Page 94 of Whispers of Helena
Whatever Ruth had to do to get the job done isn’t my business. All that mattered were the papers in my hand. She turns for the door, then pauses. “I expect that hot tub to be delivered by the end of the month.”
“You got it,” I tell her.
“Who’s in the car with you?” Eli asks.
“Gregory is going to join me for a nightcap.” She lifts her chin.
“Just a drink?” Caroline teases.
She shoots Caroline a glare as she motions toward Eli, Marcel, and me. “I know these three can’t keep their noses clean, but I expect more out of you, Caroline.” She brushes the hem of her sweater down. “We’ll start with a drink, see where the evening takes us.”
“You make sure he knows if he pulls anything like he did ten years ago, he’ll have to deal with me.” Eli puffs his chest.
“You won’t do anything, old man. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Gregory is waiting. Kiran, it was so good to see you. Come into the diner this week and I’ll have pie waiting for you.”
Kiran bounces on his toes. “Okay!”
Ruth walks to her car and Eli shuts the door. I clutch the envelope in my hands.
“It’s done. The land remains ours.”
“Who did you leave it to?” Caroline’s brow pinches.
I look at the man across from me. “It’s Eli’s.”
Slumber
Helena
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8
With Kiran tuckedin for the night, I step into our bedroom, finding Silas waiting for me. The bedside lamp casts hazy shadows across his bare chest, the stark white sheets only making his olive skin look darker, more tempting.
“Come to bed, wife.” His voice is rich, his eyes gleaming as he watches me.
A slow heat unfurls inside me as I turn my back to him, my fingers slipping beneath the hem of my t-shirt. I peel it over my head and let it fall, followed by the slow descent of my jeans. The air shifts as I unhook my bra, the layers of lace sliding down my arms, making my breath hitch.
Behind me, the bed creaks. The heat of his gaze is as tangible as a touch.
“I’m growing impatient, Caroline.” His warning is quiet, and it sends a shiver down my spine.
I turn to face him. My pulse races as he absorbs my presence, his eyes growing hungry, his body taut under the sheet. I reach for the lamp to douse the light, but his voice stops me.
“Leave that on.”
A slow smirk touches my lips as I step forward, crawling onto the mattress. He lifts the sheet, and the moment I straddle him, I realize he’s bare—hard and ready.
“Today was a good day.” He smiles, rocking his hips against me.
“It was. Do you have a celebration in mind?”
“I do.” His hands cover my hips, pulling me flush against him. My breath stutters as his length presses into me, the heat of him searing through the thin fabric of my panties. A deep sound rumbles from his chest as I grind against him, teasing, testing.
His hands glide up my sides, thumbs tracing the curves of my waist before moving higher, cupping my breasts with a reverence that makes my stomach tighten. I exhale sharply as his mouth finds me, lips and tongue claiming my skin, sucking, tasting.
The day fades away, dissolving into nothing but this. His touch, his breath, his need.
