Chapter 27 Jack
JACK
I considered myself a patient man. When I had a target, I would wait as long as I had to. I never pulled the trigger before I had the perfect shot.
But it took everything I had not to haul Janie back to me by her hair and fuck her against this wall like I had promised I would. I watched her sprint away with the last vestiges of my self-control, red hair streaming behind her like a banner, and something primal in me roared to life.
You can run Janie, but I’ll run faster.
And this time, when I caught her, there would be no stopping me from claiming her. She understood that now. But just in case, I gave her another head start. For me as much as for her. Frustrated need coiled in my gut, making me feel like a drawn bow waiting for the release. I needed to run.
I needed to chase.
Pure adrenaline surged through my veins as I counted down.
I could see her copper head bobbing and weaving amongst the crowd as she headed away from the parade.
A minute passed, and then two. I trailed her at a slow jog, keeping her in my sight without getting too close.
She was heading home, I figured. Somewhere she felt safe.
And then she veered left.
My brow furrowed. Where the hell was she going?
There was nothing in this direction except an old hay farm.
I quickened my pace. She slowed suddenly, and a twitch of her shoulders told me she was about to look behind her.
I ducked behind a car so she wouldn’t see me.
Her gaze swept past me in a wide arc, and she bit her lip.
Nervous that I was there? Or nervous that I wasn’t?
I’m right here, honey. Any time you want me.
With another long, sweeping look over her shoulder, Janie crossed the street and made for the fence at a quick jog. Beyond that was a maze of first cut hay bales nearly as tall as she was. The perfect place to hide.
She ducked between the rails and then paused to catch her breath.
She leaned on the gate post and tilted her face to the sky like she was admiring the sunset.
My eyes narrowed. The sunset was spectacular, I’d give her that, but she was a little too comfortable right now.
A little too smug with her own power. She owned me and she knew that.
The knowledge made her feel safe and in control.
But my girl was about to find out just how dangerous it was to keep a wolf on a leash.
I picked up a pebble and with a flick of my wrist, sent it skipping across the asphalt.
Plip, plip, plip.
Her shoulders shot up to her ears and she froze. I ducked into a shadow just as she turned around. Her head pivoted this way and that as she searched for the source.
“Hello?” she called, nervousness making her voice thin and shrill.
I didn’t move.
She shook the tension from her shoulders and faced the field again. I stepped out of the shadows, not even trying to muffle my footsteps. A twig cracked under my boot. She whipped around again and I swear to god, she stopped breathing.
We stared at each other across the open space. The road and fence were between us, but neither of them could keep her from me. I watched her weigh her options. The haystacks were about a hundred yards from where she stood. She might be able to make it before I caught her, but it was doubtful.
“You could just let me take you now,” I offered.
Her eyes narrowed. “You can try,” she dared.
I grinned.
And then she flew. Snap. There it went, the last tether of my self-control. Every cell in my body was consumed with the need to catch her and pin her down. I tore after her. Shit, she was fast, adrenaline spurring her on.
But I was faster.
She glanced over her shoulder just in time to see me place my hand on the top rail of the fence and vault over it. Her eyes widened and she stumbled. Fuck. But she quickly righted herself and picked up speed. That’s my girl.
Ten yards and I was gaining.
Five yards and she didn’t give up.
Two yards and she slipped into the maze with a breathless, triumphant laugh that made some inner beast inside me rage with frustrated hunger.
I followed her in, squeezing my body between two round bales, and then paused, listening.
There was no sound of footsteps. Either she was tiptoeing on the grass, or she was hiding in place.
I closed my eyes, letting my other senses heighten.
The aroma of sweet summer hay was almost cloying, but beneath that, the faintest hint of her shampoo lingered.
The sound of the breeze rustling the grass mingled with something more rhythmic.
Her breath. She was close. I matched mine to hers so that if she were listening she’d only hear one set of inhales and exhales. Closer.
My eyes popped open just as Janie made a mad dash from one bale to another. Her copper hair glowing in the fading light might as well have been a red flag waving in front of a bull.
Mine.
Her big doe eyes went wide as I barreled toward her.
She backed up on instinct, flattening her body against a haybale.
Like it could offer her even a modicum of protection against me.
I was a man possessed, half-crazed, fucking feral for a taste of her.
I hit my knees with three feet left to go and slid the rest of the way home.
“Jack!” she gasped.
There was genuine concern in her voice—for me, not herself—and I knew I was going to feel every year of my age in the morning, but right then the only thing I cared about was getting my mouth on her.
Nothing could stop me now except her telling me no.
But all I heard from her was an eager, breathy yes as I tore at the zipper on her shorts like a fucking animal.
I dragged her shorts and underwear down her hips, past her milky thighs with their freckles like scattered sunshine, and let them drop to her feet.
I didn’t even let her step out of them before I pressed my face between her thighs and took the deepest breath I’ve ever taken.
Something settled inside me as her scent surrounds me.
Her musky arousal, clean skin, a hint of sweat. Janie. My Janie.
I had fucking earned this pussy.
Unable to stand another second not tasting her, I delved my tongue between her lips and licked her entrance to clit. She was soaked.
“Jack,” she said again. But this time there was no fear in her voice. Only need. Her hands gripped my hair like she thought I might change my mind. Like I wouldn’t give my right hand to stay right here, on my knees for her, forever.
My dick strained painfully against my jeans. I didn’t stop licking her while I unzipped to relieve the pressure. I ran my palm over the heavy weight of it once, twice, before returning all my attention to the meal in front of me.
Delicious. So goddamn delicious.
Her hips canted into my mouth and we both groaned. I nipped at her, payback for making me wait so long, and then sucked her clit. She cried out and yanked at my hair. She was already teetering on the edge, her nerves at their breaking point from our chase.
“Fuck,” she whispered. “Fuck.”
Her legs trembled violently and then her knees gave out altogether.
She would have hit the ground, but I caught her, taking her with me as I rolled onto my back.
We landed with her thighs bracketing my head, me staring up at the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.
Her pussy, her breasts, her face. What a goddamn feast. I grinned up at her.
“Sit,” I ordered.
She made a sound of protest, but I ignored that and dragged her down to my hungry mouth.