The Hidden (Heartfire)

by Celeste Davis

  "Over here."

  I turned and there he was, just a few feet away. He was perfectly still, staring at me. I couldn't see his expression clearly, but I had a strange feeling he could see me perfectly.

  I knew that his physical agility and strength were part natural, part unnatural. He'd told me so himself. He had been frightened of his new abilities at first, but now he reveled in them.

  Maybe a little too much.

  As if he could hear my thoughts he did something that a normal guy shouldn't be able to do. He moved so fast it was a blur. He was over there and then he was behind me, lifting me into his arms.

  He lowered his head and kissed my startled lips.

  Then he grinned, his bright white teeth flashing.

  "Let's get out of here."

  I felt shy but I felt a thrill at the feeling of his strong arms around me. He'd lifted me like I was nothing but a feather.

  "Okay. Where?"

  "To the woods. I want to be alone with you."

  I swallowed and nodded.

  "Not too far this time, Dylan. Okay?"

  He squeezed me and took off at a run. It was almost frightening, how fast he went. But his stride was smooth and he was careful not to jostle me.

  I had no idea how far we went but it was quiet and even darker when he stopped, setting me gently on my feet. Then he brushed his fingers over my cheek and kissed me softly.

  I still had my eyes closed when he pulled away. My eyes were adjusting to the darkness and out here the stars seemed brighter. I watched as he rolled out a blanket. He'd come prepared. I rubbed my shoulders, chewing my lip nervously. He obviously had more than kissing in mind.

  "It's chilly."

  "I'll keep you warm."

  He smiled at me, a warm promise in his eyes. I felt butterflies dancing in my stomach. But they were of excitement, not fear.

  Well, maybe a little bit of fear.

  Not of him. Fear that I would let him down. I didn't really have a clue what I was doing with boys. And he wasn't just a boy.

  He was something else, something special.

  And I was pretty sure I was in love with him.

  He held out his hand and I took it, sitting on the blanket beside him. He brushed my hair back and kissed my neck. He smiled at me, pretending to mull something over.

  "Apple turnover."

  He kissed the other side, his breath fanning my ear.

  "Cinnammon."

  Then he kissed my forehead.

  "Vanilla."

  He smiled at me.

  "I don't smell a whiff of french fries."

  I laughed nervously.

  "I was on dessert duty this time."

  He scooted closer, angling his body so that it pressed against mine. He put his hand on my back and guided me down until I was laying on the blanket, with him poised above me.

  "Kaylia... you're always on dessert duty."

  He kissed me then, his mouth open and hungry. His hands ran over my body, seeking and finding sensitive spots. My wrists. My sides. His hands skimmed my breasts and he moaned, rolling so he was on top of me.

  I could feel his erection pushing against me. He was sliding his hand underneath my shirt, reaching for my breasts. I lifted my hands, placing them on his shoulders. He stopped immediately, breathing heavily.

  "What's wrong?"

  "Nothing. I just-"

  He stared at me, his eyes worried.

  "You said you wanted me."

  "I do."

  I sat up, pulling my shirt back down.

  "Just not here okay? It's my first time, remember?"

  He nodded solemly.

  "Okay. We don't have to do anything."

  Then he kissed me again. It was less urgent this time. But still more passionate than any kisses we'd shared before. He touched my body but steered clear of anything too intimate.

  I found myself regretting my words. I was arching against him, wanting more. But I did not want to lose my virginity in the woods.

  He undertood that and respected it.

  It was an hour later when he carried me back through the woods to campus. He set me on my feet when we reached civilization. I walked beside him the rest of the way to my dorm.

  He stared down at me, that look of awe on his face again.

  "Come away with me this weekend."

  His hand cupped my cheek and I turned my face towards it, pressing a kiss into his palm.

  "Yes."

  Dylan

  Chapter Five

  ☽

  "You alright?"

  I glanced at Kaylia then shifted my eyes back to the road. It was raining and the roads were extra slick with wet leaves. I could protect her from almost anything. Except a car crash.

  Actually I'd probably just throw myself in front of her then too.

  "I'm fine Dyl."

  "I can turn the heat up."

  I reached for the knob and adjusted it, sending warm air streaming into the SUV's interior.

  I smiled and reached for her hand. Her fingers were cold as my hand enveloped hers. She wasn't saying much but that was alright. I could read my girl like a book.

  My girl.

  That's what she was now. Now that she'd finally stopped fighting. Stopped running. I could feel it down to my bones. I wasn't alone anymore. I never would be again.

  And tonight I would make it real.

  I had rented a cabin for a couple of days. It had been almost a week since she'd sent the text, a week that had gone by torturously slow for me. She was mine now, but there was no place for us to be together with any degree of privacy.

  I couldn't bring her back to the suite without my roommates embarrassing her. Thankfully, I'd been able to convince her to take a few days off from her work study. And since my parents had brought my car up the month before, we were finally going to be alone.

  I felt my groin tighten at the thought of finally taking her. Having free reign to thoroughly explore her sweet little body. I knew she would feel incredible in my arms. Even more so, I knew it would feel right.

  "In fifty feet, take the next left onto Fulsome Creek Road."

  There was no one driving on these back roads from what I could tell, but I flipped the turn signal on anyway. It was dark out and who knew what kind of drivers there were out here in the middle of nowhere.

  I turned onto the unpaved road and we started climbing. The new road was narrow and winding so I found myself leaning forward over the wheel, concentrating deeply. My reflexes were preternaturally fast, but I had precious cargo on board.

  After about ten minutes we came to a clearing at the top of a hill. A small cabin sat there, dark wood with a covered front porch. This was it.

  "Come on."

  I climbed out of the car and looked around. It was perfect. Secluded didn't begin to cover it. Other than the car lights and the stars, there was complete darkness.

  I walked up the porch stairs and fished the key out of my pocket. It slid into the lock and I pushed the door open. I reached back and pulled Kaylia into the cabin, making her squeal. Then I turned the light on. Not that I needed it to see. My night vision was insanely good. Just like my hearing. Just like my sense of smell.

  I turned the gas fireplace on with a switch.

  I grinned at Kaylia as she stared wide eyed around the cabin. She looked a little nervous. That didn't surprise me. After all, you could only lose your virginity once.

  I pulled her into my arms for a lingering kiss.

  The night I'd waited for so long had begun.

  Kaylia

  ☽

  One bed.

  There was only one bed.

  The reality hit me like a ton of bricks. This was happening. This was happening tonight.

  I was losing my V-card.

  Of course I had expected to sleep with him. Wanted to sleep with him. But the fact that there was only one bed made it seem so... final.


  I rubbed my arms briskly, feeling the chill.

  I was just a little bit nervous, that's all. Dylan dropped another bag on the floor, making me jump in the air like a cat. Okay, maybe I was more than a little nervous.

  A lot.

  I was a lot nervous.

  It wasn't every day a girl lost her virginity after all.

  I wasn't sure if I should unpack, or take a shower, or... actually I had no idea what to do. Those were my only two options at the moment. Then I realized I could sit, and see what Dylan had in mind.

  I sat down gingerly on the dark brown couch. Thankfully it was more comfortable than it looked. Dylan came back in with a few bags of groceries. I started to stand but he waved me off.

  "You relax. I got this."

  I sat down again, not telling him that giving me something to do would help me relax. But there was no need to let him know what a freak I was. What girl was afraid of sleeping with an Adonis?

  A sweet, sexy, loyal, cursed Adonis?

  He held up each item as he unpacked it.

  "Steak. Eggs. Milk. Orange juice. Cold cuts. Um... whole grain bread."

  I giggled nervously.

  "Pasta... tomato sauce... anddd... what do we have here?"

  He pulled out a bottle of red wine and wiggled his eyebrows at me. I felt myself relaxing. Dylan knew what to do. We would just relax. He wasn't going to pounce on me. When he pulled out a second bottle I giggled even more.

  "I like to call these Friday and Saturday."

  I watched as he put the groceries away and uncorked the wine. He was so strong. So graceful. There was something self assured about the way he moved that I envied as much as I admired.

  No one would ever call him a little mouse.

  Dylan poured two glasses and carried them over to the sofa.

  He raised his glass to mine and clinked dramatically.

  "What are we drinking to?"

  "To you."

  I blushed and glanced away.

  "Uh uh. Must make eye contact when making a toast."

  I inhaled and looked into his teasing eyes. He bumped his glass against mine again and then we both drank, the savory taste of the wine warming me more than the fire.

  But not as much as the look in his eyes.

  God, he was beautiful.

  Men weren't supposed to be beautiful but Dylan was. Everything about him fit together perfectly. He made sense to my eyes.

  To my heart.

  He was perfect.

  I still didn't understand what a guy like Dylan would want with a girl like me. I was a shy little nothing. He was... what he was. He could have had anyone. And he chose me.

  Then again, I knew better than to argue against good fortune. He wanted to be with me, that much was obvious. And I wanted it too. It was more than our odd connection. It was more than just the magnetic attraction we both seemed to feel. It was something bigger than either one of us.

  What was the worst that could happen?

  Dylan

  Chapter Six ⨌

  I sipped my wine again, watching Kaylia over the rim of my glass. As usual, she looked like a little bird who was seriously considering taking flight. I didn't blame her.

  After what she'd seen, I wouldn't be surprised if she slept with a crusafix under her bed. But as far I knew, they didn'd do shit against werewolves.

  Hopefully after tonight I'd be able to set her mind at ease once and for all.

  She'd know that I would never hurt her. Not for anything. Or anyone.

  I would protect her with my life if I had to. But first I wanted to enjoy her. As much as possible.

  "Are you hungry? We could eat now."

  She shook her head. I felt the tightness in my stomach ease up. I didn't want to eat either.

  Well, not food anyway.

  Now I could touch her sooner rather than later.

  Much sooner.

  "Here, have some more wine."

  I refilled both our glasses and grinned at her. She looked even more nervous now. Oh shit, I must have looked a little over eager. I leaned back casually and she visibly relaxed.

  Okay, so I was going to have to go slow...

  I sipped my wine and stared into the fire. Eventually I closed my eyes, letting my body get heavy. I was anything but relaxed. I was poised and ready to jump her bones. But I didn't want her to know that.

  A muffled giggle brought me back to the moment.

  "Are you... sleeping?"

  I looked at her sideways. She was laughing at me. She looked so adorably mischevious that my heart did a little flip flop.

  "No, just relaxing. You should try it. Here, lean against me."

  I took our glasses and set them on the coffee table. Then I eased her into the crook of my shoulder. I pulled my arm around her, letting my finger tips graze her forearm. I deliberately did nothing for a while, just made lazy whorls on her impossibly silky skin.

  I grimaced at the feeling of blood rushing to my groin. I couldn't help it. Just having her body pressed against my side was doing things to me. I was getting aroused.

  Extremely aroused.

  Kaylia was starting to wiggle a little bit too. I smiled with my eyes closed. Hmmm... seems I wasn't the only one...

  I let my fingertips start to wander. Up and down her arm at first. Then along her neck. She wiggled again. Yes, it was definitely working.

  I shifted slightly, angling my body towards hers. Now my other hand could touch her leg. Again I started with the lightest of touches, turning my head into her neck and breathing softly.

  I felt Kaylia squirming, her hips making small circles. I smiled against her neck and started kissing her there. I trailed little kisses up to her jaw and then to her lips.

  She whimpered a bit as my lips closed over hers.

  It was the sexiest goddamn sound I'd heard in my entire life.

  I groaned and gave into the urgency building inside me. Suddenly my hands were on her hips and my tongue was in her mouth. She gasped as I yanked her against my raging hard on.

  "Hmmmm... my God Kaylia... I want you so bad."

  She moaned in surrender as I rearranged our bodies on the couch. I pushed her backwards until she was on her back, grinding into her as I took her mouth in a long, drugging kiss. Just like that, we were practically screwing.

  Almost there...

  I groaned, frustrated by all the clothes in the way. I hated clothes suddenly. I wanted her to be naked right now. All the time. I felt myself rubbing against my pants and groaned.

  Finally I tore my mouth away.

  "Oh God- we have to go into the bedroom now, okay?"

  She nodded and I pulled myself off of her amazing body with effort. I gripped her hand hard, almost as if I was afraid she might run away. She didn't though. She stared at me with a dazed look and let me lead her into the bedroom in the back of the cabin.

  Kaylia

  ⨌

  I sat on the bed while Dylan got his backpack and a towel.

  "Here, help me pull the covers back."

  I stood and we pulled them back together, then I helped him lay the towel over the white sheets. I knew what it was for.

  It was for the blood.

  I swallowed, feeling my nerves coming back with a vengeance. But before I could say a word, he was behind me, holding me, kissing my neck in that way that made me go weak in the knees.

  He reached forward and started unbottoning my blouse. His fingers felt so good against my chest. Suddenly I wasn't nervous anymore.

  I was excited.

  Before I knew it he'd pulled my shirt off. I could feel his naked chest against my back. My skin absorbed his heat, soaking it up like a flower soaks up the sun. Then he reached for the top of my jeans, unzipping them and shimmying them over my hips.

  It happened so fast I barely had time to feel shy. The light was on. I knew he could see me. My thick hips and the faint stretchmarks I got wh
en I hit puberty. But he seemed to think I was beautiful. He wasn't just saying it either. I could feel it in the way his hands moved reverently over the skin of my hips and thighs.

  He moaned as he pressed himself against my back, his erection large and hot where it poked me through his jeans. Gently he lowered me onto the bed and pulled my jeans the rest of the way off.

  He stared at me hungrily, standing there with his broad chest rising and falling. He wanted me. He really did.

  And I wanted him too.

  "Jesus Kaylia. You're so beautiful."

  I watched as he pulled his pants off, climbing into the bed with me. He looked like a panther, crawling up and over me. His muscles were gleaming in the moonlight. I let out a soft breath as his bare skin came into contact with mine.

  He let out a soft whoosh of air as he pulled me flush against him.

  I was relieved at the way he was acting. He felt like I did. It wasn't just me who was overwhelmed by his closeness. He seemed to be just as affected, even though it wasn't his first time.

  Best not to think about that right now. About his full past. And my empty one.

  He started kissing and stroking me. Distracting me before I had time to go down that particular line of thought. His hands shifted up and down my sides, pausing briefly to squeeze my hip, my waist, my back.

  When his hand finally closed over my breast we both groaned. His hand was so hot. It felt amazing. I could feel my nipple rising eagerly to meet it, even through my bra.

  He lifted his head from mine and stared down at me, watching his hands as they peeled my bra away. He moaned again when his hands closed over my bare breasts.

  "Oh God Kaylia..."

  Then he lowered his head and started kissing me there.

  I nearly flew off the bed from the sensation. He was gentle at first, fondling and kissing, licking the pointed tips of my breasts. But then he became impatient, pulling my leg up and over his hip. He pulled my nipple into his mouth and sucked.

  Hard.

  "Oh!"

  He chuckled above me and ground his hips into mine. He kissed me briefly before switching and pulling my other nipple into his mouth. He did this for what seemed like forever, until my head was tossing on the pillows.