Vision in Trust (Legends of the North #2) (15 page)

He nodded and followed her back inside.

He followed her into the living room where she collected the wine glasses they'd used. Taking them into the kitchen to start washing them up, she didn't say anything to him, didn't even look at him. He'd been pretty sure they were on the same page after her vision, and she'd spent the night wrapped around him. Maybe she'd had second thoughts. Or had Matt's reaction changed her mind? The thought of people knowing they were together. He didn't want to push her, but if she was just looking for friendship, he needed to know before he made an even bigger fool out of himself.

Leaning against a cupboard, he crossed his legs at the ankles, arms folded across his chest, and waited for Jess to finish avoiding him. Because that was what she was doing, and he wanted to know why.
 

Eventually, she put the glasses away and turned to face him. "What?"

"That's what I'd like to know, Jess. What's going on between us?"

At his question, her cheeks flushed, and her top teeth sank into her bottom lip. And then all he could think about was that he wanted to bite that lip, then kiss it better. Straightening, he tugged at his jeans, trying to make more room inside them.

Shifting on her feet, she stared down at them for what seemed like an eternity. "I don't know," she mumbled. "I thought after that Sunday we were ... That we might ..." She trailed off with a huff and looked up at him. "You didn't want to tell Matt that you were here last night, so I don't know. Are you ashamed of what we did?"

As she said the words, he rubbed at the back of his neck. Was she for real? Striding across the kitchen to her, he took her hands in his. "I didn't tell Matt because it has nothing to do with him, and I wasn't even sure what was going on between us. But I know what I'd
like
to be going on between us." He knew they should talk, but sometimes actions spoke louder than words.

Releasing her, he stroked his fingertips up her arms, around her shoulders. Wrapped one hand around her neck while entwining the other in her hair. Her eyes never left his as he slowly lowered his lips to hers.
 

He'd meant to be gentle, but he forgot as her lips parted, the tip of her tongue brushing against his. Groaning, he bit down on her lip, then dragged his mouth away, pressing it against the soft skin of her neck. With his hand still entwined in her hair, he pulled her head to the side and ran his tongue up the full length of her neck. When he reached her ear, he gently bit the lobe then sucked it between his lips, as Jess moaned.

Dragging her top down her shoulder, he kissed his way across the bared, warm skin. Her hands went to where his T-shirt was tucked into his jeans, fluttering there as he pressed another kiss to her shoulder. Giving her a chance to back out, if she wanted to, he lifted his lips an inch from her skin because she had to want this as much as he did.

Slowly, her fingers dragged his shirt from his jeans. His stomach muscles clenched as her fingertips brushed against him. Running his free hand down her back, he cupped her bum and pulled her closer to him, dragging his lips back up her neck to capture her lips again. Lost in his kiss, she became braver, working her way up the planes of his chest until her fingers found his nipple, brushing her thumb across its hardened tip. When she tugged on his piercing, a groan started in the back of his throat.
Releasing his hold on her hair, he wrapped that hand around her bum as well and lifted her. She wrapped her legs around his waist, their lips still fused, and he made his way to the stairs.

Kicking open her bedroom door, he laid her on the bed and stared down at her.
God, she's sexy.
Dropping a knee to the mattress, he crawled up her body until he held himself over her, his weight on his elbows. He lowered his head to kiss her again, and she reached for the hem of his T-shirt. Dragging it up his chest, he released her lips long enough for her to drag it over his head, and for him to return the favour and remove her top.
 

He kissed her again, stroking her lips with his tongue until she parted them. His hands dropped to her bra, releasing the clasp to let her breasts fall free. Grazing a thumb over her already-erect nipple, she arched her back, pushing her breasts farther into his hands. He kissed his way down her neck until he reached her nipple, running his tongue around the hardened tip before sucking it into his mouth as a moan escaped Jess's lips. Her fingers brushed down his chest until she reached his belt buckle. Unfastening it, she then popped the buttons on his jeans. He couldn't stop the groan as she reached in to free his cock, which was so hard it was almost painful.
 

He dropped his head to her chest as she stroked him before running her thumb over the already-wet tip, his breath coming hard and fast. He shifted, pulling himself free of her grip so this didn’t end before it had even started. Working his way down her body, he dragged her jeans and underwear down her legs until she lay naked before him. He ran his hands up her legs and smiled when she shuddered. Parting her thighs, he lay between them, placing a kiss on her inner thigh before glancing up at her. Her head was thrown back against the pillow, eyes closed. Gripping her thighs, he gently squeezed until she looked down at him.

"You okay with this?"

"I was until you stopped," she said, a small smile on her lips.

That was all he needed to hear as he dropped his head and ran his tongue across the wet seam of her sex. He sucked her clit between his lips and was rewarded with a loud moan. He did it again then stroked a finger across the same path as his tongue before dipping inside her. She was hot and wet, and he added another finger as Jess began to writhe on the bed, her hands twisting in the covers. He increased the speed of his fingers as he felt her start to contract around them until she shouted his name and her hips bucked.

Sliding his fingers out, he kissed his way back up her body. Slowly opening her eyes, she smiled at him, looking satisfied. She reached for him again, stroking his length as he let out a groan. Needing to be inside her, he asked, "Do you have condoms?"

Her hand stilled on his cock, and she glanced up at him. "No. Do you?"

He lay back on the bed, throwing an arm across his eyes. "No," he said with a groan. He glanced at the clock but the shop would already be closed for the night. He dropped his arm when she straddled him and licked her way down the solid wall of his pectorals. Along the ridges of his abdomen until she licked the hard length of his cock. "Ohh, Jess."

"Relax. It's my turn now."

Then she took him into her mouth. Her tongue swirled around the head before dipping into the ridge at the centre. He threaded his fingers into her hair as her head bobbed and she sucked him harder. The tingle started at the base of his spine. "Jess." He'd meant it as a warning, but she carried on until he couldn't hold back any longer. With a groan he came in her mouth as she continued to gently suck him.

She gave him one last lick before lying down next to him, draping her legs across him. "That was amazing," he said, before kissing her forehead and wrapping his arm around her.
They both fell into a satisfied sleep.

April. That was supposed to be spring, right? As Jess walked down the lane, towards Alt Hall, it didn't feel like it. Frozen puddles crunched beneath her boots, the tops of the hedgerows laced with frost, which was starting to steam as the weak sun began to melt it. Hands encased in gloves, fingers twined with Rob’s, he gave her a squeeze. Looking up at him, she couldn't help but smile.

"I'd love to know what thought put that look on your face."

The smile spread even wider, and she squeezed his hand in return. Him. That's what had the goofy grin on her face, but she didn't want to tell him that, not yet. It had only been a week since they'd first fooled around together, after Matt and Emma's announcement. Even though this was the happiest she ever remembered being, she didn't want to tell him that. What if he thought that was too much pressure, or was getting too serious? Rob didn't do serious. Then again, she couldn't remember ever seeing him in a relationship with a woman. When she didn't tell him, he continued.

"Okay, let's see if I can keep it there then."

Tilting her head, she narrowed her eyes at him, wondering what he was up to.

"Jan called me, to let me know the funding came through for the next phase of the drop-in centre. That means we can start fixing the rooms into bedrooms, so I'll be going there this evening. I wondered if you wanted to come with me, because Jenny, the counsellor I told you about, she'll be there tonight too. So I thought you could help do some painting, get to know Jenny, discuss volunteering with her."

"Oh, my God," Jess said, before squealing. She jumped up and down in front of him, and he laughed at her excitement. Throwing herself at him, she hugged him tight and whispered into his ear, "Thank you."

"Get a room, you two."

Jess laughed at Emma's words, having said them to her and Matt, not long after they'd got together. Pressing a kiss to Rob's cheek, she fell into step beside Emma. Glancing over her shoulder, she relaxed as Matt and Rob chatted easily about something. As she looked ahead, she caught Emma's gaze fixed on her. "What?"

"You look happy."

Jess lifted a shoulder and said, "I am." She should’ve probably been more worried about what was happening. But since she had got together with Rob, she hadn't had any visions, and she was kind of hoping it was all over.

"So, you and Rob are happy? It's going well?"

"I guess so. I mean, it's only been a week."

Emma let out a heavy sigh at Jess's word.

"What is it?"

Emma shook her head. "It's nothing. I just remember those early days with Matt, that's all."

Jess glanced back at Matt and Rob, but they were deep in their own conversation. Matt looked happy enough to Jess. "Everything is all right between you two, isn't it?"

"Yes. I love him. It's just he keeps giving not-so-subtle hints about having kids. We've only just moved in together."

"You want kids, though, don't you? Jess asked.

Emma looked up at the sky, as a lone heron flew overhead, and let out another sigh. "I guess. I've never really given it much thought."

"So, you and Ben never talked about it?"

"God, no," Emma snorted. "Ben was still a kid himself. I spent more time worrying about him than thinking about our future. Good job, huh?"

Jess had never really given much thought to kids either, just assumed she'd have them at some point. She wondered what Rob felt about being a father, and then quickly dismissed that idea. It was far too early to be going down that line of thinking because they
so
weren't heading that way.

"But this is Matt," Jess said.

"I know."

"He's probably had, like, three girlfriends including you, and he's never lived with anyone before. Maybe he's just getting carried away." Jess realised what she'd said and tried to backtrack. "I mean, he's had girlfriends, just not that serious ..."

Emma put her hand on Jess's shoulder. "Jess, this is Matt, I know what you mean. And yeah, kids? Probably. But he's not even mentioned getting married first. I assume he wants to get married, and I'd like to do that before we talk about kids. I guess I'm old-fashioned that way. I know he freaked out at the idea of getting married at Altenbury Hall, and when he thought I was marrying James in my vision. But I thought he wanted to get married at some point. To be honest, I would have thought Matt would want to get married before having children. You know how he is about doing things in order."

"I guess."

"Gee, thanks, Jess. That's reassuring."

"I'm sorry, I'm just trying to remember if he's talked about marriage before." Jess had thought Matt and Emma had it all sorted. If these two had issues, what chance did she and Rob stand? Life was certainly simpler when you were single.
 

As if sensing her thoughts, she felt an arm snake around her waist. She gave Emma what she hoped was a reassuring smile. They fell silent when the boys caught up with them and they reached James's cottage.

James opened the door, and they all followed him inside. They removed layers of coats, scarves, gloves, and hats. After getting hot drinks for everyone, they finally all sat in the room James had converted into their office.
 

He'd obviously spent some time on local legends, Jess saw, as she glanced over the printouts he had tacked to the wall.

"Has anybody got anything new to add? Or even something that might be useful? Because so far, I've found nothing that seems even remotely linked."

Even if James hadn't stopped his pacing, jabbing a finger at the wall of printouts, Jess would have known how frustrated he was. His tone of voice said it all, and she knew he hated not being in control.

Jess stood and faced James, speaking directly to him. "I think we might be descended from Romans." Clearly, that got everyone's attention, as the room fell silent after her declaration.

"We can't be," Matt said. "I'd know if we were. I've researched the history of Altenchester, right back past Roman times."

"Yes, I know you have, but you've never researched
our
family in relation to the Romans. You've never researched us back to when the Romans were here. Has anybody looked back further than the 1700s into our family, before Alt Hall was built?" The question was met with silence and shakes of heads.

"I don't know for sure. I need to try and find some more records, as I've only found one obscure mention to a Roman soldier. And it sounded a little sordid, so I guess our family wouldn't have advertised the link. Plus, if it
is
true, then my last vision makes more sense."

Matt stopped chewing on his fingernail when she mentioned that. "It does. In the vision, you were where the Roman fort was. It was built just at the top of the lane, so how you described it matches its location. The prisoner mentioned sins of the fathers, which would imply a family connection. But who was the prisoner?"