by Rivi Jacks
A part of me?
Brit is uncharacteristically quiet for several moments as she continues to look at the charm. “It would seem that the talisman that you now possess tailors itself to your needs I felt its power when I held it in my hand but there is clearly more to this stone than it freely reveals I think I need to talk to Taylor,” Brit says.
“That’s probably a good idea, I had the same thought. Would you like to take the necklace with you?” I reach up to touch the charm.
“Oh no Sofie please do not take that off dear no matter what remember it is very important that you wear the amulet at all times never take it off promise me.”
“I agree,” Maryanne adds. They both look anxious at the prospect of me removing the charm.
“I promise,” I say softly.
“And you need not fear anyone ever taking it from you,” Brit adds.
Not exactly one of my fears right now but… “Okay.”
“Brit, maybe we should think about heading out to your place. I’m sure Estella is anxious to hear what’s been going on,” Maryanne suggests.
“Yes and I want to welcome Lucian home before Lucas sends him off again Sofie you have a beautiful cabin.”
I appreciated Brit and Maryanne helping me pass the afternoon. Not that it kept my mind off the meeting going on up at the house. I just hope Lucas included my uncle and cousins in his little get-together. It makes me nervous the level of Lucas’ anger earlier. I got the feeling he was ready to hit the nuke button on the Kihn and what that means, adds to my unease.
I stoke up the fire in the fireplace and move to the French doors leading outside to the back of the cabin. The wind is getting up, and it feels like the temp is dropping.
“Wolf!”
I know he’s out there somewhere. He was there last night when we left the cave. I wait several minutes before closing the door and just as I start to turn away, I see him step out of the woods.
I reopen the door and sit down on the cinder block step, watching as he crosses the yard.
He’s magnificent in all his wild beauty.
“I was beginning to think you were mad at me.”
He lies down, watching me, his eyes intelligent and alert.
I lean forward. “I’ve missed you.” I reach out to him, and he licks my hand. “Are you hungry?”
He cocks his head. I stand and step up into the house. “I have liver pate´,” I say in what I hope is an enticing voice.
Wolf hangs around for about an hour, lying in front of the fire while I rub his belly. After I let him back outside, I decide to take a quick walk to the infirmary to check on Christian.
Lewis assures me that Christian is out of danger and then explains that it is vital for him to remain quiet and rest while his body heals. Lewis then proceeds to explain the process of vampire regeneration. I leave a little stunned, heading back to the cabin with renewed awe over the capabilities of the vampire.
After reaching the cabin, I plop down on the couch watching the flames in the fireplace. The next thing I know I hear someone knocking on the front door. It takes me a few minutes to become fully awake, and when I open the door, Lucas is lounging against the porch balustrade with an air of lazy indifference.
“My sweet.”
I smile. “Hi.” I open the door wider. “Why did you knock?”
As he enters, walking past me he murmurs, “You still have me locked out.”
“What?” I frown. “Oh, no! I’m so sorry.” He’s talking about me making changes to the biometric keyless entry. “I tried to fix it,” —I shrug apologetically— “I guess I need help to get it back the way it was.”
He looks down at me from under his lashes. “Is that right?”
I inhale sharply at the sexy undertone in his voice, and then he uses his body to push mine back against the closed door. He grasps my wrists, raising them above my head.
“Oh!” I say softly.
Taking a step back, he looks down at me, and I bite my lip to stop my moan. In a matter of seconds, he’s brought me to the point where I’m ready to beg him to hurry and take me.
“You are so beautiful, Sofie.” I inhale deeply meeting his gaze. “You don’t like being told that do you?”
I lick my lips. Something in his demeanor gives me pause. “I… don’t mind you telling me.” My voice is husky sounding.
He brings my wrists together to hold in one of his large hands as he presses his lower body to mine. “Good answer.” He strokes the side of my face with the fingers of his free hand, my lips parting slightly with his casual caress. Watching me closely, he trails the back of his warm fingers down the side of my neck, sliding them across one side of my collarbone to the other. “The thought that I might never have had the chance to tell you that again—” His voice trails off as he squeezes his eyes tightly shut.
My breath catches at the pained look that crosses his face. “Lucas,” I whisper pulling against his hold on my wrists, but he doesn’t release me.
“Do you know what that does to me, knowing I could lose you with my next breath?” His eyes are like molten silver as they burn into mine and his voice has that dangerous quietness that I’ve learned to take heed of.
I shake my head, at once cautious of his mood.
He leans in, placing his lips near my ear. “It makes me want to reconsider my promise to you.”
“What?” I gasp, trying once again to pull my hands from his hold. “You can’t do that!”
His smile is arrogant. “I can do anything I want, Sofie.”
My mouth drops open at his mocking reply. I take a deep breath to quell my sudden flash of anger. I realize all of this—attitude is only because of his fear for me. I try to think of something to say to soothe the situation, but his expression and the strange vibe that he emits gives me pause. He’s surely just voicing his concern—he really wouldn’t try to keep me confined to the compound—would he?
“Are you frightened?” His voice is raspy as he leans in, inhaling deeply as he presses his mouth to my neck.
I close my eyes. What the hell is going on? “No,” I gasp.
“Oh, my sweet,” — he sucks against the pulse point on my neck before murmuring— “you should be very afraid.”
Chapter Sixteen
My eyes fly open, and I stare up into his steely gaze. I jerk my hands and this time he lets me pull free, but he continues to press into my body effectively holding me against the door. “I thought you said you weren’t mad.” I try to keep the hurt out of my voice, but I know I fail.
He stares down at me for several moments. “I said I wasn’t mad at you.” He places both hands on the door on either side of me. “But make no mistake, Sofie—I’m mad as hell.”
In the next instant, my mouth is crushed beneath his, his fingers weaving into my hair to hold my head in place. He’s relentless. His tongue tastes and teases, making me crazy with my need for him. The heated passion he flamed between us when he kissed me earlier, up at the house, ignites into an inferno. My fingers claw at the material of his jacket, pushing it off his shoulders as I try to fuse my body to his. I’m breathless when he releases my mouth, and I give a small whimper in protest. He groans in surrender, his mouth coming back down on mine, plunging his tongue in and out of my mouth in a sensual rhythm that annihilates all stability. When he lifts me, my legs encircle his waist as his hands roam over my back and bottom.
We make our way across the room this way, his mouth on mine as I ardently work to divest him of his shirt. After what seems an inordinate length of time, we finally reach the bed. Lucas lets me slide slowly down the length of his body, and holding my gaze, he slips his shirt off, tossing it aside.
Damn. I’ll never tire of looking at this beautiful man. I bring my hands up to rest on his chest, feeling his pectoral musc
les bunch at my touch. I lean in to place my mouth on the spot over his heart, biting gently.
“Sofie!” he gasps. “Wait, my sweet.”
I hear him, but it doesn’t register what he’s said as my hands drop to the waistband of his jeans.
“Sofie,” —he takes hold of my hands and lowers his forehead to mine— “we need to slow down.”
“I don’t,” I murmur as I try to place my hands back on him.
“I do, my sweet,” he says firmly, taking hold of my hands again. I raise my confused gaze to see the amusement in his.
“Oh!” I gasp as I remember what he warned me about in Wyoming. “You might do more than ravish me if I don’t take it easy on you?”
Laughter erupts from deep in his chest. “Something like that.”
I smile up at him, just happy his mood has lightened, and his eyes have taken on a lovely shade of green.
Holding my gaze, he unbuttons his jeans. He nods, seeing the silent question in my eyes. I slowly reach out and smooth my hands across his chest, over his nipples. I hear his quick intake of breath and look up to watch his pupils dilate. My eyes follow as my hands move down over his stomach. I pop my index finger into my mouth, wetting it and then use it to trace his yummy trail, my finger dipping into the top of his jeans. His stomach muscles contract under my touch.
Oh, this is heady stuff. I love knowing I affect him just as he does me.
Placing his hands on my waist, he rotates our positions so that he is now next to the bed before sitting on the edge. His gaze holds mine as he removes his boots, my breath rushing out sharply when he suddenly grasps my waist, pulling me close between his legs.
“I’ve hungered, wanting to taste you for days,” he whispers as he begins pushing my sweater up my stomach, leaning in to swirl his tongue around my belly button.
Oh, my. I feel a delicious clenching in my lower extremities. Lucas moans as his tongue probes my navel, and I gasp, the erotic sensation penetrating to my core.
He continues to push my sweater up over my breasts. “Arms up,” he growls and quickly stands to pull my sweater up and over my head, tossing it over to join his shirt on the floor. He gathers my now everywhere hair into a ponytail with his hands, smoothing it back behind my shoulders.
“You have beautiful hair, Sofie,” he murmurs. “I love seeing it spread out over the bed when you’re beneath me.” I sway toward him, his voice hypnotic. He steadies me, and I feel the heat of his eyes as they move over my body.
I’m wearing a bra made of a sheer black tulle that leaves nothing to the imagination.
Lucas growls softly and leans in, holding me at the waist, to put his mouth over a nipple, sucking forcefully through the fabric of my bra. He wets the material as he licks, sucks, and nips.
“Please, Lucas,” I whimper as I writhe against him. I want him right now. Hard, fast, and deep.
What the hell is he doing to me?
I lean my head back, closing my eyes as he tortures me with his mouth. “Lucas!” I cry his name as my body begins to tremble.
“Shhh,” he soothes softly. He leans back, and the air feels cold against my nipples through the wet fabric as they throb and stand erect.
I can’t seem to control my rapid breathing, and my legs are shaking as my gaze meets his. He unbuttons and slowly unzips my jeans, watching me intently. I put a hand on his shoulder, push the toe of my shoe against the heel of the other, pushing the shoe off, and repeat the process on the other foot.
Lucas sits back on the edge of the bed to lift my leg, placing my foot on his thigh to remove my sock and then does the same to the other foot, smoothing his warm hand over my foot and ankle, watching me the whole time. It feels so good, I moan softly. He grins knowingly as he pushes my jeans down over my hips and legs. I step out of them, and I’m standing in front of him in my underwear. My panties match my bra, made from the same sheer material, and Lucas’ eyes move over me, heating my skin to a fever pitch.
I bite my bottom lip to control the urge to beg him to hurry. We were all rushed need moments before, but now he’s painstakingly taking his time.
“My God, you’re beautiful,” he growls huskily as he pulls me back between his legs, cupping one of my breasts almost roughly with his large hand, rubbing his thumb over the sensitive nipple. His other hand skims down over my stomach, making me bite my lip again, and continues down to the apex of my thighs. I quickly grab his shoulders for support, unable to hold back my wanton moan when he cups his hand over me.
His chuckle is rich and dark as I reach up to the side of his face, sliding my fingers through his hair to the back of his head, pulling his face to mine, placing my mouth on his. Lucas moves his lips back and forth in a wild and arousing kiss that brings my blood to near boiling.
“Sweet,” he breathes in a ragged whisper against the corner of my mouth before moving his lips along my jawline, his teeth nibbling gently. Pulling me closer, he continues in a straight path to my ear.
“Lucas, I need you,” I plead.
“I know you do, sweet.” His hand is still between my legs, his fingers groping against the fabric of my panties before cupping me tightly again. I squirm, and he relents, spinning me around until I’m facing away from him. He unhooks my bra, slipping the straps off my shoulders as his warm hands move back to my breasts, squeezing firmly. Strong, adept fingers slide to the turgid tips, and he pinches my nipples sharply. I buck back against him, crying out softly.
“Easy,” he murmurs before bringing his hands to the top of my panties, pushing them swiftly down to my ankles. My insides begin to quiver as I step out of them. He cups my backside, squeezing firmly, releasing me to render a stinging slap on my bottom. I yelp, my hands reaching behind me to cover my abused flesh. I try to step away, but he seizes my arms and quickly pulls me back between his legs, laughing softly. His hands slide to my wrists, pulling them together into one large hand.
“That hurt.” I test his hold on my wrists.
“No it didn’t,” he growls.
The next thing I know I’m lying flat on my back on the bed with Lucas looming over me. Penetrating green eyes, sparkling with flashes of silver, look down into mine with soul-searching intensity. My own gaze is filled with wonder as he holds my eyes in his thrall. The emotional intimacy that passes between us is profound and I at once feel both vulnerable and empowered with the deep connection I feel with this man.
“You are the most glorious creature I’ve ever had the good fortune to hold in my arms,” he murmurs, his expression fierce as he brings his mouth to mine. I moan when his tongue slips between my lips to begin his ruthless plunder. I rise slightly to mold my body to his, my hands moving over him with an urgent need. The desire he’s ignited begins to heat my blood and when his hand moves between my legs a jolt of red, hot passion slams through me. I tear my mouth from his and cry out when he inserts two large fingers. Writhing beneath him, it takes a moment to get past the sex-induced fog shrouding my brain to realize he’s become perfectly still. He leans above me again, and I try to pull my wits about me as I gaze up at him.
“What’s wrong?” I croak.
His lips lift slightly at the corners as he continues to look down at me. His eyes seem to glow in the dim, early evening light coming through the windows. “Nothing’s wrong. I just want to look at you.”
I arch my body to meet his. “I’d rather you finish what you’ve started.”
“Is that right?” His sexy mouth teases with a sensual smile as he pulls his fingers from me.
I make a small distressed sound. “Lucas—”
He reaches to cup my chin tipping my head until I meet his eyes. “Do you have any idea of my feelings for you?” he asks.
My legs lift my lower body to come into contact with his rock-hard erection. “I have a pretty good idea,” I tease with a sm
ile.
“I never imagined I could feel about anyone as I do you.” His voice is low and gruff with emotion. My smile fades as I stare into his beautiful eyes.
“In my youth, I enjoyed—gloried even—in my many adventures. And for many years now, I’ve taken great pleasure living the life of a soldier, experiencing the utmost satisfaction from my travels and achievements, always ready to set out for a new challenge with my men.” He reaches to softly stroke my cheek. “But now—all I want is to stay here with you,” he says softly.
I realize I’m holding my breath and I take a deep gulp of air.
Lucas shifts to settle more firmly between my legs. “You are perfect. Exquisite. And I’ve discovered that my greatest desire now—is to be as close to you as possible.” When his erection juts firmly between my legs at my entrance, I can’t stop my response of delight or the soft rush of excited breath. He leans down his mouth near my ear. “When I’m inside you, it’s my favorite place because we’re as close as we can be, and it allows me to become a part of you.”
I swallow against the influx of emotions and reaching up, I place my hand against his jawline. “Lucas,” I whisper with wonder. Wonder for this amazing man who, for some inconceivable reason, desires me, wants me in his life. I’m almost afraid that if I blink, this magic he’s woven around me from the moment I first laid eyes on him, will be no more.
He leans down and kisses me gently, almost reverently before leaning back, his eyes meeting mine again. “But I find, my sweet, that no matter how often we make love, I cannot” —he slowly slides into me, burying himself to the hilt— “satisfy my craving for you.”
My breath whooshes out in a soft sigh, and I instinctively arch my lower body to pull him in deeper.
“When I’m away from you,” —he leans down again, his voice and breathing a little harsh now as he whispers against my ear— “I miss your voice.” He withdraws slowly— “your smile,” —he thrusts until he’s fully seated again, inducing my back to arch in reaction— “and your delicious scent.” He presses his nose to my neck, inhaling deeply, and then withdraws before thrusting, hard and deep.