Journey clawed at the bed covers as his thrusts jarred her whole body. A moan escaped her lips. She loved this. She loved him. Pushing back, she encouraged him to give her more.
Reno bucked his hips. In. Out. In. Out. Being with her was as close to heaven as he might ever get. Needing more contact, he lay forward, bracing himself on one arm as his body made contact with hers. “Like this?”
“Yes. God, yes.” She threw her head back and let out a keening scream.
Reno smiled as he licked a pattern on her back. He hoped her aunt was asleep. “Good girl.”
“Touch my breasts. They need you.”
Her request almost triggered his release. “I like it when you tell me what you need.” Knowing she wanted him, knowing she craved his touch was a powerful aphrodisiac. Still bracing himself so he could move freely, he bought his free hand beneath her to fondle her breasts. “I love your tits,” he confessed as he massaged them. Fondling. Kneading. Pulling at the nipples.
“Reno!”
They’d seemed to just be started. He felt he could do this all night long…until she began to moan and shake, her sweet place tightening around him like a vise. “Oh, baby. My baby.” He wrapped his arms around her like two steel bands and hammered into her like there was no tomorrow. As his lifeforce jetted from his body, words tumbled from his lips. “I love you, Sojourner. I love you more than anything.” His voice dropped to a whisper as his vow changed to a prayer. “I want her with me forever. Please, don’t make me give her up.”
Journey couldn’t tell what he was saying. All she knew was how he made her feel. Loved. “Hold me.”
“Gladly. Just give me a moment.” He left the bed to step into the bathroom. He needed to rid himself of the condom he’d donned to protect her.
“Hurry.” She curled on her side and let out a long, satisfied sigh.
Tap! Tap!
“Journey!”
Journey shot up in bed. “Aunt Myra?”
Before she knew it, the door was open, and Myra was peering into the room. “Did you hear something?”
“No. What?” She held the sheet to her very naked breasts.
“I don’t know. Sounded like caterwauling cats.”
“No. I didn’t hear a thing.”
Myra nodded, looking around the room one more time. “All right. Sleep well.”
She flopped back on the bed. “That was close. I don’t think she suspected anything. Do you?”
Reno came sauntering out to join her, picking up his briefs from the floor right in front of the door. He twirled them on the end of his finger. “Nah. I’m sure she didn’t suspect a thing.”
Journey started giggling. “I don’t care. Come back to bed.”
Reno gladly obliged, gathering her into his arms. “Caterwauling cats? Huh.”
Giggling harder, Journey wiggled until she was lying on top of his big, hard body. “I don’t think I sounded like that, do you?”
“No. I love the sounds you make.” He nipped her neck. “Makes me hard.”
Journey’s mouth dropped open as she smiled with delight. She could feel his arousal as it nestled against her. “Again?”
“If you don’t mind.”
Journey didn’t mind at all.
* * *
Early the next morning Lou found Journey alone in the sunroom. “Where are the others?”
“Reno is exercising Traveler and Myra has a hair appointment in Burnet. She took the dogs with her.”
Lou frowned as she drew close to sit next to Journey as she worked on a batch of healing cream. “Burnet is a long way to go for a hair appointment.”
“Her favorite beautician retired, but she does Aunt Myra in her home. They let their dogs play together and gossip for half a day.”
“What are you working on? Some magical concoction?”
“First aid cream. Works great on burns, cuts, scrapes, whatever ails you.” She lined up the ingredients. “See, a little olive oil, some coconut oil, 10 drops of lavender, 10 drops of calendula, and 20 drops of tea tree.”
Lou could read Journey like a book. “Something’s bothering you and I don’t think your first aid cream is going to help. Want to talk about it?”
Journey pushed away from the table and bent her head to cry. “I just feel like things are spinning out of control. Reno asked me to stay here when he leaves.”
“Oh, honey.” Lou gathered her close for a hug. “I know it’s hard, but he’s right. This is just too big of a risk to take.”
“No, it’s not.” Journey argued. “You don’t understand what he means to me. I don’t want to live if I can’t be with him.”
Lou didn’t know what to say. “I guess you two will just have to work it out. I can only give you my advice.”
Journey nodded. “I know. Reno has another idea anyway. One that’s just as dangerous.”
“What would that be?”
“He said he’d come back to me. After he completes what he needs to do, expose Kinsella’s gang, and make sure Cole walks free – he said he’d come back through the portal one last time.”
Lou acted like she didn’t know what to say. “He loves you.”
“What aren’t you saying, Lou?”
“I’m not saying anything. I just don’t want you to get your hopes up. We’ve witnessed one miracle and we’re hoping for another one. Expecting three is pushing the envelope. This portal business isn’t a reliable mode of transportation, Journey. We haven’t harnessed this ability. I don’t think you should put much hope in such a dream.”
Journey wanted to argue. “Why did you have to tell me that?” She wanted to throw things. Instead, she took her friend by the hand to
