Captive of Fate (15 page)

“And you love every minute of it,” Alanna responded softly.

Evelyn nodded. “He’s a natural. Well, listen you two, let me show you our makeshift bedding arrangements, and then we’ll let you stay up as long as you like.”

Alanna followed Evelyn into the living room, thinking of how nice it was to see the lived-in look of their home. Her apartment always looked so immaculate—almost as if no one lived there. A soft smile crossed her lips as she drank in the homey atmosphere.

“I’m truly sorry,” Evelyn said, touching her arm. “But as you can see, the house is small. We have only three bedrooms, and I thought, if you don’t mind, Alanna, that I’d let you share Susanah’s room with her. Matt, as usual, you get the couch, and you know where the blankets and pillows are kept.”

Matt nodded. “Second closet on the right. I’ll get them.”

Evelyn glanced up at her. “Do you mind sharing a room?” There was hesitancy in her voice. “Susanah has been looking forward to sleeping on the cot we keep for just such occasions. She sleeps soundly through the night and probably won’t wake up until nine tomorrow morning since she went to sleep so late.”

Alanna shook her head, a full smile on her lips. “No, I’d love it. To tell you the truth, I’ve missed family life. This will be like making up for it.”

Evelyn stopped at Susanah’s room and pointed to the bed. “The bed is full-sized. We just couldn’t afford to buy the girls shorter ones. Figured they would grow into them, anyway.”

Alanna laughed, noting that Susanah was happily tucked away in the cot opposite the bed. The furniture was pale blue with white trim, and the wallpaper was covered with tiny pink roses. A sharp ache intensified in her heart. She recalled too poignantly her own childhood room: it had been an antiseptic white and spare in comparison. Here and there in Susanah’s room were little feminine touches, her favorite dolls and stuffed animals, a coloring book open on the antique dresser with crayons spread across the top of it. “I’m going to enjoy this,” she promised Evelyn, a slight tremble in her voice.

It was almost midnight before the household settled in for sleep. Matt had boiled water and made tea for them. Alanna sat across the table from him, idly stirring the contents of her cup. She looked up, meeting his gray gaze. “I feel like I’m in heaven,” she confided, her voice barely above a whisper.

He returned her smile, removing the tea bag from his cup. “Would you think I was lying if I told you that you look like a different woman?”

She tilted her head, mystified. “In what way?”

He poured a teaspoon of sugar into the china cup. “The tension is gone around your mouth, and your eyes are bright. It’s funny how a high-pressure job will make you tense and nervous. I’ve never heard you laugh before as much as tonight. I love watching your face, it’s so mobile and expressive.”

She warmed beneath his husky voice and slid her fingers around the base of her cup. “That makes us even, then. I didn’t realize just how much of a natural father you really are. You were right, the girls did mob you.” She toyed with her cup for a moment. “It seems like I’ve always known you, Matt,” she confessed uncertainly. “There is a—” She groped for the right words. Paul had taught her to be specific about her emotions, and now she tried desperately to find words to describe the new feelings growing within her heart. “When you walked into my life, I felt we could get along despite our differences.” She shook her head. “That’s a new one for me.”

He reached across the table, capturing her fingers. “Hand in glove,” he provided softly.

“I see I’m not the only one who depends on your strength. Not every family would pull together in a crisis like John and Evelyn experienced. She idolizes you, Matt.” She smiled. “You’re easy to idolize.”

“Careful, lady, don’t be putting me up on any pedestals. I fall off pretty quickly, and I have feet of clay just like everyone else,” he warned.

“Knights in shining armor never tarnish or go out of style.”

Matt grinned, releasing her fingers. “Now who’s the romantic?” he teased, taking a sip of the tea.

Alanna wanted to say that every hour spent with him was like a fairy tale come true. But she remained silent. After four years of hearing that harsh reality was the stuff life was made of, she was afraid to fully enjoy this mini-vacation. When would the bubble burst? How much of this was just a figment of her imagination? She tried to analyze her feelings but soon gave up, overwhelmed by a feeling of euphoria that could only be love. A love that was new and breathtakingly fresh. And it was all due to the man who now sat quietly opposite her at the table.

“Look,” Matt began huskily, “let’s get to bed. We’ll be getting up early tomorrow, and I want you well rested, lady.”

Alanna stood, taking the teacups and placing them in the sink. She felt his presence behind her and stood very still.

He slid his arms around her waist, drawing her back against him. Matt rested his head against hers, his breath warm against her cheek. “You know, lady, if you keep looking this content, I’m going to have to do something about it,” he whispered.

Alanna willingly leaned against his hard, warm body, languishing against his shoulder. She closed her eyes, sighing softly within his embrace. “If I get any happier, I think I’ll explode,” she admitted.

“You deserve some happiness,” he returned, kissing her cheek. “Come on, let’s get to bed,” he coaxed.

She turned, remaining within the security of his embrace as he walked her through the dark, silent house. At the door, he leaned down, kissing her lightly on the lips. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he whispered.

Alanna caught the gleam of humor in the depths of his gray eyes. “I have a feeling I won’t be safe from you after tonight,” she said.

He kissed her lingeringly. Raising his head, he murmured, “You won’t be. Good night, Babe.”

A
lanna awoke groggily the next morning, aware of a small body snuggled up beside her. She heard the door open, and was vaguely aware that someone was walking quietly around the bed. Barely opening her eyes, she looked up to see Matt standing above her, a careless grin on his face. He sat down on the edge of the bed.

“What’s this?” he teased, reaching out and ruffling Susanah’s dark hair.

Susanah giggled, her small body squirming with laughter. Automatically, Alanna’s arm tightened around the girl.

“Uncle Matt, I couldn’t sleep in the cot,” she began dolefully, stealing a glance up at Alanna.

Matt raised one eyebrow, catching Alanna’s sleepy gaze. “And here I was going to come in and wake up my fairy-tale princess with a kiss,” he said, pretending to be miffed with the child.

Alanna turned carefully on her side. “You still can,” she murmured huskily.

Susanah curled up tightly, laughing as Matt tickled her. He leaned across, touching Alanna’s lips, his mouth strong and warm. Then he scowled darkly at the girl.

“Looks like I’ll have to kiss you too, or you’ll turn into a frog, young lady.”

Delighted, Susanah reached out and Matt embraced her, planting a kiss on her small brow.

“No frogs now, Uncle Matt?”

He got to his feet. “Nope. The prince just kissed his two ladies, so everyone’s safe now. And, if you two can force yourselves to get up, I think Evelyn has breakfast waiting.”

*

The morning was clear and crisp, a light glaze of white, shimmering frost coating the landscape. Alanna sat contentedly near Matt as he drove the last few miles to the cabin. The sky was a deep cobalt blue, and seagulls and terns wheeled far above them like milky white opals against the fabric of the sky. The white bark of the birch trees, the yellows, reds and oranges of the maple and oak mingled against the dark background of the evergreens. Inhaling deeply, Alanna drank in the sweet odor of decaying leaves and the tangy salt of the sea. She leaned against Matt, their shoulders touching. He captured her hand and rested it upon the hardness of his thigh. She could feel the steel strength of his muscles beneath the rough texture of the jeans he wore.

“Happy?” he asked.

“Mmm, incredibly happy. I keep thinking that this is a beautiful dream and I’m going to wake up soon and find myself back on the Hill.”

He squeezed her hand reassuringly. “We both needed a break from our jobs.”

“Now I see why you love to come up here.”

He nodded. “When I got back from Nam, this place helped to put me back together again. I wouldn’t have made it without John and Ev’s support.”

Alanna detected raw pain in his voice, yet he wasn’t asking for pity. Somewhere, deep within her, she knew Matt wanted to reveal other sides of himself to her. And she was eager to understand what made him the man she was so completely in love with. She looked to her left, studying his strong, clean profile. She saw the military bearing, the years of hardship he’d suffered. At the same time, the slight upward curve of his mouth softened the lines of his face. She could recall times when his eyes were narrowed and nearly colorless with anger and other times when they were turbulent and dark with passion for her alone. She trembled inwardly, amazed at the depth and breadth of Matt Breckenridge.

The cabin, fashioned out of rough-cut logs, reminded her of something from the turn of the century. It stood on a slight knoll, surrounded by oak and pines, its sides grayed and weather-beaten from years of withstanding the storms that struck each winter along the Maine coast. The Piscataquis River moved serenely down below them, sandpipers scurrying the length of the bank looking for tasty morning morsels. Matt took their luggage inside, and she followed him, gazing around the darkened interior.

“It smells musty. How long has it been since you last came up here?” she asked, moving the curtains back and releasing the window lock to allow fresh air inside.

“Last October. With the windows open, it will air out in a few hours,” he assured her. “Why don’t you get changed into some jeans. I don’t think you want to wear those expensive-looking slacks anywhere but in here.”

Alanna caught his teasing gaze and obediently unpacked her jeans and a pale pink blouse. Despite the rustic appearance of the cabin, it had every modern convenience. There was a small fireplace at one end with a neat stack of wood beside it. She found the bedroom and wandered into it. The bed was made of brass, and the frame needed to be shined badly. Running her fingertips along the railing, she made a mental note to see if some polish was available. It was a shame not to keep an antique like this shining brightly.

Matt was waiting patiently outside with two fishing rods and a tackle box when she sauntered out of the cabin. He gave her an appreciative look.

“Well, you prepared to catch our dinner for tonight?”

Alanna gave him a startled look. “Me? Why, I’ve never fished before in my life, Matt Breckenridge.”

He grinned. “You’d better hurry up and learn, lady, because if we don’t catch something, we aren’t eating.”

She laughed, following him down a well-worn trail toward the river. Within half an hour, he seemed satisfied with the spot he had found and set the gear down. “This is our old fishing hole. The bottom of the river is muddy, and the black-backed flounder come up here to live.”

“The only flounder I’ve seen is in the meat market all neatly packed in plastic and Styrofoam.”

He laughed. “You’re in for a surprise then. Spread that blanket out on the bank, and we’ll catch a little sun while we’re fishing,” he suggested.

Soon, silence settled around them, the fishing poles resting on the bank. Alanna couldn’t keep the disgust out of her face when Matt used what could only be described as a repugnant-looking worm with a hundred legs as bait. She avoided watching as he calmly placed the multilegged creature on the hook. It was only after he had cast the line into the water that she would take the rod from him. She closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth of the sun as it rose higher into the sky, the call of the birds, the sight of the seagulls wheeling above them, and the lap, lap, lap of the water.

Matt lay on his side, idly watching the tip of his rod. He reached out, pulling Alanna over beside him. Her hair, dark with red highlights, fanned out as she rested on his arm.

“You look like a wood nymph,” he murmured, tracing the outline of her jaw.

She shivered as his fingers trailed down her neck, resting gently against her shoulder. “A wood nymph in jeans?” she laughed softly, losing herself in his gray gaze.

His eyes darkened momentarily. “To me you’re a magical creature. A woman with an immense range of emotions. And I love to watch each one play across your lovely face. When I first met you, I thought you were just another reporter come to create more havoc at the base camp.”

“Yes, and I’ve been an unknown quantity in your life ever since,” she returned, leaning against the strong hand that cupped her face.

He looked away for a long moment, his features becoming less readable. Alanna sensed the turmoil in him, and she waited, watching him wrestle with some unknown emotion. She caught her lower lip in her teeth, her brows moving downward with concern. Finally, she could no longer stand the strain.

“Matt?”

“Hmm?” He turned, as if not really there with her. He managed a small smile of apology. “I’m sorry, I was thinking.” He caressed her cheek lovingly. “About Cauley,” he said simply.

Her heart beat more rapidly, and she forced herself to remain relaxed. “Want to talk about it?” she whispered.

Again, she saw naked pain reflected in the depth of his eyes and chided herself for causing it.

“With you, yes,” he answered, his voice growing husky. He sighed and lay on his back, drawing her nearer until her head rested on his shoulder. “Cauley was so damn worried that you were a spy sent down by Thornton to get to me. He told me how he cornered you in the chopper on the way down from San Dolega.”

Alanna grimaced, feeling his body tense. “I know. He warned me off. I think he told me about your wife and child to force me to leave you alone.”

“He and I had a few words on that account,” he answered grimly.

“I don’t think he’ll ever believe I’m not a danger to you. But it doesn’t matter, Matt. He’s a loyal friend. He was worried about you.”

“I told him that as far as you were concerned, it was none of his business. Ever. And it won’t happen again, Alanna. That was a hell of a thing to hit you with.”

She nodded. “Actually, it helped me see another, less harsh side to you,” she admitted. “At first, I thought you were that cold monster that the senator had led me to believe in. You
looked
cruel. I tried to hate you like the senator did, but every time I tried, you did something to dispel that myth. And when Cauley hit me with your past, I knew that the senator had to be wrong. There is too much kindness and humanity in you, Matt. So, in a way, Cauley did us both a favor.”

He was silent for a moment. Finally, he expelled a deep breath and muttered, “It damn near broke up our friendship. There wasn’t a day that went by that he didn’t try to undermine my feelings for you, Alanna. Even now he swears that you’re pretending to care for me in order to trap me for the senator’s sake.”

Alarmed, she left the sanctuary of his embrace, sitting up with an incredulous look in her eyes. “That simply isn’t true!” she cried, stricken. “Matt—I don’t—I mean I’m useless when it comes to playing games. I just haven’t the talent or the training to do it. And I would
never
allow anyone to use me like that!”

He reached over, sliding his hand down her arm and entwining his fingers in hers. “I know that, honey. And I’m sure that if things work out as I know they will, Cauley’s attitude will change as he sees the reality of the situation. Don’t look so hurt, Alanna. He’s only one person, and I’m certainly not avoiding you because of his beliefs.” He managed a rueful grin. “Matter of fact, I’ve had a hell of a time waiting for this moment. Come here….”

Her heart leaped in response as he pulled her down beside him, his eyes glittering as he claimed her lips in a soul-binding kiss. His mouth pressed firmly against her lips, parting them, demanding entrance. A moan of need rose in her throat, and she guilelessly arched her body upward. He groaned, gripping her tightly. Dragging his mouth from her throbbing lips, he growled thickly, “I want you, Alanna….”

Her lips felt bruised with the power of his initial kiss, and she could only stare up into his stormy gray eyes, nodding mutely with consent. She trembled beneath his knowing fingers as he caressed the side of her breast. Lowering his head, he trailed a series of light, fiery kisses down her neck and throat to her shoulder. Heat uncoiled from the center of her body as she felt his hand sliding beneath the blouse, the touch of his rough fingers sending shivers across her supple flesh. Deftly, he unfastened the bra, teasing her breasts until they grew taut, the nipples hardening against his slow, exquisite assault. She entered the realm of his lovemaking as a willing partner, and he encouraged her to participate fully.

She moved her slender fingers across his tightly muscled chest, the dark hair like coarse silk beneath her hand. She felt him tense as he removed the blouse from her shoulders and she instinctively pressed against him. A shuddering sigh escaped from her as her bare breasts brushed against his body. She met his descending, predatory mouth, a column of fire leaping to burning brightness within her. His hand molded her taut breast, and she stiffened against him, a small cry escaping as he leaned over, capturing the hardened peak in his mouth. Her fingernails sank deeply into his flesh, moaning as he pulled her hips against his thighs.

Her breath came in ragged gasps as he forced the jeans off her hips, running his hand lightly across the flat, velvety expanse of her stomach, trailing lower, eliciting primeval instincts that erased all thoughts but one of fulfillment with him. She felt the jeans being pulled from her legs, and she lay back against his arm, glorying in his masterful touch. Her body ached with the pain of longing, and she welcomed him back into her arms as he removed the last of his clothes. Matt brushed her lips with his tongue, tasting them, relishing their sweetness. He wrapped his hand in the dark tresses of her hair, forcing her head back as his tongue traced the swell of each breast. She groaned, straining to make contact with him. It was sweet agony. Each touch…each caress. Somewhere in her chaotic mind she remembered he had said that their loving would be on his terms. A soft whimper escaped her as she gripped his shoulders, begging him to complete the union.

Gently, he slid his hand between her legs, parting them, stroking the sensitive flesh of her inner thighs. Blood pulsed and pounded through her; fire swept like a raging inferno through her tense, damp body. She looked up, meeting his dark, stormy eyes.

“Please,” she begged, breathlessly. “Now…I need you so badly….”

He leaned over her, his knee moving between her thighs. “You’re mine,” he growled thickly.

She closed her eyes, lips parted, still wet from his last hungry kiss. The weight of his body descended upon her, and she arched her hips upward, meeting, melding with him. Her cry of ecstasy mingled with the soft growl of his voice. She clung to him, unable to breathe, aware only of the aching warmth within her. Cradling her hips against him, he thrust deeply within her, the pleasurable sensation spreading as she matched her own rhythm to the hard movements of his body. Tears squeezed from beneath her lids, streaking down her flushed cheeks as the final, soul-shattering gift was given to her. A sob broke from her, and she arched, frozen against him as the climax shook her body into new heights of frenzied pleasure. Seconds later he gripped her, relishing his own release. Collapsing against his arms, she tasted the salty perspiration of his flesh, nuzzling deeply into his embrace, satiated and fulfilled as never before.

Gradually, ever so gradually, Alanna floated back down to earth. The sun warmed their bodies, the noon wind caressed their skin like a lover. Matt held her close, absently stroking her long, unbound hair, running his fingers through the silken tresses. He studied her in tender silence. Finally, he leaned over, gently parting her lips in a kiss that brought more tears to her eyes. Alanna reached up, caressing his face, her eyes sparkling with joy. He returned the smile he saw in her eyes, briefly running his fingers across her full lips.