He asked Corrine to make a list of the items lost for their insurance and to think about who might have done this.
The truck pulled away leaving them all standing, staring at the destruction.
Sam walked over, pulling Corrine from his arms. He engulfed her in a hug. “I’m so sorry, Cor. I know you loved this place. Why don’t you come inside? I’ll make you something hot to drink.”
She pulled away, taking a step back. “I’ll be there in a minute or two. Take MJ in. She looks like she’s about to fall down.”
Sam looked back at MJ, then over to Jett, eyes narrowing. “You okay with him here?”
Corrine didn’t even look his way. “Yeah, I’m good. There’s nothing left in me to break at this point.”
Sam walked off, collecting MJ before going inside.
Corrine stood stock still, a defeated look in her eyes as she looked around the destroyed area.
“Corrine?” Jett moved closer to her.
“You can go, Jett. This isn’t your problem. Thanks for stopping by.”
Pain squeezed his heart at her words. He wanted it to be his problem. He needed to be in her life and be the one to make her happy.
Refusing to let her brush him off he walked up next to her and took her hands ensuring she looked at him. “If it involves you it is my problem. I fucked up Corrine. I shouldn’t have left. I shouldn’t have treated you like I didn’t want people to know. You deserve everything I can give. Everything that’s rightfully yours—my heart and soul. I’m letting you know now that I’m fighting for you. I’ll do whatever it takes to convince you that I’m the right man for you. That you’re my mate and no other man will love you as much or as well as me.”
“I don’t have time for this, Jett. I don’t have it in me to start caring for you then have you walk off without telling me what’s wrong. I’m left in the dark about what I did wrong and I don’t like it. ”
She pulled her hands free from his loose grip. Flinging an arm out toward the bakery remains. “Have you seen this mess? Your personal issues have nothing on this. My business, my life was just burned down by someone and I don’t know why,” she said in a raised voice.
Corrine walked off heading to the building. Jett was hot on her heels. There was no way he could walk away again or let her walk away from him.
Unease skittered down his spine as his tiger picked up on an old, familiar scent. Jett scanned the area but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.
Scanning the area for clues he ran through the lay of the land he’d committed to memory his first time out here. Woods surrounded both the house and bakery with rolling hills behind them. Anyone could hike through the woods or over the hilly area, though they would be more noticeable coming over the hill. So they couldn’t have come from that direction.
Jett walked to the side of the bakery where the majority of the damage was. The arsonist had to have come up on this side. They wouldn’t be seen from the house, especially if they came from the main road through the woods.
He released the tight hold on his inner beast. Allowing it to come to the front though not close enough to shift. Sniffing the air he followed his nose, the hair on the back of his neck rising as the scent got stronger.
Finding himself at the edge of the tree line that led to the pond, he turned to Corrine. “Go back to the house Corrine and lock the doors.”
Instead of doing what he said, she marched over next to him. “You don’t get to tell me what to do Jett Montgomery-Murphy!” She sniffed. Her head reared back when she caught what he smelled. “It’s that stench again?”
Jett grabbed Corrine’s shoulder. “What do you mean again?”
She tried to break free of his hold but he wasn’t allowing it. Something was telling him this was important. “Jett. Let go.”
“No. What do you mean again? Tell me Corrine.”
She huffed out a breath. “From that day in the bakery. The one when you found the door wide open. I told you I had to air the place out. It smelled like…roses.”
Jett squeezed his eyes shut before breathing deeply. Forcing his brain to process what the smell was. After a moment, realization hit him with force. Macy.
It was her expensive, created just for her perfume. He had forgotten how heavy and cloying the floral perfume was. Even when she was in tiger form he could still smell it on her. It was odd though since she wasn’t wearing it when he ran into her.
He should have known she wasn’t the sweet and kind woman she attempted to appear to be. She was a tiger who couldn’t change her stripes. He knew she would never let him go. This needed to end and in order for that to happen he had to track her down.
Digging his new cell phone from his pocket, cause he never could find the old one, he dialed his father. He would need his help when they caught Macy. There was no way he would let her roam freely. She was a risk to him and the pride.
He took a few steps away from Corrine, though never letting her out of his sight. He spoke in low tones into the phone. Once he was finished he moved back to her.
Jett swept his arm around Corrine waist. The minute he made contact, the inner beast in him settled down. She was right where she belonged and he refused to let his crazy ex-girlfriend do anything to take her away.
Pulling her flush against his body he took advantage of her startled gasp fusing his lips to hers in a searing kiss. Breaking away he said, “Baby, please head back to the house. I want you inside by the time I shift.” He stroked down her back, taking comfort in the feel of her while gathering the strength to confront a disturbed woman.
“But… but Jett,” she stuttered clearly flustered. She cleared her throat. “What’s going on? Do you know who did this? Why they did this?”
“I can’t explain now but I will. I promise. I just need to put the past to rest. Once I get it settled we can spend as much time as you want talking.” He dropped a quick kiss on her lips.
“The past? What does that have to do with me? This isn’t that woman from college is it?” her eyes narrowed pining him in place.
He nodded. “Yeah. It’s Macy. I’m sure she set the fire. Her scent is all over the place. She has to know I love you Corrine. She was probably hoping you would be inside when it burnt down.”
Corrine looked about as shocked as he felt.
He lowered his face to hers. Nuzzled her nose then slowly took her mouth. Pouring all of his emotions and love into the kiss. Not just to convince her to listen to him but to also show her what he felt.
Corrine was the one to break the kiss. She was breathing heavily, a glazed look in her eyes.
“Now please, one last time. Go inside and let me take care of this for us.”
“Okay,” she said.
He reluctantly let her go, swooping in for one more kiss before pulling his shirt over his head. Once it was off, he couldn’t believe his eyes. Corrine stood, completely naked in front of him.
Instantly swamped with a need to take her to the ground and claim her, he had to force the desire aside. “I thought you said okay.”
“I did, but it was an ‘okay, let’s take care of this for us’. You want to be a couple then we do this together. You’ve been driving me nuts Jett Montgomery-Murphy and if she’s the reason I’ve been going through hell, then I’m giving her a piece of my mind. And if you don’t watch it, I might let her have you.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” he growled.
“Ha! Try me. Leave me one more time without a damn good reason and that threat will happen. I’m done letting you call the shots in this relationship.”
Quick as lightening he had her lush, naked body pressed firmly against his. His cock stirred on contact. She sucked in a breath, pressing her breasts harder against his chest. His skin tingled in the wake of her hard nipples as she wiggled to break free.
Snaking a hand down her body he grabbed her ass while keeping the other in the middle of her back. He pulled his head back to look down into her flushed face. “Now listen clo
sely so there isn’t a misunderstanding. I’m not leaving you ever again. I’m here to stay no matter how tired you get of me. How annoying you find me at times. Or how ticked you get that I wasn’t listening or when I forget something important. From now on you’re mine—body and soul. Once we get through sorting this mess out I’m going to love you long and hard. No one will doubt that you belong to me. And that I belong to you.”
Because he didn’t think he would be able to pull away again if he tasted her lips, he pressed a kiss to her forehead and stepped back.
“I’m going to allow you to go with me cause I don’t think I can stop you from following, you damn well better stay behind me though. I don’t want you confronting her. She’s unstable and I would die if something were to happen to you. Are we clear?”
She studied him for a moment and he prayed she would listen. He should have known she would go with him and not back to her house like he said. She was too independent and certainly not used to being told what to do. It was amazing she let him hold the reins the last couple of weeks. With a quick nod of her head she agreed to his demand.
He grinned and peeled off the rest of his clothes. Seconds later they both shifted. He bumped his shoulder into her before rubbing his face along hers.
The rightness of being next to her in tiger form settled his nerves. She provided a comfort he didn’t know he needed.
They took off into the woods following the scent markings left by Macy’s expensive perfume.
Entering the clearing next to the lake ahead of Corrine, he came to a halt. Leaving Corrine hidden in the trees with no way around him, they finally found Macy. She sat naked on one of the large rocks Corrine had lounged on their first night together. Macy’s legs were crossed all prim and proper with a Cheshire grin plastered across her face.
“It’s about time you got here, Jett,” she purred. “I wasn’t sure how much longer I could wait around. God, I forgot how handsome you are as a tiger.”
Slowly she stood, making her way toward him, a blatant sexual swing in her hips. The overt gesture turned his stomach. He couldn’t believe he used to be turned on by such a display.
“You know your girlfriend is a heifer and such a cry baby. You should have seen the way she bawled over that revolting bakery. I swear she must eat half of what she makes to begin with.”
The closer Macy got to him the more he noticed about her. He no longer saw the beautiful, sophisticated girl he’d dated in college. The girl every guy wanted but only he got to have. Now he saw her for what she really was. An unstable, disturbed stalker who just wouldn’t go away.
Her eyes had a crazed, paranoid gleam. Her hair looked dirty and wild. Every once in a while she took quick frantic glances from side to side like she expected someone to be next to her. Her fingers would twitch beside her legs before he saw her pinch her skin. She didn’t seem to notice his study of her as she continued to talk.
“Are you sure your girlfriend and that other woman aren’t lesbians? Is that why you’re with her? To see some girl-on-girl action? If I had known you liked that I would have shown you a good time long ago. I know plenty of women who would love to be with me.” She ran her hand over her hair before trailing it down her body. Jett had no desire to follow her hand’s path yet was unable to look away. Her hand bounced over her ribs, which were sticking out. She didn’t look like she had eaten anything in weeks.
It was a good thing Corrine was blocked in. He didn’t need her hearing Macy’s crazy rambling. There was no doubt in his mind that Corrine would rip Macy’s throat out if given the chance.
He just needed to stall long enough for Consortium members to get there and take Macy away. They would also deal with the fire and police departments. They had a way of looking after their own. Keeping as much as they could in house.
Macy stopped a few feet in front of him. “Come out and play with me Jett. You know you want to fuck me.” She bit her lip and twirled her hair around a finger in a practiced move that repulsed him further.
He couldn’t believe this was what he once thought was the epitome of sexy.
Jett felt Corrine nudge him from behind. There was no way he was letting her get near Macy. Taking a step back he bumped into her, emitting a low warning growl.
Macy, still oblivious to Corrine’s presence, thought he was growling at her.
“Murph,” she whined. The high-pitched sound grated on his nerves. In the past he either put up with it or just blocked it out. Usually giving in. Not anymore though. He was only too happy Corrine didn’t feel she had to needle him into doing what she wanted. He would gladly do anything she asked to begin with.
Before he could cater to Corrine and anything she wished, he had to take control of this situation. Keep Macy talking and occupied until relief got there. Without thinking through what he was about to do, he quickly shifted. He chanced a glance behind. Corrine still in tiger form stood swishing her tail angrily back and forth.
He spoke to her lowly, “I’m buying us some time. Stay hidden in the trees. Help is on the way.”
Swallowing his pride and revulsion, Jett walked further into the clearing toward doom.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Corrine was dumbfounded. What the hell! Oh no he did not just tell her to stay put like a good little kitty! That man may meet his death yet.
Still, like the fool she was beginning to believe she was when it came to him, she sat down, a large Colorado blue spruce blocking her from their view.
She saw the look of triumph on Macy’s face when Jett’s naked ass walked her way. Saw the way her eyes hungrily ate his body up. She just wished she could see Jett’s face to know what he thought of Crazy Macy.
Low murmurs reached her sensitive ears but trees buffered the words. It was all she could do not to get closer and overhear.
After a bit her curiosity got the best of her. Being careful to not make noise, Corrine got up and inched forward. The closer she got, the more frustrated and pissed off she became. She only had a clear view of Macy and Corrine had a driving need to see Jett’s face. Giving up on her current position she circled around to the side. Getting the clear view of Jett and Macy’s profiles she desperately needed.
What she saw was unexpected as jealousy took hold of her.
Macy leaned into Jett, caressing his arm while laughing up into his face flirting and batting her eyes. She pressed her small pointy breasts against his chest, rubbing back and forth.
Corrine couldn’t stop her tiger’s response if she wanted to. Her ears rotated and flattened slightly, displaying her agitation. Teeth bared, a low, loud growl escaped, as Jett did nothing to stop Macy’s fondling.
Macy glared in her direction. “I see your pussy is here after all,” she said loud enough to be heard.
Corrine stepped out into the clearing. Her stance aggressive, prepared to attack. The overwhelming need to protect her territory and her home rode high. This was the bitch responsible for burning down her business. Most likely the reason for all of the strange things happening too.
She was going to pay for it all and soon. Especially for thinking she could lure Jett back to her side.
Corrine let go of the doubt about Jett’s feelings for her. Let go of her hesitation to commit and embraced what she knew within. They were mates. Meant for each other. Forever. When this was over whatever happened in the past was going to firmly remain there. They were going to work on the future. Together.
Crouching low, her tail close to the ground twitching violently every few seconds. Corrine kept her eyes trained on Macy, waiting for her to make the next move. It didn’t take long.
“I told you to stay back Corrine,” Jett said. “I’ve got this.”
The words were barely out of his mouth when Macy shoved him away with more strength than Corrine thought she should possess. He landed on his ass, clearly unable to be of much help.
Macy shifted, mouth hanging open, revealing deadly, dripping canines. Hissing she lunged straight at Corrine.
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Corrine sprang to the side deftly avoiding the attack before shifting gears. Barreling into Macy’s side, she knocked her off her feet.
Corrine took the precious seconds to ensure Jett was out of the way. Pleased when she saw he was back on his feet, keeping a distance from the two fighting tigers.
Macy jumped back up onto all fours. Rushing forward she swiped with her extended claws.
Unable to move out of the way fast enough, pain lanced through Corrine’s leg. The flesh tearing on her right front leg. Warm blood flowed down, pooling between the toes on her paw.
She pushed the pain aside. Dropping down and rolling away before the next attack.
Out of Macy’s reach, she slowly circled the crazed tiger waiting for the perfect opening to attack.
Rustling noises from the woods distracted Macy, allowing for Corrine to jump. Macy’s strength reared its head. The woman had to be on something. No one this small should have this much power. They wrestled on the ground, each struggling for the upper hand. Growls and roars let loose by both of them echoed throughout the clearing.
A group of men burst through the trees stopping right inside the clearing garnering their attention. Corrine broke free of Macy relinquishing her dominant position.
She kept a close eye on Macy as the tiger staggered to get her footing. Wobbling on four feet, body shuddering, lungs laboring for breath. She looked wiped out but not defeated. It was no less how Corrine felt.
Unexpectedly Macy broke into a run, heading away from everyone. Corrine dashed after her letting loose a ferocious growl.
The men were behind her yelling and running toward them both. None of them would be quick enough to catch them unless they shifted.
As Macy was about to breach the wooded area Corrine leapt into the air landing on the other tiger’s hindquarters while sinking her claws in. Stopping all forward motion.
Macy roared in rage before rolling onto her back showing her belly in submission.
Corrine not trusting her moved to her side and in a swift move clamped her powerful jaws on Macy’s throat. Squeezing just enough to break the skin. A strangled noise escaped. She placed her paw on the tiger’s exposed belly. Ready to rip it open at the slightest flinch.
Craving More Page 13
