Chapter 141: Kitten Never Puts Herself DownAfter dinner, they changed their minds about watching a movie, instead returning to Blake's cabin to spend a quiet evening. Blake took Bear for his evening walk while Shasta availed herself of Blake's shower, grateful beyond reason for hot water.Shower completed, she dressed in a short lavender nightie with spaghetti straps and black lace trim. Blake was back by the time she returned to the living room, and he gave a low whistle.Shasta grinned impishly. "You like?""I like. A lot. I'll especially like peeling it off of you later." His tone made her tummy flutter, and she felt the twinge all the way to her nether regions.Blake settled into his chair with the book he'd started the night of the storm. "Help yourself to the bookshelf," he told Shasta.She stood before the tall wooden shelf and gazed in wonder. "You have all kinds of books here.""Yep," he chuckled, "I have kind of eclectic tastes.""For a mountain man," she giggled, an
Chapter 142: The Nightmare ReturnsTwo blue lines. My heart pounds like a jackhammer. How can there be two blue lines? I look to Jeremy. He has that 'deer in the headlights' look."Shasta, babe, this is shitty timing. You know it is. You can't seriously consider keeping it.""We're talking about a baby. Not an 'it.'"He rolls his eyes. "I know, I get it. But how can you do this? You're starting an action movie in just a few weeks." He holds her tightly. "I know you want this, hell, I want it, too. Just…not now. You can see I'm right about this."Wordlessly, we drive to the appointment he made. I feel like I'm in a bubble. Voices are muted. They're talking to me, but I can't hear them, don't want to hear them."Just relax, it will all be over soon."And the baby cries. Where is he? I can't find him. He needs me and I can't find him…The scene shifts, like carnival mirrors in a fun house. There's Jeremy across the crowded restaurant. He has that smarmy expression on
Chapter 143: Out of Her Comfort ZoneBlake watched Shasta sleeping peacefully beside him, her long red locks splayed across the pillow, her blissful face in sharp contrast to her agony the previous night. While he'd been surprised by her revelation, all he felt for her was love. He'd seen plenty of self-loathing in the youths he'd worked with as a wilderness counselor. Hell, if he thought about it, he'd seen plenty of it in the mirror. But the road to self-forgiveness started with blunt honesty.She stirred, turning toward him, and blinked open her eyes. "G'morning," she murmured sleepily."Hi, beautiful. How did you sleep?"Yawning, she stretched her arms over her head. "Mmmm, great! After… Well, you know."Blake nodded. "I know, kitten." He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. "So, I've been thinking.""Have you?" she grinned cheekily."I have. And here's what I was thinking. I've claimed your mouth." He lightly traced her lips with his index finger. "And
Chapter 144: Strangers"You know those things will kill you, right?"Rhys Cullen stared challengingly at his friend, took a long, exaggerated drag on his Players Medium, and blew the smoke into his face. "Good. Me soul was dead long ago," he quipped.As Rusty Davis drove the rented Ford Focus down the highway, he fought down the urge to punch his partner in the head. They'd flown from Los Angeles and rented the car in Vancouver."How much longer? Me arse went to sleep an hour ago," grouched Rhys Cullen."It won't be long now. See?" Rusty Davis pointed to the sign. Elliott Lake, 10 km."And you know the name of the rehab center where she's staying?"Rusty shrugged. "It's a small place. How many could there be?"In the past hour, they hadn't passed more than a few tiny settlements. Rusty privately worried about finding a gas station soon, but he didn't want to mention it to Rhys, who was in a foul mood already. Instead, the middle-aged man with a red crew-cut fiddled with the r
Chapter 145: AnticipationAfter painting the exteriors of the first two cabins, Blake and Shasta took a break. In the kitchen of the main house, he quickly made turkey sandwiches for their lunch. "How's that plug feeling, kitten?" he asked as he sat across the table."It's fine. I mean, I can feel it, but it doesn't hurt."His grin was sly. "Does it feel good?"She shifted uneasily in her chair. "I just know that my pussy is about to go up in flames if it doesn't get some relief soon."Blake laughed. "We'll see what we can do about that." Rounding the table, he grasped her arm and led her to the kitchen counter, where he bent her over. A sharp tug dropped her shorts to the floor around her feet. He released his monster erection and impaled her roughly."Oh, shit, yes!" she panted.After three strokes, he pulled out and restored his jeans, returning to the table to finish his lunch.Shasta, still leaning over the counter, watched him incredulously. "Are you kidding me?!"Blake
Chapter 146: Closing In on Their Quarry"You're sure you don't want to ride along?" Blake asked.Shasta shook her head. "No, it's family time. I'll meet them all properly when you get back.""What are you going to do all day?""I don't know," she shrugged. "Maybe Bear and I will take a field trip over to Winchester. I could look for blueberries again and do some sketching."He watched her for a long moment. "Okay. But remember to stay near the water. Don't go any further than the trapper's cabin."Her smile was sweet. "Yes, Daddy.""And it might be a good time for you to work on your journal." That morning, he'd reminded her about the blank book he'd given her the day she made her decision, encouraging her to write about her dreams, and her experiences and feelings about being his submissive.Blake pulled her close and kissed her longingly. "I'll miss you while I'm gone."When he let her go, he saw a glimmer of pain in her eyes. She'd be leaving in a few weeks. What would h
Chapter 147: Back From VacationSqueals rang out through the concourse as Emma and Grant came running up to Blake, who waited just outside the secure area of Terminal 1. They were each wearing personalized Mickey Mouse ears, and they thrust a pair into Blake's hands."Here, Uncle Blake, we got some for you, too!" Emma sang.He smiled at the black hat emblazoned with his name in yellow. "Wow, thanks!""Put them on, Uncle Blake!" Grant insisted."Yeah, put them on, Uncle Blake," Jackie laughed as she caught up with the children.She hugged her brother tightly."Welcome home, sis."The children chattered eagerly throughout the time they waited for their bags and all the way out to the Suburban. But after only fifteen minutes of driving, they both crashed and burned. Blake and Jackie absorbed the quiet for a while.Finally, Jackie looked to Blake. "So what's the deal with you and Shasta?"Keeping his eyes on the road, he shrugged slightly and smiled. "We're together. She's staying w
Chapter 148: Meeting the FamilyShasta tried to ignore the anxiety that gnawed at her stomach as she peered into the mirror in Blake's bathroom to apply a second coat of mascara. He'd be back anytime with Jackie and the kids. Recalling the only other time they'd met, she felt mortified. The thought occurred to her that there were countless other people she'd treated exactly the same way over the course of her life. She sighed and replaced the wand into the mascara tube.When she and Bear had returned to the mainland following their outing to Winchester Point, she'd made a beeline for the shower, trying to make herself presentable for when everyone returned to the lodge. In the bedroom, she slipped into a deep purple tunic dress, skipping panties as she knew Blake required, and then returned to the bathroom for one last look in the mirror. Gazing at herself, she tilted her head to the right. The outfit wasn't her go-to armor, but she felt satisfied, nonetheless. Maybe Blake was
Chapter 328: Epilogue"Just one more push, you're doing great," the doctor said."How are you holding up, Dad?"Bleary-eyed, he nodded to the pink scrubs-clad nurse. He was ready for this long night to be over.He felt her starting to squeeze his hand again. "You've got this, babe," he murmured, kissing her forehead.Eyes closed and teeth clenched, she bore down, releasing a grunting squeal with the effort."Stop! There we are, Mom. The head is out. Now don't push, just breathe for a moment."Still holding her hand, he leaned over to see the back of the baby's head. His heart was in his throat and tears streamed down his face."Now this is it. On the next contraction, go ahead and push."He turned back to her. Eyes wide, she panted, gripping his hand for dear life."Oh, God, here it comes," she cried."You're doing great, I'm so proud of you," he murmured, turning to watch as their child was born.Fifteen minutes later, he strode down the hospital corridor to the family waiting
Chapter 327: No Time Like the Present"You should go home and get some rest, Jackie."Without taking her eyes off Scott, asleep in his hospital bed, she reached for Blake's hand. "I can't. I need to be here when he wakes up.""You're sure?"She nodded, then looked to her brother. "Can you take care of the kids? I hate to impose, but…""No worries, Jackie. Now that the storm's over, we'll take them back to our house. Amy's more comfortable there, anyway. We'll have a sleepover party."Jackie sighed. "I know they're ready to be back in their own beds. But I'll be home tomorrow, for sure, at least overnight.""Okay, sis." He kissed Jackie on the cheek. "Keep us posted."In the quiet of the hospital room, Jackie pulled a chair beside Scott's bed. As soon as they'd arrived back at the lodge, Blake and some of the others had carried Scott to the battered Suburban, laying him on the back seat.At Amy's insistence, Blake had driven Jackie and Scott to town. By the time they reache
Chapter 326: Dream Versus RealityHe was staring up at an azure sky. A warm summer breeze caressed his face. He turned his head and Jackie smiled at him, her deep blue eyes sparkling. "Where were you?" she asked.Scott shrugged. "I don't know.""Well, you're back now. That's what counts." She took his hand and led him to a bed in the middle of a sun-drenched field full of flowers. The bed's sheer white canopy billowed in the breeze. Kissing his hand, she released it, reaching up to slide first one, then the other spaghetti strap of her filmy white dress, allowing it to slide down her body and pool at her bare feet. His gaze slid from her sapphire eyes to her succulent lips. Then it traveled over the firm globes of her breasts with their pert pink nipples, to the flair of her hips, to the junction between her thighs where tight black curls were neatly trimmed. When he met her eyes again, she smiled knowingly and sank to her knees, bowing her head and resting her hands palm
Chapter 325: Warrior Princess"Jacks, you can't go out there." Blake's face twisted with concern."He won't come back until he finds Pierce. But he won't find Pierce, because Pierce is here. You can't leave Amy. I'd never even ask. And if Ned Hart won't go out there, I have no other choice." Her voice was deadly calm.She grabbed her grey coat, then put it back on its hook, heading into the dining room. Blake followed. "Jackie, seriously, I don't want you going out there." He grabbed her hand, stopping her. "Scott wouldn't want you going out there.""He can tell me that when I find him. Can I borrow Amy's pink parka? It's brighter than mine, easier to see."Blake exhaled sharply, his tone resigned. "I've known you long enough to know that once you've set your mind on something, that's it. At least let me put together a pack for you."While Blake scavenged from the survival students, Jackie put on Amy's parka and spoke to Grant and Emma. "I'm going out to let Scott know
Chapter 324: From Bad to WorseAway from the wide-open expanse of the lake, the trees blocked a certain amount of the wind, but plenty of snow filtered down. Try as he might, Scott couldn't make out any tracks left by Pierce. He continued up the trail, slipping and sliding as he made his way up a steep ridge. The designated campsite was the clearing at the top, but once he arrived, the area was empty. Even the snow was thin, having been blown into drifts against the bases of the trees surrounding the clearing. Where are you, you little shit? Scott turned in a circle, considering the most likely way Pierce might have gone. The clearing was exposed. He'd have wanted to find a spot that afforded more shelter. Which meant he would have gone lower. But in which direction?Rolling the dice, Scott headed west, where the clearing dropped off in a bluff about thirty meters above a ravine created by a now-frozen creek. He peered down into the gully, willing Pierce not to be there at
Chapter 323: Who's Missing?An hour later, Scott sipped his coffee and gazed out over the room. A handful of his campers had volunteered to help with lunch, and they'd all enjoyed potato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Now, a group of guests was working on chili for dinner.Out of habit, he mentally counted his group. Tom and Patty Payton, who'd headed up lunch, were playing cards with Justin Sapp and Paula Martinez. Dan Spinelli was talking fishing with the father and sons from Cherub Lake. Not finding Pierce, Adams, or Bennet, he frowned slightly. A trip to the restaurant kitchen revealed Brian Bennett and Keely Adams working on cornbread to go with the chili.That leaves one. Scott returned to the dining room. Jackie was across the room checking on Amy. He cruised by the table where Dan was swapping fish stories. "Sorry to interrupt, but have you seen Pierce?"The younger man frowned. "Not since we ate. But you know, now that you mention it, his backpack is gone." H
Chapter 322: Everyone Shelter at the LodgeAs Jackie and the children hiked toward the main lodge, they heard the snowmobile returning from the island. Jackie sent Emma and Grant ahead with their backpacks, Max galumphing along behind them, while she waited for Scott to secure the snowmobile."How'd it go?"Scott's lips were a grim line. "About how you'd expect. There's nothing we can do about it with the storm coming. Everybody understood, really. Except for Pierce. He's such an asswipe."Jackie's eyes widened but her lips curled impishly. "Oh my, Sire. Language."He popped her ass lightly. "And now my Princess requests a spanking. My day is complete."They both laughed as the entered the lodge. Trina had a huge fire going in the dining room's fireplace, and she'd already been to the cabins to invite guests to gather in the main lodge, where there would be food and heat."Hi, guys," she greeted Jackie and Scott. "I called the crew to let them know to stay home today. Then
Chapter 321: Blizzard WarningFrowning, Scott watched the latest weather report on the early morning local news, his mouth set in a grim line. Beside him, Jackie stirred. "What is it?" she murmured."It's alright," he answered softly. "Go back to sleep. It's not even 5:00 yet."She sniffed loudly and yawned. "I'm awake now. What's the matter?" She pushed up on an elbow and rested her head against his shoulder.He shook his head derisively. "The blizzard. They're predicting the storm to hit by this afternoon.""I thought it was supposed to skirt us to the south.""I hoped it would. But now we're under a blizzard warning." He kissed her temple and slid out of bed."What are you going to do?"He stepped into a pair of fleece-lined jeans and shrugged into a grey thermal Henley. "I'm heading to the island to let the campers know. Obviously, we're postponing the solo outings. I'll offer them the chance to return for free to finish their second week of this session." He glanced
Chapter 320: Winter SessionPulling the hood of his black parka lower over his head, Scott ducked behind the windscreen of his snowmobile and headed back to the lodge. At the bunkhouse cabin, he'd just welcomed Tom and Patty Payton, the only married couple he'd had thus far in his wilderness school.Having checked in with Jackie in the reception area of the lodge, the pair had made their way on foot across the ice to the island where they joined fellow survival students Justin Sapp, a stocky young man with an infectious sense of humor, and Paula Martinez, an attractive thirty-something Latina who wrote a Spanish-language adventure blog.Everyone in this session had broad outdoor survival experience, including the Paytons, who had once spent a year in the Amazon cataloging wildlife. They'd told Scott they were excited to learn winter survival skills in the wilderness of Ontario.That leaves four more clients yet to arrive, Scott mused as he pulled up the slope to park beneath the lodg