He never wanted to be separated from her again. He didn't care about bodyguards or family or business meetings. He wanted Erika to himself for the next hundred years or more. Michael slipped his hands inside the matching lace panties and was rewarded by finding her wet and ready for him. Her mouth bit into his shoulder. He slipped the last scrap of fabric down her long legs and pushed her back onto the bed.
Quickly finding his condom and securing it, he looked into her eyes.
"Say you love me," he said.
"I love you," Erika repeated. "I love you." Her words were full of emotion, and they touched a part of him that had never been reached before.
"I love you, Erika," he said, and slipped inside her.
Her eyes closed on a moan of pure pleasure. Michael moved and she moved with him. He touched her shoulders and she arched into him. He touched her breasts and she grasped his arms. Her legs circled him, giving him greater access as the two of them found their rhythm, found that place where light and dark come together, where man and woman merge into one being, and where the two can no longer control what happens. Michael lunged into her, his body strong, hers stronger, as she took his powerful strokes. Need gripped them, and they fed on their mutual selves, gratifying and consuming. Wet and hungry they continued, pushing, pulling, taking, giving, until Michael thought he'd die of joyous satisfaction.
Erika pushed him on. Guttural sounds came from her throat as she held onto him, as time after time they met, separated, and met again. His heart raced, his lungs fought for air, and his body filled with her and his need to go higher until there was nothing to do but fall. Michael reached for that place, that one place that no other couple could find. His voice sounded in his ears like the wind rushing over dry leaves. Groans and deep, incomprehensible words flowed from him as he reached for the light above him, and the world shattered.
Together they collapsed. Michael held onto Erika, knowing that if he let go they'd fall off the world. Slowly, they came back to reality. He turned her into his arms and kissed her.
"I love you, Michael."
"I'll always love you, Erika."
***
Erika woke up reaching for Michael. He'd filled her dreams, her bed, and her arms. She cradled herself in his embrace and snuggled closer to him. Strong arms circled her, drawing her to him and keeping her safe. She wanted to never get up. She wanted to stay there in his arms and let the world take care of itself. Inside his embrace there was no Graves Enterprises, no market shares, no Frank Mason. There was only the two of them, two lovers who'd shared heaven together and selfishly wanted to keep it for themselves.
"We'd better get up," Michael said from above her head.
"I don't want to," she said, sliding her smooth leg over his rough one. "Isn't today Saturday, or something?"
"I'm afraid it's Friday."
Erika groaned.
"I have an idea," Michael said, drawing her hair back to kiss her forehead.
"What?"
"We play hooky today." He paused to kiss her cheek.
"Hmmm, that sounds good." She felt as feline as a stretching cat.
"We could go and get a blood test, and get married on Wednesday."
Erika froze. Michael continued to nibble on her, placing feather-light kisses on her cheeks and her lips, but Erika had ceased moving, feeling.
"What?" he asked. "What's wrong? You want a big wedding with a white gown and penguin suits?"
Erika couldn't find her voice. She was stunned, too surprised by his declaration to speak.
"Erika, we can do that. We can do—"
She put her fingers to his lips to stop him. She'd made him nervous, and she knew it. Her silence had made him keep talking, staving off what he feared she might say, but Erika had to say it.
"Michael, I can't marry you."
He grabbed her wrist and moved her hand, then turned her on her back and imprisoned her against the mattress. "Didn't you say you loved me?"
She nodded.
"Were you lying?"
She shook her head.
"Then why won't you marry me?"
She felt boxed in. Michael's elbows dug into the mattress on either side of her head. "I told you," she began. "I'm not good with man-woman relationships."
"That's bull and you know it."
She didn't know it. "Every relationship I've ever had went sour."
"And I'm no different, is that it?"
"Let me up." She pushed his arm aside and turned over, swinging her feet to the floor while she held the sheet to her. She looked about for Michael's silk robe.
" Where's your robe?" she asked.
"In your room. You took it the last time we made love." His soft words made her flinch. Her sweater lay on the floor halfway across the room. She dropped the sheet and walked to it. Her entire body grew hot at the eyes she knew bore into her back. Drawing her arms into the sweater, she pulled it over her head and down her body. It stopped halfway to her knees.
"If you think that covers you, you're dead wrong," Michael said. "You're more sexy now than when you were naked."
Undaunted by his own nakedness, Michael left the bed and came toward her.
"I should go now," she began.
"Not on your life," he told her. "We've started a conversation and I'm not postponing it."
"What about Connie Forester? She might discover I'm not in my room."
"You really think she doesn't know where you are?"
Erika hung her head. She was sure she knew. Neither of them had eaten dinner last night. After Michael came in from teaching, neither of them had been seen again by their new houseguests.
"Can we get back to my question?"
"Aren't you going to put on some clothes?" Erika found it hard to talk to a naked man, especially a man as good-looking as Michael. Instead of talking, she wanted to go back to bed. Her body was already hot, and he was deliberately throwing her thinking processes off.
"Do I make you nervous?"
"Yes," she said.
"Good," he whispered and caught her, pulling her close. "Marry me and I'll get dressed."
"Michael, listen to me."
He ran his hands down her back, over the sweater until he reached the hem. Then he ran them up under it.
"Michael," she whispered. "There's too much we have to think about."
Her body burned like a two-alarm fire. Michael bent his head and leaned toward her mouth. She moved back. He followed her until she couldn't go any farther without falling. His mouth hovered above hers. His tongue traced her lip line. Erika felt the heat in the pit of her stomach and knew she was lost. Each time he reached for her, she had no resistance. She didn't want to resist. She was in love with him. She had been since almost the first moment she'd seen him. Her heart told her to forget her head, forget everything except the fact that her insides had turned to pudding.
She moved closer to him, coming up and joining him in the passion he created. She was weak and she knew it. She wanted Michael. On her toes, she pulled him closer to her, hugging him, aggressively taking his mouth and trading kiss for kiss. Erika stopped thinking. She no longer had the ability. The burning in her belly flashed white and hot. She stood against Michael, pressed into the hard structure of his body, liquefying in the heat of their combined fervor.
Breathing raggedly, Erika and Michael separated but remained in each other's arms. Michael squeezed her as hard as he could without crushing her.
"You've got to marry me, Erika. I love you."
She heard the emotion cracking his voice, making it warble in his throat. Her defenses began to crumble. God, she loved him. She wanted to marry him, to love him the rest of her life.
"I don't want anyone else," he said. "I want you to complete my life, mother my children, share my rewards. You could make me the happiest man alive. And I'll die trying to make you happy."
Tears rushed into Erika's eyes. Hot and salty, they rolled over her cheeks. She shifted and Michael pushed her back.
> "What's wrong? Why are you crying."
"Micha—el." His name cracked as she said it. "I can't have children."
***
The time is now, Michael. Frank had failed in his attempt to kill Michael's brother, rid the world of another lawyer, but he'd sent the message, anyway. It was Michael's time now. Frank had to get home for Christmas. He needed to shop for his children, and Michael was the only thing standing in his way.
Frank saw the police car and slipped down in the driver's seat so he couldn't be seen. He was parked far enough away on a hill, several miles, but from here he had a clear vision of the estate. He couldn't see the house, but he could see over the wall and for several yards beyond it. With a high-powered rifle he'd have a clear shot at any car that came in or went out of the gates.
Every morning two limousines left the estate. They never left together, and their times varied. Frank knew they were trying to throw him off, but he was no fool. He'd planned this for a year. However, his plans weren’t based on precise timing. He wasn't locked into a scheduled date and time or all would be lost. He could do it today or tomorrow. But it would be done.
The sooner, the better, Frank thought. He wanted to get home. Christmas with Abby and the kids would be especially happy this year.
Then he saw it.
Frank tensed.
Lifting his binoculars, he peered through them. Two women in a car. One of them was Erika St. James. The other he didn't recognize, but by the look of her and the way she checked the streets, she had to be hired help. Frank smiled. Adrenaline rushed into his system, his breath came in gasps, and sweat broke out on his skin. This was his chance.
The driver turned left out of the driveway. She wasn't going to the office. Frank spied the license tag and make of the car. Then he started the engine and headed down the hill. He gripped the steering wheel, hoping he'd have time to get there before they turned off or got too far ahead for him to follow.
The time is now, he thought, and began humming It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.
***
Facing the office was something Erika couldn't do this morning. Michael would undoubtedly want an explanation and she wasn't up to it. She couldn't marry him. She wouldn't be able to defend herself against his insistence. All he had to do was touch her and she'd fall into his arms. This was what real love was like, not what she'd felt for Bill Castle. He'd done her a favor by running off with Jennifer Ahrends. She now knew what it was like at the creation, when the stars were flung into the dark void and the earth was set among them. Michael had taught her that. It was up to her to live with it.
Yet, she felt like dying. Erika had a brain, but it was having a difficult time explaining to her heart what she knew was the right decision.
After tearing herself from Michael's arms, she stumbled from his room, falling on the steps, but pushing on to get to her room. She showered and dressed in record time, fighting the clock to get out of the house. She needed to be alone, but that option had been taken from her. She had Connie Forester as her constant companion.
The limousine waited for them, but Erika wanted to drive herself. Connie refused her request. Erika was in no mood to argue with the woman, but she was going to have her way. She passed Connie and went to the garage. Connie rushed in and stood in front of her.
She tried to make her see reason. "Erika, think about what you're doing. Obviously, you and Michael had a fight. That's no reason to put your life in danger."
Erika stared at her for a moment then burst into tears. She cried for Michael, for herself, for the love they shared that would die, for the children they would never have, for the babies she would never hold.
"Get in," Connie said. The bodyguard opened the door and pushed Erika into the passenger seat. "You're in no condition to drive anyway."
Erika sat still while Connie quickly did a check of the car. When she was satisfied everything was all right, she got into the driver's seat and started the engine. Connie drove expertly. She turned the car away from downtown Philly and headed west. Erika didn't ask where they were going. She didn't care as long as it was away from Michael.
Fresh tears pooled in her eyes and spilled down her face. She let them run unchecked, no longer caring that Connie was there. She guessed that Connie knew she'd spent the night with Michael. They had argued, argued over getting married. They were in love with each other. Shouldn't that be the easiest decision in the world? Maybe for someone else but not for her. It wouldn't last, and then she'd die. She could never hold a man. She wasn't pretty. She didn't have what it took for the long run. And children. He wanted children. Of course he wanted children. She couldn't risk it.
Erika didn't notice where they were going. The traffic on the other side of the road was thick and backed up. Connie drove competently and quietly. She hadn't said anything since they left the garage. Erika let her head fall back and her mind go blank, numb. Her fatigue after a night of lovemaking, coupled with the steady rhythm of the road, lulled her to sleep. Unaware of how long she’d been out, the sudden cessation of motion woke her.
"Where are we?" Erika looked around, disoriented.
"Strasburg," Connie said. "I was born here."
Erika got out of the car. The air smelled of horses. On the road she saw a small black carriage, pulled by a single horse. Lancaster County. She remembered. This was Pennsylvania Dutch country. Erika looked at the house. It was a white clapboard structure with black shutters.
"It was my mother's house," Connie explained. "She died six years ago, but I still keep it."
Erika heard the catch in Connie's voice. Everyone spoke well of their parents. Why hadn't Alva given her the love that could produce that kind of emotion even after death? Why hadn't she taught her the forever kind of love? Why hadn't she prepared her for a man like Michael? Erika's eyes clouded again, but she brushed them away.
"Come on in."
Inside the place was spotless. Dark, sturdy, handmade furniture filled every room. Not enough to crowd, just to provide places to sit or work. The kitchen chairs were hard and without cushions. Erika sat down on one of them while Connie made coffee in a percolator that sat on the wood burning stove.
“Have you been here recently?”
“Just before I came to you, why?
“Everything is so clean, dust free and you have food.”
“I pay a woman to take care of the place. She keeps some food, but not much.”
While the coffee heated, Connie busied herself making breakfast. Erika felt useless. The house reminded her of the dirty cabin where she'd found Michael. She'd cooked there under less than ideal conditions.
Connie's food was delicious. Erika ate hungrily and drank two cups of the hot, steaming coffee.
"We can stay here as long as you like," Connie said, sipping her second cup of coffee. "But your problems aren't going to go away because you do."
Erika agreed with her. She knew she had no choice but to return. She had to go back and face him. She just needed some time alone to think and decide.
"Do you think it would be all right if I went for a walk?" She meant alone, and she could tell Connie didn't like the request. "I promise I'm not trying to make things difficult. I just need some time by myself."
For a moment Connie didn't say anything. Erika was sure she was going to refuse.
"It's not a good idea."
"No one followed us," she said.
"You were asleep most of the way," Connie told her.
"Didn't you check?"
"Of course," she said. "I'm pretty sure we weren't followed. But it's my job to be with you all the time."
"How could anyone track me here? Frank Mason doesn't know about you. He couldn't possibly know about your mother's house. And I'll be within shouting distance," she paused. Connie looked as if she wanted to refuse. Erika knew she was asking her to compromise her principles, but she needed the space.
"When I needed to be alone, I used to go up to that tree over there.
" Connie pointed through the window. On a hill stood a huge oak. "There used to be a tire swing hanging from it. I'd swing for hours."
"Thanks, Connie." Erika smiled for the first time since she'd left Michael.
Connie smiled back at her. "I'll tell you what," she said. "We'll stay here all night. I'll make us an authentic Pennsylvania Dutch dinner, and we'll drive back in the morning."
"Connie, you're an angel." Erika hugged her.
"Go on," Connie said, probably a little embarrassed. "While you're communing with nature, I'll be at the grocery store."
Erika left by the back door and started up the hill. The air still smelled of horses, but she liked it. She pulled her coat around her, continuing toward Connie's tree. She saw the car leave the driveway. She waved at Connie and saw her arm waving from the car window. She headed in the opposite direction from the one they had come. Was Connie trying to gain her trust? She hadn't been the best client a person could work for, but she was warming to the short bodyguard.
She looked up the hill toward the tree. It reminded her of Michael lying by the stream with the mountain in the background. Where was he? Did he go to the office? Should she call him? She hadn't seen a phone, and from the look of the furniture and kitchen nothing invented after 1700 would be in the house, except that ancient coffeepot. Erika thought about Connie. There would be a phone at the grocery store and surely she carried a cellular unit, although Erika had not seen it. Would she call Michael to let him know they were safe? She hoped Connie would. There was no need for him to worry when she didn’t show up at the office.
Erika continued toward the tree. She saw a man on another hill and waved. He stood up and waved back. On the other side was a whole family. Erika again raised her hand in the universal salute. Two small children smiled at her. Then the family, all dressed in black, got into a buggy and rode away. She wondered where they were off to this sunny December morning.
Her morning came back to her. She'd reacted badly. Michael had surprised her with his proposal. The night had been beautiful, filled with love and magic and an array of color that comprised their own private world. It was the most wonderful night of her life. She should have seen where it was leading. Hadn't he asked her if she loved him? Hadn't she admitted she did? What else could she say when he looked at her with his own love shining in his eyes? She couldn't have lied if she'd wanted to. Then morning dawned and the magic was gone. Reality was back.
Legacy (Capitol Chronicles Book 5) Page 26