Kasey opened her eyes and sighed. “The peyote.”
Ashwin frowned at her answer, but he said nothing more about her eating habits as he pushed away from the porcelain wall of the tub and smoothly slid over to her. He situated himself behind Kasey and leaned against the tub, then pulled Kasey between his thighs and wrapped his arms around her damp, warm body and said, “I am SO sorry at what you went through, Kasey. And I don't mean just what happened this week alone. I never want to see you suffer like that again.”
“I'm fine, Ashwin. Now that you're here, everything is right with the world, and I'm fine.”
Ashwin sighed as he pressed a kiss to the back of her neck. “You still have a long way to go before I deem you 'fine', sweetheart.”
Kasey chuckled softly and teased, “I didn't hear any complaints from you this morning...”
Ashwin smiled and leaned down so close that his warm breath tickled her ear before he murmured, “That's because I didn't have any...”
Kasey smiled and shuddered in delight, and Ashwin was smiling as he grabbed the shampoo off the edge of the tub. Kasey squealed when she felt the cold shampoo on the top of her head, but soon she was moaning softly as Ashwin gave her a thorough scalp massage with his long, gentle fingers. As he finally began rinsing the shampoo out of her hair, he leaned down and murmured, “If you enjoyed that, then you're going to love what I have planned for later.”
“Oh?” Was Kasey's only response as she moved enticingly against him, savoring the feel of Ashwin's fingers in her hair as warm water coursed down her back. When all of the shampoo had been rinsed out, he grabbed the soap and worked up a rich lather between his hands before he began gently soaping her warm, wet body. He washed her back first, then turned her so that she was facing him before he began washing her front. She jumped slightly when his fingers brushed across the almost invisible wound on her chest, the one he had personally tended to, and Ashwin frowned as he gently inquired, “Did that hurt?”
Kasey quickly shook her head. “No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I'm sure.”
“Alright, then. If you say so.”
“I say so.”
Ashwin smiled at her answer, then continued soaping her with slow, gentle strokes as he trailed his fingers between her breasts and then down to her belly. She gasped softly when he slid his fingers through the curls at the apex of her thighs, but Ashwin refused to do anything more erotic than that while they were in the tub. As he carefully rinsed all of the soap away, Kasey found herself longing to do to him what he'd just done to her, and as if he'd read her mind, he smiled and handed her the soap. Her hands shook slightly as she soaped his muscled arms, and there was no mistaking the firm perfection of his abdomen as she traced each ridge of his enviable six-pack with warm, soapy fingers. She gave him a knowing smile as her fingers moved lower, and Ashwin groaned softly as she carefully stroked his rapidly growing member. He sucked in his breath as she gently slid her fingers across the sensitive flesh directly below his penis, and her soft laugh let him know that she was well aware of the effect she was having on him as her fingers suddenly moved to his thighs. She slowly soaped his muscular thighs and calves, and her eyebrows rose in surprise when she discovered that he seemed to be turned on when she paid special attention to each one of his toes. He moaned softly and sank back against the porcelain wall of the tub as she carefully rubbed each toe before she slid her fingers through the spaces between them, and she just couldn't resist sliding up the length of his body to whisper, “You like that, do you?”
Ashwin swallowed hard and nodded, and Kasey laughed softly when she felt his raging erection pressing urgently between her thighs. The feel of her warm, wet, pliant body pressed against him was driving him mad, and before he could stop himself, Ashwin wrapped his arm around her back and held her prisoner as he hungrily kissed her. Kasey kissed him back with a fierce hunger that surprised them both, and when she finally raised her head, she wasn't surprised to see that intense fire burning in his eyes. He slowly sat up and gave her that enigmatic smile before he said, “I think we should get out before the water gets cold.”
Kasey nodded. “I agree.”
Ashwin slowly stood up, and Kasey couldn't help the way her mouth dropped in unabashed adoration as water streamed down Ashwin's body. He smiled down at her and extended his hand, and moments later he wrapped a warm towel around her and murmured, “Did you enjoy your bath?”
Kasey gave an emphatic nod. “Yes, very much.”
Ashwin chuckled softly as he dried her off, and after securing the towel around his waist he casually stated, “Go get in bed and get comfortable. I'll be there in a few.”
“Why? What are you going to do?”
Ashwin smiled at her reflection in the mirror and said, “I have to shave, sweetheart.”
“Can I watch?”
Ashwin laughed and replied, “I don't mind. I never knew you had a thing for watching men shave.”
“Not just any men.”
“Ah, I see.” He smiled at her reflection again before he smoothed shaving cream over his face, and Kasey sighed in utter contentment as she watched him carefully shave. When he was finished, he wiped the shaving cream off his face and casually inquired, “Now are you ready for bed?”
Kasey smiled at him in the mirror and nodded. “As ready as I'll ever be.”
Ashwin gave her a slow smile and murmured, “So am I.” He turned away from the sink and dropped the towel onto the floor, and Kasey swallowed hard when she was reminded of just how virile and well-endowed he was. His smile widened at her awe-struck expression, but he said nothing else as he turned the bathroom light off and led her to the bed. He lit a candle on the night stand and carefully turned the covers down, then gave her that enigmatic smile as he said, “Ladies first.”
Kasey slowly climbed onto the bed and settled herself on her pillow, and she couldn't stop the butterflies from rioting in her belly as she wondered just what he had planned for them. He stretched out beside her and linked his hands behind his head, then glanced over at her and smiled. “Comfortable?”
Kasey nodded but said nothing as she gazed into his fiery eyes and handsome face. He suddenly rolled onto his side and propped his head in his palm, then leaned down and captured her mouth in a slow, sweet kiss that soon had her wanting much more. Kasey moaned softly and wrapped her arm around his neck as his fingers found and teased one pert, attentive nipple, and Kasey moaned again as Ashwin leisurely rolled her nipple between his fingers. She was moving restlessly beneath him as he teased and stroked each nipple, and his mouth never left hers as he finally slid his fingers between her breasts and down across her belly before coming to rest just above the soft curls between her legs. He finally raised his head and gave her that enigmatic smile again, but he said nothing as he slowly moved to the foot of the bed and slid his arms beneath her knees. Kasey weakly raised her head from the pillow, but before she could say anything, Ashwin's mouth closed over the pink little bud that was nestled among her curls. Kasey sank back against her pillow with a soft moan as Ashwin's tongue gently circled the most sensitive part of her, and her sharp gasp seemed unnaturally loud in the dark, quiet bedroom when she felt him gently slide two fingers into her. The way he was moving his tongue in perfect rhythm with his fingers was driving her mad, and she couldn't stop herself as she grabbed two handfuls of the sheet and began moving helplessly against him. She alternated between gasps and moans as Ashwin continued to stroke deeper and deeper into her with his fingers, and soon Kasey was moaning non-stop as Ashwin continued his slow, gentle assault on her sensitized body. He alternated between licking and sucking her aching, swollen little bud as his fingers finally stroked that exquisitely sensitive spot deep inside her, and Kasey couldn't stop the loud moan that exploded from her when he simultaneously slid his finger into her most private of places, the place where no one had ever ventured before. Her entire body began to shake violently as her mind seemed to implode upon itself, but before she had
time to make another sound, Ashwin was looming above her, his hands braced on the bed as he prepared to take what she so willingly offered, what he rightfully considered his. Kasey's low, ragged moan was cut short as Ashwin covered her mouth with his, and he swallowed her next moan as he buried himself deep within her. She was so hot and wet and silky smooth, and Ashwin groaned as her body enveloped him like a tailored glove. He slowly withdrew and sank into her again, never taking his mouth from hers as Kasey rose to meet his every stroke. She was caught up in a whirlwind of pleasure as she and Ashwin moved perfectly together, and she began to moan non-stop when she felt that delicious tension building deep within her. Ashwin finally raised his head right before he stroked particularly deep into her, and Kasey's scream of pleasure was suddenly muffled as Ashwin gently clamped his hand over her mouth. Her surprised gaze locked with his as the dam finally burst, and she felt raw and exposed as Ashwin gazed into the very depths of her soul. Her mind became an array of exploding stars as white-hot pleasure consumed her, and she was only vaguely aware of Ashwin's low, ragged moan as he experienced his own earth-shattering release. She was still breathing hard as Ashwin collapsed beside her, his own breathing ragged and harsh in the stillness of the bedroom. Long moments later he glanced over at her, and his voice was full of concern as he softly inquired, “Kasey? Are you alright, sweetheart?”
Kasey gave a weak nod and replied, “Oh, I'm better than alright.”
Ashwin laughed softly and teased, “Define better than alright.”
Kasey smiled as she said, “That was...other-worldly.”
Ashwin's laugh was quick and deep as he finally rolled onto his side and murmured, “Yes, I'd have to agree with you.”
Kasey simply smiled and snuggled against his warm, solid body, and moments later she drifted off to sleep.
CHAPTER 23
Ashwin and Kasey slept well past their planned departure time of seven a.m., but neither seemed to mind when they finally woke and joined Ashwin's mother in the kitchen shortly after ten a.m. She had prepared a pot of coffee, and as they all sat down at the table, she smiled at Ashwin and said, “I would have come in there and woken you up, but I figured you both needed your rest.”
Ashwin smiled and sipped his coffee. “Thank you, A-lu-li.”
“I take it you're leaving when you finish your coffee?”
Ashwin nodded. “Yes, ma'am. We have a six-hour drive ahead of us.”
“Well, you two be careful. Let me know when you get home.”
“I will.”
“Will you be coming back for the holidays, son?”
Ashwin sighed. “I'm going to try to, A-lu-li. It depends on my work schedule.”
“Would you like some lunch before you leave?”
Ashwin knew that his mother was dreading his departure, just as he also knew that delaying the inevitable would only make things harder for her. He smiled and slowly shook his head as he replied, “No thank you, A-lu-li. We'll grab something on the way home.”
Goga nodded and sipped her coffee, and when all of their cups were empty, Ashwin got to his feet and placed them in the sink. Kasey got to her feet and stood quietly behind Ashwin as he embraced his mother in a gentle hug, and there was no mistaking the bright sheen of tears in the woman's eyes as she bid her only son goodbye. When he stepped away, Kasey gave the woman a smile and a hug as she murmured, “It was a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Ross. Thank you for allowing me to stay here.”
Goga smiled at Kasey and suddenly grasped her hands, then murmured, “Just make sure you take care of my Strong Horse.”
Kasey nodded. “I will, Mrs. Ross.”
“You two be careful.”
Kasey smiled. “We will.” She leaned in and gave the woman a quick kiss on the cheek, then turned and followed Ashwin out to the car. His mother came out onto the porch to wave goodbye, and as Ashwin turned the key in the ignition he casually inquired, “Do you have everything?”
Kasey nodded. “Yes.”
“Good.” He looked up and waved goodbye to his mother, then carefully backed the car out of her driveway and headed for the main highway. A few minutes later they arrived at the two-lane highway that ran through the town, and Kasey remained quiet as she took in the scenery—the small shops that boasted handmade, Native American goods, the small businesses that were closed because it was Sunday, and the scattering of mom and pop cafes that lined both sides of the street. Tall, majestic mountains were the backdrop for the charming little town, and she was treated to a magnificent display of color from the changing fall foliage. It was such a charming, beautiful place that she couldn't see why Ashwin had ever wanted to leave, and when she said as much to him, he shrugged and replied, “I had to open the door when opportunity knocked.”
Kasey nodded and glanced out the window at the breathtaking scenery, then gave a deep sigh as she thought about her parents. This time, however, there were no tears as she thought of them, and her silent reverie was interrupted by Ashwin's deep, gentle voice as he inquired, “What are you thinking about sweetheart?”
She sighed again as she turned to give him a sad smile. “My parents.”
“I see.”
Kasey cleared her throat before she quietly said, “Thank you, Ashwin.”
“What are you thanking me for?”
“For bringing me here. For helping me to see what I needed to see. For...everything.”
Ashwin gently placed his hand on her thigh and replied, “You're more than welcome, sweetheart, but there's no need to thank me.”
“Sure there is.”
“Why do you say that?”
Kasey finally turned to look at him. “Because you literally saved my life.”
Ashwin gave a slight shrug and smiled. “It's what we doctors do, sweetheart.”
Kasey shook her head in frustration at his insistence on treating the matter so lightly. “This had nothing to do with the fact that you're a doctor.”
“Then what DOES it have to do with?”
“The fact that you cared enough to go to such lengths for me.”
Ashwin reached over to ruffle her soft blonde hair as he murmured, “I happen to care a great deal about you, Kasey. I love you more than you'll ever know, and I hope you never forget that.”
Tears welled in her eyes at his quietly spoken, tender declaration of love, and as they silently slipped down her cheeks she linked her fingers with his and whispered, “I love you too, Ashwin. More than YOU'LL ever know.”
Ashwin's expression was serious as he replied, “I think I have a pretty good idea.”
“You do, do you?”
“Yes.” His grip tightened on the steering wheel as he added, “I remember how distraught you were when you thought I had died. Even my mother didn't know the truth. The chief kept me informed of how the two of you were taking the news. You have no idea how much I wanted to let you know that I was alright, but I couldn't. You already know why. But I promise that I will NEVER put you through that kind of grief again.”
Kasey bit her lip as she glanced out the window. “Some day you will.”
Ashwin sighed. “Yes, but I hope that doesn't happen for a VERY long time.”
Kasey shook her head and said, “OK, enough of this serious, depressing talk. Where are we going to stop for lunch?”
Ashwin laughed and said, “Wherever you want, sweetheart.”
After a delicious lunch at a small Mom and Pop diner, Ashwin and Kasey continued on their way home. Kasey was seriously contemplating taking a nap when Ashwin quietly stated, “There's something else I want to talk to you about, sweetheart.”
Kasey's curiosity was piqued as she replied, “What?”
Ashwin cleared his throat before he inquired, “Who molested you, sweetheart?”
Kasey gasped at his unexpected question, and tears suddenly welled in her eyes and clogged her throat as she choked out, “What kind of question is that?”
Ashwin shrugged. “One I want the answer to.”
Kasey av
oided his gaze as she replied, “What difference does it make now?”
“It makes a LOT of difference. Have you ever had a chance to work through and resolve what happened?”
“What's your definition of resolution?”
Ashwin sighed. “Stop answering my questions with questions. If you don't want to talk about it, just tell me.”
Kasey sighed and shook her head, still avoiding his gaze as she softly replied, “No, it's alright. I don't mind telling you.”
“Good.”
Kasey glanced out the window as she said, “I was twelve. I was taking piano lessons, as was my cousin, who was an adult. We had the same piano teacher. He was also a cop. He—he did it one afternoon in the driveway at my parents' house. My father was at work and my mother was asleep because she worked the night shift. He had brought me home from my piano lesson. I remember—he—he--he did it right there in the car. My aunt's car, as a matter of fact. His mother's car.” She took a deep, shuddering breath and fought back tears at the memory as she continued, “Afterward, he told me not to tell anyone, or I'd be in trouble.”
Ashwin tightened his grip on the steering wheel as he nodded and gently coaxed, “Go on.”
Kasey had her fingers linked together so tightly in her lap that her knuckles were white as she continued to stare out the window, not seeing the passing scenery as she re-lived that dreadful afternoon. “I—I kept it to myself for about a week, until my mother realized that I was acting strangely. When she demanded to know what was wrong, I finally told her.” Another deep shuddering breath, and then, “She confronted him with it, and of course he denied it. Years later, when I was a teenager, I asked her why she had never had him prosecuted for what he had done to me. Her answer to me was that her brother had done the same to her, and I just needed to deal with it and get over it.”
Ashwin's knuckles had turned white as he gripped the steering wheel, and his mouth was set in a straight, grim line as he whispered, “Jesus, Kasey...I am SO sorry for what you went through.”
The Medicine Man, Book 2 Page 18
