Secret Identity (12 page)

“Mmmm, oh my.” She licked her lips and watched his eyes heat. “I can definitely say that chocolate cake is still my favorite.”

“It's becoming my favorite as well.” He watched her very closely. She couldn't explain it, but she felt a strange sensation pulsing through her knowing she had so much power over him. She watched as he picked up his fork and took a bite of the moist cake. His tongue darted out and licked the icing from his lips. Desire shot through her so quickly her head spun, and she gripped the table to stop the shaking she felt.

“Eve?” Just her name on his lips did something to her. That voice. The smoothness, the richness of it.

She nodded her head, showing him that she felt the same way. Slowly he set his plate down, then took hers from her. When he reached for her, she held onto his biceps and let him pull her closer.

His mouth was warm and his hands roamed over her back as she arched towards him. She felt like no matter what she did, she couldn't get close enough. Hoisting herself up, she straddled his hips as he leaned back on the couch. Her hands went to his hair and held his mouth to hers.

His hands were under her sweater, running up and down her sides, and then he was pulling her sweater up and over her head. She leaned back and watched his face as he looked at her. She saw the surprise and heat cross his face as he saw that she'd worn nothing else underneath. Then he dipped his head and placed his mouth on her taught skin, running his mouth over the tender buds.

“
Carter.” She couldn't stop herself from moaning his name. She wanted to feel him next to her. Leaning back, she pulled off his shirt in one quick motion. He smiled a little as she ran her hands over his pecs. “Have I told you I really, really enjoy this body of yours?” She smiled and leaned down to follow the path her fingers had taken with her mouth. He moaned and leaned his head back against the couch cushions as his hands ran over her bare shoulders and back. Then she leaned up and ran her skin over his, chest to chest, skin to skin, as she took his mouth and enjoyed his lips again.

Abruptly, Carter stood, picking her up with him. He turned and laid her down gently on the couch, following her down. He hovered over her as he looked into her eyes. She reached up and pulled him back to her, wrapping her legs around his hips. She felt his desire pressed up against her, the coarse material of his jeans rubbing against the softness of her leggings. His hips moved in a slow motion as his mouth tortured her. His hands moved over the light material, pulling it aside as his fingers found her sensitive skin. She arched back and moaned as he rubbed her gently, causing her hips to start moving and rotating. Then he pushed her leggings down off her legs, taking his time as he pulled each foot free.

She tried to reach down for his jean's zipper, but he just held her hands still. “Let me. I want to enjoy all of you,” he said against her skin.

“Carter, I need you.” She tried to get free from his light grasp. “Now, I need you now.” She moved her hips against him and felt him hold still as she rubbed herself against him. He released her hands and she made her way towards his zipper, pushing his jeans off his hips, enjoying the muscles as she pushed them lower.

She felt his skin next to hers and moaned. His legs were still trapped in the jeans, but she enjoyed running her hands over his tight butt, pulling him closer to her.

“Eve?” He tried to pull back. “Wait.” He reached around and pulled out a condom. Quickly donning it, he returned to her and took the kiss deeper as he slid quickly into her. She wrapped her legs around his hips and held on. Just when she thought she couldn't wait any longer for him, he kissed the underside of her ear and whispered that he loved her as she threw her head back and screamed his name.

C
arter lay there listening to his heart beat rapidly in his ears. He tried to hold his breath and lower the banging in his ears. He desperately wanted to hear her, to see if she'd been as moved as he had. To hear her response, if she'd had any.

Finally, what seemed like minutes later, he heard her say his name. Leaning back, he looked down into her face and knew she had recovered more quickly than he had. It took just a second for him to slide his jeans back up and on.

The movie played on the set as the fire died in the hearth. He walked over and threw a couple more logs on it, stirring it until it was crackling again. Then he walked over and hit the rewind button, to start the movie again. When it was ready to start again, he turned towards her and smiled. She was dressed again, her legs tucked up under her on the couch.

“I know this is all new to you. Us.” He motioned between them, waving his hands. “So, I've tried to go slow, but I can't deny my feelings. I won't deny them. I know you need some more time to work things out. I just wanted you to know how I felt.” He smiled and walked over to sit next to her. “Now, how about we eat some cake and watch your favorite movie?”

He fell asleep halfway through the movie. They'd ended up laying down with him behind her on the couch. The warmth and the feel of her heartbeat next to him made him drift right off.

The dream started in normal speed. Them in the bar, dancing to the Irish music. Kissing on the dance floor as their bodies rubbed up against each other. Then they left, and he turned back to get his cell phone. He screamed in his head not to leave her alone, but his dream self continued to jog happily into the bar. He had a relieved look on his face when he picked up his cell phone, the two-hundred-dollar item that had caused so much pain.

Here's where everything slowed down and deviated from reality. Next he was in the alley, watching Eve fight off a black blob that was her attacker. It was two sizes bigger than he was and had no mass. He watched sheer terror cross her face. She looked around for him, but couldn't see him as he tried to run towards her, screaming. Then the beast struck and she screamed his name.

He woke and sat straight up, almost dislodging Eve in the process.

“What?” Her eyes flew open. “What is it?” She looked around as he began to feel the tension leave his body.

“Sorry,” he pulled her closer so that she wouldn't end up on the floor. “It was just a bad dream.” He kissed her hair and noticed the snow was really coming down outside. He felt her shiver. “We should head upstairs. I can get a fire going up there.”

“Hmmm.” She settled back down against his chest. “I like it down here. Besides, I know how we could get a little of our own heat working for us.” She trailed kisses along his collarbone, running her hands under his shirt in the process. He leaned back and let her enjoy herself.

She removed his shirt slowly, then her own more quickly. When he reached up and touched her, she leaned her head back and moaned, her hair spilling over her back as he ran his hands over her soft skin. When she leaned forward, her dark hair spilled over them, encasing them in a private world. He could smell the sweet scent from her shampoo and reached up to touch her hair. It was silky soft and he pushed it up over her ear so he could see her eyes. She was wiggling, trying to get out of her leggings, and when he reached down to help her, she took his wrists in her hands and moved them over his head. “No, let me.” She stood up and pulled them down, then leaned over and unzipped his jeans, her eyes on his. She smiled when she noticed his fists clench.

She slid his jeans down his hips and off of his legs. Then she stood over him and looked at him.

“You really do have a wonderful body.” He could barely see her face in the darkness of the room. The fire embers cast a light glow, enough that she had a halo around her form.

“Right back at ya.” He smiled as she leaned over and started running her hands along his legs, up his hips, until he held his breath. Then she ran one hand over his chest as the other wrapped around his length, causing his eyes to close. His hips jerked as she started to move up and down him while her other hand ran over his stomach muscles.

“Eve!” He gasped after several seconds had gone by. “Please.” He kept his eyes closed and his hands in fists above his head where she'd left them.

He heard her hunting around and peaked out to see her grabbing a package from his back pocket. Closing his eyes again, he felt her tentative hands as she wrapped him in protection.

He felt the couch cushions dip as she moved over him and his hands went to her hips as she slid slowly onto him. He looked up at her. Her dark hair was over her chest, and the curls bounced as she swayed on him. He reached up and took her breasts in his hands, enjoying the feel of her hair on the back of his hands. Gently, he rubbed his fingers over her nipples and watched her head fall back and her eyes slide closed.

Her motion slowed as she enjoyed the feel of him touching her. His other hand went to her hips to guide her, to keep the pace going. He sat up and gently pushed her hair aside and placed his mouth on her skin, sucking gently, until the peak rolled in his mouth. He felt her hips moving faster now on their own. Her heated skin rubbed up against his until they both cried out blindly.

When he lay back down, she went with him and he pulled the blanket from the back of the couch over them both. He could hear her breath steady as he lay there and thought about his next move.

The next few days, the snow continued to fall. There was a brisk breeze coming off the water so they spent a lot of time inside. Finally, on the fourth day, the sun was out and they went on a short walk. She hadn't had any other episodes since their trip to Portland. She knew it was just a matter of time. Carter was trying to keep her mind off of it by filling her time with him. They spent a lot of time working on the house. He painted, she watched. They did get into town to get supplies once and ate at a local restaurant, The Shepherd’s Pie. It was in an old red brick building that had large dark windows and a gold sign above. The place was crowded when they entered, and she felt warm and right at home. It was hard to explain, but it just felt right. Carter had told her it was a place they'd been going to since they were kids. Several of the guests greeted her by name. She quietly nodded and answered their concerned questions. Evidently, word had spread throughout the small town that she was ill. Everyone said they were happy she was feeling better. She got the hint that no one really knew what was wrong with her. She wanted to keep it that way and Carter picked up on it and kept her secret.

Carter cooked every meal, cleaned the house regularly, and did laundry. She wondered if he was like this all the time or just since she'd lost her memory. If he was, why on earth hadn't she married him years ago?

They walked to the edge of the water and stood and watched the choppy water hit the large, dark rocks. He pulled her close and held onto her as they swayed in the cold breeze. When she shivered, he suggested they head back. As they were walking up to the house, they saw a dark sedan sitting in the drive.

Carter frowned and grabbed her hand. “I hope you're ready for this,” he mumbled.

“What?” She tried to pull him to a stop. He just shook his head.

“Best to wait and see.” They entered the house and she saw a man and a woman sitting at the kitchen table, enjoying a cup of coffee. The man was in full military uniform, and his hat sat on the edge of the table. He was thin and clean-shaven and completely bald. The woman looked smaller, and her dark curly hair, her olive skin, and her deep-set eyes reminded Eve so much of her own.

Eve tightened her grip on Carter as they walked into the room.

“Oh, here they are now.” Her mother stood and looked at them, and her father followed. They stood like statues across the room, waiting for permission to move.

There was no rushing across the room, grabbing their daughter in an emotional embrace. A few seconds of awkward silence passed and she would have settled for a nod or any form of greeting.

“Hel—Hello.” Carter pulled her farther into the room.

“Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, I'm happy you received my messages.” Carter stopped at the end of the table, Eve’s hand still tightly in his.

“What is that you are wearing?” her mother asked. Eve looked down and realized she'd put on her leggings and had Carter's sweatshirt on over her shirt. She'd worn one of his grandfather's old jackets to the beach, but they'd pulled their coats off at the doorway.

“It's Carter's,” she said absently as she looked between the pair.

“It's true then?” her father asked. His voice wasn't familiar to her, nor was her mother's, as she'd hoped they’d be. After all, there must have been some time when she'd been a child that he'd read to her, comforted her when she'd been ill or had fallen. But when they spoke, there wasn't a hit of familiarity in their tones.

“What?” She sat when Carter pulled out a chair for her. Her parents sat again and resumed drinking their coffee. She watched Carter walk into the kitchen and pull out two more cups for them. Then she turned back towards her parents.

“That you don't remember anything?” her mother added.

Eve nodded her head in agreement. “Yes.”

Her father sighed. “I suppose you'll need to come home with us.”

It sounded to her like she'd be putting them out, like she was going to be a burden to them.

She shook her head. “No.” The thought of going with this couple scared her. She couldn't explain it, but her hands started to shake and her palms got sweaty. “I'm not going anywhere. I'm where I need to be.”

“Well, honey, I don't think you're in your right mind to make that decision,” her mother said in a sweet tone. “I think your father knows what's best. If he says you'll need to come home with us, then you and I will need to go upstairs and pack your belongings.” Her mother started to get up.

“I'm not going anywhere,” Eve said.

Her father slammed his fist down on the table. “I thought you'd gotten rid of that attitude when you lost your memory. Now I see it's embedding things in that skull of yours. You will do exactly what we say this time around. These people have corrupted you far too much. It's high time we took you in hand and straightened you out.”

Eve stood, her hands fisted on the table, and said in the calmest voice she could muster. “Since I woke up over four weeks ago, I've been treated with the utmost kindness. I've been taken in by people I deemed to be strangers. People not related to me who've shown me such kindness, that there was no doubt as to their intentions. Four weeks I've sat here waiting for my family to come and show me some of the same. Now you're standing here in my kitchen, dictating what I must do.” She felt herself vibrating with anger. “I see no concern for my health in your eyes or in the way you talk to me. And you have the gall to stand there and tell me what to do.” She shook her head. “Out. I want you out of my house, both of you. And until you decide you want to be my parents and not just in control, you can stay gone. I know who my family is, and none of them are blood related.” She turned and walked out of the room without another word.