Written In Stone

lost her unborn child. Connecting to her like this made him feel her pain as keenly as she did. She'd had to bear too much. He desperately wanted the ability to rewind the clock and take the pain from her, but that was something even he couldn't do. It made him that much more determined to convince her that she loved him, that she wanted him forever. The same way he wanted her.
    Gavin sat back on his heels as he acknowledged what just went through his head. He wanted her forever? Yes. He did. He wanted her forever! He was in love with her and wanted no one else. When had that happened? He almost laughed out loud at the knowledge. He was in love with this beautiful woman, and if he couldn't have her, he'd have no one else. What if she wouldn't have him? Well, that wasn't even something he would acknowledge, it just wasn't going to happen that way. She would fall in love with him, and they would live happily ever after. He'd made up his mind and couldn't conceive of any other result.
    Gavin gently placed his fingers against her temples one more time, and swam through her memories until he found something he hadn't expected — the memory of him kissing her when he was last in her room. She had been sleeping, how could she remember it? How had she known of his presence? How could she remember his kiss? They were linked. In her sleeping state, her unconscious mind knew him, he reasoned. She didn't resist him but accepted him as her mate. It made perfect sense to him. Now he just had to get her unconscious mind to inform her conscious one that she loved him.
    About to remove his fingers, a memory caught his attention. Following her mind, he watched her and smiled broadly. She had been fantasizing about making love to him. Sitting in the tub, her eyes closed, she remembered the kiss he had given her, and her mind slid into a fantasy that felt all too real to Gavin. Earlier, when he came to deliver the invitation, he thought she was just rosy from her bath, but it was actually embarrassment from the erotic fantasy she'd had about him. It was all he needed to know. This woman, his woman, was going to acknowledge her love for him, then he was going to give her back the ability to walk, to bear children, and the strength to forgive herself for what she thought was her fault, but was truly just a horrible accident.
    He knew he could imprint on her mind that she loved him, that she wanted to go to the party with him on Friday, but he didn't want to do that. Knowing about her now, knowing her strength came from her resolve to not allow anyone to see the pain or guilt she felt, he knew her emotions were very fragile. She remained so very strong on the outside for others to see, but beneath the thin veneer, she was never more than a moment from breaking down. Her emotions were raw and frail. He would have to go slowly with her, give her time and space. He would have to give her love and security before she would feel safe enough to let her subconscious awareness enter her conscious mind. Sadly, he had a whole three days until Friday.
    ~ * ~
    "Good morning, Angie," Mrs. Waterston said as she did every morning while opening the draperies to allow the sunshine in.
    "Good morning," Angie said, turning over and covering her head.
    "No sleep again?" Mrs. Waterston pulled the covers back.
    "I just need a few more minutes. I don't feel well."
    "You feel just fine to me." Mrs. Waterston placed a hand on Angie's forehead, "no fever."
    "I'm tired." Angie whined.
    "No, you're working yourself into a depression, and I won't be having it, young lady. Get up and put on your dressing gown so we can go to breakfast."
    Angie groaned and rolled over. She sat up and allowed Mrs. Waterston to help her with the housedress, then got into her wheelchair.
    They ate breakfast quietly, although Angie mostly poked at her food and pushed it around with her fork. Then she excused herself, went back to her room, and locked the door. Lying down on the bed, she shut her eyes, but it wasn't Jonathan's face she saw , but Gavin's. The handsome man, standing in her room, leaning over her, touching her cheek, and gently brushing her hair from her face; Gavin placing his hands on her face and his lips touching hers; Gavin touching her body, leaving a hot trail everywhere his fingers went.
    Exhaling heavily in frustration, she rolled over and tried to sleep.
    ~ * ~
    Gavin lay on his bed completely nude. An idea came to him, and now, as ridiculous as he felt, he was going