Pack Beta (Were Chronicles Book 11) (12 page)

He took the rag out of his back pocket and stepped around the bar into the seating section. He started to wipe down the empty tables to help clean up for the night. The dark wood table tops gleamed in the bar light. Smooth, quiet jazz flowed through air and comforted those within. The stained but clean oak floors had been battered but continued to hold strong.

From any seat in the house, the windowed front offered the patrons a spectacular view of the beach yards away.

Jace had opened the bar only a year ago but it was now home. Everything he had ever wanted in his life wrapped into one place. The people who worked for him were his family. The woman currently ringing up the last of the patrons’ tabs… He shook his head. Piper was one of a kind.

The closing procedures only took half an hour. He had a very efficient staff—they were well trained and all took care and helped one another. The kitchen had been shut down two hours ago so the small staff in the back had already cleaned up their stations and gone for the night. The four remaining employees, his two bartenders and two waitresses, finished up and happily waved good night.

It had been a busy shift. Steady business. He couldn’t ask for much more. Even in a struggling economy he still managed to make money.

Lifting the last stool onto the table top, he glanced out the front window and saw the moon shining bright over the water. The astounding sight always made his breath catch.

He’d moved to Blue Cove, California after his last tour of duty. Almost fourteen months ago. He’d read about the small coastal town when he had been overseas and always promised himself he would visit. Once he’d set foot on the soft sand and watched the crystal-clear waves roll, he’d known he was home.

He’d gotten a business loan and opened Anderson’s Lounge. Anderson’s was the only bar located directly on the beach that he loved so much. He was able to serve the locals like himself as well as the few tourists who came to town.

“That’s it,” Piper told him, switching off the back lights.

Jace tore his attention from outside to glance over at Piper pulling a bottle from behind the bar. The light of the bar was the only illumination and the sight of the beautiful woman made his breath catch. It had become their nightly ritual to share a toast to another night accomplished.

Jace always looked forward to this time. To this drink. One cocktail shared where Piper was relaxed and things tipped more personal. Or as close to personal as Piper ever allowed.

She had her dark hair pulled back into a ponytail and wore the same uniform as the other women—black shorts and Anderson Lounge T-shirt. But it was her eyes that always drew him in. What was the old saying? The eyes were the window to the soul. With Piper that was so true.

He wouldn’t describe the color as green or brown. Hazel seemed too tame a word. The perfect combination of brown, green and yellow. Cat’s eyes, one of the employees had said before.

Guarded also. Piper kept everyone at arm’s length while still managing to take care of them all. She was always the first person to help, but never let anyone return the favor. Jace had been working on getting her comfortable with all of them but it was in rare moments that she opened to him and only him. But after a brief glimpse she would shut back down.

He’d hired her six months ago to manage the bar and staff. Her resume was packed full of experience and she had delivered with her organization and business smarts.

Over the last several months he’d grown very fond of her. Hell, who was he kidding, he was falling for her. But she still held back. He knew she felt the same connection but very rarely did she let the longing slip.

She was careful, so very cautious around everyone, but late at night as they clinked glasses she would look at him and he could see her inner struggle to remain that way.

He worried about her habit of picking up and moving on. He knew the time was fast approaching and he’d have to deal with that soon.

Because he wasn’t going to let her go.

He was already starting to see the signs. She was backing away from him and the staff. Her gaze would wander around the room and a look of great sadness would settle in her eyes. It was like she was memorizing everything and everyone. Trying to keep the picture fresh in her mind.

At first he’d pushed to get her to open up to him. When that hadn’t worked, he had backed off and just let his constant presence drive home the fact that she belonged there, with him.

He took a seat and watched as the two short glasses were placed on the bar. Ice cubes clinked against the sides as they were dropped in, then she raised the bottle of Southern Comfort hundred-proof. With the skill of an experienced bartender—without the need of a measuring glass—she poured in one and a half ounces, half an ounce of sparkling water, half a teaspoon of sugar and a dash of bitters and stirred both glasses. She dropped in the lemon peels before she slid the glass to him and picked up her own SoCo hundred-proof old-fashioned.

She moved around the bar and took her seat next to him. He tilted his glass toward hers and she grinned as the glasses touched.

“To another successful night,” she said.

“To another night together,” he corrected.

Heat spread over her cheeks and she looked away. He kept his eyes on her, knowing she could feel his attention.

She sipped the strong spirit. “Jace.” She said his name softly.

Just his name on her lips sent little vibrations down his spine. “Yes, baby?”

She shook her head and raised her face. “I can’t…”

He didn’t believe her any longer. Knew that she wanted him. Watched him when she didn’t think she would get caught. No, this attraction was not one-sided. The chemistry between the two of them flared hot and bright.

He reached over and placed his hand around her wrist. Her pulse jumped and the glass tilted. He guided her hand to the bar so she could set her cocktail down. Then he drew her closer, entwining their fingers.

“Tell me why not,” he requested. “I see you, baby, I want you. Tell me why we should resist anymore.”

She opened her mouth. “I…”

When she faltered and couldn’t say anything else he leaned closer still. So many months he’d walked away because he hadn’t felt she was ready. But he knew, felt it deep down, that it was now or never. He had to make his move tonight, show her how much he wanted her, or before he knew it she would be gone.

“It’s okay,” he promised. “I got you.”

He closed his lips over hers. He expected her to stiffen, maybe even pull away, and was in no way prepared for the deep moan and shudder he received instead.

Jace moved his hands to hold the back of her head as he licked at the seam of her lips. She opened for him and without hesitation he drove his tongue inside. She gripped his upper arms hard to hang on to him.

The first taste was exotic and addicting. Much like the alcohol that she’d been drinking earlier, she tasted like fruit, spices and whiskey. He hummed in approval as she trembled in his arms. He wanted her to come apart. To open up and let him take command over her body.

She arched as he slid his right hand down her cheek, caressed her neck, lower to brush his thumb over her hard nipple through the thin cotton material of her shirt. He scooted off the stool, used his body to nudge her legs apart, to press intimately up against her. His cock was straining against the zipper of his jeans and he wanted to show her how much she turned him on.

Their lips parted and she dropped her head back and panted. “Jace.”

“Yes, honey, I’m here with you. Let me see you. Don’t hide from me,” he urged. Jace pressed soft kisses up her neck. “Let me prove to you how good it is between us,” Jace pleaded.

“Jace,” she said again and buried her fingers in his hair, holding him close.

Yes! That was what he wanted. He continued to pepper her with kisses until he had to slip his hands under her shirt and yank it up and over her head.

He took his time looking his fill. So gorgeous with her flawless, tan, soft skin. He lowered his head and ran his tongue along her throat in between her breasts until the black fabric of her bra was in the way.

He palmed her breasts, running his thumbs roughly against her, teasing the pert nubs. She gasped but moved forward to fill his hands. “So pretty,” he praised.

She dug her fingers into his skull and cried out as he closed his mouth around her nipple and sucked her through the barrier.

A quick flick of his fingers had the barrier loosening and he used his chin to move it aside. Jace nipped and sucked the soft mound, causing low, needy sounds to escape from her. He pulled back and looked up into her flushed face. She was absolutely breathtaking leaning against the bar, eyes glazed over with pleasure, biting her lip.

Possessiveness gripped him and he yanked her hips to the edge of the stool, thrusting his hard cock hard against her. He dropped his head and without the gentleness of earlier locked their lips together.

He pushed harder into her as their kiss reached a frantic pace. Her hands tugged at his shirt and he heard the shoulder seam rip. He pulled away only long enough to grip the hem and quickly removed the shirt before throwing it somewhere behind him and taking possession of her mouth once again. She nipped his lower lip and the sting felt good, making his cock jump, still trapped.

He picked her up from the stool, her fingernails scoring into his back, and jerked the button and zipper of her shorts. He heard her shoes drop to the floor as he pushed the shorts and undergarment down her legs. She wiggled out of her clothing, just as desperate as he.

Piper’s tongue traced over the muscles of his chest and he had to grab hold of her hips to keep his feet. The intensity he felt as she touched him was so unexpected. He’d known they would be good together but could never have imagined the amount of passion that swamped him now it was finally happening.

She dropped to her knees in front of him and he moaned at the sight. She peeked up at him and grinned. Slowly, she undid the button fly of his Levis one at a time. It was killing and arousing him at the same time.

Finally she had his jeans open and tugged them down his hips. They caught at his erection and she chuckled before using her hands to help. His jeans and boxer briefs pooled at his ankles.

Piper leaned forward and licked at the tip of his dick. Just a tease. He pumped once, unable to stop himself. She raised one hand to grasp the base of his cock and ran her tongue gently over the tip again.

He dropped his head back and closed his eyes, needing to calm himself. He didn’t want to shoot with the first touch. He breathed deeply but that only caused his breath to catch when Piper closed her mouth over his cock and engulfed it.

He cursed and caught her head in his hands. Shit, he wanted to be inside her but there was no way he would be able to last long. His hunger for her had been building daily and he was beyond desperate.

She sucked him down then slowly backed off. Over and over until he felt the familiar tingle telling him it was almost too late. He pulled away. “God, baby,” he managed before dropping to his knees with her. He pushed her back, kissing her deeply, until he lay over her. She arched up and gripped his shoulders.

He used his knees to hold her legs open while running his fingers through her wet folds. “Yes!” she hissed. Wet and ready, Piper bucked up as he parted her and plunged two fingers within her. She cried out, urging him on. As many times as he had fantasized about having her, he had never quite seen himself taking her on the floor of the bar, too eager to slow down, but more turned on than ever before in his life.

“Now,” she pleaded. “Jace, please!”

The begging did it. He would take his time later. Right now, if he didn’t get inside her, he would die. Just explode into a thousand pieces.

“My love,” he whispered, running his tongue over her bottom lip. “My Piper.”

Then he thrust deep. She screamed, convulsing around him, head thrown back, nails slashing his sides.

He plunged into her hard and fast, over and over. She met him stroke for frenzied stroke. His blood pumped, sweat dripped from his forehead onto her and he plowed her. Piper’s eyes were closed as she begged for more.

“Look at me,” he ordered. “Let me see you.”

Her lashes fluttered open. Her normally magnificent eyes were even more intriguing. They practically glowed as she looked back at him. Something wild and almost animalistic close to the surface seemed to be staring at him. It pulled at the dominant inside him. He slammed into her several times. “Mine!” he called.

She screamed and together they reached their orgasms. Her inner muscles clamped down and he released his seed deep inside her.

Claimed. Wanted. Mate.

Those three words seemed to circle around in his mind. He shook his head as he started to collapse. He managed to catch himself on his elbows as he peered down at Piper.

Her eyes were wide, although back to their normal color, while fear and panic played across her face.

He bent his head and very gently rubbed his lips over hers. “It’s okay, baby,” he assured her. “It’s okay.”

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