End Game (Games Thriller Series) by J.E. Taylor Page A

answer.”
    “Sometimes it’s the only answer.”
    “Not in my world.” Jessica walked past him.
    “Do you still love him?” Chris changed the subject, making Jessica stop in her tracks.
    She turned toward him, seeing that hesitation again, that insecurity that burned her. “Yes and I always will, just like I still love Danny.” She walked back to him. “Just like I loved Mike. They all played a big role in my life. But here’s the thing you need to remember ,” she paused, searching his eyes, “I’m yours Chris, heart and soul, and there is nothing on this earth that could take me away from you. This time, ‘till death do us part’ is for real. I’m not leaving and neither are you.”
    Chris wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. “We will figure something out. I promise.”
    “Thank you. Are the kids up?”
    “Not yet.” His eyes sparkled as they scanned her and he slowly smiled.
    “Come on, I’m all sweaty.”
    “I don’t really care.” He pulled her close again, his hands wandering. “Do you?”
    Her resolve went out the window with the trail of his lips on her neck. “I guess not.”
    He swept her off her feet, carrying her up the stairs to their bedroom. Chris set her down and locked the door behind him in case the kids did wake up before he had a chance to make love to his fiancé e. He stripped his robe and discarded it on the floor, licking his lips and savoring her lithe form.
    Jessica undressed and chuckled. “Smoldering.”
    Chris smiled and pulled her naked body to him. He ran his tongue up her neck. “Mmmm, salty,” he said and bit her earlobe.
    She gasped at the sharp pain and then it was forgotten as his lips covered hers.
    “And so sweet,” he whispered and pushed her down on the bed. “Heart, soul and body.”
    “Yes,” she whispered, getting lost in the graze of his touch, in the taste of his mouth, in the musky scent of his skin and in the rhythm of his body. Pure ecstasy enveloped her and she cried out his name, panting with each glorious thrust of his hips until he finally collapsed on her, spent.
    “There is nothing like morning sex with you.” He slid off her, pulling her to him, nuzzling in her hair, spooning her.
    “I need to clean up,” Jessica whispered after a few minutes of cuddling.
    “Not yet,” his voice laced with the sleep trying to take him over.
    “The boys are going to be up any minute ,” Jessica insisted and tried to pull away.
    Chris grinned as he yanked her back. “You’re so nice and warm,” he purred and buried his face in her hair, wrapping his arms tight around her waist.
    Jessica laughed. “Just think of how good a hot shower would feel.” She broke his grip and headed into the bathroom.
    “That was just mean,” Chris said and rolled on his back, looking after her.
    “Get your lazy ass out of bed.” Jessica grinned over her shoulder.
    Chris smiled and stretched. “This lazy ass is going back to sleep.” He pulled the covers around him and rolled onto his side moments before he let sleep take over.
    Jessica came out a little while later to find Chris snoring softly in bed. After picking up the trail of clothing and throwing it into the hamper, she sat on the edge of the bed, sighing at the small smile on his lips and the easy rhythm of his breathing. “I would be lost without you.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek gently. “Completely lost.” She walked out of the room and closed the bedroom door behind her.
    * * * *
    Chris opened his eyes and looked at the bedroom door. “You and me both,” he whispered and rolled onto his side, closing his eyes again. Less than a week . He told himself. Less than a week. Darkness descended.
    He opened his eyes to her chained to a wall wearing the white dress, the gunshot re sounding so loud that he jumped but Jessica didn’t flinch. The bullet passed through her body, leaving only a small circle of red on the immaculate white dress.
    “Fuck you ,” Jessica spit in