The Beginning: A Natura Elementals Novella Duology

by Sloane Calder

  Orange rose petals had been strewn across the bed. Another of her favorites. Another thing he remembered.

  “I regret waiting so long,” she teased, turning to find him standing in the doorway, his tie loosened, the top button of his crisp white shirt open.

  “You’re worth every second. I knew you were mine the first day I met you.”

  “That’s sweet, but we were what? Nine?”

  “Doesn’t matter. I knew.”

  In the library at school. Back home in Savannah. When they’d both reached for the same Percy Jackson book. Ten years ago. Outside of her best friend, Eamon was the one person who hadn’t looked down on her because of her Passive status. He’d stood up for her in boarding school, listened when she’d needed to talk. Since the beginning, he’d been a friend before she’d learned she had no power.

  “Then let’s stop wasting time.”

  She reached behind her and drew down the zipper of her dress, letting it fall to the floor. She was no femme fatale, but a trill of excitement flickered through her as his gaze licked over her lingerie and heels.

  “You are so fucking beautiful.” He stalked toward her, that smoldering look flaring in his eyes when his intentions ran to endlessly pleasing her.

  His arms circled her waist, pulling her against the body she knew as well as her own. They’d spent a year learning to please each other, and Eamon had been a detailed study. An intoxicating quiver rolled through her at the memories of the intimate conversations they’d had while he touched, learned, and teased her to sweet, mind-shattering release.

  He’d so easily given over to his vulnerability, been a thorough teacher of the things that made his body shudder, been direct and descriptive of all the ways she could steal his breath. Even now, desire flooded her at the way he’d inspected every inch of her, how his fingers and his mouth had coaxed orgasm after orgasm from her.

  She looked up, teasing the tight blond waves of his hairline, dragging the back of her hand over his smooth jaw.

  “I want to watch you undress.” Her heart kicked at the thought. All that strength, that muscle, hot and smooth and hard for her.

  Goddess, why had she needed a full year for this moment, and why the hell had he waited?

  “My lady likes to watch.” His mouth pulled to one side, his full bottom lip begging to be touched. “And I like to give her what she wants.”

  “You are quite the provider.” She stepped back until the edge of the mattress hit her thighs, letting her relax while she watched at her leisure.

  His hands fumbled with his buttons. “I, uh, I’m not sure slow’s going to work for me this time.”

  A low laugh escaped her. If his slacks tented any more, the zipper might break.

  “Lie in your rose petals. I want to see them on you.” He toed off his shoes, his movements hurried as she made a show of lying back on the comforter.

  She sank into the plush bedding and opened her knees to reveal the pale pink strip of lace covering her. Her heart tripped even now at how he liked to study her sex. Smell her. Taste her. Over the time they’d been together, given how he’d perfected getting his name torn from her, ragged and raw and strained, because of the work of his talented mouth, virginal white hadn’t seemed appropriate. She’d chosen blush because that’s where they’d started with each other, unsure and honest and new, and built to something beautiful. Because he knew her in a way no other man did.

  He came toward her in her favorite outfit—buck naked—his cock a veined, hungry red. The mattress dipped as he moved over her, his face right above hers. His eyes closed, and a relieved sigh escaped, laden with the wine they’d shared at dinner. She basked in the smell of him, taking in his dark, earthy, masculine scent.

  “I’ve imagined this moment since my first wet dream. At thirteen, I woke up thinking of you, and there’s no one I’ve ever wanted more.” His mouth covered hers, the kiss soft, firm, and full of promise. “I should have asked you out sooner, but I was sure you’d say no, and my ego couldn’t take it.”

  Desire bloomed between her legs, and she fell like she always did with him, dizzy and headlong, into his kiss. She thrust up against him, the firm, hot feel of him something she wanted with everything she had. Her body shivered with need, a tad of fear striking at how large he was.

  “We don’t have to wait. I’m wet for you.” She was tired of being nervous.

  “First things first.” He sat up, straddling her, pulling something from his pinkie finger. “This ring has been in my family for a long time. It’s not an engagement ring, but a promise from me to always put you first. We’re starting something new, and I want you to be confident I’m serious about you.”

  He took her hand, trying the twisted wire ring on each finger, settling on the middle one.

  She pulled her hand close, studying the twined bands of white, yellow, and rose gold. For all the ring’s simplicity, her heart climbed into her throat at the honesty in his gaze and in the gold on her finger.

  “It’s beautiful.” She rubbed a thumb over the woven strands.

  “It’s old, and from Ireland, where my family’s lived for centuries. And I want our names joined for centuries more.”

  Her nerves fired that she couldn’t return his declaration of forever yet. She wanted him, cared for him, but she was twenty with more dreams than just a man.

  “Take off my panties.” She knew how to steer the conversation to baser thoughts.

  His smile turned devilish. “My new favorite words.”

  He got off the bed and gently slipped off her heels. Two thuds sounded, and fabric wisped down her legs.

  “I can take care of you first. It might help you relax.” His fingers traced up her middle.

  She bucked against his thick fingers, her breath coming in a burst.

  “Tonight’s about us together. I want to feel you inside me.”

  “My second-favorite words.” He climbed back over her, his hands beside her head, his sex heavy and hot between her legs. “Goddess, you are ready for me.”

  He rubbed against her, his length a slow draw through her folds. Her mind whirled, her body awash in feeling, her breath, her heart, all of her attuned to him.

  “Kiss me.” She sighed at the weight of him, the press of her body into the mattress, and the rough drag of his chest hair prickling over her breasts.

  “Goddess, you feel so—” Her eyes met his, and she stilled.

  “Am I hurting you?” He immediately lifted his weight from her.

  His eyes had changed from brown to green. Her green.

  “Sorry. I knew I was close, but your eyes just told me I’m fertile. Better wrap that big boy up.” She smiled, thanking the Goddess for the built-in ovulation detector. She might be Passive, but she was still a Natura. “I have condoms in my purse.”

  “Is pregnancy guaranteed?” Confusion and something else marred his thick blond brows.

  “I—I don’t know.” Unfortunately, no Guide to All Things Passive had ever turned up. “I don’t think so, just like it’s not assured with someone powered, but it’s possible. I can’t take the chance.”

  “I can’t wait to have a baby with you. Whenever it happens, I’m ready, but I have condoms.” He got up and pulled his jacket from the floor, digging out his wallet.

  He came back over her, straddling her waist, his cock long and thick.

  He cut his gaze to the bedding, his dimple hollowing. “I’ll admit I’ve wanted this since we first started dating.”

  She smiled at the flush on his neck but didn’t understand his hesitancy. He pulled the condom from the wrapper and sheathed himself steadily. She knew she wasn’t his first, but they’d been exclusive the last year and spent pretty much every waking moment together between classes at NYU.

  He settled above her, reaching between them to line himself up at her entrance. “I’ll go slow.”

  “Just do it.” She trailed her fingers through his hair, her heart warming at the concern in his emerald-green ey
es. “I think a quick rip’s better.”

  “Okay, baby.”

  He didn’t wait. His hips thrust.

  Her vision whitened. Breath left her in a pained gasp. He stopped. Holding himself still, his face red, the tendons in his neck bulging.

  “Fuck, you’re tight.” He choked out the words. “Let me know when I can move.”

  Never crossed her mind, but she willed herself to calm down, relax, let her body stretch to fit him. Her entire world seemed centered on the burn between her legs, but she steadied her breathing, knowing the more she tensed, the more it would hurt.

  “Go on.” She nodded, not sure if she was trying to convince herself she’d get past the pain.

  He pushed gently, eventually building to a slow, steady rhythm. “It’ll get easier every time we do it. I promise. Let me come, babe, and I’ll take care of you.”

  “Okay.” She held her breath as his thrusts increased.

  It’ll be okay. It’ll be okay.

  Seconds later, she felt him thicken, harden further. His hands dug into her skin, and a last, hard press of his hips had him braced and straining against her.

  His head kicked back, and her name tore from his mouth in a roar.

  “So good. So fucking good.” He collapsed against her, his breath harsh, his face and chest covered in a sweaty sheen. “I got you. Let me make it better.” He pulled from her, and relief cascaded through her. “Scoot toward me.”

  He guided her bottom to the edge of the bed. Her eyes locked on the ceiling, the phantom stretch of him tingling. Her breath left her at the lave of his tongue over the tender spot. He pushed inside her, kissing and licking at the pain. Heat and pressure built as he worked her, knowing just where to focus. She let go and fell into the pull of his mouth against her, the vibration of his hum building her higher and higher.

  She arched, her vision white hot behind her eyes, and gave herself over to the pulsing deep within her. Goddess, he was good. So, so good, and she drowned in the flood of sensation. His forehead rested against her knee, his breaths slowing, his teeth a soft bite against her thigh.

  “I think I’m dead, and man, was it worth it.” His fingers drew down her soft skin, and he stood, coming over her and kissing her stomach. “Be right back.”

  She rose to her elbows and watched him walk from the room, his cock flaccid against his leg, his breathing still harsh.

  Water rushed in the bathroom—a tub filling.

  “Come on. Your bath awaits. I already added Epsom salts to the water.”

  There he went again. Thinking of her and how much she loved to soak in a tub. If he hadn’t been like this ever since he used to bring her favorite candy to seventh grade, she’d have thought he was too good to be true.

  She got off the bed and moved across the lovely modern rug, leaning against the doorjamb. “You’re so considerate.”

  She should love him, or did she already?

  He gave her a cheeky grin. “Don’t paint me too romantic. I love pulling those panties down your long legs too.”

  A laugh came easy, easing her guilt at not completely returning the affection shining in his eyes. “Lucky you.”

  He pulled her naked body against his and kissed her long and deep. “Very lucky. And hopefully lucky for a long, long time.” He stepped away and held out a hand. “Let’s get in the tub. I know it was unavoidable, but I don’t like that I hurt you. There’s blood. Not much.” He nodded toward her leg.

  She looked down and saw the insides of her thighs were smeared the slightest red, and everything stood…still. She shouldn’t ask the question and kill the moment, but she had to know. He’d given her a ring, for Goddess’s sake.

  “Would you be with me if I wasn’t Passive?” She looked up into his still-green gaze.

  “Why would you ask that? Being Passive’s a part of who you are, and I love every part.”

  The scent of lavender filled the steamy air, the city’s lights and the moon casting shadows over their bodies through the large privacy windows. She stepped in first, and he got in behind her. Water sloshed over the edge, splatting on the marble as he sat and urged her to settle between his legs. Her back nestled against his chest, but she couldn’t stop digging her fingers into his thighs at the water’s sting.

  “I’m sorry it hurts.” He pulled her hair to one side, smoothing it over one of her breasts.

  “It hurts every woman the first time, doesn’t it?”

  “I wouldn’t know, and I don’t care about other women.” His arms folded around her, and his body relaxed behind hers. The salts and warm water were already easing the pain, and truthfully, it wasn’t as bad as her imagination had believed.

  Breathing in the lavender, she let herself take in the lights and the quiet of being fifty-two stories above one of the world’s busiest cities.

  She threaded the fingers of one hand with his and pulled their joined hands above the water. Although she’d never sensed anything to the contrary, she had to be sure he liked her for her and not her supposed superbabies. “What if my children are duds like me? What if Passives produce Passive children?”

  “You are the smartest, wittiest, kindest, most beautiful woman I know. There’s no room for dud anything, Elspeth Lennox.” He brought his other hand to her breast, cupped its heavy weight, and kissed the side of her neck. “It’s fine if you don’t want babies now. I hope we’ll have them one day. That you’ll want to have many with me. I’ll give you the life of your dreams.”

  A life. What if she had nothing to offer him? What if she was just a woman who wanted to share her years with her soul mate but had nothing to give him other than her love and trust? What if she wanted a career? Or what if she changed her mind and decided against kids? How could he give her the life of her dreams if she wasn’t sure of what that was?

  “But what if I couldn’t have children, or I didn’t want them? Would you still be with me?”

  He pulled her more firmly against his chest. “If you’re concerned about me being with other women once my Earth activates and I have to regen, you can pick my partners. Hell, you can watch if you’re worried I’ll feel something with them I don’t feel with you.” He pushed them both to sitting and leaned around to one side. “I love you, Elspeth, and I hope one day you’ll love me. And I don’t give a shit about the gossip about your brother either. I want you for you. Period.”

  Crap. Seanair had forbidden her to discuss Lach’s tripowered disease, the incurable illness that should have already killed him.

  She kissed him lightly, sweetly, not wanting the rumor she wouldn’t confirm to spoil the night. “I want you for you too.”

  He settled back into the water, pulling her so her head lolled against his shoulder. As the minutes passed, she fought against the emptiness invading her chest. He hadn’t answered the question, and she wasn’t sure what she wanted. After waiting a whole year, the issue seemed too much for the importance of the night.

  Goddess, for once could she stop rolling out plans B, C, and D in her mind?

  They eventually left the tub, and she let him between her legs again with his mouth and his cock. The second time didn’t hurt as much, and when he mounted her from behind the following morning, and she orgasmed around him, she decided this sex thing might be true to the hype after all.

  They slept until noon, and she welcomed him inside her one more time, certain the fading pain between her legs was nothing compared to the growing ache in her heart. Her mind wouldn’t rest, her thoughts smashing and molding into a truth she had to accept.

  Every Natura male who took her to bed would want babies. She had a golden womb she couldn’t deny, and nice or not, Eamon would eventually want the superpowered progeny she could…should provide.

  By the time they checked out and walked through the revolving door onto the sidewalk, her body was well sated. Her mind, though, was in twice the turmoil. She twisted the ring on her finger and watched his smile grow as he motioned her into the waiting Mercedes. The d
oor shut with a tight snick, and the car pulled away, another thing undeniable as they headed for her apartment near the university.

  No matter how much Eamon loved her, he couldn’t say he’d be with her if she couldn’t have his superbabies. The truth bore down on her as they stopped every few blocks for a red light. There was no way she could spend the rest of her life with someone who didn’t put her—and her alone—first.

  And in the Natura world, that would never happen.

  Tarrytown, NY—Lennox Estate

  Elspeth—Twenty-three years old

  The gate drew back slowly, but Elspeth’s pulse quickened. Perhaps she’d read too much into today’s lunch invitation from Seanair. While she normally drove the hour out of the city, she rationalized the car he’d sent for her as a courtesy, but she couldn’t calm the volatile thread inside of her.

  The maybe. The crossed fingers. The hope her grandfather had finally seen her dedication, and he’d reward something other than element power. Dedication. Loyalty. Hard freakin’ work done well.

  In case her optimism about being acknowledged proved true, she spent the forty-five-minute ride finalizing a marital contract between two Air families.

  ’Cause workaholics gotta work, and weddings had to happen.

  She closed her laptop, placed it beside her on the BMW sedan’s seat, and pulled the small compact from her purse.

  “Disaster.” She cut her gaze to the rearview mirror and hoped the driver hadn’t heard.

  Checking out the all-nighter wells beneath her eyes, she pulled out a few damage-control cosmetics and went to work. Dabs of concealer. Pinch of the cheeks. Berry lip stain. She plucked the energy drink from the cupholder and took a hard swig.

  Goddess, a little affirmation from him today. Please.

  Her idea to digitize the handwritten Natura birth and death logs prior to the 1980s had nearly done her in. Three hundred years of records, some merely tattered flakes of paper, would take, oh, centuries to input, and she’d barely made a dent in the work. The new task took up her evenings after a day full of marriage negotiations, but once Seanair had green-lighted the project, she’d gone into obsession mode.