Harvest Dreams (6 page)

Steven looked down at the floor. He couldn’t look at any of them right now. “Sorry,” he barely whispered.
Rachel snorted. “For what?”
He exhaled slowly and then looked at her. “I was stuck on what this sick bastard has done and...”
“Ah.” Chris said softly. “That would explain it.”
Owen Dropped back onto the couch and pulled Leena’s hand so she sat with him. “Explain what?”
Chris cleared his throat. “Steven’s anger blew us apart.”
Dade raised both eyebrows and looked at Steven. “Huh?”
Steven shook his head. “I kept seeing those women from Beltane...” He crossed his arms and looked around at everyone. “Lives wasted, for what? Some sick bastard’s hallucinated reasons.”
Rachel stepped towards him and pulled his arms opened before stepping into them and leaning her warm body against his. “I was having a hard time doing it too,” she admitted.
Kasey moved away from Chris and plopped down onto the chair. She picked up the book on the table and flipped the pages in her hands. “I wanted to cry, so I probably wasn’t even doing my part of it...”
Cora moved out of Dade’s arms and looked around at everyone. “No harm done, let’s just chalk it up to one more failed attempt.”
Chris exhaled loudly. “Tonight we’re going to find him...”
Kasey lifted her eyes from the book. “Make sure you have your gris-gris bag we charmed.” She looked at Chris briefly. “We didn’t wear them last night when... well, we’ll wear them tonight.”
Kevin stuck his head inside the open door. “Mind if I come in?”
Rachel grinned at him. “Please.”
He smiled back at her. “Patrick went to have a nap before the fire tonight and asked me to come and see if anyone came up with any ideas.” He grinned. “I’d do just about anything to not have to sit in a tree again tonight.”
Leena walked over to rub Cora’s shoulders gently. “We, some of us, thought maybe instead of two of us wandering around we’d take turns, one at a time.” Serious male eyes turned to her. “One woman makes a much easier target, and he’s probably more than willing to try for one at a time...” She stopped catching Owen’s look. “Well it’s just an idea to toy with.”
Kevin looked at Dade. “She’s got a point.”
Dade grimaced. “Rule number one with us is you being a male are supposed to agree with us, Kevin.” He growled.
Kevin shrugged and gave him his boyish smile. “I’m sure agreeing with all these women would be much more rewarding than not.” His eyes strayed over Rachel as he said the last part.
Steven stepped in front of him blocking his view of Rachel. “So you think we should let the women wander around out there alone?” He crossed his arms over his chest.
Kevin shrugged. “Yeah. From that damn tree I can see pretty much the whole camp. It takes me a while to climb up the stupid thing and I bring any action to your attention if you’re staying back watching.”
“How?” Chris demanded.
Kevin shrugged then flicked a hand towards Kasey. A bright burst of light exploded over her head.
“Oh!” Kasey jumped up. “Oh my gosh! How did you do that? I want to do that.” She brought her hands above her head then down to spread the fireworks over them. “That’s all I can manage.”
*
Chris looked at Kasey and then back to Kevin before he met Steven’s glare, whose look matched his own thoughts that they needed to keep the women away from this too cute Boy Scout Kevin. “Fine.” He said a little louder than necessary. “We’ll try it Leena’s way tonight.”
Kevin turned to leave and all four women followed him out.
The four men stood in the door and watched the girls pat him and smile sweetly at him while talking to him.
“Little puke,” Dade muttered.
“How the hell old is he?” Steven demanded.
“Who cares,” Owen hissed.
“He needs to go find his tree,” Chris growled as he turned to go back inside.
A breeze ruffled over the four men and they glanced around to see Kasey smirking and shaking her finger at them in warning.
“She always knows,” Steven mused quietly.
“Yep.” Chris sighed and then smiled at her.
*
Steven watched Rachel’s every move as she walked under the half moon light. She’d taken more chances then he was comfortable with. Wandering all the way down to the pond and sitting beside it for twenty minutes. Of course for a few minutes Steven hoped the man they were looking for did show up so he could drown him in the pond and be done with it.
When their turn was up and she finally wandered back towards the cottage he had to stop himself from closing her in his arms and holding her with the relief that she was okay.
Walking into the cottage he nodded to Dade. “Your turn.” He turned to look at Cora sitting in the chair. “Anything while we were out there?”
Cora shrugged. “Nothing strong enough to set off alarms, but he’s out there.” Looking at Dade she sighed. “Let’s go.”
Rachel put her hand on Cora’s. “Steven and I will stay out and wander a bit more, so know we’re close by.”
Cora nodded and smiled at her. “That makes me feel better.”
Steven turned to her after they left. “We are?”
She nodded and looked up at him.
How am I supposed to say no to those sleepy brown eyes?
“We are.” He held out his hand.
Rachel took it and smiled as they walked back down the path. “I’m too restless to sleep. And there are too many coming and going in here tonight.” She looked at him her eyes slowly moving over his face.
He looked down at her and tightened his hold on her hand. “If you’re going to look at me like that, at least wait until we’re not in the wide open here.” His voice was no more than a whisper. “Let’s head to the pond.” He fought back the urge to pick her up and quickly carry her there. “We do have to kind of keep an eye out, with so many people in hiding.”
They strolled slowly by where Cora was sitting silently. Reaching out to her Rachel sent an invisible hand to hold Cora’s for a moment.
Cora lifted her face to the sky and smiled.
Grinning up at Steven they walked a bit further. Rachel jumped when she spotted Patrick standing in the shadows of a few trees together. She leaned against Steven and nodded in that direction.
Steven spoke loud enough Patrick would hear. “Let’s go sit by the pond.” The silent man acknowledged and then turned back to look in the other direction.
He didn’t want to believe this was his last night with her, it couldn’t be. Dropping his mouth down against her ear Steven whispered. “If we don’t pick up the pace a bit I’m going to throw you over my shoulder and run.” He dipped his tongue in her ear quickly.
She tightened the hold on his hand the looked up at him. Smiling she licked her lips and whispered back as close to his ear as she could get. “You have this amazing talent of making me wet with one touch and a few words.” His restraint snapped and he began pulling her towards the pond.
By the time he was assured no one was in the direct area or heading to this area he was barely able to stop himself from throwing her to the ground. “Over here,” he said roughly. “So no one walking up can see.” He walked around to the other side of a few large rocks.
As soon as she came around the corner he pinned her between his body and the rock. His mouth crushing down on hers roughly. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him. He pulled his mouth away and bit her lip. “I’ve needed to do that since watching you dance again tonight.” His lips moved down over her throat slowly. “You are so fucking hot, Angel, I start panting as soon as you walk by me.”
He didn’t know how he was going to walk away from her after this. He pushed her top up and lowered his head. “You
are
mine.” He whispered between little nips across her breast. He wanted to consume her.
Rachel pushed her hips into him and arched back over the rock. “Yes.” She moaned when he sucked hard on the side of her breast, marking her as his. She grasped his shoulders tightly as he moved to the other one and did the same thing. She tried to pull his head up.
He pulled back from her. “Let me taste all of you.” His mouth traveled down over her ribs and stomach as he pushed the skirt down her hips. Lifting her gently he rested her in a crevice on the rock. He opened her legs so he could look at her leaning back against the rock, open for him. Dropping to his knees he licked the inside of each thigh slowly. He flicked his tongue slowly over her.
She was so wet he moaned against her. Dipping his tongue in he brought it out slowly and sucked her clit gently, savoring the taste of her.
Rachel threw her head back and moaned. Supporting her weight on one hand she reached down and brought his hand from her thigh up to her breast. He kneaded it as he plunged his tongue inside her again. Gasping, she dropped her hand back behind her and lifted her hips to his mouth.
Flicking her clit with his tongue he gently pulled a nipple and looked up at her in the half moon light. The sight of her drove him beyond gentle and he Dropped his hand to grasp her hips so he could rub his face against her as he plunged his tongue in and out of her. Her thighs began to shake as she gasped and Dropped back further on the rock. He wanted to give her all of him. He waited until she began to come and stood, quickly pulling his sarong aside he drove into her and released his magic to caress over her and intensify every feeling she was having. She cried out and convulsed violently around him immediately. He drove hard and fast not giving her a chance to come down. Gripping her thighs he pulled her hips up and slammed into her as deep as he could, she moaned loudly and gasped his name.
Looking down at her spread out for him like an offering he groaned and wasn’t able to hold off any longer. He drove them both to climax.
Dropping his head to rest on her chest he swallowed trying to catch his breath. His heart was beating so hard he thought his chest was going to crack open. “Angel...” He huffed out another breath. “You literally leave me breathless.” He finished quickly before lifting his head.
She was leaning back, her chest rising and falling as fast as his was. His arm brushed over the cold rock and he realized she was still against the rough rock. Straightening, he pulled out of her and helped her to sit.
She feathered kisses over his chest. “What did you do?” She took a few shallow breaths. “I may have a few moments of weakness when we go home and show up on your door begging, Steven.” She looked up at him with heavy eyes. “Please send me home though. You’re positively addicting.”
He ran a thumb along her cheek. “I feel the same way.” He pulled her top back into place and reached down to pick up her skirt. He was pulling it up her legs slowly, stopping to kiss every few seconds when a bright light of sparks burst up in the sky.
“Cora!” She gasped breathlessly and was off the rock and pulling up her skirt in one motion. Catching her hand he started running.

Chapter 6

They raced as fast as their legs could carry them. Several times Rachel stumbled and Steven wrapped his arm around her to stop her from hitting the ground. They headed to where they had seen her last.

She wasn’t there.

Kevin came running across the opening. “This way,” he shouted on the way past.
Running behind him they headed into a small treed area. Seeing Justin leaning down over Cora on the ground stopped them both.
Dropping her hand Steven rushed over to Cora, he slid across the ground on his knees the last few feet. Cora lie there curled into a tight ball shaking. “Coralee,” he said softly. His eyes were running over her when he spotted the blood on her side. Pushing the material up her leaned over her. “Does anyone have a flashlight?” He looked up as Kevin held his hand over her and a bright light shone down.
“I can’t keep it up too long,” Kevin added quickly.
“Dade.” Cora gasped. “He went...” She began to shake again.
Steven noticed the blood on her side. “He’s a big boy, he’ll be fine. I want you to try to take some breaths and calm down for me while I take a look.”
Rachel Dropped to the ground and lifted Cora’s head into the lap gently stroking a hand over her hair lightly. “Are you shaking from the cut or from the emotions?” She whispered to her.
“Both... scared... Dade.” Cora tried to take deep breaths. “I had an attack so strong it dropped me to my knees I couldn’t...” She gripped her stomach again.
Leena and Kasey came flying into the trees towards them. “We all saw the light.” Leena panted. “Chris and Owen saw Dade and went after him.” She looked down at the blood on Steven’s hands. “How bad?”
Steven lifted his head and looked up at Kevin. “You got a suture kit?”
Kevin nodded. “I’ll go get it.”
“Bring it to the cottage.” He said as he lifted Cora into his arms and headed in that direction.
Justin walked quickly beside them. “I’m going to get Gwen. I don’t like her being alone. We’ll come to the cabin.”
Rachel ran beside Steven.
“Talk to me, Cora,” he said softly as he walked down the path towards the cottage.
“Cora!” Dade came running out of the long grass with Chris and Owen a few feet behind him. He ran up to Steven. “Is she all right?” He took a few breaths. “I couldn’t stop... saw Justin coming... went after the bastard.” His eyes were running over Cora as he walked beside them.
Steven shook his head. “I don’t know the extent of her injuries yet. I have to get her somewhere with light. Kevin’s gone to get the suture kit for me.”
Dade’s eyes widened as he looked at Steven’s hands and the blood on them. Without warning he took Cora from Steven’s arms and pulled her into his chest. “Go, get whatever you need ready.”
Steven nodded and turned to jog towards the cottage. Owen and Rachel followed him.
Kevin reached them as he opened the door. He held up the kit to Owen and then bent over and leaned on his knees to catch his breath. “I’m a medic, not a runner.”
“What do need Doc?” Owen asked from behind him.
Steven looked at the table and pointed to it. “Move that into the light for me.” He looked at Rachel. “Go get a sheet or two from the beds.” She nodded and went to get them. He went into the bathroom and washed his hands and face quickly. He just stepped out as Dade came in the door heading to the table.
Dade lowered her gently then bent over her. “Talk to me, honey.” Her eyes opened and looked at him for a moment and searched over him.
“Dade, you’re bleeding,” Cora said quietly.
Steven pulled him back and gave him a quick once over taking in the deep scratches from branches. “Get Leena to clean those up while I look at Cora.” Dade hesitated. “Now.”
Turning back to Cora he grinned down at her. “Don’t worry, Coralee, my hand at sewing is steady if it comes to that.” He bent over and pulled the material off her side again.
Rachel placed a sheet over Cora’s chest so he could push the material away. “Put the other one on the rest of her, Angel. Keep her warm.” His voice was soft and his focus was completely on Cora as he spoke.
Kevin moved to the other side of Cora and placed the kit on a chair beside him. Pulling gloves on quickly Kevin handed Steven some gauze so he could clean the area a bit.
Steven kept his head down and his focus on what he was doing. He glanced up at Cora after several minutes and winked. “It’s not deep, so we’ll be able to use some strips and close it up pretty for you.” He looked around for a moment until his eyes stopped on Owen. “Bring that magic touch here and slow some of this bleeding for me. I don’t want to have to use stitches to close it.”
Owen walked over and stood beside him. Steven motioned with his own hands where he wanted him to place them. He paused only long enough to grin at Kevin’s wide eyes as he watched Owen do his thing and slow the bleeding down with just a touch.
Steven straightened and looked down at Cora. “Are you hurt anywhere else?”
Cora opened her eyes and shook her head. “Oh, I’ll probably have a few bruises tomorrow, from hitting the ground so hard.” She looked over at Dade standing a few feet away barely allowing Leena to wash the cuts on his arms and chest. “You okay?” she asked softly. The muscle in his jaw clenched but he nodded at her without a word.
*
Steven was just placing the last strip over Cora’s side when Justin, holding a shaking Gwen came through the door. Gwen cried out and went over to her. “Oh, what has he done to you?” She looked down where Steven was cleaning and tears ran down her face.
Cora reached up and took her hand. “I’ll be fine, Gwen. It’s just a scratch.” Gwen nodded and leaned down to kiss her before going over to look at the scratches on Dade.
Dade took her hand. “I’m sorry Gwen I hesitated long enough over Cora that I lost him in the trees.”
Gwen stretched up and kissed his cheek. “It’s not your fault.” She looked around the room. “Where is Patrick?”
Chris pushed away from the wall. “We ran into him trying to catch up to Dade. He’s scouting around trying to pick up a direction. He sent us back so there weren’t more foot prints to follow.”
“I’m just putting some tape over all this Cora, so you don’t get them caught on your clothes.” Steven said quietly as he did it. Straightening up he nodded over to Kevin. “Thanks for the help.”
Justin walked over and smiled down at Cora. “No more heroine stunts. My heart can’t take it.” She just smiled. He turned to Kevin. “What happened to early warning?”
Kevin dropped his head as he was pulling off the gloves. “I can’t be looking everywhere at the same damn time.” He glanced across the room at Rachel and then to Steven briefly before looking down and picking things to put back in the kit.
Dade sighed. “It’s not his fault Justin, I didn’t take my eyes off Cora and I didn’t spot the bastard until he was right beside her.”
Steven looked over to see the expression on Rachel’s face. She’d had caught where Kevin had been looking when he was supposed to be watching Cora. “I need a bit of air before we discuss this to death.” He motioned to Dade. “You want to help Cora to a more comfortable location?”
Dade nodded and walked over to her. “Do you want to change before I settle you on the couch honey?” She nodded. “I’ll take you in your room and Kasey will give you a hand with that first then.” He picked her up gently and carried her to her room with Kasey following quickly.
Steven washed his hands quickly and headed back out. “I’ll be back in a minute.” He glanced at Rachel for a moment before stepping out the door. He knew she’d follow and knew she was there before he felt her hand on his arm. “Don’t say it Rach, you heard Dade,” he said softly.
Rachel moved in front of him and looked down at her own hands. “I can’t help thinking it.”
He lifted her chin so he could look at her eyes. “Don’t think it either.” Dropping his
hand, he stepped back. “I’ll speak to Kevin about this when I can.”
She nodded and turned back to the cottage.
*
“He has to be cut up as bad as I am.” Dade ground out between his teeth at Patrick.
“We’ll keep an eye out tomorrow and see, but it’s like he vanished. No tracks nothing” Patrick spat. He glanced over at Cora and smirked. “You know Rhonda is going to tear a strip off me because you got hurt don’t you?”
Cora glanced over at Patrick. “I’ll talk to her.” She let out a long breath and looked at Steven. “I was having slight feelings, nothing too strong and then wham! I’m on my knees with it too strong to move. How can that be?”
Steven leaned back and sipped his beer. “Obviously his mind is very unstable if he can turn that quickly but not enough he doesn’t plan this, because we know he does.” He watched Cora grip her side. He turned to Leena. “You have anything in your magic realm for throbbing pain?”
Leena nodded and got up. “Of course.” She stopped beside Cora. “Do you want tea or tincture?”
“Tincture with a mead chaser please.” Cora said with a faint grin. She rubbed her hand over her eyes. “I can’t believe we almost had him.” She sighed again and looked at Patrick. “Do you think he’ll quit after this close call?”
Patrick glanced at Chris briefly before he shrugged. “It’s anyone guess at this point.”
Dade watched Cora lean her head back and close her eyes again. “I think we all need to get some sleep, it will be dawn shortly.” He stood up then looked at Justin. “Who’s going to wander and keep watch until then?”
Justin stood up and stretched. “I’ll see if I can wake Charlie because if I don’t lie down for at least an hour I’m going to fall over.”
Dade nodded and walked over to Cora. “Come on, honey, let’s get you in your bed where you can rest.”
Cora snuggled into him and wrapped her arm around his neck. “Can you lie in there with me, Dade? I really don’t want to be alone right now.”
He kissed the top of head. “Whatever you need. Just let Leena give you something to help then we’ll get you tucked in.” He carried her into her room.
Patrick stood up as Justin, Gwen and Kevin headed to the door. “Lock this after we’re gone.”
Chris nodded and held Kasey close to him. “We will. And don’t worry not one of these ladies will be alone until we get out of here tomorrow.”
When the door closed Steven went over to lock it.
Chris walked over to Rachel. “I think you should let the Doc crash in there with you for a few hours rest, Rachel. Any of you alone right now isn’t a good idea.”
Rachel nodded while hugging Kasey. “Okay.”
*
Stretching out on the bed beside her Steven ran his hand lightly down over her hip. This is what he wanted every night. Pulling her closer he lifted her chin and kissed her tenderly. “No regrets, Angel,” he said softly against her mouth.
She cuddled into him and smiled. “No. Well, maybe one. That our deal ends tomorrow.” He grinned at that. “I could use a few more days with your body, Doctor.”
He tightened his hold on her and nibbled her neck. “It’s yours anytime you want it. But for now we need some sleep.” She ran her hand down over his stomach and across his hip. “Rachel.” He warned. Even though he was exhausted his body still responded to her touch.
She looked up and rubbed her tongue ring across his lips. “I can’t help it, I’m beat but my body is saying one more time please.”
His tongue played with hers for a moment. “Have you always been this insatiable?”
She smirked. “No, not like this.”
He leaned up on his elbow over her and brushed his lips over hers. “Good answer.” He began kissing her slowly and then stopped and scowled over at the door. “Be right back. He got up and hooked the latch on the door. Pulling his sarong off, he climbed back in with her.
She smiled as she pulled her top over her head and wiggled out of her skirt. Pushing him back she leaned down to run her tongue from his belly button up to his chin. “Allow me, doctor.” She whispered against his mouth as she moved to straddle him.
Steven cupped the back of her head and kissed her until they were both breathless and panting. Pushing her back on top of him he raised himself up to take her nipple into his mouth and suck hard.
Pulling his head away he sat up completely gripping her hips and taking her with him. Picking her up, he aligned their bodies and slowly lowered her onto him.
Rachel closed her eyes and gasped. “You are so beautiful, Angel,” he whispered against her throat. She gripped his shoulder and raised herself up to Drop back down on him. “Slowly, let me savor this time,” he whispered in her ear. Gripping her hips he controlled the speed of her movement until she was barely moving up and down him. “Mmm, much better.” Leaning back against the pillows he watched her slowly rising over him. The early morning light was coming in the small window casting a glow over her.
My dark angel
, he thought. Her head was thrown back. Her mouth was open with her tongue resting against her teeth in pleasure. Her breasts moved invitingly with her. Gripping her hips again he pulled her harder down on him continuing the slow movement.
*
Each time their bodies connected she gasped. Everything this man did made her feel so good she could barely contain herself. His hands traveled up and down over her hips and waist as she rode him.
When he gripped her hips tighter and began thrusting up into her to meet her. She moaned and took a ragged breath in. “Steven,” she whispered with a hoarse voice. When she felt a spark travel through her, she opened her eyes and looked at him. The intense look on his face as he watched her sent a burst of hear through her body. “No magic. Just you.” She managed to say as he thrust hard into her again.
*
Hearing her say his name in that tone snapped his control. Gritting his teeth he held her tightly and rolled her onto her back. Thrusting into her with slow hard strokes as her nails dragged along his sides hard enough that he gasped from the burning sensations.
Her mouth suctioned against his chest sucking hard and leaving her brand on him. Her hips bucked into him and she groaned loudly just before she came for him. He needed more.
Pulling up, he lifted his body and looked down to see himself disappearing into her convulsing flesh. He thrust faster and watched her body submit to him over and over again. “Mine,” he ground out between clenched teeth. He held his body weight off of her with shaking arms and thrust into her as hard as he could at the same moment his orgasm exploded into her.
I can’t let her go
, he thought as the feelings of his release surrounded him.
She lifted her head up and kissed him tenderly. “Mmm. I could sleep for a week now.” She grinned. “Just as soon as I go get a drink.”
He pulled out of her slowly. “I’ll go get us some water. Don’t move I expect cuddling this time.” He stood on rubber legs and grinned down at the sated naked woman sprawled out on the bed with her eyes closed and arm flung up above her head. “Be right back.” Grabbing his sarong his half wrapped half tied it on quickly.