Cade (Alexander Shifter Brothers Book 2)

by Selina Coffey

  The waiter handed them menus, but Lucian didn’t bother opening his. Ariella was scanning her own menu when she looked up and noticed that he wasn’t. She had a slight internal freak out that she would indeed be eating alone.

  The waiter returned and Lucian ordered a bottle of red wine. The waiter looked to her to take her order. Ariella told the waiter her order and then handed him the menu. She looked to Lucian and she froze. He was telling the waiter his own order! Ariella sat dumbfounded while the waiter collected Lucian’s menu and returned with the wine. He was pouring a glass for her when Lucian spoke up.

  “I hope red is okay?” He asked.

  Reeling her thoughts back in, she gave him a small smile. “Red is fine,” she answered as she took a sip of the delicious blend.

  Lucian was eyeing her warily. “Is everything alright?”

  “Yes. No. God, I’m not really sure. I’m so confused right now.”

  Lucian laughed at her panic. “Okay… what is there to be confused about?”

  “You.”

  “Me?”

  “Yes, you. Everything about you is a contradiction and I don’t know what to do with it.”

  Lucian smirked. “Well I can see how that might be an issue. What exactly is contradicting?”

  “You’re supposed to be cold, yet I can feel the heat from you right now. You’re not supposed to eat food, yet you order a meal. And let’s not forget that you are out in daylight hours, which is supposed to be a big no-no for your kind.” She exhaled the breath that she didn’t realize she had been holding.

  Lucian was quiet as he processed all that she had said. “Let me tell you a story,” he finally said after many minutes.

  Chapter Five

  Ariella sat enraptured by Lucian’s story. His past was filled with life, loss, pain, and love. He spoke of when he was turned at the age of nineteen and how he was bitter at first, until he came to accept who he was. His life was a tale straight out of a novel, and it was one that she wanted to read.

  “My kind start off only drinking blood but over time we are able to digest food too. The sun doesn’t bother us, that one is just a myth. And you feel the heat from my body because I’m undead.” He made sure to cover all of her questions. Lucian found himself wanting to share all of his secrets with her.

  The pair enjoyed the rest of their dinner, laughing and talking the whole time. Between the good wine, great conversation and delicious food, Ariella was feeling happier than ever. The night was too perfect for words.

  So when the car pulled up to her apartment complex, she hated to think that the night would be ending. “Would you like to come up for coffee?” She asked as he helped her out of the car.

  Feeling the same, Lucian nodded. He ducked his head down and said something to the driver. Once the door was shut the car began to pull away. Holding hands, they made it to her apartment.

  The moment the door shut, Lucian had her pinned up against it. Her arms were held captive by one hand while the other skimmed down her side. His lips fell to hers and were hot and demanding. Ariella was in heaven. The feel of Lucian’s hard body pressed up against hers set her on fire.

  Her nipples hardened as his thumb gently ran over them. Suddenly feeling like there were too many barriers between her skin and his, she tore off her shirt and then went for his. He reached around and unhooked her bra, yanking it to the floor.

  Lucian trailed kissed from her ear to her hips. Lowering to his knees, he took her pants off and put her legs over his shoulders, his head resting in between. He left her panties on and licked her core in one long, fat stroke that left Ariella speechless. All she could do was moan as his tongue picked up its pace. Over and over again until she thought that she would explode. The pleasure was all consuming and she couldn’t get enough. One of Lucian’s hands found her nipple and roughly tweaked it. It was enough to send her over the edge.

  All of Ariella’s muscles froze in ecstasy. Lucian gave her one long, last lick before setting her legs down. He picked her up again and carried her to the bedroom. He didn’t waste any time, entering her tight channel in one long thrust.

  He set a hard pace, getting deeper with each movement. Ariella was already primed from her first orgasm and she could quickly feel a second beginning. He was relentless in this pursuit and she loved it. The sound of their skin coming together and the feel of him inside had her senses on overdrive.

  They rolled over so that she was on top. Lucian seemed to be even deeper in this position. Ariella swiveled her hips and gave it all she had. He grabbed her hips and met her thrust for thrust. They rocked together until it was too much and they both went reeling. Bodies went limp and hearts were pounding.

  Both too exhausted to move, they fell asleep.

  Chapter Six

  Ariella awoke to find the bed empty. Lucian’s scent still lingered but his body was gone. She inhaled his scent for another second before getting up and heading for the shower. Maybe the hot water would run all her indecisive feelings away. Last night had been great, no, mind blowing, it had been mind blowing. But she was having trouble shaking her uncertainties.

  She had a few errands to run today concerning her project for Lucian, so she wasn’t in a big hurry to try to rush to the office. After she got dressed, she headed into the kitchen to make some breakfast. It was there on the kitchen counter that she saw a note.

  Good Morning Lovely,

  I can’t even come up with the right words to describe how much last night meant to me. Sorry I had to leave so early, but duty calls. Call me when you want to, I’ll be waiting.

  L

  His words seemed to soothe her soul, and she felt like progress was being made. Since she had known him, he had done nothing to warrant her uncertainty and she vowed to try to do the same for him. Feeling better, she left to get to work.

  Ariella used her shirt to wipe the sweat from her face. For the past two hours she had been crammed in this tiny library with no air moving. The local office for Domestic and International Shipping Trades and Standards, or D.I.S.T.S., was small, with an out-dated interior and an air conditioner that had seen better days.

  She had finally found the information that she had been looking for and she couldn’t wait to get outside and back into the fresh air. She copied the last of the files and put everything in her briefcase.

  Ariella was soaking up the sunshine the second she stepped out the front doors of the office building. Her eyes were closed and she was simply breathing in the air, glad to be out of that over-crowded office. She startled when she heard a voice behind her.

  “Why Miss. Fontago, what a pleasant surprise,” the voice said.

  Ariella turned around and was greeted by her former boss, Robert Lewis. Momentarily shocked, Ariella tried to hide her grimace. This was definitely not someone she wanted to spend time around.

  Robert ignored her silence and continued on like they were the best of friends. “How have you been?” He asked with way too much false sincerity.

  “Fine. I’ve been fine,” Ariella muttered.

  “What brings you out on such a fine day as this one? Looking for a job perhaps?”

  Ariella glared at Robert. “I bet you would like to know, wouldn’t you? I hate to disappoint you Mr. Lewis, but I have already found a place of employment,” she said smugly. “I guess you couldn’t blacklist me from everyone now could you?”

  Before she knew what was happening, Robert had her in a tight choke hold, her feet lifted slightly off the ground. She tried to pry his fingers loose, but it was no use.

  “Let me remind you Miss. Fontago, who is in a position of power and who is not. I let you off easy when you started to blab your mouth about the Ponzi scheme. Maybe if I had treated the problem then, we wouldn’t be having this little issue right now,” he sneered.

  Ariella was starting to feel lightheaded and spots started to blur her vision. As if he sensed her condition, Robert let her go and she fell to the ground, a slump at his feet.

&nb
sp; “Next time I see you, you won’t be so fortunate. Good day, Miss. Fontago,” he said as he walked away.

  Ariella was struggling to catch her breath, still slumped on the pavement. She rubbed her neck and knew that she would have deep bruises from Robert’s hateful touch. She gathered her strength and slowly got up.

  She was getting ready to call a cab when her phone rang. She looked at the screen and Lucian’s name appeared. Not sure that she wanted to talk just yet, she hesitated before she answered.

  “Hello,” she said softly.

  “Ariella? Are you okay? You sound a little froggy.”

  So much for avoidance, Ariella thought. “Ah, there was just this thing and now it’s okay. Nothing to worry about.”

  “Well, it sure doesn’t sound like it. Maybe I should come get you. Where are you?” He asked.

  “Really, you don’t have to. Like I said, it’s nothing. I’m fine.”

  “You are clearly not fine. Tell me where you are.” Lucian was relentless.

  “Alright then. I’m outside the D.I.S.T.S. office.”

  “Don’t move, I will be there shortly.”

  Ariella held the phone to her ear after he hung up, not sure what she was supposed to say when he arrived. Clearly there would be no getting around the issue, and judging by the burning of her neck, she wouldn’t be able to hide it.

  What on earth was she ever thinking to work for such low-lifes as Robert Lewis? She should have seen through his false persona the minute she met him. It would have saved her lots of time and hassle. But then again she would have never met Lucian and the thought saddened her, maybe a little too much.

  She sat down on a bench and waited for Lucian to arrive. He pulled up in a black sedan with dark windows. Apparently he had ditched his driver for the day. He got out and instantly stilled when he saw her. His face was set in stone and Ariella could feel the anger seething out of him as he walked to her.

  “Nothing you said? It sure as hell doesn’t look like nothing!” He said angrily.

  Ariella jumped at his outburst and cast her eyes to the ground. “I’m sorry,” she said softly.

  Lucian’s body seemed to lose its steam and he shook his head slightly. “No, I am sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled at you. I know that whatever happened wasn’t your fault and I’m sorry. But I can’t not be mad, I mean look at you, Ariella. Your neck is raw looking and I just want to physically hurt whoever it was that did this. This is not acceptable.”

  He sat down next to her and held her in his arms, trying to calm and console her.

  “But it was my fault,” Ariella stated. “I ran into my former boss, Robert Lewis, and I goaded him about having a job after he blacklisted me.”

  “Robert Lewis, the guy from the ponzi scheme that you told me about before?” Lucian asked.

  “Yes, that’s him. I should have known better than to antagonize him, but he was so smug and arrogant that I just couldn’t let it go.”

  Lucian’s grip on Ariella’s arm tightened and she looked up at him to see what was wrong. His eyes seemed almost white, his fangs were peeking out, and she swore that he was going to bite her.

  “Don’t ever blame yourself for someone else’s depravity. Robert Lewis is obviously a vile creature and you cannot be held accountable for his actions. He needs to be dealt with. And soon,” Lucian vowed.

  Ariella didn’t say anything, just curled back into his arms and chest. By the time the two left, Lucian’s appearance was back to normal and it was as if it never happened. But Ariella knew, and she could feel her insecurities rising again.

  Chapter Seven

  Ariella was just finishing getting dressed when Lucian walked in. She gave him a shy smile. After last night she had no reason to be shy, but none the less she was. Lucian had spent a considerable amount of time last night kissing and worshiping her. It had been slow and sexy, exactly what she had needed after yesterday’s incident.

  “Good morning,” he said as he walked towards her. He was wearing workout clothes and was all sweaty. Ariella licked her bottom lip, he was just too much to handle.

  “I wish you would have been in bed this morning,” she said suggestively as she embraced him in her arms. Her hands ran up his back to his bare shoulders and down the outside of his sculpted arms.

  Lucian ran his hands down Ariella’s hips and cupped her ass, bringing her even closer. “I can remedy that,” he offered. Without another word, his lips crashed down on hers, forcing her to join him. She quickly agreed and they became a tangled mess, moving together until they found the bed.

  Ariella pulled Lucian’s shirt up and over his head, letting it fall to the floor. He kicked off his shoes. His shorts were next followed by his boxers and then he stood before her in all his naked glory. Ariella took her time looking at him. Strong lines of muscles ran along his body like a map, just waiting to be followed. His eyes were filled with lust and his shaft was long and hard.

  “Like what you see?” He asked mockingly.

  “I do,” Ariella answered. “I think maybe I need to show you how much.” Before Lucian could say anything, Ariella was on her knees and licking his large cock. Working her tongue down and back up. She used her hand to bring pressure to his tip and then took him in her mouth.

  Lucian groaned in delight. Ariella’s mouth was so hot and she was working him expertly. Every sensation was almost too much to handle. He ran his fingers through her hair, gently adding pressure as he rubbed her scalp.

  Ariella got his silent message, and worked her mouth down his shaft, slowly taking in as much as she could. His size proved to be too big so she used her hand at the base of his shaft and sucked hard. She continued to pleasure him, even humming from time to time so that the vibrations would set him off.

  Knowing that he was close, Lucian tried to back away but Ariella wasn’t having it. She pulled him back exactly where she wanted him and continued, only harder. Knowing what she wanted, Lucian let the pleasure overtake him. Within seconds he was shooting hot come down her throat, and she was taking it like a champ. Ariella continued until Lucian was done and then licked his cock clean.

  “Mmm,” she said, standing up to kiss his cheek. “We can finish playing later, I’m going to be late for work and my boss is a real hardass,” she joked.

  Ariella was finishing up her work for the day. She had made a good amount of progress on Lucian’s project and she was anxious to discuss it with him. She exited the board room that had become her office over the past few weeks.

  She was walking by the security offices, on her way to see Lucian, when she suddenly felt the urge to go inside. There was a large cluster of monitors on the far left wall that seemed to call her name. Ignoring everyone in the office, she moved towards the wall. Once she got close enough to look at the screens she immediately recognized the subject. It was none other than Robert Lewis.

  Ariella’s heart rate increased and her breathing grew heavy. Her hand was shaking and she felt faint. She wasn’t even in the same room as him yet she was scared. Robert was seated at one of the casino’s bars and appeared to be having a conversation with another patron who was seated next to him.

  All of a sudden Lucian appeared on the screen. Ariella’s breathing completely stopped as she watched him walk towards Robert. He tapped his shoulder and Ariella exhaled when Robert turned to face him. Lucian said something, looking straight into Robert’s eyes. Robert slowly nodded and got up from the chair, following Lucian out of the bar.

  The men disappeared from the screen and Ariella’s heart sank. What was Lucian doing? Didn’t he know how dangerous Robert was? Ariella knew Lucian was out for blood, he had said as much after Robert’s attack on her.

  Ariella frantically searched the other monitor screens until she found the men again. Lucian had led Robert to the basement parking garage. The two men had just exited the elevator when Lucian tackled Robert. Robert landed with a hard thud on the concrete. He rolled over and landed a solid blow to Lucian’s ribs. The two contin
ued to go back and forth, neither one seeming to have the upper hand.

  All of a sudden, Lucian’s eyes seemed to change and his whole demeanor shifted. He looked fierce, ready to end their fight. His fangs dropped and his fingernails turned into claws as he took hold of Robert’s head. Robert was on his knees and his head fell back at Lucian’s hold. Lucian leaned down and said something in Robert’s ear and he started to scream, blood oozing out of where Lucian’s claws had dug into his skin.

  In a movement faster than she could predict, Lucian ripped Robert’s head clean off his body. He stood motionless and Robert’s decapitated body swayed until it hit the ground, blood pooling around the neck. Lucian held the head in the air for a moment before disappearing from the screen.

  Ariella stood in shock. She couldn’t believe what she had just seen. Was that real? Even though she didn’t want to believe it was, deep down she knew it was true. Lucian had collected his debt and then some. The man, no, the creature she had seen on that screen was a complete stranger to the Lucian she knew.

  Everything that they’d shared now seemed tainted and foul. How could she be with someone so ruthless? Without another thought, Ariella dashed out of the office and took the stairs to the lobby. From there she hailed a cab to take her back to her apartment. She was done with Lucian, and needed the distance. Hopefully she could put all of this behind her and go on as if nothing had happened.

  At least that’s what she told herself.

  Chapter Eight

  Lucian couldn’t believe he had let the beast take over earlier. He was walking past the bar when he spotted Robert Lewis. Instantly he’d found himself moving in Robert’s direction. Lucian had wanted to cause the man pain for what he had done to Ariella, but he hadn’t planned on killing him. His inner self had thought otherwise, and didn’t waste any more time, instead choosing to rip Robert’s head clean off.