Echoes in the Wind (24 page)

She dropped her hands to her lap. “You really can’t place him?”

“No. I’ve been having bad dreams about that night, but I never see a clear face that I can remember. I wonder if I’ve blocked the image.”

“That’s possible. What happened to you and finding Finn dead must have been horrifying. How is Mitchell? Can he help?”

“Mitchell’s not quite well enough, plus he doesn’t remember any more than I do.”

“Still, this is wonderful, and a relief that everything is over.” Darla gazed at him with a smile. “This has been an adventure, hasn’t it?”

“Yes. And I’m sorry to say our journey is ending soon.”

“H-h-how soon?” she stuttered. “When do you leave?”

“In the morning. I’m healed enough to travel. I want to get this over with.” He rubbed his forehead with his fingers. “I’ve arranged to meet with your brother in Austin tomorrow. After, we’re going back to California to discuss Dugan with the authorities together. He says he’ll go with me to talk to the cops about this murder suspect too as support, although it’s not in his line of expertise. Then we can focus on the money situation.”

“Sounds like things are beginning to fall into place for you. You get your freedom back and maybe even your money. How’s that for a happy ending?”

“I hope. I’m afraid you’re reaching for a silver lining too soon.”

“Don’t be negative. The bad stuff won’t last forever. Your luck is about to turn for the better. Actually, it already has now that the killer is in jail.”

“That’s exactly what your mother predicted when she read my palm earlier. She told me my life had taken a major turn and in a few weeks I’ll be where I’m supposed to be.” Eric laughed, but instantly his expression altered to dark. “I believe my world has improved because this lunatic killing my band mates was caught. I can relax for that reason, though it doesn’t bring them back.” He walked to the door, and then he spun around to face her. “So, I guess this is good bye.”

Their eyes connected. Her heart jumped. Darla understood this was the moment. If anything was to ever happen between them, if she wanted to solidify their connection, physically, emotionally, the time for her to act was now. And she had to take the initiative.

The idea terrified her. He apologized, admitted his bad behavior. He wouldn’t dare do anything to compromise his regret. If he did, he’d come off as a complete jerk. Therefore, it was up to her to let him know.

He touched the knob.

She took a solid breath, opened her mouth but the word “stay” stuck in her throat.

“Sleep well, luv.”

Chapter 19

Eric leaned his head against Darla’s bedroom door, resisting the urge to bang it into the frame. He only thought he’d known regret in the past. But having to leave her gave him a true understanding of disappointment. He did the right thing by telling her he was sorry for his boorish behavior, and he needed to make everything good between them before he left. He didn’t want to leave her with a bunch of bad memories of their brief time together. Therefore, he chose to walk away.

Although he wasn’t sure why he wanted her to remember him as a decent guy. Respectability closed off any possibility of him ever fulfilling his yearnings for her. He not only longed for her, hell, he craved her to the point of obsession. She’d been in his head from the moment they met and stayed with him since. Now he realized he’d never forget her. Not for the first time, he wondered if this is what love felt like, but hurried to shake away the notion. Eric Boyd didn’t fall in love.

He stared at the door for a while longer before he took a deep breath and walked down the hallway and into his room. Once inside, he stood in the center, his mind muddled. The click of the air conditioner cycling on caught his attention. He moved to stand under the vent, bathing his body in the breezy cool airstream.

The chilliness helped, but the draft wasn’t frigid enough to drop his internal thermometer. A cold shower might help to redirect his thoughts away from her, and his lingering physical needs, and the fact he passed on the opportunity to take care of them. Tomorrow he’d be gone. More than likely he’d never see her again. Besides, there were other things to think about other than dwelling on what didn’t happen with her. Like what was next in his life.

Even with Spiraling UP’s new hit, he was without resources. No money meant he and Blaine couldn’t move forward with their music unless Shane managed to find some cash from somewhere else for this tour, and that wasn’t a guarantee. Nor did he foresee them recouping their funds anytime soon, no matter how optimistic Barry seemed.

After he took care of business in California he had to determine what direction he should take. He’d tossed many ideas around in his head since he’d awakened this morning. Time spent with the Hennessys made him realize he wanted to visit his family and how he needed normalcy in his life. Maybe he’d take Darla’s advice to finish college and earn his degree. If this new band didn’t produce the way they expected, he may get a job as an architect. Yeah, he might have to work in a cubicle at first, but he hoped design would be satisfactory as an outlet for his creativity. He wouldn’t totally quit music, though.

They could use this upsurge from their new song as a base. There were area club contacts he’d made early in his career and they’d let him play. He didn’t even need Shane to pull any strings for that. Plus, he’d keep writing songs. No doubt his music would be about a dark-eyed southern teacher with wild curls.

The tinkle of his cell phone yanked him away from his daydreams. He almost groused at the idea of leaving it on all the time as he glanced at the caller ID. Darla’s brother, his new attorney, was on the other end. With a heavy sigh he punched the on key. After a quick conversation, he pressed the off button, then gathered up his things to get ready for a shower.

He quietly slipped out of his room and tiptoed through the hall leading to the bathroom doing his best to resist looking at Darla’s bedroom ahead. Instead of passing by her door like he should, he paused. On impulse, he put his hand on the knob, then let his fingers drop. He may never leave if he entered her room. The thought of intimacy with her had him searching for oxygen. His chest squeezed tight and he couldn’t breathe. He needed air. Forgetting the shower, he quietly, continued down the hallway, past the living area and stepped outside into the humid darkness.

****

Darla stared into the blackened sky. The swaying of her father’s boat normally sent her into a serene lull, though tonight the movement only reminded her of her unfulfilled needs. She should have stopped him and asked him to stay.

But it was too late. Eric was leaving and the sinking feeling in her gut told her he’d said goodbye for good. She sighed and again she wished she could be more like Stephanie, and not be so cautious in life and live in the now.

A slight thump from behind interrupted her melancholy moment. With a foot she whirled the pedestal seat around, surprised by the welcomed but unexpected intrusion. Eric pinned his eyes on her to hold her gaze. He didn’t speak as he dropped a bundle of something onto the deck. Nervous flutters tickled her stomach as he glided across the boats surface to where she waited.

He reached her, clasped her hands into his, and urged her to her feet. His face hovered above hers. There was no need to question him about what he wanted. The fire in his blue eyes told her everything.

Without thinking, she lifted her chin with slightly parted lips. Fingers raked through her thick curls before he pressed into her, accepting her silent invitation with his mouth. A soft cry escaped from her throat, her arms instinctively slipped around him. The openmouthed kiss was hot, hungry. Their tongues interweaved heating her inside and out, her body screaming for more. She didn’t feel any need to hold back. She wanted him. Against her, in her, she wanted him in every way.

He broke the kiss and asked in a hoarse whisper, “Is there someplace we can go?”

“Below. There’s a bed downstairs.”

He squeezed her before he released her, fingertips traced over her bare arms, then he laced his fingers with hers.

“Lead the way.”

She steered him through an opening which led underneath into the boat’s cuddy cabin. The only light was the moon’s reflection shining past the uncovered window, haloing the bed that sat to one side of the room.

Inside, he directed her toward the bed and wrapped his arms around her, finding her lips with his. He gently guided her into the mattress, never breaking their connection, and then lowered his weight on top of her.

She slid her hands over his biceps, drifting across his shoulders, and clutched him behind the neck. She tugged him nearer, impatient to feel him against her. Not shying away from his desires, he silently understood her direction, and pressed his hardened penis between the softness of her legs, spurring her thighs to open and allow him even closer.

Eric let loose a ragged breath and moved away. “I’ve wanted you,” he said in a rough growl, “wanted to fuck you since the moment we met.”

“Ditto,” she breathed.

He released a quiet laugh. “And you’re the romantic?”

“Stop talking.” She drew him tighter, putting her mouth back onto his.

A coarse groan quivered from his throat. He rose slightly to slide a hand between them, under her thin top to possessively cover her breast. Her nipple tightened as he stroked and shaped it into his palm. She basked in each caress sure she’d explode at any second. Fingertips skimmed down her back, past the waistband of her sweats to glide the length of her bottom, triggering her to elevate her legs, then squeeze and lock securely around him.

She tugged at his shirt. She wanted him naked. He desired the same from her and would have his way, raising enough to push her tank top over her head, after which he stripped her pants off. Once he had her undressed, his mouth hungrily closed over her nipple, his tongue sweeping around the tip to set off a series of internal upsurges.

A raw moan tore from her. She squirmed, arched her back, and forgot about trying to get him undressed, fearful she may erupt at any second. Heat swelled throughout her body, soaring downward to pulsate between her legs. Hands scraped through his hair to clutch each side of his head. His hot, male scent bounded her. His closeness expanded a rush of absolute demand.

He stood up to struggle out of his clothes. Darla swept a gaze over his naked body and caught her breath. She’d waited for him, for this. Braced on one arm, he tugged her under him. His fingers skated into the middle of her thighs, finding her wet, warm, and ready for him. Light strokes propelled her to the verge of insanity, her body about to burst into flames. He took her hand to wrap around his solid penis, then put his hand over hers and together they guided him inside. She bit back a gasp as he lowered into her.

“Am I hurting you?”

She dug her nails into his shoulder. “I’m okay.” Her voice was soft and breathless. “It’s been a while.”

“Like riding a bike, luv. Hang on. I won’t let you fall off.”

And then he kissed her as he gently edged deeper inside of her. Her hips instinctively rocked. The tightness gave way. Her release permitted the pleasure to balloon, riding against him while he hugged her mouth with his.

Eruptions flared. Small flashes grew into a mountain of staggering explosions. She broke the kiss, stiffened, and clung to him, holding on tight. Her mind went black as her body ignited until she expelled a loud exhale. She whispered his name before she fell limp. Only seconds later Eric wilted on top of her with the release of a satisfied sigh, neither moving for a long while.

Darla was the first to stir, though Eric remained still. He took slow, steady breaths. His body relaxed on top hers as if he’d fallen asleep.

“Give me another minute to recover and I’ll get off.” His warm breath brushed against her hair when he spoke. “I’ve been saving up for this.” Gingerly, he raised his head with a small smile. “And yet, you managed to wear me out.”

Darla blushed and grinned back. “Not yet.”

Eric laughed and lazily rolled next to her, but made sure their bodies stayed in close contact. With an arm rested across her middle, he snuggled closer and kissed her on the side of the head. “You’re full of surprises.”

“So are you.” She turned toward him and cupped his face with her palm. “I didn’t expect to see you after we said our goodbyes.”

“I’m kind of surprised myself.” He moved his head enough to kiss the inside of her hand. “And so you’re aware, this is a first for me.”

“What is?”

“Doing it on a boat.” He chuckled. “You really had this vessel rockin’,” he teased.

Releasing a loud gasp, she shoved him away to work up into a sitting position. She looked down at her nakedness then snatched up a throw at the end of the bed for cover. “Excuse me.” She spoke with a giggle. “I wasn’t rocking alone. You were moving pretty good yourself.”

“That’s because you made me wait for you so long.”

“So long?” she almost shrieked. “We’ve known each other a week.”

“Seven days is an eternity for me, luv.”

“I’m sure. And for me, we’ve moved awful fast.”

“It was meant to be.” He sat up beside her and rubbed a hand over her bare back. “Plus, your mother’s reading said I possess a strong sexual nature. From what just happened between us, I bet you do too. Can’t fight it.”

“My mother.” Darla covered her mouth with a palm. “She knows.” She turned to Eric with wide eyes. “She knows what we’ve done.”

“How? She’s inside and we’re out here.”

She gave him an irritated glare. “Did you not meet my mother?” Darla squeezed her lids shut and clutched the blanket closer.

He fell back into the pillows and dropped a forearm over his eyes. “God, your mum knows.”

“What are you worried about, you’re leaving in the morning.”

He lifted his arm to peer at her from underneath the crook. “No, I’m not.”

“You’re not?”

“Barry called me after I left you. Something urgent came up. He postponed our meeting. He told me to stay put while he takes care of his business. I leave day after tomorrow.”