Page 6 of A Pawn for Malice
Jessica couldn’t help but whimper, “Oh, AuntFlorence! What would I do without you? Thank you. Yes, please letthe Senator know I can’t wait to do just that.”
“No need for thanks, Jessica. I love you likea daughter and can’t wait to have you back home. See you tomorrow,dear. Now go pack and rest up.”
Jessica blew her Aunt a kiss and ended theconnection, letting loose a deep sigh of relief. Her Aunt’sencouraging words of support gave her a sense of renewed hope. Shefelt rejuvenated, as if she could conquer anything … even escapingthe clutches of her controlling father-in-law. She looked at herwrist watch. It was too early for dinner, but she had not eaten allday. She went to the kitchen and scrambled about for somethingquick to prepare and managed enough ingredients for a small saladand sandwich.
Once her belly was full, she knew that lyingdown for a nap was not an option and decided on a long hot showerinstead, and turned, climbing the stairs to the second floor.
***
The hot, pulsating water from the shower headmassaged her aching muscles like the fingers of a masseuse. Jessicarested her forehead against the shower wall. She could feel thetenseness in her shoulders relax, as the water drummed on herflesh. The strain of the day’s events slowly melted away and shemoaned blissfully.
Her skin glowed a soft pink, and as shescrubbed herself dry, she opened the door leading into the masterbedroom. She jumped and shrieked with fright, when she noted Halstanding in her room.Her eyes dartedto the window. It had to be the only way he could haveentered, and then she realized it was closed and they were twofloors up.
“How the hell did you get in here?” Shebellowed, gripping her bath towel tighter about her nakedness.
Dear God! The look of ravenous hungerreflected in his eyes struck the worse fear deep in the pit of herstomach. She could feel the nausea slowly rise in her throat andlooked about quickly for a means of escape, but there was none. Shewas trapped and she gulped fretfully as she side-stepped to theleft. His stare was intense, as he gawped at the soft swell of herbreasts peeking out above her towel. She adjusted it quickly andside-stepped again, when he moved forward, reaching out forher.
He raised hisother hand, swinging a key on a single ring, with a self-assuredlook, that pissed heroff.
Her eyes flamed with hatred. “Where do youget off coming here like this?”
Hal sprinted forward and his fingers grazedalong the curve of her shoulder.
Jessica slapped his hand away, dove for thebed and rolled clear to the other side. Her breasts rose and fell,as she fought to quell the fear threatening to consume her.
Hal’s gate was slow and deliberate and hiseyes gleaned with destructive intent. “Aw come on. I think it’stime you show a little thanks for everything I’ve paid for all thistime.”
Jessica wanted nothing more than to slash hishandsome face to shreds.
“You, bastard! Have you no remorse? You justburied your son, and now you’re trying to bed his widow. You’repure evil!” She spat vehemently.
Hal smirked and placed a knee atop themattress.
He waved her comment off, as though it weretrivial and replied. “He was worthless and careless.”
Jessica knew he wasn’t a man to take lightly.Despite his sixty-four years, his money helped keep him lean andhard of muscle. He was a devout runner and worked out daily with aprivate trainer. Except for the distinguished grey coloring histemples, one would think him to be a man in his early fifties.
She slowly moved backward, until she felt hernightstand grace the back of her knees. She reached behind andslowly retrieved a pair of scissors she had left lying thereearlier after trimming her hair. As she watched him move his handto his pant zipper,she held them likea hammer out in front of her, so she could draw them back and drivethem into his gullet or slash outin any direction like anexpertswordsman.
“I’d think twice, if I were you. Take anotherstep closer and I swear you’ll regret it.”
She barely took a breath, watching himclosely, as he sized up the situation. His hand froze briefly andhe stared her down. She knew he was taking in the very sight ofher. She could feel droplets of water fall from her wet hair andslowly slide down her skin and disappear between her firm breasts.She could not help but notice the bulge in his pants and how histongue slowly grazed along his lower lip.
“God, you make me hard,” he groaned.
She raised the scissors higher and he took astep forward. “I mean it, Hal!”
Their eyes locked, chests heaving withshallow breaths, each summing up the other, wondering who wouldbuckle first. Seconds passed and minutes hung heavy in the air likea fog.
Hal crossed his arms and leaned against herfour- poster.
“Haven’t I taken care of you” He huffed,changing his tactic. “It pains me that you feel this way, Jessica.I mean … I’ve provided this beautiful cottage for you to live in,made sure my son had a generous income to keep you in the lap ofluxury …”
Jessica shrieked.
“The lap ... are you kidding me!” She turnedto her left and flung open the closet door. Dozens of empty hangarshung in a perfect row, accept for a few slacks, blouses, one skirt,a day dress and denim shift. A pair of worn sneakers sat on thefloor beneath the hangars, along with two pairs of black flats,dressy black pumps, and a light tan pair of winter boots.
“Do you see furs hanging here or an array ofdesigner outfits?” She moved to her jewelry chest and dumped itatop her coverlet. “No precious gems, diamonds there either,” shespat. “The only luxury you ever afforded was catering to your son’svices!”
