by West, Cary
Jack finished his dinner in silence. Kate was dreading the moment he took his last bite then all hell was going to break loose. Jack pushed his plate aside. He sat back in his chair and retrieved his beer then took a long swallow.
“You want to tell me what the hell you told Adam to get him so pissed off at me?” Jack questioned, as his dark eyes permeated down to the bottom of her souls.
“I didn’t tell Adam anything,” she said averting her eyes to her plate.
“Well you told Clara, and that’s the same as telling Adam,” he frowned. “He practically took my head off.”
“Oh,” she said as she played with her food on the plate.
“For the record Kate, what you and I do together is none of Clara’s business.”
“I don’t need you telling me what I can and cannot tell my friend,” she said a little irritatingly.
“You women are all alike,” said Jack exasperated. “You flap your gums and tell each other way too much for my liking. What happens between a man and his woman should stay between a man and his woman, and not the whole world.”
“I’m not your woman,” she stated firmly.
“Not yet,” he grinned.
“Not ever.”
“Don’t be too sure of that, baby.” His eyes flickered green. “I’m not going to be accused of groping an unwilling female. The next time I do anything it is because you want me to.”
“Then you’re going to be waiting a very long time.”
Jack stood and walked around the table. Kate’s lashes fluttered rapidly watching his overbearing presence close in on her. He stopped behind her and began to slowly rub her shoulders. She could smell the luring scent of earth and musk mixed with strong hands touching her skin and her body began to tremble.
“I know you want me,” he said in a husky tone as he leaned over and brushed his mouth against the side of her hair. “I just need for you to submit to me once so I can tell Adam to back the fuck off and mind his own damn business.”
“I’m not giving in to you,” she said feeling him too close for her to breathe.
“Why not?” he asked as he entwined her hair between his fingers.
“You know why.”
“Actually, I don’t have a clue,” he said as he tightened his grip in her hair. “Enlighten me.”
“Stop that.” Kate pushed his hand away and stood from the chair, putting distance between them before she changed her mind. “I don’t do casual sex.”
Jack leaned back against the table and laughed. “Trust me baby, there will be nothing casual between us when I get you beneath me. I’m going to devour you, and you’re going to love it.”
Kate felt the heat rush through her belly and up to the top of her head. Jack laughed at her again.
“I don’t know why I try to explain myself to you,” she said temper rising. “Why do you always have to embarrass me with that kind of talk? All you’re looking for is a piece of ass. Go back to your other girls and leave me the hell alone.”
She turned to leave but Jack bolted from the table, caught her by the hand and pulled her back.
“I can’t leave you alone,” he said as his eyes smoldered with wanton heat. “I want you bad Kate, those other woman just don’t do it for me anymore. I can’t stop thinking about you and it drives me crazy to think about you with somebody else.”
“You’re obsessed with a fantasy,” said Kate pushing back angry tears from forming. “I’m nobody, and you’ve made me out in your head to be something more than I really am.”
“There’s only one way to find out. Kiss me and let’s see if the sparks fly.”
“I’m not kissing you.”
“Come on Kate what are you afraid of?” She watched his eyes turn from steel to steamy. She hated when he gave her that look. It was difficult to stay focused when his raw male energy oozed all over her. She needed to get out of here fast, before she lost all control. “One little kiss right here.” He tapped his finger to his mouth.
“I know what you’re doing,” she breathed watching that curled mouth of his grinning and tempting her to taste. She took a step back. “You’re trying to seduce me, but it won’t work.”
“Oh, I think it’s working,” he said seeing her breathing increase as he stepped closer to her backing her into the counter. “How about you give me that kiss now?” He placed his hands on the edge of the counter wedging her between them.
“No,” she said knowing it would be her undoing if she let him kiss her.
“Kiss me.” He leaned closer tempting her with his lips.
“Jack, I…” His mouth was a droplet away and her lips began to tingle.
“Shhh,” he whispered as he trailed the tip of his finger along the sweetness of her dewy lips. “Don’t think with your head baby. Just kiss me.”
“Fine, just do it and get it over with,” she said shakily.
“Oh, I’m not kissing you,” he smiled that luring seductive smile. “You’re going to kiss me first to prove once and for all that you want me. All you need to do is place that sweet little mouth of yours on mine then I’ll do the rest.”
He wanted her to kiss him, and God she wanted to more than anything she had ever wanted before in her life, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to stop with just one kiss. One kiss would be her undoing. One kiss would render her in his arms, in his bed, and under his sheets. One kiss and it all would be over.
“No,” she said coming to her senses and she pushed him away from her.
“Oh, Kate,” Jack sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair. “You were so close to just giving it up.”
“God, I hate you right now,” she fumed as angry tears filled her eyes. “Why couldn’t it have been anybody but you?”
“But it is me, baby.” He grinned and reached for her again.
“Don’t,” snapped Kate as she slapped him away. “You play way too many head games and I’m not about to get suckered by some jerk who just wants in my pants. So from now on leave me alone!” Kate ran from the room. She flung the front door open wide and stormed out heading for the carriage house.
Momentarily stunned, Jack shook his head trying to figure out why her comment bothered him when in fact he was looking to get in her pants? Or was he?
She was different than any woman he had ever met. She was driving him crazy, turning his world upside down. He couldn’t let it end this way. He needed to go after her. He wasn’t sure why, but he was not about to leave her alone. He couldn’t just as he couldn’t stop breathing. If she didn’t have the courage to admit her desire for him then he would do it for her.
Kate picked up speed when she heard him call after her. She ran up the porch steps and made it to her front door, but Jack was not far behind.
“Stop right there,” he shouted taking the steps two at a time. He grabbed her by the arm and swung her to face him.
“Enough, Jack,” Kate turned her face hiding the tears streaming down her face. “I’m done talking to you.”
“We’re not done talking ‘til I say we’re done,” he shouted at her. “And you aren’t going anywhere until you kiss me.”
Kate tried to pull away which made Jack all the more determined not to let her go. He wrapped his arms about her waist and pulled her to him. All sense left his head and he held her tightly in his arms. He saw her bottom lip quiver and that was all it took.
“Ah hell, if you aren’t going to do it then I will!”
Jack seized her by the back of her hair and tilted her head back. Before he knew what he was doing he slammed his mouth against hers, parted her lips and took possession.
He was fierce in his consumption of her and Kate’s head began to spin. It was rugged, filled with raw primal need, and it made her knees go weak and she fell against him for support.
In that moment, she gave up the fight and offered sweet submission for him to conquer her flesh. Jack knew the second she gave it. That was all he wanted to know. He became relentless, maneuvering her toward the frame of the
house pressing her back against the wall and his hard flesh into her soft skin.
He slid his hand under her shirt, moving upward to the pink flesh mounds. He covered her breast with his hand, squeezing and flicking his thumb over her nipple, never once allowing his mouth to part from hers. A sweet moan escaped her lips, the sound echoing deep in his throat.
God, he wanted her like nothing he had ever felt before. He wanted to claim her, make her know that she was his and nobody else’s. If he didn’t stop soon he would lose all sense of self and just take her.
Jack’s eyes flung open when he realized what he was about to do. He pulled back from Kate and ended the kiss slipping his hand free from the luscious mounds he craved.
She waited for more but it never came. She steadied herself by taking hold of his arms. Their eyes met and she could see the smoldering heat, dark green and pupils dilated. He saw the same passion in her ocean blues.
Jack stepped back and Kate’s hands slipped away from his arms.
“Now we’re done,” he said with a smug smile. “And expect to be kissed again whenever you give me that sweet little look because that’s when I know you want me.”
He saw a compliant Kate blink her long lashes at him. He nodded his head and snorted like the black stallion, satisfied that she wanted him. He turned on his heels and walked down the steps, leaving a bewildered and speechless Kate on the porch.
Eleven
Endings and New Beginnings
June was the perfect month for weddings- clear blue skies, green lawns and white tents, along with fountains of champagne and a guest list boasting of family and friends to celebrate the most perfect day.
Kate loved her wedding. It was the happiest day of her life. It was also the saddest. The day of their fifth anniversary he announced that he was leaving her for another woman.
Now the date held two meanings. It was bittersweet, looking at the calendar and realizing it would have been six years that they would have been married and one year separated. She was downright depressed looking at the wedding picture she set on her nightstand while she gripped the brown bear in her hands. Waves of tears washed down her face.
She needed to get up and go to work before Jack came looking for her, but all she wanted to do was lie in bed and cry. She dragged herself up anyway and dressed, foregoing the needed shower. Kate tied her hair back and left.
She was late by the time she got to the main house and Jack was waiting for her in the kitchen. He looked annoyed when she mumbled good morning while passing him, heading for the supply closet.
“You’re a half hour late. Nice to see you could make it, Barbie doll,” he said with sarcasm.
“Sorry,” she mumbled.
“You’ll make up the time and stay a half hour later today,” he ordered.
“Whatever you want, Jack.” She was not about to argue seeing he was in a foul mood. She grabbed the supplies from the closet and tried to leave the kitchen, but he blocked the doorway.
“You want to tell me why you were late this morning?” he asked with his arms crossed over his chest.
“Not particularly,”
She brushed past him and started cleaning in the living room. He could tell she was not herself today. Her eyes were red like she’d been crying. He followed her and sat on the couch. “You want to talk about it?” he asked.
“No,” she sighed and continued polishing the woodened structures.
“You sick again?”
“No.” She moved to another piece of furniture.
“Why are your eyes red?” His eyes narrowed not quite believing her.
“Allergies.”
Kate left the room and went back to the kitchen. She paused and leaned on the counter taking a deep breath.
She didn’t want to talk, especially to Jack McBride. He wasn’t the most compassionate person when it came to matters of the heart, and she doubted he would even understand. She wished he would just leave and let her clean in peace without looking over her shoulder. Once more she felt his presence and frowned.
“Kate?” He loomed in the doorway. She went to the sink and began loading the dishes into the dishwasher.
“Aren’t you late for work today?” she almost growled at him.
“I think you are forgetting who the boss is around here, Barbie doll.” He leaned against the counter and frowned.
“Jack, I have a lot to do today, and I’m behind schedule.” She was losing her patience. “If you want me to do my job, just leave me be. Don’t you have a fence to fix or something?”
“Getting kind of bossy there Kate. Besides, I’m all caught up on my work. I thought I might hang around here for a while and make sure you don’t slack off.”
“Do I ever slack off?” She was downright annoyed now knowing he was picking for a fight and she didn’t have it in her today to spar with him.
“You did today by not showing up on time.”
“Oh for the love God, I said I was sorry,” she snapped as she slammed the dishwasher closed and turned it on.
She went to the closet and withdrew the vacuum cleaner, dragging it into the living area. Jack followed behind like a puppy wanting to play. Kate plugged it in and started to vacuum the area rug. Jack leaned against the wall crossing his arms over his chest and watched her. He carted an impish grin as he bent over and pulled the plug from the wall.
Upon hearing the motor cease, Kate turned toward Jack and frowned seeing him holding the plug. His sheepish grin told her he was up to no good. “What are you doing?”
“You’re doing it wrong,” he informed her as he stepped from the wall and strode toward her.
“There’s nothing wrong with the way I vacuum.”
“You go with the grain of carpet, not against it,” he stated in his arrogant overbearing manner.
“Fine, then you do it,” she snapped. “Since you have nothing better to do today than annoy the hell out of me.” Kate shoved the vacuum in to his hand and stormed upstairs. She marched into the master bedroom and began stripping the bed. She tossed the sheets on the floor. Mad tears filled her eyes and she sat on the bed. Why of all the days did he have to pick this one to stay home? Kate needed to be alone to sort out her thoughts and grieve in private. She didn’t want him to see her this way.
She heard footfalls in the hall and quickly wiped her eyes. She stood and went to the walk-in closet to retrieve clean sheets. When she turned he was standing in the doorway, arms hanging above his head clinging to the closet’s frame. Kate marched up to him ready to pass, but he continued to block her path.
“Move,” Kate demanded holding the sheets in her hand.
“No.” He gave her a smug smile. He took a step toward her and Kate stepped back. She saw the look in his eyes, they were smoldering again. She saw that same heated expression right before he kissed her the other night. Kate was not in the mood for a repeat. Warding off his advances was the last thing she wanted to do today.
“Jack, please, not today,” she sighed fighting back the lump in her throat.
“Why not today, Barbie doll?” he asked taking the sheets from her arms and tossing them on the floor. He moved in making Kate step back until she was cornered in the back of the closet. He placed his hands on the wall, barricading her in.
“Stop it.” Kate pushed him, but he didn’t budge.
“I don’t know who pissed in your cornflakes this morning, but I have a good remedy to fix that,” he grinned at her as he brushed her lips with his fingers. “Why don’t you relax, baby and just go with it for a change?”
“I’m in no mood for your games. Now let me pass.”
“One kiss and I’ll let you go,” he grinned triumphantly, knowing if he got one he might get two or more out of the deal.
“There are laws against this you arrogant son of a bitch,” she fumed.
“So sue me,” he chuckled as he trailed the tops of her breasts with his finger. “Come on Kate, let me see what’s under that top of yours.” He pulled do
wn along the top of her shirt for a look and maybe a feel, but Kate slapped his hand away.
“You’re disgusting Jack, did anyone ever tell you that?” She pushed him away. Jack released her and laughed while Kate grabbed the sheets, storming from the closet.
She started making the bed, tucking the ends under the mattress and flinging the top sheet over the bed and waving it until it settled. Jack walked to the opposite side and helped.
“You like the way I talk,” he said lifting the mattress and tucking the sheet under.
“No, I don’t.”
“The hell you don’t,” he challenged her. “I bet if I checked you’re panties right now they would be wet.”
“Come anywhere near me and so help me God I will scream,” said Kate throwing the comforter on the bed.
“I’d like to come inside you and listen to you scream,” he goaded her more.
“Well that isn’t going to happen,” she laughed at his audacity.
“Why are you fighting me Kate?” He threw the pillow on the bed. “It’s going to happen for us sooner or later. Why not sooner?”
“It’s never going to happen because I don’t like you,” she stated as she threw the other pillow next to Jack’s.
“You’re lying to me again, besides, it not about us liking each other. It’s about heat baby, and we got heat, you and me together.”
“Sorry Jack, I’m not like that,” said Kate as she walked into the bathroom to gather the towels. He followed her and hung by the door.
“Oh, I think you are, and you’re playing with me,” he grinned.
“No, I’m not.”
“You mean to tell me you have never had sex just for the sheer satisfaction of getting it?”
“Nope.” She brushed past him and placed the towels in the laundry basket.
Jack turned and looked at her. She was kidding him, right? “How many men have you been with Barbie doll?”
“How many women have you been with?”
“I lost count,” he boasted.
“Well then, that settles it,” she frowned. “I wouldn’t let you touch me. You probably have some freaky disease.”