Awakening

by Warneke, A. C.

  “Hey, don’t knock it,” Kim scolded with laughing eyes. “I was almost twenty-one before I even knew what sex was.”

  The two girls giggled about the statement that was too close to the truth. For some odd reason Kim was completely asexual all throughout high school and the first few months of college. Then a few years ago something strange happened and it was a whole new Kim; she realized she was a sexual being and she took to sex with a vengeance. Her boyfriend was a very satisfied man.

  “Well, at least there are still two members of the V Club,” Celeste sighed in resignation of never losing her virginity since there was only one man she had ever had the least bit of interest in and he was a complete and utter stranger, one she would never see again. Of course, there were only three members to begin with….

  Chapter 2

  Celeste looked at her reflection in the tiny mirror, pleased with how the black dress hugged her body, smoothing over the curve of her hips and showing a little thigh through the slit when she moved. She knew that it was silly putting the little black dress on when she had no place to wear it; she wasn’t even sure she knew why she even packed the damn thing. No, that wasn't true; she had packed it in the off chance a gorgeous and fabulously wealthy man swept her off her feet and dragged her off to Monaco to drink champagne and gamble the night away. More likely she would have worn it if she could have talked her friends into attending the symphony, if she had been able to afford the tickets.

  Of course, Kim and the other two girls who took the trip had decided to follow a couple of young French men to a club that promised to have anything the girls desired. Since the only thing Celeste desired was long gone, she had opted to stay behind and take a moonlit walk along the stone boulevards and absorb the Parisian air. It was only when she was getting ready to go that the little black dress caught her eye and she was determined to wear it at least once on their trip.

  Grabbing the hem, she started to tug it over her hips when there was a knock at the door. Wondering who it could be, she smoothed the material of the dress over her thighs and crossed the short distance of the room, opening the door and forgetting how to breathe. The stranger from the museum stood there, leaning against the door with his arms crossed over his broad chest and smiling down at her. Celeste raised her head, and raised it higher still, looking at the man who towered over her, knowing that she would feel safe in his arms. Even if looking at him made her feel anything but safe. He was much taller than a mere six feet; he was probably pushing six five, nearly a foot taller than herself. She smiled, or tried to, as her lips trembled, “Hello.”

  His lips curved into a sensuous smile as he gazed down at her with black eyes, “I never got the chance to introduce myself at the museum this afternoon. Allow me to rectify that most unfortunate oversight. I am Adamanteros Vespari.”

  Celeste swallowed hard, his voice impossibly sexy and warm, erotic, and felt the heat pooling low in her belly. She automatically placed her palm in the hand he offered, catching her breath as he brought it up to his mouth and lightly kissed her fingertips. Sucking in a painful breath, she rasped, “Am I dreaming?”

  “Not at all, my dear,” he murmured, his words caressing her skin.

  “Adamanteros,” Celeste whispered getting a feel for his name on her tongue. She wanted something else of his on her tongue…. Smiling up at him to cover her lascivious thoughts, she said, “Celeste and it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  His breath was hot and moist against her shivering skin as he kissed her fingers once more. She dismissed the fleeting thought that she should be concerned that he somehow discovered where she lived, that he had followed her back to her room. Instead, goose bumps trailed up and down her arm as he continued to hold her hand, her gaze. “The pleasure is mine.”

  His smile widened, making her heart do a little jig in her chest. Holding out their joined hands to the side, he looked down at her and his color burnished his cheeks. “You are a vision; did you know I was coming?”

  “I had hoped,” she said softly, realizing how true the words were as she spoke them. Lowering her lashes, she felt the heat creeping into her cheeks, “It’s silly, I know, but I had hoped to kiss you at least once.”

  Smiling indulgently, he bent his head down and placed a chaste kiss on her lips, sending little tingles of electricity into her mouth and through her body. It was over before she even registered it had begun. As he straightened, she stared at his mouth, his smile. When she didn't speak, he arched an eyebrow. “Well?”

  “I was expecting more,” she admitted before slamming a hand over her mouth to shut up her wayward tongue. But it continued wagging, “Not that your kiss was lacking; it wasn’t, but….”

  His eyes darkened as he pulled her against his hard body and a gasp escaped as her breasts pressed against the hard planes of his muscled chest. “Then allow me to indulge you, sweetheart.”

  Their hands separated as his went to her shoulders to steady her and hers went to his waist. He tightened his hold on her and she had to remind herself to breathe. His body was solid, crushing her breasts and stealing her breath. Closing her eyes for just a moment, she took a breath, his intoxicating aroma filling her senses leaving her even dizzier than before. Her cheeks were rosy as she looked up at him through long lashes, wetting her lips with the tip of her tongue. Wanting nothing more than to taste him, she reluctantly murmured, “You don’t have to do this, Mr. Vespari….”

  His hand moved from her shoulder to her cheek, his thumb brushing across her moistened lower lip. Her mouth parted slightly and his thumb caressed the inside of the lip, feeling the heat and warmth. Bending his head slightly, his mouth next to her ear, his voice rasped in need, “Indeed, I do.”

  There was a slight whimper as she leaned into him, her tongue stabbing out, tentatively tasting the pad of his thumb, the dark essence of the man. With a low growl sounding in the back of his throat, he gently placed his mouth over hers. Her slender fingers curled into his waist, bracing herself, as she melted into him; her lips were soft, responsive to his touch.

  Impossibly, she couldn’t get enough of him quickly enough and the feeling seemed to be mutual as his arm snaked around her waist, pulling her body even closer to him. His other hand cupped the back of her neck, drinking deeply. As her lips parted, he slid his tongue into the heat of her mouth, consuming her.

  She touched her tongue to his and felt the fires raging out of control. Her fingers pulled the shirt out of his pants and her hands slid beneath the fabric, feeling the smooth, hard planes of his abdomen, his chest. He pressed his hips against her and she could feel the heat and length of his rock hard erection.

  Holding the back of her neck, his other hand began to explore her body. Running down the side over the swell of her breasts, the ridges of her ribs, the indent of her waist, her hip, he groaned when she sighed into his mouth. She felt his hands grabbing her skirt, gathering the material up, and she was desperate to feel the touch of his hot hand on the skin beneath. Awkwardly, she worked on the fastening of his pants…

  “Ahem!” an offended voice pierced through the sensual fog she was lost in. In a heavy accent, an older woman squawked, “Get a room!”

  Slowly, reality began to break through and Adam reluctantly pulled away from her, her eyes still glazed over, still lost in passion. Horrified, he quickly released the skirt and stepped back, his arm around her shoulders to keep her standing upright. Smiling slightly, he ran his free hand through his hair, “I do not know what came over me; forgive me.”

  “Mmmm,” she murmured in response. Shaking her head slightly, her eyes widened in embarrassment; she would have had sex with him right then and there had they not been interrupted. No matter how gorgeous he was, this was not at all like her. Her cheeks reddened as her hand flew to her swollen lips. “Oh, my goodness; Mr. Vespari!”

  “Adamanteros,” he purred, brushing a strand of hair from her face, letting his fingers linger on the soft skin of her temple. He ran his other hand down her b
ack, and she shivered. As his hand stopped at her waist, Celeste jumped, taking a step out of his arms. Smiling, he shook his head, “Or Adam if you prefer.”

  “Adamanteros,” she breathed, tasting his name once more; she loved his name. It was exotic and tasted like sin and salvation on her lips. Her skin tightened painfully as sexual lust stampeded through her entire body; she was ready to lead him back into the tiny room and have her way with him.

  Celeste tilted her head, studying him, she suddenly realized how disheveled he was. Her red cheeks turned nearly purple. Deliberately, he slowly tucked his shirt back into his pants, refastening the buttons she had undone. He gazed down at her with such lust in his eyes that she knew if it weren’t for the stranger, he’d be buried in her right that very moment….

  He groaned, reclaiming her hand once again. His voice was rough, dark, as he murmured, “Let us go somewhere private, where we will not be interrupted, yes?”

  “Will you finish what you started?” she asked daringly, glancing up at him with seductive innocence. Her eyes widened in alarm and she clapped a hand over her mouth as she realized what she said.

  “Hell yes,” Adam answered, his voice low and sultry and filled with promise. Running his finger over her lips, watching the movement with his dark eyes, he smiled. Meeting her eyes, he repeated himself, “Hell yes.”

  Celeste’s mouth went dry at the intensity with which he stared at her. Biting her lower lip, she broke the gaze and glanced away. Unable to help herself, she glanced back up at Adam who continued to stare at her, his intent very clear in his eyes. “I have to leave a note for my friends so they won’t worry; do you mind?”

  “Not at all,” he answered, stepping into the small room and taking a brief glance around, a lazy smile curving his lips. “Where do your friends stay?”

  Celeste looked at him oddly, wondering if he thought the mismatched luggage was all hers. Writing a few words down on a sheet of paper, she made a face, “Um, we all stay in this room.”

  He looked at her as if he didn’t comprehend her words, “Both you and the blond?”

  “Yes,” she nodded, a smile starting to curve her lips. “And Mary and Clare.”

  “Four of you?” he gasped, truly shocked. “In this closet? Amazing.”

  She arched an eyebrow at his statement as she finished up the note and left it on Kim’s luggage. She could only hope her friend wouldn’t be too pissed at coming back to the hostel to discover Celeste missing. Rationally, Celeste knew she shouldn’t be running off with a stranger who had tracked her down but there was simply something about Adamanteros that she couldn’t resist. She was incredibly stupid and if she survived she was going to have to seriously reevaluate her sanity.

  Holding out his hand for her to take when she remained silent, he nodded his head towards the door, “Shall we?”

  Smiling shyly, she walked forward, placing her hand in his, feeling his large palm overpower hers. Instead of terrifying her with his great size, she felt safe, protected. Cherished. She didn’t care how foolish her thoughts were, tonight she was going to relish every moment with him. Not thinking about what the next day would bring, not caring, she met his eyes, “Yes.”

  *****

  When they stepped outside of the building, there was a car waiting. The driver hopped out, opening the door for them, bowing his head in deference. Celeste had the fleeting impression that he was very tall; perhaps as tall as Adamanteros.

  Celeste slid in before Adam, her skirt riding up along her thigh in an unintentionally seductive way as she moved across the seat. She had to bite her lip from jumping Adam as soon as he got into the car, throwing her skirt the rest of the way up and kissing him until their bodies trembled in pleasure. Groaning, she watched as he slid into the seat next to her, taking her hand in his.

  “How did you find me?" Celeste asked, her hazel eyes bright as she smoothed the skirt over her lap, the slit threatening to open and reveal her leg up to her hip.

  “I followed you from the museum,” he answered. Frowning, he looked out the window, “That makes me sound as if I am a stalker and I do not wish to give you that impression.”

  “If I thought you were stalking me do you think I would have left my room with you?” she teased. When his lips curved into the barest smile but he continued to stare out the window she took the opportunity to visually devour him. Up close, he was even more devastating to her senses; she could fully appreciate the lengths of his long eye lashes, the blackness of his eyes. And she could smell him, something primal. Decadent. Wonderful.

  After a moment, his lips curled up into a real smile and without looking at her, he murmured, “I can feel your eyes on me.”

  “I’m so sorry!” she apologized quickly, her face burning in humiliation as she turned away from him to look anywhere else. She ended up staring down at her hand, enveloped so completely in his. He had very nice hands, strong, powerful, and yet he caressed her so gently….

  “I do not mind,” he murmured in that sinful voice, turning around to face her. Gently, he touched her cheek but she kept her eyes lowered as she faced him. “Look at me.”

  Slowly, she raised her chin, her lashes raising enough for her to see him; for him to see her eyes. Brushing his thumb across her lower lip, he whispered, “It pleases me to feel your eyes caress me. I could spend several lifetimes studying the exquisite beauty that is you.”

  Her brow furrowed, not believing him because he was unutterably gorgeous and she was simply Celeste. Slightly flustered, she blurted out, “You have a slight accent.”

  He smiled, “I do.”

  “Where are you from?” she asked, her fingers tightening around his as his thumb continued its slow assault on her senses. Her own fingers began to return the caress.

  “My parents traveled a lot when I was a child,” he said easily but she had the strangest feeling that he was lying to her, which didn’t make sense. She was probably imagining things. “I guess it is sort of an accumulated accent.”

  “I like that,” she smiled shyly at him, wondering how he could make her feel so comfortable. She understood the lust he invoked quite well. She glanced back down at their hands as they danced with one another.

  He reached up and brushed a strand of hair from her face, letting the hand linger on her cheek. “What do you feel like eating?”

  Her cheeks reddened as her mind instantly thought of him. Covering herself, she answered, “I think I might be too nervous to eat.”

  “Then I will have my chef prepare a light repast and we will see what we can do about your nerves,” he assured her with a slight smile. Leaning forward, still holding her hand in his, he said something into the driver’s ear. When he sat back, he had a satisfied grin on his face.

  “We’re going to your place?” she asked, excited and terrified.

  “If it pleases you.”

  “You don’t know me well enough to be taking me home,” she murmured, the butterflies in her belly pounding against the walls, screaming at her to have some care for her safety. She could only hope that her adventure didn’t end tragically.

  “I will soon enough,” he promised, bringing their hands up to his mouth and kissing her fingers. Her heart flopped in her chest at the heat of his mouth, the heat in his gaze.

  “Perhaps we could skip dinner and get to know each other better now,” she said, her voice low and throaty. She couldn’t believe her words, or her sexy voice, yet she couldn’t take them back – she didn’t want to. What kind of spell had this man woven over her? Unfortunately, she hoped it never wore off; she would remain his eternal concubine.

  His lips curled up in an increasingly familiar and sensual smile. “I would like nothing more. But first you must eat. I plan on making you work up quite the appetite.”

  Her breath caught in her throat as he leaned over her, softly pressing his lips against hers, sealing a promise. It was only a brief kiss but it left her temporarily disembodied. Leaning back in the seat, her eyes closed and her mi
nd unaware that the split of her dress had fallen open, she smiled, “You make me feel as if I could fly.”

  *****

  Smiling at her words, her sweet kiss, Adam looked up and caught the matching pair of dark eyes of the driver in the rear-view mirror. Auberon asked, Do I need to make arrangements in the Adytum?

  No, Adam answered, willing to do almost anything to get the girl to himself for an hour, a night, an eternity. How odd; he had never felt this way before. I am not going to convert this one; I do not want her to lose her fundamental warmth.

  You play a dangerous game, brother. You blew through a very important meeting this afternoon; it is not like you.

  You protest too much, Auberon, Adam smiled at his identical twin. Everything is going forward as planned and we shall soon be free.

  Thomas did not sound so convinced; he cannot tell us what is missing, Auberon returned, reminding Adam of how very close they were and yet how far.

  Leave it, brother, Adam warned.

  Auberon’s laughter filled his head and he had to force the smile to keep from frowning. This is not like you, Adam; you are not the one who wishes to cancel meeting to chase after some girl.

  I know. Adam admitted ruefully. Turning his attention back to Celeste, he tried to ignore any further conversation with his brother. With her eyes closed, her lashes brushed seductively against her cheek. Locking his brother out, he smiled, knowing that in a few hours, they would be as entwined as their hands were presently.

  She opened her eyes and smiled softly, sweetly. “I can feel your eyes on me as well, Adamanteros.”

  You told her your name? Your real name? Auberon choked from the front seat, his eyes glaring accusingly at Adam via the mirror. You are usually so protective of your name.

  Adam continued to ignore his brother, bending his head and kissing Celeste softly on the lips. Smiling against her mouth, he spoke, “Good. you must know how much I desire you.”