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Turning up the gravel driveway that wound along the left side of the sprawling ranch, Gavin finally felt his muscles begin to relax. Mollie had been spot-on when she referred to the ranch as an "oasis." Located in the middle of nowhere it was perfectly situated and surrounded by the forest.
"Gavin," Arlana's voice sounded almost breathless as she looked up the moment he stepped onto the veranda. "I was so worried. Did the delivery go well? Are you alright? You look as though you haven't slept a wink."
Without answering, Gavin reached for Arlana, drawing her into his arms. Resting his forehead in the curve of her neck, he breathed in the scent of lilacs.
"Yes, Angel, the delivery went well. I needed to get out of the house for a bit and thought the club might still be open. Patrick mentioned he'd brought you home early last night. How are you feeling now? Did you get some rest?"
"I have so much on my mind, I wasn't able to sleep," Arlana confessed with a sigh as Gavin's hands smoothed over her thin pink dress.
Arlana stepped away from Gavin's arms, looking up into his eyes.
"Last night...I shouldn't have...we..."
Gavin forgot what he wanted to discuss with Arlana, the second he lowered his head, Gavin’s lips claiming hers in a kiss that assured Arlana he had no regrets. Without breaking the kiss, Gavin swept Arlana into his arms, nudging the door open with his foot before heading up the stairs two at a time.
"Let's go out and enjoy this gorgeous day," Marina-Lynne smiled as she turned Zek and his cousin away from the couple who were approaching.
Marina-Lynne wasn't a stranger to keeping secrets and already owed Arlana. Zek would have questions neither wished to answer if he saw his mother just now.
"Let's go!" Marina-Lynne herded them out the front door. "I think we will have a picnic outside today. Won't that be nice?"
The screen door rattled behind them, temporarily drowning out the rhythmic banging of a headboard at the end of the hall. Those things really were a nuisance.
***
"I NEED YOU," GAVIN'S voice was hoarse as his hands trailed up her thighs. "You have no idea how much I need you - how I need this. It's always been you but I was so damn blind."
"Gavin..." Arlana murmured but once again he didn't let her finish her sentence before ravishing her mouth in a kiss that took her breath away. "We can't..." Arlana pressed her hands against his chest as Gavin gripped her hips, pulling her hard against him. "Mmm. No, Gavin, we need to talk..."
"I'll be careful - I promise, but I need this. I've been denied for so long, Sweetheart."
Arlana trailed her fingers up Gavin's neck before drawing his head down to hers, offering without a word, what he craved.
"I want to please you," Arlana whispered in his ear.
"You already do," Gavin murmured, looking into her eyes as they became one in spirit, soul, and body.
Sunlight streamed through the window as Gavin flipped onto his back, his hands holding Arlana securely against his chest as he inhaled the scent of lilacs from her hair cascading over Arlana's shoulders.
"This is perfection," Gavin whispered. "I made a mistake, Angel - I've always known it, but I deeply regret it now. If it weren't for the kids, I wouldn't want to go home. Do you know what I'm trying to say? I need to be here with you in my arms, pressed against my heart. I crave this. I've never been happier - more content. You're my world, Arlana. I could spend every day and night showing you how much I love you and it still wouldn't make up for all the lost time..."
Arlana tenderly stroked Gavin's sweat-dampened hair, looking down at the man who would leave her in a few hours. Gavin had just shown her a glimpse of his heart, leaving Arlana at a loss for words. Instead of responding, Arlana lowered her head, kissing a trail of butterfly-soft kisses along his jaw, sighing when Gavin twisted his fingers in her hair before kissing Arlana passionately once again.
****
ORANIA STEPPED OUTSIDE as vehicles began to pull up the driveway.
"I'd tell them to get a room, but oh ya..." Orania rolled her eyes as she filled Arthur in on what he was missing out on. "Seven hours! I thought at one point they were going to break the headboard."
"Jealous?" Arthur grinned, earning himself a look that could kill. "I was only kidding, Babe. Gavin needs this. I can't imagine what he must go through, but I do know he'll be returning home satisfied...satiated. Perhaps now that Gavin's needs have been met, he'll be able to work things out with Adelaide with a clear head."
"I've told you a thousand times not to call me Babe. You might be right..." Orania pasted on a smile as Patrick approached the couple.
"I was hoping Gavin was still here. I noticed his vehicle when I pulled in. He mentioned he'd like to have a family meeting today. It shouldn't take long."
"Arthur and I can make ourselves scarce," Orania's voice held a bitter edge before she was able to mask it.
"Thank you. I'd suggest having it at the pub, but there is no point driving all the way back into town if it is only going to take a few minutes. I've heard the delivery last night was a success. Has Gavin mentioned anything about it yet?"
"No, he hasn't spoken a word to anyone. He's been like a rabbit in heat for the past seven hours."
"Really?" Brion cocked his eyebrow but his eyes were twinkling as he joined his brother. "Well, they'll join us when they are ready. Gavin really needed this but I wasn't about to mention it earlier. I've been thinking if we could convince his wife to move up here, things might be better. That's quite the commute, but..."
Brion looked up at the open window at the end of the ranch, rhythmic banging still heard, although muted.
"Good luck keeping that a secret," Orania rolled her eyes. "Excuse me. I'm just going to get the hotdogs and burgers. Arthur, you're barbecuing for us tonight."
"Of course," Arthur immediately stepped away from the others, heading toward the barbeque at the back of the house.
Marina-Lynne looked up from where she sat near where the boys were playing, her eyes meeting Arthur's for a moment before breaking eye contact.
"We really should tell him," Brion lowered his voice for his brother's ears only.
"Not yet. Mollie wants to do more research first. I agree though. Arthur should know that we are aware of the situation so he doesn't have to live the rest of his life hiding. Maybe that will give him a reason to step out of that woman's shadow. Mollie is right not to trust her. If it were up to me, she wouldn't be staying at the ranch."
"Then why is she?"
"Marina-Lynne. They are cousins, as you know. Very close cousins and it was part of the arrangement, I believe. Marina-Lynne will help us out and in exchange, Lady Darkness stays."
Brion couldn't help but laugh at Patrick's choice of words. The name suited Orania perfectly.