“Tegan, I don’t think I want to be alone tonight,” he whispered.
“You will not be.” She stood and dropped her hands to her side.
Easton took her hand. “You misunderstood me. I want you to stay in my room with me.”
Tegan gave him a gentle smile before grabbing his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. “I am going to make sure everything is locked up tight, and I will join you shortly.”
Easton watched her go, the fear of the unknown still lingering. What have I gotten myself into? He made his way upstairs while she finished whatever she was doing. Easton realized he felt safe with her. He wasn’t sure why though. After all, it should have been him protecting her. That was the man’s role. However, if what she was saying was true, he’d just stepped into a whole other world in which the rules were completely different than what he was used to.
Chapter Nine
Easton paced around the bed, his heart racing in his chest. His nerves were on edge waiting for her to come to him. However, his nerves were humming for a completely different reason now that he was in his bedroom, knowing that she would be staying with him. The thoughts of druids and witches were fleeing his mind. Thoughts of her skin under his fingers and her breath mingling with his replaced them instead. Damn, that woman motivated him to do things he’d only dreamed of doing!
A soft knock at the door froze him in place. Get a grip you idiot, she’s going to know exactly what you have in mind if you don’t. “Come in.” His breath caught as the door opened slowly. “I’m glad…” He stopped as she made her way quickly to him and placed her finger softly over his lips.
“You know, I’ve thought about being with you again since the last moment I was with you. I have never felt so strongly about someone before. I truly believe you are the one for me. Knowing that, I promise to protect you with everything I have in me. Do you believe me?”
He took her in his arms and looked deep into her eyes. “Yes.” He did know it and he was really starting to believe it. He looked down into her eyes again. The feel of her body pressed so tightly to his own stirred him in ways he didn’t know was possible. This fact alone made him hold her tighter right before he kissed her sweetly. Pulling away, he whispered in her ear, “I want you. I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want you right here, right now.”
“I am yours then.” Her arms went around his neck as she pulled him down and captured his mouth with hers.
He heard her moan as he deepened the kiss, his tongue dancing with hers. He pulled her closer, feeling as if he couldn’t get her close enough. His hands roved down her back, and he cupped her ample bottom, moving her against the hardness of his erection.
“Feel what you do to me.” He lifted her and she wrapped her legs around his waist as he walked them to his bed. They were both breathless from their kisses, their hands moving frantically over each other, touching, exploring. “We have too many clothes on. I need to feel you against me, skin to skin.”
She tugged at his t-shirt as he ripped open her blouse, buttons flying everywhere. Laughing, she looked at him through hooded eyes. “I think it might be better if we just undress. I do not know if I will ever find my buttons.”
They moved from the bed, their eyes never leaving each other as they shimmied their clothes off. Easton tugged his shirt over his head, letting it fall to the floor. Pulling his belt loose from his jeans, he pushed them off and stepped toward her. “You aren’t going fast enough,” he growled impatiently.
She hooked her fingers under the fabric of her panties and slid them over her hips. He took her hand as she stepped out of them, moving closer to him. As the last piece of clothing fell, their laughter died as they allowed their eyes to rove over each other. His breath caught as his eyes met hers again, and he saw the desire had turned her eyes a darker shade. In two strides, he was taking her into his arms, crushing her against him as he claimed her mouth.
They fell on the bed, breathless from kissing. His hands moved over her soft, subtle skin, eliciting a groan from her. He slid a hand down her stomach, stopping just shy of where his fingers really wanted to be. He looked at her face, loving the way she squirmed with desire for him. Smiling, he lightly touched her moist area, rubbing the sensitive point until she was bucking against his hand. He ached painfully now. Removing his hand, he positioned himself at her opening and slid into her silkiness, the heat of her encompassing him completely and making him ache even more. Easton moaned as she lifted her legs, allowing him to slide completely into her.
She gasped. “Please. Do not. Stop.” Tegan threw her head back and wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him further into her core.
“You keep that up and I won’t last long.” He gasped as she increased her tempo. Easton reached under her, lifting her bottom. Her breaths were getting shallower and as he felt her tighten around him, he thrust himself into her hard, feeling his own release. Once her spasms stopped, he rolled over and pulled her close.
“That was way too fast. Great, but not the way I wanted to love you again. I promise the next time, I’ll take it slower.”
“You warned me but I could not stop. Feeling you inside of me was amazing and I wanted more.” She reached out and traced his jaw with her fingers. “You know, this just further proves to me that we belong together. You make me feel things that I have never felt before. Even now, I want you inside of me again.”
He pushed up onto his elbow, taking in her beauty and marveling at how she took his breath away. Why had he worried about being with her? He traced the back of his hand softly down her side and watched her shiver. Everything he believed about relationships drifted away, and he found himself wanting everything being with her seemed to promise.
Sighing contentedly, Easton laid back, cradling her against his chest. His thoughts switched back to the life he’d known before. “My life hasn’t been easy since my mother died. Looking back, I see she protected me with everything she had. I know she loved me, but I don’t understand why she was with Thomas. As an adult, I know now that he was not loving and kind to her either. I wonder why she didn’t go with my father. There are so many unanswered questions about my life.” He traced the soft swell of her breast with his hand.
“I will do everything I can to help you find the answers to your questions, my love. I am so sorry for what that man did to you.”
He felt the corners of his mouth turn up as he looked deep into her eyes. Seeing bits of his own soul there, he leaned down and kissed her softly. “Still staying with me tonight?”
Sighing she snuggled closer. “I will stay with you forever, if you will let me.”
As the room grew darker, Easton heard her breathing become slow and steady. He closed his eyes and drifted off, feeling safe for the first time in his existence.
A noise woke him. He lay still trying to get his bearings. Moonlight streamed through the window, not quite reaching the shadowed corners of the room. Tegan still slept beside him, snuggled against his chest, her breathing soft and even. He searched the room, trying to see into the shadows. Did something move or was it just his imagination? He waited and watched. No, nothing moved in the deep shadow. He was just jumpy and tired.
Just as Easton was drifting off, he heard the faint whisper of fabric. Opening his eyes, he saw something move in the shadows. This time he was sure of it. What the…? He tapped Tegan softly, hoping to wake her without startling her.
He watched as Tegan’s eyes opened but she lay perfectly still, apparently listening to the sounds of the room. Easton knew the moment she heard the rustle of fabric. From the look on her face, she was as startled as he was. Something was wrong. He could feel it.
“Is there something over in the corner?” he whispered in her ear. “There, deep in the shadows? I saw something move.”
She smiled. “It is safe. It is only my fat cat, Harry, rubbing up against the curtain,” she whispered. “Although, I am not entirely sure how he managed to find his way in here.”
“Are you sure?” he breathed out so quietly, he was surprised she was able to hear him. “How can you be sure?”
“Because I just can. Look.” She rolled over and turned on the lamp beside the bed. The darkness receded, and there in the corner sat a large, gray cat staring at them with its green eyes. “Come here, Harry. Let us make proper introductions.”
Harry crossed the room and pounced onto the bed. He moved to sit in between Tegan and Easton. Leaning back against her, he began to purr. A rough, deep sound unlike any cat Easton had ever heard before.
“Well Harry, you sure gave me a start.” He reached to pet the cat, but Harry leaned further against Tegan and stopped purring, laying his ears back flat against his head.
“Harry! Be nice. This is Easton, and he is going to be around a lot. You had better play nicely, or I will have to put you in another room.” She scratched his back and the purr returned. “Sorry about that. Harry can be a bit protective.” She bent down, touching her nose to Harry’s while scratching his fat sides. “He undoubtedly is up to no good, sneaking in here like he did.” Harry leaned forward and lifted his paw toward Easton. “He’s waiting for you to acknowledge him now.”
Feeling somewhat bemused, Easton put his hand out. Harry placed his paw in his hand as he cocked his little head, his eyes watching Easton. “Nice to meet you, Harry.” Removing his paw, Harry stood and moved to sit against him. He rubbed against Easton’s chest and arm as the rough purring started up again. Feeling even more amused at the cat’s imperial behavior, Easton scratched behind the cat’s ear and the purring increased. “I’ve never heard a cat purr so loudly or gruffly before. For that matter, I’ve never seen a cat this big. Where did you get him?” He laughed as the cat all but stood on his head, wanting more scratching.
“Oh, he found me. He’s… special,” she said hesitantly. She laughed at the antics Harry was pulling to get Easton to scratch him everywhere, causing Easton to smile himself. “Harry that is enough now. You do not want to wear out your first visit with him. Come here.”
Harry looked over at Tegan and curled up against Easton, closed his eyes, and started snoring. “It looks like not only has he accepted you, he has claimed you as well.” She shook her head. “Cuddling with you just became an issue.”
“Just move him.”
“Easier said than done. He is going to be mad.” She carefully picked up Harry and placed him at the bottom of the bed, talking to him softly as she smoothed his hair. He opened one eye and gave a soft mew. “You are fine right here. Go back to sleep.”
As she moved back into Easton’s open arms, he raised a brow. “What are you smiling at?”
“You. We have only been together a short time, but I already know that look. ” She nodded her head toward Harry. “We better wait until another time, my love. Trust me, we do not want to disturb his majesty.” She giggled when Easton gave her a lopsided grin.
“Just so you know, I’m not waiting past tomorrow morning. Harry won’t be allowed in here if he keeps getting in the way of our playtime.”
“Deal.” She snuggled closer. “Let us get some sleep now. We will talk about it more in the morning.”
Chapter Ten
Easton chuckled as Harry rubbed up against his back, his chainsaw purr breaking the peaceful morning silence. “You could wake the dead with that sound.”
Tegan pushed the covers off, picked Harry up, and started for the door with half his fat body hanging down from her arms.
“Where are you going?” He pushed up on his elbow, watching her.
She glanced over her shoulder. “Did you not you promise me something this morning? I am putting him out the door.”
“While you’re doing that, I’ll be right back.” He slipped off the bed and hurried into the bathroom to take care of business. He chuckled when he heard Tegan talking to the silly cat again as if he understood her.
When he opened his bathroom door, he whistled when he saw her standing there with his T-shirt on. “I could get used to this.” Easton tugged her against him and backed her to the bed where he gently pushed her down after pulling his shirt off her. He crawled slowly up her body, trailing kisses along the way. Stopping to ravish one nipple with his tongue, she arched her back as his hand caressed her other breast. Taking his head in her hands, she held him against her as he tugged gently on the sensitive point. He smiled when she shivered again. She gasped, causing him to pull more of her into his mouth.
He moved down her body and positioned himself between her thighs. Watching her face, he gently pushed her legs farther apart, causing her to turn a delicate shade of pink. Oh how he loved the sight of her beautiful body. When he dipped his head and took her nub between his teeth, she moaned and twisted her body, giving him better access to what he most desired. His tongue explored lower, slipping in and out, causing her stomach to quiver with apparent need.
“What are you doing to me?” she moaned as he nibbled, licked, and sucked. He felt her tense and knew she was done when she grabbed his head, her hips bucking against his mouth as she called out his name. She fell back against the bed, opened her eyes, and smiled at him as he crawled up her body, positioned himself between her legs and entered her slowly.
A look of pure bliss spread over her face, making him smile. This was where he wanted and needed to be every day of his life. Tegan met his thrusts, placing her legs around him so he could bury himself deeper inside of her. The feeling of being so completely sheathed by her was almost his undoing. She moaned as he grabbed her bottom. Lifting her hips, he plunged faster and harder into her. This time, she screamed his name just as his own world seemed to explode into glorious bliss. They lay, wrapped in each other’s arms for what seemed like an eternity afterward, just enjoying each other. Easton felt so completely at peace with the world around him.
Tegan stretched. “Never in my life have I felt anything like this.” She rolled over to face him. “I have a lot to do. Would you mind starting breakfast?” Reaching out, she cupped his face. “I am sorry if it seems like I am using you, and then leaving you. It is just my dreams last night…” She shook her head as if trying to rid herself of a gruesome image. “Plus, your visitor is coming and we need to be ready. So we need to get up and get busy.”
Easton smiled, although it didn’t reach his stomach. Something about meeting this unknown person had him feeling uneasy, but he didn’t want Tegan to know that. “Sure, I have this. One amazing breakfast coming up.” As she slipped off the bed, he felt a terrible emptiness. Reaching for her hand, he pulled her down for a soft kiss. “I love you,” he whispered quietly, not quite sure where this sudden outbreak of emotions was coming from, but he knew he meant it just the same. “I never knew I could love someone so much, but then, here you come waltzing into my life and changing everything.” He stroked her face lovingly, enjoying the look of complete happiness that spread over her features.
“I love you too,” she whispered back. She bent down and kissed him softly before lifting her head and staring at him for a moment. “I will not be long,” she said quietly. She straightened up and strode to the door, pausing for a moment to look back at him before opening the door to Harry meowing loudly. He was apparently scolding her for taking too long.
Easton chuckled. “Sounds like he’s upset with you.”
“He is. But he will get over it once he is fed. His food is in the blue container in the kitchen pantry. You sure you do not mind?”
“Nope, I think I can handle feeding a cat.”
“Thanks.” Tegan smiled at him, bent over and scratched Harry’s head, and then disappeared down the hallway, leaving Easton feeling somewhat hollow and lonely without her in his sight.
He slid out of bed and took a quick shower before heading downstairs to the kitchen. First, he made a pot of coffee and poured himself a cup. Today, I’ll make a breakfast of fruit and oatmeal since she didn’t like eggs or bacon last time. Hopefully, she’d like it. He was just finishing up the oatmeal when he heard her wa
lk into the kitchen.
“Did you sleep all right last night?” His eyes twinkled and a smile spread across his lips.
“I did. Probably the best I have in years. How about you?” Tegan wrapped her arms around him, pressing her body against his back.
Harry waddled over and sat down on top of Easton’s foot. “I’m sorry, did I forget you? How did you sleep last night?”
Harry sat up straight and looked Easton in the eyes before meowing loudly. Easton chuckled, amused with the cat. “It sounded like he was trying to answer me.”
Tegan touched his arm. “I told you he was special,”
“That you did, and the more I see of him, the more I believe it.” Easton shook his head while turning to plate their food. “Last night, I had a dream about this man who claimed to be my father. It’s been a long time since I’ve even cared about that man.” Easton stared out the window to the rugged outdoors beyond, trying to see the man his mind had invented. “Now, I feel like I should meet him or at least find out who he is. Maybe it’s being in this house or finding you.”
“No, you probably never admitted it to yourself or anyone else before that you wanted to know who he is. But you are a caring man who feels deeply. Now that we have been together in the most intimate of ways, I see your emotions, I feel like I know your thoughts and your memories. You are no longer alone. You have me now.”
“My uncle knew all this, didn’t he?” He looked into her eyes. “Did he know who my father was?” He tucked her hair behind her ear.
“He never told me if he did or not, but your uncle knew many things. I know it is hard for you to believe me. I see in your eyes you do not know what to believe.” She placed the palm of her hand on his face. “I promise you will learn the truth soon.”
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