“Yes.” She fell into him, tiny shakes amplifying to a crescendo of full-bodied sobs. Words of anguish poured out like an awful crossword puzzle. He tried to make sense of it. Who was finger-gun-man? What awful nightmare was she reliving? Some words sounded like tonight but some held the weight of an older issue. In between tormented cries, her body struggled to rasp in air.
He lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed, laying down beside her. His throat tightened and his eyes watered while he listened to her litany. Finally, her sobbing turned into little hiccups. What nightmare had this woman lived through?
“It’s going to be all right. I won’t let them hurt you again.” He brushed her damp hair away from her tear-stained cheek.
She reached up wide-eyed and touched where he hadn't been able to hold back a tear. What had this woman done to him? He was supposed to convince her to mate with him and save his family for another generation, not cry for her.
Jack took her hand away from his face and kissed her fingertips. “I think there’s a lot going on in that head of yours. Who was the warlock, Zoe?”
“I don’t want to talk about it now.” She wrapped her arm around him, while they lay side to side, and clung to him like a lifeline.
He captured her gaze. She was so beautiful, even all puffy and red.
Her eyes focused on his mouth and she inched forward.
“Zoe.” He lowered his lips and brushed the top of hers. He could do this. Hold back the mating. For her, he could do anything. He kissed her forehead, then the tip of her nose. He needed her to understand how much he cared. That’s what she needed—to feel safe.
She opened her eyes, dark and dilated, and he moaned. He tried to move away but she reached behind his head, tangled her fingers in his hair, and rested her plush lips upon his. He tried to notch his attraction down.This was all about her. About comfort. Not sex. Her mouth moved on his and he shared a chaste close-mouthed kiss. The sweetness mixed with the solstice lust had to be the best and worst torture ever.
“I have to leave now.” He touched a lock of hair that had fallen into her eyes.
“Don’t go.”
Goosebumps shot down his spine and blood rushed to his cock. Her lips pressed against his. When he gasped, her tongue raked across his teeth, then pushed into his mouth.
His balls tightened painfully, the tormenting ache increasing. Her hips jerked towards him, begging for more. He clenched his teeth, but he couldn’t hold back the groan that rumbled from his chest.
Around them, the air electrified.
God help him, he couldn’t let her go. But he needed to get out of there before he destroyed them both. She wasn’t strong enough to fight him, especially not after tonight.
“Jack,” she moaned, when he drew back from the kiss.
He let his lips linger on hers a moment longer, then gritted his teeth, and unlocked his arms from around her.
“Get some rest,” he said from the door. They’d both need their strength for what he had planned for them tomorrow.
Chapter 12
With coffee in one hand, Zoe tiptoed out onto the old wrap-around porch and sunk into a cushioned wicker chair. It creaked into the silence with a warm welcome. Beyond the dunes, gulls soared and screeched over the muted thundering of the waves. Down at the end of the block, the sun poked its head between the tall houses and long blue shadows striped the quiet street.
She sucked in the energy surrounding her. It was so good and so right, and now she knew why. She was a witch. The elements were her balm. She stood, facing the ocean, and closed her eyes. The beach, the wind, and the water soothed her soul as bits of thoughts darted in and out.
What was she going to do about Jack? He didn’t love her and she couldn’t blame him. They’d just met. No doubt the sex would be mind-blowing, but there were all those screwed up rules.
There was an awful lot on the negative side of the balance sheet.
And yet, he’d come for her last night. No one had ever rescued her before.
The old screen door cracked open. Balancing an overly full mug, Jack hooked a foot so the door wouldn't slam. He sat down and frowned into the sun.
“What’re you doing out here alone? Until we figure this thing out, you need to be guarded. Always.” He downed his coffee like a sports drink and scowled.
“Good morning to you too.” She gave a small, almost silent snort and leaned on the railing, coffee cup in hand.
“Sorry. Rough night sleeping,” Jack said, his tone low. “You said last night that Kyle tried to…” His lips drew up in a sneer. “Force himself on you.”
Zoe swallowed hard and nodded.
