Jesse's Girl: Jesse's Brother

By Wendy Ely

Jesse Lincoln had tried to give his heart away once. He’d almost devoted his loyalty and his faith in Samantha. Almost. While he was trying to give her those secret and sacred parts of him, she chose to walk on the dark side with Jesse’s enemy, his very own brother. No wonder Jesse had turned to working extra-long hours and one too many drinks when the office closed every day. He’d thought he’d kept this side of his life well hidden. But one person has noticed. His best friend insists on Jesse entering a wellness program for 30 days. Faking his way through while keeping his problem a secret shouldn't be so hard, right? It would be a lot easier if the owner, Zoey, wasn't so alluring.

Zoey doesn’t know what to do to improve the wellness center’s income, and if her client list keeps dropping, she'll lose her business that she’d worked so hard on building. When Jesse’s best friend approaches Zoey and requests she take Jesse on as a client, Zoey jumps at the chance. Jesse Lincoln is full of anger and isn't afraid to show it, but everyone in town knows Jesse and he holds the power to help boost her business. Her goal at keeping their relationship slowly dissolves when she sees his compassion hidden under his jerk exterior.

Will Zoey be able to deny him while wrangling him into a position to help her professionally? Can Jesse hand his heart over again with the risk of having it shattered? 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wendy Ely
• Release date: Oct 20, 2014
• ISBN: 9781501412844

Wendy Ely

Wendy Ely is a contemporary romance author. She writes some romantic suspense, really hot stories, and the wonderful happily-ever-after. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her own real-life hero and her two teenagers. Wendy loves to hear from readers. Email her at [e-mail]

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Table of Contents

Jesse’s Girl

Jesse’s Girl

By

Wendy Ely

Copyright © 2014 Wendy Ely

Cover art by Carey Abbott

All rights reserved.

ISBN-13:

978-1502812186

––––––––

Ebooks are not transferable. All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the author’s permission.

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.

Acknowledgments

To Crystal Searan: Thank you for being such a great leader for my street team. It wouldn’t be what it is without you! I also loved writing Nurse Crystal after you. I hope you enjoy those scenes.

Jane Bowen: Your kind words and encouragement always warms my heart. Thank you for being such a wonderful person.

Michelle and Eva: Thank you for letting me put you in my book! I hope you enjoy the scene!

Chapter One

Jesse Lincoln needed two things: a stiff drink and a hot piece of ass.

After pulling into his driveway and shutting off the ignition, Jesse leaned his head back and let his eyes drift shut. How much longer could he go on like this? He forced his eyes open only enough to check the time. Eleven p.m. Each work day grew longer and longer. After losing Samantha to his brother, Jesse had added several more clients to his workload to block out any thoughts of her. After the pain had finally subsided some, the amount of work had already been formed into a habit.

There was a new bottle of booze in the cupboard and he knew more than one woman who’d drop everything to spend a few hours with him. Who did he want over? Maria did one hell of a salsa dance—both in bed and out. Kristin, his blonde bombshell did anything he asked. Then there was Nadia. None of them required him to take them out, impress them by blowing large sums of money on them in order for him to woo them into bed. Nope. All he had to do was invite any them over to his house. Sure, he’d give up some of the liquor in his private bar but that made the night more interesting with the guarantee of some wild sex.  But he needed a change in his life even more. Who was it that said, Tomorrow is for change? Hell, he didn’t remember and didn’t care much either.

He walked into the house, locking the door behind him, and immediately kicked his shoes off on the way to his bar located in what most people would call his family room. After loosening his tie, he slipped it over his head and tossed the gray and black striped tie onto the bar’s counter. A sharp pain ripped through his shoulder and tightened his muscles at the base of his neck. Opening the top two buttons of his shirt provided him enough room to slip his hand in to massage the achy, overworked muscle.

He moved over to the cupboard. With one hand, he took his cell out from his pocket and pushed number five on speed dial. With the other, he filled a glass with ice.

The phone rang and he was greeted by a yawn and one word, Jesse?

Damn. He woke her up. The chance of Kristin coming over now just slimmed. I’m sorry for waking you, cupcake.

It’s almost midnight, she said.

Even if he couldn’t have the comfort tonight, he could still have his drink. Pushing the speaker button on his phone, he gently set the devise down on the counter. I miss you, he said as he poured the vodka over the ice in the glass.

Kristin giggled. Oh, Jesse, I miss you, too. You’ve been way too busy lately. Jesse hadn’t heard a truer statement.

He took a long drink before saying, Come over. I want you against me all night long.

The water turned on at Kristin’s, making her raise her voice a notch. Give me an hour. I need to shower.

He agreed to her request and said a quick goodbye. Doing a fist pump in the air shot a stabbing pain through his shoulder again. Kristin might be disappointed, but he just couldn’t perform sexually tonight. Maybe she’d do oral and he’d cuddle her in return. A warm body with him sounded mighty fine... and another drink.

He pushed the glass into the ice dispenser and welcomed the sound of the hard nuggets hitting the crystal. Anything was better than the silence looming in every room of the house. He brought the glass eagerly up to his lips in an attempt to give himself another taste before flipping on the large television dominating the room.

As he drank from the frosty glass, his gaze roamed across the paintings decorating his wall to the picture setting on the top of his television, settling on the photo of him as a boy holding Noah’s hand. Wow, things had been simple at that time of his life. Jesse and Noah. Not only brothers but best friends before their father’s words stabbed Jesse in the heart and changed his life forever. Jesse gulped down the remaining alcohol and poured another glass.

The doorbell rang.

He glanced at his watch.  Only eleven-fifteen. Kristin didn’t have time to drive there already, let along bathe, too. Maybe one of the other women wanted to offer a midnight snack. Both Nadia and Maria had shown up unannounced in the past. He smiled. Not bothering to put his glass down, he made a beeline through the house for the door so he didn’t miss the visitor.

He yanked open the door and the smile froze on his face. Not a leggy long-haired he’d hoped for. Jane stood on his porch with her hands on her small hips, a frown etched at the corners of her mouth while her eyes glowered into his.

Jesse Lincoln, move out of the way. We need to talk, his best friend ordered.

It’s not a good time, Jane. We should meet up tomorrow for a drink. Three p.m. works great for me. His attempt to close the door was blocked by her foot being shoved between the wood and the frame.

Right now works perfect for me. Move your ass, Jess. We really need to chat. She shoved past him and charged through the formal living room without glancing back to make sure he followed her down the hall and into the rec room. She flopped down in the chair, motioning toward the nearby couch.

Sit, she ordered as if he had transformed into a dog upon her arrival.

He followed her instructions. Hurry up, Jane. I’m exhausted and want to go to bed. Another sip went into his mouth. The icy beverage fought against the restricting of his throat.

She shook her head. You weren’t headed to bed to sleep. I know you a lot better than that. You planned on getting drunk, which you’ve almost succeeded in doing, and have sex with some random woman, huh?

Sure was, Jane. Why do you care? Why lie? Jane had been his best friend since they’d tried to unsuccessfully date while they both were in law school eleven years before. He adored her even though she wasn’t his type to go into any sort of romance with. Hell, she wasn’t even his type to screw and that said a lot.

A quick flush raced over Jane’s chin and up her cheeks. Damn straight, she said, smacking her hand against the chair’s arm. Because you’re my best fucking friend and I’m worried sick about you. She jumped up from the couch and snatched the glass from Jesse’s hand before he had a chance to respond.

Give it back, he called after her but stayed seated as if someone had kicked the energy out of him. He cringed as liquid splashed against the metal sink behind the bar. Leaning back in the chair, he let out a sigh of defeat.

Five very long minutes later, she stomped back to the couch. All your alcohol is gone. I’m serious, Jess. You need to stop drinking and having sex with random women.

I like to drink. Also, I love entertaining women and not have to make them promises I won’t ever keep. He ran his fingers through his hair. The last person he’d considered a future with betrayed him. His life had turned to shit because he’d trusted Samantha Johns. I’m so stressed all the time, Jane. Don’t you realize that? Doing those things helps me forget about the other stuff.

His hand dropped down to his tan slacks and he slid his sweaty palm against the tan fabric. He needed another drink, but didn’t dare mention getting another bottle to Jane. If he got Jane out fast enough, Kristin could stop by the store for some more.

I had lunch with Ollie today. He expressed his concern about you. According to him, you start drinking as soon as you arrive at the office and don’t stop until you leave, which is later than needed. You’ve even met with clients while you were buzzed. Is that true?

Ollie was his partner at the law firm and supposedly a trusted friend. His father, James Lincoln, was their other partner and founder of the firm, and the very person Jesse tried to keep his secrets hidden from. Don’t you listen? I told you I work way too much. He raked his fingers through his hair again.

What about the alcohol?

Ollie might’ve exaggerated a bit. I don’t drink every day and I have enough respect for my clients not to meet with them while drunk. Would she believe that? Probably not. Jesse had lost respect for everyone long ago. He should thank his lucky stars that he even had friends left.

She crouched down in front of him and took his hands into her own. Your dad doesn’t know... yet. If you get help, Jess, I’ll make sure it stays that way.

He pulled from her grasp, stepping around her crouched position. What are you talking about? What kind of help? I hope you’re not talking about some sort of rehab bullshit. His chest fought for deep, fulfilling breaths. None were granted. His throat tightened and the walls seemed to be closing in on him.

I think you need it.

He crossed his arms tightly over his chest. Shaking his head, he said, I’ll tell you what I need. Work less, and have something else to look forward to instead of thinking about what I’ve lost. Give me those things and I won’t need to drink so much. I don’t need rehab.

Jess? She cocked a black eyebrow, letting him know that she didn’t believe him.

I promise to do anything else you say. Just not rehab. Let me prove to you that I can do this on my own. He sat back down and reached for his friend, pulling her into a hug. Thanks for caring about me so much.

A month, Jess, and if you don’t stop all of this destructive behavior then you will go to rehab. Your father will know what you’re up to at that point.

Even though Jesse was a grown man, he didn’t want his father aware of his indiscretions. Jesse had made Noah leave the family just so he could have some of the attention. His plan hadn’t worked, leaving him empty.

Jane stood up straight and offered a smile. I’ll be picking you up from the firm tomorrow at about one o’clock.

Jesse shook his head. So soon?

Bring some work-out clothes. She spun on her heel, leaving him staring after her with his mouth hanging open. She really meant what she’d said about doing this or else. Not good.

Jesse wasn’t a stupid man. He’d accomplished a lot so far and would be able to tackle Jane head-on. He’d go through with whatever plan she had swirling around in that little brain of hers but actually quit drinking? He nodded as he got up from the chair. He could cut back on both the women and the alcohol but refused to give them both up. Totally stopping wasn’t okay with him. I’ll just have to get better at hiding my elixir.

He dialed Kristin to have her grab him some more.

***

The spreadsheet took up half of Zoey Bleckman’s coffee table. She blinked, rubbed her eyes, and blinked again. Those reports couldn’t be right. But then, with everything spelled out on paper, the numbers didn’t lie. She snatched bank statements from the couch next to her. Forty in her personal checking. A thousand in her business account. No, the spreadsheet just gave her the cold hard facts.

She dropped her bank statements onto the other sheets of paper and grabbed her mug of Tazo flavored tea. There had to be a way to get new clients. If not, she’d be closed in a little more than a month. The wellness center needed some type of excitement stirred up in the community like the grand opening had done. She’d already helped a bunch of people over the past year and others had dropped out of the program for various reasons. A few enrollments each month didn’t keep the doors open for long. She needed a big boom of business.

Her cell phone buzzed on the couch next to her. A quick check to the caller ID told her that she didn’t know the caller. What the heck? Nobody had her private line. Hello? she said, hesitantly.

Um, is this Z’s Wellness Center? a female asked over the line.

Why would anyone be calling the center on her cell? Yes. How may I help you? Zoey asked as she mentally went through locking up the center and put in call forwarding. Bingo.

Well, said the woman. She took a deep breath and spilled five minutes worth of information about her best friend. He’ll probably be hard to work with at first. Can you help him?

One client was better than no new clients. Hard to deal with or not. She smiled. Sure. What’s his name?

Jesse Lincoln.

Her pulse raced. She knew the name. Almost everyone who watched television knew who the guy was. A local criminal attorney with a gorgeous smile and catchy song on the commercial. He could be the key in making her business explode.

She talked over her class options with the woman who identified herself as Jane and scribbled down a plan for Jesse to