Sanctified

by Maggie Blackbird

  “It’s healthier than smoking.”

  “Please don’t give me the smokers are a drain on the healthcare system, they’re selfish for risking their lives and lungs, they have families to think about speech. Or I’ll talk about how nobody eats for fuel anymore, but emotional comfort, and what a drain it is on the healthcare system.”

  Jude threw back his head and laughed.

  Low. But not scary. Handsome, like him.

  “I won’t say anything. My dad smokes.”

  “Yeah, I see the deacon sneaking a ciggie on his daily walks.”

  “I will say I’m glad you quit. I didn’t even know you smoked.”

  “I was a heavy smoker. Quitting wasn’t easy. I still get cravings.”

  “Did it go hand in hand with your addiction? I know Adam liked smoking and drinking. I was surprised when he quit.”

  “It does. I started when I was twelve.”

  “Twelve?” Jude’s eyes popped.

  “Drinking. Smoking weed. Smoking. I was bad, I told you.”

  “When’d you start using drugs?” He folded his arms.

  Raven puffed on the vape. “It went from weed to booze. When I moved to Winnipeg, the stuff was around at parties. I liked the feeling.” She shuddered. “I loved chasing the dragon.”

  “Chasing the what?”

  “Smoking heroin. Some smoke crack. I found I got too hyped on crack. The first time I smoked heroin, it was completely...” How to describe the feeling? Impossible. “You get this really awesome rush. They say it’s better than sex. At the time, it was. No orgasm can compare to the feeling. Then you go into this dream-state. You float to the clouds. You don’t wanna come back down.”

  “I see.” Jude tilted his head. “Was it easy... quitting?”

  Raven’s stomach seemed to follow her lowered head. “It was really hard. I had to detox first. Then I went into treatment. Clayton took care of me. I owe him my life. If not for him...”

  She’d be selling herself on the street. Pain scratched at her skin. The same curled-up pain she’d experienced balled up in the corner, rocking from dope sickness. Puking. Crying. Wanting to die and get off the planet, even jump out of her own skin.

  “I stayed in treatment for three months. It was an aboriginal healing program. They used our culture and the twelve steps to help us. Clayton came and got me after I finished. He hauled me on the plane and brought me back here. They’re only three meetings a week. I was going to meetings twice a day before that. We had meetings in the morning and meetings in the evening.

  “He... he sat with me each night, reading from the twelve-step book, even though he’s not an addict or alcoholic. Everyone else had given up on me, but not Clayton. He’s a true big brother.”

  Her throat swelled. “I know everyone calls him a shit-disturber, a troublemaker. But they don’t understand what he did for the family. After Dad’s death, he looked after us. He sacrificed his own life for ours. He fished, hunted, and trapped to feed us. He dropped out of high school to guide at Geoff’s Camp so Mom had another income.”

  “C’mere.” Jude crooked his finger, wiggling it for her to step closer.

  She did.

  He draped his arms around her waist, and she snuggled against the safety of his strong chest.

  Chapter Eleven: Don’t It Make You Feel Good?

  Jude’s beating heart warmed Raven’s ear. Warmed her chilled body. Warmed her quaking insides. His palm caressed the small of her back.

  “Do you understand why he wants to see the end of the church now? It robbed him of a family.”

  “You said he’s only forty-two. He’s still young enough to have a family of his own,” Jude murmured.

  Raven’s stomach tightened. He didn’t understand or didn’t want to understand. “He’s raising Tyrell. See? The residential school again.”

  “Tyrell’s mother attended?”

  “No. Her parents did.” She lifted her head.

  He gazed down, sifting his fingers through her hair.

  Yes, they’d come out here for a reason. To hide from those who might tattle to their families. But even knowing what she’d lose, the ache throbbing inside her panties screamed for Jude. Screamed for his touch. His lips. His hands. His cock.

  His mouth came down on hers. Raven’s limbs melted from his scent swathing her, a combination of honey and chamomile tea. Each soft pucker Jude lavished on her lips awakened flutters in her belly. The urge to squirm surfaced. Wiggle against him. The heat in her panties cajoled Raven to fondle Jude’s groin with her crotch. She met thickening dick beneath his jeans.

  He moaned. His tongue slipped between her lips. She matched his sensual licks with teasing strokes. Damn, he was a good kisser. Gentle, but a hint of want in the potent exploration of her mouth.

  She locked her arms around his broad shoulders. Gosh, she could ski off these babies since they were the size of baseballs. His cock bloomed to a full erection pressing on her belly. She almost squealed inside his mouth.

  Still kissing, he steered Raven to the truck. She peeked at his half-open eyes. He peeked back and broke the kiss.

  She leaned against the rear passenger door. “I never made it in the backseat of a truck. Is it as big as it looks?”

  “Is what bigger than it looks?” Teasing invaded Jude’s question. His dark eyes glimmered.

  “Silly man.” She poked his flat stomach. “You know what I’m talking about. Considering you stayed at your uncle and aunt’s as a teenager, I’m betting you got some experience back there.” She used her chin to motion at the truck.

  “Sure do.” He opened the door, still grinning. “But not what you think. Remember, I was raised a good Catholic boy.”

  “Never took advantage of a girl, hmm?” Yes, marriage had granted Jude sexual experience, but his lack of partners was a turn-on. She’d be the second woman to jerk his prick, suck his balls, and lick the head of his cock. “What’re we waiting for?”

  “Lemme flip up the seats.”

  “Oooh, they flip up?” Excitement curled around Raven’s clit, hot enough to wet the skimpy panties she’d made sure to shimmy on earlier. Hopefully Jude loved itty-bitty pink lace. She draped her arms around his waist while he pushed a button and folded the seats.

  “C’mere.” He climbed in.

  She snaked in beside him. As roomy as the back was, they were snuggled tight together.

  He used his boot to close the door. “I should take these off, hey?”

  “Let me.” She leaned forward and removed his snow boots. Then she made sure to worm out of her mukluks. “There.”

  He’d plumped up their parkas to use as pillows.

  She settled beside him. He was probably about five-eleven. Not too tall for the back. The deacon needed a thank you for gifting his son with a height beneath six feet.

  Jude’s arm wound around Raven’s shoulder, and he drew her against his solid chest. They both had to keep their knees bent to fit. This was the time Raven cursed her own height. To be five feet and able to fit anywhere.

  Her mouth met his lips. He lavished a steam-coated kiss on her. Each pucker and nibble curled her tummy with sweet tickles. This was nice. Kissing. She’d never simply kissed since she’d been a teenager and first experimenting with boys. Leave it to Jude to take his time. She wasn’t in a rush either. The caresses he lavished on her hair, the delicate licks and strokes of his tongue exploring her mouth wrapped Raven in sultry warmth.

  She brushed at his hair—thick and coarse. He’d never lose these babies, not when his father still had a full jet-black mane. She glided her nails along the smooth skin of Jude’s face while he continued to taste her tongue, and then she traced the strong bones of his cheek and jawline.

  Just their breaths and the humming engine filled the truck. She could have stayed out here forever, exploring his face, massaging his hair, sampling his tongue. The mmm noises he made were deep and full of satisfaction, enough to elici
t a shiver from her.

  His fingers wandered along her spine, his erection rubbing her thigh.

  Raven wormed her hand downward. A bold move, but it’d been too long since she’d last jerked cock. Jude’s breathing heaved, his tongue plunging and searching. She curled her fingers around the button of his jeans. Her clit throbbed with anticipation. Just as she was about to unfasten the button, his hand seized her wrist.

  Raven froze.

  Jude broke the kiss, hand still locking her wrist. He gaped at her, Adam’s apple bobbing.

  “Wh-what is it?” she stammered. She’d never gotten this kind of reaction. If alone with a guy, the horny hunk couldn’t keep his pants on.

  “I... I...” He released her wrist and settled his palm on her cheek. “I... I can’t think when I’m around you.”

  Jude buried his face into Raven’s hair.

  She skimmed his back with her nails. A good Catholic boy. According to his church, he was married until his annulment.

  “I understand...” Something smothered Raven’s chest, maybe the disappointment invading her queasy stomach.

  “No... don’t.” Jude’s deep voice was hushed. “This isn’t about you at all. It’s about me.” He pecked the top of her head.

  “It’s your marriage, isn’t it?” Raven kept her face buried in his chest.

  “No. It’s... my kids.”

  “It’s okay.” She fingered a strand of his hair.

  His dark eyes brightened. “It is?”

  Raven nodded. “Can we at least kiss?”

  Jude traced Raven’s cheekbone, the print of his finger leaving a delicious silken echo in its wake. “These are lethal. Beautiful.”

  Flattery warmed her belly. “Thank you.”

  “They are. You could cut diamonds with your cheekbones. A true Indian face. All your features are so defined. So...” His tone kept softening until his lips skimmed hers.

  Raven accepted the melodious kiss. She’d never met a man who wasn’t ruled by his dick. Or a man who struggled with putting his own needs aside for those he loved. She was special to Jude. His actions more than said so. He wants more than sex from me.

  She shuddered and molded herself against his strong body. His erection met her stomach. He was dying to have her but making no move to sneak his hand up her sweater or grab her ass.

  In the past, violent poison had filled her mind whenever she saw a Matawapit or Darryl. Now, the venom was fading.

  “Hmm... what is it? Are you okay?” Jude’s sleepy eyes peered at her.

  Shit, she’d been too busy thinking that she’d forgotten to return his kiss. “I’m fine. Keep at it.”

  “You sure?” His eyes questioned her.

  “More than sure.” They were alone after two weeks apart. She deserved a night of wherever this led, whether taking a cold shower upon returning home or lying in bed savoring the moment of having a man deep inside her again.

  She covered his mouth and feasted on his wet tongue that eagerly explored hers. Everything about him was clean and handsome. Mouth. Straight teeth. Outdoorsy breath. Shiny hair. Smooth, flawless skin.

  Raven couldn’t resist and slid her hand inside his sweater to meet Jude’s firm back muscles. Gooseflesh pimpled his skin. She traced her fingers over the tiny bumps. He gasped in her mouth. She kept tracing the excited raised marks that said he enjoyed kissing and touching her, because his hand sat on her hip, rubbing.

  His erection pressing along her stomach kept goading Raven. What did he feel like? Look like? She edged her fingers from his back and wormed her way to his jeans. His breathing hitched. He slid his hand from her hip to her ass and massaged her cheek. His palm seemed to burn through her back pocket.

  A groan snuck from her throat. Jude broke the kiss and pecked her jawline. A path of pecks. A kiss to her lobe. A nibble behind her ear. A light lick on her neck. The steam and fever kept mounting. They should have turned down the truck temperature before getting in the back. Sweat crept between Raven’s legs, along with her wet excitement. Her panties would end up soaked if this kept up.

  “You feel so good. Smell so nice.” Jude’s voice was as hot and wet as Raven’s pussy. He kept kneading her ass. His lips suckled her throat.

  She gulped for breath. Her hand remained on his button. She unsnapped it.

  He stiffened but kept planting kisses on her neck.

  She edged down the zipper. Beneath her palm, his cock flickered. Her heartbeat jumped. She edged her hand inside the nest of warmth. Hair as coarse as his black mane brushed her fingers. Heat from his flesh scorched her hand. Thick pre-cum seeped along her fingers. Her clit kept throbbing. Tingles kissed her skin and slithered up her inner thighs, massaging the spot that always coaxed her to spread her legs and raise her hips.

  She needed a taste of cock. Her cunt screamed for him.

  When Raven gripped Jude’s thick erection, she cupped his wide girth and long, straight length. His cock thrust between her fisted hand. Moans deep from his throat moistened the skin of her throat. If she didn’t get her clothes off, she’d come in her jeans. The tingles were everywhere—on her spine, teasing the wet skin between her pussy lips, coiling around her clit, slithering down her thighs.

  “Jude...” So hard to talk. Just panting.

  “Oh God.” He gasped. His lips left her neck. They stared at each other. “C’mon.”

  He struggled a bit but sat up. When he removed his sweater, Raven groaned at the dips and contours of his flexing muscles and dark skin. Her mouth filled with wet anticipation, aching to suck on his bare flesh.

  She unfastened her jeans and wiggled from the tight denim. If she was smart, she would’ve worn leggings.

  “Nice...” Jude’s gaze pierced her pink panties. “Very nice. I didn’t think you were the kind of woman who preferred practical white cotton.”

  Raven squirmed beneath Jude’s hot stare and the lack of room to remove her clothing. Poor Jude managed to free himself from part of his jeans, but he’d never get them fully off.

  As for her sweater and bra, she’d have to keep them on. Her ache was too great, and so was his, to try to remove the rest of their clothing.

  “C’mere.” He patted the carpeted floor.

  She rested on her back. Her breaths kept coming fast. He moved half on top of her. His hand slid between her legs. God, she swore her clit jumped from its hiding spot to reach for his fingers. The shivers wouldn’t stop. Everything pulsated—thighs, skin, pussy.

  His fingers eased between her cunt lips, and Raven sucked in air but gasped as he massaged her slippery flesh. The scent of her excitement filled the truck.

  “Oh, you’re so ready for me.” He almost seemed to coo since his look was tender yet raw.

  “Please...” Begging wasn’t something she’d ever done. She attempted to spread her legs.

  Jude’s finger traced the rim of her clit, tormenting the sensitive area that quivered. She tried to raise her hips but couldn’t. He was half on her, his weight keeping her pinned to the floor. He circled and stroked, petting her pussy. Each swirl, each caress spurred her juddering clit to surrender.

  The waves of crackling heat struck her hard and fast. She gasped as the explosion of pleasure gripped her cunt and flickered along her skin and thighs. Fevered. She thrashed beneath him, gasping and groaning.

  “Oh yeah, that’s it. Look how beautiful you are,” he said, voice thick with excitement.

  The sizzling fever dissipated. Raven panted. Gosh, how she wished to hang tight to the quivering sensations that had rocketed her from earth seconds ago. But Jude’s lush voice and the arousal in his eyes wrapped her in a puffy white cloud she found ten times better than an orgasm. Nobody had ever called her beautiful after she’d gotten her rocks off.

  “Jude...”

  “I need you, Raven.” His low voice remained thick.

  “Please...”

  He moved on top. Raven cursed her sweater. But there’d be othe
r times when she’d experience their skin as one. She locked her legs around his hips. His cock was brushing the opening to her pussy. When he eased inside her, the same fever erupted and heated her clit. His cock was a welcome invasion, pure pleasure as he spread her flesh to accommodate his length and thickness.

  “Oh my God!”

  Jude stiffened. His eyes flew open. “What? Are you okay? I’m not hurting you, am I?”

  “Condoms. I used to be religious about condoms. I don’t have any. I haven’t bought any in—” How stupid! Cock-blocked by her own senselessness.

  “It’s okay. Trust me. There isn’t a chance anything’ll happen.”

  What did he mean? But from what she’d learned of Jude so far, he was an honest man and no liar. If he said they were safe, they were safe. Whew. They wouldn’t have to stop fucking.

  “Then what’re you waiting for?” She brushed his face. “Fuck me.”

  “Oh, I’ll fuck you, all right.” His mouth claimed hers.

  She tangled her fingers through his locks, oohing and aahing with each delightful pump that taunted her pussy. Slow and easy. Meant to be savored. She licked at his tongue while he continued to gently thrust.

  His mouth traveled from her lips to her neck again. “You feel so good.” He panted. “Oh, you feel so good.”

  Hmm, a talker. Her favorite kind. “You do, too. Fuck me harder.” Her cunt demanded a good pounding.

  He didn’t need to be told twice. She was as eager as him to get her rocks off. His thick prick moved hard and fast, forcing her to accept his length and girth. The hot tingles resurfaced, crackling along her limbs and swirling around her clit.

  His moans and gasps called to her. She was the woman he’d chosen to give himself to, after a year alone. He’d chosen her. Raven Kabatay. A recovering addict and nobody from the rez.

  Chapter Twelve: Things Keep Changing

  While Raven puffed on her e-cigarette, Jude poured more tea for them to enjoy. What a night. If possible, they’d get between the sheets again. He still couldn’t get over her boldness. Even her understanding when he’d had second thoughts. The girl was special.