Chapter 5
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Their days were spent on the beach, swimming, walking or just lying on the golden sand to soak up the sun. She was beginning to know the man she had married in a totally different way. She thought of her how as she stepped out of the bath and dried herself. A sound behind her made her turn, wrapping the towel. "What do you want?" she demanded. Shane, his one hand on the doorknob and the other against the wall. He wore nothing but the briefest pair of shorts while she worn nothing only a towel which she had to hold in position with her hands. "I'm sorry," he said. I thought you were in the kitchen seeing to the breakfast. "Would you mind going out again, Shane, so I can get my clothes on? She asked. To her horror he closed the door and leaned against it with his arms folded across his chest. I have no objection to watching while you change, and I'm in no hurry to shave either. "His eyes flickered strangely and darkened, making her catch her breath sharply. "Shane…please go !" He moved away from the door as he came towards her. She felt faint as he reached out and drew the pins from her hair while he pushed his fingers through her hair. "Sweetheart, he mocked, his hands against her throat and sliding across her shoulders. Shane, don't, she begged, but he gripped handful of hair and forced her head back. His hand was in the hollow of her back, drawing her against him until she felt warmth of his hair chest against the back of her hands. Her eyes were wide, when he brushed them shut with his lips before his mouth descended upon hers. She fought against the response. Grasping the towel with one hand, she used the other to lever herself away from him, while at the same time dragging her mouth from his. Let me go, Shane! Honey, I shan't hurt you." "You gave me your word !. He drew back and say get your clothes on and walk out of the room. Shane went into the village after breakfast that morning and Alice, restless and uneasy after doing a few chores, went down to the beach. She had been away from the cottage for longer than she had intended. Shane would be back and he would wonder what had happened to her. Quickening her pace, she took the short cut over the sand dunes where a narrow path was marked among the wild grass but, an involuntary cry escaped her as she felt a sharp sting beneath her heel. Going down on one knee to examine the injury, she was surprised to see the blood oozing from a small cut, caused by a broken bottle. Carefully, she threw it into the dense bush a few feet away and admonishing herself for not wearing her sandals, she tried to stem the flow of blood with her handkerchief, her eyes filling with tears at the stinging pain. She tried unsucessfully to tie her handkerchief about her foot, and was considering hobbling back to the cottage when she looked up suddenly to see Shane and striding towards her across the sand. "What have you been dong?" he demanded as he reached her side. "I went for a walk." "That's obvious,"he bit out the words as he kneeled down beside her. "What's wrong with your foot?" "I-I've cut it rather badly on a broken bottle." "Let me have a look, "His hands were gently as he held her foot on his lap to examine the wound, but she winced at the sharp pain that shot up her leg when he began to probe it. I shall have to get you home so I can clean it first." "I'll put my sandals on," she said through clenched teeth, but Shane had other plans. He slipped an arm about her waist and the other beneath her knees, lifting her as if she were a baby. "Shane, put me down. Please….I can manage." "To walk on the foot cause more harm, so put your arms around my neck and stop chattering. She did as she was told. He carried her in silence,-his face was so close to hers that she could have touch it. The hand steel of his arms tightened above her as he kicked open the gate and walked up the path toward the front door. "Your hand are free, so will you open it ?" He lowered her into a chair before fetching the first-aid box. He returned a few seconds later and drew up a chair, lifting her foot on to his lap as he gently cleansed the wound. "This is going to hurt, "he warned. Alice nodded silently, closing her eyes and biting down hard on her lip as he gently probed the cut.
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They return home after 2 weeks holiday. They went immediately to Serena Filan's room. "Children". Her eyes widened with surprise as they approached her bed. "Why on earth have you come back so soon? They kissed Serena's pale cheeks and seated themselves on either side of the bed. Shane smiled at Alice. "My wife grew tired of having me under her feet all day." "That's not true, Nana," Alice stumbled over her word. We both decided that we wanted to spend the week-end at home with you, "Alice and I must still have a long talk. There's so much I still want to tell you, and so much I still want to know you." Once outside the door, Alice turned to Shane. "She doesn't look too well." "No," he admitted with a frown. I shan't be surprised if she never gets up again , "Shane, don't say that." She whispered. "Come, let me show you to our rooms. He turned towards her and she stepped back a pace to avoid their bodies touching, she found the foot of the bed pressing into her back as he placed a hand on either side of her face and raised it so that she was forced to meet his glance. "The trouble is ,Alice," he said slowly, his thumbs moving caressingly across her cheeks. "Shane, please !" "Shane, please kiss me?" he mocked, his breath warm against her mouth. "You don't have to beg, my Alice, because I want nothing more than to kiss you at this moment". "You know that isn't what I meant," she said angrily, as he held her against the foot of the bed with the weight of his body. "You disappoint me, "he said against her lips, laughing inwardly at her attempts to push him away. His mouth descended upon hers, gently at first, then increasing passion until it was indeed like a heady wine. "But I won't tolerate it when we're along. You have no right to kiss me that way you do, and it certainly wasn't in our agreement." "No, but I took your word for it. You did give me your word, Shane, or can't I trust you to keep it ?" I'm trying hard to keep my word Alice, but I'm a man and I'm only human. A smile twisted his lips and her heart. Legally, you're my wife, and that gives me certain rights. "I married you for your nana's sake." "And for a certain sum of money, he said. "Let's not forget that." I'm not likely to, she snapped, fighting against the helpless tears, Alice, he said, his hands gripping her shoulder painfully, "lets stop ramming the reasons for our marriage down each other's throats. It's your fault, "she accused in a choked voice. "Because I kissed you ? "he mocked her. "I wouldn't have kissed you if I didn't know you enjoyed it just as much as I do." "I don't enjoy it. "she forced the words from her unwilling lips. Yes, you do, "he insisted, shaking her slightly. "And I'm beginning to think that if I went on to make love to you, you'd enjoy that as well." "How dare you !" she cried, twisting out of his reach and putting some distance between them. "Oh god, I did try not to love you, Shane, "she moaned softly to herself as she went through to her room to change for dinner. After dinner that evening she went with Shane to his nana room, but she did not stay long and pleading tiredness, she returned to her own room. Alice slept fitfully, her dream disturbing and frightening but nothing tangible until she dreamt that she trapped in a forest fire. Shane stood beyond the circle of fire, his arms outstretched to help , but she was unable to reach him. She awoke with a sudden start to find Shane bending over her, his hands on her shoulders. "Take it easy, I'm only trying to help". "Shane!" she gasped, relaxing now. I'd had the most dreadful dream. "Yes, I know, "his deep voice reassured her. I heard you calling my name, and I suspected you were having a nightmare. I'm sorry, she gulped, breathing heavily. My foot is throbbing. When did it start? Can you remember? "Before dinner this evening, "Why you didn't tell me ? he said. I didn't think it was anything serious, she muttered. Shane went out and took a painkiller for her. "You'll feel better shortly." He said. I'll leave my door open, so if you need me, just call." "Shane?" He turned at the sound of her voice. "Thank you."
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