Table of Contents
Copyright
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Other Books By Harmony Raines
For The Love Of The Wolf
***
All rights reserved. This book, or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written consent of the author or publisher.
This is a work of fiction and is intended for mature audiences only. All characters within are eighteen years of age or older. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, actual events or places is purely coincidental.
© 2013 Harmony Raines
Silver Moon Erotica
Kindle Edition
Chapter One
He stood leaning against the side of the wooden house across from the store where she was buying goods for her father. She tried to concentrate on her list, but it was not easy. Alissia felt as though he could see right into her, read her thoughts even. Sometimes she felt he could control her this way too, he had a power over her like no other.
No one else took any notice of him. He was a hunter, used to blending in unseen, even amongst people. It suited him; he enjoyed living outside the village compound away from people.
His home was in the forest where it was quiet and he could spend days hunting and trapping. He came here to sell any excess meat he had caught, the furs too. Most of the traders gave him the best prices for everything he brought in. They all knew the animal would be cleanly killed, and would sell for a premium price to the richest people of the village.
However, there was another reason he came here, one that no one else would guess. Only Alissia knew the truth, that every time Till came to the village, he sought her out. He was good at blending in, remaining unnoticed among the people, only being seen when he wanted to be. But she would feel him, usually before she could actually see him. Her spine would tingle; the hairs on her neck would rise as excitement thrilled every fibre of her being. It was though they were connected through space and time.
Alissia moved to reach for the apples her father had requested, she turned her head slightly, so that she could see him out of the corner of her eye. Her hand fumbled with the apples as she took in the sight of him, tall, strong and dark, with a look of hunger in his eyes.
Her stomach fluttered and she struggled to regain her composure. Grabbing what she needed, she headed further into the small store, glad that she had a list, because the picture of Till would not leave her mind, becoming a permanent distraction from her task.
Alissia paid for her goods and thanked the old woman who served her, blushing slightly at the look the old woman gave her. Was it obvious that she was aroused? Till always did that to her, he did not need to touch her, or even speak to her, for the longing for him to begin.
The times when she did not see him for days on end were hard, but it was no relief to know he was so close. She could see him, yet he remained always out of reach, he would not come over and speak to her in the village, they were separated by wealth. It did not bother Alissia, but Till always preserved the social hierarchy that persisted in the older families.
Now she moved to the door of the shop, knowing he was still there, without looking. His eyes were fixed on her, and part of the pleasure of his presence was the fact that she could feel him, really feel him, even though he was across the street. It was if his soul reached out and touched hers, in another place their bodies were entwined together.
She shook off these intimate thoughts, and walked away, back towards her house. He followed, always a safe distance away, but he followed. She lifted her head and straightened her back, concentrating on where she was going, trying to keep her mind steady, and her body under control.
However, the feeling in her stomach was spreading, she was feeling like a bitch on heat, and only her self control was stopping her from turning to him and letting him mate with her in the street like animals.
“Hello Alissia.” Seb stepped out in front of her. She stopped, almost walking into him.
Seb was the son of one of her father's friends, he often talked to her, flirting, perhaps would be a better way to describe it. Alissia always tried to keep things neutral, her voice pleasant, not leading him on in any way.
Seb, however, did not seem to realise she wasn't interested, asking her to go on walks, wanting to show her things, pestering, was how Alissia thought of it. And at this moment she did not want to be pestered by him, not with Till so close.
“Seb. How are you?” she asked politely.
“Good. Good, thank you, Alissia.” Seb looked at the goods she had bought. “Shall I carry those for you?”
He reached out for her bags, she moved slightly, stepping around him, and then carried on walking.
“I can manage, thank you Seb. It's not far.” Alissia hoped she did not sound too hopeful, when she added, “I am sure you must have something better to do.”
“Nothing I can't put off to help you,” he replied, much to her dismay.
“Honestly, they are not heavy.” She walked a little quicker. Alissia knew Till was still behind them, and she wanted to be alone with the feelings he evoked in her. Maybe she should just be rude to Seb, but she wanted to avoid it if she could.
“Well, I shall walk with you, and keep you company.” He fell into step with her, and Alissia's heart sank.
She stopped and faced him. “Really Seb. I like walking on my own.” Surely, that was direct enough.
“But there are some rough people about. You really need protecting.” Alissia knew he was being sincere, but almost laughed in his face.
She was fairly sure Seb could not protect anyone; he was just a self assured spoiled brat. Not like Till, toned, lean and muscular, with his skin bronzed from the time he spent outdoors, whatever the season. Till, she knew her face was flushing again, just the thought of him made her body react.
“No one is going to hurt me, Seb,” Alissia said firmly.
“What about that ruffian.” He inclined his head slightly. Alissia had no doubt that Seb meant Till. “I've seen him following you before.”
“Don't be ridiculous Seb.” She knew she sounded guilty. “No one is following me.”
“Really?” Seb sounded like a petulant child. “Let's ask him shall we?”
Before she could react, Seb had turned around, and was marching over to Till. Alissia followed, reaching out to grab his arm and stop him, but he reached Till before she could.
She dared not look at his face, keeping her eyes lowered, she could see that Till had clenched fists, and his whole body was tense.
“Are you following this lady?” Seb demanded.
“Yes.” Till answered simply.
Alissia's eyes darted up to Till's face, his eyes were on her, possessiveness openly on show. Seb did not seem to notice it, or realise how stupid he sounded as he started to rant at Till.
“Do you know who she is? She is not the sort of person who would associate herself with someone like you.” He sounded so pompous, Alissia almost felt sorry for him.
“Someone like me?” Till repeated, turning his gaze onto Seb.
Seb took a step back; even he was not stupid enough miss that he was on dangerous ground. It did not stop him continuing though. “Yes, a commoner, following such a lady. Who ever heard of such a thing? Do you think she would have any interest in a man like you?”
Alissia cringed. Seb had no idea. All he saw in people was how much money they had, or how well bred they were. If he could jus
t take a step back and look at this scene, would he see the irony of his words? No, probably not. The difference in these two men went deeper than wealth or blood in the normal sense.
To Alissia, Till was the one with more wealth, he could look after himself and his family. He was from a strong bloodline too, one of the first families to settle in these cold, wild parts.
She chanced a look at Till, and saw the amusement in his eyes. She relaxed a little then. The danger had passed. His temper had left him as swiftly as it had come, he could see Seb for what he was, no threat.
“I'm sorry if I have offended the lady.” Till spoke, reaching into his pocket, from there he pulled out one of Alissia's handkerchiefs, and passed it to her. “You dropped this, my lady.”
“Oh, I see. That was your reason for following,” Seb hastily said.
“You dropped it, when you left the store.” Till looked at Alissia. It was the first time he had ever spoken to her directly in the village.
“Thank you.” She reached out and took it from him. Their fingers touching, lingering, brushing against each other. His touch burnt her, the longing returned, for a moment she felt drawn to him, and could not stop herself. She tipped forward, as if drunk, it was only when he took a step back, and turned to walk away, the feeling passed.
Walking back to the house, she was lost to Seb and his chattering. Only snippets reached her, about how he had thought he might have had to beat Till senseless, to defend her. How he would have easily handled himself if it had come to that.
She tried to sound interested, but was relieved to reach her door, and bid him farewell. Knowing he expected to be invited in, she feigned a headache. “The stress of the morning, you understand,” she told him, and went inside.
Shutting the door quickly she blotted Seb from her mind. All she wanted was to think of Till, the way he moved, the smile that lit his dark features. How she wanted him.
He always left her like this, a need that only he could fulfil. Alissia went to the kitchen to give the goods she had bought to Mrs Donald, who doubled as the housekeeper and cook for her and her father.
“There you are Miss. I am just about to prepare lunch. Would you like to help me?” asked Mrs Donald.
“Not today, thank you. I am busy, perhaps tomorrow. I plan to go to my grandmother's house and would like to take a picnic.”
“As you like. Lunch will be in about an hour, your father is due back then.”
“I will be finished by then.”
Alissia headed out of the kitchen and up the stairs to her room. She hated to turn down an offer of cooking with Mrs Donald. She could only practice her skills when her father was out. He frowned on her working in the kitchens. Yet she wanted to learn to cook so that when she moved to the cottage she would not starve.
Her thoughts once more returned to Till, and her body felt a heat, which always took over her when he invaded her mind. Going to her room she went straight to the window and looked out to see if Till was there. She could not see him in the small courtyard below; she had expected him to be waiting for her.
Sighing she was about to move away when a shadow appeared across her window and there he was, balancing on her windowsill. With a small cry of shock, she opened the window and he slid in. Alissia quickly closed it, trying to keep the cold air out. Still a shiver ran through her body, whether it was the icy air, or the thrill of having Till near, she could not tell.
“I thought you were entertaining your new suitor, I nearly went home you took so long.”
“Please, there is no time for teasing. My father will be home within the hour.”
“Then I suggest we make the most of the short time we have.”
Alissia went to him, and he drew her close, his arms encircling her waist. Their lips met, and their passion overtook them, his tongue pressing for access. She met him as an equal, their tongues entwining, lighting a fire in her that only he could ever quench.
His hand went to her breast, stroking her through her clothes. She wanted to tear her dress from her body and let his skin warm her flesh, but there was no time. Nevertheless, his touch made her breasts swell and her nipples harden. She longed to feel his mouth on her flesh, his tongue teasing them until they were tender and sore, but not today.
“I long for the day when we can be together whenever we want,” Alissia told him when he broke their kiss.
“I dream of those days too, and the nights when you can lie in my arms from sunset to sunrise.”
“Till, it will be soon. I promise,” she said, her lips finding his once more.
His hand moved down her body, and he grasped her skirts and pulled them up, his hand slipping under them to stroke her between her thighs. Parting her legs for him, she allowed him to stroke her where her need was greatest. Her clit throbbed, but instead of giving her some release, it made her want him more.
She pressed herself forward onto him, and his fingers slid along the length of her slit, pushing against the fabric of her undergarments. His thumb brushed across her clit, his hand working to give her the most wonderful stimulation. She whimpered softly, and his mouth kissed her neck, his teeth grazing her earlobe, until she was sure she would come. However, she knew she needed more than this.
Was it worth the risk? Perhaps they had time to lie together; she longed to feel him inside her.
Yet she knew it was fruitless to want this. Till had refused to make love to her here in her father’s house. He said it was disrespectful to her father, and deep down she knew he was right. Yet at moments like this, she wished he were not quite the gentleman that he was.
Despite his wild upbringing, he was one of the most honourable men she had ever met. He was loyal and true, to her and to his morals. Alissia knew when her father met him, and actually got to know him, he would have no choice but to acknowledge that Till was one of the finest men on this earth. Able to protect her and care for her like no other could, he would have to give his blessing to their joining.
Till pulled away, and she sighed, resigned to the fact that he would leave now. Not allowing any possibility of her father discovering him here uninvited. She knew she should be grateful for this short time with him; after all, it had taken her three months to coax him into coming into the house at all. However, her body remained aroused and she knew it was the same for him, the bulge in his pants told her of his intense need.
Before they went too far he was ready to leave. Their bodies unsatisfied by the brief time together. She told herself it would make their next joining more intense, but it did not make her body stop wanting him.
He opened the window and slipped out. “Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow,” she agreed before shutting it to, and watching him leap effortlessly to the ground and with a final look back disappear from her view.
Chapter Two
Alissia pulled the red hood over her head and drew the cloak around her. Leaving the village behind, she set off into the forest to her grandmother's cottage. No one lived there now; her grandmother had passed a few years ago. Alissia still remembered visiting her as a child, thinking nothing of the fact that she lived outside the safety of the village. It was only later, when she had met Till, that she realised why.
Her grandmother had moved to the village, with her husband, when they were first married. He had died a few short years later, as many did years ago when people first settled the land, and disease could take hold and wipe out large numbers of the population.
No one ever told Alissia, but she had figured out from different conversations she had overheard, that it had been an arranged marriage, and that her grandparents had not loved each other. It was only after her grandfather had died, and her grandmother was left with a young family to care for, that she had moved to the little house in the forest. People had thought that it was because she could not afford the cost of living in the village, but Alissia now knew better.
Her grandmother had fallen in love with one of Till's uncles. He visited her at night, and he
lped provide for, and protect, the young family. It was a secret that was kept from the villagers, and one that Alissia only knew because Till had told her.
On the death of her grandmother, the cottage passed to Alissia. She visited there as often as she could, on the pretence of checking everything was all right. The real truth was that, for some time now, the confines of the village had become smothering. She longed for freedom.
Her father would not let her live in the cottage yet, but Alissia was determined to convince him to allow her, one day. She did not push him too much, her mother had only been gone a year, and it was too soon for him to cope on his own. However, her father was quite a catch, and she was sure that eventually someone would ensnare him, and he would marry again, leaving Alissia to lead her own life.
After all a stepdaughter, especially of Alissia's age, would only get under the feet of newly weds. There was not enough room for two grown women to keep house for one man, without trouble and arguments. Therefore, Alissia was biding her time, going off into the forest as often as she could, while remaining the dutiful daughter.
She walked in thought for a while, feeling the weak winter sun on her back. Ice was melting off the trees, a steady dripping all around her. Soon it would be spring, and the forest would come alive for a few wonderful months. The grip of white and cold would vanish, and new life would be all around.
A new life. That was what she wanted, away from the village, away from prying eyes. From the gossips, and the tongues that questioned why she was not yet married. “Such a waste”, “so many suitors”, but Alissia had no interest in the men of the village. All her friends were married, some with their own children already, but it was not the life she wanted.
Maybe she got it from her mother’s side of the family. Wherever it came from Alissia had embraced her sense of adventure. To marry a man from the village, and have to be the dutiful social wife of someone she did not love, would kill her. The forest was her home, and when she walked there, she felt her grandmother's spirit with her.
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