by Anna Hackett
She was too intent on exploring him to pay attention to his words. And damn, he liked that. To be the focus of her intense concentration.
“Cara, if you keep that up, I’m going to spill in your hands.”
“Really?” Her cheeks went pink. “I think I’d like that.”
He groaned. “Maybe. But I’d prefer to come deep inside you.”
Her chest hitched. “I think I’d like that even more.”
Stepping closer, he pushed the robe off her, baring every inch of her. He nudged her back, then leaned down to kiss her. She clung to his shoulders, her kiss fierce, and soon Soren forgot everything but the intense pleasure of kissing her. Of losing himself in her.
Desire was a wild, primitive rush inside him. Far more powerful than the greed, far more powerful than anything he’d experienced. He settled his weight on her, sliding her legs apart and letting their bellies meet.
Her kiss turned frantic, her hands sliding into his hair. He lost any thought of keeping things gentle, calm. He gripped one of her thighs and pulled it tight against his hip. His cock nestled against her damp folds.
Then he felt her go rigid.
No. Reining in his need to thrust inside her and claim her, he stared down at her face. She’d turned away, her eyes closed. He felt the small, tight breaths coming from her.
Damn it. He moved off her. When she went to roll away from him, he gripped her gently and pulled her to her knees. They faced each other in the center of his bed.
“Remember what I told you before?” He pushed her hair back. “Whatever you want, whenever you want it.”
“I want this.” Tears glimmered in her eyes. “I want you. I want to be able to do this like any other woman.”
“Hey.” He cupped her jaw. “Don’t worry about other women. Just focus on the here and now. Just focus on what you feel when I touch you.”
“When…when I felt a heavy weight on me, it…”
Reminded her of the past. “Just tell me what you’re feeling. Every step of the way.”
“Wouldn’t you prefer a woman with no hang ups? One who knows what she’s doing?”
He traced a finger over the seam of her lips. “I prefer you. Just you.”
She released a long breath and he leaned down and kissed her. It started off tender but soon it morphed into something hot and hungry for both of them. Skye’s nails bit into his skin.
Then he let her go. He dropped back on the bed and curled one arm under his head. He wanted to possess, to lay her down and drive his aching cock inside her. But there’d be time for that later, one day when she knew him better, trusted him more.
For now, this was for her.
He held out a hand.
She hesitated for a second then took it.
He pulled her forward until she straddled his hips and pressed her hands to his chest to find her balance.
“Soren? What are you doing?”
“This way, you’re in control.” He slid his hands over her hips and settled them there. “You control what you want, when you want it, how you want it.”
Her lips parted, a light sparking in her eyes. “Really?”
He nudged his hips up, his cock brushing against her. “You’re the boss, cara.”
She shimmied her hips, testing. Soren gritted his teeth and kept his smile on his face. He wouldn’t ruin this for her. He wouldn’t, damn it.
She moved again, gaining speed and confidence. Each move rubbed against his cock, sending him out of his mind. “Cara.” The word was little more than a growl. “You’re going to kill me.”
Now she stilled, studying his face. “Poor baby.”
The teasing jibe made him freeze. He suspected she’d never, ever been comfortable enough in a situation like this to joke. He studied her pretty face, absorbing every detail. “You going to take pity on a drowning man?”
“Maybe.” She scraped her nails down his chest. “I’m not sure how.”
He gripped her hips and lifted her up. “Are you wet? Ready for me?”
Her mouth opened. “I…I don’t know.”
“Touch yourself.”
Light flared in her eyes and a flood of color filled her cheeks. But one of her hands slid down her belly, into her tidy thatch of hair. She moaned, her head dropping back.
“Tell me,” he urged, his voice breaking.
“I’m drenched. For you.”
Dio. He sucked air into his straining lungs. “Hold my cock.”
She trembled but her hand moved, circled him.
“Good girl. Now fit the tip against you.”
She did, the hard head of him rubbing against the moist part of her.
“It’s all you now, Skye. Whenever you’re ready—”
She sank down on him.
Soren threw his head back and groaned. She was so damn tight and hot and wet.
“Too full,” she panted.
“Just right. Just wait, give your body time to adjust. Then you can move. Whatever feels good, cara.”
She gave the tiniest move of her hips. Another. Soren’s hands twisted in the sheets. He wasn’t going to survive this.
Then she gained confidence. She moved in a small rhythm, rocking against him. The jiggle of her breasts, the flex of muscles in her belly drove him closer to the edge he’d been riding ever since he’d tasted her.
“Soren.” Just his name, said on a long breath that turned into a husky whimper.
“Ride, cara. Whenever you’re ready. Harder. Faster.”
She picked up her pace, and started to rise and fall. She slid up and down on his cock, making everything inside him tighten.
The look on her face was enough to send Soren skidding to the edge of release. She was completely lost in her pleasure, taking what she wanted. But he refused to come before she found her release.
He slid a hand across her belly, between her thighs. He found the tight little nub. Worked it between his fingers.
“Soren!”
Her gaze was on him, wild, frightened. But excited. Another flick and orgasm hit her. She arched back and her body clamped down on his, milking him hard.
His roar merged with her cry and filled the room. He spilled himself inside her in a violent rush.
Chapter Six
Skye snuggled deeper into Soren’s arms. She enjoyed the glowing sensation in her body and the protective intimacy of being held by a man who’d just made her feel amazing.
Making love with Soren had been…mind-blowing. She smiled to herself, turning her face into his strong arm. She hadn’t known it could be like that. That she could be like that.
Soren stirred, shifting restlessly. Her smile melted away. “Are you okay?” A thought flashed into her head. “You didn’t enjoy it?”
“Skye.” He turned her to face him, his arms sliding around her, one strong thigh nestling betw een her legs. “It was amazing. More than amazing.”
“But you don’t remember what you’ve…done before. Maybe it wasn’t that great?”
He cupped her face. “It was amazing. Right now I feel the calmest I’ve felt for a long time, maybe ever. That’s a gift I’m grateful for.” He pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose.
She released a breath. “Okay.”
“I was restless because I had a strange memory come back to me. At least I think it’s a memory.” A groove appeared between his brows. “I remember running by the edge of the lake. Three boys are running with me, and we’re whipping the water up with the wind, spraying each other.”
She held her breath. “Your brothers.”
“Maybe.” He sat up. “You must be hungry. And for the first time in days, so am I.” He shot her a grin, an echo of the Soren he used to be. “I’ll be back in a moment.”
She watched him stride naked from the room and smiled. She curled into the soft pillow, drawing in the scent of him. She’d made love with a man. And loved it. Her smile widened.
He was back in minutes with an offering of cheese, grapes and crackers. A
fter an impromptu picnic in bed, Soren set aside the plates. “You should get some sleep now.”
She stared at him. “We both should.”
A beat of silence. Then they rushed at each other, dragging each other down into the sheets. After another session of frenzied lovemaking, Skye drifted off to sleep nestled in Soren’s arms.
Skye slept peacefully, dreaming of a playful wind teasing her hair. Then something jostled her awake.
Soren had sat up, his body stiff. “Someone’s in the house.”
Skye fought off the last remnants of sleep and snatched at the sheet. “Apeliotus?”
“I don’t know.” Soren stood and yanked on his trousers. “Get dressed.” He pointed to a nearby chair. “I brought some clothes in for you.”
Skye hurried to pull on the capri pants and blue shirt. There was murky light outside, so at least it was morning. When she turned around, Soren was there, fastening the last few buttons for her.
“I knew this color would bring out your eyes.” He brushed a finger under one eye. “It makes them a brilliant blue. Like gemstones.” His hand dropped away. “I need you to stay behind me. Don’t try to help, if I go down, run.”
She swallowed. She wasn’t going to promise to leave him. She knew that he might need her help.
“Skye?” He drew out her name.
“I promise not to take unnecessary risks.” She lifted her chin. “That’s the best I can do.”
He scowled. “What happened to my rabbit?”
“I guess you’ve been a bad influence on me.”
He tapped her nose then leaned down for a kiss. As soon as his delicious lips touched hers, she wrapped her arms around his waist and went up on her toes.
Reluctantly, he pulled back. “Let’s see who our visitor is.”
They moved down the corridor together, keeping as quiet as possible. Soren moved with a lethal grace that Skye had no chance of matching. His steps were silent and hers muffled, at best. They paused at the entrance to the living room. The murmur of deep voices came from within.
“Stay here,” Soren whispered.
Yeah, right. She watched him enter, waited a beat then peeked around the doorframe. Soren stood, legs spread and palms held out, facing three dark-haired men. Aggression pumped through the room.
“Leave now, or I will make you leave,” Soren demanded.
Skye rushed inside. “Stop! Soren, stop.”
He grabbed her and yanked her to his side. The three men all stiffened.
“It’s okay.” She held out a hand, not sure if she was trying to calm Soren, the men, or all of them. “Soren, these are your brothers.”
He went very still, his gaze swiveling to study them. Skye glanced between them. Soren was a little taller and leaner than his siblings, but the resemblance between them all was striking.
Luca took a step forward. “How are you feeling, mio fratello?”
Soren was silent for a moment. “Better. But I still have no memory of you.” He looked at the others. “Any of you.”
“It will come. In time.” Luca’s deep, commanding tone made Skye believe it. The oldest Venti set his gaze on Skye. “It looks like everyone underestimated you.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “I think I just had a better understanding of what Soren was going through.”
Luca’s gaze moved over Soren’s arm pinning her to his side. “Something tells me it’s a lot more than that.”
“I am battling my vice, I will not join with Apeliotus,” Soren said.
Luca nodded. “I wish we could give you more time, but we need your help.”
It was Dante who spoke next. “The Southeast Wind has infected an entire village near here. Greed is rampaging through the town. We need to help them.”
Skye felt Soren tense. “You want me to walk into a town saturated in greed?”
She gripped his hand, squeezed.
“I know it’s asking a lot.” Luca spread his hands. “But it’s too much for just the three of us. We need the combined power of the WindKeepers to save the people in Bellagio.”
“And I’m the only one who can defeat Apeliotus.” Soren stared at the floor.
Skye’s stomach was tight. “It’s too big a risk. So much greed…it could—” she didn’t want to put it into words. She didn’t want to lose Soren.
He squeezed her hand and straightened. “I’ll do it. But I want Skye protected. Apeliotus has already come after her once.”
“What?” Luca demanded. “What happened?”
“I’m fine. Just a little impromptu swim in the lake.” She looked up at the man at her side. “Soren saved me.”
He gave her a small smile.
“Rayne is going to kill me,” Luca grumbled.
Now Skye smiled. “I think she likes you too much to kill you.”
“We’ll see.”
But Skye thought she saw a brief flash of amusement in Luca’s eyes, mixed with something deeper. Something Skye now knew she wanted to see in Soren when he looked at her.
“We should move.” Antonio opened the door. “People in Bellagio could be hurt or worse.”
Soren nodded. “Skye will stay here.”
“No.” She straightened. “You might need me.”
“Skye—”
“She’s right,” Luca said. “Besides, it could be a trap. Apeliotus might be trying to lure you away from her.”
Soren’s mouth tightened but he nodded. “Have you ever travelled as the wind?”
Excitement leaped inside her. “Never.”
He held out a hand. “Trust me?”
“Yes.” She set her hand in his.
She saw him start to dissolve, his body flowing away as the wind. She felt her own body dropping away. As they swept out the doors and high into the morning air, brushing the clouds, Skye had never felt more free, or more alive.
***
As soon as Soren rematerialized in Bellagio’s central piazza, he breathed shallowly. The greed smothering the village had a very distinct stench and he wished he could avoid inhaling it.
He steadied Skye as she found her balance. She’d laughed with joy as they’d ridden the wind. He couldn’t wait to take her flying again and right now he wished the two of them could be up in the clouds, soaring free through the sky, far away from this place.
He swept his gaze over the picturesque town. Cobbled, narrow streets wove between beautiful buildings painted in pastel shades and stepped alleyways that led up from the lakeside. But the town was eerily silent and a deep, pervading feeling of evil sank under his skin and into his bones. Even as the driving greed disgusted him, it excited him. Made his blood quicken and his own needs roar to the forefront.
A small brush of warm skin on his arm had him looking down, into wide blue eyes. His system steadied.
“Where is everyone?” a feminine voice demanded.
Soren glanced over at the redhead. He would never have guessed this tall, athletic woman was Skye’s sister. Rayne was a trained Aurae warrior, confident, assured. He watched Luca reach out and press a hand to her toned arm. She shot him a quick smile.
Love. It shone from them like a burst of morning sun through the clouds. Soren felt a punch of something in his chest and automatically moved closer to Skye.
“Look, there’s movement in that restaurant ahead.” The slender Samia Hassan pointed down one narrow alley. She stood beside Dante, her body appearing relaxed, but the air around her full of coiled readiness.
“They’re fighting,” said the final woman in the group. The curvaceous Sophia Crane wasn’t a warrior but she held Antonio’s hand, her chin lifted and gaze composed.
“Let’s move.” Luca flicked a look at Rayne. “Sophia and Skye, stay here with Rayne and Samia.” He held up a palm. “And no, you can’t come. You need to protect your sister.”
Rayne’s jaw was tight but she nodded.
Skye clutched Soren’s hand. “Be careful.”
He brushed a strand of hair off her face. “I will.
You stay here and stay safe.” He leaned closer, didn’t care that they had an avid audience. He pressed a light kiss to her lips. “Don’t get hurt or I might lose the last of my control.”
Soren released her and straightened. He cast a quick glance at Rayne. “Protect her.”
“Don’t doubt it, WindKeeeper.”
He fell into step beside his brothers. A part of him felt a strange sensation, like this was familiar. To walk beside these men and know they had his back.
But when he tried to focus on that sense of déjà vu, the memory flittered away. Frustrated, he focused instead on the building ahead.
The ristorante had round tables sitting outside on the footpath to lure in hungry tourists. But there were no diners today. No one on the empty street.
But Apeliotus was here. Very close.
Suddenly there was the smash of glass. One of the ristorante’s windows exploded as a table and a body came flying out.
The man got back up, his face bleeding and contorted, and he charged back into the ristorante, bellowing.
Soren followed his brothers inside.
Chaos.
Greed slammed into Soren. He staggered back a step. It was a hundred times worse than outside. It looked like many of the village’s residents had descended on this place. People wrestled, scratching, punching, pulling each other’s hair.
“Soren?” Luca gripped Soren’s shoulder.
He felt Dante and Antonio move up to flank him.
Soren gave a brisk nod. “I’m fine.” And he was. Just. He thought of Skye.
Some people were rifling through handbags, one stood on a table clutching a wad of Euros. In one corner, a family, tourists by the look of their T-shirts and cameras, were shoveling pasta and pizza into their mouths like a rabid hunger consumed them.
There was no sign of the Southeast Wind.
“We need to dissipate the greed,” Soren said. Now. Before I give into it. He wished for Skye’s gentle presence but he didn’t want her anywhere near this.
“Summon your winds.” Luca swept out an arm. “With our combined power we can clear the stench of greed out of here.”
Soren called on the East Wind. As its humid power tore in and rushed around him, he also felt his brothers’ winds. The icy chill of Luca’s North Wind. The warm, dry rush of Dante’s South Wind and the Spring-laden promise of Antonio’s West Wind.