by Tammy Lynn
“I guess the only question I have left is, have you slept with her?”
EJ told her the truth. “No, I haven’t. It’s been a wild ride this past week, Candra, but no, I haven’t. And before you ask, yes, I have wanted to.”
Candra’s voice became low, laced with hurt. “Then I have one thing to say to you, EJ. Before you come home I want you to make a decision. Either stay with her or come to me, but you can’t have it both ways. You do whatever it takes to make that decision, and no matter what, there won’t be any regrets, no tears, no pleadings. Just know that I love you.” Candra hung up the phone and left EJ standing there in shock.
Although that was a way for him to make love to Kitten, and Lord how he wanted to, he didn’t know now whether he could. But he did know that he had to honor Candra’s wishes. When he left, he would know where his life stood, and either way, one woman would have him, and one would have memories of him. Just who they would be, he would figure out. He knew what he wanted, but want and need didn’t compare to the vows he made to love, honor, and cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, til death do they part. In a way, he already had his answer. EJ walked slowly up the stairs and lay fully clothed on Kitten’s bed for one reason. Just to make sure she was going to be okay.
Chapter Nine
It took a week of Kitten being not able to keep anything down, so tired that she couldn’t get up, and so dizzy that even if she could get up, she couldn’t walk or stand. After finding out that it wasn’t a reaction to the CroFab antivenin, but she had a case of the flu, and given medications for that, she was finally able to come downstairs and see just how much had been done to her precious Tara.
The kitchen was finished, all but repainting it, some new things added in, along with the old. Lissa’s quarters were halfway done, three of the seven rooms finished and another half done. Walking outside, she saw her mama and Jaret sitting on the porch in the swing holding hands and laughing.
“Kitten, are you sure you should be walking around out here?” Jaret came over and helped her to the swing to sit on the other side of Miss Alysia.
“I’m fine. Just a little worn down. Some sunshine, some food, and a good shower will help me out.
“Baby, sweetheart, you lost a lot of weight. We’re going to have to remedy that.” She took out a phone and clicked on a button where Lissa’s voice could be heard right away.
Yes, Miss Alysia.”
“Could you bring out Miss Kitten something cold to drink and something to eat? She’s on the porch with us.”
The affirmative reply came and Kitten just stared at her mama.
“Where did you get that?”
Miss Alysia just laughed. “Jaret didn’t want me away from him, so when I was visiting Candra, he went out and got me this gadget. I have learned so many phrases from this. Instead of saying words, they say it in letters. Lissa showed me a lot of them.”
Kitten laughed. First the band Alabama was hot, now her mama was texting people. What next?
“Kitten, we put off the wedding until we knew you were going to be better. I hope that us getting married won’t be a hardship on you. Your mama decided to come back to Maine half the year with me and stay half the year here, at Tara. Is that okay with you?”
Kitten held her mama’s hand with tears clouding her view. “It’s fine with me. Tara is yours mama. I’m just glad you’re going to be happy. You found your destiny. Jaret and you belong together. It was written in history decades ago.”
Miss Alysia looked at Kitten and stroked her hair that had been left unbound. “No, baby sweetheart. It was written in the stars.” That’s a way to look at it, Kitten thought. Before she could say it out loud, Miss Alysia laughed. “That’s a song too, but it really works in this case.”
As Lissa brought Kitten her drink and sandwich, Kitten happen to glance out where she was standing when she got bit.
“They’re gone. Doc came out with the wildlife refuge people and took those away along with 2 other nests near the tree line. They have went all over these acres and there are no more canebrakes, at least that we can find. Doc will be coming out again later on in the week to go over the plantation again, just to be on the safe side. The wildlife people think they could have come out when we had the storm.”
Kitten ate and drank while she listened to what had gone on in the past week. “I see the kitchen is finished, Lissa quarters are almost done. What else?”
“If you want to come down here, I’ll take you on a tour.” His deep voice made her gasp as she turned quickly, and a bout of dizziness made her hold onto the swing for a second.
“You okay, honey?”
Kitten looked at Jaret with a smile. “I’m fine. I just turned to quickly. I’ll be down in a second. Let me take this back in the kitchen.”
Lissa, waiting by the door, came out quickly. “You go on, Miss Kitten. I’ll take this in.”
Jaret helped Kitten down to where EJ was waiting and they slowly walked around the large home to the back so Kitten could see the finished kitchen from the outside and what they were doing about Lissa’s quarters out here. “All it needs is a fresh coat of paint to match up. The whole thing needs a fresh coat of paint. We’re having an old fashioned barn raising the next two weekends. One is for machinery storage, and the other is for the seeds, feed, extra hay, just like you had it before.”
Kitten smiled. So many people where going to be out here, the first time in a long time. “What about the stables?” Kitten wanted her horses back.
“We have about another month, maybe six weeks before that happens. Don’t worry, I’ve already told Candra. She knew I would be here for awhile with this project.” He stopped as they neared the pond and had her sit down for a time. “How are you really feeling?”
Kitten sighed deeply and leaned back against the big rock. The sun beating down on her felt so good. “I’m feeling weak. I’m also feeling like I’m not helping here, only hindering. We could have had everything close to done. The acreage could have been cleared and replanted. It’s not so late that we couldn’t have done that.”
He watched as she threw a rock across the pond, watching it as it skipped across the water. “It’s not your fault Kitten. Everyone gets sick. It just hit you a little harder.” EJ sat beside Kitten on the ground and held her hand. “I was worried. You kept getting worse and worse. I had called Dad back and him, your mama, and I were going to take you to the hospital in Charlotte if you didn’t get any better. The whole town has been out here helping. The men’s apartments are almost finished. When they heard about you, they started coming out. They’re the ones who set up the barn raising. All the food is being brought by the local women’s group. I’m so glad you’re well, Kitten.” EJ held Kitten close to him and thanked God once again that she was finally on her way to being well. “I guess this means I start sleeping in my own room, right?”
Kitten looked over and smiled. The rest of the day went by fast and Kitten was exhausted by the time suppertime was there. She took a tray in her room with some of the diaries open on her bed. Flipping through pages, one caught her eye. August 1905-My Gentleman-I had heard of the stories that mama had told, over and over again. I have read the journals that I had found, quite by accident, and she had an incredible two years of love. I thought that my chance would not be like hers. Sitting on the veranda today though, changed everything. It was so blessedly hot today so I had a large glass of iced water sitting beside me on the little table by the swing. Mama was in town getting supplies and visiting with the Reverend. A man came up the long drive today. He looked so much like the man I had read about in mama’s diary that I almost thought it was him, but this gentleman was my age, maybe a little older. He said his name was Elijah Chamberlain. He took my breath away. We sat and talked for awhile and then I escorted him in. It was only to get cooled off a little, so I took him to see his daddy’s room. I had never before felt that kind of reaction passing by General Josh’s room. Opening the door, the d
oorknob felt like it was on fire, as I did as well. Elijah touched my shoulder and desire rushed through my body, setting me on fire. I had never before wanted a man’s hands on me, but I did want Elijah’s. I wanted him to trace my body, to touch me like no man had ever had before and I boldly told him so. His lips, as they kissed me, were soft and hard, biting and suckling, and then his tongue toyed with mine. I hung onto him for dear life, never wanting this feeling to end. I took my hands and undid the buttons on his shirt, knowing where this would ultimately lead and wanting every bit of it. His chest was as hard as a rock. I shamelessly kissed his nipples and he lifted my face back up to his and just devoured my mouth. Without saying a word, he had my dress off, along with the petticoat mama makes me wear. His hands on my flesh about burned me up, but to stop would send me to my death. Elijah moved General Josh’s things from the bed and pulled down the blankets and sheets. He lay me down, I think, because I do not remember doing it myself. My body was on fire. His mouth was everywhere and my hands were above my head holding onto the brass railing of the headboard. The sensations were overwhelming. I cried out his name while his kisses drove me higher. Having his mouth at my breast was incredible. I held his head there although my body wanted more and arched into his. His work roughened fingers slid down my body and to the very center of me. I always thought work roughened fingers were a turnoff, but with him, I just want more. As his fingers moved inside me, I couldn’t believe the feelings he evoked in me. I knew there was something more and I wanted it, every little bit I could get. Elijah moved over top of me and I couldn’t believe just how much I stretched to accommodate him. The feeling was incredible. Slowly he moved until I started moving with him. I heard a rushing noise in my head and Elijah was whispering my name over and over. It was like climbing a cliff and I was on the very tip. One more move, one more touch, one more kiss and I went over the edge. My breath I remember holding as my body arched like a bow, stretched to the breaking point. Elijah suddenly stiffened, his whole body one taut muscle. I felt him inside me pulsing and knew that I never wanted this feeling to end. He kissed me again and again whispering love words over and over. He rolled over and took me with him, so I was lying on his chest with him still inside me. My hands and fingers roamed over his body as I felt him start to get harder inside. I begged him, I remember, just pleading with him to make these feelings last. His fingers on my nipples while he bit at my neck only made me want something harder, and I told him. I started sliding up and down on him and his large hands held my waist. My head fell back and I remember my hair sliding across his legs, he said he loved the feel of that. One hand went in between my thighs and rubbed while I was riding up and down, just like a horse. I completely shattered, his name I screamed loud and long. I am so glad that no one could hear me in this part of the house. Elijah kissed me right before the feelings hit him too. After spending some time cuddling, we both cleaned up in my room, redressed and went outside to wait on mama. I wanted her to see that I had my gentleman, just like she did. Mama didn’t come home that night. She stayed in town, one of her friends had passed on. Elijah stayed in my room all night. He told me he can’t stay, he had to go back to his home. So the curse remains. Hopefully I will see him again. One day I dream. Kitten closed her eyes. The desire they both had rocked her to the core.
EJ stood over her when she looked up. “You didn’t answer my knock. I thought something had happened.”
Kitten wanted to feel alive. She knew she shouldn’t do it, but she couldn’t help herself. Closing the book, she put it on top of the others and sat them on the floor. “I need you EJ. I don’t want to need you like this.”
EJ couldn’t believe it. She had specifically said they would never do this again. “How about I just hold you right now? You’re still very weak.”
Kitten nodded her head.
“I’ll be back, I want to change.” Kitten lay in bed with nothing on, she wasn’t trying to seduce, she was very hot all on her own.
EJ came into the room and halted by the door. “Lights off?”
Kitten nodded her head, all of a sudden very shy.
The moonlight streamed through the window and EJ walked around the bed, getting in. He lay on the bed and slid his hands under the covers to hold him to her. Instead of getting her silky nightgown he knew she loved, he got a handful of breast and an indrawn gasp. “You’re naked under there, aren’t you?” EJ shook his head. This was going to be so much harder than he thought.
“It’s hot in here, EJ. The gown just sticks to me and I have to take it off anyhow so I might as well start with it off.”
EJ’s fingers contracted around her breast and felt her nipple harden. “Damn it, Kitten. There’s no way I can stay in here and not make love to you.”
Kitten raised her hand to his face, brought it down to hers, kissed his lips and whispered softly, “Then do what you have to do, EJ.”
EJ kissed her once, stood up, and walked out the door.
Kitten knew she had given him the option to stay or to leave, and she had guessed wrong what he would do. Everything that they had done up to this point had pointed to him staying in that room. Her door slammed shut and Kitten shook her head. He was really ticked off. She threw off the covers, closed her eyes, and willed the tears not to fall.
“I swore I wouldn’t do this, but I have to, just like I have to take my next breath.”
Kitten jerked up in bed at the deep growl. The bed dipped down as EJ moved over top of Kitten.
“Once more to feel your love.” EJ kissed her slowly, willing the dawn to stay away.
Kitten couldn’t get enough of his mouth. Coming up for breath, Kitten asked, “What made you change your mind?”
EJ took his hand and brushed his fingers along her cheek. “I never said I was leaving. I just got up and walked to the door. You took it as me leaving, and I was at the door, but I couldn’t leave. When I saw you in the middle of the canebrakes and then after you got so sick, I knew that whatever it took, I would have you again. You’re like the very air I breathe, Kitten. All around me, making my heart beat, seeing you in everything I do.”
EJ kissed his way down Kitten’s cheek, to her neck, down her stomach, in between her thighs, letting just his fingertips follow. He could hear her whispers, although he didn’t understand what she said, and her sighs. Saw her fingers reaching for him, but he was just out of reach. When he settled at the apex of her thighs and sucked her tiny bud of flesh into his mouth, she arched off the bed, arousing him more than ever.
“EJ, EJ, please, please.” As his mouth moved away, one finger inched in and then another, with Kitten knowing she couldn’t last much longer. “Please baby, I want you in me. I want to feel loved one last time, to feel safe, to feel a part of someone I’ll never have again. Don’t make me wait.”
EJ slid slowly over her body and kissed her once before finally fulfilling her wish. He held onto the brass headboard posts and over and over, harder and harder, made love to her body.
She wrapped her legs around his waist to try and get deeper, but she couldn’t, so she rolled him over to have better access. So deep in her he was that she was sure he was in her stomach. Kitten grabbed his hands and put them on her breasts, wanting to feel him touching her in every way he could. She went up and down, slowly, as slow as possible, until she felt him hit the right spot. That’s when she pushed down hard and rocked back and forth. The feelings that came were indescribable. Even though she wanted to speak, to say something, nothing came out.
Right at the point she could feel herself falling, EJ flipped her back over and arched into her two or three more times, she really couldn’t be sure, until her name flowed off his mouth and he lay on top, spent, sweating, and knowing that for the rest of his life, he would always remember this moment. Remember when she was only his and his alone. As EJ rolled to lay beside Kitten he touched her face and felt a tear. “Are you okay?”
Kitten smiled in the dark and said, “Yes. I know this is the last time for us,
I can feel it.”
She closed her eyes and heard the sweet soft southern voice again. You might feel it’s the last time, but it’s definitely not. Your life is not over with him, not by a long shot.
A deep voice in EJ’s head mimicked his thoughts as it said, don’t worry, you’ll be back to get her one day.
EJ and Kitten slept until the whisper of light came through her window and the cool breeze on EJ’s naked skin woke him up. Seeing her sleeping like an angel he kissed her once and then left. Knowing soon that he would be too.
Chapter Ten
When the weekend came and the people started showing up, Kitten couldn’t believe how many were there. It was like the whole town came out for this. She hadn’t seen this in years. The ladies’ auxiliary showed up with baskets, crock pots, and dishes of food. Sandwiches were made, lemonade, iced water, iced tea, both sweetened and not were available. So much food and drinks that Kitten thought the tables would break under the weight.
She had finally gained some of the weight back she had lost and was getting to the point where she could be out all day again doing what she loved.
Lissa had finally moved her stuff into her rooms, although all the rooms weren’t done.
Before everyone started building, Kitten, Miss Alysia, Jaret, and EJ stood on the veranda and looked out over the sea of faces.
