Chapter 41Kaitlyn was breathless by the time he pulled away, his gaze full of shadows and promise as his pants of air fanned over her lips. It was hypnotic, enticing even, as she found herself trailing kisses over his strong jaw, shivering when those rough and needy hands all but encompassed her waist. The touch causing her breath to hitch when he squeezed. "How's that for kissing you?" The words were heavy when he whispered them against her ear, and she shuddered when he suddenly rolled his hips up into hers. Against her best intentions, Kaitlyn moaned, her hips having a mind of their own as they dropped down against the swell in his slacks. They rolled in petite circles, heat and friction building up beneath the length of her skirt and stockings as she supported herself on her hands that were knitted firmly in his shirt.  The rhythm of his heartbeat matched the pulse between her legs. "Jesus, Pri

Chapter 43 Not regretting it was too much to hope for apparently. Sitting across the man she once saw a future with was horrible, a painful reminder of her shortcomings. No matter how much she loved the new direction her life was going, she couldn't help but reflect on where her life had dismantled to begin with. And it was the much harder to face when the cause of her heartache was Sitting directly across from her--with an innocent grin that she was starting to loathe. It didn't help that the establishment, despite the bitter weather--was mostly empty. The baristas inside scarce as well as they looked like they wanted to be anywhere else. It felt her feeling uncomfortable. With a frown, she sunk a bit into her scarf. "I'll buy you whatever you want," Randy offered after a moment, his smile not wavering despite her obvious reluctance. "No thanks. I'll buy myself a drink, thank you

Chapter 45The time spent in on the beach was harder than Kaitlyn ever imagined. What was supposed to be a relaxing getaway had become an uncomfortable stay.Jackson and her relatives didn't get along, at all. She expected it would take a day or two for them to get used to each other. After all, Kaitlyn had been slow to warm to Jackson herself. However, it looked like her Aunt and Uncle were going to be even slower. Between her Aunt questioning her about the nature of their relationship and her Uncle demanding she send him home, she was losing her mind. Jackson, thankfully, had managed to be more level-headed about their various disagreements, but she could tell he was reaching his limit. It would only take one more 'dangerous' or 'freak' comment to set Jackson over the edge, and how could she blame him? It didn't help that she and Jackson hadn't had a single moment to be alone. Her Uncle had been watching them like a hawk. It seemed like every time Jackso

The next morning was tense, even more tense than when her and Jackson had first arrived.  While the raven himself seemed to be in a better mood since their snippet of conversation, her Aunt and Uncle had become intolerable.  Their nagging a constant thorn in her side the instant she even tried to breach the distance with Jackson.  It left her feeling grumpy and agitated as she walked around the house.  It made her feel hesitatant, too. After her conversation with Joshua, she'd thought of a million ways to confession her feelings to Jackson. She wanted him to know how she truly felt about him. But with such a volatile environment, how could she?  It was definitely her worst decision yet, and it scorned her.  She really should've just celebrated with Jackson back at their makeshift place.  Soon, she knew she'd have to leave that behind too. The reality setting in that Randy owned that pl

Stacy reached her side in a matter of moments, returning to her side with two dark red glasses of wine. Kaitlyn immediately drained the cup of its contents. The bitter taste not the most soothing flavor to her turbulent feelings as she grimaced, scowling at her empty cup. So much for holiday cheer. Stacy gaped at her. "Kaitlyn, since when do you drink like that? It's a glass of wine! Not shots!" "Does it really matter right now?" Kaitlyn grumbled, her face feeling harsh as she couldn't shake her frown. "I have since I got dumped, and even more when I became an idiot. I need another glass. Let's go, Stacy." she muttered as she stormed off toward the refreshments table her uncle had placed for the party. Her eyes scanning the packed room for Jackson, but even his bright flickering lights couldn't be found. The taste of the wine was more bitter than she remembered. Stacy patting her back awkwardly as she trie