Dreams~Shadows of the Night (28 page)

Catherine felt as though her heart was in her throat, as she walked through the rain toward him. She couldn’t seem to make her legs go any faster even though she wanted to run. The rain was coming down harder now pelting her with heavy
splashes of water.

Her lips moved silently, forming his name, as he stood struggling to unlock the door. She frowned when she saw how much his hands were shaking. Catherine realized he was obviously cold and considering their last conversation, probably upset as well. She had to close her eyes for a moment fighting against the guilt knowing that part of the reason she’d sent him away was to make him suffer for the times he’s doubted her fidelity.

The rain darkened his hair plastering the strands against his head like a skullcap. Drops streamed in rivulets lining his face. He looked gray with fatigue and the shadows beneath his eyes told their own story. He was suffering. She had done this to him. The realization filled her with shame. He really did need her. She felt her insides crumble in a way they did only for him.

She finally managed to say his name, but he didn’t react and she realized the water gushing through the roof’s drain near their heads was drowning out all other sound. He’d just shoved open the door when Catherine stepped closer and repeated his name, louder this time. He whirled around. She heard his quick catch of breath before he rubbed his wet fingers over his eyes, as though he might be looking at a mirage.

“Catherine?” It sounded almost reverent. “Please tell me this isn’t a dream.”

He smelled of rain, and if she wasn’t mistaken, seawater.

“Not this time.”

“I’d given up. I thought you weren’t coming. Oh God, Catherine, come here. Let me hold you.” A hoarse moan escaped him and he reached out to snatch her to him.

She thought he sounded like a wounded animal suddenly being relieved of some terrible torment. Love for him moved in and crowded out every other emotion. It simply imploded inside of her until the breath was literally sucked right out her.

They stumbled into the room locked together in each other’s arms. She pressed against him. He immediately captured her mouth in a hard kiss and they fed on each other’s lips like manna from heaven. They clung together frantically gripping each other, as they poured out turbulent emotions until his shivering made her lift her head.

“How is it that you’re sopping wet? Where have you been?”

“To the end of the road,” he mumbled after a few seconds hesitation.

Catherine wasn’t sure she understood what he meant by his cryptic remark, but she could feel the tension that emanated from him. His teeth chattered making her frown.

“You have to get out of your wet things and into a hot shower.”

It amazed her that she could think coherently, let alone talk with the emotions she felt tearing through her. He took her by the hand and led her to the bathroom.

“Looks like you got wet yourself. You can shower first,” he offered
and reached in to turn on the taps.

“How about we shower together? I’m not ready to let go of you yet.”

His eyes
still
blazed with heat, despite
the shivers of
his chilled body.

“I was hoping you’d say that.”

They watched each other hungrily, as they peeled the sodden clothes from their bodies. When they stepped into the stall together the hot steamy water cascaded over them warming their icy flesh. Josh brushed his knuckles down the side of her face and then his lips followed, moving across her shoulders and down to her breasts.

“Do you have any idea what you do to me?” Her eyes traveled the length of his rapidly hardening body and felt her own muscles tighten. His mouth continued to move over her, torturing, pleasuring. “I want you so much i
t’s like having a vol
cano ready to erupt inside of me
.”

She framed his face between her hands.

“Then it’s time we explode together.”

Chapter Twenty-five

He took her hands and draped them over his shoulders. She felt herself shiver when he licked drops of water that had settled in the tiny hollow at the base of her throat while his hands traced her shape and molded themselves to her curves. He backed her against the wall and pressed her there with muscles straining, his body hard and aroused.

“
I love your taste and the feel of your skin,” he said, his voice thickening.

His mouth descended, taking her breath away. By the time he reached behind and turned the water off, Catherine understood the feeling that she would explode any minute. He took her by the hand and led her away from the stall, grabbing a couple of towels as they went. They dried off in haste before Josh pulled her against him again. His tongue caressed her lips with soft swirling strokes before diving inside her moist sweetness for a more thorough taste. She moaned into his mouth inviting him to deepen the kiss.

Long minutes passed bringing precious moments to savor while tender flesh ached to be possessed. The outside world had disappeared. They were alone in their own universe. Intoxicated by a beautiful world they had created for themselves, they began to turn the dingy little motel room into their own special
Eden
. Driven by pure sensation and hunger, they were ready to soar into the upper peaks of passion.

They fell onto the bed with arms and legs entwined. Her skin gleamed alabaster white against the dark quilt. He pulled the spread aside until they lay on the sheets.

“Our hair. We need to dry our hair, Josh.”

“I haven’t got time for that now,” he groaned and lowered his pulsating body to Catherine’s waiting arms while he shivered and let himself sink into her scented flesh. Filled with a powerful sexual force neither could stop, they began to shudder out of control. Each demanded more than they had ever sought before. Raw, naked yearning drove them on until their emotions crested and burst forth in a series of blinding flashes of light leaving them spinning out into another dimension. They rode the luminosity in concert, basking in its glow until they gradually floated back down to earth as one.

Completely drained, yet strangely invigorated, they lay in each other’s arms. Somewhere between the sound of the rain and her long drawn out sighs, Josh’s voice penetrated Catherine’s brain.

“This is going to sound kind of
corny, but I feel like I’ve just been reborn,” he said and burrowed his face against the side of her neck. “I’m tired of running,
Catherine. I meant it when I said I’m not going anywhere ever again unless you’re with me. I’m yours to do with what you want
now.”

She lifted his head and reached up to touch loving fingers to his face. He had given himself to her at last to mold to her will. His humbly spoken surrender brought a vulnerability she hadn’t expected from him. Emotion filled her throat and tears slowly began to seep from beneath her lashes. She wept for the time lost, the challenges they’d never confronted, and the mistakes that had been made by themselves and others.

He rolled them onto their sides and held her in a tight embrace.

“I thought you’d be happy. This isn’t exactly the reaction I expected from you,” he said and stroked her hair. “I certainly never wanted to make you cry. Don’t tell me I’ve messed up again?”

She buried her face against his chest.

“I’m crying because I am happy. To be here with you and knowing that we’re going to be together at last is like a dream come true.”

He kissed the top of her head.

“For me, too. It’s good to know that our dreams sometimes turn out the way we hope they will.”

“I had begun to think I was a jinx because so many people I cared about, my parents, Nancy, Tom, all left me. Even you went away.”

“I understand that kind of pain now that Tom is gone and how I almost lost you, too. I’m sorry that I failed you in so many ways, but I vow that I’ll never leave you again. My world is wherever you are. I don’t need to look any further ever again.”

She sniffed and wiped away tears.

“No more traipsing off on another jaunt?”

“Like I said, not unless you’re with me, but I have a feeling life with you is going to be all the adventure I’ll ever want.”

“I’ll try to make it worth your while.”

He laughed and kissed a few stray tears away. “I have little doubt of that.”

“What will you do if your mother still refuses to accept me?”

“She knows she has to, or she loses me.” His mouth tightened. “Right now I’m having a difficult time forgiving her for interfering in my personal life. She lied thinking she was protecting me, but in doing so she very nearly caused me to lose you.”

“She did. If it hadn’t been for a phone call from Mr. Marsh revealing so many things about what had happened to you
,
my stupid pride might have kept us apart
even
longer.”

He stared at her with surprise clearly showing in his eyes.

“When was this?”

“Tonight. He caught me as I was leaving work. He convinced me to give you another chance.” She felt him go rigid and saw the tension in his expression. “You aren’t angry with him are you? He’s very fond of you, Josh. He did the right thing, you know.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. Did you come here only because of his phone call?”

“Of course not. I’m here because this is where I’m supposed to be. I knew that all along. I just needed someone like Mr. Marsh to give me a push in the right direction.”

“I owe him big time, then. He’s a good man. You’ll like his wife, too.”

“I’d like to meet them some day to thank him in person.” She snuggled against him and kissed his chest. “Now I think we both could use some shuteye. Nurse’s orders.”

He stroked her lips with the tip of his finger.

“I’d much rather make love again.”

“We will, and it’ll be even better once we’ve rested. I have a feeling you haven’t been sleeping very well lately. I know I’ve
certainly
done my share of tossing and turning.”

His mouth replaced his fingers in a quick kiss.

“Okay, you’re the boss.

>>>>dreams<<<<

But later, after he heard her breathing deeply in sleep, Josh still hadn’t closed his eyes. There were too many emotions chasing around inside his head. He thought about how he’d almost ended it all like Tom had. He very well might have if he hadn’t caught his toe on a child’s plastic pail half buried in the sand at the water’s edge. It made him think of little Tommy and how he suddenly realized he wanted to be his father. He’d decided even if Catherine didn’t want him, he owed it to Tom’s son to stick around.

He’d done a lot of thinking and soul searching about his life on the drive back. He recognized he’d wasted too much time on what wasn’t important and cared too little for the things that should have mattered. It hadn’t been easy admitting that he’d been way too arrogant and full of himself chasing after empty pursuits. While there was no way he could erase the mistakes he’d made, he could at least try to be better in the future.

This was especially important when it came to how he’d handled his relationship with Catherine. He couldn’t blame all the mistakes that had been made on his mother’s
interference. He’d hurt Catherine deeply by his own selfishness and mistrust. It terrified him to know what a near thing it was that he would never have her in his life again.

How many chances did a person have to clear away the blunders they’d caused in their life? His actions had put him on a risky seesaw ride long enough. He barely held back a shudder knowing if fate hadn’t finally worked in their favor, he wouldn’t be here with Catherine lying in his arms.

>>>>dreams<<<<

The next time Catherine opened her eyes Josh was prop
ped on an elbow smiling at her.

“Good morning. How did you sleep?”

She gave him a sleepy smile in return.

“Great.” She decided she’d tell him later about the dream she’d just had of them exchanging wedding bands. “How about you?”

“
Changed my mind about
sleep
ing
. I’d much rather watch you.”

“You’d better get used to it because I plan on hanging around for a long time.”

“I think I can handle it.” He leaned down, nipped her chin with his teeth, grazed her jaw, and tugged on her bottom lip making her moan.

“I
do
believe this nurse ordered you to get some sleep.”

“
Sleep is over rated
. I’ve more important things to do right now.”

His voice sounded ragged before his mouth covered hers in a kiss so hot it was a wonder it didn’t singe her lips. Long clever fingers, bold and daring, stroked her body, touching her quivering flesh in all her secret places making her whimper with such intense pleasure it came close to becoming pain.

“Josh, please . . .” she gasped, as his fingers danced over her breasts seconds before his mouth followed the same path.  She rose toward him, offering, begging.