CHAPTER TWO

The rain beat down on her in waves as she sloshed through another ankle-deep puddle. The adrenaline from her encounter with Jim had fled her, leaving her cold and exhausted. Water bubbled from her sneakers as she stepped out of the forest and onto an empty parking lot. She glanced over her shoulder, black locks sticking to her wet face with the motion. Had Jim turned back for her?

If he hadn't yet, he would soon.

As soon as Jim realized how he had left, he would be tracking her down at breakneck speed to make immense.

She grinned despite her ire, the thought having taken some of the salt out of her.

Her shoes smacked against the concrete as she crossed the road. Muted classic rock echoed through the pelting rain like a prophetic calling. She had set out to hook-up, but her determination had waned.

Thumping club music and drunken hoots clung to her like a slick coat of grease well before she reached the bar.

The rain abated, Claire lifted her soft eyes to find a seedy biker bar illuminated by moonlight. Row after row of motorcycles lined the front of the building. She grinned when her eyes fell on a dinky moped parked behind a dumpster. If she wanted to get laid this was the place to do it.

Jim. She thought, how bad would he hurt if I let another man touch me? If I give someone else what he had pushed away?

Anger welled within her, threatening to choke her. She tore her eyes from the moped to asses her figure. She was shivering- soaked to the bone. Her wet clothes clung to her, accentuated her shapely figure. She looked rough but no less beautiful.

Bam!

The bar door slammed open, loud laughter and music swelled. A young man stepped out trailing a thin cloud of smoke in his wake. His hair was dark and mussed; silver studs shone on his leather coat like a beacon. She took the biker in, eyes roving from his boots up to his rugged face, his blue eyes.

Claire tilted her head; a neon sign thrummed behind him casting a sapphire glow over his strong figure. She licked her lips as her body warmed. Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea.

"Jim." She whispered as she stepped forward and stilled, shocked that his name escaped her lips.

She couldn't do it.

If she would be picturing Jim while with another man... There is no point.

She sighed. Claire was not about to punish herself like that. She loved Jim and knew he cared for her.

Her decision made, Claire's muscles relaxed. She hadn't realized how tense she had been. Her breath fogged with a deep sigh as she turned on her heels, facing the forest. She dreaded the walk back, no matter how short, walking through the woods at night wouldn't be pleasant.

"Hey, cutie." She turned towards the raspy male voice, "why don't you come inside and I'll help you get warmed up." The leather-clad biker stood before her. She scrunched her nose as his thick boozy scent watered her eyes.

"No, thank you." She said, stepping back to put some distance between them.

"Aw, don't be like that." The biker said, his eyes fixed on her breasts as he gripped her shoulder with a clumsy hand. Claire shuddered as her temper peaked. "I can tell your cold; those tits could cut glass."

"You need to get your hand off of me." Her firm words echoed across the parking lot. The stranger's hands on her had driven home what she had already known- she did not want anyone but Jim touching her. "I said no."

"I bet I can change your mind," his hand dropped to her breast as he closed the distance between them in one step.

The temperature dropped as an ominous growl vibrated from the trees behind Claire. She didn't turn around but took a moment to rip the man's hand off of her breast with a yank.

The man gasped, his attention returned to her, the growl long forgotten. With marked intent in his eyes, he lunged towards her, as if having his hands on her would coax her into compliance.

Claire evaded his reach with ease, stepping to the side. A horny drunk was nothing in the wake of the mystical war she had fought in. With a swift kick, she tripped him as he missed his intended target. The biker face planted into the parking lot with a wet thud. Claire blushed as his awkward position resembled one she was in earlier that night.

I really hope I didn't look like this to Jim. She thought, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Claire."

She shrieked, twirling around, her fist swung wide but never connected.

Jim stood behind her, powerful and fierce like a demonic warrior. Water droplets glittered on him as they rolled down his massive body. Her eyes dilated at the sight of him. Had he seen what happened?

A glance at his face and she knew the answer.

Jim kept his features neutral, but could not mask the fury burning in his eyes.

Claire was unflinching, knowing it was all directed at the biker- and likely himself. His large body was tense, his back was straight as a rod, and his massive fists clenched. She should be afraid right now; any normal human would be. She felt her chest constrict with emotion under the intensity of his sky-blue gaze.

The few steps it took to reach him felt like an unspoken promise. A turning point in their relationship- and Claire liked the direction it was pointing.

She licked her lips as she came to stand in front of him. Her nipples hardened at the charged air between them, her breaths grew shallow.

She missed him.

The urge to throw herself at him and apologize was strong, but Claire held fast. Jim should have turned back for her sooner. Much sooner. If she were a stronger woman she would cry, rage at him, something. Anything.

Instead, she rested her palms against his broad chest, grinning as he gasped at the touch. Leaning in, she wrapped her arms around him, digging her fingers into his rain-slick hair.

"Claire, wait." Jim stuttered, "Are you okay, I saw that guy grab you-"

She jerked his head down, cutting him off with her mouth. Desperation beat at her as their lips clashed, his arms snaked around her waist to pull her close.

"Open your mouth, mi amour." She demanded. He complied.

Her tongue delved, tasting, dominating. Jim was stiff at first, clearly shocked at her sudden eagerness, but quickly melted in the face of her passion. His hands trailed down her back in a gentle but hesitant caress.

Claire would have none of that.

She braced her hands on his shoulders and with a swift leap had her legs wrapped around Jim's waist. He staggered, but quickly adjusted to her weight, his large hands cupped her ass in a firm grip.

Their eyes met, their noses touching. A smile played at his lips, the smile she loved so much. She cupped his cheek, leaning forward to give him a tantalizing kiss before pulling back.

"I'm sorry about earlier, Claire." He said, remorse dripping from every word.

"I told you, I'm fine."

"No- I mean yes, about that but also about leaving you the way I did."

"You should have come back sooner."

"I know."

"See that guy there." She nodded towards the unconscious biker a few feet away. Jim's eyes widened, clearly having forgotten the biker guy was there. "I was about to sleep with him because the bar sign made his skin look blue…"

NOTE

Next chapter will have sexy time- you have been warned.

Thank you for reading! Please comment if you enjoyed the chapter!