“And you do?” He sneered..
Kalli raised her chin. “I’m beginning to understand.”
“Faulty reasoning.”
“Perhaps.”
“Guys,” Olivia said, “there’s no need to argue. I already decided I would go.”
She heard Dale’s sharp intake of breath, felt his gaze snap to her. But she refused to meet his eyes. She couldn’t. She might break down in tears.
“I’m just saying you can change your mind,” Kalli spoke softly.
“I won’t.” Her voice sounded wooden to her own ears.
Kalli simply nodded, unconvinced, but willing to let the matter go. Dariux looked thunderous. She chanced a glance at Dale. His face was grim, his posture stiff, fists clenched. He looked... devastated, but determined. Olivia was simply exhausted, numb, too emotionally drained to even feel much. There was a world of pain dammed, waiting, and the floodgates were straining.
She stood up, and Dale immediately stood too. He touched her elbow, as if knowing she needed his support and silently offering it. The simple gesture, so characteristic of him, threatened to break down her defenses. She needed to get away, lay down.
Gathering her strength, she spoke to end this visit. “Thank you for seeking me out and clearing everything. You said you are departing a week from now. Where and when will we meet again?”
“At the country estate. It is necessary to depart from the same place we arrived, or nearby. The machine can travel in time but not in place. We can meet at the manor on Sunday, before sunrise at five on the clock. You must bring the car. It can’t be left behind.”
Olivia nodded. “Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go rest for a bit.”
Kalli and Dariux promptly took their leave, and Dale accompanied her upstairs to her chamber. He paused at the door, uncertain.
She dragged him inside. “Will you lay down with me for a little while?”
He picked her up, deposited her on the bed, and silently started removing her clothes. When she was clad in her chemise only, he stood back, removed his own clothing except for his underwear and, still without saying a word, climbed in the bed with her. He didn’t attempt to seduce her, simply gathered her against his chest and wrapped his arms around her, creating a cocoon of comfort and protection. She felt so cherished that quiet tears rolled from her eyes, dampening his chest. The steady beat of his heart under her ear was a lullaby that lured her to sleep.
Olivia woke up in a sensual haze. Desire burned like a low fire in her belly. For a moment she lay there, disoriented. Dale was caressing her so tenderly. The sun's rays slanted low, painting a pattern on the bedroom floor and flooding the room with golden light.
Then she remembered.
The visit, how exhausted she had felt. They had laid in bed and she fell asleep. How strange. To be able to sleep with all her emotions in turmoil. They must have slept for a couple of hours at least.
Dale’s hand slid under her tangled chemise and caressed the side of her waist, her hip, her thigh, coming up behind to caress her butt, igniting the fire, feeding it. When he saw she was awake, his mouth descended on her breast, suckled through the thin material of the chemise. Her hips moved on their own now, undulating against him, seeking completeness, release.
His clever fingers sought her core, and she sighed with relief, but they didn’t linger. They merely tested for readiness. And she was ready, so ready for him. She whimpered when his hand moved away. Without further delay, he rolled on top and, holding her gaze, smoothly slid into her. She felt every inch of his slow possession while his eyes held hers captive, dared her to recognize she was his. At the same time, they pledged he was hers.
It was too much... too much feeling, too much emotion, too much pain. She couldn’t bear it and closed her eyes, allowing pleasure to pull her under and obliterate everything else. Tilting her head, she arched her back, trying to get closer to him, even though they were as close as two bodies could be. He took that opportunity to kiss her neck, her face, lick the curve of her ear.
Dale set a slow rhythm, moving in her with slow, heavy strokes. His arms slid under and around her, embracing her to him as his mouth captured hers in the deepest, most tender kiss. Even in her dreams, she had never imagined its like.
When his mouth left her, she opened her eyes. And she couldn’t look away. The fierceness in his gaze compelled her, held her captive while he fed her need to unreasonable heights.
She exploded, her climax battering through her in merciless waves that rippled on and on. She gave a hoarse cry and her eyes flooded with unshed tears. And still she held his gaze, letting him see. She had never felt more exposed. Her heart, her soul bare. It would have been unbearably vulnerable, except he was right there with her. After two more strokes, he let go with a shudder, his powerful body spasming on top of hers, in hers. She wrapped her legs around his waist, holding him close. His arms were bands of steel crushing her to him with all his might while the final shudders coursed through his body.
But no matter how strong his arms were, they could only hold her for so long. They couldn’t prevail against time.
