"The deal was set. You would get back your life at a later time, to be determined by him, and I would have one shot to find you and convince you to..."
His gaze fell to the floor and an uncomfortable silence filled the room, thick and heavy, like a dense fog. Laura's pulse throbbed in her teeth. “To what, Barnabas?"
"To give up your life now and be with me for eternity."
His voice was a ghostly murmur that sent shivers down her spine. Laura shuddered. With another despondent groan, she closed her eyes, feeling utterly miserable. This test hadn't been for him; it had been for her.
"Karey?” she squeaked.
"Is in Heaven, where she belongs. Where she will stay, regardless of your decision."
Laura pressed her palms over her eyes, weariness sapping her strength. So much for a nice vacation, she thought wryly, suddenly wishing she'd stayed home to feed Ms. Waterby's cats.
"Let me make sure I understand. If I say yes, I die? Keel over? Croak? Or something to that effect. But then I get to be with you in ... Heaven?” She looked at him for confirmation. Barnabas nodded.
"But if I say no, I go on living, have a full life, die a natural death, maybe go to Heaven, or Hell, which-ever I'm bound for, but your soul goes to..."
"Hell. Forever.” The conviction in his tone was like a slamming book. Wham! No ifs, ands or buts.
Laura collapsed onto the closest piece of furniture, sending a dust cloud wafting into the air. A new anguish seared her heart. She didn't want to die. But how could she go through life knowing she'd sent her husband to Hell?
Covering her face with trembling hands, she gave vent to the agony of an impossible decision. Several moments passed as she sobbed out her frustration. Finally, when no more tears would fall, her nasal passages had swelled shut in self-defense, and her throat was so dry and raw from unuttered shouts and protests at her unreasonable dilemma that it felt like old parchment, she wiped the remaining moisture from her eyes with the back of her hand then took several deep breaths until she was strong enough to look up.
Barnabas's expression was like someone who'd been struck in the face. Laura gulped hard, fighting down another surge of grief. This wasn't a decision she could make right now, not with him standing here, staring at her with eyes full of love, pain, and fear. No, she needed some time.
"How long do I have?"
"Until tonight, midnight,” he answered solemnly.
Laura tore her gaze away with a choked cry. “Tonight? How could anyone make such a decision in only a few hours?” While the question was reasonable, she knew he couldn't answer it; he hadn't made the rules.
"I'm sorry, Laura. I never intended for you to be in such a position. I can't tell you how to choose. I know what my heart wants, but the decision has to be completely yours. There's a taxi coming for you at five this afternoon. Maybe ... you should spend the next few hours walking through the house and the gardens out back. I can't make them how they once were, my allowance for that power has been expended, but there are other memories here, ones that may give you peace with whatever you decide."
Barnabas turned and started for the door leading into the entry foyer.
Laura jumped up from the sofa and started after him. “Wait! Will I see you again? I mean, how does this thing work?"
"I'll come to you at midnight for your answer. Until then, I must go.” His form started to vanish, becoming only vaguely visible in the early morning sun pouring in through the windows. Then, as though he'd forgotten something, he suddenly reappeared. In a flash of motion, he was standing before her.
He gazed down at her, his eyes filled with uncertainty. But before he could say anything, or disappear again, Laura threw herself into his arms. She had to feel his body pressed against hers, had to smell the masculine scent which belonged solely to him, had to taste his warm mouth as it plundered hers, just once more.
His kiss was fierce. Passion sprang anew from deep within her, sending desire burning through her veins like molten lava. In a flurry of frenzied fingers, she ripped her blanket away and reached for the buttons on his pants.
Leaving her lips tingling in the aftermath of his zealous possession, his mouth trailed down to the sensitive curve of her throat. “Laura...” He breathed heavily against her neck sending an army of delicious shivers marching down her spine. “I don't want to sway your decision, but I can't stand the thought of going through eternity without tasting your sweet lips or sinking myself inside your warm haven once more."
Finally freeing his erection, Laura wrapped her fingers around the hard length, loving how his velvety rod filled her palm. She stroked him with long, torturous strides, thoroughly enjoying the way his limbs trembled and breaths quickened. Sinking to her knees on the floor before him, she glanced up only briefly before proceeding to drive him over the edge of all constraint.
The smooth head of his penis felt like silk against her lips. Laura gently kissed the tip, tasting the salty flavor of pre-cum. She pulled back and watched as a glistened dot instantly filled his opening.
Then she leaned forward, her tongue darting out to lap the fluid away. It was replaced almost instantly with another. Laura giggled, repeating the process once again.
When she slid his full-length between her lips, Barnabas gasped. His fingers found their way to her hair and tangled within her curls. His hips began to slowly rotate forward and back, gently driving his cock in and out of her mouth while his hand held her head steady.
Laura didn't mind him doing the work. His thrusts were careful, controlled, so as not to choke her. Besides, now her hands were free to caress his balls, which she dutifully took care of.
She gently pulled downward on his sac, putting pressure to the base of his penis, while her fingertips caressed the area behind. He panted harder and his fingers tightened in her hair. Fluid rushed along the vein on the underside of his shaft, racing for the head in what Laura knew would be a strong expulsion.
Grabbing the base of his cock, she took him deeper into her mouth, nearly swallowing him to the balls. Barnabas let out a low, guttural moan. His legs began to tremble. But just when she thought he'd surely come, he pulled himself free and dropped down to his knees.
Then he pushed her back onto the floor. His hands grasped her knees, pushing them apart. In one swift motion, he forced his hips in between and slid his length inside her.
His thrusts were no longer gentle; rather he rammed his hardened flesh in and out with fevered urgency. Grabbing her behind the knees, he forced her thighs down onto her chest while he drove into her from above.
The angle of her hips caused friction between the head of his penis and that sensitive spot along her inner wall. It made for a pleasant sensation. Reaching down between them, Laura began to rub her clit with her index and middle finger.
She started in a slow circular motion, then increased the speed as she felt the steady throb begin at her apex. Her hips bounced off the floor, meeting his plunges in mid-air as her excitement grew. “Oh, yes. Oh, yes! Don't stop! I'm getting ready to come!"
Her hand vibrated back and forth over her pulsating nub. “Oh, God! Oh, Barbabas!"
Her pussy began to clench around his pounding rod as her peak built. The muscles inside her pelvis tightened, as did the cheeks of her ass. The pressure inside was almost too much to bear; she wasn't sure she could take it.
"Oh! Oh! Oh! Barnabas!"
His name was ripped from her throat in a lusty cry when her orgasm hit. White light exploded behind her clenched lids, followed by a glittering rainbow of colors. Her arms and legs began to shake violently as pleasure radiated from her pelvis to every muscle in her body.
But Barnabas was not to be outdone. His hips smacked noisily against her ass as he drove himself toward completion. Within seconds, he bellowed out his own release, his throaty cries joining in unison with hers.
This time, there was no arctic rush of fluid, no chilling sensation in her veins. Only the warmth of their love flowed between them as he spilled his seed i
nto her womb. Wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs about his waist, she held him tightly, dreading the moment when he'd pull his spent flesh from hers.
Their bodies trembled as they lay on the floor, clinging to one another with silent desperation. Neither one wanted to let go, for they both knew that when they did, it might be for the last time. Things were so unfair.
Laura buried her face against his throat, drinking in his musky smell. Part of her wanted to yell out her decision right then, but she knew she'd be acting in response to their lovemaking, not a well-thought out debate. And Barnabas would likely feel the weight of guilt in response.
"Laura,” Barnabas whispered into her hair. “I can't stay any longer."
A sob caught in her throat. She didn't want him to leave. Not now. Not ever. “No! You can't! I want to—"
"I love you."
And then he was gone in a waft of cool air. Laura had never felt more despondent. He didn't even give her a chance to say she loved him, too. But she knew why; that wasn't what she was going to say. And he knew it as well.
CHAPTER 12
The two-hour flight home was the longest one of her life. It was amazing how fast time sped by when you wanted it to last, and how drawn-out it could be when you were in a hurry.
She'd spent the rest of the afternoon doing what Barnabas had suggested. As painful as it was to find pictures of Karey, Barnabas, even herself doing family things, it helped put her life into prospective. Seeing so many keepsakes had triggered a flood of memories, but getting them back was the most precious gift of all.
Reaching into her purse, she pulled out a small drawing done in oil pastels. While it was just a scribbled blob of colors and shapes, certainly nothing legible, it was a treasure to Laura. It was Karey's.
She closed her eyes, smiling at the fond memory of catching her daughter not only coloring on the paper she'd given her, but on the wall behind the piano as well. Before Laura left the mansion that afternoon, she'd checked the wall. Sure enough, Karey's artwork was still there.
The Fasten Your Seat Belt light came on above her head with an off-tune chime. They'd soon be landing. Carefully placing the picture back into her purse, Laura settled against her seat and readied herself for landing—the part of all flights she hated the most.
* * * *
Under the cover of darkness, Laura made it into the house without Ms. Waterby noticing she was home. For that she was thankful, she didn't have time to mess around. There were a lot of preparations to make before midnight.
Yes, Laura had made a decision. After re-experiencing Barnabas's love, she knew couldn't live a full or normal life without him. While she hoped her passing wouldn't be physically painful, she was prepared to accept it regardless.
This was the only way she could have him and her little girl back. They'd all be together for eternity in Heaven. Surely it couldn't be any worse than working for a chauvinistic boss in a dead end job and being a magnet for every jerk living in the city.
Laura dragged her suitcase and duffel bag into the bedroom. She tossed them on the bed and started to unpack, just like she'd do any other time. Then it hit her, and she laughed out loud.
Why bother? She certainly wasn't going to need anything inside.
First things first. Grabbing her address book from the nightstand, she walked into the living room and plopped onto the couch. Since she didn't have any plants or animals, nothing that would be neglected in her absence...
In my absence? It sounded as though she was planning a trip, one from which she'd soon return. But this was no vacation, and there was no coming back.
The reality settled in her belly like a lump of soggy bread. She shook her head with disbelief. I'm sitting her making preparations for my own death. How insane is that?
She'd given in to the notion that she'd more than likely lost her marbles a long time ago, so there was no point in questioning her sanity. Staring down at the burgundy address book lying in her lap, she had to wonder what it was exactly she planned on telling her friends and family?
Hello, Mom. How are you? I just wanted to call and say I love you because I'll be dead in the morning. Should her friends get a similar spiel?
Laura cringed. It didn't sound like a very good plan. After all, she really wasn't sure how this thing would work. Deciding it would be better just to call everyone to chitchat for a while, she picked up the phone and dialed the first number.
"Hi, Mom. How've you been?"
* * * *
Midnight came quicker than anticipated. Laura had just finished talking with her best friend when she noticed the clock on the television. Eleven forty-five.
Fifteen minutes ‘til D-time, she thought with a strained sense of humor. What does one do during the last fifteen minutes of life?
She'd already scarfed down half a gallon of her favorite ice cream. The peach wine coolers in the fridge looked tempting, but for some strange reason, she decided against drinking. Perhaps it was the queasiness in her belly that deterred her, or perhaps she just wanted her senses about her when it happened. Whatever the reason, she'd chosen a large glass of milk instead.
Laura got up from the couch and began walking through her house, starting with the kitchen. As she made her way from room to room, she carefully took in every detail she could—pictures on the walls, knick-knacks in various curio cabinets, even the dust on several ceiling fans. This was what her life consisted of, which really didn't amount to much of anything.
Other than her concern for how her mother would handle her death, Laura couldn't find any reason to change her mind. But her mother had church, plenty of friends, a new boyfriend. After the initial shock and heartache wore off, she'd be fine. Anyway, this was her life, and she had to do what she felt was right, which meant being with her husband and daughter.
Laura finished up her perusal of the house in the bedroom. When her gaze fell to the nightstand, she couldn't help but smile. So Barnabas got a glimpse of Harvey. A giggle bubbled in her throat. Serves him right for getting in my drawers and scaring the shit out of me!
Oh, Lord. What would her mother think when she found her latex lover? Laura burst out laughing. Her mom would be shocked, to say the least, and probably a bit intrigued as well. An attractive woman in her late fifties, Laura's mother still had a healthy, if not vigorous, sex life—even more so than she.
Sinking onto the bed, Laura laid her head against the pillow and closed her eyes. How many minutes had passed while she walked through the house? Five? Ten? How would Barnabas look when he appeared?
Gorgeous, no doubt.
But an even better question was, how did she look? Remembering she wanted to put on her sexiest nightgown before he arrived, Laura's eyes flew open and she sat straight up. Her gaze riveted on the doorway leading into the hall and her heart lurched in her throat.
Barnabas.
Gorgeous was an understatement. With his crisp white shirt accentuating the strength in his shoulders, and his tailored black trousers clinging to his powerful thighs, he was the handsomest thing she'd ever saw. Her insides became a jumbled mess of nervous quivers.
All thoughts of skimpy nightgowns, grieving family, and dusty ceiling fans suddenly faded as their eyes met. A vaguely sensuous light passed between them and she knew it was time. I'm ready.
Laura eased herself from the edge of the bed. She moved a few steps toward him, then stopped. Holding her hands clenched together at her waist to still their trembling, she waited quietly in the center of the room.
Barnabas looked her over seductively, his heated assessment bold and appreciative. Laura's stomach turned over in response. Just the desire in his eyes made her legs weak with need—he was so disturbing to her in every way.
Then his gaze snapped back to hers and Laura thought she'd surely collapse on the floor in a quivering heap of anticipation. She wanted him so badly it hurt. Unable to withstand the distance between them, she half-walked, half-ran toward him.
"Barnabas,” she
croaked, her voice breaking with emotion as tears blurred her vision.
His arms went around her with protectiveness. But Laura didn't want protection; she wanted his lips against hers. Taking his cheeks in her hands, she sought his mouth with desperation.
Just the touch of his hands upon her skin sent sparks of electricity shooting through her veins. For several long moments, they kissed with fervent passion—two lovers making up for the separation of time. When they were both out of breath and gasping for air, Barnabas took hold of her shoulders and gently pushed her away.
"Have you made a decision, Laura?” His expression was apprehensive, tone hesitant.
Laura nodded. “Yes, I have,” she replied softly. “I want—"
Darkness swept through the room like a black cloak, bringing with it the unsettling sensation of a frostbite-laden breeze. Laura screamed when air struck her backside with a blow that nearly sent her sprawling face first. She reached outward for Barnabas, but he was no longer there.
"Barnabas! I choose to be with you! Can you hear me? I don't want to live without you!"
She turned about in a circle, straining into the darkness. Wind pounded against her body from every direction, ripping at her hair, stinging her skin, howling in her ears. Shielding her eyes against the harsh wafts, she yelled back at the violent gale.
"I'm not leaving! Do you hear me? I'm not ... letting ... go!"
Pummeling blows knocked her backward with each word, as though some unseen force was trying to stop her outburst. Digging her heels into what felt like soft dirt beneath her feet, Laura hunkered down, leaned forward, and charged ahead.
"You don't scare me! I won't give him up! Do you hear? Let him go! I want him back!"
Suddenly, Laura was lifted high into the air and tossed backward like a weightless rag doll. Legs kicking, arms flailing, she screamed in terror as her body fell through what seemed like a bottomless abyss. Her fingers clawed at the space slipping by around her, desperately searching for something to grab; but there was nothing there.
Then, she hit the bottom. Excruciating pain exploded in every nerve of her body when she landed on what felt had to be a concrete floor. Her head smacked with a sickening thunk! Much like the sound of a watermelon being split.
Greenwood Manor Page 7
