Worlds Apart
Is their love enough?
Jack Tucker's life as a morning radio host is uncomplicated, attachment free, and without regret. Until Kate Weiss entered his life, that is... She knows all of the ways to annoy him and yet takes his breath away with just a look.
Special Agent Kate Weiss is hiding from a kidnapping she doesn't remember. Morning Radio Host Jack Tucker serves as a nice distraction, but she knows the flirtation could never be anything more.
When tragedy descends, grief pulls them together, forcing them to trust each other and face the undeniable connection between them.
In an effort to make the pair walk away from a conspiracy greater than they can imagine, a target is put on their heads. This does little to deter Kate or Jack from wanting to find the truth.
Chasing shadows, the answers are closer than they realize. Forced into isolation, can Jack and Kate uncover the buried secret that is getting people killed? Or will one misstep destroy all of their hopes for the future?
Excerpt
Melissa and Dan said goodbye shortly thereafter, and Jack searched for Kate, finding her in the kitchen finishing the few dishes they had dirtied. He wrapped his arms around her waist nibbling on her neck.
“Someone is feeling better.” She giggled, and turned meeting his eyes. They were soft and adoring. He leaned down placing a gentle kiss on her pink lips. She teased his lips with her tongue. Jack pulled her against him, his hands entangled in her hair. Their lips parted and he gazed down into her eyes and she smiled. “Hey.”
“Hey.” He lowered his head and she met him half way, her arms wrapping around his neck. He lifted her off the ground sitting her on the counter. Exploring her mouth, his hands spread themselves beneath her shirt exposing her soft skin to the cool air. She shivered and he took to nibbling on her ear. His hands moved up her back, leaving a trailed kisses down her neck.
“You are supposed to be resting.” She tried to lean back and away from his mouth. His hands on her back prevented her from going far and he simply adjusted to the opposite side of her neck. “Jack.”
“I am resting.” He nipped at her earlobe, and his phone rang.
He growled, Kate smirked and he disappeared to get the phone. Hopping off the counter she started preparing the coffee maker for the next morning and when she was finished, she moved back into the living room.
She could hear him talking on the phone as she cleaned. Kate returned to the kitchen a few minutes later she found him waiting for her. “Who was on the phone?”
“You threatened Elisa?”
“What?”
“Why on earth would you…”
“I didn’t…well not exactly. It’s complicated.”
“How is it complicated, Kate? Either you threatened her or you didn’t. You’re a goddamn spy for Christ’s sake! I would think you would know the difference!”
His eyes were clouded and she immediately knew what was happening. “Jack, calm down.”
“I'm not going to calm down until you tell me what the hell is going on!”
“Listen to me…”
“Where do you get off thinking that bullying my friends is okay? Especially, someone as small and fragile as Elisa, she couldn’t hurt a fly!”
“I know you think…”
“Think?” His face began to redden, his eyes dilated and his chest heaved. “Sorry I forgot I’m not supposed to think. Just sit back and blindly trust you again as you ruin my life!”
“Jack, please stop.” He backed her against the counter. Her heart pounding, she struggled with what to do. “There’s something wrong and you have to fight it.”
He grabbed her by the arms and squeezed. “Wait, maybe you are the problem. It seems to follow you around, all of the death and the pain. The destruction.”
“Jack let go.” She pushed against him. “This isn’t you talking, it’s the poison. You have to calm down.”
“Maybe if I cut you out of my life and walk away it will all disappear?”
“You’re right. I’m the problem. I am the one who brought you into this hell and I am the one keeping you here.”
A wave of confusion crashed over his face and she took a breath.
“She was so upset.” His eyes searched for something beyond her. “She was crying and she said it was your fault.”
“It was my fault and I am sorry,” Kate watched him begin to float back to the surface.
“She said you threatened her at the memorial and then again at the hospital. She said you saw us at the funeral and you were jealous…trying to keep me away from her.”
“Jack, I need you to look at me. “
“Kate…I…”
“Just take a deep breath.” His eyes widened and he burst out of his own mind realizing what was happening. He looked at her in confusion. He became conscious of his harsh grip on her arms and immediately released her. “It’s okay, just breathe.”
He stepped back, his face scrunching in pain. “No…what…”
“You’re okay. It is fine.”
“Get away from me, Kate!”
He fell back into the wall of cabinets behind him, his chest heaving. “Jack… breathe.”
“I can’t…I…” He met her eyes and she saw terror. “Kate…”
His legs quickly betrayed him and he slid down to the floor. Kate moved to him, grasping his hand “Jack, I’m here, you’re going to be okay.”
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