Chapter fifteen

The ache started right about when she pulled onto the highway. It was nagging and painful, like a bad toothache, but in her belly, "This is what you get for rejecting your mate, her wolf said. She heat herself for being an omega, she didn't want to live a werewolf live, because of the way her parents died, she doesn't want to be bonded with anyone, she wanted  to be free to live her life the way she wanted, like every normal person does. Instead, she mate found her when she was running away from her lover. She smiled sadly,

she know that Jacob was nice and looking after her since all this while, she sense him around and his strong perfume confirmed her doubts, How rude, to just leave like that. She could have said something nicer, after that incredible night. Something sweet. At least something polite.

She looked for him on the road all day. A couple of times she thought she saw a faraway motorcycle, but she couldn't be sure. She didn't stop for lunch, or to hike, just at a couple of rest stop to pee and stare blankly at the bare trees. She tried eating some saltines, but they wouldn't go into the cast-iron knot of her stomach. 

She couldn't blame him for vanishing. In his place, she would have done the same, but now she would never have the chance to tell him  how  special and healing that night had been to her.

All day she composed little speeches of all the things she wished she'd said to him. To hell with her pride. He was a really nice guy, and he deserved to know the truth...... that he was sweet,sexy, and fabulous in bed, and that he'd made her feel better than she'd ever felt in her life. But she need sometime for herself, she's hurting both of them. 

She found a campground at sunset, and set up her tent. She rummaged through her supplies with a sigh, she might be attacked by some rogues and have no one to protect her, fear gripped her, maybe Jacob will always come for her, she thought, Don't think about him any more, she told herself. Go about your business, nobody is attacking you she assured herself.

Thank God the day was finished. Almost time to roll herself into a Santa cocoon and forget who she was in the oblivion of sleep.

"Hi, Annie," came a voice from the shadow behind her. She whirled around. "Jacob ?" She was so happy to see him that her heart swelled like a ballon, her fear disappeared. She smiled at him foolishly.  

He stepped out of the shadow and placed the paper bag he was carrying on the picnic table.

What have you got there?" She asked. 

He looked wary. "Dinner," he said belligerently. 

"Dinner?"  Annie approached the table and sniffed. Mouthwatering smells were coming out of the bag. She pulled out a foam container and popped it open.  Barbecued chicken. Oh!God. Her stomach yawned open joyfully. 

"Yeah. So?" He said defensively. Go ahead, Annie. Let me have it . Get it over with. Tell me what an asshole I am for buying you dinner."

Annie forced herself not to laugh at his martyred face. 

"Thank you," she said quietly. "It's looks delicious.  Let's eat before it's get cold."

He blinked, and visibly relaxed. "Really?"

"Really." She threw herself at him and hugged him hard. His strong arms circled her, and she hide her face against his chest. Willing herself not start bawling; she would just embarrassed the poor guy.

She stepped back, giving him a shaky smile. Jacob grinned back , smoothing over the awkward moment by giving her a gentle kiss on her nose. 

" Let's eat, then," he suggested "You hungry?"

"You have no idea," she said fervently. 

They feasted on Jacob's bounty. Barbecued chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, twice-baked cheese grits, collard greens and coleslaw and cornbread, and the crowning touch: two huge pieces of pie, chocolate pecan and pumpkin chiffon, swimming in whipped cream.  It was so delicious it almost reduced her to tears again. 

They finished the pie, and the process of licking various sticky bits of chocolate and pumpkin from each other's fingers segued into a sweet, clinging kiss. Jacob lifted his head reluctantly, dropping dropping soft kisses on her upturned face like a sweet hot rain.

"Annie," he said in a soft, pleading voice.  "I know I'm pushing my luck, but there's a really nice bed and breakfast in town.  Four- poster beds, country quilt, private baths. Coffee and scones and orange juice in the morning. "

Annie hid her face against him , trying not to show how tempted she was. How marvellous it would be to just creep under Jacob's big , strong wing and huddled there like a shivering, rain- drenched baby bird..

No. She was not a baby bird and she would not permit herself to act like one. She hesitated, choosing her words carefully.  She didn't want to sound mouthy or mean. He didn't deserve it

"Jacob, it's sweet of you , but I have to travel inside my own budget. If you want my company, then you're just going to have to........" she stopped herself abruptly. That was an ultimatum. Ultimatum sounded snotty and uppity. Be nice, Annie, she reminded herself. Think sweet. Make an effort. 

She began again. In a halting voice. "You're welcome to stay with me....... That is , you're more than welcome.  I have to make do with my funky old tent, and I'm sorry it's so uncomfortable. But please stay with me ." She closed her eyes, and added in a whiper, "I really, really want you to stay."

Jacob wrapped his arm around her fiercely. "You know damn well that i would sleep naked in the snow for a chance to be with you and make love to you again," he said roughly.  "I just don't understand why we can't do it someplace warm and dry. But, whatever . At least our stomachs are full." 

9yhAnnie rubbed her face against the velvety skin of his neck, weak with relief. 

"I'll do my best to distract you from how uncomfortable it is ." She got up and tugged on his hand, drawing him towards the tent. On your  feet, Jacob. I've got plans for you tonight."

"Oh." Yeah?" His voice was full of cautious speculation. 

"Yeah." She kicked off her shoes and unzipped the tent flap. "Remember how you said that last night was all about me?"

She knelt and untied the laces of his boots. He stepped out of them obediently.  "Yeah,"  he said "why?" 

She looked up at him with a mysterious smile. "Guess who tonight is going to be all about?"

"Oh, God," he muttered as she dragged him into the tent. 

She was different tonight, bold and fierce, shoving his jacket roughly off his shoulders. 

"What's the rush?" He asked "Are we late for something?"

"Cut the smart-ass remarks and get your clothes off, buddy," she snapped breathless. "I'm trying to make a point, here."

He wasn't about to argue with that. They stripped with feverish haste, desperate for the hot contact of skin and lips and hands. She ran her hand over his shoulders and arms with a murmur of approval, ruffling it into a wild mane.

"I like you like this ," She said "I love your long hair. "

"I grew it out just for you," he told her goofily, laughing as she buried her face in his neck and nipped it. She tugged his earlobe with her teeth and whispered., " yesterday I asked if you wanted a blow job,"

No way that she should think he didn't like them, he thought with a flash of alarm.

"Hey, just because I declined one yesterday doesn't mean that I don't........."

"Relaxed, she said in a low , purring voice. He strained to read her expression in the dark. "Huh?"

"Tonight, I'm not asking you. Tonight, I'm telling you. Got it?"

"Oh,"he said inanely, he decided to let her have her way with him.