Excerpt #2 Rewired (Jesse’s POV)

Ten minutes into the car ride home, Charlie spoke the first words. “I want you to start taking your meds.”

“What?” he asked, jerking his head toward her. Are you kidding me?

“Would you like me to repeat myself?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“It’s none of your business whether I take my meds or not.”

“You’re right, it isn’t. In fact, I’d even go so far as to say that it’s rude of me to mention. I’m assuming that your asinine behavior back there has something to do with your daddy issues and your mania. Right, I’m way off base thinking you need anti-psychotic medication; it’s absurd.”

He shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest.

“God, you really are still a little boy sometimes, aren’t you? Just man up and take them. At least then we can rule out any further outbursts, like the one I just witnessed, on the lack of you being able to control your temper unmedicated.”

“Well, too bad. I don’t have any. I ran out a few months ago.”

Charlie nodded and smiled. “Well then, I think it’s time you call your doctor.”

“Fuck you, Charlie.”

She laughed and turned into the parking lot. “If you think I’m going to spend another minute with you when you’re off your meds, think again.” She parked the car and Jesse hopped out immediately, trying to walk away from the conversation.

Stepping out of the car, she grabbed her purse and quickened her steps to catch up with him. “Don’t be such a baby about this, Jess.” She grabbed his arm and he jerked it away, stopping in the middle of the hallway.

“Don’t fucking touch me, bitch.”

She pushed him up against the wall in vengeful retaliation. His back bounced against the sheetrock and he let out a grunt. Her eyes were a fierce blue and she showed no remorse for cracking his head against the wall.

Placing her forearm over his chest, she whispered softly, “That’s the last time you call me a bitch. Are we understood?” Her temper cool and collected, she remained calm, allowing her words to drip with sensuality. “The immature, cocky bullshit may have worked a year ago when we both had the excuse of having minimal experience with people, but that ship has fucking sailed.” Jesse’s eyes widened in shock at the seduction in her voice. “The deal is this: you’re a danger to society, a goddamned head case. And if you’re a danger to society, then you’re a danger to me. And I just won’t have that, Jess.” Her mouth was now dangerously close to his, and Jesse could feel his erection brush against her thigh. She looked down, grinned and let her fingernails lightly scrape the hair under his navel. “I’ve got two weeks’ vacation coming up,” she continued in a whisper, toying with his bottom lip, “and I was hoping we could spend some of that time together. Would you like that? Would you like to see more of me, Jess?”

Shit. This girl is crazier than me.

He swallowed and felt his jeans constrict as Charlie’s eyes flickered down to his lips. She brushed her nose against his labret as her warm breath circled around his neck.

Oh, god.

She smiled, pulled away, and walked down the hall toward her front door. “Think about it, Jess.” She waved her hand in the air behind her. “Have a good night!” she called out, followed up with a laugh.