LJ says this chapter is too long.....this is part 2 of Chapter 8, go back to my previous post for part 1. Sorry.....damn LJ......


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Jason and Billy left the Diamond Club after a 9am meeting between the owners and Jason and Peter. They had been trying to weasel out of their contract and Jason and the boys had to remind them of the rather severe penalties for doing so.

It hadn’t taken long and as soon as they left Jason’s mind was on to other things, mainly one very stubborn brunette with a sweet little arse. He was getting extremely frustrated with the whole Alex situation. After his run-in with Bobby and argument with Alex he had thought about forgetting the whole thing. No woman was worth all that trouble, but something inside told him that Alex was. So he changed his tactics, played it cool and tried to show Alex there was another side to him.

It had been a long time since he had taken the time, or made the effort, to try and get to know a woman. He never wanted to, if he met a woman he was interest in it was for one thing, and one thing only; if she didn’t want to give him what he wanted, he either just took it, or found someone who did. But with Alex it was different, the more he got to know her, the more he actually liked her, and the more he wanted her.

She was classy, but tough. She didn’t take any shit from anyone, and though that aspect of her personality had caused him endless aggravation, he still admired her for it. Which was a rare thing in itself; Jason rarely admired a woman for anything, except her physical attributes, of course.

So for the past couple of weeks Jason had been holding back, talking to Alex when he had the chance, but being careful not to come on too strong. Oh, he still flirted with her a bit, just so she knew he was still interested, but it was in more subtle ways – a look, a smile, a nice compliment. Alex seemed more receptive to it, dropping her guard a little and even flirting back on a few occasions.

The whole thing was wearing on Jason, subtlety not being one of his strong points. He also kept thinking back on his missed opportunities, her kiss, the way she felt in his arms…the taste of her. It only served to add to his frustration.

He wondered what things would be like if he had just been able to keep his mouth shut. He wondered if he would still want her as much once he had her. He also wondered how things would be if Lisa was out of the picture. Jason scowled as he stared out the window of the Mercedes and thought about his wife.

He hadn’t touched Lisa since that night she had made that dinner for him, not in anger or any other way. She had wisely arranged for a workman to come in and repair the bedroom door while Jason was out, and though he had noticed it, he never said a word about it.

She had stayed in the guest bedroom for a few days and when he had come home to find her in his bed he just ignored her and climbed into his side of the bed and went to sleep. It had been like that every night since.

He rarely talked to her and if he did say anything it was to criticize and belittle her. He didn’t really know why he did it, she had actually been on her best behavior and been going out of her way to do things for him. She’d even been holding her tongue, which he knew was as difficult for Lisa as it was for him. Still, he kept it up, perhaps unconsciously trying to make her so miserable she would finally leave for good and save him the trouble of finding a way to get rid of her.

Jason had been to see his solicitor to find out how much a divorce would cost him and he had not been happy with the answer. The thought of selling his house and giving Lisa half of the value was not an option. He had risked too much for what he had acquired and was not about to just give half of it to Lisa.

It had been Peter who had given him an answer more to his liking. “Ya just do like they do in the movies,” he said, “you make her an offer she can’t refuse.”

Jason had been so lost in his thoughts about Alex and ways to remove the obstacle of his wife; he hadn’t even noticed where they were until Billy’s voice interrupted his musings.
“Isn’t that Alex?” Billy asked.

Of course, the mention of Alex’s name got Jason’s attention right away. “Where?” he asked, his curiosity peaked.

Billy pointed to the brunette stepping off the curb at the red light a few cars in front of the Mercedes.

“Yeah….” Jason confirmed, “…it sure is.”

Alex was obviously dressed for running in dark blue lycra shorts, a white tank-top and her hair pulled back in a simple ponytail. Jason watched as she crossed the street and waved and smiled at the vendor in the chippy van near the curb. Her smile lit her face and Jason felt an odd sensation in the pit of his stomach. He had never seen her outside of the club before and even in bright sunshine and with no makeup, Alex was easily the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, especially when she flashed that smile.

“Mornin’, Alex!” the vendor replied to Alex’s wave.

“Keep one cold for me, eh, Eddie?” she asked without stopping.

“Sure thing, luv.” Answered Eddie. Alex hadn’t noticed the Mercedes and went down the steps to the beach to begin her morning run completely unaware she was being so closely scrutinized.

Jason frowned at the familiarity between the two and then mentally kicked himself. Why did he feel a twinge of jealousy because she said hello to a street vendor? He knew Eddie himself, the man had gone to school with Peter and they’d had a couple pints together on occasion. It was his association with the firm that kept Eddie relatively safe on the streets.

The Mercedes started moving when the light changed, but Jason made a quick decision not to waste an opportunity like this. “Pull in there, Billy.” He directed, indicating a small car park just past the light. As soon as the car stopped, Jason opened the door. “Sit tight fer a bit, eh?”

“Yeah, sure.” Billy answered, as if he had a choice, and Jason got out of the car.

Walking up to the railing that separated the beach from the sidewalk Jason stopped and scanned the sandy strip expecting to see Alex running down the beach. He sucked his breath in through his teeth as he found her, instead, bent over and grabbing her ankles as she finished her stretching. “Fuck…” he muttered and his cock stirred as he imagined her in a similar position in private.

His eyes followed the sweet curve of her ass and down the smooth lines of her long tanned legs. Jason swallowed slowly and took a deep breath. If he didn’t figure out a way to get in that woman’s bed soon, he was going to do something stupid, and he didn’t want it that way…not with Alex.

Jason watched Alex finish her stretching and start her jog down the beach. He wanted to talk to her but he wasn’t about to run down the beach after her. Instead, he went over to talk to Eddie to see what the vendor knew about her routine.

“Awright, Eddie?” greeted Jason as he approached the stand.

Eddie looked up at the sound of the familiar voice and grinned. “Jason! How tha fuck are ya, mate?”

Jason shook the offered hand. “Can’t complain.” He answered.

“Wot the ‘ell are you doin’ out ‘n about so early?”

“Me ‘n Pete had a meetin’ with a couple a stupid geezers ‘bout their contract.”

“Givin’ ya trouble was they?”

“Not any more.” Jason answered with a wicked grin.

Eddie laughed. He could just imagine how Jason Locke would settle things. “Can I get ya a coffee er summat?” he offered.

Jason looked down the beach. “Yeah…sure…” he answered, figuring he’d be hanging around for a while.

“Sorry I ain’t got nothin’ stronger.” Eddie said, handing Jason a steaming cup of coffee.

“’At’s awright…I been cuttin’ down a bit anyway…” Jason noticed the disbelief in Eddie’s eyes but ignored it. “So you know Alex Sinclair then?” he asked after taking a sip of the coffee.

“Alex? Oh yeah…not as well as I’d like, let me tell ya… that is one sweet little…” Eddie paused when he saw Jason’s eyes narrow into a dangerous glare; he knew immediately Jason’s interest in Alex Sinclair. “Fuck, Jase…” he grinned, “don’t tell me yer gettin’ a bit o’ that on tha side?”

“Not as much as I want…but I’m workin’ on it.”

“Since when does Jason Locke ‘ave ta ‘work on it’?”

“Yeah…unusual, ain’t it?” Jason chuckled, “But she’s different.”

“Yeah, she ain’t like tha tarts ‘round ‘ere, ‘at’s fer sure.” Eddie agreed.

That was an understatement, thought Jason, as he took another drink. He found out from Eddie that Alex’s runs usually took her about half an hour to 45 minutes, so he paid for his coffee and Alex’s water and went to the railing to wait and watch. He wasn’t sure what exactly he would do when she came back, but he hoped he would be able to talk to Alex without putting his foot in his mouth and making things worse again.

After about 35 minutes he thought he saw her some distance down the beach and he went back to Eddie to retrieve the bottle of water he was keeping cold. As he came down the steps to the beach, Jason was sure it was Alex and his heart started pounding a bit faster as she got closer. He had never had this reaction to a woman before and it was baffling him, his usual confidence was definitely beginning to falter where Alex was concerned.

He made his way to a picnic table, cursing as the sand started to seep into his expensive Italian leather shoes. “Fuck…” Jason muttered, the last thing he had planned on this morning was a walk on the beach. Sitting on the top of the rough plank table, he brought his feet up on the bench and quickly emptied his shoes of the bothersome sand, mentally noting yet another advantage to having his own pool.

The sun had quickly warmed things up and Jason had shed his jacket while he had been waiting and left it in the car with Billy. He wore charcoal colored trousers and a pale gray, short sleeved, linen shirt open at the collar. His hair was unusually free of styling products and looked soft and much lighter in the bright sun. He was suddenly quite conscious of his limited grooming that morning and ran his fingers back through the somewhat disheveled strands to try and tame them.

As Alex ran, she tried to clear her mind of the events of the past few weeks. The club was doing well, but it seems everything else had gone to hell. Bobby barely spoke to her, Mick scolded her every chance he got, the only ones she could have a decent conversation with was Shawn and, believe it or not…Jason.

The change in Jason confused her. Not that she minded a more civil Jason, but it had been hard enough to resist him when he was a jerk, and now that he was acting almost human it was nearly impossible to resist his charms…and yes, she had to admit he was charming.

Running wasn’t even helping that much anymore, not when she kept thinking about those sultry green eyes and one incredibly sexy grin. The way Jason looked at her sometimes was unnerving, and she knew he was doing it on purpose. Alex also knew she shouldn’t let him get to her; she knew he was just changing his approach, but damnit…sometimes she just wanted to grab him and snog him silly. What kept her from doing so was the constant mantra in her head…he’s married, he’s married…and she knew she would just be asking for trouble.

Returning to her starting point, Alex slowed to a stop and bent over, her hands gripping her knees as she gasped for breath. She hadn’t noticed Jason sitting on the table a few meters away and was startled by the familiar voice. “Ya don’t really put yerself through that ev’ry day, do ya?”

Alex stood slowly and turned to face Jason. She was surprised at how different he looked in the light of day. She had seen him in the afternoons inside the club, but the way the sunlight played off his hair and made his green eyes sparkle nearly did her in. He looked younger and much more approachable and she instantly saw trouble looming, the kind of trouble she had been trying so hard to avoid.

“I never thought I’d see you out this early.” She said a bit haughtily, ignoring his question and trying not to cave in.

Jason chuckled, “If I’d a known you were runnin’ ‘bout in that get up, I’d be down ‘ere ev’ry mornin’.” His gaze traveled openly over her form. “You really do this ev’ry day?”

“You think I keep my figure by sitting around the club all day?” she asked. “How do think I fit into those dresses you seem to like so well?”

Jason grinned; he did love those dresses she wore. “Well, I could think a better ways to get a work out.” He said with a raise of his brow. The only response from Alex was a contemptuous glare. “Wot?” he laughed, “I was just thinkin’ bout an air conditioned gym er summat…”

“Mmmhmm…” Alex replied, sarcastically, to which Jason only laughed in that wicked little way she had heard so often. “What do you want, Locke?” she asked pointedly.

Jason didn’t answer right away, his thoughts distracted as he watched a bead of sweat trickle down Alex’s neck to disappear into the small bit of cleavage exposed by her form-fitting tank. He swallowed slowly and suddenly remembered the bottle of water on the table next to him. “Here…” he said, standing and stepping forward. “Ya look like ya could use this.”

Alex accepted the bottle warily. “What the hell are you up to?”

“I ain’t up ta nothin’.” Laughed Jason. “I seen ya headin’ down ‘ere fer yer run…an’ Eddie says ya always stop fer a water when yer done.”

So Eddie knew Jason, thought Alex. Of course he did…everyone around here knows Jason.

“I never see ya outa tha club…” continued Jason, “thought maybe we could have a little chat.”

“What could we possibly have to ‘chat’ about, Jason?” Alex asked with a laugh.

“I dunno…” shrugged Jason, “Maybe you could tell me a bit about Alex Sinclair.” He suggested. “You seem ta know a lot about me, but I still don’t know much about you.” ‘Cept how sweet yer snatch is, Jason added silently.

Alex eyed him dubiously. So he wants to get personal, she thought and decided she might be able to use the situation to her advantage, as long as they didn’t get too personal. Alex flexed her stiffening legs. “Well, if you want to talk, you’re going to have to walk with me.” She informed Jason. “I need to cool down.” Alex then turned and began to walk further down the beach.

Jason watched for a minute as Alex walked away from him. The gentle sway of her delectable, lycra covered rear drawing his attention. “Yeah, I could use some coolin’ off meself…” he muttered under his breath and followed Alex; cursing as the sand once again began seeping into his shoes.

Alex glanced over at Jason as he caught up to her. “So what is it you want to know about me, Jason?”

“Everything.” Jason answered simply.

“No you don’t.” Alex scoffed.

“C’mon…there ain’t nothin’ y’can say ta shock me.” Jason chuckled, not knowing she was completely serious. “I know ya got the good sense not ta marry that wanker of a bartender…wot about yer family? How’d they feel ‘bout that?”

Alex rolled her eyes at Jason’s jab at Bobby, but she was not going to discuss her ex’s character with him, she only shrugged, “They weren’t pleased with the announcement when I told them I was engaged…”

“Yeah?” Jason liked her parents already.

“Yeah, I hadn’t seen them in over a year, so I took Bobby over to meet them…my father freaked when I told them the news…he’s a self-righteous, pompous bigot, he hated Bobby the minute he saw him, just because his skin was a couple shades darker.” Alex paused to contain her irritation; she always got angry when she thought of her father. “We walked out of there and I haven’t talked to them since.”

“No?” Jason was a bit surprised. “So they don’t even know the weddin’s off?”

Alex shook her head. “I’m not about to give my father the satisfaction…I wasn’t going to invite them anyway…my Mother just sat there and said nothing as usual.”

“Sounds like there’s no love lost between you an’ yer parents.” Jason observed.

“That’s one way to put it.” intoned Alex. “My father is a first class snob and mum is a spineless twit too afraid to say anything as he parades one mistress after another in front of her disguised as his personal assistants…” Alex stopped; not sure if she should continue, she didn’t want to reveal too much.

Jason was beginning to understand her strong conviction concerning married men; he was going to have to come up with some way to get past that. He knew if he got her alone…somewhere private…he could make her forget about it. He had done it before, if not for Mick he would have had his prize then and there, but now she was very careful not to caught alone with him, which only proved to Jason she didn’t trust herself around him and gave him that much more hope.

“What about other family?” Jason asked in an attempt to steer her mind away from her cheating father. “D’ya ‘ave any brothers or sisters?”

A visible sadness washed over Alex’s face. “No…” she said, shaking her head. “Not anymore.”
Jason could have kicked himself, it seemed all he was succeeding in doing was stirring up bad memories.

“I had a brother.” Alex explained. “He was two years younger than me…he was killed when I was 19.”

“I’m sorry.” Jason said in an uncharacteristic pang of sympathy.

Alex stopped walking and stared out over the water, she hadn’t talked about her brother in a long time. “His body was found not far from here…in the marshes.”

Jason shuffled his feet in the sand, wondering silently if his boys had anything to do with it. His crew was not responsible for every dead body that turned up in Essex, but they do their share, not that he would ever admit it, of course. “’ow long ago was ‘is?” he asked out of more than idle curiosity.

“Almost twelve years ago now.” Alex answered sadly.

Breathing an inaudible sigh of relief, Jason was grateful it was nothing he would have arranged. Twelve years ago he was just a driver, if anything, he would have dumped the body, but nothing more. Still, he was curious about the details. “So wot ‘appened?”

Alex’s jaw clenched as she recalled the events of her brother’s death. “The authorities ruled it an accidental overdose, and while they agreed someone had to be responsible for dumping Andrew’s body, they decided that it had just been his mates that got scared…of course no one would admit it and they didn’t pursue it.”

“Why do I get the feelin’ you don’t agree with any of it?”

“Probably because I don’t.” Alex stated with conviction and continued walking.

“So ya don’t believe yer kid brother was inta drugs?” Jason asked, falling in step beside her.

“Oh, he had gotten himself messed up with drugs, I knew that when I came home for Christmas that year, but he never would have shot himself up, and he wouldn’t let anyone else do it, he had a manic fear of needles. He would have had to either be restrained or unconscious for anyone to get near him with a needle. The autopsy showed he had been injected with large amounts of a combination of drugs.”

Jason thought she was being a bit naïve; people do strange things when they’re high, he knew that from personal experience, but he kept quiet and Alex went on. “I knew he was doing coke and whatever pills he could get his hands on…it was his way of rebelling. I thought I had done him a favor protecting him from my father’s true nature…he had worshiped my father, but when I had gone off to university and wasn’t around to cover up my father’s indiscretions, Andrew found out what he was really like…he walked in on dear old Dad and his assistant in the study getting very personal, while Mum was in the kitchen making dinner.” Alex shook her head as she remembered her brother calling her in her dorm and telling her about it.

“You know what my father told him? He said men weren’t made to be with only one woman…he told him he expected the same from him. That you find a nice respectable girl to marry and have your children, and then you have whatever woman takes your fancy on the side. As long as you keep it private, you’re alright.”

Jason, of course, saw nothing wrong with her father’s thinking, but he was smart enough not to say so. “Did yer Mum know?”

Alex finished the last of her water and threw the empty bottle in the trash bin as they walked past. “Oh yeah…she knew. Andrew told her what he saw and couldn’t believe she did nothing about it. He started spending less and less time at home and quit going to school. Got in with some kids from down here and well…”

“Alex!” a small voice interrupted. “Come an’ see my castle!”

Alex smiled at the little girl with the mop of blond curls playing near the water; she would sometimes stop and play with her after her runs. “My goodness, Abby,” Alex said in praise as she walked over to have a look, thankful for the chance to change the subject. “That is quite a sand castle!” In truth, it was merely a few piles of sand with a small moat dug around them, but little Abby beamed with pride.

“I did it all by myself!” she boasted.

Alex laughed as she stooped to get a better look. “Well, you’ve done a fine job, hon!” she reaffirmed.

Jason, while grateful for the interruption as well, stayed where he was, watching the encounter. He was glad to get Alex’s mind off her father and dead brother, and made a mental note to ask Peter about the kid. He was a little surprised at how Alex interacted with the little girl. He never would have pegged her as the type to be good with kids, but for some reason watching her with Abby made him smile.

“Where’s your Mum?” Alex asked the girl.

Abby pointed to the water. “She’s swimming with Jaime…but she’s keepin’ an eye on me, too!”
Jaime was Abby’s little brother and Alex waved at the pair swimming.

“Is that your boyfriend?” the little girl asked, noticing Jason watching them.

Alex couldn’t help but laugh. “No…no he’s not my boyfriend.” She replied with a smirk and Jason answered with his own cocky grin.

“How come he’s wearin’ that at the beach?” Abby asked, wondering why anyone would be wearing long pants and dress shoes at the beach.

Alex giggled at the scowl on Jason’s face. “I weren’t plannin’ on at day at the beach.” Jason said in his defense.

“Well, you should go home and change.” Abby told him matter-of-factly.

Jason’s eyes widened at the straight-forwardness of such a little girl. “She’s a cheeky little bugger, eh?”

Alex, who had sat down next to Abby to remove her shoes and socks, just laughed. She stretched out her legs so the surf tickled her bare toes. Alex sighed as the cool water washed over her hot, tired feet.

Jason stood mesmerized, watching Alex’s every move, momentarily forgetting her capricious little friend. His green eyes took in everything, from the way her toes wiggled when the tide washed over them to the way the sand stuck to the underside of her shapely legs. A lump caught in his throat as Alex leaned forward to catch some of the refreshing water in her hand, his eyes drawn to her perfect heart-shaped bottom. Suppressing a growl, and the urge to spread her out in the sand, he continued to watch as Alex splashed the water on the back of her neck.

Jason nearly lost it when she looked back over her shoulder, a teasing glimmer in her eyes and her Mona Lisa smile firmly in place. He took a deep breath and unconsciously licked his lips, as Alex slowly looked him over.

“He does look a bit warm, doesn’t he?” she said to her little friend.

“Uh-huh.” Agreed Abby.

Jason’s temperature was definitely rising but it wasn’t due to the warm day and sunshine, and he had a feeling Alex knew it. His eyes narrowed suspiciously as Alex leaned close to Abby and whispered something to the little girl that brought on a fit of giggles and an enthusiastic nod.

Grinning back at Jason, Alex rose to her feet and waded out into the water a little, she gave Abby a quick wink before bringing her foot back and kicking water directly at Jason.

“Fuck!” Jason hissed as he tried to jump back to avoid the spray, to no avail. “Wot tha fuck was ‘at for?!”

“Mr. Locke!” Alex cried in feigned shock, “Am I going to have to wash your mouth out with soap?”

“Y’can bloody well try, if ya like!” Jason growled in challenge.

“Honestly, Jason, you really need to relax…lighten up a bit.” Alex taunted. “You’re always so…intense.”

“Y’wanna help me relax? Let’s go s’where private,” Jason leered, “I’ll show ya what’ll ‘elp me relax..”

Alex rolled her eyes. “Always the bad boy, eh, Jason?”

“Wha…just ‘cause…”

Alex cut him off with another splash.

“Knock it off, Alex!” growled Jason, brushing the drops of water from his shirt.

“C’mon, Jason!” Alex teased, “It’s only water…it won’t hurt you! I’m just trying to have a bit of fun!” Silently, Alex wondered when, if ever, Jason had any fun. “Now, why not take off those ridiculously expensive shoes and dig your toes in the sand.”

Jason frowned. “Why would I wanna do that?”

“Because it’s fun!” Abby answered.

Jason’s menacing glare did not have the desired affect and only caused the little girl to giggle.

“Yeah, Jason…it’s fun.” Alex laughed, scooping a handful of water in Jason’s direction.

Green eyes met hers and Alex could not look away. Jason found this playful side of Alex just as intoxicating as the feisty one, and just as irresistible. His steely glare eventually softening, as the right side of his mouth slowly turned upward.

“Awright…” he finally conceded. Jason bent over, shaking his head, he couldn’t believe he was doing this, but at this point he would do just about anything to get on Alex’s good side. After stuffing his socks inside his shoes, Jason held one in each hand, his toes sinking into the warm sand. He had to admit it did feel good.

“’Appy now?” he asked, looking from Alex to Abby.

“You have to roll your trousers up, too.” Little Abby informed him.

Jason scoffed. “Is ‘at right?”

Abby giggled and nodded.

“She get that bossy bit from you?” Jason asked with an accusing glare.

Alex just grinned and shrugged and Jason shook his head again as he set his shoes down and rolled each pant leg up to just below his knees.

“Will ‘at do?” he asked Abby, picking up his shoes again.

Abby giggled again and nodded. “Now you can walk in the water!”

Alex laughed at the look on Jason’s face at being ordered about by a 6 year old. “Bye, squirt!” she said to her little friend, picking up her own shoes and starting down the beach again.

“Bye, Alex!” Abby replied, and then looked at Jason. “Bye, Mr. Grumpy-pants!”

Alex turned around just in time to see the sour expression on Jason’s face and she burst out laughing, which only brought the steely green glare in her direction, as Jason followed her down the beach.

“Mr. Grumpy-pants…” Alex laughed as she walked backwards so she could tease Jason. “It suits you!”

“Fuckin’ brat…” Jason muttered, though a small part of him wanted to laugh along with Alex…a very small part.

“See…you are grumpy.” Alex taunted further.

“Yeah…I wonder why…” he answered huskily as he blatantly looked her over.

Alex nibbled on her lower lip as she continued backwards with Jason following. She knew exactly what he meant; it was obvious from the look in his eyes, and that look was causing the heat to pool right between her legs.

In an attempt to cool things off, Alex kicked more water toward Jason. To her surprise he didn’t flinch, but his eyes narrowed into a dangerously sexy glare. “I’m warnin’ ya, Alex…”
The tone of Jason’s voice sent a shiver down her spine, but it wasn’t because Alex thought he would harm her. His threat carried an all-together different meaning.

“Ohh…am I supposed to be afraid of big, bad Jason Locke?” Alex taunted, unable to help herself. She knew she was probably asking for trouble, but she couldn’t resist, she liked seeing Jason like this, he was starting to relax and she had a feeling he was actually enjoying himself, despite all his grumbling. Besides, what could he do on a public beach in broad daylight, right?

“Yeah…yer afraid a me, awright…” Jason teased back.

Alex rolled her eyes. “Pfft…” was her only response along with another splash.

“Yer askin’ fer it…” he warned again, his eyes sparkling mischievously. Alex just chuckled and scooped yet another handful of water in his direction.

Jason, who was following in the wet sand where the surf washed over his bare feet, just smirked, and waiting for the water to roll back in, got her back with a sideways swipe of his foot.

“Oh…that felt good!” Alex laughed.

“Yeah?” Jason knew she was just egging him on. “So ya want more then, eh?” He made another swipe with his foot and Alex quickly back-stepped, laughing. “Well, let’s see ‘ow ya like it face first then…”

Alex squealed and took off as Jason dropped his shoes in the dry sand barely out of reach of the tide and bounded after her.

They were both laughing as Jason quickly caught up to her, and grabbing her from behind around her waist, made to swing her into the water. Instead he pulled Alex back tight against him and bent over, forcing her face close to the incoming waves. “Ya want some more, eh?” he taunted.

“No…” Alex answered with a chuckle.

“No? But it feels so good, dunnit?” Jason’s pants were soaked now, but he didn’t really notice, all he was feeling was Alex’s bum pressing firmly against his crotch. It felt good all right.

He stood them both upright and laughed at Alex’s vain attempt to free herself, it was obvious she wasn’t trying very hard. Jason turned his captive to face him and laughed again as Alex unconsciously clutched her shoes to her chest, as if that would be enough to stop the sparks flying between them.

The sunlight reflecting off the surface of the water made Jason’s eyes sparkle and the breath caught in Alex’s throat. She couldn’t believe how much a real laugh and genuine smile could change him, and make him even more attractive.

“See…that’s better than a grumpy Jason, isn’t it?” she said with a smile, unable to take her eyes from his. The look she got in return almost made her gasp.

Jason’s grip on her waist turned into a caress that traveled over the curve of her lower back and down the slope of her ass. “Mmm…much better…” he replied, a seductive growl in his voice as he bent his head to kiss her.

With his lips just inches from hers, Alex suddenly wriggled free of his grasp. “Fuck!” Jason hissed.

Alex continued farther down the beach, feeling a bit guilty and suddenly empty inside, like the light that had sparked inside of her had gone out as she stepped out of Jason’s arms. A shiver went down her spine. She had to keep things from going too far…maybe this little walk on the beach wasn’t such a good idea after all. The things Jason was stirring inside her were getting far too dangerous.

“You better grab those fancy shoes of yours before they set sail back to Italy.” Alex called over her shoulder, hoping she sounded aloof and Jason didn’t guess that he was starting to get to her.

Jason took a deep breath, trying to contain his frustration, as he picked up his shoes. What was she so afraid of? It wasn’t like he could fuck her right there on the beach. It took a great amount of restraint for Jason not to say anything, but he was determined not to anger her. He felt he was getting somewhere with Alex and was not about to ruin it.

“So ya like kids, then?” Jason asked as he caught up to her. It wasn’t like he really cared one way or another, but he needed to get his mind off of how close he had just come.

Alex glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “Yeah, most of them, I suppose.” She answered with a shrug. “Of course, I don’t have any of my own…” she continued, then added tentatively, “…maybe someday.”

Jason looked over at her as they walked. He imagined how she would look with her slender figure swollen with child…his child. He squeezed his eyes tight trying to erase that image. Where the fuck did that come from? He was not going there…could not go there.

“How about you?” Alex asked, interrupting the peculiar thought.

“Wot?”

“Kids,” Alex chuckled, “Do you have any kids?”

“Naw…” replied Jason, still trying to get the mental picture out of his head. “Lisa can’t ‘ave any.”

“I didn’t ask about Lisa,” she said with a smirk, “I asked if you had any kids.” Alex had to laugh at the stunned look on Jason’s face, “C’mon Jason…everyone knows you can’t keep it in your pants…you’ve never had any little surprises come back to haunt you?”

Jason hated the thought that Alex knew of his reputation and thought about denying everything, but then again, something inside him made him want to be truthful with her. A part of him told him he should turn and run, that this thing with Alex was more than he bargained for, but he couldn’t. There was something about Alex that made him want to be a better man, which was something completely new for Jason since he had never considered the fact that there was anything wrong in the first place.

“I guess I got a son ‘round Surrey somewheres.” He finally admitted.

Alex turned her head in surprise. “You guess?” she asked. She had been guessing herself, but wasn’t quite sure what Jason meant. “What, you don’t know for sure if he’s yours?”

“He’s mine…they did tests.” Jason answered and then glanced over at Alex. He was surprised not to see scorn or contempt in her eyes, but only building curiosity. “She ‘ad ‘im ‘bout six months after I went in. Then I guess she met some doctor er summat and moved ta Surrey a couple years ago.”

“Have you ever seen your son?”

“Naw…” Jason replied with a slight shake of his head. “She ‘ad a lawyer bring me papers ta sign when I were still locked up, givin’ up me rights ta tha kid. Guess ‘er ol’ man adopted ‘im.”

“So you signed them?” Alex inquired.

“Yeah…” shrugged Jason.

“I suppose that was the easiest thing to do considering the circumstances.” Alex offered.

“Yeah…you’d think, right?” She turned to look at Jason as he spoke; something in his voice told her it wasn’t quite so simple. Was it possible there was actually a heart buried beneath all of his bravado?

“Kid’s prob’ly better off, eh?” Jason said after a brief silence.

Alex looked at Jason, trying to imagine him with his son. She never, in a million years, would have considered Jason Locke the fatherly type, but after seeing this new side of him, she figured anything was possible.

They walked in silence for a short time, getting away from the more populated area of the beach, where it was a bit rockier and a few large boulders dotted the shore.

“What about your family?” Alex finally asked. “Do you have anyone besides Lisa?”

“Naw…me Pop were killed runnin’ numbers fer Tony Tucker back when I were ‘bout ten. Mum pretty much drank ‘erslf ta the grave, ‘specially after…” Jason’s voice trailed off as he stopped walking. He had not talked about his family in a very long time.

“After what?” Alex urged gently. It was obvious some unpleasant memories were beginning to surface. “After your Father was killed?”

Jason shook his head slightly. “No…me brother…”

“You had a brother, too?”

“Yeah…” he answered, leaning back on a nearby boulder. “Guess that’s summat we have in common, eh?”

“Yeah, I guess so…” Alex answered sadly as she settled back next to him.

Jason bent over and slipped his shoes and socks back on. “’Cept Davy, he were four years older’n me.” He said as he straightened back up.

So Jason had a big brother, and Alex could tell from the way he talked that he had looked up to his brother. “So what happened?” she asked, putting her own shoes back on.

Jason was quiet for a minute, wondering where to begin. “Well, after Pop died, Davy got it in ‘is ‘ead he weren’t gonna work for nobody. He’d heard…. rumors like, y’know?” Jason glanced at Alex and she nodded. “Pop’d been hit by ‘is own boys ‘cause Tucker thought he was skimmin’ some a tha take fer hiself. Davy weren’t gonna risk nothin’ like ‘at, so by the time he was 15 the li’l bastard ‘ad ‘is own racket goin’…had kids workin’ fer him. Wouldn’t let me get mixed up in it, though…made sure I went to school.”

Jason stared out over the water as memories came flooding back. Had it really been almost 25 years? It all suddenly seemed so fresh in his mind, like it was just yesterday that he saw his only brother killed right before his eyes.

Taking a deep breath, Jason continued the story. “It was the Saturday after me birthday, Davy ‘ad promised we could do anythin’ I wanted, so we spent all day down at the Pier an’ then I decided I wanted to see the new Bond film…if we’d a jus’ stayed at the Pier…”

For the first time since she had met him, Alex saw guilt in Jason’s eyes. “It’s not your fault, Jason.”

That’s what they had told him back then, too, but he still couldn’t help wondering what would have happened if they would have just stayed put. “We were jus’ down tha road from the cinema,” he continued, “when three blokes cross the street an’ start comin’ towards us…seems Davy’s li’l business was infringin’ on theirs and they was none too happy ‘bout it. They’d stabbed ‘im three times ‘fore I noticed Davy ‘ad a .45 tucked in the back a ‘is jeans…killed two a tha bastards ‘fore they even knew wot was ‘appenin’. Emptied the rest a tha clip chasin’ the third son of a bitch down the street.”

“Jesus…” Alex whispered as she imagined a young Jason seeking his revenge.

Jason’s nostrils flared as he breathed in deep through his nose. “Weren’t no Jesus ‘round that day…”

Alex shook her head in disbelief; no kid should have to go through anything like that. “How old was Davy?” she asked.

“Sixteen.” Jason answered, trying to keep his face void of any emotion, but his green eyes glistened with the tears he refused to shed.

“So you were twelve?”

Jason only nodded.

Alex could only imagine what Jason had endured and had a new understanding of why he was the way he was. She suddenly felt a deep sympathy for him. Reaching out, Alex squeezed Jason’s hand. He couldn’t look at her, instead he stood and pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her and holding her tighter than he had ever held anyone in his life. Alex fought to hold back her own tears. She knew he wasn’t crying; Jason Locke didn’t cry, but it was probably the closest he’d come to it since that day when his childhood had ended.

Pulling back a bit, Jason looked down into Alex’s tear brimmed eyes. With a gentle caress, he wiped the lone drop that had escaped to trickle down Alex’s cheek. As he looked at her he knew he would tell her anything she wanted to know, would do anything she asked of him; would do anything to have her. He didn’t know why, and he was tired of trying to figure it out. He just accepted it, no more questions asked.

Bending his head, Jason pressed his lips to Alex’s. It wasn’t the type of lustful, heated kiss she had been used to from Jason, but a soft, gentle, almost loving kiss, and it affected her more than ever. She lost herself for a moment, surrendering to the strong arms wrapped around her and the feel of Jason’s mouth on hers. Her brain slowly over-ruled her body, though, reminding her of how dangerously close she was to losing control.

When Alex pushed away from him, it felt like she had thrust a knife in Jason’s chest. “Fuck…” he muttered, the frustration obvious in his voice and his clear green eyes. “After all ‘at….y’still pull away from me…”

“After all that?” Alex asked, confused. “What is that supposed to mean? Jason…if you made all that up just to…”

“Made it up?” Now it was Jason who was confused. “I didn’t fuckin’ make it up…” Jason shook his head, wondering why she would think such a thing. He poured his guts out to her and she thinks he made it up? “Y’really don’t think much a me, do ya? Y’really think I would make up somethin’ like ‘at?” Jason’s jaw clenched, it hurt him that she would think so little of him. “Y’can ask anyone…ev’ryone knows wot ‘appened the day Davy Locke died…they jus’ know ‘nough not say nothin’ ‘round me.”

“Okay…okay…”Alex said, feeling a little guilty for thinking such a thing. “I’m sorry, Jason…you’re just a hard man to trust.”

Jason looked her straight in the eyes. “I ain’t never lied t’ya, Alex…not really…not when it’s jus’ you ‘n me.”

“Jason…I’m sorry…” Alex apologized again. “I just…” She didn’t really know what to say. She wanted to believe him, to trust him, she wanted to be with him more than anyone else in her life, but she knew she couldn’t; he was Jason Locke, and she was…she just couldn’t. No matter how much she wanted things to be different, they never would be. “I’m sorry…” was all she could say again. Jason tried to pull her back into his arms, but she stepped away. “I have to go…”

Jason ground his teeth together as he watched her walking away from him. “You don’t fuckin’ get it, do ya?” he called after her.

Alex stopped and turned around. “What, Jason?” she asked, curious as to what exactly she was missing. “What is it I don’t get?”

Jason ran his fingers back through his hair. How could he explain it? He didn’t really understand it himself. “I can’t even fuck me wife without thinkin’ ‘bout you…none a them bitches in the club even look good ta me anymore ‘cause all I want is you…”

Alex couldn’t help the disappointment she felt at his words. “That’s the only time you think of me, Jason? When it involves sex?” Shaking her head, she reminded herself she was talking to Jason Locke. “I don’t know why I would have expected anything else from you…” With a deep sigh she turned and began walking away again.

Jason was dumbfounded by her reaction, he had been trying to tell her how he felt about her, that no matter how things may have started out between them, she wasn’t just another one of his side bits. What did he say that could be so misconstrued? “Alex…” he tried again. When she didn’t stop he began to follow her back down the beach. “Alex…” he tried again, but was getting more frustrated with every step. “Fer crissakes, Alex…if ‘at was all I wanted, I’d jus’ fuckin’ take it!”

Alex spun around; ready to contest his claim, but Jason cut her off before she began. “An’ y’know I could, too…” He told her, his eyes locked on hers. “But I don’t want it like ‘at…not with you.”

Alex assumed that was supposed to make her feel better, but it didn’t really help. “Whatever, Jason…” was all she said and resumed her walk back.

“C’mon Alex…” Jason pressed, following her once again. “Can’t ya see yer drivin’ me crazy? Yer the first thing I think about ev’ry mornin’ an’ the last thing ev’ry night…an’ then I’ll fuckin’ dream about ya!” Jason kept following, wishing to hell she would stop. “I couldn’t even get through the bloody meetin’ we ‘ad this mornin’ without wondering wot you were doin’…Alex…I think about ya next ta me in the car, at me table ‘avin tea, swimmin’ in me pool, and yeah…in me bed…”

Alex’s steps had slowed as he spoke and she finally stopped, but she didn’t turn around. “Alex….y’got me thinkin’ diff’rent ‘bout ev’ry thing I do…s’times I ask meself…’What would Alex think a that?’…an’ y’know me…I don’t give a fuck wot anyone thinks a me….’cept you.”

Jason stared at her back, he had gotten her to stop, what did he have to say to get her to turn around? “Is it just me, Alex? D’ya ever think a me like ‘at?”

Did she ever think of him like that? When did she not think of him lately? Alex took a deep breath and finally turned around. She knew immediately by the look in his eyes he spoke the truth. What she needed to do was tell him he meant nothing to her, that she never thought about him…but she knew she wouldn’t be convincing, she really wasn’t a very good liar when it came to things like that. “Yeah, Jason…” she began quietly. “I think about you…all the time. I think about those incredible eyes of yours and how they almost make me melt every time you look at me…that damnable grin, when you’re up to no good…I think about how alive I feel whenever you touch me.” She paused, glancing nervously over the water before meeting his eyes again. “When I was with Bobby…I’d lay there…wondering what it would be like to have you there next to me…”

Jason had heard enough. With several long strides, he closed the distance between them and took her face in hands. “Why are we killin’ ourselves then?” he asked before covering her lips with his. Alex could barely breath when Jason pulled back. “We don’t ‘ave t’wonder no more…” he whispered.

Alex looked up at him and with sadness in her rich brown eyes she gently caressed his cheek. “You’re wrong, Jason.” She said quietly. “That’s all we do have…that’s all it can ever be…just wondering what it would be like…”

“Why? If we both want it…”

“You know why.” She said, stepping away from him. “I’ve spent my whole life watching my Mother put up with my Father’s indiscretions, listened to her cry herself to sleep…I will not do that to anyone.”

“Yer worried ‘bout Lisa?” Jason asked, surprised. “Lisa can take care a herself…she ain’t some…”

“It doesn’t matter.” Alex said, cutting him off. “I won’t do that to anyone…not even Lisa. And to be honest, I think I deserve better than to be ‘the other woman’. I want to be the only woman, Jason, or I won’t be your woman at all.” As much as it pained her, Alex turned around and didn’t look back as she walked away.

They had come back to where they started, and Jason watched as Alex walked up the steps and disappeared into the late morning crowd on the street. More than ever, he was determined to make her his, if she insisted on being his only woman…so be it. As he walked back up to the waiting Mercedes, Jason knew he had to get Lisa out of the picture. One way or another, he would get her out of his life…and soon.