She took a deep breath. “Kathleen never came back."
"Peggy, love,” Brent murmured, wrapping her arms around her shaking body.
"I love my sister,” she burst out. “I really do. She was sweet to me. I didn't care what she'd become. But our dad, he was so violently angry about it."
"He didn't want the same thing to happen to you."
"Right. He kept track of my comings and goings like I was some kind of a prisoner."
"That must have been tough for you. You like your independence."
"Yes, I always have. Naturally, I broke out of his jail once in awhile. I made friends with one of Kath's old boyfriends—"
"Did your father know?"
"Hell, no.” Peggy laughed unsteadily. “But there was this one night..."
"What happened?"
"No,” Peggy said quickly, edging away from him. “Listen, this can't possibly be interesting."
"Tell me,” Brent murmured, catching her gently. “I want to know, Peggy. What happened?"
Peggy found that she was shivering. Her memory was vivid. She could almost hear the sounds—the rain slapping the sidewalks, the raspy grunts of the boy who was on top of her, her own terrified breathing, and the frightened sound of choked-back screams. She hid her face in her hands. Brent's touch turned firm and comforting. His voice was like a caress. “Tell me."
"It—this isn't easy."
"Did someone hurt you?"
Peggy nodded. “I made a date with Kath's friend. We—I had to sneak out of the house. He brought some beer and thought I was—well, he thought we should take off our clothes, and-and—so we did."
"It's alright,” Brent murmured. “It's over now."
"I fought him,” Peggy said. “I really did. He scared the daylights out of me, but afterwards I-I got away. I ran home in the rain. My clothes were all dirty. There was mud on my face and body. I was scared to death. That was my introduction to sex! I must have looked—well, my dad took one look at me and exploded with anger!"
"But it wasn't your fault."
"That's not the way he figured it. He beat me up. I don't know which was worse. My father hitting me, and yelling at me, or that boy forcing himself on and in me..."
"He raped you."
Even the word sounded terrible. Peggy looked away. “I couldn't—I didn't want to go to school because of the bruises. From the way I looked, I knew that all of my friends would figure out what had happened. But Dad made me go. He escorted me himself, so he could be sure I walked in the front door every day until my face healed."
Brent uttered a soft curse. “Hitting you wasn't enough? He had to humiliate you, too?"
Peggy nodded and tried to control her voice. “My father said he'd kill me before I started to earn my living as a whore on my back."
"You must have been desperate to get away from him."
She took a deep breath and tried to calm down. “Oh, I was. But we were so poor. I started to deliver newspapers. After awhile, the paper hired me to run errands, so I took the job. I lied about my age, and soon I was writing obituaries. I moved out of the house. But I sent money to him for years after that, even after my mother died. I don't know why."
"You wanted to make him proud of you. To prove yourself."
"No.” She dashed the tears from her face.
"Then why?"
"I don't know. I just—I wanted to get away from him, that's all. I wanted to make something of myself and never go back."
"You haven't gone back?"
"He's dead,” she said firmly. “I heard about it from a neighbor I met by chance in the city. He'd been dead for two years and I never knew."
"What about your sister?"
Peggy put her face against his shoulder, determined not to lose her self-control all over again. “She's okay. In and out of psychiatric clinics, but she's—she's going to make it. She changed her life. She makes me ashamed sometimes."
"For heaven's sake, why?"
"She's been through so much, and she's still so strong. And I—well, I've taken the cheap route, haven't I? Every now and then, I try to write about Kath. I think her story would help some others. But I can't do it. I haven't got the talent."
"What do you mean? You make a good living at writing."
"But not—Kath's story is different. I haven't got what it takes to write good stuff like that. My dad used to say that Kath was the star. I figured that I'd never amount to anything. I guess I still feel that way."
Brent held her. For a long while, he said nothing, just rocked Peggy gently in the bed sheets while she choked back more tears.
"Go ahead and cry,” he said. “Let it go, Peggy."
She allowed herself to weep and the storm passed
He said at last, “I wish that I could change things."
"I don't,” Peggy retorted, mustering some of her usual bluster. “If things had been different, I wouldn't be so tough. I like myself."
"Do you?"
"Most of the time,” she amended. “I admit that I've got a few problems."
He used a forefinger to wipe the last tears from her cheek. “Such as?"
She tried to smile. “Well, we both know I'm probably going to turn out to be one of the most sexually repressed and super-neurotic spinsters in history, so—"
"No,” he said. “You're not completely repressed. You were raped. And if that wasn't bad enough, you were punished for something you didn't want to do. It wasn't fair. No wonder you're still steering clear of sex."
She laughed nervously. “Is that your professional opinion, Doctor Brent?"
He took a deep breath and looked into her eyes. “My name isn't Brent."
Peggy stared up at him, unable to respond. How had this happened? She told him her biggest secrets, and suddenly, he wanted to reciprocate.
He continued ahead, saying, “I'm Jeff Redmond, and I'm a research biochemist. I don't think you're repressed, Peggy. I think you're frightened—of yourself mostly, but of the past, too. The past, we can't change, but the rest ... look, you're a beautiful woman."
"Oh, don't—"
"It's true. Don't belittle yourself. You've got wit and charm, not to mention the most tempting body I've seen in years."
Shaken, Peggy tried to be funny. “What kind of a compliment is that? You haven't laid eyes on anything but fish and your buddy, Charlie, for years, have you?"
He grinned and looked wonderfully handsome in that soft, low morning light. Peggy felt her heart expand within her chest. How had this happened? How had she found a man so sweet and gentle, who understood so easily?
Jeff said, “I don't think I can keep my hands off of you."
"Why try?” she asked softly, her pulse tearing out of control. “What's stopping you, Doctor?
He looked at her steadily. “Are you sure? I've had a few bad experiences."
With difficulty, Peggy said, “I've been afraid to try again. I haven't been able to—"
"To trust anyone?"
Shyly, she nodded. “I guess that's it."
Solemnly, Jeff said, “I won't hurt you, Peggy."
"I know that. You're sweet. You're ... I don't know, exactly. I'm amazed I feel so comfortable with you. I've known you for such a short time, but it feels like we've been together for a long, long time. I-I keep thinking about us like this."
"Like this?"
"In bed together. Do you want to make love to me?"
Jeff smiled and gently caressed the entire length of Peggy's aroused body. “Yes, very much. But my conscience keeps trying to stop me. I want to make this special for you, Peggy."
"It is special. You make me feel ... I'm not sure. Excited and scared, but—but like you think I'm all right."
"You're more than all right. You're beautiful. And sexier than you know.” He gently massaged her ripening breasts. “Peggy, I want you, too. But it's obvious that my life is a mess. I can't declare my love and carry you off to live in a house on the mainland here. I—"
"I'm not
asking for promises.” She wound her arms around his neck and tipped her mouth up to his. “I think it could be right, that's all.” She kissed him, then looked up into his eyes. “Shall we?"
He groaned and surrendered. In an instant, the bed sheet and covers were off Peggy. And there was intense fire in Jeff's eyes again as he gazed upon her nude body. Peggy blushed and caught her hair in her hands in an effort to shield herself from his hungry stare.
Gently, he pulled her hands back. “Don't, let me admire you."
"I'm nervous again."
"It's not nerves, love. It's desire you're feeling. See?” He cupped her swelling breasts, rolling the erect nipples with exquisite gentleness between his fingers. Peggy gasped, and the throaty sound that escaped from her lips made Jeff smile. He nibbled her earlobes, and then whispered exactly what he wanted to do with her.
Hearing him say it made Peggy blush all over again. Even though they were certainly the exact words she'd heard before, only in a much different context.
He curled one arm under the nape of her neck, and his other hand skated down her body, cupping each breast, fanning across her belly, and finally delving between her thighs. He gently caressed her soft brown pubic hair, but avoided her sensitive inner flesh, just drawing small, tantalizing circles on the soft skin of her legs. In time, growing dizzy, Peggy reached to touch him, but Jeff caught her hand and brought it to his lips.
Unhurried, he kissed her palm then transferred his mouth to hers. Peggy wound her arms around his neck, pulling him deeply into the kiss. Her head swam. She felt her heart pounding. She tried to listen when he spoke, but Jeff had to repeat himself.
"You're not using any birth control, are you?"
"No, of course not."
"Then you know,” he said, “that you could get pregnant?"
Peggy gulped, for the thought hadn't exactly been at the forefront of her mind. “Well, I—oh, dear, what now? I've gone and spoiled things—"
Jeff grinned. “You haven't done any such thing. It's the way this world also works, love. I'm afraid that contraceptives aren't exactly on my list of regular supplies. So—now, don't look so desperate. There are plenty of things we can do, you know."
"Show me.” She reached down eagerly for the huge and hard erection between his legs. She tried to smile. “Tell me what to do."
"Do what you like,” he told her.
She did—tentatively, at first, but gradually with pleasure. She loved looking at his body, and touched, caressed, and laughed when she triggered a response. Jeff took over soon, though. If, perhaps, he grew exasperated with her inexperience, he didn't let it show. He tumbled her onto her belly and teased Peggy's neck with kisses.
He massaged the slender muscles of her back and tantalized the round curves of her bottom. He smoothed his hands up and down her slim legs, learning their contour, searching out the sensitive spots behind her knees.
They wrestled, caressed. They were tender, then rough. Their laughter soon turned to hoarser sounds, their actions became swifter. At last, Peggy found herself crying out as sensations blossomed inside her, nurtured by his hands, his mouth, growing more unbearably wonderful by the moment.
"Let go,” he murmured, adding softer words lost amid the swell of rushing blood in Peggy's ears.
He lay on top of her and entered her slowly. Peggy gasped with the full pleasure of his dominant penetration. She clutched at him, biting his neck and digging her fingernails into his muscular arms.
She fought to delay her inexorable climax, until at last, she felt as though she had been thrust atop a dizzying peak. She lingered there, on the edge, struggling against herself, against the strumming of her body. Then, the culmination exploded and Peggy felt herself launched into a blissful abyss.
Unharnessed, her passions cascaded in the sexual storm. Jeff thrust his beautiful and powerful penis into her body, and smothered her moans and cries with his own mouth. When Peggy opened her eyes, she found his gaze upon her. Very intense, pupils dilated.
She flung her arms around him, laughing and weeping at the same time. Pressing her warm body against his, she said his name over and over, as if committing the sound of it to the act she had just experienced.
She luxuriated in the lithe power of his body, the enormity of his fully aroused penis, hot, hard, and deep, all the way into her. Instinctively, she moved her hips to ride against him. Jeff's breath rasped in his throat. He gripped handfuls of her hair. Peggy dug her fingers into the smooth muscle of his back and undulated beneath him, longing to reach his soul, to make him tremble as she had.
"Stop,” he begged at last. “Have mercy, will you?” He tried to disengage himself from her arms. “There are limits to my powers of restraint. Another minute, and I won't be able to control myself. By God, you're a horny and responding wench!"
"Then don't try to control yourself. I want to give you pleasure, Jeff. I don't care about the consequences."
He twisted sharply to avoid her touch. “Then it's lucky one of us has a clear head. You'd regret it plenty if—for pity's sake, Peggy! Stop that!” She obeyed, but not because of his command.
Suddenly the cabin was filled with the noise of barking. Downstairs, the animals were leaping at the back door, raising a ruckus. Jeff sat up on one elbow. “What in hell?"
"What's the matter?"
"Oh, no,” he said, galvanized off the bed. “There's only one man alive who's got such a miserable sense of timing."
"What are you talking about?” Peggy stared as her lover leaped up and snatched his clothes from the bedpost. “What's happening?"
"It's Charlie.” He hauled on his trousers. “Darling, it's unforgivable, I know, but—"
"You mean he's here? Now?"
"Yes. And unless you don't care if he finds you looking naked and satisfied, you'd better get up.” Jeff grinned and bent over her, bracing his hands on either side of Peggy's still-reclining body. He kissed her hard on the mouth, swiping his tongue ardently across hers. Then he looked deeply into her eyes. “I don't know whether I should thank him for coming at this fateful moment or kick his ass out."
"Do I get a vote?” Peggy asked, smiling shakily.
"No.” Jeff kissed her again. “Now get dressed while I stall him outside."
Peggy sat up and seized Jeff's hand, preventing him from leaving the loft. “Wait. What will it take to make him go away?"
Jeff laughed. “Are you joking?"
"If you think I'll be content to pack my briefcase and go quietly, you don't know me very well. Please, Jeff. Bribe him or something. I-I can't leave you now.” She clambered to her knees, her hair skimming her shoulders, teasing her skin. She placed his hands upon her breasts to feel their fullness in his palms. “Don't send me away."
He stared hungrily at her body and impulsively ran his thumbs over her still-erect nipples. Desire was clearly carved in his face, and for an instant, Peggy thought he might bend closer and press his mouth against her breasts. But he checked that urge.
"Don't worry,” he said in a growl. “I have absolutely no intention of letting you go. At least, not yet."
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Chapter 5
Jeff slid into his shoes and hustled a shirt over his head as he burst out the door and onto the porch. The dogs surged past him, joyously barking. They loved Charlie. With their sensitive ears, they could hear the resonant roar of his boat's engine for kilometers before he actually arrived. Fortunately, they had detected the sound early this morning, too. So, Jeff reached the dock before Charlie rounded the point of the island in a dazzle of sunlight upon the water. Feeling relatively composed, Jeff lifted his hand to wave.
"Damn it!” Charlie cheerfully shouted when the boat drew within hailing distance. “Haven't you got any bumpers on that dock yet? You'll ruin my baby!"
Jeff laughed. Charlie's baby was a beautifully sleek wooden craft once used to ferry passengers around the Apostle Islands. Charlie had found the boat in a deserted boatyard many years ago,
and he'd spent months lovingly restoring the fine wooden hull. The struggle to overhaul and maintain her temperamental engine was an ongoing job, of which he never seemed to tire. As a result, his boat was a handsome, majestic thing that grandly toured the islands in fair weather and foul, so Charlie could supply food and equipment to the far-flung residents in the loosely knit community.
So regal did the boat look that Charlie referred to her as The Queen. Jeff suspected the name also reflected Charlie's private belief that his craft had a spirit personality. And so omnipotent that only the title of an equally powerful, but temperamental, female monarch could suffice.
Charlie cut the engine and allowed his queen to coast into the dock. Jeff liked Charlie and was usually delighted to see him. He plastered a fairly good imitation of a welcome smile. And with practiced expertise caught the bow of The Queen as she sailed in. He threw his weight into deflecting her from the dock, and the boat turned smoothly, then touched the dock with her gunwales as gently as a kiss.
Charlie leaped out, line in hand, which he slipped through a mooring ring on the dock. With a sharp yank, he secured the boat. The dogs jumped up on him, tails wagging frantically.
"You won't believe it,” Charlie said to Jeff. “I just saw a large black bear swimming in the lake. It was like some kind of sign from the Indian spirits."
Jeff laughed. “You trying to scare me off this island?"
"I could do better than a bear story if I put my mind to it. I'm relieved to see you're alive.” With a grin, Charlie shoved the animals away, then pulled off one of his oil-stained gloves.
Jeff tied the bowline and put out his hand to shake Charlie's. “Afraid the fish finally got me?"
"No, I thought you'd be dead of exhaustion. From entertaining your female guest, of course. You do look really terrible. She still here? Did I come at a bad time?” He wiggled his eyebrows lecherously.
"What makes you think she's the least bit desirable?” Jeff demanded. “Maybe she's seventy years old and—"
Charlie laughed. “Don't give me that! I can see by your face that she's not. That, and your shirt's on inside out."
Isle of Intrigue Page 8
