Kasey weakly pushed against his chest as she finally found her voice. “It—it can't be! They buried you today! I—I was there!”
Ashwin closed his eyes and tightened his arms around her as he murmured, “I'm here, and I'm fine.”
Kasey weakly shook her head as her tears soaked the front of his shirt. “Oh God,” she moaned as she clung to his strong, broad shoulders, shoulders that were warm with the essence of life and not cold and rotting in some grave. Ashwin continued to hold her as she leaned heavily against him, and his voice was gentle as he murmured, “Didn't I tell you I'd be alright?”
Overwhelmed with the emotion of the past few days, in addition to what she was experiencing at the moment, Kasey could only whimper before she helplessly went limp in his arms.
Kasey slowly opened her eyes and blinked, then felt her overwhelming grief return as she remembered the cruel, vivid dream she'd had. In it, Ashwin was alive, and he had even returned to his mother's house to--
“Ah, I see you're awake,” Ashwin said as he walked into the room and sat down on the bed. Kasey's eyes widened in a mixture of disbelief and fear as she quickly sat up, but Ashwin shook his head and gently pushed her back down against the pillow as he admonished, “Lie down, sweetheart. You need to rest.”
Kasey's eyes were still wide as she shook her head and whispered, “Ashwin...how...”
Ashwin smiled and replied, “I will tell you everything, as soon as you've gotten some rest.”
She was surprised that he hadn't said anything about her obvious lack of food for the past few days, but her surprise was a bit premature as he eyed her unusually slender frame and added, “I think you need something to eat more than you need to rest.” With that, he easily lifted her into his arms and carried her into the kitchen, then sat her down at the table and amiably inquired, “What would you like to eat, sweetheart? There's chicken, meat loaf, casseroles, soups, stews...”
Kasey gave her head a firm shake and even pinched herself hard on the bare, exposed flesh of her thigh just to make sure she wasn't caught in some weird, cruel, never-ending dream, but she couldn't shake the incredulous tone of her voice as she said, “You literally come back from the dead and then you stand there wanting to know what I want for dinner?”
Ashwin turned from the vast array of food on the counter to give her that enigmatic smile before he casually replied, “Um, something like that, yes.”
“Tell you what...You tell me what really happened, and I'll tell you what I want for dinner. Does that sound fair?”
Ashwin shrugged and sat down across from her at his mother's kitchen table, then folded his hands together in front of him and nodded. “That sounds fair.”
Kasey sat there looking at him expectantly, and after releasing a deep sigh he said, “I didn't really die, sweetheart. I lost quite a bit of blood, but as you can see, I'm not dead. I stayed in the hospital overnight, then went to the chief's house. He decided to go ahead and pretend that I was dead for my own protection. I'm ninety-nine percent sure that Silver Moon is the one who shot me.”
“But Ashwin...there was a casket...a funeral service...the casket was put into the ground! I was there!” Fresh tears welled in her eyes at the memory, and Ashwin leaned over to gently brush her tears away with his finger as he explained, “I know you were, sweetheart. I hate that you had to go through all of that, but it had to look believable. Otherwise, who knows what Silver Moon would've tried to do next?”
Kasey gave him a puzzled look. “How did you know I was there?”
Ashwin leaned back in the chair and folded his arms across his chest as he gave her that enigmatic smile again. “Did you really think I wouldn't attend my own funeral?”
“But--”
“I was there, Kasey. I saw you on the ground...and you have no idea how much I wanted to run over to you and assure you that I was alright. But I couldn't.”
Kasey mulled over his words before she softly inquired, “So where did you get shot?”
Ashwin sighed and pulled his shirt up. “In the side, but it was just a flesh wound. However, it still hurt like hell and bled pretty badly.”
Kasey eyed the medium-sized, square gauze bandage that was taped to his left side, then finally met his gaze and said, “I see.” Unbidden, more tears sprang to her eyes, and Ashwin frowned in concern when he realized just how distraught she'd been and obviously still was. Although she was struggling to bring herself under control, she was failing miserably, and Ashwin simply got up and cradled her on his lap as he sat back down and murmured, “Kasey, sweetheart, I'm fine. There's no need for you to be this upset.”
“I thought you were dead!” she wailed as she delivered a rather weak tap to the center of his chest as all of her anguish finally came pouring out of her. Her body shook as she angrily swiped at the tears streaming down her cheeks and added, “It was horrible, Ashwin! I didn't know what I was going to do! I was at the point of searching for razor blades in the bathroom!”
Ashwin leaned back and gazed at her, his face even darker with concern at what she'd just said. “Kasey, no...That would solve nothing.”
“Sure it would! I wouldn't have been in pain anymore!”
Ashwin suddenly tightened his arms around her and rested his chin atop her head as he murmured, “Kasey, sweetheart, I'm here, I'm fine, and I'm not planning on going anywhere for a long, long time. OK?”
Even though he was holding her so tightly that she could barely move, much less breathe, Kasey didn't care. She savored the feel of being in his arms again, of feeling and hearing his heartbeat against her ear, of breathing in the scent that was uniquely his, of once again having the opportunity to wrap her fingers around his long, braided ponytail. She remained on his lap for a few more minutes until he got up and gently placed her in the chair she'd been occupying a few minutes before. As he straightened he said, “A deal is a deal. Now what would you like for dinner?”
“Food is always good.”
Ashwin smiled at her wise-ass remark and said, “Ah, now that's more like it. My Kasey is back.”
Exhausted and with nothing left to say, Kasey gave him a weak smile and forced herself to take a few bites of the soup he set in front of her before her weariness demanded that she get some sleep. Ashwin effortlessly lifted her out of the chair and cradled her against his chest as he returned to the bedroom, and after tucking her into bed, he got undressed and claimed his spot beside her before he drifted off to sleep.
When Kasey woke it was still dark, and for several moments she lay there in bed, wondering if Ashwin was really alive, or if it had all been a cruel, torturous dream. She slowly reached over to see if he was beside her, and his voice was quiet and gentle in the darkened room as he murmured, “Good morning. Sleep well?”
Kasey's voice caught in her throat at the feel of his warm, solid body next to hers, and as she moved closer to him she nodded and whispered, “Yes.”
Ashwin smiled into the dark as he put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head, and after a few moments of silence he inquired, “Are you feeling better?”
“Yes. Much.”
“Good. That's what I wanted to hear.”
Kasey sighed and snuggled against the warmth of his body, but before she drifted back off to sleep she drowsily murmured, “I love you, Ashwin.”
Ashwin gently kissed the top of her head before he said, “I love you too, sweetheart. More than you'll ever know.”
His words meant everything to Kasey, and she was smiling as she drifted back to sleep.
When Kasey woke again it was still dark, and she was glad for Ashwin's warm, comforting body beside her. She rolled over to snuggle against him, and she gave a small squeal of surprise when Ashwin suddenly pulled her onto his chest and kissed the tip of her nose. “Good morning, sweetheart. Sleep well?”
Kasey smiled down at him. “I slept like a baby.”
“Good.” He wrapped his arms around her, effectively pinning her body against his as Kasey became aware
of his warm, stiff member pressing urgently against the crotch of her panties. Her mouth fell open as her eyes widened in surprise, and Ashwin laughed at her expression as he murmured, “What's the matter, sweetheart? Cat got your tongue?”
Kasey gasped softly when she felt Ashwin's finger slip inside her panties, and his smile was positively devilish as he slowly slid his finger deep inside her and murmured, “God, you're so hot and wet...I think you're ready for more than my finger.”
Kasey gasped again as he slowly withdrew his finger and slid her panties down in one smooth movement, and moments later she gave a ragged moan as Ashwin gently lifted her and guided her down onto his raging erection. Her eyes widened in pleasure as he gently pushed himself deep into her, and for several moments he forced himself to remain still as he locked his gaze with hers. “Is that too much for you, sweetheart?” he gently murmured as he carefully gauged Kasey's face for any sign of pain. Kasey slowly shook her head and leaned forward against his chest as she softly replied, “No...it feels perfect...”
Ashwin smiled at her response and slowly pushed upwards, and his voice was taut with desire as he murmured, “Do you know how long I've waited to do this, sweetheart? Too long...”
Kasey's gasp of surprise and pleasure turned into a low, ragged moan as Ashwin slowly pushed into her again, and as their movements became perfectly fluid, Kasey threw her head back and imagined she was riding bareback on a magnificent stallion. Ashwin's hands tightened on her waist as he slowly increased his pace and the depth of his strokes, and Kasey's moans became nonstop as Ashwin pushed deeper and deeper into her. She gave a ragged gasp when she felt Ashwin's fingers gently stroking and pinching her nipples, and when his mouth closed over one, Kasey moaned when she felt that delicious tension rise to a fever pitch. Ashwin continued his slow, deep thrusts as he continued to fondle and suckle her stiff, sensitive nipples, and her body shook with pleasure as the dam finally burst. She was free-falling in slow motion as waves of pleasure threatened to drown her, and several moments later Ashwin groaned and tightened his grip on her waist as he, too, experienced his own free-fall of pleasure. Kasey collapsed against his chest, her face wet with tears from the magnitude of her emotions and the pleasure he'd just given her. As their breathing slowly returned to normal, Ashwin gently stroked her back and murmured, “Are you alright, sweetheart?”
Kasey reluctantly raised her head from his warm chest and smiled. “I'm better than alright.”
Ashwin laughed softly and murmured, “Is that so...”
Kasey's smile widened as she slowly nodded. Ashwin laughed at her surprised squeal as he suddenly rolled onto his side, then dropped a gentle kiss to her lips before he reluctantly withdrew from her soft, warm depths. Moments later he pulled her close and released a deep, content sigh before they both drifted back off to sleep.
CHAPTER 21
Kasey slept until noon, when Ashwin's gentle voice finally roused her from her much-needed, extended slumber. “Kasey...”
Kasey opened her eyes and blinked up at him, and he smiled as he sat down on the bed. “Hi there, sleepyhead. Are you going to sleep all day?”
“What time is it?” Kasey inquired as she slowly sat up and pushed the hair out of her eyes.
“It's a little after twelve.”
“You're kidding.”
“Nope.” He eyed her slender frame before he shook his head and added, “It's lunch time, and you definitely need to eat. What would you like?”
Kasey shrugged as she got out of bed. “Surprise me.”
Ashwin smiled as he suddenly pulled her into his arms and murmured, “I think I did that this morning.”
Kasey smiled up at him and purred, “Yes, you did. I happen to like your surprises.”
Ashwin laughed softly as his arms gently tightened around her. “You do, huh?”
“Yes...as long as they're good surprises.”
“That's all I intend on giving you from now on, if you can handle it.”
“Oh, I'm pretty sure I can.”
Ashwin smiled as he lowered his head, and moments later Kasey's desire was instantly ignited as Ashwin captured her mouth with his own and proceeded to skillfully simulate with his tongue what he'd done to her that morning, as well as what he planned on doing to her later. He drew her tongue into his mouth and slowly sucked in a tantalizing back and forth motion, and Kasey had to grip his shoulders before she sank to the floor in a steaming, melted heap of desire. Her fingers slowly moved from his shoulders to the back of his neck as he continued his slow, gentle assault on her senses, and she couldn't stifle her moan of pleasure as she curled her fingers around his silky-soft, tantalizing ponytail and held on for dear life. She gave another low moan of pleasure as Ashwin's hand began moving back and forth between her legs, and the fact that her panties had been missing since early that morning meant instant access for him as he slowly slid his middle finger deep inside her. Moments later Kasey gasped again as he used his thumb to tease and tantalize the taut, pink little button that was just begging for his attention. Kasey let go of his ponytail and reclaimed her desperate grip on his shoulders as he slowly caressed her with his finger, all the while moving his thumb in a slow, maddening circle around the little bud that was impatiently waiting for his touch. His mouth never left hers as he finally delivered a light, slow stroke across the now-swollen, prominent bud, and he swallowed her ragged moans of pleasure as her body shook violently before she went limp in his arms. He groaned softly against her lips at the rush of wet heat he felt against his palm, and as he slowly eased her onto the bed he murmured, “Kasey...”
She slowly opened her eyes and blinked up at him, and her voice was barely more than a whisper as she said, “Yes?”
“Are you alright?”
Kasey nodded and closed her eyes again as she basked in the afterglow of what they'd just shared, but the moment was cut short when her stomach rumbled rather loudly in the relative quiet of the bedroom. Ashwin slowly straightened and pulled Kasey off the bed, then put his arm around her shoulders as he laughed and murmured, “I see you've worked up quite an appetite.”
“You're a very perceptive man,” Kasey replied as she got dressed and followed Ashwin into the kitchen. He simply smiled and shook his head before he kissed the tip of her nose, and after setting a plate of food in front of her, he sat down across from her and proceeded to satisfy his own raging hunger. After eating half of what he'd put on his plate, he finally leaned back and took a sip of tea before he inquired, “When would you like to go home?”
“What happened to my apartment?”
Ashwin sighed as he slowly fingered the rim of his glass. “It's my understanding that Holly had the place completely remodeled.” He glanced across the table at Kasey and softly added, “Do you still want to live there?”
Kasey sighed and bit her lip as she pushed her food around on her plate. “Where else am I going to go? I don't have much choice BUT to live there, Ashwin.”
Ashwin folded his arms across his chest and pinned Kasey with that smile of his that always made her breath catch in her throat before he said, “Ah, that's where you're wrong, sweetheart.”
Kasey shot him a puzzled frown. “What do you mean?”
Ashwin gave a nonchalant shrug and replied, “I figured you'd move in with me, but...”
Kasey's face lit up like the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Plaza, and Ashwin's smile was just as bright as he casually finished off his tea before he teased, “I take it that's a yes, then?”
Kasey gave an emphatic nod as she got to her feet, and moments later she threw her arms around Ashwin's neck and murmured, “Thank you...you have made me a very happy woman, Ashwin.”
Ashwin laughed and pulled her down onto his lap, then gently nipped at the side of her neck before he murmured, “I can see that...and you have made me a very happy man. I promise to do everything in my power to make and keep you happy, sweetheart.”
Kasey sighed as tears welled in her eyes at his tender, heartfelt
words. “You already have.”
Their tender moment was interrupted when Ashwin's mother came rushing into the kitchen, and Ashwin frowned at her red face and flustered demeanor as she exclaimed, “Ashwin! Come quick!”
Ashwin got to his feet and inquired, “What is it, A-lu-li?”
Goga shook her head. “There's no time for questions, just come with me!”
Ashwin's frown deepened as he glanced at Kasey. “You stay here. I'll be back soon.”
Kasey gave a firm shake of her head. “NO. I'm coming with you.”
Ashwin set his mouth in a straight line at her stubbornness, but he said nothing else as they followed his mother out of the house and through the woods. Ten minutes later they came upon a house, and Ashwin felt his stomach twist when he realized it was Silver Moon's house. He stopped and turned to his mother, and as he gently placed his hands on her shoulders he inquired, “What is this all about, A-lu-li?”
“She's suicidal, Ashwin. She has the chief in there, as well as her baby..”
Ashwin's face darkened as he remembered everything that Silver Moon had done, and he clenched his hands into fists as he fought to remain calm. His mother was looking at him expectantly, and Kasey's pale face had taken on an expression of utter shock and terror at his mother's words. Ashwin sighed deeply as he was suddenly engaged in an age-old battle of right versus wrong. The man who had suffered immensely at the hands of Silver Moon was in direct opposition to the doctor and Shaman in him, and as he closed his eyes he was grateful when his spirit guide made a sudden appearance. The owl ruffled its mighty feathers and spoke in a commanding tone. “Strong Horse, your compassion and skills are needed to deal with this woman. She needs your help.”
“I have tried to help her before, and she refused. What else am I to do?”
The owl showed him just what he needed to do regarding Silver Moon, but Ashwin was still hesitant as he said, “She tried to kill me, O Wise One. What if she tries again and succeeds?”
The Medicine Man, Book 2 Page 16
