Sea's Sorceress (8 page)

“She knows, but I haven’t officially asked her yet. I want to. I’d marry her today if I could. I figure we’ve been leading up to this our whole lives. Why wait?”

“You would. Always impatient. You could give it time. Enjoy each other for awhile.”

“She wants more, and so do I.” Skye leaned against the porch rail and shoved the noted pad into his back pocket.

“You took your time falling. Does she make you happy?”

“More than I can say.”

“Then I’m happy for you.”

“So when is the wedding? And do I get to be your best man?”

“Three months from Sunday. And I hope you, Jack and Devin will stand with me.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

* * * *

Rhiannon knocked on the back door of Skye’s house at six o’clock and then let herself in. Butterflies danced in her stomach. She’d already made up her mind about tonight, and wore her favorite green dress that fell just about the knee, left her hair loose.

He stood with his back to her, faded blue jeans and a black t-shirt hugging his frame.

She stepped up to him, wrapped her arms around his waist, leaned against his back. Easier with him now than ever.

“Hi.”

“Hello, yourself.” He cut off the stove and turned in her arms. “Dinner is almost ready.”

“Smells wonderful. Pasta?”

“Mm-hmm. I missed you.” He pulled her into his embrace.

She could smell the clean scent of soap from his shower, pasta sauce from the meal and the cool wet air of the coming storm.

“Will it keep?” She unfastened the first button on the front of her dress and watched his eyes transfix as she repeated the movement.

On the fourth tiny button and peek of lace, his eyes glazed over. “Yes.”

“Good. And Skye?”

“Hmmm?”

“I’m staying.” She loosened the last button holding the dress closed across her breasts and let the dark green material pool at her feet. Leaning up on her toes, Rhiannon threaded her fingers through his dark hair and claimed his mouth.

“Thank God.”

* * * *

She teased him, tormented with the slow reveal of creamy skin until she was covered only by two swatches of black lace. His fingers tangled in her hair, lips brushed the sensitive point just behind her ear while his hands slid around her back to unclasp her bra and toss it aside. It landed on the post of a kitchen chair.

“Nice shot.” She giggled and leaned her warmth into his touch.

“Maybe I’ll leave it there. Conversation piece.” His mouth trailed from her ear down the smooth column of her throat, leaving tiny flames along her skin. He lingered where her pulse beat hot under the skin, reveling in the thrill of what he brought her. Her heart raced for him. Lower still he moved, took the tip of her breast into his mouth and breathed her in. When she arched up seeking more, he lost his shaky hold on control.

“I want your hands on me. Hurry.” Her fingers were urgent, demanding, sliding under his shirt to skin.

“Not here, love. Bed. My bed.”

“You’re shaking. Changed your mind?”

“Not a chance in hell, honey.” Sliding one hand under her knees, Skye lifted her into his arms and carried her down the hall into his bedroom in the back of the house. Somewhere along the way, she managed to peel his t-shirt up and over his head.

He kicked the bedroom door open and then shut. Setting her on her feet by the bed, he yanked the quilt down and let her pull him onto the crisp sheets. Her hands went to his waist, found the button on his jeans, and pushed the material down his hips until nothing was left between them but heat. Shoving them the rest of the way, he kicked them aside.

He ran his hands over her, glorying in the texture of her skin, the taste of her heat, taking all she could give. “Be sure, Rhia. I don’t know if I can pull back from this. Not with you. I want forever. My heart aches for you.”

She pulled him down to whisper through ragged, needy breaths. “I’m sure. Be with me, Skye.” Shifting, she enfolded him and he slipped into her warmth as if they’d made love thousands of times. Her eyes fluttered closed and she laid her heart bare. “I love you. Ever and always, Skye.”

“Look at me, Rhiannon.” Her name was a whisper of velvet on his tongue, both plea and curse.

She fixed her gaze on his and moved with him. Matched his pace and demanded more. Heat threatened to consume her, became a blinding white light as she flew higher. The power of it washed over him; still he held her there, poised on the edge of pleasure until he could feel her heart weep.

“
Mo chroi, mo anum cara
.” My heart, my soulmate. “Be mine. Marry me?”

“My heart is yours forever. Yes,” she whispered as they fell over the edge together.

Chapter 8

The peeling tones of Beethoven’s Fifth woke Rhiannon out of a sound sleep. She picked up her cellphone off Skye’s bedside table and hit SEND to answer.

“Hello?”

“Rhiannon?” Kate.

“Yes. I had a late night. Is it Da? Is he?”

The alarm clock buzzed in her ear with the four o’clock alarm Skye had set before they’d dozed off at one. One hand snaked out from under the covers and slammed the sleep button with the flat of her hand.

Skye’s warm arm slid around her bare waist and snuggled her closer. Her heart took a long, slow flip and she settled back into him.

“No. I just wanted to meet with you, if you’ve the time this morning. I figured I’d have to catch you before the pub opened.”

“You’d be right about that. Give me an hour or so?”

“I can be there at six.”

“See you then.” Hanging up the phone, she moved to slip out of bed. She could let Skye sleep a bit longer. Shower and coffee, she’d be good to go.

“It’s too early to be up, love. Stay in bed with me.” He trapped her in his arms, pulled her close.

“We can’t. We have to open up in…” She squinted at the clock. “Two hours.” But she snuggled into his chest, wishing they could stay in bed. There would be other mornings to laze in bed with Skye, making slow, sleepy love.

“Pretend with me. We can stay here all day. Make love. Sweet and slow. Wild and hot. Anything you like.” Skye kissed her bare shoulder.

“I wish we could. Kate wants to meet me at six. We’d better make ourselves presentable and get over to the pub. Can’t wear slinky green silk and black lace to work.”

“A good thing that. I’d probably have to kill some poor soul. We still have time for steamy shower sex. Wear something of mine and we’ll have twenty more minutes.” He waggled his eyebrows at her, climbed out of bed and picked her up in his arms.

She laughed. “I love the way you think!”

Skye set her down on the heated tile floor. She leaned over the tub, turned the shower on hot, and stepped in under the hot spray. Water streamed through her hair. Taking the shampoo off the shower caddy, Skye squirted a generous amount of the liquid into his palm. She let him play, scrunching her curls until rich, bubbly lather began to sluice over her skin.

Wherever he touched, she leaned into him, ached for him.

“Rhiannon, you steal my breath.”

“I wish we did have all day to lay in bed.”

“We’ll have other days, every day until the last.”

“Touch me, Skye. Take me.”

He boosted her up, and Rhiannon wrapped around him even as he slid into her. He took her fast, hot. “Don’t stop. Don’t.” Rhiannon kissed him as she climbed higher. “I love you. With me.”

“Always, love.”

Both of them took all the other could give.

* * * *

Kate sat across from her, bright eyed, but looking a little green around the gills.

“Could I get you some coffee? Tea? Soda crackers?”

“No thanks. I feel a little under the weather. A lot has happened over the last few days. Skye told you?” Kate did look pale, almost nauseous.

“About the wedding plans? Yes. But then he knew the day you and Ryan came in for brunch you two were heading back together. Congratulations. Sure you’re okay?” Rhiannon pushed the sleeve of the borrowed shirt she wore up above her elbows and shifted in her seat. His jeans were just a bit snug for her and molded to her curves, but after the shower, there hadn’t been time to change before opening up.

“I’ll be fine. Thank you, but I did want to talk to you about your father. I wish you’d try to convince him to at least talk to the oncologist.”

“Ah, and why would I do that?”

“There may be something more another can do that I couldn’t.” Kate took a calling card out of her pocket and handed it to Rhiannon.

“Here. Just call and talk to him yourself.”

“Could Ryan heal Da? No. You can’t do anything more.”

“Rhiannon, you have to know I’ve done all I can. The cancer has progressed to both his lungs, lymph nodes, and there are cancerous cells in his bloodstream. This is the only way I know to help.”

“Just stand with us. Just be there. It’s enough, Kate. He doesn’t have long. I know that. I also know it’s his choice to die at home. Don’t you believe we should all leave this world in the place of our choosing, if not the time? I want to ask you a hard question.”

“All right.”

“If Ryan were dying and all he asked of you was to keep him comfortable, to let him die in his own bed, could you refuse him? Would Allie? Or any of us? No. The mind often complicates what the heart simply knows. Make no mistake, it’s killing me inside to watch him waste away like this.”

“I’m worried about you.” Kate rested a hand on Rhiannon’s and squeezed. “You can’t let yourself get run down.”

“I’m managing.”

“Sure you are. Everything but your health. How long have you been having trouble sleeping? Eating? Skye didn’t tell me, I can see that much. You’re pale, habitually so, and I’d wager you’ve lost weight–” Kate’s eyes squinted at her when she shoved the sleeve up again. “Is that Skye’s shirt?”

Rhiannon smiled. “Yes. And I’ve only lost fifteen pounds The dreams are the worst. There’s barely a few hours left for sleep anymore and even then it’s difficult to rest.” But she’d slept like a baby in Skye’s arms.

Skye came out of the kitchen and set a plate of plain toast in front of Kate. “Good morning, Katie darling. Here you go. It will help with the queasiness. Promise.”

“And a good morning to you, Skye. You’re here early.”

“Mmm. I am. Rhia rode in with me.” His hand caught Rhiannon’s.

“Thanks.” Kate said and pinched off a piece of the toast.

“You didn’t sleep much, love.” Skye turned to Rhia and kissed her lightly on the hand he clasped in his.

“I slept better than I have in days. Everything ready for the breakfast crowd?” She brushed a strand of hair out of his eyes, lingering on the tiny scar there.

“Just. Five more minutes on the biscuits. Beef stew is going up as the special.”

“It’s going to be a day for it. It’s still raining.” She knew her eyes were dreamy, that Kate watched her with stunned curiosity, but she didn’t care. He leaned down, she reached up and met his mouth for another quick kiss before the day kept them away from each other.

Skye smiled and left them to their conversation.

Kate cleared her throat. “I guess I don’t have to ask
why
you’re wearing his shirt.”

Rhiannon sipped her coffee. “Mmm. I guess not.”

“I think my hair was singed from the heat wave.”

“I imagine it will be a surprise to a lot of people.” Rhiannon glanced at the door when the bell overhead signaled the arrival of a customer.

She followed Kate’s line of sight as Skye came out of the kitchen to take the order. His eyes caught Rhiannon’s. There was no mistaking the heat in his gaze.

Kate sighed. “Not for long, if they get a glimpse of the way he looks at you. I guess there’s no point in my coming here to nag you about taking care of yourself. Seems Skye’s got it covered.”