Hearts Aflame

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Hearts Aflame Page 16

by Ronica Black


  Krista felt her throat grow raw with emotion. Again she hated herself for staying away. She was starting in on herself when Howie stopped his horse ahead of her, and Rae turned Shamrock around and approached.

  “I think we’d better stop here for the rest of the night. Dry off and get a few hours’ sleep.” She slipped off the horse and pulled down Howie’s rolled tent.

  Krista eased off Dollar and glanced around at the small area of flat desert ground, relatively free of trees and shrubs. Rae tossed her a large flashlight and quickly built a fire and then put up their tents while Krista shone the light for her.

  “Leave my tent, Rae. I can do that.” Krista felt bad. Rae didn’t have to do things for her. She could manage.

  Rae dropped the tent and grumbled lightly, “I know, I know, you don’t need any help.”

  “That’s right, I don’t.” But Rae kept working. Krista’s frustration mounted. She felt so damn helpless. “Rae.”

  “Just hold the light for me.” Rae seemed to be feeling the strain as well, and Krista clamped her mouth shut, not wanting to argue. Rae set Krista’s tent up a good ways from Howie’s, knowing she wouldn’t want to be anywhere near him.

  She glanced at the silent cowboy. He was still on his horse, his useless arm held up like a wounded wing, unable to do much of anything but sit and wait. At least he was sober and not causing a problem.

  Steadily, the rain increased in speed and volume, tapping against the fabric of the tents. Krista threw another piece of wood on the fire, hoping its heat would hold out. She could see her breath when she exhaled and she knew the temperature had dropped considerably. This was their coldest night yet.

  Tent erect and drumming with raindrops, Rae stood and brushed off her hands.

  Krista offered a smile, truly thankful. “You didn’t need to do that, but for what it’s worth, thank you.”

  Rae stopped and looked at her as if surprised by the verbal appreciation. “You’re welcome.”

  Her eyes shifted to Howie and the warmth in her expression vanished. She strode over to his horse and helped him down, allowing him to get his feet under him before she stepped back. He resisted her grip even when it kept him upright.

  “Tell your man to keep his hands off me,” he told Krista before disappearing into his tent.

  “I don’t know why he thinks calling me a man would bother me.” Rae moved about Shamrock unperturbed. “I’m more of a man than he’ll ever be.”

  Krista thought about that for a moment. Rae was right. “Me too,” she said softly.

  The coyote squirmed again and Krista unzipped her jacket and placed him on the ground. She kept him in the beam of her flashlight as he stretched and then relieved himself. Before the rain could penetrate his fur, Krista scooped him back up and took him to her tent, where she set him inside. Then she crossed to Dollar and retrieved her sleeping bag and mat. Once she’d made her bed, she stepped back out, intending to help Rae with her own preparations. But to her surprise, Rae was settling in by the fire, covered in a horse blanket, Stetson pulled down tight to ward off the rain.

  “Where’s your tent?” Krista asked, shivering in the dropping temperature.

  Rae snuggled farther under the blanket. “Can’t use it.” Her tone was flat, as if she didn’t want to talk.

  “Why not?”

  “It’s got holes in it.”

  “What?” Krista caught sight of it on the ground next to Shamrock.

  Rae lifted her head. “Someone put holes in it. Big tears, gashes. Like from a knife.”

  Immediately, Krista swung her head around to Howie’s tent. “The son of a bitch. When did he do it?”

  “I don’t know. Probably sometime earlier today. Before the Candace fiasco.” Rae pulled up her knees and wrapped her arms around them beneath the blanket. “He didn’t like me confronting him last night.”

  “But I had Cody take his knives.”

  Rae met her eyes. “That probably only pissed him off more. I’m sure he has a pocket knife. One he keeps on him all the time.”

  “Bastard!” Krista marched to his tent and unzipped the flap. She’d had enough of this asshole. “Howie. Howie!”

  He rolled to his side and squinted as she shone the flashlight in his eyes. He had a bottle of aspirin in his hand and what appeared to be a small bottle of brown liquid.

  “Get out of this tent,” she demanded. “Get out of this tent this instant! You can be the one who sleeps in the rain!”

  Krista was about to step closer to him, but a strong hand gripped her arm from outside the tent. She spun around, her breath puffing angrily in the rain.

  “Stop,” Rae quietly insisted.

  “But he—”

  Rae held up a hand. “He’s paying for it. His arm is very badly broken.”

  “But your tent, you can’t sleep in the rain!”

  “I’ll be fine.” Rae zipped up Howie’s tent, adjusted the Stetson, and steered Krista away.

  Her calm infuriated Krista. “No. You’re sleeping in mine.”

  Rae began stoking the fire. “No. I need to watch Howie.”

  “Howie’s weak and in pain. He’s not going anywhere. You know it as well as I do.” Krista shivered from the cold. “Rae, you’re sleeping in my tent.”

  Rae tossed the stoking stick into the flames. “I’ll be fine out here.”

  Krista nearly blurted out curses. Was Rae that repulsed by her? “I know I’m not Candace, but—”

  Rae’s head snapped up. “What?”

  “Look, I won’t touch you, I know you and she… You don’t have to worry.”

  Rae straightened from the fire and the rain fell harder and faster. “What are you saying?”

  Desperate, Krista crossed to Shamrock and unlatched the guitar. The case was soft and she knew the guitar needed shelter from the rain. Rae watched in silence as Krista carried it toward her tent. She paused at the flap and said, “Get your ass in this tent or you’ll never see your guitar again. At least not in one piece you won’t. Or,” she stumbled searching for threats, “I’ll leave it out in the rain.”

  Rae stared at her for a long while. Her expression was one of calm amusement.

  Krista hugged the case closer. “I mean it.”

  Removing her hat, Rae chuckled and crossed to the tent to stand before her. She reached out and took her guitar. Krista was unable to hold on to it, too lost in the depths of Rae’s eyes.

  Softly, Rae said, “Okay. Get in the tent, Ms. Wyler.”

  Krista started to protest but Rae touched her lips with a cool, wet finger.

  “Just get in the tent.”

  Krista felt her eyes drift briefly closed, moved by the gentle touch. When she stooped into the tent the coyote scurried to her feet. She moved to the back and kicked off her hiking boots, allowing the little guy to lick her hands. Rain beat down noisily on the tent and Krista switched on the flashlight as Rae’s black-cased guitar entered inside the flaps. Krista took it quickly and tucked it alongside the wall of the tent. Then she watched with mixed emotions as Rae stepped inside, dripping with water.

  Krista crawled over and zipped the tent closed and then reached for Rae’s hat. “Please, sit,” she said, nervous.

  Rae was stooped like a soaking-wet giant, shivering. Without a word she sat across from Krista, mindful of the coyote who turned his attention to her, licking at her wet hands. Krista could feel the cold wetness resonating off her and she kicked in, acting without thinking. She tugged off Rae’s wet jacket and placed it with the hat. Then she tried to remove her boots but they were laced tight, well-worn ropers. Rae just sat and watched her, face pale, wet dark hair sticking to her skin. She spoke.

  “The guitar’s sealed in a plastic cover.”

  Krista glanced up. “Oh.” She felt foolish. “I never intended on doing anything to it.”

  “I know.”

  “I was just trying to get you to listen to reason.”

  “I know.”

  “You play beautifully
. That song you’re working on…”

  Rae looked away. “It’s not finished. I didn’t realize anyone had heard it.” Her face reddened.

  Krista spoke quickly. “I didn’t catch all of the words, but it sounds nice.”

  “What you said about Candace—”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Krista focused on unlacing Rae’s boot. “It’s none of my business.”

  “You need to know.”

  Krista swallowed against a suddenly burning throat. “No, I don’t.” She didn’t think she could handle hearing. Not with all the other heartbreaking things on her mind.

  “You do.”

  “No, Rae. Really, I don’t.”

  Rae’s hand came to rest over hers, stilling her. “There’s nothing going on between Candace and me.”

  Krista didn’t speak. She couldn’t. She nearly lost her breath at the intensity in Rae’s eyes. Her mind flew and her heart raced. Finally her eyes settled over the dark mark that still bruised Rae’s neck. “I don’t believe you.”

  She tried to continue removing the shoe but Rae gripped her hands with both of hers. “I’m telling you the truth.”

  Krista shivered but not from the cold. Her body was suddenly feeling feverish under Rae’s strong hands and intense gaze. She knew Rae was telling the truth, simply because she knew Rae wasn’t the type to lie. And she could see it in her eyes. But still, what she had seen that evening kept replaying in her mind. “But I saw you,” she whispered, confused.

  “You saw what?”

  “The other night at the creek. Candace was naked and you were playing your guitar.”

  Rae squeezed her hands. “No.” She shook her head in frustration. “God, you saw that?”

  Krista nodded. Rae was upset, but not because she had been spying. Krista sensed something else was bothering her. Seeking a distraction, she lifted the coyote to the head of the sleeping bag. He dug at the material and tunneled his way inside, lying in a fatigued lump under the covers.

  “Candace came on to me.” Rae’s face was sincere and determined.

  Krista looked away, hating the thought.

  “But I turned her down. She’s a guest and I would never do something like that.”

  “Did you want to?” Krista couldn’t help but ask.

  Rae reached up and touched just under her chin, turning her head to meet her eyes. “No.”

  Krista took in a shallow, ragged breath. “The mark on your neck.”

  Rae’s eyes widened. “I have a mark?”

  Krista reached out and gently touched the skin on her neck. “Yes, here.”

  Rae’s skin pimpled at the touch and her eyes flashed like lightning. “She was on me, trying…she bit me.”

  Krista clenched her jaw.

  “I had to push her off of me. She wasn’t willing to listen at first.” Rae looked away suddenly. “That’s probably my own fault.”

  Krista watched her, knowing there was more. “What is?”

  Rae rubbed her palms on her damp jeans. “That night I sang for the group. She came in my tent and I…I let her.”

  Krista felt her face heat with jealousy. “You did?”

  Rae closed her eyes. “I was weak and it had been so long.” Her voice shook as her eyes came back up under dark lashes.

  Krista covered her own mouth with her hand as strange noises arose from her painful throat. “She touched you?”

  God, it hurt. It hurt more than anything. To hear it hurt like hell.

  Rae’s eyes watered. “Yes.” She grabbed Krista’s hand. “I was worked up and she came in and started touching me and I just lost it.”

  Krista wiped away the tears that were suddenly there. “Did you touch her?”

  “No. Of course not. I don’t want her. Aren’t you hearing me?” Again she tilted Krista’s chin. “That night, the way you looked at me across the fire…I was in my tent and I couldn’t get you out of my mind. I was thinking of you, Krista. You’re all I think about.”

  Krista blinked, disbelieving. “Really?”

  “Yes.” Rae pressed her lips together in seriousness. “I can’t sleep, I can’t concentrate.”

  Krista watched her mouth form the words. She felt her warm breath and saw the swirling fires in her eyes and suddenly she knew it was true. All of it. “I’ve been thinking of you too.” Her voice trembled as she let her feelings come tumbling out. “I can’t stop. It’s driving me insane. And then when I saw you with Candace…I…”

  Krista’s breath caught as Rae moved toward her, crawling up to her knees. Her strong hand cupped Krista’s jaw and her eyes burned in dark green and brown flames. Krista took hold of the hand and kissed the scars from the snakebite slowly and gently, watching in wonder when Rae’s pupils dilated.

  “Krista,” Rae whispered, her warm mouth suddenly covering Krista’s.

  The kiss was soft and gentle, hot moist lips searching and finding. And then, in an instant, there was a groan and a rush of heat, and the kiss became much, much more. Rae eased Krista down onto her back and lay atop her, suddenly hungry and frenzied. She kissed Krista passionately, tugging on her lips with hot desire and then thrusting with her tongue.

  Krista fell back, consumed. Rae was on her, taking her, devouring her. Long and deep and dominant kisses. In her wildest dreams, her fantasy kisses couldn’t have been this good. She kissed her back, their tongues swirling, hungry and daring. Krista moaned and clung to her, gasping at the feel of the raw muscles beneath her fingers. Rae tore her mouth away and fastened to her neck, making Krista raise her hips with need. Rae groaned and rubbed a firm thigh into her crotch, knowing.

  “Your knee,” Rae whispered, worried.

  “Fuck the knee,” Krista said right away.

  Rae laughed against her skin and continued to kiss her.

  “Oh, God,” Krista rasped, loving the feel of Rae’s mouth.

  Rae sucked and bit and licked. “Krista,” she whispered. “I can’t get enough.”

  Krista clawed up her back and knotted her hands in the damp, dark hair. She inhaled the wet scent of her neck and let her eyes roll back in her head. It couldn’t get any better. “You are fucking everything,” she whispered, tugging Rae’s head back to look into her eyes. The desire she saw stopped her heart. “So beautiful,” she whispered. “So strong and fucking beautiful.”

  She held Rae’s face, consumed by all that was her. So wild and free and raw. Rae said nothing, breathing hard, her heart hammering against Krista’s chest.

  “Kiss me,” Krista demanded, unable to wait, lifting herself.

  Rae again pushed into her, kissing her hard and deep and long. Krista cried out when Rae moved down her neck to her breasts. Her hands squeezed and pushed up under Krista’s shirt and bra, pinching the nipples.

  “God, Rae,” Krista managed, lifting her head to watch Rae’s hot mouth find her. Her long tongue teased the nipples just before her mouth consumed them, sucking and licking and nibbling.

  “Oh, fuck.” Krista clutched the head of hair and lifted herself again, needing, needing so badly to see.

  Rae flicked her tongue and raised her head. Her hands worked furiously, opening Krista’s fly. “I need to taste you,” she said. “I need it now.”

  Quickly and a bit roughly, she yanked down Krista’s damp jeans to just below her center. Hurriedly, and unwilling to struggle for more, Rae lowered herself and whispered, “Oh yes.” She buried her face in the reddish hairs, eyes closed. “I can smell you. Sweet God, it’s so good.”

  She rested her chin on the tight crotch of the jeans and stuck out her tongue for a taste. Again she groaned and opened her eyes.

  “Krista,” Rae said again, lowering her mouth to feed. She kissed Krista’s flesh like she had her mouth. Long and hard, swirling her tongue around and around, touching as much as she could, ravenously claiming her.

  Krista clung to her head, watching, breathing heavily. She bit her lower lip and tried to remain quiet, but she was lost in crazy, erotic bliss as Rae worked
her flesh, drawing out the raw pleasure with her tongue and lips. She flicked her clit firm and fast and then held it captive, sucking. She worked her heavy and fast, seemingly unable to slow down, unable to get enough.

  “Oh, ah, oh, Rae.” Krista craned her neck, feeling the wave of pleasure thicken and rise and swell, looming larger and larger. It kept coming, better and better, and Rae wouldn’t stop, groaning into her flesh as she fed. Krista gripped Rae’s head and clawed at her hair, trying to pull her away. But Rae kept on, pressing herself harder to Krista’s flesh. When Rae looked up from between her legs and Krista saw the fierce hunger in her eyes, she completely lost it. The tidal wave of pleasure smashed into her, and her hips were suddenly bucking and her hands were clawing and her soul was bleeding.

  “Raaaaae!” she cried out from a strained throat. Lifting herself up off the sleeping bag she held tight, fingers knotted in dark hair, her body undulating, milking the last of the pleasure.

  Rae never stopped, she kept on, fastened to her. When Krista finally stopped bucking, Rae tugged furiously at the jeans, pulling them down farther. With strong hands she pushed Krista’s thighs apart and lowered herself again. Krista tried to speak, to tell her she was unable to take any more, but Rae merely reached for her hand and kissed it.

  “I told you, I can’t get enough.” She held Krista’s hand firmly as she pushed her mouth against her flesh once again. Krista jerked and cried out softly but Rae knew where she was sensitive and went lower, working her tongue down to her opening.

  Releasing Krista’s hand, she wrapped her own around Krista’s hips and lifted her slightly, thrusting her tongue up inside her.

  “Oh, my God,” Krista rasped, her eyes clenching closed.

  Rae swirled around deep inside her and then thrust her tongue harder and harder. Krista tried to keep quiet but the velvet pleasure was stroking her from the inside out. Her cries became wordless and strained as her head tossed from side to side. The drumming of the rain morphed into a steady pulse of a sound, beating like a heart in her ears.

 

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