Yesterday (8 page)

Like Pandora s box, once the locks to her passions and her needs had been opened, Anna found them impossible to hide from. They were a plague, a building disease inside her mind and body that tormented her day and night. Had Devon pushed her, had he made demands or insisted on continuing the relationship, she felt she could have fought it, could have made a strong stand against it. But he did neither.

He was as patient as the long summer days and just as damned hot. He filled her daydreams and all her dark fantasies and made her pussy throb with the need to be filled.

But it wasn t Devon s face she saw in those dreams, it was Blake s. It was Blakes voice she heard, Blake s hands that touched her, it was always Blake. And it was destroying her.

The garden s planted. It was late in the evening, three days later when he returned to the house, dusty, wary, watching her with those blue eyes that reminded her so much of his brother.

You didn t have to do that, she reminded him. I don t anything about garden s, Devon. It will wither away once you leave.

He lowered his head, pulling his leather gloves patiently from his hands as stood in the middle of the kitchen floor.

I m not leaving, Anna, he said gently as his head raised, his blue eyes cool and determined.

The softness of his voice didn t fool her. She could hear the steel beneath it.

You can t stay here forever. She paced over to the counter, leaning against it as she fought to find the strength to do what she knew had to be done. This won t work, Devon. You know it won t. What happened was a mistake Anna, you re treading on ground neither of us is willing to face right now, honey, he warned her softly, staring back at her somberly as she faced him. Let s wait until we can both handle the discussion.

She crossed her arms over her breasts, frowning. This isn t your decision, Devon. He grimaced at her words, a pained look that sent her pulse racing in fear for some reason.

Anna, please. He shook his head firmly. Not yet. Not right now. Let s give this a few days before we go any further.

There s no reason to wait

The ringing of the doorbell cut off her words and had her breathing out in frustration. Damn.

She turned, aware of him following her as she stalked to the front door and threw it opened.

She stared back in disbelief. The stranger stared back at her with eyes the color of Devon s, though he was stockier, his face not as rough or savagely lined, an easy smile tilting his lips.

Hello Ma am. I m looking for Anna Morgan. His soft drawl was pleasant, husky.

For some reason, fear began to bloom inside her chest, causing her to draw in a harsh, strengthening breath.

I m Anna

She heard Devon curse behind her.

I m Devon Morgan ma am, Blake s brother. I heard about his death She turned slowly, ignoring the explanation coming from the other man as she faced the man she had believed was Devon, the hallway separating them, the agony in his eyes matching the pain spreading through her body.

Took me forever to find him, just to realize he was already gone The words

seemed to come at her from a distance as she stared back at the man she had believed was Blake s brother.

Ma am? The man behind her questioned her in concern as the stranger she had slept with walked slowly forward then.

It was then she noticed things she had ignored before. The way he carried his shoulders, the smooth confident walk, his eyes narrowing on her, the long silky lashes, but there was also that undefined something that had always drawn her to Blake. A toughness, an aura of determination and power that other men didn t have.

Oh God. She could feel her legs weakening, her head spinning as both fury and thankfulness filled her.

He was alive. He was alive and he had stayed away from her for five long years. He had deserted her and the child he had helped create and thought he could just waltz right back in with a new face and a new name and wipe it all away.

She felt the tears building in her chest, in her throat. Felt the rage and the agonizing pain of all the years she had lived without him building in her chest as he drew close to her.

Anna, baby

He reach out for her, his gaze regretful. I was going to tell you.

You bastard. There was no heat in the words, the fury and ripping heat of emotion was locked inside her chest, the shock of realizing who he was held her in suspension.

Blake. The name screamed through her mind as she fought the emotions bombarding her.

He was alive. Her Blake.

She was only distantly aware of the tears as they began to fall, the shame, the pain, the utter thankfulness that he was alive swirling in a morass of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.

Should I come back later? Devon Morgan, the real Devon Morgan, watched them, confused.

She turned back to him, aware she was making a fool of herself, that her tears were soaking her face, the complete horror of knowledge was sweeping through her, destroying her.

Excuse me, her voice broke, sobs ripping through her chest as she turned away. I can t do this. I just can t.

She rushed away from both men then. She didn t know why Blake had lied to her. Why he had a new face, a new name, why he was pretending to be the brother he wasn t, but the implications were terrifying.

Anna wait, Blake called out behind her. Dammit it, Anna.

Should I come back? The real Devon Morgan was more confused than she was now, Anna thought almost hysterically as she rushed for room.

Blake would have to deal with it. She couldn t. Not now, and maybe not ever

He was alive. Blake was alive. He had lied to her. He had left her alone for five years for only God knew what reason. She had sustained herself with only the few memories he left her and the child that had filled her life. Until now Now Blake was home and the emotions that tore through her now was no less intense, no less painful than they were when she had been told he was dead.

Anna escaped in the same way she had when she had first heard of Blake s death . The barn held the essence of the man she loved so desperately. The wood working tools, the half finished pieces of shelves, tables, the faded drawings he had made of projects he had wanted to start. It was there she found herself when she ran from the lies of the past five years. And it was there she saw the truth her unconscious had already accepted.

Several of the pieces were finished. The intricately designed coffee table that had been no more than a drawing before his return. The two selves that had only been halfway completed. There were more drawings, but this time, it wasn t of individual pieces, but drawings of the house, the rooms that would soon be graced with the beautiful works of art he was creating. The final piece unlocked the ragged sobs that clawed in her chest.

Beneath a soft white cloth was a carving, exact in detail and precision. The female features stared back at her, seductive, becoming. The expression on her face filled with love and laughter. It was a carving of her and it had been created by a loving, gentle hand.

I never forgot, Anna. His voice was broken, husky as he spoke behind her. Even half dead, locked in my own unconsciousness, I saw you. I loved you. When I woke up, nothing mattered but coming back to you, Anna.

She shook her head, her vision blurred by her tears, by the grief that had lived within her like a dark shadow she could never escape.

You lied to me. Her fists clenched at her side as anger washed over her in blinding waves. You came back, and you lied to me.

She turned on him then, seeing the differences and yet the familiarity of his face. His eyes were bright with pain, regret, and though he stood straight and tall she could see the weariness dragging at his shoulders.

Yes, I lied to you, he said softly. Day by day, night by night, And when I finally had you back in my arms I had to live with the guilt that was tearing you apart afterwards. I had to know you thought you were making love to another man. But added to that Anna, I had the added weight of knowing if my existence is made official, then both and you and Mike were in danger. Danger I might not be able to protect you from. I couldn t take that chance. I couldn t risk your and Mike s life.

The torment that racked his voice was heartbreaking.

I couldn t come back to you Anna. His face twisted into lines of pain as he watched her, his arm raising, his hand cupping her cheek as his thumb smoothed across her tear drenched face. I couldn t risk you.

She shuddered with the emotions bombarding her. Anger and fear and a thankfulness she couldn t turn away from. He was alive. After all the long, empty years and the pain that had laid waste to her heart, he was here, and he was alive.

I loved you, she cried hoarsely, her hands reaching out for him. I couldn t let you go. I couldn t stop dreaming, needing you.

The warmth of his body surrounded her as he pulled her against him, his arms contracting around her as her hands gripped his shirt in her fists and she fought the screams rising inside her.

You left me. If he hadn t been holding her then, she would have fallen. All the bottled rage, fear and grief welled inside her, ripping her soul apart. You left me and you didn t tell me you were coming back. She was screaming, sobbing, holding onto him with a desperation she couldn t release.

Anna please, baby. He held her tighter, rocking her, holding her just as she had always dreamed he would hold her. I m sorry. Ah God baby, please She couldn t stop the sobs from tearing through her body. But it wasn t the anger, or the pain, it was the realization he was alive. He was alive, in her arms, holding her. Her Blake. The dreams that had haunted her, that had tormented her since the day they told her he was dead was coming true. Blake was alive and he was holding her, taking quick hard kisses from her, his hands smoothing down her back over her arms before pulling her tight to his chest, leaning over her, his body shuddering with the emotion ripping through them both again.

I love you, he whispered the words over and over again. I love you Anna. Forever, for always, I love love you.

But she needed more. She needed to be certain the man holding her was her Blake. Her lover. Her heart.

Anna tore at his shirt, passion and fear converging in her need to be certain. To know this was Blake.

Anna, his moan was rife was pleasure as her hands ripped the shirt apart, sending buttons scattering to the floor as her lips attacked his chest.

This was no time for gentleness. No time to savor or to relish the gentler emotions of love. This was a renewal. It was a cauldron of lust and need, desire and promise that couldn t be contained.

Anna, baby... His hands bunched in her hair as her lips trailed lower, her hands gripping his waist as her tongue stroked over his upper stomach.

Show me you re alive, she cried out as his hands gripped her arms, pulling her up as he backed her into the table behind her. Prove it, Blake, prove you re alive.

She couldn t touch him enough. She couldn t get close enough. She could feel the warmth of his flesh, feel the beat of his heart, but it wasn t enough. She needed the hunger, the fierceness of his lust. She needed the driving, incredible heat of body, his thighs parting hers, his hands touching her.

Following her earlier example with his shirt, he ripped hers from her back, throwing the useless shreds to the floor as his lips lowered to one plump, swollen nipple. He took it into his mouth, drawing on it strongly, sending a flash of pleasure/pain whipping through her breast and tingles of electric ecstasy streaking to her vagina. She was a flame burning in his arms, heat building in her body as his hands tore at the snap and zipper of her jeans before jerking them over her hips.

Fuck, you re hot. His hand covered the mound of her pussy as she jerked in his arms, her breath catching at the incredible pleasure of his touch. She could feel every nerve ending in the area reaching out to him as the soft slick essence of her need spilled from her pussy.

Take me. Her hands tore at the waistband of his jeans as he spread stinging little kisses over her collarbone and her upper breasts. Now, Blake. Take me now.

He growled low in his throat as her fingers stroked his denim-covered cock, her palm flattening against it as she felt the hard pulse of life beating just for her. All for her.

She jerked at the closure to his pants, pulling back as she pushed the material over his hips, moaning as his hand gripped the shaft of his cock, holding it steady as she uncovered him.

Then the hand in her hair was holding her head still as he pushed the thick head of his cock to her lips. She was ready for him. Her lips opened, wrapping around the flared crest, her tongue licking over it as she sucked it in.

She loved the taste of him. Wild and fierce, with the salty tang of the pre-come that spilled from the tip. She moaned at the erotic taste, following the guidance of his hand at the back of her head as she began to stoke him wetly, suckling hungrily at the steel hard flesh. She needed him, craved the taste of him.

You re killing me. The guttural sound of his voice was followed by a hard shudder, then a tightening in his thighs.

Anna could feel the need for release growing in him, making his cock harder, stronger as she stroked it with the wet heat of her mouth.

Enough

He pulled her up his body then, a second before his release, ignoring her protesting cry at he lifted her to the table.

Her sneakers were jerked from her feet. Her jeans followed quickly and within seconds he was moving between her thighs, lifting her legs to his hips as he bent to her.

I m alive, Anna, he growled fiercely. Feel baby. Feel all of me.

Her scream echoed around them as he pushed deep inside her pussy, parting the slick muscles and filling her with the throbbing proof of life.

There baby. He stilled then, breathing deep as he came over her, sweat glistening on his darkly tanned face as his deep blue eyes seared into her soul. God, how pretty you look, Anna, so flushed and hot and wet for me.

He flexed his hips, grinding his cock deeper inside her as she whimpered at the explosive sensations tearing through her.

Her orgasm was only seconds away, and Anna knew it. She could feel it building in her womb, burning through her body.

Don t leave me, Blake. She held tight to his shoulders, tears falling from her eyes again as she stared up at him, seeing his pain, his love, his need. Never Blake. Please, never leave me again.

His lips lowered to hers as his hips drew back, the length of his erection stroking the tight grip of her vagina until he paused once again at the entrance. His hands framed her face as he stared down at her, his eyes moist with emotion, his face flushed with passion.

Never Anna, he whispered longingly then. I ll never leave you again, baby. Ever.

His cock thrust hard and deep inside her once again, and without pause he began a strong, driving rhythm that sent her sense rocketing with ecstasy. Her legs gripped his hips, her fingers dug into his shoulders and her lips opened to his.

Like a flower to the sun, she opened her heart and her soul and in that moment the fears of the past years washed away. She was no longer cold, no longer alone. The desperate, aching pain that had been a part of her for five long, lonely years became filled with the love, the dreams and the passion she thought she had lost.

It wasn t just his touch, or his kiss, though both were more pleasure than anything she had known before him. It was an ethereal shimmering heat, a binding she knew she would never know with any other man.

Each stroke of his cock inside the clenching depths of her pussy pushed her higher, stole more of her breath as the pleasure bloomed to a conflagration she wondered if she would survive.

Now. Now Anna. Come for me baby. Come for me now. His voice was hoarse, strained with his effort to hold back, to push her past the boundaries of sanity.

She could have told him there was no need, if she had the breath to speak. Cascading explosion began erupting through her womb, her cunt, every cell of her being echoing the hard, powerful release. She was crying his name, her body arching to him as she felt him drive deep one last time before his cock throbbed, jerking reflexively inside her as he filled her with hard, hot jets of his own release.

They were shuddering, fighting for breath now as they lay weakly on the table, the shuddering aftershocks quaking through them.

Loving you saved me, he whispered then. It brought me back, gave me a reason to fight, Anna. It gave me a reason to live.

Anna opened her eyes, feeling weak now, satiated, for the first time in five years she was whole again.

I lived for you. She touched his face, awed, amazed he was actually there. But if you ever do this to me again, Blake, I ll kill you myself. I swear it. If she managed to live through it.

Never again, he swore, giving her a quick kiss before easing away from her. Devon s still waiting in the living room. He grinned then. I haven t seen the bastard since we were kids and I didn t give him a second thought when I went after you.

She blushed, aware now that there would be no way of hiding what they were doing in the barn from the other man in the house.

You have a lot of explanations to make, she said then, her expression sobering. Many of them, Blake. I won t be lied to further.

She had to know why.

He grimaced painfully, drawing a deep breath as he picked his shirt up from the floor and handed it to her.

And I ll explain. He nodded. It s not pretty, but I ll explain Anna. All of it.

She watched him dress, seeing for the first time all the reasons why she had known it was Blake. His hands, his strong body, the beauty of his eyes, the feel of his hair. Her heart had known. And why didn t matter. All that mattered was that Blake was home. He was home, and if he tried to leave her again she was going to handcuff his ass to the bed and make certain he didn t move anymore than it took to fuck her silly three or ten times a day. Ten times a day sounded real good to her.

I don t like that smirk, Anna. She glanced at him beneath her lashes, realizing she was smirking.

She smiled slowly then. Just wait till you see why I m smirking, she laughed softly, her arms twining around his neck as he lifted her from the table, watching her with gentle eyes, with an expression so filled with love her heart beat faster.

My brother, he reminding her, his voice lowering, becoming husky with passion again.

Five more minutes. She smiled, her arms twining around his neck against as his lips lowered to hers. Five more minutes.

Hmm, forever, he growled. Forever Anna