She shook her head in sadness; he was such a good man. But she knew the truth. She was too wound up in Alexei to ever give her heart or body to another. The sad thing was she wasn’t even sure she liked Alexei right now, but that didn’t stop her body from craving him like he was the last bit of a drug on Earth and she needed the fix desperately.
Turning, she walked out the room leaving Alexei to stare at her retreating back. She might as well have dinner as long as she was here. Dante and Mick would make sure Ethan was fine and unless she missed her guess, he wouldn’t remember her after tonight. She would be the only one left with the memories of the laughter and joy they shared together. He wouldn’t remember her secrets, but she would remember his.
Shoulders slumped, she walked through the hallway door into the dining area. There was a small empty table that had only one chair. The loneliness and solitude of it called out to her. Her new life in a nutshell. She went and sat.
Julian one of Dante’s brothers waved at her as he took several plates of food to hungry dinner guests. She always wondered why they ran this place themselves. They could afford to hire chefs, wait staff, and whatever else they needed. Instead they worked it whenever it was open. True, it wasn’t open as much as it used to be, but still. Dante told her once they needed the distraction from life.
“Not eating alone are you?” Alexei pulled up a chair.
“What do you want, Alexei?”
“I want to have dinner with you, Amber, that’s all I’m sure about right now.”
She was glad he was at least sure about dinner because she wasn’t sure about anything and that kiss had knocked all common sense out of her brain. If any was left, she would demand he leave her alone.
Julian walked over to the table to take their orders stopping her inane reply.
“What can I get for the two of you?”
“Julian, why don’t you have a mate?” The words tumbled out of her mouth before she could put the brakes on.
“That doesn’t sound like a dinner order to me, Amber.”
“It’s not, but I am curious. Why are you alone?”
The sadness that flashed in his eyes reminded her of Ash. He too was alone and according to him, he was destined to live and die alone.
“Everyone isn’t meant to mate, Amber. Now order food.”
“Tell Dante to surprise me, Julian,” she gave him a small smile.
“He can surprise me also,” Alexei said. You never knew what you got when Dante was surprising you, but it was always what you needed and sometimes even what you wanted.
Julian inclined his head and then turned away, executing the turn with military precision.
“Why do you think they’re not mated? Shouldn’t they have gone first, seeing as Dante is the first surviving Created?”
“Anything I say would be speculation. You know as well as I do, they don’t talk about it,” Alexei said, looking her over.
“What now? We eat dinner, go our separate ways, and see each other at the next family gathering?”
“Yes or you could go home with me. We could see where that kiss from earlier will lead.”
“Are you inviting me to your man cave?” Her hand flew over her heart and her mouth opened in a dramatic O.
One side of his mouth lifted in a lopsided smile, reminding her of the boy she grew up with.
“Will you come home with me, Amber?”
Her throat worked but nothing came out. The thought of going home with him made its way through her veins, destroying her confidence while making her dizzy with desire. What if she got there and he wanted to and she tried and then she couldn’t? Her mind processed thoughts at the speed of light never wholly giving her time to think a whole line before it was off in a different direction.
“Amber?”
“Yes.”
Chapter Four
She shouldn’t be in his car. Alexei’s throat trembled trying to keep the emotions down that were threatening to erupt. How could she sit there? Didn’t she know what danger she was in? If he had even half a right mind he would take her back to her fortified condo, or at least to Uncle Ash’s house. Take the ass whooping his uncle would give him like a male and leave Amber alone. He didn’t have half a mind; he needed her like his life depended on it.
She turned and gave him an angelic smile.
She calmed him. How was that possible?
“I can’t wait to see your house.” Her voice was light and airy.
“There’s not much to see really. Everything except the kitchen, my bedroom and the play room is unfinished. I never seemed to find the time to get around to furnishing the rest of the house.”
“Sounds like you’re a true bachelor. You did the kitchen because you love to cook.”
“How could I not between mom and Dante keeping me in the kitchen.”
“I owe them a thank you for that, you’re an excellent cook.”
“Thanks.” He glanced at her, appreciating the green shimmery dress that hugged every curve to perfection. She looked like a Christmas present waiting to be opened by him. And her lips, now that he knew the softness of them, all he wanted was to taste them one more time.
He drove into the garage; the darkness inside of him finally broke through his shell, spilling out of his pores. His desire and his concern for Amber reached a new height. He went on high alert looking around. Was his family watching, waiting for the right moment to come out and stop him? Would Ash show up before this went too far? Would tomorrow bring a regret he could never undo?
He lingered in the car taking his time to park and turn everything off. He argued with himself to leave her alone, but the attraction, all the years he denied wanting her, were a ball that sat in the pit of his stomach, overwhelming him. He needed tonight even if it was just one night. He needed to touch heaven, and only Amber could take him there.
He got out of the car and walked over to open her door.
He smiled at her, “Welcome to my home, Amber. Ignore the beast lurking in the corner.”
“I would, but he doesn’t scare me.”
Alexei scoffed and led her through the garage into the main house. They came up the stairs into the kitchen.
“I love your kitchen, it’s so big. Reminds me of the one I pestered Ash into making in our home.”
He had a large open concept kitchen with an island in the middle.
“His life was never the same after you, Amber.” A genuine smile lit Alexei’s eyes as memories of Ash and Amber ran through his head.
“I did my best to make him smile.”
“You’re his world.”
“Show me the rest of the house.”
He took her into the security room that his uncles helped him set up, from there he took her through the empty living room and the small den not far from it. Then he took her to the front room where he usually entertained his cousins. It was set up a lot like the front room in his parents’ house. Lots of cuddle chairs on the off chance they actually mated one day, as well as several huge surfaces to play Virtual reality games on or watch movies, as well as lots of games and an old fashioned pool table. Not many people played now, but he learned to love pool and loved to play it. Last but not least, was the grand piano his mom insisted he learn to play.
“Beautiful.” She had been forbidden from coming here by her dad. Even though they were all cousins, the Created didn’t like the idea of her around nothing but males.
She understood, he knew she would. The need for space even around family was so important to the Created as well as the Hybrids.
“That’s it for the downstairs. The upstairs has bedrooms and bathrooms.”
“Are you going to show them to me?” her breath came out throaty and slightly needy.
“Is that what you want, Amber? Only one room is done, mine. The rest are empty, waiting for someone to care enough to fill them with warmth and furniture.”
“You don’t have to show me your room if you don’t want to,” she retreated.
“Not this time, Amber. We make this decision together. Its eyes wide open or I take you home and this never happened.”
His beast ripped him apart inside as he offered Amber a way out. It howled in his head wanting to grab her and tie her up never letting her see the light of day again. The male knew he would lose her if he tried.
Alexei had never been scared of himself before today.
He watched as she took deep breaths, her confidence slowly flooding back. Her shoulders raised, her nose twitched, and that bewitching smile—the Amber he knew stood before him in all her glory.
He wanted her.
She walked over to him and placed her palms on his chest. The contact burned through his shirt.
“I want you, Alexei, damn the consequences. I need you.”
He reached down and picked her up. He took the steps upstairs three at a time. One point eight seconds his internal clock told him, a new personal best. He carried her until they reached his bedroom. Resisting the urge to toss her on the bed, he sat her on her feet.
Mine, his beast roared. He smiled.
*~*~*~*
She was in his room. Her mind went on temporary hiatus as she tried to process that simple bit of information. This is where she wanted to be or so she thought until she got here. Now her body was hot and cold like she was getting a cold only worse. Desire warred with the fear she boldly claimed she didn’t feel.
She wasn’t scared of Alexei, no never that. Although she had been allowed to see his beast more than once, and it was ferocious to say the least.
“Alexei, how’s your beast?”
“Hungry.”
Beautiful brown eyes with rings of green and blue dilated changing shape. His beast was there, close to the surface looking at her through his eyes. She forced down the lump in her throat. The beast was erotic in some ways, wild in others. She didn’t care because she wanted them both. They were a package deal.
“Last chance to escape, Amber. Run, take a car, keys to each are in the glove compartment. Take a hover car, I don’t really care. Save yourself because when I close this door your chance of escape dies with it.”
“That’s rather melodramatic don’t you think?”
He stood before her at around six three. She felt small at five eight next to him. His wide shoulders always made her feel safe whenever he hugged her. His slightly long brown hair touched his shoulders drawing her eyes. He was dressed in a blue tank made out of thin bands of metal meant to show off his incredible torso to its fullest. It wouldn’t matter which club he went to, dressed like that he would be the star of the show with the females.
He wore a pair of jeans made for fighters. There were hidden pockets for weapons and the cloth, what little there was of it, was reinforced with strong yet supple metals. He was dressed perfectly to blend in.
“Were you headed to a club?”
“I was stalking prey.”
She obviously was the prey. “Do your worst, Alexei. I’m not leaving.”
“I wish you hadn’t said that.”
With a push of his hand the door swung slowly closed, they watched it until it made a small snick of clicking into place.
“Tonight, you’re mine.” His voice was thick with desire as he advanced towards her.”
She retreated just a few steps at first. Tomorrow she’d hate herself but now she needed breathing room.
“If you want me you have to work for it. You can’t just say you’re mine like I’m a puppy for sale.”
He lunged for her. She laughed and ran to the other side of the room.
“Don’t make me chase you, Amber.”
“Aww what’s wrong, is my big bad hybrid too tired to chase little ol’ me?”
He came for her, she darted out the corner she was in and hopped on the bed. He jumped on the bed and she slid off almost losing her footing before catching herself and running to the opposite wall.
She looked at his face and breathed a sigh of release. The darkness that sat there earlier was gone. She knew he was playing with her; he could have caught her the first time. This is what she wanted. Her Alexei back, the one she trusted with her life and her body.
Looking down at her feet she studied her heels. Taking one off, she threw it in his direction before she dangled the other from her finger.
“Are you trying to kill me, female?”
“Maybe, but not with a heel.”
“You think you’ll be that amazing, do you?”
“You want me so bad you just might faint before the good part leaving me no choice but to take care of myself.” She bit her lip trying not to laugh.
His eyes glistened in merriment as she taunted him.
“You got lots of experience.”
She jutted her chin out. “I have as much as you.”
He moved towards her, laughter replaced with desire. “What if I told you I didn’t have any?”
“Like I said,” her voice was hoarse. “I have as much as you.”
His eyes held her in place making it impossible for her to move. He stood in front of her looking down as she craned her head up to meet his eyes. She raised her hand to caress his cheek.
“Then tonight we will learn how to be lethal together.”
Ever so gently he forced her back against the wall until he held her in place with his hard body. Lowering his head, he kissed her, tasting her lips, nipping and licking at them until she opened welcoming him in.
“You taste like spring. Light and new, the dawn of the living come back from their slumber. I love the taste. Spring and fire, it’s all you.”
She moaned deep into his throat as his tongue plundered her, dueling with her. Each giving and taking land in their quest to be dominant. Her nipples budded as he ground against her giving her another feel of his need for her.
He stood back looking at her. “I need to see you without this dress. Amber, take it off.”
Her fingers shook as she reached down to the hem and pulled it over her head. She felt so exposed. She stood in her bra, a shimmering green number with matching panties.
“You’re so feminine,” his words came out in an awed tone as he traced the skin that sat right above the edge of her bra.
She arched into his touch.
He reached down and pinched her nipple through the bra pulling a high keening sound from her lips.
“Again, Amber.” He pinched her again making her scream louder this time.
Her eyes were focused on him. When she screamed, his cock jumped catching her by surprise making her pussy clench in anticipation.
Picking her up, he walked over to the bed and laid her down.
Chapter Five
Amber licked her suddenly dry lips. He stared at her like a hungry lion, or maybe she should say a hungry hybrid. She giggled as his muscles bunched and he crawled on the bed next to her. She reached out to stoke his arms. The banging on the door wrenched her attention away.
“Alexei, open up I know you’re in there.” Dom’s voice floated up the steps. “If you don’t open up I’m breaking in.”
“Dom, I have a key.” Gaige’s voice was so reasonable.
Alexei allowed his head to drop into Amber’s soft chest. The chest he was not going to be able to memorize in glorious detail tonight.
“What are we going to do?”
“Get dressed,” he blew a frustrated breath out his nose, “and go open the door,” Amber said to him.
She groaned, was life against her. Finally, she almost had what she wanted crammed nice and tight inside her and his cousins, sort of her cousins but not by blood, come knocking at the door. Could this night become any more frustrating?
“Good idea, this,” she waved her hands around to indicate them, “us, it was never meant to be.”
She pushed up on her arms only to find herself being caged in by his hard body. He used his chest and shoulders to slowly push her back into the mattress before his body laid on hers pressing on her making it hard for her to pull in
a breath.
Lowering his head, he took her mouth in a hard kiss, dominating as she panted with the need to breathe and the desire to be devoured by him. He looked her in the eyes. The rings around his eyes were glowing. Glowing. The sight stole the last of her breath. He lowered his head and bit the hard pebble of her nipple before sucking it into his mouth.
“You and I just got started, we are by no means through and I don’t care who knows about it. I will face every Created for the right to finish what I started today. Don’t run from me, Amber, my beast would like the sport too much.” He reluctantly pulled away from her going to the other side of the room to pick up his discarded shirt.
“No one better be thinking about breaking down my door,” he yelled down the steps. “Gaige, I gave you that key in case of an emergency. This is not an emergency.”
Amber watched as his long legs took him out of the room. The rigidness of his shoulders and the frown on his face sure indications that he wasn’t exactly happy with his family.
Frustration and his cousins drove her off the bed and into the bathroom, she might as well refresh herself. No sense being driven crazy by the wetness between her legs that wasn’t going to be used as a slip and slide to her goodies. Grinning evilly, she took off her panties and hung them over the knob to his bathroom door. She might as well leave a reminder that she had been there.
She dressed in her skin tight dress after washing up and walked down the stairs wondering what the reception to her being there would be.
Walking into the huge play room she saw Alexei pacing back and forth, at times he really did remind her of Aran. Dom was sitting on the couch looking relaxed, he was the perfect blend of Niko and Dee. Gaige was tense, standing by the mirror he looked like the perfect second in command. He had the silence of his father, Sergey and the joy of his mother, Lorali.
They were like dominoes, Alexei at twenty-nine, Gaige at twenty-six and Dominic at twenty-three.
“Amber, what a nice surprise.” Dom gave her a wink.
Just like that she knew he wasn’t surprised to see her at all. Out of all the hybrids Dom was the scariest. He seemed to know things that were better left alone.
Alexei Page 3