by Aliyah Burke
Chapter Twelve
Dane used her table saw, the grin still plastered on his face. The scent of the fresh sawdust filled the air, and he focused totally on his task. Next to being with Aida, this…working with wood made him feel as close to peace as he could get. It didn’t take too long, and he was putting down the hot wire tool and looking over his pokerwork.
He glanced out the window and saw it was almost dusk. “Damn, I didn’t realize.” He reached to turn off the light and headed for the door. Aida?
No answer.
Dane immediately checked the area and relaxed only marginally when he could sense no disturbance. Hurrying to the house, he walked inside. Moving to the bedroom, he found her lying on her belly, arms tucked under her sound asleep. Ruger and Kamau curled up with her.
He unfolded the blanket at the edge and laid it over her. “Keep her safe, boys.” Dane smiled and added her usual phrase, “Guard well.” Then, he left the room and headed out into the waning light.
Staring out over the vast African plains, Dane smiled and reached for his tiger. “Let’s run free, old friend.”
The powerful feline answered his call and in the blink of an eye. He raced across the land, enormous strides and the feel of the freedom flowing over him. They ran far. They ran fast. They ran hard. Dane shifted back and dressed while approaching the rear of Aida’s house in the dark. His cat finally happy, sated, and resting comfortably within him.
“How was your run?” Aida’s alto voice skated along the still air.
Searching the night, he found her sitting cross-legged in the hammock. “Wonderful.” Dane moved to her side and sat. “Did you sleep well?”
“Fine.”
He frowned. “Why are you lying to me?”
She leaned away from him, opting to rest against the fibers of the hammock as opposed to him. “Don’t ask me questions if you’re going to assume I’m lying.”
“Aida, talk to me, please.” This woman didn’t make sense to him sometimes.
“Just because I’m not totally bubbly doesn’t mean something is wrong, Dane. There are emotions between happy and unhappy. Let it go. There’s some food in the oven for you.”
“You cooked?” He looked up at the night sky. “I’m sorry, Aida, I didn’t realize how long I was gone.”
“It’s fine.”
Something was off with her tone, and he didn’t like it. Getting up, he walked in and headed for the oven. Can I bring you anything?
No, thank you.
Dane carried the plate back out to where Aida still sat. He lowered himself to the table and ate in silence. The night sounds flowed around them.
He looked along the path he had which connected him to Aida. Peacefulness, love, and light were what he felt. Their mating bond shone bright and it welcomed him with its warmth. To him, however, he didn’t think it was totally completed. He longed to probe deeper and totally immerse himself in it but he refrained, doing his damndest to respect her privacy. Everything about her was so open. Honest. He was the total opposite. Even now, he had guards up shielding him. From everyone. Everyone except Aida.
What are you doing lurking outside my thoughts, tiger-mine?
Respecting your privacy. Even though it was not easy.
Are you looking for something?
Your light, Aida. It makes me…feel. Even now, that was still a surprise to him. The depth of feeling this woman brought to him.
You still think I’m hiding something from you. I’m not, not really. I was just meditating.”
Why?
Come here.
Dane was by her side seconds later. She took his hand and led him to the padded bench seat.
“Get comfortable,” she ordered.
He watched her place her feet up on her thighs. Damn, she’s flexible. “I’m not getting in the lotus position.” He crossed his legs. “Now what?”
Quiet. Relax, Dane. Rest your arms on your thighs, palms up. Take deep, cleansing breaths.
He did.
Close your eyes, Dane, I can feel you watching me.
Dane closed his eyes and discovered her light seemed even stronger.
Come with me, tiger-mine. Her small hand settled in his larger one.
He allowed her to lead. Her mind opened into a beautiful lush valley with sparkling waters and mountains off in the distance. It was stunning.
This is my world. Only good things happen here. I come here to think. This…is where I meditate.
Dane looked around and sighed. Thank you for sharing this with me. He moved with her over the thick grasses, the amazing savannah and more.
Stay and watch the sunset with me.
There was no way he was leaving her side. He wrapped his arms around her and held her while the sun lowered itself below the horizon. The sky erupted in a mass of blended colors before a dark blanket slipped across the sky. Then, as if someone scattered a handful of white granules upon black velvet, stars appeared.
Dane could feel her complete contentment. And he understood why she meditated.
Time to go, Dane. Her tone was soft and gentle.
Reluctantly, he left and, soon, opened his eyes. Aida slowly opened hers, a small smile on her face. “Meditation,” she whispered, carefully getting out of the lotus position she’d been in, “good for that which ails you.”
He leaned close and brushed their lips together. “Will you help me do that?”
“Of course. Now, if you don’t mind, I need some rest. Long day tomorrow.”
“What happens tomorrow?”
“I have more branding to do with Kees.”
He stiffened. “I can help.”
“You’re supposed to be resting. And besides, I don’t need you getting in the way because you think I may be in danger.”
“You should not be in any danger.”
“Exactly why you’re not going.” She patted his arm like he was a child and walked to the door.
What? “Aida,” he grumbled, following her, grabbing his plate along the way. “I can’t let you put yourself in danger.”
“I’m not having this discussion with you. I’m going tomorrow, you are not.” Aida faced him. “I’ve been doing this for a long time. This is part of my life here, and I refuse to let you put me in a plastic bubble.”
He almost flinched from the raw emotion in her voice. “Then let me come with.”
“What happens if one of those cattle kicks me or slices me with a horn?”
“I bring you home, but I wouldn’t let that happen.”
“And that is why you can’t go. I know it’s dangerous, Dane, but I don’t need nor want you to coddle me. And you wouldn’t let me do my share of the work.”
He didn’t like this. “So because I want to protect you, you’re telling me you don’t want me there?”
“Pretty much. You can’t lock me away from the world, Dane. I don’t need you to protect me out there. Not from this kind of thing. I can do this, and I’m good at it.”
He narrowed his eyes. “You and Kees alone?”
“Oh God, no. They’re a lot of guys.” She turned away and got some water.
His tiger rumbled his disapproval. “No,” he uttered.
“I wasn’t asking, Dane.”
“I don’t like it.”
“Too bad.” She put the glass down and leaned against the sink, watching him with her arms crossed. “Don’t make an issue of this Dane. Trust me.” Aida walked toward him, hips swaying gently and his cock hardened in the space of a heartbeat. “You are supposed to be resting. And maybe your family would like to hear from you.”
He licked his lips, and her mouth curved up into a siren’s smile. Her gaze hooded and seductive.
“Are you even listening to me?” she asked.
Dane nodded and reached for her.
“Wonderful.” Her shirt lifted, exposing her flawless skin to his lecherous gaze. “So it’s a deal then?”
His shaft pressed so hard against his jeans he figured the fabric
pattern would be imprinted on it. Nothing mattered but sinking balls deep within her. He’d agree to anything.
“Deal,” he muttered on a guttural moan.
“Good.” She threw her shirt to the side and grabbed him by the waistband. “Take me to bed.”
Dane lifted her in his arms and did just that.
The next morning, he could barely swallow the roar of anger which moved through him. Aida dressed before him, a pair of tight jeans sliding up over her muscled legs. Legs he’d spent all night and most of the morning between, one way or another. His need grew right along with the disapproval he had of her plan. If she knew about either war raging within him, she never let him in on the fact.
A tank top covered by a button down, her firm ass right there when she bent over to pull her pant legs down over her boots made his dick harder than anything in the surrounding area. His fingers itched to sink into those globes and hold her to him while he… Dane shifted, frowning when she gathered up her hair and pinned it up.
She smiled at him as she left the bedroom. “Let’s go, boys.” Her happy words reached him.
Dane ground his teeth and forced his demand to remain behind his clenched. He entered the living room in time to see her grab her hat and open the door. It closed on her, “Good morning, Kees.”
For a second, he saw the scene of her taking off her shirt for Kees and jealousy flared to life. Aida! He headed for the door.
I’ll see you this evening, Dane. There’s food in the oven for you to heat and eat.
He yanked open the door and found himself face to face with Aida. She waited with arms crossed and brows lifted.
“See, n’ here I was thinking you weren’t going to tell me goodbye,” she murmured.
“I don’t like this,” he ground out.
“Give me a kiss, tiger-mine. I have to get going.”
Looking past her, Dane saw Kees sitting easily on a horse with another beside him. The man tipped his hat. Dropping his gaze to the woman before him, Dane inhaled sharply.
“Dane, I have to get going.”
Bringing her flush to him, Dane sighed heavily. “I really don’t like this, mate.”
“I know.” Sadness leeched into her eyes before she could mask it.
The kiss was light and quick before his eyes were on the sway of her ass in those damn jeans. Aida swung up effortlessly onto the brown equine, plunked her hat on her head, and lifted the reins. They turned the horses and headed off at a trot. She never looked back. Dane could hear her happy tone as she spoke to Kees and he remained against the doorframe until he could no longer see her or her dogs.
Alone, Dane listened to the silence. Normally what he loved, but he found he craved the sound of Aida’s voice. The gentle alto which brought him such peace just by hearing it. If she spoke to her dogs or sung off-key when lost in her thoughts.
Dane went to the shop and began to finish the table. He worked all morning, and it was sitting in her house by the afternoon. He smiled as he trailed his fingers over the pyrography he’d done which now lay under the polyurethane topcoat.
Aida?
A little busy here, tiger-mine.
I know. I wanted to know if I could use your phone.
Help yourself. Don’t forget to eat.
Are you okay? He couldn’t help the question.
I’m fine, thank you for asking. I have to go. See you in a while.
Her voice faded away, and Dane raked a hand through his hair before moving to the phone. He could still feel her and it helped to calm his unease. With a sigh, he lifted the receiver and dialed the number he wanted.
“Delta Mike Romeo, one-five-niner Quebec,” he said in a crisp tone when it was answered. It was instinctive for him to give his code for a secure line.
“Crypt. Good to hear from you. Are you okay?” General Herbert asked.
“I’m fine.”
“We got the tape of Slim’s confession. You’ve been cleared. People are looking for him now.”
“Good luck to them,” he muttered, knowing full well no one would find Slim.
“You got a promotion from all this, son. Congrats on now being full Colonel Sidorov.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“We have a new unit, and we want you to head it.”
Dane furrowed his brows, never before had he felt so unsure of what to do. He loved to serve but that meant time away from Aida. Since he’d found his mate, being with her and protecting her took precedence over everything else. “I…I’ll have to think about it.”
“Can I bring you the files on those selected?”
“Yes. But, General, I’m not going back with you.”
“I’ll see you in a few days, Dane.” The man ended the call without acknowledging Dane’s comment.
After he finished a lonely meal, Dane went back out to Aida’s shop to get some more of the small projects he’d noticed needed some extra attention. Standing in her second bedroom/office resealing the window, Dane spotted a box on the desk with a small piece of paper sticking out. After smoothing out the caulking, he cleaned his hands and went to it, lifting the hand painted lid of Table Mountain at sunset, or sunrise, he wasn’t sure. It was beautiful.
There were four items lying on the dark blue velvet lining. Dane grabbed the one which had first snared his attention. A piece of paper which he unfolded and read.
One of Yale’s students, Aida Roberts, who has an unwavering love of her fellow human, lost her cousin in a senseless act of violence. I spoke with Ms. Roberts, personally, and asked her if she hoped her cousin’s murderer would get the death penalty. She first quoted, “Why do we kill people who kill people, to show that killing is wrong?” And followed it by saying, “No. His death won’t bring my cousin back and wishing another death would dishonor Len’s memory.” Ms. Roberts says she will finish up her final year at Yale and then is going back home to South Africa.
The article continued but Dane read no further. “She despises violence, and that is exactly what I brought into her world.”
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Dane picked up the folded heavier piece of paper and opened it. It was her degree from Yale. She held a B.S. in Mathematics and Physics. “Damn, Aida.” She’d apparently turned her back on everything from that period in her life. He put that back as well.
A small ring made of a shiny gum wrapper and a photo were left. Dane lifted out the picture. Aida and a man, her cousin Len according to the back of the photo, stood side by side, arms around one another. Len’s shirt had a big arrow on it pointing towards Aida with the phrase, “I’m with Stoopid.” Aida’s had an arrow toward Len and “Me, too, but this stupid can spell. God love Yale.” Each of them had a beer in one hand, and Dane noticed on one index finger, Aida wore the gum wrapper ring.
He placed the items back and closed the box. With a frown, he went back to the photo. “Fuck!” he swore. In the memory she’d shared with him, this was what they wore. That photo had been taken the night Len had died.
Died, hell. Murdered.
Dane went back to the window and got back to work. He stood on the outside when his ears picked up on the sound of hoof beats coming. The dogs were panting, tongues lolling while Kees and Aida talked to one another. Dane grinned and went to return his tools. When they rode into view, he was by the pump getting water for both dogs and horses.
Ruger and Kamau gratefully stuck their heads in and began to drink. Loudly. Dane focused on Aida. He watched her body move with the horse. She rode easily and with a natural flow. However, she was covered in dirt and there existed a smile of satisfaction on her face.
“Hey, Dane,” she said, reining her horse to a halt by him.
“Solnyshko moyo, how are you? Evening, Kees.”
“Dane. Glad you’re feeling better.” Kees tipped his hat but stayed on the horse.
“See you tomorrow, Kees,” Aida said, dismounting and giving the horse some water.
“Bright and early.” He took her reins while his equine drank. �
�Good night,” Kees said with another tip of his hat. Then, he rode off.
Dane ran his gaze over the dogs then to Aida. She removed her hat and smacked it against her leg, sending a plume of dust up into the air. Her beautiful face was streaked with dirt and sweat.
“Tomorrow?” he asked.
Aida rolled her shoulders. “Yep. I’m going to get this layer of grime off.” She headed for the house, dogs on her heels.
Dane kept himself rooted to the spot. He knew full well if he followed his cock would be inside her.
And that’s a bad thing?
It wasn’t but he knew she was exhausted. Even so, his shaft swelled at the thought. He went inside and waited in the living room for her. She came out about ten minutes later. Scrubbed clean and smelling like the tantalizing trio of scents she wore so sinfully, a tired smile on her face.
“Ohh, you finished the table.” She hurried to take a look. “I didn’t even notice when I first came in.”
He rose to his feet. “I hope you like it.”
Her gasp split the air. “Dane,” she sighed. “It’s absolutely beautiful.”
He moved up behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. Dane watched her trail the fingers from her left hand over the teardrop he’d scorched into the center.
“Thank you.” Her words were drenched with heartfelt gratitude.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I love it. It’s amazing. You did all of this in like a day?” Her fingers moved along the edge, following the soft scrolling he’d burned there.
Dane leaned forward and nipped her ear before saying, “I made sure it would be very sturdy, too.”
“Forget it,” she said with a laugh.
“Forget it? You want me to forget the experience?”
“No. Feel free to keep the memory.” Aida faced him. “You can forget it happening again.”
He stared at her and lifted a brow. “Really? Because I was thinking it should happen again along with the counters.” Her eyes darkened with lust and longing. He watched her pupils dilate. “Sounds like a good idea, doesn’t it?” he cajoled.
She whimpered, and he peppered her skin with kisses. Her head fell back, and she gripped his waist.
