by Opal Carew
“Oh, God, sweetheart. Now.”
He grunted and moaned deeply. She felt warm liquid spurt inside her mouth, warming and exciting her. She sucked and swallowed, continuing to stroke his balls. Finally, his taut, clenching muscles relaxed, and his huge rod stilled and slowly diminished in size. She eased it from her mouth and laid it on his belly, enjoying the sated expression on his face. He drew her to his side, and she curled up next to him as he held her close and kissed her forehead.
“That was incredible.”
She loved that he echoed her words. As if the pleasure she’d given him matched what he’d given her. She hoped it was true.
She had never felt as safe as she did right then in his arms. Never again would she know such bliss.
But right now, she would enjoy it with every part of her being.
After several long, languorous moments, he rolled to his side and propped his head on his elbow, gazing down at her. His roguish smile and the glint in his eyes sent warmth shimmering through her.
“I don’t even know your name.”
“Shena.”
“That’s a lovely name.” He stroked her hair behind her ear. “Shena, I want to get to know you better.”
Warmth curled through her belly at his words.
“I’m returning to my family home after several years of traveling, and I can’t think of a better way to settle in than to court a lovely young woman like you. Especially since I am so overwhelmingly attracted to you.”
A gentle flush of pleasure traveled across her cheeks.
“I want to meet your family and state my intentions to your father.”
His words jolted her like a slap across the face. Panic overwhelmed her at the thought of him meeting her father. She tried to gather her thoughts, muddled by the closeness of his hard, male body and the soft, loving look in his eyes.
When she was sixteen, a young man had shown interest in her. His name had been Jonediah. One evening, she had met him by the river, and he’d held her hand while they’d enjoyed a pleasant walk together. He had been about to kiss her when her father found them. Horrified, she had watched while her father beat Jonediah senseless, almost killing him. Afterward, he’d told her if she ever showed interest in a man again, other than one he’d chosen for her, he would kill him.
Keern leaned forward and kissed along her jaw, then murmured into her ear, “If things go as well as I expect they will, I can see us exploring more pleasures of the body ... in our wedding bed.”
She stiffened and pulled away from him, then pushed herself to her feet. She would not allow him to be hurt because of her, but if she explained what had happened to Jonediah, he would probably try to rescue her from her father. Such recklessness would cost him his life. She needed a reason why she couldn’t see him.
“What’s wrong, Shena?”
She gathered her clothes and pulled them on. “What is your name?” she asked.
He stood up and retrieved his own clothing. He smiled. “Keern.”
“And your last name is Herrington.” Her throat tight, Shena watched as he tugged on his pants, hiding his magnificent maleness.
“Yes, that’s right.” He pulled on his shirt, hiding his broad, muscled chest from view.
She turned away. “I am a Wakefield. My father would never accept you.”
“Ah, is that it.” He reached for her, but she slid away. “If it’s about this pond, I’d gladly give it to him if it would help win your hand.”
“It’s not about a stupid pond,” she grated. “If my father knew what we had done here today, he would kill you. Just forget about me.”
“I won’t forget you,” he said with determination. “And you won’t forget this.” He stepped forward and pulled her into his arms, then kissed her. Her ragged breathing revealed all too clearly how he affected her.
Staring at his fierce expression, she knew he would not listen. He would chase her -- to his death. At the thought of him skewered by her father’s sword, his life seeping away, agony sliced through her.
She had to stop him. She settled her weight evenly on her feet and slowed her breathing, feeling it move through her. Sometimes, when she was very afraid, she could reach within, to a strength deep inside herself, and, distancing herself from reality, draw on calm she did not feel. She thought about her father and the cold visage he displayed to the world, and she emulated it. She had to drive Keern away.
Keern watched her expression change. Calm, poised, sharp as a dagger. She had transformed from his beautiful wood nymph to a cold, manipulative woman.
“Did you really believe the role I played this afternoon?” The mockery in her words astonished him.
His eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”
“I enjoy a romp with a stranger every now and again, and you were very good, but it was for one afternoon. That’s all.”
“You’re telling me that what we shared was all a lie?”
“Of course. I enjoy playing the helpless virgin sometimes. I didn’t think you’d really fallen for it. I thought you knew we were playacting.”
His gut clenched. “I don’t believe you.”
How could he? She had enchanted him. Her sweetness had melted through him, totally claiming his heart.
The memory of Kolanna and how she had fooled him with her sweet, loving act stormed through his thoughts. Hadn’t that agonizing incident taught him that he couldn’t trust a woman? Any woman.
She raised her eyebrows. “I don’t care if you believe me, or not. I’m tired of this game. And I’m tired of you.” She shot him a look of disdain. “Stay away from me, or I’ll tell my father you took me against my will.” Her clipped, indifferent words cut through him. “Then he’ll find you and kill you.”
He grabbed her arm. “Why would you do that?”
She glared at his hand around her arm and jerked it away. “Because I don’t want you to come near me again.”
Keern rode toward his family home still seething at the memory of Shena and her trickery. Her transformation had shocked him.
How had he been so completely fooled by her act? Why hadn’t he wondered at her willingness to do the things they’d done together? Of course, he’d not been thinking with his head so much as with his groin. She had backed off on the idea of intercourse, but then, she’d be shrewd enough to avoid pregnancy.
When he’d received the announcement of Jordan’s wedding, nostalgia had started within him and along with it a desire to return to his place of birth and settle down like his two brothers, to find a gentle woman to marry, to start a family. Shena’s sweet innocence had been so appealing. He had seen in her what he’d wanted to see in a woman.
As he rode toward the iron gates of his home, he heard the horn sound and whoops from the guards. His name sounded on their lips, along with shouts and hurrahs. He smiled as his gaze drifted along the gravel path curving through the meadow of wildflowers to the large stone-and-timber house about a half-kilometer up the hill.
It was good to be home.
The gates opened, and as he rode through, people rushed to the gate to greet him.
“Keern, you’ve finally arrived.”
“Will.” It had been a long time since he’d seen his older brother. A few more lines crinkled around Will’s eyes, but other than that he hadn’t changed.
Keern dismounted his horse, handing the reins to an eager pair of hands. He strode toward Will and held out his hand in the offer of a handshake, but his brother scoffed and dragged him into a bear hug, pounding his back for good measure.
“Come, the women want to see you.”
“And what about Jordan?”
A huge grin split Will’s face. “Yes, him, too.”
They walked toward their family home, built with their father’s own hands.
“He’s not too busy dreaming of his wife-to-be?”
“Oh, I think he can spare a few moments for his older brother.”
Jordan, their younger brother, was to wed four
days hence. Keern had made the trip to join in the festivities. He hadn’t told them yet that he intended to stay, not wanting to disappoint them if he changed his mind.
“We leave on the morrow to Chamberlan. Kristinna’s family is looking forward to meeting you.”
“Brother, here you are.” At Jordan’s voice, Keern spun around.
He smiled at the sight of his younger brother. He stood as tall as Keern himself, a man now. Keern had known the lad must have grown, but with the reality staring him in the face, he felt sadness at having missed so much.
Jordan threw his arms around Keern in the same bear hug as Will’s. “So, the star-traveler returns.”
“As if I’d miss my favorite brother’s wedding.”
“That’s what you said when you came for mine!” Will cut in.
Keern flung his arms around both their shoulders, laughing. “Of course. You’re both my favorite.”
At the house, the women greeted him with exuberance. Will’s wife, Jenna, a tall, graceful woman, gave him a warm hug. Their cousin, Helena, pleasantly round and ever-smiling, gave him a kiss on the cheek, and her husband, Jacob, shook his hand.
Entering the house triggered a plethora of painful memories.
Their father had died when Keern was six years old. Will had become the head of the household at a young age, and they had all pulled together as a family, becoming closer than most.
Despite that closeness, Keern had withdrawn after his mother’s death.
Where Will’s job was to run the family, Keern had decided his was to protect their mother. He was determined he could protect her from anything, if he tried hard enough -- and he put his heart and soul into doing just that. The illness, however, had slipped right past him, stealing her away with a finality that had devastated Keern.
After her death, everything around him had reminded him of her. The rocking chair where she’d rocked him in her arms as a child, the woods where they’d gone for long walks and talks about life, the fields where they’d worked together, shoulder to shoulder, alongside his brothers.
He had felt strangely betrayed by her. Abandoned. Although he knew logically she’d had no choice, his heart had known nothing of logic.
So once he’d turned sixteen, he left the family and traveled -- partly to escape his pain, partly to understand the universe around him. In that universe, he’d found new experiences, new worlds, and excitement beyond measure. What he hadn’t found was love, nor anything that could replace the sense of belonging that he felt when he was with his family.
Returning to this place now, after all these years, still prodded him with painful memories, but they were dulled. He intended to dredge up the happy memories and heap them on top. To embrace his family and move forward with his life.
To finally heal the wounds.
The women had arranged a wonderful feast to welcome Keern. He spent the evening in the glow of warm family conversation.
As the hour grew late and the fire warmed his outside while the wine warmed his insides, his thoughts turned back to Shena. Another painful memory.
He’d never see her again, if fate was kind, but somehow he knew he’d never forget her. He remembered the sweet scent of her hair, the softness of her skin, the delicate taste of her body.
“That is my wife’s favorite goblet, so I think I shall retrieve it from you before you snap it in two.”
At Will’s words, Keern shifted his gaze from the fire to the glass he held, his hand clenched tightly around it. He allowed Will to take it and set it gently on the rough wood table in front of him.
Will settled in the chair beside him. “Where were your thoughts, brother?”
“On a woman.”
Will chuckled. “I see. Anyone in particular?”
Keern scowled. “Do you know Shena Wakefield?”
Chapter 4
Will’s brows rose. “Wakefield, eh? I know Henry Wakefield has a daughter.” He swirled the wine in his goblet.
“That’s right,” Jordan chimed in. “In her twenties. Pretty thing, from what I’ve heard, but he pretty much keeps her under wraps. Planning to make a profitable marriage, I’ll wager.”
“How do you know of her?” Will asked.
“I stopped for water at Sersa’s pond, and I saw her there.”
The memory of her naked, glistening body flashed into his mind. Need pulsed through him, impossible to ignore. His jaw clenched.
“She obviously had an effect on you.”
Keern’s glance darted to Will, but relaxed at his brother’s amused expression.
“The woman is lovely to look upon, but she has the disposition of a devil,” Keern responded.
“That’s a Wakefield, all right.” Jenna poured more wine in his goblet and sat down across from him.
“The father’s a mean one,” Helena chimed in. “He treats his servants more like slaves, and we’ve heard of terrible cruelties.”
“Plus, he hates us,” Will added.
Keern glanced across at him. “Why?”
“Because he wants our land,” Jordan answered. “He’d love any excuse to wipe us off the face of the planet. But he knows the other landowners would band against him. He’s got far too hungry an eye as it is.”
“He’s always been hungry for land, ’tis true,” Helena said. “But you know, the reason he hates us is more personal. His wife used to come here a lot, needin’ to get away from his foul moods. Theirs was an arranged marriage, you know?”
“That’s right.” Jenna poured some more wine, then sat down beside Will. “The rumor is, he fell in love with her at first sight, and his father, who gave his son anything he asked for, arranged the marriage. Young Wakefield must have believed the woman would fall madly in love with him, but in truth, he frightened her with his aggressive ways.”
Will tipped his glass to his lips, then set it on the table. “I remember how, when I was young, she’d come to visit with her baby daughter.”
“Why don’t I remember any of this?” Keern asked.
Will leaned forward, a wide smile on his face, and tousled Keern’s hair as if he were a little boy. “Because, brother, you were barely three years old.”
Keern ran his fingers through his hair to smooth it back in place. “I still don’t see why he hates us.”
“Because,” Jenna said, “he believed she and your uncle were having an affair.”
Keern’s gaze jolted back to Will, who nodded.
“Uncle Jeb?” Keern could scarcely believe it. He didn’t remember his uncle well -- he’d disappeared when Keern was very young -- but from everything he’d ever heard about him, he’d believed his uncle to be an honorable man. Certainly not someone Keern would suspect of having an affair with another man’s wife.
Keern had always admired Uncle Jeb, especially his sense of adventure. Keern had followed his uncle’s example when choosing to travel across the stars, undaunted by the fact that everyone assumed Jeb had died on some exotic planet, since no one had ever heard from him again.
“I’m not saying he actually had an affair with her,” Will said. “Wakefield was jealous, domineering, and extremely possessive of his wife. She was actually afraid of him.” Anger flared in his eyes.
Jenna placed a hand on her husband’s arm and stroked gently. “Realize he loved this woman and she didn’t return his love. His ego would demand he find a reason to justify her not loving him. Another man was a simple solution.”
“And Uncle Jeb actually did love her.” At Will’s quiet words, everyone turned to stare at him. “He didn’t act on it, but I overheard our mother and father talking. They were convinced he loved her. I’m sure that’s why he left. He couldn’t bear to be so close to her and not be with her.”
“She died of Gahdagha flu soon after that,” Jenna added.
Helena leaned forward conspiratorially. “Or so they say.”
“Helena.” Jenna shook her head. “Those are just rumors.”
“True.” Helena’s fingers
toyed with the stem of her goblet. “Some rumors say that Wakefield killed her. Others say that he sold her to the traders.”
Keern leaned back in his chair, disturbed by the turn of the conversation. “That doesn’t make sense. How could a man do that to his own wife?”
Jacob sighed heavily. “You really don’t know Henry Wakefield, cousin.”
The others nodded their heads. Keern’s gut twisted inside. With a father like that, no wonder Shena had learned to be so callous.
Will grinned, in contrast to the long faces around the table.
“I must admit, it would be a lovely irony if you and his daughter had taken a shine to each other and wound up in wedlock. Then our two lands would be joined, but not in the way he had hoped.”
Keern swallowed some wine, pushing aside heart-rending images of Shena joining hands with him in front of a flower-veiled altar, a delicate blush on her cheeks as she leaned toward him for the wedding kiss. A more vivid blush covering her entire body as they joined in the wedding bed. His body tightened, and he longed to feel her gentle curves again, but this time while thrusting into her body. He longed to make her completely and forever his.
Slamming those thoughts into the dark recesses of his mind, he plunked his glass onto the table.
“Talking about wedlock, shouldn’t we be discussing Jordan’s impending doom -- I mean, joining?”
The men roared in laughter under the glares of the women, then began a hearty discussion of the events to come.
Keern awoke with a start. Actually, with a jolting release. He became aware of a warm stickiness on his stomach.
Dehn’ra, another dream about that witch of a woman.
He flung aside the covers and stormed to the window. Moonlight illuminated the rolling hills of unfamiliar land surrounding the manor of Jordan’s new family.
He raked his fingers through his hair.
Over the past four days, Keern had tried to keep his focus on his family and the wedding of his brother. There was much to keep him busy, but still he couldn’t keep visions of his beautiful wood nymph from his mind. How could she have turned out to be such a brittle, scheming woman?