A Reason To Breathe

by Smith, C. P.

  “Glad you’re ok, Jenny, would be a dull place again if something had happened to you.” I nudged his shoulder ‘cause that sweet old man had no idea his words made me happy. Building something for myself here in Colorado, even if it was just a family of friends, was what I needed, and I’d adopted him as my father figure pretty much from the start. Lorraine taking me under her wing and giving me advice is putting her in the lead as my mother figure. Mandy definitely wins younger, crazier, sister roll, so where would Jack fall? Boyfriend? Lover? He said after we slept together there was no going back, I would be his, so I’m thinking significant other? Maybe I should get clarification of this before we sleep together? If I’m not supposed to date around that sure as hell went double for Mr. “I’ve never been married and dated half the population of Gunnison County.” Watching Jack while thinking a talk was in order before we moved forward any more than we already had, Jack turned to our group and started moving towards us.

  Looking around he spotted Barry and called out to him to grab a lift to the station. Jack then made it to Ben and me and put his hands on my shoulders and squeezed.

  “I gotta head to the station, Jenn, can you catch a ride with Ben?”

  “I’ll take her straight home and put her to bed myself Jack, don’t you worry.”

  Jack gave Ben a chin lift then said, “Walk with me.” He took my hand and walked me a distance away where no one could hear.

  “Seems we’ve been interrupted again.” Jack said grinning down at me.

  “Seems we have, but maybe that’s a good thing, I think we need to talk more.”

  “Talk about what?” he questioned.

  “About what we’re doing Jack, I think we’re rushing this thing between us.”

  “Jesus, leave you alone for thirty minutes and you start over-thinking things.”

  “I’m not over-thinking things, I just want to make sure we’re on the same page, Jack.” He stared at me a moment and then nodded.

  “Ok, I get that; I’d take you home myself so we could talk, but as you can see, no vehicle and I need to file a report.”

  “Don’t worry about it, go do your job, it can wait for another time, I’m not going anywhere.” I meant that too. Something clicked riding in the truck with Jack, and I knew I would stop running from him, but I wasn’t moving forward till we had some ground rules in place.

  “Better and better.” He whispered on a grin.

  “What?”

  “You, Babe, keep getting better and better. You’re not busting my balls ‘cause I have to head to the station, or pissed off that I’m leaving you in someone else’s care, and not taking you home so we can talk. You understand I have a job to do, and you don’t hesitate or have to think about your answer when I tell you I have to leave. It means you’re not playing games and saying what I want to hear, so you keep getting better and better.” Wow, that was direct and to the point and, almost on the verge of insulting. Why would I have a problem with him doing his job? And yet, insulting or not, it was charming my pants off for some damn reason?

  “Jack, it’s already a given, you don’t have to try and charm my pants off.” His grinned changed to a full-fledged knock your pants and panties off smile, and then he pulled me close and buried his head in my neck.

  “I intend to charm your top, bra, pants and panties off you, and depending on my mood, it may involve ripping, definitely biting… and a whole lot of sucking too,” he whispered. I had no words for that. Nothing. I was completely void of speech. I shivered, and he moved to my neck, nipping and kissing, then he moved to my mouth, putting both his hands to my face, and kissed me deeply. I was a puddle of goo when he was done with the kiss, so he wrapped an arm around me and walked me back on shaky legs to Ben.

  “Take care of her old man,” Jack instructed.

  “Like I would my own daughter.” Jack smiled at Ben then turned to me, cupped my face again and gave me a quick kiss.

  “Later, Sweetness,” he whispered against my mouth.

  “Later, Jack,” I whispered back and watched his eyes go soft before he pulled back and kissed my forehead too, and then walked away heading to Barry’s truck.

  I turned and watched him climb into the truck with Barry, and then I looked at Barry and gave him a small smile and a wave. Barry raised his chin, but no smile. Sighing, because it seemed I’d lost a friend, I looked back at Jack, and he winked at me. So I smiled bright and winked back. In for a penny, in for a pound my mother always said… I couldn’t agree more!

  Chapter Thirteen

  Scream My Name

  “He’s close; I can hear him behind me, I can’t see him, but can hear his breathing, he’s laughing over and over. I need to hide, but my legs feel like I’m running in quicksand. I heard a sound and turned to see Jack standing in front of me. His hand reaches out to me, and I reach for him, he’ll save me; Jack will keep me safe from this unknown monster. My fingertips brush his and he whispers, “I’ve got you, Jenn.” A shot rings out and Jack stumbles back, blood spreading across his chest in crimson red, creating an abstract pattern of death. Jaaaaaack”

  Waking with a start, my heart pounding as my dream slowly fades and reality hits, “It’s just a dream.” I shuddered thinking about the unknown killer stalking my dreams, chasing me. A vision of blood, bleeding red across a white shirt, as a pale Jack stumbles back reaching for me, as if I can save him. “Oh, my god, that was so real.” Turning on my side and looking out my window, the moon’s rays shone down and created a lighted path across my yard. Searching into the darkness, a feeling of being watched rolled through me, and I closed my eyes. “Stop it Jennifer, you’re safe.” Glancing at the clock and seeing it was 12:45, I was surprised I’d fallen asleep so quickly. The adrenalin shot my system took after the crash had worn off, and I was bone tired when my head hit the pillow. Closing my eyes again, trying to settle into sleep, lights moved across my eyes, and I opened them to see a truck pulling up my drive. Jack.

  Bounding from my bed, I headed to my front door. I could hear the sound of boots coming up my front steps, echoing in my cabin. I unlocked the door and threw it open, and Jack’s face appeared in front of me, his arm raised, ready to knock. Without even thinking, I threw myself at him. He wrapped his arms around me, and then buried his head in my neck. His hands moved and grabbed my ass and picked me up, and I didn’t hesitate; I wrapped my legs around his waist, and he walked into my cabin, slamming the door with his foot. His mouth found mine and our tongues started a dance of seduction. I cupped his face and changed angles as he carried me to my bed. My tongue battled him for possession wanting to lead, but Jack stopped me cold when he grabbed my hair and yanked my head back. Both breathing fast; Jack looked into my eyes as his jaw grew tight, checking to see if I wanted this as much as him. I did; he saw it, and he dove back in for more. He controlled the pace, like everything about him; even his seduction of my body was bossy and possessive. He put a knee to my bed and lowered me without breaking the kiss. His lips moved from my mouth to my neck, licking and sucking his way to my ear.

  “I can’t get you out of my mind,” he growled.

  “Jack.”

  “I’m dreaming about you, your legs wrapped around my back while I pound into you.”

  “Oh, god.”

  “You’re wet in my dreams, dripping for me, I need to feel that slick heat suck me in, and clamp tight around my cock,” he hissed, and I was done waiting, screw talking, I needed him now.

  “Please, Jack, fuck me,” I begged.

  “I’m not gonna fuck you, I’m gonna devour you till you scream my name.”

  With that Jack was done talking, our mouths met again, and he began his possession of my body. Hands to my tee weren’t slow and gentle but forceful and sure. He grabbed the hem and pulled it over my head, throwing it to the floor. Sucking in his breath, my bare breasts exposed for the first time; his eyes scanning, heat and need on his face. Without a second thought, I sat up and pulled his shirt from his jeans, my mouth at
his throat, showing him how he made me feel. His shirt off, I got my first sight of his broad chest, well-defined pecs, rippled stomach, and his bulging arm muscles, surrounded by tribal tattoos. I reached forward and ran my hand down his chest, down his stomach and back up feeling his power and strength. I leaned forward, tongue to his nipple and circled one then the other, and that was his undoing. “Fuck,” escaped his mouth and he yanked my head back by my hair. “I’m going to possess you, every fucking inch.” Breathing fast, I nodded and begged, “Please,” then reached for the buckle on his belt, releasing it and popping the button on his jeans. Jack looked down and watched as I slid the zipper down and released his cock; smooth like satin, wide in girth and longer than I’d ever seen. I ran my finger over the crest, smearing his pre-cum, making him hiss, “Jesus, Jenn.” Jack’s mouth came back to mine, biting, sucking, devouring, as he pushed me down to the bed. Starting at my breasts, his tongue tasted and teased, sucking deep and biting, bringing my body from a slow burn to full-blown fire. “I need to taste you and make you scream,” Jack growled in my ear, then moved to my panties and ripped them from my body. My hips lifted, wanting his mouth, and he descended instantly. Tongue to clit, hitting the rhythm I needed liked he’d played my body a million times. His fingers ran through my, hot, wet folds, and he moaned, “So fucking wet.”

  “Oh, god, Jack, what are you doing to me?”

  “Making you burn for me.”

  And he was, his fingers entered me and found my sweet spot, curling them up tapping, as his tongue kept at my clit. The combination of his thrusting hand, curled fingers and mouth built something in me I’d never felt before. It was overwhelming and scary how big it felt.

  “Ride my hand, Baby, feel the burn and scream my fucking name,” he ordered in a voice that could only be described as sexual possession. I felt it burning, climbing, and it hit me with a force like no other, then I did what he ordered, “Oh, god, Jack.” His fingers and mouth kept at my core as I exploded in a body melting spasm of pure sexual bliss.

  Before I could catch my breath, Jack moved, yanked his jeans past his knees and pulled a condom from his jeans. I stilled his hand and shook my head, “I’m covered, and I haven't had sex in 16 months.” His eye tightened, and he looked at the condom, “I’ve never gone without one.” He didn’t take, but a moment to consider going unsheathed, then tossed the packet, grabbed my face in his hands, and kissed me hard and deep, stoking my fire instantly. Kicking off his jeans, he raised over me, scanning my body, his hand running its length, as his eyes followed its trail.

  “Christ, you’re beautiful,” he muttered, then moved between my legs.

  He held my eyes as he grabbed his cock and swiped across my folds, then slid slowly in, stretching me till I thought I would split. I gasped in a breath, tightening around him, and his eyes closed at the feel of it. “Fuck, you’re burning hot.” His breath hitched, as he held for a moment to control himself, then slid out to the tip and slammed back in.

  “Jack.”

  “Jesus, you're so fucking tight, so goddamned hot.”

  Pulling out, then slamming back in, his mouth found mine, but his eyes stayed open as his rhythm became faster and harder, pounding me, stretching me, burning me from the inside out. I wrapped my legs around his back, allowing him to slip in further and he groaned out, “Christ.” I lifted my hips meeting his pace as my nails scored his back. Jack arched into my nails, and his pounding became more intense. He reached down and pulled me up to his chest, his hands at my hip's lifting and slamming me back down. “Ride my cock, take all of me,” he hissed.

  The angle pushed him further in, and I felt the burn again, building to another peak that would spill over into bliss. I arched my back and Jack latched on to my nipple and bit down. That hit me right in my core, and I fell off the peak he’d built and screamed his name. “Fucking beautiful,” Jack growled, then pushed me back on the bed, grabbing my legs and pulling them up to his shoulders. His thrusting became more erratic, and his breathing more of a groan as he thrust into me and then slammed to the root and held as he pulsated on a moan.

  Jack collapsed onto my chest but held himself up with one arm. His face in my neck, lips kissing and tasting, light nips at my ear as we both recovered from our release.

  “Jesus, Baby, can’t remember when I came that hard.”

  “I’m not complaining. You’ve got mad skills, Sheriff.” Rising up and looking down at me, he smiled and laughed as he moved from between my legs and then curled me up into his chest. We lay like that for a while as we recovered, then I tipped my head back and asked.

  “You wanna stay the night? I’ll make pancakes in the morning.” Jack grinned, kissed my lips and answered.

  “Considering I’ll still be buried deep in you when the sun comes up, yeah Babe, I’ll stay for breakfast.”

  “What?”

  “Not finished with you by a long shot that was just a warm up.”

  ”Wow.”

  “You got that right.” Jack grinned; then his eyes went soft.

  “Jesus, you’re somethin’ else.” I liked hearing that. So I told him.

  “You’re not so bad yourself, Jack.”

  “I thought I was bossy?”

  “You’re that as well.”

  “And bullheaded.”

  “You heard that?”

  “Heard the reckless and arrogant part too.” I giggled, and his eyes warmed. I could stare at his warm, rugged face all night, but decided I’d rather kiss him, so I did, and he rewarded me for my forward thinking with his body on me, in me and behind me the rest of the night.

  * * *

  Jack

  My phone ringing from the bedside table woke me from what little sleep I got last night. Turning to the clock and seeing it was 6:45, and I wasn’t due in the station till nine; I knew this couldn’t be good. Jenn was lying on me, so I reached across her and nabbed the phone hitting answer.

  “Gunnison.”

  “Sheriff, it’s Barry, we’ve got another body.”

  “Jesus, same M.O.?”

  “Same M.O. but the victim wasn’t brunette, Jack, it was Naomi.”

  “Say that again?” I growled.

  “It was Naomi, she was found on the same road as Cindy Baker.”

  “Christ, I’ll meet you there in twenty, how far apart were the dump sites?” He ignored my questions and asked one of his own.

  “You gonna drive like the devil to get there in twenty?”

  “I’m not at home.”

  “You in Crested?” He was fishing, and I knew it, so I didn't make him wait for the answer he knew he would get.

  “At Jenn’s.”

  “Right.” He replied, but his tone was angry.

  “Barry, I don’t have time for a pissing match, what’s the location of the dump site?” Jenn had woken during this discussion and was staring wide-eyed at me. I rubbed her back, trying to indicate all would be fine, as I waited for the answer to my question.

  “New dump site is right on top of the old one, Jack, you know exactly where to go.” I didn’t miss his double meaning, obviously his attraction to Jenn was more serious than I knew, so I’d give him that play, once, but another conversation needed to be had.

  “Right, see you in twenty.” I hung up before he responded then rolled to Jenn.

  “Did you say there was another body?”

  “Yeah, Babe.”

  “Anyone I know?” She asked with fear in her eyes. I pulled her closer then kissed her temple and whispered, “Baby, it was Naomi.” She reacted the way I thought she would, she jerked back and gasped. What I did not expect was for her to tear up and ask,

  “You ok, Jack? I’m so sorry.”

  “Babe, it sucks like hell that he ended her life like that, but don’t worry about me, I’m fine.” She nodded her head, and I pulled her back in. She wrapped me in a hug, and I took it for a moment. Needing to leave I kissed her head, and then squeezed her so I could get up.

  “I’ll make
you some coffee for the road.”

  “Appreciate that, sorry, I can’t stay for pancakes, you wanna have lunch if I can break free later?” I was putting on my pants when she stopped on the way to the kitchen, then turned to me and bit her lip.

  “Um, can’t do lunch today, Jack, I have a lunch date with the Mayor.” Christ, I’d forgotten about that dick.

  “Jenn, had my mouth between your legs, my cock buried deep more than once in the past six hours, believe me when I say, I. Don’t. Share. I’ll give you this lunch since it was made before we started, but after today, I’m gonna be pissed as hell if you make any more.” She studied me for a moment then smiled and turned to walk back to the kitchen, demanding as she went, “Goes both ways, Jack, if I’m not sampling the single men in this town neither are you.” Raising my brows at what she said, she caught it and laughed, then corrected herself. “No single ladies for you, no single men for me.”

  “Looks like we have an agreement then,” I replied, as I made my way to her. I grabbed her waist and pulled her close. “Far as I can tell there isn’t anyone who pisses me off or turns me on as much as you, I’ve got no reason to look around.” That got me a grin, so I decided to kiss that grin off her face. After I finished devouring her, I left her standing in the kitchen leaning against the counter, face flushed and eyes bright with the recent reminder of why she was now mine. And considering how much I’d enjoyed it, I intended to keep reminding her, for a good long while.

  Chapter Fourteen

  You Done Poked A Viper

  Jack left me in a state of, well, unfulfilled sexual need, so much so, I considered getting my still packed in a box vibrator out of storage. I made coffee and picked up my clothes from last night, thinking about Jack the whole time. I can’t remember when I felt so alive around someone and realized that included Doug. I know it wasn’t fair to compare them; Doug took good care of Bailey and me. Our need to get married out of respect for our situation and our parents wasn’t basis for marriage, and even though it was a happy relationship it wasn’t passionate, not at all like I’m feeling with Jack, and that scares the shit out of me. Is this how it’s supposed to feel? I looked at my watch saw it was 7:30 my time which meant 8:30 Indiana time, so I picked up my phone and called my daughter, needing an escape from my own thoughts.