Chapter 11
Oz sat on the side of the bed with his elbows on his knees, his gaze on Taylor but his mind running through the past two nights. She hadn't slept well. Being a light sleeper, he was aware of her flipping and turning and the multiple times she got up, moving around. Something was wrong. But what?
Taylor rolled to face him. "Good morning.”
“Morning. Sleep well?"
"Okay, I guess."
"Ready to see your family today?" He watched the pink fade from her cheeks and her sleepy smile turn forced. "I do have some work to do this morning. If you’re not in a hurry, maybe you'd be alright waiting until after lunch?”
The light flickered in her eyes again. "Sounds good."
"Should you call and let them know?”
Her hesitation was obvious to Oz as she threw back the covers and searched in her purse for the phone he had given her. She flipped it open and called.
"Hi Mom. This is Taylor. . . Everything is fine. I'm just calling to see. . . No. I don't need money. . . Remember, I talked to you about coming. . . Today. . . When would be a good time then? . . .” She squeezed her eyes and turned her back toward Oz, dropping onto the edge of the mattress. "Okay. I'll see you then."
The phone snapped closed as she dropped her hands onto her lap.
"I take it today is not a good time for your parents,” Oz said.
"No. She said their schedule was full today.” Taylor turned, meeting Oz’s gaze. "No problem though. You go when you need to. I'll get a lift from here to there."
"I have nowhere else to be. Relax while I get an hour or so of work done. Then we can do some more sightseeing,” he suggested.
"That would be nice,” Taylor admitted. “But you don't have to do that."
"No buts. It's happening,” Oz told her.
***
Taylor had been lost in the book she borrowed from Oz since the phone call to her mother and had just finished the last few pages. Her head fell to the wall as the book dropped into her lap. The story was addicting. She had begun reading it the day before and could hardly wait until today to continue. Oz definitely knew his books. She needed book two. And she wanted it now. She glanced across the room toward Oz typing away on his laptop.
The faint clicking of keys disappeared and Oz’s arms fell to his side and he rolled his neck. "I have to stretch my legs,” Oz announced, standing from the small desk in the hotel room. "I'm going to the vending machine. Want something?"
"No. I'm fine. Thanks," Taylor told him and watched him leave the room.
Taylor scooted from the middle of the mattress where she had been relaxing against the headboard and moved to the desk. She placed the book next to his computer as she scooped her bag from the floor to retrieve the next book. The laptop, now eye level with her, caught her attention. One quick glance and the words "Chapter Seven" leapt from the screen. What was he reading? Wait. Those were the same characters she'd been reading about. Oh, but this was new content. Could it be the book she was about to read?
"What are you doing?” Oz growled as he stormed toward her, slamming the lid closed on the computer.
Taylor jerked away. "I'm sorry.” Her heart raced. She glanced toward the door and back toward Oz. Can I get past him? How fast is he? She maneuvered the chair between them, her knuckles aching from the force of her fingers dinging into the chairback.
He froze. His palm still protected his laptop, but she watched his eyes transform from anger to surprise to something new. "I'm not going to hurt you." He straightened, dropping his hand to his side.
Her voice cracked as she forced out her explanation. "I was getting my bag and was just curious what you were reading. I'm so sorry. It won't happen again.”
"Taylor."
His features blurred when Taylor jerked her gaze toward him.
"I'm not going to hurt you. It's okay." Oz pushed the laptop away and moved toward the window.
Taylor eased around the chair, inching toward the door. A key. Where was the card key? No. Not the key. She needed her bag. She had no reason to come back. She swallowed hard and tiptoed toward her bags.
"I apologize."
Taylor jerked to a stop. Words she hadn’t heard before. What? She studied Oz's back. He still stared through the window.
"I reacted hastily and I'm sorry that I frightened you."
Taylor's jaw dropped. Disbelief, confusion, maybe she was hallucinating. Fight? That never ended well. Flight? She glanced again toward the door behind her. Forgive? Was that an option? Is that what you did when someone said they were sorry? "I didn't mean to do anything wrong,” she whispered.
"You didn't,” Oz assured her, turning to face her, his hands resting on his hips. "Are you hungry?"
Hungry? I can barely breathe and he's asking if I'm hungry. She knew she was staring, but every muscle in her body refused to move.
"Alright. We'll do a little sightseeing first. I have the perfect place to show you.”
Taylor forced her breathing to slow, and tension faded from her muscles. Now if only her brain would kick in.
Oz moved slowly towards her and picked up her purse from next to his laptop on the desk. He held it out to her. "Ready?"
Reaching out, her hand trembling, she nodded, not trusting her voice. Falling into to step with Oz, she entered the car. The next fifteen minutes blurred as they traveled the winding road that hugged the mountainside. The moment Oz veered onto a narrow drive Taylor tensed again. Where were they going? Was he still angry about reading his laptop? He had apologized and become calm. No. He had become quiet. Quiet wasn't always a good sign. This she had learned from experience.
They came to a stop in a small parking lot. Taylor scanned the lot. Only two other cars.
Her door opened and she jerked back. "There's nothing here," she whispered.
Oz grinned. "We have to walk up the trail.” He paused and she wondered what he was planning. “No need to be afraid. I give you my word that you'll never need to fear me. I get angry. I deal with it. I get past it. But I’ll never take it out on you.”
His voice floated over her like a soothing blanket. She couldn't say why but she believed him. At least she wanted to. She stepped from the truck, wrapped her arms around her waist, and followed him up the paved walkway.
The short hike was beautiful. The aroma of flowering bushes and trees of varying heights that surrounded them on the hillside was light but refreshing. Soon the treetops opened, and a steel roof appeared. Taylor focused on the metal arch as it grew closer and tall glass panels structured with steel beams came into view.
"A church?"
"Thorncrown Chapel.” They paused in front of the oversized wooden doors. "This is a favorite stop of mine," Oz explained.
"It's beautiful.”
Oz opened the door and swung his free arm for her to go inside. She stepped in and soft instrumental music enveloped her, pulling her further inside. Oz’s hand was warm against her back and guided her to the fourth row of pews from the doors. She missed his touch the instant it fell away, and he sidestepped between the seats. Taylor settled next to where he sat with his wrists draped over the back of the pew in front of them.
The chapel was strangely comforting. Although made of glass it held the ugliness of the outside world at bay. Taylor looked forward to where one would expect a pulpit and possibly an organ but there was none. Only an unobstructed view to the breath-taking hillside. She focused on the trickle of water cascading down the rocks beyond the glass enclosure then her gaze drifted from beam to beam, admiring the ornamental lights on each post.
Taylor glanced back toward Oz. His head rested on his arms that were still draped on the back of the pew before them. She felt a bit out of her element. She studied him. He surprised her at every turn. Never had she met anyone like him. One more glance around the serene place and with a deep breath, she closed her eyes.
One more day. Enjoy today with Oz and worry about her parents tomorrow. She could do this. Get through the rest of the day without crossing him or making him mad. The look on his face when he'd walked into their hotel room and saw her reading his laptop crept back into her mind. Her cheeks began to warm. Breathing became tough.
His touch felt like a bolt of lightning. She squeezed her eyes tight, and her jaw ached. His hand slid to rest on her shoulder. She felt his arm circle her, taking her breath and binding her to her seat as if she were chained to the spot. Let me go. Let me go. Let me go. She curled her fingers around the seat next to her knees to brace for the coming blow.
"Breathe,” he whispered next to her ear. "Whatever you're thinking, let it go. Think of something else. Something happy."
Oz. That was Oz's voice. Soft, warm, and caring.
"You'll be back with your family tomorrow."
Her family. Just another blow to dodge. She forced a swallow, urging her muscles to relax. At least that one would not be physically painful.
"We’ll sit here until you feel better. Then we'll find a nice little spot for lunch. Can't promise it'll be as perfect as last night. The sunset over the valley. The birds. The butterflies that you were so enchanted with. That was the highlight of my evening.”
Taylor opened her eyes and slowly cast a look toward him.
"You were so in awe that all your fears disappeared. I saw the real you last night. The uninhibited, fearless Taylor.” He paused a moment. His gentle touch lifted her chin. "I liked that Taylor. That Taylor was confident and carefree. She didn’t give a damn about the world beyond that moment. And she has the most captivating smile I’ve ever seen.”
Her gaze popped toward Oz's. The warm breath of his words against her ear seeped deep into her, enveloping her heart, pumping encouragement in and fear out. His touch to her shoulder grounded her. No past. No future. Only this moment.
"Close your eyes. Focus on something that makes you happy. A place. A person. Anything."
Taylor did as he said and discovered herself back in time to the night before standing by the railing watching the birds dive and swoop by the butterflies lazily basking in the evening sun. She wasn't sure which of those two she envied the most. Each of them free to soar as far and high as they pleased.
The music flowing through the speakers faded into the whoosh of wings flapping as the little creatures flitted through her mind. Another swoosh and dive then Oz's voice mixed with the sound. She smiled. It had been a perfect evening.
A gentle squeeze to her shoulder and she realized he was talking to her.
"Whatever you're thinking now, hold onto that.”
Her eyelids fluttered open, and she looked up.
"And hold onto that smile." He grinned. "Let's grab some lunch. I'm starving."
***
“Oz.” Taylor dropped her hands into her lap, staring at her plate.
"Travis."
She looked up.
"My name. Travis Alden."
“Does anyone call you that?”
“My parents.”
“Girlfriend? Friends?” she dared ask.
The corner of Oz’s lips twitched. “No. But you can.”
“Travis. I like that.” She glanced away feeling the heat begin to fill her cheeks. "About this morning. . .”
"Stop.”
Taylor jerked her head toward Oz and her eyes widened.
"We're past that. Do not apologize.” Oz reached for his glass and took another drink. He returned the glass to the table as he spoke. "No one has seen my work before.”
"But you were reading. And I recognized the characters from the book you lent to me."
Oz’s smirk was somehow different than she had seen before. And his eyes. Oh, his eyes were hypnotizing, but the seriousness in them had faded. Humor? What had she missed? She tilted her head studying his features as he bit into the BBQ sandwich again.
“Yeah. Reading. I was reading. How’s your lunch?”
Taylor narrowed her eyes. Don’t change the subject. Making things right was hard enough. Having him practically laugh at her now was confusing. What had she done? He had been angry when he returned to the room after a break from work and now he was amused by the incident. Work. Her brows dipped low. Work? Book character? “That was a writing program,” she whispered. “You were writing?" She grabbed her purse, pulling out book two that was still there. Quickly, she scanned the “about author” section. "You're . . .?" She tapped the name on the book as her voice fell silent.
“That’s a pen name.” He chuckled. “I've never shared that fact with anyone,” he confessed.
"The club?"
He shook his head.
"And you're telling me?”
"I trust you to keep this between us. I'll tell them in my own time."
"I promise,” Taylor vowed. She slipped the book back into her purse. “Well, I love your writing.”
Oz laughed out loud then, and she couldn’t control the smile that took over as she enjoyed the BBQ sandwich in front of her. A few bites later, she cocked her head, looking at Oz. "Why do they call you Oz?”
"Remember that computer I told you about?"
"Yeah."
"I learned to be proficient by searching and researching everything. Anyone had a question; I'd see how much I could find out about it. I rarely gave a yes or no answer. Long story short, I'm as wise as the old Wizard.”
“I like that comparison. And I agree." Taylor grinned. "Plus, you’re sending me home.”
Oz chuckled. "But not too soon, Dorothy. We have the rest of the day."
And Oz came through on his promise. The rest of the day was packed full of interesting and curious sights she had not seen before.
***
Taylor rolled onto her back. She closed her eyes only for them to pop open a moment later. It was no use. As soon as she dozed off, memories crept, in forcing her awake again. She glanced down. No blood. She blew out a held breath. Chelle’s blood stained only her memories, not her clothing. She turned her head toward the bed next to hers. Oz was sleeping. Thank goodness the screams were contained inside her dreams also.
She threw back the covers and padded to the restroom. With any luck, a good face splashing would wash away the nightmares. For tonight anyway. The water was warm and soothing. She rubbed it across her neck and chest before patting it dry.
Still, Taylor felt that sleep wasn't an option yet. Or maybe she was afraid to sleep. No matter the reason, she eased back into the room, stopping at the window. She adjusted the drape just enough to see through the glass. Past the lights lining the parking lot, total darkness covered the view she had fallen in love with. Headlights from a brave night traveler flashed along a mountainside in the distance. She spotted another glow. This one steady. A home, she decided. Maybe someone arriving home after a late work shift.
“Taylor.”
She spun toward Oz. “I didn’t intend to wake you.”
“You’ve been tossing and turning since shortly after lying down.”
“I thought you were asleep.”
“Light sleeper. I’m resting but I can still hear you,” Oz explained.
“Oh.” Great. Now he’ll be tired tomorrow because of me.
“Come here.”
Taylor slowly raised her attention back across the room toward Oz. He had scooted backward and now held the covers up from the mattress next to him.
“Come get in,” he told her again.
Any rebuttal she may have had disappeared through the window at the sound of Oz’s voice. She slipped into bed next to him, immediately being pulled flush to his lean, hardened body.
“What’s this?” he asked, running his hand down the front of her shirt between them.
“I thought the water might help me relax,” she whispered.
“You can’t sleep in wet clothes.”
Oz slid his hand down her side, gripping the hem of her oversized shirt and sliding it up her body. Slowly, his knuckles caressed her skin ever so lightly. She knew she should stop him. Because if she didn’t, she’d want more. And she did try to pretest as it rose higher and higher. As his touch burned hotter and hotter. At least she did in her mind. But his voice was mesmerizing and his touch so gentle she was helpless to resist.
Oz’s palm was warm against her back, pressing her body to his. His long beard tickled her face where it touched. Without thought, she reached for it, combing her fingers through the length of it. A bit rough, but in a good way.
She glanced up. Even in the darkness she recognized the intensity in his darkened eyes. Smoldering. A look she felt deep in her core.
He circled her waist, pulling her up until their lips met. A feather-light kiss at first before his tongue darted across her bottom lip, sending shivers through her body. He pressed another gentle kiss to her lips.
Her skin tingled under his wandering touches. Every motion was thorough and persuasive. Oz was in no hurry. Slow and gentle, he fondled one breast then the other until she feared her pebbled nipples could take no more.
Taylor soon found herself on her back. She twisted her fingers in his hair, hypnotized by his tongue on her. She squirmed beneath him, begging for him to take her.
“Mm uh,” Oz murmured around her nipple. “We have all night.”
All night. Taylor shivered, a crescendo building inside she thought may erupt at any moment.
Oz slid up her body. His beard pulling those rock-hard pebbles tighter than she thought possible with its caress.
“Don’t hold back.” His breath warmed her ear and neck. “Because I plan to take my time on every beautiful inch of you.”
Taylor shivered, digging her fingertips into his back. A moan escaped her, and Oz rose above her staking his claim and sending waves of ecstasy rippling through her.
All night? Taylor couldn’t say as she drifted to sleep in Oz’s arms. All she could attest to was the fact that Oz was true to his word, sending her over the edge time and time again until he finally collapsed beside her.