Into the Storm (38 page)

I cherished every inch of her body with my mouth, murmuring words of adoration into her skin, branding her with my love. Finally, I slid into her welcoming warmth; a deep groan of need slipping from my mouth when I was surrounded by her pulsating heat. I moved slowly at first, getting to know her all over again and then gave into the desire raging within me. I crashed my lips to hers and I began thrusting harder and faster, our moans lost in the depths of each other’s mouths as we raced towards the moment’s completion. Rabbit’s body arched and twisted under mine, her legs wrapped around my hips tightly and her hands in constant motion over my skin, touching, feeling, fingers digging deeper as her passion raged. And then she shattered under me, her body stilling as she came, forcefully crying out my name as she tore her lips from mine, gasping. I buried my head into her neck and continued to move within her until my own release raged through me, the power almost overwhelming. My roar echoed in the room as I panted into her warm neck before finally ceasing my motions.

Rabbit pulled my shaking form down on top of hers, refusing to let me go, and we lay silent, basking in the quiet of the early evening. Wrapping her closely to me, I rolled over, keeping her tucked into my side. One hand tangled into her soft hair, stroking her head and feeling the weight of her tresses against my palm, while the other clasped our hands together, fingers intertwined. Her head rested against my arm, her breath warm on my chest as we lay encased in momentary peace.

“
There are so many things I need to tell you,” she whispered after a while. “There is so much about me you don’t know.”

“
No,” I whispered back. “I
know
you. I’ve always known
you
, Rabbit.”

I pressed a kiss into her hair. “But I want to hear anything you want to tell me. You can tell me anything, anytime … and let me get to know the rest of you that is … Lizzy.”

I felt her smile against my chest.

“
That sounds so strange coming from you. But I like it.”

I smiled. “I like it as well. It suits you. But not as much as Rabbit.”

She burrowed a little closer. “No, not as much as Rabbit.”

I nuzzled her head. “We have lots of time, Rabbit.” I lifted her face from my chest and made sure she understood me. “Nothing is taking you away from me again. Whenever you want to talk, you just talk. I’ll listen.”

“
I never want to leave here again,” she whispered, her hand caressing my face.

I shook my head sadly. “You have to, Rabbit.” Her body stiffened and her eyes grew wild with panic. I held tighter to her hand, realizing my poor choice of words. “That’s not what I mean. I left this place today. For the first time in many years. And, I plan on leaving it again. Except this time, I want you beside me. Together, we can do it, Rabbit. Okay?”

Her eyes calmed.

“
Okay.”

I pulled her close again and held her tightly.

So much to learn about her. So much for her to discover still about me.

So much to learn about how to be the man she needed.

I closed my eyes and prayed I was strong enough.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Joshua

“
I don’t like fish, Joshua.”

I looked up from my plate, confused. I looked down again. “This isn’t fish, Rabbit.” I poked at my food. “Is it?”

She smiled faintly. “No, its chicken, I think.”

“
Ah,” I nodded. “Cecilia often puts chicken in her casseroles.” I looked at Rabbit; she was pushing her casserole around her plate not really eating much. She hadn’t said a lot since I had insisted we needed to eat and, regretfully, pulled her out of bed, redressing her in my shirt and socks, but not before kissing every inch of her skin before I covered it up. Cecilia had left a casserole for us to eat and all we had to do was heat it, and I had assumed she would be hungry by now.

“
So, you don’t like any fish, Rabbit? Or a specific species?” I teased, trying to figure out the strange comment.

“
To eat. I don’t like fish.”

“
Okay. Any particular reason?”

Her voice was quiet. “It was almost all I got to eat. Sometimes chicken, but usually fish. Fish and salad. I was always so tired of fish and salad.”

Instantly, I felt the anger start to build and I gripped my fork tightly. “No fish then, Rabbit. Ever. Not a problem. You don’t have to eat any fucking salad either if you don’t want.”

She nodded, but didn’t look up.

“
Joshua?”

I could hear a tremor in her voice. I moved my chair closer to hers and captured the hand I could see fidgeting with the hem of my shirt. “What, pretty girl?”

She looked up at me and I could see the tears forming in her eyes. I wanted to kill Brian James for what he had done to her. What he had reduced her to. However, I kept my anger inside and I squeezed her hand in encouragement.

“
Would you cook me a steak tomorrow?”

“
I’ll cook you a whole fucking cow if that’s what you want,” I assured her and kissed her hand.

I was rewarded with a shaky, teary-eyed smile. “No, I think one steak will do.”

I nodded. “Consider it done.” I pushed her plate toward her. “Please try and eat, Rabbit, just a little, okay?”

“
I’m not really hungry, Joshua. I’m sorry.”

I shook my head. “Okay. You can have something later if you want.”

I racked my brain, trying to figure out what to do next. I told her to tell me anything, anytime. But, I wasn’t sure how to respond without showing my anger. If she knew how angry it made me to hear how she was treated, she wouldn’t talk.

I sat back and looked at her. Then, grinning, I leaned forward and lifted her chin with a finger, gently ticking her skin. “So. A steak. Definitely
not
a vegetarian then, Rabbit?”

She shook her head, her lips twitching as she recalled our dinner weeks ago.

“
And, the alcoholic thing? Anything you want to tell me? Confession is good for the soul they say. ”

A small grin tugged on her lips. “No, I’m good.”

I nodded.

“
Any substances you’re addicted to? Anything you just can’t do without?” I smiled as I continued to chuff her under the chin.

Despite the glimmer of tears still in her eyes, a real smile broke out on her face. “One thing.”

“
And that is?”

“
You.”

Instantly, Cecilia’s casserole lost all its appeal to me as well. Leaning forward, I pulled her onto my lap and crashed my mouth to hers. Her arms wound around my neck and held me tightly. I pushed my chair back and stood, lifting her, never breaking contact with her lips. I strode down the hall toward the bedroom.

Eating was far too overrated.

I woke up with a start. The bedroom was pitch-black, the fire having burned down to small, glowing embers in the grate. I put my hand out and found only empty space in the bed beside me. I sat up abruptly, turning on the light and blinking with the sudden brightness. Rabbit wasn’t in bed. In fact, it didn’t look like she had even been there. I felt the bed again. Her side felt cold and smooth to my touch. I looked around, feeling disoriented. The bathroom door stood open. The hallway was dark. I listened, but the entire house was still. My heart began to beat faster and I threw the covers back and stood up, looking down in confusion. I had sleep pants on. I had made love to Rabbit before we fell asleep, wrapped around each other. How could I have pants on?

My heart was now beating so loudly it echoed in my ears. The events of the last day played out in my mind. Getting in the chopper, determined, but tense and shaking, wrapping Rabbit in my arms and taking her away from the hospital, bringing her home, making love to her last night. I shook my head trying to clear the fogginess.

I looked down again. No. I put pants on to go get her a snack. Hadn’t I? My head turned to the nightstand. Why was there no plate and glass there? A strange ache began in my stomach. My eyes strayed to the chair her clothes had been on. It was empty. I sat back down heavily, as my hands began to shake.

Had I dreamed it? Had I not brought her home? Was she still there ... with him?

Still scared and alone?

Had the rescue all gone so smoothly because it wasn’t real?

My breath caught in my throat and I felt moisture gathering in my eyes. Getting up, I stumbled into the hall and called her name. Nothing but silence greeted me and I stood clutching the doorway.

How was I going to make it through the day if I had to relive it?

What if I didn’t get her back?

What if it didn’t happen the same way as in the dream?

What if there were problems?

What if I failed and I didn’t get to her this time?

I pushed off the wall and staggered toward the kitchen. I could hear my own gasping breaths echo in the quiet of the house and I stood looking around the darkness, lost. I snapped on a light and stood motionless, gazing at the emptiness. The plates from dinner were gone. The house was empty.

It hadn’t been real.

My voice was rough as I spoke into the silence.

“
Rabbit.
”

A noise had me spinning around and the door to the mudroom opened, Bear barrelling in from the outside, bringing with him a swirl of cold air. And, behind him, in my parka, walked Rabbit. For a moment, my eyes drank her in as she stared at me, surprised to see me standing there.

“
Joshua?”

Her voice broke my trance and I lunged forward, my chaotic emotions propelling me. Rabbit stepped back at the suddenness of my approach, but I reached out and dragged her to me. Immediately, my lips found her skin, kissing and caressing her cheeks, forehead, nose, anywhere I could reach, finally covering her mouth forcefully as my hands tore off the parka and pulled her to me. I groaned as I felt the coolness of her form against mine and I lifted her to the top of the freezer, kissing her deeply, my hands grasping at her. I could feel her hands on my back, stroking me, and I knew she was trying to understand my sudden behavior, but I couldn’t stop. She gasped into my mouth as I tore away the shirt she was wearing, but I only deepened the kiss, my tongue refusing to leave her mouth. I pulled her forward, tearing away her shoes then her pants, pulling mine down. Her legs wrapped around me and I thrust forward, burying myself in her.

Powerfully, I claimed her again and again, my body surging forward in desire and relief, needing to feel her around me. Needing that emotional and physical connection. Her legs were locked around my hips urging me forward with every stroke and her hands had crept up into my hair, holding me closely as I took her until I was spent. I released her mouth and growled her name in a long low, groan as my orgasm thundered through me. I felt her own release follow as she wrapped herself tightly around me, whimpering softly. Burying my head into her neck, I breathed her in as I slowly came back to reality, holding her closely.