Disclaimer: You know where to look
Author's note: I've re-posted this chapter because I noticed some editing issues. No plot changes though.
"What do you want?" Lisa asked. The fear was evident on her face.
Jackson grinned. "I want you to shut up so I can kiss you." Before the comment registered with Lisa's brain, Jackson was kissing her. Much to her surprise, she was kissing him back. He pulled his mouth away from hers. "One moment you're predictable and the next you surprise me, Leese. It looks like you really did miss me." Jackson said as he leaned in to kiss her again. He moved his hands from her arms so he could cradle her face as they kissed.
I have to stop this. Lisa told herself. She pushed him away from her and into the opposite wall. Jackson grinned again. "You need to stop fighting me, Leese. It's bad for both of us."
"Get out of my house." Lisa said trembling. "And don't you ever come near me again."
Jackson held up his hands in defeat. "I'll go this time, Lisa. But I will be back." He walked towards the door. "In case you're still having trouble with this concept, I just made you a promise. And we both know that I never lie." He said and then left.
Lisa slumped to the floor, trembling. She couldn't believe she had let him kiss her. She shook her head. Never again. He'll never get to me like that again. She vowed silently. Still a part of her hoped that he would. A part of her was secretly falling in love with the man.
Jackson walked down the street to his car. He drove back to back to his hotel room with a huge smirk on his face. He had gotten to her. It sure was fun seeing you again, Leese. She had nearly lost complete control of her emotions. He had seen it in her eyes. One person down and one to go. He thought. He parked his car and went up to his hotel room. Jackson pulled out a suitcase and took inventory of his wardrobe. "It's time to pack for a little trip to Texas." He muttered. He looked at the picture of his sister he had tacked to the wall. Boy would she be surprised to see him.
Jessica woke in the middle of the night with a start. She'd had another nightmare. Actually it was the same one that she used to have every night for years. She had tried so hard to get rid of the memory of her parents' bodies lying dead in the morgue. But somehow it always came back. She could still see every detail of their lifeless faces.
She got up and pulled a water bottle out of her refrigerator. Cold water always helped her to feel better. She drank the bottle of water and then crawled back into bed. Well, they'd be proud of me now. She thought. Her parents had always expected great things from both her and Jackson. She shook her head as she thought of her brother. Despite the four year age difference, they had always been close, at least when she was growing up.
Jessica closed her eyes and tried to sleep. An hour later, she gave up. She turned the television on and put in a DVD. The noise would give her tired brain something else to think about. She had to stop constantly thinking about her brother. He was dead and there was nothing she could do about it. As she focused on the movie, her eyes began to gradually close. Forty-five minutes later, Jessica Rippner was sound asleep.
Around 2:30 am, Miami time, Jackson finally finished packing. He had decided that traveling by car would be the best way to go. He loaded his suitcases and an ice chest into the back of his Jeep Liberty Limited. He drove to the lobby of the hotel, and went inside. He checked out of his room, paid his balance in cash, and drove away into the night. He grinned as he headed out of Miami. "Get ready, Jess. Big brother is on his way."