by Nicole Casey
Tongue flicking against the taut skin of my nipple, I moaned, my fingers digging into the lines of his huge back.
I needed to feel his skin against mine, for him to possess me fully and deeply.
“You taste like honey,” he murmured in that voice which sent chills through my body, his hands tightening fully against my cotton panties, my cheeks parting.
A gush of hot slipped through me and I bucked upward, his head dropping lower, across the cloth of my dress toward the bare skin of my abdomen.
When he kissed me there, I mewled like a newborn kitten, propping myself up on my elbows to watch him in fascination.
Slowly, he traced my pale flesh with his tongue, his hands slipping the damp underwear away as his face followed the arc of my inner thigh.
My eyes bugged as I realized what he intended to do, my mouth falling open but before I could protest, a long lap touched the throbbing button between my legs and I cried out at the unexpected pleasure the motion brought with it.
A thousand prickles flooded my body and my elbows seemed to give out as I fell to the forest floor, my body putty in his hands.
He was shaping me with licks, each thrust of his tongue reaching me further and deeper while my hands reached to cling onto something for support.
My cries reverberated through the thin mountain air, my head growing heady with each stroke.
Abruptly, my body tensed and I gasped, a build-up of tension causing my toes to curl inside my mutton boots.
“Oh!” I shrieked, both understanding and not at all comprehending what was happening.
Harder he pressed, his face buried inside me, the steam of his breath encouraging me to the mounting release and when I could hold on no more, I erupted in a stream of hot juices against his face, my frame quivering as my knees pressed against his temples.
Slowly, he lifted his head, one last lick before his eyes bored into mine once more.
“Take me,” I begged him softly, my voice a trembling whisper. “Please, I need you.”
He continued to stare at me, those steely eyes seeming to study my soul, his face slick with my nectar as I pleaded with him silently.
I tried to sit up, reaching for his pants but he pushed me down against the leaves, shaking his head.
“No.”
The word was firm and filled with something which sounded like contempt.
Uncertainty filled me as I tried to sit up again but once more, he shoved me down, his eyes flashing.
“Please?” I asked again but suddenly I wasn’t sure what I wanted.
What was I doing? Who was this man?
I slid backward but his face contorted into a sneer and he fell forward, pinning my feet to the ground, his eyes twinkling with malice.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he demanded, licking his lips. “I’m not finished with you.”
I opened my mouth to scream, but nothing came out as he drew closer, his face contorting into a demon-like shape.
I squeezed my eyes closed and waited for him to kill me…
“Easy! Easy there!”
I thrashed out at him, peeking through slits as I permitted my lids to part.
He peered down at me, his expression confused and concerned. There was no longer any sign of the red-faced devil who was trying to steal my soul and tentatively, I opened my eyes fully.
Heart pounding, I looked around uncomprehendingly.
I wasn’t in the forest any longer.
Gone were the mountain trees and crisp October air.
Instead, I was huddled on a thick, cushioned sofa before a fireplace, wrapped in blankets.
My head was throbbing as I forced myself into a sitting position, my face twisted in panic.
“It’s alright now,” he told me, standing awkwardly at my side as if trying to determine how to act in light of my reaction.
I gaped at him, sluggishly understanding what had occurred.
I had run into a tree and fallen unconscious running away from him and he had picked me up and brought me –
I gasped, thinking about the dogs who had wanted to eat me the previous night.
Through bleary eyes, I looked for them but I did not see any signs of the beasts, even though I was fairly certain I was in the same cabin.
My eyes rested on the gun rack near the front door and I was immediately brought back to the gunshot echoing through the night as the stranger tried to shoot at me.
“Is your name Eloise?” he asked me and alarm flooded me as I tried to curl away from him, recoiling in shock.
How did he know my name? Did he know Sir? Had he been sent to find me?
His eyes. He has the same eyes as Henry and Philip. He must know Sir.
I didn’t answer and he continued to watch me.
My eyes slipped to his mouth and a hot blush stained my cheeks as I remembered my too-vivid dream.
“Can you speak?” he asked, his brow knitting. “Should I get you a pen to write? Can you write?”
I could see he didn’t know whether to be annoyed or concerned.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I shifted my gaze downward and tried to figure out what to do next.
I was warm finally but was I safe? He could not have known my name if Sir had not sent him…could he?
“Can you stand up?” he asked, concern and exasperation coloring his words. “We should get you to the hospital.”
Hospital? No! They might contact mother and Sir and then I will be taken back.
“You hurt your head pretty badly,” he explained, reaching forward to touch the lump on my forehead.
I flinched and withdrew.
A combination of hurt and surprise crossed his face.
“I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me,” he snapped gruffly. “Are you Eloise?”
Again I was consumed with fear.
What if I say nothing at all? I can stay here until I figure out a plan to get away and –
“Fine,” he growled, spinning away from the sofa. “Get up. We’re going to Cedar City.”
“No!” I cried finally and he froze, slowly turning back around.
“You need a doctor,” he said evenly. “You might have a concussion.”
I shook my head vehemently, the action causing shooting pains through my head.
“No,” I said again. “No hospital. I’m not going to town.”
He stared at me and I could see he was trying to think of what to say.
“What am I supposed to do with you? I can’t just let you run around these mountain roads. It’s dangerous.”
I turned my eyes toward him and I wondered if he could read the naked anguish on my face.
I didn’t know if I could trust him but what choice did I have?
“I could stay here,” I whispered, my voice catching in my windpipe.
Myriad emotions swept through his face and our eyes locked again.
Please say yes, I begged him silently. Just let me stay for a short time.
“Are you in danger?” he asked, his voice primal, sending shivers through my body.
I nodded slowly, again averting my eyes. I didn’t want to answer any questions but I knew he had to ask.
To my surprise, he began to nod very slowly as if he didn’t realize he was doing it.
“You can stay,” he told me gruffly. “For a little while.”
My head whipped up and I stared at him gratefully.
“I don’t want any trouble,” he murmured but I could see he had already decided to keep me there.
“I won’t be any trouble,” I promised.
I hoped that would be true.
“You already are,” he retorted, spinning away from me and I felt his displeasure emanating from his huge frame as he stalked toward the kitchen.
As he slipped into the open-concept room, I found myself staring at his incredible physique and my dream washed over me in a humiliating tidal wave.
“People are looking for you, Eloise,” he told me as he busied
himself at the fridge and I cringed at the sound of my name.
“I know,” I replied quietly. “Please don’t tell them I’m here.”
His head raised and he stared at me, his piercing eyes studying my face.
My breath caught in my chest as I waited for him to respond.
“I won’t,” he said finally, returning to the task at hand and relief overcame me.
He was my friend.
Or at least the closest thing I had to one.
And I didn’t even know his name.
5
Harding
I had pulled so much stuff out of the fridge, I didn’t even know what I was making. There were cold cuts, bread, cheese, vegetables, a venison roast, a bag of potatoes and a crock pot of chili.
When I realized what I had done, I stood back and looked at the mess of food, trying to get my head on straight.
I had been too busy watching Eloise out of the corner of my eye to pay any real mind to what was happening before me.
What the fuck am I doing? I can’t keep her here.
There were so many reasons why I knew that to be true.
The bump on her head was red and swollen, her guileless brown eyes slightly dazed. It was clear she needed medical attention and I was hardly the person to give it to her.
I shook my head as I noticed I hadn’t even given her anything to reduce the inflammation.
Reaching into the freezer, I grabbed a bag of frozen peas and ventured toward her.
She was very much like a timid deer and I was reluctant to approach her but what choice did I have.
She sat on the sofa, swarmed in the knit blankets I had found in my supply closet, staring around as if seeking an escape.
It annoyed me as if I was keeping her there against her will.
Which brought me to the second reason she couldn’t stay.
I didn’t know what her story was or why she was running. Having her stay would only open the door to trouble with her family, trouble I had no interest in finding.
Handing her the peas, I perched on the edge of the loveseat and waited for her to apply them to her head.
“Who are you running from?” I asked bluntly. “Why did you run away from home?”
She stared at me and I was struck again by the innocence she appeared to exude.
It had less to do with the antiquated clothing she wore and more with the aura of sheltered chastity which seemed to emanate through her pores.
Her eyes were wide and dark, reminiscent of a set of coffee beans.
I had to look closely to make out her pupils in their depth and against her fair skin and dark blonde hair, they seemed haunted.
Her skin was flawless porcelain but it had taken on a waxen appearance, likely from hunger and stress.
She was a tiny thing, probably not more than one hundred pounds but it was difficult to gauge with all the layers she wore.
I shifted my eyes down guiltily as I realized I was trying too hard to examine her figure.
“How did you know my name?” she asked in counter to my inquiry.
The corners of my mouth tucked inward and I shook my head.
“You really shouldn’t answer a question with a question.”
It was something my mom used to say to me all the time.
To my surprise, she looked embarrassed and nodded.
“Yes,” she whispered. “You’re right.”
My brows knit together as I tried to figure her out.
She certainly didn’t fit the bill of some teenaged rebel, fleeing the house rules and trying to assert her independence but what did I know?
The only thing I could say for sure was, despite her seemingly naïve appearance, she was not a girl.
She was most certainly a woman.
I waited for her to respond to my question but I saw that she wasn’t volunteering information.
To keep the conversation flowing, I decided to answer hers.
“Your step-brother, Rudolph was looking for you in Cedar City,” I explained.
“Randolph,” she corrected and I snorted.
“Right,” I replied flatly. I didn’t care what his name was.
“He’s not my step-brother.”
The words sent a strange chill through me, maybe because of the tone she used.
There was a forlorn note, a troubled sound which I didn’t understand.
Of course, I didn’t understand any of it.
I was torn between wanting to hear whatever sordid tale she had locked away in her mind and plugging my ears.
“Where are your dogs?” she asked suddenly and I felt the hairs on my neck rise.
“How did you know I have dogs?” I asked tersely, leaning forward to stare at her.
Her eyes constricted and she allowed the peas to fall, her mouth opening but no words came out.
She shook her head and tried to look away but I held her gaze.
“How do you know?” I demanded, slipping toward her, suspicion churning my stomach. She visibly swallowed as her eyes darting around the living room as if seeking an escape.
“I came across your cabin last night,” Eloise replied softly. “I upset your dogs.”
I remembered how agitated Rufus and Clayton had been the previous night and I snorted.
“I have you to thank for a sleepless night then,” I said sarcastically and her face burned crimson. She was determined to get off on a bad foot here.
“I’m sorry,” she choked. “I was only looking for some food and shelter.”
I held back another smart-ass reply, sensing the woe in her.
If she has been out here since last night, she’s got to be starving.
“I’m going to make us something to eat,” I told her, rising. “Keep that on your head. I’ll wrest up some Tylenol.”
She looked at me.
“Tylenol?” she echoed. “What is that?”
I eyed her as I retreated to the kitchen.
“It’s a pain reliever,” I replied. “Like Advil?”
Her blank look spoke volumes to me and again I wondered where the hell she had come from.
She had probably never taken a drug in her life.
“Are you Amish?” I asked. I had never known there to be Amish communities in our parts but what the hell did I know? I was just as sheltered in my own way.
“Amish?”
My head jerked up and I stared at her.
“Are you mocking me now?” I demanded, my patience wearing thin. She had already set me back two hours with her arrival and I was losing the little bit of daylight I had left to work on the second floor.
I didn’t have time to play silly games with runaways.
But she wasn’t a runaway, not really. She was a fully-grown adult. If she didn’t want to go home to her family, that was her prerogative, wasn’t it?
Was she running from an abusive husband? Rudolph the anemic reindeer had claimed she was his step-sister but Eloise was adamant he was not.
“Mocking you?” Eloise asked her face a mask of confusion. “Of course not. You’re being very kind allowing me to stay here. Even if you did try to shoot me.”
I laughed aloud.
“Tried to shoot you?”
I was beginning to feel like we were a set of parrots, repeating each other like idiots.
“You fired at me last night.”
I scoffed and put down the knife I was using, lest she took it as a veiled threat.
“First of all, I thought you were a coyote. Secondly, if I was trying to shoot you, I would have shot you, Eloise. I’ve been living in these mountains since I took my first breath. I am nothing if not a good shot.”
Why did I disclose so much about myself to her?
It was odd for me to supply more than a few words in response to anything and yet there I was, almost babbling.
I must have been tired from the lack of sleep, thanks to her middle of the night attempt to steal food.
A sharp bark at the back door saved Elo
ise from having to reply and I turned my attention to my roving mutts who wanted their dinner.
“Where have you been?” I demanded at the dogs. “You know it’s suppertime. I expect you home!”
Rufus swung his black tail and licked my hand.
I heard Eloise inhale sharply from the other room.
“Should I hide?” she whispered loudly. “Is that your wife?”
I burst into laughter as Rufus and Clayton bound inside the cabin toward her voice.
“They’re kinda like my wife but you’ve met them before,” I told her and she gasped again.
“You’re fine,” I assured Eloise as the canines rushed inside, a mass of barks and whines. “They won’t hurt you not that you’re an invited guest.”
I had to wonder why the dogs had not attacked her the previous night when they were trained to identify threats.
Maybe they saw something in her worth saving.
Did I too?
I could see Eloise was trying to be brave, remaining stock still as the dogs sniffed her hands.
Continuing to chop onions, I watched the scene with interest, smelling the mild fear even from the distance between us.
She was trembling, her long, dark lashes cast downward as if she was afraid to make eye contact with the animals and waited for them to lose interest.
I could have called them off but a part of me wanted to see how she handled herself.
I admit I was surprised she did not panic, despite the fact she wanted to.
Why didn’t she freak out?
In the past, I’d had women in the cabin, women who didn’t care for dogs or mountain living, the mere thought of a spider skittering across the floor enough to send them into a valley girl fit.
And here was this woman who had obviously been raised in a bubble, holding her own in a strange place.
She’s made of stronger stuff than she gives herself credit for, I thought. She’s inherently brave.
“Come on,” I called my hounds. “Dinnertime.”
They bound toward me and I emptied scraps of raw deer meat into their bowls before plopping the roast into a pan with the potatoes and onions.
I didn’t realize that Eloise had risen from her spot until she was standing directly beside me.
