Harvest Dreams

by Jacqueline Paige

  Chapter 6

  They raced as fast as their legs could carry them. Several times Rachel stumbled and Steven wrapped his arm around her to stop her from hitting the ground. They headed to where they had seen her last.

  She wasn’t there.

  Kevin came running across the opening. “This way,” he shouted on the way past.

  Running behind him they headed into a small treed area. Seeing Justin leaning down over Cora on the ground stopped them both.

  Dropping her hand Steven rushed over to Cora, he slid across the ground on his knees the last few feet. Cora lie there curled into a tight ball shaking. “Coralee,” he said softly. His eyes were running over her when he spotted the blood on her side. Pushing the material up her leaned over her. “Does anyone have a flashlight?” He looked up as Kevin held his hand over her and a bright light shone down.

  “I can’t keep it up too long,” Kevin added quickly.

  “Dade.” Cora gasped. “He went...” She began to shake again.

  Steven noticed the blood on her side. “He’s a big boy, he’ll be fine. I want you to try to take some breaths and calm down for me while I take a look.”

  Rachel Dropped to the ground and lifted Cora’s head into the lap gently stroking a hand over her hair lightly. “Are you shaking from the cut or from the emotions?” She whispered to her.

  “Both... scared... Dade.” Cora tried to take deep breaths. “I had an attack so strong it dropped me to my knees I couldn’t...” She gripped her stomach again.

  Leena and Kasey came flying into the trees towards them. “We all saw the light.” Leena panted. “Chris and Owen saw Dade and went after him.” She looked down at the blood on Steven’s hands. “How bad?”

  Steven lifted his head and looked up at Kevin. “You got a suture kit?”

  Kevin nodded. “I’ll go get it.”

  “Bring it to the cottage.” He said as he lifted Cora into his arms and headed in that direction.

  Justin walked quickly beside them. “I’m going to get Gwen. I don’t like her being alone. We’ll come to the cabin.”

  Rachel ran beside Steven.

  “Talk to me, Cora,” he said softly as he walked down the path towards the cottage.

  “Cora!” Dade came running out of the long grass with Chris and Owen a few feet behind him. He ran up to Steven. “Is she all right?” He took a few breaths. “I couldn’t stop... saw Justin coming... went after the bastard.” His eyes were running over Cora as he walked beside them.

  Steven shook his head. “I don’t know the extent of her injuries yet. I have to get her somewhere with light. Kevin’s gone to get the suture kit for me.”

  Dade’s eyes widened as he looked at Steven’s hands and the blood on them. Without warning he took Cora from Steven’s arms and pulled her into his chest. “Go, get whatever you need ready.”

  Steven nodded and turned to jog towards the cottage. Owen and Rachel followed him.

  Kevin reached them as he opened the door. He held up the kit to Owen and then bent over and leaned on his knees to catch his breath. “I’m a medic, not a runner.”

  “What do need Doc?” Owen asked from behind him.

  Steven looked at the table and pointed to it. “Move that into the light for me.” He looked at Rachel. “Go get a sheet or two from the beds.” She nodded and went to get them. He went into the bathroom and washed his hands and face quickly. He just stepped out as Dade came in the door heading to the table.

  Dade lowered her gently then bent over her. “Talk to me, honey.” Her eyes opened and looked at him for a moment and searched over him.

  “Dade, you’re bleeding,” Cora said quietly.

  Steven pulled him back and gave him a quick once over taking in the deep scratches from branches. “Get Leena to clean those up while I look at Cora.” Dade hesitated. “Now.”

  Turning back to Cora he grinned down at her. “Don’t worry, Coralee, my hand at sewing is steady if it comes to that.” He bent over and pulled the material off her side again.

  Rachel placed a sheet over Cora’s chest so he could push the material away. “Put the other one on the rest of her, Angel. Keep her warm.” His voice was soft and his focus was completely on Cora as he spoke.

  Kevin moved to the other side of Cora and placed the kit on a chair beside him. Pulling gloves on quickly Kevin handed Steven some gauze so he could clean the area a bit.

  Steven kept his head down and his focus on what he was doing. He glanced up at Cora after several minutes and winked. “It’s not deep, so we’ll be able to use some strips and close it up pretty for you.” He looked around for a moment until his eyes stopped on Owen. “Bring that magic touch here and slow some of this bleeding for me. I don’t want to have to use stitches to close it.”

  Owen walked over and stood beside him. Steven motioned with his own hands where he wanted him to place them. He paused only long enough to grin at Kevin’s wide eyes as he watched Owen do his thing and slow the bleeding down with just a touch.

  Steven straightened and looked down at Cora. “Are you hurt anywhere else?”

  Cora opened her eyes and shook her head. “Oh, I’ll probably have a few bruises tomorrow, from hitting the ground so hard.” She looked over at Dade standing a few feet away barely allowing Leena to wash the cuts on his arms and chest. “You okay?” she asked softly. The muscle in his jaw clenched but he nodded at her without a word. *

  Steven was just placing the last strip over Cora’s side when Justin, holding a shaking Gwen came through the door. Gwen cried out and went over to her. “Oh, what has he done to you?” She looked down where Steven was cleaning and tears ran down her face.

  Cora reached up and took her hand. “I’ll be fine, Gwen. It’s just a scratch.” Gwen nodded and leaned down to kiss her before going over to look at the scratches on Dade.

  Dade took her hand. “I’m sorry Gwen I hesitated long enough over Cora that I lost him in the trees.”

  Gwen stretched up and kissed his cheek. “It’s not your fault.” She looked around the room. “Where is Patrick?”

  Chris pushed away from the wall. “We ran into him trying to catch up to Dade. He’s scouting around trying to pick up a direction. He sent us back so there weren’t more foot prints to follow.”

  “I’m just putting some tape over all this Cora, so you don’t get them caught on your clothes.” Steven said quietly as he did it. Straightening up he nodded over to Kevin. “Thanks for the help.”

  Justin walked over and smiled down at Cora. “No more heroine stunts. My heart can’t take it.” She just smiled. He turned to Kevin. “What happened to early warning?”

  Kevin dropped his head as he was pulling off the gloves. “I can’t be looking everywhere at the same damn time.” He glanced across the room at Rachel and then to Steven briefly before looking down and picking things to put back in the kit.

  Dade sighed. “It’s not his fault Justin, I didn’t take my eyes off Cora and I didn’t spot the bastard until he was right beside her.”

  Steven looked over to see the expression on Rachel’s face. She’d had caught where Kevin had been looking when he was supposed to be watching Cora. “I need a bit of air before we discuss this to death.” He motioned to Dade. “You want to help Cora to a more comfortable location?”

  Dade nodded and walked over to her. “Do you want to change before I settle you on the couch honey?” She nodded. “I’ll take you in your room and Kasey will give you a hand with that first then.” He picked her up gently and carried her to her room with Kasey following quickly.

  Steven washed his hands quickly and headed back out. “I’ll be back in a minute.” He glanced at Rachel for a moment before stepping out the door. He knew she’d follow and knew she was there before he felt her hand on his arm. “Don’t say it Rach, you heard Dade,” he said softly.

  Rachel moved in front of him and looked down at her own hands. “I can’t help thinking it.”

  He lifted her chin so he could l
ook at her eyes. “Don’t think it either.” Dropping his

  hand, he stepped back. “I’ll speak to Kevin about this when I can.”

  She nodded and turned back to the cottage.

  *

  “He has to be cut up as bad as I am.” Dade ground out between his teeth at Patrick.

  “We’ll keep an eye out tomorrow and see, but it’s like he vanished. No tracks nothing” Patrick spat. He glanced over at Cora and smirked. “You know Rhonda is going to tear a strip off me because you got hurt don’t you?”

  Cora glanced over at Patrick. “I’ll talk to her.” She let out a long breath and looked at Steven. “I was having slight feelings, nothing too strong and then wham! I’m on my knees with it too strong to move. How can that be?”

  Steven leaned back and sipped his beer. “Obviously his mind is very unstable if he can turn that quickly but not enough he doesn’t plan this, because we know he does.” He watched Cora grip her side. He turned to Leena. “You have anything in your magic realm for throbbing pain?”

  Leena nodded and got up. “Of course.” She stopped beside Cora. “Do you want tea or tincture?”

  “Tincture with a mead chaser please.” Cora said with a faint grin. She rubbed her hand over her eyes. “I can’t believe we almost had him.” She sighed again and looked at Patrick. “Do you think he’ll quit after this close call?”

  Patrick glanced at Chris briefly before he shrugged. “It’s anyone guess at this point.”

  Dade watched Cora lean her head back and close her eyes again. “I think we all need to get some sleep, it will be dawn shortly.” He stood up then looked at Justin. “Who’s going to wander and keep watch until then?”

  Justin stood up and stretched. “I’ll see if I can wake Charlie because if I don’t lie down for at least an hour I’m going to fall over.”

  Dade nodded and walked over to Cora. “Come on, honey, let’s get you in your bed where you can rest.”

  Cora snuggled into him and wrapped her arm around his neck. “Can you lie in there with me, Dade? I really don’t want to be alone right now.”

  He kissed the top of head. “Whatever you need. Just let Leena give you something to help then we’ll get you tucked in.” He carried her into her room.

  Patrick stood up as Justin, Gwen and Kevin headed to the door. “Lock this after we’re gone.”

  Chris nodded and held Kasey close to him. “We will. And don’t worry not one of these ladies will be alone until we get out of here tomorrow.”

  When the door closed Steven went over to lock it.

  Chris walked over to Rachel. “I think you should let the Doc crash in there with you for a few hours rest, Rachel. Any of you alone right now isn’t a good idea.”

  Rachel nodded while hugging Kasey. “Okay.” *

  Stretching out on the bed beside her Steven ran his hand lightly down over her hip. This is what he wanted every night. Pulling her closer he lifted her chin and kissed her tenderly. “No regrets, Angel,” he said softly against her mouth.

  She cuddled into him and smiled. “No. Well, maybe one. That our deal ends tomorrow.” He grinned at that. “I could use a few more days with your body, Doctor.”

  He tightened his hold on her and nibbled her neck. “It’s yours anytime you want it. But for now we need some sleep.” She ran her hand down over his stomach and across his hip. “Rachel.” He warned. Even though he was exhausted his body still responded to her touch.

  She looked up and rubbed her tongue ring across his lips. “I can’t help it, I’m beat but my body is saying one more time please.”

  His tongue played with hers for a moment. “Have you always been this insatiable?”

  She smirked. “No, not like this.”

  He leaned up on his elbow over her and brushed his lips over hers. “Good answer.” He began kissing her slowly and then stopped and scowled over at the door. “Be right back. He got up and hooked the latch on the door. Pulling his sarong off, he climbed back in with her.

  She smiled as she pulled her top over her head and wiggled out of her skirt. Pushing him back she leaned down to run her tongue from his belly button up to his chin. “Allow me, doctor.” She whispered against his mouth as she moved to straddle him.

  Steven cupped the back of her head and kissed her until they were both breathless and panting. Pushing her back on top of him he raised himself up to take her nipple into his mouth and suck hard.

  Pulling his head away he sat up completely gripping her hips and taking her with him. Picking her up, he aligned their bodies and slowly lowered her onto him.

  Rachel closed her eyes and gasped. “You are so beautiful, Angel,” he whispered against her throat. She gripped his shoulder and raised herself up to Drop back down on him. “Slowly, let me savor this time,” he whispered in her ear. Gripping her hips he controlled the speed of her movement until she was barely moving up and down him. “Mmm, much better.” Leaning back against the pillows he watched her slowly rising over him. The early morning light was coming in the small window casting a glow over her.

  My dark angel, he thought. Her head was thrown back. Her mouth was open with her tongue resting against her teeth in pleasure. Her breasts moved invitingly with her. Gripping her hips again he pulled her harder down on him continuing the slow movement.

  *

  Each time their bodies connected she gasped. Everything this man did made her feel so good she could barely contain herself. His hands traveled up and down over her hips and waist as she rode him.

  When he gripped her hips tighter and began thrusting up into her to meet her. She moaned and took a ragged breath in. “Steven,” she whispered with a hoarse voice. When she felt a spark travel through her, she opened her eyes and looked at him. The intense look on his face as he watched her sent a burst of hear through her body. “No magic. Just you.” She managed to say as he thrust hard into her again. *

  Hearing her say his name in that tone snapped his control. Gritting his teeth he held her tightly and rolled her onto her back. Thrusting into her with slow hard strokes as her nails dragged along his sides hard enough that he gasped from the burning sensations.

  Her mouth suctioned against his chest sucking hard and leaving her brand on him. Her hips bucked into him and she groaned loudly just before she came for him. He needed more.

  Pulling up, he lifted his body and looked down to see himself disappearing into her convulsing flesh. He thrust faster and watched her body submit to him over and over again. “Mine,” he ground out between clenched teeth. He held his body weight off of her with shaking arms and thrust into her as hard as he could at the same moment his orgasm exploded into her. I can’t let her go, he thought as the feelings of his release surrounded him.

  She lifted her head up and kissed him tenderly. “Mmm. I could sleep for a week now.” She grinned. “Just as soon as I go get a drink.”

  He pulled out of her slowly. “I’ll go get us some water. Don’t move I expect cuddling this time.” He stood on rubber legs and grinned down at the sated naked woman sprawled out on the bed with her eyes closed and arm flung up above her head. “Be right back.” Grabbing his sarong his half wrapped half tied it on quickly.

  *

  Stepping out the door he turned to close it to see Dade standing three feet away coming out of Cora’s room quietly. His friend’s eyes were on the naked woman on the bed he’d just left. Closing the door quickly he met his eyes and held his hand over his mouth to keep him from speaking.

  Dade had a shocked look on his face as his eyes wandered over his side with the scratches and the strawberry mark on his chest. He opened his mouth and Steven grabbed him and half dragged him to the back of the kitchen.

  “Not a fucking word, Dade.” Steven hissed quietly.

  Dade’s jaw Dropped open and he shook his head. Placing his hands on his hips he let out a whooshing breath.

  “Please man. She doesn’t want anyone to know.” Steven was ready to Drop to his knees and beg.

/>   Dade opened his mouth then closed it. Taking a deep breath he whispered as quietly as he could. “How long has this been going on?” He scowled at him.

  Steven stepped past him and grabbed two bottles of water. “Since we got here.” He stepped up beside him. “Just keep your mouth shut, please, it’s complicated. I’ll explain when we’re back home again.”

  Dade pointed towards the bedroom. “What I just saw was pretty fucken simple!” He took a breath and raised his hands. “Fine, at home!”

  “Cora okay?” he asked before he ran back to Rachel

  Dade nodded. “Sleeping off and on. Can I prop some pillow to keep her from rolling on it again.”

  Steven nodded. “Or just use your body, whatever works.” He winked and then walked back to Rachel’s room.

  He closed his eyes for a moment before looking down at the sleepily smiling woman as she opened her heavy eyes and looked up at him.

  “Thought you forgot about me.”

  He locked the door again and pulled off his sarong. “Like that will happen.”

  Rachel took the bottle with a smile. “I seem to have marked you up, Doc. You better wear a shirt tomorrow.”

  “And if I don’t?”

  “I’ll tell everyone you went stepping out early this morning.”

  It wasn’t what he wanted to hear, but right now he was more concerned with dealing with Dade. “I’ll cover them, Angel. Now come here and at least let me hold you for a few hours before I have to go back to reality.” He kissed her softly and pulled her into his arms.

  *

  He pulled the shirt over his head and looked at it.

  The trees had ripped it to shreds

  Why had that other man run to stop him?

  Didn’t he see how evil she was?

  He’d hid in a tree until everyone left.

  He’d failed again.

  She lived.

  Why were so many getting in the way? Grabbing his head he dropped back to rest.

  Chapter 7

  Dade glanced again at Cora lying back in the passenger seat. “You need me to stop, honey, so you can get out and stretch a bit or anything?” He wanted to cry every time he looked at her.