The Magic in her Gift (12 page)

Without warning, her orgasm
flowed over her body, muting out the sounds of the forest around
them. Before she could catch her breath, he rose up and poised his
shaft at the opening of her body. Leaning in, he took her mouth in
a carnal kiss. Her nails bit into his shoulders as she clung to
him, her breasts flattened against his hair-roughened chest. Her
heart thundered against his own, the rapid beating of both mixing
and mingling until she wasn’t sure which was hers and which was
his.

“
I love you, my Heart
Mate.” Meloir pushed the head of his cock past the mouth of her
opening.

She flexed her hips and
pressed up as she brought her legs up to grip around his waist.
Lifting up slightly, she pressed the rounded head inside her
farther, rotating her hips in an effort to fit their bodies
together. She locked her ankles behind his back, digging in her
heels, and lifted her arms, looping them around his shoulders and
spearing her fingers through his hair.

Meloir’s cock ground against
her clit as he pumped steadily in and out. He groaned deep in his
chest when she caught his hips urging him to move faster, to delve
deeper. She clamped her inner walls around his shaft as he pounded
into her.

Her breathing quickened as
she felt her release build deep inside her pussy. Faster and
faster, he moved until her body stiffened and bright colors swirled
behind her closed eyelids. “Meloir,” she cried out with her
peak.

Meloir clenched his hand in
her hair, holding her still, as he released his seed into the
depths of her body.

She could feel the jerk of
his cock as he found his own release.

For several minutes they lay
together in silence, their bodies still joined from their passion.
Then Meloir slowly raised his head. His eyes held a sadness she
didn’t understand.

“
We’re running out of time,
Sarafina.” His head lowered and his lips brushed softly against her
own. “I need you for my life to be complete, my Heart Mate. Please,
before it’s too late, you must call for me with your
magic.”

Sara closed her eyes in
pain. “I don’t know how to call for you, Meloir. I don’t have any
magic,” she sobbed. She could feel the tears leaking from her
closed eyes.

Meloir slowly untangled
their bodies and got to his feet. “The magic is there, my Heart
Mate. You will find it in your gift.”

“
What does that –” Her
words cut off when Meloir’s form began to fade. “Wait, don’t go,
please,” she sobbed, coming to her feet. “Don’t leave me alone,”
she begged.

“
Wait, don’t go,” Sara cried
out as she woke. She sat up and looked around in confusion. Her
clothes and skin were wet from the mist coming off the falls. Her
breasts felt full and her nipples ached against the damp fabric of
her bra. Throwing her hands up, she pressed a fist against her
mouth to stifle a cry and collapsed back down on the soaked grass.
“Another stupid dream,” she whispered. Taking a deep breath, she
got unsteadily to her feet and started down the path that would
lead her back to the beach.

Sara sat in the rocker on the porch and
stared out at the ocean. Elias was due back any time and she’d no
idea what she was going to say to him. She’d arrived back at the
house after her trip to the waterfall full of angst. She’d been
terrified that Mel wouldn’t accept her decision and terrified that
he would. She hadn’t left the house the past two days in hopes that
he’d come walking down the path.

Her feelings of guilt had increased
when she listened to the phone message that awaited her when she
returned. Bart had called and said he found a potential buyer for
the island. His idea to simplify things was to bring the buyer to
the island. She could show them around and sign the papers at the
same time. He’d not returned any of her calls since then and now it
was too late to stop him. They would be here in just twenty-four
short hours.

“
Hello, Miss
Sara.”

Sara looked up and saw Elias coming
down the path. “Elias, it’s good to see you. Did you have a good
trip? Got your business all taken care of?” It was good to see a
friendly face.

“
The trip was okay.” He
walked up the steps and sat down in the rocker next to her. “I
didn’t accomplish what I set out to do though.” He raked his gaze
from her head down to her toes and back. “Are you doing
okay?”

“
Sure, I’m fine.”

He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry you
didn’t enjoy spending time with Mel.”

Sara glanced over, but
couldn’t read anything from his expression. She wondered if Mel had
told him what happened. “No, it wasn’t that.”
Liar Liar.
“I just needed some time
alone to think some things through.” She hoped he didn’t realize
she’d enjoyed her time with Mel a little too much.

Elias grimaced and looked away. “Yeah,
I can understand that.”

Sara frowned and studied him closer.
“What’s wrong, Elias?”

He sighed heavily. “Your fiancé had
that attorney Aames fellow contact me a few days ago.” He cut his
eyes over to Sara. “I’ve been instructed to pick up Mr. Everett and
two other people tomorrow at the Henderson Airport and bring them
here.” He peered at her through narrowed eyes. “Did you know he was
coming back?”

Sara sighed. “Yes, he left a message on
the machine day before yesterday to let me know.” She barked out a
mirthless laugh. “He planned his visit carefully, Elias. They won’t
let you bring them here until after five o’clock.”

“
What are you talking about,
Sara?” he asked, his voice puzzled.

“
Five o’clock tomorrow
evening, the island officially becomes mine. I will have fulfilled
the terms of Grandmother’s will.”

Elias leaned closer. “What’s he coming
here for, Sara?”

She blinked furiously to hold back the
tears and then looked into his concerned, green eyes. “He’s found a
buyer for the island.”

Elias blew out a heavy breath and
leaned back in his chair. For several minutes, the only sounds
heard were squawking birds and the steady thump of the chairs
rockers against the wooden porch. “Is that what you want?” he asked
quietly.

Sara didn’t answer right way. She kept
her eyes focused on the distant ocean. The thought of never seeing
this beautiful place again had her biting back a sob. The tears
she’d been able to control earlier now drifted silently down her
face.

“
The future’s not set until
you set it yourself.” He reached over and took her hand in his. “If
you don’t want them here, I won’t bring them.”

A vision of Bart stranded at the
Henderson International Airport flashed in her mind and Sara
couldn’t stop the short bark of laughter that escaped. It was a
full minute before she could trust herself to speak. She shook her
head, grinning the entire time. “That wouldn’t be very nice,
Elias.”

“
Humph! I’ve been accused of
being a lot of things, but nice was never one of them.” He shook
his finger at her. “I’m being serious, girl. One word from you and
I’ll make sure no one’s willing to bring him out here.”

“
You can’t do that,
Elias.”

“
Sure I can. There’s nobody
to stop me.” He crossed his arms and stretched out his feet. “You
think Elizabeth would be happy to know you’re thinking of selling
her home?”

Sara bit into her quivering lip and
stared down at her feet. “Probably not, but she’s gone and I’m the
one that has to find a way to make it work with Bart.” She got up
and walked to the porch rail. “I’m tired of being lonely, Elias.
I’m marrying Bart and we’re going to build a good life together.
He’ll be a good husband and hopefully a good father.” Sara wondered
if her words sounded as false to him as they did to her. She turned
around and studied his face.

Elias’s mouth had dropped open, his
eyes practically bulging. “Bart wants to be a father?” he asked
incredulously.

Sara looked away. “Well, we haven’t
actually discussed it, but he’s already got one son so I figured he
wouldn’t mind having another child.” She turned and gave him a
small smile and wasn’t terribly surprised to see the skeptical look
on his face.

“
Will you be okay here
alone? I’ve got to head to the mainland and stock up on supplies
before I pick them up tomorrow.” He stood and walked over to stand
next to her. “You can come with me if you don’t want to stay
here.”

She was going to have to give up her
grandmother’s home and she wanted to spend every minute there she
could. “No, that’s okay. I’m comfortable here and honestly, I’d
like a little more time by myself.”

Elias laughed, but it had a hollow
sound to it. “I don’t think you want time alone, Sara. I just think
you’re not looking forward to the company you’re getting.” He
leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Take care of
yourself, little girl. I’ll be back tomorrow. You can reach me on
the short-wave radio if you need me.” He left the porch and started
down the trail.

“
You be careful, Elias, and
come back safely.” His only response was to wave over his
head.

With a heavy heart, Sara went upstairs
to her grandmother’s room. She knew that Bart would insist they
leave as soon as possible and she wanted a chance to look through
her things.

For the next hour, Sara carefully went
through the closet in the room she’d been sleeping in. Her
grandmother had been something of a packrat. Past the row of
hanging, out-dated clothes, there was a stack of boxes. The
contents ranged from old purses and mismatched shoes to paperback
romance novels and a seashell collection. One even contained old
school report cards and pictures drawn by her mother when she was
little.

When she pulled the last
cardboard container out of the corner, she found a small, wooden
box. She picked it up and frowned at the small, gold tinted lock
keeping it closed. She placed it on the bed and thought for a
moment.
Where would I keep the key for a
special keepsake box?
After a minute, she
sat down at the desk and began going through the drawers. When that
didn’t produce any keys, she began searching the dresser. Twenty
minutes later, she slammed the last drawer shut and let out a
frustrated grunt.

It would take forever to search the
rest of the house. She thought for a moment and then eyed the desk.
Nodding, she walked over and picked up the metal letter opener. It
only took three tries for her to pop the tiny lock off. Grinning,
she lifted the lid and peered inside.

“
What in the world?” Inside
were small paintings of Karl at various stages of his life. In some
he was young, very handsome and virile looking. Others, he’d aged
gracefully and looked much as he did when she met him. The pictures
all had one thing in common. Each one was ripped apart, right down
the middle of his torso.

Sara studied the torn pictures
carefully. Suddenly, she felt a chill and the hairs on the back of
her neck stood up. It felt as if the cool air sucked from the room
and she heard a slight sound behind her. Turning, she held her
breath as the ghostly apparition of her grandmother faded into
view.

“
You must follow your heart,
Sarafina. You must find your true love and make him yours. Don’t
make the same mistakes I did. Be true to your heart. Search him out
and bring him forth with the magic I gave you and then hang onto
him no matter what.” Her grandmother smiled. “Be happy, my child.
It’s not too late for you. Find the magic.” Her form began to
disappear.

“
Wait, Grandmother. Don’t
go,” Sara cried.

“
Find the magic, Sarafina.
The magic is in your gift.” Her voice slowly faded away.

“
What magic?” Sara
whispered. She fell across the bed and cried.

Chapter 7

Sara watched as Bart came
walking out of the woods along the trail. The smile on his face
made the blood in her veins turn to ice. His smiles never made it
to his eyes. Walking closely behind him were two men. Sara had to
stifle a laugh. They looked like
Stepford
Businessmen
, almost clone-like. Both
dressed inappropriately and looked as if they belonged on Wall
Street and not on an island beach.

She sighed and walked down the steps to
greet her fiancé. “It’s good to see you, Bart. I’ve missed you.”
She raised her face for a kiss and felt disappointed when he only
kissed her cheek.

“
Sara, you’re looking well.
Obviously this little vacation has been good for you.” He turned to
the men. “Gentlemen, this is my fiancée, Sara Danner. Sara, this is
Adam Castle and Rodney Tarlton. They’re interested in learning more
about our island.”

Sara’s eyebrows went up when
he said
our island
. She took a deep breath and held out her hand. “It’s a
pleasure to meet you.” After shaking their hands, she motioned
toward the house. “Won’t you please come in? I know you must be
tired after that long flight.”

Bart chuckled. “Our flight wasn’t so
bad, Sara. Rodney flew us out in his private jet and he’s
graciously offered us a ride home.”