Mel moved closer and put his arm around her shoulder. “Sure, we can head back. Are you okay, Sara?”
She took a step back and let out the breath she’d been holding when his arm fell away. “Yeah, I think I’m just tired from the long trip out here. I didn’t sleep well the last two nights so I guess I just need some time alone to rest.” Sara turned away from the hurt look that came into his eyes.
“Sure, Sara. I’ll have us back in no time.” An hour and a half later, he helped her out of the boat. “You want me to walk you to the house?”
Sara sighed and gave him a smile. “That’s okay, I can make it alone.” She hesitated for a moment. “Why don’t you come by for breakfast in the morning?”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to wear-out my welcome.”
Sara grinned. “I’m positive. I love cooking and it’s not much fun for one. Maybe we could take a hike around the island or something.”
Mel’s face morphed into a huge smile. “What time do you want me?”
What time do I want you? How about right now? “How about around nine o’clock?”
“Sounds great to me.”
“Then I’ll see you in the morning.” She turned to walk away.
“Have a good evening, Sara. If you need anything all you have to do is ring the cottage line and I’ll be right up.”
Deciding it was better not to answer, Sara waved her hand over her shoulder as she hurried away. Back at the house, she replayed the moment his arm touched her shoulders over and over in her thoughts. She chewed frantically on her lower lip as her fists clenched on the table in front of her. She glanced over at the phone and made an impulsive decision. Quickly, before she could change her mind, she dialed Bart’s cell number.
“You’ve reached Bart Everett III. I’m unable to take your call at present. Please leave your name, phone number and a brief message and I will return your call as soon as possible.”
Sara listened to the impersonal message and waited for the sound of the beep. “I’m sorry, Bart.” She hesitated for just a moment. “I didn’t mean to anger you earlier. I hope you’ll call me back soon.” She hung up, feeling tightness in her chest.
Glancing around, she spotted the wine rack and smiled. Taking her time, she finally decided on a bottle of Petite Sirah. It took her several minutes of searching the kitchen drawers before she unearthed a corkscrew and several more before she finally pulled the stubborn cork from the bottle. She inhaled the fragrant, red wine deeply before pouring herself a generous glass full. She grinned. “A pleasant, full-bodied wine with a particularly pungent bouquet.” She mimicked the tone she’d often heard Bart use in the restaurants they frequented. Then, in defiance of everything he’d tried to teach her about wine, she tossed several ice cubes into the glass.
“Sorry, Bart, but I hate warm wine.” She giggled and carried her wine to the study. It was her favorite room of the house because of the fireplace. It was too warm for a fire, but that didn’t stop her from curling up in the wide, upholstered chair that faced the empty hearth. Her thoughts centered on her coming wedding.
Am I really going to spend the rest of my life with Bart? It would be hard to argue against the facts of Sara’s life. She could say no to marrying Bart, but then she’d be completely alone. No other men lined up at her door for a chance at dating her. Marrying Bart could give her the one thing she wanted more than anything else in the world. I want a family. My own little daughter or son to love and have them love me.
Feeling chilled for some reason, Sara pulled the throw off the back of the chair over her legs and settled down into the soft cushions. She fell asleep gazing into the empty fireplace, imagining her babies crawling on the carpet at her feet.
Sara slowly awoke to the feel of someone nibbling on her ears.
“You smell good, Sarafina,” Meloir whispered.
She looked up into his shining eyes as he touched her hair lightly as if it fascinated him. “How did you get in here?”
“Shhh,” he whispered as he nuzzled closer, inhaling the feminine aroma of her skin. “Let me touch you, please. I want to feel your silky smoothness.”
Sara licked her lips and tilted her head to the side to give him better access.
Suddenly, he crushed her to his chest, pressing his hardness against her stomach. “Touch me,” he whispered harshly.
She reached down and cupped him intimately, his full length gripped in the palm of her hand. His fingers threaded through her hair as he tilted her mouth up to his for a kiss. He nipped and licked at her mouth until she opened for his invasion. Gently, he licked across her bottom lip and then took it between his teeth. He captured her mouth in a hot kiss, his tongue swirling against hers as he became more aggressive.
She quickly warmed to his probing tongue, her own flicking over his bottom lip. A sigh of impatience slipped out when he left her lips and nibbled kisses along her jaw, down into the crease of her neck. She leaned close and licked and kissed her way along the corded muscles of his neck, leaving a wet trail along his skin.
“I wanna strip off all your clothes and bury myself inside your warm, willing body.”
Sara moaned softly and closed her eyes, listening to his words. She could feel her soft breasts pressing against his chest and let her hand slide beneath his shirt to draw little circles on his heated skin.
Mel’s hands ran up her torso to the outside of her breasts and then kneaded the firm mounds through the cotton material. His thumb circled her nipple, torturing it into a hard nub, and then gently flicked back and forth across the sensitive tip. When she moaned, he moved his hands to the front of her shirt and began releasing the buttons one by one. Within moments, he had her shirt lying on the floor and he was opening the front fastening of her bra. She sighed in relief when he pulled the lace cups away from her throbbing breasts.
Meloir cupped one of her breasts in his hand and thumbed her nipple, letting his fingertips drag across the tightened nub. He captured the tip between his thumb and fingers and gently squeezed before tugging and pinching the sensitive flesh. Lowering his head, he latched onto one hard nipple and suckled.
Sara’s fingers tightened against Meloir’s scalp as she bit her lip in a futile effort to silence her cries. “Meloir,” she screamed.
He licked and sucked one final time before leaning forward and pressing her hard nipples against his lightly furred chest. “I love how you feel against me,” he crooned. He guided his hand down her body and began undoing her slacks. She could hear the rasp of the zipper as he eased it down. Meloir’s hands dipped into her waistband and she felt her pants being removed. Once he dropped them onto the floor, he didn’t hesitate to rip her panties off. He gave her ass a little squeeze, making her embarrassingly aware she sat in front of him entirely nude while he still retained his clothing. There was something naughtily erotic about it.
Gripping her hips almost bruisingly, he pulled her against his hard frame and licked his way up her body to her breast. His erection felt hard against her stomach.
“I can smell your arousal, Sarafina. Your cream is pooling between your legs, making your ready for me.”
His hand drifted up her thigh and found its way to her naked pussy. She could feel a fresh flood of cream gush when his fingers spread open her labia.
“Sarafina, you’re so wet.” Meloir leaned in close and let his tongue lick the length of her slit. Gently, he pushed two fingers inside her pussy and pulled back the hood protecting her clit. His mouth was hot and his tongue tickled as he circled her clit and then flicked the sensitive bundle of nerves before sucking it into his mouth.
“Oh, God, don’t stop,” Sara cried.
“I won’t stop. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you,” he groaned raggedly. He began to fuck her slowly with his tongue while his thumb massaged her clit. He let two of his fingers thrust rhythmically back and forth inside her warmth.
Sara could feel the tingles beginning in her womb, signaling her coming release. “I’m
coming,” she panted. “Don’t stop, please.”
Meloir continued to pleasure her with his fingers and tongue, taking her to the brink of her orgasm. Her body strained toward a precipice, her hips lifting toward his mouth when suddenly the air whooshed out of her lungs and a euphoric feeling swept over her body. She cried out his name as her orgasm took over her senses.
When Sara came down from her orgasmic high, Meloir was still lapping lazily between her legs. She became obsessed in giving him the same pleasure he’d bestowed upon her. Catching him unprepared, she pushed against his chest and scooted away.
“What’s wrong, my love? Did I hurt you?”
Sara gave him a sly little smile and began unfastening his belt. She watched as understanding came over his face. He stepped away from her hands and stripped off his clothes faster than she thought possible.
Sara licked her lips and moved closer to Meloir’s naked body, her gaze fixed on the long, thick cock jutting out from a nest of brown, curly hair. She went down on her knees and inched his legs apart before beginning to stroke his smooth, hard shaft. He groaned, the muscles in his chest quivering. Sara eased his length into her mouth slowly, her long, tangled hair brushing against his hair-roughened thighs.
Meloir closed his eyes and pumped his hips when she alternated between sucking and swirling her tongue around the head of his cock. He pushed several more inches into her mouth and fucked her in a back and forth rhythm as she lightly cupped his tight, hairy sac.
“Stop,” Meloir cried. He stopped his forward motion and grasped Sara’s head. “You have to stop, Sarafina. I want to be inside you when I come.” He gently slid his cock from her mouth and pushed her down onto her back. His hands curved over her bare flesh, stoking the sensitive skin as he moved over her body.
“My beautiful, Sarafina. My one true Heart Mate,” he whispered. “I need my cock in you, love.” He ran his hands down to her belly, nibbling kisses from her neck as he worked his way down her body.
Sara moaned as she squirmed in pleasure. He caught her hips between his hands, holding her steady as he positioned himself between her legs. With one swift thrust, he sank into her wet pussy and began gliding in and out with urgent strokes. Gradually, he slowed to a steady back and forth motion.
“You feel so good,” Sara cried, tightening her legs around his hips. A slight burning feeling gripped her as he slowly forced the length of his shaft inside her body again and again. It was the most erotic pleasure-pain feeling she’d ever experienced.
Meloir released a harsh breath and drove deeply, grinding his hips against her. He realigned his body with hers and thrust upward, hitting her sweet spot again and again. His hand moved up to cup one of her bouncing breasts and thumbed her nipple roughly before trailing down her body to where they were joined. His thumb settled on her clit as he kept the pace slow and steady.
“I want to make you come while you scream my name,” he growled into her mouth.
His shaft rubbed her clit with each stoke, while her breaths came in shallow pants. Holding her in place with his hands on her hips, Meloir rammed into her. He rode her harder and harder. Sara felt her inner muscles begin to clench.
“Come for me, my Heart Mate. Come for me now.”
His thick cock plunged into her two more times and she reached her release with an echoing scream. In the midst of her own pleasure, she could feel his seed shoot hotly into her depths. The fleeting thought they hadn’t used a condom passed her mind and then disappeared, pushed away by the pleasure she felt.
Breathing heavily, Meloir slid his softening shaft from her wetness and cuddled up beside her on the carpet. “Are you all right, my Heart Mate?”
Sara sighed. “Yes, I’m great. Why are you so sure I’m your Heart Mate?”
He hugged her closer. “There is no doubt, little one. We know our mates on a physical as well as a spiritual level. I knew the first time I saw you that you were meant for me.”
Sara didn’t want to think about her own life. She knew this had to be a dream and she didn’t want to think about her own reality. “Meloir, tell me about your home.”
A smile of utter satisfaction settled on his face. “It’s beautiful, Sarafina. The skies are shades of pink and red with white fluffy balls of clouds in all shapes and sizes. There are dense forests with many kinds of trees that bear fruit. Orange, blue, green and yellow are the colors that adorn our lands. The grass is green with rainbow colors of flowers everywhere.”
“Do you have oceans?” she asked as she played idly with the hairs on his chest.
“Oh, yes. Our oceans are deep green with palest green caps on the waves. The water is warm year round and filled with colorful and tasty fish. We have two suns, one near and one far, which give us long growing seasons so there is no hunger on our world. Two moons brighten our skies at night, welcoming all who want to come home.”
“Where do you live?” Sara turned to her side and laid her leg across his calf.
“I only have a small room now, but if I get my wish granted, I’ll have a house near the ocean much like yours.”
“I envy you, the way your life is so planned out.”
Meloir sat up and pulled her onto his lap. “It can be your life, too, Sarafina. You just have to want it bad enough and wish for it with your magic.”
Sara stifled a groan. “I don’t have any magic, Meloir.”
“You do, Heart Mate. The magic’s in your gift. You just have to find it and you have to find it soon. My time is running out, Sarafina. You must use the magic and call for me soon or we’ll be lost forever.” He stood and scooped up his clothes.
“Wait, where are you going?” In horror, she watched as his body began to fade.
“Find the magic, Sarafina. Call for me with the magic in your gift.” Meloir’s voice faded away with his form.
“Wait,” Sara screamed.
Chapter 6
Sara jerked awake and looked frantically around the room. She hugged her arms across her chest tightly. “Just a dream, just a dream,” she chanted. Her embarrassment increased when she felt the dampness between her thighs.
“Oh, my God,” she whispered. She raised her hand and raked her fingers through her hair. “What the hell’s wrong with me?” Sara got up and groaned harshly. “Damn, how long have I been sitting in that chair?” She looked at the clock on the mantle. “Six hours! Ohhh, no wonder I can barely move.” She limped toward the door and heard the phone ring. There was an extension on the table in the hall and she hurried to answer it before they hung up.
“Hello.” She cringed when she heard the husky sound of her own voice.
“You sound like you just crawled out of bed. I thought it was early evening there.” Bart’s clipped words held no warmth.
“Sorry, I guess I fell asleep reading in the study.”
“I got your message and I accept your apology, but this is something we need to discuss. Sara, do you have the kind of money we would need for the upkeep on the island because I certainly don’t.”
Sara sighed, twirling the phone cord around her fingers. “No,” she said reluctantly, “you know I don’t have that kind of money now, but we’ll have the money in Grandmother’s accounts.”
“That money won’t last forever, Sara. We’d have to leave it alone or invest it just to cover the upkeep on an island home we’d never have time to visit. Logically, you have to see that selling is our only option. You certainly don’t want to let it just sit there with no one looking after it. Think of the kind of life we could build with all that capitol here.”
Sara collapsed into the nearest chair, her shoulders slumping. “All right, Bart. I’ll seriously consider selling the island.”
“Excellent.”
She could hear the pleasure in his voice.
“I’ve already got several parties interested, but I can’t move forward until you sign the power of attorney papers I sent to you and get them faxed back to me.”
Sara didn’t want to anger him, but
she wasn’t ready to sign everything over just yet. She thought for a moment. “Okay, I’ll get them back to you, but it’s gonna be a while. Elias isn’t due back for several days.”
“Where the hell is he?” Bart’s temper exploded. “He agreed to be there as a chaperone for your protection.”
Sara winced at the shrill tone of his voice. “Don’t you remember? I told you this morning he had some business to take care of and would be gone for a few days.”
“So he just left you there alone?”
Sara shut her eyes. He wasn’t going to like what she had to say. “No, he left a friend of his staying in the caretaker’s cottage while he’s away. Actually, he was a friend of Grandmother’s as well.”
“I don’t like you staying there with some strange man. I want you to tell him to leave tonight. Elias said the island was safe so you should be fine until he gets back.”
Sara rolled her eyes and began tapping her foot back and forth on the hardwood floor. “I’m not staying here alone no matter how safe you think it is.” She huffed out a breath. “It’s not like the man’s staying here in the house with me. He’s all the way on the other side of the island. I haven’t even seen him since this morning.”
“You’re not going to dismiss him?” Bart asked, his voice dangerously low.
“No, I’m not.”
“Fine, Sara, have it your way.”
The deafening click let Sara know he’d once again hung up in anger. “What the hell does he want from me?” She walked over to the window and looked out toward the darkened beach. “I wouldn’t want to be here alone no matter how safe it’s supposed to be.” She felt a sudden clenching in her stomach as she blinked back tears. “I don’t ever want to be alone.” Sara drew in a shaky breath and slowly walked toward the stairs. “Everything will be better in the morning.”
Sara could feel the warmth of the sand through the soles of her shoes as she walked along the beach with Mel. She glanced up at him through her lowered lashes. His dark brown hair hung slightly over the collar of his shirt. Her fingers practically itched to run through the silky strands.
The Magic in her Gift Page 7