Troubled Spirits

by Sandy Wolters

  Without wavering, he looked deep into her eyes and tried to relay his unshakable belief in her. “Whatever it is, I’ll be here with you. I’ll be holding you and offering you strength. You won’t be alone ever again. You have my word on that.”

  Even in the darkness, her timid smile did nothing to stop the fear which blazed behind her eyes. Trying to distance himself from his own alarm that her statements had provoked, Jared forced his features to relax. While her proclamation terrified him, he stilled his thoughts so she wouldn’t be aware of his concern.

  She looked for any sign of insincerity of his offered support as she scanned his face. It pleased him that she’d found what she needed in his gaze.

  “Kiss me, Jared.”

  Slowly, he started to move toward her but unexpectedly jerked to a stop inches from her mouth. He tried again to get closer, but his seatbelt had locked on him. A slow, angry growl left his throat as he released the obstruction. His aggravation broke her surly mood as her laughter rang through the car.

  Frustrated, he opened the door and sped around the vehicle. He hoped the damn seatbelt hadn’t ruined their tender moment. As soon as he opened her door, Jody slid from the car into his arms. The contented sigh she’d released into his mouth was a thing of beauty. As she melted into him, he wrapped her in a secure embrace. He felt the shift of her fears as they dissipated while her lips lingered on his. They clung to each other, neither one wanting to be the first to let go. Unable to quench their need for one another, the kiss quickly turned from languid to urgent.

  “Come inside with me?”

  His hands fisted in her silky hair, and Jared pulled her head back to look into her eyes. “Are you sure?” The anticipation of her answer had the breath seizing in his chest.

  Flashing him a dazzling smile, she pulled away before holding her hand out. “I’m more sure about this than I’ve ever been about anything in my life.”

  Once the front door closed behind them, he moved swiftly. He had Jody’s back against the door with his lips brushing kisses along her neck. His body was on fire, and he’d only find relief when he sank deep within her.

  Each pass of her lips and nip of her teeth sent fireworks spiraling through him and drove him to the edge of reason. She pulled his mouth to hers and started an exploration with her tongue which left his mind numb.

  Unable to break contact, he breathlessly murmured as he kissed her, “Be sure about this, Monkey, because you’ll never be rid of me once I take you. You’ll always be mine.”

  She forcibly pushed him away, leaving him momentarily startled. Her expression turned to one of unadulterated lust. Leaving an arm’s length between them, she reached out and roughly grabbed the front of his shirt. Enticing him with her smoldering look, he followed along as she pulled him into her bedroom.

  She roughly pushed him on the bed. Wanting a clear view of everything that was about to happen, she hit the light switch. Standing stock still, she faced him. “What would you say, Jared, if I told you I am falling in love with you?”

  A slow, arrogant grin moved across his face. “I’d say, it’s about damn time, Monkey.”

  Happy with his answer, she seductively leaned back against the door and smiled. He stood and took a step toward her, but her hand flew up to halt his progress. “Stop!” Her finger shook at him in an I-don’t-think-so manner. “I didn’t say you could get off the bed, sweetheart.”

  Her playfulness at a time like this had his eyebrows shooting up into his hairline. As he sat back down, his broad grin served as a dead giveaway that the show couldn’t start fast enough for him. She made sure he paid attention as her hands moved seductively up her body, finding and undoing each button on her Diamondback jersey along the way. The garment slipped from her shoulders and landed in a pile at her feet. She kicked the jersey to him and watched as he brought it to his face, deeply inhaling her scent. Enjoying his reaction, she patiently waited for him to refocus on her.

  Jody toed her shoes off and unbuckled her belt. Before she moved to unfasten her shorts, she noticed Jared’s nostrils flaring as his breathing became visibly stilted. She delighted in the knowledge he had started to come unhinged without even touching him yet. Well, you’re not the only one, sweetheart.

  Her hips moved in a seductive, swinging motion, causing her shorts to fall at her feet. Taking one step back, she kicked her leg out launching the shorts toward him. As they hurled across the room, he caught them in mid-air.

  She knew his excitement had built to a point which made it impossible for him to sit any longer. He stood slowly, bringing the shorts to his face. Waves of heat ran through her body as he deeply inhaled to imprint the scent of her sex in his mind. The deeper he inhaled, the more frenzied he became. His eyes glazed over and had turned dark with passion. The gentle man she’d known slowly disappeared in front of her eyes. That made her damn happy. She didn’t want the calm, cool, and collected Jared at the moment. She wanted to see him lose control. She wanted his wild, dominant side which he’d kept carefully hidden from her.

  Her body burned for him as she watched him transform into a more animalistic version of himself. His movements slight but taut with tension proved his readiness to pounce on her the first chance he got. Barely hanging on, she could hardly wait for the moment when she’d finally allow him to catch her.

  His gaze moved from her face to her tight tank top which did nothing to hide her erect nipples.

  “Do you like what you see, sweetheart?”

  When he answered with nothing more than a tightly clenched jaw, she knew she wouldn’t be able to hold him at bay much longer. Turning her back to him, she seductively pushed her hip out to accentuate her curves. Slowly, painstakingly, she pulled the tank top over her head exposing her bare back to him. Glancing over her shoulder, she watched him moving toward her, his demeanor and pace no less dangerous or primal than that of a tiger stalking its prey. His eyes were riveted on her butt.

  Since her exhibition had teased him mercilessly, she expected him to be a little rough with her—at least that was her hope. There would be time later for gentleness. For now, it had been over a year since her last sexual encounter which made her want him fast and hard. Instead, he surprised her by moving behind her and running his hands gently down her back, branding every inch of her with a feathery touch. His caress so light and unanticipated, she thought she’d go mad as shivers visibly shook her body. Not only had she worked him into a frenzy, but she’d done a pretty good job on herself as well. Knowing this treatment was his payback, if need be, she’d beg to make him move faster. That prospect made the fire within her burn even hotter.

  Tilting her head back, she pleaded for him to come closer. Didn’t he know she needed him to touch all of her? Now! His fingers found their way around her waist and moved toward her aching breasts only to come to rest at the upward curve beneath them. His touch, still light as silk on her skin, drove her insane with need.

  Surprising her with his sudden movement as he closed in behind her, his fingers reached up and pinched her taut nipples. His teeth sank into her neck, shooting tendrils of lust throughout her already overheated body. Shocked to realize she’d come very close to having an orgasm, her legs buckled as she screamed his name in delight.

  His voice, gravelly with lust, commanded, “Don’t you dare move, Monkey. I’m going to touch every inch of you, and then I’m going to taste you.”

  His words created a manic hunger within her, making each breath a challenge. If she weren’t careful, she’d pass out.

  “Put your hands on the door,” he demanded in a powerful alpha voice that relayed he’d be taking full command of this encounter.

  Complying with his orders, she spread her arms in front of her and arched her back, silently begging him to move faster. His fingers slid slowly down her back until he got to her barely-there panties. He traced along the edge of the lace, making her wiggle beneath his touch and groan for more.

  Bending to his knees, he hooked his thumbs i
n the frilly barrier and slowly pulled them down to her ankles. Offering an open invitation to do as he pleased, she spread her legs and thrust her butt out. Still teasing her with a gentle touch, he slowly ran his hands down her backside to her inner thighs. For the second time in a matter of minutes, she felt the weight of an oncoming orgasm. His magic touch had her body vibrating with a primal need.

  “Are you ready for me, Monkey?”

  “Please, Jared, please. I don’t think I can…” Her words trailed off. She’d lost the power to think as he leaned forward and nipped her butt with his teeth.

  “What do you want, Monkey?” The slick folds of her overheated sex started contracting. Oh my God! That fucking sexy all-male timbre of his voice has my girly parts starting without him!

  “Touch me, Jared. Oh God! I’m begging you. You’re driving me crazy.”

  He stood and moved his hands around her hips. Still behind Jody, he pulled her naked bottom tightly against his still-clothed body and ground his erection into her backside. His hands moved to her belly and continued their journey down the front of her body, torturing her with each leisurely inch. His fingers slipped down and grazed her swollen nub, the touch sending her over the edge with a powerful orgasm. As her scream ripped through the room, she opened her stance and wrapped her leg around his, brazenly pleading for more.

  In one swift motion, he lifted her and placed her on the edge of the bed. His eyes took a slow torturous journey over every curve. “Lean back on your elbows and spread your legs, Monkey. I want to see what I’ve just claimed.”

  Still reeling from her orgasm, she did as she was told but decided to add a little encouragement. To fulfill Jared’s request, she slowly reclined on the bed, seductively sliding her hand from her throat to her nipple. She rolled the rosy nub between her fingers and arched her back. His approving, low, rumbling groan encouraged her to go on.

  She spread her legs displaying herself for him. Her body jerked with the remaining tremors of her orgasm.

  Just as the last blissful contraction faded, she opened her eyes and found him naked. Every muscle in his body was strung so tight from sexual need that she could see them vibrate. The sight of him had her licking her lips.

  He dropped to his knees so fast she didn’t have a chance to react. His tongue found her, devouring her as if she were his last meal. Ecstasy had her squealing his name.

  Shooting her hips up, she reached down and grabbed fistfuls of his hair, encouraging him to explore every inch of her. The vision of his head between her legs and the way his tongue glided and teased her most intimate spot had her body primed again in no time at all.

  His tongue had the folds of her sex swelling and ready to explode. The ministrations he lavished on her had her seeing stars. His lips clamped down and sucked her tender sex into his mouth. He released the hard nub just as quickly only to pull that most sensitive and private place of hers back through his lips. The pulsating sensation proved to be her undoing and shot her over the edge.

  Her lust filled screams encouraged him on as he inserted a finger and watched as her body clamped down around it.

  Proudly, he stood in front of her. “Look at me, Monkey.”

  Unsure how much more she could take, she opened her eyes and found him between her legs, holding his erection. He sheathed himself with a condom. “I’m going to take you now, and when I’m done, you’ll belong to me and only me.”

  She raised her knees in invitation and held her arms out to him.

  “Say it. I need to hear you say it.”

  “I’m yours, Jared, and you’re mine. I’ll never let you go.”

  He pinned her knees to the bed, sliding himself over her sensitive nub. Unable to restrain herself, his name shattered the air as she cried out again.

  Still standing, he took her with one quick thrust, her body eagerly accepting his full length. The feel of their joined bodies had them both groaning with desire. She wrapped her legs around his waist and clutched at the bed above her head. Through passion filled eyes, she watched as he stood over her, pounding into her. His fingertips dug into her hips to hold her in place. Rotating his hips in circles made the ride even more pleasurable for both of them. Wanting to prolong her climax, she squeezed her eyes shut but knew it would be impossible to hold off.

  She felt his body collapse on top of her and his movements stalled. She opened her eyes in protest and found him staring at her. He began to stroke slowly, prompting her core to tighten once again. Her eyes lost their focus.

  “Look at me, Monkey,” he demanded. “I need you to see what you do to me. I want you to feel what you do to me. You…” Unable to finish, his words trailed off. The muscles in his neck bulged, and his face tensed. She reached out and pulled his lips to hers, accepting his cry of passion into her mouth.

  Knowing full well he didn’t have the strength to move anymore than she did, she finally felt his body relax. As his breathing slowed, he lifted up on one elbow and nibbled at her neck. He gently bit her chin and moved to her mouth, leaving her dazzled with his sweet attention.

  She played with his hair and cooed blissfully. “I hope you’re planning on staying the night because I think I might find a need for you in a few hours.”

  Because their bodies were still joined, him on top of her, she felt his laugh start in his belly and make its way up to his mouth. With strength she couldn’t believe he possessed after the tumble they’d just taken, he pulled her up with him. Standing by the bed, she wrapped her legs around his waist as he continued to hold her. Neither one of them were willing to pull apart just yet.

  “Would you like to take a shower? It’s big enough for two.”

  Crossing the room, he turned the bathroom light on and cracked the door. Jared nibbled at her shoulder while he turned the bedroom light off. Moving to the side of the bed, he pulled the covers down. Still joined from lovemaking and never releasing his embrace, he sat on the bed and laid down with Jody cradled into his body. “I don’t want to wash what just happened away quite yet. I want to feel our slick bodies, smell our mixed scents. I want to hold you and sleep with you. We can shower later.”

  It didn’t take long for their breathing to become synchronized. Almost asleep, a sudden attack of the giggles hit Jody. Jared’s hand came up and gently stroked her hair. “What’s so funny?”

  Unable to stop herself, she giggled again. “I can finally get rid of that damn dildo. It’s not nearly as good as the real thing.”

  “I say, keep it. You never know. We may find a use for it later.”

  Each drawing comfort from the other, sleep finally found them through their laughter.

  ****

  Several hours later, he awoke with an erection that was almost painful. He found her between his legs, softly running her fingers up and down the length of his cock. She puckered her lips and blew a steady stream of warm breath on his now tight balls. She never took her eyes off of his erection as it engorged and readied itself for her. Desire coursed through his body as he reached out for her.

  “Not so fast,” she stated entirely too calmly. His thick sex jumped as he watched her pour a creamy lotion into her hands. Never breaking eye contact with him, she slowly rubbed the silky lotion between her hands warming it for him. “You got lots of pleasure out of torturing me earlier. It’s my turn.”

  Her hands moved to his erection, stroking him, increasing the pressure and then decreasing it. His knees involuntarily slid up so he could pump hard into her skilled hands. She reached between his legs and squeezed his tight sack. “Oh fuck, Monkey, that feels so good.” He was so close, so damn close, when she suddenly stopped. His hands clenched the blankets as he tried to calm his disappointment.

  Creating an all-new sensation, she lowered her body to him and squeezed her breasts around him. All control lost, he started thrusting into the cocoon she’d created, pumping faster, harder until his body tensed beyond the point of no return. The orgasm came fast and hard leaving him dizzy.

  Movin
g to the shower, they took their time washing each other. Soapy hands glided across wet skin, each committing the other’s body to memory through touch.

  Jared pulled her close and held her under the warm spray of water. Cradling her he conceded that she was the most cherished person in the world to him. He felt a powerful need to open up to her again—to share another guarded secret.

  “That night in Dallas—our first full night together—it was the first time in my life I’d ever spent the night with another person. Even as a child, there was no one.”

  With Jared’s confession, she pulled away just far enough to gaze into his eyes.

  “Don’t get me wrong, there’ve been women, but never for more than an hour here or there and never in my personal space. At no time in my life have I ever wanted anyone by my side. You changed all of that for me, Jody. I can’t imagine not touching you, not talking to you, not being with you.”

  He touched his forehead to hers. “It scares me. I’ve never been this committed to anyone or anything. I don’t know what I’m doing, and I’m terrified I’m going to do something to screw it up and push you away.”

  Jody opened her mouth to speak, but he put his finger to her lips to stop her. “Promise me that if I ever do something stupid or hurt you in some way, you won’t just leave me. You’ll talk to me first and help me understand what I’ve done wrong.”

  Pulling his face to hers, she kissed his nose, the side of his mouth, his chin and then his eyes surrounding him with the love he’d never had. Tears caused by his insecurities washed away with the spray of the shower.

  “You have my word.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Lazing around on a Saturday with his girl had quickly become the most coveted reality in Jared’s world. He had a hard time believing they’d already been together for three wonderful months. Time spent with his little monkey sped by in the blink of an eye.