Jacked (76 page)

Adam turned in his chair and gazed up at her, waiting just like I was for the cause of her latest medical disapproval.

She flipped back and forth over the top two papers. “Jason, have you been having tremors in your muscles?”

Christ, here we go again
.

I pegged Adam with a questioning glare. “Does she ever quit working?”

“Not usually.” He shrugged it off.

Erin gave me a teasing scowl and rambled off the names of the shit they’d been pumping into me lately. “And they have you on
two
very addictive narcotics for pain. Don’t they know they shouldn’t mix…”

I tuned her out. SpongeBob and Patrick were lifting weights on TV, which was more entertaining than watching her get spun up. Erin would
strongly advise
the nurse on duty and they would continue to give me pills every six hours. It was an endless cycle.

Either this morning’s drug cocktail was perfectly formulated or a Victoria’s Secret model just walked into my room carrying a fucking multi-colored puppy in her arms. One thing was for certain: this hallucination was
much
better than the others before it.

Holy fuck.

Long blonde hair framing a heart-shaped face. A thick braid hanging down over her shoulder, resting softly on a soft mound of—

Oh my God. Look at those tits!

Must touch those. Please.

For the love of all that’s holy, lift up your shirt and let me see them. Just a quick flash. Really. That’s all I’ll need.

Bouncy, luscious tits.

My mouth started to water.

My dick instantly hardened.

Thank God THAT didn’t get shot off by shrapnel.

I tugged the edge of my blanket across my waist, hiding my arousal. This chick didn’t need to see my junk reacting like we were hormonal teenagers.

I’d been forewarned that Erin’s sister was coming here today and bringing some sort of a surprise for me but damn, I was not prepared for this.
Her
.

She kissed and hugged Erin with one arm, holding onto a tiny lump of fur and dangling legs with the other.

My mind glazed over with a million dirty thoughts, all centered around this smiling creature in my midst. And I sure as hell wasn’t referring to the puppy.

Erin introduced her to my parents and she hugged them both.
Good. I like huggers. Shows she’s not standoffish.

I wanted a hug, too.

Self-doubt and a shitload of insecurity bounded right in to douse that wish with a huge dose of reality when she shifted the pup and offered her hand.

“Hi. I’m Kate.”

She had a great smile.

Hi, I’m Horny. Why don’t you put the dog down and suck me off quick?

“Hi. Yeah. Jay.” I cleared my throat and reached for her. “Jason.” Her fingers were tiny in my hand. I tried not to squeeze too tightly.
Nice fingernails with a fresh manicure. High maintenance kind of girl or just one that takes care of herself?

Her shorts were puckered up around her crotch and the dirty bastard in me enjoyed imagining what things might look like if I spread her open. She had great legs.

Erin was obviously thrilled to see her sister and viewing them side by side, I could see the resemblance. Two adorable blondes with big blue eyes, pouty mouths, and asses meant to be grabbed.

I wondered if Adam was having the same thoughts as I was. I’m sure he’d never share with Erin, but one side glance and an eyebrow raise between us, and I was positive he was having the same dirty thoughts I was.

He may be hooked deep into one, but he was still my brother.

“I brought someone to meet you.” Kate set the tiny puppy down on my bed, letting it stretch.

It started to sniff around my blankets, hesitant to move too far. Don’t know what it was but the damn thing was so cute, I tried to get its attention. “Come here, boy.”

I quickly glanced up and noticed Kate was gazing at me with what looked like worry. What’d she think I’d do? Toss the little furball off my bed?

“She’s a girl,” Kate corrected.

Girl. Boy. Didn’t matter. The paw pressing on my semi hard-on was what I was most concerned about. I snagged her behind her arms and lifted her before a puppy claw pierced my dick.

Round little eyes gazed up at me, and then she made herself comfortable on my chest, staring back.

“Aren’t you the cutest little thing?” Weird urges were coming over me, like wanting to kiss her black little nose and hug her.

“Here name is Victory. Tory for short,” Kate said. “She and her two siblings had been abandoned.” She shook off her thought and ran a caring hand down the pup’s back. “Long story. Anyway, we’ve been taking care of them at the clinic.”

The pup and I were locked in a stare-down. “Hey, Tory.”

The puppy yawned. Apparently I wasn’t a threat. She was so soft and warm and had tiny white teeth.

The pup stretched, sniffed at my chin, crawled a few steps, and then climbed up my face. When she was done sniffing at my eyes and making me smile, the pup settled herself under my chin, sharing my pillow with me.

I took a deep breath and relaxed.

The soft flutter of puppy resting peacefully the only sound I heard, apart from the relieving sigh from one very sexy future sister-in-law.

READ JASON TRENT’S STORY IN THE UPCOMING NOVEL

AMPED

It takes a village to create a novel. Seriously. I have many people to thank, not only for moral support but for my endless technical questions while writing.

So many questions arose while weaving the details into the storyline. For instance, did you know that the police “10-Codes” are not universal? Each jurisdiction has their own set of codes, which makes communications between neighboring counties almost impossible. While some codes are basic—like 10-4 for acknowledging/understanding—most are not, and since the tragedy of 9-11 in NYC many police departments have abandoned using 10-codes altogether.

Each department has their own protocols for handling when an officer is injured on scene as well. Should I have an ambulance come for Adam when he sliced his hand open or would one of his fellow officers simply drive him to the hospital? This is just an example of the bazillion questions that I required answers to.

So many questions.

So many details.

While the rules change from city to city, state to state, and country to country, I tried to be as close to accurate as possible for situations occurring in Philadelphia and may have used “creative license” in some places, as this is a work of FICTION at the core. Some street names, places, etc. are fictitious.

So here goes: my list of awesome people who so graciously gave me their time, patience, and expertise:

To my two collaborators and BFFs, Dr. Jennifer Johnson and Sherry Durst. Your friendship, love, patience, and utter devotion mean the world to me. Jacked would not be what it is without either of you—you know that, right?

My talented muse, Mr. Erick Baker, for crooning your songs into my ears for months and for helping me write the emotion between the words. Your music is what feelings sound like. It is an honor and privilege to call you friend.

Detective Nathan Woods and his wonderful wife, Chrystle, for fielding my police questions.

David Tretter, EMT with Cumberland Goodwill Emergency Medical Services. I know our conversations stretched the boundaries, touched upon the stress and pressure on our First Responders, and I am eternally grateful for you answering ALL of my texts.

Ms. Kimberly West and her hospital staff friends for assisting with my laundry list of questions.

Seriously—I texted these people to death.

Sarah Hansen, Okay Creations, for the awesome cover. It’s beautiful.

My sexy cover model, who wishes to remain a beautiful shadow. I love you with all my heart.

My editor, Marion Archer of Marion Making Manuscripts, for the hours of love you gave me to help this novel all that it is. Thank you for knowing the difference between rigid and ridged ;-) I’m glad you knew what I meant.

My interior formatter, Angela McClaurin of Fictional Formats. You amaze me! I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done to make this novel special.

The officers of the Newark Auto Theft Task Force for countless inspiration.

My Beta Readers: Melissa, Katie, Jolene, Michele, Morgan, Kimberly, and Joanne for your valuable input.

My readers from around the globe for believing in me and showering me with your love and support.

To all the wonderful women in my Tribe who give me their unending encouragement daily. I hope you smile when you see some of your names inside. I adore you all.

To all of the wonderful book bloggers out there. No author would be what they are today without you and I owe you a huge debt of gratitude.

To the wonderful women of FP—I am honored to know you and feel your love daily.

A special thank you to my dynamo agent, Jane Dystel, and her equally fabulous cohort, Miriam Goderich, at Dystel and Goderich Literary Management. Thank you for taking me under your beautiful wings.

For more information, visit the author at
www.tinareber.com

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