Arielle Immortal Struggle (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 7) Page 2

“Yes,” she replied genuinely, but a bit startled with his question. It wasn’t so much the question, but the way he asked it. “Do you doubt that I missed you?” she asked, trying to suppress laughter.

  “No,” he replied quickly through narrowed eyes, knowing that he got caught. She understood his insecurities, and she watched him closely. “I’m sorry, baby,” he muttered. “I just wanted to come home and be with you.”

  She raised an eyebrow inquisitively and, taking a deep breath, she gave a tender smile. She sensed his uneasiness, but curiosity made her ask the next question. “Did something happen while you were away?”

  “Why?”

  “You sound different,” she said firmly.

  He looked completely unnerved. “We don’t need to talk about this anymore, Arielle, do we?”

  She remained silent, gazing into his eyes in surprise. “No, we don’t,” she muttered nonchalantly. She curled her fingers around the music player and rose to her feet slowly. Sebastian moved quickly and, taking the beach towel, he gave it a hard shake. He threw the towel over his left hand, and turning around, he faced her, giving her a stern gaze. He moved closer. Cupping her chin with his right hand, he tipped her head back, and his mouth came down on hers with unbelievable vigor.

  “God!” Every time he took possession of her mouth she lost control of her senses. She melted against his hard body and surrendered to an in-depth and fierce kiss. The pleasure was shattering, the spark grew into an inferno in a matter of seconds, and her knees buckled. Sebastian felt her wobbling; he let go of her chin and wrapped his arm quickly around her waist, holding her steady against him. She sighed contently and he groaned, feeling every muscle in his body contract.

  Even though he wanted to prolong the pleasure of the kiss, he stopped and pulled his lips a hairpin away. “Let’s go home,” he breathed against her lips. “I want you, but I don’t want to put us on display.” He gathered her in his arms and held her tightly, feeling the warmth of her body that made his blood rush wildly through his veins.

  “I can’t sleep without you,” she murmured, resting her head on his shoulder. “I fell asleep at six o’clock this morning and I’m dead tired.”

  “I’m sorry, love. It wasn’t easy for me, either.” He licked his lips, trying to preserve the sweetness of her mouth on his just a little longer, or at least until they got home. He smiled to himself.

  “Did you finish your business in Brussels?” she asked quietly.

  “Yes.” He was still smiling.

  “Are you going away again?”

  “No, not if I can help it,” he replied and gave her a soft squeeze. “I don’t want you to worry about that.”

  “But I do.” Her voice was a soft whisper.

  “I’m here right now.”

  Arielle looked up and fixed her eyes on his beautiful face. The corners of his mouth lifted into that amazing smile that made her heart skip a beat.

  “You don’t know how happy I am to be home,” he muttered.

  She snuggled even closer. “Why don’t you tell me?”

  Sebastian grinned like a small child, his voice tantalizing. “I would rather show you.”

  “I think I would rather hear it right now,” she teased.

  Sebastian couldn’t hold back laughter. “You’ll soon find out,” he breathed against her ear, his voice a husky whisper. Their gaze locked and Arielle’s breath held at her throat. The wolfish grin on Sebastian’s face made her stomach quiver, as if an army of butterflies surged through her body, and she felt suspended in time. She was lost in the passion that simmered out of his emerald eyes. She was delighted! And he was home!

  He clasped her hand and thrill shot up his arm and slipped into his bones, leaving him breathless. He looked into those blue pools in her eyes and got lost. He shook his head and managed to say. “What are you doing to me?”

  She looked up, a mirthful glint coating her eyes. “I have no idea what you mean?” Suddenly, she giggled outright, and jerking her hand away from his, she didn’t hesitate before running toward the house without as much as a glance back.

  A shocked moment passed. Sebastian eyes opened wide and his brows arched as he watched for a short moment, and then he smiled lustfully. So she wants to play. Game on, Arielle…

  Chapter 2

  ARIELLE DIDN’T HEAR Sebastian’s footsteps, so she risked a glance over her shoulder and saw him still standing in the same spot she left him, utterly unmoved. He was watching her run with a shocked look on his face. She felt giddy, overcome with excitement, and nearly out of breath. Two more running strides and she would reach the wooden steps leading up to the house. She closed her eyes and laughed out loud, dazed by exuberant pleasure. One…two…and she collided with a hard, muscled, solid body. “Aaaaa…” she yelped, and her eyes flew open.

  Sebastian towered over her with a lustful expression on his face. “So you want to play!” His voice drove an eager flutter down her spine.

  It took a few moments to gather her scattered thoughts. “You cheated!” she squealed and broke out into a hearty laugh. “You have to stop doing that.”

  “Doing what, baby?” he murmured, his voice husky filled with amusement.

  “Using your immortal speed,” she stuttered. “One of these days, you are going to give me a heart attack.”

  He chuckled blissfully. “Well, you raised the excitement bar when you ran. I wanted to make sure you didn’t run away from me.”

  Arielle sighed but grimaced at him playfully. Lust sank in the pit of her stomach as he pulled her into his arms, bending her to his body.

  Sebastian felt his need throbbing beyond any reason. This sexual game was unfolding between them and he wanted to play. Arielle focused on his lips and felt a scorching heat surge through every muscle in her body. His mouth came down on hers and passion exploded. The kiss deepened and he drank her sweetness, delving and searching with his tongue even deeper. She moaned and he groaned blissfully as their breaths mingled in a sensual dance.

  Suddenly, sanity dropped into his brain, and he pulled back. Despite being in a public place, he was ready to take this further. He stared at the glow lingering on her face and smiled. Arielle’s eyes were closed, but her lips remained parted, tempting, inviting. Reluctantly, he released her and straightened to his full height; his hands still on her hips held her wobbly body steady. Her eyes flew open and her gaze met his wolfish smile.

  “Ooooo…Don’t stop,” she protested.

  Sebastian drew a deep breath. “You’re becoming insatiable,” he mock admonished.

  Her eyebrows rose in disbelief. “You think?” She snorted.

  “I’m taking you to bed, now...” he advised inflexibly, unable to hide the seductive purr that coated his voice. She yelped as he scooped her into his arms, overwhelmed by the thrill that coursed through his body. The warmth of her body against him felt good, and he moaned blissfully, knowing that she belonged there. She belonged to him and him only. Using his immortal speed, he entered the house, through the hallway, into the bedroom and, setting her on her feet, he began removing her bathing suit while his mouth came down on hers with brazen fervor. His eyes shimmered with sexual intent and she drank him in. Frantic hands removed his clothes and he groaned into her mouth. It had been two very long days without her. He was not going to wait any longer.

  Arielle cupped his face and pulled him down to her with a low sigh. Sebastian took her mouth in a voracious kiss and groaned with anticipation.

  He wrapped his steely arms about her and pulled her firm against him. Her lips relaxed beneath his and he took complete control, deepening the kiss until a tender shudder surged right through him. The tip of his tongue pressed softly, coaxing her lips apart, then delved deep into the softness of her mouth. He explored and tasted the sweetness like a starving man, until heat seeped deep into his bones.

  Arielle’s hand left his face and trailed down his muscled chest and over his flat abdomen, stroking, squeezing, and heading south in a slow enticing m
otion. Sebastian sucked in an audible breath and his jaw tensed. He felt himself harden and, shifting, he set his hands on her naked bottom and pulled her against him, moving suggestively. A loud moan escaped her lips and washed over Sebastian, heating and burning every nerve in his body.

  “What are you doing to me?” he stammered and set his mouth to her throat, trailing open-mouthed kisses down the column of her neck, across her shoulder, and down to her breast. Arielle’s shiver was palpable, making Sebastian groan with desperation. She wanted him, and he was ready to accommodate her. They were both lost in the haze of the passion while struggling to reach the bed. Her legs hit the edge of the bed, and she fell flat on her back, giggling. Sebastian followed her down and draped the full length of his body over hers, pressing her to the mattress. He dropped his head and set his mouth on hers with uncontrolled hunger. She parted her lips and their tongues met and dueled, stroking and sucking with savage craving. The kiss deepened as she gave him complete access to the softness of her mouth. She tasted like floral wine and honey, emanating from desire, and he thought he would go mad.

  Sebastian braced his weight on his elbows and stared into her bluer than blue eyes, now swimming in a sea of desire and lust. She gazed back at him and a slow sexy smile lifted the corners of her lips.

  “I love you,” he breathed.

  “Then love me,” she replied and rocked her hips suggestively against him. His muscles tensed and his teeth clenched trying to suppress release.

  He bent down. With his tongue, he trailed wet kisses down to her breast and lingered over them for a short moment. He then drew one of the hard buds into his mouth and sucked firmly. A guttural sound rumbled from his throat. Arielle wriggled beneath the heat of his mouth and she dragged her fingernails down his back. His mouth moved to the other breast and she let out an incoherent sound.

  His hands skated over her soft skin, and she gasped with pleasure, letting the rest of the world fade away as scorching fire spread and burned every part of her body. Her hands left his back and traveled south, exploring and touching along the way. His lungs locked, and he stopped breathing when her hands rested on his lower abdomen for a short second and then began to explore his erection eagerly. He felt himself grow harder and pressed his eyes shut, trying desperately to prevent an early climax. He brought his hand between them and tagged on her wrist.

  “Arielle, for the love of God, stop!” he gasped.

  “Why?”

  “The way I feel right now I’m not going to last very long, baby.” He pulled back from the kiss and gazed down at her. Her silky hair was splayed across the pillow, and her eyes were murky with arousal. “God! You are beautiful!” he breathed and dove right back into the kiss, devouring her mouth. Her taste was maddening. Settling between her thighs, he thrust in, and time stopped for both of them. He trapped her gaze in his and they surged together. Passion swelled like a tidal wave and they matched each other stroke for stroke. Startling desire rippled through their muscles, and they soared until they grasped the crest of the wave and rode it to a magnificent, breathtaking, sensuous peak.

  The shattering of their exultant release whooshed the air from their lungs in quick harsh gusts and the return to reality was slow. Sebastian rolled over on his back and pulled her into his arms, folding himself around her. She rested her face against his shoulder and he pressed a soft kiss on her forehead.

  “I love you,” he murmured. Her reply was a muffled word and he gave a short laugh of pleasure. Passion rumbled through him; it was a spectacular encounter. He glanced down, and his gaze roved her face, as a possessive emotion gripped him, stole his breath, and left him bewildered. He squeezed his eyes closed, enjoying the enveloping warmth of her. He was a strong immortal. Bewilderment was a human emotion. What was happening to him?

  His eyes snapped open again and settled back on her face. Her eyes were closed, her lips luscious and swollen from his kisses lightly parted. Her chest rose and fell. She was in deep sleep. He laid back and smiled wide. She was his, and he was going to keep her safe if that was the last thing he ever did. Turning his head one more time, he pressed a kiss on her temple and, lifting his hand, he pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear with his finger. She shifted, moaned softly, and moved herself even closer to his body. Oh! The feel of her soft silky skin made him shiver. His lips curved, and exhaustion seeped into his bones. He pulled her gently against him and closed his eyes.

  The next few days went by without incident. Sebastian and Troy had rejoined their friends in attending classes. Both now had irrefutable proof that Jorrit’s thugs were observing Arielle and her friends, pausing for the right moment to strike.

  “I haven’t detected anything unusual,” Sebastian said to Troy when they met in the parking lot the first morning after returning from Brussels. He scanned the surroundings vigilantly to make sure it was all clear; however, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was slightly off around campus.

  “Neither have I,” Troy replied skeptically. “That’s exactly what I don’t like. Something is not right,” he furthered. He spoke in that inaudible immortal manner, so Arielle and Gabrielle couldn’t catch a single word.

  “I’m not surprised. Keep in mind that they move deviously. They are watching all of us, waiting for the moment one of us is alone,” Sebastian hissed.

  Troy nodded his head in agreement. Something about this whole situation didn’t seem quite right to either of them, but they had to keep an eye on them and wait. Every one of their immortal friends had been given the details about the threats from the goons. The only people utterly unaware of the danger were Arielle, Gabrielle, and Paul.

  On Friday morning, Sebastian held to the same routine. He steered the car to the parking lot at the east side of the enormous campus. This was also the place where they had all agreed to meet each and every morning before classes commenced. He noticed Troy’s car already parked and pulled into a spot a few cars away. Before he opened Arielle’s door, he scanned the area carefully. He then clasped her hand and they made their way to where Troy and Gabrielle were standing.

  They had just reached their friends when a quick movement of a black car approaching caught Sebastian’s eye. The car slowed for a short instant and then it sped passed them. The windows were tinted, but his immortal eyes could clearly see the interior. He didn’t recognize the two men, but he was sure that they were not students on their way to class. Sebastian eyes narrowed and his jaw muscles clenched. He could barely restrain his anger. The car was a black Mercedes and left his view when it quickly took a sharp turn at the far corner of the lot, disappearing behind the engineering building. He instinctively tightened his hold on Arielle’s hand, keeping an attentive eye over his shoulder in the direction where the car disappeared. It was by the grace of God that he didn’t take off after it.

  Arielle’s tense voice snapped him from his reverie. “Sebastian!” she cried out quietly, pointing to their intertwined hands. “You’re crushing my hand!”

  His head snapped around at the tone of her voice, and he instinctively loosened his hold, but didn’t release her. He stared down at the pained expression on her face. The realization that he could have crushed her bones with his immortal strength drove the air out his lungs. “God! I’m so sorry, love.”

  Shock and pain still lingered in the depth of her eyes. “What in bloody hell is wrong with you?” she asked again and winced. She had stopped walking, looking up into his baffled and somewhat cautious eyes as she listened for his answer. She slipped her hand from his, and using her other hand, she tried to bring some life to her numb muscles. “I think you shattered a few bones,” she whimpered.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” His arms came about her, and giving a gentle tug, he pulled her forward and into his warm embrace. She felt his breath against her skin. “I’m sorry, love.” He nuzzled her hair, feeling extremely guilty for losing his perspective for a short moment. He could have really hurt her and the thought made him shudd
er. “Are you all right?”

  “I’ll be fine, but you need to tell me what is going on.”

  Forcing his worrisome thoughts away, he feigned ignorance and quickly replied. “Nothing, baby, nothing at all. Let’s go and meet Troy and Gabrielle. They have been waiting for us.”

  “I’m still in pain.”

  Sebastian blew out a long breath. He was angry with himself. “I know and I’m truly sorry about that. I wasn’t thinking. Can you forgive me? Will you ever forgive me?” He held her gaze steadfastly, a worried expression on his face.

  What is he up to? What’s on his mind? This was one of the times Arielle wished that she could read Sebastian’s thoughts.

  “You haven’t answered my question,” he insisted.

  His tone brought her sapphire gaze to his eyes. “What question?”

  “Will you forgive me?”

  She made a dismissive movement with her uninjured hand. “Oh, of course I’ll forgive you.” She was sure that something was amiss. The frown in his eyes said a lot more than his voice. She shut her eyes tightly. For a moment, Annabel’s image flashed before her eyes, and she shivered. Could this all be about Annabel? What happened in Brussels? She felt that she was standing in the middle of a deep canyon screaming out her fears. The thoughts were bouncing against the walls of her skull and echoing back into the far corners of her mind. Snapping her eyes open, she shook her head, and Annabel’s image vanished. Arielle decided that she was going to let it go for now, but she would resolve this later. Much later. She rubbed her throbbing hand once again and focused on his beautiful face.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me,” he murmured, brushing his lips against her ear once again. Clasping her hand gently in his, he placed a kiss on her nose and pulled her softly to him. “Are you ready to go?” She nodded, and they made their way toward their friends.

  “What’s wrong?” Gabrielle asked as they approached. “You look awful!”