She wrapped her arms around his neck and claimed his mouth. Each thrust of her tongue mimicked the movement of the most adept part of his anatomy. The temptation to rush almost overwhelmed her, but she maintained the pace. Strong hands settled on her buttocks to massage the soft flesh, to assist with each delicious slide.
If only they could spend every night like this. If only she could spend an eternity joined with him. Love caused her heart to swell; love caused the blood to pool hot and heavy between her legs. Love caused the tears to form, caused the pain in her throat.
Ivana kissed him one last time, licked his lips, tasted the essence of her one true mate. “Look at me, Leo.” She could feel the light pulling her forward. Soon she would be riding high on a wave of ecstasy.
Beneath hooded lids, he gazed into her eyes. “I’ll never leave you,” he groaned as his movements grew more frantic.
“Know that I … I will be with you always.”
“Oh, God.” His head fell back, and he closed his eyes. “This is heaven.”
“Look at me,” she whispered, contracting the muscles in her core.
He obeyed. They stared at each other, their silent communication revealing all that they felt in their hearts. Their release burst brightly, a glittering shower of pure love raining down upon them. If she lived a thousand lifetimes, no other man would ever make her feel so complete.
Ivana groaned when he withdrew, the sensation reminding her that they must soon part. They collapsed on the bed, and he pulled her into an embrace. Ivana put her head on his chest to listen to the rhythmical sound of his breathing. The dusting of dark hair tickled her cheek, and she inhaled deeply as his intoxicating masculine scent enveloped her. If she spent the rest of her days in the fiery pits of Hell, this moment would be enough to sustain her.
She closed her eyes to join him in feigned slumber, for sleep was a pleasure long since denied them. With her mind relaxed and body sated she could forget all about her troubles. In the blissful state, it was easy to imagine how wonderful it would be to spend every day in his arms.
Ivana.
Her name drifted into her thoughts, and she wondered if Leo had called out to her.
I am home, Ivana. I have returned to you.
The words hit her like the sudden slash of a whip: hard, quick, the sharp pain causing her to jump up from the bed.
“No!” she cried, unable to suppress the depths of her despair. “It can’t be true. Not now. Not yet.”
Leo opened his eyes with a start. “What … what is it?”
Naked, she scampered from the bed and raced over to the window, pushing her nose to the pane. Narrowing her gaze, she stared out into the night. The light from the full moon cut through the mist to cast an eerie silver sheen over the treetops. But she did not have to see anything to know that the Devil was nearing her door. The rattling of carriage wheels echoed through the valley, the sound a menacing warning of evil approaching.
She swung around to face Leo, knowing that her countenance reflected the horror that would soon unfold. “Quick. Quick. You must leave.” She could barely speak, barely breathe. “You must leave now and take your friends far away from this place.”
With a frown marring his handsome brow, Leo came to stand at her side, peered through the window at the carriage rumbling towards the bridge. “What is it, Ivana?”
“He has come home, Leo.” She fell to the floor in a terrified heap, the muscles in her legs no longer able to support her weight.
“Who, Ivana?” Leo pulled her up and held her tight, stroked her hair, but nothing could help soothe her fears now. “It is Nikolai. He has come home. You must leave. You must go now.”
“Who is he, Ivana?”
A sob burst from her lips. “Nikolai is my husband.”
Chapter 14
“Your husband!” Leo shook his head. He should have been shocked, utterly dumbfounded. But he had always known there was a missing piece of the puzzle, another missing memory waiting to be discovered.
Ivana tugged at his arm. “Please, Leo. You must go. He cannot find you here again.”
“Again?”
“He will not let you live this time.” She clasped his face roughly between her palms, kissed him ten times or more in quick succession. His cheek felt damp from her tears. “Go. You must leave before it is too late.” She ran her hands over the muscles in his chest before pushing him back towards the door. “I love you.”
Leo stood and watched her thrust her arms into her robe, fumble with the rope ties, and straighten the sheets on the bed.
How could she expect him to leave after all that had happened between them? He had come to Bavaria expecting to die. To him, death was by far the more preferable option to spending a life alone.