Snodgrass, Catherine Read online

  Behind him, a veiled woman whose eyes would haunt Marcus's until his dying day- bright blue, slightly slanted, flirtatious. The edge of her palla, the woman's toga, covered her black hair. Two ladies in waiting hovered behind.

  He bowed at the waist. "An honor, Senator. I trust you are still pleased with the statue?"

  "A stunning piece of work. It is the envy of many. Including," he motioned to the woman, "my daughter, Octavia."

  She stepped forward, her sandals making barely a sound on the stone floor.

  "I am commissioning you to do a likeness of her as well. To frame her in the bloom of womanhood."

  "It would be my pleasure, Senator."

  The man smiled. "Then I shall leave her in your capable hands."

  Marcus bowed with the man's exit. His daughter and her ladies remained.

  "Leave us." Octavia swept her hand toward the two. "I do not want your chatter to distract the sculptor nor do I wish for your gossip to spread word of the work before it is complete. Wait in the shade of the courtyard."

  She waited until the door closed and then tossed the palla from her hair. Slowly she released the veil as she approached him. Her smile highlighted her blue eyes.

  "See? I told you I would find a way for us to be together." Nimble fingers crept under his tunic.

  Marcus snapped his hand over her wrist. He longed to crush the delicate bones beneath his grip, to punish and hurt her as she had him.

  "I will not be played with, Octavia," he hissed through barred teeth.

  She whimpered under the force of his hold and fell to her knees before him. "Marcus, please, I-"

  "You whisper your love to me in one breath, then vow to marry another man in the next. Did you open your legs to him as willingly as you did to me?"

  "No." A sob ripped from her. "I carry your child. What was I to do?"

  Shock loosened his hold. Clutching her upper arms in disbelief, he dropped beside her. "A child? You are with child?"

  Octavia gave him a shaky nod. Taking his hand in hers, she pulled it under her garments to her belly. There it was, a swell ever so slight-their child.

  "Love. My precious love," he whispered. "I will not have you wed another. I will not tolerate you in the arms of another nor have another call our child his."

  She combed her fingers through his dark brown hair. "There is little more we can do. You are a slave. I am the daughter of a Senator. Would you have me labeled a harlot and stoned for birthing a bastard child?"

  "Then why come to me now? Why not let me think...?"

  Tears shimmered in her eyes as she pressed her fingers to his lips. "Because...I love you. Although it pains me to marry someone else, it would kill me to let you think I did not love you. I had to let you know that this..." She placed her hand over his where it still rested on her belly. "Is your child. So you can at least watch him grow from afar."

  "No." The word came out with more force than Marcus intended. "You will be mine."

  "But-"

  "Mine, Octavia. We were meant to be together."

  "How?"

  "I will take care of everything...everything."

  He lifted her garments to her waist, baring her, and gently dropped a kiss to her belly and the child within. She shuddered in response. Smiling, he dipped lower.

  "Oh, Marcus, I have missed you so."

  * * *

  Dani jerked upright, eyes wide. A dream? Yes, that's what it was. The most vivid dream she had ever had in her life. She still tingled where Alec...no, Marcus had touched her. Not her-Octavia. It was strange, unnerving.

  Embarrassed to be so overwhelmed by a dream, she dared to look at the others. Kevin and Renee still sat in the lotus position with their eyes closed. But Alec...

  Alec studied the contours of Dani's face in the shadows cast by the candles. How could he put into words what had just happened? There was a logical explanation. A combination of his work on the bust, Dani dancing around the day before in a towel, a stress filled week, the wine, and the promise of intimacy combined with his imagination to create a story. It was as simple as that.

  Not so simple was the aftereffect. It might have been Marcus who made love to Octavia, but it was Alec whose body reacted. Dani shifted closer. He liked the way the flame highlighted the gold hidden in her eyes. She reached for him, sliding her hand up his chest, his neck, coming to rest beneath his ear. How could any sane man resist?

  He slipped his hand beneath her T-shirt. She shivered when his fingers brushed her skin, drifted upward. Ever so carefully, he flicked his thumb across her nipple. It peaked, begging for more. His body replied, surging.

  Dani nuzzled his chin, taking tiny nips along the point. He let her explore, let her kiss him, let himself be indulged, but only for a moment before he gave back what she had given. Remembering they were not alone, they sealed the kiss simultaneously.

  "I think our company has overstayed their welcome."

  Dani nodded against his whisper and pulled away.

  "I've had enough of this." Alec clapped his hands on his thighs and jumped up to start turning on lamps. "It's time for you two to go."

  Renee stammered for a response.

  "You heard the man." Dani leaned forward and blew out the candles.

  "But what about the..."

  Alec shoved the cheese tray into the bag along the bottle of wine and candles. "We don't mean to be rude. The visit was appreciated. Kevin, if I don't see you at work tomorrow, we'll see you Saturday."

  Alec herded them through the door, and then seated the bolt.

  * * *

  Alec stared at Dani for what seemed like hours, memorizing the desire on her face for all eternity.

  "If I live to be a thousand years old, I'll never forget how you look right now." He took her hand. "Come to bed with me."

  Dani forced herself to walk when she wanted to run. Or, better yet, yank him to a stop and take him right there on the floor.

  Alec switched on the bedroom lamp. "Undress for me."

  "And you?"

  He was already shrugging off his shirt. Licking her lips, Dani traced her gaze across the sculpted lines of his chest to the dusting of dark hair gathered at his navel. She followed the hiss of his zipper. Her breath caught at the sight of him. She wanted to kiss, touch, taste, draw him deep within...

  "I'm waiting, Dani."

  Alec had seen her body before, professionally and personally, but this time he took the time to appreciate what he saw. Dani was softly rounded, her skin smooth. She was a woman who took care of herself. Her body was built to cradle a man. He longed to rest his head in the cleft between her breasts to gaze in wonder while her nipples peaked at his touch, to watch her give in to pleasure.

  "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."

  She raised her hand to the stitches at her breast. "Even with these?"

  "Superficial." He cupped her breast, weighing it gently in his hand, then bent and dropped a kiss to the tip.

  Dani closed her eyes as he suckled her into his mouth. She felt treasured, loved. Through slit eyes she watched him move from one side to the other. He dotted kisses to the perimeter of each, along each rib. His tongue lapped a circuit around her belly button until each breath she released came with its own tiny sound.

  She knew his destination and welcomed it. Nothing could prepare her for the reality. The first touch of his tongue there brought a cry from her throat, a groan from his. Alec pressed her to the mattress. Dani fell back, open to his tender assault.

  Anticipation had never been as supreme as this. With each caress, tension mounted. He drew it out, teasing as he had done before until she writhed beneath his mouth. He lifted her buttocks higher, wider, and took her pulsing center between his lips.

  Flames shot to every part of her body. She tensed, reveled in the freedom of the climax, and then collapsed.

  Alec shifted, easing her further on the bed. He wedged his knees between her thighs, pushing her even wider. Dani reached for him,
pulling him closer. His hand was between them. She shoved it away, finished smoothing the condom in place, and guided the swollen tip to her opening. In one thrust, she was gloriously impaled.

  Dani arched against him, urging him on. Whispered endearments accompanied each beat of his body into hers. He was bringing her with him once more. Again, pleasure washed over her. He froze, fighting for control, fighting for the chance to please her a third time.

  Her heart swelled with love. Dani was unwilling to let him make the sacrifice. She ground her hips against his, beckoning. His muscles tensed beneath her hands. Alec pressed deep. A low growl tore from him. A shudder followed. Grabbing her hips, he lifted her higher, withdrew and slammed forward again then again while the pulse of his climax throbbed against her walls.

  In the afterlove they kissed, gently, simply, and then curled together to sleep.

  "So much for slowing down," she said as she snuggled against him.

  "Impossible." He dropped a kiss to her temple. "I'll turn out the lights and be right back."

  It wasn't obsession. It was love. Alec felt it in his heart, his soul. Still, it was too soon for Dani to know that. She had just opened to him, accepted him. The last thing she needed was to be bombarded with his feelings this soon.

  He padded through her house, clicking off the lights. By the time he was done, Alec was ready to make love to her again. Slow down? They were just getting started.

  * * *

  Dani stood at the wrought iron gate with Alec watching the crowd of people shoved onto the patio of Kevin's apartment building. It was standing room only.

  Alec lifted the latch. The gate creaked open. "I should have known that Kevin would be incapable of having a little party."

  "I don't like this at all."

  "Good. Then let's leave before..."

  It was too late. Waving a frozen daiquiri, Kevin ran toward them.

  "You made it! Come on in!"

  Dani dug her fingers into Alec's arm. "You will not stray from my side. Understood?"

  Smiling, he squeezed her fingers. "I wouldn't have it any other way. Don't worry, honey. I'll make sure we don't go near the pool."

  It was an infeasible task. As much as she and Alec tried to stay on the periphery of the crowd, friends kept drawing them closer to the center. Finally, they found a safe haven at a deserted table.

  All in all Dani had to admit she was having a good time. It was nice to be a couple for a change and not have to endure people who just happened to know of a man who was available, or the well-meaning friend whose cousin was in town for the weekend. She could actually relax and enjoy herself.

  A squeal from across the courtyard turned heads that way. Kevin smiled at Dani. "I believe that would be the roses I ordered."

  Dani wrinkled her forehead in confusion. Sure, Renee loved flowers. Who didn't? But squealing was a bit of an overreaction.

  "Fifty roses," Kevin said, apparently reading her expression. He held up his glass in a toast. "One for each year I plan to be married to her."

  Smiling, Dani stretched on tiptoe for a glimpse of Renee. "You've probably got her blubbering like a baby."

  Kevin laughed. "You're just jealous."

  Dani nudged him. "No, but I do need to see the look on her face."

  "Leave some of those happy tears for me to mop up."

  Laughing, Dani hurried to find her friend and share the joy. She got no more than three steps when a man cut across her path, bumping her. Teetering on the edge of the pool, Dani flailed her arms for balance. The man spun around, apology frozen on his lips. He grabbed for her, obviously forgetting the icy drink in his hand. Dani gasped from the shock of cold against her stomach and fell.

  Alec knocked over the table and chairs to reach Dani's side. He swiped for her arm and caught air. She tumbled backward into the deep end of the pool. He kicked off his shoes, ready to jump in after her when she surfaced and swam to the ladder.

  "I thought you didn't like pools." He extended his arm to help her up.

  "I don't, but I'm not stupid enough to not know how to swim." She wrung out her clothes. Dani glanced up and frowned. "Are you all right? You look petrified." Laughing, she hugged him, and then laughed all the more when she saw his clothes were wet.

  Alec held her in a smothering embrace. He was petrified. Images plagued him. A woman was drowning, his woman. It was Dani, but it wasn't. His heart slammed against his ribs.

  Kevin's guests must have thought he was an idiot. Alec couldn't help it. He couldn't think clearly, much less make intelligent conversation.

  He was conscious of Renee rushing up, insisting they come inside, shoving towels into their arms. Alec heard it all from a distance, his movement automatic.

  The woman's name was Greta. A milkmaid. With hair the color of spun gold.

  Alec rubbed at the ache in his temple.

  Dani touched his cheek. "You're still upset."

  "Just...just a little tired."

  "Let's go home. You can take a nap."

  Good idea. He needed to rest. He would catch a few winks, then wake up and be his old self. Alec let Dani drive.

  "She is not a witch! Good God, have you all gone mad?"

  "Get the rope," someone shouted.

  "He's her consort," another shouted. "I saw them in the wood."

  Alec shook his head again. The images refused to go. Bed was more tempting than ever. He couldn't get inside the house fast enough.

  "My head's killing me, but don't let me sleep more than an hour."

  He'd make it up to her later. They'd go out to dinner. The door to the bedroom was almost closed when he heard her in the project room.

  "Hello, Octavia. You're looking beautiful this afternoon."

  He swung the door back on its hinges. "What did you say?"

  Laughing, she kissed his cheek. "I had a dream about her last night when we were supposed to be meditating. It just seems fitting to name her after that. Go take a nap. You look half dead."

  Alec stumbled into the room and shut the door behind him. He was going insane. There was no other explanation.

  * * *

  Chapter Seventeen

  Alec never thought he would be the type to seek psychiatric help. It was for other people, not him. True, he wasn't perfect and never pretended to be. But everything in his life had been pretty normal until now-childhood, school, relationships...except for this fiasco with Andrea. And then there was Dani. He never knew he could love a woman so intensely, so quickly.

  This thing with his head was ruining everything or it would if he didn't do something about it now. There was no shame in seeking help. He didn't hesitate to refer his patients. So why was it so damn hard to knock on Ira's door?

  He squared his shoulders and lifted his fist. The door swung open before Alec could make contact.

  Betty jumped back, colliding with Ira. "Dr. Edwards, I...the Reminis..."

  Alec raised his hand. "There's no need to explain. I'm here for the same reason." Not exactly true, but not false either.

  She tried to smile, but didn't quite make it. After a nod, she slipped past him and walked away.

  Ira waved Alec in, motioning to the living room arrangement in the center of his office. Alec sank into the brown recliner, kicked back the footrest, and closed his eyes.

  The leather chair next to him sighed with Ira's weight. "The Remini incident was difficult on everyone. I've seen every nurse on duty that afternoon and several of the patients. I'm not surprised that-"

  "I think I'm having a nervous breakdown, Ira."

  There was almost a full minute of silence before he replied. "You put in some killer hours here, Alec. You have for as long as I've known you. As a doctor, I know what kind of dedication it takes to get to where you are right now. If the board of directors chooses you, you'll be the youngest chief of surgery this hospital has ever had. It's not surprising the pace you put yourself under would begin to take its toll."

  "It's more than that." Alec swallowed h
ard and kept his eyes closed. He could barely bring himself to say this; looking at Ira while he did so was out of the question. "I've been having...visions...images...premonitions."

  "How so?"

  At least there was no snickering in his tone. Slowly, carefully, Alec told Ira everything. About the ring in the chair, the sculpture, Octavia and Marcus, Remini's death, and, lastly, the drowning incident.

  "And when did all this start?"

  "A little over a week ago."

  "And what happened then?"

  Alec frowned. A week would have been Friday. He had performed initial reconstruction of a baby with a cleft palate, consulted with the Utleys and the Gasters, met with the board of directors.

  "The day was routine. Busy, as usual."

  "And the night?"

  "I was going to the fund raising dinner. Then there was the accident and I came back to the hospital with Dani."

  Had that only been a week ago? Had he actually only known Dani a week? It seemed an eternity. He opened his eyes and leaned forward.

  Ira rested his chin on his hand. "Hmm...It does sound rather routine. Yet something about that day triggered these events you described. Was that your first meeting with the board?"

  "Yes, but I knew the substance of the meeting for several weeks."

  He gave an absentminded nod. "Interesting." His gaze locked onto Alec. "We can try a little hypnosis to isolate the problem, evaluate it, and put it in its own perspective."

  Alec didn't like the sound of that at all.

  "Everything will be recorded for you to listen to. I can assure you that you will remember everything when you come out of it." He raised his fingers in the Boy Scout sign. "I swear."

  "Then why can't Dani remember?" Alec asked.

  Ira looked away. "Because she chooses not too."

  "If it's that traumatic..."

  Ira shrugged. "The choice is yours."

  Suspicions lingered, but Alec was willing to give it a shot. He kicked back in the chair and plopped his arms on the rests.

  Ira drew in a slow breath to calm himself. The last piece of this particular puzzle was sitting before him. He had to proceed carefully and not lead Alec. The revelations had to come out on their own.