Wolf Six's Salvation

"We'll meet at seven sharp. I'll tell the motel we're checking out," Jackson responded.

Chloe picked up the picture of her brother from the table. Whatever happens, she promised the picture, I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you.

Chapter 21

Jackson knocked gently on the motel door and Chloe hurried over to open it. The wind blew into the small room as she opened the door and old snow skittered around Jackson's feet. He stomped his feet on the cement outside the door before stepping in. It was a futile effort to keep the already disgustingly dirty carpet from getting dirty, but Chloe appreciated the gesture.

"Well, the manager says the room is yours until seven, so you can take a shower and relax until it's time to go," Jackson said. Chloe nodded. Seven o'clock and the plan to break into the base felt a long ways away and she was starting to feel nervous.

Jackson turned as though he was going to leave and Chloe caught his arm. "Will you stay with me? I mean, unless you have somewhere important to go or something," she added lamely. His smile lit up the small room.

"I've got nowhere to be but here. What would you like to do?" he asked. His eyes were cinnamon warm and when they focused on her she felt a heat growing in her belly.

"We never did finish that game of gin rummy," she replied with a smile. Jackson glanced over at the small table and the one, lone chair. She followed his gaze and quickly added, "We can just play on the floor."

"Sounds good to me," Jackson said, smiling as he sat down on the cleanest patch of carpet he could find. Chloe moved to sit cross-legged in front of him. Their knees were almost close enough to touch, and she could feel his heat radiating toward her. Chloe wished she could inch forward just enough to have his knee caress hers, but she didn't want to seem too pushy. He pulled out the cards and began dealing.

The sexual tension in the room was almost unbearable. Every fiber of Chloe's body- every muscle, every bone, every nerve—wanted Jackson. She couldn't understand the insane amount of attraction and it was taking every ounce of her willpower not to jump on him. Her lips tingled from where they had kissed, driving her mad with desire to feel it again.

"So," she said, clearing her throat. The room was too quiet and she hoped talking would distract her mind from the raging needs of her body.

Jackson looked up from his cards, his dark eyes drawing her in. She wished she had something to actually say, but his eyes stole all her brain power.

"I really appreciate you doing this," she stuttered. She organized the cards in her hand, hoping the blush wasn't as obvious as she was afraid it was. "I mean, helping me with my brother. It's a lot of risk, and I would totally understand if you wanted to back out or..."

"I'm not backing out. I said I was going to help you, and I'm going to." He smiled at her and her heart skipped a beat.

"Why?" she asked. "I mean, thank you, but you barely know me. Why are you helping me?" The cards shook slightly as she organized them a little bit more.

"We should fix that- the barely knowing part, I mean," Jackson said, avoiding her question.

After the dreams I've been having, I feel like I know you pretty well, Chloe thought, but she kept that to herself. After all, they were just dreams.

Chloe set her cards face-down on the floor and held out her right hand. "Hi. My name's Chloe Madison. I am twenty-three years old, single, and I like sweet wine and long walks on the beach."

Jackson set his cards down and wrapped her small hand in his. A tingle went up her spine at his touch. "The single thing is good considering earlier," he said with a wink.

"Sorry about that. I don't know what came over me," she answered nervously. Probably the same thing that's coming over me now, she thought. He hadn't let her hand go and she hoped that he wouldn't.

Jackson released her hand and she couldn't help the small sigh that escaped. He stared at the floor between them, as if he hadn't wanted to let go either. "We should probably just take things slow."

"You are absolutely right." Chloe nodded. "So what about you? You twenty-three, single and like sweet wine and long walks on the beach, too?"

Jackson chuckled. The left side of his mouth came up in a crooked smile that made Chloe swallow hard. It wasn't fair to put such a kissable smile on a man.

"My name is Jackson Wolfe. I am twenty-eight, single, and I like whiskey and hiking in the mountains." Jackson grinned at her, his eyes sparkling. Chloe couldn't help but smile back.

"It's very nice to meet you, Jackson." A naughty smile caught her face. "So, do people ever call you 'Captain Jackson'? Or 'Cap'n Jack'?"

Jackson rolled his eyes at her bad rhyming and movie reference. Chloe laughed, and he pointed to the cards. "It's your turn," he said.

"Right, my turn." Chloe picked a card and smiled. She lay her cards out on the floor in front of her. "Big gin."

"What?" Jackson exclaimed, leaning over to look at her perfect hand. He groaned and leaned back, shaking his head. "I think you might have just won the game. You don't even want to see the crap in my hand."

"Oh, yes I do!" Chloe exclaimed, leaning forward to grab his cards. He quickly thrust his cards to the ground and covered them with his hands. Chloe got on her knees and began to try to pry his fingers off of the cards. She managed to get several fingers lifted, but as soon as she freed them he simply shifted the cards to where she couldn't get them. Chloe giggled and moved to his wrists, her face only inches from his.

Realizing how close to him she was, Chloe raised her eyelashes slowly, looking into Jackson's eyes. They were rich with flecks of gold and cinnamon. The heat in her belly was threatening to consume her. She wasn't sure who leaned forward first, but somehow she found herself in a glorious kiss. She pressed her lips against his, feeling her blood sing as they connected. His hands went to her hair and his fingers tangled within it as he pulled her into him.