Chapter Eighteen

Johanna

The sun is barely creeping in through my window, and I can see my alarm clock on the other side of the bed: six forty-five a.m. My body feels sated and relaxed, and my hair is falling over his chest. His skin is warm underneath my cheek, and I can hear the rhythmic beating of his heart. His strong arm is lazily slung across my shoulder, much like the way my legs are draped over his. His fingertips are touching the sensitive skin of my bare hip. I nuzzle into his chest. It wasn’t a dream. The only way to describe what happened in this room last night is supernatural. If there never was a thing such as star-crossed lovers before, I know it exists now.

“Baby?” he whispers, seeing if I’m awake. His fingers trace up my side and down to my hip again. My mind automatically replays the sensations of the places his hands discovered on my body last night. Heat instantly rushes to my thighs.

“Mmm,” is the only response I can summon from my lips.

“We need to get going soon.” His hand wanders farther. He smooths it over my stomach, then pulls me gently away from him and onto my back. He moves on top of me, placing his hands underneath my head. His thumbs are massaging behind my ears as he leaves feather-light kisses along my collarbone. Another pleasure filled “Mmm” escapes from me.

“Is that all you can say this morning?” He smiles, moving lower down my body. He bites gently at my side, and then runs his tongue over where his teeth just were, sending chills skating across my skin. My hands instinctively work their way into his hair. His arms glide down my back as he continues on. Traveler’s hands grab firmly around my waist, and he holds me in place as he begins kissing my hips and my thighs. He dips his tongue into my navel, making my breath catch. His lips brush my pelvic bones, and his tongue dampens my skin. He blows cool air from his lips, making me shudder. He’s going painfully slow, and the ache my body has for him is building. And finally, his mouth finds the place I’ve been longing for him to be. While his skillful tongue induces me to grip the bedsheets, he slowly runs his hand down my thigh to the back of my knee. He pulls my leg up and places it on his shoulder, then smooths his hand back down until his fingers find themselves working their way inside of me, his mouth still causing me to tremble. I can feel the waves of pleasure starting to course through my body. My breath is quickening and right before I’m sent over the edge, he moves up to face me. My eyes are barely able to stay open.

“Look at me,” he commands as he slowly slides himself into me. His jaw muscles clench, and I can see the battle going on behind his eyes. He’s lost in between maintaining control and losing it with me. Last night he fought so hard to keep his mind focused, and to keep us here in this century. But this morning, I can see the turmoil building. Something is different.

“Traveler—please,” I beg him to stay here with me as he picks up the pace. I grip his chin and jaw with my hand, “stay with me.” I crave the sounds coming from his throat as much as I crave the way he fits so perfectly inside of me. Our eyes are completely locked onto one another.

“Johanna,” he whispers as my hips rise to meet him, our bodies are moving in synch. He reaches for my hands, pulling them up behind my head. Our fingers are intertwined, and he anchors them to the bed with his strength. His face is so close to mine, and he sucks my bottom lip into his mouth while he pushes deeper. His name leaves my mouth, and his eyes are searching mine. He slows his thrusts and gazes at me with a conflicted expression. And with a flash of resolve, he looks back and forth between my eyes. “I love you,” he says. My breath catches, and my back arches as I’m entirely lost in his words and the feeling of him so deep inside of me. The waves of passion roll through my body as we both find oblivion. A low growl escapes his throat and my fingernails dig into his shoulder blades. His entire body is shaking. There is something about knowing I did that to him. That I make him feel that way. And it is the most satisfying feeling I’ve ever felt.

He lowers himself onto me, keeping most of his weight in his arms on either side of me. He kisses the tops of my shoulders in between heavy breaths, and my eyes are finally able to unclench themselves. We look at each other, breathing heavily, my hands hooked around his strong arms. “I love you, too,” I whisper back to him.

He touches his forehead to mine and kisses the end of my nose before laying down beside me. He pulls me close to him, his head resting on top of mine. “We will figure this all out. Somehow.”

I don’t know if it’s possible, and I don’t know how. But the only thing I can say in this moment is “Okay.”

We allow ourselves a few minutes of bliss, lying beside one another before I break. “You’re right, Traveler, we do need to get going if we have to make it there by this afternoon.” I wrap the sheet around me and sit up. He runs his hand down my back.

“I meant what I said. I love you, Johanna.”

I turn back, looking at him. “Please don’t ever forget that you do. Because I love you. And it’s terrifying,” I confess. He’s beside me in an instant, his hands are on either side of my face.

“Never,” he promises, with so much conviction that I couldn’t possibly deny his honesty. Everything he feels is ingrained into my heart and mirrored back to him. He kisses me passionately, and I feel myself melting back into the bed seconds before there is a loud rapping on the front door. The banging echoes through the house, and it causes me to jump.

“Who would be here?” I scramble out of the bed and pull the covers around my body. Walking to the window overlooking the front porch, I see a patrol car sitting in the driveway. “It’s the police,” I say to Traveler with a confused expression. “Just stay here and I’ll see what’s going on. It’s probably someone Andrew works with asking about the baby.”

“Okay, baby. I’ll take a quick shower.” As Traveler pulls himself from the bed, I can’t help but stare at his ribbed stomach and toned shoulders. He stretches his arms above his head, and I have to forcefully close my mouth.

Throwing on a pair of boxer shorts and a tank top, I rush down the stairs as another round of loud knocking shakes my front door. “I’m coming!” I shout, nervousness settling in my stomach.

I fling the door open to see Rick standing on my front porch, the lights on his patrol car flashing in the early morning light. “Rick, you scared me half to death, what’s wrong?” My mind flashes back to the night the police were at this very same front door. I’ll never forget the look on their faces the night they took Andrew and I to the hospital to tell us our parents had died. My hand automatically flies to my chest.

“Sorry about that, Jo. I know it’s early. I hope I didn’t wake you,” he apologizes, realizing he may have gone overboard. “I, uhhh, I have to ask you about the altercation between Max Austin and a friend of yours yesterday evening.” I can tell he no more wants to be here than I want him here. Rick is Andrew’s partner, and it’s obvious he’s uncomfortable.

“You gotta be kidding me, Rick.” My shoulders drop the tension, and I give a small laugh.

“I wish I was, but Max was down at the station before the sun even came up this morning. I didn’t even have time to drink my coffee. He claims he was assaulted in your living room by a companion of yours who goes by the name of…Traveler?” He looks at me with a perplexed expression.

“His name isn’t a crime, Rick. Also, it should be noted that Max had entered my house uninvited and when no one was home. He was sitting on my steps when we walked in.” I try to rack my brain from years of listening to Andrew and his police talk. I have to think of something to get Traveler out of this. A few weeks ago, it would shock me to think Max would do this. But after really seeing him for who he is, probably for the first time, I’m not the least bit surprised.

“That so?” Rick asks. He seems as hopeful as I do.

“Yep. He kissed me, uninvited, in my room earlier in the day. And then he kissed my hand, uninvited, in front of my—in front of, Traveler.” Rick notices my misstep. Using the word boyfriend seems trivial to describe what Traveler is to me. It feels like more. I also realize I’ve outed Max, and the chances of Katie finding out what he did have increased. I just don’t care anymore.

“That does help. But you know Max is Mayor Austin’s son, and I at least have to bring Mr.…what is his last name again?” He pulls out his note pad and looks expectantly at me. It dawns on me that I don’t even know his last name. I don’t even think Traveler knows his last name at this point.

“Smith,” I blurt out. I lied to the police. I blink back at Rick, hoping he will buy it.

“Oookay.” He raises his eyebrows at me and shuts his notepad. “Like I was saying. I at least have to take Traveler Smith”—taking a pause and shaking his head at me—“down to the station for questioning. It’s likely nothing comes of this if what you say is true; however, mayor’s son…” He shrugs his shoulders apologetically.

“I wish I could help you, Rick, but after Traveler saw me home from the hospital, he left as well. He hung around to make sure Max wouldn’t come back, and then he took off.” I look him in the eyes, hoping he buys my second lie in five minutes. “Have you gone by to see my little nephew yet?” I try deflecting.

Rick looks at me for a second, deciding how far he wants to push me. “Some of the guys from the station are going to swing by after lunch today. How is Mary-Beth?”

“She’s great. Trey, the baby, he’s perfect. They named him after Andrew…and my Dad.” I don’t feel the slightest bit guilty about using Rick’s pity to get Traveler and I out of this mess.

“Wow. Johanna, that’s awesome,” Rick says genuinely, as he backs off my porch steps. “Just let Mr. Smith know I have a few questions for him when you see him again, will you?” He’s already halfway in his car.

“Sure thing, Rick.” I wave and then close the front door behind me and lean against it. Traveler is jogging down the stairs; his hair is wet, and his jeans are hanging low on his hips.

“Baby, is everything okay?”

“What’s your last name?” I ask him.

He walks over to me and slides his arms around my waist and kisses me. “Smith,” he says, and I can’t help but laugh at the irony. I didn’t lie after all. “Or at least that is what the orphanage put on my birth certificate. The mystery man, also known as Arden, told the lady he handed me over to that my mother’s name was Bonnie Smith. It was a cover story.” He looks puzzled as to why I am just now asking about his name. “Who was that at the door?” His head snaps up, eyes instantly looking out the window.

“The police. Max is pressing charges against you for assault. I told them you weren’t here. We need to make that true as soon as possible.”

He looks at the front door as if he can see through it. “I think you might be the only good thing about this town.”

I kiss his cheek before bounding up the stairs. “I’m going to take a quick shower, and then let’s hurry and get out of here. Fix me coffee!” I turn back and wink at him.

“Yes, ma’am. Coffee with a pound of cream.”

My heart could erupt, and I know I have never experienced the pull to anyone that I feel with him, but there is something in the back of my mind that won’t release me entirely. There’s a dreadful worry nagging at my brain. Arden said the only way for Traveler to be safe is for us to stay away from one another. I love him. There must be way.

****

“Do you know how to drive?” I ask Traveler, as we load a cooler and a small bag in the back of my Jeep.

“Seriously?” He stretches his hand out, waiting for the keys. I toss them in the air to him, and he turns, catching them behind his back and never misses a stride as he walks to the driver’s side. It’s eight a.m., and we are later getting on the road than we anticipated.

He backs out of my driveway and reaches over, placing his hand on my thigh. “I love it because I found you here, but now that I have you, I can’t wait to see this town in the rearview mirror.” He keeps his focus on the road.

We pass by the hospital, and I pull my phone out of my backpack and send a quick text to Andrew and MB.

—How’s my little man doing this morning? We are on the road. I love ya’ll.—

Traveler squeezes my leg. “You sure you’re okay leaving right now?” he asks. My phone vibrates to life.

MB: —He’s perfect. Literally perfection. Have a great trip! And Jo, this is a good thing. Don’t question it. ; ) Love you!—

Andrew: —He definitely has a set of lungs. Good thing he’s cute. Be careful.—

Andrew’s text has a picture of MB smiling and holding Trey. I look over to Traveler. “Yes. I want to be with you. They need the time alone together, and we will be back tonight. I don’t want to be anywhere else.” I lean across the car and kiss the scruff along his jaw.

The ride is spent sharing stories between the two of us. I tell Traveler about the time Andrew and I got lost in the forty acres behind our house, looking for buried Indian treasure. How Mom and Dad had the whole police force out looking. The police chief found us sleeping in a makeshift teepee made out of sticks, and how he laughed when we told him he couldn’t be the chief in our tribe. I tell him I think the ride home in the back of the squad car is what made Andrew want to be a police officer.

He tells me about growing up in the orphanage, the things he knows about Vlad, and how he’s scared for Sephia. He talks to me about the people that have come and gone from his life, no one getting too close and no one getting let in. He turns to me and says, “Until there was you,” and I believe him. And my heart breaks.

I tell him about growing up in the band room of the high school, listening to tubas and clarinets. I tell him about the afternoons I spent watching my dad mold the students into musicians. And how even after he died, I would sneak into the back of the stadium during marching band practice just to feel close to him again.

He tells me about why he chose to go into Shifting, and how he noticed early on his abilities were far stronger than anyone else’s. He tells me how he has to hide all the capabilities he possesses, and the risk it holds if someone in Authority discovers it.

I tell him about gardening with my mom, and how she used to tell me the scientific name of every flower we came across. I tell him that lilies were her favorite, and how her funeral was drenched in them. I hate lilies.

He tells me about his mother. He tells me about Bonnie Smith. How Arden is involved. The whole story. And when he speaks of his father and the heartbreak it must have caused Jaqueline Romanoso, I can’t stop the tears from breaching the corners of my eyes. To have found the love of your life, the person you want to spend your days with until they run out, and then to have that snatched away…murdered.

The dread is back. The aching worry inside my brain that has me chained down with it. This was Arden’s reasoning. His warning, calling out to me like a siren. And I’ve ignored it all.

Traveler sees my chest rising and falling with panic. He sees the fear covering my face. Somewhere, on an empty highway between the life I once knew and the one I can’t stop myself from rushing toward, he pulls over and unbuckles his seatbelt.

“Baby, look at me,” he instructs, taking my hands in his and holding them to his chest. “I will never let anything happen to you. You are mine, and I will protect you.” He smooths his hands over the back of my head, trying to ease my panic.

“But you. How do I protect you?” My voice is wavering and shaky.

“My mother will have answers. She will help us.” His promises lack confidence. “All I know is whatever I was before, it doesn’t matter to me anymore. The only thing I care about is keeping you safe. And if at all possible, keeping you in my life.” He leans his forehead to mine, and I feel my heart calming. “I can’t be without you now.”

“I can’t be without you, either. I don’t know how,” I confess, and he kisses me hard, passion filled, and with everything he has. “We will figure it out.” And in this moment, I choose to put my faith and our fate in his hands.

Traveler pulls the Jeep back onto the deserted highway, and I see that we are at an entrance to the Cherokee National Forest. His mother should be here within the hour. “She doesn’t know I’m with you, does she?”

“No,” he admits, squeezing my hand. He still has his fingers locked into mine, and he’s holding them on his lap.

“I’m nervous.”

“Yeah, me too.” He pulls my hand to his mouth and kisses my wrist.

A few miles into the forest, he pulls down a gravel road. We travel a mile in until he parks underneath a tree and shuts the Jeep off. “We need to do a quick scouting of the perimeter to check for campers or other vehicles. I don’t have enough time to check more than a half mile or so. I’m not leaving you alone.” He walks to the back of the Jeep, pulling out my hiking boots.

“Just try and stop me from hiking these hills.” It’s beautiful. The towering pines soar into the air, their tips swaying slowly from side to side in the breeze. The clouds are barely visible underneath the canopy, and it creates dim lighting across the floor of the woods covered in needles.

Traveler is staring at me as I take in the scenery. “Is there any view…is there any setting…that you don’t steal its thunder?” He brushes my hair back over my shoulders. Leaning down, he presses his lips to mine. With his hands on my lower back, he draws me in close to him. “I love you, Johanna,” he whispers against my mouth.

“Then you’ll be the death of her.” A delicate yet strong voice calls from over his shoulder. He quickly pulls back, and with his strong hand pushes me behind him so he’s standing partially in front of me. Guarding me.

Her hair is midnight black, and it billows over her shoulders in waves. Her eyes are the same shade of alluring green as his, and they are staring at mine. There is a clap of thunder in the atmosphere, I’ve grown accustomed not to expect the lightning. There is no denying that this woman is Traveler’s mother. And she is furious.