Free In the Lord's Embrace by Killian McRae Page B

to read and write by her fifth birthday? And I wouldn’t put it past… her… to…”
     
    Maeve ’s voi ce trailed off as she took in August’s pained expression. No, he had not known that. He had not been with Augusta when she turned five, or even four. He had been denied.
     
    “Did I know…?” Gnash ing his teeth, he arose and kicked the chair. August refused to take out his frustration on Maeve, and yet, an outlet was needed .
     
    Thou gh frightened, she rushed to his side, her apologies preceding her.
     
    “August , I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up the… I just… If I could undo it, August , I swear I would.”
     
    Her hands wound around his a rms, an attempt to keep his attention locked to her . August met her pleading stare with a huff, and found him self instantly entranced by the nearness of her lips. How quickly passions of rage could be alleviated by passions of the flesh.
     
    Despi te their reunio n and the joy it had brought to be ag ain in each other’s company, he and Maeve foun d the physical expression of that love no longer as easy to come by as once it had been. When lived they together in England, a simple accidental brush of her hand against his could escalate in mere minutes to naked bo dies writhing, be it in their bed or in the pantry. Now, August could ba rely more than kiss her, and Maeve would seize against his lips .  She repeatedly assured him it was not because she did not want to make love, but simply that she couldn ’t yet take comfort , weighed down by the guilt for all her short-sighted actions.
     
    August gave her the time she needed . It did not, however, dampen his desire. Each night he lay beside her sleeping f orm, yearning to touch her, but always holding back. On occasion in her slumber , she would roll over to hold him , her leg unconsciously hitching over the manifestation of his longing . Still, he withheld, but each night his hunger grew .
     
    August reminded himself, this was the surrender. He would give him self complete ly to her, in whatever way she desired , even if it was merely this .
     
    But at this moment, feeling so powerless, he needed to taste her. August’s hands flew to her shoulders as he closed the distance and pressed his lips hard to hers.  The shift in focus left Maeve bewildered , but after a few moments of his mouth moving over hers, August felt her ease , her lips gently working back under his, mirroring of his yearning . Pleased with the reception, his hands gently circled around, attempting to u nbutton her blouse and make accessible that which had been denied for too long.
     
    “August, stop. ” Maeve pulled away , her tone breathy and wanton.
     
    August grimaced despite lecturing himself to heed her wishes. “Maeve , please. I want you so badly. It’ s been months , darling . Why can’t we… Why can’t we get over this?”
     
    Her body turned completely from his. “It needs to be real, August . I need it to be complete.”
     
    She walk ed away as August sat perplexed at what he had but still had not given her.
     
     
    “Do you suppose the moon ever gets lonely?” Augusta asked as they sat outsid e on an unseasonably warm night early in April .
     
    Winter withdrew, but only from the air. And each day, August feared the cold that would not leave.
     
    H aving receiv ed an encouraging letter from Patty and Patrick to come set up house near them in Oregon, Maeve and August had decide d it was time to move along . But tonight- there was just some sort of buzz in the air that had drawn them together atop the roof. S tars shone above like diamonds, and yet their daughter’s beauty put them all the shame.
     
    “The mo on doesn’t feel anything, Goosie ,” the ever-pragmatic August returned. “It’s a big ball of rock.”
     
    Maeve, however, clicked her tongue. “Now, August , don’t lie to the girl. Haven’t I ever told you about the moon, Goosie ? It once felt forlorn . You see, the moon looks only to