Page 22 of Homicide in Water Creek

“I’m sorry for calling so late. Nothing is wrong with Granddaddy. I’m calling to let you know the media knows about Vonita. King is going to make a public statement, so by morning it will be everywhere.”

“What the hell do I care about that woman and her problems? And why are you calling me? Where’s Dean?”

Jacks bit back the groan that threatened to erupt. “He’s busy on the other line with Vonita’s agent. I know you don’t care about Vonita, Keene, but it was the fair thing to do to let you know. Reporters could be sniffing around by morning.”

There was silence on the line before he grunted. “All right, tell Dean I’m fine and he shouldn’t worry about me.”

“I will, but uh, Keene, can I ask a favor?”

“It depends. It is after midnight.”

“I know it’s a lot to ask, but I’m going to anyway. I was hoping you’d go stay with my Granddaddy on the ranch.”

“Why? You moving out?” Keene chuckled as if he were the funniest guy on the comedy circuit.

“No, I’ll be here helping King and Maverick for a few days, off and on. There’s a situation on the ranch, which is all I’m at liberty to say right now.”

“Chinos.”

Jacks cleared her throat in acknowledgment. “I’d rather Granddaddy wasn’t alone with him there. It would get you away from the house in case reporters come knocking, too.”

There was rustling on the line, then a creak from a bed spring. “Does Jackson know?”

“He’s my next call. By the time you get there, he’ll know. He’ll fill you in on the rest with Chinos.”

He grunted, and then the line went dead. Nice talking to you, too, Keene. She sighed, then punched in her Granddaddy’s number and ran through the whole spiel with him until he agreed that having Keene at the house was wise given the situation.

“How did that go?” King asked as he stepped out of his office, a grim smile on his face. His hair still bore the marks of his fingers, and his tie was askew. As she walked toward him, she grasped the tie and straightened it back to midline.

“As well as can be expected. Keene is going to stay with Jackson for a few days. I don’t want Keene alone at the house. He might try to shoot reporters if they show up. That said, I also don’t want Granddaddy alone at the ranch in case Chinos decides to pull something. Being together offers a little protection.”

King dropped his gaze to her lips. “Good idea. At least until we get past this crisis and you can be there full-time again.”

“What did Vonita’s agent say?”

“She was in shock, yet she wasn’t, if that makes sense. She figured there was a problem when I called the other day. She hadn’t heard the news yet, so at least I got to her in time. I explained the situation and told her that if anyone else needed to know, she had better call them immediately.”

Jacks patted King’s face, his five o’clock shadow more like a twelve o’clock shadow. “Are you ready to record the statement so we can go home?”

He shook his head. “No, I have something else to do first.”

“What?”

“Kiss you.”

Jacks had barely registered his words before his lips came down hard with passion and desire, something she had never experienced with Boone. It was a hunger that had to be sated. He moaned, his tongue sliding alongside hers in a hot, wet, silky smooth stroke that dragged a return moan from her. She let go of his tie and wrapped her arms around his neck, angling her head to allow him greater access, which he willingly took. Her nipples were hard as they pressed into his shirt, but she noticed they weren’t the only thing hard. His pants tightened with every flick of his tongue. Drawing a breath, King kissed his way up her jawline to her ear.

“I’m beside myself for you, Jacks.”

His breath against her skin made her shiver, but his words made her breath catch.

“King…”

He kissed her forehead, his lips lingering for barely a second before he stepped back. “I know. We have to worry about Vonita first.”

She motioned toward his pants. “You'd better take care of that, though. I don’t think you want to go on camera with a boner the size of California.”

King burst out laughing, grabbed her in a hug, and lifted her off the ground so she could rest her chin on his shoulder. “I’d do it, and I’d also let them all know that Jacks Miles is the reason for it. I don’t care what anyone else thinks, Jacks. Have you figured that out yet?”