by Dawn Brower
“You’re forgetting your trousers,” she said.
“I have time before I need to remove them.”
“Oh?” she raised a brow. “What do you intend to do?”
“Love you as I promised,” he replied, lifting her into his arms and carrying her to the bed. He set her down on the mattress and leaned over her. He sucked one of her nipples into his mouth through the fabric of her bra. She moaned when he bit down lightly on the tight bud.
“More,” she demanded.
Zane turned toward her other breast and gave it equal attention. She writhed in his arms. The bra and panties had to go. With practiced ease, he unlatched the bra, dropped it to the floor, and then slid her panties off. She was a naked goddess and all his. He spread her legs and kissed down her thigh. Callista wiggled underneath him and gasped with each new kiss. He stopped when he reached the apex and kissed her there too.
She moaned even louder when he sucked her sensitive bud. She wriggled in his arms and panted as he continued to give her pleasure. When she screamed, he allowed himself to stop and step back. Zane grabbed a condom out of his pocket and ripped it open. He undid his pants, stepped out of them, and joined her on the bed. He rolled the condom over his cock before he pulled her into his arms.
“That was amazing,” she said.
“We’re just getting started.” He entered her gradually. Her heat enveloped him, and he had to force himself to keep a leisurely pace. She was so tight, and he was riding a thin edge of control. When he was fully inside her, he stopped and glanced down. Her eyes were closed and her mouth open slightly. Callista’s eyes fluttered open and met his gaze. She flashed him a sinful smile, and then her tongue darted out. She slid it slowly over her plump lips. Zane took it as an invitation he didn’t dare refuse. He leaned down and kissed her while he moved in and out of her. He paused for a moment, and waited for her to respond.
“Please,” she begged. “Don’t stop.”
He lost all control at her words and started to work himself faster and faster inside her. When her screams filled the room once again, he fully let himself go and spent himself inside of her.
“We’re going to have to do that more often,” she replied.
Zane chuckled. “I look forward to it.” He stood and disposed of the condom and then joined her back in the bed. He pulled her into his arms and lifted the covers over them. When he managed to find the energy, he’d love her again. For now, they would sleep.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Callista stared out the window of Zane’s car and reveled in how fast it traveled down the road. There was so much she wanted to learn and explore. The whole thing was absurd and surreal. She was so glad fate had sent her forward in time. It fit her so well, and for the first time in her life she felt as if she truly belonged somewhere. It hadn’t occurred to her to wish for something as grand as a whole new chance at life. Edward had been her future until he became a hurtful part of her past. She’d loved him, or thought she had. Did she really know what that was?
She glanced over at Zane. He was a marvelous lover and she’d not trade the time she’d spent with him, but she didn’t know what it all meant. They hadn’t talked about more than the moment. She was fully under his spell, even though she’d fought it every step of the way. His charm was more powerful than her stubbornness.
That was probably a good thing, or she’d not have gone with him to London. Even if Regina hadn’t warned her he wasn’t the staying kind, Callista would have recognized him for the rake he was. Sometimes that was exactly what was needed—a man who fully understood how to please a woman. She warmed all over at the thought... When it came to talents of the bedroom nature, Zane had either been blessed or practiced often. Callista suspected it was a little of both. Either way she’d benefited from it and didn’t regret one second of it. Whatever it all meant could be sorted out later. She only prayed her heart wouldn’t be torn to shreds in the process.
They’d intended to stay overnight, but he’d talked her into staying the whole week. Now they were heading back to his home and reality. It was a nice little escape from her circumstances, but she had to start figuring out what she was to do with her life. She couldn’t allow Zane to be her benefactor for the rest of her life. She was not a whore, and she’d not play the role of his mistress. How she would provide for herself remained to be seen, but there had to be something she could do to support herself.
“We should be arriving at Seabrook soon,” Zane said. “There are a few things we need to discuss. I’ve been avoiding anything of a serious nature, but I can’t ignore it any longer.”
She didn’t like the sound of that. Was he going to start to distance himself now that they were close to his home? Why not? After all, he’d managed to get exactly what he’d wanted from her: a nice time in bed and a few memories, if he bothered to remember her at all. It was hard to let go of her cynical nature. There had been plenty of warning signs—in words and actions.
“If you’re worried about me holding you to some antiquated ideals about marriage because I let you seduce me, there’s no need. I have no expectations.”
“Perhaps you should,” he replied. “But that’s not what I wanted to discuss with you.”
“No?”
What was on his mind then? Did he want to marry her? It was ridiculous if he did. Marriage was too big of a commitment, and she’d not tie herself to a man for the rest of her life without knowing more about him. She’d already been reckless enough by falling willingly into his bed.
“I mentioned I’d read about you in Dominic’s journals.”
She didn’t understand what Dom’s journals would have to do with anything. Zane sounded so serious. What could her former acquaintance have said about her? She wasn’t without faults, but she believed she did what was right for all that had been involved. Her motivations had always been about vengeance, and she’d not apologize for that. Ulrich had to pay for what he’d done.
“What did the former marquess have to say about me?”
They had a cordial relationship, but she’d kept him at a distance at first. It wasn’t Dominic... She’d done that with everyone. After Edward’s death, she couldn’t handle any sort of intimate relationships. Dom hadn’t minded the distance and paid her little attention. After she’d witnessed the way he looked at Rosanna, it had all made sense. He didn’t notice Callista because there was only one woman who’d caught his attention.
She had to wonder how much of a rake he truly was in light of that discovery. After a while, she’d developed a friendship of sorts with him and learned how he operated. In turn, he’d become one of her most trusted confidants. Zane remained focused on driving, but his silence bothered her. What could have been so bad? She was afraid to ask and made herself wait patiently for him to explain it to her.
“I lied a little bit about how much I knew,” he finally said. “Dominic mentioned you in detail in a few of his journals. It was very informative of all he’d learned about you and your contacts.”
She stilled at his words. Lied? Callista abhorred when people did that. “And what exactly did he discover?” Would this information change her course? Would she have to make even more decisions than she’d previously thought?
The muscles in Zane’s cheek twitched. Was it really that bad?
“Someone from this time figures out how to go back in time.”
That was news. So there was a way for her to go back if she wanted to? Wait—he’d said, “figures out.” That meant they didn’t know how yet. Or did they? “You know how I can go back, don’t you?”
He nodded. “If you want to go back I can speed up the discovery of how it happens. I don’t understand how it all works since I’m not the one who is determined to find a way back in time. Some of the information means nothing to me, but in the right hands it will be brought to light.”
There was something he wasn’t telling her. What could he be holding back? Did it have to do with the person who had yet to figure ou
t the way to travel through time? Then she recalled the conversation she’d first overheard between Trenton and Regina. They’d been arguing about the research. Regina thought it would go faster with her help, and Trenton had been reluctant to let her.
He was studying the journals and trying to figure it all out. Was he meant to go back in time? Would he come back once he did? If he figured out how to do it, the possibilities were endless. Would she want to go back and change something if she could? None of that mattered unless it was possible to do it. She had to first find out if her conclusion was correct. “It’s Trenton, isn’t it?”
“He is desperate to find his lost love,” he replied. “She’s been missing for a long time.”
How sad. Callista could relate on a small level. She’d been desperate to bring Edward’s murder to justice. Granted, it wasn’t how most would have handled the situation, but she didn’t regret her choices. Ulrich deserved to die, and the bastard had better be rotting in hell.
“What was her name again? Perhaps I came across her in my time.”
“Genevieve Byrne,” he said. “I believe you did know of her existence, but she hadn’t been important to your, uh, goals.”
Genevieve... She should be surprised to hear that name, but she wasn’t. She’d seen the girl once and something about her had seemed off. She was different and ethereal. Zane was indeed correct though. Callista did come across information on Genevieve. She’d been intrigued enough to ask questions, but she’d left her where she was. At the time, she’d not been ready to give herself away. Taking out Ulrich was a carefully crafted plan that had gone wrong once he’d kidnapped Rosanna Kendall.
She sighed. “I don’t know much about her. Ulrich kept her captive on his estate.”
“Trenton will want any details you can give him.”
Was that one of the reasons he suggested they stay in London for longer than they’d planned? Had he wanted to keep her separated from Trenton and the possibility of her returning to her time? Callista didn’t like the idea of his possible motivations. He didn’t fake his interest in her, but he could have been honest with her sooner. She didn’t like it when people played her for a fool.
“It won’t be much...” She hated to disappoint the man. It couldn’t be helped though. “Why don’t you want him to know anything yet?”
“If he goes too soon he might not be able to save her. She could die, and he could get lost in the past.”
Time travel was so tricky, and she would be the first to admit she didn’t understand it in the slightest. Truthfully, she didn’t really want to. She had no intention of ever going back. “What do you want from me?”
Zane turned into the long drive leading to Seabrook Manor and stopped the car in front of the entrance. He didn’t answer her. Instead, he opened his door and exited the car. Callista stared at him with bafflement. Why had he left without explaining anything more to her?
Callista exited the car and walked over to him. She placed a hand on his arm and he glanced down at her. “Do I need to ask you again?”
“No,” he said. “I just don’t like the idea of you leaving.”
Her heart beat heavy in her chest. She didn’t want to leave... Why would he want her to stay? None of it made any sense. What did he want from her? He acted as if... Did he have actual feelings for her? Did that change anything? What if they could have something real? All very good questions, but without more information she wasn’t sure how to act on them.
“I’m not exactly in a position to do that. You hold all the cards. Explain it to me.”
Zane didn’t realize she was equally reluctant to go home. She’d already become accustomed to him and the future. Yes, she had a lot to learn, but she was looking forward to it. Was his silence an indication that he was aware of a pertinent fact about her future? Would she choose to leave him when Trenton traveled to find his Genevieve?
“You’re right,” he agreed. “But I’d never hold you here against your will if you wanted to return to the nineteenth century. This is bigger than you or me though. If you want to return, I’d like you to consider waiting until Trenton is supposed to go after Genevieve.”
“That’s a reasonable request,” she replied. “If I wanted to return—how long would I have to wait?”
He shrugged. “I’d estimate six months... A year tops.”
“How sweet,” a man said from behind them. “I was beginning to think you’d never return.”
Callista turned and met Ulrich’s gaze, and the pistol he kept aimed at her. It was her damned pistol in his hands, and he planned on using it to kill her. The evil man had somehow survived and fallen forward through time with her. Why couldn’t he have died? Things would have been so much easier if he had. What was she going to do? He’d kill them both if given the chance.
“Ulrich.” She nodded at him. “What rock have you been hiding under?” Where was Zane? He’d been there a moment ago... Had he abandoned her? It didn’t matter. The confrontation between her and Ulrich was a long time coming. She had more to live for though and had no plans on dying. When she’d fallen over the balcony she’d been a fool. Vengeance was not worth dying for.
Ulrich laughed maniacally. “You shot me; although, I was lucky. The ball grazed me. Hurt something fierce, and I needed some time to heal. After that, it didn’t take long for me to discover where you’d run off to.”
Why couldn’t it have landed dead center in his evil black heart? “Still not answering my question. I don’t really care how you survived. That’s something that can be rectified at a later date. Where have you been holed up?”
If he was on the estate the entire time that was a problem... How had no one noticed he’d been in the manor? As she spoke to Ulrich, Zane eased around the car and slowly inched toward the comte. He hadn’t left her. Her heart raced inside of her. She had to trust he’d get close enough to stop the comte before he managed to get a shot off.
“I came in the same way you did,” Ulrich replied. “I woke up as you were passing out into the arms of another man.” He licked his lips as his gaze traveled over her. “I do like the clothing of this century. Makes it much easier to spot the women willing to spread their legs.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “What would your precious Edward think of you whoring yourself to the first handsome man that paid you any attention?”
“He’d be happy for me.” At least she hoped so. “I’m finally moving on with my life and with a wonderful man.”
Zane was a few steps closer. Any moment and Ulrich would notice what he was up to. What could she do to keep his attention away from him? “So you’ve kept yourself hidden in the conservatory this entire time?”
Ulrich shook his head. “Of course not. This is rather large estate and they don’t staff it as they should. It was easy to keep to myself while you’ve been away fornicating with the...” Zane took another step as Ulrich finally noticed what he was doing. He swung toward Zane and kept the pistol directed toward him. “Not so fast, my lord,” he said. “I’m not done with either one of you. I can’t allow you to take another step. The countess and I have unfinished business. Stay where you are and maybe I’ll allow you to live.”
“I’d rather not,” Zane replied and leaped toward him.
Callista held her breath as Zane wrestled with him for the pistol. She couldn’t take it if he died. He’d come to mean a lot to her in a short time. What that meant, she wasn’t sure, but she wanted to have the opportunity to find out. Somehow, Zane managed to gain control of the weapon and tossed it toward her. She picked it up immediately to keep it secure. Zane punched Ulrich hard in the face, and he dropped to the ground and lost consciousness.
“Go inside and have someone call the authorities,” Zane said.
Callista stared down at the pistol in her hands She could end it all with one pull of the trigger. Ulrich would be dead and she’d never have to worry about him ever again. She lifted it and pointed it at the comte. “No,” she said. “He must die. It’s the only way
.”
“No,” Zane said and stepped toward her. “It isn’t. You can’t openly murder a man here. It’s too messy, and they’ll lock you away forever. Don’t let him steal your life from you.”
She didn’t want to admit he was right. Hell, she wasn’t even sure if he was. But he was more apt to understand how things worked. She wasn’t accustomed to any of it any longer. If he said to let Ulrich live, she should listen. Slowly, she lowered the pistol. “All right,” she agreed. “I better not regret this.”
The front door flew open and closed with a loud bang. The sound of footsteps hitting the stairs and heading toward them made Callista glance up. Bradford was closing the distance between them and stopped when he reached their side.
“What’s going on out here?” Bradford asked.
Zane took the pistol from her and put it in his pocket. He turned toward Bradford and said, “Do you have your mobile? Please call for help.”
The duke turned toward Zane and swore. He pulled out a mobile and made a call. Callista didn’t want to think about how the device worked, but she was glad that it did. When she first saw it while they were in London, she was intrigued enough to ask what it was. She’d not had a chance to use one herself—yet. When she did, she’d have Zane secure one for her and teach her how to use it. If she was going to remain in his time, she needed to fully assimilate.
“They’ll be here soon,” Bradford said. “Who is the intruder?”
“Someone best forgotten,” Callista replied. “He’s the rotten bastard who murdered Edward.” Zane said she couldn’t kill Ulrich—hurting him though... Perhaps she could kick him a little instead? No, she better not even give into that urge. If she started she might not be able to stop. She glanced up at Bradford. “You look remarkably like him—Edward that is. I know you’re his descendent, but it is unnerving to look at you.”
