Destined Hearts

by Castle, Angela

  Jacob had jumped back to his feet, glancing at her then at the other two; he gave her a smile and a wink before making a quick exit.

  Aria stumbled back into Mae’s room. She couldn’t hold back the tears as she gathered her friend up in her arms, gently closing Mae’s eyes.

  If it wasn’t for Mae, she would have starved in the streets years ago; in more ways than one, Mae had saved her life.

  “This is my entire fault. Oh, Mae, what have I done?” she whispered, brushing the blond hair from her face.

  There was silence from the other room as Ethan appeared in the doorway. “Aria, it is not safe here anymore. You must come with me now.”

  Anguish tore at her as she looked up at him. “I can’t leave her; she’s all I have left.”

  Ethan walked to the bed and reached out, gently touching her face, wiping away a tear with the pad of his thumb. His expression softened as he looked at her. “I am sorry, ma petite. There is nothing I can do for your friend. You must trust me to take care of you now. Aria?” He held out his

  hand to her.

  A sudden rage overcame her. Jacob had been right in one respect: her life as she knew it was over. Now Ethan had come for her and Mae was dead. “Why should I trust you? Jacob said you were nothing but a monster.” Anger laced with pain raced to the surface; she wanted to lash out and hurt someone as much as she was hurting.

  “I will not lie to you, Aria. I was a monster but not by choice. It is only because of you that the beast is caged. I need you to help me keep it that way, and right now, you need me.”

  Aria climbed off the bed and drew the blanket over her friend’s body. “I don’t need you, and I don’t want you. My life is now fucked up.

  The only chance I have is to get the hell away from you and all this vampire shit!”

  She stormed past Ethan, pausing to note with satisfaction that Jacob’s lackey lay dead on the kitchen floor, a splintered piece of wood jutting out of his chest.

  Heading into her own room, pulling a backpack from out under the bed, she started to shove clothes into it from her dresser. The tears continued to flow; she kept swiping at them with the back of her hand.

  Ethan had followed close behind. “I am sorry, ma petite. You cannot run from me or them. You are a blue blood; you gave yourself freely to me, which makes you mine.”

  “I don’t care who the fuck you are or what you think I am. I don’t belong to you or anyone! Get that into that thick, prehistoric head of yours.”

  “Run now, Aria, and you’ll be running for the rest of your life,”

  Ethan said in a soft voice. “Like it or not, you are a blue blood. Without you, I cannot survive.”

  “I don’t care.” She stuffed more things into her backpack and swiped up some shoes, stuffing them into her bag. She went to her closet and pulled a small box from the top shelf, adding it to the rest of her belongings. With nothing left to pack, she slung the backpack over her shoulder and made to storm past Ethan. He stood immovable in front of her. “Get out of my way,” she spat between clenched teeth.

  Ethan took the backpack from her before taking hold of her hand in a tight grasp.

  “You are mine, Aria, and I will not let you go.”

  Aria was about to dispute his claim, but with a quick tug, he pulled her into his arms, and his mouth crashed down on hers, his tongue demanding entrance. Without thought, she opened for him. He dove in, possessing every part of her mouth. Her head swam with emotions, desire reigniting deep within her lower belly. The fight vanished from her by the time he broke the kiss. Damn him.

  He pulled her out of the bedroom, through the apartment and into the hallway. Sounds of yelling and footsteps racing up the stairs made her panic. A low growl rumbled from Ethan’s chest.

  Tugging her to the window, he shoved it open. The window had been sealed shut due to over painting. She and Mae had tried for ages to open that window, but it never had budged; well, obviously, it had needed some vampire strength for it to open.

  “Come.” Still gripping her backpack, Ethan held out his hand. He had already stepped out onto the fire escape.

  “You can’t go this way. The ladder has been broken for God knows how long. We are five stories up. There is no way down.”

  His jaw was in a tight line, his eyes showing no emotion as she climbed through the window. “Do you forget what I am, ma petite?”

  Aria gasped as he lifted her up into his arms, leaping up onto the hand railing. Her scream was stifled against Ethan’s chest, and her arms clung onto him for dear life as he simply walked off the rail and fell.

  Chapter Six

  Aria’s stomach pitched like the sensation of dropping down too fast in an elevator, feeling a whoosh of cool night air, a slight jarring, then nothing but the strong beating of Ethan’s heart beneath her ear.

  “Open your eyes, ma petite. We are quite safe.”

  Aria heeded his gentle command, her head rising to gaze into his emerald depths. “Holy shit!”

  Ethan set her down on her feet as she wobbled slightly from shock.

  He didn’t give her time to recover; keeping a firm hold of her, he pulled her out after him into the thrum of people striding along the sidewalk. His pace made him tug at her so she was almost running.

  Aria managed to recover from the shock of falling five stories enough to ask, “Where are we going?”

  “They have our scent now; they can track us. We will return to the rented chamber, collect our belongings, then find transport back across the sea to my homeland.”

  “Where’s that?” It may have been an obvious question from his sexy French accent, but according to Jacob, he wasn’t just a mere vampire—he was an alien vampire.

  “I have a fortress in Northern France.”

  “Have? How do you know it’s there? France went through a revolution while you were locked up. They don’t have a monarchy anymore. How do you know it will still be there? Or even still belongs to you?”

  “I do not,” he said without missing a beat.

  “So what will you do if you manage to make it all the way to France and not have anything there?”

  “I am aware of the possibility and will deal with each situation as it arises. You have no reason to worry or fear, Aria; I will always take care of you.”

  “What about those other vampires that are chasing us?”

  “I shall take care of them also.”

  By the hardened line of his jaw and the wave of anger wafting off him, she knew he would. “Great, and what’s your plan, genius?” She had let the sarcasm back into her voice. “This is the twenty-first century; you have no identification, no money, and can’t even function at all during daylight hours. How the hell are you going to get to Europe?”

  “We will get there. I have my ways.”

  “Sure, just drag around your portable twenty-four, seven snack bar.

  I’m not someone who will follow you like a lost puppy. I’m not going with you anywhere,” she yelled, enraged by her helplessness. She tried to plant her feet and tug away from his hold, but it was a useless act as he was far too strong.

  “You don’t have a choice.”

  There were people everywhere in the crowd at the east side of the city. The thought flew into her mind to scream for help, maybe draw the attention of a cop, but, in a blur of movement, Ethan had snatched her up into his arms. He moved so damn fast, she was forced once again to cling to him. Then everything stopped, and they were in a dark alley.

  He slammed her up against a brick wall, not so hard as to cause her harm but hard enough to make her gasp for breath. His green eyes glared angrily into her own; a tremor of fear and excitement ran through her.

  “You will learn to whom you belong, Aria. Do not attempt to escape me again, or I will be forced to punish you.”

  “Punish?” her voice squeaked. Yes, she was definitely excited.

  Damn, and he knew it, too.

  His full, beautiful lips curved up into a sensual smil
e.

  Aria swallowed hard, her breath quickened, the fear changing into

  a sudden thrill of anticipation that made her panties damp. What the hell was wrong with her? Why was she so turned on by the idea of being punished by Ethan?

  He cocked his head to the side, his nostrils flaring. He leaned in closer, covering her body with his, his cool hand sliding up under her uniformed skirt reaching her panties. He tore them off in a swift, jerking movement. One of his legs came between hers to push hers apart, supporting her weight with one arm. “I think you like this idea, or rather, your body loves the idea of punishment. Does it not, Aria? I can smell you.”

  She fought back a moan as his fingers probed into her wet slit, the tip of his index finger running a tight circle around her sensitive bundle of nerves.

  “So wet for me, Aria.”

  “Wh-What will you do to me?” She licked her lips. Unable to tear her gaze away from his intense green depths, her hips jerked forward as he sank his thick finger into her depths. His thumb now started to flick her clit back and forth. This time, she did moan as he slowly finger-fucked her, pressed against the wall of a dirty alley, hidden only by a large dumpster.

  “Anything I wish, Aria. You are mine. You will obey my commands without question.”

  Her eyes closed as the build of a climax started within her, but it wasn’t enough. She wanted release, needed it with a sudden hunger that frightened her. She rocked her hips, trying to urge him faster.

  His laugh was dark, humorless. Hot breath puffed against her ear.

  “Do you want to come, Aria?” His wet tongue licked the outer shell of her ear before taking her lobe into his mouth, sucking gently before his teeth clamped down, lightly tugging, heightening the pleasure he was giving her.

  Aria cried out in protest as he took his thumb out from her clit and stilled his finger-fucking. Ethan’s mouth was now on her neck. A sudden sense of déjà-vu swept over her, but she was too far gone to care. “Please, Ethan, I want to come,” she wailed, clinging to him with desperation. He

  shifted her up farther, both hands clutching her bottom. She wrapped her legs around him. She felt the hard, blunt tip of his cock pressing against her entrance, not understanding how or when he had freed his cock, but she didn’t care, wanting him to fill her. “Yes, Ethan, fuck me.”

  They both moaned as he pushed his thickness into her tight entrance, sinking all the way in until he could go no farther. God, she loved his cock ridges. He stilled, his ragged breathing telling her he was struggling and just as desperate to fuck her. But he remained still. Damn him.

  “Look at me, Aria.”

  Her eyes opened to lock with his clear, green ones.

  “You are mine, say it,” he demanded.

  Aria hesitated.

  Ethan pulled his cock almost all the way out then slammed it back in, freezing again.

  Aria gasped at the sensation of his cock ridges rubbing on her insides. She whimpered in protest when he didn’t move again; it was torture to have him not move.

  “Who do you belong to, Aria?” he persisted.

  Still, she resisted.

  He pulled out again, slamming back in. She gasped then wiggled her hips. His hand suddenly clamped down on her hip, stilling her movements. His gaze was determined. Her stubborn streak rose to the surface. She couldn’t let him win this; no matter how much she wanted to come, she wouldn’t be his possession.

  “No,” she blurted out.

  He looked surprised but didn’t pull away from her. Aria didn’t have to speak French to know he had uttered a string of curses as his resolve seemed to snap.

  “Such a strong-willed woman. You are mine, Aria. I will make you see that, no matter what it takes.” He moved again. This time, he started thrusting in a quick, hard rhythm, making her pant, moan and writhe against him as the climax built. He was back at her throat, nuzzling her neck, chanting her name over and over with every deep, penetrating

  stroke. “Vous êtes le mien!”

  She felt the sting of his teeth in her throat. She screamed as a climax tore through her. The tugging suction on her neck pushed her higher. She became light-headed and struggled to breathe. The vibration of Ethan’s low groan on her neck spiraled her into a second orgasm. She went completely limp in his arms before darkness swept in to claim her.

  Ethan tore his teeth from Aria’s throat, drawing in a ragged breath before licking at the wound to close it. His body still trembled with his cock still embedded deep within a limp Aria, her heartbeat stronger than the first time he took her blood. The power of her sweet nectar strengthened him completely, bearing witness to his woman’s own strength. Never had he lost such control over a woman. Her sheer stubbornness alone was maddening. Mixed with the intoxicating aroma of her blood, arousal and fierce, hazel eyes aflame with such passion, he couldn’t stop himself from taking her, even in a dirty alley only a few feet from where humans passed on the street. Obviously no one had come running when she had screamed her release.

  Reluctantly, he pulled away from the warmth of her body, shifting her in his arms to tuck himself back in before nestling her more comfortably against his chest.

  She was right in the fact that he needed a plan. Instinct and revenge were driving him; he had to get back and find out what had happened in the years he had been gone and if the fortress was there or not. Two things he was sure of: one, he would find his feet, and the other was the woman in his arms. When he did find his feet, there was going to be hell to pay. If there had been one thing Ethan had learned from being kept senseless for so long, it was there was no time like the present.

  Chapter Seven

  Aria awoke to a rocking motion and the constant thrum of an engine vibrating through the walls. She was naked but not cold; something warm was pressed along her back, and a strong arm was banded around her waist. She scented the delightful, masculine smell of Ethan. She twisted in his arms. Something was pressed around her ankle.

  Glancing down, she saw a silver cuff banded around her skin attached to a lengthy silver chain. Her gaze followed it down. She pried Ethan’s arm from around her waist and sat up. The chain was secured down the bottom of the bed. The son of a bitch had chained her to the bed! She climbed off it.

  Everything pitched forward, and she swayed. Fucking fantastic.

  She was on a boat of some sort, in a cabin, which wasn’t too dissimilar to a motel room. There was short, dark blue carpeting beneath her bare feet, a long dresser with a television and DVD, and two wardrobes. There was a small round table with two chairs. On top of the table was a plate loaded with sandwiches and a large carton of orange juice. Her lips twitched as she saw crystal glasses and a red rose propped up in a similar crystal vase.

  It was obviously Ethan’s touch.

  She glanced back at the slumbering Ethan; every inch of him was delectably mouth watering. The perfect curve of his chest was smooth and free of any masculine hair. She couldn’t help but notice he was hard, which surprised her, considering he was in one of his deathlike stupors.

  Her stomach growled in gnawing hunger; she hadn’t eaten

  anything since Ethan had last fed her. Jumping on the bed to rage at Ethan for chaining her would be useless until he was awake.

  After examining the ankle cuff and chain, there was no way she was going to get free without a key. Although she didn’t know Ethan that well, she knew him well enough to know he wouldn’t keep the key anywhere she would be likely to find it. She tugged the cover up over Ethan’s lower half before the sudden flaring of lust and the mouth-watering sight of his erect cock tempted her. Instead, she turned and went to the wardrobe, where she found her bag. It seemed Ethan had hung up their clothes and had added to her modest collection of garments: silk blouses, dress pants and skirts. How very domestic of a vampire, she mused dryly before grabbing her toothbrush and heading into the bathroom.

  Aria gave a snort, noting Ethan was clever enough to make the chain long enough for her to go into the b
athroom but not long enough for her to actually reach the cabin door. She could yell and shout to draw attention. Someone would surely hear her, and Ethan would be helpless to do anything about it. As she started the shower, thoughts of yelling or escaping melted away under the warm water. What did she have to go back to anyway? Mae was gone; for the second time in her life, she felt utterly alone. Ethan only wanted her as a portable meal ticket. The sex was good—well, mind-blowing fantastic—but to what means? She was nothing but a useful toy to this man.

  Depressed, she finished the shower, toweled herself dry, brushed out her damp hair, and brushed her teeth. Wrapped only in a towel, she sat down and devoured the food he’d left her. This whole mess was her fault; everything she had worked for, the life she had built, had been destroyed by one stupid mistake. She didn’t like the feeling of helplessness, so she blinked back the tears that threatened to spill.

  Ironically, she realized the only one she had to hold onto now was Ethan, but did she really want that? At twenty-five, she was still young and strong enough to build a new life somewhere. As she tried to imagine a new start, strangely none of the scenarios that went through her head were without Ethan. Damn the man, vampire or alien? She didn’t know

  exactly, but she was going to damn well find out. If she had to put her trust into him, then she was going to find out everything she could about the man. With the shower and food now settling into her stomach, a wave of sleepiness swept over her. She yawned, took off the towel, and crawled back into the bed, curling up against Ethan and enjoying his warmth. It didn’t take her long to fall into a deep sleep.

  *

  Daylight was fading. Slowly, Ethan started to regain his senses and body movements. The soft, even breathing and rhythmic drumming of Aria’s heart was music to his ears; the warmth of her body was curled up against his side. He drew in a deep breath at her honey scent. In a single moment, everything was as it should be: waking to find Aria by his side, lifting his head to gaze down at his little sleeping beauty, smelling the soft, flowery lotion she had used to wash her hair. He nuzzled into the top of her head, inhaling deeply. He moved back as she turned onto her back, watching in utter fascination. His cock hardened to the point of pain as she rose her arms above her head and arched her back, stretching like a feline. Then she yawned before fluttering her eyes open. She blinked several times, and her pink tongue darted out to moisten her lush, pink lips.