Dreams of Ivory

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  “I mean, all your brothers moved away, and now you’re alone in the big empty house. Why do you insist on staying when you’re out here without anyone near you?”

  “This was my parents’ house, just like it was their parents’ before that. The eldest always gets the house eventually. If life hadn’t taken over and ruined everything, I wouldn’t be living here now. My parents would be.”

  That familiar pang echoed in the hollow part of his heart where his parents would have been.

  “What happened, Jacks?”

  He stopped along the path and sat on a rock, pulling Honor down next to him. “I forget sometimes that you didn’t grow up here and weren’t here when they died.”

  “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. I’m sorry for asking.”

  He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “No, I’ll talk to you about it. I need you to know.” He swallowed hard. “My parents loved each other very much. Even though some of the people in town have happy endings and marriages that lasted, I always knew that what my parents had was different. They were truly in love—like a fairy tale. They were high school sweethearts like Matt and Jordan, but instead of breaking up like Matt and Jordan did, they married right out of high school, went to college, and had me. They were always hugging and kissing, not afraid to show their five sons that love could really happen.”

  Honor smiled up at him. “I’m glad you had that.”

  “Me too. In retrospect, I think that’s why my brothers seem to have the relationships they do with their wives. It’s all still a bit new, but when the Coopers love, they love hard.”

  He looked into her eyes and tried to get her to know what he was thinking. He loved this woman, but he knew it was too soon to say the words, too soon to really believe them since they were just starting out. That seed of…something…though was there, and he didn’t want to let it go.

  Though he’d spent most of his life shying away from relationships, he didn’t want to shy away from this one. Was it because of what his parents had? He put that aside for now, knowing that what he had to say next would be hard, but with Honor by his side, he thought he could get through it.

  “What happened?” Honor asked, her voice low.

  “They were out on a drive. I’d come back home from graduate school for the holidays. Matt was just starting high school, and the rest of my brothers were home from either college or were living here since they were too young to move out. It was snowing hard, but Mom and Dad wanted to make sure they got a few of their surprises done before we were all settled.”

  He remembered that night as though it was yesterday. His mother had smiled and kissed his cheek. He’d been old enough then to start to be able to hug back again—not like he’d been as a teen who’d shunned his mother’s attention. His dad had rolled his eyes and pulled his mom out the door, telling him and his brothers that they’d be back soon.

  He remembered the way his parents had looked at each other as if they had a secret that only the two of them knew, as if they were as much in love as they had been when they’d first married.

  His father had kissed his mom like they hadn’t a care in the world and gotten in their car.

  “Tyler’s old boss came to the door, this was before Tyler was working there, and we knew something had happened. Everyone knew the Coopers, and it had spread over town before we could even process the words coming out of the man’s mouth.”

  His parents’ car had hit a patch of ice, and despite how well his dad could drive, nothing could have saved them from crashing into the icy river.

  “They might have made it if my mom’s seatbelt hadn’t gotten caught.” He swallowed hard, knowing he had to get through this part. “They were only partially in the water, but the car filled up pretty quickly. My dad stayed in the car with my mom, trying to cut her out, but it was too cold. Apparently the water was filling up too quickly for him to get out and call for help. There was no one around to help anyway.”

  Tears fell down Honor’s cheeks, and he pulled her close. “They died from hypothermia relatively quickly, but in each other’s arms…just the way they’d left the house.”

  “Oh Jacks,” Honor whispered as she moved to wrap her arms around his waist. “I’m so, so sorry.”

  “People kept telling me when it first happened that at least they had each other. God, I hated when they said that. All I wanted was my parents to come back. I didn’t want to lose both at once. I know I was old enough to be on my own, but I didn’t want to be on my own. I know it was selfish of me. I know this. I just didn’t want them both gone.”

  “It wasn’t selfish, Jackson. No one deserves to lose both parents at the same time.”

  “Now though? Now I’m glad they had each other in those final moments. I’m glad they weren’t alone and were able to be with each other when it really mattered.” He took a shaky breath. “God, Honor, if I ever lost you…”

  It was the closest he’d come to telling her he loved her. They knew each other better than most people did because of their past and the past week of being in each other’s pockets, but it was still too fast.

  “Hey, stop that. I’m back, and I’m okay.”

  “I was just thinking of the accident on the sidewalk and then the car accident. You’ve had a couple close calls recently.”

  “I know, crazy right? I’m fine though. I’m healed and perky as ever, so stop worrying about what could happen and live for the now. Okay?”

  He smiled and kissed her softly. “I think I can do that. Let’s get going because we’re close to the lake.”

  She grinned at him. “I know what you’re thinking. Just because we’re going to the place where we used to sneak around doesn’t mean you’re getting any hanky-panky there.”

  He raised a brow. “I think I can change your mind.”

  “Sure, all you have to do is crook your finger, but shut up about it.”

  He laughed as they made their way to the lake. “I don’t think you’re right about the crooking my finger thing. If anyone has that power, it’s you.”

  “I guess you’re right. Now we’ll just have to see what happens when I crook that finger.”

  Jackson groaned then swatted her on the ass. “You’re a tease.”

  “True, but I’m your tease.”

  Jackson liked the sound of that. They made their way to the lake, and Jackson stopped at the edge to take a deep breath. The sun beat off the water, making the blue even bluer and the water look even more enticing. Maybe he’d convince Honor to go skinny-dipping later.

  The thought of her naked with water running down her full breasts made his cock hard, and he groaned.

  They were all alone, and he knew no one came around this area of land, so he could have his way with her—and she with him—if they wanted.

  “Jackson?”

  He turned away from the lake and about swallowed his tongue.

  Honor stood naked on a blanket under a tree, a wicked smile on her face.

  “Jesus,” he whispered.

  “I was going through ways of trying to seduce you in my head and came up short. Will this do?”

  “Fuck yeah,” he said and practically ran as he tore off his clothes.

  Honor laughed and shook her head. “Don’t trip. Here, let me help you.” She knelt before him and untied his boots and took them off.

  He took a deep breath, trying to slow down his racing heart. This was Honor, for fuck’s sake. They’d made love countless times before—in this very spot in fact—and this wasn’t any different.

  Yet he knew it was. They were older, and she wasn’t leaving.

  This meant something beyond a good time, and they both knew it.

  She looked up at him, kneeling at his feet, and smiled before undoing his pants then pulling them down his legs along with his boxer briefs. He moved so she could take them fully off then cupped her cheek.

  “God, you’re beautiful.”

  She sucke
d his thumb into her mouth, and he groaned. His cock stood at attention, and he gripped it at the base so he could slowly trace the seam of her lips with the tip.

  She opened her mouth, and he sucked in a breath as her tongue darted out to lick the seam.

  “Fuck. I’m not going to last long with you in this position. I want to taste you.” He pulled away then lay down on the blanket.

  “I wanted to suck your dick, Jackson. You can’t just leave a girl hanging like that.”

  He laughed as she tried to pout but smiled with him. “Oh, you’re gonna suck me, but I’m going to taste that pretty pussy at the same time. So come straddle my face and suck my cock.”

  She blushed at his graphic words, and he ate it up. He wasn’t usually so wordy while they were going at it. He hadn’t been since he’d been with Honor the last time. Others wouldn’t be able to handle him, but he knew Honor would.

  He knew Honor loved the darkness and touch just as much as he did.

  “You have it all planned out, don’t you?” she asked even as she moved toward him.

  “Yes… no… give me that pussy.”

  She straddled his face, facing away from him, and bent so all he saw was her pussy.

  Seriously. Best. View. Ever.

  He gripped her ass and spread her then licked her core, her body shaking as he did so. He licked and sucked, closing his eyes at her sweet taste. He sucked in a breath as Honor licked up his cock then sucked him down, humming along his length as she did so.

  Jackson nibbled on her clit and hummed, knowing the vibrations would send her over. She came hard against his face, and he licked up everything he could. Then he moved her off him and onto her back so he wouldn’t come.

  “Jacks, why did you stop?”

  “I don’t want to come down your throat—not when I can come inside of you. Now get on all fours because I want you from behind.”

  “You sure are bossy,” she teased, and he rolled her nipple between his fingers, causing her to gasp.

  She rolled and looked over her shoulder. “You know I’ve missed this.”

  His heart stuttered, and he gripped her hips. “I’ve missed this too.”

  “I’m on birth control and clean. We don’t need a condom if you don’t want.”

  He swallowed hard and squeezed her hip. “Shit, I forgot a condom. It’s in my pants, but we can go without. We’ve never done that before.”

  Insecurity filled her gaze, and he cursed himself as she whispered. “I mean…”

  “No, I want to be bare in you, baby. I’m going to be bare.”

  She smiled, and he smacked her ass.

  Hard.

  Her eyes darkened then narrowed. “What was that for?”

  “I saw you liked it in the dream, and I wanted to see if you would still like it when I could actually feel your skin.”

  He smacked her again, and she wiggled her ass. “You are so not tying me up, mister.”

  Jackson shook his head and moved so his cock touched her folds. “No, I won’t do that. I’d rather have your hands on me. I just like seeing that pretty blush all over that white skin of yours.”

  She smiled at him, and he slammed in to the hilt.

  “Fuck,” they said together.

  “Jesus, you’re tight.” He groaned.

  “It’s…it’s been a long time.”

  He pulled out and cursed. “Baby, you should have told me. Did I hurt you?”

  “Fuck me, Jackson. Please. I want you,” she pleaded.

  Jackson leaned over and kissed her shoulder then her lips. “Anything you want, Honor. Anything you want.”

  Still crouched over her, he pivoted his hips, fucking her hard as he kept his lips on her skin, falling in love with her taste all over again.

  His hands roamed her body, cupping her breasts, her mound, her hips. His balls tightened, and his cock got even harder until he could barely see, but he couldn’t come yet, not when Honor still needed to one more time.

  He reached around and stroked her clit once then twice until she cried out his name and her pussy tightened around his dick. He came right after her, filling her up with his seed. They both fell to the blanket, and he turned so they spooned each other, his cock still nestled inside of her.

  “Hell, Honor. I think you killed me.”

  “Any time, Jackson, any time.”

  He kissed her neck then tangled his fingers with hers, letting the sun heat their already overheated skin and listened to the birds chirp and the wind slide through the trees.

  This was what he’d been missing, and he’d be damned if he let it go again.

  He just needed to make sure Honor understood that.

  Chapter 10

  Honor stretched her arms over her head, her body deliciously sore from the afternoon before and the prior night when Jackson had shown her exactly how he felt about her. People might say that sex didn’t have anything to do with feelings, but she knew better when it came to what she and Jackson had done.

  The words would come—from both of them—but for now she was fine living in the moment and knowing that possibilities were out there.

  The papers and contracts in front of her, however, needed her attention more than daydreams of a sexy man who knew just how to growl to send her over the edge. Everything was signed by the council and by Jordan. Her next part was to hire builders and developers. It would be a big project and take years to complete, but this is what she loved.

  Her breasts ached, and she groaned. Great, now she was horny, and Jackson was at work for the morning. He’d be back later though…

  Crap, no, Jordan and Matt were coming over so she could talk to Jordan about her plans for the family camp.

  When she’d lived in northern California, she’d started a camp that focused on getting people outside and enjoying their own environment safely and responsibly. There were dozens of parks around where she’d lived, and she’d worked together with them to form an eco-savvy plan where people could not only enjoy the outdoors but also save a tree at the same time. People could come for a day, or stay for a week. She wanted to do the same with Holiday.

  The town was dying, and everyone knew it. There wasn’t a university or large corporation that had jobs to bring people in. Honor was actually glad of that since she liked the town the way it was.

  Holiday just needed a better way to promote itself, and Honor thought they could use tourism to do that. She wanted to use the name of the town itself and bring people in to enjoy different festivals that centered on a holiday while saving the area as well.

  Plus, since the town was a paranormal hub, she wanted to bring in people who had their own magical powers so they would know it as a safe haven.

  That last part would come later though, and she had a feeling the Coopers would be the center of that. They’d have to find a way to either come out to all of Holiday, or hide themselves. She wasn’t sure what they would do, but honestly, that wasn’t her decision. She was there to ensure that it could happen if needed.

  If they worked together, the town could flourish as a tourist area that centered on the outdoors and holidays. Plus the magical people who came to town could help keep the existence of magic a secret. If more people worked together as a unit, it could work. The people of Holiday already knew a few things beyond ordinary existed. Honor wanted to keep it to that few though. There was no hiding some of the things that had happened in town and frankly, she didn’t think they needed to hide everything. Not in Holiday.

  What she could do now was in order, and she knew she had an idea that could work. She just had to get it done. There would be more things coming later, and she was happy she was on the right track.

  The door opened, bringing her out of her thoughts of Holiday’s future and how it meshed with her own, and she smiled. Jackson walked in with two iced teas in his hand and a scowl on his face.

  Call her crazy, but she loved that scowl. It meant that something wasn’t going according to his very straight-edged pl
an and that he could allow himself to appear frazzled.

  Jackson needed that.

  She took a glass from his hand and took a drink. “Thanks. I needed that.”

  Jackson sat next to her at the table and took a sip of his own. “It’s too hot outside to do anything. I know I’ve been at work today, but hell, it’s freaking hot.”

  Honor just rolled her eyes. “You’ve just been cooped up in your air-conditioned office all morning. You’ll get used to it once we’re outside more.”

  Jackson just frowned and took another drink. “You know that I’ve done the landscaping around the house and that I can do more with my hands than work with people’s teeth, right?”

  The thought of just how the good the man was with his hands entered her mind, and she blushed.

  Jackson chuckled and reached out to grip her hand. “That’s not what I was talking about, but I’ll take that blush as a good sign.”

  “Shush you. Don’t act all cocky.”

  “I thought you liked my cock,” he teased.

  “You’re horrible, but I like you anyway. Yes, I do know you do work outside and don’t complain. You’re a manly Cooper man, so this has to be about something else.”

  Jackson sighed and set down his drink. “I just feel like something is off, you know? We don’t know why that flowerpot fell when it did, and we haven’t found the guy that ran you off the road.”

  Honor’s eyes widened. “You think it’s all connected?”

  Jackson turned her palm up and traced the lines, as if lost in thought. “I don’t know, but I don’t like the thought of you hurt.”

  “That’s why you don’t like me outside,” she said as it dawned on her. “You want me to stay inside in this cocoon until we figure out what’s going on. Jackson, we don’t know if they were connected, and I don’t think they were. Plus, how is me staying inside and never seeing the outside world helping anyone?”

  “I told you I’d wrap you up in bubble wrap if I could.”

  Honor rolled her eyes. “No, actually, I told you I’d never let you do that. You, apparently, had just thought it. I’m fine.”

  “I hate that word.”

  “Fine?”