Harvest Dreams (10 page)

Rachel stood up with her hands on her hips and looked at him. “Don’t be so dramatic. That’s not what I want and you know it.”
Dade leaned down to Cora and whispered. “Isn’t this usually our scene?”
Cora nodded and then touched her side. “Uh huh, but I’m injured.”
Dade nodded in agreement and straightened up to see Steven glaring at him. “You’re on your own, bro. My screaming partner is on the bench this round.”
Steven snarled at him and turned back to Rachel and raised his hands towards her. “Then what do you want Rachel? You think we want to feel like we’re intruding ourselves into your lives? We don’t want that but we’d like to know each and every one of us are safe at all times.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked at her.
*
Would it ever end?
Rachel shook her head and sighed. “You know I dunno
Doc.
I wished I could figure it all out, but I can’t. You think I like looking over my shoulder fifteen times a day? Having to call and check in with everyone whenever I’m leaving one place to go to another? I don’t. I
let
you guys know because, hey I care to not to worry anyone. But I’m losing my freakin’ mind here.”
Was that a smirk or a snarl on his face?
She flicked a hand out towards him and sent a slap of wind against him. He stepped back two steps and glared at her.
*
Chris watched Steven’s jaw clenching and unclenching. He nudged Kasey off his lap and stood. He felt a slight vibration in the floor under his feet as he stood.
He knew a man about to lose it when he saw it and he knew how bad it was when that man was himself. What he didn’t know was exactly what that involved with, Steven. “We need to calm down people. Everyone’s stressed, everyone’s tense and some are beyond tired or exhausted.
*
Steven dropped his head and rested his hands on his hips. Taking a slow breath he looked back up. “Sorry, my fault. I don’t think I’ve slept since we got back. It seems every patient of mine had some sort of crisis during my absence.” He looked at Rachel for a moment. She still stood with her hands on her hips watching him. “We aren’t trying to make you and Cora feel stuck here, Rach. But until we can come up with something, I don’t know. Does anyone know what else to do?”
Rachel huffed out a breath and dropped her hands. “Your right. I’m a little stressed right now with Ricky and all this, sorry.” She dropped back into the chair he’d been sitting in.
Steven spun and walked to look out the window.
What the hell is wrong with me? What started with a simple conversation, even as all over the place as it was, had turned into an eruption.
Shaking his head he stood there trying to clear his head.
“I’ll go up and see if I have the copies of the list,” Rachel said quietly.
Steven turned to see everyone looking at him. He threw up his hands. “I know. Asshole! Break her heart telling her about Ricky then badger her. Which way did she go?” Kasey pointed to the stairs. He sighed. “I’ll go apologize, again.”Shaking his head, he walked to the stairs.
*
Rachel was digging in a box when he found the right room. She glanced up at him and then shook her head. “Don’t apologize; I’m as much at fault as you are.” She straightened up glancing through some papers. “We’re both exhausted, both stressed...” She put the papers on the bed and turned back to the boxes.
He stood there watching her move with jerky movements and knew she was on the edge of either breaking down or blowing up. Neither, he thought he could deal with. “Come here.” he said quietly.
She straightened up and looked at him with searching eyes. “Steven...”
“Come here,” he whispered again.
She set the handful of papers down and walked towards him. When she was within reach he put his hand behind her neck and pulled her to him. She watched his eyes brush over her face a few times before they stopped on her mouth.
Lifting her face to him she met him half way. His mouth crushed down on hers demanding entrance which she gave instantly. His tongue stroked over the ring in hers before turning his head and pulling her closer to him.
She didn’t care if she said she wouldn’t do this as she wound her arms around his neck and molded her body into his.
More
, her mind screamed.
Don’t let me go.
*
He wrapped one hand around her pushing her hips into his as his mouth tasted, refilling his senses with her. Her response drove him into deep frenzied kisses. He needed more but there was no time. Groaning against her mouth he pulled his head up, resting his forehead against hers. Searching her eyes he wanted to tell her to come home with him, or let him stay with her, but knew the answer to both. If he had more time he knew he could convince her...
“You two are going to melt the candles in here soon.”
They jerked apart and turned to see Cora standing in the doorway. “I came to help look.” She raised her eyebrows. “Or break up the fight, everyone was worried.” With her tongue in cheek look she smiled. “I suggest you both go splash cold water on your face unless you’re ready to announce this and then come back downstairs.”
Rachel nodded and hid her face in Steven’s shoulder. “Buy us a couple minutes.” She pulled back and grabbed a few pages. “Take these I’ll bring the rest.”
Cora nodded and grinned at Steven and then walked back down the hall.
“Well,” he said pulling her closer again.
She smirked. “Now you’re going to have Cora picking fights with you to see if you apologize to her that way.”
“That’s fair.” he grinned.
She smacked him. “Touch her and I’m sure Dade will rip off your hands.” She sighed. “She kind of knew anyways.”
“Really?” he questioned softly. “Oh and footnote here, I don’t want to touch Cora. I don’t want to touch anyone but you.”
She smiled. “Okay.”
He pulled her close. “So if she knows I could...”
She put her hand over his mouth. “No you can’t, we can’t, this wasn’t supposed to happen.”
He shrugged and licked her hand so she’d moved it. “Angel, it’s going to happen. When you get tired of running I’ll be waiting with open arms.” He bent down and nipped her neck before he pulled back and tugged her shirt open to look down it. “How are those marks I left behind? I should check those for infection.”
She smacked his hand away. “They’re just fine and you know every time I’m getting dressed I see them and remember how they got there.” She scowled at him.
“And how does that make you feel, Angel?” He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Hot? Wet? Wanting?”
“Out.” She pointed to the door grinning. “Get out, Steven O’Reily.”
He grabbed her quickly and gave her a quick, hard kiss and then turned and walked out the door.
*
Steven stepped into the living room. Leena turned. “Did she just yell and call you by your real name, Steven?”
He nodded and grinned. “Nasty witch.” He sat down.
Dade grinned as he watched Steven’s eyes sweep over Rachel very slowly when she walked in. Turning he saw Cora watching him watch Steven and smirked at him. Oh
, sneaky voodoo witch knows something,
he thought. He winked at her and then looked around. “Not to rehash that interesting previous discussion but Cora and I will most likely be at the temple for most, if not all of Saturday night. So that’s going to leave Rachel here alone.” He smiled at Cora who grinned and dropped her head down so no one could see her face.
*
Steven shrugged. “I’m not on call Saturday if you want one of us chest beaters to keep you company, Rach.”
Rachel looked up at him for a moment and then back to the papers in her hand shrugging. “Sure you’ll probably sleep the whole time, but don’t worry I’ll protect ya.”
Steven grinned. “Good to know.” He looked back at the papers he’d picked up and was trying to remember what day it was and how many were left until Saturday. He kept his head down and purposely avoided seeing the gloating look he knew Dade was going to have. He also wondered
is there really something going on at the temple
. He coughed to keep from chuckling.
Chris rubbed his hand over his face. “I think I’ve had it for tonight people, must be getting old.” He grinned. “Seriously let’s get together for brunch on Sunday and we’ll discuss the lists and people we know until we’re bored.”
Cora nodded. “I am actually kind of tired and achynow.”
Dade looked at her. “And you didn’t tell us this sooner why?”
Cora smiled. “Sorry. Could you give me a hand putting some things back up in the cupboard before you go Dade?”
He jumped up. “First time you’ve ever asked for help, you must be sore.”
*
Dade walked into the kitchen two steps in front of her and turned looking around. There was nothing. He spun back to her.
“Is there something at the temple I’ve forgotten?” Cora whispered.
He grinned and shook his head. “No.” He said quietly. “I was just giving them a chance to be together and I know you know I saw it on your face.”
She smirked. “And what am I supposed to do Saturday?”
He stopped and frowned. “You can crash at my place I guess.”
She raised her eyebrow at him then sighed. “Fine. Rachel better thank me for this.”
Dade grinned. “Ah, come on honey, it won’t be that bad will it to spend a few hours with me? We’ll rent some movies or something.”
She smiled and lowered her head. “No. But I get to help choose, I’m not watching some stupid thing.”
He nodded and stepped in front of her. “Whatever you want.” Resting his hand gently against her side he looked down. “How’s that doing?”
Cora shrugged. “It’s not too bad most of the time.”
He lowered his brow to rest on hers. “You scared me, honey. I’m sorry I wasn’t faster.”
She lifted her face to his and kissed him tenderly on the lips. “You got rid of him before he got to take a second swipe at me, thank you.”
He held her head and kissed her lips again. “Go get some rest, honey.” He smiled as she walked back out of the kitchen.
*
After everyone left Steven stood up and watched Cora walk quietly out of the room. He turned to Rachel and smiled. “So, Saturday...” He grinned.
She held up her hand. “I must be losing my mind to agree to this.”
He stepped towards her and she backed up. “Angel...”
“Go home, Steven. Get some rest.”
He grinned and stepped closer again reaching for her this time. “I just wanted to give you a kiss...”
Rachel stepped back and shook her head. “Oh no, been there fell for that one.”
“Angel.” He whispered stepping closer. “Let me kiss you good night.”
She stopped and looked up at him. “You are so bad. You use those eyes and the way you say angel makes my knees weak. It’s so not fair.”
He ran his hands down to her waist and pulled her against him. “And flicking that damn stud in my face was fair?”
“Maybe.”
He smiled as he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her tenderly slowly tasting her mouth. When he raised his head she looked up at him with heavy, glazed eyes. “I’ll see you in three days if not sooner at the hospital.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
*
Rachel stood there looking at the closed door. She had an ache in her chest from watching him leave.
What did that mean?

Chapter 11

Dade shook his head and looked at the phone before putting it back against his ear. “Okay, let me see if I’ve got this. You know that I know and Cora knows too and she knows I know and its okay for you to know that Cora knows but Rachel can’t know I know, right?”

Steven laughed. “That’s sounds about right.”

Dade shook his head. “And as soon I figure out what the hell I said I’m going to go home and have several beers.”
“I was just calling to say thanks. One for not saying anything outside of Cora and second for setting this up, because I know there isn’t anything going on at your temple tomorrow night.”
Dade grinned. “Busted! And shocked Cora agreed. How does Cora know by the way?”
Steven sat down. “Well she saw us but I think Rachel told her before that.”
Dade whistled. “I’m wishing I saw more, or earlier at that cabin, ’cuz bro, from what I saw from where I was I would have gone and grabbed a chair and a beer.”
Steven shook his head. “You really need a woman, son.”
Dade smirked. “From your mouth to Cora’s brain. She’s staying at my place Saturday night.”
“Really?” Steven paused. “Just make sure her side is healing okay before you drag her to the bedroom.”
Dade groaned. “Fuck you had to remind me of that didn’t you? Now I’m afraid to touch her.”
“Sorry, just touch her gently there anyways.” Dade laughed. “So, have you seen Rachel?”
“For a few minutes she was in with Ricky, but I was paged elsewhere and by the time I got back she was gone and he was resting.”
“Well you’ve got tomorrow night at least if you can’t convince her then you’re on your own.”
Steven sighed. “Yeah well that’s easier said than done.”
“I don’t want to hear about it, I’m still confused here.”
“I gotta go, got rounds to make. I’ll see you on Sunday at Brunch.”
Dade snorted. “Try to get some sleep so you don’t fall asleep in your coffee.”
“I can hope. Later.”
*
Walking out of the office he was shaking his head. Cora really needed to help that man soon. Grinning at himself, yeah he was one to talk he’d pined after Rachel for so many years he’d almost forgotten what a woman felt like. Not that he’d been chaste in all those years, he was human after all. But no woman he’d been with could measure up to the woman he wanted. Problem was now that he’d had her there were no other women on the planet that he’d ever want.
*
“We’ll have our cell phones if you need us,” Cora called out to her.
“Okay,” Rachel called to her from the kitchen.
Rachel rinsed the dishes and tried not to look at the clock again.
When did I start feeling this desperate for a man?
She wondered.
Okay not just a man, I’m feeling this desperate for Steven.
She groaned just thinking about him made her feel breathless. This wasn’t a good idea knowing she wanted to be with him. She’d actually felt lonely since they returned from the gathering, like a piece was missing. The scariest part to her was it wasn’t just lonely in a sexual way. When the doorbell rang she had to make herself walk.
She opened the door and looked at him. He brought her orchids. She looked at the flowers in his hand then to the bottle of wine in the other. “Hi.” She stepped back and let him in. Closing the door she leaned against it.
Steven handed her the flowers and moved closer to trail his mouth down her neck, making her knees weak “The most beautiful flowers I could find for the most beautiful woman I know.”
“Thank you. Wine as well?”
Steven grinned. “I was hoping I’d get you drunk and have my way with you.” He followed her in and set the bottle on the table.
She set the flowers down beside it and turned smiling at him. “Or you could have your way with me first and we’ll drink it later.”
He grinned and gently ran his hand down her bare arm. “We could.” He ran his finger over her lips and her tongue flicked out to lick it slowly. “Miss me, Angel?” He spoke softly as he stepped closer to her.
“Steven, I’m vibrating with wanting you.” She whispered as his hand caressed her throat in a feather light touch.
*
Steven leaned down so his lips were just hovering over hers. Her sleepy brown eyes watching his, waiting. “That’s not what I asked.” He ran his tongue over her lips. “I asked if you’ve missed me.”
“Yes,” she whispered breathlessly.
He started backing her across the room towards the couch. “How much?” He held her gently by the throat and trailed his mouth over her shoulder. Rachel sighed. “How much did you miss me?”
Her eyes slowly closed as his mouth brushed across her cheekbone. “More than I thought possible,” she whispered.
Kissing her mouth softly, dipping his tongue in gently when she opened hers. He stopped. “Did you think of me?” He licked her lips slowly.
“Yes.” Her breathing was already shallow.
He ran his hand over her bare waist lightly as he kissed her softly again. “Did you remember feeling me inside you?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want me now, Angel?” He whispered it with his lips against her ear.
“Yes.” She leaned into his lips brushing under her ear.
“Even if we said we wouldn’t do this at home?” He pulled back and looked at her waiting for her to answer. She looked up at him with passion filled eyes.
“Yes.”
Steven pulled her with both hands into his body by the hips and crushed his mouth to hers. When his tongue brushed against hers she moaned and kissed him back with the same desperate passion he was feeling. Her arms wound around his neck and pulled him down with her to the couch.
Just feeling her under him, wrapping her body around his sent a shudder of need through him. Lifting his head he grasped her top and pulled it up as he lowered his mouth to the bare flesh under it he bit her gently. She arched her body up into him. He sucked a hard nipple into his mouth and she moaned.
“Steven, I can’t wait,” she panted out.
Her hands were pulling his shirt over his head and while he lifted to pull it off her mouth attacked his chest. Tossing the shirt quickly to the floor he pulled hers over her head and bit into her neck. She began undoing his pants. “Now. Now.” She whispered against his chest.
He pushed the skirt up her legs and ran his hand between her thighs. She wore no underwear and was so swollen and wet he groaned.
His phone ringing startled both of them. “Ignore it.” He growled against her throat. “I have to be inside you, Angel.” He kissed her hard. “Now.”
Her phone beeped on the table beside them causing both to stop. “Where’s your phone? The others...”
“Fuck!” He looked around to see it had fallen out of his pocket beside the couch. Without letting her get up, he reached down and grabbed it. He dipped his head and bit her nipple gently as he looked at the phone. “Message, for all of us.” He sucked harder on the nipple for a second. “Patrick is joining us for brunch.”
“Okay,” she said with her lips against his throat. “Get rid of the phone.”
He tossed it on the floor and kissed her roughly wanting her back into the frenzy she’d been in moments earlier. Reaching down he ran his hand up her thigh kneading it as he went and cupped her with his palm.
She lifted her head and moaned. Rubbing briefly before he slipped two fingers inside her. “I want to be right there, Angel.” He groaned against her throat.
“Yes, now,” she gasped.
He pushed her legs open and lowered his body between them. She reached down and stoked her hand over him as he pushed into her.
Arching up she moaned when he did. This wasn’t how he’d planned it. Slow seduction...
He pulled out slowly and then thrust hard again to see her arch up for him again. “You’re so fucking sexy, Angel.” He leaned down and bit her bottom lip. Kissing her hard he began to move faster.
She pulled her mouth away and gasped. “I need...” she panted and gripped his hips. “Need you!”
He pulled her leg higher so he could go deeper; he wanted to possess all of her.
“Harder,” she gasped a few times and then whimpered biting her lip as he did what she asked.
The whimpering noise she was making was driving him quickly to the edge. Reaching down he grasped her other leg and pulled it up behind him to allow him to slap harder against her body.
She gasped and arched into him whining in her throat. When she gripped his arms and moaned her muscles tightened so tight against him he frantically thrust into her until they both cried out together.
Slowly lowering her legs he kissed her throat. “You really fuck up my control.”
Rachel smiled and almost purred. “I so like you out of control.”
He grinned against her mouth. “Do you?”
She kissed him tenderly. “Mmm, yes.”
Steven lifted his head and looked around. “We didn’t even get undressed, again.”
She laughed. “There wasn’t time, Doctor, it was an emergency.”
He ran his tongue over her throat. “Better now?”
Rachel flicked her ring out a few times. “I’m not sure but I’m thinking that wine and a bath might help it.”
He laughed and got up, pulling her up with him. “Well, at least we’ll be naked then.”
*
She stood up and pulled her skirt down as he pulled his pants up. “Were we supposed to reply to that message?”
“No clue, I was a little busy at the time.”
Rachel laughed and picked up her phone and the wine from the table on her way by. She had just flipped the phone open when he grabbed her and flipped her up over his shoulder. “What are you doing?” She laughed almost dropping the wine.
“I feel another emergency coming on.” He headed up the stairs. He reached the top step and set her down. “Bath will wait for a few minutes.” He took the wine out of her hand and pushed her up against the wall. “Here is looking good.”
She slipped under his arm and started back towards her room. “We have a bed.”
“We would have gotten there eventually.”
“You’re an animal, Dr. O’Reily.” She laughed.
“Are you complaining, Angel?” Lowering his voice he whispered. “Had enough of me yet?”
She shook her head and wiggled out of her skirt as she back into the room. “No.”
Steven pushed his pants off without missing a step. “I want to lick every inch of you.”
She backed onto the bed and lied down stretching in front of him. “Okay.”
Grinning, he stood there looking down at her. His eyes moved slowly over every inch of her. “Angel, you take my breath away.”
*
Without taking his eyes from hers, he stepped closer and leaned towards her. Reaching slowly he grasped her legs and pulled her back towards the end of the bed, not stopping until her legs were hanging off the end. Kneeling on the floor he gently picked up one delicate ankle and raised her leg high enough he could kiss her calf. He pushed her knee up and set her foot on the bed beside her sexy ass. Her eyes flared as she watched him. He repeated the same movements with her other leg and then leaned back and looked at her. “Hold your knees for me.”
He finally looked away from her eyes as she did what he told her. She was spread wide open for him, her flesh swollen and red from the force he’d thrust into her downstairs. Leaning down he blew onto the sensitive area and a surge of lust hardened him further as he watched her muscles tighten in reaction.
Grasping her ass, he pulled the flesh tight so she was more exposed to him. He heard her intake of breath and knew she anticipated his next move as much as he did. Lowering his head he moved close enough to run the tip of his tongue over her hot flesh. She sucked in a breath and her feet moved as if she was going to drop her legs. Grabbing her ankles, he held her feet beside her body as he plunged his tongue roughly inside her. She moaned loudly.
When he moved away he licked across the wet pinkness with just the tip of his tongue again and then blew on her gently once more. She made a frustrated sound in her throat and he couldn’t help grinning at her reaction. He made sure she felt his breath as he moved closer again, this time he carefully bit the swollen flesh beside her clit making her jerk in response.
“Oh,” she gasped.
He didn’t give her the chance to wait for his next move. He just lowered his lips to her and sucked hard on her, not slowing until she moaned loudly. Moving his mouth away from her he looked up her body to see her mouth open as she panted just on the edge of another orgasm. Straightening, he pulled her legs and flipped them up over his shoulders as he moved closer to the bed. Before she could adjust to the position he slammed inside of her without any warning. She cried out and dropped her hands out beside her grasping the comforter.
Steven pulled out and then slowly entered her again. She groaned and he knew she was just on the edge, waiting. He continued to move slowly into her, stopping just before their bodies connected. She growled and tried to wiggle further onto him. He reached down and grasped her hips, lifting her higher, making sure he would remain in control of any movement. He wanted to watch her as his body filled hers, over and over again.
His slow stroking faltered as she released her hold on the bedding and moved her hands to her breast. Her dark eyes watched him as she cupped a breast in each hand and kneaded it hard enough for her erect nipples to push straight up.
He thrust into her and then stopped with his body buried deep in hers and slid her legs from his shoulders. Reaching down he scooped his hand behind her neck and pulled her upright. As her legs wrapped tight around him, he leaned down and sucked a hard nipple into his mouth. She hissed out a breath and grabbed onto him, lifting her body up and then impaled herself onto him again. He bit that nipple and moved his mouth over to the other as she slammed herself back onto him.
Growling, he lifted his head and grasped her ass to guide her and help her go as fast as she wanted to. She panted and threw her head back, reaching for release. He waited until she was almost there and then grasped her tighter and held her from being able to drop down onto him. She whined in frustration and leaned forward to bite his shoulder. “I’m in control now, Angel,” he whispered breathlessly.
She tried again to push her body down on his, he held her from doing it. Lifting her higher, he moved up onto the bed, her legs still grasped his waist tightly. Holding his body as far away from her as he could manage, he leaned down and grasped her hands. He lowered her to the bed and moved her hands up over her head as he began to slowly move into her again. She whined again and pushed against his hands.
He ran his tongue up her throat until his mouth was beside her ear. “I hope you weren’t planning on resting tonight.” He nipped her earlobe gently with his lips.
“No,” she gasped as she squirmed again trying to free herself. “I want you inside me all night.”
“Good.” He thrust deeply into her again.
*
Rachel looked into the mirror again when they pulled up in front of Chris and Kasey’s. “Do I look like I’ve had sex in every room of Owen’s home?”
Steven grinned. “We missed the room Cora’s using.”