Into The Spirit

by Marie Harte

  “Why did we have sex, if you don’t want to be near women that have or want families?” She tried move under his arm, but he caught her by the waist and held her against the window.

  “I don’t know.” He glared down at her, trying to figure out that very reason. “You’re different.”

  She scowled up at him. “Different how?”

  He scanned her face, touched her bottom lip with the pad of his thumb, enjoying that familiar tingle. “I don’t know,” he sighed. “It’s hard to describe this feeling I have.” He focused on her hazel eyes, loving the green slivers in them. “It’s almost as if I’m drawn to you. As if you have some power over me.”

  She shook her head, eyes wide. “I haven’t done anything to draw you to me. Not my voice, nothing. I didn’t do anything, and I didn’t ask for this, so just leave me alone if you want.”

  “That’s the problem.” He lowered his face, his nose an inch away from hers. “I just can’t leave you alone. I can do it with any other woman. But not you.” His words turned hard. “I hate that you have lied to me and I hate that you are hiding something from me. Normally, I would just leave, but I can’t. I want you, but I don’t want to want you.”

  Tears shimmered to the surface of her eyes. An earthy mix of hurt and anger. “Yah.” She inhaled a choppy breath. “You’ve mentioned that.” She pushed hard at his shoulders, forcing him to back up, then marched out of the room. He stared out the window until he heard the bathroom door shut. “Fuck,” he swore under his breath.

  They needed to get moving. Staying in the apartment Miles knew about was not the best scenario and, if his gut feeling was right, Miles was out there right now, watching the building. He needed to get his bug-out pack and get Eve the hell away from here.

  He stopped outside the bathroom door, heard splashes of water and the faint sound of a sniff. He sighed again. He hadn’t meant to say those things to her, hadn’t meant to hurt her. She stirred things around in him, made him want things he would never allow himself to have. Made him crave the things he’d lost.

  Another sniff. His chest constricted.

  “Fuck,” he swore again and opened the door.

  Eve’s red eyes grew angry. “Go away,” she said, slapping at his hands. Nothing was going to deter him, he’d caused this hurt and he was responsible for healing it.

  Pulling her into his arms, he pressed his lips to her ear and gave her the same answer he had every other time she had given him that command, “No.” He tightened his hold, moulding her body to his. “I don’t understand what is happening to me or why I lose focus and all I can think about is you.” He cupped the side of her face as he looked into her watery eyes. “I’m trying to do the right thing. Jillian is out there waiting for me to save her and all I can think about is how good it feels when you wrap yourself around me. How sweet your mouth tastes.” He sighed, lowering his head. “How much I want to be in you right now.” He pressed his mouth to hers, gently at first, to heal the pain he’d caused. When she exhaled and hooked her hands around his neck, he kissed her with the full force of his need.

  With their mouths fastened together, Alex lifted her off the floor, her legs dangling as he carried her into his bedroom. Once they reached the side of the bed they began pulling at each other’s clothes. Eve tugged on his shirt and, with his help, pulled it over his head. Eve lost her sweater and pants seconds later, then he forced her back on the bed. Standing between her bent legs he unbuckled his belt, then jeans, stopping when he saw her shift her hips and run her hands over her thighs. A low groan escaped his throat as he covered her body.

  Eve moaned when Alex drove his tongue deep, sliding over hers in heart-stopping slow strokes. His touch caused her belly to tighten and her insides to ache. Never had kissing got her this hot. This only happened with Alex, his lips and mouth alone accomplished the task.

  She broke away from his mouth and licked the outer edge of his ear, followed by sucking his earlobe between her teeth. He moaned into the side of her neck, thrusting against her wet folds. Next, she kissed his neck, breathing in his potent scent of sweat and desire. Wow, he smelt so good. She nipped at his shoulder, tasted his skin. He groaned and began tugging at her damp panties. She chuckled when he tried to get them down her legs without breaking contact with her body.

  He pushed up onto his arms and glared down at her. “It’s not funny,” he growled. “I need you Eve.”

  Running her hands down the sides of his neck, she stroked the solid muscles of his shoulders and pushed. He didn’t move. Clinging to his neck she pulled herself up and kissed him hard, then broke the contact and very carefully, added a soothing lilt to her words, so that he would do as she asked but not notice her influence. “Please stand up,” she asked, her lips stroking his.

  His exhale was full of frustration but he complied with her request.

  Once he was standing in front of her, she knelt on the bed, touched his chest, stroked the tense muscles. She ran her fingers over the small bullet holes that now appeared on Cade’s body. Alex’s soul was so strong that he had imprinted himself onto the body he now resided in, every important feature that was Alex was now also part of Cade’s body. A hand clamped down over hers the instant she touched the scar. She met Alex’s intense stare. Her heart raced as his dark slashing brows gave him a menacing appearance. He shook his head in warning. It was then that Eve realised his wounds were still fresh and tender and very much a part of him, regardless of them now belonging to a different body.

  The need to heal his body as well as his soul rose quickly. But how? She would normally talk to him, help heal him from the soul out, except she would need to put a great amount of force behind her words in order to help him, a slight push wouldn’t do it, he was too aware of her abilities. Plus, he had already warned her not to use them on him. She looked up at him, then his bare chest. Before the idea came into full view, she had placed her lips over the scars and lightly kissed them, letting her mouth linger on his skin. Pulling away, she looked up at him feeling a little embarrassed. She had no time to dwell on it because he cupped the side of her face, and with a dazed expression, gently pulled her back to his chest. Eve closed her eyes. She kissed his chest again, ran her tongue over the small scars tasting his skin. As she continued to press her lips to his skin she skimmed her hands over his hard chest muscles and sculpted shoulders, down his arms, over his belly and every place she touched she could feel the muscle beneath his skin tighten.

  Kissing her way to his stomach, she stopped and slid his zipper down. She locked her eyes on his as she lowered his jeans and boxers over his hips and thighs. She couldn’t look away from him as she clasped the hard length of him in her hand. The look he was giving her was mesmerising, even a little dark, but what kept her entranced was the tenderness she saw.

  Alex felt his legs shake when Eve closed her mouth around his cock. The heat from her mouth had him melting, but that was minor in comparison to when she moved her warm tongue over the tip, sending excruciating pleasure though his groin and down his legs. He reached out. Touching her face, he felt his fingertips tingle. He brushed his hand over her soft curls.

  Once again, the muscles in his chest tightened and his stomach felt heavy. It was the same feeling he’d had when she kissed the scars on his chest. He thought it was a one-time thing. Yet here it was again, making his body and soul crave her.

  What the hell was she doing to him? How…why was he allowing this to happen? He had to stop. This wasn’t fair to her, giving hope where there wasn’t any. It wasn’t fair for him either. What if something happened to her? He honestly didn't know how he would handle losing another person he cared for. Eve’s mouth pulled hard, the suction driving away all thought.

  Tangling his fingers in her hair he allowed another few seconds then pulled at her. Her eyes were heavy with lust when he picked her up and stood her on the bed in front of him. He pulled her mouth down to his. He kissed her hard, he knew, but couldn’t help it, she was just…she made h
im feel…he ran his thumbs over her smooth cheeks. She made him feel.

  Her breasts brushed his chest, teasing him. He unclipped her bra and bent, capturing a rosy tip in his mouth, sucking it to a swollen peak. She moaned when he repeated the torment and wrapped her arms around his head, forcing more of her into his mouth. Her hips rocked against him. His cock swelled with her desire. He loved how uninhibited she was, if she liked something he was doing to her, she told him, not with words but with her body.

  Tugging on the sides of the lacy material he pulled her moist panties down her legs. She stepped out of them and he tossed them away. Lifting her against him, he forced her to wrap her legs around his waist and lowered her onto the bed. Once again, he was face to face with her beautiful breasts. He cupped and squeezed, licked and nibbled until she was pulling at his shoulders. Then, holding her hands at her sides he moved down her body, kissing every inch of her smooth skin. He circled her tattoo with his tongue and grinned when her body tensed. She tried desperately to tug her hands away but he laced their fingers tightly together, stroking his thumbs over the backs of her hands until she stopped fighting him. He dipped lower and kissed her inner thigh, watching as goose bumps appeared on her skin after the second kiss.

  Taking a deep breath, he drew her sweet scent, felt his cock throb, his muscles stiffen. Her hips rolled in anticipation when he blew warm air over her moist folds. Watching her hips move enticingly became too much. He pressed his mouth to her glistening lips and groaned when he tasted her.

  Many times, Alex brought her to the height of a climax only to take it away and begin again. And every time Eve sucked in a breath and shivered. He sucked on her clit and moaned, the vibration had her hips squirming against his face. “Alex,” she panted. “I can’t…it’s too much.” She gripped his hands and tried to pull him up. He was torturing her with his mouth. She pleaded, begged for him to finish her. “Alex please.” Her breath caught when he slipped two fingers deep and quickly made her come. It was like nothing she had ever felt. The sensation was so intense, she cried out, her hips bucking of their own accord.

  Eve ran her hand over her face. She was shaking. Alex had tormented her for the longest time. Yet each time he did, the sensation grew to the point, that when she finally came, it almost shattered her into tiny pieces.

  She was vaguely aware of the rustling of clothes, then heard the tearing of a wrapper. Alex joined her back on the bed and nudged her legs apart. She opened them for him without hesitation. He braced his arms on either side of her head, looking down at her with a satisfied grin.

  “What?” A blush flushed her cheeks.

  He lowered his head, his mouth hovering above hers. “You taste good.”

  “I do?” She sighed, feeling his heat seep into her skin.

  “Mmm. Like sex and honey, but better.” He kissed her. Long and slow until her body was aching for more. “How about a ride?” he asked, nibbling on her lip while she tried to catch her breath. “Ride?”

  The only warning he gave was a deep chuckle before he rolled onto his back. Seated now on top of him Eve pouted down at him, doing her best to play innocent. “I’m not sure what to do.”

  Alex raised a dark eyebrow. He gripped her hips in his big hands, raising her just above him.

  She slowly lowered herself over him stopping just before he entered her, then pulling away. “Oops. I missed,” she teased. He grabbed her hips again forcing her down onto him but she held firm. “Let me try again.” This time she took a little more of him in and pulled away. “This is harder than it looks.” She gave him a wicked smile.

  She knew she had pushed him too far when his nostrils flared and his hands gripped her hips painfully. He thrust deep inside her. The sensation was so overpowering her head rolled back at his delicious invasion and she groaned in ecstasy. He tugged her down and nipped at her ear. “Don’t tease me Eve, fuck me.”

  Her heart jumped at the passion in his voice and her body trembled. Without any hesitation she did as he asked, moving hard and fast, bracing herself against his chest and shoulders. He slid his hand into her hair and pulling her face to his, he kissed her hard, his lips bruising hers.

  Panting, she had to pull away, she couldn’t breathe. She sat back and closed her eyes, rocking her hips and covering his hands with her own when he touched her breasts. The steady movement of their bodies grinding together was all-consuming. His hands on her, stroking and cupping, their bodies joined as one. His lips pressed firmly against her. She never wanted it to end.

  She locked eyes with him, his look dark and full of need. He tugged her forwards brushing his lips tenderly against hers. At that moment, little wings brushed the inside of her stomach.

  “Now,” he growled out. “Give it to me now.” He clamped down on her hips and forced her to move fast. When her body began to throb, Alex was there, rolling her onto her back, forcing her thighs apart, driving into her harder and harder.

  “That’s it,” he groaned with satisfaction. “I love how tight you are.”

  She cried out this time as he continued to plunge into her, pushing her body far beyond it’s normal limits and she loved it, she wanted more. She wanted him to move faster, harder. She raised her hips meeting his every time he drove into her, wanting, no…needing him deeper. When she didn’t think she could stand another minute of his passionate onslaught, Alex’s sweat covered body stiffened as he covered her mouth in one more heart-stopping kiss before he called out her name, his entire body shaking.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “Bored yet?”

  Jillian lowered the book to her chest and glared up at her sister. “I’m reading a book on the evolution of weapons during warfare… Yes I’m bored!”

  Justine laughed, perching herself on the end of the long couch as she gazed at her sister. “But you’re lounging and taking it easy. Something the doc said to do a while ago if I’m correct.”

  “It’s hard for me to sit still. You know that, we’re the same.” Pressing her hand to her head she asked, “Is it still like that…?”

  Justine waved her hand. “Of course. Except I’m not just driving Cade or mum and dad crazy, I’ve upped my game to angels.”

  Jillian felt her mouth drop open. “Are you serious? Angels?”

  Justine narrowed her eyes. “Or they could be Saints. They certainly have the patience for it. Well they do with me anyways. Not that I’m giving them much choice in the matter.”

  Jillian shook her head, giggling. That was Justine, always pushing the boundaries or in this case patience and smiling while she did it. She was blessed with an outgoing personality, with a hint of troublemaker thrown in for good measure. She loved that about Justine. If it hadn’t been for her sister, she would never have experienced half the things she had done in her thirty years—trips out west backpacking through the Rockies, white-water rafting, skydiving and getting matching tattoos.

  Tears unexpectedly filled her eyes. It was all over now. No more midnight phone calls, no more sappy movie nights, no one to share her fears with over the baby, no crazy aunt for her baby to get to know and love.

  “Jill?” Justine appeared next to her, sitting cross-legged on the floor. “Why so sad Jilly?”

  “Because, I have no one to have sappy movie nights with any more or talk to about all the weird things this baby is doing to my boobs and the rest of me. You’re dead…” She covered her face as she began to cry.

  “Don’t do that, Jilly,” Justine soothed. “You’ll find someone else to have sappy movie nights with.”

  “Who?” she sniffed wiping her eyes. “Cade? He isn’t going to want to do that.”

  Justine gave her sad smile, not agreeing or disagreeing with her, leading her to believe she was right. Would Cade even want to be around her when he woke up?

  “Have you seen Cade? How is he?”

  Justine just gave her another smile, which confused her. “Don’t worry about Cade, you just worry about yourself. Okay?” Jillian nodded.


  “Good. Now can I make a suggestion?” Justine began. “Enjoy the large knockers, who knows how long they will last.”

  Jillian burst out laughing and swiped at her eyes again. “What’s going on with Alex? Has that Eve chick got him in his body yet?”

  “Ah!” Justine paused then nodded. “He’s in a body.”

  Jillian pushed up and sat back against the couch, nervous excitement making her smile. “Great, so he’s on his way.”

  “Not yet, he said he needed to get a few things together. He said they’d be here in three days.”

  Dropping her head back, she sighed, “Three more days of reading tactical books, geez at this rate I’ll be qualified to join the army soon.” She lifted her head. “They’d be here in three days? Who’s coming with him?”

  Justine gave her a wicked grin. “Eve’s coming with him.”

  “Oh!”

  “Oh is right. Those two are finally getting along…really well.”

  “Oh yah?” Jillian rolled onto her side pushing herself up, then propped her feet on the coffee table.

  “Yah! You should see those two, very hot!”

  “You watched them?” Jillian giggled. “You perv.”

  “Not all of it,” Justine admitted sheepishly. “But let me tell you, there is more than hot sex between those two, much more.”

  * * * *

  Alex watched Eve as they dressed in silence. Her mouth was dark pink and swollen and so was the rest of her. Had he been that rough with her? He couldn’t remember. The only thing he remembered was how she’d touched him, how her mouth and body had tasted, how her tight, hot body had gripped him. She pulled her sweater over her head and walked out of the room towards the bathroom. He grabbed her before he knew why.

  “Evening?” He turned her, searching her face. He framed her cheek when she flushed in response. “Thank you. I feel…” He shook his head not knowing how to describe what he felt. It was as though he had been fighting to breathe but didn’t know until he took his first real breath. He looked at her realising that, whether he wanted it or not, Eve was healing him like she had the other soldiers. He sighed, “I feel.”