Craving More (14 page)

A self-deprecating smile appeared on
her lips. “Intense is one way to put it, but I want you to know I’ve moved on
with my life. I just want you to be happy.”

“Thanks. So, you’re really okay now?
Are you seeing someone new?” He silently hoped so. Macy hadn’t been so bad in
the beginning of their relationship. Maybe she really was back to her old
self.
 

“Oh I’m not quite ready to see anyone
yet though there is a man I’m hoping will be in my life at some point.
 
Right now, I’m still testing out how it
feels to be single, making myself more independent and taking care of things on
my own. How about you? Are you seeing anyone?”

A nagging in the back of his head told
him not to say anything but he ignored it. “Yes, actually I am.” A quick flash
of irritation gleamed in her eyes so he backtracked quickly. “It isn’t really
serious though. We just started seeing each other and I’m not looking for
long-term commitment. It’s more of a no-strings thing, something to scratch the
itch once in a while.” The words tumbled out of his mouth as an act of
protection, hoping he sounded convincing. By the look on her face he was sure
she didn’t believe him.

“Well, like I said earlier I just wanted
to so I’m sorry. Maybe we’ll see each other again sometime.”

Macy reached out and enveloped him in a
hug. Her rose perfume wrapped around him, making him choke.
 
He swallowed down the cough that was
trying to come out. She placed a kiss on his lips before stepping back and
walking off. “Bye Jett.”

He cleared his throat. “Bye Macy. Good
luck with everything.” Reaching in his pocket he pulled out his keys while
unlocking the car. Once inside the vehicle he put the window down, made sure no
one was behind him and backed out of his spot before tearing out of the parking
lot.

Macy’s
attitude change had him on edge though even now. He had a moments panic at the
thought of not seeing Corrine. He definitely couldn’t ever imagine getting
bored with her and sending her on her way. He couldn’t let Macy know that’s
what he felt. The attack on his sister back in college would be nothing
compared to what she would do to someone he loved and was his mate.

Seeing
Macy brought back all of the bad and painful memories from the past few years;
his crazy ex-girlfriend attempting to destroy his life and anyone in it, the
easy no-strings attached emotionless hook-ups that left him wanting, the
depression and loneliness that plagued him when he walked into his empty
apartment after a long day at work, and no one to share his triumphs and
failures with.

He
had himself convinced for the longest time that he loved his life just how it
was. That he was a man living it up, free of any true responsibilities. He was
wrong.

How
much did he really want to change the status quo of his life? A lot. He was
unaccountably drawn to Corrine. She made him feel warmth and comfort,
happiness. Made him think of home and family. He wanted it all, with her.

Jett
mulled over everything that happened in the past couple of weeks. A week spent
at the bakery every day just to see her. Be near her. The late night phone
calls just so he could pretend she was next to him before he spent the night
dreaming of her body writhing under him. One amazing night cut far too short.

He
was driven to see her every morning just so he could have that fresh picture of
her in his mind, have her scent imprinted on his clothes and body. He had a
bone deep desire to kiss her sweet lips and do nothing more.

Not
that the urge wasn’t there. Every day he wanted to drag her back to her house
and toss her over or on something and have his way with her. That was a
constant. He just found he was content to be with her and not expect more.

The
clanging of bottles broke through his thoughts. Sam was talking and he’d
apparently missed almost all of it.

“…
guess
there isn’t a problem then.”

Jett
shook his head. “What isn’t a problem?”

Sam
snorted. “I said I don’t think the guy is a problem. She said something about
this guy just being out for a good time. Corrine was pretty adamant the
relationship wasn’t serious on either of their parts and it was over. She said
he blew her off this weekend.” He shrugged and walked off to the kitchen. The
clink of the empty bottles hitting the bottom of the trashcan propelled him
into action.
 

Jumping
up quickly from the couch he swayed a bit before regaining his balance.
Shit. How much
did
I drink?

Thoughts
of Corrine sent him to the kitchen in search of Sam. He found him sitting at
the small table eating.

“Hey
can I borrow your phone?”

Sam
cocked his head in his direction. “Why?”

He
barely stopped his alcohol-drenched brain from getting him in trouble. “Uh, I
don’t know where mine is and I need to talk to her about making a custom cake
for one of my co-workers. I volunteered since, you know, your sister bakes.”

“At
this time of night?” Sam narrowed his eyes and glanced at his wrist. They both
noticed there wasn’t a watch for him to check the time on. “Shit, must have
left it out at Corrine’s.
Probably in the couch.
I
swear that thing is a black hole.”

“I
just need to talk to her before I forget. It slipped my mind until just now.”
Which was true since he spent most of his weekend holed up in his place peeking
out the window looking for Macy. Nothing else really crossed his mind.

Jett
knew this wasn’t the wisest decision but he couldn’t stop. How could Corrine
not think things were serious and that he blew her off? Didn’t she know he
didn’t do this kind of thing?
Especially with shifters.
He never pursued a woman this hard. Spent this much time just being around a
woman without even having sex.

Of
course, how would she know? It wasn’t like they really talked about that part
of his life. Every time he was around her all he could think about was getting
a taste to tide him over.

 
His heart lurched at the idea of them
being over. The hollow, pulsing ache that followed wasn’t something he’d felt
before. If it meant he couldn’t be without her then he was determined not to
feel it again.

He
rubbed his hand over his heart.
A useless effort to ease the
pain.

Sam
looked at him a bit confused. “Sure man. You okay?”

Jett
blinked a few times. “What? Yeah I’m fine.”

“Whatever
you say.” Sam tossed his phone to Jett.

Jett
took off to his room, scrolling through the contacts until he found Corrine’s
name. He shut his bedroom door, switched on the bedside lamp and moved to the
window before he dialed, staring out into the night.
The
darkness beckoning him to shift and run.

A
movement off to the side caught his attention. As the phone rang in his ear, he
narrowed his eyes searching for what it could have been. When the voicemail
kicked in he pulled his attention back to the phone, hung up and redialed.

After
the third ring Corrine finally picked up. Her sleepy voice washed over the
line. “Whoever this is go away, don’t call back.” She hung up before he could
say a word.

Not
heeding her words he promptly called back.

This
time she was a little more awake. The rustling of sheets over the line had him
picturing her lush, naked body when she spoke. “I’m sure you have the wrong
number. Please don’t call back. I won’t answer.”

He
got her name out right as she hung the phone up for the second time.

“Fuck,”
he yelled.
Frustration infusing his body.

After
calling a local cab company he went out front to wait, seeing Sam asleep in the
recliner on his way out the front door.

Thirty
minutes later he was walking up the drive to Corrine’s house. The buzz from
drinking earlier still flowed through him. He felt warm and a little fuzzy.

Again
a small voice in his head told him this might not be the best idea. Brushing it
aside, he took in the house looming in front of him.

A
thin stream of light could be seen from her bedroom window. He might have a
chance at not waking MJ and seeing Corrine alone.

He
knocked on the front door before stepping back far enough to see her window. He
called her number again. Despite her threat not to answer she picked up on the
second ring.

He
did the talking before she could start in on him. “Corrine kitten, come open the
door and let me in. I want to see you.”

“What?”
she whispered harshly. “Who is this? Why do you have my brother’s phone?”

“It’s
Jett, sweetheart. Look out your window.” He tipped his head back for a better
look, stumbling. It was that moment she peeked through the curtain.

“Jesus,
are you drunk?” she sighed.

“Nope.
Just feeling good. Come on, honey. It’s chilly out here. Let me in. Warm me
up,” he shamelessly pleaded.

The
curtain fluttered back in place. Seconds later the front door opened. His
beautiful angel stood in the doorway wrapped in her short ivory robe.

Corrine’s
mussed hair and sleepy eyes screamed for him to take hold of her and drag her
to bed. He wanted to claim her in every way possible. Mark her with his scent
so she would never forget whom she belonged to, then curl up around her and
never let go. He had no doubt he would sleep like he had never slept ever
before.

With
determination driving him on, he marched to the door. Just when she was within
reach, her hand flew out stopping his forward momentum.

“Just
what do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m
going to give my girl some love.” He tried stepping around her but was blocked
by her other hand coming up. “What’s wrong sugar?” he grumbled.

He
knew the alcohol was kicking in. Corrine’s face was getting fuzzier by the
second. It always took longer for it to hit a shifters system. Once it did
though it hit hard and fast and it would be an hour or two before the affects
would wear off.

The
warmth that before was slight and comfortable, like a nice cozy blanket, bumped
up a couple of notches. Sweat was starting to pop up on his back and chest, his
shirt making him unbearably uncomfortable.

Needing
to cool down he grabbed the hem, pulling the offending garment over his head
letting it dangle from his fingers. A gasp sounded from Corrine but he was too
busy focusing on his relief. He sighed as the night air caressed his overheated
skin.

“Damn
you must be pretty smashed,” Corrine said. “I hope you didn’t drive.”

He
narrowed his eyes, attempting to focus. He zeroed in on her pouting lips.
“Nope. Took a cab.” He tapped his temple with his index finger. “I’m smart.”

“Not
lately,” she mumbled low although he still heard her.

He
shifted toward her quickly stumbling into her, breaking past the barrier of her
hands. He wrapped his arms around her waist. “Please honey. Let me in. I just
want to talk.” He dropped a kiss on her head.

Damn
he had missed holding her. Her soft body molded against him, the tension that
gripped his body the last few days, slowly seeped out.

He
heard her deep sigh and knew he won this round. Too bad he wasn’t in much shape
to celebrate. If he could get her on a flat surface, one that didn’t move
around so much, things would be a hell of a lot better.

“Come
on. Let’s get you inside. I’ll call a cab to take you home. You shouldn’t be
here Jett. I’m mad at you and this isn’t making it any better.”

Slowly
she wrapped her arm around his waist and shifted to his side, helping him into
the dark house. Once inside she turned to the right, opening a door before
pulling him into what could pass as an office/spare bedroom. A dim light came
off a computer screen casting light onto the bed tucked into the corner of the
room.

Shuffling
them to the bed she turned him, pushing him down, before he could pull her down
with him she skittered off, reaching for the phone on the bedside table.

He
didn’t want her to call him a ride. He came here to talk to her, straighten a
few things out. Now if only his brain would clear up so he could do that.

Mustering
as much clarity as he could, he grabbed her hand, simultaneously knocking the
phone down.

Using
his strength he pulled her over tumbling her onto the bed. Swiftly he covered
her with his body while his head swam with dizziness, his stomach rolling
uneasily. He slammed his eyes shut, squeezing them tightly until the nausea
passed.

“Damn
it Jett. Let me up,” she said through gritted teeth.

He
opened his eyes, staring down into her aggravated face. Her jaw was clenched,
nostrils flared. She was the most beautiful, angry creature he had ever seen.
He couldn’t mess this up. He had to make her listen to reason.