Memories of earlier flood his mind, taking him back to the way her skin feels beneath his hands, the taste of her mouth and hard nipples against his tongue. He has to choke back a moan from escaping his lips.
He looks on as her hands leave her breasts and trace a path over her ribcage and belly, then down towards the hot wetness that he can smell beneath her panties. As he slowly unfastens the top buttons of his jeans, Gage holds his breath to stifle a gasp as Katrina slips the panties down her long, lean legs, removing them completely and tossing them to the floor.
Feeling like a total perv, he’s mesmerized as she spreads her bare legs, opening the hairless lips that expose the wet, pink flesh inside. Gage gulps and licks his lips wanting to taste that sweet, drenched pussy.
Kat reaches down between her legs, and a low moan escapes her mouth as her fingers touch her clit — rubbing and pinching it. That act almost undoes him.
Still sitting in the shadow shrouded corner across from her bed, he strokes and jerks his now bare cock, wondering what Katrina was thinking about now that she’s plunging her fingers into her slick pussy.
Is she thinking about me? What almost happened in the club? Does she remember what it feels like when I touch and lick her body? When I rub that hot, throbbing nub and stick my fingers into her wet cunt? Is she thinking about the way I positioned her over my hard cock? What it will feel like when I put it inside her? Or is she thinking about Tony? Remembering the way they were touching and rubbing against each other while dancing? Thinking about the kiss they shared outside? The way he placed his hands on her hips, pulling her against him? Does she regret not inviting him in? Inviting him into her bed?
Gage is now totally pissed and aroused at the same time. His hand stills on his hard cock as suddenly Kat cries out in ecstasy, “Gage, oh god yes, harder Gage!”
That does it. At the site of her plunging her fingers in and out of her overheated pussy, ready to cum while calling out his name, he’s back to stroking and jerking his cock. He comes undone, releasing the pressure that’s been building up all night inside him. She’s now screaming out his name. Needing to cum, he places his left hand over the head of his dick, allowing the milky liquid to flow.
Katrina finishes and Gage smiles, watching her. When Kat gets out of bed and grabs her panties off the floor, she heads straight into the bathroom and turns on the shower. Using the sound of the water hitting the tile to drown out any noise, Gage grabs a couple tissues off her night stand and heads out the glass doors that lead to the beach.
In a hurry to get back to his car, Gage doesn’t notice he is being watched, or the pure white panther that blends perfectly into the sugary white sand that comprises this particular stretch of beach.
Chapter Seventeen
Dawn is breaking as Gage wakes to the sound of constant beeping. Reaching for the alarm clock, he bangs on the snooze button without even opening his eyes. When it doesn’t stop, he reaches for it a second time. Again…it continues to sound. Swearing, he rolls over, grabs the damn thing and readies himself to rip it out of the wall and throw it across the room. Realizing it is a messaging alarm that’s programmed into his Panasonic Toughbook and not the alarm clock, he jumps out of bed, stumbles over to his desk, and lifts the lid to find the Pentagon’s logo and blue login screen staring at him.
For those rare few with high enough clearance, the ability to log in and get their orders from anywhere in the world is at their fingertips. Gage goes through the process of logging in. First a unique user name and password, then a touch to the fingerprint scanner built into the keyboard frame, next a retinal scanner built into the webcam and finally, the secret phrase spoken into the voice recognition software. Once in, he receives his orders, using the equivalent of a QR code to download them into his military cell phone. By the time he arrives at his final destination, the orders are magically erased.
With only two hours to report to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa and pick up his transport, Gage hops into the shower, brushes his teeth, dresses, grabs the stowed gear he keeps ready and locked away in the footlocker under his bed, and heads out the door.
After a day of rest and relaxation on the beach, Kat showers and throws on a short, white, form-fitting strapless dress with an abstract print to show off the tan she’s working on. Adding some jewelry, along with a pair of high strappy shoes, she heads to dinner at the Moretti’s.
On the trip over, Katrina goes over the kiss she shared with Tony the night before. She’s always looked at him as her best friend’s pesky little brother. Well, he isn’t so little anymore, and the only thing that bothers her about him is their attraction to one another. Besides the dilemma of him being her best friend’s brother, she doesn’t want to lose her connection with Bre and the Moretti family. They made her a part of their family years ago, and she’s not willing to risk that.
Then there’s Gage. If I didn’t feel this instant connection, attraction, lust for him, I’d consider seeing where the thing with Tony might go. But the pull I feel toward Gage is so strong, I’m worried I will just be leading him on.
Great! What the hell am I thinking? I don’t even know Gage. I may never see him again for all I know. Why am I so willing to overlook the connection I have with Tony for this guy I “almost” had a one night stand with? I need to put Gage out of my mind. Kat pulls into the driveway.
After a delicious meal of gnocchi covered with homemade meat sauce, meatballs, pieces of pork, and fresh grated Romano cheese, a thick chunk of garlic bread, sliced ripened tomatoes topped with garlic, Italian seasoning, extra virgin olive oil, a wedge of fresh mozzarella, and balsamic vinegar, Kat is almost too stuffed to finish her glass of wine….almost.
“Everything is delicious. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to fatten me up, Momma.”
“Grazie, Katrina. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Now, how about some gelato for dessert?”
“No…thank you…if I put one more thing in my mouth, I think I’ll explode.” Everyone starts laughing. Of course, smartass Tony has to chime in. “Hmmm, I think I’d really enjoy trying out that theory,” he says, looking at Kat with a devilish grin on his face. From across the table Kat grins back at him, seductively licking her lips. His eyes widen as she says, “You wish!” At that moment, Bre laughingly calls attention to their conversation…“Uhhh, are we still talking about food here, guys?”
“Shut up, Bre!” they both shout in unison while shooting her a dirty look.
Before any more is said, there’s a knock at the door. “Hello, Michela!”
“Oh my word…Maddelena! Come in…Come in! We weren’t expecting you for another day. Are you hungry? I just made gnocchi.”
“No thank you, I ate on the plane. I decided to take an earlier flight. You know me, I follow my intuition, and my intuition told me to come early, so here I am.”
“Well I’m glad for that, now come in and see everyone. Tony…Sabrina…your Aunt Maddelena is here.” As they make their way to the kitchen where Kat is clearing dishes, she hears Momma Michela say, “This is Katrina, Sabrina’s best friend and my adopted daughter. Katrina, this is my sister, Maddelena.”
Slowly turning away from the sink, her breath catches in her throat as she tries to choke out the word, “Hhh….iii.” Heart racing — this can’t be happening. That was New York. What are the odds?
“Hello Katrina,” she says with a knowing smile.
“I know you… from New York, right? You did my tarot reading at the party the company threw to celebrate the conclusion of our season. You’re Madame Maddelena?”
“Yes, that’s right dear.”
Freaking out inside…holy shit! I mean how can she be here? And related to Bre and her family? This is too surreal. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. What did she say? Her “intuition” has her here early. I hope that “intuition” doesn’t have anything to do with me. I mean after the reading she did for me in New York, I don’t know if I can handle any more weirdness. Like what she said
about my past and present. That was so true. The damn death card, then the ten of swords. The pain and agony those two cards convey. I could no longer hide from them. Then the knight of swords…that card worries me, but that guy the card represents hasn’t shown himself yet, and maybe he never will. That’s a good thing. But, the Tower card is starting to come true. I mean it’s the catalyst for me telling off my father and getting the hell out of New York so I can start over again.
“Earth to Kat,” chides Tony. “So, you know my aunt from New York?”
“Oh sorry…uhm yes, in a manner of speaking, that is. Well I mean, we don’t actually know each other personally, she did a reading for me shortly before I left to come here…and I must say, it really freaked me out, uh no offense.”
Laughing now, Madame Maddelena responds, “None taken, dear.”
Bre calls out, “Well come on in and let’s get you settled. I’ll have Tony bring your bags up to your room.”
“Thank you. That would be wonderful. After I freshen up, if anyone’s up for a reading, I’ll bring down my cards.”
“Yeah great, I’d love one” exclaims Bre.
“No way! Not me….uhhh, but thanks anyway,” cries Katrina. Her refusal is met with the sound of laughter from everyone in the room.
After too many glasses of pinot noir, the readings start and Kat agrees to one.
“Come…sit…” says Madame Maddelena. “It is your turn now, Katrina.” Placing the cards into Kat’s hands, she says, “Please shuffle the cards and when you are finished, place them on the table in front of me.” Kat shuffles the cards and sets them down. “This time, we are going to delve a little deeper than we did in New York, so after I fan out the cards, draw nine cards and place them one at a time in front of me, grouping them in three rows of three. This is known as the nine card European spread.”
Giggly and half drunk, she does as Maddelena asks. While reaching for the fourth card, she somehow manages to knock an extra card out of the deck, again. It hits the table face down. “Oh shit, I know what this means. A card that wants to make itself known…right?” The card reader just nods her head in agreement. “Bre, open a new bottle and pour me another drink. I have a feeling I’m not drunk enough for this reading yet.” Hiccup!
“Once all nine…make that ten, cards are on the table, the extra is card placed off to the side of the nine card spread”. Madame Maddelena explains. “The first three cards represent your past, the middle three the present and the last three, the future. Tonight, let us start with the extra card. We will turn it over and look at it first to see what effect it has on the rest of the reading and where it fits in.” As she turns the card over, Kat’s breath catches. It’s a card she recognizes.
“The Tower.”
“As you already know, the Tower represents sudden, dramatic change, the breaking down of old beliefs, the loss of a relationship, basically, fate stepping in and destroying everything down to its foundation. But afterwards, you have the ability to rebuild a stronger, more positive future.”
“I’d like you to consider the following throughout the reading in regards to the Tower, Katrina. Notice the lightning strike destroying the fortress that is the Tower, sending its inhabitant falling towards the ground. The person falling from the Tower is trapped there; a self-created imprisonment that he most likely is not even aware of. So, the powerful forces of nature step in to rectify this, demolishing anything that is built on false values. It is up to the occupant to decide whether to rebuild the old or start anew. The full moon casts shadows on physical and emotional upheaval, and the golden crown shows the lightning strike is actually a flash of insight from a higher power. So do not despair, if you concentrate on the drops of falling light, which mark the beginning of enlightenment during this time of catastrophe, you can build a stronger, brighter future than you ever dreamed possible. The Tower is about the choices you make during times of despair.”
Sipping her glass of wine for a false dose of courage, Kat shifts in her seat as the diviner flips over the first three cards. “Let us take a look at your past.”
“Ah, the Two of Cups, Death, and the Eight of Cups.”
“You have the Death card, which is a Major Arcana, surrounded by two cards from the same suit…Cups. Cups are emotions that usually have to do with love, marriage, children, or relationships.”
“First, the Two of Cups. Notice the young couple bowing to each other, heads together forming a cross between them. This shows mutual love and respect between them and the cross of light indicating their love is blessed on a spiritual plane. Rising above them is Hermes and a lion with angel wings, signifying animal passion and a higher love for them.”
“Next…Death. As you know, this card can represent a physical or emotional death. Death destroys, but also transforms and renews. As you look at this card, notice more than just the representation of death on a horse with bodies littered around him. Notice the sun rising between the two towers showing how life continues on. Look past death to the village beyond, teeming with fields ready to burst forth with new life. Whether this signifies the death of a person or a relationship that nature has decided to transform, there is hope.”
“From Death we move on to the Eight of Cups. The woman on the card turns her back on eight upright cups, heading into the mountains alone. Her hat symbolizes hidden thoughts, her cloak…withdrawal from society and secret quests. Stars of inspiration glisten above the sea, while the intensity of the moon’s emotional pull sends her on a quest for a higher meaning.”
“The next row of cards is the present.”
Flipping over each card, Maddelena continues, “We have the Queen of Cups on the left, the Knight of Swords in the center and the Lovers on the right, all straight up.”
“The Queen of Cups represents you, Katrina. Beautiful, with long flowing hair that falls past her shoulders, she is romantic, thoughtful, intelligent, and interested in the arts. Loving and kind, yet firm when she needs to be. Sensual and erotic, she is very attractive to the opposite sex. She holds a deep love of family and is most at home near the water, as she has the attributes of Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio, all of which are water signs. Sitting by the ocean holding a golden cup, she contemplates what she sees inside…a vision. The arm of her throne has the face of cupid carved in it, and her season is Summer.”
“Then there is the Knight of Swords again. Just as it was in New York, the Knight of Swords is a handsome figure clad in silver armor, riding a white horse and brandishing a silver sword with gray skies overhead. Full of fury and unrestrained aggression, he charges across the battlefield. A force to be reckoned with, this man is experienced and competent in battle. A propensity to be impatient, quick-tempered, aggressive and self-serving, but also highly intelligent, brave, skillful, and capable of implementing positive change. This man can seem to be two people at once. Things happen quickly in love, work, and his social life. An unexpected lover, sweeping in out of the blue; he will catch you off guard and then accelerate affairs so they either flame out or become something more very quickly. His season is Winter and he carries the characteristics of the air signs Aquarius, Libra, and Gemini.”
“The Lovers is another major Arcana card. This card shows a couple embracing in a lush spring garden. The young woman looks content as she sweetly and tenderly embraces her lover. The young man, however, looks concerned. Major troubles can arise while selecting a mate, so the angel overhead offers guidance and protection while going through this decision. As a spiritual messenger, she blesses the choice and favors the union. The two people this card represents find they have a magnetic pull towards one another. This pull is physical, intellectual, and spiritual but make no mistake, the Lovers is a card of choice. Notice the long, shimmering, golden strands of hair that intertwine between the lovers hands, symbolizing the merging of personalities and finding oneself in each other. As this card appears at the end of the row representing the present and is a major Arcana, it will have an effect on both the present
and the future which is the next set of cards we will look at.”
Madame Maddelena slides her delicate hand over to the row of cards representing the future and gracefully starts to flip them over, “The Moon straight up, Queen of Swords straight up, and Two of Swords reversed.”
“Both the Lovers and the Queen of Swords will be influenced by The Moon, which also happens to be a major Arcana.”
“The Moon card is loaded with color and symbolism. The deep purple and pink of the night sky adorns a full moon with the face of the moon goddess inside. The full moon is the most mysterious and moody icon in nature. The card serves as a warning to not confuse illusion with reality. Just like the reflection of the moon shining down on a body of water, it is pertinent to remember that what shows on the surface is not always what lies beneath. Large silver droplets of light are sent down by the moon goddess to the dog, wolf, and crayfish that have been lured out by the moon’s pull. A bright path leads between two ominous looking towers, yet the bright golden light of the moon compels us to stay the course, continue our quest and follow the path before us. In the hours before dawn, the moon goddess watches over our sleep, dredging up thoughts we’ve kept hidden in our subconscious. They can surface as dreams, nightmares, or insights.”
“The Queen of Swords pictures a beautiful, solemn woman covered partially in heavy armor and dressed in a deep green cloak. She grasps a sword, pointing it in the air in a defensive position. It is held firmly within her right hand, while her left hand is partially open with one finger crooked in an effort to beckon one forward. The skies around her appear gray and tumultuous, her long hair blowing wildly in the wind; the turbulent seas cresting and crashing around her further emphasize a past amidst action, trouble, and strife. I refer to her as the Ice Queen. She can be a real bitch. She’s been hurt badly in her past, which is why she wears armor to protect herself. She is not easy to get to know or love. It will take a lot of effort to break down her defenses, cut through the walls she’s put up. It will take someone special to get through to her if it is even possible. Her season is Winter, and she too, carries characteristics of the air signs Aquarius, Libra, and Gemini.”
The Tower (The Tarot Series Book 1) Page 9
