Echoes of the Heart (43 page)

           
After
consuming their breakfast, they caught the trolley to the Mississippi River to
board a ferry to the opposite bank.
 
The
dark water churned rivulets spreading in a wake fanning out to nothingness
toward the icy banks.
  
Raeden pointed
out the construction underway on the Merchant’s Bridge and the mills along the
river.
 
The advent of elevators allowed
multiple stories and the skeletons of new structures erected since she
left.
 
Massive commercial buildings and
apartments under construction loomed overhead while cranes and heavy equipment
detoured downtown traffic.

           
Walls
made of stone lined the waterfront where Cash insisted they eat lunch along the
pier at a restaurant serving fresh fish before touring the harbor, his arm
protectively holding her waist.

           
Raeden
found herself wishing the visit could last longer than the few days before her
departure to New York City.
 
In addition,
hadn’t he mentioned the Session already began a few weeks ago?
 
Perhaps he would leave even sooner.

           
In
her thoughts, Raeden had become quiet and distant by the time they returned to
their room to dress for dinner at Busch’s Grove known for its steak and other
fine foods guaranteed to tempt the pallet of even the most discriminating
diner.

           
“What’s
the matter, Rae?
 
You’ve grown so
silent.”

           
She
said nothing while she stared into his eyes from across the room.
 
Slowly she unbuttoned her dress to fall
around her ankles then stepped out of her undergarments and walked toward
him.
 
His eyes devoured every inch of
what she offered.

           
My God, she is driving me crazy.
 
Her large green eyes blazed into his while
she raised her arms around his neck.
 

           
“I
love you, Cash.
 
Kiss me, hold me.”

           
He
needed no invitation.
 
Hell, he’d been
hard all day!
 
He pulled her to his chest
and met her lips with a savage kiss while his hands began roaming over her
satin smooth skin, caressing each curve and valley while she unbuttoned his
shirt.

           
She
reached to undo his pants, slipping them down to expose his erection.
 
Cash sucked a breath between his teeth when
her hand smoothed over his sensitive skin.
 
Jesus!
 
He had to have her.
 

           
He
lowered her to the carpeted floor before spreading her thighs and probing her
softness with his fingers, finding her wet, hot, and ready.
  
He watched her face as she cried out while
he stroked deep, rolling her sensitive nub under his thumb.
 
He removed his hand to rise and thrust into
her depths and took her with such uncontrollable brutal force, he thought she
might shatter before they both lay spent, covered with perspiration, panting
for air.

***

She dressed in a
dark maroon gown with sheer mauve silk overlay and black silk stockings, and
high-heeled slippers.
 
She watched Cash
stroll across the room in a few easy strides to place the emeralds around her
throat then draped her black velvet cloak trimmed in mink over her bare shoulders.

           
She
gazed over his tall lean form dressed in a black dress suit.
 
The clean aroma of soap lingered when he
walked past to don his overcoat and escort her to Busch’s Grove.

           
An
arbor entwined with gnarled thick wisteria branches, dormant for the winter,
marked the entrance to the lavish dining room.
 
They walked arm in arm into the reception area lined on three walls with
leafy plants growing nearly six feet tall in trellised ceramic pots painted in
an array of bright colors.

           
Marble
floors reflected large crystal and silver chandeliers through the entry into
the intimate dining room where white tapers sat atop ochre linen draped over
Georgian style tables encircled by carved mahogany chairs.

           
Dome
lights hung from a molded plaster ceiling casting a dim light over the
room.
 
Through an arched doorway to left
of the dining room, a parquet dance floor held couples waltzing to the music of
an eight-piece orchestra playing softly in the background.

           
After
an elegant meal served with wine, Cash stood to request a dance with Raeden,
leading her to the floor where he masterfully glided her through a waltz.

           
Their
eyes locked in a gaze as Raeden slid her hand from his shoulder to around his
neck and twined her fingers through his thick raven hair where it curled over
his collar.

           
He
pulled her to him, closer than etiquette would allow while they swirled around
the floor.
 
Cash lowered his head to
whisper.
 
“Have I told you how beautiful
you are?”

           
“Not
in the last hour.”
 
She turned her head
to lay her cheek on his chest and let out a low sigh.

           
Cash
hurried Raeden to the cloakroom after the dance ended.
 
“We’re going back to the hotel.”

           
He
lifted her into a waiting hansom and wrapped his arm around her shoulder
pulling her close.
 
Raeden’s heart
pounded in her chest, so loud she thought he must hear it.

           
“I
had a wonderful day, Cash.”

           
He
lifted her chin and gazed into her eyes, desire burning a flash across his dark
pupils.

 
“The day is not over yet.”
 
His lips met hers in a sensuous kiss probing every
corner, leaving her breathless and craving the feel of his hard body molded
against her own.

           
They
made love into the early hours of the morning, learning, exploring, taking and
giving of each other until they lay sated and exhausted, finally falling asleep
in each other’s arms.

Forty-six

           
Raeden’s
eyes opened, bright sunlight streaming through the edge of the green velvet
draperies, to see Cash propped up on one elbow scanning her face and a sly grin
curling his lips.
 
She reached to trace
the outline of his jaw so relaxed and tranquil, not the usual stern look he
carried to cover the sensitive man she believe existed beneath the rough-edged
exterior allowing no quarter when wanting his way.

           
“Get
up sleepyhead.
 
You’re taking me
shopping.
 
If I’m going to be a senator,
I had best look the part.”
 
He dropped a
quick kiss on her lips, tossed back the sheets revealing her lithe nude torso
and hesitated.
 
First his eyes then a
hand skimmed her body before lowering his face to kiss her again, this time
rekindling the flames of their mutual passion.
 
He whispered.
 
“I just can’t have
you enough.”

           
All
thoughts of their pending separation driven from her mind, she would enjoy the
moment.
 
“I feel the same way, too.”

***

She had helped him
choose fabrics for suits in an upscale men’s clothier.
 
No matter what he wore, she knew he would
make it look good.
 
While he was being
fitted, attracted by a formal gown in the big display window she browsed a
nearby boutique, curious as usual to what they imported and the prices asked.

           
Raeden
met Cash outside casually leaning against the building smoking a cigar.
 
Light gray smoke drifted in the air blown by
a soft breeze.
 
“They put a rush on two
suits.
 
The rest will be sent to
D.C.
 
I doubt I will have time once I get
there to waste on tailors.”
 
He disposed
of the cigar and tucked her hand over his forearm as they headed to the
trolley, his strides tempered so she could keep step.

           
The
ability he possessed to blend into her environment, a chameleon, amazed
her.
 
Confident and self-assured he would
no doubt excel in whatever he might choose.
 
He actually seemed happy, less pensive but his eyes always roamed taking
in all around them, ever the guardian on alert.

           
“Why
don’t we go riding?”
 
His request was a
pleasant surprise, “Do you still have those cute little blue jeans?”
 
The corners of his eyes creased in a
smile.
 

           
How
could she refuse such an offer?
 
Arte
would be a handful and needed exercise.
 
She had not ridden in days and would enjoy the outing, although it
didn’t really matter what they did as long as she could be with him enjoying
every second of the time they had before setting out on their different
paths.
 

           
Maybe
there would be some way they could visit each other occasionally, she thought
as they rode through the snowy pastures bounding the city, glittering in the
brilliant rays of the sun.

***

After a long
leisurely dinner, they took a cab to view the myriad colored city lights,
earthbound nebulae mirrored off the river’s dark hue from the east bank of the
Eads Bridge.
 
Finally they both became
impatient to be alone and fulfill the craving they both knew existed every time
they touched or their eyes met.

After another long
night of rapture, Raeden laid awake wrapped snuggly in his arms listening to
his steady even breathing and dreading the morning.
 
In three days, she would leave for New York
with all the memories of the past days they had spent.

She would have to
tell him something and surely, he must need to leave as well to fulfill his own
duties in Washington, D.C.
 
At least now,
they could part on good terms, not like last time when they had been upset with
each other.

           
After
a few hours of sleep, she woke to an empty bed.
 
She rose and tossed on a robe and walked toward the bathroom.
 
It sounded like Cash might be shaving so she
didn’t knock.
 
Walking barefoot into the
sitting room, lavishly furnished with an ample low divan stacked high with
thick cushions, and an over-sized winged chair backed by thick velvet draperies
and plush carpet caressing her toes, she passed the table holding Cash’s
attaché, and she glanced down.
 
What
appeared to be train tickets caught her eye.

           
Two
tickets to the Capitol city due to depart in two days.
 
He had made plans, which must include
her!
 
How could he think to do this?
 
He never asked her what she might be doing
just like before when he forced her into marriage.
 
So all this romance was just another male
stunt to trap her.
 
Fury nearly blocked
her reason.
 
She must remain composed and
explain her intentions, not arouse his temper.
 
Raeden sat on the sofa and waited for the confrontation ahead.

When he entered
the suite, he bent down and kissed her.
 
His gaze switched to a look of concern as he looked into her eyes.
 
“What’s wrong, baby?
 
Are you feeling okay?”
 
He lifted her chin.

           
Determined
to remain cool, she held her temper in check and removed his hand.
 
“I’m fine, maybe a bit tired.
 
We haven’t had much sleep the past few days.”

           
Cash
sat beside her.
 
“Let’s order room
service.”
 
He placed a hand on her
knee.
 
“We need to talk.”

           
She
breathed deep and exhaled.
 
“Why don’t we
talk now?
 
You know I don’t expect
anything from
you
.
 
Why did you purchase this ticket?”
 
Her voice sounded harsher than she intended.

           
He
sat stunned for a moment then spoke with an air of dominance in his tone.
 
“Because, my dear wife we are going
Washington together.
 
We leave day after
tomorrow.”

           
His
arrogant manner made her lash out.
 
“Now
see here, Cash.
 
I’m not your wife by
choice.
 
You can sell the ticket.
 
I’m not going anywhere with you.”

           
His
eyes slanted and brows drew together.
 
“This is nonsense.
 
You’re acting
like a spoiled child, Raeden.
 
We are
getting your things and leaving together.
 
That’s final.”
 
He stood and left
the room to finished dressing.