by Marie Harte
“Why didn’t you let me know you could do that? Be another person?” Heather asked softly.
He shrugged. “I’ve always kept that part of myself secret. No one knows. Well, one or two people.” He’d been unable to avoid letting a few of his teammates see him shift when they’d been in trouble. “Now you know too. Owen doesn’t.”
She studied him. “Really?”
“Really.” He blew out a breath. “I’d appreciate it if you’d just forget all about it.” He plucked at the tight waistband of Klaus’s clothes. “Christ, Klaus’s jeans are way too tight.”
Heather shocked him by grinning. “Wow. Those look like high-waters.”
“The problem with shifting. It’s hard to have the right clothes, and if I stay in another form too long, it gets tiring.”
She studied him, nibbling her lower lip. “You must be exhausted.”
He felt ready to drop, but not until he took her to safety. “Yeah. We need to get the hell out of here, so we can both get a good night’s sleep.” He wondered if she’d remember their time here as a nightmare, or if she’d recall their intimacy as a good thing. He couldn’t forget making love to her under the tree, right by the Source and feeling so close to her.
A funny feeling made his eyes burn and turned his stomach sour. They were nearly done with this mission. Time to go home. Back to his lonely life and empty house.
“Fuck,” he muttered and saw her glance at his face, her expression curiously guarded. “Okay. Here’s the plan. We’ll be in town in less than an hour. But this is how I thought we’d get around everyone…”
Jan and Heather entered the town and passed the curious stares of the townsfolk. They went immediately to Ida’s place, only to find the woman in deep discussion with several council members.
Ida stood when she saw Heather, and the women embraced. Ida subtly shook her head when Heather opened her mouth, so Heather remained mute, much to Jack’s relief. So far so good.
Ida nodded to him. “I see you brought her off the mountain. So she returned what the Source had lost?”
“She did.”
The council members chattered excitedly.
“Then I suppose we can take her name off our hit list?” Ida said wryly.
One of the council members flushed. “It’s not a hit list, Ida. You know that. But if we’d known she was a Stallbridge, of course we would have banned her from town.”
Jack idly asked, “Have you spoken with Mikhail?” On the off chance Mikhail hadn’t joined the others to hunt him, the man might have returned to town early. And what might that mean? Jan thought Mikhail was on his side, but who knew with these people?
Several of the members nodded.
Jack barked in Jan’s voice, “Because Ralf Baer has been murdering left and right, hit list is more appropriate than you know.” They tried questioning him, but he held up a hand. “Later. Right now, I want to get Heather out of town. I don’t want her harmed, and I’m sure you all agree the Baers have a large influence. Just because Ralf and his sons are down doesn’t mean all their followers will fall neatly in line.” The others nodded, and Jack was pleased not to have to fight their way out of town, especially since his skin itched from holding Klaus’s form for so long. “I’ll walk her to the gate.” He turned to Heather and said, “Best if you don’t visit for a while.”
Ida nodded. “Agreed. You’re more than welcome the next time.” She glared at several of the council, who nodded. “But it would be best if we settled the town’s glaring problems before dealing with outsiders again.”
“Damn right,” Jack swore. “Killing outsiders isn’t the best way of dealing with them.”
“Uh, yeah.” Heather cleared her throat. “I’d really just like to leave. Right now.”
Ida hugged her. “Best be going, you two.” She gave Jack a long look. “Hurry now. I think Gretchen is at the tea shop waiting on you, Jan.”
He heeded the warning. They left Ida’s house and made a beeline to the alley leading to the yellow gate. “Is there some kind of magical release?” he asked Heather in a low voice.
“No. Just push through before someone comes to stop us.” Heather seemed to be bursting with excitement, a nice change from the somber woman who’d looked at him with hurt in her eyes.
Not that Jack blamed her. He too wanted to leave, fast, before they were found out. Though things seemed to be better, and the promise for a real system of town law now existed, he didn’t want to stay to find out he’d been wrong about Jan and the others.
As they pushed open the gate, the sun shone brightly upon them. They took a deep breath and stepped into Grainau, directly into the oncoming path of two startled tourists.
“Where did you two come from?” an older woman asked. In English, thank God.
Jack turned to look behind him but saw nothing but a stone wall.
He shrugged, still dressed as Jan and wearing Jan’s face. “That’s a hard one to answer. Come on, girl. Time to get back home.”
“Yes, Jack.”
He winced hearing it, knowing he’d lost something precious he’d never thought to find.
Chapter Ten
Heather spent the next three months in Baltimore, finishing with some work in the area hospitals and finalizing her move back to Bend. She’d greeted Owen with enthusiasm when she’d first returned to Bend with Jack, but she could tell that her older brother hadn’t liked what he’d seen in her face. She’d been too heartbroken to tell him how badly she’d screwed up. Once again, it had been Owen who’d saved her, and by extension the family, by sending Jack.
Heather had been nothing but a tool, one that had almost gotten the man she loved killed.
She felt so ashamed, even now, that she hadn’t been strong enough to overcome her issues and hurt Ernst. He might have murdered Jack if Jack hadn’t been so strong. And Jack’s condemning silence on their return trip had just about killed her. Her heart ached for the man. She vibrated with sadness but was unable to heal herself this time.
God, she missed him so much. She could only hope that given enough time, he’d forgive and forget her failure to help when he’d needed it. That she could work her way back into his good graces and maybe get him to love her a little.
She glanced around her nearly empty apartment. All that remained was her large bed, which wouldn’t fit in the moving truck. She’d emptied everything out of the apartment except for a few changes of clothes, a couple of towels, some toiletries, and her bed.
Staring at the empty place, she felt her solitude creep over her and couldn’t help the tears that fell.
“Not more of this. Haven’t you cried enough?”
She gasped and whirled around to face her brother. “Owen?”
“Really, Heather. A little dramatic, even for you. All this weeping. You’re not a pretty crier.”
“Shut up.” She hastily wiped her tears, mortified to have been caught crying by him. Again. “I’m almost ready to go. But you didn’t have to come out here to bring me back.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know. You’re returning with me because you can’t bear to be away from my angry, sullen partner anymore. Do you know how unbearable Jack has been since you broke his heart?”
She just stared at her brother, not sure how he could know so much about her relationship, such as it was, with Jack. She hadn’t said much about her lover, only that he’d helped her, and she’d let him down. With Jack’s help, she’d done what she had to for the Source. She’d explained in detail everything else about her trip. Her feelings for Jack and their interactions remained hers alone.
“Is Jack okay?” Was he dating anyone? She remembered Kitty all too clearly, the pretty redhead a temptation Heather could have done without. For all that she liked the woman, she didn’t care for the thought of Kitty and Jack being so close together all the time.
“No, he’s not. He’s a pain in my ass. He growls at everyone, more than usual. He thinks you hate him,” Owen said bluntly. Her brother came closer a
nd tilted her chin up, so that he could stare into eyes that mirrored of his own. “Why did you refuse to see him before you left, honey? Did he hurt you?”
She burst into tears and let her brother hug her, comforted by his strength and needing the love. “I made such a mess of it, Owen. Jack is so wonderful, so heroic. He almost died because of me. I nearly killed him.”
“Oh for God’s sake. Owen, step aside.”
She blinked up at her brother, shocked to see him smirking down at her. Then Owen was ripped away from her, and Jack—big, wonderful, handsome Jack—was there. “What the fuck, Heather?”
“I’m out of here. And watch your mouth, Keiser.” Owen shut the door behind him, whistling as he did so.
“Jack?” She stroked his chest, his face, sure she must be dreaming. He was staring down at her with affection and a mean look that turned her on, as he always did.
“You left me without saying good-bye,” he said gruffly. “Treated me like shit after all I did for you. Never told me you loved me.” He stood stiffly in her arms.
“I love you so much, and I nearly got you killed.” She started crying again.
He patted her back and smoothed his hand over her hair until she calmed down. Then he pulled back to look at her while keeping her in his arms.
She apologized again with a hiccup. “I’m sorry I couldn’t do more to Ernst. That I couldn’t take from him. I’m not strong like that.”
He scowled. “You are one dumb blonde.”
“What?”
“Jesus. Don’t apologize for being who you are. Killing and hurting people isn’t something to be proud of. You’re a healer, and you do good. Don’t ever say you’re sorry for that. It’s my fault we were in that position. If I’d had my head out of my ass and could focus past my dick, we wouldn’t have been in that situation to begin with.” He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry I wasn’t thinking clearly. We shouldn’t have been naked under that tree after you fixed the problem, and that was my fault, which led to everything else. The Source—”
“Messed with our minds,” she finished, surprised. “So you’re not mad at me?”
“Fuck, no.”
That was the Jack she knew and loved.
“I thought you were disgusted with me.” He quieted. “I mean, I ended Ernst while you were linked to me. I didn’t mean to drag you in with me. It’s nasty work, and I never wanted you to be a part of it. You’re too good for that.”
“No, I’m not.” She dragged his head down and kissed him, and the love she felt for him seeped out of her without trying, seeking and healing the emotional wounds left by her absence. “You really missed me.”
“Great detective work, Sherlock,” he snarled.
She smiled, a real grin she hadn’t used since they’d parted. “Neither of us was thinking that day in the clearing, Jack. The Source took us over. And if you want to place the blame where it belongs, it’s my fault for all of it. I should have taken Owen and his bazillion bodyguards with me from the beginning. Then we could have stormed Drei-Gewalten and fixed the problem without a fuss.”
“You think?” He just stared at her, running his hands through her hair. “Owen was wrong. You’re beautiful even when you’re crying. Your eyes are red, but even your sniffles are cute.”
He kissed her, and she felt his erection against her belly.
“I love you, you know.”
She tensed, not sure she’d heard what he just said. He grinned, and his smile took her breath away.
“I like seeing you all tongue-tied.” His grin grew sly. “But you know, we never did have that discussion about you walking into my mind uninvited. You said you were healing me, but I’m still hurting, baby.”
“Y-you are?”
He took her hand in his and placed it over the fly of his jeans. “Yeah, I am. And you’re going to heal this right now, aren’t you?”
“Yes, Jack.”
His eyes darkened. “I fucking love when you say that. I want to hear it on your lips from now until forever. Yes, Jack. Yes, I’ll suck you. Yes, you can fuck my ass. Yes, I’ll do whatever you want.”
“Yes, Jack. I love you.”
IT WAS THE “I love you” that did it.
He said to hell with it and shoved her against the nearest wall. No preamble, no words, he simply suited action to reason. Jack kissed her and held her firm, then, as he’d done in Ida’s that first time, he yanked off her shoes, pants, and panties, then wrapped her legs around his waist.
“J-Jack?”
She seemed to be in a daze, but he couldn’t wait. It had been an eternity without her, and knowing she’d been hurting, in love with him but all alone, made him crazy to have her again.
Jack unbuttoned his jeans and took himself out. He found her wet slit and shoved home.
They both groaned as he sank inside her, but Jack wasn’t content to wait. He fucked her hard, with brutal strokes to remind her where she belonged, not even bothering to kiss her. She didn’t protest but moaned and hung on for the ride. He wanted to wait, to make it good for her, but he couldn’t stop. He pounded into her until he came, distantly aware that she’d come as well, because she clamped down on him, hard.
They panted together, locked in a lover’s embrace.
She kissed his lips, his cheeks, his nose, her eyes still shiny. “I missed you so much.”
He felt dazed, his body throbbing with extreme pleasure. “Me too. Don’t ever do that again.”
“I won’t. I promise. I felt so badly that I’d let you down.”
“No, baby. I never should have asked you to go against your nature. You’re a healer. Let me worry about putting the hurt on everyone else. You heal. Period.”
“Yes, Jack.”
“Do you have any idea how hard you make me when you say that?” he asked, his words gritty.
“Yes, Jack.”
He groaned and saw the loving look in her eyes. “You little tease. Time you made right what you owe me. You need some punishment for stealing into my mind, don’t you?” He smacked her ass and hardened inside her once more. God, the fantasies he’d had. Only he didn’t have the lube he needed. “Hey, you have any massage oil?”
She bit her lip, and he leaned down to kiss her until they both grew breathless.
“In my bathroom, the box on the counter,” she breathed.
“Get naked on the bed. Time to pay up, you little witch. Jumping into my mind without asking, leaving me all alone with a broken heart. The list goes on.”
He left her laughing behind him. He’d never felt lighter in his entire life, the world his for the asking because he had Heather by his side. He found the oil he needed as well as a towel to clean up. Then he stripped down and reentered the bedroom.
She lay naked on her large bed, a mouthwatering dream come to life.
“That’s good. Spread your legs.” He noticed a crumpled shirt lying next to the bed. She must have cleaned herself up with that, because he’d left a huge load inside her. “I was pent up without you. Just pining for you, woman.”
She winked at him, her happiness enhancing his.
“You think that’s funny?”
“Yes, Jack,” she whispered and laughed.
“God, I love you.” He crawled between her legs and inhaled her sweet scent. Then he licked and sucked until she was writhing beneath him. He eased a finger into her slick flesh and slid it down to her ass, rimming her. She squirmed harder, begging him for ease. “Yeah, you like that, don’t you? I’m a big man, Heather. But it’s time I had all of you. Your mouth, your pussy…your ass.”
“Yes, Jack.” She smiled at him. “Anything for you.”
“It might hurt.”
“I’ll heal.” She winked. “Or maybe I won’t. I think I should suffer, just a little, to show you how sorry I am for messing with your mind.”
“Shit. This has got to be a dream.”
“The best kind. A happily-ever-after,” she murmured. “Now, do you think I can have something to fil
l my mouth while you get me ready to take you?”
He groaned but happily complied, straddling her neck and angling himself to slide in and out of her mouth. She sucked him, and he nearly came when she cradled his balls while she drew his cockhead deeper and laved his sensitive spot with her clever tongue.
“Oh fuck, Heather. I want to come inside your ass, not your mouth. Hold on.” He withdrew despite her protests, hard as steel and wanting to own all of her. “Good girl. Now put that oil over me. Get me nice and slick.” He scooted back and waited for her on his knees. She took her time greasing him up, and while she toyed with him, he played with her breasts.
“You have the nicest tits. Wait until I fuck these.” He hissed when she fondled him, skirting close to his ass. “Yeah, you know I like that. You’re a naughty girl.”
“Very.” She knelt and kissed him, falling into him as if made for him.
He rubbed the oil over her ass, then speared her anus with his little finger. She gasped, not from pain but from pleasure, because she fucked herself over his finger.
“Yeah, that’s it. Let’s get you all slick.” He turned her around and withdrew his hand. Unable to help himself, he watched up close as he inserted his index finger into her tight passage, loving how she gloved him. He pushed past her sphincter, aware of her slight shudder.
“Okay?”
“Yes. More. I want you.”
Like he would deny that. He pulled out his finger and lathered more oil over himself. “I’m a lot bigger than my finger.”
“I know.”
“God, baby. I’m going to come so hard up that fine ass. I need you so much.” He was babbling but couldn’t help himself. Every word he spoke was true. As he positioned himself at her ass, he slowly pushed and nearly lost it when her heat engulfed him.
