by M. C. Cerny
Katie had turned her body away from Jacob and her head rested against the right side of her headrest. She looked battle worn, her features drawn in sleep and her complexion pale. He gently rubbed her back to wake her up. She hadn’t wanted Jacob to sleep in the guestroom last night, practically demanding he crawl in next to her and Hauk so he was forced to lay vigil next to her. He supposed it was a sort of penance given that he couldn’t touch her as she wiggled her body up against his.
“Sweetheart, we’re here.”
Katie mumbled and slowly stretched, opening her eyes.
“I guess I was tired. Sorry I slept the whole way.” Jacob felt lucky that Katie fell asleep easily in the car. She needed the rest, he needed to think. She would have undoubtedly asked him many questions that he couldn’t answer just yet. All he wanted was to savor these last possible hours that he would have with her trust fully in him.
“It’s okay. I think the stress of things just caught up to you. I’m pretty beat myself. Let’s get inside, get settled, and eat something. Hauk is probably desperate to find his way up to a bed, too.” Hauk barked once and jumped out of the backseat, running around to the side of the house and back again. The dog looked anything but tired, running and jumping across the large front lawn.
“Poor Hauk.” Katie rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and, on leaden feet, followed Jacob into the house. Katie looked up and admired the stone building. It looked nothing like an old farmhouse that she pictured. It was two stories, large and intimidating, with stone turrets. It might as well have had a moat circling it. “The house looks like a medieval fortress,” Katie mused. It certainly wasn’t the Midwest-style she envisioned, or something out of the Wizard of Oz with white clapboards, black shutters, and a wraparound porch.
“We’ll be safe here. Come on, sweetheart.” Jacob took Katie’s bag and her hand, and led her inside. Hauk followed them, jumping up and down. His enthusiasm made Katie laugh. Jacob left her in the foyer for a moment to bring their stuff upstairs, then led her into the old refurbished kitchen. A huge island filled the cooking area, with a large open fireplace and stainless steel appliances.
“Wow, this is like a homemaker’s dream come true. You could run a catering business or feed an army in here.” Jacob wasn’t surprised by Katie’s deduction. The kitchen often became the place the team met to discuss Ops.
“Yeah, I figure I’ll have a bunch of kids running around here someday. I might need the room.”
Katie laughed and went to Jacob’s open arms, hugging him. “Really? Whose kids do you plan on having up here, Mr. Reed?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe I could get four out of you to start.” Jacob hugged Katie back, laughing at her shocked expression. He kissed her nose and lifted her up onto the island, standing between her open knees.
“That’s pretty presumptuous, Mr. Reed.” Katie put her arms around Jacob’s neck, pulling him in closer.
“Why? Did you want more than four?” Jacob joked, suggestively rubbing her back.
“Um…” Katie felt herself getting warm from her ears to her toes. She had felt tired before, but his interest sparked new energy through her body. “Didn’t Julian say no strenuous activity?”
“You minx. You keep reminding me how you scared ten years off my life when I drove up to your apartment building yesterday.”
“I blame the thugs who broke in, but seriously? Kids?” Katie nervously rubbed her hands over Jacob’s shoulders.
“I’m in no rush, I promise. If you could see your face right now, sweetheart, you look horrified at the thought of children.”
“Kids don’t scare me. Someday I would love to have a houseful. More like horrified because I can’t cook worth a darn so I think you’ll be sadly disappointed with my kitchen skills.”
“Well, that’s okay, Miss Wilson. Lucky for you, I make the big bucks and can hire a cook.” Jacob stroked Katie’s arms and rested his palms at the bottom of her waist, above her butt. He pulled her closer to him so her hips rested against his.
“Jacob?” Katie rested her hands on his shoulders more tentatively now with the energy between them zinging back and forth.
“It’s okay, Katie. I’m just happy you’re here. I’ve never brought someone to my home before. We’ll take our time and, if you feel uncomfortable, you can stop me at any time.”
“I was actually hoping you weren’t going to stop. We keep getting interrupted, you know.” Katie leaned in and pushed her hips harder against him. He groaned and pulled her closer. Tentatively, she kissed him and he took charge, tipping her head back and she opened her mouth to him. He filled her mouth with his stroking tongue, playfully darting with hers, and she breathed in his breath. He ended it by kissing her forehead and tucking her loose hair behind her ears.
“No more interruptions then.”
Jacob picked her up and brought her upstairs, carrying her to his bedroom in the back of the house. Night had descended on the mountains. Dark navy curtains hung on the large windows, and only the bright stars peeked through the cloudless night to light the room. Jacob set Katie down on the bed and turned on a light, illuminating the room and casting shadows against the pale walls. He took off his shirt, shoes, and pants. As she watched him, her breathing had become shallow and she felt immobile. He was magnificent. He was thickly muscled, broad shouldered, and had wide hips with a slender waist. Katie was too nervous to let her gaze drop lower so she saw Jacob smile as she admired him.
He approached her and helped her undress, savoring the removal of each article of clothing, kissing her as he removed each one. Katie couldn’t help but compare it to the few fumbling attempts that she experienced in college. She was left with her bra and panties on, as Jacob moved her back onto the bed. She felt chilled until he lay over her, covering her body. The ridge of his arousal strained heavy and hot at the juncture of her thighs. He rested there for a moment, until Katie slowly parted her legs. Jacob nudged her knees further apart.
Her breathing hitched and he murmured words of encouragement to her. “Easy, sweetheart. It’ll happen; just breathe.”
Katie moaned softly as Jacob cupped her breast. He slipped one strap of her bra down and then the other, almost trapping her arms. He cupped her bare breast, taking the nipple in his mouth. Katie gasped and pulled gently on Jacob’s head. She lifted her hips to him and he chuckled. “You’re so soft.” The air teased her skin, now damp where he had suckled. The nipple puckered, and Katie struggled to get closer. “Oh, no. I’m taking my time with you, woman.”
Groaning, Katie’s need felt primal. Jacob was waking something up inside her that was exciting and scary at the same time. He unclasped her bra and went to work on her other breast. Kneading, kissing, sucking hard, and stroking them until they were full and aching. He continued to rub his cock along her thigh. Katie wanted to touch him so badly, but he kept diverting her attention. “Next time, love. Let me take care of you tonight.” Jacob wasn’t sure he would ever get another night with this woman that he loved.
Katie was more feverish and frustrated then she had been in her entire life. “Please, Jacob, please.” She begged him to hurry and he slowed down even more. He suckled her neck as he petted her breast and stroked her belly. He held onto her hips as he gave her a love bite. Katie cried out, an orgasm already on the edge of her senses. He kissed his way down her belly, tonguing her shallow stomach as he peeled her panties off. Katie was wet with desire and he pushed her legs wide apart, kissing her thighs. Holding her hips from underneath her, he kissed the top of her sex. With one hand, he parted her lips and rubbed his finger along the sides, teasing her and barely passing over her opening. He could smell her heat; she would be slick and ready to come. Jacob slowly moved back up her body, rubbing against her soft skin.
“Open those beautiful blue eyes, sweetheart. I want to see them when I push into you, as you take me inside and come for me.” Katie opened her eyes and looked into his. She could feel all of Jacob resting on top of her, the head of his cock
nudging her opening, eager to push forward. Jacob used his fingers to open her lips, taking one finger to penetrate her and rubbed her creamy juices over his head and her opening. Slowly pushing in, he felt her tightness each inch of the way. Katie moaned and Jacob could see her pupils darkening with desire. He was big and it had been a long time for Katie so she needed stretching to accommodate him. The heat flushed her body and she lifted her hips to meet his. She was lost and began moving on her own, her short nails making small crescents on his shoulders as she held him tighter. Jacob met her with a quick thrust and Katie cried out, her muscles milking Jacob until he came with her, shooting deep into her. He stayed inside Katie, hard and pulsing. She came again and he rode her harder this time, groaning his own completion. He stayed like that, almost afraid to sever their physical contact as their breathing slowed and the night air cooled their bodies.
Katie felt deep contentment and safe with him. The past two weeks had been emotionally overwhelming. Her head had started to pound into a terrible headache until they drove out of the city. She was definitely lucky to have not been home when her apartment had been broken into. She snuggled closer to Jacob and gave herself up to the oblivion of sleep.
Jacob had trouble sleeping. Guilt was eating away at him as Katie had tangled her limbs with his. He was careful to extricate himself and got up to make a few calls before the team arrived. Lulu and Nick would be driving together. They seemed inseparable and, while Lulu and Julian were technically together, Jacob sensed Nick was the one truly interested in her. Eli and Julian would be flying the helicopter in with Rush, Mason, and Clint. Tyler was in Montana with his parents, but would be coming in shortly after 6am and staying in the gatehouse until their meeting at 8:00am.
Slowly, the house filled. Some napped in the library on the leather sofas; Eli went upstairs to his usual room to freshen up; Tyler, fresh from a shower and free of Montana dust, walked up to the house with a swagger and genuine cowboy hat; Lulu and Nick were already arguing, until she saw Julian and practically jumped him in the foyer. Before the meeting started, Jacob was going to inform them that Katie was no longer a guest but his and was under his protection.
Katie slowly woke up, hearing sounds in the house. Jacob’s side of the bed was cool to the touch and, while his pillow had an impression from his head, Katie knew he had gotten up hours before. She remembered that he had kissed her forehead and went downstairs. Hauk then got up on the bed and nestled on Katie’s feet. Her sleep was deep and refreshing. Her body was sore in places that hadn’t been loved like that in a very long time. She looked in her bag for her simple navy nightgown and matching robe. She smelled coffee inching its way up the stairs. She could hear voices, only recognizing Jacob’s. He hadn’t mentioned having anyone at the house this weekend besides his staff, and she contemplated just waiting upstairs for him. Her stomach ached because she hadn’t eaten in some time so, as hunger won out, she made her way down the stairs.
Now that it was daylight, Katie noticed things about the house that she had missed the night before. Polished wood floors, thick carpeting, and heavy drapes decorated the old stone farmhouse. She headed for the other wing of the house, following the sounds of loud conversation. She knocked lightly on the door before opening it.
“Jacob?” Katie stepped in the room, almost stepping back out. Several large men and a petite woman with bright red hair stared back at her. Surprised voices all spoke simultaneously.
“Sweetheart.” Jacob moved to Katie’s side, closing the door behind her as she tried to back away.
Lulu crossed her arms and glared. “Shit, Jacob, you didn’t say she was actually here.” Mason choked on the sip of coffee that he was drinking when she walked in.
“I barely got the chance,” Jacob growled, looking back to the group. He was standing in front of her, almost like he was shielding her from them.
“What the fuck?” came from Mason and Rush, simultaneously.
“Damn it, people! Don’t scare her.” Julian took several steps forward, only to be stopped by Tyler’s arm holding him back from getting too close to the couple. Eli continued to drink his coffee. He looked older than Jacob, but was more muscular. However, they were similar in features and coloring.
“Eli was right about her.” Clint said, earning him a glare from both Eli and Jacob. “What? He said she was attractive.” Clint shrugged and continued to pretend that he was reading a newspaper as he filled his mouth with a breakfast pastry.
“You! You look familiar!” Katie pointed at Clint, squinting her eyes.
“Sweetheart.” Jacob sidestepped Katie, blocking her view, but she peered around him.
“Uh oh, looks like Clint got busted,” said the one that looked like a cowboy compared to the rest.
“I think we’re all scaring her. Perhaps Jacob should explain and introduce you Neanderthals.” Nick tried to cut the tension of the room with his joke, but the pale look of Katie’s face didn’t change.
“Somebody please explain something. I already know Julian, but I don’t know why you are here. And that one looks like the guy from your lobby.” Katie held her arms protectively around her body and stared back at the room, backing herself up against the wall, inching towards the doorway and away from Jacob. She rubbed her temple, which sported the bruise that Julian predicted. “We met yesterday, but I need the rest of you to explain.” Katie waved a tired hand at the group.
“She’s smart to cover her exits,” Rush commented in a low drawl.
“Sweetheart, why don’t you sit down so I can explain a few things?” Jacob took a step closer and Katie backed away.
“Not this again. Sit down.” Lulu came over and went to grab Katie’s arm. Nick intercepted Lulu as Katie grabbed a glass globe from the shelf beside her and held it up, defensively.
Jacob stood in front of Katie. “Sweetheart, please. Let me explain.”
“Okay but, if you don’t mind, I’ll stay right here. I’ve had enough of being attacked this week. Back up and talk from the other side of the couch. Who are all of you people?”
When she first walked into the room, Katie noticed that the two called Mason and Rush were cleaning large semi-automatic weapons over an old oak table. The library was more like a war room caught in the medieval-era of decoration. Large computer monitors were on the wall inside recessed units, probably normally covered by the book shelves that seemed easily moved. All the tables in the room were covered with old books, weapons, computer circuit boards, and loose wires. The whole set up seemed bizarre.
“We’re part of an anti-counterterrorism team ‘loosely’ associated with the government.” The words spilled from Jacob as if he couldn’t wait to tell her the truth. Others in the room stared blankly and rolled their eyes. Eli grunted as if that description wasn’t nearly enough, yet too much.
“You said that as if you’re not entirely sure what you do, Jacob.” From the corner of her eye, she saw Rush and Mason nudge each other like juveniles. “That’s it? So you’re not a software billionaire? No island resort I should know about? Private plane?” A few chuckles from the peanut gallery briefly caught her attention. “Please, anyone, feel free to explain because I don’t have patience for anymore bullshit.” Katie’s mood was quickly getting dark.
“Well, I am a software developer. That much is true. It partly funds a lot of our operations.” Katie kept her defensive stance, despite Jacob’s cajoling voice. “There’s a lot of stuff I’ll be able to talk to you about in time but, right now, I think we have other pressing matters to discuss.”
“So I haven’t been kidnapped?”
“No! Absolutely not!” Jacob looked appalled at her accusation, but others nodded and approved of her assessment.
“Did you want to be?” Clint, who was sitting on a leather couch on the opposite side of the room, looked over his paper to reply. He couldn’t help but interrupt Jacob’s dialogue with Katie. Tyler, now sitting next to him, gave him a hard elbow in the ribs.
“Well, let’s s
ee.” Katie held up her fingers to count off her experiences. “I’ve been mugged, chased by photographers, and had my apartment broken into this past week. I was really kind of hoping to relax just a little this weekend.”
“It’s slightly more complicated than that, but let’s let Jacob explain. He’s doing it oh so well.” Mason chimed in this time and dirty looks were thrown his way.
Katie continued to maintain her focus on Jacob. “I don’t think I like this conversation, Jacob. What is it that you haven’t told me? Or still haven’t said?”
“I think you should sit down first,” Jacob pleaded with Katie, who looked at him strangely. Her complexion was no longer the healthy pink cheeks of having just been loved by someone all night long, but was a greyish hue. Katie clutched the back of one of the leather couches in front of her, her one hand still holding the glass globe.
“I’m a big girl and I don’t feel like sitting down.” Katie was standing her ground this time.
“I think we should give Katie and Jacob some privacy. Kitchen. Now. Lulu, you especially. Keep moving.” Nick hustled everyone out of the room, holding the door open. He pushed Lulu out in front of him, earning him a scowl. He nodded to Jacob. “Miss Wilson, I’ve known Jacob for many years. Please hear him out. He’s had your best interests at heart for… some time now.” Nick hesitated, looking back and forth between the two before heading out.
“SO IF YOU’RE ONE OF the good guys, how do I fit into everything? I just met you, like, two weeks ago. Arggg, not even that long ago!” Katie moved around and stood in front of him to look up into his dark, troubled eyes.
“I’ve loved you for a really long time, Katie. Even before I knew you and before I met you…a year ago, in March.”
