by Terra Wolf
“But what about tonight?” I asked quickly.
“Yes?” she raised her eyebrows.
“Can we go out again?” I asked.
“I should really have dinner with my family,” she said evasively.
“Then drinks. After.”
“Okay,” she answered quickly. She grinned widely. “Drinks at Jackson’s. Ten o’clock?”
“I’ll be there.”
I grabbed her hand and we left the guest house quietly. The sun was just beginning to rise as we snuck down the steps and across the backyard. We reached the end of the driveway and I pulled her in for one last kiss before she disappeared inside. When she pushed the door closed behind her, I stayed on the driveway for a few minutes just staring at the front door. My smile stayed plastered across my face for the rest of the day.
Julia Prewitt was mine once again.
Mission accomplished.
Nineteen
Julia
“That was delicious,” I said. My mom smiled at me in thanks and began clearing the table. I moved to help her, but she waved me away.
“Sit with your father,” she said. “The two of you have barely talked since you’ve been here.”
I knew she was right, but it didn’t make sitting back down at the table any easier. My dad looked up at me with an impassive expression. I slid into my chair and smiled tentatively, waiting for him to speak.
“So,” he said, clearing his throat loudly. “How are things at work?”
“They’re good,” I nodded. I was grateful he chose such an easy subject. “I’m busier than ever and the partners seem to really trust me now.”
“Well, that’s something,” he said simply. He took a sip of his iced tea and leaned back in his chair.
“It is,” I agreed. “When I first started I only had one or two cases every six months, but now they throw almost everything my way. I’m so busy that they actually had to hire an assistant for me.”
“Your mother told me,” he said. “Some young guy. Aaron something.”
“Jordan,” I corrected with a nod. “He’s great, dad. You would really like him.”
“I’m sure he’s fine.”
We fell silent and I glanced around the kitchen. My mother was putting food away and Lillian was sitting across from me at the table. Her head was ducked down as she shoveled pie into her mouth so fast I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Slow down, kid,” I told her. She glanced up at me with narrowed eyes, but she quickly slowed her pace. For a five-year-old, she was already developing an intense attitude. It was part of what made me love her so much. She was already an individual.
“Knows what she likes, that one,” my dad said with an approving smile. “I bet you don’t eat like this in New York, do you Lili?”
“She eats fine,” I said, trying to keep my voice even. This was exactly why I didn’t want to sit and talk with my father.
“I’m sure she does,” he said quickly. “I’m just saying, she doesn’t eat like this.”
“The pie at Anderson’s bakery on 101st street is way better than this,” Lillian said. I fought back a smile. “No offense, Grandma.”
“None taken,” my mom said with a chuckle as she placed the last piece of Tupperware in the fridge. “I’m not a professional baker or anything.”
“You might as well be!” My dad said. “I’ve never tasted anything better than your cooking. Not in all my life.”
“Don’t listen to your grandpa, Lili,” my mom said. “He likes to tease me.”
“What I like is to watch the Pats,” he said roughly. He checked his watch and stood up quickly. He kissed my mother swiftly and hurried into the living room. We could all hear the T.V. turn on and his recliner creak as he sat down.
I rolled my eyes and mumbled “Nice talk, Dad,” under my breath. My mother patted my shoulder and moved to sit beside me.
“Don’t let him get to you,” she said softly. “That’s just your dad.”
“Doesn’t make it any easier,” I said just as softly. Lillian was still working on her pie.
“He loves you,” my mom said as if that made everything okay.
“But he isn’t proud of me,” I argued.
“Sure, he is,” she said. “He just doesn’t understand your life.”
“For someone who grew up not even two hours from the city, you would think he would be more okay with his daughter living there,” I said.
“But he’s not and you can’t change that,” she said. “All you can do is accept it.”
“Right,” I scoffed. “Like he accepts me.”
“You don’t give him a chance to,” she snapped. “How many times have you been home in the past five years? My god, Julia, we haven’t seen Lillian since she was three.”
“That’s not true,” I said, but I knew it was. I avoided Mountain Creek like the plague.
“Julia,” my mom said. She shook her head and leaned closer to me. “Cut us some slack, okay? We just miss you. Both of you.”
“We miss you guys, too,” I said.
“I’m done!” Lillian announced.
“Put your plate in the sink,” I told her.
“Can I play outside?” she asked.
“In the backyard,” I said.
Lillian smiled and hurried over to the sink. She stood on her tiptoes to set her plate inside before she ran out the back door. I watched her go with a smile. She was growing up so quickly, I hated to miss even a single second with her.
“Mom,” I said, turning back to face her. “Do you think I made the right choice? When I decided to keep her?”
My mom’s eyes widened slightly at my words. We’d never discussed my change of heart that day in the hospital. I never knew how she felt about it.
“Honey,” she began slowly. “I think what really matters is whether you believe it was the right thing.”
“Most of the time, I do,” I said. “But there are times when I wonder if Lacey would have been better for Lili. There are times when I wonder whether I was meant to be a mother at all. Not to mention if she starts to change. What the hell do I do then? How do I tell her she’s a quarter bear?”
“You love your daughter,” she said.
“More than anything.”
“Then, you’re doing alright,” she smiled. “What makes a good mom isn’t living in the right place or providing a traditional family. It’s loving your child and doing everything you can to help them succeed. From what I can see, you’re doing that. And when the time is right, you’ll tell her the truth about what she is. She’ll handle it because you’ve taught her how to.”
“Thank you.”
My mom’s words filled me with warmth. I sat back in my chair and checked the time on the kitchen stove. It was almost nine which meant I had to meet Kellan in an hour. Lillian would be in bed by nine thirty, I hoped. I didn’t want to tell her where I was going.
“That’s the third time you’ve checked the clock,” my mom said.
“I’m meeting someone,” I explained. “After I put Lili to bed.”
“Someone?” Her eyebrows arched upward.
“Kellan.”
“Ah.”
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing,” she shrugged. “I’m just not surprised.”
“And why not?” I asked.
“You two never could stay away from each other.”
Twenty
Julia
At the bar, I considered which booth to sit in. Our usual table was just past the bar, up against the side wall, but the idea of sitting there made my skin crawl. That was where he told me he was leaving all those years ago. I didn’t want to relive that moment.
Instead, I chose a small table in the back. Only two chairs sat around it and there was no one in the vicinity. The closest patron was sitting at the end of the bar, a good twenty feet away. I pulled out a chair and sat down, wiping the sweat off my palms. I was more nervous than I’d been the night before.
Kellan’s felt differe
nt than Martello’s. At Martello’s we were just two old friends catching up. Sure, there was chemistry and tension, but nothing I couldn’t easily ignore. At Jackson’s, though? I knew I wouldn’t be able to deny my connection with Kellan. Especially not after what happened the night before. The pub held too many implications, too many reminders of our time together.
When Kellan walked inside, he spotted me immediately. The way he moved was enough to make my face flush. As he smiled, I couldn’t look away from his lips. I had to shake myself to stop remembering the way those lips felt against my skin. I gulped. It was going to be an interesting night.
“You made it,” he said as he sat down across from me.
“Of course, I did,” I smiled. “You didn’t think I’d show?”
“Honestly, I wasn’t sure,” he admitted. “I was worried you might regret last night.”
“No,” I shook my head. “I probably should, but I don’t.”
“I’ll get us some drinks,” he offered. “Usual?”
“Sure.”
He came back to the table less than two minutes later with our drinks in hand. He set mine down in front of me and I immediately picked it up to take a sip. I needed something to help relax me. The alcohol burned slightly as it slid down my throat and landed in my stomach. I took another gulp. Then another.
“Whoa,” Kellan laughed. “Thirsty?”
“Nervous,” I admitted shyly.
“All of this is still so new, yet…”
“Really familiar?” I asked.
“Exactly,” he said.
“I know,” I nodded. “I keep thinking I have to speed off to class in the morning, and you’re going to prowl the woods at night.”
Kellan laughed and said. “Or that I have to run off to PT before we even make it to bed. Feels like a million years ago, doesn’t it?”
“Sometimes,” I said. “Other times, I think it all just happened. Like I never even left Mountain Creek.”
“Sometimes, I wish I didn’t.”
Kellan’s voice was low and his face fell slightly. I knew something serious had crossed his mind, but I also knew he didn’t want to talk about it. I smiled and leaned against the table. Kellan’s eyes flickered down to my chest for a fraction of a second. I grinned wider.
“What are you thinking about?” I asked him playfully.
“Well, I was thinking about something else, but now I have no idea what it was. All I can think about is how amazing you look right now,” he said.
“I do, don’t I?” I said, tucking my hair behind my ears.
“You have no idea.” Kellan’s voice was rough and his eyes were boring holes in mine. I had forgotten just how much we could say without speaking.
I moved my foot slowly across the floor until it touched his. When I slid it gently up his leg, he closed his eyes and exhaled sharply.
“Don’t start something you can’t finish,” he warned.
I smiled and leaned back. I finished my drink and got up to order another round. I could feel his eyes on me as I walked away. When I sat back down, he looked ready to pounce.
“What?” I asked innocently. Kellan just smiled at me and drank his beer. We went through three more rounds, flirting and touching each other innocently. We talked about everything from the past to the future, all the while trying to control our urges.
After the fifth drink, I knew it was no use. We’d been in this situation before. I glanced around us to make sure no one was paying attention before I reached down and took Kellan’s hand. I lifted it to my lips and slowly slide his middle finger inside my mouth.
“I want you,” he growled. “Now.”
I stood up and led the way to the back hallway where the bathrooms were. I glanced around again, making sure no one saw us slip away from the table. When we reached the bathrooms, I held my finger up telling him to wait while I pushed the door to the women’s room open. I looked in every stall to make sure they were empty. When I knew they were, I opened the door again and let Kellan inside.
He didn’t wait until he was fully inside before his lips were on mine. I could taste the alcohol on his tongue and it made me feel even more intoxicated. Kellan pushed me against the door and I slid my hand behind me to lock it quickly. Even drunk, I wanted to make sure we weren’t interrupted.
“Just like old times,” he whispered as he tore at the buttons on my blouse.
“Only better,” I moaned. He didn’t bother unhooking my bra. He just shoved the cups aside and took my nipple in his mouth. My hands were already frantically pulling at his pants. I had to feel him inside of me. I couldn’t want a second longer.
Once I pulled his cock free, he pulled me forward and pushed me gently against the sink. His hand reached under my skirt and pulled my panties down. They fell to my ankles. He pulled my unbuttoned blouse down so he could kiss my shoulders roughly.
He was inside me in an instant. I bit my lip to keep from screaming as my entire body rocked with pleasure. His kisses turned to bites as he thrusted harder. I could feel every inch of him. He pushed my skirt farther up so he could wrap his hand around my bare skin. God he felt so good. I had nearly forgotten how good sex with Kellan was. Now I could hardly remember why I had left him that day.
He held onto me tightly with one hand while his other slid down to play with my clit. I couldn’t hold my moans in any longer.
I held onto the sink for dear life and moaned openly. Kellan was breathing heavily behind me and I knew he was close. I pushed myself closer to him, wanting the moment to last forever. The slight shift in position coupled with Kellan wildly stroking my sensitive skin made everything more intense. My skin was burning and my legs were shaking wildly. Kellan was the only thing holding me up. My grip on the sink went slack as he pounded against me harder and harder.
I screamed as my orgasm washed over me, but Kellan quickly covered my mouth and held onto me, both of us sweating profusely and breathing like we just ran a marathon. I leaned back against his chest while he raked his nails up and down my thighs. He lowered his head to lick the sweat off my body making me shiver.
He turned me around and pulled his pants up with one hand while he kissed me again. He kissed me hard and fast, his tongue desperately tasting mine. His hands gripped my breasts roughly and he growled into my mouth. He took a step forward, forcing my back against the sink. I could still feel the effects of my orgasm working their way through my body.
I pulled away quickly, pushing him backward with one hand. I exhaled sharply and pushed my sweaty curls out of my face with one hand while I held him away from me with the other.
“Stop,” I said weakly. “If you keep doing that, well never leave this bathroom. So, unless you want to go again…”
Kellan laughed and yanked me back to him. He kissed me again, but stopped quickly. I moaned and grabbed the back of his head, pulling his lips back to mine. He pulled away gently, but I bit his lip and pulled him right back.
“Didn’t you just say we should stop?” he asked.
“I just can’t control myself when you’re around,” I said.
“I know the feeling,” he told me as I pulled my panties up and rebuttoned my shirt.
“I didn’t expect that to happen,” I laughed softly.
“Why not?” he asked. “It’s not like this bathroom hasn’t seen it before. Many, many times before.”
“Trust me,” I said. “I remember. I couldn’t forget if I tried.”
I was ninety-nine percent sure our daughter had been conceived in the bathroom at Jackson’s.
Twenty- One
Kellan
Julia’s face changed in an instant. My bear growled. I frowned and wrapped my arms around her waist. Something was troubling her, but I was too drunk and exhausted to wonder what it was. I held her closer and waited for my breathing to return to normal. When it did, I took her hand and pulled her gently toward the door.
“Maybe another drink or two?” I asked. “Then I’ll walk you home?”
“Give me a minute,” she said. She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I want to clean up a little before I head back out.”
“I’ll wait for you,” I said.
“No,” she shook her head. “No need. I’ll be quick. You go order us some drinks and I’ll meet you at the table.”
“Are you sure?” I asked. I searched her face for a clue as to what was bothering her so much, but I found mothing.
“Positive.”
Part of me wanted to stay put, but I could tell she needed space. I turned and unlocked the bathroom door. With a glance back at her, I pushed it open and let myself out into the hallway. When the door swung shut behind me, I stared at it for a fraction of a second. It wouldn’t do any good to wait outside the door, I told myself. With a sigh, I left the hallway and walked slowly up to the bar.
“Two more,” I said to the bartender. He nodded and went to work pouring our drinks. All around me people were getting rowdier. It was almost midnight and even in Mountain Creek, things always began to heat up around this time. Most of the shifters came out later, and the town was full of them.
I glanced around me and noticed the people in the pub. There were a lot more people than before Julia and I disappeared into the bathroom. Most of the tables were packed and there were even a few guys standing over by the jukebox. As I watched, I noticed that one of the guys was someone I recognized. I looked away quickly, my heart beginning to race.
“Alexander!” A voice called from behind me. Shit. The last thing I needed was a run in with McCullers. I pretended like I didn’t hear him until he was standing directly behind me. “Hey, Kellan!”
I turned around slowly and plastered a smile on my face.
“McCullers,” I said. “What the hell are you doing here man?”
“Just making the rounds,” he shrugged. “Visiting some friends up in New Haven. Thought we’d take a little road trip. I didn’t know you lived around here!”
“Yeah man,” I said. “Mountain Creek is home.”
“Where?” McCullers asked. His eyes looked glazed over and I knew he was already drunk. I couldn’t blame him; I wasn’t exactly sober myself.