“Damnation.”
She giggled with huskiness in her voice.
Then he hissed as her adroit hands, while still working on those buttons, reached higher, rubbing against his erection.
“Sorry.” She pivoted her head, gazing up at him over her shoulder.
Lord, she was lovely like that, reminding him of the first time he’d made love to her, feeling her hot body clutch onto his cock. His patience eroded. Leaning over, clutching her to him, he kissed her recklessly, driving his tongue in her mouth, holding her by her waist to feel her body against his. Her hands cupped around his length, his bollocks too, and he pulled her even closer, kissing her wildly. One hand found her breast, while the other reached between her thighs. However, he became a bit more crazed when he realized how many layers of skirts she wore.
Somehow, through it all, her dress finally surrendered, her high collar gave way, revealing a creamy clavicle. He suckled the skin over the bone and pushed the dress off her shoulder, but then stopped.
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,” he gasped, staring at the giant purple-black bruise wrapping itself around Meredith’s shoulder and part of her back. “My Meredith, my sweetheart, what happened to ye?” He dared not touch her injury, but instead gingerly traced around it.
Straightening, he towered over her, her breath still coming in fast sips, her nipples jutting against the now loose material of her dress. She glanced at her large bruise with annoyance more than anything else.
“I—I fell.”
Leaning down, he tenderly kissed the purple pink skin, an abrasion tore through her flesh, making an odd pattern.
“‘Tis time to tell me what happened to ye, woman. Else I’m liable to roar through town, blaming the lot of them for yer injuries, shootin’ out their legs.”
“Everyone? You’d shoot everyone’s legs?” She said with a smile in her twinkling eyes.
He winced a bit. “Mayhap not women and children. I’ll reserve them for later. Now tell.”
She pursed her lips, annoyance flickering in her eyes. “You are so bossy.”
“Aye. Tell.”
“I went after you. Well, I told Erva what happened, the stupid things I’d said. Then she thought we should go after you. And even before I talked to her, I’d wanted to do the same. I wanted to run after you and ask you to forgive me. I don’t think I can say it enough, but I’m so, so sorry.”
Patience was never one of Jake’s best attributes, and for whatever reason, Meredith was taking her sweet time getting to the point. Well, apparently she wanted him to know how much a mistake it was to push him away, and for that he found patience galore. So he caught her hands and tugged her over to one of the plush chairs near the fireplace. Pulling a little more, he lulled her to sit on his lap.
“Meredith, I forgave ye, lass. ‘Tis done. ‘Tis in our past. Nothing more than a rock in our road. Best to look ahead, aye?”
“How is it you came to be so wise? You’re so young, but so old.”
He frowned. “Thank ye.”
“You know what I mean. You’re not old. But your soul...” She never finished her thought, staring at him. “You forgave me?”
“Aye. Best for ye to forgive yerself too. I reckon ye’re not even close to forgivin’ yerself. But now, tell me about yer fall.”
She looked down, trailing a finger over his breastbone, so close to his heart. “I was being stupid. Again. As you’ll learn more about me, you’ll realize how much I do stupid things. Anyway, I chased after Bruisner when he tried to kill Coyote. I was an idiot. I went after him alone. I found him on top of the train’s car. We fought. He slapped me so hard. He—he—I got away by slipping over the edge to the back platform, where Erva found me.”
Jake had to force his mouth into a neutral stance—one second he was close to opening his jaw in shock, the next he wanted to grind his teeth into sand. Much of the story he wasn’t sure he understood. But he was piecing it together. She’d gone after Bruisner. Alone. That was his woman. Fearless little fae warrior, a Venerable Goddess, a Fury. He recognized her the second he’d first seen her, that fierce spirit.
“Ye found Bruisner? He struck ye?”
“He was on the same train Erva and I were on. I just happened upon him. We talked, er, had an odd conversation. He suggested I was a whore, when Coyote, tried to—he attacked Bruisner. You saw the canine under Erva and my skirts? That’s Coyote.”
He nodded, noting her pronunciation of the word coyote. Most non-Indian folks didn’t know that the god, Coyote, was pronounced without the long E on the end. When referring to the wild canines, as Meredith was, it did have the long E at the end of the word. So either the dog had accidentally been named after an Indian god’s name, or it had been done on purpose. Jake guessed the former.
But that was beside the point. Jake’s blood boiled when he thought of Bruisner inferring Meredith a whore. And Bruisner happened to be on the same train as she. He’d struck her. He’d hit his woman. He’d pay for that.
“He slapped ye?” Jake asked, making sure his voice was soft, while he slid a fingertip around the bruise on her jaw.
She nodded. “I—I’m so stupid, Jake.”
“Say it again, and I’m likely to get good and angry with ye. Ye’re not stupid, Meredith.”
“I chased after Bruisner. I went after him alone. Who do I think I am? Some hero? Not even on my good days can I stand at five feet tall. I’m close, but not quite. And I went traipsing after him, like an—”
“Aye,” Jake interrupted, feeling his rage turn toward her, but knowing she didn’t need more. The woman beat herself more than most, and that had to stop. “Ye’re wee. Ye’re my wee fae woman. But ye’re strong, Meredith. So strong. Yer spirit soars when ye allow it. And far too often, I would guess, ye don’t let it. Ye’d rather internally rant at yerself.”
Her delicate dark brows drew together. Frowning, she nodded and no longer looked him in the eye.
“I feel like I’m mistake-driven.” Her voice had gotten pitifully quiet. “So fallible that people see it in me, on me, as though I’m branded with it.”
He caught her chin with the nook of his finger and cupped her face. “When I see ye, I see a wee fae, so beautiful...I don’t ken why ye’re here with me. The Beauty and the Beast, hmm?”
“Are you calling yourself a beast?” Her eyes instantly ignited into a purple fire. “You’re—you—you’re the most handsome man I’ve ever met. When I first saw you, I know I stared, because you’re so...breathtaking. If anyone here is the beast, it’s me.”
His throat tightened from her sentiment. She looked at him indignantly and sure. This was the Meredith he loved most of all. She was a warrior.
Shaking his head, he pulled her closer, kissed her slightly upturned nose with the tiny little freckles on it, then settled away, so he could say, “Ye heard of the Furies? The goddesses?”
She looked slightly confused, but nodded.
“That’s ye, darlin’. Ye’re fueled by justice.”
“How can you say that when you know I’ve lied, cheated, and stolen?” Her voice broke, relaying just how much she pained over what she’d done.
He nodded, even more assured. “Ye made mistakes, and the Furies made people pay for what they’d done. Since ye had no one to aim that fight with, ye aimed it at yerself. Ye’re human, lass. Like all of us. Ye make mistakes—”
“You don’t. You’re virtuous.”
“I stood with my mouth agape while a bairn, no more than four years of age, was butchered in front of me, Meredith. I saw her torn limb from limb, and I’ll never get that opportunity back. I could have saved her. Then, when I finally acted, I was so full of rage, I don’t remember what I did. I remember shooting at the men and grabbing my sgain duhb—”
“Your what?”
“My knife. And that’s the last of my memories. I woke up in, I think, a hospital. The man with light blue eyes was there—” He stopped himself. Should he tell her how he wasn’t from her time? Coul
d he tell her that the man with ice for eyes took him to a hospital twice, once for smallpox and then when he was shot? And tell her that the hospitals were in the future and were bright white with shiny chrome and mechanical beeping noises unlike anything he’d ever known before?
He wanted to tell her. He wanted to reveal all of himself. Mayhap she was only from this time, so what would she think of a man more than two hundred years old who’d been shuffled around in other eras?
She’d call him insane. Or would she? What if she wasn’t from this time? What if he hoped for too much?
Meredith cradled her hand to his cheek, taking a shaky breath. “I—I want to tell you” —another shaky breath— “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me. I don’t see that you made a mistake. I see you as a hero. I see a beautiful man.”
He caught her hand and kissed her palm. “I see a beautiful woman.”
“I—I don’t know about getting married—”
Ach, his heart broke.
“—right now.” She clarified. “I’d like to get to know you more. We kind of jumped into an instant relationship, and I’d like time to...well, get to know you better.”
“I see.” His voice scratched. He wished it hadn’t, revealing the ache within. Mayhap it was too fast—he and Meredith, the relationship as she’d called it. In this time, people courted. Hell, they did in his time too. But he was a man of his days. Further, he knew what he wanted and that was her. Mayhap she didn’t know what she wanted.
Best to avert the conversation away from the deep, gushing wound within his heart.
“Ye—ye didn’t tell me how Bruisner was caught.”
She shook her head. “He wasn’t. The train’s security thought he jumped from the car.”
“He’s still loose?”
She nodded, leaning closer, a finger curling around his bare chest. “I forget all about him when I’m with you. I forget about so many things.”
He’d done the same. She had become a sanctuary for him, granting him reprieve from missing his brothers and family, from thinking of how he hadn’t done enough one fateful day, of the grief of missing his brother Douglas, of being two hundred years in the future. And while her finger lazily strolled down his chest, he forgot she might not want to marry him. He could imagine she did. Or at least he used to.
Now, it was painful to have her touch him. He wanted her so much—his erection was nearly constant, his muscles longed to move for her, please her, pleasure her, his skin burned with her name written all over it. He was hers. Why didn’t she want him?
He caught her hand again, looking deeply into her violet eyes. Her lids were lowering, her pupils large. She licked her lips, and he couldn’t fight it any longer. Ah, hell, he wanted her, and if all she wanted was to make love then he’d give it to her. He’d show her how much he wanted her, not just her body, but her heart to be his.
Chapter 20
Jake’s kiss, although sensual, held now a hint of gentleness. Out of all of Jake’s kisses, she might have liked this kiss the best. He was careful, but the way his lips lingered on hers, the way his tongue softly stroked in her mouth, it was as if he was trying to convey how much he desired her, cared for her.
He cared for her. After years of feeling like a used piece of garbage to now be cared for...she could hardly believe it. Eagerly her lips met Jake’s, wanting to escalate things until he burst for her. She wanted to please him, because, well, he was an angel. A rough, bossy, intimidating-as-hell angel. He might think himself a beast, because he had a few scars, but she knew just how beautiful he was.
Needing him more than ever before, Meredith wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. He circled his huge arms around her. Did the man have any idea how much she ached for his arms? The way they bulged at his biceps, the cut lines through his large forearms—God, it was enough to liquefy her bones just thinking about it. And those arms held her. Her fingers feathered over his round firm shoulders then wrapped around his triceps. The strong muscles twitched with every move he made, and she adored how she couldn’t come close to closing her fist around his arm. He was so big, so powerful, so...she could hardly believe it...hers.
He wanted her. He was kissing her. And if she weren't mistaken, and it was difficult to believe, he’d sounded a tad discouraged when she’d said she wanted to wait to get married. He really wanted her.
Did he have any idea how much she ached for him?
Suddenly, through their kiss, she began to tremble, her own need to show him how much she wanted him almost unbearable, making her feel only him, only where he touched her.
“Jake,” she whispered as he trailed kisses to her ear.
There were billions and billions of tiny buttons on her wrists, and she tore at them, almost ripping them off, the need to feel his body against hers so strong. Somehow the dress finally released its grip of her, and she slowly stood before him, sliding the rustling fabric down. He unfolded himself from the chair, watching as she hurriedly untied her petticoats and let them puddle at her feet. He seemed to notice her breasts with fascination, though covered in her shift and corset. God, was there anything better than knowing her body pleased him. He didn’t think her too chubby, didn’t want her to run more, didn’t want her hip bones protruding a certain amount. He wanted her like this. Well fed and curves everywhere.
His stare, the way the muscles in his chest contracted, as if holding him back—Meredith could hardly stand it. She moaned, even though he wasn’t even touching her. One side of his lips curled up. His gray eyes had turned so dark, so needy, like hers, she would’ve guessed.
Only in her stays and slip, she lunged for him, reaching up on her toes to kiss him, feel him against her bare arms. His smooth skin always surprised her, though she didn’t know why. Granted, he had a few scars, but because he looked so rough, she’d assumed his skin would be too. But her arms glided across his shoulders and chest. Although she still wore her skivvies, the skin to skin contact made her nearly insane with need. Her nipples contracted. Her sex ached, ready for him to fill her. Thinking of just that, she slid her tongue in his mouth. When he reciprocated, she sucked in his tongue. He groaned and held her tighter, lifting her off the ground.
She nearly squealed in joy, but he needed a better hold on her, and wrapped one of his big hands around her sore bum. She accidentally hissed, the pain shooting up her back, making her brace away from him.
He carefully returned her to the ground, his brows furrowed.
She was going to explain that her hip had taken most of her weight in the fall, but instead, he tugged her slightly to the side. Kneeling down, beside her, he embraced her like that, careful not to touch her derriere. Closing her eyes, she channeled her fingers through his brown hair then was surprised to feel her stays loosening. As he pulled her corset down, he gently kissed around the bruise on her shoulder.
“I’ll kill him for this.” His whisper was a low rumble across her body. She wasn’t too sure if he would. She hadn’t even told Jake how scared she’d been when Bruisner had said something about a kiss, how she was scared he’d try to force himself on her. Well, he already had, but he could have...he might have...she couldn’t bear to finish the thought, too terrified.
Her trembling augmented. She’d been so frightened. But now she was safe with Jake. Still, her body remembered the fear as if she were back on top of the train’s car. Not being able to control herself, her chin shook and tears pricked her eyes. As her corset slid down her body, Jake stood, kissing her cheeks, her eyes, her quivering chin.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, taking her in his strong arms.
Safe here, she repeated to herself. Safe.
“I’ll stop.”
“No.” She shook her head.
“Did—did he hurt ye more than slap ye?” His voice was soft, but there was a roaring within his words, hardly controlled rage.
She looked down at his stomach. The bands of muscle were fascinating to watch. Right now he was te
nse, the thick ropes of his belly’s armor stretching, contracting. So strong. He was so strong. He was safe.
“Meredith, did he...oh, hell. Ye don’t have to tell me, sweetheart. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” His hands began to shake, and the way he touched her turned so soft, so gentle.
Her gaze shot up. “He didn’t rape me. But...”
“But? Oh, sweetheart, I’m so sorry.” He kissed the top of her head. “I’m going to kill him.”
She placed a palm against his warm wall of a chest and looked up at him. “He didn’t—but he did at one point overpower me. And I had a gun and had shot him.”
“Ye shot him?”
“I couldn’t get the gun out of my pocket, so I couldn’t aim, and had shot him in the arm.”
He looked down at her with the look of...she couldn’t believe it. He looked so damned proud of her. His eyes rimmed with red even, and he kept swallowing.
“Ye’re so brave, my little Fury. So brave.”
“I don’t want you to stop,” she confessed, feeling shy, but forcing herself to keep her gaze on his. Her fingers drifted in lazy circles over his twitching skin.
“But Meredith, I can feel yer fear. Ye’re shakin’, lass.”
“Because I want you so much.”
His lids drooped, and he stopped breathing for what seemed like an eternity. When he finally inhaled, he seemed to sway. “I want ye something fierce, but we don’t have to. We could talk, ifnye want. Or not. I could just hold ye.”
He was such a good man. It made her heart beat ferociously under her ribs, made all of her body crave him, need him. She kicked her corset aside as she pushed her shift over one shoulder and shimmied it down.
“I—I don’t want what happened to stop me.” She’d wanted to say that loud and proud, but could only whisper it for some strange reason. It angered her that she was still scared, even though she knew Jake would protect her from anything. He was safe. “I won’t let it stop me, stop this.”
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