Rick got into the shower and turned the faucet on. Leonora’s body jolted when the water made contact with her burning flesh. Rick held her underneath the shower until her convulsions subsided. She went limp and then began to tremble because of the water’s temperature.
With her fever temporarily broken, Rick began to shake. He shook, not solely because of the temperature of the water but because he had come close to losing Leonora. Tears welled up in his eyes. Closing them, he buried his face in the curve of her neck and pulled her tighter against his quaking body.
Why does fate want to take these women from me? I won’t lose you.
He had made a wrong choice three years ago that had cost him the life of his wife and daughter. He must live with that decision. Today, he had made the choice to leave Leonora alone, so he could seek medical help for her. If he had been any later, he would have had to live with her death, also.
The sound of Leonora telepathically murmuring his name pulled Rick’s thoughts from scenes of returning and finding her dead. He gazed down at her and saw the unfocused dullness of her eyes.
{Rick.}
“Nora,” was his groaned reply. Unable to hold back, Rick gave her a kiss born of desperation and of an all-too-real fear.
Breaking contact, his sights roamed over her soaked body. The water made her white blouse transparent. Her beautifully shaped mounds were displayed for his needy pleasures. The tips had transformed into twin hard peaks—hard like his lower body as he pinned her against the shower wall.
His hands reached for the outer side of each curve. Rick peered deep into her pale eyes and squeezed. “Leonora.”
{Rick.}
Moaning into her mouth, Rick tried to get closer by straddling her. His body eagerly drank in the feel of her. It vibrated with desire. His hands brushed her sides like a gentle wind kissing the petals of a rose.
“What’s happening?” he breathlessly soughed against her moving lips.
Leonora answered with an untamed kiss. Rick’s body pressed harder. He kissed her forehead, eyes, and cheeks. He worked his way down one side of her neck and up the other side. He stopped long enough to whisper into her ear, “Nora, I want you.”
Rick outlined her earlobe with his tongue. He traveled down to the valley between her breasts while his right hand cupped her. He fed on her delicious mound. His actions elicited a sensual moan from her kiss swollen lips. His mouth moved to the left to feast as greedily.
Over the roaring of his blood, Rick heard a cough. Reality returned with a blast. He pulled back. “We have to stop. We shouldn’t be doing this; you’re sick.”
Leonora whimpered and tried to pull him back for another kiss. Rick would not allow himself the pleasure. If he did, then all would be forgotten, and Leonora would know the touch of a human. Reluctantly, he turned the shower off.
He tugged a towel off the hanger and began to dry Leonora’s hair. “Let’s get you out of these wet clothes.” The second he said it, he regretted it.
Leonora reached for the buttons of her blouse without hesitations. Rick bit his tongue hard, hoping the pain would help keep him focused on what he had to do and not on her nakedness. Her blouse landed on the shower’s floor. Rick swallowed hard. His body pulsated with urgent need. His sights glued onto her chest and devoured her beauty. His focus dropped at the sound of a zipper. Her slim fingers parted and lowered the material past her hips. Rick received his first clear glimpse of curly dark hair.
“Okay! Let’s cover you up now,” he said in a hurry, wrapping the towel around her.
Rick waited until she stepped out of her pants to lift her into his arms and return her to the bed. He raised the blankets up to her nose and prepared to escape.
{Do not leave me, please!}
Her grip on his wrist burned. Rick panicked. He tried to pry her fingers loose. He wanted to get away from her to regain control over his passions. But the fear in her pale eyes convinced him not to.
With a sigh, he relented and sat beside her. “I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart.” He brushed her right cheek with his knuckles. “Go to sleep. You need the rest.”
{Promise.}
It was a simple word that had a profound meaning. “I promise,” he said, and he meant it.
Leonora took his hand and placed a kiss at the center of his palm. She flipped onto her side, leaned her cheek into his palm, and closed her eyes. The fire in Rick subsided. In its place appeared a warmth that melted the ice caps into steady flowing streams.
Rick positioned his body alongside Leonora’s in the bed. He molded her backside to him and buried his face in her hair. He held her until she fell asleep.
At the detection of a steady breathing pattern, he released her. He reached for the bag on the table and prepared Leonora’s first dose, exactly the way Dr. Ranger had instructed him. Rick cleansed an area on her right arm. Mumbling a prayer, he injected the medicine into her bloodstream.
“Medication? What sort of medication?” Leonora’s voice was small and weak.
Rick entered the living room from the kitchen with two cups of tea. He placed one on the center table in front of her. He took a sip of his own and sat next to her.
“Medication I received from a friend. She happens to be the top veterinarian in these parts.”
“An animal doctor? I am no animal!” she shouted.
“Relax, I know. I had to try something. You were dying, remember?”
“So your idea of trying something is poisoning me further?”
“Of course not.” Rick scowled at her.
“Then what were you thinking?”
“I was thinking about saving your life!” His temper flared. “You were getting worse before my eyes. I couldn’t take you to the hospital. I had no choice but to trust a friend with medical knowledge close enough to your race and pray she could help.”
“Oh, really? So how well do you know this so-called doctor? Is she really a friend?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“That I am sick and tired of your kind using my species as guinea cats!”
“Bloody hell!” Rick placed his cup on the wooden table with a clatter. “I was not using you as a guinea pig! I was trying to make you feel better!”
“By killing me?”
“If I wanted you dead I would’ve stayed here and done nothing! Instead I endangered the life of my friend trying to save yours!” He pointed to her. “Everything I’ve done has been for you. I’ve sacrificed my life and my career for you. How dare you accuse me of such a thing after I’ve rattled my brains trying to get you to a safe haven so you can contact your people.”
He stood and waved his hand in the air. “But since you think that after doing all of that, I still want you dead, then perhaps you are better off dead. Lord knows I certainly don’t need the extra headache!” Rick stormed out of the house without a backward glance.
He drove for hours in search of a place where he could sit down and relax—a place where he could figure out what had gone wrong after he had exited the plane that fateful afternoon. It was too early for the bars to open. Therefore, he decided to drive down an isolated road and park until evening came.
Rick hoped he would not run into Blaisdale or the army. Not that it mattered to him anymore. Leonora’s words had hit a raw nerve. While he sat in his car, he seriously reconsidered all his actions and his attraction to her.
At sunset, he switched on the ignition and drove to the nearby town. He entered the first open pub he found. It was busy that evening. Ignoring the inquisitive looks from the locals, Rick sat at the bar. He scowled so severely his brows met in the middle. His thoughts were on Leonora and her accusations.
Mary would not have dared to be inconsiderate. She had always thanked him in ways that left him sexually gratified. Leonora instead charged him with attempted murder, not to mention left him more sexually frustrated each time she went near him. She was definitely not Mary.
“Hey, handsome, I’m sorry, but you can’t s
it there unless you order a drink.”
Rick did not hear the woman’s voice. He noticed her because she placed a hand on his forearm. His attention rose from his folded hands. He blinked several times to clear his mind and register the woman bartender. She had corn-colored hair, emerald eyes, rosy cheeks, and scarlet-painted lips.
“I’m sorry?”
She smiled. “I said can I get you something? You look like you can use a hard drink.”
Rick missed the predatory way she scoped his form.
“When was the last time you had some?” she added seductively.
Her words had a double meaning, but Rick’s troubled mind was too distracted to pick up on it. Rubbing his tired face with both hands, he answered, “A very long time ago.”
“Well, how about a glass of whiskey on me, huh?”
That notorious blond brow of his lifted. “Are you asking if you could buy me a drink?”
Her smile broadened. “I believe so, handsome,” she replied with a hungry, daring stare.
Rick examined the woman’s face and realized this green-eyed beauty was exactly what the doctor ordered. And speaking of orders, Rick gave her his most dashing smile. “Well, in that case, I’ll be honored.”
“Great! I’ll be right back. Don’t you go and disappear on me.” She winked before hurrying off to get his drink.
Rick chuckled. “Oh, I won’t.”
He observed her while she moved from one end of the bar to the other, filling several orders at once. She seemed to know what she was doing. He also noticed her movements were not as fluid as a cat’s.
What the bloody hell is wrong with me? He reprimanded himself. I must be crazy to compare the two. It’s bad enough I’ve been comparing her to Mary. Besides, with what she said to me, I don’t want her near me again. Rick slowly scanned the bartender’s shapely form. But this one is an entirely different story. And with a body like that, it promises to be a very interesting story.
“Here you go.” She placed a napkin on the bar and the drink on top in front of Rick.
“Thank you.”
The collar of her shirt was cut extremely low. She leaned on her forearms, giving Rick a better view of her cleavage. “You’re welcome. I sure hope you enjoy it.”
“I’m sure I will,” he answered, meeting her gaze straight on.
“My name is Rebecca. Rebecca McLean, what’s yours?”
“Did you say McLean?”
“That’s right.”
“Are you by any chance related to a Lieutenant McLean in the US Army, stationed in Arizona?”
“Well, if we’re talking about the same person, then yes, he’s my brother.”
Rick’s face lit up brighter than the sun. “Oh really.” His eyelids lowered, shielding his naughty plan.
“Do you know Trevor?”
Rick recalled the Lieutenant’s smug expression after he had closed the front gates on Rick’s face, and his sleeping features after Rick had sedated him in the corridor. “No. No, I don’t know Trevor personally. I…ah…kind of bumped into him on a military base, that’s all.”
“I see. You never did tell me your name, stranger.” Her sexy voice was accompanied by a very hot look and a better view of the goodies she offered.
“I didn’t, did I? I’m sorry. My name is Rick. Rick McCall.”
Normally Rick did not use his real name when he set out on his little conquests, but in this case, he made an exception. He wanted her brother Trevor to know exactly who pleased his sister this evening, whenever she decided to recall the encounter to him.
Rick wickedly smiled to himself. Too bad I won’t be around to see his face.
“Rick. Hmmm. Strong name. It goes well with that scar.” A customer called her attention. “I’ll be right back.”
Rick touched his scar. She was right. The scar did add something to his persona, which was why most women avoided him now. But not Nora. She had seemed unaffected by the mark. He took a swallow of his drink.
“Tell me, Rick. Where are you from?” Rebecca placed a bowl of nuts in front of him. “I’ve never seen you around here before.”
“Just passing through.”
Her face fell. “Just passing through. What a shame.” She reached for a nut. She sensually licked the salt from one side before she ate it. “Is that an English accent I detect?”
Rick gave her his killer smile. “That it is.”
“Well, I hope you decide to stay around for a while. I have this uncontrollable attraction for Englishmen. I can’t figure out why.”
“Is that a fact?”
She nodded.
“Well, I might do that.”
“Good.” She leaned toward him and whispered, “If you’re interested, I get off in an hour.”
Rick moved his head closer to hers. “I’m interested.”
“Great! I know of a cozy little place where we can get something light to eat.” She pouted and then added in a more seductive manner, “After that, well, who knows? Perhaps we can play it by ear.”
In respond to her innuendos, Rick’s smile joined Rebecca’s. Oh, yes. This is exactly what the doctor ordered.
After dinner, Rick went back to Rebecca’s apartment. She instructed him to make himself at home and feel free to fix a drink. She then excused herself. Left alone, Rick looked around. The apartment had a small white kitchen, no dining room, and a medium-size living room. There were neutral tones on the walls and only a handful of modern pieces of furniture and accessories.
Nothing to brag about, he thought. He spotted a portable bar tucked away in one corner of the living room. He went there first. After mixing a drink, he sat down on the stiff sofa. Not very comfortable. He shifted in his seat. Giving up in getting comfortable, he sat back and sipped his drink.
His mind drifted off, as it had done all evening. Despite Rebecca’s pleasant company and easy conversations, Rick could not stop thinking about a certain brunette with sweet-smelling skin. He still tasted her white-hot kisses on his lips. Her willing body had come alive under his touch. His mind relived the entire shower incident in such vivid splendor that by the time Rebecca reappeared Rick was in desperate need of help.
Rebecca posed at the entrance to her bedroom. She waited for him to notice her. Rick was beyond noticing. He had been without a woman for too long. All he could think of was of blessed release. And the sooner Rebecca reached hers, the sooner he would be pacified.
Staring hungrily across the room, he rose from his seat. He placed his drink on the small end table and stealthily made his way to Rebecca like a predator moving in for the kill. She waited under the doorframe.
Rick paused before her as if in thought. He then quickly grabbed Rebecca by her shoulders and pulled her against his extremely aroused body. His mouth slanted hard on hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and groaned.
The kiss was fast and furious. Rick bent at his knees, clasped Rebecca around her waist, and lifted her a few inches off the ground. She was a tall woman, but it was enough to make it easier for Rick to carry her to the bed. He gently laid Rebecca down and covered her with his body, not once breaking their heated kiss. His hands explored her, causing her to wiggle and squirm underneath him. She unbuttoned his shirt.
Rick did his best to stop thinking and concentrate on the woman beneath him. His thoughts were invading this long-awaited moment of pleasure. This was not normal. Even after Mary’s death, he was able to place her out of his mind for a few hours of enjoyment. This time it was like his mind and body were in two different places at once.
His body with its pent-up passion called out for release, and beautiful Rebecca McLean was more than willing to comply. But his mind simply would not follow. For reasons beyond Rick’s understanding, his mind kept recalling a little kitten with well-formed breasts and a shapely derriere. Just the thought of her responses to his touch made Rick nearly lose control. That was when it all started to fall apart for the young Don Juan.
No longer obeying his commands, h
is senses began a comparison of their own between the two women. They first recalled the traits more appealing to them. His body then began to seek these traits out. Unfortunately, one woman is a poor substitute for another, as they both found out.
Rick’s manhood, despite Rebecca’s constant stimulation, died. Rick was in shock when he felt his tool grow limp. Dear God, what’s happening to me? But he knew what the problem was.
He tried to arouse himself by fondling, tasting, and caressing Rebecca. He desperately pushed all thoughts of Leonora out of his mind. Rebecca undressed him. Rick situated himself between her thighs and pressed against her wetness. He sensed she was ready to explode, but Rick could not get hard enough to penetrate her.
Horrified and embarrassed, he apologized. “Rebecca, I’m so sorry. This has never happened to me before. I don’t know what’s going on?”
“Calm down. Don’t worry. Let me try.” Rebecca encouraged Rick to lie on his back and relax. She settled between his legs and placed his placid member into her wet mouth.
After only a few strokes, Rick felt the first stirrings of passion returning. His little soldier rose to attention, and he sighed. Leaning his head on the pillow, he began to enjoy the pleasures offered by Rebecca’s talented tongue.
His lids drifted closed. A pair of eerie glowing eyes floated across the back of the dual screens. Memories of Leonora’s skillful tongue entered his head. His senses compared it to the one he was now feeling. It did not matter that he felt Leonora’s tongue against his own and not anywhere else. It was enough to send his soldier back to the barracks.
Rick roared like an angry lion before yelling, “Enough!” He pulled Rebecca up and off him. Sitting up on the side of the bed, he placed his elbows onto his knees, his face into the palms of his hands. “This has never happened to me before. I don’t understand why it’s happening now!”
Rebecca tried to console him by softly rubbing his back. “It’s okay, Rick, it happens. Sometimes.”
A Seacat's Love (Oceanan Trilogy Book 1) Page 11
