《Dark Places》


 Chapter One

    Today had been the worst day, truly. Although if Jenn was being really honest, the past month had been the worst month of her life.


    Everything that went down back home in Wisconsin aside - Jenn would just as soon not think about all of that right now - the logistics of such a hasty move across the country on a basically non-existent budget had been hell. Absolutely a stress-fueled frenzy full of sleepless nights (or the ever-present night terrors if she did manage to fall asleep), little food (that non-existent budget hurt everywhere), and an ever-present terror that she wouldn''t make it out in time.


    And now, after two days of driving, trying to sleep in the backseat of her car at a rest stop when she was too exhausted to keep going, she had reached her new home ¨C the only option she''d been given that was far enough away and remote enough. The U-Haul had beat her there ¨C and she was glad that the court-hired (and paid for) movers had been professional and courteous to her, and then she saw the state of her new home.


    Ugh.


    Jenn was really, really not having a good day. Or year. Life, if she was being honest. She looked at the overgrown yard, the grass faded with autumn''s arrival. Half-dead shrubbery and other plant life reached clawing limbs out of the uneven ground as if desperately clinging to life despite the coming winter. A stepping-stone walkway up to the cabin was sunken in, overgrown, and covered in moss and grime.


    But the disrepair of the yard was the least of her concerns because the cabin that she intended to call home was looking more like a...


    ¡°Son of a bitch, I''m moving into a crack house,¡± Jenn moaned, resting her head on the steering wheel of her shitty old Neon and turning to cast her eyes to the cat in the soft carrier on the passenger seat beside her. She looked at the animal through a curtain of her wavy blonde hair, and puffed a breath out, trying to move the strands aside and clear her vision.


    ¡°Well Kylie, we''re in the shit for real now, babe,¡± she said ruefully, and the tortoiseshell cat peered up at her with wide eyes, letting out a mournful ''meow'' as if in solemn agreement.


    Jenn sighed, turning off her car and with it the high-pitched whining noise (more of a scream, really) that had been coming from her engine - shrill and frankly, super embarrassing in the cold mountain air.


    She slipped out of her seat belt and climbed out of the car with a groan, standing up for the first time in at least six hours.


    As she stretched, hands on her hips and leaning back with a moan, she took in the cabin with wary blue eyes. It didn''t look any better from this angle, that was for sure.


    The place was tiny, only about 700 sq feet, and that was fine ¨C she had accepted the place sight unseen, but she''d been given the details. And the photos from about 30 years ago, when it had last been in regular use. Apparently, the cabin had been abandoned since and had only failed to be condemned because it still had running water (in the form of a well, the point driven deep into the aquifer inside the mountain). Sure, the provided information hadn''t inspired much confidence in the residence, but honestly...


    The front porch was probably still technically considered usable, although the wood looked brittle and unstable in several places, covered in slick moss. The rusty screen door hung crooked, off of one hinge, the screen just absent entirely, and the roof was covered in moss, the shingles peeling at the edges away from the eaves that were clearly falling apart, either rotted through or eaten by termites.


    The paint looked, by the small spots of it still remaining on the wooden plank siding, to have once been white, but the prevailing color of the monstrosity of a cabin was gray. Just gray, weathered, and dirty.


    She hadn''t even gone inside yet and she already knew that whatever the government had ended up paying for this place, it was too much. Way, way too much. They''d told her that someone could come to fix the place up in the spring, ¡°free of charge¡±, but with the timing so close to winter, in a location so remote... it was the best they could do. And Jenn didn''t have the luxury of waiting, so... here she was.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    She cast her eyes past the horror show of her new home, taking in the dense trees surrounding the large, roughly circular area that had been cut into the huge forest here on the mountain range. In the distance, large snow-covered peaks reached towards the heavens, nearly forming a basin of sorts between them, where she now stood. Save for the thin dirt road that had led to the long, winding drive to the lot, there was no other sign of civilization as far as the eye could see ¨C the closest people, the closest man-made touch, was the small town nearly 70 miles south.


    She spun in place, looking past the large cluster of trees on either side of her bumpy, overgrown driveway. The ground rose in a rocky outcropping, and just beyond, on the higher elevation of the plateau before her, she could see the peak of another roof ¨C one that looked much more well-maintained than hers.


    She could hear - beyond the idling motor of the moving truck - the sound of birds, of insects, of the forest, and she felt an overwhelming urge to just walk into the trees, forget everything that she''d escaped, everything that was to come, and just-


    She froze, the hair on the back of her neck standing up suddenly. Jenn had learned long ago how to be attuned to her body''s reactions, trusting her gut above all else in a life where one wrong move could lead to severe consequences. And she could feel it ¨C she was being watched.


    Her head snapped around, eyes wide and lips parted as she drew quick breaths through her mouth, heartbeat thundering in her chest as adrenaline surged throughout her body.


    They couldn''t have found her, not here, not already, the FBI sent her here ¨C witness protection isn''t a joke, it can''t be them, it can''t be him-


    She finally found her observer ¨C a man was standing just down the long dirt drive from her, barely visible from behind the edge of the rocky ledge that separated their properties.


    He stood with his hands in his pockets, chin angled slightly down as he stared at her. Even at the distance between them, she could feel his eyes boring into her, and her breath stuttered at the intensity of his gaze.


    She brought a hand to her chest for a moment, tearing her eyes away from the stranger and walking to the other side of the car. She opened the passenger door and pulled the soft carrier out, slipping the strap over her shoulder before reaching into the backseat for her duffle bag.


    Bumping the door shut with her hip, Jenn began walking toward the dilapidated front porch of her new home, resolutely not looking back at the strange man who had been staring. The way he''d looked at her had been too unnerving, and she couldn''t handle any of it right now.


    She had not been told that there would be anyone else around when the agents had told her about the new home they''d found for her. They had told her all about how it was roughly an hour''s drive to the next people in the small town of Redding and had even sent her to some wilderness survival camp for a weekend to learn how to live in the remote cabin alone through the winter, in case of emergencies.


    Either this guy was here from the agency to make sure she settled in okay, or they had deliberately not told her that she''d have a neighbor. There was no other explanation.


    And that guy did not look like any agent she''d ever seen.


    He was huge. She could tell that even being so far away. He must be tall, his shoulders were broad and muscular, and the raw strength of him was not hidden at all even by his heavy flannel jacket.


    His hair was cut short on the sides, with a natural volume on top in the way of slight curls, and the dark color had taken on a very slight amber glow at the tips in the fall sunlight.


    Thick stubble, quickly turning to a true beard graced his strong jawline and above his lips, decently well groomed and dark.


    And clear as day across the left side of his face, crossing over his eye were two scars, parallel lines gouged across his flesh. Well-healed, but still visible there against his sun-tanned skin.


    Jenn pushed the door open, hearing it squeak in protest-it probably hadn''t been opened in years, and she cringed.


    Stepping inside, the house smelled musty, the air stale. Thankfully, the place didn''t look nearly as terrible inside as she had feared. The walls were wide planks, with no drywall to be seen. Painted white, it cracked and peeled in several spots throughout. The popcorn ceiling was almost definitely asbestos, she figured, but it was all intact, so that was a plus.


    The floors were hardwood and while they had certainly seen much better days, she had a feeling that a good scrubbing and polishing would actually have them looking almost halfway decent. They seemed solid, in any case.


    The movers had been putting her furniture in roughly the right areas, and in such an incredibly small space, it was truly hard for them to get much wrong. She put Kylie''s carrier down on the coffee table and began to move things into place, falling into the routine of moving in, the stranger outside soon forgotten in favor of trying to rebuild her life.

 Chapter Two

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    CHAPTER TWO


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    Hours later, the movers were long gone, and Jenn spent the afternoon arranging her modest furniture and unpacking her few possessions. The sun was getting lower in the sky, and she reached over to turn on the lights so she could unpack the last few boxes of books and put them away on the large shelf in the living room.


    A click as her fingers flipped the nearest switch, but nothing happened.


    Okay, maybe the bulb is burnt out. She crossed the room, trying the switch for the kitchen.


    A click followed by a distinct lack of light.


    ¡°For fuck''s sake,¡± she groaned, hands balling into fists. She took several deep breaths, willing the anxiety down. This was not a big deal, right? Sometimes you had to flip switches in those breaker boxes to get the lights working. Fuses and stuff like that. Right?


    She hadn''t been ''in charge'' of that kind of stuff when she was with-


    ¡°We aren''t thinking about him.¡± She hissed to herself, eyes wild before she snapped them shut tight.


    Several deep breaths later, she opened them again, and wet her lips.


    There had to be a basement. She remembered reading that there was a cellar in the property information.


    She headed to the small kitchen, opening one mysterious door and finding a small pantry, dusty and


    bare. Another door next to the refrigerator was the next obvious choice, and when Jenn pulled it open, her nose was immediately assaulted with the odor of dirt and wet rot.


    ¡°Ughhh... that''s gonna be a huge ''fuck no''...¡± she groaned, peering down the ancient wooden stairs of questionable integrity and into the darkness beyond as she felt her stomach drop. She closed the door again firmly, dusting her hands off on her pants with a scowl.


    A sudden sharp knocking at the front door made her jump, nearly squealing in surprise, and she shook out her hands, swallowing hard and moving to the door quickly.


    She opened it a small crack, peeking one wide bright blue eye out, and sagged with a small degree of relief.


    It was just the intimidating staring guy. Better him than-


    ¡°Hi,¡± she said shyly, opening the door a bit more and peeking her top half out from behind it, unsure.


    ¡°Hey,¡± he returned, equally verbose, those intense, dark brown eyes still drilling into her.


    ¡°Your car sounds like shit. I could hear it all the way in my cabin,¡± he rumbled, jerking his thumb over his shoulder to point towards the roof peak she''d seen earlier. ¡°I live out here for peace and quiet, not to listen to your junker wheeze its last breaths outside my window.¡±


    ¡°Oh! Um, yeah, that started about halfway through my two-day drive to get here,¡± she said, rubbing her upper arm nervously and avoiding his gaze. ¡°Sorry, I sort of just started to tune it out after about hour seven, and I um... didn''t expect to have any neighbors, so... I didn''t know it would be disturbing anyone. I''ll definitely try not to be any more of a bother,¡± she offered, heart racing with anxiety.


    She''d been right, he was enormous. He had to be what, six and a half feet tall at least? Seeing him so close to her, the way she had to crane her head back to look into his eyes...


    The irritation was visible in his features, his stance, and she could feel her chest tightening, fear tickling the corners of her mind. Large angry men... she''d traveled a long way to escape some of them, and she didn''t want to find any here.


    The man''s jaw clenched at the sound of apology in Jenn''s voice, an unfamiliar surge of guilt sparking somewhere in the pit of his stomach. He hadn''t really been angry about the noise, he supposed ¨C more the fact that she was here at all. That anyone was here. This shit-hole cabin had been abandoned since before he''d arrived, why the fuck was some tiny little girl moving in, by all appearances, alone?


    ¡°I''m Karl,¡± he offered, not moving to shake her hand, still staring at her with a focused gaze. ¡°Look, I just...¡± he sighed, reaching up to rub a hand on the back of his neck, cutting his sharp eyes from hers and looking out across the hopeless mess of her yard. ¡°People come and go out here, living in the mountains like this. Rarely stick around long enough for it to matter. And when they do, it ends badly. You really shouldn''t be here.¡±


    He fell silent, lost for a moment in the ghosts of his past. He blinked rapidly, dispelling the images and focusing on Jenn with renewed intensity.


    Better she leaves now, before she finds out. Before she''s in danger.


    ¡°The mountains don''t care about us, or our problems. They''ll take us without mercy, and they''re more effective than any enemy I''ve faced.¡±


    The confession slipped from his lips before he could catch it, baring a piece of his identity in a way he''d sworn he wouldn''t allow. He straightened abruptly, retreating further into himself like a turtle pulling into its shell.


    ¡°If you decide to stay, make sure you know what you''re getting into.¡±


    She frowned, meeting his gaze for a moment before looking away, trying to get a read on his angle.


    ¡°I''m Jenn,¡± she murmured, opening the door further to reveal herself fully as she spoke.


    She was fully aware of how ridiculous the two of them must look standing here together ¨C this giant, flannel-clad man, dark and imposing, standing in front of this tiny woman in acid wash jeggings and an over-sized green fuzzy knit sweater, miss-matched neon blue and fluorescent pink socks on her feet.


    Hell, her head barely came up to his chest.


    ¡°Is it... really so bad, living up here?¡± she asked, concerned despite herself. ¡°I don''t really have any choice in the matter. I don''t have anywhere else to go,¡± she said simply.


    Her words put a finality to her situation that she didn''t much like at all. She really did have nothing other than this, nowhere else safe.


    The subtle shift in Jenn''s expression caught Karl''s attention immediately. His enhanced senses picked up on her elevated pulse, the slight tremble in her lip. She was hiding something. Why was she here?


    He leaned forward, his posture somehow threatening in its stillness. His gaze drilled into hers, dark and intense, searching for any sign of deceit or evasion. When he spoke, his voice was a low rumble that resonated in the depths of his chest.


    ¡°Why? What''s chasing you?¡±


    Jenn faltered, shocked by the question. She hadn''t expected to interact with anyone when she came here, that was kind of the whole point. Even so, she really hadn''t expected anyone to immediately land so close to her situation, especially after knowing them for all of ten minutes.


    She remembered the agent''s warning - this was only going to work if she kept everything quiet.


    Introducing herself by her real name was bad enough, but she couldn''t bring herself to go by the one they''d given her (honestly, she was not a Sarah). She figured this place was remote enough, as long as she didn''t give too much away to this guy, she should stay safe. She couldn''t answer him, not in any way that was going to satisfy, and the intensity in his gaze was overwhelming.


    ¡°I-¡± her eyes darted around, trying to figure out what to even say. ¡°I can''t-¡±


    Great, the panic was coming back, her chest felt like it was being crushed and she sucked in a shuddering breath, body flushing and breaking out in a cold sweat.


    ¡°I can''t say,¡± she finally said, eyes downcast, voice broken. ¡°I''m here to start over. That''s all.¡±


    Her eyes met his, begging him to understand what she couldn''t say out loud.


    Karl searched Jenn''s face intently, noting the telltale signs of fear and desperation. Her pulse raced like a hummingbird''s wings, and her pupils dilated, betraying the fight-or-flight response raging inside her.


    She was terrified. Of him? What did she know? What had she been told? He stepped closer, crowding into her space, using his height and bulk to assert dominance.


    ¡°You''re not fooling anyone,¡± Karl growled, his words dripping with skepticism. ¡°People don''t just show up out of nowhere, claiming to start over. Not out here.¡±


    He reached out and gripped her chin firmly, forcing her to meet his piercing stare head-on. ¡°No one in their right mind looking like you would choose to come to a place like this.¡±


    Karl''s eyes narrowed, probing deeper into her psyche. ¡°So talk. Tell me what you''re really doing here. Because trust me...¡± he leaned in until his lips nearly brushed her ear, voice dropping to a near-whisper.


    ¡°...if you think I''m scary, wait until you meet the other half of your new neighborhood. If you''re hoping to hide, you might wanna rethink it.¡±


    Eyes welling with reflexive tears, Jenn let out a trembling breath, his proximity terrifying her, his fingers on her chin just firm enough to keep her from pulling away easily, but not inescapable by any means. Still, she felt paralyzed by the depth of his eyes, losing herself in the intensity of his stare.


    Memories fought to the surface - a different man, a bit smaller but still dwarfing her in size. His hand not on her chin but her throat, eyes just as intense, but tinged with a rage that simmered just under the surface.


    Her knees started to buckle at the force of the flashback, heart thundering in her ears, and Jenn staggered for a moment, catching herself against his chest for a brief second as his hold on her face fell away. She quickly righted herself, and with his gaze broken, she screwed her eyes shut tightly, head turned to the side almost as if flinching away.


    She waited a beat, then two. She heard nothing but his breathing, standing still in such close proximity.


    And she was sure that her heartbeat was audible way down in Redding.


    Oh well, the agent''s warnings be damned. Jenn knew she was going to have to trust that her new neighbor wasn''t going to get her killed with a potential penchant for gossip. Somehow, she felt that the apparent hermit wasn''t going to be an issue.


    ¡°Witness protection,¡± she finally let out. ¡°My ex-¡± her voice broke on the word, body tensing slightly.


    ¡°I testified. It wasn''t safe for me. The FBI... they found a place far away,¡± her voice nearly a whisper by the end, eyes still held tightly shut as if trying to hide from the memories.


    Karl''s eyes widened, the revelation hitting him like a gut punch. Witness protection? It explained the secrecy and paranoia radiating from her like heat waves. Suddenly, the pieces clicked together: Jenn was hiding from something dangerous, and the government had dumped her on his doorstep. His gut twisted in disgust. How convenient.


    The thought of being unwillingly roped into a stranger''s drama at the bidding of the very assholes that made him need to seclude himself in the first place sickened him. But then he saw the terror in her eyes, the raw emotion etched into her features, and Karl''s control over his emotions, his humanity, snapped.


    ¡°Easy,¡± Karl muttered, his voice surprisingly gentle. ¡°Breathe.¡±


    His hands hovered above her shoulders, poised to provide support if she collapsed.


    Karl''s expression turned grim. ¡°FBI thinks they''re keeping you safe out here?¡±


    He stared into the distance, calculating the risks involved, his mind racing with the implications.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Wrapping her arms around her body, Jenn nodded.


    ¡°Wasn''t supposed to say anything to anyone, it''s kind of the big... witness protection rule, you know.¡±


    She winced, her attempt at levity feeling brittle even to herself.


    She cautiously looked at her big neighbor again. If possible, he seemed even more suspicious and on edge than she was. Maybe he was hiding here, too.


    His eyes glanced toward the towering mountains framing Jenn''s vulnerable figure. For a split second,


    Karl entertained the foolhardy notion of scooping her up, tossing her over his shoulder, and carrying her straight back to civilization and safety, everything else be damned. But then he remembered his mantra, the one that had kept him alive so far: mind your own damn business.


    ¡°Look...¡± He sighed heavily. ¡°Jenn... living here isn''t child''s play. There''s no turning back, no calling for help. You aren''t going to get cell signal unless you stand in one of three spots in a five-mile radius.


    You''ll be alone most of the time.¡± His gaze returned to hers, serious and probing. ¡°So ask yourself: Is this really what you want?¡±


    Karl''s warning sobered her, and she looked up at him cautiously.


    ¡°It''s like I said. Nowhere else for me to go, so it''s here or...¡± She shrugged. ¡°At least here I have a chance.¡± she finished, voice soft.


    She remembered the last time she saw him, her ex - in the courtroom. He''d told her, all she had to do was lie. If she just lied, then everything could go back to normal, and he''d try harder. He promised he would try so much harder, things would be better, and he''d take care of her.


    And when she didn''t lie...


    That look on his face. In his eyes. She''d remember it for the rest of her life.


    The look that said ''I''ll kill you. I''ve said it before but I mean it this time. I''ll kill you.''


    Jenn took a long, deep breath, and when she exhaled she met his eyes with her own, holding his gaze.


    ¡°I''m tougher than I look,¡± she finally said, voice trembling despite herself. ¡°Survived plenty of shit I shouldn''t have.¡± She lifted a shoulder in a weak shrug.


    Something in Jenn''s words struck a chord with Karl, resonating deep within the scars littering his own soul. He''d faced his share of hell too, and come out the other side as battle-hardened steel.


    As she stood, arms wrapped around herself, Karl noticed the fleeting shadow in her eyes, the ghostly echoes of nightmares haunting her. He recognized it, understood it. Hell was a familiar acquaintance to him as well.


    ¡°Tougher than you look, huh?¡± Karl repeated, his voice low and considering. ¡°Not many people say that without proving it.¡± He took a step toward her, invading her space once more. ¡°Most crack under the weight of their own survival stories.¡±


    Karl''s eyes bore into hers, searching, testing. ¡°But you? Maybe you''re stronger than you look. Maybe not. I guess we''ll see.¡± He paused, gauging her reaction.


    Jenn looked up at him, alarm bells ringing as he entered her space again. Her heart immediately began hammering in her chest, adrenaline surging as fight or flight began to kick in.


    She clenched her jaw, fighting her body''s instincts, meeting his gaze hesitantly as he spoke. This was her neighbor. This wasn''t him. Sure, this guy was huge and unbelievably intimidating, but he hadn''t hurt her. He wasn''t going to hurt her. Probably.


    ¡°Tell me something, Jenn. Think you can handle the darkness out here?¡± Karl''s tone was gruff, almost challenging.


    His question caught her by surprise. All the potential dangers out here in the remote mountains - bears, mountain lions, the bitter cold, the lack of help in an emergency, hell wolverines were pretty nasty too - and he was asking her about the dark?


    ¡°That''s um... the part I''m most excited for, actually,¡± she said quietly, lips quirking just a bit in a weak smile. ¡°I bet I can see the stars better here than I''ve ever seen them before in my life.¡±


    Karl studied her inscrutably, letting a heavy silence stretch between them. Then, abruptly, he shifted, his boots causing the board beneath him to creak ominously.


    ¡°Stars are something out here,¡± he remarked. ¡°No city lights to wash them out.¡±


    He gestured with a jerk of his head to her cabin. ¡°Gonna need to fortify though. Get this place buttoned down tight. Won''t be long till the freeze sets in.¡±


    His gaze slid over her slender frame, lingering pointedly. ¡°Better toughen up quick if you plan on sticking. I mean that in the nicest way possible.¡±


    There was no mistaking his sincerity; his eyes held no malice despite their penetrating scrutiny.


    She winced, knowing that she wasn''t built for roughing it, his warning highlighting her own concerns.


    ¡°Anyway... welcome to the neighborhood, I guess.¡± The corners of his mouth twitched slightly, hinting at dry humor.


    Jenn smiled shakily. ¡°Thanks,¡± she replied, shifting her weight from foot to foot nervously. ¡°Guess I better...¡± she looked over her shoulder at the interior of the cabin now noticeably dark in the rapidly fading daylight.


    Karl arched an eyebrow as he followed her gaze, and when she looked back towards him he caught her eye. ¡°Everything okay?¡±


    She winced, face flushing slightly. ¡°Yeah, um... the lights don''t work,¡± she said flatly.


    Karl frowned, staring at her for a moment or two in silence.


    ¡°Blown fuse most likely. Let me take a look.¡± He stepped into the house, not waiting for an invitation.


    ¡°Where''s the panel?¡± he asked curtly, reaching the kitchen in a few short strides of his long legs. His movements were fluid and efficient, like water flowing downstream. He only knew how to tackle problems head-on, never wasting energy on unnecessary words.


    Jenn rushed after him, scooting in front and opening the door to the cellar with a flourish.


    Karl ignored her antics, much to her consternation, and pulled out the small flashlight on his key chain.


    He cast her a brief look, eyes searching hers before he stepped heavily down the creaking wooden stairs and into the darkness below.


    Jenn peered after him, the light from his flashlight casting enough of a glow that she could see a bit of the darkened cellar ¨C a dirt floor, it appeared, which would explain the wet, musty smell wafting up the stairs, and she heard the sound of something being opened, and then a rattling noise.


    Honestly, she''d half-expected to hear him crash right through the rickety stairs descending into what she was pretty sure was a gaping maw into either Hell or the stench-dimension. She watched with bated breath, as his flashlight bobbed around a little.


    She heard a soft meow and looked down to see Kylie approaching, winding around her legs with a soft purr. Jenn picked her up, cuddling the cat to her chest, feeling the soft purring vibrating through her body and centering herself.


    ¡°Don''t worry, Little Beans,¡± she said softly, lips against the top of the cat''s head as she used one of her many nicknames. ¡°I''m sure we''ll have light soon.¡± The corners of her eyes crinkled a little in amusement.


    In the cellar, Karl set his flashlight to stand upright, illuminating the cobweb-covered panel. The ancient wiring jutted out of the walls like gnarled fingers, each strand frayed and brittle to the touch. He clicked his tongue, a low, disapproving sound.


    ¡°It''ll be easier to fix if we replace the whole system,¡± he muttered, mostly to himself, but his words carried up to Jenn. ¡°That''ll take some doing, though.¡±


    His gloved hands probed the interior of the box, gingerly inspecting the ancient fuses. The occasional spark lit up his features briefly, painting them in stark relief against the shadowy backdrop.


    Above, he heard Kylie''s plaintive cry and Jenn''s soothing murmur. A twinge of something foreign stirred within his chest, a sensation he didn''t recognize. It reminded him uncomfortably of a feeling long since buried beneath layers of indifference and apathy.


    Karl steeled himself against it. He had a job to do. Fixing this panel was merely a means to an end: ensuring Jenn''s safety, something he felt strangely responsible for, despite his annoyance at her appearance here, in his sanctuary among the mountains. Regardless of why she was there ¨C regardless of who sent her ¨C she clearly wasn''t going to make it through the winter without a little help. Just here and there.


    He found a dusty box of replacement fuses near the box, half-gone, and set about his repair quickly.


    Another click and a whir. Then, the telltale hum of electricity coursing through the wires.


    ¡°There,¡± Karl announced triumphantly as he emerged from the depths. ¡°Fuses replaced, panel reset. You should have power now.¡±


    Jenn reached over to the switch on the wall that controlled the sparse kitchen lighting, and she hesitated for a moment before flipping it, giving a soft cheer when the single overhead bulb flickered on, casting the room in an artificial glow.


    Karl straightened, dusting off his hands. ¡°Piece of cake.¡±


    But the relief on Jenn''s face told another story entirely. This had meant a great deal to the tiny woman before him. He found himself drawn to her, like a moth to flame. And therein lay the danger, he reflected, with bitter disappointment.


    He was no innocent creature, and his flame was tinged with poison. Best to remember that. Best to stay away.


    He pulled a weathered notebook from his jacket pocket, flipping through pages filled with hurried scribbles and indecipherable diagrams. At last, he landed on a blank page, scratching out a list with deliberate strokes.


    ¡°Wiring, insulation, maybe new appliances if you''ve got the budget.¡± He paused, pen hovering uncertainly. ¡°Window locks. Security cameras.¡±


    Karl glanced up at Jenn, gauging her reaction.


    Jenn''s elation at the light illuminating the house was short-lived - Karl''s growing list causing a knot to form in her stomach.


    All of that sounded expensive already, and while the agents had promised financial support while she got back on her feet in her new place, it wasn''t as if she was going to have an easy time working all the way out here, and that support wouldn''t last forever. No internet, her phone appeared if anything to get a negative number of bars in this wilderness, and her car was... yeah, not in any state to be commuting long distances to and from work, if Karl''s reaction to the horrible noises coming from beneath the hood were any indication.


    She''d had to quit her job, and she''d filed for a hardship disbursement from her 401k that had been approved, thankfully. The money would be released sometime next week, but until then things would be pretty tight.


    ¡°Right, in a week or so I should be able to get a start,¡± she said softly. ¡°I''m sure the appliances work well enough for now.¡± She cast her eyes over the ancient stove and refrigerator, she''d been assured they still functioned. As a bonus, she recognized the model of the stove as the same one her grandmother had when she was a girl. At least she was familiar with it, even if it was from the 70''s. And that retro aesthetic was pretty in style these days, too. She didn''t mind the nearly mint-green color, it was kind of cute.


    At least the cabin was small. She wouldn''t need as many supplies to improve and repair the areas that desperately needed work before the coming winter set in.


    There was just one bedroom, the living room and dining room were combined, the tiny kitchen and a small bathroom. Plenty of room for her and Kylie to be comfortable, and small enough that the wood-burning stove that provided the only heat should keep the whole place warm enough.


    Of course, that meant she''d need firewood and a lot of it. She''d seen a small supply around back, protected from the elements in a run-down covered rack, but she knew that was only going to be a drop in the bucket. She''d been assured there were tools in the small dilapidated shed that were in decent shape, and there was an ancient log splitter set up too. As she''d never cut a tree down in her life, she figured what she would actually do was head into the nearby small town and see about paying someone to do it for her. Next week, when she could afford it. Maybe see about an auto shop for the car, too...


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she said softly, looking up at the large man beside her, embarrassed and grateful in equal measure. She knew he must think she was completely useless and she blushed. ¡°My ex never let-¡± she cut off, body tensing. ¡°He took care of that stuff,¡± she finally said. No need to make Karl uncomfortable hearing about her problems.


    The mood shifted subtly as Karl registered the catch in Jenn''s voice, and picked up the slight hitch in her posture. Old habits kicked in, and his vigilance heightened as his ears picked up on even the smallest nuances in Jenn''s speech patterns. He knew all about past demons, though he''d never grace Jenn with a glimpse of his own. Best to shut her down, and redirect the conversation before she could delve deeper into dangerous territory. Dangerous for both of them.


    His gaze remained steady on her, giving away none of his internal alarm bells ringing at full volume.


    ¡°Everyone''s got to learn sometime.¡± His tone betrayed none of his rising concerns, remaining as stoic and impassive as ever. He handed her the list he''d been scribbling on, his calloused fingers brushing against the paper surface but avoiding any physical contact with her.


    ¡°Here,¡± he said gruffly. ¡°For the hardware store next time you make a run into town.¡±


    He watched Jenn mull over the enormity of the tasks ahead - securing windows, checking locks, fixing wiring - things she wouldn''t need to worry about in the world she was used to. This harsh reality check presented by mountain living was just another hurdle she''d have to clear to survive here. Yet, there was a spark there, buried beneath the layers of trepidation and uncertainty; a resilience Karl couldn''t help but acknowledge silently, even grudgingly respect.


    A moment of silence stretched between them, punctured only by the ticking of the wall clock and the soft, contended purrs of the cat in her arms. The creature seemed unperturbed by Karl''s intimidating presence, opting instead to regard him with wide eyes, leaning out as if trying to reach him. Karl frowned, not wanting Jenn to read too much into the gesture. His focus needed to remain sharp.


    ¡°Keep that list handy.¡± He folded his arms across his chest, edging towards the door. ¡°And keep me informed. I spend a lot of time in these woods. Know them better than anyone. If I sense trouble...¡±


    Karl trailed off, leaving Jenn with the ominous implication hanging in the air.


    Jenn nodded, caught by surprise at his offer ¨C she''d thought him terribly annoyed by her. She looked down at Kylie, lips quirking in amusement.


    ¡°If you pet her, she''ll stop trying to escape my grip to get to you,¡± she said, voice lightly teasing as she stepped closer to Karl and looked up at him shyly through her lashes. ¡°Or are you not a cat person?¡± She grinned.


    Karl eyed Jenn warily as she drew closer, the cat peeking out from her arms with a glint in its curious gaze. The corner of his mouth twitched imperceptibly at her comment, the movement so subtle it almost seemed imagined. Almost.


    He hesitated for a fraction of a second before extending a hand, his palm facing Kylie. The cat nuzzled into it expectantly, purring contentedly. Karl''s large hand engulfed her tiny head as he began to stroke her gently, his touch surprisingly deft for someone so rugged and rough.


    ¡°You''re alright, I guess,¡± he murmured, more to the cat than to Jenn. But there was an edge of approval to his voice that wasn''t lost on her.


    Karl''s gaze flickered briefly to Jenn, assessing. The overhead light painted them both in a warm glow, momentarily bridging the gap between them. Then his expression shuttered again, as impenetrable as ever.


    ¡°Just be careful,¡± he advised, his tone softening ever so slightly. ¡°Animals are quick to trust. Sometimes too much.¡±


    He turned, heading for the door. The cool night breeze carried the earthy scent of fallen leaves as it caressed the cabin. ¡°Keep your wits about you, Jenn. This place...¡± Karl gestured vaguely at the surrounding woods. ¡°...has a way of lulling you in.¡±


    He paused, looking over his shoulder. For an instant, Jenn glimpsed something in his eyes - a flicker of recognition, perhaps, or shared understanding. It pulled at her, deep inside, so suddenly it nearly made her gasp out loud.


    ¡°Lock that thing behind you.¡± He gestured over his shoulder at the door, eyes serious. ¡°Don''t unlock it unless you''re certain who''s on the other side.¡±


    His gaze pierced hers, holding her captive in its intense stare. ¡°And if anyone comes looking for you...¡±


    Karl left the rest unsaid, letting the implication hang in the air between them like an invisible threat.


    Then, without waiting for a response, he turned abruptly and headed back towards his own dwelling, leaving Jenn staring after him with wide eyes and a hammering pulse.


    Letting out a breath she hadn''t realized she''d been holding, Jenn ducked inside and obediently locked the door behind her, then turned to face her new home with a long sigh.


    ¡°What do you think, hmm?¡± Jenn murmured as she carried Kylie to the kitchen to set out her dinner.


    ¡°He''s nice enough, right? You seemed to like him well enough.¡±


    She deposited the cat on the counter, leaning in to let the little feline rub her face across her lips as Jenn gave a few exaggerated, noisy smooches against her furry cheek in their signature show of affection.


    As she poured food into Kylie''s dish and put it in place on the floor near the stove, she continued chattering away to the cat, truly her only and best friend.


    ¡°Then again, you have a real thing for cute guys, so I''m not surprised. You''re such a terrible flirt, Beans,¡± she teased the cat as she hopped down from the counter and began to munch her dinner, ignoring Jenn completely in favor of her meal.


    ¡°Brat,¡± she grumbled, and walked to the cupboard, looking at her meager groceries and selecting a can of soup. She heated it in the microwave and sat down at the table heavily, exhausted.


    They ate in companionable silence, and when the meal was done, Jenn retreated to the bathroom for a much-needed wash.


    The hot water was more like trying-really-hard-to-be-hot water, and the lukewarm bath was less relaxing than she would have liked. Still, after two days of driving, just getting clean was a huge relief, and when she was toweled off and changed into some comfy clothes she did feel better.


    She went to the wood stove, the chill of the house definitely more pronounced now that her hair was wet, and she looked it over carefully. This, at least, was something she had some experience with. As a child, she''d spent time with her aunt and uncle at their cabin in the summertime, and in Wisconsin, even a summer evening could be chilly. They''d taught her to use the wood stove, explaining the flue and how to arrange the wood so it burned optimally.


    Within a few minutes, she had a little fire going in the box, and she closed the door and opened the vents to allow the heat to escape into the house, pulling the nearby worn armchair over to sit near the warmth and tucking her legs up underneath herself as she settled onto the threadbare piece of furniture.


    Kylie meowed a request to crawl into her lap, and Jenn grabbed a blanket from the back of the couch


    and draped it over them as the cat hopped into her waiting embrace, happily nesting inside her warm little tent and purring away.


    Jenn watched the flickering light against the walls, eyelids growing heavy as the long day began to catch up. Before long, she''d fallen fast asleep.


    =+=


    The darkness clung thickly to Karl as he traversed the narrow dirt drive that led to his own cabin. The crisp chill of the night air stung his nostrils, carrying with it the earthy aroma of loamy soil and fallen leaves, moisture in the air hinting to coming weather.


    An owl hooted somewhere in the distance, its mournful cry echoing through the skeletal branches overhead. Karl barely registered the sound; his mind was elsewhere, locked in a mental debate over


    Jenn and the complications she represented.


    He reached his modest abode, a cabin slightly larger than Jenn''s, made of solid stone and shrouded in shadows save for the thin sliver of light escaping from beneath his closed door. With a gentle push, he entered, greeted by the comforting warmth that enveloped him like a welcoming embrace.


    He shed his outer layers and stoked the embers in the fireplace, adding some wood before he sank into his favorite chair by the window - a vantage point offering a clear view of Jenn''s cabin tucked among the foliage - his thoughts turned unbidden to their interaction earlier. Her attempt at levity, though awkward, had struck a chord within him. Not because it was particularly funny, but because it felt genuine - an effort to connect despite everything standing between them.


    Karl sighed heavily, scrubbing a hand across his stubbled jawline and sinking into his chair with a groan. ¡°In deep this time...¡± he murmured absentmindedly. ¡°Deep and getting deeper.¡±

 Chapter Three

    ======+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++======


    CHAPTER THREE


    ======+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++======


    Morning light seeped reluctantly through the slim gaps of his curtains, coaxing Karl from sleep. He stretched, muscles protesting after spending the night sprawled in his favored chair rather than his bed.


    A glance through the window confirmed Jenn''s house lay quiet under its mantle of dawn mist. Good. Let her rest. The events of yesterday would likely weigh on her as much as they did him. Still, routine dictated certain chores required doing regardless of the newcomer. He dressed swiftly in work clothes - sturdy jeans and a flannel shirt ¨C and started a pot of coffee before heading out.


    Outside, autumn leaves crunched satisfyingly beneath his boots, a stark reminder of the coming freeze. Winter''s icy breath would soon descend upon these mountains, bringing with it fresh challenges. Karl welcomed the prospect with grim determination.


    He set about stacking split logs in neat piles beside the fireplace, hands calloused and surprisingly efficient. Occasionally, his gaze drifted to Jenn''s dwelling, taking comfort in seeing no immediate threats lurking there. A bird trilled in the distance and Karl paused briefly, appreciating the peaceful morning.


    He finished his tasks with practiced ease, returning inside for coffee at just past nine o''clock. Karl leaned against the kitchen sink sipping his dark roast while mentally composing today''s agenda; checking traps, mending fences damaged by recent storms, maybe finish preparing vehicles for winter - all standard fare for this isolated lifestyle. Of course, first, he''d have breakfast.


    But actually, first¡­a quick check-in with Jenn wouldn¡¯t go amiss. He hadn''t seen any movement from her cabin yet. Not so much concern as precaution¡­right?


    He downed the remainder of his drink and refilled it before heading toward her residence, careful to make noise approaching lest he startle her awake.


    =+=


    Jenn woke up abruptly, a beam of morning sunlight landing on her face. She groaned as she realized she''d fallen asleep in the chair the night before, neck protesting as she winced and pushed the blanket away.


    Kylie hopped up from her lap, stretching on the floor and yawning, before sitting down to scratch at an itch behind her ear.


    ¡°Morning sweetie,¡± Jenn said sleepily, standing to stretch herself before she put some wood on the smoldering fire in the stove and shuffled into the kitchen to feed Kylie, pouring herself a glass of water while the cat happily munched.


    She was just finishing up changing from her pajamas into a pair of skinny jeans and a cream-colored turtle neck sweater when she heard a crunching sound coming from outside and she froze, listening carefully. It was footsteps, and she was terrified for a second or two before she forced herself to relax.


    This must be her neighbor approaching, who else could it be?


    She moved towards the front door cautiously, heart racing despite herself.


    Karl''s knock was firm, three raps echoing through Jenn''s cabin just as she reached the other side of the door. The porch creaked beneath his weight. Despite his stoic facade, a sliver of anticipation wormed its way into his thoughts. He had to ensure she was okay - nothing more, he assured himself. Just part of the apparent neighborhood watch that he never signed up for.


    His eyes flickered side to side; he could hear her there on the other side of the door, breathing.


    When Jenn finally appeared, her dishevelment was endearing. Her hair was a mess, lines on one cheek from where she''d rested her face against the back of the chair, the print of the upholstery telling the story of her less-than-comfortable night.


    ¡°Mornin'',¡± he said, his voice gruff with the promise of more to come. ¡°How¡¯d ya sleep?¡± His eyes twinkled slightly, amused.


    Jenn smiled, glad to see him and surprised that she felt that way. He seemed much less prickly today, his eyes less suspicious and more... resigned.


    ¡°Morning,¡± she replied, opening the door wider and stepping aside in a silent invitation for him to enter. ¡°Passed out in the chair and slept like the dead all night,¡± she said, reaching up to run a hand through her tangled hair self-consciously. ¡°Two days of driving really takes it out of you I guess.¡±


    Kylie came trotting into the room with a greeting trill, winding around Karl''s legs eagerly, her purr loud in the otherwise silent space, and Jenn stifled a laugh. She knew better than anyone how pushy and insistent the little cat could be when she wanted something, and clearly, she wanted Karl to be her friend very, very badly.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°Beans, stop harassing the neighbor,¡± she scolded, but her lips quirked up into a small amused smile despite herself.


    One corner of his mouth tilted upward, a dry, almost imperceptible smirk. He bent to scoop her up, the feline purring contentedly as he stroked her soft coat. Truly, she wasn''t so bad at all...


    Kylie was beside herself with happiness as Karl held her, and she writhed in his grasp, nuzzling her face against his stubbled cheek like a girl possessed.


    Jenn couldn''t help her laugh, lifting a hand to cover her lips. ¡°I''m so sorry, she loves facial hair,¡± she explained, watching her cat rub against Karl''s face almost desperately. ¡°I guess the scratchy texture feels good or something?¡±


    Karl set Kylie down firmly once her affectionate assault subsided. The cat sauntered off, leaving him with white hairs clinging to his chest and shoulder. He brushed them away absently.


    He glanced around the interior, noting the tidy state of affairs despite the obvious age of the furniture and general decor. The faint scent of dampness lingered, a testament to the cabin''s age, but overall,


    Jenn had managed to impose some order on the chaos. It was a great start.


    ¡°Need help with anything?¡± he asked, his gaze lingering on a loose board on the wall, curling away at one end, before drifting back to Jenn. The offer was stiff, grudging as if pulled from him unwillingly.


    His eyes narrowed slightly as he regarded her. ¡°Fire looks good, at least.¡±


    She shook her head at his question. ¡°Nah, I think I''m okay. You''ve done more than enough to help me already,¡± she insisted. ¡°I have some unpacking to finish up, and then I was thinking about exploring a bit this afternoon, actually. Are there any trails I could walk on in the woods that would be safe? It''s been so long since I''ve really been outside in nature, you know?¡±


    ¡°There are trails, yeah,¡± he confirmed, looking out the window towards the forest that surrounded them. ¡°Just remember, this isn''t Central Park. We have bears, mountain lions, and all manner of critters.


    Don''t want you becoming someone''s dinner.¡±


    His tone carried a note of genuine caution, but there was also an undertone of respect for the untamed wilderness that surrounded them.


    Karl retrieved a well-worn, folded map from his wallet, spreading it out on the table. His fingers traced various hand-drawn lines, indicating the paths that wound through the dense woods. ¡°Stay on this trail for starters,¡± he advised, pointing to a particular loop, drawn in red ink. ¡°I have it pretty well marked and it goes around most of my property. Should take you about three hours at a steady pace. Keep your phone on you. Service might be spotty as hell, but it''s better than nothing.¡±


    Finished with his impromptu tutorial, Karl stepped back, crossing his arms over his chest as he awaited her reaction to his instructions.


    Jenn nodded, looking down at the map carefully.


    ¡°Will do,¡± she said, lifting her chin to look up at Karl. Standing this close, she was able to see his dark eyes more clearly. There was a depth to them that she felt like she could almost get lost in, and she tore her eyes from his with some difficulty, only to notice that Kylie had left some of her fur among the stubble on his face.


    She bit her lower lip unconsciously, lifting her hand before she realized what she was doing and brushing the fur from his short facial hair. Her heart raced at the feel of his warm skin and stubble beneath her fingers.


    ¡°Kylie left you a present,¡± she explained, voice almost breathless, and she looked away as she felt her face warm.


    Karl''s body went rigid beneath her touch, a barely perceptible shift that betrayed his usually controlled exterior. He stepped back subtly, putting distance between them.


    Her heart clenched painfully at his discomfort in her touch, and she winced, embarrassment warring with disappointment. ''Get it together, Jenn.'' she thought in annoyance. ''You annoy him, remember? He feels like he has to babysit you. No crushes allowed. You''re a wreck, damn girl.''


    But also, she couldn''t really deny this intense pull towards him, either. Something intriguing about him, something about the way he looked at her, at the way it made her feel.


    Clearing her throat, she touched the map with trembling fingers. ¡°It''ll be nice to get some fresh air, it''s so beautiful here. I used to spend a lot of time outdoors when I was a kid and I''ve really missed it, honestly.¡±


    He swallowed hard, gaze dropping pointedly back to the map spread across the table. His finger resumed tracing routes, perhaps a little less patiently than before.


    ¡°Good, uh... good you can appreciate it then,¡± he managed, his voice rougher than intended. ¡°Not everyone sees the appeal of roughing it in the sticks.¡±


    He folded the map efficiently with broad hands, creasing each fold with precision. The maneuver served as a distraction from Jenn''s proximity. ¡°Make sure you have the compass enabled on your phone, too, even if you don''t intend to stray off the path,¡± he suggested, handing over the folded map. ¡°It''s easy to get turned around out there.¡±


    Karl glanced up again, meeting Jess''s blue eyes directly this time, holding the contact longer than necessary. A battle played out in the shadows of his irises - caution versus curiosity - until he ultimately chose caution, glancing away again.


    ¡°That''s...about the gist of it. Should be enough info to keep you in one piece. But hey, if you find yourself having any questions...you''re welcome to stop by.¡±


    Jenn tucked the map into the back pocket of her jeans and nodded, looking down at the table.


    ¡°Thank you, I''m sure I''ll be okay,¡± she said with a smile more confident than she truly felt.


    Karl studied Jenn, trying to reconcile the woman before him with the fragile figure from yesterday. There was resilience under that soft exterior, a fighting spirit that intrigued him in spite of his best efforts to resist.


    ¡°I should go, things to do,¡± he mentioned casually, heading towards the door. Pausing briefly, he added,


    ¡°Let me know if anything strange happens out there, okay?¡± His gaze darted back to hers briefly before slipping away again.


    Karl exited the cabin without further comment, the wooden door closing behind him with a gentle click.


    Letting out a slow, shuddering breath, Jenn sat down heavily in the nearest chair, mind whirling.


    ''Let him know if something strange happens in the forest?'' she thought incredulously. Jenn had a feeling he wasn''t talking about bears or mountain lions, that wouldn''t be strange, it would be terrifying.


    She shrugged, chalking it up to her hermit neighbor being, at the end of the day, a total weirdo.


    She looked around at the boxes still stacked here and there around the space, and gave a resigned sigh ¨C it was time to finish unpacking, as much as she dreaded the thought.


    Standing, she crossed the room and rolled up her sleeves, getting started.

 Chapter Four

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    CHAPTER FOUR


    ======+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++======


    By early afternoon, Jenn had finally finished unpacking and putting away the last of her belongings. She''d broken the boxes down and tucked them into the bedroom closet, and looked around at her completed home. It wasn''t much to look at, but it was hers.


    Now, it was finally time to spend some time outdoors.


    Jenn quickly grabbed a granola bar (lunch of champions) and her water bottle, dropped a quick kiss on the top of Kylie''s head as she lounged on the cat tree next to the front window, and headed out the door, phone and map tucked safely in her back pockets.


    She clipped her water bottle to one of the belt loops on her jeans and put on her worn trainers, lacing them up tightly. Sliding on a light jacket and pulling her unruly blonde hair into a high ponytail, she slipped out the door and headed to the trail that ran behind Karl''s house, finding it easily and beginning her walk.


    The autumn colors were on full display, and she was immediately in a much better mood. The smell of fallen leaves and damp earth filled her lungs and within a short while of walking she was already seeing small critters scurrying around, and the sound of birdsong filled her ears.


    The trail curved and as it straightened again she saw a doe maybe 30 yards ahead of her just off the trail, grazing peacefully. She froze, holding her breath as she watched the delicate creature in wonder.


    =+=


    In his own cabin, Karl watched Jenn through a window as she ventured into the woods. His concern for her well-being was an unwelcome weight, a reminder of his responsibility towards her - one he hadn¡¯t asked for but couldn¡¯t ignore. Beyond what he believed to be an implied responsibility to look out for her well-being, given that of anywhere the government could have sent her, they picked here, next to him... beyond reason, truly.


    He remained stationary for several minutes, the silence only broken by the occasional crack of twigs beneath Jenn''s footsteps. When she finally spotted the deer and stopped in her tracks, Karl felt his jaw clenching.


    He knew he couldn''t follow her openly without arousing suspicion, so he slipped from his cabin and took to the shadows, the trees providing ample cover. He followed the edge of the trail at a safe distance, his eyes and ears peeled for any sign of trouble, his body poised and ready to spring into action.


    The crisp fall air did nothing to soothe the storm raging within him. Thoughts of the rogue agents that could be lying in wait anywhere, hunting for survivors of their botched secret experiments left a sour taste in his mouth. And then there was Jenn, bringing more complexity to a life he''d purposely simplified.


    For a brief moment, the sound of rustling underbrush pricked his hyper-sensitive hearing, and his hand hovered near the knife kept on his belt. It was only when he identified it as a rabbit that his posture relaxed, ever so slightly.


    =+=


    Jenn watched the doe for what seemed like an eternity - she had lifted her head and made eye contact with the woman, and they had regarded each other for several moments, both completely still, before the delicate creature decided she was no threat and resumed her meal, bending her long, graceful neck low to nibble on the delicate shoots of fresh grass growing there beneath the trees.


    Not wanting to disturb her, Jenn doubled back slowly and slipped into the dense foliage, giving the deer a wide berth and intending to rejoin the trail a bit farther ahead. She picked her way through the undergrowth, branches and barbs snagging her clothes as if trying to stop her from advancing, and a few thorns caught the bare skin on her arms, leaving thin, itchy scratches in their wake.


    The terrain was much more uneven off the path, and she was so focused on her feet that she forgot to keep her gaze up to retain her bearings. By the time she''d cleared the worst of the thick shrubbery and deadfall, she felt a bit disoriented, and she cast her eyes around in search of the path.


    She''d always prided herself on having a pretty great sense of direction, and after thinking for a few moments, looking back at the way she''d come, she corrected her course a bit to the left and pushed forward toward where she expected the path to be.


    Her eyes cast around her, focused on finding the trail again, and her toe caught in an exposed root, pitching her forward with a startled gasp. She was able to catch herself before she fell, staggering forward and giving a squealing cry as the near-fall caused a sharp pulling across her right side. Her left hand shot to grasp the painful area, pressing against the spot just above her floating ribs. She bent over, resting her right hand on her knee and catching her breath, side burning and throbbing.


    ¡°Motherfucker!¡± she cursed harshly under her breath, slowly standing upright again and cautiously stretching her right side with a wince.


    The wound had been slow to heal, tissue so severely damaged, and the doctors had told her it would probably be six months or longer before she was truly back to 100%, but she hadn''t had too much trouble with it, really. More an annoying inconvenience than any real pain now, nearly two months after the injury, but the stumble had brought the memory of the immediate agony she''d felt to the forefront of her mind. The burning in her side was giving way to a dull throb, and she took a swig of her water, then lifted the soft fabric of her knit sweater, knowing that she didn''t need to see it but unable to help herself.


    The wound had long since closed, stitches removed, but the skin still looked angry. The faded remnants of deep bruising, still sickly greens and yellows, and the fresh circular scar just over her floating ribs, a deep red, raised and rough. Gingerly, she touched her fingers against her battered flesh, flinching slightly as she carefully probed. Everything seemed fine. The muscles were clearly still healing and the wrench had been a painful reminder that they had yet to finish the job.


    Lowering her sweater again, she pushed forward a bit more slowly, watching her feet with care, and within a few minutes she was back on the trail, deer thankfully undisturbed.


    =+=


    From his vantage point, Karl watched as Jenn deviated from the path, and when she began navigating the dense underbrush, Karl followed, careful not to betray his presence. He understood her intention to skirt the deer, but as he tracked her progress, he noticed how she struggled to regain her footing and sense of direction once she''d veered off course.


    Her stumble and subsequent cry made Karl freeze mid-stride, his heart skipping a beat. Instinct drove him to step forward, but logic halted him. If Jenn believed she was alone, it was safer for both of them.


    He observed from a safe distance as she examined her injury, noting the wincing expression on her face. Karl''s gaze narrowed on the exposed flesh, the scar a stark testament to whatever horrors she had endured before arriving in the mountains.


    As Jenn regained her footing and continued down the path, Karl fell back into step, silently shadowing her at a distance, his senses on high alert for signs of potential threats. Her slow, deliberate steps signaled that she was favoring her injured side. He could almost feel her pain, his body attuned to the subtle changes in her gait. With a measured sigh, Karl resigned himself to continue being a silent guardian.


    =+=


    Continuing down the trail, Jenn held her side for a while, supporting her injury a bit as the pressure helped with the discomfort. Slowly the pain subsided enough that her hand fell away, and she opened her granola bar and munched happily as she took in the sights and sounds around her.


    She ate quickly, it was the first thing she''d had since her dinner the night before and although she was used to having little to eat, the events of the last few days had taken their toll and she had been ravenously hungry. She drank some more water and tucked the wrapper from her meal carefully into her pocket.


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    The path was leading through a wide clearing now, tall grass peppered with goldenrod and coneflowers, bees and butterflies fluttering around lazily.


    The sun filtered through the surrounding trees, bathing the meadow in dappled light, and the soft breeze blew the sweet smell of flowers around the cool fall air.


    Jenn smiled, stepping off the path and into the meadow, grass coming nearly to her hip in some spots. She waded out, bending to sniff a particularly lovely pink coneflower, taking in the subtle honey-like scent, eyes fluttering closed to appreciate it fully.


    =+=


    Karl watched from the tree line, his gaze locked onto her lithe form swaying amid the sea of green and gold. Her smile, genuine and unguarded, sent a flicker of warmth through his chest, a sensation he hadn''t experienced in far too long. She bent gracefully to admire a delicate flower, her nose nearly brushing the petals, a serene expression adorning her features.


    Unconsciously, he mirrored her movement, inhaling deeply through his nose. The licorice smell of goldenrod mixed with Jenn''s own scent, lavender and something sweet creating an intoxicating aroma that momentarily distracted him from his purpose. Her scent felt like it was burning over his palate, lungs aching with the strength of it, feeling his nerve endings light up like a Christmas tree. With a silent exhale, he tried to refocus, scanning the perimeter for any sign of danger lurking beyond the tranquil facade even as he contemplated his extreme response to her presence and essence in equal measure.


    Even from a distance, he couldn''t ignore the natural grace Jenn possessed as she navigated the clearing.


    Her movements were fluid and confident, a stark contrast to the hesitance he sensed when they interacted directly. Perhaps in nature, she found solace from the turmoil of her past, allowing her true self to flourish.


    A sudden snap of a twig in the opposite corner of the meadow drew his attention. Karl tensed, his muscles coiling like a predator ready to pounce. He held his breath, straining to hear any other indication of an intruder, his hand tightening around the grip of his holstered blade.


    =+=


    Jenn lifted from the flower slowly, she had also heard the snapping of a branch, sharp and clear in the otherwise silence of the clearing.


    Straightening, she scanned the area, standing completely still, barely breathing.


    The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, the air felt nearly charged with energy, and a feeling of dread began deep in her belly. Something didn''t feel right at all. She had long learned to rely on her instincts, after all.


    Swallowing thickly she moved back to the trail, trying to decide if she should move forward or the way she''d come, when she heard another snap, a bit closer this time, coming from the woods near where she had come from. Her breath caught in her throat for a moment, and when she inhaled again deeply through her nose she smelled something familiar, just faintly. A heavy, musky smell that had alarm bells ringing in an ancient and primal part of her mind.


    Looking around quickly, she moved down the trail as her brain helpfully supplied the source of the familiar smell.


    She''d smelled it at the zoo the year before when she''d gone to see the new black bear cub that had been born.


    Bears, of course, were fattening up for hibernation and probably super active right now. Well, shit.


    At least it was likely to let her be unless she got in its business, but still...


    To be safe, she knew she should make some noise, but her heart was hammering in her chest and she was pretty sure if she tried to make any noise it was going to come out as a very undignified sob scream. So instead, she took her keys from her pocket and jangled them as noisily as she could as she speed-walked down the trail, her fearful breathing causing her side to burn as she tried not to hyperventilate.


    ''Bears are chill, bears don''t want to hurt you, bears are more afraid of you than you are of them...'' she thought frantically like a mantra. ''Bears don''t want to eat you, you aren''t even yummy to them, he''s just looking for easy snacks, keep moving, keep moving, keep moving...''


    =+=


    Jenn''s trepidation confirmed the presence of wildlife nearby, and her rapid exit from the clearing spoke volumes. Karl caught a whiff of the musk on the wind, instantly recognizing the smell of a bear in the area. As a seasoned ex-special forces operative with enhanced senses, tracking was second nature to him, but he resisted the urge to pursue the animal aggressively for fear of provoking an attack. He cursed himself for missing the scent before, knowing that the overpowering scent of the woman he followed had distracted him from making the discovery.


    He began tracking parallel to Jenn''s path, ensuring her safety while maintaining a low profile. His heart rate remained steady despite the escalating situation, thanks in large part to years of conditioning under high-stress environments. Weapons had become an extension of his arm, but he hoped today wouldn''t be a day he would have to use his blade defensively.


    Shadowing Jenn from a safe distance, Karl was prepared to step in at a moment''s notice.


    Even still, Karl couldn''t shake the nagging guilt burgeoning within him. In helping Jenn acclimate to the harsh conditions of the wilderness, he had inadvertently placed her in the path of danger. He knew he should have provided more comprehensive guidance on navigating encounters with the local predators. He could have offered to escort her on her hike, at least the first time.


    Another sound, this time a heavy rustling and crunching of undergrowth to the left of the path made


    Jenn squeak in surprise, stumbling to the side before squaring her shoulders and trying to draw herself up as big as she could.


    A snuffling sound preceded a large, dark figure emerging, still off the path but heading her way. She knew the moment the large bear saw her as it froze, nose twitching as it stared at her.


    Frozen, Jenn stared back, lips parted, eyes wide. The bear grunted a few times and she took a slow, measured step backward, lifting her hands in supplication.


    As she squared off with the massive creature emerging from the underbrush, Karl felt his entire body tense. Adrenaline coursed through his veins, urging him to act, but logic kept him rooted in place. He admired her poise despite the evident fear written across her face.


    ¡°Heyyyyy buddyyyyyy...¡± Jenn said gently, voice trembling just a little, ¡°Don''t mind me... just... out for a walk...¡± she soothed, shuffling sideways to try to continue down the path without turning her back.


    The bear''s grunting and Jenn''s soothing tone filled the air, creating a surreal symphony of animal interaction. Karl''s keen eyes watched as the bear rose onto its hind legs, assessing the perceived threat.


    He recognized the bear''s behavior - a display of curiosity, scenting her rather than signaling an imminent attack.


    His training kicked in, cataloging Jenn''s every move. Her measured steps and raised hands were textbook responses, but he knew that underestimating the unpredictability of wildlife was dangerous.


    One misstep could escalate the situation, leading to catastrophic consequences.


    ¡°Easy big fella... these are your woods, I know...¡± she murmured, still slowly backing away. Dimly she registered that he was huge and also really gorgeous, well-fed, and clearly in his prime. ¡°You look like you''ve had plenty to eat already... why don''t you go hibernate now and leave me alone, hmm...?¡±


    The bear lowered back to all four paws, still watching her but making no move to advance.


    Still not daring to turn her back, she continued walking backward down the trail slowly, hands still raised in front of her chest, movements slow and calculated.


    A snapping sound deeper in the woods behind the bear startled him and he whipped around, grunting and looking into the trees. With a final look over his shoulder at Jenn, he lumbered back into the woods, deciding she wasn''t any threat to his territory today.


    Jenn stood still, not moving until the bear was completely out of sight, breath coming in great, sucking gasps. Bears had always been a favorite of hers, but this was not an enjoyable close and personal encounter at all.


    =+=


    Relief washed over Karl''s features. Jenn''s shaky breathing was audible, her shock and adrenaline starting to take hold. From his vantage point, he observed as she sank onto the trail, drinking from her water bottle with unsteady hands.


    Now was the critical moment, the point at which most people might falter or panic. Karl held his breath, silently urging Jess to stay focused, to recognize that the crisis had passed and her survival instincts had kicked in admirably.


    Only when Jenn seemed to begin regaining her composure, color returning to her cheeks, did Karl consider his next move. He debated approaching her, offering guidance and reassurance, but he hesitated. Revealing himself now, after so long... And yet, allowing her to continue without further support could put her at risk of encountering similar threats unprepared, and unprotected.


    With a grim determination, Karl decided to wait and observe, monitoring Jenn from afar as she continued her journey. The bear''s departure and Jenn''s resilience had proven a crucial lesson; in this unforgiving environment, survival required a blend of knowledge, instinct, and adaptability. For now, he trusted in her ability to find her way back to the safety of her cabin, but he would continue to shadow her journey in case of any further threats. It was like she had said, she was tougher than she looked.


    =+=


    To her annoyance, Jenn felt tears welling up, eyes burning and throat tightening as a choked sob escaped. She covered her mouth with her hand immediately, holding in any further noises and grinding her teeth to try to force the hysteria back down. This was not the time to fall apart. She was fine.


    A few deep, shuddering breaths later she pushed back to her feet, rubbing her tear-stained face furiously and clipping her bottle back to her belt loop with shaking fingers that could barely function.


    She shook her hands out a bit, rubbed at her eyes with the heels of her palms, and took a few deep, shuddering breaths.


    With one last careful look at where the bear had disappeared, she began moving down the path again, head on a swivel as she power-walked, determined to get back as quickly as she could. She''d had quite enough adventure for today.


    She''d heard in the wilderness training camp that some hikers would sing as they went, to alert bears to their presence and avoid any confrontations.


    Jenn opened her lips, but nothing came out.


    She couldn''t.


    The rest of the walk was uneventful, save for what she was pretty sure was an albino squirrel she''d seen hopping across some low tree branches - if she hadn''t had the run-in with the bear earlier, she would have tried to watch it for a while - she''d known a family of albino squirrels that lived in her neighborhood when she was young, and she''d befriended them, offering peanuts from her fingers whenever she went outside. The sight was a pleasant reminder of simpler times.


    She finally emerged from the woods behind Karl''s house and she looked toward the porch, half-hoping to see him sitting there. She was tempted to go to the door, knock, and tell him what had happened, but she didn''t trust herself to get through the story without breaking down, the fear still fresh in her mind. The last thing she needed to do was make the guy think she was even weaker than he already did


    =+=


    She hesitated for a moment, appearing torn between seeking solace at his doorstep and retreating to the isolation of her own cabin, and Karl found himself leaning forward, as if willing her to choose the former. Seeing her fragile state stirred something primal within him - a dormant protective instinct he thought long buried beneath layers of cynicism and self-preservation. But also something more, licking at the edges of his consciousness, aching deep in his very core. Something more.


    Karl maintained his surveillance from a distance, concealed among the trees bordering his property. His trained eyes immediately picked up on her hunched posture, the slight tremble in her limbs, and the telltale glisten of tears lingering on her lashes.


    Part of him wanted to march across the field, pull her into a comforting embrace, and assure her everything would be okay. But years of ingrained stoicism held him in check. Instead, he silently cursed himself for not intervening sooner, questioning whether his decision to let her handle the bear encounter alone had been foolish rather than empowering.


    But then, as quickly as the vulnerability had surfaced, it vanished. Jenn straightened her shoulders, wiped her face clean of any remaining evidence of her ordeal, and began trudging towards her own dwelling with a renewed sense of determination. Even from his hidden vantage point, Karl could practically feel the waves of stubborn resilience radiating off her petite frame.


    Forcing himself to release a breath he didn''t realize he''d been holding, Karl allowed the tension to drain from his muscles. In that brief moment, he felt an odd mixture of pride and frustration swell within his chest. Pride for Jenn''s unwavering tenacity in the face of her fear; frustration that his own fear of attachment prevented him from offering her the support she deserved.


    As she disappeared inside her cabin, closing the door firmly behind her, Karl knew he needed to make a choice. Continuing to observe from afar wasn''t enough anymore. If she planned to survive in this harsh environment, she needed someone to guide her, to teach her the skills necessary to thrive.

 Chapter Five

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    CHAPTER FIVE


    ======+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++======


    Jenn sank down against the front door as soon as it was closed, neglecting to lock it in her haste and sliding to the floor. She drew her knees to her chest as the enormity of the situation she had been in finally hit her.That bear had been huge. Bigger than any she''d seen at a zoo, that was for sure. He was huge, and he was fat. He knew how to get food, he knew how to kill. And she had definitely been in his territory.


    ¡°Holy fuck...¡± she breathed, watching as Kylie emerged from the bedroom, clearly just waking from a nap. The cat shook herself and trotted over, cooing a greeting and rubbing against Jenn''s legs.


    She reached out, stroking her fingers over her soft fur and trying to ground herself even as she felt the panic attack she''d held at bay in the forest beginning to kick into gear.


    Jenn swallowed hard and wrapped her arms around her legs, resting her forehead on her knees and trying to focus on slow and measured breathing, mind racing a million miles an hour as she kept replaying the moment the bear had stood up, staring her down over and over. All she could hear was his grunts and groans, the thick musky smell choking her as if the bear was there with her at that moment.


    She surged to her feet, rushing to the bathroom and flinging open the mirror, grabbing the prescription bottle and shaking out a small circular tablet, nearly spilling the entire bottle down the sink from her shaking.


    She swallowed it down dry, sucking breaths greedily through her parted lips, the constricted feeling in her chest worsening as she moved to the bedroom and crawled into her bed, pulling the blankets over her head and curling into a small ball. She shook with her muffled sobs as the anxiety and panic took hold. She could do nothing but go along for the ride and wait for the Xanax to take effect.


    =+=


    After giving Jenn ample time to gather herself - or so he assumed - Karl ventured to her cabin to offer his assistance in a way that didn''t overstep the boundaries that he must maintain. As he approached her door, his hand hovered over the handle before finally settling on a light knock.


    ¡°Jenn?¡± he called, his voice gruff yet concerned. ¡°You okay?¡±


    He listened intently for any sound from within, his senses honed to detect the subtle cues of distress or panic that humans often failed to recognize. When the only reply was the muted sound of fabric rustling and what could have been muffled crying, Karl steeled himself and let himself in without waiting for an invitation.


    He found Jenn cocooned under a mountain of blankets, her trembling form barely discernible in the dimly lit room. His first impulse was to charge in and wrap his arms around her, but he held back, reminding himself of the need for distance, to protect them both. Instead, he sat on the edge of the bed, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder and speaking softly.


    ¡°Hey, you need anything?¡± he asked, the gruffness of his voice tempered by the genuine worry etched into his words.


    She hadn''t heard him enter, so inwardly focused, and she jumped when he touched her, pushing the blankets down to peek out, eyes wild with fear and face wet with tears.


    Upon seeing Karl another choked sob escaped her, relief flooding her entire body at his familiar face and the almost kind expression he wore. Half out of her mind with the panic still surging through her, acting fully on instinct, her body knew what she needed even if her mind couldn''t form the thoughts.


    She flung herself forward, latching onto him desperately, winding her arms around his waist and nearly bowling him over with the force as her face buried itself into his chest and she clung for dear life, continuing to sob softly even as the warmth from his body began to soothe her.


    His body went still instantly, and he looked down at the tiny woman, her desperation palpable as she clung to him, her body trembling violently against his own. His mind reeled at the unfamiliar sensation of someone clinging to him so tightly, his usual detachment crumbling beneath the weight of her distress. Despite his best intentions, his arms automatically encircled her slender form, attempting to offer some semblance of comfort as he supported her frail body.


    His initial instinct was to stiffen, to push her away and assert his personal space, but the raw emotion emanating from her quashed his defenses. A part of him realized she wasn''t asking for pity or coddling - just a fleeting moment of humanity amid chaos. He held her securely, his palms spreading wide over her back as he absorbed the force of her panic.


    ¡°It''s alright,¡± he murmured, trying to imbue a reassuring quality into his rough voice, ¡°you''re safe.¡± The words came naturally, his instincts taking over as he rocked her gently, his body reacting to her vulnerability with an uncharacteristic display of compassion. He attempted to shield her from the turbulent storm raging through her mind, letting her tears soak into the fabric of his shirt as he bore the brunt of her emotional turmoil.


    With each shudder that racked her body, Karl''s grip on her tightened incrementally, becoming more secure without growing overly constrictive. It was a delicate balance he walked, aware that he risked driving her further into despair should he hold her too tightly. So, he simply held, waiting for her body to relax, for the storm to pass, and for her rational mind to regain control. As her breathing gradually slowed, Karl loosened his hold slightly, angling himself to ease her down onto the bed without relinquishing his grasp.


    ¡°I''m here,¡± he whispered as he smoothed his hand over her hair with a gentleness that belied his gruff exterior. ¡°I''ve got you.¡±


    The statement slipped out unplanned, a testament to the depth of Jenn''s distress and the uncharted territory Karl had wandered into by allowing himself to become emotionally invested. The realization sent a jolt of unease through him, but he refused to retreat from this unexpected position, instead opting to follow through with the promise and see things through.


    Slowly her sobs began to subside, face nuzzling against his chest slightly, unconsciously, soaking up the comfort he offered without any words. When was the last time someone had held her like this, with compassion, not to manipulate her or to get something from her in return, but just to comfort her? She''d been alone in her suffering for so long - when she''d been in the hospital, during her recovery, the difficult time in court. She''d dealt with it all on her own. There had been no one to lean on, no one she could trust.


    Her arms tightened their grip on Karl even as her breathing began to calm and slow, the Xanax coupled with his embrace bringing the panic and anxiety under control. She didn''t want to move, she was so tired, her side ached so badly from her violent sobbing, and his hold on her made everything feel okay, made her feel safe in a way she hadn''t known since she''d been a child.


    ¡°A bear,¡± she finally got out, voice muffled against him. ¡°Not hurt, just...¡± she shivered, pressing even closer to him, ¡°...scared me.¡± she finished weakly.


    Scared her was an understatement. Triggered her was more like it, the panic at the bear a startling likeness to the terror she''d felt when the gun had gone off and she''d realized her ex hadn''t been hit, she had. Those moments after, the way her eyes had met those of his supposed friend, the shock - he hadn''t meant to, she''d surprised him, she wasn''t supposed to be there, wasn''t supposed to know about any of it-


    Shuddering, she fisted her hands in his shirt at his back, clinging hard and feeling the wave of fear fall back.


    As Jenn''s sobs gradually subsided, Karl''s brow creased with concern at the residual tremors coursing through her body. Clearly, this was now about more than just the bear. A protective instinct was building within him, fueling a simmering rage at the world for inflicting such trauma upon her gentle spirit.


    ¡°Shh, I know,¡± he soothed, his gruff voice a stark contrast to the tender strokes he brushed across her damp cheek. ¡°It''s okay to be scared.¡±


    He guided her down onto the bed, his large frame hovering above her own before he settled to lay on his side, cradling her trembling body close to his chest. The scent of her hair filled his nostrils, mingling with the musk of her sweat-soaked skin and the faint medicinal aroma of the Xanax she''d taken. It was a peculiar mix, but it suited her somehow - the fragility of a wounded soul seeking shelter in the strong embrace of a protector.


    Karl knew better than most the depths of trauma, the insidious ways it could seep into every corner of a person''s psyche, corrupting and consuming until there was nothing left. He''d witnessed it firsthand, seen his closest allies reduced to shells of their former selves by the horrors they''d endured. And now, he saw it reflected in the broken gaze of the woman in his arms, a haunting reminder of his own failures.


    But this time, he wouldn''t fail. He''d be damned if he allowed her pain to fester and consume her like it had so many others. No matter how much it cost him, no matter how much it tested his resolve, he would be her anchor in the storm.


    ¡°Just breathe,¡± he instructed softly, his fingertips tracing calming patterns along her spine as he cradled her to him, chest to chest. ¡°Focus on my heartbeat, feel how steady it is. You''re safe here.¡±


    As the minutes ticked by and her breathing evened out, Karl knew he''d have to address the elephant in the room - their current compromising position. But for now, he contented himself with simply holding her, allowing her to draw strength from his presence as she navigated the treacherous waters of her own mind.


    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    The Xanax fully kicking in, Jenn felt the tension in her body begin to ease, replaced by a soft warmth, a pleasant lightness to her limbs. Her fingers released their handfuls of his shirt, aching from the force with which she''d clutched him, but her hands remained pressed against him, the heat of his skin under her touch grounding her in reality.


    The smell of him was intoxicating, she realized with a fuzzy mind. He smelled like wood smoke, fresh grass, and something a little spicy and musky, very masculine and very comforting. Something about his scent was infinitely soothing, it felt like home in a way she couldn''t begin to understand. She took in a deep breath, filling her lungs with him, and gave a happy little sleepy murmur. He smelled... perfect.


    She was vaguely aware that she was lying on her side now, and that he was beside her, holding her close. He was squeezing her tightly, and she knew that the firmness of his grasp had gone a long way in chasing off her panic.


    ¡°Please don''t move yet...¡± she breathed, pressing her cheek into his chest and cautiously rubbing her fingertips against his back just a little bit, feeling his muscles move beneath her touch. She was afraid if he broke the contact, everything would flood back again. She''d never felt so comforted and so cared for by another person in her adult life. She never wanted to move again.


    Karl found himself ensnared within her plight far more deeply than he had anticipated. Her request resonated with a part of him that yearned to protect, to be needed - a part he believed he had long since abandoned in favor of self-preservation and detachment from the humanity around him. The desperation in her plea tugged at something primal within him, compelling him to remain, despite all logical arguments to the contrary. She needed him. That was everything.


    He settled himself more comfortably beside her, adjusting their position so that she remained securely folded in his embrace while also ensuring neither would grow uncomfortable from the awkward position. His muscles relaxed slowly under her tentative exploration, betraying precisely how accustomed he had become to maintaining constant vigilance and control over his body''s responses.


    With her, though, he found that relaxation was not so elusive a concept; maybe it was the scent of her hair wafting up to him, reminiscent of fresh lavender, the sweetness he identified earlier revealing itself to be some sort of berry, or maybe the rhythmic cadence of her breathing as it gradually became deeper and more steady. Whatever the reason, Karl indulged in the rare luxury of allowing his guard to drop slightly, relishing the chance to simply be without fear or suspicion clouding his thoughts.


    As Jenn drifted closer toward slumber, influenced by both the Xanax and his soothing presence, Karl could feel the subtle shift in her demeanor, the way the tension melted away to leave in its wake a sense of serene repose. He marveled at how such a seemingly trivial gesture - cradling another human being during a moment of vulnerability - could possess the power to bestow peace upon both giver and receiver alike. It was an experience he had denied himself for far too long, prioritizing survival above any sort of connection with another.


    ¡°Shh, I''m not going anywhere,¡± Karl assured her softly, pressing a chaste but firm kiss to the top of her head as he pulled out her ponytail and set about combing his fingers through her hair in slow, soothing strokes. ¡°Close your eyes. Rest.¡±


    Jenn curled into him, scooting her body up against his for maximum contact as exhaustion began to set in. She could feel sleep beckoning, the high dose of Xanax taking its toll, and as she started to drift off she pressed a single, sleepy kiss against his chest where her face rested, near his heart, hardly aware of what she was doing.


    Karl''s pulse quickened perceptibly, and he stifled the urge to pull her closer, to feel more of her warmth against his skin. Her innocent gesture stirred something deep within him - a mixture of affection and profound sadness making his chest ache.


    Her efforts to press closer to him had caused her shirt to ride up a little bit, her belly button and the bare flesh of her tummy exposed, the yellow and green of the bruises on her right side just visible, the scar from where the bullet had entered her body barely obscured by the fabric.


    Karl''s breath hitched in his throat. Up close, the vibrant hues of her bruising were much clearer than they''d been when he''d seen them in the forest from a distance and served as a stark reminder of the violence she had survived. He reached out, pressing her shirt up a bit further carefully to see the injury better. The mere sight of the wound she bore sent a fresh wave of rage surging through his veins. How could he protect her, truly safeguard her against the demons that pursued her? The thought plagued him, refusing to yield, as he traced his fingertips reverently over the mottled patches of flesh, his touch feather-light in deference to her fragile condition. What had caused this?


    In sleep, Jenn''s fingers twitched against his back, finding the material of his flannel and grasping it lightly, as if trying to keep him close even in unconsciousness.


    The soft whisper of her fingers against him tore at his heart, a poignant expression of her unspoken need for stability and security. It was a need he understood all too well, having been forged in the crucible of his own battles, both past and present.In that moment, Karl recognized that he couldn''t simply extricate himself from her life; not when it seemed she had already come to depend on him so implicitly, not when the ghosts of her past continued to haunt her. And, he admitted reluctantly, something about her had captivated him. He hadn''t scented someone so alluring before, every inhale of sweet lavender made the fist tightening in his chest strengthen its grip a little more.


    He settled his head against hers, absorbing the weight of her trust as he drew in the smell of her hair once more. Karl knew he should be wary of getting too close, of opening himself up to the inevitable heartache that would come with caring for someone in her precarious situation. Yet, he couldn''t bring himself to abandon her, not when she needed him so acutely.


    As he held her close, listening to her breathing even out and watching her eyes flicker behind closed lids, Karl made an unspoken vow. He would do whatever it took to ensure her safety, even if it meant putting himself squarely in harm''s way. After all, that was the code of the man he once was - and the man he seemed destined to become once again, all thanks to the sleeping woman in his arms.


    Karl''s warm embrace infiltrated Jenn''s slumber, shaping her sleeping visions in his image. Xanax always gave her more vivid, wild dreams, and this time was no different.


    As she slept, the Karl in her dream had taken his comforting to another level, trailing his lips down her neck, pausing at her pulse point to nibble there where her warm skin jumped with her beating heart.


    The low growling sound he made deep in his chest against her ear had her thighs clenching, her breath gasping. His hands were at her waist, squeezing her softly, running to her hips, as his lips trailed over her collarbone now, nose nudging her cleavage and tongue snaking out to taste between her breasts, making her chest arch and a soft mewling gasp escape her lungs.


    Outside of her dream, Jenn slept peacefully, a hint of color staining her cheeks as her breathing picked up just slightly.


    Dream Jenn, however, was anything but peaceful. Her hands were tangled in Karl''s hair, his stubble rubbed against her sensitive skin as his face trailed down, tongue swirling around one peaked nipple, drawing it into his mouth.


    The moan she released in her dream came out of her sleeping lips as a soft, breathy sigh as arousal began to grow low in her belly.


    Karl''s ears caught the subtle change in Jenn''s breathing as he held her, his keen senses attuned to her slightest shifts. Even asleep, she stirred against him, her brow furrowing and her breath catching in a way that hinted at troubled dreams rather than restful repose. He frowned, wondering if her slumber was disturbed by lingering fears from her encounter in the woods or something else entirely.


    Unable to ignore the flicker of concern, he brushed a strand of golden hair from her forehead and leaned closer to study her features. The faint flush across her cheeks and the rapid flutter of her lashes against them suggested her mind had turned towards intimacy rather than peril. Karl''s chest tightened, a strange mix of protectiveness and discomfort warring within him at the notion.


    He shifted slightly, careful not to disturb her, and observed her face more closely. Despite his reservations about forming attachments, he couldn''t deny the rush of satisfaction at seeing her in his arms. Though he knew better than to entertain romantic ideas, there was no denying the comfort and security his presence seemed to afford her. Perhaps it was enough to simply be there - to offer shelter and solace, even if he knew deep down he longed for more.


    Meanwhile, Dream Karl was growing bolder, and as his lips trailed down her tummy, Jenn felt like there was fire running through her veins.


    This sort of thing hadn''t been something she''d particularly enjoyed in the past ¨C the only partner she''d had before had been more interested in using her body for his own ends, it had never felt like this before. Not even close.


    Dream Jenn was an inferno, and sleeping Jenn was beginning to burn.


    Dream Karl''s fingers began pulling down her pants, dark brown eyes looking up at her with so much heat, so much need.


    Outside of her dream, Jenn''s lips parted, gasping softly.


    ¡°Please...¡± she breathed, hardly audible.


    Dream Karl''s eyes never left hers, a smirk on his lips as his head dipped lower...


    ¡°Karl...¡± another whisper, softer than before, voice thick, drawing out the vowels of his name just slightly as she nuzzled her face into his chest and breathed him in. Her hips shifted ever so slightly as her thighs pressed together and in her dream, Karl finally reached his destination.


    Karl tensed as Jenn''s breathy whispers penetrated his concentration, his grip on her slackening involuntarily. The soft pleas, tinged with vulnerability and an unmistakable undercurrent of desire, jolted him from his contemplation and brought forth a rush of conflicting emotions. Part of him wanted to deny the effect her words had on him, to dismiss them as nonsensical murmurs born from the haze of her medication. However, another part acknowledged the undeniable evidence her body provided ¨C the way she pressed closer, seeking his warmth, and how her breathing betrayed the stirrings of awakening desires. Desires he was beginning to smell with his enhanced senses...


    A slight movement from her slumbering form caused Karl''s brow to knit with concern. Despite his usual restraint, he could not resist reaching out to trace the curve of her jawline, his calloused thumb brushing gently across her parted lips. Each ragged exhalation ghosted over his skin, stoking a smoldering heat that threatened to override his rational faculties.Forcing himself to withdraw, Karl turned his attention elsewhere, needing time to compose himself lest he further compromise the delicate line he walked regarding her welfare and his own burgeoning... affections.


    Dream Jenn was a woman possessed, writhing against the unbelievable sensations she was experiencing. Nothing had felt like this before, and she clutched at Dream Karl''s hair, drawing him up her body to crash their lips together.


    Outside of her dream, Jenn whimpered, a soft whine of frustration and need. The flush on her cheeks had moved down to stain her chest pink, and her fingers clutched the flannel of his shirt, pulling softly, unconsciously seeking contact.


    Dream Karl looked down at her, poised between her legs, and as Dream Jenn met his eyes, she saw that his once-brown gaze now glowed nearly golden, an almost supernatural look to them, something nearly feral glinting back at her. Her body flamed in response, hips bucked towards his.


    ¡°Please...!¡± her breath whined out of her outside of the vivid dream, hips stuttering just a little bit.


    Karl''s gaze darted downward, drawn inexorably to the restless movements of her hips, which only intensified his turmoil. It wasn''t supposed to happen this way. He had convinced himself that his presence, however temporary, could be an innocent balm to soothe her, yet here they were, hurtling


    towards an uncertain precipice.


    He swallowed hard, his mind straining to reconcile this Jenn who trembled and sighed in his arms with the one he''d seen earlier, struggling to contain her panic and despair. That earlier Jenn had needed comfort and reassurance, whereas this...this...


    His eyes snapped back up to her face, and for an instant, he forgot everything save for the overwhelming impulse to take her in his arms and succumb to the primal urges coursing through him.


    Those soft whimpers and whispered pleas undermined his resolve, tempting him with forbidden fruit.


    ''No! You''re not supposed to respond, not like this.'' his mind hissed.


    With an iron-willed determination, Karl clenched his jaw and shut his eyes, severing the link that made him want to give in and surrender to these base desires. The abrupt withdrawal left him feeling disconnected and hollow, yet he knew it was necessary given the circumstances. He couldn''t permit himself to indulge in the tantalizing sensations coursing through his body, not when the line between protector and predator blurred so precipitously.


    ¡°Easy, Jenn,¡± Karl whispered gruffly, shifting subtly away, hoping the physical distance would serve as a bulwark against his own wavering discipline. ¡°You''re safe.¡± The last word hung in the air, a tangible barrier between the two of them, as he struggled to regain control of his fractured emotions.


    The sound of his voice reached her in her sleeping state, the low rumble resonating deep inside and inflaming her.


    In her dream, Karl had followed his words with a powerful thrust, and the intense arousal that shot through her body was enough to shake her from her dream with a jerk. She came awake and immediately felt the heavy and charged vibe of the room, aware of the pulsing between her legs, her chest rising and falling rapidly.


    It took her a moment to realize what had happened - she couldn''t remember the last time she''d had a dream like that, and it took just another moment to realize that Karl was still next to her, body turned away slightly but still there, and he was watching her.


    Oh, God.

 Chapter Six

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    CHAPTER SIX


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    Jenn''s face flamed even as she still felt the unadulterated need coursing through her body. Absently she tried to remember the last time she''d wanted to be intimate with someone, and she truly couldn''t recall. It had never been like that, she''d never been satisfied and it had always seemed like a colossal waste of time, and yet...


    Cautiously, she met Karl''s eyes, shame warring with some sort of wild, desperate hope. He''d stayed.


    Either he didn''t know about the dream, or maybe he-


    She shut that down before the thought could even get off the ground. At best, she''d only made him profoundly uncomfortable. She was a wreck, they''d just met, and he hadn''t been thrilled that she was here to begin with. This was definitely unrequited, that she was sure of.


    Licking her lips, her heart still beating quickly, she looked at him with wide eyes, close enough that if she just leaned forward a little bit, if he just leaned in too...


    She held perfectly still, unsure of how to proceed, terrified of ruining everything with one wrong move.


    He studied her face, searching for clues as to how she might be feeling. The way her lips parted, the flush creeping up her neck, the desperation in her wide, hopeful eyes¡ªthey all spoke of an awakening desire, one he had unwittingly sparked.


    Yet, he maintained his distance, unwilling to let this newfound intimacy overwhelm either of them. Instead, he focused on soothing her ragged breaths and calming her pounding heart, even though his own raced at a similar pace.


    ¡°You''re safe,¡± he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Just a dream.¡±


    Her eyes darkened slightly at his words.


    ''Just a dream indeed.'' she thought wryly, noting the slight flush to his cheeks.


    He must know, then. She felt mortified, but also...


    She held back a groan of disappointment at herself as she felt another pulse between her legs. Him knowing about the dream was doing something else besides embarrassing her, and her cheeks darkened a little more.


    Still, he didn''t seem particularly interested, not in the way she would have hoped, and she caught her bottom lip between her teeth, averting her eyes.


    ¡°I-¡±


    She realized she was still clutching his shirt, and her heart dropped. Of course he hadn''t left - she hadn''t let him. She''d held him there and forced him to watch as she-


    ''Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck. Maybe I''ll go live in the woods.'' she thought helplessly. Her eyes darted to him again, remorse and worry clouding them as she let go, drawing her hands back and holding them against her chest as she sat up quickly.


    ¡°I''m so sorry,¡± she finally got out, horrified that he''d want nothing to do with her now. Was unconsciously holding someone and making them watch you have a sex dream about them technically assault?


    Maybe he didn''t know it was about him?


    Karl felt a twinge of guilt at her distress. It wasn''t fair to let her assume he was disgusted or repulsed by her dream. If anything, his reaction had been the complete opposite.


    ¡°No,¡± he said softly, gently shaking his head as he sat up fully. ¡°Don''t apologize, Jenn.¡±


    His eyes roamed her face, taking in the mixture of embarrassment and confusion written across her features. He wanted to reach out, to wipe away the worry etched in the lines of her brow but hesitated.


    They''d already crossed so many boundaries...


    ¡°Your dreams aren''t something to be ashamed of,¡± he continued quietly. ¡°They''re...a normal response to the stress and uncertainty you''ve faced recently. Probably your medication, too.¡±


    Even as he spoke the words, he wondered if they sounded hollow to her ears. Hadn''t he felt his own body react in kind, betraying his true feelings?


    ¡°But maybe we should focus on getting you more comfortable?¡± he suggested, offering a small smile.


    ¡°I can bring you some water if you''d like, or-¡±


    Karl trailed off, realizing he was rambling. His mind raced with possibilities, each one more dangerous than the last. He needed to maintain his composure, to avoid giving in to the temptation of her presence.


    She swallowed hard, cheeks still stained pink from both her embarrassment and the lingering dream.


    ¡°Karl...¡± she breathed, looking into his eyes, searching. She''d been attracted to him nearly straight away, something she hadn''t quite realized at first, as it had been so long since she''d felt that draw of another person. And now that she knew, the realization was heady and powerful. She''d thought there was something wrong with her, but at this moment she was certain - everything with Karl would be right. The way it was supposed to be. He wouldn''t hurt her. With him, it would feel the way it was meant to feel.


    She wanted to tell him that her dream wasn''t a stress response; it was a response to feeling safe, cared for, and protected, a response to having someone she trusted and was attracted to near her, touching her, his scent surrounding her.


    She wanted to tell him that if he didn''t kiss her now, she may burn away until there was nothing left of her but ash.


    But she couldn''t speak, so she just continued to look into his eyes, hoping he could see the words she couldn''t get out reflected there.


    Karl''s breath hitched as he looked into her eyes, seeing a mirror image of his own deep longing. At that moment, the barriers between them seemed to crumble, leaving behind nothing but raw, unbridled emotion. His hand lifted slowly, tentatively, as if moving through treacle, and brushed a few strands of hair away from her face.


    ¡°Jenn...¡±


    The name slipped from his lips like a prayer, like a promise. The tension stretched thin, fragile as glass, and Karl knew one wrong move could shatter it entirely. But he didn''t care anymore. All that mattered was closing the gap between them, feeling her skin against his, tasting the sweetness of her lips.


    So he did. Leaning in, his heart pounding in anticipation, he closed the remaining distance, capturing her mouth in a kiss that sent sparks shooting up his spine. For the first time that he could remember,


    Karl allowed himself to fully embrace these newfound feelings, letting them consume him whole.


    Jenn gasped against his lips, eyes fluttering closed as one hand tangled in his hair, the other resting on the back of his neck. The kiss in her dream paled in comparison to the real thing, and her lips parted against his, head tilting slightly to deepen the contact as her tongue flicked against his bottom lip. She felt the rasp of his facial hair against her cheeks and chin, and she longed to feel the gentle scratch of it everywhere.


    The heat in her body was reignited by the press of his mouth against hers. She whimpered into the kiss, a rough and needy whine that would have embarrassed her if she''d had the faculties left to feel anything else besides the heat he was building within her with each touch of his lips against her own.


    Karl''s blood sang in his veins as Jenn responded so passionately. The rough texture of her nails scraping against his scalp sent a shiver down his spine, igniting a fire deep in his gut. He wanted more - to taste the depths of her mouth, to explore every inch of her trembling form.


    But even as desire consumed him, a part of Karl hesitated. This was happening too fast; he hardly knew this woman. More so, she hardly knew him. What if it was just the lingering effects of her panic attack? Her medication? What if he ended up hurting her?


    Pushing aside his doubts, Karl gentled his kisses, letting his thumb brush tenderly across Jenn''s cheekbone. His other hand slid lower, coming to rest on the nape of her neck where he could feel her pulse thrumming wildly beneath his fingertips.


    ¡°I''m here,¡± he murmured between kisses, a promise and a question rolled into one. ¡°We don''t have to do anything you''re not ready for.¡±


    The last thing he wanted was for her to regret this later. But God, the way she tasted...the feel of her pressed against him...it took every ounce of his self-control not to devour her whole.


    Karl pulled back slightly, needing air, his eyes roaming over Jenn''s face with renewed appreciation.


    How long had it been since he''d been touched like this? Since he''d wanted someone this badly?


    ¡°I shouldn''t...¡± he started, voice husky with restrained lust. ¡°I mean, it''s not...we shouldn''t rush into things.¡±


    Everything he was saying made perfect sense, Jenn thought as she looked at him, breath ragged. They had only just met the day before. They hardly knew each other, really. Although that didn''t feel quite right ¨C something about him, there was a strange, deep familiarity, and the way his presence was so calming to her... she felt more comfortable with this veritable stranger than she''d felt with anyone else in her life.


    And oh God, did she want him. These feelings were a revelation, she''d spent so long being told she was frigid, passionless... to know now that it wasn''t true, it wasn''t her. She''d just needed the right man to feel this way, apparently.


    She leaned in to press another kiss against his mouth, more tender than passionate this time, like she was trying to know him through his lips. When she pulled away again, her eyes were warm as they met his.


    ¡°I don''t want to do anything that you aren''t comfortable with,¡± she said softly, trailing her fingertips against his chest. ¡°I trust you. If you''d rather get to know each other better...¡± she faltered a little, eyes watching her fingers trace along his collarbone.


    When she lifted her gaze again to meet his through her eyelashes, she bit her lip for a moment before continuing. ¡°But I really... I mean, I''d like...¡± Unable to maintain eye contact, she looked down at her fingers on his chest again. ¡°I want you,¡± she whispered, cheeks blazing. ¡°I''ve never wanted someone before, but... I want you. Not necessarily now, but...¡±


    Karl''s throat constricted as Jenn confessed her desires, his chest tightening with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Her honesty was intoxicating, like a heady elixir that threatened to strip him bare.


    ¡°I want you too,¡± he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper, his eyes drinking in the sight of her flushed cheeks and trembling lips.


    Gently, he captured her hand in his, bringing her fingertips to his mouth. His lips grazed up to her knuckles, the gesture both tender and possessive.


    ¡°But we should slow down,¡± he insisted, ignoring the protesting voice in his head. ¡°Get to know each other better first.¡±


    Karl released her hand, his thumb brushing against her palm before he broke contact.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    ¡°I can wait,¡± he assured her, his tone firm but tinged with uncertainty. Could he really resist her?


    Before he lost all semblance of control, he scooted back on the bed, creating space between them.


    ¡°How about we talk instead?¡±


    His suggestion hung in the silence between them like a challenge - to prove to themselves they could resist the urge to rush headlong into a physical relationship.


    Then again, maybe it was just Karl''s way of delaying the inevitable...


    Jenn nodded, accepting his wishes even as she mourned the loss of his close touch, her skin feeling strangely cold without him pressed against her.


    ¡°What would you like to talk about?¡± she asked, running a hand through her hair and trying to calm her racing heart.


    She shifted slightly, tucking her legs underneath herself, the motion tugging her right side. She frowned, adjusting her posture to relieve the pressure, left hand going to rest against her ribs softly for a moment.


    It was probably best they waited, she wasn''t sure how to explain the healing gunshot wound without telling him everything that had brought her here, which the FBI had been pretty clear she shouldn''t do, for her own safety.


    But Karl wasn''t going to hurt her, and he definitely wasn''t going to find the people she was being protected from and bring them here - he''d been annoyed enough when she''d shown up, the last thing he wanted was a whole gang on his doorstep.


    Watching Jenn settle more comfortably onto the bed, Karl noted the way her hand instinctively went to her ribs, concern etched into his features. The injury had been familiar-looking, as was the way she supported it with her hand...


    Shoving down his growing unease, he focused on answering her question.


    ¡°Oh, I don''t know,¡± he mused, running a hand through his tousled hair. ¡°What do most people talk about?¡±


    It was a rhetorical question, really. Karl had cut himself off from most human connections for so long that the usual conversational topics now felt alien to him.


    Hesitating, he decided to ask, ¡°Tell me more about home, then? Where exactly are you from?¡±


    ¡°Oh, um...¡±


    ''Don''t tell anyone anything, not where you''re from, not your real name, nothing that could tie you to any of this.'' echoed in her mind, the FBI agent''s face severe.


    Giving a mental shrug, Jess figured he knew so much already, what could it really hurt to tell him a little more.


    ¡°Wisconsin,¡± she said softly. ¡°Hence not being extremely concerned about winter,¡± she gave a rueful smile. ¡°I''m used to the cold, gets much colder back home in the winter than it''ll ever get here. Below-zero temperatures are pretty normal. Hell, I joked with Kylie that we''re certified snowbirds now, moving south for warmer winters and all.¡±


    She looked at him carefully, unsure if he was comfortable answering questions as well.


    ¡°What about you? Born on this mountain?¡± she teased, eyes twinkling.


    Karl chuckled at her answer before shaking his head. ¡°No, wasn''t born nowhere near here,¡± he replied.


    ¡°I was born in California, though. San Diego. Hard to believe I''m the same person sometimes, walking these forest trails.¡±


    His laughter died down quickly as he remembered the reason for his departure. The memories were still painful, even after all this time. He cleared his throat.


    ¡°Life got...complicated there. Joined the military shortly after high school graduation to get some breathing room.¡± And never looked back, until they kicked him out for being ''too dangerous''.


    He studied Jenn for a moment, noticing the way her hand kept returning to her side. Curiosity gnawed at him, but he resisted asking directly, not wanting to pry.


    ¡°Must miss everyone back home. Family, friends.¡± Another assumption on his part. But most people did, right? ¡°Ever think about visiting?¡±


    ¡°Can''t,¡± she said simply. ¡°Witness protection, remember? I had to leave everyone and everything behind, for their safety and mine.¡± She shrugged. ¡°Wasn''t really close with anyone anyhow. My family and I haven''t spoken in a long time, and I wasn''t really allow-¡± She faltered, face warming a little. ¡°-I didn''t really have friends.¡± she corrected. ¡°Well, except Kylie...¡± her voice trailed off with a wry smile.


    ¡°Military must have been exciting though, did you get to see any cool countries at least? I''ve never left the States before.¡±


    Jenn''s simple explanation hit him like a punch to the stomach. He had to look away from her, jaw clenching. He hadn''t fully understood, apparently. Until this moment, Karl had assumed she left behind just a shitty relationship. He hadn''t thought about everything else she''d had to abandon, not really.


    Hearing her say it now so plainly... opened his eyes to the full reality of her sacrifice.


    He was silent for a long minute, processing. When he spoke again, his voice sounded almost pained.


    ¡°That''s... tough. Leaving it all behind, yeah. Even if they weren''t close, still must have stung.¡±


    Karl shifted uncomfortably, the topic hitting too close to home for him. His own past was... complicated to say the least.


    Clearing his throat, he steered the conversation back to safer grounds. ¡°As for my military days? Yeah, saw plenty of countries.¡± A slight edge entered his tone. ¡°Afghanistan, Iraq... places like that.¡±


    He let the implication hang in the air. Didn''t need to spell out the ugliness he witnessed firsthand. His gaze turned inward, reliving memories best left forgotten. He blinked rapidly and forced himself to focus on the present.


    ¡°Anyways, Afghanistan was interesting, I guess. Saw some beautiful sites outside the war zones. Ancient ruins and shit. But yeah, not exactly the kind of tourism I signed up for.¡± His lips twisted into a wry smirk. ¡°Guess I''m lucky I got to see it all up close.¡±


    Karl trailed off, realizing he may have said too much already.


    Jenn winced, realizing that her comments about seeing the world were probably a bit too naive, the military wasn''t for sightseeing after all.


    ¡°Sorry, I... being there must have really fucking sucked,¡± she said plainly. ¡°You don''t strike me as the kind of guy who joins up looking forward to mowing down insurgents so...¡± She swallowed hard. ¡°I guess I''m supposed to thank you for your service now, but that''s always felt so... I don''t know, weird?


    Like I''m saying ''Hey thanks for going to do and see unspeakable shit that you didn''t have a choice in and probably we shouldn''t have been there anyway''?¡±


    She frowned, wringing her fingers. ¡°No offense meant of course, just... my grandpa was in Vietnam, that shit fucked him up for the rest of his life. He ended up committing suicide when I was in second grade... he was my best friend, war is just so fucked.¡±


    Karl''s expression grew solemn at Jenn''s candid admission. He knew that look ¨C the one that said she knew what it was like to lose someone important because of the horrors humans inflicted upon one another.


    He leaned a bit closer to her, placing a hand gently on her shoulder. ¡°None taken,¡± he murmured. ¡°And yes, it did suck.¡±


    The weight of his gaze fell heavy on her as he spoke of his experiences. ¡°War isn''t glamorous, not in the slightest. It''s hell on earth.¡±


    For a moment, he paused, the haunted look in his eyes speaking volumes of the battles he''d faced.


    Then, with a sharp inhale, he pushed aside the pain.


    ¡°As for travel, you learn to appreciate the little things. Like here.¡± He gestured towards the window, where the sun was starting to set, casting the first warm hues of twilight. ¡°The peace, the quiet. After a lifetime of noise, it''s something else.¡±


    Karl leaned against the headboard, his eyes on the window. ¡°The night sky above these mountains is worth more than any gold or city lights.¡±


    He glanced down at her, the corner of his mouth quirking up into a half-smile. ¡°Ever seen a shooting star from up here?¡±


    ¡°Never,¡± she said, smiling. ¡°I''ve been looking forward to seeing the night sky here though, up so high, so far from all the city lights... I bet it''s going to be gorgeous. I was planning to try to get a good look tonight if it''s clear enough.¡±


    She peeked out the window from her seated position, craning her neck to see if it was dark enough yet for any stars to peek out.


    Karl followed her gaze out the window, his own eyes lingering on the fading light of day. He could sense her eagerness, the excitement in her words when talking about the stars. There was a childlike quality to it that surprised him; he''d expected her to be more guarded, more bitter, considering everything she''d endured.


    He nodded thoughtfully, rubbing his chin. ¡°Yeah, tonight should be nice. Clear skies, not too much moon, perfect conditions for spotting them. If you want, we can walk down to the meadow together later. Better view from there.¡±


    ¡°I''d love that,¡± she said warmly. ¡°Just so long as no bears crash the party... I think I''ll stick to seeing them in the zoo and not in person,¡± she said with a shudder.


    Kylie decided to make a grand entrance at that time, entering the room with a long, trilling cry that could be roughly translated to ''It is fifteen minutes past my dinner time and this is everyone''s problem'', and Jess jumped up with a hasty apology to her best friend, hissing in discomfort as the sudden movements to stand pulled across her ribs.


    Karl''s brow furrowed slightly and he tensed at Jenn''s pained noise. He stood and almost started to reach for her instinctively, ready to catch her if she stumbled or collapsed from the movement aggravating her injury.


    But he held back, resisting the urge to hover as Jenn hustled out of the room. He wanted to give her space, respect her privacy, and show her he trusted her judgment about pacing herself. It wasn''t easy, but he forced himself to stay put.


    ¡°Come on Beans, let''s get you fed,¡± Jenn said to the very annoyed cat, measuring out her food before pouring it into her dish, then quickly changing out her water.


    Karl listened to the sounds coming from the kitchen - the scrape of kibble being poured, running water filling a bowl. Normal, everyday sounds that seemed somehow special in the quiet of the cabin. It struck Karl how domestic this whole situation felt, how natural it seemed for Jenn to be tending to her pet, cooking, cleaning and for him to be hearing it all.


    He wondered what it would be like to have someone rely on him that way. Someone who wasn''t just a neighbor or a friend, but a true partner. Someone to take care of and who would take care of him in return.


    Karl shook off that line of thinking, pushing down the unfamiliar ache blooming in his chest. That kind of closeness, that level of intimacy - it wasn''t possible for him. He couldn''t burden anyone else with his secrets and his darkness.


    But as Jenn re-entered the room, brushing cat hair from her jeans with a smile, Karl found himself wanting to prolong this simple, shared moment just a little longer.


    ¡°It''ll be dark soon if you''re up for the short hike,¡± he offered, nodding towards the window and the purple-blue sky beyond it.


    ¡°Let''s do it,¡± she said with a grin. ¡°Now that Her Majesty has been fed, my duties as a faithful servant have been fulfilled for the time being.¡±


    She approached him slowly, still a bit tentative, unsure of where exactly she stood, what exactly they were doing, and she decided to just go by instinct - very different than her usual calculated, planned way of living. Something about him made her feel free to just be, exactly as she was.


    When she stopped in front of him, she reached up to touch his cheek softly, smiling at him with real affection. Going to her toes, she was just able to lean up and brush her lips against his chin, resting her other hand on his shoulder to steady herself, and looking up at him with soft, luminous eyes.


    Karl''s breath caught in his throat as Jenn touched him, the warmth of her fingertips on his skin sending a jolt of surprise through his body. He stiffened slightly at her gentle kiss on his chin, unsure how to respond to this sudden display of affection.


    His mind raced with conflicting thoughts. Part of him reveled in the connection they were building, while another part of him screamed caution, urging him to pull back before things went too far. His heart pounded in his chest as he met her gaze, her touch leaving a tingling sensation in its wake.


    Despite his initial shock, Karl brought his hand up to cover hers, pressing it against his cheek. He allowed himself a moment of vulnerability, leaning into her touch and closing his eyes briefly, letting out a slow exhale.


    When he opened his eyes again, he searched hers, trying to decipher what she wanted from him, what she needed. ¡°Jenn,¡± he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Are you sure about this?¡± He needed to know she was making this decision of her own accord, without any pressure from him.


    He waited for her answer, his body poised on the edge of uncertainty, ready to step back or move forward, depending on her reply.


    Jenn nodded, rubbing her thumb against his cheekbone softly, the feel of his hand warm against her own.


    ¡°Look, I''m not very good at all of this,¡± she said with a wince and a self-deprecating smile. ¡°I haven''t really... I mean, my ex was my first boyfriend. And to be frank he fucking sucked,¡± she said, bitterness evident in her voice.


    ¡°He wasn''t... well, he wasn''t good at this, either. He was a complete asshole, selfish, never really cared about me at all. I was just, I don''t know, a possession I guess. Something he could parade around his boys and something he could use and-¡± she broke off, head turned away for a moment, eyes closed.


    When she spoke again, it was with her head still to the side, eyes still squeezed shut.


    ¡°I have no idea what I''m doing. I never liked any of this stuff before. I used to pray he wouldn''t touch me, and I used to beg him to just go bother someone else with all of it. I hated it. All of it,¡± she looked back at him, eyes begging him to understand what she was trying to say.


    ¡°All of this... intimacy stuff, it was just a weapon used against me and now I suddenly understand what it''s supposed to be like and I just really... I really like you a lot,¡± she finally got out, the end all in a rush as her face flamed.


    Her voice dropped to nearly a whisper, head dipping down a bit. ¡°You make me feel safe. I want to... I don''t know, try? See where it goes? I don''t know... I probably sound stupid.¡±


    Karl''s eyes widened at the raw emotion in Jenn''s words, at the painful honesty she laid bare. He could hear the old wounds in her voice, the echoes of hurt and betrayal, and his heart clenched in response.


    He wanted to gather her close, to shield her from all the pain the world had inflicted on her, to tell her that she deserved better, that she would never have to suffer like that again.


    Without thinking, he drew her into his arms, pulling her against his chest, one hand tangling in her hair while the other supported her back. He held her tenderly, his touch meant to comfort rather than inflame.


    ¡°You don''t sound stupid, Jenn,¡± he whispered fiercely against her ear. ¡°What you''ve gone through, what you''re willing to try despite all of that... That takes courage. More than most people have.¡±


    He loosened his hold just enough to tip her chin up, meeting her eyes steadily. ¡°I want you to know something,¡± he said quietly. ¡°Whatever happens, whatever we decide to do, it''s going to be your choice.


    You''re the only one with the power here.¡±


    Slowly, giving her plenty of time to pull away, Karl leaned in and brushed his lips against hers in a chaste kiss, the barest graze of flesh on flesh. When he pulled back, he kept his forehead pressed against hers, their breathing intermingling.


    ¡°I won''t lie to you, Jenn. I''m scared too. Scared of getting too close, of messing this up, of-¡±


    He cut himself off with a shake of his head, pushing those fears aside for now. Instead, he focused on the moment they were in, the fragile trust they were building together.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± he asked softly. ¡°Right now, in this moment, what do you want? We can stop anytime. I swear, if you''re not comfortable, we can go right back to just watching the stars. You call the shots, okay?¡±


    He held his breath, waiting for her answer, acutely aware that his own happiness depended on her response, however much he might wish otherwise.


    She sagged against him, relieved beyond words at his response.


    ¡°Maybe... we could go look at the stars and then after, you could show me what your place looks like inside?¡± she asked, cheeks blushing at the implication of her suggestion.¡°It''s only fair, you''ve seen my place after all.¡± she teased, staying pressed against him and tracing her fingers against his chest next to her face, cheek still resting against the warm flannel of his shirt.


    Stargazing in a beautiful meadow sounded very romantic, and her stomach twisted in anticipation and worry both in equal measure. He was almost definitely more experienced than her in just about every way you could imagine. The things she''d done... that had been done to her... she didn''t think they were conventional by any means. She was pretty sure he''d be disappointed, but maybe if he was willing to try more than once, to show her, well, she''d always been told she was a fast learner...


    Karl chuckled at her teasing words, the low rumble vibrating through his chest. He appreciated the way she tried to lighten the mood, to bring some normalcy and levity to an admittedly tense situation.


    ¡°Well, it certainly isn''t as charming as yours,¡± he quipped, nuzzling into her hair briefly, taking in her scent again and feeling the way it immediately affected him, both physically and emotionally. ¡°And definitely not as tidy. Bachelors aren''t known for their housekeeping skills, after all.¡±


    Her tracing fingers against his chest sent sparks of electricity across his skin, and he bit back a groan, fighting the urge to pull her flush against him and feel her curves mold to his harder planes.


    He knew he needed to handle this delicately. Jenn''s limited experience and clear anxiety made him hyper-aware of his role as the guide, the mentor in this strange dance they were embarking upon. He refused to exploit her trust or overwhelm her with his own wants.


    So instead of sweeping her into his arms caveman style and tumbling her onto the bed like he desperately wanted, Karl took a measured step back, bringing Jenn''s hand to his mouth for a lingering kiss on her knuckles.


    ¡°Come on then,¡± he said lightly, giving her a small smile. ¡°Let''s head to that meadow and see what we can see.¡±


    With that, he led her from the bedroom and toward the front door, pausing to grab the throw blankets from the back of the sofa and loop his arm through hers companionably with a little arch of his eyebrow.


    He understood that each step mattered, that each small touch built the foundation of something greater, something meaningful.


    And maybe, just maybe, the stars would shine brightly enough to light the way forward for them both.

 Chapter Seven

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    CHAPTER SEVEN


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    Jenn walked beside Karl as they trekked down the trail that ran behind his cabin, arm linked with his, and her other hand holding onto his bicep gently. The darkness had fallen quickly, and even with his flashlight, she found herself a bit disoriented.


    The sounds of the forest at night were beautiful and intimidating in equal measure, and she had no qualms about sticking as close to Karl as she could as they made their way toward the meadow, moon rising overhead, about half full.


    Karl tightened his grip on the flashlight, angling it downward to avoid shining directly in Jenn''s eyes as they picked their way along the path. The beam danced over the uneven ground, illuminating clusters of ferns and brambles, casting long shadows across their feet.


    ¡°Careful of these roots,¡± he warned, stepping aside to let Jenn pass in front of a particularly gnarled oak trunk. He enjoyed watching her profile in the dancing beams of light, her features softened by shadow and illuminated by the shifting pools of illumination.


    The forest thrummed with nocturnal sounds - the chirps of crickets and the distant hoot of an owl. Far overhead, bats darted silently between the sparse branches, hunting insects in the cool evening air.


    As they emerged into the meadow, Karl swept the flashlight in a wide arc, taking in the expansive space. Here, away from the trees, the starlight seemed brighter, clearer. He pointed upwards with his free hand.


    ¡°Look there,¡± he murmured. ¡°Those three stars in a line, do you see them?¡±


    She tilted her head to look at where Karl was pointing, and she gasped softly.


    Jenn was stunned.


    She had spent countless hours since childhood looking up at the night sky, fantasizing about being there among them, seeing space, looking down at Earth from above... and she''d had no idea she was only seeing a fraction of the picture.


    There were so many stars she was overwhelmed, speechless, nearly breathless.


    She finally focused on where Karl was patiently indicating and nodded.


    ¡°Mmmhmm, isn''t that Orion''s belt?¡± she asked, eyes tracing over the rest of the constellation, seeing in her imagination the great hunter himself drawn out in the sky before her.


    Karl''s lips quirked in surprised pleasure, eyes softening as he looked down at her beside him.


    ¡°Yes, you know your stuff.¡± he gruffed, a warm edge to his tone giving away his true admiration even if the words were brusque.


    ¡°Lying on a blanket here, it feels like you could reach out and touch them,¡± he continued softly, wrapping an arm around Jenn''s waist and drawing her against his side. The chill of the evening air settled into the spaces between them, making them cling closer instinctively for warmth.


    ¡°Pretty amazing, huh?¡±


    The cool night made for a clear sky, not a cloud in sight, and the Milky Way was clearly visible, stretching across the entire broad expanse of the sky like a beautiful painting made just for her. For them.


    ¡°Oh, Karl...¡± she breathed, overcome with emotion. ¡°I never imagined...¡± she shook her head in wonder, still staring up, hardly daring to blink. ¡°Look at them all, I never knew...¡±


    She tore her eyes away from the sky to look at him, her vision had adjusted to the darkness well enough that she could make out his eyes clearly.


    ¡°Thank you, this is... well, it almost makes everything worth it, just to see...¡± she looked up again, beaming as her eyes searched across the sky, taking it all in.


    Karl felt his chest expand with a warm tenderness as he watched Jenn. It was moments like these, sharing something so simple yet profound, that reminded him of what it meant to truly live, to be human, among the shadows of his own tumultuous past. Something he''d denied himself, that he could not deny any longer.


    He turned off the flashlight and spread one of the blankets on the cold grass.


    ¡°Here, he said gently, guiding her down to lay back on the makeshift bed, arranging the second blanket over both of them.


    He laid beside her, their shoulders brushing together, and pointed out other celestial bodies: Taurus, Canis Major, the North Star, and a couple of shooting stars streaking across the sky like fleeting wishes.


    The quiet, the closeness, it was a balm to his soul¡ªone he hadn''t realized he needed until she''d come crashing into his life.


    Karl cleared his throat. ¡°You know when I was in... well, before all of this,¡± he gestured vaguely towards the cabin, indicating his pre-mountain life, ¡°I didn''t spend much time looking up. Too busy with earthly concerns.¡± He paused, his eyes on hers. ¡°Now, up here, it''s like I can breathe again.¡±


    With a gentle nudge, he encouraged her to lay her head on his shoulder, to watch the stars with him.


    ¡°What about you, Jenn? Why are you looking so hard up there?¡± he teased a little ¨C she hadn''t taken her eyes off the sky since they''d gotten there. Her neck must be getting sore by now.


    She happily rested against his chest, eyes never moving from the beautiful tapestry of stars overhead, and contemplated his question in silence for a few moments.


    ¡°I never really found what I was looking for anywhere else I guess. Figured up there would be the next place to look,¡± she murmured, as if loud voices would spoil the beautiful view.


    ¡°I''ve always loved the stars. Didn''t really have many friends growing up, to be fair I was a super weird kid. You know, bullied and all that shit,¡± she shrugged a shoulder, knowing he''d feel it with his arm around her.


    ¡°When it got hard, I liked to look at them. It makes me feel so tiny - but not just me, like we''re all so little and insignificant in the grand scheme of the universe... I guess it was comforting. All the bullshit with my parents, with the other kids... I guess seeing how big everything really is made me feel better because while it might suck for me, none of it really actually matters at all. I guess nothing we do or don''t do or suffer really matters at all. On a cosmic level. It kind of takes the pressure off, right?¡±Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    Karl''s face twisted with a mix of anger and sympathy as he listened to her words. No child should have to endure so much pain that they''d escape to the stars for comfort.


    Karl rolled onto his side, propping himself on an elbow and leaning over her. The moonlight caught the angles of his face, emphasizing the scar over his left eye, but his expression was soft, and encouraging.


    ¡°I guess that''s the freedom of being tiny, Jenn. We can write our own stories. And yours doesn''t have to be defined by what others did or said. You get to decide what matters.¡±


    With that, he brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, tucking it behind her ear, his fingers grazing her skin in a delicate caress. The gentle touch sent shivers down her spine, and she trembled, the motion almost imperceptible.


    His gaze held hers, intense and searching. ¡°Don''t let anyone ever make you feel small again, okay?¡±


    He whispered the words, but the conviction behind them was unmistakable. He''d fight tooth and nail to make sure she knew her own value, her own significance, no matter how tiny she felt compared to the vastness of the universe.


    Jenn felt her eyes grow warm and she swallowed thickly, blinking back tears at his words. Everyone had always liked her feeling so tiny and meaningless, liked the power it gave them over her. She felt truly seen in a way she never had before, and her resolve that all of this, with Karl, was right, strengthened.


    They might have only just met, but for the first time in her life, she felt like maybe she finally belonged somewhere.


    Too overcome to speak, she leaned forward to press her lips against his in an emotional kiss, trying to convey with her lips what she couldn''t with her words.


    ''You make me feel alive, I never realized I wasn''t until now. You see me, the real me. No one bothered to try before.'' Words she longed to say out loud, she hoped he got the message as her hand threaded into his hair and her head tilted to deepen the kiss.


    Karl closed his eyes, surrendering to the tide of emotions that washed over him. Her gratitude and burgeoning affection radiated through her touch, and her taste, igniting a fierce protectiveness within him.


    Her fingertips ghosted across the rough stubble of his jawline, sending electric pulses racing down his spine, and he allowed himself the luxury of losing himself in her for a moment. Their breaths mingled, hot and rapid in the cool night air, the sounds of their shared rhythm a symphony against the backdrop of rustling leaves and distant animal calls.


    Their tongues danced together, an exploration that was becoming more familiar, yet retained its sense of wonder with each new discovery.


    Eventually, Karl broke the kiss, pulling back slightly to gaze into her upturned face, his thumb brushing across her cheekbone in a tender gesture. He knew he was playing with fire, knew that every second spent wrapped up in her was another second closer to potential heartache. But he also knew that he''d willingly walk through the flames if it meant giving her even a glimpse of happiness.


    ¡°Jenn,¡± he murmured, his voice husky with emotion. ¡°You deserve the stars, the whole damn universe. And I''d tear down the heavens myself to make sure you get them.¡±


    Before he lost his nerve, he leaned in, capturing her lips once more, pouring every ounce of his growing affection into the kiss. It was a sweet, lingering meeting of mouths that promised endless possibilities beneath the infinite expanse of the cosmos.


    It was like the moment he let himself truly feel her, something had shifted completely within him. He was falling for her, and for the first time in a very long time, he didn''t try to pull away from the plunge.


    Instead, he wrapped his arms tightly around her, letting himself fall deeper into the abyss of feelings he thought he''d never have.


    Jenn sighed softly against his lips, a sweet, contented sound she was pretty sure she''d never made before.


    She''d never minded kissing in the past, she found it pleasant enough and had always thought that if things could just not go any further than that, she''d be very happy.


    Now? She loved kissing, the feeling of Karl''s lips moving against her own, the touch of his tongue, the taste of him, the heat... However, she was finding that she no longer wished things would stop there.


    His body against her own, hands holding her tightly to him, all of it was fueling a little flame deep inside of her, a growing need she wasn''t very familiar with. Memories of her earlier dream flooded back as they kissed, and suddenly the little flame was stoked into a raging inferno.


    The cold of the evening autumn air around them was all but forgotten, and Jenn pulled back from his lips, staying close as she met his eyes almost shyly. Her lips were pink and slightly swollen from their kisses, and her cheeks were rosy from the cool air and her ardor.


    She smiled sweetly at him, bumping her nose into his and rubbing it playfully, then looking up at the sky again, seeing the moon had risen higher. The light cast across the meadow beautifully, and when she looked at him again, his eyes reflected the light back to her, seeming to nearly glow in the darkness for just a moment.


    ¡°Mmm, I think I live in this meadow now,¡± she said, settling against his chest again. ¡°That bear will just have to learn to share. It''s too perfect here, I never want to leave.¡±


    Karl chuckled softly, low in his chest, and wrapped his arms tighter around her body. The vibration of his laughter rumbled through her, a soothing, comforting sensation.


    ¡°I wouldn''t mind that either,¡± he murmured, nuzzling his face into her hair. The scent of her mixed with the earthy smell of the meadow, a combination he found utterly intoxicating. Although, the bear might not appreciate it.


    He shifted slightly, rearranging them both beneath the blankets for added warmth, and let his fingers play idly with the strands of hair trailing across her shoulders.


    ¡°Besides, I don''t think I''m ready to let you leave just yet.¡±


    The last remnants of caution and self-doubt seemed to melt away under her adoring gaze and genuine smiles. He had no right to demand her affection, given his complicated past and the danger it posed. Yet here she was, snuggled against him like he was the safest haven in the world.


    Karl felt something crack open inside him, a door long locked and sealed with chains. For years, he''d kept his walls reinforced, his heart encased in a fortress of stone and steel. But in the face of Jenn''s pure, uncomplicated joy, he couldn''t help but let those defenses crumble just a little.


    ¡°You know, Jenn,¡± he began, his voice quiet in the hush of the night, ¡°I never planned on getting involved with anyone out here. Thought it''d be safer, easier, to keep everyone at a distance. But...¡±


    He paused, his throat tightening as he gathered his thoughts. ¡°You make me want things I never knew I wanted. Make me want to believe in possibilities I''d dismissed as-as fairy tales.¡± he sputtered, nearly incredulous.


    Slowly, almost hesitantly, Karl tucked a hand under her chin, lifting her face to meet his gaze once more. His eyes sparkled with a mixture of tenderness and something darker, more primal.


    ¡°What if we stayed out here? Spent the whole night under the stars, waking up with the sun? I promise I won''t let anything happen to you.¡±


    It wasn''t exactly a declaration of love, it was far too early for that of course, but it was as close as he dared venture. The mere suggestion of such intimacy was unprecedented for him, yet the thought of it thrilled him in ways he hadn''t experienced since before the world shattered his illusions.


    Jenn looked thoughtful for a moment, casting her eyes around the meadow. It seemed quiet and safe enough, and she had no doubt Karl would keep her safe - he wouldn''t have suggested it otherwise.


    ¡°Okay,¡± she agreed, nuzzling her face into his neck as she squeezed as close as she could. ¡°But it''s probably going to get colder, so you''ll have to make sure to keep me warm.¡±


    She was pretty sure he''d have no problem with that, he always seemed to feel nearly hot to the touch, like he ran several degrees warmer than she did. Even now, in the cool air of the meadow, his body felt like a furnace under the blanket, and she slipped her arm around his waist, hand coming to rest across his ribs, fingers stroking random patterns as she enjoyed the closeness.


    Karl exhaled heavily, relieved she had agreed. His pulse quickened, pounding like drumbeats in the quiet night as he registered the implications. This would be their first night together, even if nothing untoward occurred. Simply spending an entire night lying together felt deeply intimate after years of solitude.


    ¡°Don''t worry,¡± he replied, attempting to infuse some levity. ¡°Staying warm won''t be a problem with me around. I''m basically a walking heater.¡±


    He tugged at the edge of the blanket, adjusting it over them for additional insulation against the dropping temperature. The cool air kissed his skin wherever it touched, raising goosebumps, but Jenn''s warmth nestled against him erased any discomfort.


    As Jenn''s fingers slid across his chest, Karl found himself calming incrementally despite the undercurrent of desire ignited by their closeness. Her touch felt like home, soothing yet electrifying simultaneously.


    Unable to resist, he pressed a soft kiss into her hair before speaking again. ¡°We should get some rest. Tomorrow we can hike back, and I''ll cook us breakfast before you head home.¡±


    ¡°That''s perfect,¡± she breathed, snuggling close with a little yawn.


    Even as he spoke those mundane logistics, anticipatory butterflies fluttered in his stomach considering all he proposed entailed ¨C waking up beside Jenn, sharing a meal together in broad daylight, not merely stealing precious minutes under the cover of night''s anonymity.


    Settling down slightly deeper into their cocoon of blankets, Karl allowed himself one final indulgence; he wrapped both arms securely around Jenn''s smaller frame pulling her flush against the solid wall of his body. Contentment bloomed within him as exhaustion dragged him down into slumber, accompanied by the rhythmic rise and fall of his companion¡¯s breathing and the lullaby of cricket songs echoing around their private sanctuary.

 Chapter Eight

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    CHAPTER EIGHT


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    Jenn and Karl slept for some time as the moon rose higher in the sky, and it was a little after midnight when Jenn woke with a start.


    They''d shifted in their sleep. Karl spooned behind the smaller woman, arm banded around her to keep her held tight to his chest. Their bodies seemed perfectly slotted together, his face in her hair, legs tangled together. She felt so warm and secure that she wasn''t sure why she had even woken up in the first place.


    She adjusted her legs slightly, feeling a rock underneath her thigh, and the shifting of her hips made her realize what had woken her up as her bottom rolled against something quite distinctively shaped and rock solid pressed against her.


    The fire inside that had been banked within her roared back to life instantly and she froze, resisting every instinct that told her to roll her hips back again, face flaming. She held her breath.


    ''He''s asleep. That happens to guys. Calm down,'' she told herself, trying to ease her racing heart by taking slow, deep breaths.


    But oh my God, she felt it, and she was both intrigued and slightly frightened now¡ªnot that she should have been surprised, she supposed. Karl was a very large, broad-shouldered man¡ªa mountain of a man. It would stand to reason that he would be proportionate.


    ''JENNIFER stop thinking about this right now!'' She scolded herself, squeezing her thighs in a subconscious effort to find some sort of stimulation, feeling heat pooling low in her belly. Her lips


    trembled as she wet them with her tongue.


    She was hyper-aware of his face in her hair, his warm breath puffing over the back of her neck, powerful arm holding her tightly against his chest. His arm was banded just below her breasts, pushing them upwards and causing her hardening nipples to strain against the fabric of her bra, aching for stimulation. Every place they touched burned.


    A quiet whimper slipped from Jenn''s throat, barely audible over the wind through the trees, but it was enough to stir Karl from his deep slumber. Sleep-muddled eyes cracked open to peer into the darkness surrounding them, brow furrowed as he attempted to discern the source of the disturbance.


    Then he registered the subtle tensing of her muscles beneath his hand, the hitch of her breath against his chest. Slowly, realization crept upon him, and he followed the trail of sensation downward to the unmistakable shape pressed against the cleft of her rear.


    Karl froze, a muffled curse escaping his clenched teeth. His heart kicked into overdrive, hammering wildly in his ears as a blush of embarrassment heated the back of his neck. ''Christ,'' he thought wildly.


    ''Of course, this happens now, when she''s awake enough to notice.''


    Part of him wanted to shift away discreetly, feign ignorance, and hope the issue resolved itself given sufficient time. Yet another, larger part refused to budge, unwilling to relinquish the snug fit of her curves against his length. If anything, that stubborn side urged him to grind himself deeper into her warmth, to chase the pleasurable friction that sparked along his nerves.


    He knew why he was like this, after all. He''d been dreaming of her ¨C dreams that went from arousing to something he was ashamed to even recall, the way his dream had shifted so abruptly when he was above her, one moment kissing her neck, the next it was sharp teeth, his long tongue laving over a bleeding wound as his hips plunged and his paws-


    Fuck ¨C He needed to stop thinking about it. Now.


    Internal conflict warred within him, his conscience battling against the raw, carnal hunger surging through his veins. For several moments, he simply lay rigid, scarcely daring to breathe lest his inhales betray the heavy swell of desire building in his groin. Finally, he surrendered to instinct, letting out a shaky sigh against the nape of her neck.


    ¡°I''m sorry,¡± he rasped hoarsely into the silence, the admission little more than a whisper. ¡°I didn''t mean...¡± He trailed off lamely, unsure how to verbalize his predicament without offending or alarming her further.


    Instead of offering an explanation, Karl simply tightened his arm around her middle, anchoring them together in a silent plea. ''Please,'' his muscles screamed silently. ''Don''t move away.''


    Jenn wanted to tell him that he had nothing to be sorry for, it was perfectly natural after all, he''d been shoved up against her butt for hours probably. But the words wouldn''t come.


    Instead, she closed her eyes, bit her lip, maybe sent a tiny prayer for this to go well, and then deliberately rolled her hips back against him, sliding her bottom along his length, feeling it throb in response.


    ¡°Karl-¡± she gasped, feeling an answering pull deep within, a rush of warmth between her legs, and she rolled her hips back again, mewling softly as a desperation she''d never known began to come over her.


    She clutched at his forearm with both hands as if holding on for dear life as arousal the likes of which she had never experienced flared to life within her, consumed with the sudden, inescapable need to be completely taken by him, for him to possess her completely, body and soul. If she''d been in her right mind, she would have found the whole thing to be crazy, but she was certain that he needed to-to-claim her. It sounded barbaric in her mind, she had no idea where it had come from, but the thought made her ache. She needed him.


    At Jenn''s action, all semblance of restraint dissolved. Karl groaned into the crook of her neck, the vibration sending delightful shivers down her spine, as her soft, inviting movements incited the beast within him.


    For a man accustomed to controlling his body and his emotions to the most extreme degree, the sudden loss of that dominance felt... liberating. Terrifying, yes, but also exhilarating.


    His hands flexed against her, the urge to slide lower, to touch her in the most intimate of ways, almost overpowering. But he held himself in check, instead focusing on the sensations she elicited as she arched against him.


    ¡°Jenn...¡± he murmured, his voice thick with want. ¡°Do you know what you''re doing?¡±


    It was a question he wasn''t sure he wanted an answer to, the possibility of her stopping made his heart ache. But the decent part of him knew he had to ask. Had to be sure.


    She rolled her hips back into him deliberately in answer to his question, nails digging into his forearm.


    ¡°Karl... I''m not a blushing virgin, I know exactly what I''m doing,¡± she panted, grinding back into him once more. ¡°Please, I need...¡± she whimpered, unable to put the desperation into words.


    ¡°Fuck...¡± he growled lowly, head falling forward onto her shoulder with a frustrated groan as she continued her sensual rolling motions against his clothed length. The pressure built at a rapid pace, coiling tighter and tighter until he feared he would snap entirely.


    Releasing one of the death grips she held on his arm, he slid his palm up, cupping the mound of her breast and giving it a firm squeeze. ¡°Jesus Christ, baby girl...¡± he panted, marveling at the supple flesh spilling between his calloused fingers.


    Determined to stifle whatever doubts threatened to plague her, he angled his hips, grinding deliberately against the plump curve of her ass as his free hand worked feverishly at the zipper of her jacket. Cool air kissed the newly exposed skin of her torso but it was nothing compared to the heat emanating from the junction of his thighs. Pre-come oozed from his tip, dampening his boxers, as his length twitched erratically, throbbing insistently.


    He needed more. Needed to bury himself inside her slick heat and claim every inch of her willing body.


    But for now, the friction of their clothes between them, coupled with the wanton sounds spilling from


    Jenn''s parted lips, served as an acceptable substitute.


    ¡°Touch me...¡± she pleaded breathily, and fuck if he didn''t obey immediately.


    Thumbing her nipples to stiff peaks through the fabric of her sweater, he swirled and pinched mercilessly, reveling in each accompanying moan and cry. Lost in lust and sensation, he lapped a stripe up her neck before sinking his teeth into the juncture of her shoulder, biting just hard enough to leave a mark. The thrill of possession, of rightness, that flooded his system at the action was staggering. He could feel her body jerk and shudder against him as he laved the tender spot with his tongue, and he


    growled against her skin, breath hot and wet.


    She was his. And he would take whatever she offered. No matter the cost.


    Jenn was awash in sensations she''d only read about, fears that there was something broken about her completely chased away by the pleasure Karl was causing to flood through her system.


    The feel of his hand on her breasts was intoxicating, but it wasn''t enough. When his teeth sunk into her shoulder the answering wetness that immediately pooled between her legs was shocking.


    ¡°Karl!¡± she cried, rolling her hips back into him again, needing more.


    Her desperate cries fueled the fire raging within him, demanding release. Karl was beyond denial, beyond caring about the consequences that might arise from their passionate coupling in the meadow.


    All that mattered was quenching the burning need coursing through his veins, the irresistible demand for completion pulsing in his straining shaft.


    With deft movements, he managed to flip them over so that Jenn lay on her back beneath him. The layers of fabric separating them were agony, and he wasted no time in yanking her pants and panties down her slender hips in one pull, exposing her fully to the elements. His rough hands skimmed the smooth expanse of her thighs, gently nudging them apart to reveal her dripping core.


    ¡°Look at me, Jenn¡±, he commanded huskily, capturing her gaze as he settled himself between her legs.


    His heart thrummed with anticipation, eyes locked on hers as he positioned himself at her entrance.


    There was no going back. Not now. Not ever.


    ¡°Tell me you want this as much as I do,¡± he implored, voice ragged as he hovered on the brink, waiting for the signal to plunge forward and stake his claim. ¡°Tell me you need this too.¡±


    Jenn''s head spun, the giggle she''d let out at his abrupt change of their position quickly transforming into a desperate whine as he prodded her entrance.


    Dimly, she was aware of a throbbing discomfort in her side, far outweighed by the pleasure and anticipation she felt, and she felt grateful that her shirt was still on, shielding the worst of her wound from view.


    ¡°Karl...¡± She gasped, grabbing at his arm, eager but a little nervous as well - like she''d told him before, her ex was the only other man she''d been with, and she had been wholly unprepared to actually see the size of him instead of just feeling it against her. He was so much larger that it could have almost been funny (at the expense of her ex, the bastard) if it wasn''t so intimidating.


    ¡°I-I want you,¡± she gasped, eyes wide. ¡°But... are you sure you''re gonna, you know... fit?¡±


    His eyes softened at her confession, even as his own resolve hardened. ¡°We''ll fit just fine,¡± he assured, voice low and soothing.


    Propping himself up on shaking forearms, Karl shifted his hips, pressing forward slowly as he captured


    Jenn''s lips in a tender kiss. Her channel stretched around him, clamping down rhythmically, drawing him deeper into her warm depths with each small advance. His jaw clenched against the urge to thrust wildly, to seat himself to the hilt in one smooth stroke.


    But this moment called for finesse, not animalistic abandon. Their joining demanded patience, and care. Jenn deserved nothing less.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    As he inched his way closer to being fully sheathed inside her tight heat, he broke the kiss to murmur praise against her temple. ¡°You''re so perfect, baby girl... Taking me so well...¡±


    His hips rocked back slightly, giving her respite as he sought to gauge her comfort level. Then, with agonizing slowness, he pushed forward again, groaning at the exquisite friction as her walls swallowed his length. Each increment earned a corresponding tremor along his shaft, the threat of release mounting as he buried himself deeper in her silken embrace.


    ¡°Look at us, Jenn...¡± Karl whispered reverently, angling his head to meet her gaze. ¡°...See how we fit together? How right this is?¡±


    She whimpered in response, unable to speak past the intense sensations and overwhelming emotions rushing through her. She watched where his length disappeared inside of her, cheeks flushed and lips parted.


    It wasn''t long before Karl''s control snapped, a growl rumbling deep in his chest as his self-imposed restraint crumbled entirely. He pulled nearly all the way out, leaving only the tip inside her entrance, before slamming back in with a force that jolted through both their bodies. Again. Again. His thrusts turned punishing, chasing the completion he''d been denied for so long.


    Jenn nearly sobbed in pleasure, the feel of him bottoming out quickly becoming overwhelming. She grasped at his forearms tightly, looking up at him through heavily lidded eyes as she felt him so deep inside.


    ¡°Karl, s-so full...¡± She gasped, nails digging into his arms as her legs squeezed around his hips tightly.


    His name falling from her mouth was pure ecstasy. Karl drank in every gasp, every moan that poured from her parted lips, each sound fueling the inferno burning low in his belly. He needed her closer, needed to feel her essence merge with his on the most primal level imaginable.


    With a guttural snarl, Karl grabbed Jenn''s wrists, intertwining their fingers as he adjusted himself above her. The position allowed for greater leverage and increased depth of penetration, and he took advantage without hesitation. Shifting his hips minutely, he found a spot deep within her core that made her cry out sharply in pleasure.


    ¡°There,¡± he growled approvingly, repeating the motion in earnest. His grip on her hands kept her anchored below him, preventing either of them from losing purchase as he pounded into her relentlessly. ¡°Take all of me, Jenn... Every last fucking inch.¡±


    Her passage rippled around his length, coaxing his heavy sack to pull tight with impending release. Yet some stubborn part of him resisted, delaying his peak until she achieved her own first. Dropping her hands, he leaned back, altering the angle of entry as his calloused palms landed beside her shoulders.


    With a twist of his wrist, he gathered her shirt in his fist, tugging the garment overhead impatiently until only her bra separated them.


    ¡°Can''t wait any longer...¡± he rasped, jerking the flimsy material over her head before discarding it somewhere behind them. Lowering his forehead against hers, their noses brushed as he sealed their mouths together hungrily. ¡°Need to see you...¡±


    Jenn was completely awash in sensation, the punishing pace of his thrusts combined with the angle so intense she could hardly breathe.


    Each press of him within her jolted her body, sending a throb through her right side, and she braced her elbows beneath herself, pushing her upper body up to take more of the force into her hips alone, and squealed when the angle became even more stimulating, his shaft grinding along her clit with each thrust.


    She could feel pressure deep inside of her building, alarming in its intensity, and she pressed her lips against his as a delicious heat began to expand rapidly from her center, and then suddenly the dam burst and she gasped against his lips in surprised delight as her first ever orgasm ripped through her body, her walls clamping tight on him, drawing him deeper still.


    Her cries echoed through the silent meadow, merging with his own thunderous roar as ecstasy ripped through his core. The feel of Jenn spasming around his length sent him hurtling towards release, every muscle in his frame seizing up as his climax approached with devastating speed.


    With three final, brutal strokes, he seated himself impossibly deep and emptied himself with a gut-wrenching groan. Pulse after pulse of hot seed flooded her innermost walls, claiming her with each burst as his own.


    Karl collapsed atop her with a shuddering breath, trembling from exertion as aftershocks continued to course through his spent body. His softening member remained embedded within her quivering heat, anchoring him to her as though she were his lifeline, the rest of the world fading away into insignificance. All that existed was here, now - him and her, joined in the most primal sense possible.


    ¡°Jenn...¡± he murmured, lips brushing feather-light across her forehead, her nose, her cheeks. ¡°That was...¡±


    Burying his face in the crook of her neck, he simply held her, cherishing this stolen moment of pure bliss before reality inevitably encroached once more. His breath tickled her ear as he spoke, his voice muffled by her skin. ¡°Thank you...¡±


    Jenn was stunned.


    She lay beneath Karl, arms wound around his neck, legs still wrapped tightly around his hips, feeling the weight of him there, his scent surrounding her, the taste of him on her lips... she was utterly consumed by him, and she felt nearly boneless, lighter than air as if Karl was the only thing anchoring her to the Earth.


    In her 30s and just now she was understanding what all the fuss was about - Karl had unlocked feelings inside of her that she never would have believed lay dormant within.


    She pressed soft kisses against the side of his head, the only place she could reach with his face buried in her neck, and she brought her lips to his ear, kissing the lobe.


    ¡°Karl,¡± she breathed. ¡°That was... I''ve never felt like that before.¡± Her voice, a bit raw from her pleasured cries, was tinged with wonder. ¡°I should be thanking you, not the other way around.¡±


    He lifted his head to look down at her, a hint of surprise flickering in his dark eyes. Karl had expected many things from this night - passion, maybe even the sweet oblivion of physical release. But the gentle awe in Jenn''s voice was something else entirely, something he hadn''t planned for.


    A soft smile touched his lips as he studied her flushed features, tracing the line of her jaw with a gentle thumb. ¡°Never?¡±


    The question hung between them, loaded with unspoken curiosity and a hint of possessiveness. It wasn''t jealousy; Karl knew he had no right to feel such a thing. But the knowledge that he''d given her something no other man ever had, that he''d shown her this kind of pleasure... it settled like a warm stone in his chest.


    ¡°Does it scare you, baby girl?¡± he asked softly, brushing the hair out of her eyes. ¡°What you just felt?


    Because it shouldn''t. It''s beautiful, natural - it''s just us connecting on a level few ever get to experience.¡±


    He kissed her softly, a promise of future moments like this one.


    With a grunt, he began to withdraw from her warm embrace, rolling to the side so she wouldn''t have to bear his full weight. Karl sat up, reaching down to help Jenn up as well. He took her hand in his, the connection feeling so right despite everything telling him otherwise.


    Jenn blushed as she sat, feeling somehow more exposed now than during their lovemaking, naked on the blanket before him in the moonlight.


    She moved to sit up, wrapping an arm around her body as if to hide, even as she realized how ridiculous she was being - the man had just been inside her - the time for self-consciousness had long since passed.


    The movement coupled with the endorphins in her body beginning to calm after her pleasure brought discomfort to the forefront of her mind, her right side throbbing sharply, and she angled her body away quickly. In her passion she had forgotten the healing gunshot wound, and that Karl, as far as she knew, had yet to see it.


    ¡°Are we still sleeping here?¡± She asked as she reached for her shirt, hoping to distract him with her question.


    Karl''s gaze followed the subtle adjustment of her position, his brow creasing in suspicion. She''d covered herself, hiding a portion of her torso from view. Given the ease with which she''d accepted his touch, the sudden modesty struck a discordant note.


    ¡°You okay?¡± he asked, rising to his feet as he helped her stand, supporting her elbow lightly.


    Once upright, Karl guided her into a turn, inspecting her body with a practiced eye. The movement exposed a section of bruised and reddened flesh along her lower ribs on her right side. His fingers brushed against the edge of the mottled flesh, the rest still obscured by the arm crossed over her body.


    His voice taking on a commanding tone, he spoke.


    ¡°Show me.¡±


    It wasn''t a request, and for once, he didn''t bother tempering his tone. Jenn needed to understand he wasn''t going to back down this time. Not when there might be something wrong, not when she was under his care. He''d promised her protection, and that included examining the wound.


    Without waiting, he reached for her arm, gently beginning to move it away, giving her ample opportunity to stop him. If she did, Karl would respect her wishes, but he wouldn''t be pleased about it.


    Jenn bit her lip, looking away for a moment. She offered no resistance, allowing him to expose the injury.


    The moonlight was bright enough to illuminate the bruising, a circular area over her right side, just above her floating ribs. They were faded yellows and greens, the injury nearly two months old. In the center, the raised, pink flesh of a fresh scar.


    Jenn winced, face still turned away, afraid to see his reaction, afraid to tell him her story, the reason she was in witness protection. The story the FBI told her not to tell.


    Karl''s fingers ghosted over the rough edges of her scar, barely registering the slight tremble of Jenn''s muscles at his touch. His jaw clenched, eyes narrowing as the realization finally dawned upon him, seeing it so unobstructed for the first time. He knew the signs all too well, even aged like this wound was.


    ¡°What happened?¡± he asked quietly, not looking away from the wound. His hand dropped, falling limply to his side. ¡°Who did this to you?¡±


    He''d known her story went deeper than simple misfortune, that she''d fled something terrible. And now...now the pieces were starting to fall into place. Jenn, skittish at sudden movements, jumpy with unexpected noises, the way her breathing hitched at his intensity earlier, her fear at his grasp of her chin when they met. It all made sense now in light of this revelation.


    Yet still, he needed to hear it from her own lips. Karl wanted her to acknowledge the severity of what had happened to her, to own her own trauma rather than let it define her. Only then could they move forward, however tentative their steps may be.


    ¡°Talk to me, sweetheart,¡± he urged softly, voice rougher than intended. ¡°Don''t keep it bottled up inside anymore. You''re safe now, I swear it.¡± His hand came up, resting on her hip in a gesture both soothing and grounding. ¡°Tell me everything.¡±


    Jenn let out a shuddering breath, turning her head to meet his gaze.


    ¡°It''s kind of a long story...¡± She murmured. ¡°Let me get dressed first.¡±


    Mechanically, she slipped her shirt and pants back on, mind over a thousand miles away, remembering everything and trying to figure out how to explain it.


    Once they had both wordlessly dressed again, she sunk down to the blanket below and took Karl''s hand, tugging it to draw him down next to her.


    ¡°I... haven''t talked about this to anyone besides the police and then the FBI... So, I''m sorry if this is all jumbled or like, I don''t make sense or-¡± her hands wrung in her lap, eyes downcast.


    Karl''s gaze never wavered from her anxious profile. He caught her restless hands in his, stopping their nervous movements and squeezing gently in silent reassurance.


    ¡°Take your time,¡± he said, his voice low but steady, providing her with a solid foundation amid the turbulence of her recollections. ¡°I''ve got nowhere to be but here with you.¡± He released her hands and draped his arm over her shoulders instead, offering her warmth and comfort without hovering.


    His eyes, attuned to her every twitch and change in respiration, were focused solely on Jenn. He gave her space to collect her thoughts, granting her the silence she seemed to need before sharing such a painful chapter of her life.


    Karl didn''t rush her, knowing that this was likely the hardest thing she''d ever done - speaking aloud the terrors of her past and exposing her vulnerabilities to someone else. His presence alone served as a testament to his commitment, a silent vow to safeguard whatever she entrusted to him.


    She met his eyes for a moment as if drawing strength from his gaze, before her eyes slid shut and she began to speak, head bowed low.


    ¡°I met my ex on what was supposed to be my gap year before starting college. I graduated high school a year late, missed a lot during my original senior year when I was...¡± she faltered for a moment. ¡°Sick.


    I had to retake the whole year, so I was 19 when I graduated. Like I told you before, school wasn''t great for me. I was super weird, didn''t have many friends, got bullied a lot.¡± She shrugged, not wanting to dig deep into the trauma of her school days, bullied hardly being the half of it.


    ¡°My ex, he was older, in his early 30''s. He said all the right things, you know? I was special, no one appreciated me, all that shit. And because of how school had been for me, no one had ever been interested in me... and that attention from him wasn''t something I was used to, so I fell for it all.¡± She took a few ragged breaths.


    ¡°He took me to live far from my family, isolated me. Things were great for a while, but then he started being... mean, I guess? Wearing me down, criticizing everything... and then he started hurting me...


    And I was so convinced by him that no one else would want me that I stayed.¡± She cringed a little, so ashamed. ¡°It was better than being alone, and I thought what he did to me, that it was what I deserved.¡±


    She wet her lips, pausing to collect her thoughts.


    ¡°I knew he was up to something shady, he''d disappear at all hours, would only let me meet a few friends, and never get to know them... He had guns, and never wanted to talk about his job at all, wouldn''t tell me any details. He''d get so mad if I asked any questions at all.¡±


    ¡°A couple months ago, I came home early from shopping. I went in through the back door, and I heard angry voices, so I went to the kitchen. I walked in and saw my ex in the middle of the room, back to me, and one of his friends was just inside the front door.¡±


    ¡°I heard this like, really loud pop and I remember looking at his friend, I knew him kind of, he''d always been so nice to me... He had a gun and I just remember his face, he looked so surprised, just completely stunned, and then the next thing I remember is paramedics and police and screaming...¡± She had to stop for a moment, breathing hard.


    Karl''s grip on Jenn tightened ever so slightly with every word, the depth of the horror he felt threatening to spill over in some outward sign. But he managed to maintain a neutral expression, offering her the unwavering strength of his presence even as her story unfolded like a horrible nightmare.


    ¡°I found out later when the police came to the hospital that my ex, all his friends, they''re part of some gang. His friend was there to confront him about skimming off the top, as far as they could tell, and when I came in he panicked and shot. The bullet shattered my floating ribs and did a bunch of muscle damage. I lost my right kidney too, good thing I''ve got the backup still.¡±


    Eyes still closed, she sighed. ¡°Turns out I knew a lot just by knowing when my ex was home or not, money coming in and out... I told them everything I could, and they recorded my testimony on all of it and the... abuse... To use in court when the date comes up, so I don''t have to be there. And then they put me in witness protection. My testimony is gonna fuck a lot of them, it was the key to a lot more evidence, most of them are looking at life.¡±


    As her final words registered, a low, menacing growl rumbled in Karl''s throat. The sound was pure animal, a visceral response to the savagery she''d survived. He clamped his teeth together hard, fighting the urge to track down the scum responsible and shred them with his bare hands. Only the gentle press of Jenn''s smaller form against his side kept him seated, kept the blood lust from consuming him whole.


    ¡°Jenn,¡± he whispered urgently, feeling the tightness building within him transfer to Jenn, making her entire body rigid against his. ¡°You''re safe now, I promise. Those bastards will never hurt you again.¡±


    He turned to face her fully, cupping her damp cheek with his free hand, thumb swiping gently beneath her eye. ¡°Listen to me,¡± he said firmly, waiting for her tear-filled eyes to find his. ¡°They broke your body, but they''ll never break your spirit. You lived, and that means they lost. You''re stronger than they''ll ever be.¡±


    Slowly, carefully, Karl drew Jenn against his chest, one arm wrapping snugly around her waist as the other came to rest on the nape of her neck. He tucked her in close, sheltering her from the world, a steadfast bulwark between her and any further harm.


    ¡°We''ll face this together, from now on. No matter where it takes us, no matter what happens... we''ll handle it as one.¡±


    Karl sealed the promise with a kiss to her forehead, silently swearing that if those vermin ever set foot near his mountain he would tear them limb from limb.


    Jenn nodded, allowing him to guide her down into a close embrace, her head tucked under his chin as she lay against his chest, one leg tossed over his.


    Snuggling in close, she closed her eyes, listening to his heart beating beneath her cheek.


    ¡°I''m sorry,¡± she mumbled. ¡°I''m a total wreck. You have no idea what you''ve gotten yourself into...¡±


    Karl''s chest rumbled with a soft chuckle, the sound vibrating through Jenn''s cheek. His hand continued its soothing path up and down her back, fingers tracing absentminded patterns along her spine.


    ¡°Baby girl, you''re not a wreck,¡± he murmured, his voice low and steady. ¡°You''re a survivor. And I don''t give a damn what I''ve gotten myself into. You''re worth it.¡±


    He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, his lips lingering for a moment before he spoke again. ¡°We''ll take it one day at a time. No rush, no pressure. Just you and me, figuring this out together.¡±


    Karl''s fingers stilled, resting lightly on her back as he let out a slow breath. Get some sleep, Jenn. I''ve got you. You''re safe.¡±


    She nodded sleepily. ¡°Mmkay, that sounds perfect...¡± She breathed as she began to fall asleep, feeling so treasured and cared for, safe and secure.


    Her last thoughts as she drifted off were of Karl, and wondering if this was what it felt like to really fall in love.


    Karl remained awake for some time after Jenn drifted off, one arm wrapped tightly around her sleeping form. His fingers brushed lightly along the curve of her hip, feeling the delicate bones and lean muscles beneath the fabric of her shirt. A fierce sense of protectiveness surged through him, coupled with an unfamiliar warmth in his chest at the thought of Jenn relying on him so completely.


    In the silence of the night, Karl''s mind raced with the implications of Jenn''s story. He replayed every detail, every tremor of her voice as she recounted the horrors she''d endured. A low, continuous growl vibrated in his throat, an instinctive response to the knowledge of her suffering. If he ever crossed paths with the men responsible, they''d learn firsthand the meaning of regret.


    Karl knew Jenn believed she''d found safety with him, and dammit, he would move heaven and earth to keep that promise. But a tiny, nagging doubt wormed its way into the back of his mind. Could he truly offer her the sanctuary she deserved? His own secrets, his own demons, loomed over him like gathering thunderclouds. There was only so much room in his world, and inviting her in meant risking everything...


    But then Jenn stirred against him, mumbling incoherently in her sleep, and Karl''s doubts dissipated like morning mist in the face of the heat of the sun. He tightened his hold on her, pressing another reverent kiss to her hair. Come what may, he''d face it with her.

 Chapter Nine

    CHAPTER NINE


    ======+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++======


    The first rays of dawn found Karl still awake, his watchful gaze fixed on Jenn as the sunlight danced across her delicate features. With infinite care, he slipped from beneath her sleeping form, rising silently to his feet.


    He needed a few moments to process everything, to find his center again. Casting one last look at Jenn, still curled against the impression his body had left on the blanket, Karl strode quietly toward the tree line.


    =+=


    Jenn slept soundly, Karl''s embrace through the night keeping the demons of her past at bay, and for the second night in a row, she did not have nightmares.


    Instead, she had the most curious dream...


    She was in the forest, walking down the same trail she had walked the day before. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and it was a beautiful day.


    As she walked, the sun set as if in fast forward, and the full moon rose overhead. From the underbrush emerged a great wolf, larger than any she''d ever seen ¨C larger even than the dire wolves that once roamed the earth tens of thousands of years ago, she was pretty sure. His coat was all deep chocolate browns and blacks, sandy highlights accenting his shoulders, his haunches, and his face. His features were strong and angular ¨C he looked regal and almost aristocratic, his head carried high on his shoulders, tail hanging low and calm.


    He met her gaze, and she saw amber eyes, nearly glowing, intense, and somehow familiar...


    She shifted in her sleep, pulling the blanket tighter around herself.


    =+=


    Karl stood at the edge of the meadow, his gaze fixed on the horizon as the first rays of sunlight crept over the mountain peaks. The soft morning breeze ruffled his hair, carrying with it the distant call of birds and the scent of overnight dew.


    Behind him, Jenn slept, curled beneath the blanket they''d shared. Karl''s eyes flicked to her for a moment, an unreadable expression crossing his features before he turned back to the view before him.


    There was so much to process, so much to digest. In a matter of days, he''d gone from entirely solitary to somehow wrapped up with (and in) a woman whose past, if possible, could rival even his own in its level of fucked-up-ness.


    He shook his head slowly, lifting a hand to rub at the stubble on his face, pulling his beard a little in contemplation.


    Karl couldn''t deny that something was going on ¨C something more than ordinary. Story of his life, really. However, in stark contrast to all the other unnatural shit he had experienced, this development was... not so unpleasant, to say the least.


    He had some theories on what was happening between the two of them ¨C theories he would, of course, keep entirely to himself. And therein lay the rub.


    How could he entertain this... development with Jenn? He knew who he was ¨C what he was. The experiments had changed him, in ways that were too horrifying to speak out loud. In ways that he knew would drive her away, send her running in fear.


    And even more grave, he knew what he''d done. He didn''t deserve this.


    Jenn''s story...the depths of the hell she''d endured...it made his blood boil just thinking about it. The men who''d hurt her - he''d hunt them down himself if he ever got the chance. Make them suffer like they''d made her suffer.


    But more than that, the way she''d clung to him, the way she''d responded to his touch... Karl''s stomach


    twisted with guilt at the memory. He''d let things go too far, lost himself in the moment. Jenn was vulnerable, and traumatized... the last thing she needed was him muddying the waters with sex.


    He was abruptly drawn from his thoughts by a sound ¨C far in the distance, but getting closer. Karl had spent countless hours in these woods over the years, and he was intimately familiar with the creatures that roamed among the mountainous forest. These were the footfalls of a predator and a big one.


    And it was ranging far too close to the cabin, to the meadow... to Jenn.


    He cast another look over his shoulder at the sleeping woman ¨C he could be fast. He''d scare it off for now, then come out later and set some bigger traps, shore up the perimeter.


    He took off into the trees, running effortlessly through the dense undergrowth towards the threat, faster than any human had any business moving.


    =+=


    Jenn''s dream continued as she followed the wolf through the winding trails of the forest, and then off of the path, deeper into the inky blackness until she felt consumed by it, eyes trained forward on the large creature in front of her. He was her beacon in the night, guiding her forward.


    From behind her, she could hear a faint sound. Voices, maybe, but unintelligible, far away but getting closer.


    =+=


    Karl''s senses went on high alert as he heard the predator nearby, and he slowed to a stop, head cocked as he listened. He scanned the underbrush, his gaze darting between shadow-drenched branches and patches of dappled sunlight. His nostrils flared slightly, picking up a familiar scent.


    A flicker of movement in his peripheral vision was all the warning he got before something lunged from the foliage. Karl reacted purely on instinct, twisting and swinging his knife with deadly precision.


    A scream tore from his throat as claws raked across his shoulder, hot pain blossoming beneath his skin.


    He staggered back, stumbling over an exposed root, and crashed to the forest floor.


    The creature launched itself at him again, jaws snapping inches from his face. Karl caught a glimpse of yellow eyes and razor fangs before it knocked him onto his back, pinning him beneath its weight. He thrashed and fought, but it was like battling a force of nature. All teeth and snarls and rending claws.


    A cougar.


    With a final, brutal surge, Karl shoved upward, forcing the creature off him and rolling to his feet in one fluid motion. He raised his knife, eyes wild and glaring as adrenaline coursed through his veins.


    ¡°That''s enough,¡± he growled, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate the very air. ¡°You want a fight? Then let''s fucking fight.¡±


    =+=


    Jenn continued following the wolf in her dream. The darkness seemed to be closing in even further until all she could see was the wolf before her.


    He turned, meeting her eyes again, and something shifted in the dream, her perspective changing, an awareness filling her. When she looked at the wolf before her again, she recognized him. This was her Mate.


    The sounds behind her were clearer now, screams of another animal, not human voices. Feral and haunting, the snarls of a big cat on the hunt.


    The wolf looked at her, turning to run toward the yowling beasts, and Jenn let out a mournful howl as she tried to scream out-


    ¡°-KARL!¡± Jenn screamed, wrenching awake violently from her dream, sitting up quickly with a powerful shudder. Her side ached from the abrupt motion, and she looked around wildly, getting her bearings as the last vestiges of sleep left her mind.


    She was in the meadow. The night before ran through her mind and she blushed, smiling slightly even as she cast her eyes around the meadow in search of him.


    ¡°Karl?¡± she called again, unsure if she''d screamed his name in her crazy dream or in reality.


    When she neither saw nor heard anything, Jenn stood, wincing as she found herself sore in more than just her side. Her thighs ached, her abs tight as well, and the spot where her neck and shoulder met felt bruised. Her fingers rose to the spot and she blushed anew as she remembered Karl biting her, so primal in that moment - it had been so unbelievably arousing... She never would have thought she''d be one to enjoy things like that, given her history, but with Karl, everything had felt absolutely perfect, like-


    She swallowed hard, concern beginning to creep up as there was no sign of Karl anywhere. In the distance, she heard what sounded like a scream of pain, and her head snapped up.


    If there was any chance it was Karl, she had to go to him.


    Not even stopping to put her shoes on, Jenn took off running in the direction of the shout, crashing through the undergrowth before reaching a trail going in the right direction.


    =+=


    Karl''s breath came in ragged gasps as he squared off against the creature, his knife held in a white-knuckled grip. Blood ran from the gashes on his shoulder, staining the forest floor beneath him.


    The beast circled him slowly, its yellow eyes gleaming with predatory intent. Karl matched its movements, his own gaze locked onto his opponent with unflinching intensity.


    ¡°Come on,¡± he growled, his voice low and menacing. ¡°Let''s finish this.¡±


    With a snarl, the creature lunged, its claws slashing through the air. Karl sidestepped the attack, bringing his knife down in a brutal arc. The blade bit deep, eliciting a pained yowl from the beast.


    Karl didn''t let up, pressing his advantage with a flurry of strikes. His movements were precise and calculated, each one designed to inflict maximum damage. The creature reeled under the onslaught, its attacks growing more desperate and wild.


    Finally, with a powerful thrust, Karl drove his knife into the creature''s chest, piercing its heart. The beast let out a final, gurgling cry before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.


    He stood over the corpse, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. He wiped the blood from the blade on his pants, his expression grim.


    The sound of crashing footsteps reached his ears, and Karl turned to see Jenn burst into the clearing, her eyes wide with panic.


    ¡°Karl!¡± she cried, rushing to his side. ¡°Are you okay? I heard a scream and-¡±


    Her words cut off as she caught sight of the creature''s body, her face paling. ¡°What...what is that?¡±


    Karl reached out, gently grasping her arm to steady her. ¡°It''s dead now,¡± he said simply, his tone brooking no argument. ¡°That''s all that matters.¡±


    He studied her face, noting the fear and confusion in her eyes. ¡°You shouldn''t have come here, Jenn. It''s not safe.¡±


    Jenn shook her head, her gaze never leaving his. ¡°I heard you scream. I had to make sure you were okay.¡±


    Karl''s expression softened, and he pulled her into a tight one-armed embrace, careful of the blood staining his clothes. ¡°I''m fine,¡± he murmured into her hair.


    Jenn hugged him back for a moment, heart racing. He''d fought that thing and won, he could have been killed.


    She drew back suddenly, looking him over, and winced at the sight of his shoulder, bloody gashes raked across his skin.


    ¡°Oh shit, that looks bad, Karl,¡± she said, moving closer to look at his wound and then searching for something to stop the bleeding.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Karl''s brow furrowed as he watched Jenn fuss over his wounds, a mix of gratitude and frustration warring in his gut.


    ¡°It''ll heal,¡± he grumbled, trying to wave off her concern. But something about the way she hovered over him, her brows knit together in worry, softened him.


    ¡°I should probably wash it out, though,¡± he conceded, nodding towards a nearby stream. ¡°Prevent infection.¡±


    He started to pull away, but Jenn''s hands on his good shoulder stopped him.


    ¡°Let me help,¡± she said softly, her eyes imploring.


    Karl hesitated, unused to accepting assistance, even from her. But as Jenn''s gaze held his, unflinching, he found himself relenting with a sigh.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he agreed, his voice rough. ¡°But you''re gonna have to get dirty.¡±


    She gestured to her legs, filthy with mud and dirt from her bare feet to her knees, hands caked in dirt.


    ¡°I fell twice running here barefoot, Karl. I may actually end up cleaner after this,¡± she said, giving him a little smile. ¡°Lead the way.¡±


    Karl managed a small chuckle at Jenn''s jest despite himself.


    ''Maybe she really does belong here,'' a tiny voice in the back of his mind whispered.


    Shaking off the thought, he guided her towards the stream, his steps slower to accommodate her lack of footwear. The sound of the water grew louder as they approached, a constant babble that added to the tranquility of the surrounding forest.


    Once they reached the edge of the stream, Karl knelt down, wincing slightly as the movement tugged at his injured shoulder. He pulled his shirt off with a grunt of pain and tossed it aside before leaning over, cupping his hands to gather some cool, fresh water to splash over his wound.


    The cold water stung, making him grit his teeth against the pain, but he knew it was necessary. Cleaning the injury was crucial to prevent infection.


    ¡°Here,¡± Jenn said, kneeling beside him. She picked up his discarded shirt and wet it thoroughly in the stream before reaching out to gently dab at the gashes on his shoulder.


    Karl stiffened at her touch, his muscles tensing under the soft fabric. ¡°Easy,¡± he murmured, more to himself than to her. He focused on the rhythmic flow of the water, letting it center him, and bring him a semblance of calm amid the chaos of the morning.


    He glanced over at Jenn, watching as she worked diligently to clean his wound. Her face was a mask of concentration, the tip of her tongue peeking out from between her lips as she focused on her task.


    Despite the situation, Karl couldn''t help but feel a certain warmth spread through his chest at the sight. There was something inherently appealing about the way she cared for him, the way she didn''t shy away from his gruff exterior or the less savory aspects of his life.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± he said quietly, the words barely above a whisper. It wasn''t often that he allowed himself to be vulnerable around others, but with Jenn, it felt...different. Right.


    ''Dammit Karl,'' he berated himself silently. ''You can''t afford to get attached. Not with your secret hanging over your head like the goddamn sword of Damocles.''


    Jenn smiled softly up at him before focusing once again on the task at hand.


    Her mind went back to the cougar, its crumpled body huge and terrifying.


    Instantly her dream returned to her, and she cupped some more water over his wounds, wiping as she poured to hopefully rinse it clear as she formulated a question for him in her mind.


    ¡°Karl,¡± she began, eyes still focused on her task. ¡°Are there wolves in these woods too?¡±


    Karl''s jaw tightened at Jenn''s question, his body going rigid beneath her touch. He could feel the weight of her gaze on him, even as she continued to tend to his wounds.


    ¡°Wolves?¡± he repeated, his voice carefully neutral. ¡°Not that I''ve seen. Why do you ask?¡±


    He kept his eyes fixed on the stream, watching the water ripple and flow over the smooth stones. The last thing he needed was for Jenn to start poking around in areas best left untouched.


    But a part of him couldn''t help but wonder what had prompted her question. Had she seen something? Heard something? Or was it just idle curiosity?


    Karl''s mind raced with possibilities, each one more troubling than the last. He couldn''t afford to let his guard down, not even for a moment.


    He turned his head slightly, catching Jenn''s gaze out of the corner of his eye. ¡°What made you think of wolves?¡± he asked, his tone casual, but with an undercurrent of something darker, something more probing.


    She lifted one shoulder in a shrug. ¡°The cougar, the bear... Just figured there must be wolves out here, and maybe lions and tigers too?¡± She grinned at him, looking at his injury with a critical eye, trying to decide if it was clean enough yet.


    Her dream still itched at the back of her mind, the details foggy now that she was awake. She''d always been terrible at remembering her dreams, but she was pretty sure...


    ¡°Actually, I think I was dreaming about a wolf last night,¡± she said. ¡°I guess sleeping outside gave me nature-themed dreams.¡± She leaned down to press a feather-light kiss on his shoulder next to the gashes.


    His breath hitched at her touch, his pulse quickening despite his best efforts to remain composed.


    ¡°That''s the best we''re gonna get without soap. And a doctor, you definitely need stitches.¡± She frowned.


    Karl tensed at the mention of the wolf, his muscles coiling beneath Jenn''s touch. The upcoming full moon loomed ominously in his thoughts, taunting him with the secret he kept hidden deep inside.


    ¡°A dream?¡± he echoed, his voice carefully measured.


    ''Keep it together.''.


    He forced himself to relax, taking a deep breath that smelled faintly of pine and earth. ¡°What did you dream about, exactly?¡±


    His tone remained even, almost conversational. But internally, Karl was anything but calm. Jenn''s words stirred up a maelstrom of fears and insecurities, dredging up the very parts of himself he''d sworn to bury.


    Karl''s mind flashed to the full moon, less than a week away. It was always during this time that he disappeared into the deepest parts of the forest, locking himself away until the danger passed.


    He couldn''t bear the thought of transforming with Jenn so close, of potentially harming her in his uncontrollable rage. No one knew the extent of his curse - how the monthly change ripped away every shred of his humanity - and Karl intended to keep it that way. At least for now.


    ¡°I appreciate your help, Jenn,¡± Karl replied, his voice rough with emotion as he watched her dab at his wounds with renewed focus. ¡°But you don''t need to worry about me. I''ll be fine.¡±


    He opened his mouth to insist he didn''t need stitches - his enhanced healing would take care of the rest - but the words died on his tongue as Jenn frowned, her brows drawing together in concern.


    ¡°Looks worse than it is, I''ll be good as new before you know it. For now...¡±


    He trailed off, reaching out to tug Jenn closer by the waist until her knees brushed against his side.


    ¡°What else happened in your dream?¡± he asked, looking up at her with dark, intense eyes.


    ¡°I don''t really remember,¡± she said simply, but she thought carefully, trying to recall anything else. ¡°I think I was following it? It was really dark.¡± She frowned. ¡°It was a good dream, don''t worry. He was a friendly wolf.¡± She smiled sweetly at him.


    But there was a nagging feeling inside, she''d woken up terrified. What else happened?


    Karl''s throat clenched as Jenn''s words washed over him, her innocence painting an uncomfortable contrast to his own guilt-ridden past.


    A good dream. A friendly wolf. He could feel the words coiled on his tongue, threatening to spill out and shatter the delicate illusion they both held onto.


    But Jenn didn''t need to know. Not yet, anyway. Not until he''d figured out how to protect her from the monster he became.


    Karl forced a smile, pulling Jenn a little tighter against his side. ¡°Well, I''m glad it was pleasant then. Even if you don''t quite remember.¡±


    Even as the words left his mouth, Karl knew they rang hollow. Hollow like the cavernous guilt that gnawed at his insides, the same guilt that made him withdraw, the same guilt that told him he wasn''t good enough for her.


    ''Don''t say it.'' Karl willed himself, swallowing thickly. ''You can''t say it, you can''t ruin this. Ruin her.''


    Karl pushed past Jenn, wading into the frigid water. It shocked his system, seeping through the layers of his clothes, but he didn''t falter. Couldn''t.


    The pain helped. Helped drown out the swirling mess of emotions churning inside him, and helped him focus on the tangible, on the now.


    He submerged the lacerations underwater, wincing as the icy currents collided with the raw skin. But it was better than facing her concern, her innocent trust.


    Kill the pain before it kills you.


    Karl''s stomach churned as the mantra from his past resurfaced, but he grit his teeth, fighting the urge to lash out.


    He couldn''t tell her. Couldn''t drag her down into his hell. Because, in the end, he knew he was a coward. A selfish bastard clinging to the scraps of his crumbling sanity.


    But even as the realization burned through him, he couldn''t bring himself to let go. Because Jenn... she made everything feel worthwhile. Like maybe, just maybe, he deserved something real.


    And damn him, but he wanted it. Wanted her. Wanted a chance to prove he could be the man she needed, the one she deserved. The one she saw when she looked at him with those wide, trusting blue eyes.


    He waded back to shore, his movements mechanical as he began to strip off his soaked clothes, revealing a body marred by scars. Scars that whispered stories of a past life, a past self.


    The scratch from the cougar was no longer bleeding, the flesh already beginning to heal inside. He knew that it would fade to nothing but a scar within the next few days ¨C just another secret to keep.


    Jenn had watched him stride away, and as her lips parted to call after him, she remembered why she woke up afraid. Her heart clenched.


    She didn''t understand why he had been so interested in her dream before, but now...


    When he walked back towards shore she moved to meet him, beginning to speak as he began removing his wet shirt.


    ¡°I remembered more of my drea-¡± she cut off suddenly as his pants came off, body revealed to her and blushed, looking away automatically. ¡°Um. Yeah, I think the cougar was in my dream,¡± she said with her head turned away.


    She hadn''t gotten a good look at Karl the night before, in the darkness and their haste, but the glimpse she''d just seen of him, wet and glistening in the sunlight, had been... Wow.


    Clearly, his time in the military had taken its toll on his body, but if anything the scars only enhanced her attraction to him, a testament to his power and resilience.


    Karl froze, his hands still holding his dripping pants as Jenn''s words registered in his mind. The cougar in her dream? His heart thudded against his ribs, a primal fear clawing at his insides.


    But then he saw her blush, saw the way her gaze darted away from his exposed body, and something inside him stirred. Something warm and unfamiliar, something that made him want to reach out and pull her close.


    Instead, he cleared his throat, his voice rough with emotion. ¡°The cougar, huh?¡± he asked, his tone carefully neutral. ¡°Remember anything else?¡±


    Karl''s mind raced with possibilities, each one more troubling than the last.


    He shook off the thought, forcing himself to focus on the present. On Jenn. On the way her cheeks flushed with color, the way her breath hitched as she tried to avoid looking at him.


    Karl couldn''t help but feel a surge of pride at her reaction, a primal satisfaction that he could affect her so deeply. But he quickly pushed the feeling aside, reminding himself of the danger he posed to her.


    ¡°Jenn,¡± he said softly, his voice low and gravelly. ¡°Look at me.¡±


    He waited until her eyes met his - until he could see the uncertainty and desire swirling in their depths.


    Then he stepped closer, his movements slow and deliberate, until he was standing right in front of her. He could hear her heart racing, see the nervousness in her trembling form.


    Karl reached out, his calloused fingers brushing against her cheek, sending a shiver down her spine.


    ¡°You don''t have to be afraid of me,¡± he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°I would never hurt you.¡±


    But even as the words left his mouth, Karl couldn''t help but wonder if they were true. Could he really promise her that? Could he really keep her safe from the monster that lurked within him?


    The thought sent a chill down his spine, but he pushed it aside, focusing instead on the warmth of Jenn''s skin beneath his fingertips, the way her breath hitched as he leaned in closer.


    For now, at least, he would savor this moment. Savor the connection they shared, the trust she placed in him.


    Jenn leaned into him, tilting her head up to bring their lips closer together.


    ¡°Karl, I could never be afraid of you,¡± she breathed.


    She kissed him softly, sweetly.


    Karl''s breath caught in his throat. The kiss was tentative, almost reverent as if she was tasting him for the first time.


    And in a way, she was. Because Karl knew that this kiss, this moment, was fragile. That it could shatter at any moment, destroyed by the very secrets he kept locked away inside.


    But fuck, if it didn''t feel good. Didn''t feel right. Jenn''s lips moved gently against his own, coaxing a response from him that he could barely contain. Her small hands slid up to grip his chest, and Karl let out a soft groan, his own hands coming up to cup her face.


    He kissed her back with a desperation he couldn''t hide, his tongue slipping past her lips to explore the warm cavern of her mouth. He tasted like mint and masculinity, the perfect combination that made Jenn''s toes curl.


    Karl pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against hers. ¡°Jenn,¡± he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. ¡°We shouldn''t. We can''t.¡±


    He was breathing hard, his chest heaving with the force of his restraint. Karl knew he should pull away, should put some distance between them before things got too heated. Because he was playing with fire, flirting with disaster.


    But Jenn''s lips were soft, her skin even softer, and Karl couldn''t resist. He dipped his head, capturing her mouth once more in a searing kiss.


    Jenn whimpered into his mouth, the feel of his bare skin under her fingers intoxicating.


    His lips lit a fire within her, this all just felt so perfect, so right. She felt such a sense of belonging...


    She remembered this feeling from the dream suddenly, remembered the word that had burned through her very being as she''d looked at the wolf. Mate.


    And the wolf running past her, towards the sounds of the cougar, the way she screamed after him-


    Breaking away from the kiss, she looked at him triumphantly, and a little surprised.


    ¡°Karl,¡± she began, breathless from their passionate embrace. ¡°The wolf ran towards the cougar. In my dream. I-um, I called after it... and I used your name. I guess the metaphor fits, you''re definitely a lone wolf,¡± She teased, not understanding the profundity of what she had said. ¡°But it''s weird I dreamed about the cougar and, well, you, right? It must just be a coincidence, I definitely have a fear of running into a cougar out here for sure.¡±


    Karl''s blood ran cold at Jenn''s words, a chill sweeping through him that had nothing to do with the cool mountain breeze. The wolf running towards the cougar. Her using his name.


    It was impossible. There was no way that his past could''ve manifested itself in her dreams, no way that the beast inside him could''ve seeped through the cracks of his carefully constructed facade.


    And yet, even as he tried to convince himself otherwise, Karl could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, could sense the danger lurking just beneath the surface.


    ¡°Fuck.¡±


    The curse slipped past his lips before he could stop it, a reflexive response to the anxiety coursing through his veins.


    Jenn didn''t seem to notice, her brow creasing as she searched his face for a reaction.


    ¡°What is it?¡± she asked, her voice soft with concern. ¡°Is everything alright?¡±


    Karl swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. He had to tread carefully here. Had to make sure not to spook her, to reassure her that everything was fine.


    ¡°It''s nothing,¡± he lied, hating himself for it even as the words left his mouth. ¡°Just tired is all. Those injuries are wearing on me more than I thought.¡±


    He hoped the lie sounded convincing enough, praying that Jenn would buy it without question.


    Because if she didn''t, if she started asking too many questions, Karl wasn''t sure he''d be able to handle the consequences. Wasn''t sure his secrets would stay buried for much longer.


    Karl shifted uncomfortably, his eyes flickering away from Jenn''s concerned gaze. He couldn''t do this.


    Couldn''t keep up this charade forever.


    ''Not forever,'' a small voice in the back of his mind protested. ''Maybe just a little longer. Just until you can figure this out.''


    He pushed the voice down, forcing himself to focus on the task at hand.


    ¡°We should head back so I can get this taken care of,¡± he said, gesturing to his wound. ¡°Don''t want it getting infected.¡±


    Karl took a step back, his movements stiff and unnatural. He was putting space between them, building walls higher and higher until there was no way for Jenn to break through.


    It was for the best, he told himself. It was to protect her. From him. From his secrets.


    He grabbed his wet clothes, slipping the pants back on and tossing the shirt over his injured shoulder, the better to hide the wound that was going to start showing its healing soon.


    Jenn frowned as Karl backed away from her, he''d been acting strange ever since they started talking about her stupid dream and she wished she had never brought it up.


    ¡°Karl...¡± she said softly, resisting the urge to close the distance he created, concerned. ¡°O-of course, I''m so sorry. You''re hurt and I''m babbling about dreams. Let''s head back,¡± she said quickly, taking a half step towards him and stopping short, waiting for his lead.


    His eyes had changed, closed off, and she felt a churning in her gut, keeping her eyes low.


    ''Too weird again...'' she thought sadly.


    Karl saw the disappointment flash across Jenn''s face, saw the way she hesitated before taking that half step towards him. It was a stark reminder of the gap that lay between them, a gap that was widening with every passing second.


    And he hated it. Hated that he was the one responsible for creating that distance, for pushing her away when all he wanted to do was pull her closer.


    But he couldn''t afford to let his guard down, not even for a moment. Not when there was so much at stake.


    ¡°No need to apologize,¡± Karl said gruffly, his tone harsher than intended. He cursed himself silently, hating the way his words seemed to bounce off the invisible wall that separated them.


    He turned away from her then, his gaze fixated on the path that led back to her cabin. ¡°We should get going,¡± he added, his voice barely louder than a whisper. ¡°Cougar''s body might attract more critters. I''ll come out and clean it up a little later.¡±


    Karl started walking, his strides long and purposeful as he moved away from the stream. He didn''t wait for Jenn to follow, didn''t dare look back at her.


    He could hear the rustling of leaves as she fell into step behind him, could sense her confusion and concern. And he hated himself for it, for causing her worry.


    But it was necessary. Necessary to keep her safe, to keep her away from the danger that he represented.


    As they trudged through the dense underbrush, Karl''s mind raced with thoughts and fears, each one more terrifying than the last. He couldn''t shake the feeling of unease that had settled over him, couldn''t ignore the nagging suspicion that his past was catching up to him.


    And if it did, if the truth finally came to light, Karl knew that he would lose Jenn forever.


    And that was something he couldn''t allow to happen.

 Chapter Ten

    ======+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++======


    CHAPTER TEN


    ======+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++======


    With renewed determination, Karl picked up the pace, his senses on high alert as they ventured deeper into the wilderness. He wouldn''t let his guard down, wouldn''t let his secrets destroy the fragile bond that he had formed with Jenn.


    Jenn trudged after him through the forest, trying to keep up with his quick pace and struggling. His legs were longer, he was infinitely more used to moving among the trees like this, and she was still barefoot. While she''d gone without shoes whenever the weather allowed back home in Wisconsin, that didn''t involve traipsing through the woods, and the bottoms of her feet ached from the myriad of sharp items that littered the forest floor.


    Stumbling slightly once again, she felt tears prick at the back of her eyes. Karl was acting so different with her now, it felt like he was slipping through her fingers, and the profound sense of loss was agonizing.


    What had happened? Was it his injury making him surly? She didn''t imagine it could be that, the scars she''d seen told the story of a man who was used to being injured, he probably had a high tolerance for pain by now. It couldn''t be her dream, that was just silly. It was a dream. And she was sure he wasn''t offended about her seeing him there in her dream, as a wolf - the symbolism felt fitting to her, it hadn''t been a bad thing at all.


    She blanched as she realized he must regret the night before - she''d basically assaulted him, grinding against him like a stripper in the middle of the night when he was just experiencing a normal bodily function. Oh God, that must be it. And then she just kissed him again, forced herself on him once more... fuck.


    She chewed on her bottom lip, fighting back tears with a practice born of many years of abuse, schooling her face into an impassive mask, retreating deep into herself as her self-preservation instincts took over. She just needed to get back to her cabin before her self-control snapped and she made things worse than they already were.


    Karl could sense Jenn''s distress as they trekked back through the forest, could practically taste her disappointment and confusion in the air. It gnawed at him, eating away at the walls he had so carefully constructed.


    But he refused to relent. Refused to let himself turn back, to reach out and pull her close once more. Because doing so would only make things worse in the end, would only prolong the inevitable.


    ''Stay strong,'' he counseled himself, gritting his teeth against the ache in his shoulder. ''For her sake.''


    The path he forged went off of the marked trail ¨C he knew his way through these woods like the back of his hand, and this was a much more direct route. He moved easily enough through the trees, hardly making a sound.


    But Jenn''s clumsy footsteps and the occasional gasp of pain as her bare feet made contact with unseen obstacles reminded him just how human she was.


    Without thinking, he slowed his pace, allowing her to catch up to him. When she was just a step behind, Karl reached out blindly, searching for her hand.


    His fingers found hers, and he laced them together, giving a gentle squeeze.


    ''You''re not alone,'' he wanted to say. ''I''m here for you, no matter what.''


    The squeeze of his fingers threatened to bring Jenn''s self-control to its knees, confused at the mixed messaging and afraid she would misread his actions the way she must have been this entire time.


    ''He just wants you to hurry up, he''s holding your hand to guide you in the dark so you can return more quickly so he can tend to his injury. Remember, you woke up and he was gone. He left you there. For all you know, he wasn''t coming back.'' She swallowed thickly. ''He regrets it. Didn''t want it. Doesn''t want you.'' Her thoughts battered her mind, head swimming, chest tight and full of the sobs she wouldn''t allow to come. Not yet.


    Karl''s grip on Jenn''s hand tightened as he felt her trembling, the subtle quiver of her fingers betraying the storm of emotions raging within her. He could hear the hitch in her breath, the faint sniffle that she tried to suppress.


    ''Dammit.''


    He hated this. Hated that he was the cause of her pain, that his own fears and insecurities were driving a wedge between them.


    But what could he do? How could he make things right without revealing the truth, without putting her in even greater danger?


    Karl''s thoughts raced as they continued walking, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions and desires. He wanted to comfort her, to pull her into his arms and tell her that everything would be alright.


    But he couldn''t. Not without risking everything.


    So instead, he kept his gaze fixed firmly ahead, his jaw clenched tight as they made their way back to the clearing, cabins both in sight. The silence between them was deafening, a stark contrast to the warmth and intimacy they had shared just hours before.


    When they finally reached the cabin, Karl released Jenn''s hand, stepping back to give her some space. He could see the tears glistening in her eyes, the way she refused to meet his gaze.


    ''Say something,'' he urged himself. ''Anything.''


    But the words wouldn''t come, trapped behind the walls he had built to protect them both.


    ¡°Get some rest,¡± he said finally, his voice rough with unspoken emotion. ¡°You''ve had a long day and it''s barely noon.¡±


    Karl turned to leave, his heart heavy with regret and longing. But before he could take more than a few steps, he hesitated, glancing back over his shoulder at Jenn.


    ''Don''t leave it like this,'' a small voice whispered in the back of his mind. ''Don''t let her think that you don''t care.''


    Taking a deep breath, Karl stepped back towards her, his hand reaching out to gently cup her cheek.


    His touch against her face was her undoing, the gentle caress breaking the dam of her guilt.


    With a sob, Jenn stepped back, breaking the contact of his hand against her cheek even as she wanted to throw herself against his chest.


    ¡°I''m so sorry,¡± she gasped out, wrapping her arms tightly around her body, seeming to fold in on herself before his eyes. ¡°Last night, I shouldn''t have- I didn''t mean- I thought-¡± she sobbed harder, unable to get a single thought out. ¡°It''s my fault, the cougar- you wouldn''t have left if we didn''t- if I didn''t-¡±


    A few harsh sobs and then her plaintive voice, a broken whisper. Please don''t hate me, Karl, I''m so sorry.¡± she whimpered.


    The sight of Jenn crumbling before him, her words a jumbled mess of apologies and self-blame, tore at Karl''s heart in ways he hadn''t anticipated.


    He reached out, his hand hovering uncertainly for a moment before settling on her shoulders, squeezing gently.


    ¡°Hey, look at me,¡± he coaxed softly, tilting his head to catch her gaze. Tears streaked down her cheeks, her eyes red and puffy.


    None of this was her fault. Every ounce of the guilt weighing on her slender shoulders belonged solely to him.


    ¡°I don''t hate you,¡± he reassured quietly, hating how the words seemed hollow given the icy detachment he''d shown her all day. ¡°Far from it.¡±


    He wanted to pull her into his arms, to wipe away her tears and kiss her senseless until she forgot why she was crying in the first place. But he resisted, knowing it would only confuse matters further.


    Instead, he focused on the most pressing issue. Her misguided assumption that their encounter had caused him to abandon her.


    ¡°I left because I was... struggling,¡± he explained, hating how weak it sounded aloud. ¡°Needed to clear my head, to make sure I wouldn''t put you in more danger.¡±


    Danger. He hated that word, hated what it meant in relation to Jenn. She deserved better than to be tangled up in his fucked-up life.


    Karl''s thumb brushed away another tear, his touch feather-light against her delicate skin. ¡°You could never drive me away, Jenn. Even when I''m being a selfish bastard and pushing you away, it''s only because I care.¡±


    Cares. What a crock of shit. If he really cared, he''d have cut ties immediately. Not gotten involved in the first place. Spared her the agony of falling for a monster.


    Jenn looked up at him desperately, wanting to believe him but so confused that she had no idea what to think anymore.


    ¡°Y-you don''t put me in danger,¡± she insisted, lips trembling. ¡°I''ve never felt safer than I do with you, p-please don''t push me away!¡± The tears started anew at the end of her sentence, voice raising in a soft sob.


    ¡°I want to help, l-let me help, we can help each other,¡± she looked up at him desperately, eyes wide and wet with tears, willing him to see the depth of her devotion - she would do anything to help him, she trusted him, she needed him.


    ¡°Let me in Karl, I p-promise, I''m the last person to judge...¡±


    She unwound her arms from around herself to grasp at his forearms, her hands like vices, clutching so hard her knuckles turned white as if she could hold him in place there forever, keep him from turning away from her again.


    Karl winced as Jenn''s fingers dug into his forearms, her desperation palpable. He hated that she was pleading with him, hated that he was the source of her suffering.


    ''Goddamn it.''


    He was a bastard, a selfish son of a bitch for letting things get this far. For allowing her to become so entangled with his mess of a life.


    But at the same time, her words ignited a flicker of hope within him. Hope that maybe, just maybe, he didn''t have to face everything alone. That maybe Jenn could handle the darkness lurking in his past. That he hadn''t completely screwed up his chance at something real.


    With a resigned sigh, Karl wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. Her body shook with silent sobs as she clung to him, her tears soaking through the fabric of his shirt.


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    ¡°Alright,¡± he murmured into her hair, his voice hoarse with emotion. ¡°I''ll try, Jenn. I''ll try to let you in.¡±


    It was a promise, a vow that he would strive to shed some of the weight burdening his soul. Not all at once - God knew he couldn''t handle that - but


    little by little, as long as she was patient with him.


    He held her until her sobs subsided, offering silent comfort as she cried herself out.


    Eventually, she pulled away, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand.


    Karl gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his gaze softening as he took in her tear-streaked face. ¡°Get some rest,¡± he repeated, this time with sincerity. ¡°I''m going to go deal with my shoulder, get that cougar cleaned up, set some fresh traps in case there are more. We''ll figure things out tomorrow, I promise.¡±


    With those parting words, he turned to leave once more, but this time with a renewed sense of purpose.


    Jenn watched him turn away, her heart clenching painfully. She opened her mouth, ready to ask him to stay, to let her help him with his wounds, but she stopped herself, letting the words die on her lips. He clearly wanted space. And as hard it was for her to watch him walk away, knowing he was hurting physically and otherwise, she knew she needed to let him go. The last thing she wanted was to smother him, to push him away.


    ¡°Until tomorrow then,¡± she whispered to his retreating back, lower lip trembling slightly. Closing the front door had a finality to it that made her feel sick and she moved to the tiny bathroom as if in a trance, starting to fill the ancient claw foot tub, needing to get clean even as exhaustion began to set in.


    As the tub filled, she shuffled to the kitchen, leaving smudges of mud here and there from her dirty feet. She filled Kylie''s food dish, ignoring the cat that was circling her with chirps and meows, trying to get her attention, the small creature concerned for her best friend who was obviously not okay.


    She started a fire in the wood stove, turning one of the vents to blow towards the bathroom.


    Next, she staggered to her bedroom, pulling out some soft shorts and a t-shirt, fresh panties, and some fuzzy socks, finding her slippers near the bed. Then she returned to the bathroom, where the tub was filling nicely. She dropped her change of clothes to land on the closed toilet seat, shed her outfit, and stepped into the water, not even bothering to check the temperature first.


    The heat enveloped her, drawing a gasp and a hiss of pain as the tiny cuts and scrapes on her feet met the water, and once she had sunk into the tub fully, she laid her head back for a moment against the rim of the tub and closed her eyes.


    =+=


    Karl left Jenn''s cabin feeling lighter than he had earlier but also apprehensive about what tomorrow would bring. He knew revealing his past to her could either deepen their bond or shatter it beyond repair. Only time would tell.


    But there was nothing he could do about that now. First, he needed to clear the fog muddling his brain, to figure out what exactly he planned to divulge to her. And for that, he needed something stronger than herbal tea.


    Inside, he poured a generous measure of whiskey into a tumbler and downed it neat. The burn helped settle his nerves.


    Going outside onto the porch, he sat heavily into a weathered wooden rocking chair that creaked under his weight, looking up at the stars overhead, lost in thought.


    This whole situation with Jenn... had thrown him for a loop. Forced him to confront buried desires and painful regrets alike.


    For the longest time, Karl had resigned himself to a solitary existence, too damaged and dangerous to risk letting someone in. Falling for Jenn complicated matters exponentially, reigniting needs he thought long extinguished.


    Karl sighed, leaning back in the chair and stretching his legs out in front of him.


    ''What do I tell her? About the experiments? My transformations?''


    He just hoped, wherever this path led, Jenn would remain by his side. Otherwise, he feared the beast inside would consume him whole.


    =+=


    Jenn nearly fell asleep in the tub, exhaustion flooding her after her exertions running through the forest, the long trek back, and the emotional upheaval of everything with Karl.


    She washed herself quickly and climbed out of the bath, drying and dressing before shuffling to her bed. She knew she should eat something, she hadn''t eaten breakfast or lunch, but she was too exhausted. Her head felt thick, eyes itching from all her tears.


    She settled under the covers, pulling the comforter up over her head, and felt Kylie hop up on the bed beside her, settling in to curl up against her stomach, purring softly.


    Jenn dropped to sleep quickly, her rest fitful. She slept through the afternoon, and into the evening, sun setting over the mountains.


    As darkness fell her demons found her, the nightmares she was so accustomed to coming home to roost.


    Painful memories tore through her psyche as she relived each moment in vivid detail, a colorful tapestry of abuse woven across her mind, never letting her forget what she''d endured.


    =+=


    Karl''s head shot up, his enhanced hearing picking up on the faint whimpers and cries coming from Jenn''s cabin. He stood from the couch where he had been nursing another glass of whiskey, head cocked as he listened carefully.


    There were no other sounds at all, save for Jenn''s sobs and whimpered pleas. She was entirely alone.


    Dammit.


    He knew she was having nightmares, he could hear the distress in her voice even from this distance. He wanted to go to her, to hold her and chase away the demons haunting her dreams.


    But he hesitated, torn between his desire to comfort her and his fear of getting too close. He had already let her in more than he should have, and he knew it was only a matter of time before his past came back to bite them both.


    With a frustrated growl, Karl paced the length of his cabin. He couldn''t just sit there and do nothing, not when Jenn was suffering.


    Making up his mind, he grabbed his jacket and headed out the door, striding purposefully towards her cabin. The night air was cool against his skin, a stark contrast to the heat of his emotions.


    When he reached her door, he hesitated for a moment before knocking softly.


    ¡°Jenn? It''s me, Karl. Are you okay?¡±


    There was no response, just the continued sound of her whimpers and cries. Karl''s heart clenched painfully, and he pushed open the door, stepping inside.


    He crossed her tiny living room in two big strides, turning into her bedroom.


    The sight that greeted him nearly broke his heart. Jenn was curled up in bed, her face twisted in pain as she thrashed against the covers. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and her hands clutched at the blankets as if trying to hold onto something, anything, her knuckles white with the force of her grasp.


    Karl crossed the room in a few quick strides, sitting down on the edge of the bed. He reached out, gently shaking her shoulder.


    ¡°Jenn, wake up. It''s just a dream.¡±


    Jenn''s eyes flew open, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she stared up at him in confusion. For a moment, she didn''t seem to recognize him, her eyes wide with fear.


    ¡°Karl?¡± she whispered, her voice trembling.


    ¡°Yeah, it''s me,¡± he replied softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. ¡°You were having a nightmare.¡±


    Jenn''s lower lip trembled as her dream flooded back, and she threw herself into his arms, clinging to him as if he were the only thing keeping her afloat. Karl held her tightly, his heart aching at the pain she was in.


    She burrowed her face into his neck, breathing in his scent and feeling herself begin to calm almost immediately at his presence, his strong arms around her grounding her, promising safety.


    ¡°Please don''t leave me,¡± she begged, voice muffled by his skin. She knew she had no right to ask, but she needed him, she couldn''t help it. When he was with her, she felt complete in a way she never had before. Everything felt in balance.


    She could feel that he was holding something back from her; she didn''t know what terrible secret he felt he needed to keep, didn''t know how to convince him that he could trust her. She''d told him everything that she was, everything that she''d endured, given him every piece. She wanted that in return, wanted to be a balm to his pain in the same way he was for her. She wanted to help shoulder whatever the enormous burden was that he carried alone.


    Karl felt her shuddering against him, her words ringing in his ears. He knew he shouldn''t make promises he wasn''t sure he could keep. But looking into her terrified eyes, he realized he couldn''t walk away, not when she needed him the most.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he agreed, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°I won''t leave you, Jenn.¡±


    His fingers lightly traced the contours of her spine as he made a silent pledge to protect her. Even from himself.


    He knew he was playing with fire, risking everything by getting closer to her. But he couldn''t bring himself to pull back, not when she looked at him like that - like he was her savior, her knight in shining armor.


    Karl shifted, easing them both back onto the pillows. He kept one arm around her shoulders, holding her close, while his free hand tenderly held her head to his chest.


    ¡°Rest now,¡± he murmured. ¡°I''ll be right here.¡±


    Her eyelids fluttered shut, and her breathing gradually slowed as sleep reclaimed her. Karl lay there beside her, staring up at the ceiling as he wrestled with his conscience.


    Tomorrow, he would face the fallout of his choices. Tomorrow, he might regret opening his heart to her.


    But tonight, he would hold her and pretend they were just like everyone else, without the looming shadows of their pasts. Tonight, he could indulge in the fantasy that they might have a future together.


    And for now, that was enough.

 Chapter Eleven

    <div>


    ======+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++======


    CHAPTER ELEVEN


    ======+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++======


    She dreamed of the wolf again.


    They ran together through the woods in the bright moonlight, two hearts beating as one, her two legs to his four, side by side. She was laughing, and she could swear the wolf was too, eyes dancing, tongue lolling out of the side of his mouth as he bounded over fallen trees, keeping his pace to her slower one, matching her perfectly.


    When she grew too tired she dropped to the soft moss of the forest floor, rolling over the loamy soil and giggling when the wolf pounced, tongue finding her face, tickling her ear. She rubbed the thick fur of his neck, winding her fingers through it and pressing a kiss to the tip of his cold nose.


    Everything was peaceful: crickets and frogs singing, an owl in the distance calling out. In the light of the full moon overhead, she could see so well even deep within the trees, and she relaxed happily,


    knowing that with the wolf beside her, she was completely safe.


    The enormous canine lay his body across hers protectively, ears turning as he listened around them, keeping her warm while protecting what was his, and Jenn ran her fingers through his fur absently, a feeling of contentment and completion the likes of which she had never known filling her, bringing a slow, satisfied smile.


    She was home.


    ¡°Mmmm...make me feel so safe, Wolf...¡±


    Jenn sighed happily, making soft murmurs of comfort as she nuzzled against Karl, wriggling closer. Her fingers against his chest stroked as if she were petting Kylie, nails scratching softly against the thin fabric of his tee, a smile on her lips as she slept.


    Karl awoke to the sensation of Jenn''s nails lightly scratching over his chest through his shirt. Still half-asleep, he frowned and glanced down at her, taking in her contented expression and the way her body molded to his.


    It took a moment for her words to register, for the realization of what she said in her sleep to sink in.


    Wolf...


    The nickname sent a bolt of ice straight to his core. It was a name no one had ever dared call him, a reminder of the monster lurking just beneath his surface. And yet, she must be referring to him... right?


    Karl''s breathing quickened, his body tensing beneath her touch.


    Did she somehow know?


    The question raced through his mind, giving him pause. How else could she conjure up such a specific reference, unless...


    No. He forced the word down, banishing his suspicions. Jenn was asleep, lost in her subconscious. She didn''t know what he was. Couldn''t know.


    And yet, her murmured endearments stirred an unsettling mix of warmth and unease in his gut, forcing him to admit the kernel of truth in her sleepy declaration.


    He did protect her. Fiercely and with everything he had. Just like a wolf would.


    Karl swallowed hard, closing his eyes briefly in a vain attempt to block out the memories rising unbidden. Fur sprouting over scarred flesh, fangs ripping through gums. Eyes golden and glowing in the dark-


    No. He wouldn''t think about this here, now, with Jenn so blissfully unaware in his arms.


    With her hands skimming over him, sending sparks of sensation to crackle in their wake.


    Her leg draped over his hip, thigh warm and inviting. The slight pressure of her breasts cushioned against his side. Soft lips parting with each gentle exhale.


    He shouldn''t find it erotic. Shouldn''t get aroused from something as innocent as her cuddling. Especially while she slept. It was wrong.


    And yet, Karl found himself rock hard, erection throbbing against her belly. His muscles clenched tight with the effort of controlling his urges. Of not reaching down to bury his face between her thighs and drinking his fill.


    ''Shit.''


    =+=


    The dream kept changing; one moment it was Karl inflaming her with his lips, his touch, and the next the wolf was on top of her, nipping at her, growling playfully. Every time she thought Karl would claim her as his own, he pulled back, teasing her, driving her mad.


    The wolf nosed the purple flesh of the bruise Karl had left on that fleshy spot where neck and shoulder meet. He licked the imprint left behind, then put his own mouth there, great and fearsome teeth closing against her delicate flesh - and somehow it was a perfect fit - and then she was jolting awake with a sobbing moan. The feel of those teeth against her lingered as she opened her eyes, staring up at Karl so close to her, feeling him hard against her belly.


    ¡°Karl,¡± she breathed, cheeks flushed, moist lips parted as she looked at him with dark eyes still a bit bleary with sleep. The heat within her was nearly unbearable, the dream still fresh in her mind, her wakefulness not yet chasing the memory away.


    The sound of his name on her lips snapped something in Karl. Like a dam bursting under the relentless pressure of a swollen river, the last vestiges of his control crumbled to dust, scattered on the winds of his desire.


    ¡°Jenn...¡± he rasped out, his voice rough and raw, vibrating with a desperate, primal hunger that echoed the wild thunderstorm raging inside his chest.


    He could practically feel her arousal in the air ¨C scent it, taste it. The effect it had on him was profound and impossible to resist.


    He saw the heat in her gaze and felt the slick dampness of her arousal soaking through the thin fabric of her sleep shorts against his thigh, branding him with her need. It called to him on a visceral level, an ancient drum beat that resonated deep within the marrow of his bones.


    With a low growl rumbling up from his chest, Karl dipped his head, capturing her lips in a fierce, claiming kiss. His tongue swept inside her mouth, tangling with hers in a passionate duel that left them both panting for breath.


    One large hand slid down her body, slipping beneath the hem of her shirt to span her rib cage, fingertips tracing over the raised ridges of her scar. He paused, a wordless reminder of the danger she faced.


    But when she arched into his touch, pressing herself more firmly against his throbbing erection, Karl''s hesitation melted away like morning mist under the first golden rays of sunlight.


    His length pulsed with the urgent demand to claim her, to bury himself to the hilt in her welcoming warmth. And judging by the way she rocked her hips, grinding against him with sinful grace, Jenn was more than ready to take him.


    Still, a nagging voice at the back of his mind whispered warnings of potential harm. His strength was not normal, and he could easily hurt her if he lost himself in the frenzy of their coupling. He needed to calm down a little, keep himself in check.


    With a Herculean effort, Karl managed to tear his mouth from hers, breaking the kiss. He pressed their foreheads together, struggling to catch his breath as his body screamed in protest.


    ¡°Are you sure about this?¡±


    She gave a frustrated whine when he stopped kissing her, chasing his mouth with her own, teeth nipping at his lips.


    ¡°Need you, please...¡± she gasped against his mouth, clutching at him with trembling fingers as she used the leg hooked over his hip to pull them closer together.


    The details of the dream were starting to fade, but the memory of Karl on top of her in the moonlight remained, moving in its beauty and deeply arousing. She ached for him in a way she''d never known before him, a way she hoped she''d never know with anyone else.


    The concept of the word mate ran through her, the word not quite coalescing but the feeling there all the same - a deep sense of belonging in her soul. He was meant to take her and claim her, she knew it in the very fiber of her being. She was his, and he was hers.


    Karl groaned as Jenn chased his mouth, her teeth grazing the sensitive flesh. His body reacted violently, hips jerking forward as the head of his cock nudged insistently against the damp junction of her thighs.


    ¡°Jesus Christ, Jenn,¡± he hissed as he dragged his palms roughly over her bottom, kneading the plump mounds, fingers sinking into the yielding muscle.


    Her breathy pleas were the sweetest music he''d ever heard, awakening a ferocious drive to give her everything she asked for, and more. To utterly ruin her for any other man.


    Yet he hesitated still, fighting desperately to cling to the fraying edges of his rapidly disintegrating self-control.


    ¡°I need to hear you say yes,¡± he ground out between clenched jaws. ¡°Tell me this is real. That I''m not just chasing a fantasy...¡±


    Karl stared down at her with feverishly bright eyes, a caged beast poised at the edge of reason. Every inch of him trembled with barely restrained anticipation, his heartbeat a rapid tattoo pounding in his ears.


    God, yes Karl, please, yes...¡± she sobbed out desperately, feeling his massive erection against her heat and shuddering as her innermost walls contracted on nothing, trying in vain to pull him in where he belonged.


    ¡°Please, please...¡± she begged, lips moving against his, tongue delving into his mouth to flick against his own, fingers in his hair, shoving up his shirt, reaching back to grab at his ass to pull him harder into her, lost in her need for him to possess her entirely.


    Karl''s restraint shattered beneath the weight of her desperate consent. A guttural growl tore free from his throat, wild and unrestrained, as he captured her lips in a searing kiss.


    His arms locked around her like steel bands, crushing her lithe figure to the unyielding planes of his chest. Fingers biting cruelly into the tender flesh of her hip and thigh as he ground against her, rutting feverishly into the sweet oasis at the crux of her thighs.


    ¡°Hang on,¡± he commanded hoarsely, voice scraping over gravel as he shifted, large hands gripping her bottom and hoisting her into his lap to straddle him as he moved to his back without breaking their frantic kiss.


    Jenn sucked in a sharp gasp when his rigid length slotted perfectly against her dripping core, nudging relentlessly against her pulsing clit. Soft grunts of exertion filled the room as he rolled his hips, stroking over the swollen bundle of nerves rapidly.


    ''Knot. Mate. Breed.''


    The damning directive pulsed over and over inside the base of Karl''s skull, primitive as the dawn of time, drowning out all unpleasantness from the world beyond their little slice of heaven.


    ¡°Karl, Karl, please!¡± Jenn keened high in her throat, her fingernails gouging crescent-shaped marks down his flexing biceps as she shamelessly humped against his straining length.


    ¡°Jesus fuck,¡± he groaned gutturally, hands guiding her hips as they moved against him. ¡°Never heard anything sweeter than my name on your lips, begging for it.¡±


    Sitting up, Karl drew his legs under him and attacked her neck with his mouth, greedy sucking kisses decorated with stinging nibbles as he marked her flesh. Dark possession sizzled under his skin, white-hot as molten iron as he lost himself to base impulse.


    They frotted desperately as she sat in his lap, lips fused as they breathed each other''s air, drunk on the taste of passion.


    The heat was overwhelming, and Jenn felt like she would burn alive from the inside out.


    Karl''s touch, the rough rasp of his facial hair against her sensitive skin, the bite of his teeth, the smell of him, different now as pheromones filled the air around them. The scent of his arousal was sweet in the air, making her mouth water, wanting to taste him, to experience him with every sense she could.


    She felt drunk on him, head swimming. The heat of his hardness between her legs, pushing up against her clit making lights dance behind her tightly closed eyes.


    ¡°Karl,¡± she sobbed, grinding back against him as she straddled his lap, lips hovering centimeters from his. ¡°Yours, I''m yours...¡± she gasped out, lost completely to the heady feel of him, the magnetism between them, and her utter devotion.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Karl''s entire body froze at her words, a tremor running through his powerful frame like a seismic shift. His eyes, dark and glazed with lust, locked onto hers, searching for any hint of hesitation or doubt.


    But all he saw was a raw, unbridled need. Adoration. A mirror of his own desperate hunger and esteem reflected back at him.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± he growled, the word ripped from somewhere deep in his chest. His hands tightened on her hips, fingers digging into the soft flesh as he pulled her even closer until there was no space left between them.


    ¡°You''re mine,¡± he rasped in agreement, his voice low and guttural, the words more a primal declaration than a statement. ¡°All mine.¡±


    His lips crashed against hers in a searing kiss, claiming her mouth with a ferocity that left them both breathless. His tongue delved deep, tangling with hers in a heated dance that spoke of possession and surrender.


    Karl''s hips rolled up against hers, the thick length of him grinding against her slick folds, sending jolts of pleasure through both of them. He could feel her wetness soaking through the thin fabric of her shorts, the evidence of her arousal only fueling his own.


    ¡°Need to feel you,¡± he muttered against her lips, completely overcome with desire as his hands moved to the waistband of her shorts. ¡°All of you.¡±


    With a swift, practiced motion, he tugged the offending garments down her legs, both at once, tossing them aside without a second thought. His own pants followed suit, the heavy fabric pooling around his ankles as he freed his aching length.


    Karl''s breath hitched as he took in the sight of her, hovering above his hips. Her skin glowed in the dim light, her chest heaving with each ragged breath. Her eyes, dark and heavy with desire, locked onto his, silently pleading for him to take her.


    ¡°Jenn...¡± he murmured, his voice thick with emotion as he positioned himself at her entrance. The question was plain in his eyes.


    Her answer came in the form of a desperate nod, her hands clutching at his shoulders as she arched her hips towards him, silently urging him on.


    With a groan of surrender, Karl pushed forward, the thick head of his cock stretching her tight walls.


    Jenn moaned, long and low as he began sliding into her, the feel of him stretching her open unbelievably erotic, walls quivering and trying to draw him deeper as her hips shifted against his grip, trying to sheath him more quickly even as the press of his advance stung slightly. She needed to feel him fully within her, to be completely connected, as close as they could get.


    She remembered the punishing pace he''d set the night before, pounding into her with reckless abandon, the force of his thrusts jolting her body and she burned in anticipation, a fresh flood of moisture between her legs easing his passage as she let out a high pitched whine of frustrated need.


    ¡°Karl, don''t stop...¡± she gasped, one hand grasping his thigh, the other unconsciously going to the bite mark he''d left, fingers pressing into the bruised flesh, the dull ache only fueling her desire further as she remembered the way she''d felt as he''d bit her.


    The sensation of Jenn wrapped around him was pure bliss. Her velvety walls gripped him like a vice, fluttering and squeezing, pulling him impossibly deeper with each roll of her hips.


    Karl''s eyes crossed briefly as she clenched around him, an exquisite torture he knew only led to greater heights of pleasure. But still, he held back, refusing to simply fuck her as his body demanded, needing her absolute permission first.


    ¡°Jenn,¡± he gritted out, muscles straining and tendons popping as he gripped the sheets to hold himself in place, balls drawn tight against him, begging to empty inside her warmth. ¡°I''ll be damned if I do anything to hurt you.¡±


    Even the slight touch of his fingers against her skin was enough to set his teeth on edge, his control hanging by a single thread. ¡°If you want me to stop, tell me now. Please...¡±


    The plea was genuine, desperate, coming from the core of his being. Because even as every fiber of his being cried out to plunge into her again and again, claiming her, marking her, filling her...he would deny his own needs rather than cause her discomfort.


    Because she owned him, mind, body, and soul.


    ¡°Don''t stop!¡± she cried, alarmed that he''d leave her now when she was completely ablaze for him, feeling like she''d burn alive if he didn''t quench the flames, didn''t fill her and soothe the aching need she felt deep in her core.


    ¡°Don''t you dare stop,¡± she gasped out, leaning down to try to capture his lips with her own, eyes dark with desire and emotion both as she met his gaze. ¡°Don''t ever stop, please Karl, I need you.¡±


    ¡°Thank God,¡± Karl breathed in relief, her words the sweetest music to his ears. He pressed up to capture her lips in a searing kiss, tongues tangling as he angled their hips and finally, gloriously, thrust home.


    He slid the rest of the way inside her slick channel with a ragged groan. Incredibly tight heat clamped around him like a vice, fluttering and clenching as Jenn shuddered above him.


    His prominent Adam''s apple dipped sharply as Karl swallowed hard, nostrils flared wide as he panted for breath.


    ¡°So good...¡± she keened, head thrown back and eyes squeezed shut against the rush of sensation. ¡°You feel so good, so right...¡± she babbled, clinging to him as she lifted her hips carefully, whimpering as she felt him shift inside of her, the feelings so intense, so pure and good and-


    Another shift of her hips brought the head of his cock to rub against a spot deep inside that made her see stars, a strangled gasp escaping her lips as she stared up at him wide-eyed and motionless, feeling her walls clench powerfully against him in response to the stimulation, clit pulsing with intense arousal.


    ¡°Oh God, Karl...¡± she groaned up at him, panting, her tongue snaking out to wet her lips.


    Karl''s entire body tensed as he felt Jenn''s inner walls ripple around him, the sensation so intense it nearly drove him over the edge right then and there. A guttural groan tore from his throat, his hips jerking involuntarily as he fought to maintain control.


    ¡°Fuck, Jenn,¡± he rasped, his voice rough and strained. ¡°You''re going to be the death of me.¡±


    His hands gripped her hips tightly, fingers digging into her soft flesh as he pulled her closer, angling her body to hit that sweet spot again. He watched her face intently, captivated by the way her eyes fluttered shut and her lips parted in a silent moan.


    ¡°That''s it, baby,¡± he murmured, his voice low and husky. ¡°Let me make you feel good.¡±


    With a slow, deliberate thrust, he pressed against that sensitive bundle of nerves once more, savoring the way her body responded to his touch. Her walls clenched around him, drawing him deeper, and he couldn''t help but groan in pleasure.


    ¡°You''re so fucking tight,¡± he growled, his hips moving in a steady rhythm, each thrust hitting that spot with unerring precision. ¡°So perfect for me.¡±


    Karl''s breath came in short, ragged gasps as he fought to hold on, to prolong the pleasure for both of them. But the way Jenn''s body gripped him, the way she moaned and writhed above him, was driving him closer and closer to the edge.


    ¡°Jenn,¡± he panted, his voice thick with need. ¡°I''m not going to last much longer.¡±


    He reached between her legs, his fingers finding her clit and rubbing in tight, quick circles, determined to bring her over the edge with him. ¡°Come for me, baby. Let me feel you fall apart.¡±


    Jenn gasped, his fingers driving her crazy, hips jerking against his as the pleasure climbed higher and higher.


    ¡°Karl...!¡± she gasped, pulling him deeper as she tightened even more, her release approaching rapidly. The thought of feeling him filling her again was so arousing, her wetness overflowing and running down his shaft, pooling beneath them on the bed. She''d never been so turned on in her life, the pressure building, eyes wide.


    Every pass over that sensitive spot deep inside was building an explosion that was threatening to overtake her entirely, she could barely breathe from the intensity. The pleasure was so much more this time, so powerful and commanding, she felt like a slave to it, chasing her completion without hesitation as she met each of his thrusts, heat coiling low in her belly.


    With a sobbing shriek, her head fell back, back bowing as her walls clamped so hard he was pushed all the way out, and her orgasm washed over her, pulsing through her center, stars dancing behind her tightly closed eyes. She felt a rush of heat and then moisture squirted from deep within her, shooting out to splash against his cock, bathing him in her release as she sobbed out and grasped for him, needing him back inside, clenching on nothing with each pulse of her pleasure.


    Karl froze the instant he was pushed out of her tight, spasming heat, his eyes widening in surprise at the rush of wetness pouring from her, coating him beneath her.


    ¡°Fuck, sweetheart...¡± he hissed, feeling himself pulse and throb in arousal ¨C the sight of her so overcome with pleasure nearly finishing him.


    Something snapped, the part of himself he kept buried deep inside rearing his head ¨C he scented his mate, and he knew what he needed. Karl was powerless to resist, he couldn''t hold back this time.


    With a low groan, he surged forward, burying himself to the hilt inside of her once again. She was so wet now, and her tight walls milked him with every clench and ripple.


    "That''s it, Jenn," he encouraged, voice a low rumble as his hips moved shallowly, guiding her through her orgasm and enhancing the sensations. "Ride it out on me."


    Karl''s own release was fast approaching, his balls drawing up tight against his body, signaling his impending climax. But still, he held back, determined to prolong their pleasure for as long as possible.


    "Look at me," he commanded, his voice low and rough with desire. "I want to watch you fall apart."


    He met her eyes, his gaze hot and hungry as he continued to thrust, the sounds of their coupling filling the air - skin slapping against skin, wet squelches, and their ragged breathing. It was primal, animalistic, and utterly intoxicating.


    "I''m gonna fill you up," he growled, his hips starting to stutter as his climax approached. "Gonna pump you full of my come until it''s leaking out of you," he nearly snarled, so delirious with pleasure, so drunk on her scent, on the feel of her that he was hardly aware of what he was even saying.


    He reached for her again, his fingers circling her clit with maddening precision. "That''s it, Jenn. Come for me again. I want to feel you squeeze my cock as I give you my seed."


    Karl could feel the impending climax building in his loins. With every thrust, every squeeze of Jenn''s walls around his throbbing shaft, the pressure grew, threatening to burst forth in a tidal wave of pleasure.


    "Shit, baby," he growled, his hips snapping faster, harder, the sound of flesh smacking flesh filling the room. "Gonna... fuck, I''m gonna-"


    A particularly deep thrust had him hitting that sweet spot inside her, and Jenn let out a choked cry, her nails digging hard into his chest through his shirt. It was enough to send him over the edge.


    With a hoarse shout, Karl slammed into her one final time, burying himself to the hilt as he erupted.


    She milked his length, walls spasming around him, pulling him as deep as he could go and wringing every drop of his seed out deep within her womb. The pleasure was mind-blowing, she felt like she could come a thousand times with him inside of her, never satisfied, always wanting more. She wanted him to fill her until there was no more room for any more of his release, the thought of him claiming her in such a primal way so unbelievably arousing, head swimming.


    "Mmm, Karl..." she gasped, hips twitching against him in minute thrusts as the last aftershocks of her orgasm rippled through her. She was dimly aware of the intense amount of moisture between her legs, running down her inner thighs, coating Karl beneath her, but she was too completely sated to bring herself to feel embarrassed at how wet she had become. He made her feel nearly feral with desire, she knew at this moment if he wanted to go again she was ready, she''d always be ready for him.


    She carefully leaned down, holding herself up on one arm and raking her fingers through his hair, still breathing heavily. She looked down at him with eyes shining with adoration, and maybe something more.


    "Stay inside a little longer?" she asked, voice soft and breathless. She didn''t want to lose the feel of him so deep there.


    With a long sigh of contentment, Karl nestled his face into the crook of Jenn''s neck, inhaling deeply. "Nothing could make me pull out," he rumbled, his voice thick with emotion. "I''ll stay buried inside you forever if you let me."


    He leaned up and peppered her damp skin with soft kisses, tracing his tongue along the pounding pulse point, teeth grazing against her collarbone. "I want you dripping with my come," he growled against her throat, feeling the shiver that ran down her spine at his words. "Going nowhere until I''m leaking out of you."


    Jenn felt her inner walls clench at his words, sucking him deeper as a powerful aftershock of pleasure rippled through her.


    "Fuck, Karl-" she gasped, hips jerking in surprise. She didn''t expect to be so affected by his voice, but she was, and the thought of him pounding into her again, filling her over and over...


    She whimpered, stunned she could still feel so needy for him after two amazing orgasms back to back, but here she was. The thought of him filling her with his seed, fucking it up inside of her even as it tried to leak back out... her eyes rolled up before she squeezed them shut, grinding her hips down into him again as she fluttered inside.


    Karl groaned, meeting the grinding roll of her hips with his own. He could feel his length twitching inside her, still semi-hard despite his recent release.


    "Fuck, Jenn," he growled, his hips rocking against hers, pressing himself even deeper. "You''re insatiable."


    Grabbing her hip in one hand and wrapping his other arm around her shoulders, Karl twisted and rolled them over, settling on top of her and pulling her thighs up high around his waist with a grunt.


    He reached between them, his fingers finding her clit once more, rubbing in tight, quick circles. "You want more, baby? Want me to fill you up again?"


    Karl''s breath came in short, ragged gasps as he fought to hold on, to prolong the pleasure for both of them. But the way Jenn''s body gripped him, the way she moaned and writhed beneath him, was driving him closer and closer to the edge already.


    "Tell me," he demanded, his voice thick with need. "Tell me you want me to fuck another load into you."


    "Yes!" she wailed, slamming her hips up at him as hard as she could from her position, clutching at him with her hands wherever she could reach. "Yes, please, I-I want more," she begged, lost to the pleasure he gave her, the desperation to feel him moving inside, filling her, needing her as badly as she needed him.


    She already felt impossibly full, the large volume of his release in her womb creating a pleasant, hot weight deep inside. The thought of more... her eyes snapped open, meeting his gaze.


    "I want everything you have to give," she gasped out, squeezing her legs tightly around his waist, his fingers on her clit making her head spin. "I want all of you Karl, please, please...!"


    Karl''s eyes darkened with desire at Jenn''s words, his cock twitching inside her as he felt her walls clench around him. With a growl, he surged forward, pinning her beneath him as he began to move, his hips snapping against hers with a primal urgency.


    "That''s it, Jenn," he growled, his voice rough with need. "Take it all, then."


    His thrusts were deep and powerful, each one hitting that sweet spot inside her with unerring precision. He could feel his release building once more, his balls drawing up tight as he pounded into her.


    "Fuck, Jenn," he panted, one hand moving down to grip her hip tightly as he drove into her. "You feel so fucking good."


    Karl''s pace quickened, his hips slamming against hers with a force that had the bed creaking beneath them. He could feel Jenn''s walls fluttering around him, her body tightening as she neared the edge once more.


    "Come for me," he growled, his voice low and husky. "Let me feel you fall apart around my cock."


    With a final, powerful thrust, Karl buried himself to the hilt, pulsing as he released another load of come deep inside her. His hips jerked involuntarily as he filled her, his seed mixing with the first as he claimed her once more.


    She sobbed out her release, the feel of him so hard inside of her, the way he jerked and throbbed as he found completion driving her over the edge. Powerful waves of pleasure that bordered on overstimulated pain crashed through her, and she cried out over and over, head thrashing against the pillow.


    "That''s it, Jenn," he murmured, his voice thick with satisfaction. "Take it all. Every last drop."


    He collapsed on top of her, his body trembling with the force of his release. For a long moment, they lay there, their bodies still joined, their breathing ragged as they came down from the high of their passion.


    Finally, Karl rolled onto his side, pulling Jenn with him so that she was nestled against his chest, shirt damp with sweat. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, his hand stroking her hair gently.


    "You''re mine, Jenn," he murmured, his voice low and possessive. "All mine."


    Feeling him holding her so close, still connected in the most intimate of ways, Jenn moaned softly at his words, clenching on him in response.


    "Mmmm yes, just yours," she agreed, voice faint with exhaustion. "Only yours, Karl..."


    The mess they''d made was substantial, she could feel the bedding wet beneath her and she blushed, aware that the majority of that wetness came from her alone. She''d been completely wild with her need for him, she''d never needed anything as badly as she''d needed him to take her, and she felt so fulfilled, so happy and safe and-


    And loved.


    Burrowing a little closer, she peppered kisses across the damp fabric on his chest, carefully holding him inside of her, not willing to let him go yet, not wanting this moment of complete connection to ever be over. Of course, the knowledge that once he slipped out there would be a much, much bigger mess was also influencing her desire to keep him seated deep within her. The knowledge of how much of his release she was keeping inside of her was a heady thought, threatening to arouse her all over again, and she took a slow, deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.


    Karl chuckled softly and tightened his arms around her, holding her close as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head.


    "Easy, baby," he murmured, his voice low and soothing. "We''ve got all the time in the world."


    He could feel the mess they''d made, but he didn''t care. All that mattered was the woman in his arms, the way she fit so perfectly against him, the way she made him feel alive in a way he hadn''t in years.


    "You''re incredible, Jenn," he said, his voice filled with awe. "The way you take everything I have to give, the way you make me feel... it''s like nothing I''ve ever experienced before."


    Karl shifted slightly, still buried deep inside her, and he couldn''t help but groan at the sensation. "Fuck, you feel so good," he murmured, his hips rocking against hers almost involuntarily. "I could stay like this forever."


    He pressed another kiss to her forehead, his hand stroking her hair gently. "But we should probably clean up," he said reluctantly. "As much as I''d love to stay buried inside you all night, we both need to rest."


    He shifted a little, grasping her thigh at his hip. ¡°Gonna pick you up, take us to the bathroom,¡± he murmured, and she nodded, helping as they both sat up carefully, still connected.


    Jenn in his lap, Karl scooted to the edge of the bed and stood, carrying her easily out of the bedroom and to the bathroom. She reached towards the shelf on the wall with the towels and Karl moved closer so she could grab one, and then he shifted her in his grip a little in preparation to let her down.


    ¡°Ready?¡± he murmured, eyes twinkling down at her in amusement.


    ¡°Mmmhmm,¡± she intoned in response, towel at the ready and focused.


    With a chuckle, Karl slid his hands from her thighs to her hips and guided her to the floor as she pressed the towel between her legs, eyes going wide.


    Her legs wobbled a little, and Karl guided her to lean against the wall as he got a washcloth wet with warm water and cleaned himself off, then prepared another for Jenn.


    ¡°Doin'' okay over there?¡± he teased, looking at Jenn''s fatigued form propped against the wall, still clutching the towel between her legs. Her cheeks were flushed, and she opened her eyes to give him a withering look.


    ¡°This is so undignified, don''t look at me,¡± she grumbled, and Karl laughed out loud, striding over to bend low and press his lips to hers.


    ¡°Nah, you look...¡± his eyes flashed, and his hand took her hip, squeezing softly. ¡°Satisfied. I like it.¡±


    She snorted, pretty sure she looked like a sweaty, frizzy mess, but she humored him.


    Taking the cloth from Karl, she quickly wiped herself up, blushing as Karl hovered over her, steadying her when she wobbled or swayed, and when she was finished he scooped her up and carried her back to the bedroom, tossing a fresh towel over the wet spot on the bed.


    ¡°Laundry day tomorrow I guess,¡± Jenn said sleepily as Karl gently laid her on the bed and climbed in behind her, spooning up to her back with a low rumble of contentment.


    ¡°I''ll do laundry with you any day, as long as we keep getting to make messes like that,¡± he teased, and Jenn gave a sleepy giggle.


    "Rest, now," he murmured, his voice soft and soothing. "I''ve got you. I''ll be here when you wake up."


    As Jenn drifted off to sleep in his arms, Karl couldn''t help but smile. For the first time in a long time, he felt at peace, content, even. And he knew, without a doubt, that he would do whatever it took to keep this woman safe, to keep her by his side. She was his, and he was hers. And nothing would ever change that.

 Chapter Twelve

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    CHAPTER TWELVE


    ======+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++======


    Jenn slept solidly the rest of the night, a dreamless sleep of sated exhaustion, their bodies tangled together beneath the blankets.


    When the sun began to rise the next morning, she was sprawled nearly completely on top of Karl, legs tangled together, her cheek on the center of his chest, lips parted as she breathed softly in sleep.


    The early morning light filtered through the curtains, the first birds beginning their morning song.


    Karl stirred, his eyes fluttering open to find Jenn sprawled on top of him. He smiled softly, his hand instinctively reaching up to stroke her hair as he took in the sight of her peaceful, sleeping face.


    "Morning, beautiful," he whispered, his voice low and husky with sleep. He shifted slightly and pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head.


    The room was quiet, save for the steady rhythm of Jenn''s breathing. Karl lay there for a moment, savoring the warmth of her body against his, the way she fit so perfectly in his arms.


    As much as he wanted to stay like this forever, he knew they had responsibilities to attend to. With a reluctant sigh, he began to gently extricate himself from Jenn''s embrace, careful not to disturb her too much.


    "Jenn," he whispered, his hand brushing against her cheek. "Time to wake up."


    He pressed another kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering for a moment before he pulled away. "Come on, sleepyhead," he said, his voice soft but insistent. "We''ve got a busy day ahead of us."


    Karl sat up, stretching his arms above his head as he glanced around the room. The mess from the night before was still evident, but he pushed the thought aside for now. There would be time for laundry later.


    "Jenn," he said again, his hand gently shaking her shoulder. "Wake up, baby. I''ll make us some breakfast."


    Jenn grumbled, swatting weakly in the general direction of his hand on her.


    "Mmmphhhh nooo..." she moaned, trying to bury her head under a pillow to escape the morning light.


    "Sleepyyyy..." she whined.


    She''d never been a morning person, and she was so completely exhausted from their late-night activities... but she was also so hungry, and his mention of breakfast was tempting...


    Peeking out from under the pillow, one eye open, she looked at him with bleary vision, contemplating.


    "Too sleepy... I need kisses first..." she mumbled, reaching out a hand and making a grabbing gesture towards him, trying to summon him closer petulantly.


    Karl chuckled softly at Jenn''s sleepy antics, his heart warming at the sight of her bleary-eyed, pillow-mussed state. He leaned down, capturing her lips in a slow, tender kiss, his hand cupping her cheek as he deepened the connection.


    "Better?" he murmured against her lips, his voice low and husky. He pulled back slightly, his thumb brushing against her cheek as he gazed down at her with a soft smile.


    "Come on," he coaxed, his voice gentle but firm. "I''ll make you some coffee, too. How does that sound?"


    Karl stood, stretching his arms above his head and pulling on his pants before offering Jenn his hand.


    "Up you get," he said, his tone playful but insistent. "We''ve got a lot to do today, and I need you awake and ready to go."


    He gave her hand a gentle tug, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he waited for her to sit up. "And if you''re good," he added with a wink, "I might even let you have first dibs on the bacon."


    She sat up reluctantly, letting him draw her upright and yawning with a big stretch, feeling her right side pull and grunting.


    "Hmmm, you drive a hard bargain." she mused, stumbling up from the bed and padding barefoot to the dresser, naked body on full display as she bent to open a lower drawer and pull out a yellow flower-patterned sundress and a pair of thin black leggings to ward off the chill of the autumn air. She could always pull a sweater on later if she got cold, but right now she just wanted to be comfortable and a little bit cute for the big man standing behind her.


    She glanced over her shoulder at him, catching him staring at her ass as she dug through the drawer and she grinned, standing up and turning to face him while clutching her clothes to her chest, shielding her nakedness from his view.


    "You had me at bacon." she teased, heart full looking at him there, hair sleep-tousled and cheeks slightly pink in the sunlight.


    Karl stepped closer, his hands reaching out to gently grasp her hips as he pulled her against him.


    "Bacon, huh?" he murmured, his voice low and teasing as he leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead. "I''ll have to remember that for the future, in case I want to get you out of bed quickly again."


    He released her with a soft chuckle, stepping back to give her space to dress. "Go on, get dressed," he said, his tone playful but firm. "I''ll get started on breakfast."


    Karl turned and headed for her kitchen, his mind already racing with thoughts of the day ahead. He knew they had a lot to do, but for now, he was content to focus on the simple pleasure of making breakfast for the woman who had quickly become the center of his world.


    Jenn pulled on her dress and shimmied into her leggings, foregoing panties with a secret smile to herself, hoping that he''d make that discovery a little later today and feeling a thrill at the thought of his reaction.


    When she heard him in the kitchen she froze for a moment, then rushed out behind him, trying to catch him before he started digging around and discovered just how little food she actually had in the house.


    "Oh, you haven''t been home since early yesterday, maybe we should have breakfast at your place so you can check on things and make sure everything''s okay?" she tried, biting her lip as she scooted around him to quickly fill Kylie''s food dish, the cat watching from her perch on the table.


    Ugh, that had been pathetic.


    Karl paused, glancing over his shoulder at Jenn. He raised an eyebrow, a small smirk playing on his lips as he took in her slightly nervous expression.


    "Alright," he said, drawing out the word as he crossed his arms over his chest. "But only if you promise to tell me why you''re trying so hard to avoid eating here."


    He stepped closer, his gaze intent on hers as he waited for her response. Part of him knew he was likely pushing her boundaries, but another part couldn''t help but be intrigued by the mystery surrounding Jenn. There were layers to her, and Karl found himself eager to peel each one back and discover what lay beneath.


    "So," he continued his tone light and teasing despite the serious undertone. "What''s the real reason? I don''t mind having breakfast at my place if you don''t mind that it''ll be cold for a bit until I get the fire going."


    She shrugged, avoiding his eyes. His comments to her the first day she''d arrived, the way he''d seemed to judge her and find her lacking, like she couldn''t make it here on her own had fed into her insecurities, and the thought of explaining to him...


    "Just um... not a lot of food here, is all," she said simply, face flushing as she hoped not to have to go into any more detail, that he''d take that as an answer enough.


    She knew if he opened the fridge, and the cupboards, he''d find little more than a few cans of soup, cat food, and an empty refrigerator. She hadn''t gone into town yet, afraid that her car wouldn''t make it the hour''s drive given how loud it had been singing the song of its people when she arrived. She was already so dependent on Karl emotionally, and needed him to protect her up here from danger... she didn''t want him to know she hardly had any food in the place, and didn''t want him to feel like he had to help her with that too. Didn''t need him to pity her any more than he probably already did.


    Karl studied Jenn for a moment, his sharp eyes catching the way she avoided his gaze and the flush that spread across her cheeks. He could sense there was more to her story, but he also knew when to push and when to let things be.


    "Alright," he said softly, his tone gentle as he reached out to brush a strand of hair behind her ear. "We''ll have breakfast at my place.¡±


    He didn''t wait for her response, instead turning towards the door and grabbing his jacket from the hook.


    "Come on, let''s get you that bacon," he said, his voice light and teasing as he opened the door and gestured for her to follow.


    She wound her fingers around his as they walked over to his cabin and felt her stomach growl at the thought of food, the lack of anything to eat the day before taking its toll, making her a little lightheaded, and when the cabin came into sight she smiled up at him as she realized how excited she was to see the inside.


    "Is your bachelor pad visitor ready?" she teased, imagining a frat house and trying not to giggle. She was sure Karl kept things more tidy than that, but the mental image of him living it up like a college freshman in a dorm room was comical enough to keep a grin on her face.


    Karl chuckled, shaking his head at Jenn''s teasing. "Bachelor pad, huh?" he said, his tone dry but amused. "You''ll have to let me know if it lives up to your expectations."


    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    He led her up the steps to his cabin, the sturdy stone structure blending almost seamlessly with the surrounding forest, ivy growing up much of the roughly hewn gray blocks. As he opened the door, he stepped aside to let her enter first, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back.


    Inside, the cabin was warm and inviting, the scent of pine and wood smoke lingering in the air. The main room was open and spacious, with a large stone fireplace dominating one wall. A comfortable-looking leather couch sat in front of the fire, flanked by a pair of well-worn upholstered armchairs, fabric a complimentary dark chocolate brown. Several mismatched throw blankets adorned the furniture.


    A small, rustic wooden table and chairs with seating for two occupied one corner, while a small kitchen area took up the other. A hallway opened up just past the fireplace, and she presumed it led to his bedroom and the bathroom.


    A huge, well-worn knit rug adorned the old, dark hardwood floor that showed its age in scuffs and dings throughout.


    "Make yourself at home," Karl said, gesturing towards the couch as he knelt down in front of the fireplace. Grabbing some wood and kindling and pulling a lighter from his pocket, he soon had a fire crackling away. He stood, dusting off his hands before heading into the kitchen.


    "I''ll get started on breakfast, you just relax and enjoy the ambiance.¡± his eyes twinkled as he looked at her taking everything in.


    As he moved about the kitchen, pulling out ingredients and prepping the stove, Karl couldn''t help but continue to glance over at Jenn, curious to see her reaction to his home. It wasn''t much, but it was his, and he found himself oddly eager for her approval.


    Jenn had intended to offer to help with breakfast, but she was enchanted, and she stood in the middle of the space, looking around with a soft smile.


    Even without the fire roaring away, the room was well-lit by the sunlight coming in the large windows, and the walls were paneled in dark wood, rich and warm-looking.


    The fireplace mantle held random items; a large rock, one side covered in sparkling iron pyrite, a framed photo of a dog sitting in front of a lake, tongue lolling out of his mouth lazily, a toy truck that looked just like the one parked outside, and three medium-sized seashells, the kind you can hear the ocean in.


    She ran her fingers along the mantelpiece, smelling the scent of past wood smoke still faintly in the air, mixing with that warm, spicy smell she knew as Karl''s own scent, flooding her senses. She''d never been so sensitive to things like someone''s scent, their pheromones, but Karl''s were as plain to her as if she could see them in the air, and she found him intoxicating.


    Gliding to the couch, she sat down and gave a happy sigh as she sunk deep into the soft, well-worn cushions, so cozy she could almost go right back to sleep if the scent of breakfast cooking wasn''t so alluring.


    Curling up, she wondered if this was where he sat at night, looking into the flames in the fireplace. She wondered what it would be like to sit here with him in the evening, head in his lap, letting him play with her hair while snow fell and Kylie slept in front of the fire...


    She looked toward the kitchen, seeing Karl standing at the stove, and smiled.


    Karl glanced over his shoulder as he heard Jenn''s soft sigh, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He watched her for a moment, taking in the way she seemed to melt into the couch, her expression one of pure contentment.


    He flipped the eggs in the pan, frying away next to the bacon, the grease easing their passage and providing extra flavor, and sizzling sounds were soon filling the cozy cabin. As he worked, Karl couldn''t help but feel a sense of satisfaction at having Jenn in his home. It was a strange feeling, one he wasn''t entirely used to, but he found he didn''t mind it.


    "I''d say ''make yourself comfortable'', but," he teased, his voice warm. "Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes."


    Jenn laughed, not moving from her position, and stuck her tongue out at him, earning her a snort.


    As he finished making the toast, Karl couldn''t help but glance over at Jenn again, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary. What was it that drew him in and made him want to protect her, to keep her safe and happy?


    And as he set the table and prepared to serve breakfast, Karl found himself wondering if maybe, just maybe, he could let someone into his life after all.


    Jenn stood as he set the table, making her way to stand just outside the kitchen area and peek around, not wanting to get in the way.


    Watching Karl move around, preparing their food was so domestic, she allowed herself a few moments to continue the fantasy, imagining this as their life together, here in this adorable cabin, having breakfast, walking in the woods hand in hand, sleeping together in his bed - their bed - every night, bodies wound around each other, the way he''d hold her as she slept, kiss her awake in the mornings...


    Karl turned back to the stove, finishing up the last of the preparations.


    "Alright, breakfast is ready," he announced, carrying the plates over to the table. "Come and get it."


    As Jenn joined him at the table, Karl couldn''t help but feel a sense of contentment wash over him. It was a simple moment, but one that felt strangely significant. When was the last time he''d shared a meal with someone?


    He couldn''t remember.


    "Thank you, Karl," Jenn said, smiling sweetly at him. "This looks so good, maybe you should have been a chef!"


    His lips twitched, and Jenn could swear she saw a slight blush on his cheeks.


    The first taste of the bacon was mouthwatering, and she reminded herself to take small bites and eat like a lady, not a ravenous animal.


    Her eyes caught movement out the window, and she watched as a stout breeze blew a torrent of colorful leaves from the trees, sending them tumbling through the air. Autumn was coming to an end soon, November nearly over... while she knew it wasn''t likely to be quite as cold here as it was back home, the snowfall in the mountains could end up quite extreme, depending on several factors and it was a daunting thought. Winter in the wilderness was going to be much different than winter in the town she was from, that was for sure.


    Jenn ate eagerly, each bite delicious, and the feeling of being full was a welcome one. She couldn''t remember the last time she hadn''t been at least a little bit hungry, if not downright ravenous. Her ex had always insisted she ate very little, enforcing regular weigh-ins with harsh punishments if the number on the scale was higher than he felt it should be. And she''d gone from that life to the hospital to her two-day drive here. Even now, she had to fight not to count each bite she took, just eating until she was satisfied instead.


    Karl watched as Jenn ate. He couldn''t help but feel a sense of pride at the fact that he had cooked this meal for her, and she was truly enjoying it. Providing for her needs felt natural to him, contrary to everything he''d known about himself before meeting her.


    As he ate his own meal, he couldn''t help but notice the way her gaze drifted to the window, her brow furrowing slightly as she watched the leaves blow by. "Thinking about winter?" he asked, his voice gentle.


    He knew that winter in the mountains was a relative unknown for most people, and he couldn''t blame Jenn for worrying. It was a tough season, with harsh weather and long nights, but it was also a beautiful time of year.


    "I''ve lived through plenty of winters up here," he continued, his tone reassuring. "It''s not as bad as you might think. Sure, the rough winds up here mean the snow drifts get deep, and the higher elevations mean that the cold affects you more, but we have everything we need to make it through."


    He smiled at her, his eyes warm and comforting. "Besides, we''ll be in this together. You and me, against the world." His words were light, but there was a seriousness to them, a promise of protection and support.


    She smiled at him, setting her fork down as she finished the last of her meal.


    "I''m curious to see how it compares to back home. Maybe I should have picked up some snowshoes," she grinned.


    "Cold''s okay with me though. Like I said the other day, can''t imagine it''s going to feel as cold as I''m used to. Which is a good thing, honestly. Might have been born and raised in Wisconsin but I never really got used to how absolutely freezing cold it is in the winter, below zero more often than not - and winter seems to last from October to May most years," she grumbled. "Then you get what feels like two weeks of spring, four weeks of summer, another two weeks of autumn, and right back to it again." she laughed at her exaggeration, but really that was how it seemed so often - a brief reprieve from the cold and snow, and then right back to it again.


    "Betting there isn''t anyone to plow the mountain roads either, can''t imagine the county comes all the way out here to do it. Do you ever get stuck up here in the winter?"


    Karl leaned back in his chair, pushing his empty plate back. "You''re right about the county not coming all the way out here to plow," he said, his tone matter-of-fact. "They stick to the main roads, which means once we get hit with a heavy snowfall, it''s just us on this mountain, and we aren''t likely to go anywhere."


    He reached across the table, placing a reassuring hand over Jenn''s. "But don''t worry," he said, his voice steady and comforting. "I''ve got a snowmobile to get around when the roads are impassable, and I make sure to stock up on supplies well before winter sets in."


    His gaze moved to the window once again, watching as the leaves continued to dance in the wind. "We do get some rough storms every now and then, the kind that could potentially leave us stranded for a while." His eyes met hers, a determined glint in his otherwise calm demeanor.


    "But like I said, we''ll handle whatever winter throws at us - together."


    Jenn turned her hand under his, locking their fingers together.


    "I like the sound of that," she said softly, squeezing her grip a little. Cautiously, she met his eyes.


    "Scared me a little yesterday... felt like you didn''t like the whole together idea as much when we were coming back. I don''t want to push myself on you, make you feel like you have to take care of me, you know?"


    She bit her lip, not sure how to talk about what was growing between them without scaring him off, the way he''d become so distant when talking about her dream the day before making her nervous that she could at any moment say the wrong thing without even realizing and send him withdrawing from her again. But she wanted to talk about it so badly, tell him how much he was beginning to mean to her, how this all felt so right, somehow familiar and brand new all at once.


    The fear of scaring him away held her back, and she contented herself with keeping their fingers intertwined, the solid connection reassuring.


    Karl''s gaze flicked down to their intertwined fingers, his expression unreadable as he processed Jenn''s words. He could hear the uncertainty in her voice, the hesitation that tinged her every word.


    Slowly, deliberately, he squeezed her hand, his calloused palm warm against hers. "I''m not going anywhere," he said, his voice low and steady. "What happened yesterday... that was on me, not you."


    He exhaled slowly, his gaze shifting to the window once more as he collected his thoughts. "I''ve been on my own for a long time, Jenn. I''m used to handling things solo, to keeping people at arm''s length."


    His eyes met hers again, a flicker of emotion in their depths. "But that doesn''t mean I don''t want this."


    He gestured between them with his free hand, his meaning clear. "What we have... it''s unexpected, but


    it''s not unwelcome." His tone was gruff, but there was a softness to his words, a vulnerability that he rarely showed.


    "I can''t promise that I won''t screw up, that I won''t push you away at times." His jaw clenched, his eyes darkening. "But I can promise that I''ll always come back, that I''ll always be here when you need me."


    He squeezed her hand once more, his grip firm and reassuring. "We''ll figure this out together, okay?


    One day at a time."


    She nodded, standing shyly to step in front of him, fingers still squeezing him tightly. Lifting her free hand, she ran it through his hair, smoothing it out a bit and fussing over him affectionately. Her chest felt so full of warmth and emotion that she wasn''t sure she could speak.


    Instead, she leaned down to press a soft kiss to his forehead, then another against his cheek, one more on his nose with a soft huffing laugh, then finding his lips with her own for a sweet, adoring kiss, hand still in his hair.


    She drew back a moment later, lips an inch or so away from his, looking into his eyes and hoping he could see what she couldn''t find the words to say. This, between them, was everything to her.


    Karl''s breath hitched, the softness of her kiss and the intensity of her gaze sending a jolt of electricity through him. His hand tightened around hers, his other hand instinctively reaching up to cup her cheek.


    He leaned forward, pressing his forehead against hers, his eyes closing as he took a deep breath. "I see you, Jenn," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "And I feel it too."


    His hand moved from her cheek to the back of her neck, his fingers tangling in her hair as he pulled her closer. "This... us. It''s..."


    He kissed her again, this time with more urgency, his lips moving against hers with a hunger that he couldn''t suppress. He poured all of his emotions into that kiss, all of the love and fear and longing that he had been holding back.


    When they finally broke apart, he rested his forehead against hers once more, his breathing ragged. "I don''t know what the future holds," he admitted, his voice hoarse. "But I know that I want you in it."


    "I want that too," she whispered, moving forward to perch on his lap and curl into him, nestling her face into his neck."It''s crazy, right? We just met, but it feels like... I don''t know, like we''ve been together for years. Forever, even. Just feels so... hmmm..." she struggled to find a fitting word, before shrugging with a resigned sigh. "Feels so right. Just... exactly right."


    ''Destined. Meant to be.'' the words were too powerful, she kept them to herself, heart picking up its pace at his proximity. Sitting on his lap she was surrounded by his larger body, big arms around her, chin above her head, solid thighs beneath. She was caged in by his warmth, his scent invading her nostrils, heady and intoxicating, infinitely arousing.


    ''I''m never going to get enough of him, am I?'' she thought wryly as she felt herself growing restless, shifting her thighs together in his lap as she ran her fingers over his chest and closed her eyes, trying to commit this moment to memory.


    Karl''s arms tightened around her. "Yes," he murmured, his voice thick and husky. "It does feel right."


    He shifted her gently, adjusting her position until she was nestled more securely in his embrace.


    "It''s crazy," he agreed, his words echoing hers. "Crazy, but undeniable."


    His fingers moved to caress her hair, his touch feather-light and reverent. "I don''t have the words to explain it," he confessed, his tone raw and honest. "But I know that I can''t let you go. Not now. Not ever."


    He tilted her head upwards, his eyes meeting hers with a fierce intensity. "You''re mine, Jenn," he declared, his voice firm and unwavering. The words felt heavy in his mouth, meaningful.


    "Good," she said simply, pressing her lips to his in another kiss, this one less sweet and more passionate, tongue brushing his bottom lip in a question.


    Karl''s breath caught as Jenn''s lips met his, and he responded in kind, deepening the kiss with a hunger that matched her own.


    He''d said exactly the right thing, reassuring her and banishing her lingering fears that she was falling more for him than he was for her. It seemed they were on the same page, as unbelievable as it may be.


    After just a few days together, they were devoted to one another. It made her head spin ¨C somehow, everything had just fallen into place. And it truly moved her that this strong, independent man would let her in, would be vulnerable with her, would trust her.


    "Karl," she breathed against his lips, color high on her cheeks and eyes bright when she let them flutter open to meet his. "You never did get a chance to show me your bedroom..."


    Her words sent a jolt of desire through him. Karl''s eyes darkened, his gaze locking with hers as he processed her request.


    ¡°My bedroom,¡± he repeated, his voice low and husky. He hesitated for a moment, his mind racing with conflicting thoughts. But then he saw the look in her eyes, the trust and affection shining through, and his resolve crumbled.


    ¡°Alright,¡± he agreed, his voice barely above a whisper. He stood, lifting her effortlessly in his arms as he did so. ¡°Let me show you.¡±

 Chapter Thirteen

    ======+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++======


    CHAPTER THIRTEEN


    ======+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++======


    Karl carried Jenn through his cabin, his steps sure and steady despite the storm of emotions raging within him. When they reached his bedroom, he set her down gently, his hands lingering on her waist.


    ¡°This is it,¡± he said, his voice soft and almost unsure.


    The room was sparsely decorated, with a large bed dominating the space, the log frame stained a dark chocolate brown. The walls were bare, save for a few framed photographs of the mountains. This space reflected him, simple and unadorned, yet undeniably strong and steadfast.


    Karl watched Jenn''s reaction, his heart pounding in his chest. He had never brought anyone into this space before, and the vulnerability of it all was both terrifying and exhilarating.


    Jenn looked at the room, not moving from the spot he''d set her down and leaning into him a little as his hands held her waist.


    She felt it was a good room - not cluttered or messy, and the bed was big and looked extremely soft and cozy. The room had a relaxing vibe, but what she noticed most was how it just felt like him, his essence everywhere, the smell of him, the very air charged with his energy.


    She looked up at him, reaching to take his face in her hands and draw him down as she rose to her toes to bring their lips together again.


    ¡°I think this room may be too cozy. I might not ever want to leave it again,¡± she said, pressing a damp, open-mouthed kiss against his pulse point, teeth nipping. ¡°How comfy is the bed?¡± she breathed, eyes twinkling up at him.


    Karl''s breath hitched, her teeth at his skin sending shivers down his spine. His hands tightened on her waist, pulling her closer as he fought to maintain control.


    ¡°The bed,¡± he managed to say, his voice rough and strained, ¡°is very comfortable.¡±


    He stepped back slightly, his eyes dark with desire as he looked down at her. ¡°But I think you should test it out for yourself,¡± he added, his tone laced with suggestion.


    Without waiting for her response, he swept her up into his arms once more, carrying her the short distance to the bed. He laid her down gently, his hands lingering on her body as he did so.


    Comfortable enough? he asked, his voice low and husky as he hovered above her, his eyes locked on hers.


    ¡°Hmmm... I can''t tell,¡± she said, wiggling suggestively under him with an absolutely impish smile. ¡°Come closer and show me.¡±


    Her legs lifted to wind around his hips, hands grasping his shoulders as she tried to pull him down to lay on top of her.


    She wondered if he would let her try something, cheeks warming at the thought, and resolved to ask him just as soon as she had built up the nerve. Instead, she lifted her head a little to continue placing wet, open-mouth kisses along his neck, pulling the collar of his shirt aside to reach his shoulder as well, the taste of him under her tongue intoxicating.


    Karl''s breath quickened as Jenn''s legs wound around his hips, her hands pulling him down to lay on top of her. He could feel the heat of her body beneath him, the way she arched into him with every movement.


    Her lips on his neck sent a jolt of pleasure through him, and he couldn''t suppress the low groan that escaped his throat. He shifted slightly, allowing her better access to his shoulder as she continued her exploration.


    ¡°Jenn,¡± he murmured, his voice thick with desire. His hands moved to cradle her face, his thumbs brushing against her cheeks as he looked down at her. ¡°What are you doing to me?¡±


    He could feel the tension building between them, the air thick with unspoken promises and unfulfilled desires. ¡°Tell me what you want,¡± he breathed.


    She trembled against him, feeling the heat and wetness pooling between her legs already when they''d barely just begun, her head swimming.


    Still, she was inexperienced in vocalizing her desires, unused to having any in the first place, and her face flamed at the thought of saying what was on her mind.


    She swallowed hard, his hands holding her face meaning she couldn''t look away, there was nowhere to hide. She tried to buck her hips into his, hoping to distract him and let him take the lead again, but the way he was laying on her made it hard for her to move much at all. She wiggled a little bit helplessly


    under him, gnawing her bottom lip, trying to work up the courage...


    ¡°I want to... um...¡± she wriggled a bit harder, embarrassed and unsure, what if he laughed at her?


    Finally, she let out a frustrated huff, squeezing her eyes shut as she opened her mouth, took a deep breath, and let it out.


    ¡°I want to taste you.¡±


    There. She''d said it. And then she immediately began to overthink. Was that not clear enough? What if he didn''t know what she meant? What if he thought she just wanted to kiss his neck more, or kiss, that was tasting him too, wasn''t it? Was she going to have to be more specific, tell him exactly what she wanted to taste? Oh god, there was no way she could do that, no way she could say-


    The next words came out in a rush, falling out one after the other faster and faster in her nervousness.


    ¡°I hated it before - but I hated all of this before and I love it now and maybe I''d like that too with you and I want to try but if you don''t want to it''s okay we don''t have to!¡± she gasped out in one long breath, eyes still squeezed shut against his reaction.


    Karl''s eyes widened slightly as Jenn''s words tumbled out in a rush, her nervousness palpable. He could feel her trembling beneath him, her body tense with anticipation and uncertainty.


    For a moment, he was silent, processing her request. Then, slowly, a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He leaned down, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, ¡°Jenn, look at me.¡±


    When she finally opened her eyes, cautiously, one at a time, he met her gaze with a steady, reassuring look. ¡°You don''t have to be nervous with me,¡± he said softly. ¡°If you want to try something, just say it.¡±


    He shifted slightly, giving her more room to move. ¡°If you want to taste me,¡± he continued, his voice low and husky, ¡°then go ahead. But only if you''re sure. There''s no pressure, no expectations. Just us, exploring together.¡±


    He cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing against her skin. ¡°Tell me what you want, Jenn. Be specific. I want to hear it.¡±


    Oh God. She couldn''t be specific, that was the whole problem.


    She was sure there were plenty of women out there who would love to tell a man as sexy as Karl how much they wanted him to shove his cock in their mouth, but she was not one of those women. The thought of even getting half that sentence out was enough to make her feel like she was going to melt into the bed out of sheer embarrassment, and she bit her lip, sliding her hand down to shyly brush her fingers against the bulge at the front of his pants, a soft moan escaping at the feel of him so hard and enormous there.


    ¡°Here,¡± she whispered. ¡°I want...¡± she swallowed, looking up and meeting his eyes, face flaming. ¡°I want to taste you here,¡± she breathed, voice barely audible. She clenched her jaw to stop herself from babbling nervously afterward, just looking into his eyes, somehow managing to hold his gaze.


    Karl''s breath hitched as Jenn''s fingers brushed against him, her touch sending a jolt of electricity through his body. He could feel the heat of her gaze, the way her eyes locked with his, and it took every ounce of his self-control not to lose himself in the moment.


    ¡°Jenn,¡± he murmured, his voice rough with desire. He reached down, gently taking her hand in his and guiding it away. ¡°You don''t have to do anything you''re not comfortable with.¡±


    He leaned down, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, ¡°But if you''re sure, if this is what you want, then I won''t stop you. Take your time,¡± he breathed, his voice soft and reassuring. ¡°There''s no rush. Just... do what feels right for you.¡±


    Karl''s heart was pounding in his chest, his body aching with need, but he forced himself to stay still, to let Jenn take the lead. This was her moment, her decision, and he was determined to respect that, no matter how much he wanted to give in to the desire coursing through him.


    She carefully put her hands on his chest, pushing with the slightest pressure and feeling relieved when he allowed her to guide him to his back on the bed.


    With trembling fingers, she traced the button of his pants, heart pounding so hard she thought it might explode.


    She''d never done this willingly before, that much was certain. And as such, she''d never been the one to initiate it.


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    She glanced up at him, seeing the way he watched her, and the obvious interest and arousal on his face gave her enough confidence to continue, carefully unbuttoning his pants, and sliding the zipper down before she slowly, slowly, reached inside in search of him.


    When her fingers closed around his length, so hot and hard, a soft, unintentional moan escaped from her lips, choked and needy, and she bit her lip as she pulled her prize out from the confines of his pants, letting out a breath at the sight of him in her hands.


    ¡°I um, might not be very good at this...¡± she said apologetically - her ex had always done nothing but bitch after he''d made her do it. But this time, she wanted to. Wanted to very much, and she hoped that would make a difference.


    Letting her eyes slip closed, holding him at the base with one hand, she leaned down, tracing her lips feather-light against his tip, breathing in the scent of his arousal and giving a pleased sigh before closing her lips around the head, letting her tongue swirl around it, flicking over his slit and tasting the salty flavor of his pre-come.


    Karl''s breath caught in his throat as Jenn''s lips closed around him, A low groan escaped his mouth, his hands gripping the sheets tightly as he fought to maintain control.


    ¡°Jenn,¡± he murmured, his voice rough and strained. ¡°You don''t have to... ah... worry about being good. Just... do what feels right.¡±


    He could feel the warmth of her mouth, the way her tongue teased him, and it was all he could do to keep from thrusting into her. But he held himself still, letting her set the pace, letting her explore and discover what she liked.


    His eyes closed, his head falling back against the pillow as he lost himself in the sensation. ¡°You''re doing... amazing,¡± he managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Just... take your time. There''s no rush.¡±


    He seemed to swell even bigger in her mouth, and she hummed in pleasure, dipping down to take more of him, letting him hit the back of her throat and working her tongue along his shaft, swallowing against him and stroking what she couldn''t fit inside.


    A near steady stream of pre-come was leaking into her mouth and she swallowed against him again, feeling her arousal growing at an unbelievably fast pace. Making Karl feel good was immensely gratifying, and she was pretty sure she could confidently say that she did, in fact, enjoy doing this when it was for someone that she cared about.She slid him almost all the way out, taking a few deep breaths and rubbing her tongue against the sensitive underside of his tip, feeling his cock pulse in response and she moaned again, the control she had at this moment heady.


    Back into her mouth deep, tip brushing the back of her throat again, and then a little further, trying to swallow him as her fingers slipped down to cup his balls gently, massaging them with a feather-light, gentle touch as she suckled on his length for all it was worth.


    She knew her leggings were soaked between her legs, could feel herself pulsing in time with her heartbeat as she continued to work him with her mouth and hands, watching him come undone beneath her as his pleasure mounted.


    Karl''s body tensed, every muscle coiled tight as Jenn''s mouth worked him with a skill and enthusiasm that left him breathless. His hands, which had been gripping the sheets, now moved to her hair, tangling in the soft strands as he fought to keep from thrusting into her.


    ¡°Jenn,¡± he groaned, his voice rough and strained.


    He could feel the pressure building, the heat pooling in his core as she continued to pleasure him. Her tongue, her lips, her hands - every touch sent waves of pleasure crashing through him, and he knew he was close.


    ¡°Wait-!¡± he managed to say, his urgent voice barely above a whisper. He gently guided her head back, slipping from her mouth with a soft pop. ¡°I don''t want to... ah...¡±


    Karl''s chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath, his eyes dark with desire as he looked down at her.


    ¡°Come here,¡± he murmured, pulling her up to kiss her deeply, his tongue exploring her mouth with a hunger that matched her own.


    He broke the kiss, his lips trailing down her neck, his hands moving to her hips. ¡°Your turn,¡± he whispered, his voice thick with need. ¡°Let me take care of you.¡±


    Jenn went to him willingly, kissing him back with great eagerness.


    It took a moment for the meaning of his words to register, and she let out a strangled gasping whimper.


    Unsurprisingly, what Karl was suggesting wasn''t something that she''d ever experienced before - giving wasn''t something her ex had been interested in at all.


    She nodded shyly, grasping handfuls of the bedding beneath her and watching him carefully, eyes wide.


    ''At least he''ll find my surprise.'' she thought to herself with amusement.


    ¡°Trust me, Jenn,¡± Karl said softly, his fingertips lightly brushing against the waistband of her leggings, his gaze locked onto hers.


    His movements were slow and deliberate, giving her plenty of time to stop him if she felt uncomfortable. He slid his fingers beneath the fabric, hooking them around her hips, and began to peel the leggings away, revealing the soft, sensitive skin beneath.


    Karl''s breath caught in his throat when he discovered that Jenn was bare beneath, no panties to be seen, and heat flared in his eyes as he took in the sight, his gaze lingering on her exposed center. He threw her leggings aside carelessly. ¡°Nice surprise,¡± he rumbled, smirking down at her.


    He guided her to lie back on the bed, his hand trailing down her body, tracing the line of her inner thigh with a feather-light touch that made her squirm and gasp softly.


    Lowering himself, Karl positioned himself between her legs, pushing them gently apart so he could look his fill. He leaned down, pressing a soft, lingering kiss just above her pelvic bone, his breath warm against her skin.


    Passion burning brightly in his darkened eyes, Karl whispered huskily, ¡°Lay back and relax, baby.¡±


    She giggled softly, the laughter ending on a gasp as his lips came to rest just below her belly button, and she shivered, watching him with wide eyes, so aroused she couldn''t even find it in herself to feel self-conscious as he looked right at her most intimate place.


    ¡°Karl...¡± she breathed, wonder in her eyes, and when he looked up at her and spoke, her hips gave a small buck as she whimpered.


    He smirked at her reaction, his lips curving into a wicked grin as he looked up at her. ¡°Patience, Jenn,¡± he teased, his voice low and husky. ¡°I promise, it''ll be worth the wait.¡±


    He leaned down again, his breath hot against her sensitive skin as he pressed a series of soft, lingering kisses along her inner thighs, each one making her shiver and gasp. His hands held her hips steady, his thumbs gently massaging the soft skin there.


    Finally, he couldn''t resist any longer. He moved his mouth to her core, his tongue flicking out to taste her, and he groaned at the sweet, intoxicating flavor. ¡°You''re perfect,¡± he murmured against her, his voice muffled but filled with awe.


    Jenn nearly screamed at the first touch of his mouth against her. She had never imagined in her wildest dreams that anything could feel that good, and one of her hands shot out to tangle in his hair almost immediately, unsure if she wanted to push him away or pull him in closer as her hips rolled up, pressing herself more firmly against his lips.


    Karl''s tongue began to explore her in earnest, teasing and tasting, his movements slow and deliberate, designed to drive her wild. He could feel her trembling beneath him, her hands gripping the sheets tightly as she tried to hold herself together.


    ¡°Let go, Jenn,¡± he whispered, his breath hot against her. ¡°I''ve got you.¡±


    ¡°Holy SHIT,¡± she exclaimed, head lifted to look down at him in shock, and then it was falling back as he worked her with his mouth in earnest, and she lost track of everything beyond the feeling of his lips and tongue teasing her.


    Dimly, distantly, she was aware that she should probably be self-conscious, she hadn''t bathed since they''d been together the night before - but neither had Karl, she figured, and she hadn''t minded in the slightest.


    The pleasure was rising so quickly, and it was so intense, that she could barely make sense of what he was even doing down there. His tongue kept flicking back and forth over her clit, but then she was pretty sure he was thrusting it inside of her, and that was so hot to think about that she could hardly breathe. His tongue and fingers worked her together, and when he sucked her bud between his lips, drawing at it with his mouth she bucked up against him harshly, head thrashing back and forth and a hand coming up to cover her mouth before she started making noises that were way too loud and embarrassing, unable to contain herself as he drove her higher and higher.


    Karl''s hands tightened on her hips, holding her steady as he continued to work her with his mouth and tongue. He could feel her trembling beneath him, her body responding to every touch, every flick of his tongue. He was relentless, determined to bring her to the edge and beyond.


    He felt her hand in his hair, her grip tightening as she tried to pull him closer. He groaned against her, the vibrations sending shivers through her body. He could tell she was close, her breathing ragged, her hips bucking against his mouth.


    ¡°Come for me,¡± Jenn, he murmured against her, his voice low and husky. ¡°Let go.¡±


    Karl''s tongue flicked over her clit one last time, and then he sucked it gently into his mouth, his fingers sliding inside her, curling just right. He felt her body tense, her back arching off the bed as she cried out, her release crashing over her.


    He held her through it, his mouth and fingers continuing to work her, drawing out every last bit of pleasure until she was spent, her body going limp beneath him. Karl pressed a soft kiss to her inner thigh before moving up to lie beside her, pulling her into his arms.


    ¡°You''re incredible,¡± he whispered, his voice filled with awe as he held her close, his hand going to her


    hair. ¡°Absolutely incredible.¡±


    She clutched at him desperately, so completely overcome with the pleasure he''d shown her that she could hardly form a coherent thought. Panting, she lifted her head to seal her mouth to his, tasting herself on his tongue and feeling a surge of arousal in response.


    She moved quickly before he could do or say anything to stop her, and all but dove between his legs, grasping him in her hand and moaning as she felt how rock hard he was, tip dark red and weeping, clearly unbelievably aroused himself.


    She dropped her head, taking him deep into her mouth, desperate to give him the same pleasure he''d shown her. She swirled her tongue, suckling him hard and grasping at his thighs to hold herself up, still a little shaky from her powerful release.


    She wondered if she''d enjoy him coming down her throat - she''d never liked that before, but it seemed to be a running theme at this point that everything she''d once hated, she now loved. She wanted to feel him fill her, to taste him...


    Karl groaned deeply, his hands instinctively tangling in her hair. The sensation was overwhelming, her tongue and lips working him so eagerly, her soft sounds of enjoyment driving him wild. He could feel the pressure building, the heat pooling in his core as she continued to pleasure him.


    ¡°Jenn..!¡± he gasped, his voice rough and strained.


    Her mouth was hot and wet around him, her tongue swirling and teasing, driving him closer and closer to the edge. He could feel himself throbbing in her mouth, his body tensing as he fought to hold on, to prolong the pleasure.


    But it was too much, too intense. With a low growl, Karl''s hips bucked slightly, his release surging forth as he came hard in her mouth. He could feel her swallowing around him, her tongue milking every last drop from him, and he groaned loudly, his body shuddering with the force of his orgasm.


    As the waves of pleasure began to ebb, Karl gently guided her head back and pulled her up into his arms, holding her close as he tried to catch his breath.


    Breathing a bit hard herself, eyes watering from the feel of him so deep down her throat, Jenn curled up against him, kissing softly wherever she could reach, completely intoxicated by him.


    Jenn lifted her chin to press her lips to his in a quick, sweet peck, unsure how he''d feel about truly kissing her after what she''d just done. ¡°That was... no one has ever done that to me before,¡± she said, smiling at him adoringly. ¡°You may have created a monster.¡±


    She squeezed him tight, feeling her pulse slowly returning to normal, and resting her cheek over his heart, the steady rhythm nearly lulling her to sleep despite the early hour of the day, so comfortable in his arms.


    Karl chuckled softly at her words, his arms tightening around her as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. ¡°Well, that''s a crime,¡± he murmured, a smile tugging at his lips as he held her close. ¡°I''ll be sure to indulge you frequently.¡±


    He stroked her hair gently, his fingers threading through the soft strands as he nuzzled into her neck, pressing a soft kiss to her skin before shifting slightly, pulling her even closer as he wrapped his arms around her, his hand coming up to cup her cheek gently. He tilted her head up, capturing her lips in a


    slow, deep kiss that left them both breathless.


    When he finally pulled back, he was grinning broadly, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he looked down at her. ¡°So, does this mean I get to wake up like this every morning?¡± he teased, his thumb stroking her lower lip gently.


    She giggled, catching his thumb between her teeth playfully and nibbling softly before sucking it into her mouth, touching her tongue to the pad sensually.


    ¡°Maybe...¡± she breathed, leaning up to kiss him again, a slow pressing of her mouth against his, lips


    sliding together leisurely.


    Karl groaned softly, his body responding instantly to her playful teasing. He pulled his thumb from her mouth, capturing her lips in another deep, passionate kiss, his tongue sliding against hers in a slow, sensual dance.


    He could feel the heat building between them again, the desire flaring up once more as he held her close, his hands roaming over her body, exploring every curve and dip. He broke the kiss, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps as he looked down at her, his eyes dark with his arousal.


    ¡°You''re going to be the death of me, Jenn,¡± he murmured, his voice rough and filled with desire as he pressed his forehead against hers, his hands gripping her hips tightly. ¡°But what a way to go.¡±


    Jenn laughed out loud, moving to push him to his back and straddle his lap. She had just been about to pull her sundress off over her head, intent on taking him inside of her this time when she heard the distinct chime of her phone in the side pocket of her leggings where they lay beside them on the bed.


    She faltered and considered ignoring it, but she so rarely managed to pick up random signal out here and she couldn''t help but be curious.


    ¡°Sorry...¡± she said, leaning over without getting off of him and fishing out her phone.Unlocking the screen, she saw it was an alert for a news article. She''d set up alerts for any news regarding the case from back home that she was involuntarily involved in, knowing that staying informed would help keep her safe. Swallowing hard, she tapped the headline, watching as the article loaded (slowly, seeming to completely stall out several times) until she could see the headline and the photo beneath.


    ''Local Man, Alleged High Ranking Member of La Raza Nation Chapter, Makes Bail.''