by Ann Mcintosh
“Huh,” she said and, thankfully, turned her attention back to the TV.
But later that night, when he went to tuck her into bed, he realized it really had been just the beginning.
“Uncle, do you have any pictures of me with Mommy and Daddy?”
“I do,” he said, his heart aching all over again. “Do you want me to find them for you?”
“Yes, please. And...and can you tell me more about them? Not tonight,” she added quickly. “But sometime soon?”
“I can, and I will, sweetheart. Whatever you want to know.”
Making his way back to the living room, Kiah felt as though the world, which just a few weeks ago had felt so stable, now wobbled like quicksand under his feet.
“Charm was asking about her parents,” he said without preamble, waiting to hear Mina say she’d warned him, and he was amazed when she remained uncharacteristically quiet.
“It’s not surprising,” Granny said, with a sigh tacked on. “I was wondering when she would.”
“Do you remember where we put the pictures, after I came back with her from Canada?”
“Yes. They’re in a box on top of my wardrobe. We can get them down tomorrow.”
“And I have some I can send back from Canada,” Mina added. “I think Charm would get a kick out of some pictures of you in high school and college, Kiah, as well as the ones I have of her parents.”
“Lawks,” he said, unable to stop himself smiling across at her, even as he shuddered to think how Charm would react to his past fashion sense and hair styles. “You’d do that to me?”
“I sure would. And with pleasure,” she added for good measure.
Those were the moments he would miss most when she was gone, he thought. The easy banter. The shared history that came out in stories and jokes.
He was already sure which job she’d take. St. Eustace couldn’t hold her, not when compared to the prestige and excitement of the job on offer in Toronto.
He’d miss his best friend, just like he missed having her as his lover, but her going back was for the best. For all of them.
When everyone else had gone to bed, Kiah stretched out on the couch and turned on a documentary, with the volume down low. He knew from past experience he was too keyed up to sleep, and could only hope the murmur of the commentator and the flicking screen would have a soporific effect.
The sound of a door opening down the corridor had him lifting his head, and when he saw Mina come into the room, his heart hammered in reaction.
“Hey,” he said. “Everything okay?”
“Fine,” she replied as she went by into the kitchen.
After a couple of minutes, she came back with a glass of water in her hand, and paused at the entrance to the hallway back to her room.
“Kiah, can you give me the name of the acupuncturist you mentioned a while back, please?”
He swung his feet down off the couch, instantly concerned.
“The pains have come back?”
She nodded, and he couldn’t help remembering how their lovemaking had seemingly stopped them the last time. He knew she wasn’t angling for more of the same. That was one choice that had already been settled, although he wished it hadn’t. Then he could scoop her up, carry her to his room, and love on her until her missing hand was the last thing on her mind.
But that wasn’t feasible, or advisable, so he thought back to all the research he’d done after she’d had the accident, and patted the couch beside him.
“I’ll give it to you in the morning,” he said. “In the meantime, come here. I want to try something.”
She shifted from one foot to the other, as though torn. “I’m just going to take a pain pill and try to get some sleep.”
“Come on,” he said, giving the cushion another couple of pats. “I read about a technique that’s supposed to work kind of like a mirror box. There’s no harm in trying it, and you might get some relief. At least enough to fall asleep.”
Seemingly still reluctant, she slowly made her way over and sat beside him on the couch. At his direction, she turned sideways, with her knee up on the cushions, so she was facing him.
“Okay. Now close your eyes and give me your hands.”
“You mean hand, don’t you?” she asked, cracking an eye open just as he shook his head.
“No. Keep your eyes closed and give me both hands.”
Hopefully, she understood what he was trying to achieve, and could trick her brain into thinking he was holding both her hands in his.
As she closed her eyes again, he started a gentle massage on her right hand.
When he felt her fingers tense up, as though she was going to pull her hand away, he asked, “When last did you speak to your parents?”
“Day before yesterday,” she replied, and he felt her hand relax with the distraction. “I talk to them at least twice a week.”
“How’re they doing? Are they still in Florida?”
She chuckled. “It isn’t spring in Ontario yet. They’re not going back there unless they’re sure there’ll be no more snow. Dad says he’s too old for that nonsense anymore.”
“I don’t blame him.” Kiah hoped his voice was soothing, but having her this close, touching her, even just her hand, had awakened his libido. “That, and the ice storms, make me glad I don’t live there anymore.”
He adjusted the pressure of his hand, making it a little softer, and she sighed.
Heartened, he continued to speak softly. “And how about Braden? What’s he up to?”
“Oh, the usual. He’s talking about expanding the acreage, putting in more trees. And I think he’s actually getting serious with the woman he’s been seeing. He talks about her all the time.”
“Have you met her yet?”
“No, I haven’t been to BC since they started dating, but I’ve invited them to come visit here. He’s the only one of the family who’s never visited St. Eustace.”
“That’s true,” he said, and his voice sounded a little rougher, even to his ears.
He saw her swallow, the movement obvious in her delicate throat, and knew he wasn’t the only one who felt the rising erotic tension.
“He...he asks about you all the time.” Her voice was breathy, the sound making him want to groan with need. “Says he can’t remember when last he saw you.”
Kiah couldn’t answer. It was all he could do just to keep up the gentle caresses, and not tug her onto his lap, so as to ravish that luscious mouth.
Then there was the sound of a door opening, and she opened her eyes, catching him staring. He had no doubt the desire in his eyes was unmistakable, as was the current flowing through their one, seemingly innocent, point of contact.
“Hezekiah, is that you?”
They were still staring at each other, their gazes locked, the electric flow holding them bound together, as he answered Miss Pearl.
“Yes, Granny. Me and Mina.”
“You two should be in bed.”
“Yes, Granny, you’re right. We should.”
“Go on, then,” came the unknowingly fraught reply. “Don’t be staying up this late.”
As Miss Pearl closed her door again, the tension between them was thick enough to drink, and in the dim glow of the television he saw the rush of color staining Mina’s cheeks.
Keeping his voice calm took everything inside. “How does it feel now?”
“Good,” she said, the corner of her lips tipping up for an instant, as though she tried to smile but was unable to find the wherewithal. “Thank you.”
For a long moment, neither of them moved, and Kiah felt heat billowing out into his veins.
“Go to bed, Mina,” he whispered, his gaze dropping to her lips, lingering there for an instant, as he released her hand. “If you don’t, I’m going to try to follow Granny’s advice
.”
She nodded, before pushing to her feet. Picking up the glass of water, she took a step away, thankfully before he lost his head completely.
“Night,” she said. “And thanks.”
“Anytime, sweet girl. Anytime.”
Then she was gone, leaving him even more edgy than when she found him, even though he’d thought earlier it couldn’t get any worse.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
ALTHOUGH BOTH MINA and Kiah tried to keep the atmosphere the same as it had been, Charm was still mopey, and Miss Pearl’s temper definitely wasn’t improved by her enforced immobility.
By day two of the RICE treatment, she was downright testy.
“I don’t care what any of you say,” she told them all the next evening. “I’m due to run a clinic up at Red Ground tomorrow, and I’m going.”
“You should be fit enough,” Mina told her cautiously. “But it would be best if you don’t stand on your foot all day.”
That earned her a sniff and an upturned nose from the older lady.
“I’m supposed to be at Morningside tomorrow, too, Granny, and the hospital is providing me with transport. We could ride together, since I’m passing Red Ground on the way.”
He’d mentioned having to go to the smaller hospital to see some patients, and potentially do a couple of elective surgeries so the patients didn’t have to traverse the length of the island to have them done. Although Mina was off that day, he hadn’t suggested she go with him, and she’d tried not to be hurt by the omission.
After all, it was better to put some distance between them, especially in light of her reaction to his proximity. Just those simple touches last night had fired her libido, leaving her weak-kneed and shaky on her walk back to bed. And once there, she’d tossed and turned, her desire for him keeping her awake half the night. The only good thing was that he’d once more banished the phantom pains, so they hadn’t added to her frustration.
“That would be better than driving with Nurse Maxwell,” Miss Pearl said. “Her driving is horrible.”
“Goes too fast?” Kiah asked.
“No. She doesn’t go over twenty miles per hour, and slows down if she sees anything coming toward her. Gives me a headache just thinking about it.”
Mina laughed, but the sense of walking on eggshells was hard on her, as was being around Kiah all the time, without being able to touch him. Although it had been normal for them to touch casually, and nothing had been said between them, they both seemed to have come to the conclusion it was better not to, and avoided it altogether.
Then, that night, the strain in the house came to a head with Miss Pearl barking at Charm, who’d been particularly snippy that evening. Having been ordered to her room by her great-grandmother, the young girl stomped off down the hallway and closed her room door with enough force to almost be called a slam.
Miss Pearl seemed set to shout after her, but Kiah intervened.
“Leave it alone, now, Granny. She’s already upset, and if you go after her any more, she’ll have a meltdown.”
“The child is sulking, Hezekiah. And then she has the nerve to bang the door? In my day, that would earn a good spanking.”
“Good thing today is a different day,” he replied mildly. “Besides, you haven’t been an easy roommate over the last couple of days. Of all of us, you should be willing to cut her some slack.”
The elderly lady’s lips tightened, but she also looked a little ashamed, and it wasn’t too long after that she declared herself tired and went to bed.
“Should I go check on Charm?” Mina asked, wanting to help.
Kiah hesitated for an instant, and then nodded. “Maybe she’ll talk to you. I’ve gotten nothing but grunts and monosyllabic answers from her today.”
Was he trying to make her feel guilty?
Whether he was or wasn’t didn’t really matter, Mina knew, because she felt that way all on her own, without outside prompting.
She’d never thought her choices would have the kind of impact on the others they seemed to have had. Charm in particular was tugging at her heartstrings, even while being a bit of a pain. No amount of reassurance that they would stay in contact, no matter what Mina decided to do, made any difference. Charm seemed to feel Mina was set to desert her, and no one could convince her otherwise.
Mina tapped on her door but received no answer. A slightly harder knock got no response, either, so Mina took a chance and opened the door a crack to peep into the room. What she saw moved her, and made her sigh.
Charm was curled up on her bed, still fully clothed, fast asleep. But there were tear tracks clearly visible on her cheeks, and even in repose her lips were set in an unhappy frown.
Going in, she found the little girl’s nightie under her pillow and gently roused her, so that she could change into it.
Still half-asleep, Charm said, “I haven’t cleaned my teeth.”
“Come on, then,” Mina said, getting up and leading her into the bathroom.
When Charm was finished with her ablutions, it was back to bed, but Mina was a little concerned, as the youngster felt a bit warm to the touch.
“Are you feeling okay, Charm?”
“Yes, Auntie,” came the sleepy reply, but she was almost back to sleep before Mina could pull the covers up to her chin.
Bending, Mina kissed the warm, smooth cheek, and slicked her hand over Charms braids.
“Sleep well, baby,” she whispered.
When she straightened and turned to the door, it was to see Kiah there, watching.
She put her finger to her lips and he nodded, his tender gaze melting her deep inside.
Walking toward him felt as though it took forever, each step causing the desire that constantly simmered beneath her skin to get hotter, until she tingled with need.
And it was there in his gaze, too, which morphed from gentle to fierce as she neared. When he turned sideways for her to pass him on the way out the door, she could almost feel his arousal coming off him, like static electricity, raising goose bumps on her arm and back. Bringing her nipples to yearning attention.
He took her hand and led her down the corridor past her room, which was next to Charm’s, and into his.
They shouldn’t be together like this, with his niece asleep just down the hallway, and his grandmother on the other side of the house, probably still awake. But nothing could stop the explosive desire that swirled and snapped between them, urging them to touch, to taste, to give and to take.
It was an erotic revelation to Mina, made somehow more intense by the necessity for silence, and the knowledge that they had to hurry.
Not that it took Kiah long to make her come the first time. Already he’d learned what aroused her, and how to take her over the edge. He caught her low sound of abject pleasure with his mouth, kissing her until the final shudders eased, and she lay limp in his arms.
Then he kissed her some more, his hands bringing her body back to yearning life, until she was twisting against him, silently, desperately begging for more. The way he caressed her, his hands gentle, adoring, awoke within her a sense of wonder. She became beautiful, because he looked at her as though she were. Became powerful, because of how he reacted to her touch.
Pushing away from him, she tugged at his hand, positioning him on the edge of the bed. When she straddled his thighs to take him deep into her body, it was her turn to muffle the sound of his appreciation with her lips.
It was a wild, ecstatic ride, which culminated with her biting his shoulder, while he shuddered and whispered words of ecstasy into her neck.
He held her close for several long, sweet moments, as their breathing and heart rates slowly returned to normal. And it felt almost surreal to get up and silently get their clothes back in order, before going back out into the living room.
Mina thanked the heavens when the room was empty. A
t the last moment she’d had the horrible thought that they’d come out and find Miss Pearl sitting there, waiting for them.
Still without talking, they wandered out onto the back veranda, and Mina sank into her chair with a satisfied sigh. Her legs felt wonderfully wobbly, and the surge of endorphins had relaxed her almost to the point of sleep.
And it was strangely easy to just sit and chat, even laugh a little with him, considering how fraught the last days had been, and how thoroughly they’d broken their agreement. They could go back to staying away from each other the next morning.
At least, that was what Mina told herself.
“I should turn in,” he finally said, looking at his watch. “It’ll be a long day tomorrow, with everything Morningside wants me to do.”
She heard and understood his reluctance but did nothing to waylay him, merely got to her feet and waited for him to do the same, making sure to take leave of him with just a wave. Nothing more.
That way she wouldn’t be even more tempted to drag him off to her room and make love to him again.
* * *
The next morning Charm said she wasn’t feeling well, and went back to bed without eating breakfast. Miss Pearl was unimpressed, even when Mina said she’d thought Charm might have a fever, though the thermometer said her temperature was only very slightly elevated.
“We’ll keep her home today, but it’s back to school for her tomorrow. Half-term holidays always make it difficult to get children back into the school schedule.”
Kiah rolled his eyes but made sure to do it where only Mina could, and his grandmother couldn’t, see him. Mina held in her chuckles and somehow kept a straight face.
“I’ll keep an eye on her today,” she said as they heard the beep of a horn outside, heralding the arrival of their transportation. “I’m sure she’ll be okay.”
But Charm showed signs of getting worse as the day progressed, complaining of a headache, and with a spike in her temperature that worried Mina. Since it was flu season, even in the tropics, she gave her a dose of acetaminophen and kept an even sharper eye on her than before.