Free Mind Games (Games Thriller Series) by J.E. Taylor Page A

comforter back to make sure the sheets were still there. They had left everything as he specified; linens, kitchen utensils, and furniture.
    The phone rang.
    “Hello?”
    “I’m calling to make sure everything is as you expected,” Betty chirped into the phone.
    “Yes, please don’t call this number again,” he replied and hung up on her. He went back to the kitchen and made the half dozen calls to put his affairs in order, including extending the grounds maintenance contract and maid services, contacting the security company to change passwords internally and give contact instructions as well as the phone company to change the number to an unlisted one. It was early afternoon when he was through and he needed to get food, so he headed to the supermarket on Route 1.
    Aimlessly walking down each aisle in the store, he filled his cart with whatever struck his fancy. Rounding a corner, he collided with another cart and before he could issue an apology, his gaze locked with her bloodshot eyes. The instant rush of heat encompassed him and he smiled.
    “Hi.”
    She glanced at his overflowing cart and raised her eyebrows. “Think you have enough there or what?”
    “You look like shit, are you okay?”
    “I’m okay but I feel like shit. I went on a drinking binge last night and passed out on the deck.”
    Chris squashed the urge to say I know. He smiled instead.
    “Looks like you’re shopping for the next year.”
    “I closed on the house today.”
    “That quickly?”
    He nodded. “Want to see it?”
    “Um,” she said and looked at his cart then back up at him.
    “Never mind, bad idea,” he replied to her hesitation and began to walk away.
    “No, really, I’d like to see it. It’s just...” she trailed off.
    Chris looked at her. “I promise I won’t bite,” he said. “Besides, I might need a hand getting this stuff to the house. I don’t know if I have enough room in the ‘vette.”
    Jessica started to laugh. “Well, if you don’t have enough room...”
    “You’ll give me a hand?”
    She sighed and nodded and he turned back to the cart wiping the smirk off his lips before he glanced back in her direction.
    “Thanks,” he said and they headed toward the check out where he paid for both of their groceries despite her protests.
    “What would you have done if you didn’t bump into me?” Jessica asked as they stood by his overloaded car and the four more bags sitting in the cart.
    He shrugged. “Probably would’ve given these to the nearest person.” He put the rest of his bags along with hers in the trunk of her car. “I appreciate the help,” he said and closed the trunk. “Think you can keep up?” He smiled devilishly and climbed in the Corvette.
    Her laugh chased him out of the parking spot and it took her a few seconds to catch up, handling her car like a racecar driver, keeping on his tail through the twist and turns, enough so to make him nervous, checking his rearview mirror every few seconds and chuckling as she waved her fingers at him.
    * * * *
    Jessica took in the modest home and the manicured lawn as she passed through the gate and parked behind the garage he pulled into, impressed with the stately beauty of the property. She popped the trunk and grabbed his bags, following him inside.
    “How’d you get furniture so quickly?”
    “I bought the house with all the contents.” He dropped the bags on the kitchen table. “Feel free to look around,” he said, heading outside to get the rest of the groceries.
    Jessica wandered through the house with her mouth gaping. It was beautiful, homey, regal, all the things she would have never pegged him for. She paused in the doorway of the master bedroom taking in the finely crafted king size bed. Drawing a deep breath, she fanned herself with her hand.
    Oh my, what he could do to me in that bed.
    What the hell are you thinking? Admonishing herself, she shook her head and turned, jumping back a step. Chris stood behind her at the top of