by Haley Jacobs
The ease of their back and forth banter excited Jake. It was clear that Julia was smart as a whip. But he was concerned that he would blow his chances with Julia. Finding a mate was hard enough, but when their time was so limited—they were both leaving on Monday morning—he knew there was little time to properly woo her. He only had until tomorrow to officially mark Julia as his mate, and of course, it would only work if she agreed. Jake supposed that he could court her long-distance, but because she was human instead of a shifter, she would likely just go back to her life in Phoenix and occasionally think fondly of the fling she had at the Lone Pine.
It wouldn’t be that way for Jake. He knew what happened to mates that never consummated. Hell, he had seen it in his own twin brother Ron. After Barbara turned him down, Ron headed into a long spiral of drugs and depression that he had never fully recovered from. Without his music, Jake was sure Ron would have turned up dead years ago.
Barbara had been wounded, too. There was no doubt in Jake’s mind that coming here to High Mountain National Park had been her way of hiding out. Ron drowned himself in booze and drugs; Barbara drowned herself in work. It was a damn shame, really.
Jake didn’t know what he’d do if Julia refused to be his mate. Maybe get himself assigned to a research post in Barrow, Alaska to study polar bears or something. Then again, polar bears were kind of assholes.
The ultralight was parked near the fire station, a few miles from the Lone Pine Lodge. It was not like any airplane the Julia had ever seen. It looked like one of those toy gliders you wind up with a rubber band. The ultralight was put together with thin metal joists that were open to the elements.
What looked like tent material was stretched tightly over the wing, which covered two side-by-side seats. An old fashion stick like you would see in an old World War I fighter was between the seats. The wheels looked like toys, and the single-propeller engine sat behind the seats. The sides and bottom were open—completely open. She swallowed hard. Jake put on a thick pair of gloves and was running his hands over all of the thin metal joists that held the plane together.
He saw her concern. “Preflight check,” he said.
“We’re going up in that?!” said Julia. “Oh, hell no!”
“Well,” said Jake, “you either go for a ride in the ultralight with me, or risk becoming lunch for a horny, pissed-off grizzly bear. Your choice.”
He handed Julia a helmet and helped her into it.
“I hate you.”
“Oh, you’ll come to love me eventually.” Jake grinned at Julia in a way that made her heart race.
“You do know how to fly this thing, right?”
“It’s standard equipment for backcountry research,” said Jake. “You couldn’t get out of grad school without learning how to pilot one of these things. Barbara told me about a research hut about 15 miles from here where we can refuel and stop for lunch.”
Jake helped Julia into one of the seats and strapped her in. Her palms were sweating, and she pushed nervously against the metal footrests. Jake handed her a black box about the size of a toaster.
“What’s this?” asked Julia.
“It’s a tracker. When the female bear was relocated, they fitted her with a radio collar,” he said. “I also radioed Ryan from Barbara’s truck and he had sandwiches sent over from the café to take with us. I hope that’s all right with you.”
Julia smiled. It had been years since she had a picnic, and the thought of spending the day with Jake excited her to the core.
“What about that big male bear?” asked Julia. “Or any other bears for that matter.”
“No worries.” Jake smiled mysteriously. “I have a way with bears.”
Julia’s phone beeped with a message from Molly. God, that girl’s timing was the worst.
WHAT ABOUT YOUR RANGER??? I NEED THE DEETS!!!!
Julia thought about it for a moment.
Oh, what the hell.
She took a secret picture of Jake with her phone and sent the picture to Molly.
Julia’s phone beeped again.
OMG!!! He’s GORGEOUS!!
Jake handed Julia a helmet. “Put this on.”
He tightened the strap under her chin and smiled at her. Jake sat down, put on his helmet, strapped himself in, and started the engine. Julia gripped Jake’s thigh and gave him a peck on the cheek. She could feel the rough stubble against her lips.
“That’s for good luck,” said Julia, blushing. Her lips were still tingling. Jake gave her an astonished look.
Jake taxied the ultralight to an open field and opened the throttle as the ultralight rolled down a short dirt runway
Julia screamed as the plane suddenly lifted off into the blue Alaska sky. There was nothing beneath her legs but air, and she did her best not to look down. Once they were clear of the trees, Jake banked hard to the left, and she could the trees and a creek tumbling over stones down and to her side. She was terrified, but somehow having Jake there, firmly in control made it all okay.
They leveled out and flew over a large meadow. These were parts of High Mountain National Park that few visitors ever got to see. The cold air aloft was bracing, and she was glad that she had brought a jacket. It was then that she spotted something in moving in the meadow. She tapped Jake’s firm, muscular thigh and pointed.
“Bear!” she yelled over the noise of the motor. Jake looked over to where she was pointing.
“No.” he shouted back. “It’s an elk, and a big one at that!”
Jake brought the ultralight in closer and circled the huge animal. It had a full rack of antlers. Startled by the noise of the ultralight, the elk ran off through the meadow to the safety of nearby trees. Julia looked back at Jake with wide eyes. He was smiling like a small boy.
“That’s why I love it out here!” he said.
They had been flying for about 45 minutes and the tracker remained silent. With the noise of the ultralight, it was difficult to talk. The fear she felt, and the nakedness of the open cockpit dissolved as Julia could feel Jake’s powerful presence next to her. She had only known him for a day, but already he felt familiar. Flying out in the open over the lakes, rivers, meadows and forests filled her with a sense of wonder and excitement. Jake seemed to know exactly where to look for bears, and they had seen a few, but none of them had the radio collar that they were looking for.
Thick clouds began forming to the East. Jake was looking concerned. The wind was picking up and beginning to buffet the small plane.
“We had better find that research hut,” Jake said, “it looks like rain.”
He put the coordinates into the ultralight’s GPS. The small red dot indicating where the hut was flashed in the corner of the screen. “It’s not far.”
Jake piloted the ultralight close to the river where it cut between deep canyon walls. Julia could feel the cold moisture from the river on her skin and she caught her breath as they skimmed over the rapids. They emerged from the canyon and Jake brought the plane up. On a bluff near the river was a small, wooden hut and a hangar. There was an old runway just in front of the cabin. Jake steered the ultralight down toward the runway and brought it in for a landing just as large, heavy drops of rain began to pelt their faces. Jake taxied the plane toward the rickety hangar and switched off the engine. Julia started to unbuckle herself. He held her back.
“Stay here,” he said. “I need you to keep the plane in place while I open the hangar. I’ll be right back.”
Jake put his head down and ran toward the heavy door. He strained against it until it gave way and slid open. The rain was getting harder now, and Julia could hear the rumble of thunder in the distance. Jake ran back and unbuckled Julia. Together they rolled the ultralight into the hangar.
“The plane and equipment should be safe in here,” said Jake. “Now lets see if we can make it to that hut without getting soaked.”
Jake grabbed the box with their lunches, and they made a dash for the hut. The wind-blown rain was cold. Julia saw the hut lit up wit
h lightening as the thunder roared through her chest. Jake had the key ready and popped open the rusty padlock.
The hut was very basic. It was one large room and a smaller room for a chemical toilet. A bed was to one side, and a rudimentary propane stove was on the other. There was a wood-burning stove. Julia set down her backpack on a small, wooden dining table. Her shoes were wet and muddy, so she slipped out of them and placed them by the door. The old wood floor felt good against her bare feet. One corner had radio equipment and an aging computer. Jake was rummaging around like he knew what he was doing.
“You’ve been here before?” asked Julia.
“Nah, but I’ve been in hundreds of them,” said Jake. “When I did the research for my Ph.D., I spent 2 ½ years in the Canadian Rockies in a place just like this one. The National Park Service has tons of these around.”
The rain began pelting the hut harder as the wind kicked up again. There was a brilliant flash and a deafening roar of thunder. Julia shrieked and Jake ran over to her, throwing his arms around her. She held herself to his chest, suddenly feeling foolish to be so startled by the thunder. She though about backing away, but the warmth of Jake’s body, his earthy smell kept her in place. She was so much smaller than he was. She found herself nuzzled into his neck.
“Are you OK?” asked Jake as he began stroking her hair.
“Just keep doing that…” she said, melting into his strong body. He felt so good to her, so safe. Julia gently kissed Jake’s neck. He sighed. Julia could feel a small trickle of sweat forming between her breasts. She looked up at Jake again. He was a large man, probably about six foot four. The look in his sapphire blue eyes was unmistakable. Jake leaned in close. As their lips met, Julia let out a small moan. His tart, musky smell was intoxicating as her tongue met his.
Jake pulled her in close. Julia pressed her body close to his and she felt the heat of his body against her. His hands held her hips as she sighed. Jake broke the kiss and looked into Julia’s eyes.
He leaned down and planted delicate kisses on her neck and throat. “Mmmm…,” she said. He ran his hands under her shirt as Julia sighed.
She began slowly unbuttoning his shirt. Julia ran her hands over the ripples of his abs and through his soft, thin chest hair. Reaching his massive shoulders, she pushed his shirt over his strong back until it fell on the floor.
“You’re mine,” he whispered.
“Touch me,” she said breathlessly.
Jake turned Julia around and held her from behind. She could feel his hot breath on the back of her neck as he gently kissed her nape. His body was warm against her hips. She reached back and felt the strong curves of his buttocks.
Jake gently cupped her breasts. He unbuttoned her jeans, and sliding his hand down, began to stroke her core. Julia felt an electric surge course through her body.
He held her tight with one strong arm across her chest. Julia’s breathing became more rapid as waves of pleasure flooded her mind and body. Never had she felt such strength, such gentleness from anyone. Julia felt weak at her knees as Jake caressing her slowly, so slowly.
“Jake…Jake…” Julia moaned. She was breathing heavily as she spun back around to face him. She clung onto his broad shoulders and buried her face into his chest. He kissed her lips.
Julia had never felt so safe in her life as she felt in Jake’s arms. There was something else, too—something solid. Something real. A contentment that was new to her. She had never felt this way with Kevin, or anyone else for that matter. She looked up at Jake. Could this be love?
Julia could feel a hard bulge struggling against Jake’s zipper. She smiled and reached her hand down to stroke it. He moaned softly.
“I think we need to do something about this,” she said. Jake pulled her hand away.
“We do,” he said, smiling. “But not right now. First, we need to talk.”
Julia looked stunned.
“Well, that’s a first,” said Julia, “Most guys hate talking after sex, but before sex?”
Jake paused. “I’m not like most guys. Where I’m from, once you’ve found your mate, that’s it. You stop looking at other women. Once you’ve had sex with your mate, you’re with them for life.”
Well, that was unexpected. “Meaning…”
Julia could tell he was suddenly very nervous. Jake took a deep breath.
“You’re my mate. I knew it as soon as we met on the plane. If we have sex, I’m yours forever, and you’re mine forever.”
Julia stared at Jake, wide-eyed, then burst out laughing.
“Oh Jake! You really had me going, there!” said Julia, laughing almost unable to breathe.
She looked over at Jake. He had a hurt expression on his face. She stopped suddenly.
“My God! You’re serious!”
“I’ve never been more serious in my life. You’re my mate. The one I’m supposed to be with. My search for love is over. We’ve found each other.”
She couldn’t deny that her attraction to Jake was something she had never felt so strongly before, but love? Who was this guy anyway?
“I don’t know, Jake…”
“I do. There is a bond between us. Call it fate, call it love at first sight, call it whatever you want, but it’s there.” He looked into her soulful brown eyes. “I know you can feel it too.”
Julia couldn’t deny it. It was there. But she didn’t know what it was. For all the years she was with Kevin, she thought she knew what love was, but now she was not so sure.
“I don’t know what this is, Jake,” said Julia, wrapping her arms more tightly around him. She was on the edge of tears. The emotions were too strong, but it felt so good to be in Jake’s arms. “Can we just take this a step at a time?”
She looked up at Jake. His eyes were shiny. Wait. Was he crying? He smiled. “Of course,” he said.
Julia took a step away. Jake couldn’t take his eyes off her. Every curve, every ripple of her body was perfection.
“Go for it…NOW!” said Jake’s bear.
“As much as we both want to,” replied Jake silently, “We’ve got to be patient. She has to agree to forever.”
“I know we have to trust fate, but we’ve waited a long time for Julia.”
Julia felt Jake’s eyes boring into her. She noticed that the prominent bulge in his pants was still as strong as ever. He’s certainly a big boy, she thought to herself.
“Sorry,” said Jake, “it’s just that I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman in my life. I mean it.” He turned his back on Julia and busied himself with lunch. It was good thing, too. Julia felt a blush spreading from her chest to the top of her head and all the way down to her toes. She had no idea that her ankles could blush.
What Jake said sounded a lot like a bad pickup line, but it felt truly sincere. She watched Jake meticulously setting out the lunch from the Lone Pine Café. He was humming softly to himself. His voice was intoxicating.
Julia hesitated. Oh what the hell, she thought. She walked slowly up behind him and threw her arms around Jake, holding him tightly. He wrapped his arms around hers, suddenly relieved that he hadn’t blown it with her after all. He turned around and held her, and they rocked each other. He rested his chin on the top of her head.
“What song was that you were singing?” she asked.
“That? It’s an old, old song.”
“Can you sing it for me?”
Jake sighed and began singing in a deep, rich baritone.
The water is wide
I cannot cross over
And neither have I wings to fly,
Build me a boat that can carry two,
And both shall row,
My love and I
There is a ship
That sails the sea
She’s loaded down, she’s loaded deep
But not so deep as the love I’m in
I know not if I sink or swim
As Jake sang, Julia could feel her heart expanding through her chest. She imagined that it re
ached out to Jake’s. His heart embraced hers as they melded together, bringing with it her body, her mind, her spirit. This was a peace she had never known. She wondered if this is what it meant to meet your mate.
7
The rain stopped as Jake and Julia finished their lunches. The conversation had been easy. Talking with Jake felt like talking to an old friend, even through the obvious sexual tension between them. There was no game playing. Jake talked excitedly about his work with grizzly bears and sitting through boring staff meetings. Julia talked about her family and trying to get out of her terrible job at the accounting firm in Phoenix.
“How long have you been in Phoenix?” asked Jake.
“About four years. It’s a great city, but I think I’m due for a change.”
“Why’s that?”
“I moved there to follow my fiancé.” Jake’s face darkened.
“We’ve been together…” Julia hesitated. “We had been together for six years. But it’s over now.”
Jake looked at her for a moment. “Pretty recent breakup?”
Julia thought about it for a moment. How much should she tell him? Honesty had been a constant issue with Kevin. If there’s something budding here, she thought, we’d best start out on the right foot.
“Well…” said Julia, “He was supposed to come with me this weekend.”
Jake let out a low whistle. “Well I wasn’t expecting that!”
“But I never knew I’d run into you!” she blurted out. Julia flushed, her mind in a panic. What was going on here? Did she really feel that deeply for a man she had only just met?
Jake took her hands and cupped them in his. Her hands were cold and clammy. He looked deeply into her eyes. He lightly brushed his lips against her fingers. He smiled. She felt the heat slowly grow from her heart, making a straight line down to her sex. She was wet again.
He leaned across the table and kissed her. Her lips parted, and she felt his tongue probing her. Her tongue met his. He broke the kiss and put his forehead against hers, his hands clasped behind her neck.
