Chapter Thirteen

He was stunned. Jackson Rippner was actually speechless. Never did he think she would fold this easily. There had to be something more to it, some hidden plot or scheme she was trying to enact. But the sincerity in her face led him to believe that she was actually being serious. That she would do anything, and everything, he said, if he were to but promise her that everyone she knew and loved would be safe. But still, he had to be sure. "Anything?" he inquired, lifting his eyebrow.

Visibly she swallowed, then gave a meek nod.

He shook his head. That would not do. He needed a verbalized answer, and he was going to get it.

"Tell me," he demanded.

Lisa sagged a little in the seat. "Please don't-"

"Say it," he demanded again, reinforcing his voice with steel.

She looked at him for a moment. Then, barely audible, "Anything."

"Louder." He was pushing her, and he knew it. However, he would not back down. He would be damned if he didn't start showing the previously lacking authority.

Clearing her throat she spoke again, louder, per his request. "Anything."

Jackson nodded once then abruptly stood, startling the woman on the couch. "Get up."

Shakily she did so, her eyes firmly glued to the floor.

"Look at me." He always found that the simpler and short the order, the more easily it was followed. Leaving no room for an argument. She brought her eyes to his and he could see every fear and insecurity inside her. It almost made him want to ease up on her. Almost. But he was sick of playing nice for the sake of her emotions. Jackson Rippner did not do nice. He tried it, didn't like it, and was going to make up for it. "Go to your room and change."

Lisa looked down at her outfit, "But I'm already."

"Go to your room and change," he said each word slowly, as if she were too stupid to understand. "I don't like what you're wearing. You will wear what I bought for you. Everything." Oh, he was well aware of what her current esemble was lacking. He knew that she wouldn't wear the lingerie he bought for her. Each piece was hand selected and he fairly needed to keep his dick under control as he imagined how each piece would look on her. How the bras would push her already ample cleavage up and put it on display. How the colors would enhance her skin. The bright reds and blues, along with the blacks, drawing attention to her assets. How the panties would accentuate her round ass, the silk and lace encasing the one area of her body he fully intended to explore to great depths.

Slowly, Lisa turned on her heels and walked out of the room, walking a slow procession to the stairs and gradualy began to ascend them, entirely too aware that Jackson was following her. She should have known it, really. Now that she opened this can of worms she knew she was in way over her head, but it was the only thing she could do. It was the only way to get what she wanted, and she was willing to put her life, and body, on the line to get it. Her family would be safe, no matter the cost.

When they arrived back to her room, Jackson had her enter first and when they were both fully in the room, he shut the door behind him. Even though they were the only two in the house, the closed door reinforced the sense of being trapped. His presence filled the room and it was almost impossible for her to ignore. She stood in the middle of the room, nervously awaiting his next instruction.

You can do this. You have to do this, she thought, steeling herself for she knew would come next.

Jackson strode over to the bureau and opened a draw, rummaging around until he found exactly what he was looking for. He turned around, putting the item behind his back, hidden from her view. It took him three steps before he was standing right in front of her. "You will wear this," he said, "and you will not argue about it. Understand?"

They both knew the question was a formality and nothing else. Even if she said she didn't understand, it wouldn't matter.

But, she nodded anyway.

"Good," he said, the word staccato. Bringing his hands out in front, Lisa saw that it was, indeed, lingerie in his hands. She supressed a gasp at what he had picked. In one hand was a red push up bra, with an overlay of black lace, dulling the bright color, creating an all around darker look to it. It was a very pretty piece, but it was also incredibly skimmy. Even for a bra, there was not much to it. The straps were thin and looked to be made from the same black lace. Lisa briefly wondered if it would hold up, let alone hold her in. In his other hand were the matching panties. And, she was relieved to notice, they weren't a thong. While the panties themselves were black, the sides tied together with the red lace, that would make it incredibly easy to come off. Just one small tug and they would open, showing the world her most private part.

She was scared, no denying that, as she shakily took the garments from his hands. "Where's, uh...," she cleared her throat, "where's the bathroom?"

He looked at her for a moment, debating telling her. He wanted to be with her when she stripped down for her, but he could wait for that. So, he decided on a compromise. "I'll turn around," he said. Before she could respond, he continued, "that's the best you'll get. Say anything else, and I won't even do that. Now change." True to his word, he spun around, presenting her with his back.

Taking a deep, fortifying breath, she undid her pants and slid them off, the whole while keeping her eyes on Jackson, making sure that he didn't peak. Not that it would really matter at this point, but she needed the small semblence of privacy that she was getting. Quickly, she pulled down her own panties until they pooled at her feet. Equally fast, she pulled on the new pair, taking a few second to double knot the ties, making sure that they would stay on. Then, she straightened up, and with another deep breath, stripped herself of the shirt, adding it to the growing pile of clothes. Keeping her eyes firmly fixed on Jackson she put the red black bra between her legs to free up her hands so that she could unhook the one she was wearing. Carefully she took it off, using one hard to shield herself, and dropped that to the floor as well. Then, without further hesitation she put on the lacy bra, keeping her arms crossed over her chest when she was done.

"O-okay," she whispered, letting Jackson know she was dressed. Or, as dressed as she was going to get. As he was turning around she asked, "Can I have a robe? Please?" She threw in the end, trying to appeal to some deceny in him. Ha, she thought, 'decent' and 'Jackson' are not words that should be in the same sentence.

When he turned to see her, the air was nearly knocked from his lungs. He couldn't believe it. If he thought she was beautiful before, now she was down right breathtaking. It took every ounce of his self-control not to throw her down on the bed and screw her brains out. Instead, his eyes roved her figure from head to toe, taking in every details, his gaze briefly stopping at her scar. Instead of detracting from her beauty, it seemed to make her all the more real. He swore to himself and nearly felt bad for what he was inflicting on her. But it was a fleeting motion and he gave it no more than a seconds thought. He would not stop now, he couldn't stop now.

Sucking his tongue back into his mouth, metaphorically that is, he responded to her question in a clipped tone, "No robe."He started out of her room, opening the door, but stopping halfway through. "Follow me."

And she did. Following him as he made his way back to the living room, her arms securely around herself, her barefeet cold from the floor. Coming to a stop in the living room, Jackson pointed to the couch. Demanding without words for her to sit back down. She did so, scooting back into the cushions, trying to use something as a shield to cover herself. She reached for a pillow but was stopped when Jackson slapped her hand hard enough to sting.

"No."

Jackson sat back down, but this time he sat right up against her. His left side touching hers as he draped his arm around the back of the couch, barely an inch away, so that it was almost as if she were being cradled by him. Lisa shivered a little, whether it was from the cold or from Jackson she didn't know, and she didn't want to figure out.

He reached for the remote and turned up the volume on the TV just in time to listen to Dr. Phil tell a young woman stop dwelling on the past and to get on with her life. Again, the irony was not lost on either of the rooms occupants.

Lisa turned her head and looked up at Jackson, "Please, can I have a blanket or something. I'm...cold," she inwardly cringed. While not exactly a lie, she didn't want every weakness she currently possessed to be showcased to this man.

He looked down at her, seemingly contemplating her request, "I can think of another way to warm you up." That sentence, coming from anyone else, would have been considered harmless flirting, but anything coming from this man would be far from harmless.

"I'd real much prefer the blanket."
Jackson shrugged, a lazy movement of muscle, "Well, then, you'll just have to deal with it. Now, sit tight and watch the good doctor. I know how much of a fan you are."

Lisa turned her head away, not wanting Jackson to see the lone tear as it made its way down her cheek.

Sorry! I know, I was A LOT more delayed than I said I would be, and I sincerely apologize. Don't hate me -ducks flying food- I'll be better next time, I swear.

I really REALLY want to thank my extraordinarly wonderful beta. You know who are you. Seriously wouldn't have done this without you. Big ole THANK YOU to you!

And with that said, you all know what to do...Review please!