Our hearts possessed each other.
As another song began, we were once again on an island. Only this time, we were in a sea of strangers instead of the wide-open ocean.
“Fuck, I want you,” he groaned into my mouth as we completed another circuit, moved to another song, and allowed the music to fully corrupt us.
I rubbed myself against him, shivering with need. “Do you think anyone would miss us if we went to find that dungeon?” I licked at his mouth as he kissed me hard. “I need you inside me.”
“Fucking hell—” His kiss turned into a meal, tasting me, chasing my tongue and biting my bottom lip as I submitted. His large hand splayed on my lower back, wedging my hips against his as he ground himself indecently into my gown.
Panting, he pulled away and looked down my chest, his gaze hot and wild. “I can practically see your nipples through that dress. If we find somewhere to fuck, I can’t guarantee it will be intact afterward.”
I shuddered with his threat. “I’m okay with that.”
“Don’t think our hostess will be.”
“It’s her fault that I can’t keep my hands off you.”
He smirked. “Pretty sure it’s me who can’t keep my hands off you.”
I cupped him again, squeezing his hot length. “We share the same affliction.”
Sully’s throat rippled as he swallowed down a snarl and pushed my hand away. “Don’t push me, Eleanor. I’m seconds away from—”
“Can I cut in?” a smooth English voice said.
Sully froze. Anger flashed in his eyes as he arched his head over his shoulder. His shoulders braced to ensure whoever asked for a dance with me fully understood who I belonged to, only for him to relax and a strained chuckle to slip through his lips. “Jethro. Hello.”
Pushing me to his side and wrapping his arm around me, Sully ran a hand over his jaw as if doing his best to shed our unsatisfied desire. “You don’t have the best timing, but it’s nice to see you.” He held out his hand. “Thanks for the invite.”
Jethro stood stoic, his head with its black mask tilting to the side. He studied us for a few seconds before a smirk lifted his lips. “If you’re contemplating where the nearest empty room is, I can assist you.” He shook Sully’s hand. “I must warn you, though, Hawksridge has a habit of getting you lost if you don’t know your way around. And I fear you might not return if you leave. Besides.” He laughed under his breath. “They do say anticipation is the best kind of foreplay.”
Sully chuckled. “Not hiding your tricks these days, I see.”
“Hard to ignore when you’re broadcasting your wants so loudly. You have a one track mind, my friend. Sex instead of enjoying my exclusive masquerade. I’d be offended if I wasn’t so amused.”
“Jethro.” A woman appeared by his side, swatting his arm. “What’s gotten into you? You know you shouldn’t pry into—”
“Relax, Nila.” Jethro released Sully’s hand. “He knows what I’m capable of. He knows most things about me.”
“And it seems you know me. I’ll have to remember to protect my thoughts around you. What did we agree on in our second drug trial? Something about humming a nonsense song to prevent you from—”
“I’m afraid I’ve evolved since then.” Jethro laughed again, his tone dark but friendly. “You’re at my mercy while in my hall.”
“Or you’re at mine.” Sully grinned. “Seeing as you just complained my thoughts are rather loud. I could make your life a living hell.”
“They’re so loud, you’re giving me the urge to vanish with my wife and find a dark corner.”
“Kite!” The woman next to Jethro swatted him again.
Sully chuckled louder before bowing. “Hello, Mrs Hawk. Stunning as always.” Before Nila could respond, Sully turned his attention back to his friend. “You were wrong, by the way.” He bared his teeth. “We weren’t thinking about finding an empty room, more like a dungeon. I’m sure you have a few of those beneath this castle.”
Jethro paled slightly before mirroring Sully’s grin. “Of course. Complete with manacles and a rack. However, I wouldn’t recommend either. Not nearly as fun as advertised.”
“I give up.” Nila threw her hands in the air. “Honestly.”
Sully let out a bark of laughter. “If I care to believe the rumours, old friend, I’d wager you know many methods of torture.”
Jethro once again stilled before he shed his tension with a smile. “Rumours exist for both of us, don’t they, Sullivan?”
“They do indeed.” The two men studied each other before they conceded whatever competition they’d shared. “Good to see you. It’s been too long.”
“I agree.” Jethro smiled at me. “And that’s why I’m pissed you were thinking of leaving the masquerade so soon.”
“I blame your wife for that.” Sully chuckled. “The dress is very...enticing, Mrs Hawk.”
“Call me Nila, please.” Jethro’s wife smiled.
“He’s right, Needle. His appreciation of your work is...loud.” Jethro laughed as the woman beside him pinched his waist.
“Behave, Jet. I swear to God.”
“It’s fine, Nila,” Sully said. “He’s only trying to embarrass me and my wife.”
“I’m trying to aid you and your wife in a situation you are both in the midst of. But I’m going to be selfish and ask that you restrain yourselves so we can enjoy your company before you disappear.”
What the hell is going on?
I couldn’t make sense of this.
Who was this man?
And why did Sully act as if speaking to a clairvoyant wasn’t a big deal. “It seems being drug-free has enabled an even greater sensory ability.” Sully narrowed his eyes behind his mask. “It would be intriguing to test you again, Jethro. See where your skills lie, now that you’re a happily married family man.”
“Perhaps.” With another smirk, Jethro turned his focus on me, changing the subject as if he had no intention of being Sully’s test subject. “I’m sorry for my behaviour, Ms. Grace. It’s rare for me to be able to share my true self, and I apologise if I upset you.”
Before I had time to speak, Sully muttered, “It’s Eleanor Sinclair. Not Grace. Not anymore.”
“Of course. How clumsy of me.” Jethro waited until I put my gloved hand in his, then he kissed my knuckles. His thumb ran over the bumps of my diamond rings that had been fashioned by his jewellers with Hawk diamonds. “You are, I must say, perfect for him.”
I tugged my hand back, slightly unnerved by whatever abilities he possessed. “We’ve just met, so I’m not sure how you can say that but...thank you.”
“I feel like I know you well.” His bronze eyes twinkled. “I’m glad you found each other. And I’m glad the clothes my wife made fit so well and have my friend’s approval.”
Nila rolled her eyes, only half her pretty face obscured by her mask. Her dark hair was tied back, and the black and white feathers on her gown rippled with air eddies as couples danced past.
“Hi, Eleanor, I’m Nila. Ignore my husband.” She held out her gloved hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”
I nodded, shaking hers gently. “Likewise.”
She grinned as two tiny children bolted past, ducking around ladies’ skirts and racing past men’s legs. “And those two hurricanes are our children.”
Jethro chuckled as the kids vanished into the throng. “Kes and Emma. You’ll meet them later.”
Sully cocked his head, studying his friend. “Family life truly agrees with you, Jet.”
“It does. No drug can compare.” He sighed, his humour fading a little. “I’m sure I’ll pay for this little soirée, but I thought it was time to begin introducing Emma and Kes to society. Prove to the tabloids and conspiracy theorists that whatever rumours plague Hawksridge are no more.”
“Fair enough.” Sully gathered me close, tucking me into his side. “So far, the ball seems like a success.”
“It’s an overly glorified business convention, rea
lly,” Jethro said. “I invited you to catch up, but it’s also a good time to make new contacts for your business. Especially the new islands in the South Pacific. Rapture, was it?”
“Correct.” Sully nodded. “We’re thinking about a visit there ourselves, actually. You and your family are welcome to come.”
“Maybe.” Jethro smiled. “For now, how about I introduce you around? You’d be doing me a favour by taking some of the attention off me. I can feel it a little too keenly.”
Sully threw me a look. “I’m happy to come, but I don’t particularly want to leave Eleanor.”
“By all means, bring her—”
“Oh, don’t you worry about her,” Nila said. “She’ll be bored while you talk business. I’ll happily keep her entertained.” Coming closer, Nila murmured, “I’m sure you have questions about my strange husband. And I can give you a tour if you’d like? Show you the gardens or the greenhouses. Maybe the stables?”
“Oh, that’s kind.” My unwillingness to leave Sully vanished. Our chemistry faded in preparation of being apart. I looked at Sully, my heart glowing as he nodded gently.
“I won’t be long. I’ll come find you after.” His eyes heated with sinful promises.
“Okay.” Smiling at Nila, I added, “I’d love to see your horses. We saw you riding this afternoon.”
Nila beamed. “The stables it is. I should’ve offered that option first, seeing as I’ve heard about your fondness for animals.” She motioned toward my snakeskin dress. “That was designed in a collection a year or so ago, but I figured it was perfect for you. In hindsight, I should’ve embellished it with more creatures. There truly are unlimited patterns you can pull from nature.” She eyed my dress with critique rather than satisfaction. Annoyance clouded her gaze, then inspiration glowed bright. “Oh! I could do an entire collection based on the attributes of hunter and prey! I could design fangs out of wire and—”
“Needle, stop.” Jethro chuckled. “We have friends to entertain, not new wardrobes to create.”
Nila nudged him with her shoulder. “I can do both at once.”
“Don’t listen to her.” Jethro looked at Sully, then me. “If you let her discuss clothing, you’ll find yourself sitting in her sewing room while she sketches until tomorrow.”
Taking Sully’s elbow, Jethro bowed at me and his wife. “On that note, we’ll see you two ladies in a bit. Don’t get up to mischief.”
Nila fluttered her eyelashes. “But I like mischief.”
“Yes well, our intention tonight is to squash the rumours, not to create more by making me chase after you to ensure you behave.”
Nila laughed, glancing at Sully. “See what I have to live with? He can do whatever he wants, but me? No way. Do you threaten your wife on a daily basis like he does?”
“I’d say almost hourly, actually,” I said before Sully could. “Then again, I issue my own just as often.”
Nila laughed harder. “I’d like to hear these threats.” Stepping back, she opened her arm in invitation. “You can give me some pointers. Shall we? A quiet walk to the stables will be a perfect time for gossip.”
Sully groaned. “Jethro, I’m happy your wife provides you with the emotional stability you need, but I’m not so keen on her corrupting mine.”
“If anyone is doing the corrupting, it will be your wife, not mine.” Jethro grinned. “Come on. Let me introduce you to our guests.” Kissing Nila, he broke away from our group, giving Sully privacy to kiss me goodbye.
His kiss was swift and strict. A dominant reminder that we belonged together, and that he’d come find me soon. “I won’t be long. Stay safe, Jinx.”
I kissed him back. “You too.”
Nila took my hand and dragged me the other way as Sully followed Jethro into the crowd.
Chapter Six
“SO HOW EXACTLY DID you get that stunning creature to fall in love with you?”
I punched Jethro in the arm as we left the ballroom and slipped into a quieter dayroom. “You saying I’m not lovable?”
“I’m saying you don’t exactly let down your guard.” My old friend grinned. “What’s it been, Sully? Over a decade of friendship and you’ve never once been involved.”
“Too busy.”
“No excuse.” He crossed his arms.
“You can’t talk. You never had anything serious until Nila.”
“That’s because I couldn’t get close to anyone but my brother Kes.” He flinched as if his brother’s death was still new and bleeding. In a way, it was. No matter how many years passed, I doubted Jethro would get over his middle brother’s death. He didn’t care about his younger brother’s demise, mainly because he deserved it. Just like his father’s end was justified.
Just like my own family deserved to be put down.
Wonder what he’d say if I told him what I’d done to my brother. How I’d broken his mind before Eleanor ended his body? How I celebrated his passing instead of mourned?
“How’s that going, by the way?” I spied a bar trolley and helped myself to the high-end cognac in the decanter. Pouring myself a tumbler, I passed one to Jethro.
He nodded as he accepted and took a sip. “As I said in our conversations, I can’t explain it.” He shrugged. “To start with, I had too many influences over me. But the closer Nila and I grew together, the more I couldn’t deny that I found peace with her. Peace that was so much more effective than any chemical.”
“I’m glad.” I sipped the rich liquor. “Put me out of a job.”
“I heard a rumour you’re being nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for the drug that stopped that brewing pandemic.”
I scratched my jaw, wishing I could remove my mask but accepting the masquerade ritual. “It wasn’t anything special. We just targeted the virus strain and tested it with already known antibodies, then we mutated it for the current virus. It wasn’t rocket science.”
“To you, perhaps.” Jethro finished his drink, placing the tumbler on a side table. “And I’m fully aware you’ve changed the subject. You forget what I am, Sinclair. I know it’s been an age since we saw each other in person, but I remember how you felt back then, and it’s entirely different to how you feel now.”
If I didn’t know and understand Jethro’s condition, I would eye him with suspicion for such a comment. Only thing was, I’d categorically, scientifically proven that what Jethro sensed wasn’t bullshit but some heightened sense of instinct that not all humans had tapped into.
In his case, he couldn’t switch it off.
“How did I feel back then?” I finished my drink, looking over my shoulder to where music drifted from the ballroom. Was Eleanor safe? I knew Radcliffe would follow her and keep her protected while away from me but I had to admit, I fucking hated being apart from her.
“You were...cold.” Jethro paced by the fireplace. “Analytical. No hint of feeling just...calculations. A brain that overruled any emotion and left you unexcited about anything and pissed off at everything.”
“Sounds about right.”
“But now, you—” He cocked his head, staring at me. “You’re anxious right now because you’re away from her, but when she was beside you—” He chuckled. “You were a horny bastard as well as possessive and protective. You were happy.”
“Having a wife will do that to a man.”
“No, having the perfect wife will do that.” Jethro cleared his throat. “Nila saved me as surely as you saved me in my younger years. You helped deaden me to things I couldn’t control, and she helped me rise above it.” He cleared his throat. “I want to get to know Eleanor, Sullivan. You’ll stay for breakfast tomorrow? Just the four of us?”
I nodded. “Of course.”
“And perhaps she can answer my question.”
“What question?”
“The one I asked earlier. How you conned her into falling in love with you.” He laughed as I scowled.
“You really want to know?” I smirked, testing the truth on my tongue. No one ou
tside of Cal and Jess and my loyal staff knew about my purchase of Eleanor. Apart from that Q bastard who’d threatened me the week or so before our wedding, of course.
Something like that should remain a secret, but Jethro had his own, and...I trusted him.
“I bought her.” I kept a careful eye on him. “I bought her, trapped her, and knew instantly that she was mine. Luckily for me, she felt the same way.”
“How quickly did you free her?”
“When my brother came to kill her.”
Jethro’s jaw stiffened, his mask hiding the rest of his expression. “I’m assuming, because Eleanor is still alive, that he failed in that quest?”
“He did.”
He studied me for an unnerving second before nodding. In that one stare, I was almost sure he knew that Drake was dead and that I was glad of it.
“We have lots to catch up on, it seems.” He guided me from the room. “At breakfast, we will have privacy. For now, let me introduce you to a man who I think can deliver some extra toys for your guests on Rapture.”
“Toys?”
“Yachts. A Mr Elder Prest comes highly recommended.”
“You getting into the sailing business yourself, Hawk?” I followed him, past the ballroom and down the corridor.
“Perhaps.”
A tuxedoed gentleman swept from a morning room, almost colliding with us. Jethro went to introduce us, but I guessed this was the man he’d mentioned. He had the impatience of someone wanting to be elsewhere, rather than conversing with potential clients.
Like me.
“Mr Prest, I presume.”
He eyed me, his mask hiding his nationality and features. “You presume correctly. And you are?” His accent was faint but reminded me of a Eurasian girl I’d bought once who lived half her life with her father in Japan and half with her mother in the States—before I’d imprisoned her, of course.
I swallowed back the memory. That wasn’t who I was anymore. I hadn’t been that man for a very long time. Jethro shifted beside me, hinting that perhaps the flush of memory from my past had done more than just infected my mind but my outward appearance too.
I had a habit of smiling sharper and acting crueller whenever I remembered what I was capable of when I’d used empathy in ways it shouldn’t be used.
Sully's Fantasy (Goddess Isles, #6) Page 5