Instinctual by Amanda Mackey Read Free Book Online Page A

it. Ignore the pull. Leave the past behind. Move on. It was good in theory but to actually put it into practice was impossible. He was weak and selfish. To let Kate go would be to say goodbye to a part of himself forever.
    He just needed a glimpse. To see her. Those eyes that could feel like endless lashings when angry, yet like sizzling pools of fire when aroused. The need overpowered all else. She was the first thing he’d thought of since his predicament. In fact, at the moment, she was all he could think about. He pinched the bridge of his nose as he rose to look out the bedroom window towards the ocean.
    Would they still have that fervid bond? Well, he knew he still did, but would she? Would she be able to feel him in Vernazza? If her gift was still strong, surely she would. Maybe she could help him find answers. Could he be so bold as to ask her for help? Hell, he knew how well that would go down. “Hi, Kate. How have you been for the last five years? Would you mind getting me out of a bit of a jam?”
    First things first. He needed to see her.
    At a loose end, he ventured into town again, on foot this time via the hiking track, to see what the day would bring and to think things through. He didn’t need to walk but thought it might help him settle, taking in the unprecedented scenery while trying to sort through things in his head that had become jumbled and indistinct.
    Snippets of memories blurred his vision. Hot, steamy, summer nights spent with Kate, sharing the very vista to his right, promising her the world. Naked with just a sheet draped around them, standing facing the vast blue expanse, Jake’s arms tightly wrapped around her from behind, nuzzling her neck, whispering in her ear his love, over and over, Kate’s head thrown back on his shoulder, totally oblivious to the rest of the world.
    His whole body surged with pleasure just thinking about it. He only had to think her name and he was in agony with desire. His Kate. She would always be his. Time seemed to cease even when daydreaming of her and before he knew it the familiar haphazard, brightly washed buildings beckoned him forward.
    Pain like he’d never known. Running. British accent. It overcame him in a flash, cutting into his memory of Kate without any warning, causing him to stop walking and grab at the metal railing that framed one side of the walking track. He winced at the sudden onslaught, not liking the anger that came with it.
    A few people passed him by, looking on curiously as he clutched his head in response to the image overload.
    “Get it together, Jake. Breathe. They’re just memories. Not real anymore. Don’t let them get the better of you.” He whispered the chant between gritted teeth, needing to get his shit together and not lose it. The salty air seemed to help fade the assembly of snatched visions of his recent escapades and he was able to push on.
    The celebrations engulfed the stillness as he tried to rein in his emotions. Festivals in Italy were a big affair with people coming from far and wide to celebrate. Locals and tourists alike forgot their cares for days and nights, eating and drinking merrily, welcoming all who cared to stumble upon this slice of heaven.
    Jake needed a diversion to gather his thoughts and piece together a plan. He really did need Kate’s help to get him out of his own mess. Could he use that as an excuse for his return to Vernazza? Whether or not she would agree to assist him would remain to be seen.
    Confronting someone who was ready to sell his soul to the devil needed a little diplomacy. Getting her attention would be the first hurdle.
    It seemed like an instant and he was in the thick of it.
    He was glad to be back, if just for a flicker of a moment. Vernazza was in his blood and stole his heart all those years ago, when work had led the lovers here. It seemed a lifetime ago. He’d been young. Reckless. Invincible. Desperately in love. Traveling through the Cinque Terre region with Kate had