Chapter Seven
Ann walked behind Jack, grateful he’d slowed his pace. The trail they’d taken near Devil’s Lake was one she’d often ventured out on as a child with her family. She hadn’t realized Jack had known about it.
“How did you find this?” she asked him.
“Dan told me. He and Julie took Josh not too long ago. We’re on one of the harder trails, though.”
“Yeah. The two mile loop is way too easy.”
“You know it?”
“I used to come out here with my folks. We’d hike and camp a lot.”
“Oh. We didn’t camp so much. My family was rabid about skiing. It’s been a while since I’ve been to the mountain, though. Too busy with school. You?”
“Not my thing. I don’t mind cross country, but—”
“You don’t like heights.” He grinned at her over his shoulder. “I remember.”
Their one and only time on a Ferris wheel had been a disaster. She’d been afraid she’d puke all over him at the county fair, and he’d fallen over himself apologizing for pushing her to ride. Not a great memory. Yet he’d held onto it.
“You remember a lot.” She didn’t like the sober expression that smothered his smile.
He turned back to face the trail. “I remember enough.”
His pace increased, and for a while she kept up with him. But when she tripped on a rock and nearly twisted her ankle, she’d had enough. “Hey, tough guy, wait up.”
She could no longer see him since he’d rounded the curve. In the hour they’d been hiking, she hadn’t seen a single soul. Though it had turned out to be a nice, sunny day with temperatures in the high forties, the clouds continued to tease them with hints of rain.
“Hey, Jack.” Still nothing. She grew annoyed, and she was glad. This was what she’d needed to keep the right perspective. Not the nice, charming, smiling guy who made her question her judgment. She needed the guy who only thought about himself and his needs. It made wanting to teach him a lesson easier to remember.
She sat on a boulder and rubbed her ankle, glad to know she’d only bruised it. She stood, put pressure on it and felt no pain. After taking a few steps, she rounded the curve in the trail. “Jack?”
He didn’t answer, probably too far up ahead to hear her. The jerk. When would he realize she’d left her far behind?
She made more than one comment about his complete lack of manners and intellect as she tried to catch up with him and shrieked when something large grabbed her from behind.
“Easy, angel. It’s just me.” He laughed and set her down when she struggled.
“You asshole.” She poked him in the chest. “You scared me.”
He stopped smiling. “Sorry. Maybe if you’d been mumbling fewer insults my way, you’d have heard me call your name a few times. I found something.”
“Manners, I hope.”
He grinned but didn’t respond, just held out his hand.
She took it, not amused when her body lit up from the contact. Blasted chemistry…
He led her off the trail.
“Jack?”
“There’s something I want to show you. Don’t worry, Nervous Nelly. I have a compass, a map and a whistle. Not to mention my cell phone has a GPS. Come on, it’s not far.”
She debated whether to go with him, but when he took her to a cave she’d been in before, she relaxed. “The monster cave. I remember this.” The large hill before them had a rocky opening, exposing weathered rock under the mountain of dirt and grass overhead.
“I figured we could take a break in here. It’s pretty shallow but can keep us dry if it starts to pour.” The cave had enough height that Jack could stand without bumping his head. Like he’d said, it was shallow. Maybe twenty feet deep. Enough to keep the inside dark until one stepped into the cave.
As a child she’d played inside a few times and loved the feeling of isolation while still being a part of the nature around her. So she entered without reservation. She turned and looked out at the trees and shrubs around them. Deeper inside, a few large rocks would serve as seats.
“God, I haven’t been back here in forever.” She smiled and took out her camera.
“Doubt you’ll get a clear picture in the dark.” He stood in shadow.
“I will. You’ll see.” She stood back with him in the darkness and took a shot of the mouth of the cave, full of light. At the right angle, the jagged rocks near the opening’s ceiling looked like teeth. The kids would like that. She’d have them write a story about a monstrous cave next week for class.
Jack’s warmth surrounded her from behind. She took another shot, but he refused to let her move away.
“Jack?”
He hugged her. “I missed you last night. Did you miss me?”
His husky voice had an unnerving ability to arouse her. Just the hint of his interest and the feel of his strong arms and she wanted to jump him. So not the way to play hard to get.
“Maybe.” There. That was better, more standoffish.
He chuckled and lifted her hair off her neck, where he kissed her, nipping lightly. “Just maybe?”
She trembled and would have moved out of his arms if he hadn’t tightened them around her. “Jack…”
“Why so tense, angel?” He delved under her shirt to caress her ribs, and she grew breathless.
“W-we’re outside. Anyone could see us.”
“In the dark? I don’t think so. It’s just you and me out here.” He kissed his way to her ear and whispered, “Let me make you feel good, hmm?”
Before she could say yes or no, he cupped her breasts. She swayed in his hold, and he teased her into breathy moans and pleas for more. God, he made her crazed when she should have been pushing him away and keeping an emotional distance.
He took her camera from her and drew her deeper into the shadows with him. When he turned her to face him, he kissed her with enough heat to set the forest around them on fire. Lost to his taste, to his touch, she didn’t protest when tossed her jacket, then unfastened her bra and cupped her bare breasts under her shirt. He pinched and teased as he kissed her, his tongue penetrating her with a slow, lazy taking.
“Oh yeah. That’s how I’m gonna do it. Get deep inside you,” he whispered before invading her mouth again. He didn’t ask—he took. And that dominance aroused her like nothing else.
Jack continued to seduce her as he unzipped her jeans and pushed them down along with her panties, exposing her to the cool damp of the cave.
“I can see your ass in that sliver of light. Man, you are one gorgeous woman. I want you like crazy.”
She heard his jeans unzip, let him take her hand and wrap it around his cock. He felt huge and hot. “So thick,” she said while he continued to kiss her and pump into her hand. “So warm.”
“I want you to touch me. Grip me harder. That’s it. Stroke me up and down, angel. God.” He groaned while she jerked him off, his hands busy at her breasts again. Each tug and pull of her nipples turned her on that much more.
Jack must have sensed it, because he pulled away from her, then backed her up a few steps and turned her around.
“Jack?”
“Put your hands on the wall and bend over.” He sounded as if he’d swallowed gravel. “I need you. Right now.” She heard something tear. A condom packet. And like that, he was there, prodding her backside, then lower. He pushed inside her wet channel, his thick cock spearing her with ease.
“God.”
“Fuck, yeah.”
The tight angle made him feel even larger inside her as he took her with a desperation she felt right to her bones. Her slight moans, his raspy breathing, and the slap of flesh were the only sounds to be heard apart from the rustle of leaves beyond them.
She felt so decadent, so naughty having sex out here. Anyone could come upon them. Though she’d never been one for exhibitionism, Jack’s desire, his pressing need for her, gave her a power she didn’t want to let go.
“You feel so good.” He sawed in and out of her, his thrusts growing deeper. Faster.
She clutched the cold, damp wall for support as his taking grew rougher. He let go of her hips with one hand to reach around her, and his nimble fingers found her clit.
In seconds she shattered and cried out, unconcerned anyone might hear.
“Yeah, that’s it. Come hard.” Jack gripped her waist and hammered into her, taking her to her tiptoes. Then he jerked once more and stilled, his climax apparent in his stiffening frame.
A moment later, he eased out of her, and she pulled up her panties. After some struggling, he refastened her bra and set her shirt and jacket to rights. She turned to see Jack watching her, wearing a wide grin. Standing at the mouth of the cave, he had enough light on him to show his satisfaction.
“Not how I planned to spend my Saturday, but I’m sure as hell not complaining.”
Feeling defensive, she planted her hands on her hips. “You’re the one who dragged me in here. You were the one with the condom. Sounds like a plan to me.”
“Yeah?” He raised a brow, and she wanted to slap his condescending face, then kiss him until they were rolling around on the ground. “You’re the one flaunting that tight ass and those breasts.”
“Flaunting? Under jeans, a jacket and long sleeved T-shirt?”
“I have a good memory.” He studied her. “I can’t stop thinking about the other night. Now I can’t stop thinking about what we just did. Let’s go back to your place and spend some time in bed.”
Where he’d make her forget all her reasons for keeping her distance. Just coming down from a sexual high and she wanted to hold hands and cuddle with the man. For all that she wished she could turn off her emotions and fuck, it just wasn’t happening.
“You frustrate me, you know that?”
He snorted. “Join the club. I get hard just being near you. And this is only our second date.”
She blushed and hoped he couldn’t see it. Oh hell. I’m easy. Two dates, and she’d had sex with him on the first one and on the second.
“Watch your tone or you won’t get a third,” she snapped, out of sorts and not sure who to blame.
He chuckled, but the laughter sounded forced. “Honey, I could have you flat on your back again right now if I wanted. But I—”
She stepped forward and poked him hard in the belly. “Dream on.”
“Hmm. Want to bet?” The gleam in his eyes warned her to tread warily, but the redhead in her said screw it and took his dare.
“Yeah. Let’s bet. We’ll head back to my place and see who has the other one begging for a fuck.”
His eyes narrowed. “You know you get me hard when you swear like that, don’t you?”
“I do,” she said and licked her lips. “Lightweight.” She cupped him between his legs and squeezed, keeping her hand there. Wonder of wonders, he started to harden again. “Like I said. Easy.”
She would have pulled her hand back, but he kept it there. Then the bastard kissed her, and his punishing kiss had her moaning into his mouth before he pulled away.
“Say what you want, but I know what you like, Ann. A little rough touch gets you wet, hmm?” He gripped the hand holding him. Then as suddenly, he let her go. “So this bet, what’s in it for me when I win?”
“Whatever you want.” She crossed her arms over her chest, clenching her hands into fists so she wouldn’t touch him again. “But you won’t win. What about my prize when I make you come?”
His nostrils flared as he stepped closer. “How about winner gets the other to do whatever he wants for twenty-four hours?”
“You mean whatever she wants.”
He smiled. “Dream on, angel. I know what I’ll have from you. A few blowjobs.” He put his backpack back on, though she hadn’t seen him take it off.
“A few?” she asked as he handed her the camera.
“Then I’ll have you ride me so I can play with your breasts and suck those nipples while we fuck. I know you like that.”
She fought to appear blasé. “Oh?”
He laughed. “Yeah, oh. Don’t even try it. I know when you’re aroused. That’s the face I want to see.” He ran a finger over her cheek. “You’re so beautiful. I can’t wait to have you right where I want you.”
She shoved him back, and as he righted himself, she took a quick picture of him. “That’s what I want to see. You off balance and falling at my feet.”
He frowned when she laughed. “Let’s head back so we can get this bet laid to rest.”
They started back, this time with her leading the way.
“I take it I’ll collect my winnings next week?”
He snorted. “You mean I’ll be taking my winnings. And yeah, next week. I’m thinking Friday night to Saturday night. I’d suggest we start tonight, but I’m meeting the guys tomorrow, and no way in hell I’m sharing you with them.”
“The guys?”
“You remember the Blacks? Anson and Dex? They’re back in town.”
She wanted to laugh but didn’t. It just figured Jack would reconnect with the detestable Black cousins, as Maya liked to call them. Ann thought detestable was a little harsh. Personally, she found Anson too conceited for her taste, but she’d always liked Dex.
“A date with the guys, hmm? And here I thought you liked girls.” Immature, but she was too tongue-tied to come up with anything better at the moment. Her body was still singing to her.
He yanked on her shoulder to halt her and whispered into her ear, “Girls? No, angel. I like women. In particular, one sexy redhead with a mouth I plan to slip into real soon.”
She swallowed audibly, and he laughed. Picking up the pace, she had them back at the car in record time. The drive to her house felt like it happened way too fast, despite the silence between them that even the radio couldn’t fill.
Once inside, Jack closed the door behind them and slammed her back against it. Not hard, but with enough force to show he meant business. He gripped her hair and tilted her head back, then kissed her until she couldn’t breathe.
He didn’t wait or ask but shoved his hand down the front of her pants and slid his fingers between her folds.
“Yeah, so wet. I know just what you like.” He grinned against her lips before kissing her again. His fingers worked their magic, never letting up until she exploded into an intense orgasm without warning.
He eased the pressure against her clit but didn’t take his fingers away. Pulling back from her mouth to stare into her eyes, he smiled. “And that’s just the beginning.”
“Ch-cheater,” she accused while getting her breath back.
“Angel, haven’t you heard? All’s fair in love and war.”