by J. L. Wilder
Jack gunned the engine, the noise like an explosion in the garage. Then he pulled the bike out, opened the garage door, and they were off.
Moments later, they were tearing down the road leading from the ranch. Jack drove fast, so fast that April worried he might get into an accident at any moment. But the more time she stayed on the bike, the more she realized he was right about knowing how to ride it. Jack handled it perfectly, taking the turns and never letting her feel like he didn’t know what he was doing.
Before too long, the town of Pembroke appeared in the distance. The town wasn’t much—nothing more than a small collection of buildings with houses here and there—but it was a sign of civilization. They arrived at the main crossroads of the town and came to a stop in front of the diner where she worked.
Her stomach tightened as Jack pulled into the parking spot.
“What are we doing here?” she asked.
“Getting a bite to eat first,” he said. “You not hungry?”
“It’s not that. It’s that...I don’t know. I work here.”
He raised an eyebrow, grinning as if it were the funniest thing in the world.
“You work here? Is that right?”
“Well, I’m not even sure about that. I’ve been missing shifts because I need to take care of Sean. And I think the owner’s pissed at me.”
“How about this—we grab a bite to eat, and if he gives you any shit, he’ll have to answer to me, alright?”
The idea appealed to April. She knew handling a situation like that would be difficult on her own. But with Jack there...it was different. She felt safe with him, protected.
“Alright,” she said.
Jack nodded, and they hopped off the bike. The two of them approached the diner, Jack opening the door for her as they entered. He strolled into the place like he owned it, sauntering into one of the free booths. A few of the waitresses eyefucked him as he passed, and April knew she couldn’t really blame them—Jack was hot as shit.
But then the waitresses stared hard at April. It was clear there was something wrong, some reason why she wasn’t welcome there. She hurried into the booth and sat across from Jack, feeling better as soon as she was near him again.
“OK,” he said. “I’m going for the steak. Two of ‘em probably. How about you?”
“Meat sounds good.” She was smiling as she spoke, and she caught herself slipping out a double entendre that she hadn’t expected.
April was shocked at how into Jack she was. Sure, he was good-looking, but there was something more, something drawing her to him.
The waitress arrived, and her eyes went right to April.
“Kinda surprised you’d come back,” she said.
“What?” she asked. “What do you mean?”
“Missing all those shifts, pissing off Randy.”
Randy was the owner of the place, the sleazy man who’d put his hands on April more than once. She told him “no” every time, of course, but that never seemed to stop him.
“I’ve got my son,” said April. “And I always got them covered.”
“I know, I know,” said the waitress. “But you know how Randy is.”
Jack seemed confused. He put in the order, and the waitress was off.
“What’s the deal there?” he asked. “You got some issue with the boss?”
April didn’t know how much to say. “I mean, kind of. I miss shifts now and then because I have to take care of Sean. And normally, it’s no problem if you get them covered. But Randy...he has this thing for me.”
Jack’s face tightened. April got the impression he was jealous.
“I don’t like him, of course. But I think he takes it personally, cuts my shifts when he’s mad. And then there’s the other issue...”
She trailed off, thinking she’d said too much. But Jack’s hard expression made it clear he wasn’t going to let it drop.
“What other issue?”
“He’s...handsy. Thinks because he’s the boss that he can do whatever he wants with the girls. I heard he likes to...exchange the best shifts for other favors.”
“Are you fucking serious?” asked Jack. “Where is the prick?”
April reached across the table and put her hand on his. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll probably just quit, and that’ll be the end of it.”
Jack took a few deep breaths and shook his head.
“Hate hearing that shit. Reminds me of my clan. Fucking alpha thinks any of the girls are his, even if they’ve been claimed by other bears. Makes me sick.”
Seeing how mad he got about the subject put April at ease. It gave her the impression that despite his hard looks, he was a man with a solid moral core.
“Anyway,” he said. “How’d you end up in Montana? Got the feeling you aren’t from around here.”
“That obvious?” she asked.
He grinned. “I can spot an outsider from a mile away.”
“It’s...a long story.”
“I got time.”
She sighed. “It’s...my ex-husband, Sam. He didn’t treat Sean and me well.”
“Sorry to hear that,” he said. “Sounds like you don’t have much luck with dudes not being shitheads.”
“You’re right about that. And when things got really bad, I decided we would be better off on our own. So I packed up what I could, left the pack, and came out here.”
“You regret it?”
“No. It’s been hard, but I know we made the right call.”
They didn’t have a chance to say much more before someone approached the table. April had no need to look to see who it was—she could tell by the shadow his big body cast, along with that awful smell he always seemed to carry with him.
It was Randy.
Randy was big and round and balding, his face fleshy and his eyes beady and narrow. He always seemed to be hungry too, the same look forming on his face whether he was looking at a burger or one of the waitresses.
“April,” he said. “Is there a reason why you’d think you’re welcome here?”
Jack said nothing, watching Randy with hard eyes.
“Hi, Randy. Just getting a bite with my friend. I’m allowed to do that, right?”
He glanced at Jack. “And you think this is the kind of person we want at my diner? Don’t care for biker lowlifes.”
“Excuse you?” said Jack. “The fu—”
April put her hand on his again.
“We just want to grab a bite and get going. Is that fine?”
He thought the matter over. “It’s fine. But I’m going to want to see you in my office before you leave. Got some issues with your next schedule I want to...discuss.”
April knew what that meant. He’d make the same offer he’d made to her time and time again, the one that she always turned down—meet him at a motel and get the best shifts or refuse and work nothing but weekday lunches.
“I’ve missed you,” he said. “Can’t wait to catch up.”
Then his hand fell onto April’s shoulder.
Jack didn’t need to see any more. His hand shot out and grabbed onto Randy’s. Randy made an expression of total surprise.
“Listen, prick,” said Jack. “Where I come from, we don’t put our hands on a woman without her permission. Now, you’re gonna take your fat mitts off her, or we’re gonna have a problem. Got it?”
His eyes burned with anger, and April sensed he wanted nothing more than to protect her. Part of her wanted to stop him, but another part didn’t mind, was happy to see a scumbag like Randy get put in his place.
“The hell are you doing?” barked Randy, clearly not sure what to do.
“I’m putting a stop to your bullshit, and you know what I mean.”
Fear flashed on Randy’s face. Jack smirked, convinced right then and there April was telling the truth.
“Fine!” said Randy, trying to take his hand from Jack’s. “Just...let me go!”
“And I’m gonna be keeping an eye on you. I hear any more
bullshit about what you get up to, and there’s gonna be some consequences. You hear me?”
Randy nodded, his double chin spreading out as he did.
“Good,” said Jack. “Glad we have an understanding.” He shoved Randy’s hand away, and Randy wasted no time putting as much distance between him and Jack as possible.
April was stunned. She looked around, seeing the shocked faces on the other waitresses in the diner. But then smiles formed on their faces. And so did one on April’s.
Jack had scared the hell out of him. With a few words, he might’ve put a stop to Randy and his scummy ways.
“Fucking hell,” said Jack. “Nothing makes me madder than assholes like him.”
“You know,” said April. “I might not have a job here anymore after that stunt.”
“Trust me,” he said, “you don’t want to work for an asshole like him. Better to be unemployed.”
“Easy for you to say. You’re the one with the big ranch.”
“Yeah, maybe. But you want help finding a new job, then the boys and I will do it. You’re getting taken care of now, all right?”
She thought she ought to be mad, but more than that, she was...happy. April had never had a man look after her like that before. No doubt in her mind that Sam would tell her to suck it up, deal with it on her own.
But Jack and the brothers were different.
The food arrived, the waitress dropping it off and letting them know Randy had been locked in his office, refusing to come out.
Jack laughed at the news. They started into their meals, and as they did, they chatted, Jack telling her about life on the ranch and April telling him all about her and Sean.
And Jack seemed to care. He listened, eager to hear more about April and Sean. She was still unsure of the setup, but there was something about him that put her at ease.
When they were done, Jack threw down a few twenties on the table and got up.
“Come on,” he said. “This date’s not over. Got something cool to show you.”
They left, April staying close to Jack. She wasn’t sure what he had in mind, but she couldn’t wait to find out.
CHAPTER 7
JACK
He was still pissed as they left the diner. The mere idea of a shithead like Randy pulling what he had made him furious, but something about it happening to April made it even worse.
Jack considered it as they drove up the mountain path on his motorcycle. There was something about April, no doubt about it. And that something made him want to protect her, make sure no harm came to her.
It almost scared him. But more than that, he loved riding with her, April’s slender arms around his middle, her full breasts pressed against his back. It was enough to make him hard the entire ride. And the more he thought about it, the more certain he was it wasn’t the only ride he wanted to give her.
Is this shit too soon? I just met the woman last night, and I can’t stop thinking about what I want to do to her. It’s like I’m fucking losing control.
For a man like Jack, the idea of losing control was one he didn’t like. But there he was, taking April to his favorite spot on the mountain, the one he hadn’t shared with anyone.
After another twenty minutes, they reached the clearing at the top of the mountain. Jack pulled the bike to a stop and killed the engine.
“Holy shit,” said April as she took off her helmet and climbed down from the bike.
Jack said nothing, watching as April stepped toward the view.
It was incredible to him every time. The mountain looked out over the Montana valleys, the view sweeping. Thick green trees covered the slopes like a blanket, and the hour was late enough that the sun was in its evening set, the sky brilliant with oranges and reds.
“I never even knew this spot existed,” she said.
Jack stepped to her side, standing close enough to feel the heat of her body against his.
“That’s because it’s off the beaten path. Kind of a secret.”
“And how do you know about it?”
“I like to ride,” he said. “And I like to drive around until I get lost. Sometimes you waste time; sometimes you find places like this. I love it here—it’s where I come to think about shit.”
He went to his bike, opening up the storage compartment and taking out a blanket, a bottle of wine, and two glasses. April smiled as she laid eyes on what she saw.
“Someone came prepared,” she said with a grin.
Jack grinned back. “Always be prepared. It’s my motto.”
He laid out the blanket, and April sat down, watching him as he opened the wine and poured two glasses. They tapped the rims, April smiling as they did.
“Don’t take this the wrong way,” she said. “But you don’t really strike me as the red wine type.”
“Because I’m not. More of a shot-and-a-beer kind of guy. But something about this place makes me want it—gets me thoughtful, I guess.”
They sipped their wine, their eyes on the amazing, endless view.
“Um, thanks,” said April.
“Thanks?”
“Yeah. For what you did back there. I know that was my battle to fight, but I was always too scared to say something. Whenever I’d work up the nerve, I’d get scared of losing my job, scared what might happen to Sean.”
“You don’t need to worry about that shit now. You’ve been all alone up there with your boy, but now you’ve got me and my brothers watching your back.”
He knew that when he said, “watching your back,” he meant it in more than one way. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. Even sitting next to her was enough to make his cock throb so hard in his jeans that he couldn’t think straight.
Jack felt like an animal, one that was in desperate need of a rut. It was crazy to him that after all this time of trying to find the right mate, deciding that every female in the clan was not right for him, a woman who made him feel about to lose control had walked right into his life.
“I know,” she said with a smile. “I know I’ve got you all watching out for me.”
Jack noticed the smile playing on her face, one that seemed to suggest she was thinking the same thing as him. He narrowed his eyes and grinned, his heart pounding, his skin tingling. They both took one more sip of their wine, their eyes locked onto one another’s.
He knew what he wanted. Not a doubt in his mind.
Jack wanted her.
“Think I’ve had enough wine,” he said, setting down his glass.
“Oh yeah?” she asked. “And what are you in the mood for now?”
He decided not to answer the question with words. Jack leaned in and wrapped his arm around April’s waist, pulling her close until her body was pressed against his, close enough that he could smell her intoxicating scent, feel her hot breath on his face. She didn’t resist. He knew she didn’t want to.
Then he kissed her.
The moment his lips touched hers, Jack felt like he’d taken some amazing drug, one that lit his body up, made his heart beat a million times a second. His cock strained against his jeans as April kissed him back. Jack opened his mouth, his tongue probing for hers, April’s meeting his and the two mingling together.
Her taste was as incredible as her scent. Jack put his hands on her chest, squeezing her breasts through the thin fabric and feeling her nipples go rock hard. The more he kissed her, the more he touched her, the more he wanted her.
And April was ready to give herself to him.
But before they could go any further, April took her lips from Jack and regarded him with a worried expression.
“Is...is this a bad idea?”
“Why would it be bad. Seems pretty fucking right to me.”
“I mean...with you and your brothers.”
Jack grinned. She didn’t get it yet. She was likely from some normal clan, one where mates paired off in twos. April didn’t know that Jack and his brothers weren’t looking for three mates, but one perfect mate.
And April had struck Jack and the rest of them as perfect as they came.
“You don’t need to worry about that now,” he said. “It’ll all make sense in time.”
Her worried expression faded. Jack couldn’t read her mind, but he suspected that if she were as drawn to him and his brothers as they were to her, she’d know on a deep level what was to come.
But there was only one kind of “coming” Jack was interested in at that moment. He returned his lips to hers, and the kiss was on again. He almost couldn’t take it, couldn’t take how good she tasted, how incredible her body felt against his.
As if on their own, Jack’s hands moved to the straps of her dress and pulled them down over her shoulders. He brought them down, down until her light blue bra was exposed, her gorgeous breasts looking on the verge of bursting out.
She did the same to him, pulling off his leather jacket and then his white undershirt, his sculpted, tattooed body on full display. Next was her bra, her tits perfect and round and tipped with small, pink nipples. He took one into his mouth and then the other, letting one go hard before moving onto the next.
As he did, her hands moved over his short hair, down to his cock. He was solid as a rock by this point, and April dragged her fingertips over his length slowly, enough to drive him wild.
He could hardly stand it. Jack put his hand on her thigh up her dress, moving closer and closer to the warm wetness between her legs. When he finally touched it, April gasped. But he wasn’t done. After teasing her through her panties for a short time, his fingers rubbing her clit through the soaked fabric, he pushed them aside and slipped a pair of fingers inside of her.
“Oh...oh my God.” She moaned as he entered her, pressing her hips against his touch. He curled his fingers, hitting her G-spot as he fucked her with his fingers faster and faster.
April moaned and sighed, dropping her head onto his shoulder and clenching her pussy around his fingers. As she had her first orgasm, her cunt gripped him tight. He grinned as she screamed with pleasure, feeling her wetness drip down his hand and wrist.
Jack gave her a moment to collect herself—she was going to need it. When April turned those big blue eyes back onto him, he knew she was ready for more. They kiss again, this time Jack putting his hand on the small of her back and laying her down onto the blanket.