Author's note: same disclaimers as previous chapters.
Chapter 14Caitlin tossed a couple bottles of water and apples into a tote bag and sat down at the kitchen table to slip on her Nike's and scrunch down her light blue socks. When finished she stood, smoothing the blue polo-style knit dress made of cotton and spandex and straightened the open collar.
"Hey! Hurry up, slowpoke," Caitlin yelled to Frank.
"My, my, your impatience is showing." He grinned. He gazed at her appreciatively, taking in her beauty. "So, where are we headed? A walk on the beach?"
Caitlin shook her head. "We will be walking, but not on the beach. I have someplace special I'd like to show you." She slung the tote bag onto her shoulder and headed for the front door. "You coming?" She held her hand out to Frank.
When they reached the end of the driveway, Caitlin pointed across the small two-lane road. "Over there." When his eyes followed the direction she indicated, she explained, "I made a small path in the thicket. Come on!" After checking the road, she ran across, pulling Frank with her.
He watched as she pulled a thick curtain of vines and branches away to reveal the hidden path. After they passed through the opening, she pulled the vines back into place. "Why the secrecy, angel?"
Her eyebrow quirked at the use of the endearment he continued to call her. She smiled, and wondered if he knew he was using it or if it was a subconscious act. Either way, she enjoyed the sound of it. "These woods are part of my property. I've always been afraid if someone found this path, they would destroy this place."
He didn't comment and she could tell he was curious where they were headed. Caitlin took his hand and walked ahead of him until the path widened and they could walk side by side. He was back to the somber man she had first encountered and she wondered what was going through his mind.
She studied him while he was preoccupied with his thoughts. He wore a black mesh cotton polo shirt tucked into tight jeans that strained against the bulging muscles of his thighs. She marveled at how he always managed to look sexy no matter what he wore. Moving her gaze to his handsome face, she saw his brow carried a deep furrow, his lips were pursed, and his hand held hers so tight, she almost yelped with pain.
"How much further," he asked. He gazed down at Caitlin knowing she had been scrutinizing him. He would have to share his thoughts with her soon, but it was something he dreaded.
"Not too much," she said as she came to a halt. "Are you okay? Getting tired?" She looked him over from his shortly cropped black hair to the Rockports on his feet.
He laughed. "No, I'm fine." He kissed the tip of her nose. "Stop worrying."
She nodded and began walking again. "Are you going to tell me what's bothering you?"
He turned his head sharply. "You're learning to read me." He shook his head. "That's not a good thing."
"Says you," Caitlin argued. "You're opaque, no one can read you. I know only that you're preoccupied." Changing the subject, she swept her arm around, "Isn't it beautiful here?"
The area was surrounded by a variety of trees, including Ash, Birch, Dogwood, Maple, Oak and an occasional Tamarack. Frank listened to Caitlin as she pointed out the different varieties.
"I have to admit, I haven't seen this many trees in some time." He grinned at her.
She nodded, not seeing that he was amused by the schoolmarm lilt in her voice as she told him about the foliage. "Wait until you see what's just beyond this hill."
"Caitlin!" He yelled as she took off running. When he caught up to her she was standing amid a vast expanse of wildflowers not far from the bank of a small stream.
"Isn't this wonderful?" She cried, twirling about until she became dizzy.
He laughed as he caught her in his arms. "Sometimes you are more like a child than a woman."
The smile left her face and she pushed out of his embrace. "Sorry for not being seriously moody, snobbish and stiff. If that's what you prefer, look elsewhere."
Caitlin moved away from him and kneeled to run her fingers lightly over the Chokecherry flowers that littered the ground. She drew in a deep breath to steady her as she felt Frank's hands about her waist.
"That's not what I meant, at all." He turned her to face him and lightly grazed her cheek with his knuckles. "You are refreshing in the fact that you are not pretentious. You'll never know how rare that it is my life."
Caitlin nodded, "No, I guess I'll never know that." She would never really know anything about his life. She sighed and moved away. "I've never brought anyone here," she told him absentmindedly.
"Why me?" he asked earnestly. He really screwed up, kicking himself mentally. With one stupid remark she closed herself off to him and he wasn't sure how to fix it.
She shrugged. "Thought you might enjoy it. Or maybe, I was hoping you would let me in a little bit. This place has a magical quality, I thought it might relax you."
Donovan leaned against a tree, watching her as she walked closer to the stream. He sighed heavily, he dreaded this, but now was the time to tell her. "While you were getting dressed this morning, I used your computer to access my Justice Department account to send word to the Bangor Police Chief what happened. It's time for me to go back."
"I understand." Caitlin's back arched as she lifted her hands to run her fingers through her hair. Her hands dropped to her sides as she turned to face him, and she fought to hold back the tears in her eyes.
She ran to him, his outstretched arms were all the invitation she needed. Her arms flew around his neck, her lips seeking his in desperation, desperation they both felt. Their need, their passion and their uncertainty of the future caused the urgent demand in the kiss as they explored each other's mouth, stoking the flames of desire and need.
Donovan pulled back, gasping for air, his heart beating wildly in his chest. Caitlin pressed her face into his shoulder in an attempt to hide the tears that spilled down her cheeks. "Angel," he whispered, placing a finger under her chin to raise her head. "I can't make you any promises," he told her softly, his lips touching hers.
"I don't want promises," she cried, "I want you. I told myself it would be all right, that I could let you go." She shook her head; she was doing exactly what she swore she wouldn't. No, no, no, she told herself, it's time to let go.
Caitlin laughed miserably, "Listen to me. 'Let you go' as if you belong to me. I'm sorry, I don't know what's come over me." When she finally allowed herself to look into his eyes, there was no mistaking what he felt. He felt as wretched as she did and she wasn't making this any easier.
"Love me, Frank," Caitlin whispered, "just one more time before you go."
Caitlin's plea hit him at his very soul. He turned them, pushing Caitlin up against the tree. Her eyes widened when he lifted her by the waist. "Wrap your legs around me," he instructed her thickly. Without question, she did as he told her. She grasped him by the shoulders and wrapped her legs around his hips. He supported her, a strong hand firmly held her buttocks and with the other he unfastened his jeans, then moved her panties to the side and entered her with force.
She leaned back, her heat building with each wild thrust Frank gave, sending her soaring. She was barely aware of the bark from the giant Oak biting into her back as she reveled in the savagery of his lovemaking.
"Angel," he moaned, "you feel so good." He new he couldn't hold out much longer, he was ready to burst inside her velvety sheath, each thrust demanding release.
"Mmmm...yes..." she murmured. She was lost in bliss, the throbbing ache building, building until she cried out. "Oh, yes, Frank, yes!" She was soaring, riding the waves that sent her to into the clouds above.
When he heard Caitlin's cry, he let go, and with one final thrust he spilled his seed within her. He supported her as she collapsed into his embrace and they held each other, afraid to let the moment end.
Caitlin cupped his face with her hands and gazed into loving eyes. "I..." she trailed off, shaking her head.
Frank nodded, as if he knew what she wanted to say. He gently lowered her to the ground and kissed her briefly. "I love you, too, angel." His gaze was steady as he waited for her reaction.
She gasped and her eyes grew wide. "I never let myself believe you would love me, but oh, how I do love you!" She sobbed, releasing the heartache she had harbored over her feelings.
"I don't know what we'll do, but together we'll work it out," he assured her as he kissed her cheeks, her nose and then devoured her lips. "I still have to leave, but I will be back for you. I can't live without you."
"Nor me, without you," she whispered, their lips still touching.
"I thought I could," he continued to confess his feelings to her, "and when I tried, it felt as if my heart had been ripped from my chest." He felt her shudder as he nuzzled her neck.
"Darling, we'll find a way." She threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. A contented sigh escaped her as she felt Frank's loving hand stroke her hair. They would find a way.
To be continued...