A Heart's Endeavor Page 8

  Chapter 9

  Jack sat on the sofa and rested his elbows on his knees. He scrubbed his face. What was Mel so worried about? She had smelled fine to him. As a matter of fact, he wanted nothing more than to bury his face in her pussy and breathe in her musky scent. It had taken all the self-control he could muster not to throw her down on the kitchen table and have his way with her.

  Don’t be a dog, Jack.

  Anxious to get his hands on her body, he stood up only to sit back down. What the hell was taking her so long? He glanced at his watch. He’d give her another minute then he’d rip off his clothes and join her. Hmm, maybe she’d be interested in some water play.

  A loud thump jerked him from his musings. Frowning, Jack got to his feet and followed the sound of running water. He entered the bathroom and came to a complete stop. Of all the possible scenarios that were racing through his mind, he didn’t expect to see her curled into a ball and pressed against the shower wall.

  “Jesus, Mel,” Jack hissed and turned off the water.

  He snatched a towel and covered her shivering body. He took his eyes off her for a split second and closed the lid to the commode. He stepped into the tub and gently, but firmly gathered her into his arms. A quick scan of her body showed she wasn’t cut anywhere. To be sure he set her on her feet and ran his hands up and down her. Satisfied that there were no bruises or broken bones he scooped her up again. She immediately stiffened and began to hyperventilate.

  “It’s okay, sweetheart,” Jack murmured into her hair. “I got you. I won’t let anything hurt you.” He sat down on the closed toilet seat and draped her across his lap. He pressed her soaking wet head against his shoulder. “Come on, honey, feel me breathing and breathe with me.”

  He felt the shudder that went through her. Her behavior indicated that she was suffering from a panic attack. He had seen a lot of them, and this one was a doozy. Christ, she had him so scared he was shaking right along with her.

  “Come on, baby. That’s it, in and out, in and out.” Jack exaggerated a deep breath and let it out in a long, drawn-out whoosh. “Just like this.” He inhaled deeply again and again until Mel followed suit. Soon both of them were breathing together as one.

  Jack hugged Mel close to his chest. She remained stiff in his arms, but her breathing was even and smooth. He continued to whisper nonsensical words in her ear. After a while, she became less rigid and more compliant. He rocked her gently and listened to her steady breathing.

  “So, how long have you suffered with panic attacks?” His arms fell to his sides as Mel scrambled off his lap and slowly made her way into the bedroom.

  * * * *

  Mel selected a short, but modest robe from her dresser and dropped the soaked towel into the hamper. She tied the sash and stood in front of the bedroom window. She didn’t need to ask how Jack knew about panic attacks. He probably saw all kinds of weird stuff in his line of work.

  “I haven’t had a panic attack in a long time. I don’t know what triggered it.” She swiped at her nose. “My doctor tells me to ride out the panic and try not to worry about when the next one might occur. Worrying would start a vicious cycle and bring on another attack.” She snorted. “That’s easy for him to say.”

  Jack walked over and held out his hand. Their eyes met for a brief moment then Mel allowed him to guide her to the sofa in the living room. Once again, he gathered her in his arms and brushed the damp hair from her face. He kissed her cold nose. “Did the thought of making love to me send you into a panic? It’s not like we haven’t done it before.”

  Relief flooded through Mel. She heard the teasing lilt in his voice. If she joked along with him he might not question her further. She sighed and made an effort to sound affronted at the question. “Of course not.”

  Deep inside she kept thinking What if I have another attack? I’m not supposed to worry, but how do I stop? Damn, it wasn’t working. The tears she held at bay fell down her cheeks.

  “Oh, Jack, I didn’t want you to see me this way.” She hoisted herself from the couch, but Jack pulled her back on his lap.

  “Oh no, you don’t. We’re going to talk this out.” He kept a hold on her chin so she couldn’t turn away from him. “How long has this been going on?”

  “A little over four years.”

  “I take it your husband supported you through all this?”

  Mel pressed her lips together. She might as well tell him that part about her marriage. “No, my husband didn’t support me. As a matter of fact, he turned away from me.”

  “Go on,” Jack snarled.

  Mel’s entire body slumped in defeat. “Everything was pretty good between us. Ours was a typical marriage. We both were busy with our jobs. I used to work at the post office in town. Mike had taken a course in building car engines. He was a whiz at stuff that involved engines, and he made good money because of the gas situation. There was always a better way to build engines that didn’t suck up so much fuel.” She sighed. “I had my first panic attack while driving home from work and everything changed. Mike didn’t want me driving any more. He was worried I’d wreck the car.”

  Jack tightened his hold around her waist.

  Encouraged, Mel continued. “I had no way to get to work so I had to quit. We didn’t go out much after that. Mike was afraid that I’d have an episode in public and he’d be embarrassed. He said I was damaged. Whenever I brought up the subject of me working again he’d walk out.” She shrugged. “He changed. Everything was okay as long as there weren’t any problems. I thought I knew him pretty well, but I had made a terrible mistake. He’s been gone over a year and all I did during that time was mope around the house and feel sorry for myself. Last week, I pushed aside my fear of driving. I hopped in the car and the rest is history.”

  Mel twisted her hands in her lap. She waited anxiously for Jack to say something, anything. Did he think her weird? Would he leave? He still held her so that must mean she hadn’t scared the bejesus out of him. She felt guilty for purposely leaving out the fact that she had depression, but right now she didn’t want to get into the deeper part of her emotional problems.

  Throwing caution to the wind, she purposely took her time getting to her feet. She made sure to wiggle her butt in his lap before standing up in front of him and insinuating herself between his knees. She loosened the sash to her robe a notch. That’s all it took and the satin material caressed her shoulders, slid down her back, and pooled at her feet.

  She knew she was acting out of character, but now was not the time to be self-critical about her appearance. Jack had mentioned many times that he found her attractive and that would be the only thought she’d keep in her head, because she needed his touch more than words of comfort. To feel him pressed against her, inside her body, was the only thing that would chase her fears away. She was sure of it deep down into her soul.

  “Make love to me, Jack. Help me forget for a while.” She bit her bottom lip in consternation. Don’t panic now, Mel.

  He appeared to be reluctant, but she had noticed how his eyes darkened as he followed the path her robe had taken. His attention settled on the area between her legs. Her pussy throbbed in tune with the pounding of her heart. She saw that his hands were clenched tightly around his knees as if he was trying to prevent himself from moving.

  He shook his head, but his eyes never left her pussy. “Mel, I don’t think…”

  “Don’t think, Jack.” Taking the initiative, she tugged on his hand and was relieved when he followed her into the bedroom. This man was a model gentleman, but she didn’t need gentle and nice manners right now. She needed him hard and fast inside her body.

  Mel knelt in the middle of the bed and settled back on her haunches. “Take off your clothes, Jack,” she murmured softly. “I want to see you. All of you.”

  Jack yanked his shirt over his head and tossed it onto the bed. Mel ran her gaze over his wide chest. She watched in fascination at how the muscles in his arms flexed as he unbuckled his be
lt. Suddenly she had a wicked thought.

  “Wait.” She crawled to the edge of the bed and licked her lips. “I’d like to unzip you, if you don’t mind.”

  One dark brow arched in surprise, but then he slowly dropped his hands to his sides. Mel leaned closer. Her fingers brushed the taut, smooth skin of his belly as she flicked open the snap to his jeans. His abdominal muscles tightened when she kissed his navel. Spreading open the flaps of denim she caught the zipper between her teeth and pulled downwards. She took her time, careful not to hurt him. The huge package beneath his boxers swelled and nudged against her face. She took a deep breath, but that was as far as she got. With a growl, Jack finished undressing and palmed his cock.

  Mel braced herself on her hands and knees and licked him from base to tip. She tilted her head and sucked his tight, lightly furred balls. Jack seized her jaw in one hand and guided his thick member into her mouth with the other. It was exactly the reaction she had hoped for. She grasped his tight buttocks and took him fully into her mouth. She sucked him hard. His hands cupped her head, keeping her in place as he pumped her face. He didn’t stop until his come shot down her throat.

  Sweat beaded his brow and he blew out a breath. “Stay right here and don’t move.”

  Mel ran her tongue over her lips, savoring his taste. “Where are you going?”

  Jack held a finger to his lips. “Shush now, and do as I tell you.”

  Jack left the room and Mel’s thoughts drifted back to her panic attack. What on earth brought it on? Would she have another attack after Jack left and she was all alone? Wandering around the house seeking a hiding spot so the panic wouldn’t find her sounded silly, but that’s exactly what she had done years ago. She pursed her lips. No, she wasn’t going to dwell on it. Doctor Evans might have an answer. Tomorrow was her three-month checkup. Maybe he’d be able to pinpoint the problem.

  She did a double take when Jack returned with a banana in his hand. “Er, what do you intend to do with that? They’re not exactly ripe enough to eat.” She eyed him warily as he peeled the fruit.

  Jack grinned and tossed the skin in the small wastebasket by the bed. “They’re just right for what I have in mind. Now, be quiet and close your eyes.” Mel thrust out her chin in mock defiance. Just that quick the smile vanished and his demeanor became stern and unyielding. “Now, young lady, or do I have to cuff you to the bed and blindfold you?”

  Oh, how she loved it when he went all commanding on her. Now she was the one grinning as she laid back and closed her eyes.

  Jack’s weight dipped the mattress. “No peeking,” he warned. She felt something cool slid across her lips. She inhaled deeply and poked out her tongue. She licked the banana and heard a groan. “Stop,” he told her. “This piece is mine.”

  His voice sounded as if he had a mouthful of rocks. She could be naughty and suck that succulent piece of fruit into her mouth. She’d have him by the balls for sure, but she just blew out a breath and waited for him to continue. She felt the fruit trace her jaw and graze across her nipples. Holy cow!

  “Ah, Jack, what are you doing?” Holy smokes, she was having a tough time talking. When he stuck the fruit in her navel she dug her heels into the mattress and thrust her hips into the air.

  “Having some fun.” His voice came out in a low rumble. “That’s it, baby. Arch your back like a nice kitty. Purr for me.” Jack’s raspy coaxing had Mel gasping for breath. “This banana is perfect for what I want. Now keep your eyes closed. Clear your mind of everything and just feel.”

  Mel did as she was told and shivered when he traced the outline of her hips then tucked the banana between her legs. Her eyes shot wide open. “Uh, Jack, I do have a vibrator.” Oops, she hadn’t meant to say that. Her hands flew to her mouth, and her face felt like it was on fire.

  Jack grinned wickedly. “Oh yeah? I’d like to watch you use it sometime, but right now I want you to keep your eyes closed.” Jack tapped her lightly on the hip. “If you don’t do as I say, I won’t lick your pussy.” He chuckled when she quickly shut her eyes. “I thought that would work. Now, spread your legs like a good girl.”

  The slide of the cool fruit against her flesh had Mel writhing on the bed. Her fingers clutched the coverlet.

  Jack slid the banana over her clitoris and nudged it part way into her opening only to pull it back out and glide it over her sex once again. “That’s it,” he coaxed once again in that oh-so-sexy voice. “Show me what that sweet pussy of yours wants.”

  Mel’s hips rose up and down in a frenzy as she tried desperately to lock her legs around his arm, but he kept himself out of reach. He continued to tease her by gliding the banana over and over the spot between her legs that was thumping like a drum. She bit her lip in frustration.

  “Let go, baby,” he whispered in a husky voice and thumbed her clit back and forth. “Jesus, your pussy’s so hot and wet for me.”

  His touch and dirty talk sent Mel sailing over the edge. Soon she was screaming her release. Breathing heavy, she opened her eyes and saw Jack’s stare fixed on her pussy. Her face grew hot. Moisture slid down her inner thighs. She must look a sight with her body displayed in such a vulgar manner. She tried to cover herself with her hand, but her wrist was caught in a much larger one.

  “Don’t ever hide yourself from me, Melanie.”

  Melanie opened her mouth to protest, but he silenced her with a glare. “No arguments or I’ll paddle your ass. Is that understood?”

  Mel nodded and watched him grab a tissue from the box on the nightstand. He wrapped the banana and set it aside. His attention once again zeroed in on her cunt.

  “I had planned to lick your cream off of that piece of fruit, but why settle for a little taste when I can gorge myself right at the source.”

  Before Mel could utter a word he moved to the bottom of the bed. He grabbed her by the ankles and pulled her toward him. He positioned her legs so that they hung over his shoulders and buried his face between her thighs. He sucked and lapped her pussy until she came as fast and hard as the last time.

  Jack continued to feast on her flesh long after her legs ceased shaking and her breathing had returned to normal. Dazed, Mel remained in her splayed position and watched as he licked his lips. She felt like a limp dishrag and barely moved when he got up and went into the bathroom. Soon he was back with a warm washcloth and tenderly wiped her sex. She was too weak to summon the strength to be embarrassed. He had seen everything she had to offer.

  With the look of a wild man, he donned a condom and joined her on the bed. Without a word, he spread her legs and plunged his cock home. Only after she whimpered and clutched at his forearms did he seek his own release.

  Jack rolled onto his side and gathered Mel’s still trembling body into his arms. He rested his chin on the top of her head and whispered. “I’ll always be here for you, Mel.”

  Mel closed her eyes and pretended to sleep. The fact that he had witnessed her moment of weakness still weighed heavily on her mind. He appeared to be fine with the fact that she suffered with panic attacks, but he didn’t know about her depression.

  The mattress creaked and Mel slowly opened her eyes to see Jack looming above her. He waggled his brows. “Are you going to hand over your vibrator or am I going to have to handcuff you?”

  Without hesitation, Mel opened the drawer to her nightstand and dropped the vibrator on the bed. Jack took hold of her thighs and opened her wide. He sure as hell accomplished things with the vibrator she never could.

  Chapter 10

  Mel sat in the small box-like room at the doctor’s office with a disposable thermometer in her mouth and a blood pressure cuff wrapped around her arm.

  “Your blood pressure is normal,” the attending nurse said in a cheerful tone. She removed the thermometer, glanced at it, then tossed it in the wastecan. “Temperature also normal.”

  Mel held back a snort. She’d bet her last dollar both had been way off the charts two hours earlier. Finding Jack gone and a note in his
place had thrown her for a loop.

  “Any changes since the last time you were here?”

  Mel shifted on her perch. “Well, I’m driving again and I have a job.”

  The nurse smiled at her. “That’s wonderful news. I’ll note that on your chart.” After she finished writing she looked up. “Is there anything else?”

  Mel shook her head. She’d wait for Doctor Evans to come in then she’d mention the panic attack.

  “Okay, the doctor will be with you shortly.”

  Left alone, Mel went over everything she wanted to tell Doctor Evans. She didn’t consider driving and working again to be a big milestone, but maybe she should. Three months ago she had been sitting in the house feeling sorry for herself. But like always, she dwelled on the negative and the panic attack was utmost in her thoughts. Last night Jack’s intense lovemaking had shoved the fear of another attack to the back of her mind, but now it was back in full force.

  One thing was for sure—Jack certainly knew his way around a woman’s body. And the things he could do with a vibrator had blown her mind. Not to mention a banana, for God’s sake. The night had been so perfect, but when she awoke this morning he was gone and a note was lying on the pillow beside her head.

  Mel,

  The next few days are going to be hectic. I’ll try to call, but there’s some shit going down. If you need me and can’t get a hold of me, call the barracks. One of the guys will take care of you.

  All my heart, Jack

  Sounded to Mel like a brush-off. No matter how many times she read the note, it still had the ring of a brush-off.