Running Target

by Kari Lemor

  Callie started to argue but he picked up the child, gritting his teeth at the discomfort and maneuvered his way downstairs. The railing was needed to help but he wasn’t so injured he couldn’t carry his own son.

  Once Jonathan was tucked snugly in his bed, he stood staring down at the boy. This should be an every night occurrence. Being here with him like this twisted the knife even deeper, knowing it couldn’t continue. Every second would be one he’d remember though. With Cabrini gunning for him, he might not have another chance to spend time with Jonathan.

  Leaning down he pressed a light kiss to the boy’s forehead then walked across the hall to his darkened room. After removing his clothes, he entered the bathroom. The door to Callie’s bedroom was partially open. He swallowed a few pain pills, hoping they and the shower would help ease the drumming in his head.

  “Jack, do you need any help?”

  Her continued concern felt nice. “I’m fine. Simply taking a shower.”

  “I’ll be right here if you get dizzy. Just call out.”

  Dizzy, yeah, thinking about Callie made his mind dizzy. Ever since he’d first seen her, he’d lost all ability to reason. Nothing had changed since then.

  Adjusting the water, he stepped under the spray, his wrist twinging at the movement. The water pressure in the trailer he occupied was pitiful. This was heavenly. The one thing that could make it better was Callie joining him. Don’t count on it, pal, it won’t happen. She’d made that abundantly clear.

  Images of the two of them entwined on her bed flashed through his mind. They’d showered together many times then become one on the bathroom floor, the bedroom, anywhere they could. Despair sliced through him at how long it had been since they’d experienced that.

  When he reached for the soap, his shaky hand caught on the shampoo bottle and it toppled to the floor. I’ll get it in a minute. The water would hopefully wash away this melancholy infiltrating right down to his soul.

  Lathered and rinsed, he bent over, grunting at the sharp pain in his ribs. Yeah, there might be something cracked there.

  His senses tingled as he poured shampoo in his hand. Callie hovered near the door, peeking in to check on him. Ever the mother hen, worried he couldn’t handle taking a shower by himself. It didn’t rankle as much as he thought it would. The fantasies of her always being there to worry about him were strong.

  As he scrubbed his hair, a wave of hopelessness washed over him. This day of family bliss had been great but it wasn’t real. Hadn’t ever been real. And it never would be if he couldn’t get his shit together and take down Victor. In three years he hadn’t gotten all that far. Would he ever? Victor had so many people in his pocket it was freakin’ impossible to find or keep any evidence. He was only one man. Too many factors played against him. Damn.

  The pain in his skull beat a rhythm that threatened to drive him crazy. The aches and pains from his various bruises conspired with years of solitude, sending fear and desolation coursing through him. He’d been here before. On the brink of madness, wondering if it was all worth it. Running for his life, day after day, year after year, for what? A glimpse of his son and the woman who heated his blood. Then he’d lose them again until the next opportunity.

  His breathing picked up and he leaned against the shower wall, letting the warm spray wash over his trembling body. It wasn’t working. The water wasn’t relaxing him the way it should. Instead he was drowning, going under for the third time, unable to get enough oxygen.

  “Jack.”

  Callie’s sweet voice brought him to the surface, keeping him afloat as he fought to get back on solid ground. Don’t have a fucking meltdown in front of her. He was supposed to be the strong one. The one to rescue her. Damn. Get a hold of yourself, man.

  “I’m fine, Callie.” His voice sounded pathetic even to his own ears. Would she be disgusted at his lack of strength? Maybe it was best. So many thoughts ran through his mind about getting rid of Victor. And all came with risks. But he’d risk everything to get Callie and his son away from that monster. Even his own life. They were all that mattered.

  The shower door slid open and Callie stood there, anxiety flooding her eyes. Reaching in, she turned off the water then stood staring at him. The warmth and desire he saw cut through him like a knife. You don’t deserve this, don’t deserve her. But right now he needed her, needed whatever she was willing to give.

  “Calico.” It was all that would come out and even it sounded strangled.

  He reached for her and she stepped forward allowing him to hold her. To feed from her strength. His own strength had slid down the drain with the dirty water. There was barely enough left to hold her tight. Her arms tightened too.

  “Come on. Let’s get you in bed.”

  Didn’t he wish she meant those words one way when her purpose was simply to make him rest. That was the last thing on his mind. He needed to lose himself in Callie, in her beautiful warmth and loving arms.

  Leaning against her as they walked to the bed, he sank onto the side. He lowered his head into his hands, the reflection of the moon on the snow-covered hills shining in through the slider. There wasn’t any other light in the room and he hoped it hid his despair. He didn’t want Callie to see him this way. A towel appeared and she patted his skin, rubbed it through his hair then placed it on his lap. Always one for propriety, his Calico.

  Glancing sideways at her, he took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. Must be the headache making me nuts. I’m fine now. You don’t need to take care of me. I’m not Jonathan.”

  “I know you’re not Jonathan, but I still want to take care of you. Need to make sure you’re all right.”

  Stroking his back, she lowered her head to rest against his shoulder. He needed this, needed her. The control he usually held tight loosened at her touch. Turning, he lifted his fingers to caress her cheek.

  “How could I not be all right with you by my side, touching me? It’s all I’ll ever need.”

  Her eyes filled with moisture, sadness radiating from every pore. He hated to see her this way. Callie was meant to be happy. Why couldn’t he do that simple thing for her?

  Her lips called out to him, begged him to taste them though no sound was heard. Lowering his mouth, he whispered his lips across her cheek, where his fingers had been. Could she see the longing in his eyes? See how much he needed her, wanted her, longed for her?

  She tilted her chin up. That was all the answer he required. Finally, he touched her mouth with his, tasted her sweetness, glided across her lower lip like a dance. Lifting her arms to circle his neck, her own lips responded with the passion he remembered.

  Heat blazed as he pulled her closer, the flames engulfing them. He couldn’t let her go. This was where he belonged.

  “God, Callie. I need you so much. Please...”

  The sentence remained unfinished, couldn’t put into words what he wanted. Pushing her hands through his hair, she leaned back to look into his eyes. He could see into the depths of her soul. She wanted him even though she knew she shouldn’t.

  He knew it too, but it didn’t stop him from clinging to her tightly, plundering her mouth with his, taking what he desperately needed to survive. She was his savior, his life, his reason for being.

  Gripping her face, his lips continued their assault. Her mouth opened in a gasp and he took advantage, slipping his tongue inside to cavort with hers. There was no resistance. Only her tongue playfully pressing back, asking for more. He gave it. Gave her all he had and then more.

  The enormous sweater she’d hidden in all day taunted him so he slid his hands underneath. He knew what was inside. Lifting the hem, he swept it off her body and let it slide unnoticed to the floor. The fancy bra from this morning was gone. Hallelujah. This was Callie in all her natural glory. The way he liked her best.

  A groan escaped, from him or was it her? Didn’t matter. The heat inside him
built at a rapid pace, threatening to consume him. Once more he lowered his head, this time to touch his tongue to the tips of her breasts. They pebbled immediately, more moans floating in the air. Yep, they were from her. Good, he loved pleasing her, would do anything to please her. Because it pleased him.

  As he lowered her to the bed, he let his fingers roam her torso, his lips trailing over her silken skin. Her hands stayed tangled in his hair, afraid he might leave? Never, not right now. Not when he had her quivering with desire and perhaps pent-up sexual frustration. Had she taken a lover since him? Knowing Callie, and how she cared for their son, he doubted it. She would have put their child before any need of her own.

  Continuing the journey south with his lips, he grasped the edge of her pants and tugged, his wrist complaining. He didn’t care. Gently, lowering the fabric by degrees, he teased himself with the exposure of smooth skin. Bottoms gone, he rubbed his face against her thigh, a sharp cry erupting from her lips.

  “Jack.”

  “I’m right here, Calico. God, you are beautiful.”

  Kneeling by her feet, he nibbled his way up her legs. She lay on the bed, arms above her head, her back arching as he moved along her body. Perfection. Every delectable inch of her was the definition of beauty. He didn’t deserve anything this exquisite. But when she slid her hands through his hair and pulled him close again, he knew he had to satisfy her. Was the pounding in his head from the possible concussion or desire throbbing in his veins?

  “Do you need something, Calico?” he purred, his mouth a breath away, teasing hers.

  Tiny whimpers emerged as she gazed at him with deep passion burning in her eyes. “You, Jack, I need you.”

  “You’ve got me. I want to show you how precious you are to me.”

  Kissing his way down her torso again, he spread her thighs to slide a finger along her female opening. Short panting breaths escaped as she arched higher. He slid in a second finger then removed it. She was wet and ready, making him even harder, more aroused.

  Continuing the back and forth motion with his fingers, he nibbled along her upper thigh, then moved to lick at her sensitive nub. She grasped his hair tightly but Jack didn’t care about the pain. His goal was to bring her to unknown heights of ecstasy. And he was going along for the ride.

  Her little cries escalated as her body tensed. She was close and he wanted to watch as she fell apart, shattered into tiny pieces simply from his touch. As she began to shudder, he struggled to his feet and thrust his arousal inside her quivering flesh. God, this was heaven. Nothing on earth could feel this good and right.

  Pushing aside the aches from his injuries, he began to move, faster, harder, as Callie’s orgasm ripped through her. Euphoria lit her face and his own hunger peaked. Seeing her in the throes of passion, hearing her whimpers of pleasure, rocked him so high he didn’t think he’d ever come down. Plunging inside her again and again, his legs could barely hold him any longer.

  Rolling to his side, he clutched at her, stars exploding behind his eyes as his own climax hit him. They clung to each other, shivering as passion slowly faded. Her breathing was labored as was his but he didn’t let her go.

  Gently pressing his lips to hers, he wanted her to know how cherished she was. Her eyes opened and glimmered with unshed tears. The hand she lifted to his face and the adoring smile she offered, let him know they weren’t tears of sadness.

  “You are so incredible, my Calico cat.”

  A tiny chuckle escaped. “That was incredible.”

  “Won’t get an argument from me there.”

  She started to get up and Jack panicked. How could she simply walk away after what happened? God, he sounded pathetic. I still need her. Yes, for mind blowing sex but also for his sanity.

  “Don’t leave,” he begged, throwing away his pride. He grasped her hand tightly. “Stay here for a little while, please.”

  She gave a shy nod. Pulling down the sheets, he allowed her to get in. She picked up his discarded shirt and shrugged into it.

  “In case Jonathan wakes up and comes in here.”

  He settled her against his chest quickly so she couldn’t do the buttons. “I want to feel your skin against mine. Remind me that I’m alive.”

  She rested her head on his shoulder and swirled her fingers through the scattering of hair on his chest. “Think you helped me feel quite alive a few minutes ago. I’m sure you don’t have to worry.”

  Pressing his lips to her hair, he skimmed his hands under the shirt. Desire surged again but he tamped it down. The aches from the accident began making themselves known but his head didn’t throb incessantly anymore.

  “My headache’s a bit better. Being with you, Callie, is better than any pain pill. I should use this remedy all the time.”

  She snuggled closer, her legs entangling with his. “Mmmm,” was all that floated his way. Her body relaxed, almost asleep.

  Relishing her closeness, he attempted to stay awake to drink his fill. This wouldn’t last, couldn’t last. In the cold light of day, all of this would be gone.

  * * * *

  Callie opened her eyes to muted sunlight dancing through the sliding door. Something was different. It took a second to remember they were at Heather’s chalet in Vermont. Another second and the sensation of rough skin against her back reminded her of what she and Jack had done last night.

  She’d helped him in the shower then…whoa, things had steamed up fast. Like always. The sight of his naked, wet body had kept her watching. The desperation in his eyes and the droop of his shoulders had pulled her closer. He’d held onto the side of the shower stall as if his life depended on it. She couldn’t have walked away if she’d tried.

  They’d simply exploded. His touch had a way of burning her alive yet kept her begging for more. And they’d had more in the middle of the night. Was that merely a dream, or had Jack ravished her once again as they lay curled together? The tender spots on her body told her it had been real.

  “Good morning.”

  She turned her head. Jack stared, his smile more crooked than ever. Not simply staring, devouring her with his eyes. It was a habit of his. Making her feel like he could eat her for lunch.

  Looking down, she saw his shirt, the one she’d slipped on quickly last night, had slid off her shoulders and was wide open. He crept his hand from its resting place on her hip up across her ribs.

  “Morning,” she echoed back, suddenly shy. In the light of day, she didn’t know how to respond.

  Leaning down, he stopped a breath away. “Thank you for last night, Calico. I felt like I was drowning and you kept me afloat. Tell me you don’t regret it.”

  His eyes shone with emotions so deep they startled her. “No, I don’t regret it. I’ve missed being with you that way. It might make it harder when we have to leave though.”

  Finally, his lips touched hers. “I don’t want to leave you. How about we run away? You, me and Jonathan. We’ll leave the country. Start over somewhere else. Somewhere Victor will never find us.”

  Tears filled her eyes, leaking out at the corners. It sounded wonderful. But it would never work. “I’d love to, Jack. Let’s not kid ourselves about Victor though. He thinks Jonathan is Angelo’s son. He’d never stop searching, even if we could manage to get out of the country without his knowing.”

  His sigh echoed in her ear, his arms held her tighter. “Then we take advantage of every second we have now until we can put him in a hole and leave us alone.”

  Skimming his lips across her cheek, he made his way and lingered on her neck. She tipped her head back and he did things that made her skin tingle. Pushing her hands into his long hair, she held him close. She never wanted to let him go. It was never that easy though.

  When his tongue swirled across her nipple, making it tight and achy, she stifled the moan that slipped from her lips. He didn’t stop there. Shivers ran
through her as he caressed her skin and licked all the way down to her stomach. Pausing right below her navel, he traced an imaginary line with his rough fingers.

  “What are you doing?”

  “These little silver lines intrigue me. They’re beautiful.”

  “Those are stretch marks, you goof.” She pushed at his head but he didn’t budge, simply followed them with his fingers and tongue. “No one thinks they’re beautiful.”

  “I do,” he said, and kissed them once more. “They tell me this is where you carried my child. Where he grew and was nourished by you. They’re your mark of motherhood. There’s nothing more beautiful than that, Calico. I wish I had been around to see it.”

  Her heart bled at the angst in his voice, his regret so strong you could feel it. “I know. Me too.”

  After placing one more kiss on her stomach, he slid up so his face was once again near hers. His hand remained on her stomach. “You know we forgot something last night, Callie. I didn’t do it on purpose. I got a little carried away in my delirious state.”

  Oh, God, they did forget something. It had happened a few times in the past and had resulted in Jonathan. Being with Jack made her lose all sense of responsibility. She calculated days and breathed a sigh of relief. She was due in less than a week. It should be fine.

  “I think the timing’s off. But we can’t do it again, Jack. It’s too risky.”

  “Can’t do what?” His eyes narrowed, growing dark. “Make love or forget protection? Because if I’m in the same room as you for more than a few hours, I’m not sure I can stay away. You’re too damn addicting, Calico. But if you honestly can’t stand the thought of making love with me again, I can leave. I’m fine. I can go to a motel somewhere. You don’t even have to tell Scott.”

  He couldn’t leave. His injuries hadn’t healed yet but even more he’d awoken a need in her she’d long forgotten. If a week was all she had, she’d take it. She’d pay for it later, pay mightily, but she’d have so many more memories to get her through the cold nights.

  Lifting onto her elbows, her face right above his, she kissed him. “We can’t forget protection. After last night, I’m not sure I can stay away from you, either.”