Angel in Black (13 page)

Lifting her into his arms, Blake carried her to the bed and Rina instantly fell asleep. Blake continued to watch her as all the tension left her face in slumber. He could still hear her last remark, spoken so soft, yet so assuredly. As she slept, she looked so innocent, and young, too young to live with haunting memories of death and murder.

Blake came back to the present when Hera moved impatiently beneath him, anxious to get going again. He had been so immersed in his thoughts he had completely forgotten about his destination.

He rode up to the small cottage and wondered if he had lost his mind. Only one day had passed since bringing Rina home, and already he longed for her company. All day he found himself thinking about her, his night filled with dreams of her. He woke before dawn and knew he must see her. When he reached out to knock, the door opened suddenly and he found himself looking into her big, beautiful eyes. It was as if he had no voice, losing himself in the intense blueness of them.

Rina’s smile rewarded him. A blush stained her cheeks as he continued to stare and she finally broke the silence. “Good morning, Blake. What brings you here?”

Blake smiled in turn. “I came to see how you were doing, little one. Do you feel like riding?”

“I was on my way to visit a friend. I helped deliver her baby before I left, and I thought I’d best see how they are doing. I also made some things for the babe and Jenny made some biscuits for the children. I would enjoy the company if you wish to ride along.”

For the first time, Blake noticed her cape and the bundle in her arms. “Here you are bruised and battered and you’re concerned for someone else’s health.”

“I’m fine, Blake. You needn’t be worried about me. I’ll get Blackstar and we can go.” Rina turned to go to the shack, but Blake put out his arm to stop her.

“You shouldn’t try riding that beast of yours with a sore arm.”

Before she could answer, Blake picked her up and walked over to Hera and placed Rina in front of his saddle. When she started to protest, Blake swung up behind her and said, “I’ll have no argument from you, little one. I’ll not be denied the chance to hold you close.”

His breath was warm and tingly against her neck, sending chills down her spine as he pulled her close. After she pointed the direction she wished to go, they started off down the road. Blake’s arm remained wrapped around Rina’s waist, his palm intimately against her flat stomach. She found it difficult to think with him molded against her back. She could feel the muscles in his thigh ripple as the horse moved beneath them.

Something stirred deep inside, her senses roused and a heat singed her blood, causing her pulse to quicken. Every movement he made sent tremors through her and Rina became intensely aware of the hardness in Blake’s loins, and a strange tightening in her own. His lips were moist and hot on her neck as he gently kissed the bruises; the tip of his tongue traced the curve of her neck. Rina’s head fell back against Blake’s shoulder when his hand moved to her breast.

They entered a thickly wooded area and Hera stopped when Blake dropped the reins. He lifted Rina and turned her toward him, his lips hungrily seeking her own soft ones. She could no longer hear what cautions her mind held, she knew only the immense desire building inside of her, demanding release. She remembered everything — his long, lean frame as he lay next to her at the inn, his strong arms protecting her; his gentleness as he bathed the blood from her; his understanding and friendship when she needed it most.

Rina’s mind reeled as it all came back to her, realizing she desired him — as he desired her. A moan escaped, for he had won. Rina no longer had control over herself, but it didn’t matter any longer. Nothing mattered; only the feel of his lips on hers, and the passion coursing through her like fire.

Blake burned as Rina returned his kisses and caresses with equal passion. He sensed her defeat and knew she was his. “Oh, God, little one — you do something to me no other woman has. Come with me to Windsong, now. You’ll be my woman, and you’ll lack for nothing as long as you continue to bewitch me like this.”

The words he muttered drifted through Rina’s muddled mind and her senses slowly returned. When the full impact of what he intended registered, she stiffened.

“Rina, what’s wrong? Did I hurt you?” Blake saw the change in her face as anger and disbelief washed over her, ridding her of the desire that had consumed her.

“You still don’t understand.” Devastated, Rina struck out, her blows more a statement of frustration than an intention to inflict pain.

Confused, Blake grabbed her wrists to stop her. “What the hell’s the matter with you? What is wrong?” She continued to fight him, so he shook her roughly to quiet her down. Again, he asked her what was wrong.

Rina stared into his angry golden eyes. How could she have been so stupid to think he finally understood her? The tender days at the inn were only a ruse to get her into his bed.

“You want me to be your mistress?”

“Of course I do. I’ve made myself quite clear on that point.” Blake’s look remained confused.

“And I thought I was clear I cannot be bought. I don’t want the kind of future you offer. I don’t need your fine clothes, fancy houses, and expensive jewels. I won’t be your chattel — I’ll not be owned.”

“Rina,” Blake glanced away, a sadness softening his words, “I cannot offer you any other kind of future.”

When his eyes came back to her, Rina raised her chin proudly. “I have asked for none.”

“I don’t understand you, Rina. I offer you a way out of your poor existence. You wouldn’t have to break your back in the fields or freeze in the winter. I would take care of you.”

“Blake, I don’t need anyone to take care of me, and I don’t want an easy escape from the life I live. If I were to become your mistress, bought and paid for, you would shame me — you would leave me with nothing. All the material things in this world can’t replace my honor and pride.”

“Whore, mistress, lover — what the hell is the difference? You cannot deny the desire in your eyes, the passion in your kiss. You danced for me, little one; I’ll not be denied what you have promised.”

Touching his angry face with the palm of her hand, Rina again understood the power he had over her. “To deny the feelings you arouse in me would be futile, for they are there. You wound me with your words, Blake, for to me there is a vast difference between whore, mistress, and lover. A whore accepts payment to spread her legs for any man who has the price. A mistress, though more selective, is still little more than a kept woman. But a lover gives freely of herself because of the feelings in her heart, because she cannot bear to be without his love. Blake Roberts, it is my choice to be with you or not. If I do so, it will be given freely, without obligation and promises, it will be without shame or dishonor. Do not try to buy those things, for I’ll not sell myself to you, not to anyone.”

“Bloody hell, you are a complicated woman. Why couldn’t I desire a simpleminded wench who was eager to please?”

B
LAKE SAID LITTLE AFTER
they arrived at the farm house, and sat near the fire watching Rina with the baby. She had insisted the mother rest, stating firmly she would watch over the children. Two little ones, a boy, the eldest, and a girl, played on the plank floor with wooden toys, their fun fueled by lots of imagination.

Rina sang a gentle tune, the baby gurgling happily as she rocked in time with her song. Soon the child’s eyes closed in sleep. When she looked up, her eyes met his, and the tenderness he saw in them warmed his soul. A feeling Blake could not identify overcame him, a longing for something he didn’t have perhaps.

A squeal broke the spell and the little girl started to cry. Her brother had taken her toy and was teasing her. Rina came between them to settle their fight, but the baby woke and started to fuss.

Turning to Blake, Rina held the infant out to him. “The children are hungry. Can you hold him while I get them Jenny’s treat?”

Blake stood and looked down at the wriggling little bundle. He shook his head and made no attempt to take him. “I really don’t think that’s a good idea.”

A slight frown touched her brow then a slow smile curved her lips. “Blake Roberts,” she said, “have you never held a babe before?”

He saw the teasing glint light her eyes; and he considered telling a lie. “No,” he grudgingly confessed, instantly regretting his decision to do so.

Rina laughed, not even pretending to sooth his male pride. “He won’t bite, not yet anyway.” She put the squirming child into his hands. “He’s been changed and fed, all you need to do is hold him. Now, make sure you support his head. There …”

Blake stared down into the sweet brown eyes looking up at him and a little grin melted his heart. He sat, careful to hold the baby as instructed.

“You are a good-lookin’ little fella,” Blake studied the tiny form, his chubby little hand curling about his finger. “And a strong one too.”

As Rina settled the children at the table to eat, she couldn’t help watching Blake with the baby. He continued to coo in baby-talk, the scene making her curious.

“You should have a half-dozen sons by now. Why have you never married?”

Blake didn’t even look up at her question, his gaze fixed on the little boy he held. “I asked a woman once, when I was young and thought I was in love.”

“What happened?”

He shrugged his shoulders in an uncaring way. “She chose another.”

Rina paused in her chore, “I am sorry, Blake.” She could think of nothing else to say.

This made Blake look up. “Don’t be, it was for the best. I was smitten and foolish; her beauty enthralled me so completely I couldn’t see her soul was ugly and vile.”

Blake looked down as the baby suckled the tip of his finger, the dark eyes closed in slumber once again. “Maybe you are right,” he whispered quietly, a look of wonder on his face.

“About what?” Rina asked.

“I should have a half-dozen of these, boys and girls. I see I have been missing out, haven’t I?”

Rina chuckled, “I wouldn’t wait too much longer, sir. You have some catching up to do.”

“I’m not so old,” Blake objected, his dimples appearing when he smiled.

Unable to resist, Rina stepped closer and brushed back the hair at his temples. “I see a bit of gray, m’lord. You may want to reassess your thinking.”

“You,” he threatened, “will regret that statement.”

A seriousness touched Rina and she returned to the food she prepared for the children. “You will make a great father, when the time comes, Blake.”

The children started to bicker and she was thankful for the distraction and the end of the conversation that suddenly made her sad.

B
LAKE STRODE INTO THE
house, feeling angry. It had been nearly two weeks since he had seen Rina. Today was the third time he had stopped to see her, and each time she was off somewhere helping someone. No one knew where she went today, and it aggravated him she ran about alone and unescorted. Why the hell did it seem to matter so much where she was? And with whom?

His mood black, Blake filled a brandy glass and drained it, and promptly poured another one. The little fool — no, he was the fool. Yes, a fool to care and a bigger fool to let her obsess him this way. He learned his lesson once before and shouldn’t allow himself to be duped again — never again. He would have Rina and enjoy the little minx until he tired of her … and after, he would find another. What was her game? She wanted something from him, something he couldn’t give her. Damn her anyway.

As he drained the second drink, Blake heard the front door slam shut, and Ryon entered the room.

“Well, here you are, Blake. You missed all the excitement.” Ryon frowned when his brother cast him a dark look. “Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?”

Ignoring the younger man’s sarcasm, Blake asked, “What are you talking about?”

“Well, the new stallion you brought from America, the wild one no one can get close to —”

Testy, Blake interrupted. “Did he get loose again?”

“No, but he tried and cut his leg pretty damn bad. Old Jenkins and one of the stable hands tried to treat it. Jenkins got his shoulder pulled out of place trying to hold the devil down and the boy got kicked in the head. Cut him badly and knocked him out for a spell.”

Blake slammed his glass down and started for the door. “Are they all right? Did someone stop the horse’s bleeding?” He hollered the questions and ran down the steps with Ryon close on his heels.

“We sent for someone right away, and Jenkins and the boy are fine. She’s taking care of the stallion now.”

Ryon plowed into Blake when he stopped dead in his tracks. The look in his brother’s eyes made Ryon back up instinctively. He had witnessed this look before, but never had it been directed at him.

Blake’s voice was low as he tried to control himself. “Who did you send for, Ryon?”

Ryon couldn’t understand Blake’s bad mood and his own began to sour in turn. “Rina, of course. Jenkins wouldn’t allow anyone else to tend his horses but her.”

Before the last words were out of Ryon’s mouth, Blake took off, running towards the stables. Ryon followed close behind, uncertain of what to do. They stopped inside the doors and Blake froze and took in the scene before him.

Rina knelt on the hay, unaware of their presence. Blood stained everything, including her own clothes as she worked on the stallion’s leg. She never stopped talking to the animal, her voice soft and soothing. The horse moved nervously and quivered from fear, his eyes wild. Suddenly, he pulled back and Rina grabbed for the rope around his neck. The stallion reared up and jerked her sore arm, causing her to wince from the pain.

Blake took a step forward, but Ryon stopped him. “Don’t — you’ll frighten the horse. You could do more damage than good. She can handle him; I saw her go right up to him when no one else could get near the stall. Damn it man, you need to leave her to do her work.”

Blake shot Ryon an irritated look but knew he was right. Rina continued to work on the cut leg. The bleeding stopped; she applied a salve and carefully wrapped it. For the first time, Blake noticed Jenkins standing off to the side, a sling on his arm and shoulder. He had a proud smile on his face as he watched the girl. Finally, Rina finished and stood, stroking the horse’s head, calming it with gentle words whispered in his ear. Soon, his trembling stopped and he nuzzled her with a soft neigh. When she left the stall, Jenkins sidled up to her, a wide grin splitting his face.