Page 60 of Joshua's Mistake
With every word his teacher uttered Joshua’s rage at Banta grew. If he survived with or without Tessa, he would make it his purpose to kill Troth Banta and send him to hell.
First, he had to save Tessa. His fear of losing her curled into a tight ball in his gut. He tried to stand. Pain shot from the arch of his foot up his calf as if a knife had pierced his body. “I have to get her out of there.”
Kane’s hand pressed firmly on his shoulder. “First you have to drink, eat and sleep for a few hours. Then you’ll go back.”
Jon had been standing quietly by the door since helping Joshua to the couch. “I’m going to send for some more men to stand guard. I don’t like the sound of any of this and we are too exposed out here.”
Adianca nodded her approval. “We will sleep two hours and then you will find your woman and bring her back.”
In an hour’s time Joshua had eaten a small meal and drank enough to ease the cramping a bit. Tessa remained on the couch, Joshua slid in behind her and pulled her back onto his chest. Her head rested on his shoulder and he leaned back against the overstuffed pillow.
Sleep claimed him immediately. When he woke he wasn’t sure where he was. It took him a moment to remember, but he knew immediately the woman cradled in his arms was Tessa. He kissed the top of her head.
“Drink this.” Kane handed him a cup.
He drank down the sports drink. “You okay?” he asked his brother.
“Other than the fact that you scared the shit out of me. Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Banta will have tracked us. He must be getting close by now. I hadn’t counted on this taking so long.”
“I know. Nothing we can do about it, Josh. Just have to see it through and trust.”
“Trust is not something that comes easy to a Lakeland.”
Kane smiled. “No, but what choice do we have?”
He didn’t answer. They both knew there was no other choice. His brother didn’t even know Tessa and yet, because of the bond the brothers shared, Kane knew Joshua would never abandon her. Joshua knew the thought never even crossed Kane’s mind. If they did nothing Tessa would die. Joshua couldn’t accept that. She was going to live even if he had to trade his life for hers.
* * *
Once again, the chanting allowed him to focus. Joshua’s mind slid through the veil between worlds with ease. He knew he had to work fast. His body couldn’t take much more abuse and it wouldn’t do any good to die and leave them both trapped on the wrong side of the spirit world.
Knowing what to look for made finding her easier this time. He heard the crying almost immediately. It took all of his will not to become distracted by Fear. Just as the weeping faded he heard the first crash of glass shattering. He pressed forward, not allowing the negative emotions to block him as they had before. There was no sign of Sorrow. Perhaps he had done some good or perhaps that part of Tessa couldn’t take any more. He couldn’t dwell on it. He had to find the part of Tessa brave enough to come back with him.
A growl broke the silence. It sounded as if a large cat might be on the prowl. Joshua took a defensive position and looked around for a cougar or similar animal. He discovered a patch of lush jungle and a wild-eyed Tessa stalking him from the shadows. Gloriously naked she watched and countered his moves.
His body betrayed him, reacting to her curves instead of remaining focused on his task. He closed the gap slowly. This was not his Tessa, at least not entirely. She needed to be treated with caution as if she were a wild beast who might attack at the least provocation.
“Tessa, what are you doing?”
She didn’t answer with words. A low, guttural sound rumbled from her as her body hunched and reared back as if she were a snake coiling for the strike. She darted toward him and he braced himself for the impact, knowing he would have to take whatever violence she doled out. He would never strike back, not even in the spirit world. Sparring was one thing, but this Tessa was not playing a game. He saw only primal instincts in her eyes, void of reasoning. At the moment it looked as if her instincts were telling her to knock him down.
The blow never came. Stopping just short of him, she sniffed his neck and rubbed her body against his from hip to chest. He couldn’t help the swell of his cock as her tits pressed against his torso and her lips found the sensitive spot behind his ear.
Unable to stop himself he wrapped his arms around her, breathed in her warm, musky scent. She made a sound akin to a purr and nibbled on the side of his neck. His body was on fire. Everything about this Tessa was sexual. He wasn’t even sure she was capable of speech, but she knew what she wanted.
Her strong hands tugged at his clothes and in an instant, they disappeared. He knew it was his own desire that had discarded the wardrobe, but he couldn’t stop his need. The first time he’d held her she’d been like a drug he wanted to take continuously. This was his opportunity. He could stay here in the spirit world and make love to Tessa for all eternity.
Her body writhed against his. She grunted and moaned with pleasure as his fingers dug into the flesh of her ass and pulled her pussy tight against his cock.
His mouth found hers and he devoured her, trapping her with one hand tightly threaded through her hair. She gripped him and wrapped her legs around his hips. Thrusting and pushing to get him inside her. Tessa’s mouth took all the pleasure. Her arms twined around his head and shoulders.
“Tessa. Tell me you need me here in this place.”
No answer, only purring and growling.
His cock demanded he take the offer of her body. His desires wanted him to stay and rejoice in her fabulous body infinitely. His heart shouted,This is not your Tessa. Not all of her.
