Part Seven

She wasn’t sure any of this was real. Surely she was tucked in her safe little bed at home, sound asleep. This was probably a dream. A wickedly delicious dream from which she had no desire to wake. All she had to do was reach out…

As if on command her left hand floated forward. The water was warm and silken against her skin. She just wanted to touch his chest, dust the tiny droplets from his flesh. Within her that old familiar ache flared to life. She loved the lack of inhibition, this wildness that had overcome her.

"Rachel…"

Changing directions, her hand dipped beneath the surface. As she encountered his knee, she heard a sharp intake of breath and felt his body tense.

"This isn’t a dream," she said in a husky voice she barely recognized. Carl said nothing in return, but that didn’t bother her. She let her hand wander up, up his thigh just until…then she allowed her hand to travel downward. The hairs on his leg created a glorious friction she found irresistible.

He knew he was lost when he laid eyes on her at the edge of the pond. Then, when her clothing fell to the ground and he was treated to the luscious display of her body, he knew he’d do nearly anything she asked of him.

Now she floated before him, his very own nymph. The confident stroke of her hand along the length of his leg was pure flame, setting his body on fire. It made him want to touch her in all the places he knew by heart. Frankly, her caress, her simple declaration, was making him weak. Rachel had always possessed a great deal of power over him. So much more than she’d ever realized. Giving in to her would create more complications than it was worth. He should tell her that, explain why….

Both of her hands rode up his thighs. With a groan he admitted defeat, he was only human. Sure he’d forget—forget everything but this woman and the marvelous sensations she was creating within him.

Nothing else mattered.

Rachel knew she had him when his eyes drifted shut and a low groan emitted from his lips. Perhaps using her body was a tad bit outrageous. Perhaps, but she just might get what she wanted for once.

Carl hopped from his perch and sank beneath the surface. As he rose, she could feel his body stretching along her own. His hands smoothed their way upward, caressing and molding themselves to her body. His teeth nibbled her here and there sending shivers coursing through her body. By the time his head emerged between her breasts, she was nearly out of her mind. Without a pause for breath, his lips found hers in an awe-inspiring kiss that left her clinging to him.

Suddenly she felt herself lifted out of the water and her bottom seated on the rock Carl had just evacuated. Before she could react, he eased between her legs, hooked her behind the knees and pulled her forward until they were touching in a purely intimate way. Rachel gasped.

"I’ve turned the tables, have I?" he murmured.

He most definitely had. Now she wanted to know what he planned to do next.

"You’ve always possessed a seductive little body my darling," he said as he taunted her by imitating her touch from just moments before. "Always the lioness beneath the cuddly exterior of a pussycat." Leaning toward her, he nipped at her throat. "I never could decide which I preferred more."

"Both can be fierce. Both have claws they use when backed into a corner." She was astonished she’d managed to string an entire sentence together, especially the way his lips were moving on her collarbone.

"That they do. However," he pointed out, "if you know how and where they enjoy being stroked…" His hands moved against the small of her back. "I want to touch you Rachel."

She leaned close, spellbound. This was an improvement over the reluctant Carl she’d known of late. Her little plan was working wonderfully. Now…The loud honk of a car horn made Rachel jump so high she’d have fallen in if Carl hadn’t caught her. "I was under the impression we were in a private pond."

"We are, but there are numerous people who work this land." The horn sounded again and he sighed. "I best check what they want before they come looking. You might as well come too when it’s safe—looks like rain. We can return if you like."

"Is that a promise?"

"Absolutely." A quick peck on the cheek and he shoved off for shore. The mood was ruined. So much for her efforts.

As he rose from the water, Rachel was treated to a rather nice view of his backside. A trim waist, muscles in all the right places, he was the perfect blend of sin and sensuality. And he was all hers. If she could get to him before he lost that lovin’ feelin’.

On shore he turned and tossed her a sly wink. He then proceeded to make a show out of getting dressed and she ate it up like he knew she would. He was a bad, bad man, and he knew that too.

Rachel couldn’t want him more.

*(*

Her damp dress was sticking to her body. Grains of sand were lodged between her toes. Her hair was rapidly drying in the heavy heat, which meant she was probably developing a bad case of the frizzies. She was also standing inches away from Carl. She could reach out and touch his tanned forearm if she wanted. And she really, really wanted to.

They stood in the barn located several hundred yards away from the house. They were at the end of a short but sweet tour in which she’d taken every opportunity to touch him. Somehow though, it wasn’t enough. He hadn’t discouraged her, but he wasn’t reciprocating either. Not that she wanted him crawling all over her. Yet. In all honesty, she couldn’t remember a word he’d said about the orchards or the farm. She’d been far too busy admiring his profile.

He excused himself in the name of business and left her alone in the barn. It was larger than some houses and was nearly as clean. Naturally her eyes drifted upward. It had a nice, roomy hayloft too. Hmmm, that gave her a splendid idea.

She felt a pile of soft fur twine itself between her ankles. A well-rounded tabby was rubbing up against her, purring for all it was worth. "Hi there sweetie," she said, bending down to rub its ears. The cat lifted its head for more.

"That’s Beulah. She’s very affectionate and quite shameless about it."

Rachel rose and met Carl’s eyes. Today she and Beulah had a lot in common. "What sort of view do you get up there?"

"Where?"

"The hayloft." She motioned up and over her shoulder.

"The hayloft?"

"Mm-hmm. I bet it’s spectacular." Rachel moved to climb the ladder, not waiting for his response.

*(*

She was being a seductive tease and Carl found himself enjoying the game. She wanted him, but even after their shared dip, he knew she wasn’t sure he wanted her. They should talk things over before they did anything they might later regret.

He tried to remember that as he watched her bottom sashay up the ladder. Tried to remind himself that she had driven home the final nail by ignoring his attempts to contact her. Oh hell, as if he could think right now. She was making him crazy in the best possible way.

"It’s nice up here," he heard her say as he joined her. It really was a nice view; one he’d never bothered with before. Not that he wanted to now. Now he was preoccupied with the lovely form of his ex-wife.

"This part of the country is undeniably beautiful, but not as beautiful as you." If she wanted to pitch a little woo his way, he’d be glad to return the favor. "But then, I’d be hard-pressed to find anything as beautiful as you."

Coming up behind her, he caught her by the waist and hugged her close. His fingers ran in circles over her abdomen before drifting upward to cup her breast through the fabric of her dress. "Yes, she whispered, her head falling back onto his shoulder. He brushed kisses along the exposed length of her neck.

"I’m more than willing luv," he whispered in her ear, making her shiver. "Just tell me what you want."

*(*

Her mouth was dry, her body temp had just sailed through the roof and she just couldn’t find the power to speak. On top it all she felt faint. What she wanted? Hoo boy! The things she wanted to do to him and/or with him! Her list was longer than a child’s Christmas wish list, and here he was, asking her to choose.

Rachel could feel his heat behind her. If she moved her head just so…Their mouths met with fierce passion as they melted into a kiss. Barely breaking contact, she turned until she could press herself hard against him.

He broke away, gasping for air. "Come here," he commanded as he sank onto the hay. His smoldering eyes were all the invitation she needed before stretching alongside him. "I’ve dreamed of this for so long," he murmured.

"Every minute of every day," she added. Pushing her hands under his damp shirt, she raised it enough to plant little kisses on his stomach and chest. He gently rolled her onto her back in the hay, dragging her lips to his for a greedy kiss. Somehow, the hem of her long dress had found it’s way to her knees. Now his hand crept under it and slid it upward and out of their way. She tugged at his shirt and only succeeded when he helped her pull it over his head. He leaned in for a short, hard kiss, then jerked away.

"Stop." Above her his body stiffened. "I thought I heard someone calling for me."

Rachel couldn’t hear anything, but he didn’t move and then she heard it too. Footsteps in the barn below them and the sound of his name. Her eyes met his. What was it with all these interruptions!? Still dizzy with desire, she didn’t want to stop.

"Someone needs me."

I need you, she wanted to whine. But, she let him get up; she even gave him back his shirt. Fortunately, she hadn’t quite made it out of her dress. All she had to do was stand up and she was fully dressed. "I guess I get another promise."

"Indeed you do, my darling Rachel." He squeezed her hand. "Only next time we’ll make sure we are in a room with a locked door," he added as he lead her to the top of the ladder.

"I’m holding you to that."

…to be continued… ;)