Entranced

Chapter Ten

Heather spent the next three months in Baltimore, finishing with some work in the area hospitals and finalizing her move back to Bend. She’d greeted Owen with enthusiasm when she’d first returned to Bend with Jack, but she could tell that her older brother hadn’t liked what he’d seen in her face. She’d been too heartbroken to tell him how badly she’d screwed up. Once again, it had been Owen who’d saved her, and by extension the family, by sending Jack.

Heather had been nothing but a tool, one that had almost gotten the man she loved killed.

She felt so ashamed, even now, that she hadn’t been strong enough to overcome her issues and hurt Ernst. He might have murdered Jack if Jack hadn’t been so strong. And Jack’s condemning silence on their return trip had just about killed her. Her heart ached for the man. She vibrated with sadness but was unable to heal herself this time.

God, she missed him so much. She could only hope that given enough time, he’d forgive and forget her failure to help when he’d needed it. That she could work her way back into his good graces and maybe get him to love her a little.

She glanced around her nearly empty apartment. All that remained was her large bed, which wouldn’t fit in the moving truck. She’d emptied everything out of the apartment except for a few changes of clothes, a couple of towels, some toiletries, and her bed.

Staring at the empty place, she felt her solitude creep over her and couldn’t help the tears that fell.

“Not more of this. Haven’t you cried enough?”

She gasped and whirled around to face her brother. “Owen?”

“Really, Heather. A little dramatic, even for you. All this weeping. You’re not a pretty crier.”

“Shut up.” She hastily wiped her tears, mortified to have been caught crying by him. Again. “I’m almost ready to go. But you didn’t have to come out here to bring me back.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know. You’re returning with me because you can’t bear to be away from my angry, sullen partner anymore. Do you know how unbearable Jack has been since you broke his heart?”

She just stared at her brother, not sure how he could know so much about her relationship, such as it was, with Jack. She hadn’t said much about her lover, only that he’d helped her, and she’d let him down. With Jack’s help, she’d done what she had to for the Source. She’d explained in detail everything else about her trip. Her feelings for Jack and their interactions remained hers alone.

“Is Jack okay?” Was he dating anyone? She remembered Kitty all too clearly, the pretty redhead a temptation Heather could have done without. For all that she liked the woman, she didn’t care for the thought of Kitty and Jack being so close together all the time.

“No, he’s not. He’s a pain in my ass. He growls at everyone, more than usual. He thinks you hate him,” Owen said bluntly. Her brother came closer and tilted her chin up, so that he could stare into eyes that mirrored of his own. “Why did you refuse to see him before you left, honey? Did he hurt you?”

She burst into tears and let her brother hug her, comforted by his strength and needing the love. “I made such a mess of it, Owen. Jack is so wonderful, so heroic. He almost died because of me. I nearly killed him.”

“Oh for God’s sake. Owen, step aside.”

She blinked up at her brother, shocked to see him smirking down at her. Then Owen was ripped away from her, and Jack—big, wonderful, handsome Jack—was there. “What the fuck, Heather?”

“I’m out of here. And watch your mouth, Keiser.” Owen shut the door behind him, whistling as he did so.

“Jack?” She stroked his chest, his face, sure she must be dreaming. He was staring down at her with affection and a mean look that turned her on, as he always did.

“You left me without saying good-bye,” he said gruffly. “Treated me like shit after all I did for you. Never told me you loved me.” He stood stiffly in her arms.

“I love you so much, and I nearly got you killed.” She started crying again.

He patted her back and smoothed his hand over her hair until she calmed down. Then he pulled back to look at her while keeping her in his arms.

She apologized again with a hiccup. “I’m sorry I couldn’t do more to Ernst. That I couldn’t take from him. I’m not strong like that.”

He scowled. “You are one dumb blonde.”

“What?”

“Jesus. Don’t apologize for being who you are. Killing and hurting people isn’t something to be proud of. You’re a healer, and you do good. Don’t ever say you’re sorry for that. It’s my fault we were in that position. If I’d had my head out of my ass and could focus past my dick, we wouldn’t have been in that situation to begin with.” He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry I wasn’t thinking clearly. We shouldn’t have been naked under that tree after you fixed the problem, and that was my fault, which led to everything else. The Source—”

“Messed with our minds,” she finished, surprised. “So you’re not mad at me?”

“Fuck, no.”

That was the Jack she knew and loved.

“I thought you were disgusted with me.” He quieted. “I mean, I ended Ernst while you were linked to me. I didn’t mean to drag you in with me. It’s nasty work, and I never wanted you to be a part of it. You’re too good for that.”

“No, I’m not.” She dragged his head down and kissed him, and the love she felt for him seeped out of her without trying, seeking and healing the emotional wounds left by her absence. “You really missed me.”

“Great detective work, Sherlock,” he snarled.

She smiled, a real grin she hadn’t used since they’d parted. “Neither of us was thinking that day in the clearing, Jack. The Source took us over. And if you want to place the blame where it belongs, it’s my fault for all of it. I should have taken Owen and his bazillion bodyguards with me from the beginning. Then we could have stormed Drei-Gewalten and fixed the problem without a fuss.”

“You think?” He just stared at her, running his hands through her hair. “Owen was wrong. You’re beautiful even when you’re crying. Your eyes are red, but even your sniffles are cute.”

He kissed her, and she felt his erection against her belly.

“I love you, you know.”

She tensed, not sure she’d heard what he just said. He grinned, and his smile took her breath away.

“I like seeing you all tongue-tied.” His grin grew sly. “But you know, we never did have that discussion about you walking into my mind uninvited. You said you were healing me, but I’m still hurting, baby.”

“Y-you are?”

He took her hand in his and placed it over the fly of his jeans. “Yeah, I am. And you’re going to heal this right now, aren’t you?”

“Yes, Jack.”

His eyes darkened. “I fucking love when you say that. I want to hear it on your lips from now until forever. Yes, Jack. Yes, I’ll suck you. Yes, you can fuck my ass. Yes, I’ll do whatever you want.”

“Yes, Jack. I love you.”

IT WAS THE “I love you” that did it.

He said to hell with it and shoved her against the nearest wall. No preamble, no words, he simply suited action to reason. Jack kissed her and held her firm, then, as he’d done in Ida’s that first time, he yanked off her shoes, pants, and panties, then wrapped her legs around his waist.

“J-Jack?”

She seemed to be in a daze, but he couldn’t wait. It had been an eternity without her, and knowing she’d been hurting, in love with him but all alone, made him crazy to have her again.

Jack unbuttoned his jeans and took himself out. He found her wet slit and shoved home.

They both groaned as he sank inside her, but Jack wasn’t content to wait. He fucked her hard, with brutal strokes to remind her where she belonged, not even bothering to kiss her. She didn’t protest but moaned and hung on for the ride. He wanted to wait, to make it good for her, but he couldn’t stop. He pounded into her until he came, distantly aware that she’d come as well, because she clamped down on him, hard.

They panted together, locked in a lover’s embrace.

She kissed his lips, his cheeks, his nose, her eyes still shiny. “I missed you so much.”

He felt dazed, his body throbbing with extreme pleasure. “Me too. Don’t ever do that again.”

“I won’t. I promise. I felt so badly that I’d let you down.”

“No, baby. I never should have asked you to go against your nature. You’re a healer. Let me worry about putting the hurt on everyone else. You heal. Period.”

“Yes, Jack.”

“Do you have any idea how hard you make me when you say that?” he asked, his words gritty.

“Yes, Jack.”

He groaned and saw the loving look in her eyes. “You little tease. Time you made right what you owe me. You need some punishment for stealing into my mind, don’t you?” He smacked her ass and hardened inside her once more. God, the fantasies he’d had. Only he didn’t have the lube he needed. “Hey, you have any massage oil?”

She bit her lip, and he leaned down to kiss her until they both grew breathless.

“In my bathroom, the box on the counter,” she breathed.

“Get naked on the bed. Time to pay up, you little witch. Jumping into my mind without asking, leaving me all alone with a broken heart. The list goes on.”

He left her laughing behind him. He’d never felt lighter in his entire life, the world his for the asking because he had Heather by his side. He found the oil he needed as well as a towel to clean up. Then he stripped down and reentered the bedroom.

She lay naked on her large bed, a mouthwatering dream come to life.

“That’s good. Spread your legs.” He noticed a crumpled shirt lying next to the bed. She must have cleaned herself up with that, because he’d left a huge load inside her. “I was pent up without you. Just pining for you, woman.”

She winked at him, her happiness enhancing his.

“You think that’s funny?”

“Yes, Jack,” she whispered and laughed.

“God, I love you.” He crawled between her legs and inhaled her sweet scent. Then he licked and sucked until she was writhing beneath him. He eased a finger into her slick flesh and slid it down to her ass, rimming her. She squirmed harder, begging him for ease. “Yeah, you like that, don’t you? I’m a big man, Heather. But it’s time I had all of you. Your mouth, your pussy…your ass.”

“Yes, Jack.” She smiled at him. “Anything for you.”

“It might hurt.”

“I’ll heal.” She winked. “Or maybe I won’t. I think I should suffer, just a little, to show you how sorry I am for messing with your mind.”

“Shit. This has got to be a dream.”

“The best kind. A happily-ever-after,” she murmured. “Now, do you think I can have something to fill my mouth while you get me ready to take you?”

He groaned but happily complied, straddling her neck and angling himself to slide in and out of her mouth. She sucked him, and he nearly came when she cradled his balls while she drew his cockhead deeper and laved his sensitive spot with her clever tongue.

“Oh fuck, Heather. I want to come inside your ass, not your mouth. Hold on.” He withdrew despite her protests, hard as steel and wanting to own all of her. “Good girl. Now put that oil over me. Get me nice and slick.” He scooted back and waited for her on his knees. She took her time greasing him up, and while she toyed with him, he played with her breasts.

“You have the nicest tits. Wait until I fuck these.” He hissed when she fondled him, skirting close to his ass. “Yeah, you know I like that. You’re a naughty girl.”

“Very.” She knelt and kissed him, falling into him as if made for him.

He rubbed the oil over her ass, then speared her anus with his little finger. She gasped, not from pain but from pleasure, because she fucked herself over his finger.

“Yeah, that’s it. Let’s get you all slick.” He turned her around and withdrew his hand. Unable to help himself, he watched up close as he inserted his index finger into her tight passage, loving how she gloved him. He pushed past her sphincter, aware of her slight shudder.

“Okay?”

“Yes. More. I want you.”

Like he would deny that. He pulled out his finger and lathered more oil over himself. “I’m a lot bigger than my finger.”

“I know.”

“God, baby. I’m going to come so hard up that fine ass. I need you so much.” He was babbling but couldn’t help himself. Every word he spoke was true. As he positioned himself at her ass, he slowly pushed and nearly lost it when her heat engulfed him.

She squirmed, and he lightly smacked her flank. “Be still,” he growled. “I’m trying to be gentle.”

“Yes, Jack.”

He panted as he continued to move, watching his thick cock disappear between her white cheeks. An erotic scene he couldn’t look away from. He finally seated himself deep, aware she had to be hurting. But the heat all around him felt psychically charged, and he knew she’d done something to ease the sting.

“You okay?” he rasped, wanting badly to pull out.

“Yes. I want you. Come inside me.”

He didn’t have to be told twice. Jack eased out then slid back inside. He thrust slowly, watching himself join the only woman he’d ever truly loved.

Then he reached beneath her to finger her clit, pleased to find the small nub hard and wet. “You’re gonna come with me, aren’t you?” he whispered. “You like me up your ass, you dirty little girl.” His angelic lover moaned his name, breathless as she pleaded for him to take her, to love her.

“I do love you, Heather. So fucking much.” Jack continued to fuck her with slow, torturous strokes. When she shuddered and came hard, he was helpless to follow, squeezed by her body that wanted all of him.

He jerked and spurted, filling her up. And while they remained joined, he felt her layering his energy with love.

“You’re trespassing.” He sighed, high on the endorphins still rushing through his body. High on her. “Guess I’m going to have to fuck you all over again.”

“Oh please.” She wriggled around him. “I love you inside me.”

“And guess what? Since I can take any shape, we can do any number of fantasies you might have.” He felt her tense beneath him. “You want me to get bigger?”

“Not right now.” She clenched her ass, and he groaned.

“Maybe later, eh? Not to ruin the mood, but I guess I can tell your brother to leave, since I’ve got you covered. You’re flying home with me, woman. Oh, and I want you to marry me too.” He withdrew and found a towel to catch his seed spilling out of her. Once he’d cleaned them up, he flopped onto the bed and sighed.

“This is nice. Almost as nice as my bed. So are you moving in with me or what?”

She just stared at him, her mouth open, looking horrified.

He scowled. “What? I’m neat, I don’t snore, and you already said you love me. You can’t take it back.”

“I do love you, and yes, I’ll move in with you,” she said absently, her gaze on the closed bedroom door. She whispered, “Is my brother still here, do you think?” She was bright pink.

Filled with happiness and humor, Jack laughed so hard he cried.

She was hitting him, and when he didn’t stop laughing, she pinched his nipple.

“Ow.”

“Owen, my brother? Is he here?” she hissed.

“Oh wow. I like when you’re mean. You’re turning me on again. Time for that blowjob you owe me.”

“Jack…”

“Nah, he’s gone. I brought Ian along to keep him company while I wooed you.”

She sighed with relief. “Ian?”

“Yeah. Your brother agreed to help me with you only if I promised to lend him Ian for the next month or so. Apparently Owen has some work he wants Ian to do for him, and considering Ian’s talent lies in forging, I didn’t ask too many questions.”

HEATHER SIGHED AND rolled on top of Jack. “Sounds good to me.” She leaned close to smell him, loving the scent of his body mixed with hers. “I love you so much. If I’m dreaming, don’t wake me up.”

“Me too. God, I missed you. You pulled my heart out when you left Bend. But according to my guys at the gym, I never really had one to begin with. Kitty’s not too happy with you, by the way.”

She tugged on a smattering of chest hair and felt him wince. “How close are you and Kitty, anyway?” She leaned up to see him grinning like the Cheshire Cat.

“Are you jealous?” He sounded amazed.

“Answer the question.”

He nodded. “You’re jealous. Holy shit. Ow. Stop pulling. Kitty and I are as close as I’ve ever been with a woman still living. We work together, and I like and trust her. But I love you. If it eases your mind, I’ve known Kitty for years and never once thought about doing her.” He paused. “Okay, maybe once, when I first met her. She’s hot, but she’s a coworker.” His face darkened. “After Melissa, it was all about the job. That I trust Kitty says something. She’s like a sister to me. Oh, and her fiancée is as big and possessive as I am. Happy now?”

“A little.” She eased back over him, still watching but pleased to know she wouldn’t have to work to get rid of the competition.

“I’m a one-woman man, baby. And when I bring you back, all smiles, the team is gonna think you’re a witch. I’m not happy without you. And I’m nothing without you in my life.” He cleared his throat, his eyes more blue than gray and filled with hope. “So you love me, and you’re moving in. You going to marry me or what?”

“I’m thinking about it.” She pretended to mull it over in her mind.

He looked pained. “I’m not rich like you, but I have money. I can take care of you. And I don’t care about you healing people, though if you’re going out of country or to any place dangerous, I’m going to want to be with you.” Still she said nothing, and he hurriedly added, “I like your brother.”

“Enough, already. I guess I’ll marry you.” She squealed when he rolled her over and tickled her. Between bouts of laughter, she kissed him until both of them were out of breath and raring to go again.

“Shower. Blowjob you owe me, then I’m eating you until you scream,” he insisted and jumped off the bed. He threw her over his shoulder and carried her like a caveman into the bathroom. “I love you, Heather. Ring’s in my pocket, by the way. Owen assured me it would fit you. So that’s it. No going back now, you got that?”

She smiled and patted him on his tight, gorgeous ass. “Yes, Jack.” I love you.

Owen smiled at the thought of his sister wrapping mean Jack Keiser around her finger. The guy had been fixated on her picture from the first, and Owen couldn’t have asked for a better man to take care of his family when he was gone.

The time had come to deal with matters he’d been ignoring for far too long. The last attempt on his life had been expected. Though the others thought Linda Cavendish had been possessed by a cursed statue, Owen knew the truth. Kerr had sicced her on Owen in the first place. The bastard had been carefully crafting Owen’s demise for years, but since the Feds had nearly caught him, Carl Kerr had stepped up his timetable.

If Owen didn’t do something soon, he’d be one step behind Kerr when it mattered most.

“Hey, handsome, we about finished here?” Ian Ryder, Jack’s assistant at the gym, a known forger and con artist, glared at him as they sat in a posh bar overlooking the Inner Harbor. Ian wasn’t pleased to be sitting around while Heather and Jack reacquainted themselves. The slender male was no doubt itching to get into mischief while near a famous art collection on display at a gallery downtown, just a block away.

Ian continued complaining in a sulky voice. “I mean, I know Jack’s been a huge pain in the ass, but now that he’s found love, can we get back to Oregon?” He made a face at the harbor. “I hate water. Hell, can I at least have some time to myself? Since leaving Bend, we’ve been practically joined at the hip,” he muttered. And I want a shot at stealing some of the Winter’s Collection on showcase, went unsaid.

Ian continued to watch him, not hiding his interest or his attraction, though he was too smart to act on it. Thanks to Owen’s penchant for secrecy, no one knew what to make of Owen Stallbridge. A millionaire playboy who dated beautiful women? A closeted gay man with a penchant for kink? Or maybe something else? Owen knew all too well what the tabloids speculated but frankly didn’t care.

Owen smiled and studied Ian, taking in the man’s beautiful face, his features too pretty to go unnoticed. Ian’s sky-blue eyes sparkled with indignation. His dark hair brushed his shoulders and framed a face that called to mind visions of naked limbs and long nights best spent in bed. And that mouth, such soft, sultry lips made for sucking cock.

Owen had often pictured his hand wrapped in Ian’s hair while he guided Ian’s mouth toward him. A fantasy he intended to make real sooner than later. The little thief blinked at him, and Owen raised a brow in question.

Ian’s face darkened. “I don’t trust that look.”

“You shouldn’t.” Owen said nothing more, just sipped his bourbon and stared at the fading sunlight going down over the water.

“I…” Ian sighed. “Oh hell. Give me what you’re having, would you? And while you’re at it, you want to tell me what really happened the night Linda Cavendish died in your office? ’Cause one minute she was going to shoot you, and the next she dropped dead of a heart attack seconds before you passed out cold. I think I’m entitled to an explanation. I haven’t said anything to the cops or Jack about it, you know.”

“I do know. That’s why you’re still alive. I think you’ll be quite useful to me, Ian. You and I have some work to do together.” He stared at Ian over the rim of his glass, taken once again with Ian’s good looks. Stunning, was all he could think.

Ian seemed unsure of himself, and Owen hid a smile. Good. The forger took too many liberties with his safety and the law, always one step away from getting caught. But this time, Owen had set his trap, and Ian belonged to him.

He just didn’t know it yet.