Wine and Roses

by Ursula Sinclair

  “Hmm, I can see your underwear is already wet.” He raised his eyes to hers. “For me.”

  She looked around. “I don’t see anybody else in here.”

  “And there won’t be. Not now, not ever.” He wasn’t sure what made him say something so unlike him, but he damn well spoke the truth.

  “Oh, and how many women have you brought up here and said that to?”

  “None.”

  ***

  “Oh.” Eboni didn’t know what to say to his statement, too unsure what it all really meant, or why he brought her to Montana. And of all places, his childhood home. So many questions ran through her mind, but she dared not ask any of them. This certainly was not the time. She wanted Simon, never stopped wanting him. Whatever happened between them was just about the here and now. She’d be fine.

  When he lowered his head and raised one of her legs over his shoulder, she knew they’d passed the point of no return. His hand reached out and rested on her chest laying her down, while those gray eyes stared right at her as his tongue reached out to lick over her already wet underwear. She moved her hands down to pull the scrap of lace aside, holding herself open for him. Eboni needed his mouth on her wet flesh, and he obliged. She ripped the underwear herself so he could lick her clit. His entire tongue lay flat against her opening, and he spread her legs wider for him.

  “You like that, sweetheart. Tell me if you like that.”

  “Yes, you know I do,” she whimpered.

  “Mmm.”

  He purred against her sex, sending shivers throughout her body. Taking his hand off her chest, he moved it around to her butt lifting her up so he could have better access to her nether regions, when he slid his tongue deep into her. Her stomach muscles tightened, and her juices rushed to bathe his face.

  “Fuck yes,” he growled. “I missed your taste.”

  Standing quickly, he got rid of his jeans leaving his underwear on.

  “Wait, condom.” She had no idea how she remembered something she should never have forgotten. A sense of self-preservation perhaps kicking in, she wished it was strong enough to put a stop to even having the need to use one, but looking at the sculptured well-endowed man before her, she sighed, might be asking too much. In the months since they’d been together, who knew with how many other women he’d seen fit to indulge himself with. While she had been with no one else, and after this, it would be a long time before she’d be able to let another man touch her. An ache of sadness rested heavily in her heart.

  “Are you still taking those shots?”

  The first time before they’d come together they’d cleared the air about their sexual history. “Yes.”

  “No problem.”

  She frowned. “Have you been tested again since?” Was there a need for him to be tested? Oh God! How many women had he slept with in the last three months? Talk about a buzz kill.

  His reply didn’t come quickly, but then he said, “No need. I’ve been busy so haven’t been with anyone since you.”

  “Oh.” Oh! What did that mean? She never got around to asking, because Simon lowered his head and kissed her. A softer kiss than the others. Tender. Eboni wrapped her arms around his shoulders and kissed him, tugging him down to her, but he eased back. She released him, and he straightened up to take off his underwear.

  The tattoo she remember of the black jaguar still gave her chills, so much so moisture pooled again between her legs. The head of the cat began below his belly button, and the sleek lines of its body continued down all the way to his groin. The tail seemingly hugged his sex. Which stood pulsing, bursting with his blood, and the veins in the head turning it purple. It might look soft to the touch but from experience she knew it would be the exact opposite. She didn’t have much time to admire the size of him, much as she’d have liked to. Simon pulled her to him and raised her parted knees so her feet rested on the bed, just before he plunged into her waiting sex.

  Once he rested, buried deep in her core, they both groaned and she never wanted him to come out. “Simon.” She shut her eyes, couldn’t believe his name came out half-cry half-moan, but it did. She’d been fooling herself. She’d missed him more than she should have. “Oh God!”

  “Shhh…I’m here with you now.”

  Did he understand how he made her feel? Did he even have a clue?

  Simon withdrew to her entrance and surged back fully into her, and from one breath to the other, all thoughts left her as she delved into sensation. No nerve ending remained untouched by him. When he withdrew from her yet again this time pulling all the way out, she opened her eyes to voice a protest. But in no time, he turned her over onto her stomach.

  “Rest your forehead on the bed and raise that gorgeous ass for me.”

  He did not have to tell her twice, and her reward, he hovered behind her rubbing his sex along her opening, coating himself in her juices before entering her from the back. Simon placed one hand on her butt cheek, the other he moved around her thigh to rub against her nub. So as he moved in and out of her core, going deeper each time his fingers rubbed against her sex heightening her pleasure, until tears snaked from her eyes at the intensity of her emotional and physical response to him.

  “I’m coming. I’m coming,” she panted.

  In reaction to her cry, he stroked in and out of her faster, until the only sounds in the room were their harsh intakes of breath and the slapping of sweated flesh against flesh. The pressure grew in her center, building in volume before bursting to rush like fire throughout her system, finding an exit down her canal. She screamed his name as she came and heard her name on his lips. The warmth of his seed rushed to flood her passage and as their bodies joined so did their essence mingle. Filling them both.

  Unable to hold herself up, she collapsed half-on half-off the bed. He pulled out of her and turned her over. “You okay?” he asked.

  “Ah huh.” In truth, she wasn’t sure if she’d ever be okay again. Every solid part of her turned into liquid.

  Picking her up like she weighed no more than a feather, and perhaps to him she did, he moved her so she lay straight on the bed. Pulling the sheet aside, he rolled her so he could cover her up with the Afghan lying over the bed. Then he got in beside her and took her into his arms so they faced each other.

  “Rest. Sleep. We’ll unpack later. It’s been a long day for you, and you’re still recovering. I should have waited.” He kissed her hair and shifted so his head rested on the same pillow as hers. “I just needed to be inside you so badly is all.”

  Her smile turned into a yawn. Maybe she was a wee bit tired and could do with a little nap. Her eyes closed. She heard the sound of his voice saying good night—then nothing.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Well! What the hell do you have for me?”

  “Look, it’s not that easy,” his informant said. “The feds are on this now. I couldn’t stall it any more. Once the vic was id’d, things got tight, but chill. I confirmed Simon Blackcat did stash her.”

  “Shithead, that much I already knew. You told me as much. Do I have to tell the people I work for what an incompetent you are? Did you get any more info on their exact whereabouts in Montana? Like a fucking address.”

  “No, I just need a little more time to get the info.”

  “Listen ass. The feds are here, I don’t have much time. The reason people hire me is because I do not get caught.”

  “Well, I wasn’t the one who got seen.”

  “Don’t piss me off.”

  The cop sighed into the phone. “Another day. That’s all I’ll need.”

  “That’s all you got.”

  ***

  Eboni opened her eyes; she wasn’t sure why. The room appeared darker. She turned her head to the side but sensed Simon’s absence. Getting out of bed, she spotted his T-shirt on the floor and picked it up holding it to her face. She inhaled, and Simon’s citrusy scent surrounded her. In fact, his scent already lay all over her naked body, and she could feel evidence of him o
n her thighs, too, from her slight soreness, inside her, also. She couldn’t believe three months had passed since she’d last been with him, and her muscles had gotten a work out. After a quick shower, she dried off and pulled Simon’s T-shirt on. As she left the bathroom, she noticed his shades still rested on the nightstand where he’d left them. He couldn’t have gone far so she went in search of him.

  All the lights were off except for a nightlight in the hallway. At least she could see enough to make her way to the living room. The room lay in shadows, and a muted glow came from the kitchen. She moved toward it calling Simon’s name, but got no response. Finding the wall switch, she turned it on and the overhead light fixture illuminated the spotless kitchen. She blinked at the brightness, wishing she could adjust the lighting so it wasn’t too harsh. Two bowls sat on the floor, one with water the other lay empty. Still no sign of Simon or Gunner.

  Her stomach rumbled, and she laughed. Heading over to the fridge, she opened it to see what she could find. There were several covered plastic containers. She took one out and opened it. Poached salmon. “Mmmm, now that’s promising.” After placing the plastic on the kitchen table, she went back to check out the rest of the containers. In about ten minutes, she set a lovely meal out on the table of poached salmon, asparagus tips, and garlic mashed potatoes. The other bowls also held a nice assortment of food, and she found a few frozen casseroles in the freezer. All previously made and only requiring heating or microwaving. And enough food to last them a good solid week.

  She hesitated to heat anything since, unsure where Simon wondered off to, perhaps to take Gunner for a walk, but having no idea when he’d be back, she decided to wait. A quick glance at the clock on the wall, told her the time, just past ten. She gazed over at the back door in the kitchen and walked over to it, pushed the curtain covering the windowpane aside and couldn’t believe the sight before her eyes.

  The silver moon hung low above his shoulder so she could see the stark beauty of him. He emerged from the river naked like some sort of dark water god, raising his hand to brush his wet hair away from his face. He took his time walking up the path leading to the back door. His dog trotted at his side. Too late, she realized the light on in the kitchen had illuminated her standing there watching him. She knew exactly when he saw her. He paused in his step but he never broke stride. Like an idiot, she remained frozen in place waiting for him unable to move if her life depended on it.

  Perhaps it did.

  She stepped back when he turned the knob on the door and pushed it open, Gunner running right past her. Simon blinked and raised his arm to cover his eyes. “Oh God, I’m sorry.” She’d forgotten all about his sensitivity to light, he did, too; they’d been more focused on each other. She turned to go back to the doorway to find the light switch but she heard a tap against the wall and the kitchen plunged into shadows. She looked around and saw a faint glow coming from under the microwave over the stove.

  “It’s okay,” he whispered.

  She felt stupid. “I really am sorry. I…I turned on the light to put out some food.” She would have said more but his mouth fastened onto her lips, and his tongue danced with hers. He pulled her to him soaking the front of her T-shirt. The sudden contrast of his damp cold body against her heated skin shocked her system. She sneezed. Immediately, he pulled back.

  ***

  “Sorry about that,” he said, grinning. “I’m all wet, but I couldn’t resist. Give me a minute to change, and then we’ll eat whatever you’ve taken out, but you should probably get out of that damp T-shirt, too. Another time and I want to make love to you like that.”

  She raised one eyebrow. “How’s that wet or in your clothes?”

  He placed his arm around her waist and guided her out of the kitchen. “Either works. But you’re just getting better so we’ll wait for that.”

  And Simon did have to keep reminding himself of those facts. She’d been so ill. He’d never known anyone who’d been so sick. Hurt from wounds yes, but not brought down because of some tiny virus. He shook his head. They’d both changed clothes. After drying off, he grabbed a pair of sweats, and she’d taken the bathroom over. He left her in the bedroom to change. On the way, he spotted Gunner, who’d run along the edge of the riverbank and only got his paws damp. Now he lay on a thick, quilted throw on one of the sofas, one eye opened to stare at him before shutting down. Poor little guy was exhausted. He stopped to rub his head before returning to the kitchen.

  He opened the containers on the table, found plates to put everything on, and planned to nuke the food for a few seconds when Eboni walked into the kitchen in shorts and a tank top. His gaze roamed over her damn nice legs and toned arms. He liked them. Especially when they were wrapped around him like silk, and oh such perfect breasts he hadn’t nuzzled nearly enough. She wore her hair pulled back showing him a face he could stare at for a lifetime. Where was this coming from? He shook his head, the happily ever after kind, not him. But definitely something about Eboni made him want. Things he could not have.

  “Take a seat.” The request came out gruffer than he’d meant for it to. She frowned at him but still moved to pull out a chair at the table. He stuck one plate in the microwave and adjusted the setting to medium heat before turning it on for a few seconds. Enough to heat the food and not turn it to rubber. When it beeped, he stuck the second plate in and repeated the process. He placed the first plate down in front of her.

  “Where did all of this come from?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “The place has a housekeeper, and after I called her, she stocked it with enough food for a few days.”

  “Nice.”

  The microwave went off, and he turned to get his plate out. He pulled a drawer open and took out a couple of forks for them. “Would you like something to drink? I’ve got wine, sparkling water, and not sure what else might be in the fridge. Oh and you can drink water right out of the tap here. We’ve got well water, and it’s filtered already, twice before it comes out of the faucet.”

  “Okay, I’ll just try the water then.”

  He placed his plate down and turned to a cabinet to take down two glasses. Running the water for a minute to get it nice and cold, he filled the glasses and placed them on the table. “Let me know if you need ice.”

  Sitting down, he picked up his fork and began eating. After a moment, he watched Eboni take a sip of the water. “Mmm, wow this is good. And it’s well water?”

  “Yep.”

  “Very cool. But what happens if there’s a stretch of no rain?”

  “Then we tap into the main water lines. There’s a control outside to switch the pipes. But that doesn’t happen very often.”

  “And it’s very beautiful here. Do you get to come and spend time here very often?”

  Ah, now came the questions. He’d been expecting them. “Not very.” His body tensed, an automatic reaction to what he did not want to discuss.

  “Oh, that’s too bad. So you were born in Bitterroot? I bet you miss the place.”

  “Not really. My life is back in LA.” He knew his tone came out clipped, and he gave short replies. But what other answers could he give her?

  “Are your parents still here?”

  “No.” He didn’t elaborate. His fingers tightened around his fork. This was ground he never discussed. He knew bringing her home would open up something he’d buried a long time ago. Raising the dead…never a good thing.

  “Okay. Sorry, didn’t mean to pry.”

  Relaxing his death grip on the fork and easing the muscle tension out of his body, he asked in a more normal tone. “How’s the salmon?”

  “Great! The food is fantastic.”

  “It was probably caught this morning or last night.”

  “Wow, no wonder it’s so flavorful.”

  “And if I know Mrs. Kapper, there should be a few desserts and homemade cookies in the jar on the counter.”

  “Yeah, I saw a couple of desserts in the fridge. Is she the housekeeper,
and how did she have time to do all this? You only knew this morning we were coming here. She couldn’t have had enough time.”

  He breathed a sigh of relief when she went ahead with the change of subject and smiled at her assumption about Mrs. K. “Sorta. She runs a local diner and catering business so always has things on hand. She’s got several customers who don’t give her much notice to stock their homes.” She’d moved to the area only five years ago and didn’t know his family history. Thank God! But because of Mrs. K and her business, he’d been able to keep the place in such good shape and let her rent out the cabin or allow friends to use the house on several occasions. He liked the idea of people using it to enjoy. The place needed to have some of those positive happy emotions; too much of the other rested within its walls. And now he brought Eboni here, what had he been thinking?

  ***

  “It’s been almost two fucking days. I need something.”

  “And I got it. The day Blackcat left with the witness you know I followed, but took me a while to get information on where the plane went. And then try to use my resources to find out the connection about Montana.”

  “Why the fuck would he take her to Montana? That agency he’s with has a safe house there?”

  “Not sure if the Guardian Agency does or not. They are all close mouthed around that place. But according to Blackcat’s service records, that’s where he’s from. Big Sky, a place called Bitterroot Valley. And I got what you wanted, an address.”

  “Well at least it gets my ass outta LA and saves yours. Text it to me.”

  Chapter Twelve

  The first night in his home they’d made love, and something shifted between them. He’d slept with her for the last week but they hadn’t made love again. He just cradled her lovingly in his arms. She’d fallen asleep in his embrace smiling yet sad. During the days Simon stayed outdoors, Gunner always at his side, fishing mostly. Almost every day he took her on long walks and showed her the world he’d grown up in. Usually, the river always within sight; which she’d enjoyed but on the way back to the house one day, they’d passed the flower garden near the house, and she’d commented on them.