She was on her knees, slumped against the rocks. Stefan tore his shirt off and crouched to take her in his arms. She fell into his embrace with a deep sigh.
Using the shreds of his shirt, Stefan dabbed at the blood on her face and lips, and then tore more bandages for the deep cuts on her arms. She lay quietly while he inspected her feet.
“We’re alright,” Renee said, and her voice was clear and remarkably strong despite the tremulous aftershocks that racked her body. “I know we’re alright.”
Stefan smiled and his eyes were bright with tears. “Yes,” he said, “we’re alright.”
Renee sighed softly and shook her head. “No, Stefan. I mean we’re alright…” and her hand went gently to cover her belly where the baby grew.
Stefan stared into Renee’s eyes for long seconds of realization – and then he understood. He understood the secretive shadow he had seen behind her eyes, and his suspicions that she had denied. He understood it all – and it did not matter.
“It will be a girl,” he said confidently. “And we will call her Storm.”
Renee hugged him, wrapping her arms tight around his neck.
“I love you,” Stefan said.
Because those words said it all.
Twenty-Three
Stefan came down from the mountain bare-chested, carrying Renee in his arms.
Power to the street had been restored. The house was ablaze with light, and they could see the flashing orange signals of emergency worker vehicles parked on the road.
Tink saw Stefan emerge from the darkness, his face grim, the muscles in his shoulders and forearms bunched and knotted. She burst out onto the patio and Master Peter was behind her.
Peter ran to Stefan’s side. “Here, let me help,” he said
Stefan shook his head.
Renee was his woman.
She was his to carry, and to hold, and to protect.
His.
* *
The living room was a shambles and the sofa destroyed. Stefan sat Renee down on the kitchen counter, and looked carefully at her feet. They were a bloodied mess of torn flesh and mud. He gently untied the bandage around one of the cuts on her forearm. It was deep, but the bleeding was only slight.
Stefan turned to Peter. “We need an ambulance.”
“And a vet,” Peter replied.
Tink came from the hallway, taking tiny delicate steps, carrying Jeffrey in his basket.
“Tink persuaded me to follow you,” Peter explained. “When we came inside we found him.”
Tink held up the basket. “He’s still breathing,” she said softly.
Renee sobbed her relief. Tink brought the basket to her and she peered over the edge to see the puppy lying under a blanket. His eyes were closed and he did not stir, but she could now see the soft inhalation and exhalation of shallow breaths.
“I think his skull has been fractured,” Peter said.
Stefan looked a question at him and Peter shrugged. “I own a farm, Stefan. You get to know some things.”
Stefan nodded.
Peter turned away and reached into his pocket for his phone. He dialed. “I’ll call the hospital first. What do you want me to tell them?”
Stefan stared at him for a long moment. “Tell them we have a woman with severe lacerations to her feet and arms,” he said and then he paused and began to smile.
“And tell them she is pregnant with my child.”
Epilogue.
An eagle soared high overhead in majestic flight as it rode the warm currents of air, circling the tiny group twice before swooping away to the west, its outstretched wings touched by the golden sunlight.
Filled with a sense of joy and wonder, Renee watched the bird until it became just a speck on the horizon, before she lowered her eyes to Stefan.
He smiled at her. He didn’t see the bruising on her neck for the high collar of the gown was trimmed with ivory lace, and he didn’t see the healing cuts on her arm for the dress was long sleeved – the silk layers as soft and ethereal as a pure white cloud.
To Stefan’s eyes she was, at that moment, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
The bridal party stood by the edge of the lookout. Below them was the town of Bishop’s Bridge, its rooftops and leafy streets nestled in the valley, basking in the warm afternoon light.
There was no aisle for Renee to walk down, and the injuries to her feet made movement difficult. So they gathered around her; the portly old gentleman who was their celebrant smiled benignly and at the back of the gathering Chrisy Golfin began to cry.
At Renee’s shoulder, Tink smiled. Renee clutched her hand one last time for luck, and Tink kissed her cheek. Then Renee and Stefan were exchanging their vows and Peter was discreetly handing Stefan the ring.
The wedding ring.
Renee vowed to be the best wife in the whole world, and never to keep anything secret from her husband – apart from the price of new dresses and shoes. And Stefan solemnly promised to love Renee with all his heart until the day he died – and to lighten up a little.
A young couple who were at the lookout sightseeing threw rice over the bride and groom, and Chrisy Golfin began to cry again.
Despite his healing injuries, Jeffrey roused himself bravely in his basket and barked his approval.
And as the celebrant pronounced them man and wife, the sun sank on the horizon, seeming to pierce itself on the distant mountain peaks and spill its last golden rays of light across the setting sky.
Bonus Material:
Whenever Hollywood releases a new film it’s normal for the stars to do a wide range of interviews. I thought it would be fun to send an interviewer to talk to Stefan and Renee.
This interview took place four months after the story concluded:
Interviewer: Welcome back Renee and Stefan. For a while, I was uncertain myself whether both of you would be able to return for this interview. The climax to ‘Her Master’s Kiss 3’ was certainly filled with great danger.
How do you feel now the story is over Renee?
Renee: I have never been more frightened in my life. From the moment I heard Larry Madden’s voice I was in total fear for my life. I can’t even imagine how the story would have ended if Stefan hadn’t arrived at Picnic Rock when he did.
Interviewer: And how about you, Stefan? Are you relieved the story is over?
Stefan: More than relieved.
Interviewer: Stefan, the way you said that sounded very final. Very abrupt. Are you trying to tell us something?
Stefan: Yes. I’m saying right now that there will never, ever be an ‘Her Master’s Kiss 4’. Our association with Vivien Sparx has ended; we’ve gone as far together as we are willing to go. I’d like to spend the rest of my life quietly with my new bride.
Interviewer: You realize there will be disappointed readers?
Stefan: I’m sorry if that’s the case. But the fact is that Vivien Sparx has put us and our relationship through about as much as any couple deserves. She has a dangerous imagination!
Interviewer: Renee? Do you feel the same way as Stefan?
Renee: Look, I love Vivien Sparx. I follow her on Facebook and I’ve read all of her stories. I thought the twist at the end of ‘The Billionaire’s Temptress’ was absolutely wicked, and the sizzling chemistry she created between Kate and Dillon in ‘Her Master’s Voice’ was red hot. So as a reader, I can understand why people would want more. But as one of her characters? Well, let me just say from first-hand experience it’s hard work. Vivien has a way of making her characters earn their happy endings. So I do agree with Stefan about this. There will never be a ‘Her Master’s Kiss 4’. Our story is officially over.
Interviewer: Well, on to other things then. Renee, how is the pregnancy proceeding?
Renee: Everything is going fine!
Interviewer: And Jeffrey? I know every reader will want to know what happened to the little pup after the story ended.
Renee: He has recovered well. It was a long,
slow healing process. Peter was right – he had a skull fracture, and there was some damage to one of his hind legs. He spent almost three months basically bed-ridden, but over the past six weeks he’s been able to move around a lot more. He’s thin, but getting better. Stefan has been taking him for walks up to Picnic Rock, and he’s really beginning to develop a personality.
Interviewer: Tell us more about your wedding day, Renee. Was it everything you had hoped and dreamed of?
Renee: Absolutely! For a large part of the story, I wasn’t certain I was going to have a wedding day. Chrisy Golfin and I chose the lookout at Bishop’s Bridge, and it was so lovely to have Tink and Master Peter there at our side. It was an intimate wedding, but I was very, very happy.
Interviewer: Stefan, how is the relationship developing between young Tink and this new man, Master Peter? We didn’t see a lot of his character in this story.
Stefan: From all reports, everything is going remarkably well. Tink moved in with Peter on his farm last month, and they have begun to settle into their roles as Master and sub. Peter owns businesses around the world, so I know Tink is looking forward to travelling with him. So far, they seem to be handling their new relationship well. However Tink knows if she ever needs a place to stay, she’ll be welcome at our home.
Interviewer: So… back to the question raised earlier in the interview. If there is no more of your story, what exactly are you two going to do with yourselves?
Stefan: We have plenty to do! Right now Peter and I are slowly dismantling the punishment room. He’s setting it up in his homestead so all the equipment can be shared between himself and Tink. After that, the downstairs room will be converted into a family room, and then I’m going to convert Tink’s bedroom into a nursery for baby Storm. There is more than enough to keep us busy, and out of Vivien Sparx’s clutches!
Interviewer: Well, on behalf of every reader who has shared your journey together through three complete stories, we wish you peace and happiness for the rest of your lives.
Renee: Amen to that!
“Her Master’s Kiss 4”
Vivien Sparx
Copyright © 2013 Vivien Sparx
All Rights Reserved.
All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/vivien.sparx
Blog: http://viviensparx.blogspot.com.au/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/viviensparx
This story is dedicated to everyone on Facebook who continuously messaged and posted requests for Stefan and Renee’s story to continue. There are too many people to list here. Their names appear at the end of the book.
One.
His fingers were like the touch of a feather; a kiss against the tanned skin of her shoulders, and behind Renee’s closed eyes she marveled at how a man as strong as Stefan could caress her with such gentle delicacy.
“Renee,” he began and then stopped. There was a smile – a secret womanly smile on her lips – lips that were parted and moist, and her breasts beneath the fabric of the dress rose with the quick intake of her breath.
She opened her eyes slowly, hooded, but sparkling blue in the bright morning light through the bedroom curtains.
His hands went from her shoulders to her face, tracing the arch of her eyebrows with his fingertips and then wrapped themselves in the blonde tangles of her hair as he gloated on every aspect of her beauty, the way a man marvels at a fine work of art. She seemed so delicate – so fragile. Her loveliness awed him, and he was afraid he might hurt her.
She felt his hands still, and she widened her eyes and gazed into his.
“Keep going,” she murmured. “Don’t stop.” She leaned back a little and Stefan felt her fingers unbuttoning his shirt. One of her hands slipped within the opening, and her flattened palm stroked the muscles of his chest. She shivered, her senses sparked by the erotic delight. It had been so long…
“You’re so hard,” she whispered. “So strong. I’ve missed this so much, Stefan.”
He made a hungry growling noise in the back of his throat that sent a delicious tingle down Renee’s spine. She eagerly began to fumble at more of his shirt buttons but he stiffened suddenly and his hands caught her wrists.
“Not now,” he said softly. “We need to go to Bishop’s Bridge. The shops…”
“It’s morning,” Renee purred. “The shops will be open all day. Stefan, I need this more.”
He shook his head, gazing into her eyes.
Renee’s expression became determined. “Stefan, I’m pregnant, not breakable.”
She lunged forward, capturing his mouth with hers and her kiss was fierce with passion that had been left untended for too long. Her lips melted against his, sensing the reluctance but smothering him with the soft sensual slide of her tongue inside his mouth, until she felt him beginning to respond as his instincts took charge of his reactions. Renee felt his grip on her wrists loosen and she slid her hands down his shirt and rested them on Stefan’s hips.
She leaned back again suddenly and her eyes were darkened with her desire. She was panting; soft breathless little gasps.
“I’m flesh and blood,” Renee whispered, and there was a throaty tone of lust in her voice. “I want what you want. I need what you need.” She slid one hand across the front of Stefan’s trousers, feeling the swelling hardness of him and she took the lobe of his ear between her teeth and nibbled softly. “You’ve made me wait so long,” she moaned softly. “I need you, Stefan. I need you to see me as a woman, and to want me the way a man wants his woman.”
The sound of her whispers sent a shudder through Stefan. He could feel the tingles at the nape of his neck and despite the strength of his willpower he felt his hardness suddenly leap against the fabric of his trousers at the brush of Renee’s encouraging fingers.
He pulled away, but the temptation was like torture.
“It’s not safe,” he said. “What about the baby?”
“What about me?” Renee felt her frustration rising but she forced down the harshness so that her voice sounded as a plea. “My body’s sensitive, Stefan. There are places that are aching to be touched and kissed and sucked… places that you used to take and demand, and that now you ignore.”
Stefan sighed. “I’m not ignoring you, Renee,” he said suddenly. “God, knows I want you. This is just as frustrating for me.”
“Then prove it,” Renee dared him. “Stop being such an old-fashioned gentleman. There’s a time for that, Stefan, but this isn’t it. This is the time for lust.”
She felt the buttons at the front of her dress beneath her fingers and she slipped the top one open. She did it with her eyes locked on Stefan’s face, and then she unfastened her bra, drawing back her shoulders so that her breasts swelled out as more buttons were undone. Then Renee shrugged aside the straps and the dress fell like a curtain to the bedroom floor.
Stefan took her carefully in his arms, something precious, and he became acutely aware of the silkiness of her skin under his hands. She seemed to soften, and her body shaped itself against his own. He could feel the planes of her back and the ridge of her spine like polished beads as his fingertips began to trace the flesh down towards the divide of her tightly clenched bottom.
He lowered his head as she lifted her chin and their mouths came together. Her lips were soft and wet and he felt the heat rising in them as they parted, moist and sweet, as Renee moaned and made small gasping sounds of encouragement.
He broke the kiss suddenly and bowed his head to the silky sheen of her breasts. She arched her back in a slow voluptuous movement, and with one hand guided him to her nipple. When she felt his lips, gentle and tugging, she gasped aloud and clawed the fingernails of her other hand into his shoulder, like a cat reacting to a caress. She began to shake, the tremors starting in her legs and shuddering up to the heat between her thighs. Renee felt her hips begin to undul
ate, responding with an instinctive, primitive need for her man’s attention.
When she could take no more, Renee pulled his mouth away. Then she moved his head to her other breast and guided the hardened nipple between his lips. Again, she gasped as Stefan sucked.
She groped for one of his hands and pressed it against the heat of her body. Warm wetness coated Stefan’s fingers as they began to explore and feel within the folds of her. His mouth came away from her breast and he murmured, “When did you take off your panties?” Renee wrapped her fingers into his hair and guided him back to her stiffened nipple.
“When you were shaving,” she panted softly. “When I decided I was going to seduce you.”
Stefan’s fingertips slid back and forth against the cleft of Renee’s sex, tracing the shape of her body and teasing the warm wetness of her across the sensitive bud. Renee clenched her teeth and threw back her head, her whole body tensing for a moment as she arched and stiffened. She could feel the sensations as the aroused flesh began to throb. Her breath caught in the back of her throat as Stefan’s cunning touch teased and tormented her closer to the edge of release.
Renee’s fingers clenched in his hair, and her other hand went down between her legs, covering his hand, guiding and encouraging. She tried to force his probing touch deeper but he refused her stubbornly, and the anticipation was maddening. She felt herself teetering, and she parted her legs. Finally Stefan slipped one long finger deep within Renee and felt her body clench instinctively. She groaned again.
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