They set off, slowly, Mary obviously worn-out, but they made relatively good progress, until they were a couple of hundred yards from the barn. Somehow, Mary tripped on the uneven ground. As Nur bent to help her up, Mary groaned, with stifled pain. “It’s no good,” she whimpered, “I think it’s broken.”
The way her foot dangled to one side it was obvious. Then the dogs started, alerted perhaps by a rat in the barn, or some movement in the house, and lights went on. Nur hesitated just a few seconds. “Hang on Mary,” she said, “we’re getting out of here.” She gathered the woman in her arms and ran. Mary let out a strangled gasp, and clung on for dear life. At the speed she was going, Nur didn’t blame her. For a mortal, it had to be terrifying.
When they reached the road, Nur slowed. Mary was breathing fast, and her heart racing. “You okay?” Nur asked.
“I think so. What did you do back there?”
“I used my speed. It got us away, and hopefully no one will start looking around.” Not that there was much to see if they did. The pins were all sunk several inches below the ground.
Nur carried Mary back to the car, as she approached, all three men got out and ran towards them. “Mary!” John Clay called. “What happened?”
“We succeeded,” she replied with a smile.
“At what cost?”
“It’s just my ankle! “ Mary said, dismissing it as if it were a broken nail.
“I think it’s pretty bad,” Nur said. “It’s out of alignment, and she’s in considerable pain.
“And how do you know that, Yildiz?” Mary snapped.
“Your heart rate is accelerated, and your breathing is uneven. Both signs of stress.”
Mary gave a disgusted snort, but made no protest when they insisted on taking her straight to the hospital.
They got a few raised eyebrows as to why a middle-aged woman was walking the countryside looking at the stars in the middle of December, but that was all. As John went off with Mary and the doctors, Nur waited with Mike as Sam went to call Sylvie, who was no doubt pacing the floors with worry. A little while later, John returned. Mary had multiple fractures and would have surgery in the morning.
“She’s sleeping,” John said. “We might as well let her rest.”
They all decamped to a small restaurant, and consumed more pork than Nur had seen in her lifetime. Suspicious even of the eggs, she settled for toast and marmalade.
She was caught between concern for Mary, guilt at letting her get hurt, the family’s worry, anxiety that after all the pins would not hold, that she’d been barking up the completely wrong tree, and that if she didn’t report in soon, Paul would put her down as eliminated. And of course, her cell phone was back at the Clay’s house along with her credit card.
“I need to get back to Havering,” she told Mike as they headed towards the car. “The minute we know Mary is okay.”
He gave her a frown. “You’re not thinking of joining the protest are you?”
“No point. I have other things to do. I need to contact someone.”
‘Want to use my mobile?” He reached into his pocket and handed her his cell phone.
She should have asked earlier! While the others settled into the car, Nur sat on a low wall, punched in the string of numbers she’d long ago memorized, and left a report for Paul. It was a bit terse, and would set his hair on end with its ambiguity, but he deserved it. So much for his ‘doddle’. She was worn, frazzled, and drained. Mary was injured, and who knew if any of it had been worthwhile?
Chapter Fifteen
“You’re leaving, aren’t you?” Mike asked after they returned to Havering.
They were sitting in the bar of the Four in Hand-just where they’d started. “I have to.”
“Right.” Mortals lied badly. ‘Right’ was the last thing he was thinking.
“I have to report in, Mike. Istanbul is my home.” Or as much a home as anywhere. I can’t stay here. It’s just a job.”
He glared. “Just a job!”
“Hollrigg! You idiot! You weren’t part of the job. You are wonderful, and I think I love you.”
At that, his face lightened and he grinned. “Me to. Nutty isn’t it after barely forty-eight hours?”
“Yes,” she agreed. “Sure you have no problem with a much older woman?”
“I won’t tell. But what are we going to do? Can’t you stay for Christmas, at least?”
She shook her head. “I have to report in, but…” she paused. “I don’t have to leave immediately. Tomorrow morning will be quite soon enough.”
He looked up, an odd light in his eyes. Most likely praying for an air traffic controllers’ strike. “Think that gives us enough time?”
“We’ll never have enough time,” she replied, knowing the truth of her words in a way Mike never could. “But we can darn well make every use of the time we have. My room’s still upstairs.”
He didn’t need a second invitation. Mike grabbed her hand, pulled her to her feet and led her out into the hall.
They took the stairs two at a time.
She wasn’t certain which of them opened the door, but they were inside, and Mike shoved the door shut with his elbow.
“Got anything in mind, mortal?” He wrapped one arm under her knees and the other round her back and lifted her in his arms. “Is this sweeping me off my feet? “
“Just the beginning.”
He wasn’t kidding.
Held tight in his arms, her face nestled against his chest, inhaling his mortal scent and rubbing her face against the warmth of his flannel shirt, Nur’s mind fogged. Why not let him lead? At least for now. She shivered with anticipation. “Cold?” Mike whispered as he slid her down his body until she stood smack against him. “I’ll keep you warm.”
She was about to tell him, heat and cold didn’t bother her, but his mouth came down on hers. He kissed her. Slowly. Until her lips parted, and pressed harder. Somewhere, deep inside, she moaned. Mike tightened his arm round her shoulders and eased her back gently. Curved over his arm, she arched her body, feeling open, needy, almost vulnerable—something she hadn’t felt for decades. His hand cupped one breast, then the other, sending sensations and pleasure rippling through her. His fingers worked back and forth, circling, cupping and gently squeezing as his other hand eased up and down between her shoulder blades. She wanted him to do this forever, never stop, to hold her like this and touch her until… “Mike,” she whispered, “oh, Mike.”
His fingers eased under her shirt. His warm touch sent wild thrills across her body, and magnifying deep in her cunt. He popped open a row of buttons, and slipped her shirt off her shoulders. Mike had his hands on her bare arms, and his eyes roamed over her as if he were the one about to feast.
He traced the edge of her bra, dipping his fingertips inside the cups, and stroking her breasts until she shivered. He gave a smug, male smirk. “Chilly?”
Words jammed in her throat. She shook her head. Gently he set his hands back on her shoulders, then pulled her into him. “You’re all the dreams I ever had, come to life.”
This didn’t seem the moment to remind him, she wasn’t alive. Seemed somehow irrelevant, anyway. He was alive—very. His warm breath caressed her cheek as his fingers combed her hair. “How come you’re still dressed and I’m standing here half-naked?”
He grinned, crinkling up the corners of his eyes and causing a little dimple in his chin. “Better do something about it, hadn’t you, woman?”
“Yes.” She damn well would! And make it last! She undid one white button after another, her fingers skimming over the washed-soft cotton, easing his shirt apart and out of his pants. Coming up on tiptoe, she pushed it off his shoulders and it dropped on the carpet at his feet.
She was learning to love his body: not muscle-bound and bulging like a cover model, but she felt strength and muscle under his skin as she ran her hands over his shoulders and down his chest, rubbing the smooth mat of chest hair that narrowed near his hips and disappeared
into his waistband. She grinned in anticipation at the thought of the beautiful cock behind the zipper of the faded blue jeans.
She rubbed her fingers over his nipples until they firmed under her touch. She took his nipple in her mouth, easing her tongue over the ridges and bumps around it and then skimming over the tip. He let out a slow groan of pleasure. Excited further, she trailed kisses over his chest to catch his other nipple between her lips, and nip gently.
“Nur!” he all but growled, and eased her head up to kiss her hard, fast, and urgently, leaving her lips throbbing. “For that little trick you lose more clothes.” A brilliant idea! As he spoke, he flicked her bra open with one deft movement, and it joined her shirt on the carpet. He smiled down at her breasts. “You’re wonderful. I can scarcely believe this is happening.”
He bent his head and kissed each of her nipples with an agonizing and magnificent slowness. Her hands tunneled though his hair and she shivered and moaned hardly knowing she did either as heat rushed though her to pool between her legs. He kissed up her chest, trailing his lips up her neck until he reached her mouth and sent her halfway into orbit. The heat between her legs became a furnace, her feet left the floor, and she was flying.
She hit the bed flat on her back and Mike lay on top of her. He’d taken her by surprise there! How many more tricks did he have up his sleeve—or down his pants. There was no mistaking where his enthusiasm lay. His zip looked ready to pop open.
He eased down her underwear, as she arched her back helpfully. No point in delaying what they both wanted, and needed. What mattered was being naked, skin to skin. “Who’s overdressed now?” she asked.
“That’s easily taken care of.” He unbuckled his belt, unzipped and stepped out of his pants, and tossed them over a chair. Watching her, watching him, he removed his underwear.
Mike was way beyond ‘mere mortal’! He stood there, proud and erect and grinning from ear to ear. Not without good reason. She reached out to grab his magnificent cock, closing her fingers round his heat, and easing his foreskin back and forth. An infidel, her family would call him. She preferred beautiful.
“Easy!” Mike’s hand closed over hers. “Go gently, Nur. I’ve got to last all night!”
She’d make sure he did!
He pulled back the bedclothes, leaving them in a heap at the foot of the bed and she slipped between the linen sheets, pulling the top sheet, over her. Mike tossed it back, easing her back on the pillow. “This, Nur, is going to be a night neither of us will ever forget.”
How could she not believe him when his mouth played with hers, and his hands drove her wild? With slow precision, he kissed and stroked her neck and breasts as she sighed and groaned under him. Never before had she known this passion with a mortal.
He kissed her navel, while his fingers trailed down to play across her smooth vulva. He paused and looked at her. Her bare pussy fascinated him as much as his uncircumcised cock intrigued her. He delved deeper, opening her with his warm fingers. Her body arched as he played her clit until she moaned aloud. Then he trailed kisses down her belly, slowly, until his breath came warm on her cunt. His mouth closed down on her and her body went wild. As if that wasn’t enough, his fingers came in. Deep.
She couldn’t stay still. She squirmed and twisted but his fingers still pumped in and out. Driving her crazy, driving her to the heavens, driving her wild, she was climbing, flying soaring. A rush of power and sensation seized her, and she screamed Mike’s name, as she bucked, half-leaving the bed, her mind whirling, Mike’s arms holding her close as the last shudders slowed.
“Nur, you are incredible!”
“You’re no slouch yourself!” Help her! She was getting positively British with her understatements! “Mike that was one, fabulous fuck!”
“We haven’t fucked yet!”
He was right there! He’d done that with mouth and fingers alone. Once that bold cock took her she’d… “What are you waiting for. I’m hot, and ready, and wide open to you!”
He chuckled. “Better take care of that, hadn’t I?” He grabbed her by the hips and raised her, as he ogled her wet and ready cunt. Their eyes met, he grinned. “Ready or nor, here I come,” and with a sharp thrust he was in her: fast, hard, and so deep she felt him in every nerve and sinew.
She wrapped her legs around his waist, to urge him deeper. She almost shrieked, as he started moving, faster and harder and wilder. Her body joined with his, took the same rhythm, shifting and rocking as he drove them both to climax. She came, dropping her head back to cry out, as he gasped, “Nur!” and collapsed on her. She felt his glorious weight, inhaled the scent of his mortal body, and relaxed in the aftermath pleasure from a climax she’d never forget.
She’d not forget, as she’d make darn sure they repeated the experience.
Paul and SIA could say what they liked about security. This was personal. Utterly.
Mike rolled off her, and shut his eyes. She’d let him doze a while. Mortals needed rest.
She left him under the sheets, and silently packed. It was inevitable, she had to report back, but…
She sat watching Mike, until he woke.
“Nur? You’re really going?”
She kissed his forehead, tasting the salt of mortal sweat. “I have to for now. But, when is your next holiday? “
“March, for midterm”.
“My family has a house outside Istanbul, overlooking the Bosphorus, would you come? Spring comes early there.”
“Try stopping me!”
Did he have any idea what he was agreeing to? Did she?
* * * * *
She refused to let Mike drive with her into Manchester to the airport. She needed solitude to prepare herself for her report to Paul. To give herself time to dream. To mull over her memories of a science teacher and the lover of her dreams.
She barely noticed the decorations, the Christmas lights, or the carolers in the street collecting money. She checked her luggage in a kind of detached haze, but a news report caught her eye. Seemed around seven am, there had been a series of mild earth tremors in the vicinity of Great Havering. A deserted farmhouse had collapsed but otherwise, there was no damage and no injuries.
Nur hoped the dogs got out alive.
The End
Also at Ellora’s Cave
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By Denise Agnew
Red Leopard
By Tracy Cooper-Posey
Power Exchange
By Rosemary Laurey
Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.
www.ellorascave.com
Winter Warriors Page 34