Colum smiled back and let his hand rub the lower part of her back. “How about you come to my home and we will cook together. I will let my cook off for tonight but I know he has lamb broth so we can make a traditional Italian wedding soup. Soup is perfect for a night like this.”
Katherine could almost smell the broth, knowing the smell of a lamb broth, being from an Irish family. “Sounds wonderful.”
* * * * * * *
They rode in silence to Colum’s home. The snow was still coming down and was supposed to continue all through the night.
Colum glanced over at Katherine as he came to his gate. One hand was out the window pushing the button and then scanning his finger as he spoke to her. “You OK?”
Katherine exhaled. “Yea, no… I don’t know.”
“Hold that thought... ” Colum looked into the screen and then the gate opened. He closed his window and they drove down the winding drive.
“Relax, we’ll have supper, we can sit by the fire, or watch a movie. I can even bring you up to my parents’ home on the hill, if you would rather not be alone with me tonight.”
Katherine watched as the garage door opened in front of them. Travis stood in the shadows but was lit by their headlights. When she saw him he seemed familiar, too. Yes, she knew who he was, but something in the recesses of her memory bank told her she knew him somehow. She couldn’t place it but she felt like she had known him forever also...
Travis went to Katherine’s door and opened it for her. “Miss Katherine, if you will follow me I will show you to your room. There is a robe you can put on, along with pajamas.”
She looked over to Colum.
“It’s OK, if you don’t want to stay you can wear them at my parents’ but I don’t want you alone tonight, one way or another. Also don’t worry about the children, as we talk, they are being watched over, quite well.”
Katherine smiled at Colum. “Thank you.”
* * * * * * **
She followed the butler through a hallway that was dimly lit until they arrived at the main part of the house.
“This way, Miss Katherine... ”
She followed him up the stairs and down a hall that was carpeted by some fine Persian rugs. She could tell by the feel of it that it would be heavenly to walk barefoot on. Travis stopped at a door and opened it wide to let her go in.
She peeked in and was awed by the beautiful room that met her eyes. It was all feminine and just the color she loved, a soft rose.
“Oh!” escaped her lips before she knew what she had said.
“Yes, Miss Katherine, it’s a very comfortable room.”
“Comfortable... that’s not the word I was thinking. Cozy, inviting, romantic... ” She blushed at the last word.
“It’s OK Miss... ” Travis smiled.
“And a Gone with the Wind lamp... ” she walked up to the lamp, studying and touching it. “It’s absolutely beautiful.”
Travis nodded. “I’ve built a fire in the fire place for you. I will make sure it is going nicely, if you choose to stay the night, Colum will let me know.”
Katherine forgot her unease and felt so relaxed... like she had come home. She walked around the room, touching things. She could almost smell the roses. She felt lost in another time. She forgot for a second that Travis was there until she heard him clear his throat.
Turning, “Do you ever feel like you have seen things before Travis, like you can’t explain it but you know this may have been part of your life, in another life of course? I don’t know, it’s confusing but as soon as I saw all of these pieces of furniture, I felt like I was home, or part way anyway... ”
Travis tried not to smile but couldn’t help it. “Yes, I think I understand.”
Katherine didn’t want him to leave. “Do you think there would be a pair of sweats I could put on and another pair of socks? I don’t want to cook in PJs.”
Travis brought her to the closet. “Here, Miss Katherine, is an assortment for you to choose from.”
Katherine looked and found a pair of sweats. Quickly looking, she saw there was indeed an assortment of clothes.
“Travis?”
“Yes?”
“Why does he have a room that is obviously a woman’s, and all these clothes?”
“His sister’s spare clothes. This is a guest bedroom.”
Katherine stood for a moment. Looked down at the sweats. “Oh... ”
“Will that be all, Miss Katherine?”
“Yes, Travis. I will be fine. I’ll find my way down to the kitchen just fine. You go ahead.”
“Thank you, Miss Katherine.”
Travis walked out of her room and closed the door quietly. As he reached the staircase he saw Colum coming up.
“You are going to hell for that fib Travis... ”
“Sir, we both will sooner or later... ”
“Yes, that’s a perk of this life and job.”
Colum walked past his butler. “In the meantime we, you, all of us, have got to make sure nothing happens to Katherine.”
Travis nodded his head. “Yes Sir, we will do our duty and keep her and the children safe. Will there be anything else for this evening?”
Colum shook his head. “No, you can have the rest of the evening off.”
“Goodnight, Sir. See you in the morning.”
“Yes, goodnight.”
Chapter 6
Colum walked past the door that was Katherine’s and walked into his own room. He went to his closet and pulled out some clothes.
Changing into a white tee and another pair of jeans, he left his feet bare. He was tempted to knock on the connecting door. But knew just from his acute hearing that Katherine was almost finished dressing.
He walked out and timed his steps just as Katherine was exiting her room.
“Oh, Colum, I didn’t hear anyone upstairs... ”
Colum could smell her fear but there was that hint of arousal, which she was trying to hold at bay. She was fighting it.
Taking her hand, he said, “Come on, let’s go make dinner.”
They walked down the stairs and Katherine saw the kitchen of her dreams. Hers was nice but this was something out of a magazine. It was white, lots of counters and the windows just in the kitchen. She knew during the day the view would be fabulous. Tonight, all she could see was snow flying past. Lights were on to show quite a bit of the lawn that led down to the ocean.
“Colum?”
He turned from the counter where he had the ground lamb sitting. “Yes?”
“Are we, I mean, are the children safe?”
Colum came up to Katherine and wrapped his arms around her. “As we speak, men are posted outside Olivia’s home and also outside where the boys are. These men are trained in this type of work and wait for just this chance. Don’t worry, nothing gets by them.”
Katherine had to know more. “Why though, why all the interest in plain old me? I mean, I thought maybe it wasn’t a big deal and they would get tired of this and just go home.”
Colum was seriously having a hard time controlling himself. Katherine was sending off waves of fear, which only further aroused the beast in him, and then her own arousal was drawing him in like a bee to a flower. The fact that she was his, and had been for over a thousand years, made it just that much harder. He would be so happy when they came together, then she would really be his, and at some point, when the time was right, he would change her. But for now she was here, close and he needed to remember she was human, not a vampire, not a fallen one. She had the blood of the Fae, which was the reason why they had been together in the first place.
It had been a union of the two people and two very strong families to strengthen bloodlines. Then she had been killed by an evil son of Mil’s; the first time. It had always been that way in the early, dark years of Ireland. He had waited for her again and she had been born the next year Eriu, one of the three Queens; then, as daughter to High King Brian Boru.
Down through the ages she ha
d been his, but never forever...
Colum touched her face.
Katherine responded to his touch. She arched and stretched up, feeling a flow of heat course through her body that was begging to be released. “Sometimes, I feel like you leave earth for a few minutes and then you come back. Saw it just then... ”
Colum tilted her chin. “Did you see what I saw?”
“No, but I almost felt it. Felt your sadness and struggle.” She gazed into his eyes that were now a deep violet. There were tinges of red, like flecks of colored flame.
“Colum... ” She felt the need to take charge for this moment. She hadn’t felt like this in a very long time. She stood on tiptoe, her lips sought his, felt his skim hers, heard a purr come from his throat. She let her fingers reach up and grab at his tee, holding him, anchoring herself.
She felt him taste her with his tongue.
“What do you taste?” She asked.
“Honesty here?”
Katherine kissed his chin. “Yes…”
Colum let his tongue dip in, felt her respond, tasted the blend of her fear and arousal. He felt her small hands seeking a place to secure herself.
“I taste a woman, who has fears, but also who needs to be loved.” Kissing her deeply, he felt her press in closer. Felt all of her respond.
“I’m afraid, Colum. I don’t know if it’s right... yet”
Colum held her, letting his hand span her back, gently rubbing, to calm her.
“I’ll not force myself on you but you said yourself earlier today that it felt right.”
Katherine let her forehead rest on his chest. She flattened herself to lay her face on his hard chest. She listened for a heartbeat, and moving her head, she looked up at his face and saw need. She put her head back on his chest and heard, nothing.
“Colum?”
“Yes?”
“I don’t hear a heart beat... ”
“It’s there, beating strong.”
Katherine laid her head on his chest again, standing on tiptoe trying in vane to hear his heart. She felt him breathe, felt his warmth, felt his hands gently massaging her back. Heard his throaty purr and felt his kisses on her head, her ear, then trailing down her neck. She forgot the lack of his beating heart and reached up again. “I don’t care... ”
He felt her surrender for the moment and he caught up her lips to kiss them again. He could kiss her all night and this would be enough... if only he knew that she would be his forever.
“Katherine, let’s make dinner then we can relax and talk. I’ll build a fire in your room and we can sit there.”
“Travis has already built one.”
“Yes, but I dismissed him for the evening. It’s just you and I. Sometimes I don’t want people under foot.”
Katherine felt herself being held for a moment longer. She pressed into his body. She felt safe and sheltered. Almost like wings were wrapped around her. She sniffed his tee, kissed his chest. She felt his lips on her head again.
“When the time is right... ”
Her hand dropped into his. “Yes... ”
* * * * * * *
Katherine and Colum worked in quiet efficiency. She poured in the acini de pepe and then went and set two place settings at the kitchen table.
“Did I tell you my mother wants to have tea with you this week, and my parents would like to meet you and your children? They were sorry they didn’t get down this morning as planned.”
Katherine looked up from setting the napkins. “They do? But why?”
“Because you are very important to me.”
Katherine warmed at that thought. She felt better about being with Colum. “I know my parents would love to have you down, but wait, they are coming up for the holidays. Then for New Years’ we are going down to Boston for a birthday celebration. My brother’s birthday is on New Year’s Day and we have cousin’s in Boston. My mother was excited I was going on a date with you. She told me, “it’s about time you went out on a date... ””
She walked back into the kitchen while Colum was tasting the soup’s broth. He brought the spoon up to her lips. She could smell the lamb and the seasonings, the acini de pepe were like tiny pearls in her mouth. The texture of the broth was like liquid velvet. She felt some dribble down her chin and watched as Colum came in close and licked it off. He caught her chin and kissed her lips. “You are a fetching kitchen witch.”
Katherine laughed. “God, my mom has a kitchen witch magnet on her fridge, I hope I am sight better looking then that.”
Colum laughed.
They sat at the farm table in the kitchen eating their soup. Quiet prevailed except for the sleet hitting the windows. “God, I’m glad to be inside.” Katherine said.
“You and me both. I don’t like being out in weather like this... unless there is an urgent need.”
Katherine took another spoonful of her soup. “I’ve never had this soup this way. It was wonderful and the lamb chops were perfect.”
Colum smiled. “I’m glad. It’s not often that I cook, so this made for a quick meal, we can eat then relax.”
Katherine didn’t feel like she could really relax. There was tension in the air. It crackled like the fire in a fireplace. She felt like she would combust soon. She wasn’t sure she wanted it to happen but on the other hand she did. She was jolted gently out of her daydreaming.
“Katherine, I think it’s been a long day for you. Let’s clean up here and we can go talk in front of the fire until you fall asleep.”
Katherine felt like that was a dash of cold water in the face. Maybe he didn’t want to after all. Maybe she had been imagining everything. Figures. Here it had been years and she was kinda getting her hopes up... She tried not to show how she felt. She got up from the table feeling very foolish but putting on her best face.
“I’ll clear the table, you put the soup away.”
“OK, I’ve got it.” He leaned over and kissed the tip of her nose, then brought the pot of soup into the kitchen.
“You don’t normally eat this informal, do you?”
“Not usually. Normally, all the men eat with me but at the dining room table, up at my parents’ we eat formally all the time. You will see, there is an army of servants up there.”
Katherine could see that. She knew just from what she had seen in this house, that eating informally wasn’t their thing. Not if they were as rich, if not richer than England and Europe’s royalty.
After getting things cleared up, he held her hand as he walked her upstairs.
Leading her down the hall and then up the first flight of stairs she felt herself getting a bit lightheaded. They reached the dimly lit hallway and started walking down until they got to her door.
“Remember we are just going to relax, no pressure.”
Her tiredness rolled off her like waves on a beach.
“No pressure?” Came her voice just above a whisper.
Colum saw how she felt. Pulling her in, he held her. She had been strong for so long. “No pressure... I promise.”
They lay on the carpet in front of the fire, enjoying the quiet. The only thing that could be heard was the fire’s crackle and the wind that howled. Some wood popped and then hissed. Colum heard a sigh come from Katherine. “Come here... ” he said as he pulled her in and kissed her forehead. “Now lie down on your stomach and I will rub your back. I want you to relax and fall asleep.”
Katherine was feeling the effects of a long, exciting day. “Mmm, that feels so good.”
He could tell she was relaxing. Massaging her shoulders, he felt the tense feeling muscles relax. “You know you have shouldered the responsibility too long. Give me some of it.”
Katherine shook her head. “No... it’s not your battle, ultimately it’s mine. I spoke at a very bad time in my life, now I have to pay the piper.” She closed her eyes and could feel the overwhelming realization that she was in over her head. She had been beside herself in grief and some idiot or idiots were taking her statement ser
iously and now it put her family and herself in harm’s way.
Colum saw her tears. It was too much for him. He leaned in and kissed her face and heard her moan.
Lying down next to her he felt her shift and look at him. Gathering her close he felt her move in so she fit just right.
“I don’t think I know what else to do... ”
Bringing her chin up. “About what, dear Katherine?”
Katherine ducked her head. “God... I don’t know, I guess about you, about the terrorist, about life in general. I mean how do I please a man wh-who is like you?”
Colum chuckled. “Like how, dear Katherine? I’m like any other mor-man…”
Katherine reached up and touched his lip. “I don’t think so... I think you are not like any man I have ever seen or touched, much less wanted to have touch me... When I am near you I feel like I have known you for a whole lot longer than I have known you. I feel like we have made love before, but that’s ludicrous.”
“Would you believe it if I told you that we, well, you are a reincarnation to my wife... that we knew each other a very long time ago.”
Katherine shrugged and rolled over on her back. “I’d believe almost anything right now. Here things seem enchanted.”
Colum stretched out next to her and studied her face. If only she knew all the times they had been just like this, talking, making love. He let his fingers trace her face as he watched her in the glow of the firelight.
“Come here... ” He pulled her in to cuddle her in the crook of his arm again and held her. He heard her faintly say in a sleepy voice “No pressure... ”
They stayed like that for a long time. The fire started to dim, and Colum could tell Katherine was sound asleep. She made small sounds, and made little movements, but cuddled closer, draping a leg over his.
Chapter 7
Katherine woke and knew something was different. She was lying down so she was turned towards Colum. They were no longer on the floor but up on her bed. She was still clothed but she was cuddled in so tight.
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