Page 22 of Whispers of the Elderoak

She shrugged. “I doubt it.”

Henry laughed and pulled her down the aisle and they resumed their shopping. “I guess we’ll have to see about that.”

The restof the evening had gone wonderfully, Ava and Henry giggling throughout the ridiculous haunted house. Those in charge had made sure it wasn’t too scary, allowing even the youngest children to participate, causing it to be hilarious rather than terrifying.

At one point, the diner owner, Mel, had barged through a false wall bellowing, “Leave this place!” covered in spaghetti and meatballs. Ava had laughed so hard she had tears streaming down her face and Henry was right there along with her, shouting, “Beware of the spaghetti monster!” as they continued down the hallway.

Though Ava enjoyed the rest of the festival, she couldn’t stop thinking about what had transpired in the tent with the fortune teller. The woman spoke about the book and the prophecy and Ava knew it couldn’t be a coincidence. But she still didn’t understand what any of it meant.

They pulled into the driveway, and Henry walked her to her front door.

She stopped and turned toward him. “Do you want to come in?”

The words had come out before she even had a chance to think about it. With him around, there was no chance to even process what she wanted to do. Because the only thing she wanted was him.

He crept closer and looked down at her, eyes full of need. “Yes,” he rasped.

She could barely get the keys in the door as she trembled with anticipation, but she was able to get it open and tossed her purse onto the entry table as the door slammed behind them.

The moment she turned around, Henry’s lips were upon hers, hands gripping her hips and pulling her closer. The kiss went on, intensifying and filling Ava with uncontrollable desire as she ran her fingers through his hair. Henry pulled away and placed light kisses down her jaw, her throat, the place where her shoulder met her neck. He continued lower, kissing below her clavicle. She moaned, needing more. He continued up the other side and met her lips again, his hand now cupping her breast over her sweater.

He reached down and pulled the sweater over her head, tossing it to the ground and she followed suit, removing his shirt and revealing his lithe muscled torso. He looked down at her black lace bra and hummed, running his fingers down the straps before grasping her breasts again.

“Upstairs,” she ordered.

He briskly picked her up, hands under her thighs as she wrapped her legs around him. He carried her up the stairs attempting to steal kisses along the way as she looped her hands over his neck. They entered the bedroom and Henry laid her on the crisp sheets as he stood before her.

The next thing Ava knew, the rest of their clothes were flying across the room and Henry was upon her. His palms moved along her soft curves, the heat of his touch sending shivers over her as he explored every inch.

She relished the warmth of his hands as he dragged the tip of his nose along her jaw and then kissed her again. Ava had never known this kind of hunger. As if she was starving and would never be satiated.

Her breath caught as he moved closer and they joined, hisheaviness pressed against her body. Her longing for intimacy and pleasure overrode any semblance of practicality left and she moved with him.

Faster, harder, their mouths full of teeth and tongue, they frantically kissed as pressure began to build. She arched against him as waves of pleasure washed over her and she gasped, clinging to him in desperation as she lost herself in the fog of lust.

8

“Ava! Ava wake up!” Someone was shaking her.

Opening her eyes, she turned and saw Henry’s face. “I think you were having a nightmare,” he said, concerned. “Are you okay?”

She sat up and looked around to clear her mind. She was not in the forest. She was at home, in her bed. Henry was with her. Realizing she was safe, she looked at him. “I’m fine.”

“What were you dreaming about?” he asked, brushing the hair from her face.

“Just a bad dream about my mom. That happens sometimes. I’m fine,” she answered.

But it had been another one of those strange dreams about running through the woods toward the glowing tree and the man calling her name. Why did she lie to him? Unsure of why she felt the need for dishonesty, she knew for some reason she didn’t want to tell him about her recurring dreams. They felt too important, too personal.

It had been a couple of weeks since the Halloween festival and Henry had gotten in the habit of spending the nightfrequently. Their relationship was progressing rather quickly, and he had proven to be a kind and attentive boyfriend.

She wasn’t initially looking for a relationship. She wanted a fling, some fun. Someone to flirt with and maybe companionship, but over the last few weeks she was feeling drawn to him. As if she couldn’t stop herself from wanting to be in his presence, needing to be around him. He radiated sensuality. Underneath the handyman persona was a suave man, smooth-talking until she became a puddle of nerves.

She’d never experienced anything like it.

It came so easily for them. They never argued; never even got irritated with each other. He was always kind to her; helping her fix things around the house and providing a comforting presence. And the sex. She’d never known pleasure like that before. Every time he kissed her it was as if she lost control of herself and was pulled into a haze of desire. It was almost too easy.

He pulled her to him, and she settled onto his chest as he stroked her hair. “Are you sure you’re alright? You’re having nightmares a lot.”

---