The pond was located right where Lily said it was—about a thirty-minute walk from the house due east. A line of trees covered it and kept it shielded. Lily had said her late husband’s father had planted the trees to add some privacy.
She found a sunny spot by the edge of the water and sat down on the soft moss. As she opened her book, she attempted to concentrate on the words printed on the page, but she kept glancing at the clear, inviting waters of the pond.
Well, there’s no one here. She glanced around, and satisfied that she was alone, put her book down. She hadn’t brought a swimsuit with her, but she supposed her sports bra and panties would do. Lily would have warned her of any diseases she could pick up from the water, and no one would mind if she took a short dip.
8
“Um, Alpha?”
The axe came down with a resounding twhack as Jackson brought it down on the log. “What?” he roared back as he looked up at Garland.
“You okay there?” The older man looked at him with concern.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” He stood up to full height. “Why?”
“Jesse and the others told me you had to stop helping with the calves.” His bushy eyebrows drew together. “Said you were scaring them too much.”
He threw the axe to the ground. “Just needed to let some steam off.”
“Did it work?”
“What do you think?” He nodded to the pile of wood behind him. It looked like they would have enough for the next winter.
“What’s bothering you, son?” There was concern in his voice though he didn’t approach him. The old man knew exactly how to handle Jackson and his wolf. Garland had been part of the Shenandoah clan even before Jackson was born. When he became Alpha, he had offered the old man the role of Beta many times, but he’d refused, saying he didn’t need a fancy title. Seeing as no one else in the clan could take such an honor over him, Jackson opted not to have a second-in-command at all. The old man was his Beta in every way but the name. “Something you need to get off your chest?”
Jackson could feel the uneasiness of Garland’s wolf, and so he reined in his own animal as best he could. It had been on a tear, ever since this afternoon. When he said those words to Jordan. The ones he could never take back.
“Nothing.” He picked up the axe again. “Absolutely nothing.”
Garland took the hint and walked away, but not before shaking his head. Jackson grabbed another log and split it in half, this time with so much force that the axe head actually buried itself into the ground. “Fuck!”
He wiped the sweat from his brow. No matter what he did, he couldn’t stop replaying the scene in his mind. The words as they flew out of his damn mouth. And the look of hurt on Jordan’s face. He didn’t know how to explain it, but it was as if he could feel her pain.
You could never be his mother.
Why would that bother her anyway? It wasn’t like she would even consider living here.
And why would the words bother him?
When he’d thought up of the plan to get Jordan away from him and take care of Austin for the time being, he thought he was being smart. If anything, it only pushed Jordan and Austin closer, and it made working with the other retreaters boring when she wasn’t around. Whenever he came back to the house and saw Jordan and Austin together, it made him unreasonably jealous, like he was mad the two of them were spending time together. Without him.
He got what he wanted though, in getting closer to Liz. She was perfect, just as he’d thought. She did all the work they asked her, never complaining. She was also funny and smart, plus everyone liked her. But why did it feel like something was missing?
A snarl rose from his throat. His wolf never got this angry that it would manifest even while he was in his human body. “Fine.” He grabbed the bottom of his shirt and whipped it off. Maybe a little exercise would help the damn thing. Tire it out and leave him be.
He shucked off the rest of his clothes as quickly as he could; his animal was raring to come out. And, based on his experience, when his wolf was on a tear like this, it was better to let it have its way.
The change was so fast, the pain nearly ripped him in two. Before he knew it, he was on all fours, his wolf running into the line of trees. Jackson let go, allowing the wolf to take the reins. While it may have been furious with him, it knew its boundaries. The trust between him and his wolf was unbreakable and it would never do anything to harm him or anyone who didn’t deserve it.
He let it roam on and on all over clan property though thickets and woods, grain pastures and rolling hills. It didn’t seem to tire, but Jackson was getting impatient. Okay, he told the wolf. You got what you want. Time to give me back control.
It whined at him, but knew its limits. Jackson let it lead them back toward the house. He thought of going back to the spot where he left his clothes, but even now he could feel his body heating up from the change. Best to cool off first. Besides, it had been months since he’d gone for a swim at the pond. Maybe he’d feel refreshed and recharged after a quick swim.
As soon as the pond was within sight, the wolf raced faster. There was no time to brake or shift back, so it jumped right in. The cool water felt invigorating. He stayed underwater for a few seconds before shifting back to his fully human form. His feet landed on the bottom of the pond and he stood up, rising up in the waist-deep pool. As he brushed his hair back, he heard a short gasp that made him stop dead. He blinked the water from his eyes, and although his vision was clear, he wasn’t sure if he was seeing things or if this was real.
Jordan stood a few feet away from him. She too, was waist deep in the water, wearing only a white sports bra. She must have already been swimming a while because her nipples and breasts were clearly showing through the translucent fabric. Her long hair was plastered to her head, the black strands curling over her shoulders. Water droplets clung everywhere, to her cheeks, her nose, her pouty lips, her slender neck, her shoulders, and her arms. Despite the cool temperature of the water, he went instantly hard.
They stood there, staring at each other for what seemed like forever, daring each other to make the first move. When Jordan took a step back, his inner wolf roared; the thought of her running and him chasing her down lit a primal fire in him. The need to hunt her, take her, dominate her, was consuming. He took a tentative step forward.
For each step he took toward her, she took one back. However, as he lengthened his strides, she shortened hers, and they continued this dance until he was right in front of her. He took a deep breath, taking in that delicious and unmistakable scent of hers before staring straight into her eyes.
Her mouth parted with a sigh, and seeing those plump lips open up made the blood roar in his ears. Without missing a beat, he snaked a hand around her neck and bent down to claim her. The shock of the touch made her shiver. Or was he the one shivering?
He waited her for to protest or push him away. Those words he said were haunting him. She should get away from him. Slap him and be done with him. But instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and her mouth moved against his, giving as much as she got. He moved his other hand down to her waist, snaking under the water to cup her ass. Much to his surprise, when he pulled her toward him, she lunged forward, hauling herself up so she could wrap her legs around his waist.
As he continued to ravage her mouth, he walked them back up to the shore, then slowly got down on his knees. Her legs released him, allowing him to push her down on the soft, damp moss. He covered her body with his, the feeling of her skin against his only fueling the raging desire in him. She moved her hips so he was between her legs. They may as well have both been naked as he could feel her heat through the thin wet panties on her hips.
She groaned in protest when he moved his lips away, but he needed to taste the rest of her. He pressed his mouth to her neck, grazing the spot where her pulse was quickening with his teeth. She cried out and dug her nails into his shoulders.
Her skin was delicious and her ex
otic scent was heady as it wrapped around him. He moved lower, kissing down to her cleavage, dipping his tongue between her breasts before dragging his mouth over to her nipple. He suckled the nub through the damp fabric of her bra, making her moan.
He wanted to taste her nipples without any barrier, and in his impatience, ripped the offending bra right down the middle, making her cry out in outrage and look down at him in shock. But, once he popped her naked nipple in his mouth, she threw her head back and let out a whimper of satisfaction.
Her hips ground up at him impatiently, and the continuous rubbing of her heated core was too much. He needed her now, and it was obvious she wanted him. Reaching down between them, he yanked her panties aside. Jesus. She was soaking wet already, just as he thought.
She bucked her hips up, and at first, he thought she was trying to get him off of her. However, he realized that she was tugging at her panties, trying to get them off. He obliged and helped her, pulling them down her thighs and off her legs.
He grabbed his erect cock and used the tip to tease her slick pussy lips, then up to her clit. To his surprise, she let out a growl and raked her fingernails down his back, all the way to his ass and pushed him forward. Oh, she wanted it, bad. And he would give her what she wanted.
He found her entrance and slowly, began to push in her. She was slick, but too tight to take him on all at once, though he wanted nothing more than to be buried inside her. As she began to accommodate him, he moved all the way until he filled her.
“Jackson.” The way she said his name made him groan. Full of possession and need at the same time. Exactly what he was feeling at this moment. Along with the need to fuck her hard until she came. So, he reached under her, grabbed her firm ass, then began to move.
He growled as she lifted her hips to meet his every thrust, giving as good as she got. She clenched around him, tightening as he continued to drive into her. Her hands threaded into his hair, grabbing and pulling at the roots. Pain and pleasure mixed together and he pumped into her harder.
He felt a leg hook around his thigh, and much to his surprise, used her strength to flip them around. He found himself on his back, looking up at her. Hot damn. She looked like a goddess above him, her legs straddling him and her back arched. Then she began to move. Holy fuck. Those perfect titties bounced up and down as she moved her hips, fucking him with wild abandon.
She let out a whimper as she clamped down around him, her orgasm making her squeeze him tight. Her body shuddered she bent down low to grab at his shoulders and bury her face in his chest. Teeth grazed at his skin, and he lost it.
“Ffuuck!” He grabbed at her hips, pushing up into her as fast and as hard as he could, then brought her down as he grunted his release, not stopping as he filled her with his come. On and on, like he couldn’t stop. Not that he wanted to. He shut his eyes tight, pumping into her, urging her to come one more time. When she let out another soft cry, he finally relented, slowing his pace until he stopped completely.
He lay there, his mind still reeling from the heart-stopping orgasm. Realization began to seep in. Her head lay on his chest and he could feel her breath on his skin, and the rise and fall of her chest.
“Jordan! Jordan, where you at?”
She looked up at him, the desire from her hazel-green eyes gone. “Shit.”
“Austin.” That was definitely his son calling out. “How did he know—”
“Lily told me about this place and—” She scrambled off of him before she could finish that thought. “You have to—he’s going to—”
He was already on his feet. “Fuck, I left my clothes back where I shifted.”
Jordan was already hopping into her leggings. “Go!” She waved her hand at him, then slipped on her gray shirt.
He dashed into the line of trees, pressing up behind one of them and held his breath.
“Jordan! Why are you wet? Didja go for a swim?” Austin asked.
“Yeah,” she said. “I uhh, was feeling hot—I mean warm.”
“Grams told me to come get ya. It’s almost dinnertime, and she didn’t want you to be late.”
“Oh, that’s nice of her.”
“Your shirt’s on backwards,” he pointed out.
“Uh, thanks. I didn’t notice. I should shower and get cleaned up before we have dinner anyway.”
“What are we doing tomorrow?” Austin asked.
Jackson listened to their voices as they grew fainter and fainter, never moving until he only heard silence. “Fuck me.” He raked his fingers through his hair. What the fuck was he thinking?
That was the problem—he wasn’t. He was horny and he let it get the best of him. Add that to the fact that the tension between him and Jordan was at the breaking point, and it was like lighting a keg on fire. He hadn’t been able to help himself; she was there and willing, apparently, even after he said those words.
“Shit.” He remembered that they didn’t use any protection. Not that it mattered. The chances of them conceiving were extremely low. That was just the way of their kind. He’d been fucking around with Arlene on and off for over a year before they had Austin. No way one time with Jordan would get her pregnant.
As he made his way back to where he left his clothes, Jackson convinced himself he wasn’t disappointed if that was the case.
9
“What’s next?”
Jordan nearly jolted out of her skin. “Huh?”
Wide eyes looked up at him. “I’m done with my ’rithmetic.” Austin pushed a piece of paper at her. “Are you okay?”
Warmth flooded her cheeks when she realized the kid had caught her staring into space. “I’m fine. Do you want to continue?”
“Can I go get a drink of water first?”
“Go ahead.”
He slid off his seat and went inside the house. Lily had suggested they set up a table outside and do their lessons there as it was another gorgeous spring day. Not that she noticed.
She let out a breath and closed her eyes. No wait, don’t do that. What happened at the pond replayed in her head like a movie trailer stuck on repeat. But, even in the bright morning sun, her thoughts drifted to the events of yesterday. With a pained groan, she buried her face in her crossed arms over the table.
What the hell was she thinking, having sex with Jackson? This was a total disaster. He couldn’t stand her and she abhorred his guts. Maybe that’s why the whole thing was so hot. They always said hate sex was the best.
It wasn’t even like Jackson was her type. Sure, she’d been surrounded by hot, built shifters all her life, but she always went for the skinny, hipster intellectual types. Her last hookup was with a PhD candidate from Stanford. Aside from not being the academic type, Jackson’s body was pure sex—broad shoulders, bulging pecs, a defined eight-pack that she regretted not being able to bite and lick.
And that cock. She was still sore down there and she could have sworn Lily was looking at her funny when she winced as she sat down at the table last night. Still, her body was craving to have him inside her again.
It was a good thing Jackson hadn’t shown up for dinner. Lily had told them he was stuck doing some work on the far side of the ranch. Good. Liz looked extremely disappointed, but she used the time to kiss up to Lily instead. Why no one else could see how fake she was, Jordan didn’t know. And, if it wasn’t obvious before, it was pretty evident now: Liz had set her sights on becoming Lupa of the Shenandoah clan.
Well, she was welcome to Jackson. Her wolf gnashed its fangs at her, but she told it to shut the hell up.
“Jordan, are you okay?”
She whipped her head up. “Yeah, kid, I’m great.” She forced a smile on her face. “Just great. What’s that?”
He carried in a tray with two glasses and a plate piled high with what smelled like oatmeal raisin cookies. “Grams got these out of the oven. She said we should have some while they were warm.” The smell of the cookies was delightful and her stomach gurgled in hunger.
“Oh my
God, gimme, gimme.” The tray had barely landed on the table before she grabbed two of the cookies and stuffed them in her mouth. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this hungry. And to think, she didn’t even like oatmeal raisin cookies.
Maybe she was eating her feelings. She also ate twice as much as she usually did last night, secretly telling herself she wanted to eat so much there wouldn’t be any left for Jackson. Besides, Lily’s roast beef had been amazeballs.
“You sure can eat,” Austin said as he bit into his cookie. “For a girl, I mean.”
“Well, when you start shifting in a couple of years, you’ll eat like this.” She chomped into a third cookie and then washed it down with a gulp of milk. “I bet you’ll eat even more than me.”
“When did you first shift?” he asked.
“Hmm …” She polished off the cookie and then brushed the sticky crumbs from her hands. “It happened one night while I was in bed. I was fourteen.” For their kind, the shift usually came around puberty. “My dad was actually away on clan business, but Mom was there with me the entire night. I clawed her good a couple of times, but she never gave up. By morning, I was back to my human form.” The first shift was problematic because, while shifting into wolf form just came naturally, going back to human was more difficult.
“What’s she like?” he asked.
“Huh?”
“Your mom.”
“I dunno. Like a mom, I guess.” She only realized how insensitive her words were when she saw the stricken look on his face. “Jeez. Sorry, kiddo, I didn’t mean to say that.”
He shrugged and grabbed another cookie. “It’s okay. I never knew my ma.”
She never really thought to ask about Austin’s mom. Somehow, the thought of Jackson being married to someone else didn’t sit well with her. “Is she … gone?”
He took a bite of the cookie and swallowed it down. “She left us when I was a baby.”
A Mate for Jackson: Bad Alpha Dads: A True Mates Standalone Novel Page 8
