Read Lockdown for Free Online

confused. “We were just gonna take a walk.”
    “You think that’s a good idea?” Jake glared at Noah, his meaning clear. He didn’t want her wandering off with a man she’d just met, one who was clearly under the influence.
    “I guess we could stick around for a bit longer.” Jessica spotted Craig and Ava making their way toward them. Thank goodness, a reprieve.
    Craig slapped Jake on the back. “Hey, buddy, what’s up?”
    Jake extended his hand to Craig. “Not much. How about you, man?”
    “You know, busy with the house and the wedding.” He chuckled. “My fiancée’s a real slave driver.”
    Ava slapped his chest. “Quit complaining. I’m the one doing all the work.” She shot Jessica a meaningful glance after eyeing both Jake and Noah. “Hey, Jess.” She kissed her friend’s cheek, before whispering in her ear, “Jake looks pissed. Mission accomplished.”
    Jessica tried to revel in achieving her not-so-hidden objective, but she couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that she’d opened a Pandora’s Box. “Ava, Craig, I’d like you to meet my friend, Noah Keyes.”
    Noah grinned, offering his hand to Ava, then Craig. “It’s nice to meet you both.” His eyes traveled over Ava, taking in the red bikini beneath the sheer cover-up. “Jessica has told me so much about you, Ava. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
    Craig slipped his hand through Ava’s as he glared at Noah. “Why don’t we find Merle, baby? I’d like to wish him a happy birthday.”
    “Uh, yeah. That sounds like a good idea.” Ava squeezed Jessica’s arm. “I’ll catch up with you later, okay?”
    One look at Jake told Jessica he hadn’t missed the awkward exchange. Not that she was surprised. He made his living reading people, and she was certain he had Noah’s number. Unfortunately, her date’s intentions were becoming painfully clear to her as well. “Oh look, they’re bringing the food out. Perfect timing. I’m famished.”
    Jake glanced at the glass of wine in her hand. “Have you had anything to eat today?”
    “Uh no, I guess that’s why I’m so hungry.”
    “Jess, you should know better than to drink on an empty stomach. At the best of times, two glasses of wine is enough to get you tipsy.”
    He was right, she was a cheap drunk, but he didn’t have to broadcast it to the world. “This is my first and only glass of wine, so you can relax, warden.”
    “If you’ll excuse me,” Noah said, “I need to use the restroom.”
    Jessica thought about offering directions, but servers were working in the kitchen. He could ask one of them.
    Jake wasted no time grabbing her upper arm and guiding her down the winding path toward her mother’s private oasis. It was a flower garden, shaded by mature oak trees, with several chairs in the center of the lavish floral frame. When you closed your eyes, you could hear the babbling brook that bordered the impressive property. The house and grounds had been in her mother’s family for three generations, and her parents often told her they hoped she would one day choose to raise a family there.
    “What the hell is wrong with you?” Jake muttered, between clenched teeth. “You bring a stranger, some dirtbag you met online, to your daddy’s birthday party?”
    She shook him off, planting her hands on her hips as she turned to face him. “Don’t you lecture me, Jake McCoy. It’s none of your damn business.”
    “Why haven’t you returned my calls?”
    She was afraid he was calling to apologize for the impromptu kiss in her office, and she couldn’t stand to hear the remorse in his voice. It was one of the most memorable moments of her life, and she didn’t want him to sully her memory with regret. “I’ve been busy.”
    “Yeah, I heard about those goddamn dance lessons. What the hell is wrong with you, girl?”
    She sat down on one of the wrought iron chairs, feeling the need to put some distance between them. She was used to Jake’s indifference, but