Trove (The Katie Walsh Mysteries) (22 page)

“Did you find it?”

He held up a book.

“Yes, yes, that’s it. Oh, I could kiss you for that.”

“I was thinking of something more substantial.”

Katie laughed. “Do men ever think of anything else?”

He paused as if he were thinking hard. “Basically… no.”

As he descended the ladder, she couldn’t resist. “So back in your office, when Lucy was rubbing herself all over you, the day you
expelled
me, would you have done her if she’d asked?”

Alec raised an eyebrow as he stepped off the last rung. “Jealous?”

“No,” she replied a bit too quickly, but part of her desperately wanted to know if he was willing to bed Lucy, even if it might just be for old times’ sake. “I just want to know if you have any standards or you’ll take any piece of—”

He bent his head and kissed her. He tucked the book under his arm with one hand and then slipped the other behind her head and held her tight to his lips. She relaxed into his chest and ran her hands up and around his neck and kissed him back. Her hands traveled down his back. He released her head as she pulled back and reached for the book, wresting it away. She laid it on the desk and opened it. She carefully read the pages leading up to the page with the symbol. “Would you get my scanner and bring it over to me, please?”

She spent the next half hour scanning the book and then immediately connected it to her laptop and downloaded the information. “I just want to make sure that my online backup completes successfully before I call it a day.”

He checked his watch. “How about I meet you in the foyer in, say, twenty minutes and then we can head out to catch the sunset?”

“Fine. I’ll just need to stow this stuff in my room and grab my jacket.”

He called over his shoulder as he headed out of the library “See you in twenty.”

Katie quickly completed the backup and headed up to her room. She was looking forward to spending personal time with Alec. She felt happier than she had in ages and as for her libido… well, contrary to popular belief it was alive and kicking.

She opened the door to the Yellow Room and noticed a wooden crate sitting on the small writing desk under the window. She quickly stowed her laptop and scanner and then rushed over to the crate. There was a note on the top.

Dr. Walsh, I took the liberty of
partially prying open the lid. You should be able to free it completely by hand. If not, please let me know and I’ll bring my pry bar. Thomas
 

She smiled and pulled the lid up, making a mental note to thank him. There was a large manila envelope on top. She peeked inside to verify it contained the sales receipt and all the necessary customs papers. Gently, almost reverently, she lifted the small chest that had been nestled inside and placed it safely in the middle of the bed before she retrieved the key from her purse, unlocked it and gazed upon her treasure.

She lifted the blade, relishing the heft and admiring the rough gem. She tipped it up and looked at the symbols etched into the bottom of the hilt. She nodded as she confirmed one of the symbols was the same as one of the odd symbols in Josh’s notes and it was an exact match to the one found in the book she’d just scanned into her laptop.

A knock on the door broke into her thoughts. She quickly placed the dagger into the chest, locked it and placed it back into the crate. “Yes?”

“Did you forget we had a date?” Alec asked.

Katie grabbed her coat and headed for the door. “Sorry. The backup took longer than expected,” she fibbed.

At the foot of the staircase, he bent down and picked up a picnic hamper. She gasped in delight. “You didn’t?”

“I did.” He held out his arm. “Join me?”

She slipped her arm around his and then they headed for the cliffs.

The wind was almost non-existent so they had the freedom to choose the best viewing spot. They agreed on
a gentle slope that looked down on the rocky beach below, out of sight of any buildings on the estate, and angled off to the southwest to keep the direct sun out of their eyes.

Alec set the hamper down and retrieved a blanket from within. He held one end and she grabbed the opposite one. They fluffed it in the air before letting it settle onto the lush, grass-covered spot. He took out two wine glasses and a chilled bottle of a nice white wine. As he uncorked the bottle and poured, Katie reached in and pulled out the remaining contents.

She placed the dishes on the blanket then set the fruit, a selection of cheeses, some sandwiches and a couple of baguettes next to them. She bit into a very ripe strawberry, “Mm,” she murmured, “these berries are so sweet.”

Katie leaned over and held it to his lips. Alec gazed into her eyes as he slowly nibbled at the juicy fruit, edging his mouth closer to her fingers. When he finished, and before she could pull away, he gently tugged her strawberry-coated fingers into his mouth one by one. He suckled each, sending delicious shivers through her rapidly melting body.

She ached for the feel of his mouth on her skin. Her breasts swelled in anticipation of his touch. She scooted closer then kneeled before him. He was reclined on the blanket, his torso propped up on his elbow. She leaned over and gently pushed him flat on his back. She laid her body on top of his, resting her hands on his shoulders, and sucked his lip between her teeth. He laced his hands behind her head, capturing a handful of curls between his fingers. She swept her tongue between his bottom lip and his teeth. He moaned, seeking her tongue with his. He massaged her back in slow, deliberate circles as she probed deeper into his mouth.

He pulled her T-shirt up and over her head then tossed it aside. His hands splayed across her back as she continued to focus on his mouth. He released the clasp on her bra, pulled the straps down, and tossed it on top of the shirt.

She felt the gentle breeze drift across her bare back. She pressed her breasts into his chest, feeling the material of his shirt rub against her sensitive peaks. She released his mouth and moved her lips to the hollow of his neck. His hands slipped under her waistband and his fingers brushed the sensitive spot at the base of her spine, just above her cheeks. She felt the evidence of his desire as she pressed further into his body. She sensed his whole body tense under her like a spring wound too tightly. If she could melt herself into him forever, she would have at that moment.

He held her against him and in one quick movement rolled her over, pinning her beneath him with his knees straddling her thighs. He sat up, caught her eyes for the briefest moment, before focusing on her breasts. He exhaled. “How many nights I’ve dreamt of you, not knowing who you were, not having you in my bed, my life.” He shook his head. “So many wasted nights, Katie, all because I respected your privacy, your need for control.”

She stared into his eyes. The sunlight dancing off the grey, revealing flecks of black. She swallowed.

His fingers teased the outside of her breasts and then cupped them in each hand. She thrust them further into his palms, willing him to touch her nipples. He chuckled and shook his head. She pouted and then whimpered in protest when he removed his hands. “
Please
,” she pleaded, “touch me, touch my breasts.”

“I’ve waited five years, Katie, five
long
years.”

“And you think I haven’t,” she shot back trying to sit up. He gripped her tighter with his knees.
“I haven’t been with any—” Her hand flew to her mouth.

He arched an eyebrow and leaned close to her face. “You haven’t been with
anyone
in five years?”

She glared at him. Damn him, he was laughing at her. “Yes,” she hissed, as she crossed her arms, covering her bare breasts. “Happy now? I’m a freak, a total freak.” She twisted beneath him. “Now stop laughing at me and get off me. I’m getting cold.”

He leaned forward to hover above her as he braced his hands on either side of her head. He whispered in her ear, “I’m not laughing at you. I’m savoring this moment. I’ve waited a long time.” He nipped her lobe. He kissed her skin in the hollow of her neck before he moved back to her ear and suckled her lobe. She arched her body as he applied pressure. “I’m feeling rather smug that no other man could satisfy you.” He dragged his tongue from behind her ear and onto her neck before leaving a trail of kisses and moving his mouth up to hers. “Tell me that’s why you’ve haven’t had another lover.” She shook her head. He nipped her bottom lip. “
Tell me, Katie
,” he growled as he pulled his mouth away and leaned back.

She reached up, uncovering her chest, and laced her arms around his neck. She dropped her gaze to his mouth then lifted it back to his eyes. “Yes,” she whispered, “satisfied?”

He pulled her hands from his neck and held her wrists in one hand. He shifted his body forward then laid her hands above her head. With his free hand he cupped her breast, brushing his thumb ever-so-lightly across her aching tip. She arched her back, thrusting into his hand, and moaned. He lowered his mouth and replaced his thumb. “Oh, God,” she mewled. “More. I need more of you.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” he said, his voice low and husky.

His fingers caressed the creamy soft skin in the valley between her breasts. He was carefully avoiding her nipples. She twisted beneath him, trying to free her hands. She needed to feel his mouth on her nipples, to relieve the ache. His tongue laved over the top of her left breast and then her right. “
Please,”
she moaned.

He shook his head. “I’m in control, KitKat.”

He was right. Her body was held captive beneath him, his knees allowing no movement. Her hands, held snugly in his left hand, were firmly restrained. She was at his mercy. She was his to do with as he pleased. She was shocked as she admitted she wanted this, wanted him to take charge.

His forefinger traced a lazy path down her midriff. She shivered involuntarily when he splayed his hand across her abdomen. “
Alec…
” He released the button of her jeans then pulled the zipper down. In a flash he released her hands and yanked her jeans and lace panties down and off, adding them to the growing pile of clothes.

He stood, towering over her. As he rapidly discarded his clothes, his eyes roved over her body like a starving man facing a smorgasbord. His eyes narrowed, the grey darkening.

She raised her upper body, leaning the weight on her elbows. Her eyes feasted on his flesh. He was even more gorgeous than she remembered. His chest was covered by dark hair. Her fingers twitched in anticipation of wrapping themselves in the silky softness. Her eyes traveled down his body, following the trail of his hair. She had to stop from laughing. It was like following a map that would lead to treasure. The only thing missing was X to mark the—she gasped as her eyes were drawn to his erect member, like a moth to a flame. She didn’t remember him being that big.

He chuckled and straddled her. Leaning forward, his body slowly, torturously made contact with her skin, inch by inch. She felt his
cock twitch as it pressed into her abdomen. She leaned forward, snaking her hands around his neck, and pulled him down onto her. Her breasts ached, waiting for his touch. As his chest hair tickled her nipples, she thought she’d scream in frustration. As if he sensed her torment, his hands cupped her breasts, gently kneading the mounds. His tongue swept over one nipple and then the other. She arched her breasts into him, trying not to lose contact with his mouth.

Her breath was ragged. “Alec, it’s been so long. Please, we can take it slow next time.”

He raised his head. “Next time? You won’t disappear in the pre-dawn light?” he teased.

“No…I promise. Just, just …”

“Tell me, Katie. Tell me what you want.”

“I need you inside me.
Now.
” She writhed beneath him, showing him how urgently she needed to feel him in her body.

He nestled his member between her parted legs, aligning himself with her opening. He pressed into her slowly, allowing her body to adjust to his. He slid in deeper and deeper, finally seating himself fully inside. He stilled a moment and then started to move, reawakening her body to his. She arched her back, urging him to take her completely, body and soul.

****

As the sun slipped low, hovering near the western horizon, the wind began to pick up. Katie shivered even though she was wrapped in his arms. She tilted her head back. “Um, it’s getting colder. I need to get dressed.”

Alec bent his head and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Right.” He released her and got dressed. He brought her clothes over and helped her get back into hers.

“I think that’s a first,” he said.

“What?” she asked. “Making love out in the open?”

He shook his head. “No, helping a woman
get
dressed.”

She re-packed the hamper and sat back down on the blanket, facing east.

“Why are you facing that way?” he asked.

“We have to watch the first stars appear,” she said softly. “Star light, star bright.”

“How long until they appear?”

“Actually,” she replied, “they’re always there. We just can’t see them until the sunlight has gone.”