His hand hovered over her hip as his gaze traveled upwards, finally meeting her eyes. "And? I think that's kind of the point of this whole thing, isn't it? Solstice was a fertility rite, if I remember my history correctly."
Sabrina frowned. "I'm not on the pill," she said, a bit more firmly, inhaling sharply when his hand moved down her thigh, slipping up underneath the denim of her skirt to brush against her bare leg.
"I can live with the consequences," he said, kneeling before her, his other hand sliding her zipper down.
Sabrina leaned up on her elbows, floored. "So, if I were to get pregnant by what happens here, you'd what?"
Patrick leaned forward, brushing a kiss against the back of her knee. "I take my responsibilities seriously, Sabrina. If you get pregnant, you won't be alone."
Her mouth dropped open and she stared, speechless.
He began to chuckle. "Surprise you?"
Sabrina nodded, moaning when he began kissing his way up her thigh. Big hands framed her hips, pulling her skirt down her legs. He stood once more, his gaze never leaving hers as he began to undress, his clothing dropping beside them in a growing pile.
Her head lifted and she watched as he revealed more and more skin. Dark, curling hair covered his chest, a thick trail that narrowed as it went down his stomach, spreading out once more to frame the thick, heavy length of his cock. He looked like a god, all muscles and tanned skin and so overtly masculine. His big hand curled around his length, stroking lightly—one of the most erotic things she'd ever seen in her life. Liquid heat rushed through her, pooling at her center as she shifted restlessly on the altar. It was soft and warm, far softer than stone should have been, almost like a nest of down feathers.
With unsteady hands, she pushed herself up, grasping the edge of her top and pulled it up and over her head with one smooth motion, then dropping it onto the pile. His eyes darkened and they focused on the tight nubs of her nipples pressing against the nearly sheer material of her bra.
Reaching behind her, she undid the clasp and shrugged her shoulders, letting the material fall away. A flush crept up her neck, but she forced herself to meet his gaze, rising up on her knees as her fingers hooked into the edge of the elastic band of her panties.
"Don't stop," he said hoarsely, his gaze transfixed on the thatch of reddish curls at the juncture of her thighs, the thin cotton hiding nothing.
Sabrina bit her lip and hesitated briefly before pulling them down and off, tossing them onto the pile of clothing.
Atop her before she could even take a breath; he pressed her back against the soft cloth, his hands ghosting over her as he captured her lips in a searing kiss.
Her body arched into his, her awareness heightened to a fever pitch. The slightly rough rasp of his legs against hers, the brush of his chest against her already tightly aroused nipples, the heat of his mouth as he trailed kisses down her throat.
Her hands wove into his hair, tugging on it when his lips closed over her nipple, laving it with his tongue. His hand drifted down her body, delving into the wet curls to stroke against her clit as he bit down gently.
"Patrick!" Sabrina shrieked, pleasure racing through her.
She shifted restlessly against him, his heavy body pinning her down as he moved lower, pressing kisses to her stomach, the insides of her thighs.
"Oh, Goddess," she sobbed when his mouth closed over her, his tongue flicking against the erect nub as one thick finger slid into her wet heat, stretching her.
So much like her vision, yet different. But everything she'd imagined it could be, and more. The love she'd had for him in the past filled her, overlaid by the soul deep knowledge that everything happened exactly as it should. He was hers and she was his, anything else was untenable. They belonged to each other, body and soul, two halves of a whole reunited once more. Deeper than love, undefinable by mere words.
Her hips rocked upwards in time with the liquid stroke of his tongue, tension building within her. Fingers of fire danced along her veins as he teased her, finger rasping against her g-spot with every thrust. Her body tightened, her nails digging into the firm muscles of his back as the flame consumed her, finally exploding in a shower of bliss that raced through her body, leaving her trembling and quivering beneath him.
He rose, guiding his cock to her entrance and her eyes fluttered open, her gaze meeting his. Bending down, he kissed her as he thrust deep, stilling as their hips met.
Tears pricked her eyes as her body welcomed him. Every bit as good as she remembered from when they'd been together in this time and again. The memories were lush and sensual, but this was so much more. He filled her, so full, her slick sheath stretched around him. Lifting her arms, she curled them around his neck, kissing him back fiercely and he began to move, long, slow, heavy strokes that had her writhing again.
His mouth closed over her leaping pulse, sucking on it hard as he moved faster, body pumping against hers when she arched to meet him. His arms trembled as he rose above her, hips flashing hard against her own. Her head dropped back and his name tumbled from her lips as the bliss washed over her once more.
He buried his face in her neck, groaning her name as he came. Sabrina's arms were wrapped tightly around his back, pulling him closer, and they each fought for breath.
Outside of the enclosure, hidden in the dark depths of the barrow, the goddess and her companion watched the lovers consummate the ritual.
The dark haired goddess smiled in satisfaction. "Finally," she said, shaking her head. "I've never seen a woman so stubborn."
"My love, it has been this way since the dawning of time, she shares your traits, after all."
She narrowed her gaze, which only made him laugh. Swatting at his arm, her lips twisted into a soft pout. "Choosing them jeopardized your future."
"And yet, they followed through. I have been reborn through their love." He came over to her, pulling her into his arms. "Are you happy, love?"
She turned to face him, nodding. "Now that they've completed the ritual and secured your return, yes. Out of all of the ones chosen, they were always one of my favorites."
"Mine too, she reminds me of you," Cernunnos said, nuzzling her cheek.
"Your time grows short, my love," she whispered, her hand caressing his cheek.
He nodded, pulling away from her regretfully. "Until we meet again,
Mavourneen
," he said, his form already shimmering, "at the fruitful harvest."
With one last lingering look, he disappeared, leaving her standing alone in the small stone chamber. Turning around, she looked back at the lovers entwined on the altar, a soft smile on her face. "Blessings," she whispered before disappearing.
Sabrina heard the soft whisper of the goddess and smiled, curling closer to Patrick, his hand covering her hip as sleep overtook them.
* * * *
Sabrina stretched, like a cat awakening after a good, long nap, her eyes blinking open slowly. Long, tanned fingers drifted down her arm, skimming softly against her skin. She turned to face Patrick.
He smiled, his hand sliding down to curl around her hip. "Hi," he said softly.
"Hi, yourself," she said, giggling.
"What's funny?"
Sabrina shook her head, consumed by a fit of almost hysterical laughter, the absurdity of the entire situation finally hitting her.
"I'm sorry," she gasped, struggling to quell the laughter. "It's just so… awkward."
He chuckled, nodding. "It is that."
Sabrina swallowed, forcibly stifling the giggles that still threatened to consume her. "So…"
He shook his head. "Let me guess the rest of that sentence. What happens next?"
She nodded, biting her lip to keep the mirth that wanted to erupt contained.
He rolled towards her so they were face to face. "My life is the same, Brina. I'm going to be photographed, can you trust me?"
She bit her lip, all thoughts of laughter fled. "I'd like the chance to try."
His lips curved into a grin. "I can't ask more than that. How about we take it one day at a time, does that work for you?"
She nodded slowly. "But, I live in the States, and you live… here?"
Patrick leaned close, kissing her gently. "We'll work it out, you'll see. However, as nice as this is, being here with you, I think we should get dressed and see if the powers that brought us here are willing to let us go."
"Oh! I didn't even think about that." She frowned, pushing away from him to sit up, and glanced around at the barrow.
It still looked the same, the opening in the rock wall to their left, but it felt different. The charged expectancy of earlier had gone, being replaced with a feeling of sated contentment, as if the very act of consummation had set things right with the world again. She swung her legs over the side of the stone altar, wincing slightly as muscles she'd never paid much attention to in the last five years let her know loud and clear they were there and sore.
Turning her head, she looked at Patrick over her shoulder. "It feels different."
He stood up, reaching for his shorts and boxers, slipping them on before nodding. "It does. I think we did what we were supposed to, completed the circle."
Sabrina smiled and reached for the skirt he held out to her. Turning her back to him, she found her panties near the altar and slipped them on before stepping into the skirt, pulling it up and fastening it. Picking up her shirt and bra, she put them on quickly, spinning back around to find him watching her. "I meant what I said last night, and this morning, about being there."
"Good to know," she said softly. "And I really mean that, I'm not just mouthing platitudes to let you off the hook."
Patrick laughed heartily. "I've missed your sense of humor," he said, "although you didn't give me many chances to experience it, back in the day."
"You might want to run now," she deadpanned.
He closed the distance between them quickly, pulling her into his arms. "Not a chance. I lost you once, Sabrina; I'm not losing you again. I'm afraid you're stuck with me for a while."
She looked up at him as she slipped her arms around his waist, snuggling closer. "A while?"
"For as long as you'll have me."
"One day at a time, right?" she asked, laying her head against his chest.
"One day at a time." He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Now, let's get out of here."
T
he
E
nd
About the Author
Wow, where to start? I've written in some form since I was about nine, crafting my first book on an old typewriter that my dad brought home for me one day. I don't think he realized what a gift he gave me. Before that typewriter, I was filling any paper I could find with longhand, telling the stories of the characters that lived in my head. That very first novel is thankfully buried in a box in my mom's basement, but it did teach me a lot about what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
When I'm not living out the lives of the fascinating characters that live in my head, I can be found studying web design and working on my MBA in Marketing. I'm also a mom, so I have managed to develop some really awesome time management skills - no really, I write after my kids go to bed and on the weekends, just like everyone else I know does. Yes, my house is a mess, but at least I manage to put hot food on the table every night. My kids seem to think that's a good enough trade off.
Website
www.angelaskaggs.com
Email
Also by Angela Skaggs
Available from
Silver Publishing
In Search Of: Fantasy Fulfilled
Fated
Available from
Ellipses Press, Ltd.
Finding Grace
FURLOUGH 99
Varina: Innocence Lost
Tayn: Promises Kept (coming soon)