"Come on, baby. We've got to get up," Jax whispers into my ear, and then the weight shifts from the bed as he gets up. 

"Ten more minutes," I whine, fumbling blindly for him. "Get back here, babe! I need my pillow- pal."

"We've already had ten more minutes. We have to get to the creek, and the earlier we go, the better."

"I know," I grumble as I sit up. It's still dark as night, but our fireplace dimly lights the cabin. I see Jackson tinkering with something on the stovetop. His back and all those awful scars face me.

"What are you doing?"

"Making oatmeal. This is going to be the last of it."

"Shit."  Our luck at the entrace hut ran out fast, and we came up empty every day last week. Luckily, the traps resulted in some small game, and the stew lasted over three days. But the lack of fresh meat has caused us to rely heavily on our dry items. We're now down to a few servings of rice, maybe five servings of beans, and two cans of soup.

Eating more has helped the lightheaded, dizzy feelings I was getting, but I haven't gained any weight, and neither has Jax.

We need fat badly. The little bit of goose fat we're adding to the stew just isn't enough, and the small game and the venison are very low in fat. We need to fish and catch a lot so we can make a big fish stew and also have a bunch of it to smoke, but to do so, we have to face the threat of the wolves and go to the creek. The pond hasn't been lucky, and the creek has spots where the water still flows and hasn't frozen, making ice fishing much more accessible.

We decided the earlier, the better since wolves are known to hunt at night. We aren't going to stay out too long, but we will base ourselves at the creek cabin for a few days. That way, we can get up and fish early, and later in the day, we can hunt safely from the roof. Hopefully, after a few days, we can come home with a lot of fish and some meat.

Begrudgingly, I pull myself out of bed, letting out one long yawn as I rummage through my clothes for the cleanest items to wear.  Everything needs a wash again. It's so difficult in the winter, but we're bringing the boat and the sled with us to the creek cabin in hopes that we get lucky enough to need them both, and since we'll have the boat, I'm going to wash all our clothes outside over a fire that we can set the boat over.

I slide into a pair of baggy jeans, pull on a flannel on, and then join Jax at the table. As I sit, he pushes the pan of oatmeal towards me.

"Do you even eat any?" I question as I arch an eyebrow.

"I had enough. Finish it up, and I'll get us packed and ready." He leaves the cabin with our guns and a bag of tools before I can argue or force him to eat more. Typical Jackson, and as much as it touches me that he always puts me first, it worries me, too. He needs the calories just as badly as I do if not more.

"We really need some luck at the creek cabin," I say out loud. "Whichever mom's in charge of watching out for us this week, can you make that happen?"

I let out a small laugh at the silliness, but a strange, warm feeling comes over me. Is it hope or wishful thinking?  Whatever it is, I carry that feeling with me as I get ready to head to the creek with Jax.

***

"I think that's enough for today," I say as I happily reel in another large pike. "Let's get back and get these in the smoker."

Not to mention, get ourselves in the cabin... I've been nervous and on edge all day.

When we got close to the creek, the first thing we saw was wolf tracks—and lots of them. So much for that hopeful feeling I brought with me to the creek. Luckily, we haven't seen or heard from them. Hopefully, they cross back over after they hunt at night, but who knows?

"Let's check some of the traps I have set up near the water hole," Jax suggests. "We'll be fast," he adds when he sees me frown. "If we got a beaver, it'll have a lot fat to render, and we need it."

"Okay," I say as I stand, lifting the bucket full of fish.

"I can walk you back to the cabin first if you're cold," he offers,

"Not leaving you alone out here," I say quickly. Safety in numbers at this point, I see no way around that.

"Let's go then," he doesn't argue.

I hold the bucket and he drags the sled as we walk along. We dropped the boat off earlier and got a fire started inside the creek cabin, so when we get in there, later it'll be toasty-warm.

"Holy shit!" Jax exclaims as he hurries ahead.

"What is it? Wait!" I hurry after him. It's not easy in this deep and crunchy snow.

When I reach him, he's hovered over something I can't see.

"What is it?"

"A wolf's remains. Looks like it starved to death."

I get closer, peering over Jax's shoulder, and I'm stunned when I see the remainder of the wolf lying in the snow. It's mostly just bones and some fur now as something already made a meal of it.

"That leaves three... only three," Jax says.

"Really? Are you sure?"

"Pretty sure, there were six, and then the one chased me across the creek that winter and died, and then I shot that one when you and I crossed the creek, and now this one. That should leave three."

"Unless they procreated," I point out.

"It's possible, but if they did, I think we'd have seen the younger wolves with the older ones when we ran away from them that day," Jax brushes the snow from his jeans as he stands up. "Three is a hell of a lot easier to handle."

"We're still outnumbered, and they are still wolves," I remind him. "Can we get back now?"

I glance around to be sure we're still safe and alone.

"Yeah, let's get moving, baby. We got a lot of fish to clean and smoke."

***

"Fish stew is much better without rabbit in it," I comment as I sip from my jar.

"Yeah, let's not do that again."

"Let's?" I tease. "That was all you, Smokey."

He sticks his tongue out at me, and I make a face right back, making us both laugh at ourselves.

We made quick work of getting the fish cleaned and in the smoker, then Jax made the stew while I washed the clothes.

We're now sitting at the table in the creek cabin, our damp clothes hanging around us as we devour the stew.

I get up and rinse our jars out as Jax stands and stretches, letting out a yawn.  "It's still pretty early in the day to hunt. Should we take a nap, and then we can sit on the roof later?"

"A nap sounds good," I agree as I finish up. "It must've been four am when we got up."

Jax said he's always found early mornings and evenings work best for hunting, but we've been avoiding evenings. At this cabin, we can sit on the roof and look out, which will make us feel much safer.

"It was early but worth it with all the fish we got." Jax climbs into the bed, and I curl in next to him. This bed is smaller, pushing us closer together. Not that we mind, he wraps his arms around me, pulling me in tight.

"This is where we had our first date," I murmur as he kisses my head.

"I wish I could take you on a real date."

"Where would we go? I mean, other than an Italian restaurant, of course," I say as I strum my fingers over his chest.

"Shit, now you put me on the spot, I don't know how to date," he says with a laugh. "Maybe a movie. Is that boring?"

"No, I love going to the movies! Especially scary ones, even though I regret it later when I have nightmares."

"Good, that gives you an excuse to cuddle up to me."

"Like I need an excuse for that," I snicker. "but most couples go to the movies to make out and don't see much of the movie anyway."

"Movies then definitely movies," he declares.

"Maybe we should practice that date right now?"

"Good idea," he agrees, pulling me on top of him as our lips meet in a slow and lazy kiss.

"I could kiss you forever," he whispers against my lips.

"Then don't stop." 

He deepens the kiss, which quickly becomes heated as our hands begin exploring each other. I feel him hardening under me as he lets out a husky moan. I sit up, straddling his thighs and pressing my core into his erection as I look down with what I hope is a sultry smile.

"You're so fucking hot," he groans as I peel my shirt off, revealing the nothing I have on under it.

His hands find my breasts in an instant, massaging them and then teasing my nipples. I moan, enjoying his efforts, as I tug at his shirt.

He lifts his back enough for me to pull it off him, and then I lean down, pressing my bare breasts against his chest as I assault his mouth with a needy kiss.

"Oh fuck, Sam," he groans.

"I wish we could make love," I confess.

"I do, too, baby. You have no idea how much I want you," he says in a husky voice.

"Well, I have a little bit of an idea," I tease as I grind against his erection. He jerks underneath me, and his eyes close, letting me know he enjoys the friction, so I continue my efforts, getting us both heated in a hurry.

The jeans we're wearing are troublesome and in the way. I unsnap my own and then lift myself up on my knees so I can shimmy out of them. He helps, using the sides of his legs to drag them down. I then kick them off the rest of the way.

"You're overdressed," I say as I toy with the button on his jeans.

"Let's fix that," he lifts his hips as I unsnap them and then help him push them off.

We both let out a soft sigh of contentment when I grind against him this time. It's much easier to feel each other with less fabric in the way. Our motions heighten as we both become eager for more. He lifts up, meeting me as I thrust back down against him.

The tip of his dick escapes the confines of his boxers from all the movements, and when I feel it brush up against the skin of my inner thigh, I want more. I angle my hips so my clit, which is only covered by a measly bit of silky fabric, rubs against his exposed tip.

"Oh... yes," he mumbles.

"Jax," I whsuper in a breathy voice.

I lean down and find his mouth, which is just as eager for me. Our kisses are hot but messy as we start humping desperately against each other.

The waves of pleasure overtake me fast, and I start moaning against Jax's lips as I lose control.

"Come for me, my sweet baby," he whispers, and that's all I need. I cry out his name as I reach nirvana.

"Damn Sam, the way you say my name, those little noises you make... it's the best fucking torture."

"Torture?" I let out a soft giggle as I look down at him. "We can't have that. But I think I know what to do about it."

"You do?" He's grinning as he arches an eyebrow.

"Mhm." I lean down and start pressing soft kisses on his bare chest, moving lower and lower down his abdomen. I stop when I reach the hem of his boxers and look up.

He looks back at me with oozing desire.  I lean down and press my lips against that exposed tip, feathering a lingering kiss there.

"Uh fuuuck," he moans.

I take that as a sign to continue and tug his boxers down, letting them fall to the floor. I position myself at the foot of the bed, between his legs, and lick my lips as I look down at his hard and eager dick.

A moment of insecurity flashes over me, halting my confidence. I suddenly find myself unsure how to start this.

Do I just put it in my mouth and go?

"Sam, you don't have to—"

"I want to," I cut him off. "I'm just not sure what to do. Tell me if it doesn't feel good, okay?"

"It's going to feel good," he assures me. "Long as you don't bite it."

We both laugh at that, and it helps ease my nerves. I lean down and run my tongue over his tip. I then take the it into my mouth, and Jax jerks and stiffens as he moans. I slowly glide more and more of him into my mouth until it's too much to handle, and I nearly gag, so I quickly pull back.

"You okay?" he asks in a breathy voice.

"Yeah.. was that okay?"

"Oh baby, it feels incredible," he replies instantly.

My confidence grows more with his assurance, and I suddenly find myself eager to blow him away, quite literally.

This time, when I wrap my lips around him, I push less of him into my mouth and use my hand at the base of his shaft to help guide me. This works well, and time the strokes of my hand with my mouth as I bob my head up and down. I start slow but increase the pace as I start finding a rhythm.

It's so sloppy and messy, but it's also so hot. His happy noises let me know he loves it.

"I'm going to come, Sam," he warns, his body tensing but I don't budge, I let go of his shaft and allow his dick to thrust deeper. I gag but still don't move as he explodes into my mouth while groaning my name.

As he pulls out, I wipe my lips and mouth, stunned that I not only enjoyed doing that but seemed to do an okay job at it, too.

"Love you so fucking much," Jax mumbles as he lies back, his head sinking into his pillow.

I curl in next to him, pulling the blanket around the both of us.

"I did okay then?" I ask in a teasing tone.

"Baby, that was incredible. I don't have words."

"We were going to take a nap, remember? Way to distract us." I giggle softly as he pulls me close to him.

"I think you did all the distracting—-" he stops abruptly, letting me go and sitting up with a worried look.

"Jax?"

He holds his finger to his lips, and then I hear it. Scratching sounds from outside the cabin. I feel a chill as Jackson stands up and heads to the window.

"The wolves," he whispers as he looks out.

"Wolves? As in more than one?"

"All three of them," Jax confirms, turning back to look at me. "They're out there trying to get into the smoker."

No....

The smoker full of all the fish we spent all morning catching!?

Not again.

"What do we do?"