Chapter Twenty-Two
Ginny stood and left the blanket to walk over to the small window in the loft. They’d been stuck for hours in the dilapidated barn, listening to the rain pelting the tin roof as thunder shook the old windows. The dark storm clouds were giving way to nightfall.
Panic rose in her throat, and she tried not to let Jaxon see her increased breathing. He’d been so focused on waiting to hear back from Barrett for further instructions on when and how they should leave.
Anxiety weighed on her like a heavy stone, and she had forced herself not to fidget in the small space. The more uncomfortable and upset she appeared, the more Jaxon would worry.
She didn’t want him to worry about her. They were in enough shit as it was.
Fear clawed at her stomach, and despite his reassuring words that everything would be okay, she couldn’t allow herself to believe that.
She was living on borrowed time. Deep down in her gut, she knew that. So was Jaxon. He just didn’t know it yet.
Her father wasn’t going to let Jaxon live. He would kill Jaxon just to spite her. He’d probably make her watch him die before he killed her too.
Thunder boomed through the sky. She jumped and pressed her hand to her heart and spun around.
“I would have figured you would have gotten used to the sound by now,” Jaxon said from his perch on the ladder. He had just come back in from having a look around outside, making sure their little fortress was secure.
“It’s hard not to jump when it’s so loud,” she breathed. “It’s been raining for hours. It has to stop sometime.”
He stepped onto the loft and pulled his cell phone out of his back jeans pocket.
“According to the weather app, it’s going to rain until early in the morning.”
“So we have to stay here.” Her heart thudded painfully in her chest.
“Until it stops raining or…” His voice trailed off.
She lifted her chin. “Or until we have to make a run for it.” Reality settled over her like a sopping wet blanket.
The odds of successfully making a run for it in this weather weren’t in their favor. That much she knew.
“Have you heard back from your Pack Master?” She swallowed and looked out the window. She didn’t need him to see the fear in her eyes. She’d lived in fear for so fucking long, she should have been immune to it.
That was the thing about faith, hope and second chances. Once she’d gotten the tiniest glimpse of all three, she’d begun to really have hope. She also knew that along with hope came the fear of everything being taken away from her.
This was real life, not a fairy tale.
“No, but I did hear from Damon.”
“Who’s Damon?”
“He’s one of the Guardians. Apparently Barrett has put him in charge while he is taking care of some things.”
“What things?” She crossed her arms and gave him a wide-eyed look. “What about taking care of his Guardians? What about trying to find a way to help us?” There was no use trying to keep the fear out of her voice. It had set up residence and didn’t plan on leaving anytime soon.
“I’m sure he’s doing everything he can. He is in a delicate situation and has to find the most diplomatic way to handle things.”
Regret poured through her.
“I’m sorry.” She shook her head. “I’m so sorry, Jaxon. We are in this mess because of me. I have no right to say those things to you.” She met his eyes. “This is all my fault, not yours. I’m sure your Pack Master is doing what he can to help you.”
“And to help you too, Ginny.” Jaxon frowned and stepped forward. “And stop saying that. This is not your fault. You have lived in an abusive situation for years. What happened to your mother was an accident, self-defense. You never intended her to die.”
“And my husband? That wasn’t an accident,” she said softly.
“Yeah, well, that fucker deserved what he got.” Jaxon blinked.
Nervous laughter bubbled up inside her chest until it spilled out of her mouth. Once she started laughing, she couldn’t seem to stop.
Her laughter was contagious, and soon Jaxon was laughing along with her.
When she finally sobered, she walked over to him and rested her head on his chest.
“Thank you for that. You always did know what to say to make me feel better,” she said softly. She pressed her hand to his chest, feeling his strength radiate into her palm. Just touching him made her feel better, made her feel stronger, like she could take on the world.
His strong arms came around her and he held her tight. He nuzzled his face in her hair as his breathing increased. Her heart pounded faster, and this time it wasn’t due to fear or anxiety. This time it was all because of her desire for Jaxon.
She shouldn’t even be thinking about such things. They were in a life-or-death situation and needed to be ready at a moment’s notice in case they had to leave. But she couldn’t explain that to her heart.
“Jaxon.” She lifted her face. She slowly trailed her hands up his chest, feeling every ridge of every hard muscle. She felt the pounding of his heart against her palm. She laced her fingers behind his neck and pulled him down for a kiss.
She pressed her lips against his, needing to be near.
He growled and tightened his arms around her, pressing her curves against his muscles.
He fisted his hands in her hair, angling her face so he could kiss her better, deeper.
“More,” she whispered and opened her mouth under his. His hot tongue snaked inside, teasing and taunting her with the promise of pleasure and every wicked thing she’d ever dreamed of him doing to her.
He pulled back, his breathing heavy, and gazed at her with dilated eyes.
“I don’t want to rush you. I know…” His words tapered off, and she knew where his head was.
“I know what I want, Jaxon. And I want you.” He was all she’d ever wanted. He’d been stolen from her on that summer day, along with the promise of their future. He was here, standing in front of her, and she wasn’t going to let this opportunity pass her by.
He growled deep and pulled her against him. His mouth slammed down across hers, and butterflies tumbled and swirled in her stomach.
She dug her fingernails into his shoulders, her body alive and pulsing under every brush of his hand.
His hand skirted underneath her shirt, and his fingers glided along her ribcage upward toward her breast. She gasped, and her breathing quickly turned to a pant. The pad of his fingertip caressed her nipple through the lace of her bra, sending pleasure careening through her body.
“Off,” he stated and pulled back enough to raise her shirt over her head and toss it on the blanket. His darkened gaze dipped toward her bra, and she could feel herself growing warm all over.
“Your clothes too,” she said, her words husky with lust. She grabbed his T-shirt, and he dipped his head, letting her pull the material off and dropping it to the floor. She traced the outline of his hard-muscled chest down to the six-pack above the waistband of his jeans, inhaling his male scent and submerging herself in his heat.
He cupped her face between his hands and forced her to look up at him. They stayed like that, speaking volumes without ever uttering a word and holding onto this moment.
“I never stopped loving you,” he said.
She teared up and nodded. “Good.”
“That’s all you’re going to say?” He frowned but didn’t stop looking into her eyes.
“No. I’ve got more to say. A lot more. Right now I need this, Jaxon. I need you.” She blinked back the sting of tears and laced her fingers behind his head.
He kissed her and she opened under his mouth, taking the heat to a whole other level.
She sucked his tongue and then kissed him hard and deep, making up for lost time.
She needed to show him how much she loved him, how much she cared. Words were just words, after all. Actions meant everything.
She moved her hand down his shoulders and fumbled with the button on his jeans. She unfastened and unzipped him in a flash, shoving his jeans down past his narrow hips.
She kissed him as she wrapped her hand around his stiff erection. He growled and thrust against her hand. Pleased with his response, she squeezed.
“That’s not playing fair. You have me at an advantage.” He pulled back and flicked the clasp on her bra, freeing her breasts. “But not for long.” He grinned wickedly and then dipped his head. He sucked her hard nipple into his hot mouth.
“Oh, god,” she cried out as his tongue swirled around the tight bud. Pleasure built deep in her stomach, and she dug her nails into his shoulder while trying to concentrate enough to squeeze around his shaft.
“I’m nowhere near done.” His voice held an edge to it, lustful and hard.
He kept his mouth on her breast as his fingers deftly unzipped her jeans. He shoved them down her legs. His fingers grazed the front of her panties, sending off shocks of pleasure through her body. Her body was on fire, and every stroke and caress added to the intensity of his touch.
He shoved the bra off her shoulders, letting the lace material fall to the floor, and turned his attention to her other breast. He closed his lips around her nipple and sucked.
She clasped his head to her, holding him close and breathing heavy.
“You taste so fucking sweet. Just like I remember.” His words came between sucks on her sensitive flesh.
She arched toward him and writhed against his hot mouth.
“Jaxon,” she breathed out.
“Keep saying that. Keep saying my name. I want to hear you scream my name when I make you come,” he commanded.
She didn’t have time to respond before he was kneeling in front of her and pulling her panties off in a heated rush. She steadied herself on his shoulders as he helped her step out of her pants and panties. He shoved the needless articles out of the way and then gazed up at her.
He grabbed her hips and pressed a kiss to her stomach. She rested her hands on his shoulders and balanced herself to keep from falling over.
“You are mine, Ginny.” He said the words against the soft flesh of her stomach.
“I always have been yours, Jaxon.” She looked down at him. “I love you. That never stopped for me.”
His gaze darkened.
He placed his hands on either side of her hips and buried his face between her legs.
She moaned, digging her fingers through his silky blonde hair as his mouth teased the tender flesh. His tongue flicked over her clit, and she nearly came. He sensed her urgency and sucked her clit into his mouth.
“Jaxon,” she cried out, pleasure washing over her until she was numb with it.
He pleasured her with his mouth until she rode out her orgasm. Trying to catch her breath, she gazed down at him.
He grinned, his mouth wet with her, and slowly stood.
“Now that the first one is out of the way, the next one will be slower.” He grinned and covered her mouth with his.
Ginny looked at him with heavy eyes. Her skin prickled, and her stomach grew heavy with desire. It was one of the hardest orgasms she’d ever had, and now he was promising her more.
“Just wait a second.” She knelt in front of him and smiled from her position.
“Ginny.” His voice held a warning.
She was done with warnings. She was going to take what she wanted. Life was too short to hesitate.
“Jaxon.” She said his name, then opened her mouth and licked the length of him.
He growled and rested his hand on her head to draw her closer.
After a few more torturous licks, she opened and filled her mouth with him.
She sucked him deep, twirling her tongue along his erection. She didn’t use her hands, just her mouth.
“Ahhhhh.” He threw back his head, and she could feel him tremble where she rested her fingertips on his hips. His breathing grew rapid.
Pleasure shot through her core and soon she was aching to have him fill her between her legs. She looked up and met his heated gaze.
“It feels too good,” was all he managed to say before she felt him lose control. She tightened her hold on his dick and his hips, sucking him as he spilled his release into her greedy mouth.
She finally pulled away and looked up at him. He pulled her up to standing. He cupped her head and covered her mouth with his, kissing and tasting his own scent as he did.
It turned her on even more.
She clung to him as his hand went between her legs, circling her clit.
“We’re nowhere near done, baby,” he whispered near her ear before sucking her lobe into his hot mouth. She shivered against him, and she thought she would explode before he made it in inside her.
She felt his dick grow hard once again, straining and lengthening against her stomach. He wanted her as much as she wanted him.
“I need to be inside you, now.” He looked into her gaze, awaiting her reply. She knew then, why.
She’d lived under the abuse of a violent husband who took what he wanted with no conscience. Jaxon knew that she needed to be in control of this situation when it came to her body. He was letting her know that this had to be her decision to let him inside, both physically and emotionally.
It shattered the veneer around her heart.
“Yes.” She pulled his head down for another kiss, letting him know that she was choosing him and that she would always choose him. She’d never felt as much love as she felt for Jaxon Taylor.
He swept her up in his arms and stood there for a moment just gazing at her with so much love her chest ached.
“It might not be a honeymoon and champagne, but you will always own me, Ginny, my heart and my body.” His voice whispered through the old barn.
He was trying to make this as special as their wedding night might have been years ago.
A tear slipped down her cheek, and he bent his head to hers. She buried her face in the crook of his neck and hugged him tight.
He knelt with her in his arms and gently placed her on the small blanket on the old wooden floor. He kissed her as he positioned himself between her legs. His erection, hard and insistent, nudged at her wet entrance, and she widened her legs to accommodate him.
“Now, Jaxon,” she whispered against his ear.
He thrust inside her, and she gasped as her body stretched. She was no virgin, but her husband wasn’t exactly a large man in that department. Jaxon, on the other hand, had been blessed by the genital gods. Very, very blessed.
He looked down, worry in his eyes.
She pressed the pad of her finger to his lips, silencing any concerns before he voiced them.
“Don’t you dare think of stopping. Not now. I’ve waited all this time for you. I want all of you,” she whispered.
He grinned, male pride stretching across his handsome face. He pressed his lips to hers, slowly moving his body against hers and thrusting in and out of her with precision and care.
She moaned as his fingers found her hard nipple, and she clawed at his back when he kissed her neck. He’d always known how to touch her, fondle her, make her sigh. But they’d never actually made love. She’d wanted to save that for their wedding night.
She’d been so wrong to wait. She’d wished a thousand times Jaxon had taken her virginity instead of John.
But now, with his hands on her body and his mouth on hers, all off those thoughts and regrets disappeared like vapor. He was slowly replacing all her regrets with faith and hope in their new future together. A future that in that moment seemed like a strong possibility.
“I’m going to come home to you every night and make love to you like this.” He spoke as he thrust, his eyes dark with desire and his voice husky. “You are not getting away from me again. You’re mine, and no one is taking you away from me again.”
“Yes,” she murmured as pleasure stretched across her sensitive flesh. She dug her fingertips into his shoulders and bit down on his neck.
He growled and moved faster, thrusting deep and powerful within her wet heat. Their bodies, slick with sweat, strained and clung to each other. She hungered for him.
Pleasure streaked and built. Promises hung in the dark night, and hope swelled within their tiny barn.
He lifted his head, and in the dim light of the solar lamp, their gazes met. In the small space of time before climax threatened to pull her under and yearning crescendoed, her heart fluttered in her chest.
“Jaxon.” This time when she came she whispered his name, promising to be his from that day forward.
* * *
Jaxon couldn’t take his eyes off Ginny as she slept against his chest. They’d made love for the first time in a barn that was about to fall down.
It was perfect.
And it was more than he’d hoped for.
He had found his second chance. With someone he thought had abandoned him.
He wasn’t going to let her slip through his fingers a second time. This time, he was going to hold on good and tight.
This time, they were going to make it.
* * *
Jaxon swiped against the buzz against his head. He hated mosquitoes, and he hated being woken up from sleeping up next to Ginny.
When the buzz didn’t go away, he swiped harder. His hand landed on something hard and plastic. He blinked open his drowsy eyes and realized it wasn’t a bug but his cell phone ringing.
He quickly disentangled himself from Ginny’s arms and legs with regret and answered the phone.
“Hello?”
“Jaxon, what the fuck took so long? You in the middle of something?” Lucien’s tone was gruff.
“Please tell me you have good news from Lorcan.” He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and blinked a few times.
“I finally got a message back from him.”
“So did you actually talk directly to him?” He didn’t have time to play telephone. He needed answers and directions. Lorcan was going to have to be his inside intel to get out of Louisiana in one piece.
“I left a message, explaining things.”
“Is that safe? Just leaving a message on his phone? I mean, who knows who else might get it? Or who might be bugging his phone?” He didn’t put it past Boudier to keep tight tabs on all his Guardians and his Assassins. Especially since he might suspect that Lorcan had helped them escape. He might be watching him harder than the others.
“I left it in code.”
“Code?”
“Yeah. We used to use a code language when we were little. We could have a total conversation in front of our parents. They thought we were talking about girls or football. In reality, we were talking about sneaking out and stealing our neighbor’s car for a late-night ride down to New Orleans.”
“And here I thought you were straitlaced in a wealthy family.” Jaxon snorted. He glanced down as Ginny stirred awake. She blinked and smiled. She sat up when she realized he was on the phone.
“We lived out in the country. We got bored. Sue me.” Lucien snarked.
“Since your family is filthy-ass rich, I’ll be sure to do that. But right now I need a way out of Louisiana and back into Arkansas.”
“He says that your best bet is to leave now. While it’s raining. He says there is minimal security on the smaller roads. Boudier has rerouted the majority of his men to the interstates and the highways. He suspects you’ll have to cross into Arkansas by the interstate because of the heavy rains.”
Jaxon glanced out the window and scowled. The thunder and lightning had eased up, but it was still raining. He was not looking forward to riding with Ginny in this mess.
“Okay. There’s a road a few miles from here where I can possibly cross. I’ve studied the map, and that’s the closest thing to us besides the interstate.”
“Do that, then.” Lucien’s tone dropped. “Jaxon, you are running this by Barrett, right? I mean, he did tell you to have me get you hooked up with Lorcan?”
Jaxon’s gut twisted. He hated lying, but he had to get Ginny back to Arkansas safe and sound.
“Barrett told me to do whatever it took to get back to Arkansas. That includes talking to Lorcan.” Jaxon scrubbed his hand down his face. “Look man, when I get back home, I’m going to owe you big time for this.”
“Nah. Besides, you were there in New Orleans helping me get out. We’re Guardians. It’s what we do.” Lucien ended the call before Jaxon could respond.
“Is everything okay?” Ginny pulled her knees up to her chin and looked at him with wide eyes.
His head nearly exploded with the love he felt for the woman in front of him. He’d never loved anyone as much he loved her.
“I’ve got good news and bad news.” He cocked his head.
“What’s the good news?” She arched her perfect eyebrow and studied him.
“We have a way out of Louisiana and back into Arkansas.”
“And the bad news?” She bit her lip.
“We have to leave now.” He glanced over his shoulder and out the window at the rain pelting the glass. “And we have to ride in this.”