Free Mandy's He-Man by Donna Gallagher

because of her.
    She put her arms around his head and pulled his face down towards hers. As she pressed her lips to his, she felt the tension in them. His lips felt flint-hard and cold. It took Mandy a few seconds of gentle coaxing, by nipping at his bottom lip, before JT opened his mouth. Mandy thrust her tongue inside in an effort to distract him.
    Hoping she could make him forgive her for causing such a scene.
    Mandy felt the power surge through JT as he began to return her kiss, at first slowly, then with more urgency, until he was almost devouring her right there on the street. She knew people were probably looking at them but didn’t care, and started to smile under the kiss, thinking of the picture they must make standing on this busy street.
     
    JT felt Mandy’s lips form a smile under his, and pulled his mouth from hers, wondering what on earth she was smiling about. He had forgotten they were out in full view of the passing public. Well, so much for me not being big on public displays of affection , he thought, or perhaps even said out loud.
    He didn’t care—he had been so angry with himself for not being with Mandy. He had forgotten to talk to her about getting an AVO, leaving her open for this man to hurt her. Thank God Rookie had been there. He owed the kid big time. JT pulled out his cell and rang his father, speaking the moment his father answered.
    “Dad, there’s been some trouble. Mitch Harris has been arrested.”
    Jon Senior cut his son off mid-sentence. “Son, slow down. Mitch is getting out. Brodie and I are heading to the station to get him now. No charges have been laid, but the press did get wind something is up, so I don’t know how long before the full story is out. How is Mandy?”
    JT was a lucky man and he knew it. He had good people around him. A strong, dependable father and loyal mates—people who could be counted on in a crisis.
    “Shaken, but okay. Thanks, Dad. I’m going to take her home, but I don’t have long before I need to get ready for tonight’s game. Hopefully Caitlin or Riley will be home to look after her. Before all this happened they were supposed to be going to the game, but I don’t want Mandy to be alone.”
    “Well, son, if she doesn’t feel up to going out after such an ordeal, maybe I could come over and keep her company, or she could come and watch the game on the TV with me. Keep it in mind. Good luck with tonight’s game, Jon. Play strong. I’ll be watching,” Jon Senior offered before JT ended the call.

Chapter Twelve
     
     
     
    Mandy’s thoughts had been interrupted by the sound of JT’s phone ringing. The one-sided conversation that had followed had made her realise the trouble she had brought to JT’s life.
     She pulled herself free from his embrace and moved slightly away from the warmth and security of his body. She needed to get moving, had to get home so that JT could focus on the upcoming game. She had caused enough disruption to the Jets team already today.
    It took Mandy a few minutes to convince JT that she was able to drive her van. He could follow her—she wanted her vehicle at home so she could go through her stock and see what was salvageable and what needed replacing.
    Finally, JT reluctantly agreed with her and they both drove off towards Mandy’s home. It was strange to look in her rear-view mirror and see the big, panther-like car stalking her little van, but Mandy felt comforted knowing JT was there.
    She parked in her usual spot, and had started to lift her plastic tubs of stock from the rear of the van when a set of big arms encircled her and lifted her, roughly, to the side. JT was growling at her, but not the sexy growl Mandy had grown to love.
    “Mandy, will you leave this to me? I am about the only one who has not been able to do anything for you today—at least let me take care of this grunt work. That’s all I seem to be good for.”
    With the last remark almost snarled, JT lifted all the tubs out of the van