“What if he’s trying to hurt you?” Arielle pressed her lips together, trying not to hyperventilate over that thought.
“I can take care of myself, Arielle, don’t worry. I will never walk into a trap again. This was a grand lesson for me and I have our nightmare to thank.” He smiled softly, looking totally unruffled. Arielle understood that by their nightmare he meant Annabel. She reached up and their lips met. He took her in his arms and held her tight, making her quiver as her lips moved feverishly beneath his. He gently broke away and she understood that tonight would be exactly like every other night since his unfortunate incident with Annabel.
She took a deep breath and ran her tongue over her lips, savoring the sweet taste of his immortal kiss. He gave her a peck on the forehead before he walked into the shower and pulled the door closed. A strong ache shot right though her body and tears welled up blurring her vision. She walked quietly into the bathroom to wash her face, brush her teeth and change into her little camisole. Disappointed, she slipped under the covers, consumed with sadness. Her desire for Sebastian was overwhelming. She missed his seductive ways, his never-ending cravings, and the way he made love. How long was he going to reject her? How long would she have to wait? Her pulse throbbed as she tried to hold back tears. She lay still as the ache for him increased. She closed her eyes, overcome by a numb coldness and tears poured down her face, drenching her pillow. Sleep claimed her before Sebastian came to bed.
Sebastian finished his shower and walked into a dark silent bedroom. He was sure that Arielle was asleep and that made things a lot easier. He slipped under the covers and moved closer, gathering her in his arms, spooning around her. She didn’t try to get any deeper into his embrace, so he was sure she was asleep. Sebastian moved even closer as her breathing slowed. He buried his face in her hair and the smell of freesia made him smile. He was madly in love with her. His desire to be with her was something he'd never be able to understand. He wanted to love her every moment of every day but he felt unclean and dirty. Not good enough to touch or claim her beautiful wholesome body. Hurting Arielle was the last thing he wanted to do but that was exactly what he was doing. He cursed under his breath and squeezed her softly. Oh, God, he thought, the torture was unbelievable. Her body was so soft, her skin felt like silk, and her scent was sweet as honey. Sleep took a long time that night to claim him.
Arielle woke tightly encircled in his embrace. The room was dark and the clock on the end table showed 2:30 a.m. Sebastian was sleeping quietly with his face against her nape. The feel of his naked body against hers and his erection pressing against her buttocks sent a crashing wave of heat across every fiber in her body. Anticipation aroused every muscle and every craving she’d held for the last three weeks. Then reality hit her and she squashed those feeling just as fast as they’d come. She swallowed hard and sobbed quietly until sleep claimed her again.
The phone startled her and she fell out of bed trying to answer it. She looked around the room and her heart sank. Sebastian was already gone to the office and even though she knew that this was his new routine, she felt extreme disappointment. Her eyes welled up again and she answered the phone in a barely audible voice.
“Hello.”
“Arielle,” Gabrielle said, voice filled with joy. “What are you doing?”
“I just woke up,” she murmured, and yawned.
“Did I wake you? Sorry!” she said.
“No…No…I needed to get out of bed,” she said.
“Do you want to come over? The weather's beautiful and there are a lot of people at the beach just enjoying the day.”
“Sure, I'd love that.” She put the phone away and got in the shower still upset from the night before. She put on her bathing suit and was on her way. The weather was cool so there would be no swimming, however the sun was bright and warm and it would be wonderful to just lay out and get some sun. Gabrielle was ready when she arrived. They took a couple of beach towels and grabbed bottled waters from the fridge then crossed the short distance from the garden to the steps that separated the house from the beach. Brighton’s beaches have a rare natural beauty and are always very sought after.
The sun was absolutely breathtaking, shining brilliantly in the clear blue sky. A large crowd had invaded the beach at this early morning hour. Some people ignored the cold long enough to enjoy the ocean waters, and others simply relaxed and sunbathed.
They descended the long brown wooden steps and stepped onto the soft white sand. Arielle felt stress and anxiety as people’s thoughts and concerns invaded her head. The two women picked up pace and walked among all these people, trying to get to a private spot. Arielle pursed her lips in concentration as she focused on compartmentalizing the information she was getting, away from her own thoughts. Gabrielle understood what was happening to her so she remained silent while heading for their private spot. Soon they were at the familiar quiet cove away from all the commotion.
“Is this all right with you?” Gabrielle asked, her eyes fixed on Arielle.
“It’s great,” said Arielle softly.
They spread the beach towels on the soft sand and took their clothes off. Arielle looked over at Gabrielle and smiled wide.
“What’s so funny?” Gabrielle
“Look at me and look at you,” she said, waving her hand between the two of them.
“What do you mean?” Gabby said guardedly.
“Gabby, you have to most beautiful tanned body. Why can’t I get a decent tan?” she said gloomily. “I love the sun and have spent countless hours trying to get tanned. Well look at me, just as pale as ever.”
“Arielle, I can assure you that you’d have an awesome suntan, if you’d stop using so much of that sunblock.”
“Do you really think so?”
“Well think about it this way, there's no way for the sun to penetrate that thick sunblock armor you put on every time you go to the beach. Try to just lay here without using any sunblock. Spread on some of this tanning lotion and you may be surprised,” she said, and giggling handed Arielle a bottle of dark tanning oil.
“I guess you’re right,” Arielle agreed.
“I know that it’s a lot healthier to use sunblock,” Gabby said. “However my priority has always been a nice dark tan, so sunblock hasn’t ever been on my shopping list.”
“Healthier or not, you look so much better than I do,” Arielle said, shaking her head in frustration.
“Is Sebastian complaining about your tan?”
“Of course not, he never complains. He thinks I’m perfect.” She chuckled nervously.
“What’s bothering you, Arielle?” Gabby asked, gazing at her intently.
Arielle winced and bit her lip. “He doesn’t touch me anymore. We haven’t made love in over three weeks and I’m going out of my mind.” Her voice broke. She firmed her lips and ran her hand through her hair with sheer exasperation.
“Arielle, I thought we talked about that before. You have to be patient. He’ll come around before you know it,” Gabby said, and smiled soothingly.
“That's a lot easier said than done.” She sighed.
“He is in love with you, Arielle.”
Arielle smiled, staring at the sand as she kneaded it with her toes. She spread a healthy amount of tanning oil all over her body then lay back on the towel and closed her eyes, letting the sun’s warmth embrace her. She was dozing off when Gabrielle’s voice startled her.
“Arielle, do you ever wonder how men like Sebastian and Troy, who are faultless in every way, amazingly beautiful, and could have any gorgeous immortal woman in their world, can be satisfied with us?”
“Oh…My…God…” Arielle replied on an exhale. “I wonder about that every time I set my eyes on Sebastian’s stunning face. I can’t explain it and he certainly can’t enlighten me. I’m starting to think that he’s doesn’t want me anymore,” she said and growled with anger.
Silence fell between them. Arielle succumbed to her thoughts that were now spilling ov
er with his beautiful existence and his rejection. He kept telling her that she was his life and he couldn’t live without her. She started to hyperventilate when the thoughts about their wedding invaded her mind. What if he didn’t want to touch her even then? Would they get married? How could they have a honeymoon? How would this work?
She sat up because she couldn’t breathe. Her heart was hammering her chest and her head felt like it was going to explode. She swallowed back the bile that was climbing up her throat and dug her heels hard in the sand.
“Arielle! Where are you?” Gabby called out.
Arielle blinked, snapping out of her thoughts and tipping her head to the side to look at her and smiled thinly.
“What do you mean?” she asked apprehensively.
“You’ve been somewhere else for a while and you haven’t uttered a single word.”
“I just drifted off for a moment.”
She knew she had to stop dwelling on the same thing over and over, but it was so hard to stop thinking about Sebastian’s rejection.
Gabrielle rolled her eyes and nudged her with a smile.
“Well you were gone for a while. If there's something you want to talk about, I’m here. I’m your best friend do you remember that?”
“Yes,” said Arielle, a faint smile on her face.
“So, what’s really on your mind?” Gabrielle pressed.
“Gabrielle, I’m so in love with Sebastian that I’m sure I would die if I couldn’t be with him. I’m willing to live with the constant fear of Annabel trying to kill me. I never know when she'll show up and what she's plotting and now I have Gaston and the Russian Mafia added to the equation. If I had any sense at all I’d have stopped this from the very beginning, but I let my heart make all the decisions for me and now it’s way too late, because I can’t breathe without him,” she muttered.
“I feel the same way about Troy, Arielle,” Gabrielle murmured, her sigh filled with bliss.
“Do you think Sebastian will come around before our wedding?” Arielle asked. “Otherwise I just don’t see how this is going to work,” she continued, eyes filled with tears. Gabrielle reached over and took her hands in hers.
“I promise you, Arielle, that Sebastian will come around very soon. That’s what Troy told me and I trust in him unequivocally. He talks with Sebastian about everything. They're best friends like you and me,” she said, voice filled with pleasure.
Arielle embraced Gabrielle and smiled gratefully.
“Thank you, Gabby. I feel a lot better. I do love you and thank my lucky stars that you're my best friend.”
Soon they were talking about their youth and laughed over some of the dumb things they did while growing up. They talked about the wedding coming up. Gabby seemed to have everything in place. The wedding planner had made all the proper arrangements and they'd placed a checkmark next to every item on her wedding list. It'd been a whirlwind of planning and they were shocked to discover how many details could've been overlooked if they hadn’t made that list and looked at every little item over and over again.
Chapter 7
EVA’S WEDDING HAD BEEN perfect, so they were sure Gabrielle was ready for her big day. All she had to do was show up and marry the man who’d become one of Arielle’s best friends. The man who was responsible for saving Arielle’s life at least five times in the last year. It wasn’t long before the conversation drifted to Eva and Ian. Gabrielle was pretty animated, making Arielle laugh as she kept on about their hot encounters.
“I know how scorching sexual encounters can be with one immortal in the relationship but can you imagine two immortals in love and away from each other for a whole week before the honeymoon? Eva looked so happy when they got back.”
Gabrielle paused for a moment then let out a long sigh full of yearning and Arielle was sure she was thinking of Troy.
Arielle broke the silence. “I remember how extraordinary my encounters were with Sebastian so I can easily imagine, even comprehend the intensity between two immortals.”
“I'm sure it would feel like standing in the middle of a tornado or a lightning storm,” Gabrielle said, amused and they broke out into hearty laughs.
Quiet descended and Arielle was sure they were both thinking about their upcoming weddings and honeymoons.
“Do you know where you're going on your honeymoon?” Arielle asked.
“No, Troy wants it to be a surprise and I’m perfectly fine with that. He’s amazing and I love his surprises.” Gabrielle chuckled with glee.
Arielle wasn’t sure how long they lay there, but when she opened her eyes the sun was going down and she was sure they’d dowsed off in the middle of their conversation.
“Gabrielle,” she said, nudging her friend.
Gabrielle opened her eyes then widened them in shock when she realized they'd been there for several hours and had fallen asleep.
“What time is it? Troy must be home by now.”
“I’ve no idea but I think we’d better head home,” Arielle said, as they stood up and picked up the towels. She turned to face Gabrielle, saw her startled look and a wide smile spreading across her face.
“Look at you!!” she exclaimed as she pointed at Arielle.
“What is it?” Arielle looked down and gasped, overjoyed. Her white bikini looked even whiter against a wonderful dark tan. She was speechless as she stared back at Gabrielle who looked pleased with Arielle’s tan.
“I told you,” she said with a big smile on her face.
“All these years I was unable to get a great tan and all I had to do was use this little bottle of dark tanning oil,” she said. “Imagine that! I can’t wait to get home and show Sebastian. I’ve complained about my pale skin a million times and look at me now. I’m not sure this is going to change anything about his rejection toward me but still, I’m happy with the results.” Arielle was beaming and they hugged in joy.
“I had a real nice time,” Gabrielle said, “And I'm happy about your beautiful tan.”
“I always have a good time when we're together,” Arielle replied.
When they walked back and reached the wooden steps, they saw Troy standing at the top watching them. They were sure he'd seen them lying on the beach, as the immortal eyesight was perfect and far-reaching. He smiled as Gabrielle climbed the steps two at a time and fell in his arms. He locked them into a warm kiss and Arielle smiled as she saw how similar their lives were. Troy gave her a hug and walked her to the car.
“Nice tan!!!” he complimented. Arielle felt happy.
“I'm sure Sebastian is anxious for you to get home.” He chuckled.
She didn’t know what he meant.
“I hope he’ll be happy with my tan,” she said, smiling. She threw her bag and clothes in the trunk and slipped in the driver seat with just her bathing suit on. She couldn’t wait for Sebastian to see her nice tan. By the time she got home it was getting to be dusk.
“Hey baby?” she heard his musical voice as soon as she walked in the door.
“Hi,” she called out, as she threw her bag on the chair, picked up a bottle of water from the fridge and walked into the library.
“We fell a….” she stopped mid-sentence, as her eyes zeroed on this awesome sight of a man who was sprawled in the big chair wearing only a pair of jeans. She could see the fine lines of his muscular chest and excitement trickled from her head to her toes, overwhelming every inch of her body. Her lips quivered and she forgot what she was about to say. Her emotions took complete control, and her eyes roved over every inch of that stunning man, drinking him in. Suddenly, her heart sank remembering that he kept his distance and she felt anxiety taking over. He looked up at her and she noticed his eyes widen. His lips curved up to that amazing smile that made her writhe, exposing his perfect white teeth.
“Wow…look at you…great tan!” His eyes sparkled with desire.
“Do you like it?” she asked.
“Mmmm…come here and let me look at you up close.” He motioned for her
to sit on his lap, and she wasn’t sure if he was serious or joking. She decided to play it safe, so she leaned against the doorframe and smiled, trying hard to hide her lust; throwing her head back she chuckled softly, closing her eyes. She was startled when her feet left the floor and her eyes snapped open. She was cradled in his arms, his face a couple of inches away from her face. She was in absolute shock, but took advantage of the situation, leaned in and met his lips in a hungry kiss. She was used to his tireless encounters but what she couldn’t get used to was the immortal speed.
“What are you doing to me…?” she heard his gasping voice without breaking the kiss.
Arielle’s heart pulsated as extreme heat saturated her. She'd missed that expression so much! She chuckled and moaned without breaking the kiss. She had to be dreaming, and if she was, she didn’t want to wake up. She lowered her head and pressed softly the hollow at the bottom of his throat and he growled in clear exhilaration. She brushed his lips with the tip of her tongue and pressed them open, so she could taste his splendid scent. He tasted like honey and she licked her lips, trying to inhale every drop.
“I missed you so much!” he murmured without leaving the kiss. His hands unclipped her bikini top and dropped it to the floor just before he laid her on the bed, lust in his eyes.
Oh my God, is this really happening or am I dreaming?
She shivered with pleasure, thinking that this couldn’t be happening. She looked up and gazed in his emerald eyes with bliss. He was now out of his jeans and next to her, pulling her closer. She swallowed hard, unable to hold back her desire for him. Dream or real she was going to enjoy this encounter.
“I missed you,” she murmured. Her voice broke and she started to sob from pleasure.
“Please don’t cry!” he said, voice filled with anguish. He cradled her face and kissed away the tears. “I’m sorry, baby,” he murmured. “I was selfish, only thinking of myself, forgetting what this was doing to you. I love you so much, I can’t breathe if I’m not with you.”
Arielle Immortal Resolve (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 8) Page 8