“Just been busy, I guess.” Ta-Mara clenched the steering wheel.
“It’s not because you have been avoiding them?” Levi paused. “Or because you don’t want them to see me?”
“Levi.” She stopped then continued, “I have been avoiding them, and yes, I didn’t want them to see. At first because I didn’t know how to explain you. Then when we got you all set up and you got more used to this time, I didn’t want to have them influence what we have.”
“Influence? How would they do that?” Levi watched her.
“By asking questions and being nosy.” She turned into her drive. “I didn’t want to share you. That’s the main reason.”
“But we see your friends and others.”
“Yes.” She parked then shut off the car before facing him. “But it’s not the same as if I share you with family. They would want to get to know you more and I’m not ready for that yet. Want your time to be just with me. Yes we see friends, but it’s limited. I’m selfish and want you to myself for a little longer.”
“Okay.” He touched her cheek. “I like you being possessive of me.”
Her explanation eased his concern—at least for now. He could understand her need for it to be just the two of them, since he too felt the same when they were with other and he couldn’t wait to get her alone.
“Good. Because I can more than do that. Be possessive and keep you to myself.” Ta-Mara looked out of the windshield. “Figures it would rain when I thought the weather man was lying. Humph, half the time he gets the opposite of what happens with the weather. But not today. I didn’t bring an umbrella. Let’s make a run for it.”
“Wait for me to get your door.” Levi got out. He closed the door, ran around to her side of the vehicle and opened her door.
Ta-Mara got out, smiling. He closed the door then held her hand, running with her.
Suddenly Ta-Mara jerked on his hand. “Wait.”
Levi stopped. “Ta-Mara, we need to get out of the rain.”
“Why?” She pulled her hand away. “Enjoy it. I love storms.”
Ta-Mara moved away from him and she looked up and spun, laughing joyously. Levi smiled hearing the sound. Lightning flashed and Ta-Mara spun again then met his gaze. Levi’s breath caught at her beauty. Backlit by nature’s majesty, she was stunning. The storm raged around them but all he saw was her. This woman who had gotten under his skin from their first meeting. Ta-Mara kept him on his toes and challenged him to strive for more. She’d helped him take that step to start his carpentry business when he’d doubted if he should. She had been in his corner from the time she’d found him and had never wavered.
Ta-Mara pushed her hair back from her face then swayed in the rain. She moved slowly and sensuously and Levi was captivated. Ta-Mara kicked up her heels and danced around the area, her giggles echoing. She came to him and when she was close, Levi pulled her to him. She wrinkled her nose and, unable to resist, he kissed it. Levi placed his hands on her waist and danced with her in the rain. Ta-Mara smirked and waltzed with him. He kept moving and her eyes closed as she let him lead her. The trust of her in that moment humbled him. Levi twirled her away from him then brought her back into his frame.
“Yes, Levi.” She chuckled, her hands pressed against his chest. “That’s the sprit. Enjoy the storm with me.”
He did it again and her hearty guffaw made him
want.
“I’m enjoying being with you.” Levi placed his hand on the side of her face. “I love you, Ta-Mara.”
She stiffened then her eyes widened. “Levi—”
“I do.” Levi didn’t know for sure when it happened but he did love Ta-Mara. Loved her with all his being.
“I…” She bit her lip then blurted out, “Love you too. But, Levi, we don’t know what will happen.”
He already knew they didn’t but he didn’t care. Ta-Mara loved him and that was all he needed to hear. He was home, and Levi would do everything in his power to not let her go.
“You never know what happens when it comes to life. Nothing is promised to anyone.” He hugged her. “We love each other and for now, that’s all that matters.” Levi kissed her gently. “I promise to take care of your heart, Ta-Mara LeBreaux.”
“And I yours, Levi Madison.” She placed her hand over his heart. “I trust you, Levi.”
“Ditto.” He chuckled as he used the slang. He was blending in and each new thing he learned, she shared it with him.
Levi kissed her, holding her and they continued to dance in the rain. Ta-Mara sank against him, fitting him perfectly. Just as she had brought him into her life, Levi was still surprised and pleased how well they fit. He raised his head and stared into the eyes of the woman he loved. At her sultry smile, he hardened. Levi pulled her tighter against him. With her breathy gasp as she felt his erection, he wanted to be horizontal, vertical or any way he could have her.
“I need you, Ta-Mara.” He shifted his hold then lifted her into his arms.
Ta-Mara wrapped her legs around him and whispered against his lips, “Take me to our bed.”
He kissed her first. Deep and sure, affirming that she was his. Ta-Mara gave as good as she got and Levi’s knees went weak. He pulled away from their kiss and held her ass as he carried her toward the house. Ta-Mara tightened her legs around his waist, rubbing on him. He hurried up the steps then paused for her to open the door. Shortly he stood by their bed then stripped her down, as well as himself, before he laid her on the sheets. He lay on her, smoothing her wet hair away from her face. Ta-Mara pulled his head down and kissed him deeply. She widened her legs and he settled between them. Levi stared into her eyes as he stroked into her. Ta-Mara’s gaze darkened and she arched, moaning.
He thrust, enjoying the way her eyes changed with each motion he made. Levi shuddered as she clenched around him.
“Ta-Mara,” he said softly, “I love you.”
At his words, Ta-Mara’s heart again filled with joy. She hadn’t expected him to say it and had never thought they would have a chance. Levi was on borrowed time since they had no idea when or if he would be taken back to his era. Yet that didn’t stop the hope that swelled when he said those three little words. Levi loved her and Ta-Mara loved him. He was hers and she his. Anything else, they would have to figure out.
“Mine.” She rocked her hips under him.
Levi plunged again and she gasped. He knew her so well, knowing just what she liked in and out of bed. She gripped his shoulders, moving with him as he took her. Ta-Mara held him, loving the delicious tightening in her pussy. She groaned, countering his rhythm and he intensified her pleasure. Levi gripped her thigh and pulled it higher on his hip, changing the angle of his thrusts. She moaned at each slide of him, in and out.
“
Levi
.” She stiffened as she came.
Ta-Mara grabbed his ass, holding him. He thrust once more then grunted as he joined her in release. Levi collapsed on her and Ta-Mara enjoyed his weight. She rubbed her hand up and down his sweat slick back then kissed his shoulder. Levi turned his head, kissing her before he rolled off of her. He came back to her and covered her with his body, gathering her close.
Ta-Mara yawned. “I have to dry my hair or it will be a mess.”
“Stay here.” Levi levered off the bed.
She watched his bare ass as he padded into the adjoining bathroom. When he disappeared from view, she was disappointed to lose the sexy sight. In moments, he was back and had the hair dryer and big tooth comb. Levi came to her side of the bed and plugged it in.
“Up,” he demanded
Ta-Mara sat up and reached for the items. Levi held them away then made a turnaround gesture. Ta-Mara did as he bid. He started the dryer and pulled the comb through her hair. She sighed at the firm pull. She’d have to wash it tomorrow but for now, she let Levi take care of her. He dried her hair and when he’d finished, he pressed his lips to her bare shoulder before he put the dryer away and came back to bed. Ta-Mara lay against him and he placed his hand on her ass. Levi kissed her before he yawned then settled down to sleep. Ta-Mara watched him before she too followed him into slumber.
* * * *
She stared up at Levi, heart pounding as he positioned himself over her. He put his leg between hers and opened her for his taking. Clenching her pussy, she waited for him, aching for his touch as she did every time they were together or apart. She gripped his forearms, which were braced over her, and he pushed into her. The fullness as he slid home made her arch. And that was where he was—home. Moaning, she stared into the eyes of the man she loved.
“Levi.” She moaned as he moved inside her, setting off sensations she had become so used to.
He was her home and she knew she was his. They had declared themselves and all that was stopping them from taking that step to become man and wife was the law. The law that made them hide so they could be with each other. The fear that made them unable to acknowledge each other in public. Except here, in private, they let their emotions free. Let their bodies meld to show their love for each other.
“Calliope.” His gaze was intense. “No one will take you from me.”
She believed him. This man, despite everything, wanted her. Her. She would not let anyone dictate to her that this was wrong and make her stop seeing him. She would fight for him and love him forever. Levi Jefferson Davis Madison was her man, the other half of her soul, and there was nothing she would not do for him.
Calliope stared off to her right. “Will you be willing to sacrifice your pride and all else for him?”
Ta-Mara sat up, gasping. She shivered as she thought of what she had just experienced. She’d felt each motion of Levi as he took Calliope. Lived in her thoughts, knowing the fierceness of her convictions to have Levi. When the woman had spoken, Ta-Mara could swear she was speaking directly to her. “But that is impossible,” she whispered.
“Ta-Mara.” Levi’s sleep-roughened voice sounded from beside her. He put his hand on her back. “Are you okay?”
She flinched at his touch then forced herself to turn and smile at him. “I’m fine. Go back to sleep. I just need to get some water.” She rose.
“I’ll get it for you,” he offered.
“No.” She inhaled, clearing her throat. “I’ll do it. Sleep.”
She couldn’t look at him. Ta-Mara grabbed her robe from over the chair then shrugged into it before heading for the door. Space. She needed some space from him. Being a voyeur during what he and Calliope had shared had been arousing yet painful. He’d loved someone else as deeply as he loved her. Ta-Mara was raw from that, and she needed to get herself together so he didn’t know anything was wrong.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Levi called.
“Yes.” She closed her eyes.
Except your woman from your time came to stake her claim.
Saying that was not an option. One, it sounded crazy. Two, she didn’t even know how to articulate what had happened. Three, it sounded like she was wacko. Yeah, she counted losing her sanity twice. She opened her eyes and went out of the room. Besides, she’d not even told Levi she’d known of him before she’d met him. Ta-Mara thought of the book on her dresser. She hadn’t read it since Levi had arrived and still had no clue how it had ended up in her bedroom. After the incident when she’d touched it, Ta-Mara hadn’t gone near it again. Levi had never asked about it. She leaned against the wall, just out of view of the door. If Calliope was invading her dreams and she hadn’t even touched the book, Ta-Mara was definitely not moving it from her dresser. She slid down, sinking to her knees.
“God, I’m losing my mind,” she whispered. “What is happening to me?”
Chapter Fifteen
Ta-Mara pushed her hair back from her face and breathed deeply. Shakily, she rose and went to get something to drink. In the kitchen, she grabbed a bottle of water then slammed the fridge closed before she turned and braced herself against the kitchen island. She held the cold water bottle against the side of her face and slid it down.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
Ta-Mara jumped and glanced toward the doorway. She hadn’t heard Levi approach. He was leaning against the doorframe, staring at her with concern in his gaze. Warmth filled her and she went to him. He opened his arms as she neared and gratefully she stepped into his embrace. She sank against him and inhaled his scent. It calmed her.
“I’m good now.”
Levi rubbed his hands up and down her spine then kissed the top of her forehead. “Come back to bed.”
She let him lead her to the bedroom.
Please don’t let me have any more dreams.
In moments, Levi had them settled in bed and Ta-Mara tried to relax but sleep eluded her. She stared off into the night outside the windows. Suddenly a ghostly face appeared and Ta-Mara sat up, gasping as she stared. The woman stared back at her and Ta-Mara blinked. It was still there. Looking at the spitting image of herself, Ta-Mara tried to calm her racing heart. She figured she was making the ghost of Calliope into her own image. Ta-Mara didn’t even try to figure out why she was doing that. The see-through woman smiled then looked beyond her to Levi. A sad expression filtered across her face then she returned her attention to Ta-Mara. The vision blew on the window and a foggy, freaky mist appeared. With a finger, the ghost started to write. Ta-Mara stared wide-eyed as she read what it said.
Wise up, Ta-Mara, and get you head out of your ass before you lose him.
She frowned then rolled her eyes. “Really, you’re from the great beyond or some shit and you decide to send me a smart-ass message. I would think you would have a better use for your time.”
The specter with her face glared at Ta-Mara then floated backward and lifted its middle finger.
“Now you’re giving me the bird. Real mature.” Ta-Mara crossed her arms over her chest.
The image gestured behind Ta-Mara. Ta-Mara glanced at Levi who still slept, oblivious to anything going on, then to the mirror.
“I’m not going to let him go.” Ta-Mara paused then added, “I know his heart in the past belonged to another but he is mine now.”
At least as long as he is here with me. Please don’t take him away from me.