A War Within (Epic WWI Love Story)

by Katherine Hastings

  “Isabelle, I didn’t mean anything by—”

  She cut him off. “No, Auguste. I don’t want to be a society wife. Do I seem like I want to be a living doll to be paraded around from party to party, shown off and then tossed aside until the next event?”

  Raising his hands in submission, he shook his head. “That’s not what I meant. I—”

  All her anger for him and the way he’d played with her emotions collided into a ball of fury that radiated from every cell. Refusing to let him finish, she kept on. “If I had wanted a man like Charlie Cosgrove, I would have continued dancing with him. However, I didn’t keep dancing with Charlie, did I? I chose YOU! And then you tossed me aside! Again! You made me feel stupid and hurt and... I can’t stay here with you.” The rage burning through her eyes transformed into hot tears, begging to come out. She couldn’t let him see her cry. “I need to go home. Now. I’ll find my way.”

  Shoving off from her chair, it tumbled to the ground. Paying it no attention she tossed the quilt from her lap onto the floor.

  “Isabelle! Wait!” Auguste leapt to his feet. “You are overreacting and misunderstanding me. Just give me a chance to explain!” He chased after her through the small cabin.

  “I have nothing else to say to you, Auguste!” Isabelle reached for the door and began to pull it open, the battle against the tears turning in their favor.

  But Auguste moved too quickly, and he slammed the door shut before she could get out. Isabelle spun around, ducking beneath his arm that held the door closed.

  “Open the door!” she demanded.

  “You can’t go.”

  “Why not?”

  He hesitated, an intensity burned from the pools of his eyes before softening once again. “Because it’s storming out. You’ll get lost and freeze.”

  “That’s my concern, not yours. Open the door.”

  “Isabelle. Don’t do something foolish. You’ll get hurt!”

  “What do you care, Auguste? Honestly?” She pushed at his chest, but he stood like an immovable wall. “You don’t care about me, so just let me go! I’ll be fine!”

  “Isabelle, I do care about you. I do.”

  “No, Auguste. You don’t! If you did you wouldn’t have humiliated me. Twice! Now move your arm!”

  “I didn’t mean to humiliate you. It’s just that... it’s just—”

  “Just what?” she spat, turning back to tug on the door he still held firmly shut.

  “Someone like you deserves so much better than someone like me.”

  Her struggle with the door subsided and a slow turn brought her back around to face him. There. That look in his eyes, the one that mirrored her own... it was back. Biting her lip she tried to resist the magnetic pull that ensnared her again. “I... I don’t understand. Why would you think that?”

  “Because it’s true. You deserve a man like that Charlie you were dancing with. You don’t want someone like me. You don’t.”

  “I’ll decide what I do and don’t want, Auguste. I’m a big girl! It’s not up to you or anyone else.”

  “I don’t want to ruin your life, dragging you down when you could do so much better.”

  “So, you seduce me and then humiliate me instead? That is just so much better.”

  “It wasn’t my intention. I swear.”

  “Well, fine. If you’ve made up your mind already then just let me go. I can’t do this anymore. The back and the forth, that look in your eye... the one you have right now... and then you pull away when I move toward you.” She reached for him, but he took a startled step back. “See! That! I’m done, Auguste! Move!”

  Spinning around, she yanked at the door he once again pressed close.

  “Don’t go, Isabelle.”

  “Open the door!”

  “Please, Isabelle. Stay.”

  She whirled back around and looked him square in the eye. “Give me one good reason to stay here with you.”

  He paused, his jaw tensing as he struggled to keep the words inside. Just when she was ready to give up and race out into the storm, he exhaled a long sigh. “Because I need you, damn it,” he breathed.

  He didn’t wait for her response. Auguste pushed forward, and she felt her back slam up against the door. The lightning flashed and lit up the room for an instant, and with it, illuminated those eyes that seared through her. With a heart thundering out of control, she held her breath while he slid his hand down her cheek, sliding it behind her head. A firm pull urged her forward and her lips parted with a gasp. Before she could prepare herself, his lips crashed down on hers with so much force it caused her a flash of pain. That pain quickly subsided when his tongue parted them and entered her mouth, caressing away the sting his force had left behind. With passion guiding her body, she allowed her hands to roam, and they found their way onto his strong, muscular back. When he deepened their kiss, she grabbed ahold of it, clinging to him for dear life as her legs went weak from the blood rushing through her body.

  Auguste pulled her to him, moaning when she dug deeper into his back. She inhaled his breath, letting it mingle with her own while she breathed him in and tasted the wine on his lips. With every swirl of his tongue, she felt her anger and rage become consumed by the passion that exploded between them... the passion she knew all along was there. When his kiss softened she leaned forward into it, desperate not to let even an inch separate them.

  Despite her attempts to keep his lips pressed firmly to hers, they drifted away, and she whimpered her displeasure until she realized they were moving down her jawline onto her neck. Moaning as his kisses peppered their way down her neck, she lifted her chin to give him better access to the skin that burned with a need so strong she thought it might consume her. The kisses moved lower and lower, each one eliciting whimpers and moans while they worked their way down to her breasts.

  When his lips ghosted the exposed skin of her soft mounds, her breathing increased in silent anticipation. Pressing her head back into the door she squeezed her eyes tight while she felt his fingers trace their way between her breasts to the buttons holding her in. One agonizing button after another, he worked his way down her dress, her shallow breaths moving her breasts and making the task even more difficult.

  His guttural growl snapped open her eyes, and she looked down just in time to see him take a firm grasp of each side of her dress and with a powerful pull sent her buttons to the floor like raindrops in the storm. A sharp inhale filled her lungs as her breasts burst free from the constricting dress. He pushed it over her shoulders, dropping it to the floor in a pool at her feet.

  Auguste reached behind her and found the ties of her bra. His fingers worked quickly until she felt the pressure on her back release. Inching the straps off her shoulders, his gaze fell to the material stubbornly clinging to her breasts. He slid a finger beneath it, brushing her nipple and causing her body to tremble at his touch. With a gentle tug, her bra slipped down and landed at her feet on top of the dress in a heap. Auguste stepped back and raked her body with his eyes, the searing gaze caressing her every curve.

  Everything in her body screamed for his touch and she looked up at him with pleading eyes. A slow step forward brought him back to her and with one swift move, he swept her into his arms. Covering her lips with kisses, he carried her over to the bed and laid her down on the sheets. She lay still below him, feeling the heat of his gaze while it worked over every inch of her body. Desperate to feel his touch again, she reached out and grabbed his hand, pulling him toward her. Offering no resistance, he lowered himself until he hovered above her. Leaning down, he traced her lips with his tongue, and she opened her mouth, sliding a hand behind his head and pulling him down for a kiss.

  After their tongues twisted and danced together, he pulled back and Isabelle leaned forward wanting more. Ignoring her pleas, his lips didn’t return and instead kissed their way down her neck and chest. When his mouth found its way to her pert nipple, she whimpered her pleasure. His tongue flicked quickly across it,
sending a noticeable shiver through her body. Large hands moved over her breasts, grabbing them and pushing them up into his hungry mouth.

  Isabelle moaned in pleasure as Auguste’s tongue moved rhythmically around her breasts, tantalizing her stiff nipples. Soft fingers traced their way down her body over her stomach. Everywhere he touched, she burned. When his fingers brushed over her underwear, her body tightened as they grazed over the center of her hot, sensitive mound. His finger found the edge of her underwear and she felt it disappear beneath the fabric. A deep inhale trapped the air in her lungs when his finger worked its way to the place that throbbed for him. A jolt of electricity surged through her when his finger brushed her most sensitive spot. Her legs instinctively opened as he circled it with a soft, tantalizing touch.

  Sliding his finger out from underneath her underwear, his hands moved to the band, tugging them down over her hips and she wiggled to get free. When they slid off her feet, he tossed them on the floor and his fiery gaze fell between her legs. He only took her in for a moment before his lips found their way to her stomach, kissing the soft skin while she moaned and his hand moved up her leg. His fingers brushed against her heat again, and she shut her eyes and pressed her head back into the pillow.

  When she felt his warm breath ghost over her charged skin, her eyes snapped open and she looked at him positioned between her legs.

  “Are you all right? Should I stop?” He paused, looking up into her eyes.

  Even though she’d never experienced it, the promise of such intense pleasure forced her to shake her head. “No. Don’t stop,” she breathed.

  Needing no other encouragement, he pushed a finger deep inside her. Isabelle gasped as she pushed her hips up toward him. While his finger moved inside her, she rocked against him, desperate for more. His hot breath blew over her sensitive skin and when his tongue touched her most sensitive spot she cried out, grasping a handful of covers.

  Barely able to stand the pleasure of his tongue’s tantalizing circles, she bucked against him. The sensation was unlike anything she’d ever imagined. Another finger slid inside her and they pushed in and out of her in rhythm as his tongue flicked over her warm center, alternating with slow sensuous circles until her legs started to quiver. Isabelle panted, dizzy with desire, as Auguste increased his speed, his fingers pushing harder and deeper while his tongue quickened the pace. A loud ringing started in her ears and it felt like the room was spinning around her. An unbearable pressure and heat built in her core until she reached the height of her pleasure and released the tension with scream-eliciting spasms.

  Never had she imagined she could feel so much pleasure. Limp with satisfaction, she lay sprawled on the bed, struggling to catch her breath. August appeared above her, desire dancing in his eyes. Even as satisfied as she was, she wanted more of him... and more of that. Reaching out, she found the front of his pants and tugged at the button. When he realized it was a reach, he sat back on the bed, unbuttoning his pants himself.

  Her eyes moved across his body, pausing while she examined the many scars. When he slid off his pants, his member sprung free and the size of it startled her. Biting her lip, she took her finger and traced the lines of his defined chest and down his stomach, her fingers following the deep grooves that accentuated his tight stomach muscles. Continuing to move her hand south, she reached his rock-hard erection and brushed it with her fingers. Her touch induced a deep moan and then he lowered himself down to her, his strong arms bulging beneath the weight of his body. As he kissed her swollen lips, he eased himself between her legs.

  “Are you sure?” he asked, pausing at her entrance.

  “Please. I need you,” she whispered, sliding her hands around his back and pulling him into her.

  Lowering himself for a kiss, he thrust inside her and caught her gasp in his mouth as he paused. The pain subsided after a moment and she whimpered between kisses while he moved inside her, the weight of his body pressing down onto her. Her hips followed his movements as they melted together until she didn’t know where she ended, and he began. Deep kisses seduced her senses as he quickened his pace and she felt the pressure building again.

  Isabelle moaned as she increased her tempo. Her breathing quickened along with his, she whimpered and panted as she rose again to the top of the wave. Pulling up from their kiss he locked her in a magnetic stare, holding her gaze while she tumbled over the edge of ecstasy, and she watched his own face tighten in mirrored pleasure.

  When he collapsed beside her, she rolled over on her side and her eyes moved over his face. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in closely, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

  “There isn’t a part of me that isn’t touching you right now and yet I can’t seem to get close enough,” she whispered as she pushed in even tighter.

  “My thoughts exactly,” Auguste said, kissing her forehead again and squeezing her tighter. Her long legs wrapped around him as they lay there in silence catching their breath. Isabelle couldn’t believe how primal their lovemaking had been, yet how tender and gentle he could be. Powerful emotions swept her away as she’d given herself to him completely. Though she’d heard from her aunt how incredible making love could be, nothing she’d imagined could compare to this. Snuggling in deeper, she let out a happy sigh. Being in his arms was even better than any fantasy.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  EXHALING A SHARP BREATH, Auguste closed his eyes and pulled her in tighter. Holding her in his arms, he felt a startling sense of completion. The spark she’d ignited when they kissed still flickered and danced within him, lighting up the darkness that lived inside him for the first time in his life. Like a match to kindling, that one kiss set his soul on fire, burning hotter than he could almost stand.

  Attempting to keep his darkness at bay, he pushed against it and tried to let only her light remain... to lay here just one more moment, basking in the feeling of her skin against his. Just one more moment of bliss before the reality of what he’d done settled in and stole his joy away. The realization that she didn’t know whose arms she laid in, and he could never tell her. As happy as he felt in this moment with her, his mind still wandered off to the tragic expression she would wear when she discovered the secret that would haunt him until his dying day. He was a German soldier... a traitor to two countries. And the man who killed her fiancé.

  “Is the rabbit burning or is that the sheets?” she asked, peeking up at him with glassy eyes.

  Forcing his dark thoughts away, he kissed her head and squeezed her a little tighter. He could smell the rabbit roasting and hear the crackling of the dying fire, but he didn’t want to move. “Let it burn. I don’t ever want to leave your arms, Isabelle,” he whispered.

  “Then don’t,” she whispered back, pressing a kiss against his chest.

  Grumbling, he scowled and let out a heavy sigh. “As much as I don’t want to, I do believe you’re right. Our rabbit is burning, and you need your strength after your ordeal... and this ordeal.” He chuckled as he kissed her head.

  Her giggle lit him back up, and he leaned over and pressed his lips to hers. “Stay here. I’ll bring you dinner in bed,” he said between kisses before tugging on his trousers.

  When he climbed out of bed, she pulled the quilt up and settled back against the pillow.

  “Are you cold? Let me add some more wood to the fire.”

  She nodded. “A little.”

  Auguste stoked up the fire and pulled the overcooked rabbit from the pot and cut it up, placing it onto two plates.

  “Not my best work I’ll admit.” He handed her a plate in bed. “However, in my defense, I was a little bit distracted.”

  Isabelle laughed and thanked him for dinner in bed. He poured her another glass of wine and then settled in beside her.

  “I forgot how hungry I was!” She tore into the rabbit.

  “I figured you would be. You had a long day. And with any luck you’ll have an even longer night.” Auguste winked as his free hand
squeezed her leg.

  Watching her cheeks fill with a rosy flush made him smile. Everything about her made him smile.

  They finished their rabbit and Auguste cleared their plates then crawled in bed with her, pulling her back into his arms. With each breath of hers he felt on his chest, he wondered how he was going to fix this. He’d lost his battle and had been unable to resist her, and now that he had her, even with all his willpower, there was no way he could let her go. Harsh reality flooded in, because unless he could find a way to come clean, every minute of the rest of their lives would be a lie. He could only dodge so many questions before he’d be forced to lie... and that wasn’t something he wanted to do. But for now, he realized, it was his only choice.

  “Auguste?”

  “Yes?”

  “Can we just stay out here forever?”

  Auguste chuckled. Nothing would make him happier than to stay here with her for all eternity. He would love nothing more than to forget the world around them and spend the rest of his days memorizing every curve of her body while learning every thought in her mind.

  “I wish we could.” He kissed her forehead. “I have a feeling your father would find us eventually and skin me alive. Then you would be all alone.”

  “Oh, yeah. My father.” She grimaced and wrinkled up her nose. “I suppose you’re right. But for tonight, can we just pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist? That it’s just the two of us together in this cabin forever?”

  “I would like nothing more.” He sighed and held her tight. For just this night he would try to enjoy every second with her and envision a life with her at his side... a life where his past didn’t haunt him, threatening to rip her from his arms and tear her away forever.

  The chattering of the birds out the window roused Auguste from his sleep. The storm had passed and the smell after the rain filled the air of the small cabin. When he looked over, he saw her curled up in the crook of his arm. She fit against his body perfectly, like two puzzle pieces interlocking together.