“I’m not surprised that he fell asleep out here. He drove for the better part of three days.” She stared down at Noah. His blonde hair was tousled, and swept down across his forehead. It was hard to resist the temptation to reach down and push his hair back.
Lenore took her arm, and motioned her toward the kitchen. “Let me fix you some breakfast.”
“Thank you. I'd really like some-”
“French toast with fresh strawberries on top,” Noah interrupted groggily. He pushed his hair out of his eyes, and sat up. “I picked up the strawberries last night.”
“How did you know what I was going to want for breakfast?” Hannah asked.
He stood up and stretched. The fabric on his shirt clung to his muscular arms and chest. “You have the same thing every morning.” He tweaked her nose on the way to the kitchen.
Hannah placed her hands on her hips, and called after him. “You don’t eat breakfast with me.”
He laughed, and looked back at her over his shoulder. “Who do you think cooked it, with the exception of the days I was out of town?”
Hannah followed him into the kitchen. “No wonder it tasted so bad when you were gone.”
“Not my fault,” he said as he took out the eggs, vanilla, milk, and orange extract. “I told them how to make it, and they didn’t listen to me.”
Hannah sat at the breakfast nook, and waited impatiently. It seemed to take forever, but finally he set her plate in front of her. “What else can you cook?”
“I can cook just about anything you want.” He winked at her, and then handed a plate to his mother.
“Thank you,” Lenore said as she placed a napkin on her lap. “Why don't you take Hannah out to the lake? I think she would enjoy some fresh air after the long trip.”
“It really is a beautiful spot, and it's not far from the house. I can pack a few snacks,” Noah offered.
Hannah looked up from her food. “Why do you need to pack snacks if it’s not far from the house?”
“It will take us at least ten minutes to walk there, and I’m positive that you’ll be hungry by then.” He leaned back as though she might hit him, and grinned playfully.
“Very funny.” She pretended to be offended. “Can we bring the leftover strawberries?”
His mouth was full of food, so he nodded.
After they finished their breakfast, Hannah asked, “When can we go? I haven't been able to wander around freely for what seems like forever.”
“I just need to take a shower, and put on some clean clothes,” Noah said as he headed out of the room.
Hannah watched him walk out of the kitchen, and gave a little sigh.
When she looked back at Lenore, she noticed a very pleased smile on the other woman’s face.
Hannah looked down at her empty plate to hide her blush.
“There are plenty of goodies in the pantry, at the bottom of those stairs.” Lenore pointed her in the right direction. “Why don't you go pick out what you’d like to bring?”
When Hannah returned with a basket of snacks, she found Noah dressed and ready to go.
“Are you coming with us, Lenore?” she asked. “I packed enough for all of us.”
“No, you and Noah have a nice time. I'm going to do some reading.”
Noah kissed his mother on the cheek, and held her hand as he spoke. “We’ll be back in time for lunch.”
Lenore waved them out the door.
Clouds covered the sun, so Noah slipped his sunglasses into Hannah’s basket, took it from her, and then set out for the lake.
“Will I need to wear dark sunglasses?” Hannah asked. It seemed like there was always something new to wonder about.
“When you get older,” Noah said. “Our eyes get more sensitive to sunlight as we age.”
They walked along a wide dirt trail for a short while, and then Noah held aside a leafy branch for her.
“After you,” he said with a polite bow.
She hesitated, and looked around. “Are you sure it's a good idea to go off of the trail? I don't want to get lost. We don't have enough food for that, and you might starve,” she teased.
“I've gone this way at least a dozen times,” he assured her. “Don’t you trust me?”
“Are you kidding? I trust you with my life.” She walked past him through the small opening he had made for her.
Noah pointed to a shady patch of lush green grass. A few trees offered shade. There was a small lake surrounded on all other sides by rocky peaks. It looked like something out of a painting.
Hannah looked around in awe. “This is incredible, Noah. It’s so peaceful and pretty.”
The grin on his face was that of a little boy who had just done something good. “I’m glad you like it. When it warms up this is a great place to swim.”
“This is kind of embarrassing, but I don’t know how to swim” she admitted, “I’ve always been afraid of the water.”
“Really?” he asked in disbelief. When she nodded he continued. “Well, there’s always skipping stones. You can do that in almost any weather.”
“I don’t really know how to skip stones either. To be totally honest, I didn't know anyone really did that. I thought that it only happened in movies about small hick towns.”
He gave her an incredulous stare. “You've never skipped stones? How can a person live twenty-four years without ever skipping stones? What were they teaching you in those fancy boarding schools?” He grabbed her hand, and pulled her to the edge of the water. “I'll show you how it's done.”
She marveled at his zeal. “If you insist.”
He fumbled through the rocks at the edge of the lake. “First, you need a good stone.” With a rock in hand he smiled proudly. “This one! This is a good skippin' stone.”
“Did you just say it was a good skippin' stone?” she drawled.
He turned his back to her. “Oh fine, just make fun of me. I guess I won't teach you how to skip stones,” he said playfully, then turned around and shook his finger at her. “Then you'll have to live the rest of your life without ever skipping a stone.”
She laughed harder than she had in weeks, and it felt wonderful. “I'm sorry, oh great stone skipper. I just didn't realize the importance of stone skipping. Please, teach me this valuable skill so that I can be as cool as you are.”
He put his hand under his chin, and tried to look serious. “Well, I would hate to deny you the privilege of seeing my exemplary stone skipping skills.” He stood on the edge, stone in hand, and turned toward her as he spoke. “Watch the master at work.” He tossed the stone, and it skipped four times before going in.
“Very impressive.” Hannah feigned wonder. “This must be one of you super cool vampire powers.”
“Now it’s your turn.” He picked up a stone, and handed it to her, then wrapped his arms around her from behind. His voice took on a husky tone, and his hand shook a little as it clasped hers. “Maybe you should do it without my help,” he said and took a step away from her.
She tossed the stone, just like he had, and it skipped once before it went in. “I did it!” she shouted, feeling more excited than she had expected to. Noah caught her as she threw her arms around him. “I have so much fun with you.”
“Ditto,” he said in that same husky voice. His hands rested on the sides of her waist.
“I wish you didn’t have to leave,” Hannah said sadly. “You’re my best friend, and I’m going to miss you.”
She hugged him tighter, pressing her breasts against his chest. Noah swore under his breath, and then turned his back on her. “I can’t do this anymore. I know I’m a jerk, but I don’t want to be just your friend, Hannah,” he said almost angrily. “I haven’t wanted that for months. That’s part of the reason I need to leave. I can’t keep pretending with you. It just gets harder every day. You should go back to the house.”
“No,” was her only reply.
“Please, don’t make this any more difficult for me,” he pleaded. “I n
eed to get myself under control before I do something to ruin our friendship. Go back to the house, and give me some time alone.”
“No,” she repeated.
He looked into her eyes, and let her see his lust. “If you stay here, I am going to kiss you. If you let me kiss you, I don’t know if I can stop. Please, Hannah, just go.”
She moved closer, and put one hand on his cheek. That was all the invitation he needed. Noah crushed her mouth with his. It was not a sweet kiss. It was demanding, consuming. Hannah groaned, and he shuddered. His tongue probed her mouth. When his mouth finally pulled away, Hannah was surprised to realize that she was now pressed against a tree. The kiss had distracted her so much that she had no recollection of being moved.
Noah bent his knees slightly so he could press his erection between her legs.
“Noah,” she moaned breathlessly.
“I know that I should say something romantic about how much I want to make love to you,” he said against her neck, “but I don’t want to make love to you. I want to fuck you until you can’t walk, and then I want to fuck you again.”
Hannah gave him a seductive smile. “I think I’d prefer that anyway.”
Noah kissed her again, grinding his erection against her. When he tore his mouth away, he knelt in front of her and lifted up the hem of her jumper. Impatiently, he tore her panties off, and tossed them to the side.
He lifted her right leg over his shoulder as she leaned back against the tree. Then she felt his tongue move against her. His tongue swirled, teased and then he sucked. She nearly screamed out. She couldn’t take any more. “I want you in me now!” she demanded.
Quickly, he undid his pants. He lifted her off of the ground, easily supporting her weight with one arm as he slid into her. This time Hannah did scream. She came so hard that she thought she might lose consciousness. She gripped his shoulders tightly as he continued to thrust.
The muscles in his arms tightened, and he stifled a scream as he finally found his own release. Hannah stroked his hair as he caught his breath. His scent was everywhere, that musky smell that she found so comforting was now combined with the smell of sex.
“Do you have any more secrets?” Hannah asked, as he set her on the ground.
He hesitated, and flushed. “Kind of.”
She looked up at his face. Her hands remained on his shoulders. “What does ‘kind of’ mean?”
“When you were dressing with me in the room that one time, I saw you naked.” He quickly added, “It was only for a second. Well, a few seconds. A minute at most.”
She laughed, and snuggled in close to him. “You are such a pervert.”
“I love you, Hannah,” he whispered softly.
“I love you too,” she answered without hesitation.
Noah pulled away to readjust his clothing. Suddenly, he stiffened. Hannah’s sense of peace turned to panic as she noticed what had caught Noah’s attention. Nathaniel was staring at them in silence. His mouth was slightly open as if he would speak, but he didn’t.
Noah quickly pulled away from her, and put himself between Nathaniel and Hannah.
“What are you doing here?” Noah asked nervously. “How did you even find us?”
“There’s a tracking device in Hannah’s phone. I was hurt when you took Hannah away, but I figured you had some noble reason.” Nathaniel’s voice cracked. “When I tracked you down, I had no clue I would find you fucking my fiancée.” His fist slammed into a nearby tree. “My assumption was that you took her away because of your friendship with her, but this . . .” He choked back his pain, as he waved his hand in the air. “This I didn’t see coming. How could you betray me like this?”
“I’m sorry that I had to lie to you.” Noah struggled for words. “I won’t let you take Hannah back with you. She doesn't want to be with you.”
Nathaniel let out a humorless laugh. “I trusted you, and you stole her from me. I should have known from day one that you wanted her, but I chose to believe that you were just being nice.” He ran his fingers through his hair, staring up at the sky before he continued. “You really played me for a fool. You planned this, didn't you? Why, Noah? When was it that you decided you were going to take her from me?”
Noah looked down, and shook his head. “I didn't plan this. I love you, but I won't let you hurt her anymore. You had no right to manipulate her and then force her to stay with you like that.” His gaze met Nathaniel’s. “I’ll do whatever it takes to protect Hannah, even from you.”
Nathaniel turned to speak to Hannah, but she was gone. “Hannah!” he shouted, and then listened until he heard her feet pounding against the brush. He ran in the direction of her footsteps.
Noah ran after him.
They finally caught up with her by the edge of the ridge overlooking the lake. She climbed out as far onto the rocky edge as she could, and looked down at the water below. Panic seized her. “Go away, Nathaniel! I would rather die than be with you!”
“Hannah, be careful! Don’t go any closer to the edge,” Noah called out as he took a step toward her.
“I'm not going back with him, Noah.” She trembled. “I don’t want to live like that.”
Nathaniel eased forward cautiously, the way that he would approach a skittish horse. “We can work this out. I know that you’re confused, but I can forgive you for leaving me. Just come away from the edge.”
She shook her head wildly. “No!” Suddenly, she lost her footing, and screamed as she fell into the lake below.
Noah shouted, “She can't swim!”
Both men ran to the edge, and dove into the water.
Hannah struggled to keep her head above water. Her arms flailed violently, but she felt herself going under. Suddenly a strong arm snaked around her, and pulled her to the shallow water. When she tried to stand her legs wouldn’t hold her. Nathaniel scooped her up in his arms, and carried her to the shore. He laid her on the grass, and knelt beside her. Noah knelt on her other side.
“Hannah!” Lenore shouted, as she ran to them. “Are you okay?” Her voice trailed off as she stared into the eyes of the son she had not seen in more than a century.
Nathaniel stared open-mouthed at his mother. Her hand reached out slowly to touch his cheek, but he jerked away. Hannah actually felt bad for him in that moment.
“Nathaniel?” Noah said his name quietly to draw his attention.
Nathaniel’s voice was suddenly raspy, and a little weak. “All of these years I thought she was dead. How long have you known?”
Noah looked directly into his eyes. “I’m sorry that I kept this from you, but you would have told Roman that she was alive. You know that he would have hunted her down like an animal. Then he would have stuck her in a cage, and called it a palace. If that had happened she would have died. Nathaniel, you can’t tell him where she is.”
Nathaniel shook his head, and refused to look at any of them. “My father loves her, and would never hurt her. They could be happy together.”
“No, Nathaniel, I could never be happy with your father.” Lenore grabbed his arm to get him to face her. When he refused to make eye contact she put a hand on either cheek, and forced his gaze toward hers. “Do you know what he used to do if I disobeyed him?”
Nathaniel nodded, his shoulders slumped in defeat. “I remember.” He shut his eyes tightly to block out the image. “He was just afraid you would leave him. You could be happy if you just give him a chance.”
“I would rather die than spend a single day with him, or allow him to put his hands on me.” She shuddered at the thought.
Nathaniel stepped back. “He loved you,” he insisted, but there was no longer conviction in his words.
Lenore released him, her body trembled. “If you tell your father where I am, I will end my life. That's the reason Noah kept this secret. Don’t blame him for this. He hated lying to you.” She closed her eyes and sighed. “I love you, but you frighten me.” Her voice was quiet but powerful.
Nathaniel stared
at her, eyes wide, mouth agape. She was just as beautiful as he remembered. He reached out his hand to touch her, but then he let it drop to his side. Memories flooded him. Memories of her crying after his father had said something cruel. Memories of her holding him close. Memories of her begging his father not to lock her up. Memories of her laughter and confidence during the time they were with Noah’s father. He looked at Hannah, as a more recent memory assaulted him. He remembered Hannah begging him not to lock her up. Without another word, Nathaniel turned, and walked away.
Noah ran after him. “Nathaniel, wait! C'mon, let's talk about this.” Noah caught him by the arm, but Nathaniel jerked away violently.
“Why? Do you want to tell me what an asshole I am a few more times today? You don't need to waste your breath, because I think between you, our mother, and Hannah, I have had enough honesty for one day. I finally get the picture.” He continued to walk away quickly then stopped. “Oh my God, I can’t believe our mother is alive.”
Noah didn’t know what to say, so he said the only thing he knew was true. “I’m sorry that you were hurt by all of this.”
Nathaniel was lost in his own thoughts. “I am just like my father, a man who terrorized our mother, and I helped him hurt her. She pretended to be dead to avoid me.” Finally, he looked Noah in the eye. “She's terrified of me, Noah. She's not afraid of you, just me. I remember what he did to her, and I let it happen.”
His fist slammed into a nearby tree. He opened and closed his hand, staring at his bloodied knuckles. Nathaniel swallowed, and continued. “Then there's Hannah who hates me for the same reasons that our mother hates my father. My son will probably be better off without me.” He sat on the ground, and stared at his hands.
“Stop feeling sorry for yourself,” Noah said bluntly. “Yeah, you fucked up big time but get over it.”
A humorless laugh came from Nathaniel. “Was that your big comforting speech?”
Noah sat down beside him. “You don’t need a big comforting speech. What you did to Hannah was really awful. You lied to her, manipulated her, locked her up, and I’m pretty sure you got her pregnant on purpose.”
Nathaniel’s guilty expression was answer enough.
Vampires and Vixens (Psy-Vamp) Page 19