Hearts compass, p.43
Heart's Compass, page 43
She was so tight, almost as tight as that first time, when he’d taken her maidenhood. She hissed.
He stopped and looked down into her eyes. “How long has it been?”
“A little over fifteen years.”
He blinked away tears as he realized that he really had been the only man for her. Trace moved slowly until she got used to him inside her.
As soon as she started to whimper and push up to meet him, he lost the hold he had on his control. The slow lover was gone and in his place was a man who needed to find his release.
Trace slid in and out of her with increased speed. He went deeper and deeper. Long strokes, short strokes, faster and faster he went.
He placed his hands on her hips and pounded into her. Leona met each and every thrust with an undulation of her own. Moans and grunts.
Trace’s body was covered with sweat and still he moved his hips back and forth like a piston. Leona’s cries got louder, so Trace leaned down and placed his mouth over hers and swallowed her cries of passion.
Leona crested first, her body shuddering around his. The feel of her molten heat gripped around him sent Trace over the edge. He was so lost in what he was doing he didn’t pull out of her, not that it would have mattered, for Leona had her legs wrapped around him like an iron-clad vise. They were anchored together. Fused as one.
With one last plunge, Trace spilled his seed deep within her womb and collapsed on her. They were totally spent. Both of them fought to catch their breath as their limbs stayed intertwined.
“Are you all right?” he asked into her neck.
“Fine.”
“Am I too heavy?” Trace moved to get off her, but she tightened her hold.
“No, stay. I like the feel of you on me.”
Too tired to argue, he remained like that for a bit then rolled off and hauled her up against his side. Like they had never been apart, she fit her head right on his shoulder and cast a leg over his waist.
“Sleep now, kitten. I will…”
“I know. You will keep watch and keep me safe.” Leona was fast asleep in no time as Trace covered them with blankets, laced his fingers so she was anchored against him and fell prey to the world of the sandman within moments.
* * * *
For the first time in ages, Trace slept a peaceful sleep. He awoke before Leona and just lay there in silence and held her. The smell of orchids tantalized his senses and stirred his lust once more
He edged out from under her and laid some more wood on the fire to build up the blaze. Then he walked back over to the bed and gazed down upon her form as she slept. She had curled up into a smaller ball since he had left the bed. Her hair fell around her like a silk cloud, framing her in gentle waves.
Leona moaned in her sleep and turned over onto her stomach. Trace reached down to pull the blankets up over her shoulders, and as he pulled them away from her body, he saw them.
The scars on her back. The marks criss-crossed her skin, marring the perfection of her back. Trace folded down the blankets and completely exposed her back. He sank down on the floor beside her and stared in horror. The pain this must have caused her.
Trace reached out and hesitantly touched the lines. They were smooth, but he could feel some pain in them. “Little one, what did I do to you? I didn’t realize, I just didn’t realize. I am so sorry. No wonder you don’t want to trust me.”
He rose over her and covered her up before he slid in beside her. Leona instinctively moved toward his body and curled up against him, like she belonged there. Which she did, she just didn’t—or wouldn’t—realize it yet.
* * * *
It was her dream again. It had to be. She was on fire and there was someone sucking on her breasts, alternating between them. Then they moved down her body and licked and nipped everywhere.
When her legs were spread and a pair of wide shoulders settled themselves between them, she knew it had to be a dream. Maybe this time she wouldn’t wake up before coming.
There was a tongue that probed deeply within her secret place as it looked for its reward. Her legs tightened around his neck and held him there. If only it was Trace.
“Trace. Where are you?”
“Right here, little one. Who do you think is between your legs?” A hint of anger tinged his question.
Leona rose up and looked down at the man who was settled between her widespread legs. “I thought it was a dream. You’re really here? It’s not just a dream?”
“No, kitten. I am most definitely not a dream. Does this feel like a dream?” He flicked his tongue back over her nub and smiled as her hips rotated to press him more firmly against her.
She whimpered. “No. It’s not a dream. You’re real. I…I… Oh God, Trey. It feels so good, don’t stop. Please don’t stop.”
”No chance of that, kitten.”
Trace slipped two fingers inside her and moved them back and forth. Leona contorted as he continued his relentless attack on her body. Over and over she came until her body shook with exhaustion.
“Trey, please.”
“What?”
“More, I want more.”
He didn’t make her ask again. He rose up over her and in one swift move he slid his entire length inside her. They fit together like a hand slid into a warm glove. A perfect fit.
They were one again. Trace went slow.
For the second time that day Trace came deep within her and she found himself wondering if she would end up pregnant. And if she did, how she would handle everything.
“You know this doesn’t change anything.” She spoke to his neck, where her face was buried.
“What do you mean? Of course it does. You could be pregnant.”
“I mean I still need some time to think. This is happening so fast.”
“Very well, I will give you until the ball that they are throwing to be alone or with your other ‘appointments’. I will stay away from you for the next two weeks. After that, though”—he put his face millimeters from hers—“all bets are off. I will come after you with everything I have.” There was a dangerous edge to his tone, informing her that he meant exactly what he said. That warmed her much more than it scared her.
“Two weeks isn’t much time for me to figure things out.”
“The other guys can’t make you happy. I know what you want. I know what you love. Do they know your favorite flower, your favorite color and animal? I know that you like to sleep curled up in a ball if you are alone, I know that you hum to yourself when you concentrate on something like cooking. I know your dreams, kitten, and I will not let you go. Not without one hell of a fight.”
“I have to sort things out.”
“I know, kitten, but to be fair you have to give me the same chance that you give everyone else.”
She was silent for too long and he frowned, reaching out to her.
“What’s wrong, kitten? What are you thinking?” He caressed her cheek.
“Just thinking.”
“Perhaps we should get up now. I don’t know how long we have been up here.”
“You’re right. Keely will probably come looking for me soon.”
Leona looked at the man on the bed in her studio. He looked upon her like she was the only thing in the room. His eyes grew darker and she knew what thoughts raced through his mind.
“No. You need to get up.”
“I am up.” He shot her an arrogant male smirk again.
“I meant out of bed. Get dressed.”
He rose languidly. It was clear he wasn’t ashamed of his current aroused state, he made sure she could see it. Leona’s eyes never left his body for a moment.
My God. He was perfect. Her body leaped in response and began to tingle and twinge. Nipples hardened and begged for him to touch and stroke them.
Trace obviously knew his effect on her and reveled in it. Slowly, ever so slowly, he put his clothes on. He held her gaze and made sure that she didn’t take her eyes off him for a single second.
Fully dressed, he helped her make the bed. “Can I see some of your other work?”
Leona took his hand and led him to the other table, where there were multitudes of sketches. He recognized some of them but not all.
“You are amazing. These are wonderful.”
“That is just the beginning. I do many sketches then sort through them to find the ones I think capture them people the best, depending on what type of picture they want—serious, relaxed or even fun. Then I start over here.” She headed to the easel next and flipped back the sheet that covered it. “This is one that I just started of Rafe.”
“Who the hell is Rafe and why are you drawing a man alone?”
“He is Lucien’s brother-in-law. I did him first since he will be behind the chair where his wife, Devonna, will sit.” He is still jealous, even after what we just did together. She smiled to herself.
“Oh.”
“Then once I get what I consider to be a decent idea of what they will look like, I start on this canvas and begin my painting. I only get to the canvas when I am sure that I will get it right.”
“What is this?” He pointed to the corner of a finished picture her dogs that was going to be for her own house.
“My signature.”
“Is it the symbol of a hawk?”
“Yes.”
“So you did think of me.” When he put it that way, it was in no way a question.
“Every single day.”
Trace cupped her face and lowered his lips to hers. “Thank you. That means the world to me.” He placed a fast kiss on her lips and moved back. “Tell me more.”
He was interested in her work. It was amazing for her to be able to share this with him. He had been, after all, the one who had gotten her the items for her first start in this career.
“I mix oils and try to get the right colors for people. Or for whatever I am—”
“Mama! I found them, they are in her studio.” The childish yell pierced the hall and the room.
In ran Keely, and she was followed by her parents. All they found was Leona as she stood next to an easel and talked to Trace. All clothes were on and there was no hint of disarray anywhere. Her dogs lay on the bed content to just watch their mistress.
“Everything going all right with you two?” Ciara asked, as her sharp eyes swept the room.
“Fine. Leona was just explaining how she did her painting.”
“Well, we are about to have some lunch. You two have been up here long enough. Come eat with the family,” Lucien spoke.
“Very well. Leona, thank you for sharing this with me.” He gazed at her. His eyes sent a different message—Thanks for sharing yourself with me.
Chapter Seventeen
The adults headed down the stairs after Keely and the dogs to the dining room, where Bryn and Falcon were already seated.
Trace and Leona took a walk after lunch outside in the gardens. He was a perfect gentleman for most of the time.
“I have missed you, kitten.”
She leaned her head on his arm as they walked. “I missed you too.”
“So why are you making me wait?”
“It’s just not that simple.”
“Sure it is.”
“No. It’s not.”
“You make everything so difficult. It doesn’t have to be.” He looked around, then he pulled her under a large arbor covered with ivy.
In mere seconds her back was against the arbor, his hand was under her dress and his fingers had worked her into a frenzy.
“Auntie Lea? Where are you, Auntie Lea?” Keely’s voice reached them.
“Trace,” she panted, even as she arched against his hand. “Stop this. Keely is coming.”
“Not before you.” He nipped at her neck and kissed her deeply.
“Auntie Lea? Where are you?”
Leona pulled away from his mouth. “Trace, stop. Please, she will be here any second.”
“Tell me you love me.” A command.
“Trace, stop.”
“Tell me or I won’t stop. How are you going to explain my hand up your dress to a six-year-old?”
His fingers moved faster and faster. Her mind became blank. What was it she was supposed to be protesting? Moans began in her throat. Louder and louder they got until Trace lowered his head down by her ear and whispered, “Shhh. Don’t give away your position. She’s getting closer.”
“Please.” It came out so faint maybe it never got said at all.
“Please what, kitten? Stop?” His fingers slowed minutely.
“No, don’t stop. Please, Trey, let me get there.”
“Now you don’t want me to stop? Make up your mind. Keely is almost here. I can hear her footsteps.”
“You win. I love you. Now, please.”
“As you wish, little one.” With an expert flick of his wrist and fingers, Trace sent her over the edge to find her rainbow of pleasure.
Leona was still on the high plains of pleasure when Keely careened around the corner and into sight. At least Trace had taken his hand out of her dress and just stood there as the child stopped by them.
“There you are. Why didn’t you answer me? Didn’t you hear me? What’s wrong with you, Auntie Lea? Your face is all red.”
“Must be the cold air. I’m fine, darling. Sorry I didn’t answer. I must not have heard you.”
Trace smirked. “Yeah, that must be it. Did you come to walk with us, little one?”
“Yes. I don’t want to be inside, and the boys won’t let me play with them.” She pouted.
“Well, that’s not very nice of them, now, is it?”
“No it isn’t, Auntie Lea. They can be so mean.”
“I agree.” Leona threw an eyebrow up toward the sky, which Trace took to mean that she included him in that assessment of males.
Trace wasn’t a fool and kept his mouth shut. As they walked, Keely ran ahead at times and was a true joy to watch. The few times that she left them, Trace took the opportunity to kiss Leona thoroughly and get her all hot and bothered.
“Would you quit that?” she snapped after he had slipped his hand down the bodice of her dress to tease her breasts.
“I just want to you to remember what you will be missing when you are out with those other men. I want you to remember that I am the only one who can stir you up like this.”
With a quick glance to make sure Keely was still off ahead, he pulled one breast out and sucked it. When his mouth came off it, the cold air hit it and made her gasp again.
“Are you wet for me, kitten? Do you want me yet?”
Leona was barely back in her dress when Keely came back again. Her breaths came rapidly and he knew she fought for control.
As they walked, Trace took every opportunity to brush his erection up against her so she knew how he felt and what he wanted to do to her. Each feel, each intimate press against her, weakened her resolve a little more. He could see it and sense it, as it took her longer and longer to push him away each time.
Much more of this and he bet she would be reduced to a little puddle on the ground.
“Keely, is there any holly around here?”
“We have some, Trace. I know where it is, come on.”
They followed her deeper into the gardens and reached a place that was full of holly. “Do you think we could cut some and take it inside?”
“Uh-huh. I know where there’s a basket. Don’t go anywhere, I will be right back.”
“Okay, we’ll be right here.” Trace observed Leona as she watched her savior run off to find a basket.
The second she was out of sight, Trace had her up against a tree. He yanked her dress up, exposing her legs to the chill in the air, but from her moan of need, she didn’t care. She was on fire, as was he.
He fumbled with the catch on his pants, and as soon as he freed himself he slid into her silken folds. “I can’t get enough of you, kitten.”
“Oh God, Trey. Faster, please. Faster.”
He obliged and looked down at her.
Her eyes were closed, back arched as she wrapped her legs around his waist to try to get closer. Fingers dug into his shoulders as whimpers escaped her throat. She bit her lips to keep silent but sounds still slipped out.
Trace felt her start to convulse around him and saw her eyes open. She was bliss to watch as she came. Her eyes darkened to gold and he noticed the sheen of tears in them.
“Oh God, Trey. I…I…”
“Come with me, kitten, come with me,” he purred. With one last powerful stroke, he felt her come around him then he joined her, pouring his seed deep within her.
Once again, time was on their side, for just after they’d pulled themselves together, Keely came back with a large basket. They gathered holly and decided to head back to the house for some chocolate.
Keely chatted the whole way home. “I like it here, but I like the other home better. Will you come and see me there, Trace? I like you and so you should come see me. Maybe the three of us can go on another walk together. It was fun.”
“Sure was.” Trace knew he sounded a little husky. He walked beside Leona and whispered, “You have some tree bark in your hair.”
Leona panicked. “Get it out.”
“I’d like to put more there.” But he obliged her anyway. So when the three of them mounted the steps back to the house they were all straightened, pressed and ready to face the others.
Trace and his son also stayed for dinner. The adults played whist in the receiving room as the children talked and planned for the holiday.
Leona and Trace were not left alone after that, so he had no more opportunity to try to sway her toward his way of thinking. As they said good night, he had no doubt his eyes told her what his mouth couldn’t say in the presence of the others.
“Good night, Leona. Thank you for a lovely day. I enjoyed getting to know you after all these years. Pleasant dreams.”
“Good night, Trace. I also had a wonderful time today.” She looked down at the boy, who stood beside his father. “Good night, Falcon. Maybe someday we’ll be able to spend some time together and get to know each other.”
“I would like that, Lea.” He beckoned for her to come down to him. When she did, he whispered into her ear, “This is for you. It is from Ben.” He slipped what he had in his pocket into her outstretched hand. “Good night, Lea. Good night, Bryn. See you later.”
