Jayden was hers, but skinny Sandra was just too close. Beverly forced a smile and tried to discern if Jayden thought it was funny, or cute, or real. Jayden just gave Sandra a quick grin.

"Thanks, Sandra," Jayden said as he leaned in and gave Sandra a kiss on the cheek, "we couldn't have done this without you." Beverly didn't like the kiss, not after the batted eyes. "If you could bring Susan to my condo when she wakes, that would be great," Jayden told Sandra. Beverly didn't like that Sandra even knew where the condo was. Beverly didn't know where the condo was. She tried to force the ugly, gray feelings away, but they just hung on with sharp hooks. "Maybe you could join us for dinner," Jayden said as he grabbed Beverly's hand and led her out the door. 

"Sure, I will see you this afternoon," Sandra said as she closed the door. Beverly's face darkened at the thought of Sandra at the dinner table. She knew they owed her a bit of friendship because of the risks she took for Susan, but did it have to involve sitting next to Jayden at dinner?

Jayden smiled when the door closed and he looked at Beverly. He had watched her face change when Sandra flirted. He didn't know why he found Beverly's jealousy so alluring. He grabbed a handful of Beverly's ponytail and pulled her lips to his. The kiss was passionate and forceful. Jayden was claiming her and making sure she knew it. Beverly felt like a teenager and melted into him. No man had ever taken her before. Jayden was the first, the last and hers forever. 

"Forget about her," Jayden said, nodding his head toward the door, "no one lights my fire like you." Beverly blushed when she realized she wore her jealousy on her face. 

"She's so damn skinny," Beverly said in her own defense. Jayden pulled her closer. 

"She's not my angel." Jayden smiled. Beverly liked the idea of being his angel. She felt lighter and maybe a bit skinnier. They kissed again.

>>>>

It was late when Jayden finally turned onto the familiar streets of Fort Myers. He had spent the day in Tampa Bay acquiring fake papers for Susan. They had only found one relative who wanted anything to do with Susan. Her grandmother was in a nursing home and had no way of taking care of her. Jayden and Beverly decided on an adoption, their way. Legal adoption would have taken too long and left Susan in the hands of child services. Not to mention the difficulty of convincing anyone that ex-assassins would make good parents. 

Jayden had acquired enough documentation to convince a school so Susan could start being a normal kid again. Jayden was pleased with himself. He saw himself as a father and couldn't imagine ever letting Susan go. He wondered how well he would handle the first boy who broke Susan's heart. He only knew he had to get to the boy before Beverly did. 

Susan was talking up a storm. It was as if she had been saving it all during that first month. Beverly and Susan now had long conversations about trivial, meaningless stuff. Meaningless to Jayden, but so very important to them. Susan had accepted them fully. Jayden surmised that her previous years were not pleasant. The fake death of her father may have made her mother depressed. Vincent leaving in the first place spoke volumes for the state of the marriage to begin with. Whatever the reasons, they were all comfortable with each other. A wonderfully strange family. 

Jayden opened the door to the condo quietly. It was well past eleven and he was sure Susan would be asleep. He hoped Beverly wasn't. There was only one lamp on for him. The rest of the condo was dark and he sighed. It didn't look like Beverly waited up. He couldn't blame her, but it was a small disappointment. He liked having a wife, even if the paperwork was fake. He was surprised to see his Cribbage board out on the table. It looked like it had been played. He flipped off the light and headed to the bedroom.

The darkness revealed a flickering light from the crack below the bedroom door. Candles made that type of light and Jayden smiled. She had waited for him. He had never seen "romantic" Beverly. Or maybe this was "kinky" Beverly. He felt himself getting stiff as his mind wandered through the possibilities. He quietly opened the door to a very kinky Beverly.

Jayden stared in disbelief. Beverly was on her back, naked on the bed, her eyes were closed and she had a lustful grin on her face. Her hands were wrapped in Sandra's hair, holding Sandra's head between her legs. Beverly's knees were raised and Sandra was caressing Beverly's thighs, while obviously hard at work with her tongue. Sandra had one knee off the bed and one knee on. She was naked, open and moist. The light from five surrounding candles flickered shadows across the scene. 

Jayden felt a mixture of arousal and jealousy. He wasn't sure he wanted to share Beverly. He wasn't sure he didn't. He should be between her legs. He loved seeing what was between her legs now. Beverly looked so dreamy and Sandra looked so slutty. His prick loved the vision; his mind was still calculating. He quietly closed the door and a pair of dreamy eyes met his. 

"Hello sweetheart," Beverly whispered through her grin, "I'm glad you're home." She reached out her hand to encourage him forward. Jayden stepped closer, still loving and hating what lay before him. He took Beverly's hand and she urged him down to her. He kneeled before her head. Sandra's eyes were closed and her tongue was working deep into Beverly. Beverly put her hand behind his head and pulled his lips to hers. Jayden felt her passion and the small tremors Sandra was causing. 

"I couldn't get her out of my head," Beverly whispered as she broke the kiss, "I needed to even us up and it's working." She emitted a soft, involuntary moan. "I didn't like the jealousy. Please don't be angry." Jayden thought it made no sense, but it was obviously perfectly logical to Beverly. She had to control her emotions and put them back into balance. Being uneven was abhorrent to her. Jayden relented and let his resentment fade away.

"She really is quite good," Jayden whispered into Beverly's lips. He kissed her deeply while he caressed her neck. Beverly shuddered as her two lovers lifted her spirit higher. Jayden reached down and fondled her left breast, tenderly tugging her taut nipple. Beverly groaned into his mouth and arched her back. 

Sandra knew Beverly was close. Muscles had tightened when Jayden entered and Beverly's responsiveness increased. Sandra had satisfied women before and knew the signs well. She brought her hand down from Beverly's thigh and slowly inserted the tips of her index and middle fingers into Beverly's opening. Sandra knew what would make this memorable, it was her job to know. She could read people and she knew what the couple needed. She lifted her mouth from Beverly's sex. "Ask her to cum for you, Jayden," she commanded seductively.

Jayden looked into Beverly's eyes. "Cum for me, my angel," he softly directed as he caressed her breast, his lips just a millimeter from hers. Sandra drove her fingers deep into Beverly. Beverly's eyes closed and her hips raised from the bed. Sandra sucked Beverly's clitoris into her mouth and her tongue tickled the tip. Beverly exploded with a scream muffled by Jayden's loving mouth. Sandra's fingers were searching relentlessly as Beverly tried to squeeze them to oblivion. Jayden could see the veins in Beverly's neck flicker in the candlelight as she rode out the sensual tsunami. 

Sandra slowly released Beverly as the orgasm subsided. Jayden held Beverly close, enjoying the sated look glowing in her features. He kissed her lightly above the eyes and stroked her hair. Jayden had no idea why he felt closer to Beverly. Why was this experience so private, yet shared with another? 

Sandra stood and then moved behind Jayden. She helped him to his feet and quietly began undressing him. She stood behind him as she worked, not wanting to get between the two lovers. Jayden kept staring at Beverly's loving eyes. Sandra removed his shirt, then reached around and began unbuttoning his pants. Beverly looked up at Jayden and saw the commitment in his eyes. She absently dropped her hand between her legs where things were tingling more than they should. Sandra pulled Jayden's pants and boxers down to his ankles and began untying his shoes. Jayden's erection was pointing proudly and directly at Beverly as he stepped out of his shoes and pants.

Sandra rose behind Jayden and wrapped one hand around his chest and one around his cock. Beverly winced, not with jealousy, but with desire. "I know both your secrets," Sandra purred across Jayden's ear while looking at Beverly. "You both hide them well." She began softly stroking Jayden and caressing his chest with her palm. She pressed her breasts into his back and smiled at the mesmerized Beverly. "Beverly told me what she wants, Jayden," Sandra cooed while nibbling on his ear. Beverly's expression turned a bit pale. Sandra was sharing too much. "I've always known what Jayden wants," Sandra taunted with a salacious grin at Beverly. 

Jayden was both intrigued by and highly aroused at Sandra's words. He was trying to maintain his composure as she fondled him with his angel before him. "Jayden, do you want to know Beverly's greatest wish?" Sandra whispered in his ear as she nibbled. Beverly was beginning to rise to stop Sandra before she ruined everything. Jayden saw the panic in Beverly's eyes and was about to end this fantasy. Sandra let go of him and took a step back. "She wants to have your baby," Sandra said smoothly. Beverly's face went ashen. It was too soon to tell him that!

Jayden stared at Beverly with what looked like shock. It was anything but. Beverly didn't know if she should kill Sandra or go running from the room. Sandra smiled, she could read people well. She grabbed the robe she started the evening in and began to don it. Jayden dropped to his knee before Beverly and pushed her loose blond hair behind her ear. "You would be a wonderful mother," Jayden said in earnest, laced with love. Color returned to Beverly's face in a flood that made her dizzy. "Our children would be so beautiful," Jayden continued as he slowly returned her to her back. He climbed on the bed with her. 

Sandra quietly exited the room. She heard Beverly exclaim, "Oh...Jayden!" before the door was fully closed. 'What a wonderfully strange couple,' Sandra mused as she walked to the hall bathroom to retrieve her clothes.

>>>>

Marissa was proud of her shopping skills. She hit the grocery store armed with a purse full of coupons. She actually had fun matching the coupons to the products and challenging the inevitable errors at the register. Marissa was doing everything she could to make sure their dollars went as far as possible. Every once in a while she regretted returning Jayden's money, but she knew it had been the right thing to do. 

Xavier gave a little shout from the playpen Doug had built. "Just a minute, Honey, let me get the groceries put away," Marissa consoled in the way only mothers can. She could hear her other boys running around upstairs. They were patient at the store so she let them pick the flavor of ice cream. She wondered how much longer she could bribe them for good behavior. 

The kitchen door burst open. Doug floated in with a hand full of papers. "We are going out to eat tonight, family!" he said as he danced up to Marissa. He grabbed her around the waist and kissed her as he whirled her around. Marissa laughed at his exuberance. 

"Doug, we can't afford it," Marissa scolded while smiling, "once every two weeks. We agreed, remember?"

"Damn the rules, woman!" Doug slapped the papers on the table. "If I want to take my rich wife out to dinner then that is what I am going to do!"

"What has gotten into you?" Marissa asked, trying to control the infectious happiness. The papers looked like contracts. "What do you mean rich?" She grabbed one of the stapled stacks. The logo for Caravan Coffee was in the upper left corner.

"We are now the home of the new mid-west Caravan Coffee depot," Doug said excitedly, "they are leasing twenty acres and I have the contract for all preventative maintenance including tires." He snapped open a check in front of Marissa, "This is the earnest money for the twenty-year lease."

Marissa counted the five zeros twice. She had never seen so many zeros on a check. "That's a hundred thousand dollars!" she shrieked. Doug just nodded with a huge grin on his face. "How... why... when?" she stammered, counting the zeros again.




The Job Pt. 08



"They called the shop this morning. Said they scouted the area and we were their first choice." Doug grabbed Marissa around the waist and spun her around again. "This means I won't have to sell any land and the boys will inherit the full Molson dynasty."  

"Where should we go?" Marissa asked smiling as it all finally sank in. 

"Where else? The Burger Barn," Doug said, smiling, "I may be rich, but I still have no class. Plus the boys love the place." Marissa jumped into his arms and kissed her goggle-wearing, sawdust-covered, pinstripe-suit-wearing man.

>>>>

Jayden watched Beverly and Susan go through the paint swatches as they tried to pick the best colors for the nursery. Beverly had given Susan carte blanche to decorate her new brother's or sister's room. It was amazing how many decisions needed to be made for such a small room. Beverly caught his curious eyes and smiled. He couldn't believe how good she looked pregnant. She was pretty before, but now she was absolutely radiant. 

A knock on the door brought Jayden back to reality. He smiled at Beverly and answered the door. A well-dressed man in a three-piece suit was standing there. The man tossed an airtight bag of Caravan Coffee to Jayden which he caught. "Alejandro Mendoza says it's done," the man said quickly. He turned, not waiting for or expecting a response, and left. Jayden bounced the bag in his hand as he closed the door. Jayden would have loved to see the look on Marissa's face. 

"Who was that?" Beverly asked. 

"Coffee delivery." Jayden smiled at his angel. All was right with the world.