Rebel Heart

by Young, Christine

Her cheeks burned. "Much better than before. Of course...I'm sure...I don't know everything..." Her voice trailed away. She looked at him again. "You should go to Reding. I can send you all the information you might need via the computers. We can correspond. If you have any questions, I'll be here to answer them."

  A smile was curling his lips as he moved closer to her. One finger gently lifted her chin so their eyes met. "How very intriguing but completely out of the question. I would not dare leave you here."

  "I would not be alone," she countered, wrenching her chin from his hold. "Nessa and..."

  "Nessa is going with me as well as Luke."

  "I can do more for the cause here!"

  "Not if you're in prison awaiting trial," he assured her. "You don't understand the consequences of what you did yesterday. No one can protect you unless you are gone from the City. Since no one except Jonathan has seen you, we will simply claim I sent you on ahead of me. You'll like it in Reding. It's close to the sea. The mountains stand high above the valley. Forests surround the lab. I'll let you come and go as you please. You'll have as much freedom as you crave."

  "This is my home. I don't want to go." But she knew in her heart there was no other choice. Sickness swept over her for she alone had created this hell.

  He turned from her and walked to the tower window. For a very long time he stood there, gazing out over the City. His hands were clasped tightly behind his back. She didn't dare breathe, afraid his anger was so great that he was having a hard time controlling himself. Finally, he turned.

  "What would you give?"

  His voice was low and strangely tender. She wasn't at all sure what to think, but with his words her heart leapt with a small ray of hope.

  "I don't understand."

  "Of course you do."

  She wavered, unsure of herself and unsure what he meant as well. Did she dare hope? Then she moistened her lips and wondered if she could give him something, some small favor. His expression was bland, revealing nothing.

  She waved her hand airily then approached him. Trembling, she touched his cheek, his lips then rose on her toes to put her arms around his neck. The towel slipped from her and she was naked against him. "All I have to give stands before you now. I have nothing else."

  She let her hands drop to her sides then stepped back. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and his expression was no longer bland. He looked down at her, a slow smile curling his lip. She took his hand and turned. Guiding him to the bed, she beckoned him to sit down. He did.

  She followed, tilting her head to one side then slowly lowering her lashes. She could barely breathe, but she was determined to go through with this. She looked up again, her lower lip caught between her teeth. His eyes were so warm, and they snared her own, trapping her she was sure. She knew what he wanted. She rose to her knees. Unmindful of her naked state she encouraged him to look at her and after a few moments, she began to unbutton his shirt. Purposely she allowed her fingertips to graze his shoulders, and when she was done, she ran her fingers up and across his chest, across his shoulder as she slowly pushed away the fabric.

  She feathered a kiss against his lips, brushed his cheek with her kiss then his earlobe with her lips and tongue. Then she stopped, and sitting back on her legs, she looked at him. His eyes were filled with passion, and she trembled as she rose against him one more time, pressing her breasts against him.

  He did not move. His hands were still at his sides. She ran her hands down his arms and picking up one of his hands, she brought it to her mouth. Gently, she kissed each finger then she sat back once more.

  He studied her again, his eyes raking over her and she inhaled deeply. "Tori," he breathed, and his arms encircled her. Less than a heartbeat later, he had her on her back and he was stripping off his pants. His lips curled in a wolfish grin, his whisper heated. "What else?" he asked. "What else will you surrender?"

  She closed her eyes again, this time trying desperately to think. She dare not tell him she loved him, she reminded herself. She opened her eyes. "I might...." She nearly choked on the words.

  "Yes," he whispered softly encouraging her.

  There were not so very many choices. She pressed her lips to his naked shoulder, then his neck. She licked then stroked with her tongue just as he had once taught her. "I wish to please you."

  His groan was a primal sound. It registered deep within her, tantalizing, in an ancient dance of mystery and magic. Suddenly, she knew her words were true. She did want to please him. It was seductive to touch him, to have him within her sphere of power. It was thrilling to feel the pulse of his life beneath her fingertips.

  He spread her hair out so that it lay across the pillows. He ran his fingers through the length of it then whispered in her ear, the hot touch of his breath sending a wave of heat sweeping within her, embracing all of her. He rose above her. A smile curved his lips. The wicked glint in his eyes told her she was entwined in the intoxicating power that was his alone.

  "Indeed, Cameron, I wish to make your life one of ease. I would grant your every wish."

  This time his lips came down on hers, gently at first then harshly, ravishing the sweetness inside, molding and melding hers with his.

  She smiled to herself, even as her body began to respond. Recklessly she slipped her hand down his back, his sides, and lower still until she found the hot hard length of him and wrapped her fingers around his cock.

  She heard the sharp swift intake of his breath as she surprised him with her boldness. She heard the low deep groan of pleasure as she tentatively stroked and explored his erection with her fingers.

  "Do you like this?" she asked. Her whisper was soft and she meant it to be evocative.

  "Ah, babe--I do. I like it like this. Just like this." He shuddered hard as if he had been gripped by exquisite seizures, and she was overwhelmed by the influence she held over him, overwhelmed by the passion she so easily enticed from him. She was elated by the strength of her discovery.

  She met his gaze, and the scorching heat of the fervor within them caused her own passion to explode.

  "Victoria," he breathed.

  She moistened her lips and stared at him, intoxicated with her own power, and in awe too, at the sweet craving that abided within her. Moving away from him, she trailed her fingertips up the length of his torso. "How about..."

  He swore, and swept her quickly into his arms.

  She cried out in ecstasy when he entered into her, hard, dynamic, completely impassioned. Then she closed her eyes for she was instantly encompassed in the enchantment and the storm of the very magic she had generated, and she was following her hearts desire, riding the tempest to a new crescendo. She could no longer think while he drove her to new heights. Soft sounds, cries of desire, of craving, magical and eternal were escaping from her, and she buried her head against his chest, clinging to the source of enchantment. Still the tempest raged. Then it seemed that the earth shattered. Her breaths came in short little gasps. He murmured something into her ear, cradling her in his strength and his care.

  Her body relaxed into his, giving and receiving the tenderness he was capable of. He stroked her. It astonished her to be so satisfied, so calm here with him. She had sworn to hate him, to deny him. Far too easily as the days wore on and the nights were filled with his passion and his tenderness, other feelings evolved. Feelings she wanted desperately to push to far recess of her mind and heart.

  "Perhaps I..." she whispered softly, and she soaked in the warmth and the vibrancy that was this man, her lover. When she looked at him, he closed his eyes. He held one arm behind his head, still holding her with the other. She lay her head on his chest.

  "Perhaps what?" he asked her quietly.

  "Perhaps then you will not require my presence," she murmured.

  "Perhaps not." He was shaking his head, his expression grim. But his voice was very hard. "You've given me much tonight, but I would never bargain away your safety. Once I've made up my mind, it takes a great
deal more than a little sex to sway me. I intend to get you out of harm's way. Tonight."

  "I'm in no danger here." A lone tear slipped down Tori's cheek. She couldn't help herself. Everything, every emotion, every tender thought she'd just experienced, vanished. She had truly thought that he would let her stay. He had led her on, made her believe.

  "You're in danger everywhere. It follows you like a puppy dog."

  "You don't understand," she stated calmly. "My home is here. All my equipment--papers…"

  His long weary sigh followed. "Tori, I know you will fight me. You've always fought me. I'm not stupid enough to think you'd change. Like it or not, you will accompany me."

  "Accompany you," she repeated incredulously. She pushed herself off his chest, her hands still resting on him. She suddenly swung away from him, stumbling from the bed until she sat naked on the floor. Swiftly he rose to his knees. With cat-like agility, she rose then threw herself at him, pounding his chest. "I thought--damn you Savage, I thought--"

  He caught her hands, pulling them behind her back. She was flush against him then, breathing heavily--furious.

  "It doesn't matter what you thought or what you did. It doesn't matter that you thought to seduce me for your own gain. You didn't."

  "You've no idea," she shouted, struggling against him. She was in such rage she nearly managed to elude his grasp. "I will never--never again. Don't even try to touch me or I swear..."

  "Swear what?" he demanded, pushing her away from him. His eyes simmered. "Oh, I'll touch you again, count on it. Did you do this once before? Think to seduce a man from his honor?

  Tori stiffened with his words. He was playing a game with her again, but she did know the rules of this better than he did. "Only you."

  "But you didn't succeed this time. Did you the last time?" His smile curled again and she wanted nothing more than to wipe it from his face.

  She started to respond but closed her mouth instead. He let her go then and she turned from him. He asked nothing more of her.

  "Be ready in an hour. Pack only your clothes."

  She shivered but it wasn't the cold that caused it. The towel was still on the floor where she dropped it, but she didn't pick it up. There was nothing left of her that she could hide from him. Tori remained in the middle of the room, her back to him. "I never wanted a husband," she whispered. Then she froze, wondering if she had pushed his temper too far.

  But she heard only the soft rustle of clothes then the thud of his boots. He was dressing. She whirled. Already he'd pulled on his leggings and his shirt. He was sitting down to put on his boots. He paused a moment. "One day you'll take back those words. One day words of love will be in their place."

  "Never." I don't know how to tell him how very much I love him. I make everything worse with all I do and say.

  He finished dressing then walked over to her. He brushed her hair from her neck and placed a kiss there. Then he ran his finger down her spine and back up. She shivered beneath the caress. "Impetuous words, Tori. Never is far too encompassing. Someday..."

  "Never," she repeated stubbornly.

  He turned her around, holding her at arms length. When she tried to lower her lashes, he lifted her chin. He was grinning. "One hour."

  "I can't possibly pack everything in that much time. I have my records, my specimens, my..."

  "You're right. You cannot possibly. That's why I'm not expecting you to. Nessa and Luke will finish with the necessities and follow tomorrow. All that's required of you is your presence and if you even choose not to dress, fine. You'll come as you are, naked."

  "You wouldn't," she said calmly. A slight smile curving her own lips. "You'd never haul me out of here with nothing on."

  His eyes narrowed dangerously. "Try me."

  She stepped back, suddenly knowing she had carried this too far. He wouldn't hesitate to carry her out of here naked if she defied him again. "If you make me go with you, you'll regret every moment."

  "I will never regret my actions." He strode across the room.

  Astonished, Tori bent down, trying to drag the towel from the floor and wrap it around her. Then she raced after him, darting in front of him just before he reached the door.

  "What now?" His voice was condescending and it seemed he held back a long weary sigh.

  "I didn't mean it. I--I was just angry. Truly, you can trust me."

  "Trust?" He shook his head. "I pray every day for that miracle. To you, Tori, it is a foreign word." He waved a hand in dismissal then holding both her shoulders, he lifted her from his path.

  "Please, I..."

  "You'll what? Vow undying love? Promise once more to stay where I put you? Victoria, I'm no fool."

  "Obviously my word means nothing to you," she accused, suddenly wanting to get far away from him.

  "Obviously not. But then when you prove yourself, I might reconsider."

  "Prove myself!" she exclaimed. "I have nothing to prove. Have you forgotten that I'm the victim?"

  "No..." he said softly. "I haven't. But it changes nothing. I'll be back in an hour."

  Before she could say anything more, he left. The silence now thundered in her ears but it must have been her blood pounding. She began to pace the small room, her towel wrapped around her.

  One hour--she had hardly enough time. She raced to the shower then turned the water on. Steam rose up around her and she stepped into the water. Throwing her head back, she let the hot water soothe her shattered nerves, all the while wondering how she had come to need the feel of his arms around her and the security that only his presence gave her.

  How he was able to weave a spell around her with his caress and his sweet words of love. They were wed...

  She scrubbed herself all over, wishing she could wash the enchantment and the magic of his touch from her. Then she stopped suddenly. Even the hot water could not stop her from shivering violently. She turned it hotter.

  Nothing was right with her. She was sick one minute, then the next she was feeling wonderful. She was hungry all the time, yet she didn't seem to derive any energy from the food she consumed. A wild panic settled in the pit of her stomach. She started counting backwards.

  "No..." she whispered softly. "It can't be..."

  Tears suddenly welled in her eyes, yet she pushed them back. Everything was a blur of steam and tears and fear. Quickly, she stepped from the shower, her hair hanging limply around her face and down her back.

  A groan escaped her and she sank down to the floor in a puddle of water. She couldn't be--she just couldn't be. It was too soon. She barely knew him, barely knew how he would handle this. She didn't even know if he would want a child.

  It would make her so vulnerable. He'd never let her near the research facilities or into the woods. He'd guard her even more diligently.

  A child--how she longed to hold the baby in her arms.

  ~ * ~

  One hour after Cameron's departure, Tori was ready. She'd dressed in dark blue leggings and a long tunic of light blue. The sun was setting and the horizon had taken on a peach tone.

  The visitor's center where she stood gazing out the long glass doors was silent and dark. A small red light on the gate leading to the first security level was the only source of illumination.

  Tori swallowed back her apprehension and her fear, clasping her hands even more tightly in front of her. She wondered where everyone was. It was so still and quiet.

  Cameron swept up in front of the door in his sleek land glider. His style was impeccable and his arrogance overpowering. She sighed wearily, acknowledging the fact that he was a handsome, arrogant devil.

  She stepped through the door with a nod to him then waited for him to open the glider for her. He didn't speak, but the smile on his face curved slowly upward. Her lashes lowered for a moment as she settled herself into the comfortable seat. He moved quickly to the other side of the glider then sat down in the pilot's seat. The engine hummed and he revved it several times before finally taxiing out into the
runway.

  They were up and away.

  Before she understood what was happening, they'd circled her facility and headed across the forest. There would be no passes to leave the City. Their flight was done in stealth so Sheridan and Morray would not realize they were missing.

  A slight haze that could have been moon glow lit their path, but Tori knew now why it had been so quiet at the center. Luke and Nessa were working on the third level. The protective shield for the glider's escape was in place. No one would guess they had left.

  Cameron

  Cameron Savage wiped the sweat from his forehead with a towel then turning slowly, he thanked his partner. It had been a hard workout, he thought as he rotated his shoulder. Pain swept through him at the movement, but he brushed it aside, continuing to stretch his overheated and taxed muscles. He grimaced again at the action. Yet overall, he was pleased. Cameron rotated his shoulder once more, looking to his trainer, but the man had already left.