“He makes you miserable.”
Katie sighed. “Kyle, I appreciate your concern, but I’ve already told you that he doesn’t. I’m with Drew, and I’m happy.”
“No. You’re with him because you think that’s your only option, but it’s not. You can be with me, at the farm, far away from this place. You don’t have to settle for a controlling asshole.” He reached out and grasped her biceps.
“Let me go.”
“I can’t,” he exclaimed. “What kind of man would I be if I walked away and left you like this? I couldn’t live with myself.”
“I don’t know what you think is happening here, but I love Drew, and I want to be with him.”
“I don’t accept that. Nobody wants you to be together!”
“What?” She tried to step back, but his grip tightened painfully, fingers digging in the flesh of her arms.
“Charlotte is pissed because you took Drew away from her. And Chloe has made it very clear she hates the idea of the two of you together. Charlotte said Chloe was freaked out that he was treating you so terribly. If his own sister sees he’s no good for you, why can’t you?” He shook her roughly.
“You’re hurting me,” she said carefully though her heart raced and panic swelled.
“Not like he does.” He looked at her, wide eyed and flushed. “I’m just trying to make you see, to understand.”
She pushed at his shoulders with shaking hands. “Let me go. I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Hey, you guys going to come eat?” Grace yelled from the porch.
Katie used the distraction to jerk out of Kyle’s grasp and take off in a run to the cabin. Grace’s smile fell as Katie made it about halfway before she was yanked back. She heard shouts but could only focus on trying to break free from Kyle again who was rambling anew about how she had a chance at a fresh start.
Then, in a blur, she was standing alone. Looking down, she realized Drew had tackled Kyle, and they were now rolling around on the grass, fists flying. Drew managed to pin the other man down and punched him in the face, a sickening crunch echoing.
Ethan and Jack rushed over and yanked Drew off Kyle, dragging him a few feet away.
“Let me go!” he yelled, struggling against their hold.
“She’s better off with me!” Kyle screamed, held back by Matt and Erik. Blood poured from his nose, and his left eye was already swelling.
His words made Drew fight even harder, and Katie hurried to him.
“Drew, stop! I’m fine. They’ll leave and that’ll be the end of it,” she cried.
“Katie, he—” His face paled, and he bared his teeth when his gaze landed on her arm.
Glancing down, she felt her stomach drop when she saw the bruises—clearly from Kyle’s hand—already forming, vivid against her pale skin.
“I’ll kill him,” he snarled, and Noah and Isaac rushed over to block his way in case he managed to get out of Ethan and Jack’s hold.
“What the hell were you thinking, Kyle?” Charlotte shouted.
“Nobody wants them together! You said so!”
“I did not!” She looked at Katie. “I swear! I may have expressed disappointment that Drew wasn’t interested in…me anymore and been somewhat amused when Chloe freaked out about some things.” She cringed and sent an apologetic glance in Chloe’s direction. “But it’s clear how much he loves you. And I’m happy for him, for both of you. Kyle, how could you…”
“She’s coming with us?” he asked, looking around confused. “She needs to be away from here.”
“She’s not going anywhere,” Drew ground out. Though he’d stopped struggling, Ethan and Jack kept a firm grip on him.
“I’m not,” Katie agreed, stepping forward and cupping his face. “I love you.”
“Don’t pet me like that’s going to make everything all better,” he snapped. “He touched you, he hurt you. I’m going to kill him.”
“No, you’re not.” She leaned in and kissed his lips. “It’s not worth it.”
“You are.”
Her chest constricted, and her eyes filled and spilled over. “Perhaps,” she conceded. “But he isn’t.”
“Fuck, now you’re crying!” He growled and tried to step forward.
“Matt, Erik?” Noah turned.
“Yeah?” Matt asked, looking freaked out.
“Get him out of here.”
“Right away,” Erik promised, his expression matching Matt’s.
“Let me go,” Drew said then added, “I promise I won’t hurt him.”
Katie stared into his eyes a moment then nodded at Jack and Ethan. They released him and Drew strode forward. Kyle cringed back as the furious man approached. Drew grabbed the front of his shirt and yanked hard.
“Listen to me. Get your ass out of here. If you ever set foot on our land again or even look at Katie, you’ll wish you’d never been born. Nothing on earth will be able to hold me back if you even think of coming near her again. Am I making myself clear?” he growled.
Kyle nodded and muttered, “You’re clear.”
“Charlotte?” Drew yelled over his shoulder.
“Yeah?”
“Grab your friends’ shit; they’re leaving.”
Charlotte ran toward the house.
“Katie?”
“Yes, Drew?”
“Go into our cabin and wait for me.”
“But—”
“Katie!” He turned his head, his displeasure clear in every line on his face.
“Fine! But, no killing anyone, okay?” She looked at him pleadingly.
The corner of his mouth quirked up. “Okay. Now, go.”
“Yes, sir.”
She hurried in the direction of Drew’s—their cabin, only looking back once. Charlotte was hurrying out of the cabin balancing three full packs in her arms. She dumped them at Kyle’s feet and went back to the porch to stand next to Chloe and Grace, making it clear whose side she was on. Drew turned his head and Katie swore he was scowling in her direction. She quickly pushed her way into the cabin and raced to window, cursing when trees blocked her view.
Drew was still shaking as he watched the men disappear from sight. Ethan and Noah were accompanying them for a while to be on the safe side.
“Should have killed him,” he muttered.
Jack slapped him on the back. “He won’t bother her again. And if he tries, he has to go through all of us. Though I think the thought of having to go through just you is enough to keep the asshat away.”
“Drew, I’m so sorry,” Charlotte said, wringing her hands. “I had no clue he was so fixated on her. I said some things but never dreamed he’d twist them like that.”
“None of us realized how far gone he was. A crush, sure, but that was…” Grace shook her head.
Chloe stepped off the porch and pulled Drew into a hug. “You okay? Did he get any shots in?”
“Nah, he hits like a little kid.” Drew scoffed. “Knuckles hurt the worst.”
“Come inside and I’ll take care of them,” she said, trying to guide him toward the main cabin.
He shook his head. “Later. I need… Katie’s waiting for me.”
She smiled wide. “After? If she doesn’t take care of them herself?”
“Promise.”
He jogged across the yard to his cabin and pushed right in, needing to see Katie now. He found her pacing the floor next to the bed. As soon as he stepped inside, she threw herself at him, and he couldn’t help but think this was the type of welcome he was used to having from his Katie and how he’d missed it when he got back.
“You didn’t kill him, right?”
“Baby, if I’d killed him, I’d be disposing of the body right now,” he teased.
“Nah, the guys would do it for you.” She laughed as she backed away. She sobered and lowered her gaze. “I’m sorry.”
Shock reeled through Drew. “What the fuck are you sorry for?”
“I shouldn’t have gone outside with him. I thoug
ht he just wanted to say goodbye. He’d been a bit annoying, trying to get my attention and stuff, but I never dreamed he’d be…like that.”
“Katie, this was not your fault. The man is obviously disturbed and had fixated on you.” He brought his hands up to where her arms were bruised, gently brushing over the marred skin. “It’s no more your fault than mine, or Charlotte’s or any of the other’s. No one knew he’d go so far.”
“But I’m fine,” she said firmly.
He kissed her forehead, keeping his lips there several seconds. “Thank God for that.”
“Oh, look at your knuckles,” she said in a rush. “Come on, they need cleaning and bandaging. And some of Grace’s balm.”
Taking his hand, she pulled him out the door and toward the main cabin. Halfway there, he changed course, moving around the cabin, dragging her behind him.
“What are you doing?” she said breathlessly as they rounded the back of the building.
He pushed her against the wall and licked along her jaw. “I need you.”
“Drew, can’t it wait until after I patch you up?” she asked, even as she tilted her head to the side as he continued his attention down her neck.
He pushed his hands under her shirt and cupped her breasts. Flicking his thumbs over the tight crowns, he shook his head against her, still kissing her neck.
“Nope,” he said, voice muffled. “Need to be inside you.”
“Anyone could hear, or walk by?” she gasped.
Trailing his fingers down her quivering belly to the button of her jeans, he lifted his head and looked at her intensely. “Then you’d better be quiet. I can help with that.”
She groaned and let her head rest against the wood behind her. “And if one of them walks back here? Being quiet isn’t going to stop them from seeing!”
He licked his way to her ear. “Baby, you’re going to be far too busy to notice anyone or anything, so stop worrying.”
Her pants undone, he pushed them past her hips and down her legs. She nearly fell over kicking her short boots off and trying to wiggle out of the garment. By the time they were in a heap on the ground, Katie was giggling and sucking on Drew’s Adam’s apple.
Burying his hand between her legs, he groaned in arousal and approval as his fingers glided through slick folds. “You’re wet,” he murmured.
She snorted and tilted back to look at him with mock indignation. “I don’t have a chance to be anything else with you coming inside me morning and night.”
“Shall I stop?” He shoved three fingers inside her and her pussy clamped down around him.
“Don’t you dare,” she gasped. “Stop playing, Drew. Fuck me fast before we’re missed.”
With a twist of her wrist and press of his thumb to her clit, he had her clutching his biceps. “Who’s in charge, Katie?”
“You, you’re in charge,” she cried.
“Did you forget?” he crooned, pumping his hand between her thighs, the sloppy sounds of her arousal and his spend from earlier echoing obscenely around them. “Do you need a reminder?”
Her eyes rolled back, and she wet her lips before responding. “I’m sorry, sir. You’re always in charge; I know that.”
“Hmmm, that’s my good girl.” He kissed her cheek. “It’s been a rough morning, hasn’t it?”
He took his fingers from her and, gripping her hips, lifted her. Sliding into her easily, he drawled, “You feel amazing. So hot and tight. I’ll never get enough of you.”
Her legs found their way around his waist, and she cried out as he thrust into her. Eyes widening at the sound, she pressed her lips together.
“Poor thing.” He snapped his hips forward, startling another cry from her. “Let me help you.”
He shifted his hold so she was supported more on the wall with one hand on her ass. He brought the other up to her mouth and covered it tightly. And slammed into her several times in quick succession. Her cries were stifled, and he hummed approvingly.
“There, that’s better, isn’t it?” Fucking her relentlessly, he kept talking, knowing how much she liked it, how it pushed her over. “Oh baby, I just realized…you can’t ask permission.”
Her eyes went wide, and she shook her head slightly.
“Don’t you worry.” He ground his hips against hers, rough pressure on her clit, and grinned when he felt her teeth against his palm. “I’ll take care of you. Don’t I always?”
She nodded.
“Since you’ve been such a good girl, I’ll tell you what,” he said, slowing his pace enough she was focusing on his voice, his words. “You don’t have to ask this time.”
Her eyes crinkled, and her lips curved beneath his hand.
“Does that make you happy?” A nod. “Do I make you happy?” Another nod and a tear escaping her lashes.
He pumped into her slow and steady another minute or two before he spoke again. He made sure her eyes were on him.
“Not only do you not have to ask permission, my love,” he kissed the tip of her nose, “this time around, you can come as many times as you want.”
A blissed out moan was her response as her pussy muscles started tightening around him.
“In fact, I want you to come…at least three times.” He withdrew and slammed back. “And for this? I’ll do the counting.”
It only took a couple more strokes before she went rigid in his arms and her tight sheath convulsed around his cock. Her cries were hot and wet on his palm. He stilled a moment until he was certain he wouldn’t spill—unlike his good girl, he had plenty of practice holding off his release and was more than confident he could outlast her—and began again.
“That was one.”
About the Author
Jessica grew up in a small town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and now lives in Minnesota—a Midwestern gal through and through. She wouldn’t have it any other way, although she’s been known to grumble about the snow and cold.
Jessica was lucky enough to meet the man of her dreams early in her life. They’ve been together over sixteen years and are blessed with four kids, who keep things interesting and very busy.
Despite her crazy schedule, Jessica finds time to write. If she didn’t, the voices in her head would take over, and everyone would be in big trouble! She’s incredibly grateful for her family, who put up with her craziness and understand when she ignores them all and hunkers down to finish a scene.
Jessica loves to talk to her readers and can be found at http://www.jessicajarman.com.
The New Reality Series
Now Available at Resplendence Publishing
Sanctuary by Jessica Jarman
For Callie Summers, life after the super solar flare and deadly viral outbreak can be summed up in one word. Alone. Having lost everyone she loved, Callie travels on foot to her family’s remote hunting cabin, where her father stockpiled food and supplies for this type of situation.
Along the way, she meets Noah Hill and Ethan Erikson, a couple traveling the same direction. Callie struggles with her attraction to the pair until they make it clear they are just as interested in her.
With Noah and Ethan, Callie is no longer alone but can she bring herself to trust them in this new world where everyone is trying to survive no matter the cost?
Direct Contact by Ninnette Swan
Julie Gladwell has a secret. Acting as chief attendant for the New Government’s procreation program, she rears girls to carry the emperor’s heir. Only a few are chosen for the program, called “The Special Ones,” and they are given no names, only numbers. They see no one but authorized personnel until their twenty-first birthday. Which is usually when they die. Direct contact is forbidden. As she cares for these girls, no one ever suspects who she actually is.
Scientist Malcolm Odin hated his job and hated himself. Put in charge of the entire human engineering program, the experiments and suffering he witnessed made him sick. Still, it paid the bills and kept him living comfortably in Terrecina. He knew of far too many w
ho’d fallen through the cracks, living on the earth below. The Level People, they were called.
When he confides his unease to Julie, she lets him in on her secret and into her heart. What starts as fancy ends in revolution, but how will they choose between their fellow man and each other?
Freefall by Bella St. James
Clancy Reed knew the rules of the Underground. But when the beautiful Jezebel banged against the makeshift medical facility door, begging for sanctuary, he not only crossed the line but totally obliterated it behind him. He should have called for a transfer crew and immediately sent her out of town. But something beyond her beauty and artificially enhanced sex appeal spoke to him.
When Nadine Cooper seized an unexpected opportunity to run from the government that used her as a sex spy, her only concern was leaving the past behind. The last thing she expected when she arrived at the gritty warehouse was a field operation that made her feel normal for the first time in her life – and a man whose kind hands and caring voice touched something deep inside her.
Their acquaintance should have gone by protocol: Twelve hours of recovery and then a permanent separation. But when the enemy comes to their door, their only choice is to go on the run as the world around them drops into a freefall.
Faith’s Revenge by Michael Graham and Suzanne Graham
Faith Daniels is experienced with using her body to ensure survival for her and her brother, even finding her own pleasure in her encounters with both men and women. When her brother is imprisoned as a Resistance member, Faith will use her talents in exchange for information to rescue him, even at the expense of losing the first man she’s ever loved.
Trake Forrester, a dark-skinned Aristo of New Washington, D.C., has had his eye on his blonde assistant since Faith started working for him. Her curvy build entices him, but it’s her innate kindness that draws him to her. When he has the opportunity to help her rescue her brother, his complicated relationship with his fiancée, Deja Cain, is useful as well as a hindrance to pursuing his feelings for Faith.
Haven Page 10