Page 60 of Vistaria Has Fallen

“A long time ago,” she guessed.

“I was fifteen. Later, I will tell you the story.” His voice was hoarse.

With a daring that seemed shocking, yet terribly exciting, she leaned against him and ran her hand over his chest and stomach. Her touch made him groan.

“Ahhh,Calli, I can’t...” Nick said desperately. “No, I can’t wait.” He pulled her hand away from him and braked. With one hand he steered the Jeep off to the side of the road as much as he could. As soon as the Jeep came to a halt he killed the engine, reached over and picked her up by the waist and brought her across his lap, straddling his hips. Her back was against the steering wheel, pushing hertowards him.

With hands that trembled, he took her, right there on the seat, making her cry out her fierce satisfaction.

* * * * *

When their heartbeats slowed, Nick stirred. He opened his eyes. “I thought I would have more finesse than this.”

“I like it that you couldn’t wait.”

His eyes were sleepy, half-lidded. “I wanted it the other way. I wanted you screaming my name, as you writhed beneathme.” He stroked his thumbs over her belly, through the skirt that had slid up to her waist. “I’ll have my way yet.” His lips moved to her chin, searing a moist path over her chin and down her throat, to the well-defined dip between her breasts, just above the St. Christopher medallion. He licked the skin with a murmur of appreciation, then slid his lips up to hers once more.

In the silence sheheard a bird coo, somewhere in the trees above them.Her cheek rested against the back of the seat, right next to his head. Her arm was a deadweight. She lifted it enough to cup his cheek and moved her head to kiss the other one.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

“I believe I should be saying that,” he returned. His voice sounded raw. He moved so he could turn his head to study at her. This close,his indigo eyes mesmerized her. “We should get off the open road,” he said.

“We should,” she agreed. “Only I think all my bones just melted. You can drive even in this condition?”

“I would not have stopped at all. You pushed good sense from my mind.” He grasped her hips and helped her rise from his lap. He swiveled and placed her in the passenger seat, showing some of the strength promised byhis physique.

Calli straightened her skirt and top and settled back in the seat. “This is a busy road?” she asked as he got the Jeep moving once more. She lifted her voice over the wind.

“Pretty busy.”

“How do you pass anyone here?”

“Carefully.”

“Slowly, then?”

“Very slowly. Hang on,” he warned and turned the Jeep into a rough gravel track that seemed to head straight up the side of themountain. After the initial sharp descent the gradient decreased, although they continued to climb, rounding a dozen hairpin bends along the way.

The Jeep continued to climb, then the road evened out and arrowed straight into the trees, which grew as a shady tunnel over them. Two hundred yards further on the trees thinned out. Calli saw the jagged peak of a mountain ahead. Nick turned the carto toward the mountainside. Then she saw the house.

It was a low thing of glass and thick black timbers, bereft of any adobe and nestled into the trees. Behind the flat roof of the house, she saw a waterfall cascading down the side of the mountain.

Nick pulled the Jeep up at the front of the house, where inlaid cement flagstones led right to the front door. He climbed out and strode around toCalli’s side of the car and opened the door. He scooped her up and carried her towards the house.

He pushed the door open with his shoulder—apparently he saw no need to lock his house up—then they were inside a green oasis with raw terracotta tiles and large walls of glass. She saw nothing else before Nick pushed through another door and placed her on a wooden surface. A table.

He moved aroundthe side of the table and bent and kissed her, while his hand ran across her body.

“You are so beautiful.” His lips brushed against hers as he spoke. “I could explore for a decade and not tire of it.” His hand roamed as he spoke. He stared into her eyes and brushed tendrils of hair from her face. “Welcome to my home,” he said gravely.

She gave a tiny laugh. “This is quite a welcome.”

He smiled.“It is a better welcome than most Vistarians extend and we are known for our warmth and generosity.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank you,” she said.

The humor faded from his face. “If I considered myself a superstitious man, I would say you have bewitched me, Calli Munro.”