Jack In The Box

“Love the witch outfit.” Jackson said over the loud music. “Some tricks you got up your sleeves?”

“What are you doing here, Jackson?” I asked, practically screaming over the loud music. Now that I knew it was him beneath all that skeletal makeup, I wondered how I hadn’t recognized him before.

“Following you of course.” He joked.

The way he said it, I suspected if he really did follow me here. How had he known I was here? Or was it perhaps a coincidence?

“You need to come back to the asylum, re-admit yourself.” I said.

“Do you miss me that much?” He pulled on his cocky grin. “I love how you’re bossy the second you see me.”

I rolled my eyes.

“I didn’t escape to go back to that hellhole again.” He got hold of my wrist and started dragging me away from the dance floor.

“Where are you trying to take me?” I said, resisting his grip on my wrist.

He let it go at once. “Just want to talk, nothing else. The music is too loud here, let’s go underground.”

I folded my arms across my chest. “You’re stupid if you think I’m going anywhere with you.”

The DJ changed the song to a slower one. Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud. Jackson grinned. “Looks like the DJ can read my mind.” He slid his arm around my waist and pulled me taut against his chest, bringing his mouth close to my ear, he whispered. “Dance with me.”

My body moved along with his in a slow dance. It was just a dance nothing else. He wouldn’t try anything in public. Right?

Unless he was desperate to go to prison again. I didn’t even carry a weapon with me that I could use should the time arise.

I felt his nose bury in my hair, my head fitting perfectly in the crook of his neck. He smelled different, not like the hospital soap or the detergent. He smelled musky and male. I moved with the flow of the slow beats, at this point I wondered if all the logic had left my body.

I tried to pull away from him, but his grip tightened around my waist. “A little while longer, Riley, please.” His voice was husky and pure silk.

If the devil was a human, he’d look just like Jackson.

I let him waltz me around for a while. “Is Dr. Shaw truly pissed with the prospect of his pet nurse teaming up with the enemy?”

I gave out a laugh. “You have no idea.”

“Well, I can only imagine.” He said.

I had a ball of rage bubbling inside me ready to surface. I tried to get out of his grasp. “Let me go!” I let out a frustrated yelp that only he could hear over the music.

To the onlookers we probably looked like a couple having a small argument.

his fingers

but he wouldn’t budge. He was smiling, that smug smile again, and his eyes were blazing with something that I wasn’t

Aaron won’t even look at me now.”

or not?” He caught my jaw in his fingers. “Do you have some feelings for him, Riley? Why is it always Aaron this,

“Are you jealous, Jackson?”

of a sudden? Did he ever ask

there was any reason to be. I’ll never be threatened by the likes of Shaw or Bennet or anyone for that

too full of yourself? Besides, why

like Shaw, always the sweet, helping doctor that the nurses adore, the type of guy who would give flowers. But deep down, you

speechless. It frightened me how Jackson saw right through my mind. He voiced

him but Jackson was faster, he brought his lips crashing against mine, it was a slow kiss at first and then it got deeper. His tongue seeking entrance, I parted my mouth just a

the kiss to trail his tongue down my jaw and neck. Sensual and sloppy kisses. My heart stopped beating for a minute and I froze when he reached my collar bone. I pulled away from him and as if he could read my

you.” I said and started walking

seized my hand.

him, confused by what he’d just said. He repeated. “Come with me,

“Where?” I asked.

going.” He pauses and continued a beat later. “Just come with me.” He insisted as I stared at him in disbelief. He traced my lower lip with her thumb. “I will protect you, Cotton-Candy. I promise. I

anywhere with you.” I snapped, pulling my hand out of his grasp for the hundredth

“Why not?”

you’re crazy Jack, and I’d rather be away from you than

are lies and you know

I was lying about

say that. You responded to me. You liked it

don’t have time

reason

that you have to say.

to me once. Just once.” He pleaded, gaze darted

to! Just leave me alone, Jackson!” I said firmly, trying hard to not be lost in those smoldering

I was going insane.

lot. I decided to text Maddy to tell her I was going home so I opened my bag and rummaged through it for my phone and came empty. I’d become careless and absent minded in a very short time, I’d never been this way. I pinned the blame on Jack. He was one reason I’d been concentrating less and less on my work, he was the reason for the growing

admit it but I’d liked the way Jackson’s lips felt against mine. There had been nothing in his kiss that felt even remotely revolting, it was like he was trying to prove me something. Maybe I was just as crazy as

bar, even looked under the seat but it wasn’t there. There was a possibility I’d left my phone in my car so I walked back to the parking lot, keeping a close eye behind me. The parking lot was

started walking towards it. I had an eerie

was absolutely

towards the car, my feet picking

Tap. Tap. Tap.

again, this time my eyes were blurring with tears. “Jackson, if it’s you, please stop! It’s not funny anymore.” I didn’t want to sound so

describe how I was feeling right now. I was terrified. I’d never seen the pictures of Jackson’s victims but I knew the gory details enough to realize I was in danger should Jackson decide to put me on his victim’s list. A chill ran down my