by Tess Oliver
"Bear!" I followed with a whistle. A weak dog cry answered me back. I hurried toward it.
I stopped just short of the first trees. "There you are."
Bear was sitting with his ears back and a chastised expression as if he'd just got caught with his paw in the cookie jar. Another weak cry squeaked out. His scared eyes were staring at something in the trees. I followed his line of sight, and my gaze met another pair of eyes. Glowing yellow eyes. The giant cat took a step forward to get a better view of his newest visitor.
My pulse pounded in my head as I quickly tried to remember what to do when faced down by a mountain lion. Run? Scream? Act mean? Or just sit and whimper like Bear? With Bear's feral genes, it seemed he knew best. I stood there, still as a statue, trying to look as harmless and meaningless as a speck of dust. It didn't take long for me to realize I'd taken the wrong tack. But it was too late. I was frozen to the spot in terror, even too breathless with fear to scream.
Bear stood up and the mountain lion looked toward the dog before refocusing its angry stare back on me. Its tail swept through the air as if it had made a firm decision to lunge at me. I instinctively took a step back and closed my eyes.
In my horror, I heard the back door snap shut and a loud roar followed. "Away! Arrgh!" A shirtless, barefoot Zach yelled as raced toward me waving his arms over his head.
I stood stock-still watching the entire scene play out as if I was just a spectator and not part of the drama. From the corner of my eye, I saw the mountain lion turn around. Obviously, deciding it didn't want to mess with the crazy, wild beast running toward the trees, the big cat trotted off and disappeared into the forest.
As my body unfroze from its state of terror, a trembling started in my knees and traveled up through the rest of me. Zach took hold of my hand, and I turned into his arms. He held me there in his strong, protective grasp and I hid my face against him, trying to erase the last few minutes.
He rubbed my back. "It's gone now. I saw it from the bathroom window."
I looked down at his bare feet. "You ran across the rocks and pine needles." My voice wavered. I peered up at him. The worry in his face was just starting to be replaced by relief. "I thought I was going to be a cat's dinner."
"Fuck." He pulled me against him again. "I don't know why it came so close to the house. I guess it was that stupid beef bone. It must have smelled raw meat. Bear, go inside." He tightened his arms around me. "You're still shaking."
I nodded without lifting my face from the comfort of his warm skin. "Think it might take me a bit before the trembling stops. And the rush of adrenaline. And the abject terror."
Zach reached under my chin and lifted my face away from his chest to look at him. His blue eyes stared into mine. He reached up and wiped a tear from my cheek and then before I could take another breath, his hands took hold of my face and he kissed me. One hand migrated around to the back of my head, his fingers tangling in my hair as he pulled my mouth tighter against his.
I wrapped my arms around his waist and smoothed my palms over his back. His skin felt warm compared to the cool night air.
A sound in the trees startled us out of the kiss. Zach moved me to stand behind him as he looked through the trees. "I think it was just a squirrel. Let's go inside. I'll let the ranger know there's a mountain lion in the area."
"They won't kill it, will they?"
Zach took hold of my hand. "Nah, they'll tranquilize it and drive it higher into the mountains. But you and Bear need to stay closer to the house until that happens."
"Yep, don't think that will be a problem."
We headed back to the house. Zach stopped in the kitchen and looked at me for a long moment. He didn't say a word. I could still feel his kiss on my lips as he walked out.
16
Zach
Bear had settled down with his bone after the near miss with a mountain lion. I had no idea what had drawn my attention to the window. I'd turned on the water and taken off my shirt and shoes. Then, for some damn reason, I wandered to the small bathroom window and looked out. I couldn't remember the last time I'd looked out that small dusty window, but even in the dim light I could see what was happening. I nearly broke off the back door in my rush to get out of the house. I hadn't even remembered that I was bare foot until the rocks and dry pine needles stabbed my feet. All I knew was that I had to get out to Joelle and get between her and the mountain lion.
Growing up in Tanglewood had taught me some of the basics of living in a forest habitat, and I knew that when you met up with a mountain lion you made yourself big and menacing. I nearly fell to my knees in relief when the big cat turned around and walked away. And that relief proved to me just how deeply I cared about the pretty coat thief who had stepped into my life, our life.
Holding her in my arms, crying and trembling, had pushed any ounce of caution or resistance from my mind. I had to kiss her. There just wasn't any other way for the scene to end other than with me letting her know much I cared about her.
Joelle had gone in to take a warm bath, deciding it would soothe her nerves. I grabbed myself another beer, figuring I’d earned it. I raked my wet hair back with my fingers and pulled up a seat at the kitchen table. The bathtub water turned off and her pretty voice echoed off the tiles as she sang. It was something she did a lot and something I would miss if she ever left. She had changed the house completely with her presence. The fragrance of her shampoo, the sound of her singing and laughter, lacy underwear drying in the bathroom, all of it permeated our lives now, and nothing would ever be the same if she left.
I could hear her moving in the still water. I closed my eyes and pictured her sitting naked in the steamy bath, running the bar of soap along her silky skin and over the curves of her breasts.
There was no way to ignore what was happening in the house. Jesse and I avoided talking about the fact that we were both falling for Joelle. It was too big and complicated to discuss with any rationale. But the sexual tension inside our small, shabby house was growing well past the century old walls of John James's cabin. At first there had been that layer of conscience, keeping both of us in check, reminding us that she'd stumbled into our lives hoping to find a safe place and a better life. But the longer that Joelle was part of our life, the harder it was to deny what was happening. Sherry had called it right from the start. If only she could also predict how the hell this was supposed to end.
"Zach," Joelle called from the bathroom.
Still in hyper protective mode, I flew off the chair. I walked to the bathroom door and spoke through the crack. "Everything all right?"
"Yes, but I forgot my towel. It's on the chair in my room. If you wouldn't mind."
I walked to the room, grabbed the towel and headed back to the bathroom.
I knocked. "I've got it."
"You can come in, Zach. I don't mind." I paused as I wrapped my hand around the door knob. Then I opened the door.
She was sitting in the water with her knees up and her arms wrapped around them, effectively hiding her breasts, breasts that I'd been dreaming about in my sleep. "This bath really helped. As long as that mountain lion doesn't visit me in my dreams tonight, I'll be fine."
Her long lashes were clumped in dark spikes, highlighting the brown sugar color of her eyes. I stood over the tub without saying a word. I opened the towel and held it up for her. I could have just dropped it on the hook next to the tub. I could have placed it on the vanity. I could have handed it to her and quickly walked out. But I didn't.
Joelle's lips were full and pink with a weak smile. I could still taste them, still sweet from strawberries and sugar.
She could have told me just to drop the towel. She could have reached for the towel, still keeping her breasts and her naked body mostly hidden by her long folded legs. She could have shooed me out. But she didn't.
The water moved and lapped against the shiny white porcelain as she lowered her arms. She curled her fingers over the edge of the tub and pushed to her feet
. I watched as her wet, naked body emerged from the water. Her rose colored nipples puckered in the cool air as she slowly lifted her long leg out of the tub. The other followed and my gaze dropped to her pussy. Every inch of her was exactly as I'd imagined. Fucking perfect.
I held my breath as she stepped into the towel. I wrapped it around her and ran my hands over the terry cloth to pat dry her back and shoulders. She stayed perfectly still in my arms, letting me dry her, and I took more than just a little fucking pleasure in doing it. I took the towel off her shoulders, and my mouth dragged along her breast, taking care to taste her nipple on the way down to drying her legs.
Her breath was coming in short spurts. She steadied herself by bracing her hands on my shoulders. I could not have stopped my mouth from pressing against her creamy skin any more than I could have stopped taking a breath. I kissed her flat belly, and as I did, I wrapped my hands around her ass and held her firmly against my mouth.
As her soft, erotic moans rained down on my head, my cock grew so hard it nearly split open the fly on my jeans. I continued my trail of kisses to the mound of dark hair. I kissed her pussy lightly and then moved on to her thigh. She parted her legs without me asking.
Her fingers dug into my shoulders. She swayed on her feet as I moved my tongue along the inside of her thigh, stopping just before her pussy. I peered up at her, taking in the ethereal beauty of her naked body. Still steadying herself with her hands on my shoulders, she gazed down at me with parted lips and eyes that were glassy from my kisses.
"Zach," she said quietly. It was all I needed to hear.
My hands stayed firmly grasped around her ass as I stood. The towel fell away as she hooked her arms around my neck. She swung her long legs around me as I lifted her and carried her to the vanity. I let go, temporarily, to smack away the brushes and items on the counter. She gasped and then giggled as her naked bottom hit the cold counter. But the light moment rolled away quickly as I dropped to my knees in front of the vanity and draped her legs over my shoulders. I reached around her bottom again and scooted her closer to the edge to get a clear, sweet view of her pussy.
Joelle leaned back on her hands. Her hair cascaded behind her as she dropped her head back. I kissed her inner thigh again, before turning my attention to her pussy. Her scent and the creamy moisture pooling there made me so hard, a groan rolled up from my chest as I anticipated tasting her. I was just about out of my fucking mind with wanting her. This was why Jesse and I hadn't talked about it. We were both so damn crazy about her, we couldn't think straight long enough to reason it out.
I spread her thighs with my hands and then parted the hot folds of her pussy. She took an audible breath as I ran my tongue over her swollen clit. I drew it along and pressed my face against her as my tongue dove inside of her, tasting the honey sweet moisture of her pussy.
I moved my mouth back to her clit as my fingers impaled her. She cried out and reached forward, tangling her fingers in my hair as she held my face firmly against her.
"Zach, please," she said in a breathy whisper that went straight to my cock and stayed there in a tight grip.
My fingers, slick with her hot cream, pushed deeper inside, fucking her, while my mouth and tongue covered her clit with warm, intense friction. Her long legs gripped me, and she writhed against my mouth, silently begging for more. And I was happy to give it. I could have stayed there devouring her pussy all fucking night.
I could feel her body tense as I kept my mouth firmly pressed against her. Her fingers pulled my hair and short raspy breaths puffed from her lips. "Oh, Zach," she whimpered as her body shuddered and she came against my mouth.
I stayed there, tucked between her thighs, gently kissing her as the waves of pleasure subsided. Her legs relaxed over my shoulders. Her fingers untangled from my hair, and she smoothed her palms over my head. This was over for tonight. I'd made her come, I'd let her know that I would do anything for her, anything to keep her safe and happy and in this case satisfied. As badly as I wanted to lift her off the sink and carry her to my bed, I had to tamp down the urge.
I lifted my face and stared up at her, her scent clinging to my moustache and beard. A gentle, almost innocent smile followed as she pushed a strand of hair off my forehead.
"I might have to forget my towel more often."
"Just glad I could help." I stood up and lifted her off the vanity. I walked over and picked up the fallen towel. I carried it back to her, making sure to get a good long look at her naked body, before draping it around her shoulders. Then I kissed her on the forehead and walked out.
17
Joelle
I had no idea why I was so darn nervous other than the fact that this was going to be the first time I'd gone out with Zach and Jesse to their favorite hangout. Sundance had told me the Petty Thief was about the only place in town where people of their age group could gather, drink beer and dance. I knew I'd be facing the scrutiny of every one of their friends, male and female, and I wasn't sure I was ready for it. Working in Sherry's shop, I'd met a few people, women who knew and who had grown up with Zach and Jesse. Some were curious enough to stare and check me out from head to toe without trying to hide it, and some were considerably more polite about it. Afterward, Sherry would always give me the rundown on the customer's relationship with the Coltrane brothers. Not surprisingly, there were a hell of a lot of ex-girlfriends still in town, again, some not so friendly and others well-mannered and congenial.
Jesse stepped out of the passenger seat of Zach's truck and turned back to give me his hand. I took it and climbed out. I immediately grabbed hold of the hem of my jean skirt and pulled it down as low as it could go. Which wasn't much farther than the top of my thighs. Sherry had given me the skirt because Anthony told her it was just a bit too short for the mayor's wife. Apparently, it had become a sore spot between them, so she decided to get rid of the "demon" mini skirt. I was beginning to see Anthony's point just as I was beginning to regret my decision to wear it, especially on my first outing to Petty Thief.
"Joey, if you keep pulling at that skirt, it's going to slide right off."
Jesse had taken to calling me Joey. It was Lolly's favorite nickname for me. No one had ever called me Joey but her. I liked hearing it again, but I doubted I would let anyone else call me it except Jesse and Zach. But while Zach sometimes called me Slick and occasionally Jo, he never used Joey. All I knew was that I cared so deeply for the both of them, they could have called me any damn thing they wanted and I'd answer to it with a smile.
Zach came around to our side of the truck. The tight black t-shirt he'd pulled on contrasted well with his dark blonde hair and it looked almost like a source for the black lines of ink on his arms. Jesse had worn a flannel shirt like the one he had lent me my first night in Tanglewood. I'd grown so fond of it, I'd greedily kept it. I slept in it on nights when there was a chill in the air.
The three of us headed toward the bar. Petty Thief had a neon guitar jutting up from the blue and green sign boasting its unusual name. Rock and roll music thrummed from the open front door, and a muddle of voices were loud enough to be heard over the drumbeat.
"I should have stayed at home. Bear and I would have had a nice quiet evening."
Zach took hold of my hand. "It's not all that scary inside. Especially after a few beers." He released my hand and reached for the door.
I instantly reached for the hem of the skirt and gave it a sharp tug.
Jesse tossed his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close enough for a kiss on the top of my head. "Take a deep breath and leave that damn skirt alone. No one is going to notice how short it is because everyone is going to be staring at those amazing fucking legs of yours."
I stopped short of walking inside. Jesse reached back and pulled me through the open doorway. Music blared overhead from half a dozen speakers. Somehow the noise helped ease my nerves. It wasn't like being the new kid at school and walking into an array of seats filled with silent faces and curious star
es. People were huddled at the bar and more were crammed around tables and the crowded dance floor. It was a small town, but Jesse had mentioned that ladies' night always brought people from neighboring towns. That, too, gave me some comfort. At least the patrons weren't all from Tanglewood.
"Coltranes in the house," a big guy with a shaved head and two silver plugs yelled from behind the bar. Zach waved at him.
I leaned closer so he could hear me. "Is that Mr. Petty, the owner?"
"No, that's the owner's son. I played baseball with him in high school."
A familiar face popped through the crowd at the bar. Sundance came across the floor with a woman with short black hair and a pair of jeans that took skinny jeans to a whole new level. I knew Sundance had an on again, off again relationship with someone named Roxie. It seemed I was finally going to meet her. Her hazel eyes dropped right to my skirt and legs before lifting back to my face. Her smile was halfway between genuine and fake. "You must be the pretty star from heaven."
My mouth opened but I wasn't sure how to respond.
Her laugh was only slightly more genuine than her smile. "Just kidding. Sundance told me that's what the guys called you. I'm Roxie." I shook her hand. Sundance had pulled Zach and Jesse into a conversation, leaving me on my own.
"I'm Joelle."
We were instantly joined by two other women, one who I'd seen in the store at least twice and one who I'd never met. "Hey, Tammy, Helen, this is Joelle."
Tammy smiled. She had an enviable mass of wavy red hair. It was easy to remember her because it was an extraordinary color. "We've met at Sherry's shop."
