LIA
* * *
I sat on the bed already changed into my favorite pj’s. Art's cut off t-shirt. I held a small mirror and began to clean myself with the makeup remover wipes. I could still hear the music thumping in my ears from the club. I hadn't been out in such a long time, but it had been amazing. Everything about today had been perfect.
I lifted my gaze and saw Chewie washing his face in the washbasin. He had already changed into his pajama pants. The muscles of his arms and back contracted with every movement. I sighed. He was so freaking sexy. Everything about him was flawless. The way he looked, how he spoke, how he always did everything for me. Even following my crazy antics and playing along with my weird sense of humor. I silently chuckled. He was great and tonight. Damn. At one point in the club, I thought I would need to be hosed down. There was just something about Art. He exuded power and gentleness. This sexy feel surrounded him all the time, and dancing with him had been almost orgasmic.
My gaze swept over him, and I allowed myself to open my senses and see beyond his body as my grandmother had taught me. I hadn't done it too often since I'd been here because of the emotional stress I had suffered, but I could never help myself with Art. Even his Aura was beautiful.
He had one of the rarest Auras that existed. My grandmother never got to see one in all her life, many didn’t, and I thought I never would. Art had a Crystal Aura. It was almost pure white, but it had these specs in between, like little twinkles of light that shone through it. It looked a bit like the inside of a white Quartz crystal, which I assumed is how it got the name. People with a Crystal Aura were referred to as Crystals. They got along with everyone and were loved by anyone they met. They often absorbed others’ feelings and energy. They were very sensitive to the emotions of those around them, pain, happiness, anxiety, and took it upon themselves to "right the wrongs" causing those emotions in others.
Crystals were people who preferred a life of complete balance and felt personally responsible for ending the suffering of anyone they encountered. They understood the real importance of life, love was their primary goal, and they usually became lost if they felt like they didn't have a purpose. Which described Art to a "T," but that wasn't the only thing that made him unique. We all had an inner Aura layer and an outer one. Even when the Crystal Aura was found in someone, it was usually the outer layer, meaning it influenced who the person was but it wasn't the core of his or her personality. Art's Crystal Aura was his inner Aura, which spoke about the truly concentrated purity of his soul. Not even Cyn's Aura was this pure. A Crystal inner Aura had never been seen, even by those who had been lucky enough to encounter this type during their lives.
Art's outer layer was violet making for an unusual combination. People with a Violet Aura were visionaries, leaders, and teachers, whose mission was to do something important and change others' lives. They also needed a purpose to guide them, or they would feel worthless, which was the reason for Art's inner battle. He had become a Warrior, but that wasn't his life mission, so he felt lost. Like he didn't have a calling, and there was not enough he could do for those he loved. Unfortunately, until Art found what he had been created for, his real purpose, the storm inside him would only get more turbulent. His last layer was blood-rose red, which represented how passionate and sexual he was, although, I didn’t need to see his Aura to realize that about him. Art exuded raw sensuality with every breath. It seeped through his pores like his personal scent. He was perfect, and I loved him in a way that shouldn’t be possible. Still, I loved him.
If Art could only see what I saw when I looked at him.
I blinked, closing myself to him and his Aura disappeared from my view. I stood to walk to the dresser but felt the room spin on me. Art was holding me the next second, and I gripped his arms closing my eyes.
“Are you ok?”
I couldn't answer. I wasn't sure if it was the alcohol or opening myself up to my ability that had caused it, maybe it was a combination of the two. Art carried me and sat on the bed cradling me. I rested my cheek on his shoulder and kept my eyes closed until the dizziness left me. Art's fingers lazily wandered up and down my spine messing with my emotions.
“I shouldn’t have let you drink that much,” he whispered in my ear.
I chuckled and opened my eyes. "I can usually hold my three apple martinis just fine, but maybe the shots were not such a good idea after all."
“I knew they weren’t. They messed with me too.”
“Next time I’ll listen to you, Chewie.”
His fingertips lifted my chin, and he looked straight into my eyes. "Next time I'll tie you up, so you don't give me a heart attack."
"Kinky." He chuckled. I sat up and cupped his cheek, holding his gaze. "Thank you so much for today, Chewie. It was such a good day, and I haven't had one in longer than I care to admit. Thank you for looking after my parents."
He shook his head and opened his mouth as though to say it didn’t matter but it did. I put my fingers on his lips, silencing him.
“It means so much to me, that I can’t even begin to express it. I’ve been so worried about them thinking maybe the Romans would get to them and I…”
“Shhh. Don’t.” Art said kissing my fingers. “I would never allow that.”
I nodded as my eyes watered. "I know, but I still need to thank you. Thanks for being so generous with me since the first day. For opening your home to me, and even your heart. I appreciate everything you have done for me, and I deeply value your friendship. The things you have shared with me mean everything. You mean everything." A tear escaped my eyes, and he instantly wiped it off my cheek.
"Don't cry, please,” he begged as though my tears physically hurt him.
I tried to smile, while caressing his cheek. I filed. "I know that after I leave..."
"Don't,” he warned, and I could feel the pain in his voice.
“Chewie, I need to say this.” He shook his head just as another tear fell from my eyes.
"You are not leaving, Lia." He pressed his forehead against mine and held me closer.
"I need to say this," I insisted, feeling more tears slide down my face. "I know that after I leave, life will continue for all of you. Bri will find her way as your Priestess, Cyn will be there for her, you will be there for them and your people, and everything will go on as it has for the past two thousand years. Until one day you probably won't even remember that I was ever here. Yet, the moments I've spent here, the moments I've shared with you are etched in my heart forever. Even if a day comes when you might not remember me anymore, I'll always be here, frozen in time. Safe, in your arms."
"How can you say that?" Art demanded, cradling my face and looking straight into my eyes. His glistened filled with raw pain. His hands trembled against my skin. "Don't you know what you mean to me? I have opened myself to you like I never had to anyone before. I've shared things with you that I have never told another soul. Not even my own brother. You make me feel like what I've done with my life matters. Like it hasn't been reckless behavior or a mistake, or even an attempt at feeling like I had something more to offer. With you, I feel like I am more than just an immortal, a Warrior, or a man. I could never forget you, Lia. You are embedded so deep inside me that I don't think I could ever get you out even if I tried, and I'm not letting you leave. I need to be there for you, calm your pain, hold you, and protect you… There is nothing like knowing that you need me, Lia."
“I do need you. A lot more than you know, Chewie, but I can’t stay…”
Art's lips closed over mine, cutting off my words. I expected him to pull away, and hug me like he usually did. He didn’t. Art’s lips began to move on mine, his gesture transforming into a deep, desperate kiss filled with need. I lost any reason, any sanity and any will I'd ever had. My arms wrapped around his neck pulling him closer while his tongue caressed mine. His palms rested on my back and pressed me to him. Our lips danced together as I gave in to him. There was a part of my rational mind that
knew this was wrong. It told me there was a reason I should stop this, but with every stroke of his lips against mine, every caress of his hands on my skin, my need for him grew. The love I felt for Art begged me to surrender, to give myself to him and I couldn't refuse even if I wanted to.
This love was my weakness and my strength, my salvation and my damnation all in one.
ART
* * *
My body had taken over. Lia had taken over me.
Hearing those words slip from her mouth had caused a pain I had never felt before, and raw need rushed through me.
I claimed her lips desperate to silence the words that were slicing my soul open. No logic existed right now. No right or wrong, only her lips on mine, her body under me, and my hands on her skin. I guided Lia to the bed while our tongues danced together. I laid half on top of her, pushing my knee between her legs, slightly parting them for me. I could feel the warmth of her center over my thigh, driving me crazy. I gripped her waist, as though afraid she would disappear while her hands moved desperately over my chest and back. Lia's every touch awoke a part of me that seemed to respond only to her. I nibbled at her lower lip, sucking it deeply and she moaned. I smiled a second before claiming her mouth again, and again. I felt so desperate like they were the oxygen I needed to survive. When I finally let go of her, we were both gasping for air. She clung to me, and I could feel her need for me seeping through her pores. I needed her too. My lips nibbled her jaw, working my way down to her neck. Fuck, she tasted so sweet. I pulled the widened collar of the shirt down on her, uncovering her shoulder and the top of her breasts. The tip of my tongue caressed length of her neck, leaving wet kisses in between, all the way to her ear. She shuddered in my arms.
“Art…” her throaty moan stroked my ear.
“Fuck.” The throbbing began.
My body had hardened for Lia the second our lips touched. I pressed my hips to hers wanting her to realize how much she made me feel. My palm slid down her body, searching for the edge of the shirt. Her touch skimmed down my skin as she arched her back pressing her breasts against my chest. Her hands slipped under the waistband of my pants, and she squeezed my ass. I jerked against her hip. Fuck. I'd never been this aroused. Every breath from her enticed me. My lips returned to hers, with a pang of hunger only matched by the dream I'd had of her. I devoured them. She gently sucked my tongue, and I moaned in her mouth. Lia was driving me crazy. The softness of her skin made me dizzy while my hand traveled under the shirt towards her waist. She gripped it, biting my lower lip, and pulled my hand up until it was over her breast.
“Fuck, Lia,” I gasped on her lips.
I could feel her nipple hardening under my touch, and I began to massage it. Each stroke was slow and firm as I memorized the feel of her breast under my hand. I wanted to feel more than that. As though reading my mind, her hands gripped the edge of the t-shirt, and she pulled it over her body. I lifted my chest from hers briefly, while the shirt fell on the floor. My eyes bore into hers as I shuddered with the effort it took to hold back.
"Look at me, I need you to see me like this," Lia asked breathlessly, but I was afraid if I did, nothing would stop me from making her mine.
My hands fisted the sheets. “I can’t.”
“Please, look at my body, Chewie.”
Fuck, she didn’t need to beg. “You don’t understand.” I pressed my forehead to hers, careful not to touch her naked skin. “I need you, Lia,” my lips brushed hers as I spoke. “I want to be inside you more than anything right now, and I’m afraid if I see you like this nothing will stop me.”
“Then don’t stop.”
Her lips captured mine in a kiss filled with pure desire, and it rushed through me fuelling my need. Lia’s hands guided my pants down uncovering me to her. Her legs wrapped around my waist urging me to lay on her. I gave in, moving on top of her and my breath stopped. My naked body touched hers, and I realized nothing was covering her delicate skin from me. She was completely naked under me. Had she been fully naked under that t-shirt all those nights? Fuck. The hardness of me rested on her soft, sensitive center as my heart slammed against my chest. Lia's legs tightened around me pressing our hips together, and I moaned into her mouth. I was perfectly nestled between her skin. I jerked against her, and a moan escaped her. Fuck. My arms sneaked between her back and the sheets pulling her up, and bringing her body flushed with mine. Her hard nipples were on my skin, her breasts pressed against my chest, my mouth devouring hers. My hands slid down her back, and I cupped her ass, tilting up and bringing her even closer.
“Yes, Chewie!” She moaned, and I almost lost it.
Lia’s silky skin was hot against mine, calling me. She was so fucking ready. I began to rock my hips against her, rubbing her delicate center with my hardened body. Her moans increased with every stroke, and I could feel her pulsing against me. My lips left hers and created a trail over her jaw. One of my hands traveled up her back, gripping her hair and gently pulling. Lia’s neck stretched back for me. I sucked on her neck over and over, with the same hunger I had kissed her lips. Her skin became tender under my tongue, and when I opened my eyes, I noticed the deep red shadow where my lips had been.
“Don’t stop, Chewie.”
Fuck, when Lia called me that… I sucked her neck harder, and she moaned my name squeezing my ass once more. I jerked against her, feeling a bolt of desire rush down my spine.
“Yes!”
Lia yelled in raw pleasure when I tilted my hips, and my tip rubbed the most sensitive part of her. It was beautifully swollen and pulsed for me. The intensity increased in my strokes while I moved my hips faster. I could feel her body trembling under mine, and I prayed this wasn't just another dream. Lia’s thighs slightly shook around me, when she got closer to the edge. My hips continued moving, as I began to kiss my way down her chest, and she arched her back lifting it off the bed. I finally allowed my eyes to glance at her skin taking in every inch of her. Her breasts were glorious. Nothing like I had ever seen. They were bigger than I had imagined, and fell naturally on her chest. They were beautifully round and so full. Her nipples were large, a light rosy brown and they rose over her breasts as though they were a bit swollen. My mouth became dry admiring them.
"You are so fucking stunning, Lia. Your breasts are glorious."
Her hands left my ass, and she cupped her breasts, lifting them towards my lips.
"They are yours."
Fuck. I wanted them to be mine. She pressed them together, and her nipples touched. I almost exploded.
“Fuck, Lia.”
I moaned and closed my mouth over them, sucking both her nipples at the same time. They tasted like heaven. I nibbled, licked, sucked and gently bit them once, twice and again while she fed me her breasts. I couldn't stop. I swirled my tongue between her swollen tips, and she moaned louder. The sounds coming from her mouth were destroying any sanity I had left. I needed to be inside her. The second the thought crossed my mind Lia became undone under me. Her legs clamped down around my hips, and a powerful moan ripped through her throat. She clung to me. I wrapped my arms around her, bringing her impossibly closer while her body spasm against mine. The erratic movements of her hips as she felt the pleasure of her release added to my need. I claimed her lips and a sharp breath left me when her small hands wrapped around me, stroking me. Fuck! Her touch was going to be the end of me.
Our panting breaths mixed as she guided me to her entrance.
“Fuck, Lia, you feel so fucking perfect.”
My tip caressed her silken skin on the way, and I wanted to plunge into her, but I knew I had to be gentle. Her body was petite, which meant she'd be even smaller inside. Fuck, I jerked against her once I felt the softness of her entrance against my tip.
“I need you inside me, Chewie… please.” She whispered on my lips in a half moan.
"Yes." I nodded with my eyes still closed and kissed her, slowly pushing my hips forwards. Her heated skin had barely begun to welcome me when a loud
knock sounded at the door. I froze.
“Art, are you there?” Ronan’s voice was on the other side.
"We are sorry to trouble you, but Cyn has called a meeting." Shit. That was Seima's voice. She was with Ronan.
Lia tensed under me and when I looked into her eyes reality fell over us like a bucket of ice-cold water.
“Art…”
Seima called again and Lia’s eyes filled with pain, it instantly transferred to me. My chest tightened.
"Oh my God, what have we done?" Lia whispered pushing me off her and got up from the bed.
Something inside me tore at her reaction. This was all my fault.
"I'm here, but I'm bathing. Where is the meeting?" I yelled, while my eyes followed Lia, as she quickly covered herself from me.
“Oh, Sorry to interrupt. It is at Cathair’s house. The others are already there.” Ronan answered.
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“We shall inform Cyn,” seima added and they left.
I stood from the bed and rushed towards Lia. "I'm sorry. This is my fault. I'm so sorry." I reached for her, but she pulled away from me.
“Don’t touch me.”
I stepped back shocked. “Lia, I’m sorry.”
"This is not who I am, Art. I don't do these kinds of things." When she looked at me, my heart nearly stopped beating. She was crying, and there was so much pain in her eyes. "I'm not this woman. You are seeing someone else, and she is my friend. What the hell have I done?" She wrapped her arms around herself as the tears fell from her cheeks.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Lia." I couldn't say anything else. I had no idea what the fuck had come over me, and now she was hurting because of me. I had hurt her when I was the one that should protect her. "Please look at me." When she did, I cupped her face and looked into her eyes. "I'm sorry, Lia. Please forgive me. Please. I need you in my life, and I can't stand knowing I hurt you like this." She shook her head shutting her eyes. More tears fell over her cheeks. "Please, Lia. I need you to forgive me."
Worthy of Magic (The Ancient Magic Series Book 4) Page 17