Wolf Mountain Peak Complete Series, page 105
part #1 of Wolf Mountain Peak Series
“Go get him. Good luck,” she whispered, tossing him a warm look, letting her car roll to a halt five yards away from the fence’s gate. A swift nod served as his answer. Grabbing the handle, he cautiously pushed the passenger door open, his gaze locked on Wendy’s living room. Just like the night before, she was on her couch, facing her glass bay window, but with her eyes glued to a book. Bending at his waist, James lowered his head, his hurried footsteps leading him closer to the partially open fence gate. He reached his right elbow towards it, feeling his breath quickening. He cringed at the creaking hinges, trying to create a gap wide enough for him to fit through easily. Still, he stared up at the living room; then he started down the narrow pathway. When the window left his line of sight though, James straightened his hips as he curled his fingers into fists. Throwing one last glance up at the neighboring house, he burst down the narrow yard, feeling the crisp air against his skin. By then, his heart was pounding like a war drum. He hadn’t been this close to his son in more than two years.
A few feet before the edge of the property, he slowed his strides, and whirled his head to the left. Stopping outside his boy’s bedroom, he took two steps forward, and peeked through the window. A green light was on, on the wall across from the boy’s bed. Sean was sleeping peacefully under the blankets, facing in his father’s direction. James swallowed hard then he lifted his arm. Staring down at his son, he tapped his fingers on the glass. Breathing in pants, he could feel shot after shot of adrenaline, storming through his veins, like pure heroin. One more tap caused Sean’s eyes to flutter, intensifying James’s tension. He did consider making more noise, but his ex-wife was still wide awake. Such act could well backfire.
“Come on, baby, wake up,” he whispered to himself. With a sharp knock of his thumb against the glass, he made his final move. A massive smile of relief washed over him when the boy’s eyelids rolled up. In an instant, they sparkled with excitement when his gaze met his father’s eyes.
“Daddy!” little Sean exclaimed, throwing his blankets off of him. Jumping from his bed, he rushed off towards the window. James let out a long breath, sensing tears rising up in his eyes. He had expected to get emotional, but these feelings far exceeded his expectation. His entire body was trembling. His heart was drowning in a sea of joy watching while his flesh and blood closed the distance between them. But, he couldn’t show his true emotions; at least not yet. Children could be very direct, and his son was sure to ask him why he was crying. Biting his lower lip, he struggled to hold back his tears as Sean reached both of his arms towards the window to push it up.
“Daddy, when did you get back from China?” Sean asked in his sweet, childish voice, taking his father completely by surprise. Still, it wasn’t long before James figured out the reason. Apparently, this was what Wendy had told him to justify his absence.
“I just did, little man,” James replied, bending his knees. “And I’ve brought you a ton of presents. Now, please, listen to me. You need to come with me, ok? I just moved in to my new house, and I’d like to show it to you.”
“Great!” Sean cheered, his eyes sparkling happily yet again. “Do I get to have my own room?”
“Of course, buddy,” James said with a smile, reaching his arms down and through the open window.
“Shouldn’t we tell mommy first?” Sean posed yet another question.
“Mommy already knows, son,” James stated, placing his hands under the boys armpits. Flexing his muscles, he pulled the child up and through the window. He squeezed his eyes shut, and taking his son’s small body into his tight embrace. The moment he had been so eagerly looking forward to, was finally here. He was holding his son, feeling his thin arms wrapped lovingly around his neck. However, he had no time to waste. Planting a short kiss on the back of his son’s head, James turned left and moved around the corner of the house. He tightened his grip around Sean’s back and exploded forward, staring down at Ava’s car. Thankfully, she had already opened the passenger and back doors of her Prius.
“Where’s your house, daddy?” Little Sean inquired while his head bounced with each stride.
“It’s not far,” James muttered, running through the fence gate. He stopped beside the car, and looked over his shoulder. Wendy was still where he had left her, oblivious to his actions. He bent his hips, and eased the child down onto the backseat. Sean pulled his door shut as James entered the car. Just then, Ava set it in reverse. The vehicle began to roll backwards, just before he closed his own door.
“Better safe than sorry,” She stated, checking her side view mirror.
“Sean, this is Ava. Ava, meet Sean,” James introduced them, looking down at his child.
“Hi, Ava; I like how you drive,” the boy confessed, leaning forward.
“Do you now?” she wondered out loud, with a sweet smile on her face, her gaze still settled on the mirror.
“Yeah, it’s like ‘Need for Speed.’ I love that game,” Sean added, turning her smile into a grin.
“Buddy, it’s late,” James chuckled. “Close your eyes. We’ll be there before you know it.”
“Ok,” Sean chirped, shifting his gaze to him. Still, his father could not maintain eye contact with him. Adrenaline was still flowing within him, his heart was still racing, and his breath had not stopped coming out in short gasps. Returning his gaze to the road up ahead, he tipped his head back, and put it on the headrest. He smiled to himself, imagining Wendy’s reaction. Kidnapping their son might have sounded cruel, but it was nothing more than she deserved. Now, she would feel just some part of the pain that he had been carrying all these years. She would taste her own medicine.
Chapter Fourteen
By the time Ava, James, and Sean arrived in Paxton, the boy was fast asleep in the backseat. The shifter’s chest was swelling with pride. She had kept her promise. For the first time in weeks, she had a reason to smile. Still, she couldn’t help but believe that their true ordeal was only just beginning. By snatching his son, James had declared war upon his ex-wife. Wendy was going to be furious at him. She was certain to utilize her boyfriend’s resources in order to bring more harm to her former husband. Mainly, however, having Sean around meant many more responsibilities for his father. The boy was just seven years old. James had to take care of many pressing matters, like registering him for school. He also had to arrange for his transportation. And, after coming home exhausted, he would have to help him out with his homework. Without a shadow of a doubt, her boyfriend stood at the beginning of a huge change in his life. He would need nerves of steel to cope with it. But, this was his choice, and she had to respect it. Obviously, having his son back was worth all the sacrifice and the struggle that was sure to follow.
James picked up his sleeping son in his arms, and carried him inside, all the way to Ava’s bedroom. Setting him down onto the bed, he bent towards him, and laid a sweet kiss on his cheek. She stood in the corridor, with her arms crossed over her chest, watching him savor something he had been missing out on for a long time. A deep urge rose in her while she watched him make his way out of the bedroom. Although his blissful smile was enough proof of his emotions, Ava meant to ask him how he felt. Unfortunately, though, she wasn’t given the chance to do so. Right when James closed the door behind him, his cell phone, in his pocket, buzzed with an incoming call. He pursed his lips, upon glancing down at the screen.
“It’s her,” He groaned, lifting it to his ear.
“Yeah?” answered James in a clipped tone.
“You bastard!” yelled Wendy, her voice so loud that he pulled the phone away from his ear. “You took my son? You’re going to pay for this, you fucker! Where is he? Where the hell did you take him?”
“He’s somewhere safe; away from his so-called ‘mother,’” responded James, his tone dripping with irony.
“I am his mother!” she cried out once more.
“You gave birth to him, you murdering bitch,” James snarled, striding away from the bedroom. “A real mother wouldn’t separate her son from his father.”
“You’re dead, asshole! You hear me? I’m going to the cops as we speak!”
“Go ahead,” James encouraged. “Don’t forget to tell them about the two goons you’ve hired to take me out; and the fact that you took him away from me first, six years ago.”
Ava let out a short chuckle at his last words. He put his arm back down, hung up on her, and allowed a huff of frustration to escape him.
“Well played,” praised Ava, sauntering towards him. “So, how does it feel to have him back?”
“Words aren’t enough to describe it,” he declared, gazing deep down into her eyes, his smile reappearing.
“Sweet,” Ava nodded, halting outside her bathroom. “Look, I need to take a bath. You can tell me more later on, all right?”
“Sure,” James replied and winked at her. Pressing the light switch on the wall, she left him in the corridor. Proud of herself for being there for him, she walked into her bathroom. The image of his smiling face was lingering in her mind. It was more than just evidence of his happiness. It was a reward for her patience, her tenacity, and her kindness. While taking her clothes off, it occurred to her that she had never exhibited all of those qualities to such an extent. Ava was always glad to provide a helping hand to Olivia, but they had been best friends for almost twenty years. That was expected of her. Over the past few days, she had done the same someone she didn’t know very well. Still, she had no regrets. If she could turn back the hands of time, she wouldn’t change a thing. The sorrow in James’s life had pulled at her heartstrings. She would be happy to assist him, over and over again.
Ava bent down and turned on the faucet, unable to shake the feeling that, along with James’s life, her own would change as well. She was dating a parent, who was just about to undertake the task of raising his son. Undoubtedly, little Sean would take up most of his time. In essence, she would have to share James with him. She would need his level of patience with his boy, or perhaps even more. Nevertheless, this was a sacrifice that Ava was willing to make. His son’s presence was going to fix the damage that Wendy had done. He would be himself; he wouldn’t brood anymore. Mainly, however, she had tried her best to reunite them. It was only fair that she reap the fruits of her labor.
Vapors rose up in the air from the bathtub when she poured foam bath into the water. In a matter of seconds, the wonderful mix of lavender and vanilla filled the bathroom. Ava lifted her leg over the edge of the bathtub, eager for some much needed moments of relaxation. The warmth of the water spread over her body from her submerged toes. Sitting down on the bottom of the tub, she lay back and closed her eyes, catching a glimpse of numerous bubbles over her arms. Ava tilted her head back, feeling the tension in her muscles slowly evaporating. But, within seconds, another sensation drew her attention: a featherlike touch on her stomach, making its way up her body. She tilted her head back when it reached her chest. Opening her eyes, Ava spotted James’s masculine figure, sitting down on his knees beside the bathtub, trailing his index finger up her neck. His cut shoulder muscles were shining in the dim light.
“Well, hello there,” she spoke with a deep rasp in her voice, looking up at him. “Care to join me?”
“I could stare at you for hours,” James said, his baritone lowering, scanning her body from top to bottom. “I just love those curves,” He added, rising to his impressive, 6’3” stature. Goose bumps raced down her legs. James was completely naked, reminding her of the incredible sight of his body in the forest. Now though, she wasn’t distracted by his wounds, but by the sculpted muscles on his chest alone. His chiseled abs flexed when he lifted his leg over the edge of the bathtub. Ava’s gaze shot up to his face, while he bent his knees. James leaned forward, causing the water to rise up to her chin. Feeling his large body on top of her, she snaked her arms around his back. His large hands cupped either side of her neck as he pressed his full lips onto hers. At that very moment, his delicious scent rushed through her nostrils. He smelled like molten chocolate cake; but, this was not what she enjoyed more about him. James’s kiss was more passionate, more demanding, proving to her that he had been waiting for this, just as much as she had.
“I want to eat you,” she whispered in his mouth, feeling his right hand slide upward. “You smell like a pastry shop.”
“I do, Ms. Wolf?” he teased, letting out a quick chuckle.
“Yeah,” Ava sighed, gripping the tight skin of his upper back.
“Me first,” James whispered, trailing the tip of his tongue along the seam of her lips. Feeling his hardening cock on her groin, she tightened her hold around him while he slipped his hand into her hair. Capturing a long curl, he wrapped it around his fingers, his hot breath sending bolts of electricity rippling across her skin. His tongue crept into her mouth. Her hand traveled down his back. A low whimper escaped her, upon the sensation of his flexing muscles. Ava hungrily squeezed the flesh just above his hip, and his free hand slid down her neck first, and then her shoulder. Running it down her side, he stopped it at her hip, their tongues twisting with and wrapping up in one another. The feel of the entire length on her stomach tantalized her. She had barely touched him, and his manhood was already rock-hard, ready to satisfy her deepest desires. Tipping her head back, she exhaled a lustful sigh; the flesh of her outer thigh filled his hand. James untangled his fingers from her hair, moving his lips down to her chin. His long kiss brought a smug smile to her face, while she sank her fingernails into the flesh of his shoulder blade. Small drops of water started to drip down his back as he trailed more kisses down her neck. With a gentle, upward push, her body left the bathtub floor. Right after that, he slipped his arm around her waist, and let go of her neck. More droplets fell off his chest and into the water as he leaned slightly back. Holding her floating body, James curved his fingers around her left breast, while his mouth closed in on her right one. Ava’s breathing was getting heavy and labored. Tilting her head forward, she opened her eyes to slits. His chin brushed her nipple and he snaked his tongue out of his mouth. She reached her hand forward to cup his temple.
“Oh, baby…” she whimpered, squeezing her eyes shut while he traced the tip of his tongue along the underside of her breast. Moving her hand up, she threaded her fingers through his hair, while he completed a full circle. Ava reached her free arm up, and grabbed the edge of the bathtub, a moment before he closed his lips around her nipple, sending waves of pleasure thrumming through her. Her desire was growing with each passing second, leaving her helpless to his wants. Under his complete control, she was gradually losing herself to his passion, at the same time relishing in the fact that her body was dictating his every move. An encounter in her bathtub might have eluded her imagination, but she was going to take it nonetheless. The thought of having him had been dominating her mind ever since his act of heroism. James rolled his tongue around her swollen nipple, causing her to push upwards. Her soft moans were audible over the sounds of his worship. He used his thumb and forefinger to pull on her other nipple. Raking her fingers against his scalp, she threw her head back from the flicks of the tip of his tongue over her other nipple.
“It’s so hard,” he grunted, cupping her breast with vigor, while he nibbled his way down her chest.
“Because of you,” she hissed, biting her lower lips. “Keep it up. God, you’re turning me on.”
James gave a good, firm squeeze to her breast, before sliding his hand down. His lips collected more and more drops of water on the trail of kisses he left down her stomach. Ava arched her body, bringing her waist just above water level. His mouth bypassed her bellybutton and his hand crept around her waist. Sliding it down, he smoothed it over her ass cheek first, and then grabbed and held onto it, forcing a long, pleasurable sigh from her. But, even as amazing as it was to feel his strong hand on her ass, it was nothing compared to the sensation that followed. James brought his face directly over her pussy, and swiped his tongue across her clit, driving her to dizzying heights.
“Oh, my God…” Ava moaned, feeling his lips crush onto her clit. His French kiss was like a slice of heaven. Firm, filled with unbridled lust, claiming her soft flesh: more of his grunts filled her ears. Every stroke of his mouth was a feast of sexy delight for her senses. The occasional brush of his tongue on her labia was just a bonus; her moans encouraged him to give her his absolute best. She tipped her head down once more, willing to see his beautiful face during his worship. Still, the strong lines were just a piece of the masculine puzzle. His shoulder muscles were casting their shadows over his arms. James’s biceps were bulging, pressing against her. The sight of his mouth nibbling her clit, made her melt like a candle in a wildfire. She was savoring this sweet surrender. Ava was writhing under him, feeling the slick evidence of her arousal seeping from her core. Only one thing could make this even better. She would love to reach, grab his hair, and press his head onto her. That way, she could somehow control his pace, and a few strokes would show him just how much she was enjoying this. But, he was out of her reach. All she could do was relax and let him guide her to paths of uncharted pleasure. James’s tongue was swirling around her clit, coaxing her to the brink of orgasm, kneading her ass cheeks, one at a time.
“That’s it!” Ava cried out, tossing her head back. She thrust her arm up to cover her mouth. Her climax hit her with intense ferocity that took her breath away. Waves of molten pleasure blasted through her, paralyzing her limbs, while she stifled her moans. Sobs of passion were still slipping from her mouth while she lazily dropped her arm back down. James laid a tender kiss just above her clit before opening his eyes to look up at her.
