CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Jack
One moment everything was fine.
Then the next I had that horrible sinking feeling that you got when you went to school and all your friends didn’t like you for some stupid reason.
The anxiety churned in my gut and it made me desperate for her. I tried to tell myself to take it easy, let her come to me but I worried that if I did that, she’d never come to me again.
I knew Kat liked me, I could see it in the way she looked at me, the way she was when we were intimate. I didn’t have anything to compare us to, but it was pretty darn amazing and I didn’t want to be able to compare us to anyone else.
There were a ton of issues between us and maybe it was na?ve of me but I felt like we could make it work.
The day I woke up after she’d left in the night, I wasn’t meant to be helping out at the ranch but I knew those two dipshit charlatans would be back for their money so I watched and waited. I knew she could handle herself, hell she handled everything herself, didn’t need help from anyone. But I wanted to be there for her, to protect her in any way she would let me.
I worked outside, making a new bookshelf for the cabin. I wanted to place one on either side of the crumbling hearth that I desperately needed to fix, preferably by winter. But carpentry was still new to me, let alone brickwork.
I lost myself in stripping and sanding the reclaimed wood, measuring the planks, slotting them together, and hammering the nails in. I felt at peace when I created something with my hands. I was able to pour my focus into it and all my thoughts and doubts disappeared.
When I heard a vehicle pull up to the house, I put my tools down and came up to the side of the porch, watching as Martin, with his creepy bodyguard, spoke to Kat. She oozed confidence and power, she was the boss here and she was letting them have their money. I was so proud of her for not taking any shit and settling what she needed to.
She handed over the stacks of cash she’d pulled together, I guess she hadn’t needed my help at the cattle market yesterday either. Martin leaned in to say something to her but he was already too close for comfort, let alone when he got in her personal space. My instincts roared to life and I cleared my throat, making my presence known.
Kat’s stare flicked to me, her brow dipped and she shook her head sharply. I nodded back in understanding. She had this.
Finally Martin and his bozo left. “All paid off?” I asked.
Kat turned to me, tugging on her blonde hair that hung in two long braids. “Yep.”
She moved like she was going to go inside the house.
“You avoiding me?” The words shot from me before I could stop them.
She slowly turned on her heel. “Yep.”
I smiled despite myself. “Why?”
She glanced inside the house then came over to me. “Because, I don’t know what my thoughts are right now.”
I tugged the end of her braid. “Why do you need to have thoughts?” She cocked her head at me, frowning and I back tracked. “I didn’t mean it quite like that. What I mean is, have all the thoughts you want but maybe you’re putting too much pressure on those thoughts.”
She puckered her lips like she was lost in thought. “So you want easy breezy thoughts?”
I smiled at her words. “Yeah?”
She laughed lightly, then her expression sobered. She put a hand on my chest, “I just don’t know if I can do that.”
The door to the porch opened and Kat leapt back, her hand dropping from my chest. I tried not to feel hurt at the way she reacted to us getting caught by one of her sisters.
Maddy appeared and looked back and forth between us and I smiled at her, waving.
“Hey Jack,” she waved back. She told Kat that Tilly was staying with a friend tonight and then went back inside the house.
Kat gestured towards the door. “I should go.”
“Okay, yeah I’ve got a shift at the bar in a little bit. Maybe see you later?”
She smirked at me. “Maybe.”
Heat filled my chest and I suddenly felt like things would be okay.
I put my tools away, dragged the planks of wood back inside the cabin in case it rained that night. I took Teddy for a long walk and he brought back three different sticks which I did not allow him to bring inside the cabin. Then I showered and left for The Lonely Bison.
My shift went by fast. I was eager to finish and get back to the cabin and maybe Kat. There was less hostility from some patrons than there usually was so that was a plus. They must be getting used to me. More women tried to give me their numbers but I wasn’t interested. Not a single one of them held a candle to Kat.
“Hey, you mentioned before that you like carpentry?” Max asked as we closed up.
“Yeah, still pretty new to it but I love it,” I replied.
“Are you taking commissions?”
His question took me by surprise. “Uh, not yet but I could, if it’s something pretty simple? I’m still learning.”
“The stage at the bar has a couple of damaged panels that need replacing and I’ve got no clue what I’m doing. It’s not much but obviously I’ll pay you for it.”
I nearly refused the money but honestly I needed it. Yeah the bar shifts and tips were helping but wood was pricey and my hobby was getting expensive. If I wanted this to be a viable business I needed to keep practicing, which meant more wood and more tools.
“Yeah, okay, that sounds doable. Let’s catch up on what wood you’re thinking, and I can cost it out for you.”
Max nodded. “Great, I’ll let you know. See you tomorrow.”
I practically ran back to the cabin, excited to plan this project even though it was tiny and didn’t need real planning as such. I was just excited about having a prospect.
The main house was dark and quiet. I figured I wouldn’t be seeing Kat tonight after all and I tried not to let my disappointment smother me.
I entered the cabin and normally Teddy would greet me but he didn’t show.
“Teddy Bear?” I called out, glancing around the living room and little kitchenette. I heard a low woof come from the bedroom so I pushed the door open and flicked on the light and there was my dog, snuggled up with my woman.
Kat sat in the middle of the bed, her long legs crossed, that Stetson on her head, her pink cowgirl boots on her feet and not wearing anything else. I couldn’t speak, practically choked on my tongue at the amazing sight of her.
“Well? Can you get over here? I’m freezing,” she shivered.
“I just need a minute, sweetheart,” I said, my tongue heavy and clumsy in my mouth. My cock pulsed, growing harder the longer I stared at her, committing the sight to memory.
“Minute’s up,” she huffed, pulling the covers back and maneuvering to get under them.
“Not so fast,” I said. “Come on Ted, time for you to go, the adults are going to play.”
He left reluctantly and I couldn’t blame him, I hated it when I wasn’t around her either. “You still cold sweetheart?” I asked, pulling my t-shirt off and shrugging out of my jeans.
She eyed me, her stare running over my body, lingering here and there and she ran her tongue over her lip like she could taste me. “I’m warming up now.”
I made a noise in the back of my throat, something between a groan and a growl and I advanced on her.
I was going to make her so happy she waited for me.
*
“Psst, August!” I hissed, peeking at her around the door of the stables. Her strawberry blonde hair whipped over her shoulder as she stood up, pushing her glasses further up her nose as she looked around.
I waved, as discreetly as possible, trying not to draw Kat and Tate’s attention. Tate was back for another vet visit with the horses and cattle so that meant Kat was distracted.
August smiled softly when she saw me and scurried over.
“Morning Jack, what’s up?” she asked sweetly.
“Good morning. I need a favor,” I replied, gesturing for her to follow me. August was the one I knew would help me. As far as I was aware, none of the sisters knew that me and Kat had a thing going on, just some suspicions on Daisy’s part. For the last month we’d been so careful in our sneaking around to make sure we weren’t spotted by anyone. It still hurt like a sonofabitch to keep hiding what we were doing. I understood why, but I wanted to scream it from the rooftops that Kat was mine.
I remembered the time I bumped into August at the library all those months ago and the books she was carrying. She was a romantic at heart and she would be the best person to help me.
“Have you got a picnic basket?”
Her mouth quirked up on one side. “Why do you need one of those?”
I shrugged. “For a picnic.”
She nodded slowly, staring at me with her amber eyes, the sun making them shine brightly with curiosity.
I rolled my eyes. “For a picnic date.”
She glanced over her shoulder back towards the stables. “For anyone in particular?”
I squirmed on the spot. I didn’t want to tell, I wanted to respect Kat’s wishes of keeping our affair quiet but it would help to have at least one sister on side. “Maybe. It’s a surprise picnic date though so don’t tell her.”
August squealed and clapped her hands together. “I know just what we need, come with me!” She grabbed my hand and dragged me back towards the main house. August pulled me into the kitchen and dug around in various cupboards, rummaged in the sideboard for a few bits, and presented me with a wicker picnic basket, checkered blanket and napkins, and a matching set of dishes and utensils.
“This was my mother’s,” August said, presenting them to me. I hesitated and August smiled softly. “I think she’d be very happy for you to take them and put them to use. Mom was a big romantic, and she and Daddy always used to have picnics. It’s okay Jack, take them.”
I reluctantly took them, the weight of them light in my hand but heavy in my heart.
“Thank you, August, I appreciate this.”
“No sweat,” August winked. “Make sure you pack some apricots.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Apricots?”
“They were Mom’s favorite, and Kat’s.”
“Ah, great, thanks for the intel.”
“Have a great date, can’t wait to hear all about it!” she said, then she was gone and I was left in the kitchen on my own.
I glanced at the pictures on the sideboard, the ones of Charlie and Sherry, Sherry and the girls. Seeing the pictures of Sherry and how similar she looked to all the girls now was uncanny. They were like carbon copies, just with different shades of hair. My heart lurched as usual at the thought of Sherry and the life cut short by my reckless actions. But I felt like I was slowly making it up to her and Charlie here, working off my debt and looking out for the girls any way I could.
I laughed at the picture of Charlie and Sherry, she was slung over his shoulder, her mouth open in laughter and he had a mischievous twinkle in his eye. My eyes filled with tears as I stared, sad they weren’t here but at least now they were together.
I heard a noise and then Leo came into the kitchen.
“Howdy partner.”
“Hey man, how’s it going?” I asked, putting the picture back, trying and failing to hide the basket behind me.
“Good. You’ve not seen Mads, have you?” he asked, looking around distractedly.
“Isn’t she on shift?”
“I thought so but she’s not at the station.”
“Out on a call?” I offered.
“Yeah…maybe. Anyway, when’s our next date night?”
I chuckled. “Whenever you like, honey bun.”
“Cool, I’ll check my schedule and drop you a note. Gotta get to training, I’ll catch ya later,” he said, and then he was gone, and I was saved a round of questioning over the basket.
I headed back to the cabin and hid the basket just in case Kat came over later. I was planning on taking her for a ride tomorrow to one of the more secluded pastures so we could have some alone time. It was great getting to spend all day with her and nights too, but we didn’t get to go out and do anything like other couples did and I was craving some normalcy.
I went back to work, fixing and rehanging one of the stable doors. I had more confidence in my abilities now. I could fix pretty much anything, that included the stage at the bar that Max had requested. He’d paid me well for it and that led to buying more tools. I was trying more ambitious projects now and working with reclaimed wood from some of the older, dilapidated structures in town. I’d been sneakily working on restoring the Adirondack chairs for Kat. I’d seen how much she sat in the one on the porch and it looked seconds from crumbling to pieces. I figured she’d be devastated if anything happened to them.
The day’s work ended and I headed back to the cabin to shower, shoved some food in my face, and gave Teddy some love before heading out to the bar for my shift. The evening was half gone when I heard a familiar laugh and looked up, my stare racing over the crowd for her.
There she was.
My chest did this weird fluttery thing as I watched her laughing with August over something. Her head thrown back, blonde hair flowing around her. I watched her talk, the way she moved her hands, how animated her face was when she was excited and felt a grin settle on my lips.
“Hey, Jack!” Someone clicked their fingers in front of my face. I blinked and turned towards the owner of the fingers and saw Daisy glaring at me. “She ain’t for you, better get that through your head, now.”
I bit my tongue to stop the retort that would reveal that she was for me, was currently with me.
It hurt that Daisy was the only sister who hadn’t softened towards me, except every now and then it was like she wanted to but held herself back.
I pasted a smile on my face. “What can I get you?”
“Three lemon drops.” She continued staring at me, God, was I sweating? This woman was slightly terrifying. I racked up the glasses and poured the shots.
“How much?” she asked.
“On the house.”
Her eyes narrowed at me. “What’s the catch?”
I shrugged. “No catch.”
She continued staring at me but picked up the shots and as she walked away, I called after her, “I will make you like me.”
She scoffed and shook her head before stomping off, but she didn’t say anything back, so I counted that as a win. The crowd grew heavy and I lost sight of Kat for a while until my phone buzzed in my back pocket.
Kat: There’s a real sexy man in the bar tonight.
Jealousy snapped through me before I realized what she was doing.
Jack: Oh yeah? Where?
Kat: Behind the bar. Every time he turns around, I catch a glimpse of his perfect ass.
I snorted and I think I even blushed, I hadn’t had a compliment in a long time. I glanced up looking for her, and like the crowd knew what I wanted, it parted and there she was. All alone.
Jack: Perfect huh?
I watched as she read my reply, she looked up and met my eye and nodded nice and slow. I couldn’t fight my smile.
Jack: How perfect?
I watched as she typed and then raised an eyebrow at me. I grabbed my glass of water and took a sip as I read her response.
Kat: Perfect enough that I want to bite it, right now.
Kat: Quickie?
I choked on my water, droplets spraying and wiped a hand over my mouth.
Kat: That was sexy.
I smiled and shook my head at this devil woman.
Jack: Max’s office?
Kat: See you in five…
Max was busy chatting it up with the band in between their set so I served another customer and snuck off to the office. I barely had the door shut before she was on me.
Her tongue plundered my mouth, leaving the tart taste of lemons behind and I was desperate for more. She reached down and grabbed two handfuls of my perfect ass and squeezed, pulling me against her. I moaned into her mouth and tilted her head, needing deeper access. I kneaded her fantastic breasts and she moaned right back.
A noise outside had us pulling apart, our breaths panting, pulses pounding and bodies aching for each other. I put my finger to her damp, swollen mouth. “Be naked in my bed when I get home,” I growled.
She nipped my finger before snaking her tongue out and swirling it around the digit. My eyes were so transfixed on what she was doing that I didn’t realize she was unzipping my pants and her hand was wrapping around my hard dick until it was too late. She squeezed and my breath evacuated my lungs.
“Katarina…” I warned but she gave me a sassy look and slowly slid to her knees.
“I’ve watched you behind the bar all night, getting hit on by other women and I just want to remind you that you belong to me,” she purred, pulling my cock out and swiping her tongue over the thick head. I didn’t move as I watched her lapping at me, her tongue swirling, her lips puckered around me as she swallowed me down. My head tilted back, hitting the door with a thunk as she worked me. She squeezed my balls gently and my eyes flew open, needing to watch her.
She hummed and the vibrations had my control snapping. My hands tangled in her hair and then I started thrusting, fucking her mouth as hard as I could. She gagged a little and I eased off but not much, she drove me wild and I couldn’t control myself. She looked so damn good on her knees, looking up at me with wide eyes as she swallowed down everything I gave her.
When my orgasm high faded, I looked down and found her placing gentle kisses to my thighs before tucking me back into my pants. I pulled her to her feet, kissing her mouth gently and smoothing down the hair I had fisted.
“You’re amazing.”
She lifted one shoulder casually. “I know.”
I barked out a laugh. “I mean it. When I get home, you, naked, bed.”
She kissed me one more time. “Can’t wait.”
And then she slipped out of the office and I had a moment to collect myself. My heart was still pounding erratically but I sensed it had more to do with the feelings she stirred in me than anything else.
Although I hadn’t had the opportunity to meet a lot of women, I didn’t want to. Not even one of them held a candle to Kat. None of them enthralled me the way she did and never would. It would always be her. I could spend an eternity with her and it would never be enough. And when the time came to say goodbye, I’d fight and scream at the unfairness of it all that I only had a lifetime and not forever.