Chapter 22
River
It’s been the longest two days of my life. Two days that almost cost me my sanity.
That’s how long they’ve been gone. Forty eight hours of raw fear eating away at my heart. A million thoughts keep assaulting my mind. It’s amazing what horrors your mind can conjure up, when you’re worried about the men you love.
Things might be over between Jack and me, but I still love him.
It’s late at night. Anxiety is eating away at me. I need to know they’re okay.
Sophia is the first to see them. She’s been living on the porch since they left, her eyes never leaving the entrance.
The men look tired as they walk up the driveway. They must’ve left the station wagon somewhere. Burning it like we always do, so we don’t leave any traces behind.
Sophia runs down the stairs, flinging herself into Adam’s arms. Adam needs someone like Sophia in his life and she needs him. They’re good for each other.
I have mixed feelings as I watch Jack. I have to suppress the urge to rush to him, and to see with my own eyes that he’s okay.
I can’t just forget everything that’s happened. I can’t be with someone who will hurt me just because he’s in pain.
I stand to the side, and when he reaches the top of the stairs, I whisper, “You’re home.”
When he looks right at me, his eyes are dark and smoldering. I drop mine, too scared of what I’ll see if I stare too long.
“I’m home.” The words rumble deep from in his chest, making me realize how much I’ve missed just hearing his voice.
He takes a step towards me, and I shake my head as I raise a hand between us.
“Please don’t.”
I’m not sure what I’m begging for. Do I want him to stay away from me? Do I want him to show me that he’s not lost me? I don’t know. My heart is a mess from the destruction I had to face the past few days.
He ignores my words and keeps coming. I take a few steps backward, but then bump into the wall. I flatten my body against it, my body trembling.
“Jack,” I plead, as tendrils of fear curl around my heart. I can’t forget his rage. I turn my face to the side, too scared to face what’s coming.
I feel the intensity roll of his body, slamming into me like tidal waves. It’s a disturbing thought, knowing the man you love can easily kill you. That he actually just might.
“Tell me,” he grinds the words out. He clears his throat. “Tell me I didn’t destroy us.”
When the attack doesn’t come, his words sink in. I slump back against the wall feeling dizzy and drained.
“We’re damaged,” I whisper, because it’s the truth. I won’t lie to him, just because I fear him.
“Let me touch you.” His voice is hoarse, almost a pain-filled groan.
I shake my head, but my body betrays me as I push away from the wall. Tears sneak from my eyes, and I hate that I’m crying. I’m stronger than this. I’ve survived worse than this.
But never before, have I been threatened by someone I love. I can’t just brush off the way he spoke to me. I expected it from my father because he was a monster, where I trusted Jack.
His fingers skim over my arm. I flinch, but I can’t make myself pull away. His hand moves up to my shoulder, and then slips behind my neck.
He draws me to him, and when I feel the strength of his chest against my cheek, my walls crumble around me.
I grab at his shirt, twisting my fingers in the material.
His arms lock me to him, and as he leans in, I feel his breath rush over my hair.
“Damaged by not destroyed.” His chest rumbles as he whispers the words.
I press my forehead against his chest, and taking a few breaths, I push away from him.
“I can’t just forget,” I whisper, wiping my face with the back of my hand.
“I had to do it, River.” I can feel his eyes burning on my face, but I refuse to look up.
“Not about that.” I take a step away from him. “You can’t talk to me the way you did. You can’t hurt me because you’re hurting.”
He rubs tiredly over his face.
“I want to be strong for you, but I can’t if you’re tearing me down.”
I walk away, exhausted from the past week’s events. I go straight to my room and don’t even bother changing out of my dress and into my pajamas. I just curl up on the bed and squeeze my eyes shut.
As worn out as I feel, I can’t fall asleep.
My bedroom door clicks softly. For a second, I think that I imagined the sound. But then, the mattress dips under his weight and he lies down behind me.
His arm slips around me and drags me closer, until the side of my body is pressed to his front. I can smell the soap from the shower he must’ve taken. He buries his face in my hair and I hear him breathing me in.
“I never meant to hurt you,” he whispers. “Fuck, you’re all that makes sense in my life. You fill the cracks in me.”
His words make a lump form in my throat, and I swallow hard on it.
“I’m bad at relationships,” he says, and it draws a sudden burst of manic laughter from me, which quickly turns into a sob.
“We’re both bad at this.”
His lips move down the side of my face and when he reaches my jaw, he says, “Then let’s be bad at it together.”
I turn my face slightly, until I feel his breath on the corner of my mouth.
Time freezes.
He moves fast, his mouth crushing mine. We both gasp at the impact, and then he kisses me hard. There’s a hungry desperation to his movements. His tongue plunges into my mouth. It feels as if he’s going to devour me.
I bring my hand to jaw, but he grabs hold of it, and slams it back against the bed. He moves over me and with his knee, he forces my legs open.
He’s controlling and intense, and it robs me of all common sense.
He lets go of my hand and yanks my dress up. He shoves my panties to the side, thrusting a finger inside of me. I gasp at the penetration.
Anger starts to pulse through me as he just takes what he wants. But there’s need too. I need him just as aggressively as he wants me.
This is fucking. It’s savage and heated. It’s primal and ruthless.
He shoves another finger inside of me. I grab at his hair, and devouring his mouth, I push up against him. I fight him for control. I know I’ll never win against his power, but fighting makes the air feel charged. Every inch of my skin is humming with need.
I want to feel his hands on me. I want it rough and brutal.
He yanks his fingers out of me, and I feel as he shoves his pants down.
I dig my elbows into the bed, and jerk my body from under him. I move quickly, crawling backwards.
His eyes snap to mine, and I glare right back at him. It’s an intoxicating feeling as I challenge him. He’s on his knees, his cock stands huge and powerful.
I lunge my body at him. I slam hard into his chest, but I don’t even budge him an inch. His left arm shoots around my ass, and then easily flips me onto my back.
Taking hold of my thighs, he forcefully hauls me up, my body slamming into his. He grabs at the revealing lace that covers my pussy, and rips it off. As he fists the material of my dress, I try to pull myself up. A tearing sound makes my pussy clench with need.
He claws at the material, ripping the skirt halfway from my body. His fingers dig into my hips, hauling me back down to where he wants me.
My eyes dart to his face. His lips are parted, harsh breaths exploding through his clenched teeth. His eyes are hooded with the euphoria our angry sex is arousing in him.
His fingers wrap around the material covering my chest, and he tears it in half, exposing my bra. He shoves the lace down, and my nipples harden at the thrill of having my clothes ripped from my body.
He makes me feel desired. He makes me feel more precious than the air he’s dragging into his lungs. He makes me feel like he’ll cease to exist without me in his life. I know this, because I feel the same way.
His hand covers my right breast and he squeezes hard, until his fingers bite into my flesh. There’s a heady mixture of pain and pleasure, and I’m wild to feel more of it.
He shoves his pants further down his powerful thighs. My eyes land on his cock. It’s huge and thick, angry veins making it look like a fierce weapon.
His fingers bite into the sides of my thighs and he pulls my legs wide open. I drink in the sight of his huge cock, as he forces it viciously into my pussy.
He slips his hands under my ass, and he pulls my cheeks apart, opening me as wide as I can go. He draws out of me, and the skin stretches tight over his shaft.
I watch his cock invading my pussy, stretching my opening until I’m swept up on high of shameless wanton. I have to claw at the messy covers so I don’t split in two.
I growl as my need to be fucked hard, becomes unbearable.
His hips surge violently between my legs, making my body jerk each time he buries his cock to the hilt inside of me. He grinds his pelvis against my enflamed clit, tearing a helpless whimper from me.
I fall back on the bed, praying that he’ll consume me.
I feel every inch of his cock, ferocious and demanding as he strokes my inner walls.
I try to raise my ass from the bed, wanting to provoke him into fucking me senseless. Instead, he presses his body down on mine, pinning me to the bed with his muscular body.
Our eyes meet and I dare him to fuck me harder, to make me scream in a blissful mixture of pain and pleasure.
He grabs fist fills of my hair, every inch of me locked under him. Instead of fucking me, he slowly pushes inside me. He closes his eyes, dropping his head to my shoulder. A low moan drifts over his lips.
“River,” he breathes my name, making it sound like a prayer. “I want to fuck you until there’s no telling where I end and you begin.”
He pulls out and then even slower than the first time, he enters me again. It’s maddening and satisfying all at once.
He keeps a torturous slow pace and it’s starting to drive me wild. I dig my nails into his ass, and I try to urge him on by pushing him down on me.
He starts to move faster, the sound of us slamming into each other filling the room.
“Harder. Fuck. Please, Jack,” I beg through my gasps for air.
His hands slip under my ass, and he holds me in place, as he continues to slowly fuck me. He slides in deep, making sure I take every inch of him.
With each deep thrust my body starts to wind tighter and tighter until it feels like I’m going to shatter.
Jack lifts his head and his eyes focus intensely on mine. I’ve never felt more alive than in this moment. This wild man sees me, the real me.
He presses his forehead to mine. I feel his hard body crashing against mine. His cock assaults me until I’m raw and it feels as if my heart is pulsating in my pussy.
I feel his breath on my lips and it all works together, taking me to so fucking high, I can’t bear it.
My body arches against Jack’s and I start to convulse under him. His body tenses over mine, and we come together. I wrap my legs behind his ass as he hammers into me, finally fucking me, as our bodies greedily ride out the pleasure we’ve created.
When we come down from the high, my legs and arms fall to my sides. I have no strength to move.
He doesn’t pull out, but instead he holds me, tenderly stroking my sensitive pussy with his cock. We keep breathing each other’s air as our eyes are locked on each other.
Our sweaty bodies melt together. His hands brush up my sides and he covers my breasts with his large hands. He kisses my chin and then leaves a trail of breathy kisses down my neck until his mouth closes over my right nipple.
He fucks me slowly, as if he’s trying to imprint me on his soul.
Another orgasm slowly conquers me, turning my bones into mush. I whimper with pleasure as his cock fills me, and his teeth sink into my breast.
I’ve been devoured by a beautiful man.
I’ve been ravaged by a beast.
I’ve been branded by the man I love.
Jack has been different since he had his revenge. It’s as if the beast in him is finally at rest.
I keep looking for any cracks, or signs that he might be putting up a front, but I can’t find any.
We’re falling back into a routine again.
I’m busy with the books when Adam knocks on the door.
“Hey stranger,” I say with a smile. I haven’t seen much of Adam since he’s been back.
He takes a seat in the chair across from mine.
“Are you finally going to tell me what happened?” I ask. I haven’t been able to get anything from Jack, so I’m hoping Adam will tell me.
“No,” he says, without any hesitation. He pushes a hand through his hair and says, “Think of it as a boys night out.”
“It was hardly a boys night out, Adam!”
“To us it was. We had a road trip, a huge bonfire. Hell, we even got some beers on the way back.” He smiles as if that’s all it was.
“A huge bonfire? Really?”
“River, you know what Jack and Sophia’s been through. You’ve seen first-hand how a slave is trained. Jack deserved his revenge.”
“I’m not saying he didn’t deserve it,” I snap. I get up and stalk around the desk. “I just want to know what happened. Will something come back to bite us in the ass when we least expect it?”
“No. No one left the property alive.” Adam gets up and places his hands on my shoulders. “We’re safe and that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“That we’re safe?” I ask.
“I think it’s time we retire. We’ve been saving slaves for years. I have Sophia now. You have Jack. We have all the others and we’ll be risking all of their lives if we bring someone new here.”
“So you want to stop?” I pinch the bridge of my nose, not sure how I feel about stopping.
“Yes.” Adam pulls me into a hug and then whispers, “I think you’ve paid enough for your father’s sins. It’s time you live your own life now.”
He pulls back and then smiles a huge smile at me. “So, I was thinking it’s time we put all the crap behind us, and focus on the good. What better way than to celebrate with a wedding.”
My mouth drops open. “You’re getting married?”
Adam starts to laugh as if it’s a huge joke. “Not me. I’m thinking that maybe we can organize a surprise wedding for Christopher and Maddie?”
A huge grin spreads over my face. “That’s the best idea ever. There’s nothing like a celebration to bring everyone together again.”
Adam throws his arm around my shoulders and says, “I was also thinking of asking Jack to help my build another guesthouse, one Christopher and Maddie can move into.”
I throw my arms around Adam’s neck from excitement. “Yes, of course. That’s a great idea.
Seeing as Christopher and Maddie like to sneak off for their private moments, it’s easy to get everyone together without them knowing about it.
As soon as everyone is squashed into the living room, Adam says, “We have to make this quick. We’re going to organize a secret wedding for our lovebirds.”
A collective ‘aww’ sounds up from the girls.
Jack comes sauntering in with a bowl of cereal. He really loves the stuff. He’s been eating a lot more since his ‘road trip’ with Adam.
He walks over to where I’m sitting and sits on the arm of the couch.
“We’ll prepare everything down by the chapel. Jack will help with things there. We’re having it a week from now, so that makes it next Sunday at two in the afternoon.”
“Is there anything we can help with?” Diane asks. I’m surprised that she’s so excited.
“You can all take turns helping us prepare the food?” I say, not wanting to leave them out of the preparations.
“How are you going to explain all the food to them?” Jamie asks.
I point a finger at Jack. “Have you noticed how much he’s been eating lately? Just say it’s for Jack.”
“Blame me,” Jack says between bites and it makes everyone laugh.
“Okay, now get back to work and remember to not let it slip to Christopher and Maddie,” Adam says.
Everyone goes their way. I kiss Jack on the cheek and go to the office. I want to place the order for the building materials Adam and Jack are going to need to build the new guest house.
I walk over to the desk and look through the papers for the one Adam gave me earlier, when the door closes behind me. I glance over my shoulder and watch as Jack walks toward me.
“I’m just about to place the order for the building materials. I’ll let you know when it’s all ready for you and Adam to go get.”
Jack comes to stand behind me and he places his hands on my hips. He presses his body against the back of mine, and I savor the feel of his broad chest, knowing how much power it holds.
“Have I told you that I like you?”
My heart stutters as stunned stupor freezes me on the spot. There has been no talk of emotions between us. I’m not sure how to handle it. The woman in me wants to swoon with delight, but I know I have to be careful and guard my heart.
“Uhm … no. I’m pretty sure I’d remember something like that.” My voice is hoarse, giving away the emotions warring inside of me
His hands drop to the hem of my dress and he shoves it up over my ass. Since we shared that passionate night, I’ve been making a point of wearing dresses. They seem to be a huge turn on for Jack.
His hand presses against my back, and he bends me over the desk. With one sweep of his arm, he shoves all the papers to the floor. I hear the foil wrapper ripping and it makes my core clench with want. We’ve made sure to use a condom every time, except for that one night we lost our minds.
His shoves my panties to the side. When he rams his cock ruthlessly into my pussy, I claw at the desk, desperately needing something to hold onto.
Jack relentlessly hammers into me, making pleasure surge though my body, until it feels like I might explode.
His breaths are harsh as he towers over my back.
He doesn’t slow down, pounding into me, until I’m a shaking mess of sexual tension.
I claw at the desk, crying out as my need for Jack becomes too intense to handle.
His movements grow jerky, and when his cock swells inside of me, it pushes me over the edge. He slows his thrusts to deep satisfying strokes, while I ride out the mind-blowing waves of my orgasm.
In such a short space of time, Jack has gotten to know every inch of me intimately. He’s become a master at knowing what makes me come apart.
He places a kiss to my shoulder and before he pulls out, he says, “Remind me later to tell you how much I love you.”