“Not always,” he said. “Some beautiful things just don’t realize how vulnerable they really are.”
Mira looked like she was holding back a scoff.
“You are so very funny sometimes, dearest Jack,” she said. “Tell me. What’s my weak point, then?”
Jack leaned in and kissed her. She didn’t hesitate, her lips moving, and her tongue dancing with his as the embrace became more passionate. Mira shifted on the rock, opening her body to him. Jack let his hand slide in between her thighs and gave her a small, easy shrug.
“I think that proves my point,” said Jack.
Mira rolled her eyes. “Yes, I guess under a certain definition of the word, you could be described as a weak point of mine. But that only applies when you actually make me feel weak and vulnerable.”
Her words carried a slow, musical, erotic hum. Jack kissed her again. As soon as their lips parted, he gripped the fabric of her halter top and pulled it roughly overhead. She wasn’t wearing a bra, and her pale, busty breasts bounced into view with a buoyant eagerness.
“Weak and vulnerable?” asked Jack. “I like the sound of that.”
Mira was still smiling, but she covered her breasts with one arm, and Jack caught the nervous glance she gave down into the valley. They would be visible up where they were to anyone who decided to look in their direction. Small, and hard to make out, but clearly visible.
“I admire your enthusiasm,” said Mira. “But perhaps down in the guest house would be a more appropriate place for this?”
Jack stood up. He moved to stand directly in front of her, positioning the bulge in his shorts directly in front of her face. Mira was still covering her breasts, and though she wasn’t the blushing type, Jack could see the embarrassment clearly in the rest of her posture.
“Why not here?” he asked. “I thought you didn’t have any weak points.”
The challenge had been issued, and from Mira’s scowl, Jack could tell that she wasn’t about to back down from it. She reached her free hand up to hook the waistband of his shorts and boxers, and pulled both down.
Jack’s arousal snapped forth, almost grazing her cheek. Mira licked her lips, and then him. Her tongue felt hot, wet, and heavenly, and as she moved her neck forward to engulf his shaft in her mouth, he almost lost his composure.
Mira was extremely good at giving head. So good, in fact, that it made what Ryoko had done for him the night before seem like teenage experimentation, and Jack had fully enjoyed their encounter in the hot spring. Mira was just better at it. Possibly the best out of any of Jack’s previous lovers. She knew exactly what to do with her mouth.
She fell into a perfect, spiraling rhythm, turning her head with a flourish as she bobbed it back and forth. Her tongue swayed from side to side underneath his shaft, caressing him in a way that would have been enough to push him over the edge on its own.
Jack had to stop her after less than a minute. It felt too good, and the last thing he wanted to do after his earlier words was to get off the ride early. Mira smirked at him as though he had anyway, however.
“Have you had enough?” she asked. “I know I can be a lot to handle. Maybe too much for you, this time?”
Jack kissed her and then repositioned her, pushing her down on all fours and unzipping Mira’s cutoffs. They were so tight on her body that she had to help him take them off her by wiggling her hips from side to side. The sight of her butt coming into view, moving in that seductive motion, was enough to make him start worrying about his stamina again.
“Oh,” said Mira. “This is aggressive. I think I like—”
Her sentence was cut off by Jack, who speared completely into her with a single, hard push. Mira was excited, and wet enough to be easily ready for him, but he could tell that it was still intense for her to take all of his length in a single motion.
Jack stayed like that for a time, leaning forward over, his position dominant and possessive as he fondled her from behind. Mira had given up on trying to hide her breasts, and he took his time running his fingers over them, teasing her nipples with the threat of being pinched.
“This is your weakness,” whispered Jack.
“Is it?” Mira’s voice was a little shaky, but still confident.
Jack took her by the hips and slowly pulled back. He thrust forward again, harder this time, and Mira let out a gasp as though he’d forced the air out of her lungs with the force of the movement.
“It is,” said Jack. “It goes both ways, I’ll admit that. It’s one of my weaknesses too, when you manage to get the better of me.”
“Who says I won’t this time, my sweet Jack?” asked Mira. “Perhaps your broodmother still has a trick or two up her—”
Again, Jack cut her off with his thrust. He let himself move into her roughly, taking firm, aggressive hold of her waist. He built up into a nice, steady rhythm, and felt Mira squirm slightly as the pleasure he was inflicting on her began to prove his point.
“I… I’m not a blushing virgin,” hissed Mira. “I have far, far more experience than you, my sweet Jack. Though this was a nice… effort.”
“You can barely even get your sentences out.” Jack grinned, though he knew she couldn’t see it with her head down and butt up. “What happens if I do this?”
He took hold of her ponytail and gave it a gentle, but very dominant pull. Mira let out a breathless gasp. He kept a hold of her hair, using it to gain a little leverage as he continued thrusting. Mira arched her back up and leaned back with one shoulder, bringing one of her pink nipples into view.
He fucked her fast and hard, eventually focusing both hands on her hips and butt. He knew it was exactly what she wanted, and he was happy to give it to her. Mira eventually let out a shaky cry of ecstasy that dissolved as it left her mouth. She collapsed forward slightly on the stone, shivering even though the day was anything but cold.
Jack continued for his own pleasure, though some of the fun had evaporated, now that Mira had basically melted from her orgasm. He went slow, enjoying her body, and after a few luxurious, angled thrusts, he was ready to blow.
He pulled out, letting his shaft rest along her buttocks, and unloaded onto the small of her back. Mira looked as dirty and lewd as a woman could, and she was smiling like she loved every second of it.
“I see your point,” she said, in a slow voice. “Now be a gentleman and find something to clean me off with.”
CHAPTER 36
He sacrificed one of his socks for the cause, and the two of them pulled their clothes back on. They sat together on the edge of the caldera, facing out to sea. It was a beautiful day, and watching the waves slowly roll in to shore was meditative, in its own, simple way.
“What happens next?” asked Jack.
Mira shrugged. “If Xepher can help you in the way you’re hoping, you’ll be a free man again. I suppose taking revenge on Mezolak will be one of our priorities. I still owe him a debt of pain for attempting to kill me.”
“And after that?” he asked.
Mira gave him a strange look, and then set her hand on top of his, intertwining their fingers together. A breeze blew in from the direction of the ocean, and a few blonde strands of hair that had come loose from Mira’s ponytail danced across her face.
“I am not a seer, my sweet Jack,” she said. “I don’t know what happens next, and I don’t need to. Our fates are connected. We will remain together, of that I am sure.”
She gave his hand a squeeze. Jack smiled at the finality in her voice.
“It might not just be the two of us, back in the mansion,” said Jack.
“Obviously,” said Mira. “I hope that’s the case. I’ve become quite fond of your other companions. It will be a slow process, but I believe that we can eventually loosen them up to the point of us all enjoying each other’s company, in an intimate sense. The maid is already well on her way.”
“Ryoko,” corrected Jack. “At this point, I think the only reason you call her that is to get under my skin.
”
Mira smiled, and she didn’t deny it.
***
The two of them spent a few hours relaxing and exploring the upper area of the caldera. The rope line that they’d followed to climb up to the caldera’s lip continued down along the rock, following a section that cut back and forth that Jack and the others hadn’t noticed during their time on the beach. The rope made it easily climbable, which gave Xepher a direct route to the beach without having to take the elevator and travel through his basement.
The sun was starting to set when Jack and Mira finally made their way back into camp. Ryoko was waiting outside the guest house, and she and Mira gave each other small, somewhat secretive nods.
“Very well,” said Mira. “Enjoy your dinner, dearest Jack.”
“We’ll be back later tonight, sir,” said Ryoko.
Jack furrowed his brow. “What’s this about?”
Mira and Ryoko looked at each other.
“We discussed this last night, and came to a decision this morning,” said Mira. “While Ryoko and I have found our own personal acceptable balance with you and the group, we think that Katie needs a little something more.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” asked Jack.
“You’ll see,” said Ryoko, flashing a small, teasing smile. “Enjoy your evening. Mira and I are going to check on the boat and watch the beach.”
The two women left before he could get another question off. Jack shrugged and slid open the door of the guest house. Katie wasn’t inside, but a rather extravagant dinner setup had been assembled. A small table and two chairs had been brought in, and two plates with grilled fish, rice, and salad were already waiting. There was also wine and a few candles.
Jack let out a low chuckle and shook his head. None of it was for him. It was all for Katie, and it felt a little strange knowing that Ryoko and Mira had gone through the effort to create this type of experience for him with another woman.
He also considered the fact that they’d felt that it was necessary. Had he been neglecting Katie’s emotions to the extent that Ryoko and Mira had taken notice? Or did it have more to do with the role she’d been placed in, serving as Jack and Mira’s blood battery, and not having the same level of supernatural capabilities as the rest of them?
“Jeez…” Katie’s voice came from the open door behind them. “They said they’d give us some time alone together, not that they’d turn it into a cheesy dinner date.”
Jack grinned as he turned around. “I think they did it just to tease…”
He trailed off as he saw Katie. She’d let her hair down, and it looked beautiful and feminine across her shoulders. She was wearing clothing that was obviously borrowed, a Japanese silk evening kimono that had a pink flower petal pattern covering it.
It was small on her, falling just below her thighs and looking more like nightwear than proper evening attire. Katie squirmed under his gaze as she noticed the attention he was giving her.
“Xepher has a laundry setup, and I needed something to wear while I cleaned all of our clothing,” she said. “He had a few of his wife’s old things, and this was the only one that even remotely came close to fitting me.”
“I think it looks good on you,” said Jack.
“You’re only saying that because of how much leg it shows off,” said Katie.
He grinned at her. “Maybe. Well, that and because it makes me wonder if you bothered to put on anything underneath.”
Katie flashed a wicked smile at him. “If you wine and dine me properly, maybe I’ll let you find out.”
He gestured for her to step over to the dinner table, pulling her chair out for her like a proper gentleman.
“Ooh,” said Katie. “Such manners. Was the Jack that I know secretly replaced with a shape-shifter that knows how to treat a lady?”
“I’m going to take that as a compliment.”
He poured them both a glass of wine. Katie sighed as she took a sip.
“This place feels so strange, to me,” said Katie. “Almost like we’re separate from the rest of the world while we’re here.”
“How so?’ asked Jack. “I get that it’s a remote island, but somehow, I don’t think that’s what you meant, is it?”
Katie gestured to the food and the candles. “When have we ever had a romantic dinner before? Hell, when have we ever done anything together that wasn’t somehow connected to fighting criminals or monsters?”
“We made a sandcastle together as kids,” said Jack.
Katie scowled at him. “I’m serious. For once, we’ve been given a chance to let our guard down. A chance to relax.”
“And you don’t trust it?” asked Jack.
“That’s not what I’m saying,” said Katie. “This is a privilege, one that Xepher has extended to us, in a way. He’s powerful, Jack. Like, really powerful. Because of that, this place is safe and unaffected. There’s a reason why he calls it his sanctum.”
Jack nodded slowly, finally understanding her point. He took another bite of his food and chewed methodically.
“We could have that, too,” he said. “Lestaron Island could be that. And not just for us in the mansion, but for everyone living there.”
“You aren’t that powerful, Jack,” said Katie. “No offense.”
“I’m not,” he said. “But all of us together? Me, you, Ryoko, and Mira. We could go back to the island, settle down, and make it a place where it’s safe for people again. Give the island a chance to rebuild.”
“You make it sound so simple,” said Katie. “You did the same thing when I talked about how the dynamics are supposed to be between you and me. And Ryoko. And Mira.”
There was a hint of emotion in her voice. It wasn’t just jealousy. It was a deep-set, vulnerable mixture of confusion and insecurity, and Jack understood where it was coming from. He and Katie had promised to marry each other once, back when they were kids. And now, here they were, caught up in the world of the supernatural and a relationship web that was just as complicated.
“It can be simple.” Jack reached his hand out and caressed his cheek.
“How?” asked Katie.
Instead of answering her with words, he stood up from the table. Katie took his hand as he offered it to her, and the food was forgotten as he pulled her into a close embrace.
The candle was the only illumination as Jack kissed her deeply. Katie pressed herself against him tightly, and he slid a hand into her robe.
He grinned at her. “So you didn’t put on anything underneath.”
Katie gave him a small, slightly embarrassed smile. She took him by the hand and pulled him down onto her futon, which had been moved directly up against Jack’s. He let her lead, and she pushed him onto his back and straddled him.
She opened her robe, and he drank in the sight of her perfect naked body. Her breasts were just big enough to catch the eye. Her waist was trim. Her butt was proportional without being unwieldy. Jack ran his hands up his sides, but Katie took hold of them and shifted them above his head.
She kissed him and then pulled his shirt off, tossing it to the floor. After his encounter with Mira earlier, and even his secret tryst with Ryoko the previous night, Jack thought that certain parts of his anatomy might be a little tired or slow to wake. He couldn’t have been more wrong.
She pulled down his shorts and boxers and slid her entire body along it, starting with her cheeks, moving to her lips with a sneaky kiss, and then letting it graze along the nape of her neck, through the cleavage of her breasts, and across her stomach.
Jack took a firm, confident hold of her waist as she straddled him, holding herself an inch or so above the tip of his shaft. Katie was the one in control as she began to lower herself down, but the power shifted back to him as he slid an inch or so into her. She bit her lip and let out a slow, shaky breath.
“See,” he whispered, as he pulled her a little lower. “Isn’t this simple?”
“That’s… not the word I’d use,” whispered Ka
tie. She gave him a passionate kiss, halfway impaled on his hard rod.
Jack ran his hands over her breasts, feeling emotions welling in his chest. She meant so much more to him than he could put into words. He let Katie get into the motion of her movements, rocking back and forth, and then bouncing up and down.
She leaned forward. Jack kissed her lips, and then her neck. That simple instant of contact, of his lips against the nape of her neck, was enough to make her gasp.
“Are you… going to bite me?” she whispered.
“Not just yet.” Jack grinned at her as he felt her fingers squeeze into his side. He wanted to make her wait for it. He wanted to do to her what he’d done to so many of the party girls he’d brought back to his penthouse. He wanted to give her the most profound orgasm of her life.
Katie let out a girlish whimper and started moving faster. Jack could have flipped her underneath him and taken control, but he let her lead, instead. He let his fingers caress her buttocks. He squeezed her waist with his hands tightly enough for her to feel his strength, but still didn’t take over.
“Oh…” whispered Katie. “Jack…”
“Keep going,” he said.
“Jack!”
“I know,” he whispered. “Let it happen.”
She let out a tiny squeal and collapsed forward on top of him. Jack moved in an instant, as though he was a trap and she’d just triggered him. He flipped her underneath him, thrust himself into her completely, and sank his fangs into his neck.
Her blood tasted like the liquor of the gods. He drank deep and felt Katie almost shivering with ecstasy, almost seizing up from the intensity of it. It was a little mean, he decided, in retrospect. It was more pleasure than she probably knew what to do with. But he wanted to give it to her. He wanted her to feel it. He loved her, and it was what she deserved.
He hadn’t realized how close he was. As he pulled back from biting her, the tight, sliding crush he felt along his shaft was enough to catch him off guard. He pumped into her a few quick times, not wanting to ruin his own orgasm, and then released as he built up to and past his own sexual limits. Katie wrapped her legs around him as he came, holding him tight.
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