ZenithRising (16 page)

Her thoughts followed that trail, imagining a future right
when and where they presently were. Noah’s earlier question came back to her.

Would that really be so bad?

If they were stranded there together, it would be
advantageous to stay together. She would not have to constantly wonder when he
would tire of her, when he would move on to someone more interesting…like the
others had.

Though her dream about Reynard was no longer crystal clear,
she recalled his saying the third path was driven by her own fears seducing her
away from her quest. She finally understood what that meant and she was very,
very tempted to take that option anyway.

* * * * *

Luck stayed with them as they returned the Model T unnoticed
and sneaked Shannon into their bungalow. Maggie had to use the angel card again
to get Shannon to lie down on the couch with her feet propped up. And only
after she promised to find another maid and have her explain to the supervisor
that Shannon was very ill and feverish did Shannon agree to remain on their
couch for one day.

As soon as they were alone behind the closed bedroom door,
Maggie explained her rationale to Noah. “She is still in danger. I’m sure of
it. Maybe Amelia’s assault triggered a miscarriage. Shannon wouldn’t be able to
go to a hospital and she’s far enough along that she could bleed to death. Or
maybe Amelia won’t leave in the morning and she could come after her again or
maybe she’ll convince her father to—”

“Sh-sh,” Noah sounded, placing a finger gently on her lips.
He kept his voice to a whisper. “No need to explain. We’ll watch over the girl
tomorrow. Anyway, it’s too late to try to get back home tonight. Reynard said
we had to be at the exact same spot on the beach when the moon is at its
zenith. That time passed hours ago. But tomorrow night we’ll be ready.”

Maggie sighed. Even if her feeling about there being
something more to do was accurate, nothing more could be done tonight. Shannon
was safe. They hadn’t been arrested for stealing a car. By this time tomorrow
night they would be in the Diamond Suite…with air-conditioning and hot showers.
Or they would still be here.

Would that really be so bad?

Noah brought her hand to his lips. “What? Something’s
bothering you and I absolutely refuse to let you have your way with me until
you tell me about it.”

She smiled and stroked his cheek. “Did I just hear a
challenge?”

He squinted at her. “Don’t change the subject.”

She stepped closer and combed her fingers through his hair.
“I wouldn’t think of it.” She drew his head down and brushed her lips back and
forth over his. “But it’s been a really, really,
really
long time…” She
trailed her hands down the lapels of his tuxedo jacket, around his waist and
palmed his butt. “Since I had you inside of—” Her seduction was cut short as
his mouth pressed to hers and his hands jerked her hips hard against his.

She wasn’t surprised when she felt his sex come awake with
so little encouragement. Nor was she surprised when hers dampened at the mere
thought of his penis sliding between those lips.

Remaining aware of the guest sleeping in the other room had
kept them from speaking aloud but it now added an element of stealth to their
movements. Rather than rushing to strip off each other’s clothes as quickly as
possible, they took their time.

She undid his tie and slowly pulled it from beneath his
collar.

He removed her headband and gently massaged her scalp.

She slid the tuxedo jacket off his shoulders and eased it
down his arms as though unwrapping the best gift she’d ever received.

He bent down and helped her out of her shoes, lovingly
kneading each foot before sliding his fingers up her legs and unhooking the
garters.

One piece at a time, layer by layer, each undressed the
other until Noah was nude and Maggie was adorned only by the diamond choker and
earrings.

Tracing the features of her face with his fingers, Noah
murmured, “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I would give up
everything to have your face be the last thing I see every night and the first
thing I see every morning.” He lightly kissed her mouth then added, “For the
rest of my life.”

Maggie gazed into his eyes and any doubt she might have had
about his sincerity fled immediately. Her heart swelled with emotion. She
wanted to say something just as eloquent, something that would make his heart
soar like hers but only three words came to mind and she was afraid to say them
aloud.

Time seemed to stand still as his lips touched hers with
such gentleness she dared not breathe. His fingers feathered down her arms and
brought her hands up to his mouth for soft kisses on her palms and fingers.
Back up her arms he stroked, over her shoulders, her breasts and stomach. His
fingers brushed over her hips, down the outside of her legs and tiptoed back up
her inner thighs. She could barely feel the brush of his hand over her pubic
mound, which somehow made it even more erotic. He moved around to her back,
continuing to lightly caress every inch of her skin with his fingertips,
awakening nerves until she felt as though her whole body was humming.

Standing there, letting him arouse her in such a quiet,
adoring way seemed selfish but she felt entranced by his touch, unable to do
anything more than accept his homage. And when he drew her down onto the bed
she felt as though she floated there on a cloud. He placed whispery kisses on
her forehead, nose, lips and chin while his hands molded her breasts for his
show of adulation there.

Lower he moved, caressing her abdomen, stroking her hips and
finally, ever so lovingly, his mouth focused on her pussy. She gasped as his
tongue stroked the tiny bundle of nerves but she kept from moaning aloud by
biting her lower lip. What he was doing was so much more than sex. He made her
feel like she was worshipped. Adored. Loved in the way that lasts forever. In
this moment, with this man, she had absolutely nothing to fear.

She used her hands to urge him on top of her though she was
in no hurry to climax. She just wanted to feel him deep inside her, joining
their bodies into one being.

He eased his warm, thick cock into her wet canal,
maintaining the same slow, gentle pace he’d established. He was in no great
rush either.

“I love you,” he whispered into her ear as he settled his
body over hers. He slowly withdrew his erection, slid forward again and held
deep inside her vagina for several heartbeats before gliding back. “I always
have.” In, pause. “I always will.” Out, in, pause. “No matter where.” Out, in,
pause. “No matter when.”

As he began a steady in-and-out rhythm, she let his promise
sink into her soul and overpower her fears.

Even when their bodies grew impatient for climax, the
tenderness of his lovemaking was not lost. Despite Maggie’s limited experience,
she knew the shimmering orgasm that washed over and through her body was far
above a mere sexual release. This was something much more important. It
required a response of equal importance.

“I love you,” she whispered. “And I want to be with you,
wherever, whenever, however. I finally understand what you meant about fate
bringing us back together. It was always meant to be you.”

A tingling ran through her body and she embraced it without
question. This eerie sensation was now familiar. It was how she knew the
connection between her and Noah was far from normal. It was supernatural.

* * * * *

Maggie opened her eyes to a room filled with sunlight and
was slightly confused to find herself still in the bungalow. Obviously the
tingling had not been caused by time travel.

She was getting used to Noah not being in bed when she
awakened but she had thought this morning would be different. That thought
barely registered before the bedroom door opened and her darling man entered
carrying a large tray. The smell of coffee had her sitting up in an instant,
wondering what culinary delights were on today’s menu.

Noah set the tray on the dresser then greeted her with a
brief kiss. She instantly wanted more but thoughts of morning breath got her up
and into the bathroom instead. It wasn’t until she’d taken care of her morning
needs that she remembered they had a guest. She grabbed her robe and asked,
“Shannon?”

Noah motioned her back to bed and handed her a cup of
coffee. “She’s on the couch, with her feet up. She’s eaten and swears she feels
fine but I convinced her to let us keep an eye on her anyway. And before you
ask, I already took care of explaining her absence and turning down maid
service for today. So you can relax and enjoy breakfast.” He presented her with
two dishes. One offered scrambled eggs, sausage links and a buttered muffin.
The other held a big golden waffle topped with bright red strawberries and
whipped cream. Her stomach gurgled and she took the waffle.

Noah kept the other dish for himself and settled down beside
her. “Since this could be our last day here, what would you like to do?”

Maggie didn’t need to think about it. “We can’t relax. Or
play. Maybe I’m being overly cautious but I still have a bad feeling.”

“Bad, like Shannon’s still in danger or bad like we haven’t
done what we’re supposed to do here?”

She shrugged. “I’m not sure. Maybe we need to split up
today. Take turns staying with Shannon, or at least watching the bungalow,
while the other one keeps roaming around the hotel. Maybe try to find out
whether the Gavistons checked out.”

“Okay,” Noah agreed without hesitation. “Shannon is going to
be more comfortable with you so I’ll take the first roaming-around shift. Maybe
I’ll be able to confirm what Amelia said about both families heading up north
today.”

Noah headed out right after they’d finished breakfast and
Maggie offered Shannon the use of the bathroom. Considering what the girl was
used to she thought it would be a real treat but when she was taking longer
than Maggie thought she should, she checked on her. Shannon had gotten cleaned
up and dressed and was on her knees cleaning the floor.

“What are you doing?” Maggie asked unnecessarily. She
grasped Shannon’s elbow and made her rise. “You need to rest today.”

“I really am quite perfect,” the maid insisted. “Me head is
fine, just a bit sore. And me babe is moving and not causin’ any pains.”

“Good. But today I’m your boss and I say you’re going to
rest.” She walked her back to the couch, fluffed up the pillows and stood with
hands on her hips until Shannon settled back down. “Now stay right there while
I bathe and get dressed. I mean it,” she added in a very stern voice that was
negated by a soft smile.

Maggie guessed Shannon was probably as fine as she claimed.
After all, the girl walked several miles a day and worked at a physically
demanding job with a baby growing inside her. Yet Maggie felt compelled to do
something worthwhile and hovering over the expectant mother was better than
doing nothing. When she came out of the bathroom, however, Shannon was sound
asleep. Not wanting to do anything to awaken her, Maggie tiptoed out onto the
front porch and sat in the yellow rocker.

Considering their active evening and minimal sleep Maggie
should have been tired. Rocking in the shade, watching the waves and being
fanned by the salty breeze should have been relaxing. Instead she felt as
though electrical current was zipping through her body. If she hadn’t agreed to
stand guard over Shannon, she would have taken a swim or run in the sand.
Something was about to happen and she was limited to the front porch.

As soon as she heard Shannon stir, she hurried inside to
make sure she was still feeling okay. Other than being unused to lying around,
she was fine and after a few minutes Maggie got her talking about how she got
from Ireland to south Florida. Her story was similar to others Maggie had read
about European immigrants who fled one desperate situation only to be caught in
another on the other side of the Atlantic.

Shannon’s inner strength, spiritual belief and more than a
bit of luck had gotten her through the death of her grandparents who had
brought her over, a nearly lethal stint in a workhouse and into a menial
position in an upper-class Boston home. The children there became so attached
to her, the parents took her along on their holiday in Florida. Unfortunately
that was the season Shannon’s body blossomed into womanhood and the husband
took such a fancy to her, the wife insisted she be left behind. Fortunately,
before he obediently boarded the train with his family, the husband arranged
for Shannon to be employed at the hotel. And then she met Broderick Martin.

Maggie wished she had a tape recorder so that Noah could
hear the tale himself. Maybe one day, when he decided to write something other
than horror, he could write about this incredible girl.

Noah returned with lunch for everyone before Maggie had to
think of another subject that would keep Shannon from dwelling on the virtues
and weaknesses of Broderick Martin. However, Noah’s news involved him.

“I’m sorry to have to tell you this, Shannon, but it looks
like he’s gone. The concierge confirmed the Gavistons left for Philadelphia
this morning. I told him I had a gift for the engaged couple and he gave me the
Martins’ address. I got a ride there and the maid said the family had left for
an extended trip north in their motorcar. I wish I had happier news but at
least you don’t have to worry about Amelia or anybody else in the family
bothering you.”

He flashed a look at Maggie and she understood. His news
meant they had saved Shannon. She would be alive to see her baby born.

“’Tis fine,” Shannon said, though her eyes brimmed with
tears. “’Twas only in a moment of foolishness I thought ‘twould be any other
way.”

Noah handed her a linen napkin as Maggie patted her hand.
She wanted to say something encouraging but the truth was she had no idea what
could help under the circumstances. She certainly couldn’t tell her not to
worry, that everything was going to turn out wonderfully. All she knew was
Shannon had already been through hell and survived. She would undoubtedly
figure this out as well. At least they had given her the chance to try.