Connected (Twists of Fate #1)

by Jolyn Palliata

  Yes…he actually growled.

  Al that, Addison could have handled just fine. No real y, she could; she was becoming skil ed at ignoring Rhys. But when Jonathan took her to a nearly deserted park after dinner…

  That was when she lost the battle.

  Jonathan pul ed his Mercedes into the smal parking lot by the pond. With a smile, he turned to Addison as he said, “I thought we could go for a short walk, if that’s al right with you.” Addison rested her hand on his, a flurry of nerves setting off in her bel y. “I’d like that.” What. The. Fuck.

  She ignored the comment as she slid out of the car, smoothing her dress down as she stood.

  “I would have gotten your door for you,” Jonathan said, coming around the car.

  She smiled. “That’s okay.”

  She knew Jonathan preferred to act the part of a gentleman whenever possible, but she needed a minute to compose herself. Sure, she could ignore Rhys til she was blue in the face, but she was sure her annoyance showed clearly in her expression, and that, she couldn’t have.

  He held out a bent arm. Unable to stop the renewed tremble of nerves, she slid her arm around his, al owing him to lead her down the path to the water.

  Addison. You’re tripping down a thin line here. A very fucking thin line. I’m talking, anorexic thin. Wasting-away-to-shit thin. Non-existent thin. I know what you’re thinking. I can feel that shit, so shut it down. Now!

  Addison forced smile at Jonathan before looking at the water, missing everything the man next to her was saying because the voice in her head was too damned thunderous to ignore.

  “…dinner?”

  She only caught the end of Jonathan’s question, and turned towards him. “Excuse me?” He slowed their pace, then stopped altogether. Lifting a hand, he trailed his fingertips across her jaw. “You seem distracted.”

  She glancing down, then up. “Just a little tired, I guess.” Jonathan’s gaze softened as he curled a knuckle under her chin and tipped it up. He looked from her eyes to her lips and back again, silently asking permission to kiss her. Her lips curved as she stepped closer, giving him al the consent he needed.

  His lips were soft as they pressed into hers, his mouth gentle as he pul ed her closer, and his tongue seeking as it slid against hers. She moaned her assent as she wrapped her arms around him.

  Oh, hell no. Cut that shit out, Addison! Hey, woman! Hear me now! Cut. That. Shit. Out.

  Addison jerked in Jonathan’s arms, drawing his concern.

  “Addison?” She shook her head and sought his mouth out again. When their lips made contact, Rhys began wailing mock guitar riffs in her head. Loud.

  She pul ed back and stared at Jonathan, unable to shake the stupor Afterlife Leech was putting her in.

  “Addison, you don’t look so wel . Do you need to sit down?” She held up a finger indicating she needed a sec as she looked down to her feet, letting her hair fal forward to hide her face.

  Enough Rhys! Stop it!

  His response was immediate and livid.

  Do you realize how fucking disturbing it is to feel you kissing some douche bag?! I feel like I’m kissing him…

  and enjoying it! That’s wrong on so many different levels that I don’t even know where to fucking begin!

  Addison made a gagging sound as Rhys pushed what he was feeling into her; offended, nauseous, defiled, outraged... Like something wiggled its fingers into the depths of her soul and desecrated it, made her part of an experience she was elemental y against.

  She’d made Rhys feel like that?!

  Total y disgusted, she blocked their link.

  Don’t you dare block me! he snapped, sounding as if it were through gritted teeth.

  Dammit, Rhys! What do you want from me?!

  She didn’t get an answer.

  “Addison?” Jonathan tipped her head up again.

  Affected by what Rhys made her feel, she failed to control her expression. What he saw couldn’t have been good; he dropped his hand, stepping back.

  “You’re not into this at al , are you?” He smiled gently and gestured back towards the car when she didn’t respond; stil too shocked, and pissed, to form words. “I’l take you home.” She nodded like an idiot, al owing him to guide her back to the car—again, with Jonathan’s hand at the smal of her back, and Rhys mental y bristling at the contact.

  They were pul ing into her driveway before she final y regained coherent thought.

  “I’m sorry, Jonathan. I just…” She just what? What could she possibly say? Sorry, but there’s a rock star in my head that feels violated by your touch. “I guess I’m stil not one-hundred-percent since my surgery,” she mumbled. That was the best she could come up with?

  “Surgery?” His brow furrowed.

  Oh, right. She’d never mentioned it. She waved her hand, belittling the situation. “Just a minor procedure.”

  “Are you al right?”

  “Oh, yeah. Fine. I’m just tired, is al .”

  He smiled. “I completely understand. How about we give it a few weeks and try again?” Addison wasn’t sure if that would work, but maybe she could figure out something by then.

  Hel , maybe Rhys would’ve moved on by then. One never knew.

  “I’d like that,” she said, unbuckling her seatbelt. Before the thought or action could register, she quickly shot forward and planted an innocent kiss on Jonathan’s jaw.

  Rhys was quick to belt out a short, obnoxious riff to warn her off.

  Defeated, she knew her only recourse was Jonathan-avoidance. “I can see myself to the door, Jonathan. Thank you for dinner.” She got out the car with a muted sigh.

  “Are you sure, Addison?”

  Rhys bel owed again.

  “Yes, I’m sure.”

  Offering him a quick wave before going inside, Addison col apsed against her closed door.

  “I real y hate you right now, Rhys.”

  Likewise. I can’t believe you fucking did that to me.

  “Did that to you?!” Rotating her neck and rubbing at the back of it, she trudged to the kitchen. “It’s your own damned fault for not letting me block you. What the hel was the big deal? You didn’t like me kissing Jonathan. Got that loud and clear. So why not let me close off?” If you had, I would have just made even more noise.

  She knew he was tel ing the truth, but not the ‘why’ of it.

  “And what would have been the purpose of that? I mean, other than being the female version of a cockblocker.” Rhys barked out a laugh. There’s my purpose right there, sweetheart. I couldn’t have said it better myself.

  “If I had been allowed to block you, you wouldn’t have had to deal with it at al , asshat.” She flashed back to the kiss, to the pleasure humming through her body. A delicate shiver traveled down from her shoulders at the mere thought of it.

  And that had just been from a kiss.

  Who knew where it could have gone if…

  She should have just blocked him.

  Addison grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge and chugged almost half of it. Was it hot in there, or was it just her?

  She realized she never got an answer out of Rhys. “Wel ?” Well, what?

  “Don’t be difficult.”

  He heaved a sigh. Who knows what would have happened if you’d closed me out? And what if you slipped up and let it go in…the heat of the moment, so to speak.

  She could almost feel his shudder of repulsion, and his refusal to be more explicit than that.

  But why wouldn’t he? Certainly not because he was trying to be discreet. The man didn’t have a tactful bone in his body.

  Wel , if he had a body.

  And what a body he’d had…tal and firm, thick muscles on a sturdy frame. So much more attractive than Jonathan, although he had his own strengths as wel …

  Addison shut down her thoughts and tried to redirect. What the hel was wrong with her?

  But she knew. She was so sexual y frustrated, she couldn’t think straight.
Between the warmth of Jonathan’s kiss, and the heat of Rhys’ churning emotions, her body didn’t know what to react to first. Or how. There was definitely some wires getting crossed.

  God, if only she could have…

  Her skin flushed and her bel y quivered. Yeah, it was definitely too hot in there.

  Whoa.

  Wel , crap.

  Mental y exhausted, she massaged her temples as she leaned against the kitchen counter.

  “Are you getting al this?” She thought she had blocked him.

  Didn’t she? Oh man, she was slipping up.

  Ah, yeah. Totally getting that, he admitted in a tight voice.

  Jesus woman, how long has it been since you’ve had some play? My skin feels about three sizes too small and I’m as randy as a fucking teenager.

  “It’s been too damn long,” she muttered, pushing off the counter towards the bathroom.

  “And it serves you right, Rhys. If I’m gonna suffer, seems only fair you do, too.” She grabbed her toothbrush, fisting it with renewed frustration.

  Oh, like that pansy-ass could have satisfied you, anyway.

  You would’ve walked away more keyed up than you are right fucking now.

  She snorted as she snatched up the toothpaste. “Riiight.

  Like you’d actual y know what would satisfy me.” Bet I could do a better job than that douche.

  So intent on the sensation of his male ego rearing its exasperating head, Addison almost missed the tone of sincerity lacing his claim. And then she found herself wishing she had missed the undercurrent of determination; the one only a man could feel when answering the cal of a gauntlet being thrown down before him.

  “Oh, shut up, Rhys. I’m not in the mood to put up with you right now.” I always loved a good challenge in life, Rhys murmured, settling to the back of her mind as he partial y blocked her.

  Not knowing exactly what he meant by that, Addison ignored him as she got ready for bed.

  But she could sense his busy thoughts. And whatever he was thinking about raised a red flag in her mind. If she were to guess, she’d say he was clearly focused on a particular problem, tumbling it over and over, examining it from different angles. His concentration was fierce, his purpose clear; whatever he saw as an issue was going to be solved.

  But what?

  As she pul ed the covers back and slid beneath them, she decided she didn’t want to know.

  With Rhys, it was usual y safer not knowing.

  Her last thoughts before drifting to sleep were of their conversation. His last words whispered through her head: I always loved a good challenge in life.

  It seemed that inclination hadn’t changed in his death.

  Chapter Ten

  Addison shifted restlessly in between the sheets as the first fleeting images flickered through her sleep-ladened mind.

  The second round had her sighing a purr of unrestrained, budding arousal, and the third had a quiver permanently setting up shop in her already-cinched bel y.

  It was Rhys she had seen, leaning over her, murmuring in her ear. She couldn’t quite make out what he was saying and tipped her head towards him. That was when she felt his breath, his fingers tangling in her hair to pul her head back, baring her neck for his soft lips. They caressed her throat, causing a shiver to shudder through her, and she lost herself to the sensation.

  It felt incredible.

  Her own guttural moan roused her, her eyes fluttering before closing again. The image wavered with her brief awakening, and then settled. His hands were on her…

  Wait, her hands…

  The image flashed again as she blinked, tried to focus, and gave up.

  No… his hands.

  Addison had a brief moment of clarity as her mind Addison had a brief moment of clarity as her mind struggled to awaken, aware of Rhys like never before.

  Something mystical flowed between them, strengthening their connection, solidifying their link. It was almost as if she could physical y feel him.

  Hold up…she could.

  Strong, nimble fingers dragged across her col arbone, her breath catching as they weaved a trail between her breasts, down her stomach.

  Every muscle in her body jolted and she jerked upright, eyes popping open and her hands darting to her bel y.

  There was nothing, she felt…nothing. Her eyes adjusted to the gloom, and then she looked down, next to her, across the room…

  Nothing.

  Forcing her body to relax, she let her head fal back. She stil felt the odd sensation humming through her body; a tingle of slow seduction with a quick bite of lust. But it wasn’t as strong as before.

  At least, not until she closed her eyes again.

  She writhed in place as the images slammed to the forefront again, and then the touch of his fingers pressing into her skin, his teeth nibbling where her neck met her shoulder.

  “Rhys…what…” Coherent thought was beyond her, and so, apparently, were words.

  Shhh… Just relax, baby.

  “You’re doing this,” she said with barely a breath to force the words out, her hands knotting her nightgown in a pathetic attempt at control.

  Damn straight, he whispered against her ear. Now keep your eyes closed, sweetheart. Let me love you. Feel me.

  His words were disjointed, tumbling freely through her mind as the picture of them became clearer, became al she could see, al she could feel. Him. Rhys. Her. His strength, his sculpted body. Her lithe form, arching up to meet him, to press against him. Contact was made, skin-to-skin, heating her blood as it seared through her veins. Rhys groaned as his hands—

  On a gasp, her eyes popped open and the sensations faded.

  No! Rhys roared. No…stay with me. He sounded desperate, almost begging her to come back to him.

  And how could she not?

  Closing her eyes, she was instantly under him again. His tattooed arms braced himself, his back rippling with muscles as he moved above her, his tight little ass clenching as he—

  “Oh, my God,” Addison groaned.

  The erotic images blasting through her head were so intense she could actual y feel him surging inside of her.

  She gasped as her back arched, lost in the wet glide of their bodies becoming one. Whimpering his name, she somehow grasped onto the shoulders of the man thrusting within, feeling the curve of his back under her palms as he rocked to his own rhythm.

  She knew if she opened her eyes al would be lost, so she squeezed them closed, afraid to accidental y open them.

  Rhys’ hands slid down her side—thumbs dragging over her beaded nipples—to grip her hips, to angle her for deeper—

  Oh…yeah, he moaned, sparking a whole new exquisite wave to crash over her.

  Immersed in the images, in his touch, in his body, Addison became lost in a whirlpool of pleasure. She was so close…

  sooo close, teetering on the edge between total bliss and dark frustration, and she suddenly knew Rhys felt it, too.

  Their link was pure, their souls were one; he felt what she felt, he wanted what she wanted. They were together, in every way possible.

  Her heart hammered with the realization and her body surged against him, her breasts tightening in anticipation.

  Rhys pressed closer, his lips to her ear. His breathing came out in little pants of hot air as a stream of murmured words flowed freely through his lips.

  Ah, fuck. Baby, don’t hold back. Give it to me. Please, Addison. Let go. I want it. He growled an assent as her nails bit into his skin, and then he whispered, God…I want you.

  His final words shoved her careening over the edge.

  Gripping him tight, she let out a cry of ecstasy to mix with his own shout of pleasure. Together they held and rode out the climax swamping over them, both lost in the frenzy as their moans blended into one.

  Addison didn’t know how long they laid there together, his weight pressing her into the mattress, but eventual y he rol ed to the side and she dared to open her eyes. Peering dow
n under the covers, she was stil ful y dressed with no physical evidence whatsoever of their encounter other than the after-sex glow she felt radiating from her body.

  Come back to me, Rhys murmured, gently tugging on their connection.

  She shifted to her side and closed her eyes. The images were no longer there, but she could stil feel Rhys as he pressed up behind her, spooning her as his arm encircled her bel y, pul ing her closer. His hard body conformed to hers, arching around her curves as she relaxed into him.

  Rhys sighed, a sound of complete and total contentment.

  That was…

  “Amazing.”

  A sleepy chuckle escaped him as he snuggled closer.

  What an understatement.

  Addison yawned, let herself begin to drift. “I can’t think of any other word,” she mumbled.

  She felt Rhys’ lips press against her temple. No words exist. They never will.

  Chapter Eleven

  Addison let loose a satiated sigh as she nudged her body awake. Or was that Rhys?

  She could stil feel him pressed up behind her, but she knew the sensation would disappear the minute she opened her eyes. Too bad she couldn’t go through life with her eyes closed at al times. Actual y…she probably could.

  Blind people made it through life just fine without being able to see, and…

  Oh, my God. What was she thinking?! Sex—even superior mind-blowing sex—wasn’t worth not being able to see again. Then again…

  Rhys chuckled in her ear, his hand splayed across her bel y.

  Interesting train of thought.

  Shit, I knew I was good, but to the point of wishing you were blind? Damn, I’m a god.

  Oh, crap.

  She groaned and mumbled, “Get out of my head.” Now, sweetheart, let’s be honest. You don’t really want me out of your head. Not now, or ever again. You’d be fucking lost without me. Admit it.

  “I admit to nothing.” The lift in his tone implied he was teasing, but there was stil no way she was stroking that enormous ego of his.