Chapter Eight

 

 

 

Ellie made dinner. The refrigerator was well stocked. She cooked chicken with some of the wine and they ate in front of the fire. The storm had finally moved on, leaving a soft, steady rain that murmured against the windows. She kept glancing at the clock, at the hands creeping toward bed time.

“We should go to bed,” Duncan said as the fire began to burn low. The dinner things had long since been cleared away. He tapped her on the shoulder and mouthed, “I think we should have a bit of fun.”

“What do you mean?” Ellie whispered.

“Let’s pretend we’re having really rampant sex. You know that’s what he’s waiting for.” Duncan’s grin had a hint of the devil about it.

She giggled and nodded. It had been a long and strange day and this seemed to be a fitting ending. Part of her wished that he really wanted her.

“Play along with me.”

“Yes.” She desperately needed a laugh.

Duncan winked and spoke loudly, “Well, darling, are you ready?”

“I… I…think so.” Ellie decided to play the nervous bride. It wasn’t too far from how she really felt.

“Don’t worry. It’ll be wonderful.” He stood and held out his hand. He led her around the room while he turned out the lights and locked the door.

“I’m sure it will be.” She kept her voice small.

“I want you like mad, Ellie.” Duncan tumbled onto the bed.

“You… You do?” She settled in beside him

“Oh yes. Come here, beautiful.” The command was accompanied by a comic leer.

Ellie bit her hand to stop from laughing. “Oh…all right.” She rolled over to face him.

“Oh, baby. You’re gorgeous. Look at you. Let me take that off.” He gave a little jump on the mattress. The bedsprings creaked obligingly.

“Oh…oh my.” Ellie sighed. “I never realized…you’re…”

“I know. You know what they say… Small feet, big…”

Ellie giggled. “I’ve never heard that before and… Oh…” She gasped.

Duncan growled. “Beautiful girl, let me love you.”

“Yes.” It was hard not to laugh. Duncan sounded like a bad actor from a porn movie. She hoped he was a better writer than his corny lines implied.

“Mmm.”

“Oh…ah…” Ellie bounced and the bedsprings sang out in protest again. “Oh, Duncan.” A long, shivery sigh. Even when she’d been with Mike, Ellie had never been as noisy. She tried to think of the two or three porn movies she’d seen. She couldn’t remember much more than lots of bare flesh and sex popping up all over the place.

Duncan’s eyes were bright with good humor. “How’s this, gorgeous?”

“I’ve never… Oh, I didn’t think it could be…” Her eyes watered and it hurt not to laugh.

“You’re beautiful, so beautiful.” The bed springs twanged again. “Oh, Ellie.”

“Oh my…” Ellie turned her face into the pillow to stifle her giggles.

“Oh…oh…yes, Ellie… That’s it… Oh…yes.” He threw his head back and lifted his hips up and down until the mattress shook.

Ellie laughed silently into the cool, white linen.

Duncan nudged her. “Go on…” he whispered. “The earth has to move for you too.”

“I’m not sure I can. I can’t stop laughing.” She tried to keep her voice low.

“Go on, you can do it.”

She took a deep breath. “Oh…ah…oh…oh my…ah…ah…oh… Oh.” Ellie flung herself back onto the bed. “Oh…”

“That’s my girl.” His breath was warm against her ear. “You get an Oscar.”

Ellie wiped tears from her eyes. “Was that all right for you, Duncan?”

It was his turn to muffle a laugh. “Oh yes, darling.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.” He fell back onto his pillow and pulled her into his arms. His sigh ruffled her hair. “Thank you, Ellie.”

“As long as you’re happy.” It was nice to be held once more.

“Very.” He kissed her forehead with a loud, smacking sound. “And you, darling?”

“Oh yes. I never imagined it could be like that.”

“It only gets better.”

They rested in silence for a while. Ellie stared at the shadowed ceiling and listened to the rain. She wondered where the listening devices were and whether the Prophet was nursing a boner. Pervert. Duncan’s hand was light on her hair, his breathing deep and even. It felt very right to be there, safe and warm while the rain fell and their world stood on the brink of chaos. She tried not to think beyond the moment.

Duncan sighed and rolled over, facing her. The laughter had gone from his eyes. He trailed his fingers along her jaw and shifted his hips over hers. There was no pretense when he kissed her—a deep, scorching kiss that reached to the core of her soul. His hands cupped her face while she curled hers into his hair. After six years, Ellie’s body betrayed her, responding before her mind could consider the consequences. She kissed him back, letting his tongue find hers. His hand drifted beneath her sweater, gliding across her skin. Ellie trembled and fought to regain control. It didn’t seem right to give in to the first man who came along.

“Ellie,” he whispered against her throat, “I don’t think I can just pretend anymore.”

Ellie trembled. It was hard to ignore the way his hips moved languidly alongside hers or the rising ache between her legs. “I… I don’t know.” She closed her eyes.

Duncan stopped. He pulled away and looked down at her. He brushed her hair from her face. “If you don’t want to, it’s all right. I understand.” He sighed. “I guess I just got carried away.” His voice was low.

She remembered that they probably had an audience. She winced at the hurt in his voice and touched his face. “It’s just that it’s all so strange. This whole day has been strange.” Ellie wished that she didn’t want him, that her body wasn’t so close to his. She started to weep.

“Ellie.” Duncan’s voice was gentle. “Please don’t cry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“You haven’t. It’s not you, it’s me. I’m all screwed up. It’s been so long and I hate that I can’t seem to stop myself from wanting you just because you want me.”

He brushed his lips over her forehead. “I wouldn’t think any less of you if you didn’t want this and I wouldn’t think any less of you if you did. It’s been a long time for me too.”

“It has?”

“Yeah. The job doesn’t allow me much ‘me time’ and, well, you’re the first woman I’ve met in a long time that I actually find myself caring about.”

She searched his face for lies but found none. Instinct told her that he wasn’t spinning her a line. The fact that he’d walked into the proverbial lion’s den for her was proof enough. She touched his mouth, loving the shape of it. She wanted him to kiss her again. “Really?”

“Really.” He kissed her fingers. “Ellie, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t feel more for you than just…well…horny.”

“Damn you, Duncan. What have you done to me?” Ellie reached for him.

“Married you, for a start.” His lips were warm and firm against hers.

She arched her back while he deftly unfastened her bra. She sought his skin. She watched him when he stopped kissing her long enough to remove his sweater and hers. Ellie felt her cheeks burn when he looked at her. He slowly traced the curves and hollows of her torso. She tried not to think of how her body had gone to pot since the last time a man had laid eyes on it. Years of office work and seeking refuge from the heat had made her soft and pale. Mike had been the last one to touch her the way Duncan was touching her. But, as much as she had loved her husband, his touch had never aroused her the way she was being set on fire now.

Ellie found the nerve to stare back. Mike had played football at university and had never lost his bulk. Duncan was leaner and his chest was covered lightly with dark, curling hair. My God, he’s beautiful. Thank you, Obidiah, for looking after us, for putting one over on the Prophet. Fighting her nerves, she let her hand drift across his chest, wanting to feel the warmth of him, wanting nothing between them.

He kissed her again while his fingers strayed to her breasts, cupping one in his palm. He trailed his lips over her skin, finding her nipples. Ellie whimpered when his tongue flickered across them then moved on, tasting her. Moisture pooled between her legs along with a gathering heat and a soft, sweet ache. He unfastened her jeans and slid his hand beneath her pants with the same careful deliberation that he’d explored her upper body. He peeled her jeans away and dispensed with his.

Ellie stared at him, at the evidence of his need for her, poking from the top of his shorts. For a moment her need for Duncan was nearly sidetracked by the reality that she was about to be laid by a man she hardly knew. She trembled when he took her hand and guided it toward his erection.

“Don’t be afraid, Ellie.” His breath was warm and wine-scented on her cheek as he settled beside her. “Don’t be nervous.”

Ellie closed her eyes and ran the heel of her palm cautiously down the front of his boxers.

“Darling.” His mouth covered hers once more while she caressed him, pushing his shorts impatiently out of the way. He wriggled out of them and tugged at her underwear.

Finally, there was nothing between them. Skin slid across skin. Ellie matched him, move for move, not wanting to lose his heat. She loved the way he quivered when she slid her palms down his back. Her fingers discovered the shape of him, his skin smooth and warm. Memories rose and swirled around her. Mike, stretched out beside her in the rumpled, early morning warmth of their bed. The scent of his aftershave and the way he sighed when he kissed her. For a moment, Ellie wondered what the hell she was doing with this man who smelled and felt so different. Then Duncan slipped his hands beneath her buttocks. Ellie gasped as he pressed against her, nudging, seeking entrance. She nudged back, guiding him. She wanted the aching emptiness gone.

He nipped at her neck and Ellie bit her lip when Duncan edged into her.

“My God…Ellie.” He groaned.

Ellie tried to relax, to adjust to him. She curled her hands into his hair and remembered to breathe.

“Ah, Jesus.” Another nudge. He paused. His breathing was uneven.

Ellie’s body molded to his. She shifted and he slipped farther with another gentle nip on her shoulder.

“Ellie.” His voice was a long, drawn-out sigh.

She’d already lost the ability to talk. She clung to him and he began to move with an easy, slow grace. Everything inside turned to liquid. Six years of involuntary abstinence made it hard for her not to lose it altogether. Ellie didn’t want to betray her desperation by coming so soon. The heat was like a wildfire, it raced through her. She fought to hold on. Her fingers glided across his back while he plunged into her, growling into her breasts.

Ellie bit his shoulder, tasting the salt of his skin. She found his rhythm, matching him move for move until he brought her to the brink. She let go and whimpered into his mouth and Duncan thrust once more.

“Ah, God, Ellie.” He fell onto her and remained there, his head heavy between her breasts.

Ellie stroked his hair and exhaled. “Wow.”

He laughed softly and tightened his arms around her. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

“No, I’m a needy, hopeless mess.”

“No you’re not.” He lifted his head. His eyes were warm. “Don’t ever think that, Ellie, darling.”

He made her want to cry again. Instead, she took a deep breath and smiled. “Thank you.”

Duncan kissed her and nestled beside her. “That’s given the randy bastard something to wank over,” he whispered.

Ellie giggled. “You’ll have him thinking you’re some kind of super-stallion.”

“Oh, I’d be more than happy to put in the effort to make him think that.” His hand wandered to her breasts.

She covered his hand with her own, threading her fingers through his. “I’d be more than happy to help.”

 

Duncan held Ellie when she fell asleep in his arms after an hour or two of lovemaking. He had ceased to care that Enos was probably listening to everything and, doubtless, enjoying a hard-on while he did so. Ellie made it easy to forget that there was a world beyond the bed, that all hell was, probably, on the brink of breaking loose. He stroked her hair, smoothing it away from her face. She stirred in her sleep and huddled closer to him.

“God, woman.” He kissed her forehead. “What the hell have you done to me?”

Her answer was to stretch her arm across his chest. She threaded one leg through his and purred in her sleep. Duncan pulled the covers over her shoulder, loving the warmth and the smell of her skin. He closed his eyes and wrapped himself around her, wanting to keep her safe from the world.

 

* * * *

 

It took a moment or two for Ellie to work out where she was. Early morning sunlight slipped through a gap in the curtains and fell across the bed. Duncan slept, curled up around her, his hand on her breast, one leg thrown over hers. She shifted, edging closer in the chill left by the rain. He mumbled in his sleep. His fingers brushed her nipple. Ellie bit her lip, feeling desire stir inside her. After her disastrous debut, she’d soon found her rhythm and learned what turned Duncan on. His inventiveness had left her boneless and exhausted. After years of straightforward, good, old-fashioned marital sex, Duncan was an adventure. She blushed at the memories and wanted more. Ellie turned slowly in his arms and looked at him. The quilt had fallen back, revealing skin flushed with gold by the sunlight. His long eyelashes left crescent shadows on his cheeks. She touched his lips in wonder, and his chin, the morning stubble rough beneath her fingers. He was beautiful and Ellie couldn’t believe that she was there and that his arms were around her.

Duncan stirred in his sleep. Ellie watched his eyelids flicker and waited. He smiled when his eyes found hers. “Hello.”

“Hi.”

He curled his hand around her fingers and kissed them. “Did you sleep all right?”

“Yes, and you?”

He grinned. “Never better.”

Something inside Ellie fluttered. Duncan’s eyes were amber in the light. Thoughts she couldn’t read moved through them. Words she wanted to say were caught in her throat. “Good.”

“It’s been a long time since I woke up wanting someone.” His voice was quiet. “The way I want you.”

“You do?”

“Oh yes.” He kissed her palm then moved his lips to her wrist, lingering there.

Ellie quivered.

“You’re beautiful, Ellie.” He took his face in her hands and kissed her—a slow-burning kiss, like a sleeping fire.

She wanted to weep. Instead, she kissed him back, curling her fingers into his hair.

“The Prophet said you had to look after me, Ellie.” He smiled against her lips.

“Yes.”

“Will you?” He moved his hands over her, light, like water. His muscles rippled under her fingers and he sighed against her throat.

“Yes.” Ellie rose to his touch.

“Good,” he whispered. “Because I intend to look after you.”

 

* * * *

 

“Do you think they’ll leave us alone today?” Ellie’s voice had a wistful note to it.

Duncan set the mug of tea in front of her and kissed her hair. “They’d bloody well better.” He wanted to be selfish and keep her locked away in the guest house. It was the only refuge they had. He sat beside her on the settee.

She tucked her legs underneath her and sipped her tea. “I hope they do.”

Their conversation was conducted in whispers and murmurs. Duncan had thought about searching for the bugs and getting rid of them. He decided it would be too provocative a move. He could read Ellie’s lips as if he’d always known how to and he hadn’t planned on much in the way of conversation in any case. He had no idea how much time they had left to them, but he intended to use it wisely. She had borrowed one of his shirts and it barely covered her hips. Duncan had a hard time concentrating on drinking his tea. The morning light stole through the trees and through the window. It washed Ellie with pale light and his breath caught in his throat when he looked at her. He thought about how well she seemed to know him, anticipating his every touch or move.

“A penny for them.” She smiled. Her gray eyes were warm.

“If you put that tea down, I’d be happy to show you.”

She raised an eyebrow and glanced at his crotch. “Never mind, I think I’ve figured it out.”

“You’d better hurry up and finish your tea.” Desire tugged at his loins.

“No way. I’ve gone for days without caffeine in the morning. I’m taking my time with this.”

“Heartless cow,” he teased. “You know how to torment a man, Ellie.”

She laughed. “How do you reckon that?”

“Sitting there in nothing but a shirt and knickers.”

“I could go and put my skirt and blouse on if you like, and the camisole and bloomers. Would that make you feel better?”

“Don’t you bloody dare.”

“Well then, you’d better learn patience, darling.” She winked at him.

Duncan couldn’t remember the last time he’d wanted a woman so relentlessly. He just couldn’t get his fill of her. He tried hard not to think of a time beyond this day. He hated that this time was something finite, snatched from a disaster, something that they had never expected. He wondered if he would ever be able to thank Obidiah enough for what he’d given them.

Ellie set the empty mug on the table and stood, stretching like a cat. “I think I’ll take a shower.” She looked over her shoulder at him. “Care to join me?”

“Yes please.” He rose and took her outstretched hand.

He watched Ellie while she turned on the water and waited for the temperature to be just right. She unbuttoned her shirt and let it fall to the floor, smiling at him as she did. Duncan’s penis twitched.

Ellie tweaked the curtain back and tested the water. “It’s just perfect,” she told him.

“Good.” He could scarcely speak when she slipped out of her knickers and hooked her thumbs in the waistband of his shorts. “Are you ready?”

He nodded.

“Good.” Her voice was bright with mischief and she leaned close, her lips against his ear. “No one will be able to hear us in the shower.”

“I hadn’t thought of that.” Duncan was finding it hard to think about anything when Ellie relieved him of his shorts.

“Coming?” she asked, stepping into the shower. It was one of those extravagant ones with a broad shelf to sit on and a rain-head. Steam rose and swirled around Ellie and she found the soap. “Allow me.” Another smile. She rubbed the bar between her hands, working up a lather before covering his chest with it. She drew a slow circle in the foam. Duncan bit his lip when she worked her way down with the soap, spreading it with a languid hand. “I’m sorry,” she said, speaking without a whisper. “I just can’t seem to stop wanting you.” Ellie took a sponge and swept the lather away, taking her time. Her fingers followed the sponge with a light touch that stole his senses and made him weak.

“The feeling’s mutual.” He groped for the tiled bench and sank onto it when her hand encircled his dick. The water plastered her hair to her face, highlighting the fine bones there and making her eyes seem huge. Duncan touched her skin with trembling fingers and wanted to kiss her.

“I’m glad to hear it.” She dropped to her knees and edged between his legs. Her touch lingered on the inside of his thighs. “You’ll have to bear with me. I haven’t done this for a long time.” Her tongue flickered across the tip of his penis. “I never much cared for it…until now.” Ellie looked up and something inside him did somersaults when Duncan saw the heat and the raw longing in her gaze.

“You don’t have to, Ellie.” To him, what Ellie suggested was an act of submission and devotion he didn’t deserve. He stroked her cheek. “You really don’t have to.”

“I know. I want to.” Her determined tone put paid to any objections. She lowered her head and licked him once more before taking him into her mouth.

“Ah, God, Ellie.” He leaned against the wall and curled his fingers into her wet hair. For someone who claimed to be out of practice, Ellie was very, very adept. She was gentle and teasing and Duncan wanted to weep, wanted to return the favor. When he could stand no more, when he could no longer feel the gentle, warm rain from the shower, he stood and eased her to her feet. She sighed when he covered her mouth with his and she pressed herself to him, her fingers caressing his face.

“I think I need you inside me,” she murmured.

“I think I need to be there.” Duncan backed toward the bench once more. He pulled her onto his lap. She straddled his legs and wrapped her arms around his neck. He lifted her gently and she eased down. She was heat and silk and Duncan nearly lost what little self-control he possessed. He pushed the drenched snakes of hair from her face and kissed her, seeking her tongue, wanting to breathe her breath. Ellie stole all rational thought from him and reduced him to a tangle of demanding nerves and need.

“Oh…” Her voice was small. She kissed him between gasps while she rode him.

Duncan clutched her hips and guided her. She quickened of her own accord and he succumbed to the inevitable pre-orgasmic tug. “Ellie…darling.”

She moaned and clutched him as a convulsive shudder shook her. Ellie collapsed against him with a sob and Duncan wanted to cry himself with the intensity of the moment. He clung to her as he spilled into her, groaning.

“Oh my.” Ellie’s voice was breathy, her head heavy on his shoulder.

Duncan held onto her in silence. Her heart pounded hard enough that he could feel it. He didn’t want to let her go and, although he had gone soft inside her, he wanted to stay there. He covered her face with light kisses, tasting salt on her cheeks. He brushed the tears from her face with his thumb. “Why are you crying?”

She sniffed. “I don’t know.”

Duncan sipped at her tears, cradling her face in his hands. The need to protect her burned inside him. Something had changed between them, something he couldn’t define and didn’t want to define. He closed his eyes and held her while the warm water fell around them. He would’ve given anything to make time stand still and keep her there forever.

 

* * * *

 

“What do you think will happen?” Ellie looked at Duncan. They sat on the back porch in the early afternoon. The clouds were piling up again, promising another storm. For the moment, everything was peaceful, apart from the birds and the breeze whispering through the trees.

“I don’t know. I don’t think our host is going to get the out and out confrontation he wants.”

Ellie reached for Duncan’s hand and threaded her fingers through his. “No?” She couldn’t think how else the situation would end.

“I think they’ll send in a special team. Lord knows there’s enough well-trained combat soldiers around who could come in, grab their objective, dispense with anyone they don’t need and get out again.”

Ellie sighed. “The objective being the governor.” She felt as if she’d been forgotten, because she knew a warehouse administrator didn’t warrant a team of soldiers with automatic weapons.

“Darling, don’t worry. All we need to do is figure out where the governor is being hidden.”

She wished she could share his easy, calm optimism. “It’s a big place. He could be anywhere.”

“He could be. We know where he isn’t.”

“We do?” Ellie rested her head against Duncan’s shoulder.

“We know he’s not here, he won’t be in the Prophet’s house, or in the temple. Enos won’t want those places all shot up. He’ll be in an out of the way place, where there aren’t many people.” He looked at her. “How many people work in that storage shed by the garden?”

Ellie tried to remember. Almost everyone remained out in the garden. “There’s two men. They take care of everything in there. We would just leave the produce at the door and they took it in and stored it. No one else was allowed in there. I just thought it was because they didn’t want people going in and helping themselves to food.”

“I’ve been in there.” He tightened his arm around her shoulder. “On that tour with Elder Ezikiel. There’s not much in there but I did see something odd.”

“What?” Ellie closed her eyes while he caressed her shoulder.

“A hatch door by the main entrance, set in the floor. I didn’t think anything of it. I just thought it was a root cellar. But, thinking about it now, the things that you’d expect to find in a root cellar were stored elsewhere in the shed. It makes sense. The shed is right near the fence, it’s out of the way. It’s a perfect place to hide someone.”

“So what do we do?” Ellie wasn’t sure she wanted to know. She wanted the idyll to last a little longer. “Can you phone someone on the outside?”

His sigh ruffled her hair. “No. The signal’s being jammed. I can’t even get an email out there. Every time I try to search for a network, I get blocked. It’s a pity that you’re not working in the garden anymore.”

Ellie smiled. “The Prophet told me I had to look after you. Perhaps that was just an excuse to keep us both away from there. It kind of makes sense.”

“Yes, yes, it does.” Duncan’s touches drifted toward her breasts. “I suppose we’d better think of a way of nosing around there without getting caught.”

“Do you think that’s possible?” Ellie trembled when he slid his hand beneath her shirt.

“God knows. I know that I’d rather not think about it at the moment. Not while we’re being left alone. It seems a shame not to take advantage of that.” His voice was a purr. “Let’s go back inside and give that pervert something to listen to.”