“Tell me, angel, are you having second thoughts?” Jack cupped her cheeks and a shadow of fear fell over his face.
“Maybe. Aren’t you? Forever sounds like an awfully long time.”
Jack cursed, pulled her onto his lap, and his lips claimed hers. She moaned and he reacted by holding her tighter. Electricity stirred the air, and a gentle breeze wrapped around them. Every neuron in her body seemed to fire at once.
“Would that be the worst thing?” His voice was husky and warm. “To feel like that for the rest of your life and know I’ll always feel the same for you?”
When she was in his arms, it was hard not to agree with his logic, or lack thereof. All her life she’d let fear rule her thoughts, her actions. When she was in his arms, she could feel herself letting go. It was the closest thing to love that she’d ever felt. How could she not want more?
“I have to let you go now, Zoe.”
“Not yet. Just a few more minutes.” She pressed closer to him, needing more.
“A few more minutes and I’ll take you right here.” He smiled and his dimple showed.
“Okay, just do it. I mean it. Why not? Let’s go upstairs.” She had to have him. Now. Here on the beach, if that’s what it took.
“Are you really ready?” He made a painful moan, and his eyes, blackened by wide pupils, looked straight through her.
She glanced down. “I don’t know, but this is killing me. I’ve never wanted anyone or anything so bad.”
“Honey, look at me.” His fingers lifted to smooth back the hair that had fallen over her cheek. “I thought you were going to give it one more day of training?”
She closed her eyes so she wouldn’t have to look into those deep pools of desire. If she jumped in, she knew she would never be able to find her way out. There was no way to ignore his erection that pressed into her hip. God it felt so hard, so good.
“I can’t be strong for both of us much longer.” He moved her onto the sand beside him, then stood up. He shoved his hands in his pockets and stared down at her, his breathing rapid. “Just tell me, are you ready to fight? If you are, just say the word. We'll go upstairs right now.”
Zoe tried to find some semblance of sanity. Was she honestly ready to put Jack’s life and the future of his family in her hands? She couldn’t even conjure a tiny dust devil.
“No.” The word caught in her throat. She stood and turned before he could see the tears welling in her eyes. She started back towards the house, both relieved and disappointed when Jack didn’t follow after her.
Chapter 11
Zoe ran through the crowded yard and exhaled heavily when she made it to the front of the house without being stopped by any of Jack’s relatives. Her chest felt like it was crushing her lungs. She needed space and time to think.
By the time she stopped running and glanced around, she was disoriented.
“Perfect,” she muttered, still breathing heavy. She sat down on the curb and put her forehead to her knees. Could this day get any worse?
She looked up when a car took a sharp corner, squealing its tires. The black sedan stopped within inches of her knees and a dark figure shot out of the driver's side.
Shadows hid the man’s face, but his intent was clear. Zoe screamed when he jumped towards her. He covered her mouth with rough fingers, and dragged her by the waist. She kicked and clawed, but the man only grunted.
Something hard hit the side of her face and her knees gave out.
The driver threw her into the back seat and raced to the front. Tires spun, gravel ticked the windows, and burned rubber stunk up the car. Outside, streetlights blurred by. Inside, another man bound her wrists with plastic ties that cut her flesh.
Rage and terror whipped through her system. This couldn't be happening. Her heart raced and she squirmed towards the door. The latch was under her fingertips when the childproof locks engaged with a sharp click.Oh God. She was so screwed.In the rearview mirror, black, emotionless eyes stared back.
A tattooed man wearing a sick grin shimmied close and pinned her to the door. He had the same chin and light brown eyes as Jack and his brothers.
“Hello Zoe.” His voice was gravelly. “I’m sorry for the forced introduction, but it seems my cousin has been hogging you all to himself.”
Fresh fear seized her as she realized the man was Kyle. What had she been thinking leaving the party alone? She tried to push him away with her shoulder, but he was massive.
“Let me go!” Her heart drummed in her ears.
“It’s not that simple.” He snickered and rubbed a large bulge under the zipper of his pants. His eyes took on a light of a man possessed. “Fight me, witch.”
