Warning: Sexual material in this chapter.

Chapter 26:

Lisa paced the length of the room Jackson and she shared. She was exhausted but she couldn't sit still. The last two days had been emotionally draining and her body wasn't fairing much better. Lack of sleep and the unaccustomed two-hour hike were taking their toll. Neither mattered. She wasn't going to sleep yet. Of everything that had happened thus far in Angie's house, the prospect of slipping into the ever-increasing need for unconsciousness was the scariest part yet. She hadn't seen Jackson all day except for first thing that morning and for the brief moments before and in the kitchen. It had been a relief then but now it just made waiting for his inevitable return all the more terrifying.

She'd never seen Jackson act like he had today. There had been instances back on the red eye, moments that felt like they'd happened a lifetime ago, that hinted at a wrath that was possible inside of the cold blooded killer but those were only brief moments that passed quickly. But today… in the kitchen, he was someone she'd never seen before. She didn't see the normal cold, confident Jackson. She'd been stunned to see someone that seemed on the verge of becoming unhinged and she was confused about how it made her feel. On one hand, it felt marvelous. It felt like she wasn't his for those few moments. It felt like an escape. And that's what confused her. The moment she'd felt the sensation of being 'free' of him was the moment she felt completely alone.

Lisa shook her head. She didn't like thinking about it. She pushed the thought aside by remembering what Angie told her to do. Or was it asked her to do? She rubbed the back of her neck trying to remember exactly how the other woman had phrased it but couldn't for the life of her. Either way, she still wasn't sure she could go through with it. Lisa was so lost in thought that the sound of the opening door startled her.

Jackson walked into the room. He didn't look at her right away. He seemed to be making a show of coming in and turning his back on her to close the door before he faced her. She just watched him, wondering what his next move was going to be. Back on his little island, he'd become predictable. It made being around him easier, but here in Angie's world, he was a wild card. The only certainty she had was that they would be physical again tonight. Angie had informed her, much to her irritation that they were required to every night they were here. It made the next thing Jackson said much easier to handle than it otherwise would have been.

"Take off your cloths."

She didn't so much as hesitate. She now knew she was going to do what Angie had instructed. She kept her eyes on his while she unbuttoned her shirt. His expression was cold but otherwise inscrutable. She held his gaze as she reached behind her back and unhooked her bra clasps. Why was this so easy all of the sudden? She didn't let the question stop her. She then unbuttoned the top button on her jeans, pulled the zipper down and slid the garment off her hips. His expression didn't falter for even a moment but she peripherally saw his right hand ball into a tight fist before relaxing again. He did this several more times as she almost nonchalantly slid her plain white panties down to join her jeans. She felt… empowered by the simple act of not taking her eyes off the man standing by the door. She was naked in front of him for the first time without feeling terrified, sick or broken. She didn't have time to analyze this odd outcome when Jackson finally decided to move. She fought against the urge look away or take a step back but she managed to maintain her resolve. She kept her posture upright, she subconsciously took a deep breath which effectively puffed up her chest slightly and she held her ground.

Jackson's mask didn't slip either. He walked right up to her. "Interesting." was all he said before he grabbed her upper arm, pulled her over to the bed and pushed her down on it. He didn't follow her down though but started to methodically undress the same as she had only moments before. Lisa continued to stare at his face as he pulled the polo over his head and undid his belt. Though she didn't look down, she could peripherally see his crotch. She swallowed hard. She had to painfully dig her fingers into the underside of her thigh to distract her mind from the mental discomfort caused by her unwavering stare. Jackson discarded his boxers and crawled on top of her.

She knew immediately that this was not going to be one of their long drawn out affairs. He didn't so much as look at or touch a breast. He crawled over her, got his knees between her legs and used one hand to spread one of her thighs even farther. He did all of this and neither he nor she took their eyes away from one another's. Lisa refused to look away when he spat into his hand and moved to lubricate their coming activities.

Lisa almost screamed but not in fear when Jackson's carefully held mask faltered when his moistened hand touched her. His eyes widened slightly and he looked down between them for a split second, effectively loosing the silent battle between them.

"Of all times Leese. You have got to be fucking kidding me." He didn't sound happy. She was confused. It wasn't until he quickly and easily slid into her that she understood. She didn't know when it happened or how but she was wet. She didn't have much time to ponder it when it he grabbed her neck, his thumb pressing up underneath her chin, effectively making it impossible for her to continue to look at him.

His pace was fast and brutal from the onset and only gained in intensity. There was nothing complicated about this coupling. He never bothered to change the positions of their bodies or even move his hands. Lisa found she didn't care and it wasn't due to her normal indifferent numbness to it. She just didn't care. It was hard to describe but she knew it when she felt it. She'd finally won something. A few minutes later, when he'd finished inside of her, she just rolled over and fell asleep thinking of what Angie had told her. A small smile ghosted over her lips. It was small but the first she'd experienced for her own sake in over a year.

..o..

"The sex is going to happen one way or another. It will every night you're here. I'm a bit sorry for that but not enough to bullshit you Lisa."

"How do you know that?"

"Because I told him to and he'll do as he's told."

Under normal circumstances, hearing that she had to have sex with Jackson every night should have irritated her and made her uneasy but the way Angie had answered the question waylaid her normal reaction. The idea of Jackson being told what to do had the oddest calming effect on her.

"I want you to try something for me." Angie knew they were getting close to the house. She knew all of the trails on the island with incredible accuracy. "I want you to keep your eyes trained on his the entire time. And I don't mean waiting for him to tell you to look at him. If you have a hard time holding his gaze, look at the bridge of his nose, he won't be able to see the subtle difference. Tonight, you'll be the first one in your room. I'll keep Jackson busy until nine. The moment he opens that door, keep your eyes on his. Never look away."

Lisa looked down at her hands. This was crazy but it was compelling. It wasn't so much what Angie was saying but how she said it. It left no room for refusal but it also sounded almost like a plea. After a long silence, Angie continued, "I've already told you that you're strong but so far it's only been strength through inaction. It's time to put some polish on the other side of that coin." Another moment of silence reigned between them. "So, do you think you could try that Lisa?"

"I don't know if I can, but," she took a deep breath, "I'll try."

xXx

AN: I'm going to confess something. I am enjoying writing for Angie now better than Lisa or Jackson. I think it's because normally when I write fan fiction, I almost always write OCs as main characters. They are just so much fun and you don't face the same constraints that you do with canon characters. Just a warning, don't get lulled into a false sense of security with the recent quick updates. They are happening for three reasons that won't continue long term. I'm sort of on vacation from work, my husband is OOTC on business and I'm alone all day long with a two year old. Writing these stories are much needed adult time when the kiddo is sleeping or otherwise indisposed. Also, I got one PM from someone who asked why I started another story when I promised I'd finish this one. Fair question and if one person thought it, I know others have wondered the same thing. I've never been able to write just one story at a time. I need a companion story to keep me going (funny enough, "Stolen" story used to be that companion story for "Cursed" but has since become the main with the conclusion that story). If not, I burn out and lose creativity. I know that sounds weird but it's just how I operate. And with that, happy reading.