Her eyes snapped open at the sound of strong, revolting laughter. Annabel was watching her with a victorious smile, eyes shooting painful daggers at Arielle, each one penetrating her heart, tearing it to shards. “He’s mine! You miserable human, he’s mine! You. Will. Never. Have him.”
Arielle gasped at the venom in her voice, and soon the laughter would start again.
Sebastian stood next to Annabel, holding her close to his side, utterly indifferent to Arielle’s anxiety, as if he didn’t care how she felt, or how bad he was hurting her.
Arielle felt a stinging sensation at the back of her eyelids and soon tears poured down her face. She began to tremble uncontrollably, and her knees started to sag.
“I need to get out of here,” she muttered. She gathered every last morsel of strength left in her body, turned and started walking toward the exit in complete hysteria. Her pulse pounded so powerful that she could hear the hammering bounce off her eardrums painfully. She tried to reach the exit but the distance to the door was becoming longer and longer. Pretty soon she broke into a run, trying to cross the threshold into the open air but no matter how fast she ran she was still inside that church hearing Annabel’s horrible laughter piercing her ears. Her pulse beat faster and faster, breath heaving, sweat dripping; she felt she was going to pass out. A lump was rising to her throat, choking her windpipe…
***
Sebastian woke, startled to find Arielle on the other side of the bed, away from his embrace. He sat up and turned the light on. Arielle’s face was damp, her body covered in sweat. She was tossing and turning, clasping at the sheets and moaning as if she was being tortured. He could feel that she was having a horrid nightmare and reached for her. He pulled her into his arms and gave her a soft shake. “Arielle, please, baby wake up!”
She was shaking like a leaf, tears rolling down her face. “Sebastian, please don’t leave me, please come back,” she was whimpering.
Sebastian frowned. These nightmares were becoming unbearable. Wretchedness seeped through him. How could he go away for a whole week knowing she'd be going through this alone? He cupped her face with his hand and stoked her bottom lip with his thumb. “I’m right here baby, I’m not going anywhere.”
Her breathing hitched and she couldn’t stop her strangled cry. He moved quickly and shook her awake. “Arielle…Arielle… Wake up baby.”
Arielle woke in a panic. Pain lingered in her eyes. She was disoriented and completely unaware of Sebastian’s presence. She sat up on the bed shaking her head to clear the fog of the dream. “Sebastian,” she said softly sobbing.
“I’m right here, baby, I’m right here,” he said again and pulled her tighter into his embrace.
Her eyes settled on his face and felt the weight of the nightmare crushing down on her. “You’re here,” she whispered.
“Yes, I’m here, I’m not going anywhere.”
“Oh, this horrible dream,” she whimpered. She shrugged away from his embrace and wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand. “You and Annabel,” she said in an abrupt voice that left him utterly shocked.
He threaded his fingers through his hair, stared into her incredible blue eyes and lost his train of thought. He reached out and pulled her back into his arms. She clung to him, laying her wet cheek against his warm chest.
“Me and Annabel, what? Tell me,” he insisted, his arms cradling her, his eyes searching hers to find the root of the dream.
She shook her head but said nothing.
“Arielle, every time you have these nightmares it tears me up inside. I hate to see you upset. Tell me about your dream, please!” he said, pain coating his voice.
Arielle regarded Sebastian hesitantly. Her emotions were in such turmoil. She straightened her shoulders with fortitude. It was time to finally tell him about the details of her dream.
“Every time I have this nightmare you leave me for Annabel. She is the bride waiting for you at the altar. She is the bride you run to, not me.” Her eyes filled with tears as the memories of the nightmare raced through her mind, crashing against each other, one worse that the other, and that evil laughter still ringing in her ears.
A sickening feeling enveloped Sebastian. How could she possibly believe he would leave her for Annabel? Jealousy and fear blinded Arielle’s otherwise level thinking.
“My God, Arielle! It's just a dream!” he said wrapping his arms more firmly around her. “I hate the woman and everything she stands for. I want to hurt her in such a horrible way, the thought terrifies me. How could you ever let such a thought invade your mind?”
Arielle nodded slowly. She slipped her arms around his neck and leaned even closer. Sebastian let out a sigh of relief. He had his girl back.
“I love you, baby, I love you so much it actually hurts,” he murmured against her ear. He held her gently soothing her as she sobbed against his chest.
“I’m having second thoughts about leaving you,” he said.
Arielle tipped her head back to look into his emerald eyes. “You can’t be serious,” she said in utter shock. “You must…you have to…you just can’t…” her voice trailed off. She was trying to finish the sentence but couldn’t find the right words.
With his thumbs he gently wiped her tears off her cheeks, and brushed back the rich spill of her hair from her face. “I will do anything to keep you safe. You have absolutely no idea how I feel about you.”
Arielle brought her hands to her cheeks and felt the moisture still lingering on her skin. She gave him a knowing smile, and nodded reluctantly. The nightmare was still in her thoughts, keeping her pulse throbbing. The reassurance she read in his eyes told her that even though the dream was repugnant and frightening, she had to let it go until she'd sorted out its meaning.
Sebastian lay back down and pulled her into his arms. He always enjoyed the feel of her soft body that fit his like a glove. The freesia fragrance was intoxicating and very sexy as he nuzzled her hair and moved his lips down her face until their lips met in a fiery kiss.
“I’m going to miss you,” he breathed as he plundered the softness of her mouth and claimed what he knew was his.
Arielle groaned, surrendering to his intoxicating passion. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him to her.
“Show me that you love only me,” she gasped, her skin scorching with need for him. She needed reassurance that his desire was only for her, no other woman on this earth.
Sebastian’s moved over her with unspoken hunger. “What do you want, baby?”
“I want you,” she gasped. She couldn’t hold back a growl as he thrust vigorously in and felt the hard length of fire deep inside leaving her breathless, struggling to keep her sanity for a little while longer. She wanted to make every last shattering pleasure to last for as long as possible.
Sebastian’s muscles clenched at the sensation her body heat was spreading across every fiber of his body. She was his, body and soul and he plundered every inch of her body as if there was no tomorrow. Her body arched beneath him, matching him stroke for stroke with the same desire, the same passion until they sensed the thundering climax that was about to invade their senses and release them into the universe of oblivion.
Her name was on his lips, and his name on hers, as they rode the waves of ecstasy and the bliss of the aftermath.
Sebastian shifted, tugging the bedspread over them. He wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her protectively into his embrace. He closed his eyes and felt a sense of possession. Arielle pressed a kiss at the base of his throat. Sebastian growled with pleasure and nuzzled her hair.
“You’re mine, Arielle. Sleep, my angel. I’m right here,” he said, tightening his arms around her possessively.
Arielle smiled blissfully; she could still feel his gaze. She cushioned her cheek on his chest and sighed. Every bit of worry slipped away, leaving her warm and secure. She was sure he was ready to satisfy every craving she ever had and provide a perfect sanctuary. “And you are mine, Darcy,” she mur
mured.
Sebastian cleared his throat. “Mmmm…yes, I am, my beautiful Lizzy,” he whispered, his breath warm against her cheek. He gave her a soft squeeze, but she was already asleep.
Sebastian stayed awake a while longer just watching her in an undisturbed state of slumber, and soon surrendered to sleep.
***
Sebastian woke to daylight slipping through the window shutters and brushing across his face. Arielle was still asleep in his arms. Her hair spread like a silky waterfall across the pillow. Her lush lips pink and pouty asking to be kissed. He inhaled deeply the freesia fragrance that seeped through every pore in his body and left him spellbound. He decided he had to have her one more time before he left their bed.
He bent his head and brushed his lips over hers. Her breath was warm, alluring, and his body shifted closer.
Arielle’s eyes flickered open and fell into his intense emerald gaze. “Good morning, Darcy,” she murmured against his mouth.
“Good morning, my Lizzy,” he breathed, his pulse pounding. “I know it’s early, but I need you. I can’t go away without showing you how much I love you.”
“I’m not stopping you,” she murmured and moved suggestively against the solid wall of muscles.
His lips curved, and a heated sensation made his pulse race. His fingers tangled in her hair and tilting her head back, he buried his face in the soft curve of her throat. A groan surged from his lips when he sensed the elevated pulse beneath her skin. He drew her even closer. The heat of her skin sent waves of scorching fire through his veins. The passion intensified and the desire for Arielle was mind-blowing. He wanted her like he‘d never wanted another person in his long life through the centuries. His lips moved up the length of her throat, across her jaw and settled on her mouth. He plundered with a savage craving until sizzling pleasure spread and burned every inch of their bodies. Drawing back he gazed into the dark passion that burned inside the blue ocean of her eyes and was lost.
“Oh, God, Arielle, you have no idea what you do to me,” his voice a low growl.
Arielle leaned in, her breasts softly pressing into his chest and he gasped. His hands moved over the curves of her body tracing the line of her hips and the inside of her thighs. He tilted his head and deepened the kiss stilling her breath away. Every stroke of his burning finger sent a sizzling sensation deep into the core of her bone marrow.
His hands slid slowly upward until he cupped her breasts. She gasped as he squeezed softly and let his thumbs brush over the hard nipples. Sensation slammed fast and hard into his brain and he growled. She arched her body and pushed herself against his hands. He squeezed harder, bringing waves of pleasure across her skin and settling below her belly.
His mesmerizing lips moved again and sliding down the bed he kissed and licked every spot along the length of her body. The taste of her silky skin drove him senseless, sending him to a suspended space of time. Reining in his wits he moved up her body until he reached her breast. He took one hard nipple into the heat of his mouth and suckled hard, bringing Arielle to a shuddering whimper.
Frantically he rolled taking her with him and pinned her beneath him. His erection was hard, pressing against the soft flesh of her abdomen. He wedged his knee between her thighs and pressed them apart. He lowered his head and set his mouth on hers, teeth nipping her bottom lip. The sensation was heady, intoxicating. His hands moved lower and gripped her thighs firmly, keeping her still. He moved fast and plunged deep and hard into her body, sending unfathomed pleasure crashing through her and she immediately fractured into a million shards. Her nails dug deep into his back and his name left her lips with a sob. Her body throbbed around him and Sebastian followed with a guttural growl of gratification falling off of the edge of ecstasy, propelling them both into oblivion.
He rolled onto his back and pulled her against his side and she snuggled into his embrace. He gave her a soft squeeze, nuzzled her hair and pressed a soft kiss on the top of her head. “I don’t want to go,” he murmured.
Arielle giggled a wicked glint in her eyes. “But you have to go, love. Your friends are in town for your bachelor party. In fact, they should be here in less than an hour,” she said looking at the digital clock on the nightstand.
He groaned and, propping himself on one elbow, he lifted over her. He bent down and drew a nipple into his mouth and suckled hard. Arielle nearly came off the bed.
“Sebastian!” she gasped, “you need to get up.” She set her hands flat on his chest and pushed gently. “Get up.”
He lifted his head reluctantly and pouted. He looked like a little boy. Arielle burst out into a hearty laugh. “What are you, twelve?”
He just pinned her with his emerald gaze and shook his head with disappointment. “There's nothing funny about me leaving you for a whole week. I hate the thought of it.” He leaned back down and pressed a soft kiss on her lips.
Arielle just stared back; she just didn’t know what to say. He was acting like a small stubborn child.
“All right, all right, I am getting up.” He flung the bedcovers back and jumped out of bed. “Are you sure you don’t want to take a shower with me?” he called as he reached the bathroom door.
“No!” she yelled back chuckling. “Go take a shower, for God’s sake.”
“Just don’t say I didn’t give you a chance,” he muttered amusement in his voice.
Soon she heard the water running. She rolled over, drew his pillow into her arms and buried her face in it. She inhaled deeply his sweet immortal scent and sighed.
Chapter 20
HE EMERGED FROM the bathroom shirtless. His eyes fell on her perfect luscious body and a muscled ticked in his jaw. He didn’t want to leave her.
Arielle pushed herself up on her elbow and focused on the man who'd turned her world upside down. The sight of his jeans low on his narrow hips showing perfectly defined muscles, created a wild pulsation on the nerves between her thighs. She bit back a groan. “Are you ready?”
“Almost.” He approached the bed and bent over to kiss her. “Go to sleep and dream only about me.”
She wrinkled her nose, her face heated as she recalled the last encounter. She pulled him down and deepened the kiss.
“Stop this,” he growled against her mouth. “I’m already struggling with having to leave you for a whole week.”
She released him immediately and flipped back on the pillows with a loud groan.
“You're not this making easy,” he muttered, his eyes whirling with passion.
“Sorry, baby, I just can’t get enough of you.”
“You’re using my words now,” he chuckled and turned away from her bedside to retrieve a shirt from the closed.
“Don’t you have to pack any clothes?”
“No, we manifest everything we need.”
“Right. I don’t even know why I asked such a stupid question.” She buried her face once again in his pillow and inhaled deeply.
“What are you doing?” he asked curiously.
“I hug your pillow and pretend that you're here.”
“Arielle, I don’t think I can be without you for a whole week.”
“You’ll survive,” she chuckled.
“I’m not sure about that. I may not.”
Arielle giggled. “Well then I may have to find another gorgeous immortal to take your place.”
Sebastian pouted. “Stop it, Arielle. I don’t want you talking or looking at any other man while I’m gone. Is that clear?”
Arielle burst out into a hearty laugh. “Darcy, I don’t want anyone else in my bed but you. Is that clear?”
Sebastian groaned at her words. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
He walked out of the bedroom feeling her eyes on him all the way until he turned at the end of the hallway.
It wasn't long before the immortals gathered in their study. She heard them laughing and having a good time. They were debating enthusiastically over which activity should come first, and
which part of the planet they would visit today. The digital clock on her nightstand read 9:30.
Arielle palmed her face and breathed hard. She exhaled and something tightened in the pit of her stomach. She winced anxiously, knowing she would never be part of their world. She would never experience that sort of existence.
Immortality was so beyond her reality, she couldn’t possibly grasp the meaning of it. She recoiled at the thought that Sebastian had been able to share that type of excitement with other women, but she wasn't one of them.
Unwanted thoughts invaded her mind. What if he met some of those women in their weeklong celebration? She bit her lower lip hard enough to make her jerk her head back in pain. She was truly happy for Sebastian and his friends, but she really didn’t want to let him go.
She got out of bed and decided to start packing. She pulled out a small suitcase and placed it open on the bed. She was going to move back into her parent’s home while Sebastian was away partying with his friends. She ran her fingers through her hair and shook her head, trying to clear her silly thoughts. She retrieved her iPod from the dresser, plugged in the earbuds and after choosing the music she wanted to listen to, she placed the iPod in her jean pocket to free her hands, and continued packing, singing along to an Adele tune.
She never heard Sebastian enter the room, and she didn’t see him approach like a wild cat on prowl. She sensed him before he reached her, and whirling around, she fell into the magic emerald world in his eyes. Her breath held in her throat and she swallowed hard. The raw desire in his eyes took her breath away.
“What are you doing?” she asked, taking a step back.
His eyebrows shut up and his lips parted in a wide smile. He let silence be his reply, as he neared her.
“I know that look,” she muttered, pointing at his face. “Remember your friends are here. And aren’t you leaving anyway?” she asked, still backing up.
Arielle Immortal Resolve (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 8) Page 26