Into the Storm (12 page)

She kept moving. I caught up to her and spun her around. Tears were pouring down her face. “Leave me alone, Joshua,” she pleaded. “Just leave me alone. I can’t … I can’t …” her voice trailed off into deep chest-ripping sobs. My anger drained away. Intense longing tore through me. The need to comfort, to care and to claim the sobbing woman in front of me overwhelmed my senses and I dragged her into my arms. I rained kisses over her wet face, struggling to keep her close. She twisted and pulled, trying to get away from me. I refused to let her out of the cage of my embrace and eventually she fell forward, burrowed into my chest, her body shaking with emotion and cold. I picked her up, gently this time, and carried her to the truck. I kept her trembling form in my arms, across my lap as I drove the truck back to the house. My lips never left her skin. They brushed soft kisses and gentle caresses over her cheeks, forehead, and the crown of her head; anywhere they could reach. I could feel the deep cold in her body as she shook in my arms, not saying a word, her sobs tearing at my heart.

Once inside the house, I moved as quickly as I could. I carried her to the basement and sat her down on the stool. Bear sat beside her, whining deep in his throat, sensing her distress. She was shaking violently and I knew I had to warm her up, albeit slowly. I hastily removed my clothes, leaving my boxers on and then knelt in front of her, removing her frozen shoes and socks. Her feet were like ice. I rubbed them, trying to stimulate circulation and then reached up and pulled off her jacket. The entire time I bit my tongue to stop myself from screaming at her again. I doubted she would have even made it to the end of the drive, she was so cold. The thoughts of what could have happened kept playing over and over in my head. Gently, I stood her up and lifted her chin. “I’m taking off your clothes, Rabbit. I need to warm you up, okay?” I spoke calmly and kept eye contact with her, making sure she understood what I was saying. She continued to stare at me and I quickly pulled her shirt off, followed by her sodden pants, leaving her in just her underwear. Her skin was freezing cold to the touch, with a slight bluish tinge to it. I braced myself for the next part. Lifting her up, I walked over to the exercise pool. I looked down at her. “Hold tight, Rabbit. This isn’t going to feel good at first, but we need to do this.” I stepped into the lukewarm water and submerged us both quickly. Rabbit gasped at the shock and struggled in my arms. I held her tightly.

“
I know it feels like you’re burning, Rabbit. Your body needs to warm up slowly. It’s okay. It will pass.” I whispered quietly into her ear, continuing to hold her as the chills raced through her body. She whimpered but stopped struggling and I sat down on the ledge in the pool and loosened my hold. I ran one hand up and down her legs and arms, trying to add more warmth to her body. I stroked her hair, grazed her cheeks with my lips and hummed lovingly into her ear to distract her. I have no idea how long we were sitting before I was satisfied she was back to a more normal temperature, and her sobs had silenced. Then I stood up and carried her over to the hot tub and, once again lowered us both into the water. This time she simply sighed and relaxed in my arms, welcoming the heat. Her head fell against my shoulder and I stroked her hair as I leaned back and allowed myself to relax.

Minutes passed, the only sound in the room that of the bubbling water. Rabbit’s unexpected apology was spoken softly.

“
Why?” I asked back just as softly. “Did you think I wouldn’t notice you were gone?”

“
I thought I’d be long gone before you did,” she admitted, not looking me in the eye. “I didn’t realize how far away the road was.”

I sighed. “If I didn’t find you, Rabbit, you could have died from exposure.” I lifted her chin up and made her look at me. “Do you think I could have lived with myself if that happened?”

Her chin quivered. “I didn’t think you cared. That you would just be happy I was gone. I didn’t really think you’d come look for me.”

My heart clenched at her words. “No, Rabbit, the problem is that I care too much,” I confessed. My hands moved and cupped her cheeks, stroking the downy skin. “And, it scared me, so I said some dreadful things to push you away. But I didn’t mean them. I’m so sorry I ever said them.”

Silently, we regarded each other. Slowly, I brought my hand around her neck and pulled her closer, my eyes never leaving hers. “Tell me you believe me, Rabbit. Tell me you forgive me,” I pleaded.

Her whispered ‘yes’ escaped just as I crashed my mouth onto hers, pulling her against me. I poured everything I was feeling into that kiss.

My relief.

My apology.

My need.

My want.

My desire.

All for her.

Her arms wound around my neck, pulling herself closer. I shifted her body and soon she was straddling my lap, our chests pressed together, hands roaming, stroking and caressing each other gently. Eventually, I pulled back and gazed down at her. My thumb traced over her bottom lip as we both struggled to catch our breath. “What about what you said? What if there is someone …?” her voice trailed off.

I shook my head. “Later, Rabbit. We’ll deal with that later. You’re here. With me. And while you’re here, you’re mine,” I replied, my voice low. “You belong to me. Right now, you belong to me. Understand?”

“
Yours, Joshua. Yes.”

I claimed her lips again.

Mine.

Chapter Twelve

Joshua

Warmth. Sweet-smelling, delicious warmth. My arms tightened around the soft form pressed into my chest and I settled deeper into the covers. Gentle lips brushed against my chest, up my neck and across my jaw. Slowly, I opened my eyes and smiled into the vivid blue eyes of Rabbit, who was gazing up at me nervously. “Hi,” she whispered.

“
Hi, yourself,” I whispered back, leaning down to kiss her. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“
I ... umm ... I wasn’t sure if I was awake or if this was just a good dream.” Her voice was shy and hesitant.

I quirked my eyebrow at her. “Just a
good
dream, Rabbit? Well, that’s just not … acceptable.” Grinning, I quickly rolled us, making sure not to hurt her and slowly lowered my head. “Let’s see if I can’t make that an amazing dream …” my voice trailed off, sounding low and husky. I lightly grazed my lips on hers, and then drew her bottom lip into mine. Gently, I nibbled on the plump flesh, before slowly drawing my tongue along the top, teasing her. The quiet whimper at the back of her throat made me smile, and I covered her mouth with mine, groaning as I felt her tongue reach out to twine with mine. My senses exploded and I gathered her to me carefully, deepening the kiss. Her hands reached up, curling into my hair, pulling me closer and responding so sweetly that another groan broke from my throat. Shifting my weight, I rolled us again to the side and my hands found their way under the t-shirt she was wearing and began a circuit, slowly caressing her skin, needing to feel her warmth. Desire raged through me and I drew back, panting as I looked down at her. Her wide eyes gazed back pleading. “Don’t stop, Joshua … please.”

“
Rabbit, I’m afraid I’ll hurt you. I
can’t
do that …” I whispered, pleadingly, needing her to understand why I had stopped downstairs, why I was stopping now.

She shook her head. “You won’t.” Her hands pulled me down closer. “You won’t …” she breathed, her tongue flicking out, touching my mouth, gently trailing its sweet moisture across my lips. “Please, Joshua.”

I groaned deeply and gave in to the need I had been fighting since I carried her up from the hot tub and placed her back where she belonged. With me; in my bed, in my arms.

The need to make her mine filled me. Completely. My mouth hungered for her taste, my hands were desperate for the feel of her skin under them and my body wanted to possess and claim her. I needed to hear her calling my name as she came. I needed it now. She was right, I
would
have her now, and I wouldn’t hurt her.

I rolled us yet again so she was on top of me. I sat up, drawing her close as I captured her mouth with mine, delving, tasting her sweetness. My hands removed her t-shirt and explored her curves, learning the spots that made her whimper with need into my mouth as she clutched my arms, trembling.

“
Touch me, Rabbit,” I begged, breaking away from her mouth and running my lips down her neck. Her hands drifted down my arms and ran up my chest, delicately stroking and exploring, her lips following their path as she shifted. My head dropped back as I felt the warmth of her mouth on my skin. Her hands slipped down, finding me hard and wanting and I hissed in pleasure as I felt her wrap her hands around my throbbing erection, stroking gently. Leaning forward, I claimed her mouth again and felt her rise up to greet me, I reached down and my hand found her slick and ready for me. Slowly, I explored and touched as she moaned into my mouth. Smoothly pulling her up, I positioned her and watched the expression on her face as I slowly lowered her onto my cock, her warmth engulfing me inch by inch. For a minute, we both stilled at the intense feeling of being joined and my eyes drifted shut at the extreme pleasure. I began to move, slowly at first, and as Rabbit began pleading, faster and harder; still keeping in mind not to hold her too tightly and hurt her. She clung to me as my thrusts began to become more powerful and I buried my face in her neck as I felt my orgasm begin to build, its tendrils curling their way hot and desperate through my body.

“
So close, baby,” I whispered, against her ear. “Let go, Rabbit, come for me,” I begged, feeling her body starting to shake and quiver. Her head fell back and she gasped out my name as her orgasm raced through her and her muscles tightened around me. Then, like a dam breaking, my body responded and my release tore through me like molten lava; hot, burning fire racing through my veins as I roared out her name, thrusting until I was spent.

My head fell forward, resting on top of Rabbit’s, which was burrowed into my chest. Neither of us spoke, the only sound in the room was our deep intakes of air as we both calmed. Slowly, I sat back, raising her chin and looking at her. Her eyes stared back at me, mirroring the sweetness of the moment. Leaning down, I brushed her lips tenderly and then gently moved us so we were again lying side by side. I kept my arms around her, holding her closely, not yet ready to let her go. Her hands were tucked between us and I felt the movement of her fingers as she ran them in lazy circles over my chest, one hand over my rapidly-pounding heart. My eyes closed as I relaxed, enjoying the soothing rhythm of her touch, only to fly open in panic as I felt dampness on my chest. Releasing one arm, I cupped her cheek, feeling the tears that were running down her warm skin. “Rabbit, what is it?” I whispered.

Silently, she shook her head, burrowing into me even deeper. I moved my hand and lifted her chin, hating to see the tears filling her eyes. “Did I hurt you?” My voice shook.

“
No, Joshua … it’s …” her voice trailed off.

“
Do you regret it?” I asked, already feeling the pain of her of answer.

“
No! I don’t know how to explain this properly, Joshua … it’s …” she paused and her voice became so soft, I had to strain to hear it. “It’s as if my body can’t handle what just happened. Like I am so full of bliss it can’t be contained. It’s like I’ve been waiting for something and I finally found it.” Her eyes looked up at me. “I guess that sounds crazy, doesn’t it?”

I leaned down and kissed her lovingly. Then again. And again. Each time a little deeper. Each time a little longer. Until I was once again drowning in the taste of her and still needing more. Finally, I broke away and buried my head into her neck, shaking my head as I tried to hold in the feelings that tore through me as she whispered her confession.

“
I feel it, too, Rabbit. I finally found it as well.”

“
What is it?”

I lifted my head and locked my gaze on hers.

“
Home, my beautiful girl. I finally found my home.”

Chapter Thirteen

Joshua

The fire was crackling in the hearth, Bear stretched out contently in front of it. When we had emerged from the bedroom, he looked at us as if to say ‘finally’ then had chuffed and walked away as if his job was done and laid down. Rabbit and I were on the sofa, the remnants of the casserole between us, two forks lying in the dish, not even bothering with plates. One glass of wine was passed back and forth, tasting all the better for sharing it with her. Our hands were entwined on the back of the sofa, neither of us willing to be without that connection, even to eat. We were quiet, both of us lost in our thoughts, weary from the emotion of the day, but peaceful with the feelings we had shared and that permeated the atmosphere of the room.