Harvest Dreams (2 page)

Ha,
Steven thought,
he has a plan. We’ll find out one way or another.
Dade set up the little table the women carried along with them and then stood back to watch.
Owen stood beside him. He glanced at Steven making him smile. The look on Owen’s face said he was hoping whatever Chris was up to it was would be obvious; otherwise someone would have to explain one more thing to him.
Cora came over and let out a deep breath. She held a bag up to her forehead before she set it on the table. “A bag of protection for us all.” She grinned at Kasey. “I won’t tell you the ingredients.” Kasey grimaced.
Rachel set a large violet candle on the table and snapped her fingers to bring the flames. “For health and peace to us all.” She smirked at Kasey. Obviously little Kasey was teaching Rachel a few new tricks.
That may be bad for me later on
, he silently mused.
“Impressive.” Kasey grinned at Rachel before stepping to the table. Opening her empty hands over the table she closed her eyes while slowly closing her fingers. When she opened them a stone sat in each. Setting them on the table she whispered. “Sardonyx, to protect us all.” She took her place beside Dade.
Chris grinned at her. “Amazing.” He walked over and held out his hands with a large stone hovering over them. “Okenite, for truth and love.” Lowering it to his palm he set it on the table before backing up and standing beside Kasey.
Leena raised a brow at Chris. Walking to the table she rubbed her palms together and smokes came out of them surrounding the table. “To cleanse and protect.” She opened empty palms and wiggled her fingers. The smoke swirled through the cottage and around each person in it before hovering over the table.
Steven inhaled deeply and then moved to join the rest of them. He chanted inside his head and knew when feeling of unity reached them. A few gasps confirmed they all felt the connection to each other when they joined hands. “To the first harvest,” he said quietly.
Dade shook his head walking over to the couch. “It’s like show and tell now around you guys.”
Cora laughed. “Jealous, Dade Jones because you can’t do all of that?”
He leaned towards her. “Go get my drum, honey. I’ll show you exactly what I can do.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I thought so.” He looked around at everyone. “I wasn’t saying it in a bad way. It’s actually getting cooler by the day with all of you out doing each other.”
Kasey laughed. “I found so many cool spells in Chris’s room. I plan to try a new one a day.”
Dade swung around to look at Chris. “Good luck with that.”
Kasey walked up and put her arms around Chris. “Why okenite Chris? With all your knowledge you could have picked one stone and charmed it to make the killer walk to our door and give himself up.”
Steven stood back and continued to observe, waiting to see what exactly Chris [had done.
Chris kissed the end of Kasey’s nose. “And do exactly what I told you I’d never do.” He shrugged. “I thought truth and love were the strongest, pure emotions, so maybe it will do some good.” He rested his head on hers and sent Steven a knowing look.
Dade leaned back. “I don’t need to have huge powers to know you ladies are up to something, so are you going to tell us about the ritual or spell you’re keeping from us?”
Cora sat down beside Dade and studied him for a moment. “We are not planning any sort of spell or ritual. Why would the four of us try that when we could have your help and have eight?”
Dade looked at her for a moment and then gave Steven a defeated look. “Okay, I guess we were mistaken.”
Leena hugged Owen and looked over at Dade. “You’re probably just picking up on nerves, Dade. The last few gatherings haven’t been the easiest.”
Chris sighed. “That’s true and it’s possible that’s all we’ve been sensing. Oh, before I forget are we sticking to the same rotation for the watches at night?” He was answered with shrugs and nods.
Kasey stretched up and pulled his head down. Biting his bottom lip she smiled. “Come help me unpack.”
Chris looked down at her, not looking anywhere except at her. “We’ll be down later.”
Leena reached and took Owen’s hand. “Come help me.”
“Anything you want baby.” Owen said with a grin following her up the stairs.
Steven groaned into his hands. “You couples need to give up poor single people a break... all this kissing and touching and suggestive looks...”
Rachel walked over and bent down, leaning over him. His heart raced when her lips touched his. Opening her mouth she made sure he felt the ring from her tongue rub over his. She pulled away and straightened up. “Better?”
Steven nodded as she walked to the room she’d chosen. He shook his head to clear it and then turned to Dade.
Dade was looking over at Cora with puppy eyes. She laughed at him and walked to her room. Turning to Steven he groaned. “I need beer, lots of beer!”
Steven nodded. “Yeah, well, what I need just walked in there...” He pointed after Rachel. “But beer would work I’m thinking. Then dinner, opening circle and more beer before our watch.”
Dade nodded as he walked to the cooler and pulled out two. “I’ll be fitting a nap in there too. I was so tired after Solstice it took a week to feel rested.”
Steven laughed as he accepted the bottle. “I live on broken sleep so I’m one up on you there.”
*
The time was finally here again.
He had to make sure he didn’t fail again.
He watched waiting to see if the same woman returned.
She hadn’t.
The tall lawyer that found her did return.
But he knew not to interfere this time. He knew.

Chapter 2

“The opening circle is always so nice. Seeing who all is there,” Rachel said quietly as they walked down a small hill. She glanced around. “I’m pretty sure this was just a hay field at some point and someone decided to make it a camp.”

Steven held her hand lightly in his.
Is it just me or did buzzing little jolts of heat zap me every time they touch?
“It’s great though, not as many treed in areas to look through. There’s a pond down here somewhere too.”

She smiled up at him. “No skinny dipping, we’re on watch here.”
He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it lightly. “You love to crush my dreams, Rach.” Stopping, he pulled her hand until she was in front of him. He stared down at her for a few silent moments. “Rachel, when are you going to put me out of my misery?”
Her eyes widened. “Which misery is that, Doc?”
Steven grinned even though he didn’t really feel like it. “You know I’ve been lusting after you since you became legal, even when it made me feel like a pervert. You’ll go out with everyone except me.”
She looked all around them. “We’re out together right now.”
He pulled her closer. “Nasty witch, you know that’s not what I meant.”
Rachel sighed. “Oh, Steven. You’re such a good friend I don’t want to chance screwing it up.” She placed a warm hand on his chest and looked up at him. “We get to go to things together. I love sharing thoughts and ideas with you about the kids programs. I just wouldn’t want to do anything that would get in the way of that. We have fun together.
And if I sleep with you, you’ll leave me like every other male has.
He ran his hand down her side to hold her waist. “Do I appeal to you at all other than that?” He hoped he didn’t regret asking this, but he had to know.
Rachel let out a slow breath. “Yes. Look at you. You’re six feet of solid muscle, that gorgeous wavy hair, which some days seems to be brown and some days red. Those gray eyes of yours make me think of many bad things when you have this certain look.” She grinned at him. “If you weren’t a very important person to me I’d jump you in a heartbeat.”
Steven rested his hand on her shoulder and fingered the silky black hair that ended just above his fingers. “As good as that sounded, it doesn’t make me feel a great deal better.” He moved his other hand to rest on her shoulder and grinned. “I can’t even walk whenever you’re too close. I look at you and almost drown in my own drool. If I told you I never wanted to speak to you again would you sleep with me, angel?” He was half serious.
*
Rachel laughed. “You’re such an idiot sometimes, Doc.” She started to move but stopped as his thumbs began to feather over her cheeks lightly. “Steven...” His mouth on hers cut off what she wanted to say. He kissed her with such passion she couldn’t stop her own mouth from opening and responding to him. The man could kiss! Her legs were suddenly weak. His tongue stroked over hers playing with the stud in it. She reached up and fed her fingers into his thick hair holding on. She knew she should stop, but she didn’t.
When his mouth pulled away to wander down her throat she almost whimpered to have him return to kiss her again. His large hands bent her head back, cradling it to expose her throat to his mouth.
*
He moved his mouth over her neck with urgency, holding her head in one hand and dropping the other, he reached down and grabbed her ass to pull her tight against him. It felt so good to finally hold her. She moaned as his lips feathered lightly over her ear, before returning to her mouth. Every time he tasted her lips he grew harder. Any harder and he was going to drag her to her to the ground and remove any clothing in his way in pieces. With words she said no, but her response told him yes. Maybe he had a shot with her.
Lifting his head Steven looked down to see her open, passion glazed dark brown eyes. Her breathing was coming in short pants. Her hands continued to play with his hair. He feathered soft kisses on her face and whispered against her soft skin. “Just thought I’d show you what your missing, Angel. I’d love to show you more but we’re supposed to be doing a job out here.”
Rachel slowly dropped her hands to his shoulders. “It figures you’d not just have a great looking body, you’d have to know how to use it.” Her breathless voice made his body scream with wanting her. She pouted. “I may rethink my earlier statement a bit. As soon as I can think again that is.” She kissed his mouth lightly and then stepped back placing one hand in his.
“You let me know what decision you come to, but I warn you if you take too long I’m going to use every opportunity to remind you.” Steven kissed her hand and glanced at his watch. “Let’s head back towards the main circle area.” She nodded and walked beside him in silence.
He stopped when he saw a man walking towards them from the shadows. Pulling Rachel’s arm he hid her half behind him.
“It’s just me.” Patrick called out.
Steven let out a breath. “Patrick! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”
Patrick stepped up to them. “Sorry, but keeping watch usually means not walking about whistling loudly.”
Rachel laughed and peaked around Steven. “How are you?”
Patrick sighed. “Tired. Trying to get away without Rhonda stowing away in my car wasn’t easy.”
Steven’s eyebrows went up. “She’s well enough to come?”
Patrick shook his head. “No, she can’t even bend as yet but she was determined she should be here. Crazy woman is going to drive me to drink.”
Steven rubbed his jaw to keep from grinning. “Well, at least she’s getting stronger. There hasn’t been any complications have there?”
“Nope. Other than getting all her strength back and little things she’s right as rain.”
Rachel leaned against Steven. “Well, that’s good.”
Patrick looked at them and smirked. “So all is quiet?”
Rachel nodded. “Gwen set up the crafts and things for tomorrow’s ritual inside this evening, so there hasn’t been a soul out here but us three so far tonight.”
Patrick nodded. “Good. We could always hope he’s given up but I don’t think that’s the case. I’ll let you two move on. I’m going to wander and get a lay of the land a bit.”
“We’ll see you tomorrow.” Steven said pulling Rachel against him and strolling back towards the main area.
Rachel giggled. “I hope Chris and Kasey are keeping an eye on the time, I wouldn’t want to interrupt them.”
Steven moaned. “Between those two and Leena and Owen I feel so lonely. Dade and I sit there and wish mostly.”
She smiled up at him. “Someday he’ll stop arguing with Cora and they’ll see they should be together too.”
He pulled her tight against him. “That would leave just you and me, angel.”
She ran her finger over his bottom lip. “Uh huh, which is even more reason why we should make sure we don’t ruin this great thing we’ve got going.”
“I don’t see how sleeping together would ruin that. We’ve known each other forever and a day. Have you never slept with a friend before?”
Shaking her head, her gaze dropped to the ground as she pushed away from him. “Nope, I keep sex and friends separate.”
Steven rubbed a hand over his eyes. The only way to get her was through sex, he wanted a hell of a lot more than that, but if he couldn’t find a way around her soon he was going to lose it. “Angel, I don’t understand.”
Rachel stopped and reached up to touch his face. “Your friendship is too important, Steven. Who cuddles me when I’m sick? Who holds me when I fall apart? Who laughs with me? Who fights with me when I’m crabby?” She smiled. “You. I care about you too much to ruin what we have now.” She kissed his lips lightly and then backed away. “Let’s finish this watch and go get some rest.”
She was a few steps ahead of him until they reached the cottage. He wanted to yell and tell her all those reasons were exactly why they belonged together, but didn’t.
*
Chris and Kasey were wrapped up in each other on the couch when they walked in. “Get something in your eye there, Kase?” Rachel asked as they jumped apart.
Steven chuckled. “That was definitely not her eye, Rach.”
Kasey blushed and stood up pulling Chris with her. “All quiet out there?”
Steven nodded. “Try to let go of each other and look around occasionally while you’re out there.”
Chris saluted him and pushed Kasey him towards the door.
“I’m going to demand the couples be separated from the rest of soon.” Steven growled.
Rachel turned and gave him a startled look. “I thought it was funny they way they broke apart like two teenagers caught by their parents.”
Steven smirked. “Yeah, okay that was good.” He watched her walk towards her room, and then slowly went behind her. Looking at the stairs he paused as she stopped beside her door.
She leaned against the wall. “No hard feelings about anything we talked about?” she asked hesitantly.
Did she know that she looked like a dark haired angel with those sleepy brown eyes and pale skin? He let out a breath and stepped closer to her and placed a hand on the wall above her head. He shook his. “No hard feelings.” Without giving her time to move or reply he lowered his head and kissed her roughly, demanding her mouth open under the pressure of his.
Her mouth opened and he drove his tongue in, turning his head to the side to deepen it even further. When her hand came up to his neck he lifted his head and straightened up. “Have a good sleep, angel,” he whispered.
“Bastard.” she hissed. She grabbed his hand and backed into her room pulling him with her. “Here. Now. At this gathering and then we don’t discuss it.” She lifted her hand when he started to speak. “And we don’t tell the others.”
Steven leaned back and closed the door. He didn’t like the terms, but it was a start. “I’ve got four hours before Dade wakes up to see me missing.” He didn’t take his eyes off her.
“I hope this isn’t a mistake,” she whispered pulling his hand as she backed up to the bed.
“It’s not, Angel.” When her legs hit the bed he reached out and lowered her onto it. With his weight he pinned her to the mattress. He looked down into her dark eyes. “I won’t let it be.”
They dove at each other at the same time. Grasping clothes as their mouths locked together. Lifting his head, he pulled the shirt over hers and his eyes devoured the naked skin he’d revealed.
Holding her arms trapped in the shirt above her head he lowered his mouth to pluck at one nipple with his lips. She rose up towards his mouth. Gripping her under the hips with his free arm he pulled her into him and scrapped his teeth across her breast.
Her hands struggled against his hold on her. Running his tongue up to her neck he nipped the soft flesh and felt her squirm into him. “Angel.” He whispered against her neck. “I’m going to make you squirm for me.”
She struggled again to get her hands out of the shirt holding them prisoner. He held her from being able to touch him and kissed her with long and deep kisses stroking his tongue against the stud in hers. His other hand worked her skirt up over her hips until her could feel the bare skin. She wasn’t wearing any underwear and that almost drove him to rush faster. How many times had he dreamt about doing this? Of being with her? He’d lost count, but now was his chance to show her how he felt.
Running his hand up the inside of her thigh he brushed it over the wet center. She groaned into his mouth.
Pulling his mouth away he leaned down over her, keeping her hands still until his mouth could brush over the tattoo on her thigh. “This little witch has tormented me since you danced at Leena’s garden party.” He bit it gently between his teeth.
Her legs dropped open at the contact. Reaching over he held her legs down. He looked down at her stretched out for him and growled. She was as perfect as he’d always imagined. Dipping his head he ran his tongue over her clit lightly. She sucked in a quick breath.
“Steven...” He stabbed his tongue in and she sucked in a breath again.
Lifting his head he looked up at her with her eyes closed and the rise and fall of her breasts as she began panting. “You’re going to squirm for me, angel. Then I’ll give you what you want.” He lowered his mouth again and flicked his tongue over her clit gently.
Her hips bucked, making him lean down on her legs harder. He stroked his tongue in and out slowly, causing her to moan and squirm against him. When her breathing became faster and she tried pushing down onto his tongue he lifted his head and gently blew on her heat.
She whined softly. Smiling, he licked inside of her thighs and over her swollen flesh without ever making close enough contact to bring her to climax.
“Steven, please,” she gasped.
He looked up at her as he kissed across her hips. “Please what?” He bit the sensitive flesh above her mound and she groaned. Running his tongue up over her stomach he gently bit one nipple then the other.
She jerked against him. “Please, now.” She was trying to push up into this body.
He undid his shorts with one hand and pushed them off his body. Kneeling between her legs he rubbed the tip of his erection between her quivering thighs. “What do you want angel? Tell me.” He said in a rough voice.
“You.” She moaned again. “Now!”
Still holding her hands above her head, he lowered his body so he was almost against her skin then slowly entered her an inch at a time, waiting until she squirmed each time he stopped before moving into her further. She was so wet for him; it took every ounce of strength he possessed to continue to go slowly.
She was trying to thrust up against him but his hand held her hip so she couldn’t. Leaning down her kissed her roughly while still moving his body slowly. She devoured his lips lifting her head to meet his mouth.
He lifted his head and smiled down at her as he thrust until he was deep inside her. She gasped. Dropping his head he growled against her throat.
Releasing her hands he cradled her head with his hand and ravished her throat. Her hands flew over his body as he began to thrust faster, causing her to moan each time their bodies connected.
Her fingers began flexing into his back. Thrusting harder he felt her bite into his shoulder and groan deep in her throat. When her muscles grasped him so hard he thought he’d explode, she came with a cry against his chest.
His control vanished and he began thrusting harder into her. Her muscles clamped around him and his body jerked violently as he came inside her.
Continuing to move in and out with a slow hypnotic movement he kissed her face and throat holding her gently to him. Shocked he realized she was even more gorgeous and sexy lying beneath him looking all soft and sated. Stopping his movement he looked down at her and smiled. “Don’t fall asleep on me, Angel. I’m just taking a minute to catch my breath.”
Rachel smiled up at him. “Will I live through more?”
He kissed her mouth tenderly. “I’m a doctor I’ll keep an eye on your vitals.”
She bit his lip. “Steven, you’ve been hiding this little talent from me for many years.”
He sucked gently on her tongue. “I’ve been trying to show you.”
“Now’s your chance.”
He grinned down at her as he lowered his mouth to hers again.