Anytime Darlin' (25 page)

Jake alone had called her back to this life. He was the reason she’d returned, the only reason. Devlin realized she had indeed heard a voice from the other side, Jake’s. He’d called to her loud and clear when she hovered near death. Back then she had listened and come home. To him.

Well, Dev thought to herself, it was time she started listening to him again. She may not make a sound in the forest, but she assured herself that Jake McKenna certainly did. Devlin rose to her feet, brushing the grass from her clothing. She bent over and kissed the still-warm headstones, then looked around for some loose rocks. She’d learned a couple of years ago in one of her religious studies classes that it was a Jewish custom to leave a pebble on the grave of a loved one, to show that they were not forgotten. It took some time to find five smooth, flat pebbles, but she did. Devlin laid them on the gravestones.

“I’ll be back. I promise,” she said. Then she searched for a sixth stone, tossing it into the meadow beyond the graves for her Aunt Carolyn. She ran to her rental car, searching her memory for the quickest route to the interstate. Devlin knew she could return to the airport in Omaha and try to get a flight back to Denver, but she just wanted to go home, to Grinnell. As soon as she got there, she’d call Jake and apologize. She only hoped she’d be able to find him.

She had a two-hour drive ahead of her. Devlin figured she might as well make good use of the time. As Devlin drove east, the sun dying behind her, she imagined herself knocking out all Janice’s perfect white teeth. Giving her two black eyes. Breaking her nose. The images made the time pass.

Jake was exhausted by the time they landed in Chicago, but he didn’t have time to think about it. It was fortunate he’d been seated in First Class because his plane was forced to circle O’Hare several times, and he had to sprint to his connecting flight. Once again, the flight attendants closed the door immediately behind him. Jake had hoped to have time to call Mary. He wanted to find out if she’d heard anything from Devlin, but that would have to wait until he arrived in Des Moines. His plane out of Chicago left half an hour late. At least it was a short flight. The problem would be finding Devlin. He had no idea whether she’d be flying into Des Moines, driving in, or staying in Omaha. She might even hide out with Mary’s family in Treynor. Jake sighed. He’d get directions to her house from Mary. He’d camp out on her front porch indefinitely if that’s what it took to get her back.

When Jake disembarked in Des Moines forty minutes later, he searched for a pay phone. All he’d brought with him were the clothes on his back and his wallet. He needed change. Most of the vendors were closed for the night. There were very few passengers about, but he found a rental car agency open near the baggage claim. He got change from the attendant and checked the hours of operation. If Devlin didn’t show up, he’d need to rent a car.

Mary answered on the first ring. “Devlin?”

“No, Mary, it’s me,” replied Jake. “I take it you haven’t heard from her?”

“No, nothing,” said Mary, distress obvious in her voice. “I phoned my mom and all my brothers just in case, so they know to be on the lookout for her. I told them what happened. I hope you don’t mind. I figured if she shows up they can set the record straight.”

“It’s fine. I don’t care who knows what anymore. Look, sweetie, you must be exhausted. Give me directions to her house, and I’ll let you go to bed.” Jake looked around for something to write on. He realized he didn’t have a pen or a pencil, let alone a piece of paper. “Hold on a minute,” he said. “I gotta find something to write with.”

The only place Jake could think to look was the rental car agency. He hated to leave Mary hanging on the phone, so he told her he’d call her right back. He’d nearly reached the baggage claim area when he heard Devlin’s voice. Jake stopped in his tracks. He spotted her leaning over the counter at the rental car agency, practically shoving a set of keys into the young attendant’s face. He could hear her trying to explain why she wanted to drop the car off here instead of driving it back to Omaha.

Jake took a deep breath. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her off. Jake was sure he could catch Dev if she started running from him, but he didn’t want it to be that way. He could hear the anxiety in her voice as she tried to convince the attendant to accept the car. While she was distracted, he walked right up behind her. Jake stretched a big arm on either side of her, placed his hands on the countertop. He pressed his body against her back, trapping her between himself and the desk. He felt Devlin jerk, and she fell silent. From over Devlin’s shoulder, Jake saw surprise in the young man’s eyes. He could only imagine what this must look like.

Jake lowered his head. Putting his mouth close to her ear, he murmured, “Devlin, don’t run from me. Please. We need to talk.”

He felt her breathing quicken. He slid a hand over hers and held her wrist. Her heart was racing. She turned in his arms and stared up at him, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears.

Devlin whispered, “Jake,” before her eyes closed, and she slid down his body toward the floor. Jake caught her up in his arms and carried her to the nearest row of seats.

Jake laid her across his lap, cradling her against his chest, rubbing his hand over her smooth cheek. “Dev, it’s okay. Wake up, darlin’. C’mon, Devlin, wake up.”

“Can I help with anything, sir?” asked the young man as he hurried from behind the desk. “Should I call an ambulance?”

Devlin began to stir.

“No, I think she’ll be all right,” replied Jake. “Do you have any juice or pop or something? Even a glass of water would be good.”

“I’ll be right back.” The young man took off at a run.

Jake continued to speak quietly, rubbing her cheeks and her arms. Her skin felt cold to his touch. She’d left Denver with only the clothes on her back. She wore a sleeveless shirt, and the air-conditioning felt like ice in the airport. Jake wished he had a jacket to cover her with, but he didn’t, so he snuggled her close to his chest. If he knew Devlin, she probably hadn’t had a thing to drink or eat since lunch.

The young man returned with a plastic cup of orange juice.

“C’mon, baby, wake up and drink something,” Jake coaxed. Devlin began to wiggle in his arms, and her eyes fluttered open.

“Jake,” she said. Her voice had a husky sound, as if she’d been crying.

“Jake,” she repeated, “how…? What are you…?”

“Shhhh.” He lifted her upright and showed her the cup of juice. “Drink this,” he ordered. “Then we’ll talk.”

Dev obediently took the cup and sipped. She made a face.

“No, drink it all.”

Devlin drank the juice. The young man hovered nearby and asked her how she felt and if he could bring her anything else. Devlin thanked him and told him she was fine, just tired.

“I’ll be behind the desk when you’re ready to check in the car,” he said politely. He walked down the corridor a little farther than he needed to in order to give them some privacy.

* * * *

Devlin decided to take matters in hand. She climbed off Jake’s lap and stood on shaky legs, facing him.

“I’m so sorry,” she said. “I shouldn’t have run off. I’m sorry you had to chase me all the way to Des Moines.”

“No,” she said, taking his hand and pressing it to her lips. “I know he’s not your child.”

“How?” asked Jake, confusion in his eyes.

“By the time I left Omaha, I knew she was lying. Maybe I hadn’t figured it out completely, but my subconscious mind knew. It suddenly became clear. Jake, if you had a child, you wouldn’t hide him away, no matter who his mother was. You would love him with all your heart. And when you met me at the airport in Denver last week, you would have been carrying him in your arms. I’m sure of that.”

Devlin watched relief flood Jake’s face. She felt the emotion as if it was her own. Jake rose to his feet and wrapped her in his strong arms. His heart pounded against her chest. Devlin tilted her head back, a half smile on her lips, inviting him in. Jake didn’t disappoint. He moved a hand to either side of her face and slanted his mouth over hers. Jake’s lips were velvet, and his tongue tasted of whiskey, slightly smoky, as it tangled with hers. Devlin found the taste very arousing. She whimpered beneath Jake’s kiss and wrapped her slender arms around his neck, pressing herself against his long length. Jake broke contact with her mouth. He looked into her eyes.

“Don’t ever scare me like that, ever. I don’t want to lose you.”

“You won’t. I’ll never run off again. You’re stuck with me, Jake McKenna.”

“Where’s your car?”

“In the long-term lot, but I need to…”

* * * *

Jake left her standing, bemused, by the bank of seats while he headed to the desk. He picked up the keys Devlin had dropped and called the young man over. Jake reached into his back pocket, pulled out his wallet, removed a hundred-dollar bill, and handed it to him.

“Will this take care of the inconvenience?”

“Well, yeah, I guess,” the young man replied, surprised. “I just need to check out the car.”

Jake handed him another hundred-dollar bill.

“Consider it checked,” said the young man. “You two have a nice evening.”

Jake strode back to Devlin. He tucked her arm beneath his and steered her toward the sign pointing to the long-term parking lot.

“Jake,” Devlin said, “just so you know, I have a small car.”

“I’m flexible.”

Devlin’s laughter rang out in the night, and Jake smiled. He loved to hear her laugh. Devlin was his, and as soon as they reached her car, he would show her. Jake laughed out loud.

Devlin turned toward him, a question in her eyes.

“You. And airports,” said Jake, his big hand roaming over her bottom. “There’s something extraordinary about you and airports.”

* * * *

Devlin led Jake to her car. He groaned when he saw it.

“There’s no way I can fuck you in the backseat of that,” he said bluntly, adjusting himself in his jeans.

Devlin caught his movement and grinned. “Fuck me?” she asked innocently. “I thought you wanted to make love to me.”

Jake rolled his eyes at her. “How long a drive is it to your house?”

Devlin pretended to consider the idea for a moment, teasing him. “Oh, about an hour and a half, maybe an hour and forty.”

“What’s the speed limit in Iowa?” he asked.

“Fifty-five,” Devlin laughed. “Haven’t you ever heard the saying, ‘Patience is a virtue’?”

“Feel me,” answered Jake, pulling her against him. “This is a virtue.”

Devlin gasped. It felt like he had a club between his legs. She became aware of an answering wetness between her own legs and wasn’t certain she could hold out another two hours.

“Oh God,” was the only response she could muster.

Her eyes on his face, Devlin pressed close as she reached down and unzipped his pants, freeing him. She ran her hands along his steely length, taking care to keep her activities discreet. Devlin heard Jake growl as she backed him around a large cement pillar. The pillar abutted a low brick wall, and the back side faced a dark, empty field. She glanced around. As far as she could tell, they were the only people in the long-term parking lot.

“Dev, stop.” He reached down and stilled her hands.

“I want you beneath me when I come. I want to hear you call my name,” he answered, his voice low and husky in the night air. “Not here, not now.”

Jake pressed his head back against the pillar and tried to control his breathing. He pulled Devlin close and held her, his hands rubbing her back. Now that her hands were free, she continued her rhythmic stroking of his erection.

“God, baby, don’t,” Jake pleaded.

“Because, woman,” Jake said through gritted teeth as he pulled her hands away, “you’re getting me into some very bad habits.”

Devlin started to laugh.

“Say that again,” she breathed.

“Bad habits?” he asked, reaching between them to zip up his jeans.

“No.” Dev chuckled. “Woman. You called me woman.”

“Woman,” Jake repeated, grinning.

“Oooh, I like it,” teased Devlin. “Next thing I know, you’ll be saying, ‘Damn you, woman!’” Devlin rubbed her hand over the front of his jeans.

“I’m about to say that right now, if you don’t stop teasing me.” He took her hand and tugged her toward the car. “I’ll drive.”

Devlin began to argue. “Jake, I’m perfectly capable…”

“If I have to drive,” he interrupted her, “I have to concentrate on the road.” He grinned that wicked grin of his.

Devlin grinned right back as she dug the keys out of her purse and tossed them to him. “So what bad habits?”

“Like,” answered Jake, opening the passenger door for her, “ever hear of foreplay? I used to be pretty good at it, you know.”

Devlin began to laugh.

“And once upon a time, I could last more than a minute or two,” Jake said. Then he added, “Damn you, woman.”

Devlin whooped with laughter, and Jake joined her. They were still grinning like two kids when they paid the parking fee and exited the airport.

* * * *

Devlin directed Jake onto the bypass around Des Moines toward Interstate 80 East. She turned toward Jake and admired his very masculine profile for a moment. Devlin asked herself how she got so lucky. What had she done to deserve this man? Just like the Rolling Stones song, she’d believed for years that you can’t always get what you want. Even now, with the evidence right beside her, his hands on the steering wheel, a half smile on his lips, she had to shake her head at this change in fortune.

“My clothes!” Devlin bolted upright as the thought occurred to her. “My clothes are still in the hotel room!”

Jake cleared his throat. “So are mine.”

“So you didn’t…?”

“No, I didn’t check out of the hotel. There wasn’t time. I’ll have Mary or Ken check out for us.” Jake paused, and then he exclaimed, “Shit!”

“I left Mary hanging by the phone. I called her from the Des Moines airport, and I told her I’d get change and call her right back.”

“We can stop and find a phone,” said Devlin, concerned for Mary.