Page 15 of Snatching Jackie (Wintermoon Shorts #5)

JACKIE

T ristian’s big pickup truck rolls into what looks like a small cozy village.

The stars above us are incredibly clear, far brighter than I’ve ever seen them back in Detroit.

Several two-story cabins are scattered throughout the clearing, warm light spilling from their windows and illuminating the surrounding area.

Jabari squeezes my hand, and I glance up at him. His eyes study my face, and I know he can sense my nervousness. How could he not? My heart is pounding so hard I’m surprised it doesn’t echo through the entire truck.

Tristian pulls in front of a nice-sized cabin with all its lights turned off.

When the engine cuts, the night feels peaceful yet somehow charged.

Jabari quickly climbs out, then reaches back to help me.

His large hands grip my hips firmly as he lifts me from the backseat, gently guiding me until my flip-flops touch the ground.

I take a deep breath, filling my lungs with the crisp night air. “It smells like pine.”

He smiles, grabbing my hand and pulling me around the truck to where Tristian stands, watching us with an amused expression.

“So your woman is Headmistress over a bunch of supernaturals?” I ask Tristian, trying to wrap my mind around everything I’ve learned about Wintermoon in the few hours.

A proud smile lights up Tristian’s face. “Yes. And she does an excellent job with them.” His chest puffs out slightly, clearly bursting with pride. “I look forward to you meeting her. You’ll really like Ebony, and your cubs too. Caleb, my son, is stubborn, but has a strong bear.”

I smile at his obvious love for his family. It’s both touching and a little intimidating—this is the world I’m stepping into now.

“Welcome home,” Tristian says, putting a fist to his chest in Jabari’s direction. Jabari returns the gesture, a sign of respect between the bear shifters that I’m still learning to understand.

As Tristian climbs back into his truck and pulls away, Jabari guides me up the stairs to the porch of our cabin. I look around the quiet clearing, taking in every detail of what will be my new home. The word still feels strange in my mind. Home. With Jabari.

He opens the door and stands aside, allowing me to enter first. I walk in, my eyes adjusting to the darkness until he flips a switch, bringing the room to life.

The emptiness strikes me immediately—just a small sofa in the living room by the fireplace and a lamp in the corner.

At least all the windows have curtains—that’s a good start.

I turn to look at him, who’s dusting his bare feet on the small rug by the door. He hasn’t worn any shoes since he shifted into his bear, and it’s clear he’s more comfortable this way.

“I can tell from the looks of this cabin you don’t come here much,” I say, running my finger along a dusty shelf.

He walks into the kitchen, and I follow, turning on another light. “I haven’t had a reason to until now,” he says.

The simple honesty of his words warms something deep inside me. I smile, watching as he searches through the cabinets until he finds a pitcher. He goes over to the sink and starts running the water.

I approach and gently pull the pitcher from his hands. His face falls, a look of almost childlike disappointment crossing his features.

“I need water badly,” he tells me.

“Okay, I’ll make sure you have it.” I examine the pitcher, holding it up to the light. “Just let me wash it first—it’s covered in dust.”

He steps back, still watching me. A silly, sheepish grin spreads across his face, almost like he’s blushing, as I grab some soap and give the pitcher a thorough washing before switching to cold water and filling it for him.

When I hold it out, Jabari takes it eagerly, gulping down the water in just a few seconds without coming up for air.

It’s surprising to watch how quickly he drains it.

He starts to refill it himself, but I take the pitcher from him again, filling it and handing it back.

I remember now that Leah had reminded him he’d need to do this.

He takes two more refills before he’s finally satisfied. I place the pitcher in the sink, then walk over to the fridge, saying, “You probably need something to eat.”

When I open it, I’m greeted with an empty interior. The freezer is the same—completely bare.

I look at him and raise an eyebrow.

“I’m fine,” he assures me. “When my bear wakes, I will hunt.”

“He’s still sleeping?” I ask, noticing how he winces slightly as he rubs his temple.

“Yes, but he won’t stay out for long,” he says, massaging his forehead. “I will fill the kitchen with food first thing tomorrow.”

“You’re going to the Wintermoon market?”

He winces again from what appears to be a minor headache. “Yes.”

“I want to come with you,” I say, walking past him to the small table where I spot the bags—the same ones Leah teleported with. So that’s where she went.

I start going through them while he stands behind me, watching like an adorable puppy dog. After a moment, I turn to him.

“Well, go relax or something. I’m going to take a shower. I think I need one after everything.”

“I want to stay with you,” he says immediately.

I turn away from the table with a giggle. “Well, you are with me.”

He falls quiet, and I realize he’s going to hover no matter what I say. So I decide to improvise.

“Alright fine, where’s the bedroom?”

He points to the stairs, then moves around me, grabbing the bags and leading the way up.

I follow him, my hand trailing along the wooden banister.

The upper level has three bedrooms sharing a bath, but he guides me to the largest—which has its own.

It’s massive, yet just as bare as the rest of the cabin.

The bed looks like two king-sized beds joined together, with fresh bedding that stands out in the otherwise empty space.

There’s a dresser and a closet, and thankfully, the windows have curtains.

He walks over to the bed and places the bags down. I follow, kicking off my flip flops. I start going through the clothes and pull out a nightgown just my size and a pair of silk panties that makes my eyes narrow. I can tell Leah planned this out.

He rubs his forehead again. “I will give you space in the bathroom, but I want to stay with you. Please.” The most innocent eyes I’ve ever seen look back at me. I keep hold of the nightgown and underwear and just smile at him.

“You are so weird sometimes,” I say, and he lowers his head as if in shame. I reach out and lift his chin so our eyes meet. “But I like it. You are so sweet Jabari, so sweet and innocent. Just a little lost sometimes.”

He smiles, his fingers gently gripping my wrist while I still have my fingers under his chin.

I lean down and press my lips against his in a tender kiss that makes his breath catch.

When I pull back, I glance down and notice his dick stiffening in his pants.

I remember how big it was when I saw him earlier, waking up naked in his cell.

I sit upright and clear my throat. “Okay fine, but relax.” He nods but remains seated on the bed, clearly intending to wait for me. It’s pointless to argue, so I turn away and look around for towels, finding them in a small closet by the entrance.

Stepping inside, I’m stunned. The bathroom is enormous—the shower alone could fit three or four people. I set my towels and clothes on the counter, then return to face him. Those intense green eyes are still fixed on me, though he winces occasionally from his headache.

“Is something wrong?” he asks.

I hold my hand out to him. “Your shower?—“

“Our shower, Jackie,” he corrects me.

I roll my eyes but keep my hand extended. “Our shower. It’s big enough for both of us, I’m assuming because you’re this massive shifter. I want you to come take a shower with me.”

“Really?” His face lights up like I’ve just offered him the greatest gift in the world.

I shake my hand a little in front of him when he doesn’t immediately move. “You left me hanging the first time we met on the ship. Are you doing it?—“

I let out a squeal as he stands from the bed so fast I barely register what’s happening. He picks me up, flipping me over his shoulder and carries me into the bathroom.

“I guess I better get used to you picking me up,” I mutter as he sets me down on my feet once inside.

“I love carrying you,” he says, his voice deep and sincere. “I will carry you all the time if you let me.”

I just stare at him, mesmerized by the pure devotion in his words and the way his eyes shine when he looks at me.

He pulls off his shirt, and I find myself gawking at him. The planes of his chest, the way his muscles flex involuntarily—Jabari is built. Fucking built. I can’t tear my eyes away as he smiles and opens the shower door, stepping in to start the water.

Then he steps out and approaches me. “Do you want help undressing?”

I just stare at him in silence, and he laughs lightly.

He moves closer, his eyes focused entirely on me.

Slowly, he grabs the hem of my shirt and lifts it over my head, exposing my bra.

Then he reaches behind me and unclasps it, gently pulling the straps from my shoulders.

His eyes linger on my full breasts, and he licks his lips.

He drops to his knees, grabs my leggings and underwear, and pulls them down together.

I step out of them, feeling exposed but not self-conscious.

The way he looks at me—like I’m the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen—makes me feel powerful and desired.

He gently runs his hands up my thighs, then plants a kiss on my hip that sends shivers through my entire body.

He stands again, keeping his eyes on me as I melt under his gaze.

He pulls his pants down, kicking them off his ankles, standing before me fully naked.

I look over his beautiful body, my eyes drawn to his dick—the length, the size, the thickness of it.

I bite down on my lip, heat pooling between my thighs.