Tempted

by Anthony, Alexandra

  His sweet words pulled at my heartstrings. I fell back on the bed, bracing my arms behind me and patted it invitingly. “Come and join me.”

  He raised a dark eyebrow and his uneven smile made my stomach clench. “We may not get up if I join you, love.”

  “Just sit with me for a minute. I’ll be good.” I batted my eyelashes and smiled innocently.

  He sauntered to the bed and tackled me. His long body covered mine. “Oh, I know you’ll be good. So good that it makes me never want to leave any bed.”

  My eyes went skyward and I brushed his dark hair away from his eyes. “What am I going to do with you, sweet talker?”

  His answering grin sparked the fire within me. “I pray anything and everything.”

  Wrapping my arms around his back, I buried my nose in his neck. “I love you.”

  He didn’t breathe for a moment. I could tell it still stunned him to hear those words. “And I love you.”

  I took a deep breath. “The concert is tomorrow. I want you to show me where you grew up. Can you show me?”

  His brown eyes lightened to the russet color I loved so much. It made him seem lighter, less intense. “You want me to take you to my childhood home?”

  I bit my lip and nodded. “Is it too much?”

  His face changed and he looked carefree, like the young man he was supposed to be. “No one has ever asked. I’m at a loss, Savannah.”

  Pleased that I’d managed to shock him, I took advantage of the situation and wiggled from underneath him and headed for the door. I turned and faced him. “How long will it take?”

  He squinted as he thought to himself. He shrugged and his eyes sparkled again. “An hour or so.”

  I placed my hands on my hips and tapped my foot impatiently. “Let’s go…we’re wasting time.”

  He was a streak of black as he grabbed me and tossed me over his shoulder.

  ***

  I should have known Nick would have a motorcycle after our time out in Rome. Even though it hadn’t been ridden in months, it fired up and we sped along. The city passing by was soon replaced by the English countryside

  He showed me the house that was named for his family in Buckinghamshire. Now a hotel, its beautiful grounds were perfectly manicured. We were then on the road again, heading to nearby Aylesbury. Turning into a long driveway, he slowed and let the rocks pop under the tires as we approached the sprawling estate.

  I took off my helmet and shook out my hair. “Does this house still belong to you?”

  Nick lowered the kickstand and helped me off the bike. He nodded and walked towards the front of the house. “Yes. I can’t bear to live here…even though I love it.” He looked around and then his brown eyes stared down at me. “What do you think, love?”

  Emotion had caused a bit of his accent to resurface. It wrapped around his words, adding a clipped sound to his speech.

  “I shouldn’t have asked this of you…you didn’t tell me it would bother you.” I scolded gently. Linking our fingers together, I tugged him back to the bike.

  He stopped me and pulled me to him. His long fingers grasped each side of my face and he lowered his lips to mine. He kissed me deeply and hugged me tightly against him. He rested his chin against the top of my head. “You erased another bad memory. If I’d known…I’d had someone open the house up so you could look inside. We can walk around the grounds. C’mon.”

  I noticed he stated that I could look inside. Singular. The thought froze inside my brain. The long passage of time clearly didn’t matter. Being back here seemed to take him back in time.

  Even though the man that held my hand was an immortal creature, I saw the difference in him. As he led me over the 40-acre property, every step made him seem more human. Emotions warred across his face as we walked past a wildflower garden, an empty stable house and numerous outbuildings. He showed me the tree he climbed as a child, the fields and countryside he explored as a young man. I imagined him on horseback, his strong body sitting astride a beautiful equine.

  “Did you ride horses?” I inquired, trying to make my voice sound innocent.

  His eyes had clouded over as he searched his memories, rubbing his chin. “I did. We had two, Barron and Caesar.” He smiled vacantly as spoke. He paused and the sparkle came back into his eyes. He crooked an eyebrow as he stared down at me. “Why, love?

  “No reason,” I murmured. I made a mental note to find a horse stable for Nick to be able to ride, even if I only saw him on a horse one time. That image…it would last a lifetime and would likely spur a multitude of fantasies.

  We neared the back of the property and his hold on my hand stiffened. His steady gait slowed to a standstill.

  “Nick?” I questioned. He sank to his knees, dragging me down with him. “Nick, sweetheart. You have to talk to me. What can I do?”

  He extended an arm, his fingers shaking. His handsome face was grief stricken. “I forgot it was back here. It’s my mothers grave.”

  “Oh, baby. Let’s go. I pushed you enough today.” I felt horrible. I had no idea my curiosity of his past would dredge so much up for him.

  “No!” His voice boomed. A light breeze lifted his dark hair and he rose to his full height again. He trudged towards the small marker, his steps sounding heavy even in the soft grass.

  Standing up and brushing off my knees, I trailed along behind him. I wanted him to know I was here, but I wanted him to feel like he had a little privacy.

  At the foot of her grave, he fell to his knees again. He was speaking quickly, his words tumbling over each other so quickly I couldn’t understand what he was saying. I didn’t need to hear what he was saying to understand his actions. He was making peace with the mother he lost…her death had sent him on a downward spiral that led him to Theos.

  I stood and watched him, feeling every bit an outsider as I observed such poignant moment unfold in front of me. I wanted to console him but I knew he needed this closure for himself.

  “Savannah?” His deep voice called to me. I slowly walked up behind him, placing my hands on his shoulders and rubbed them in comfort.

  “Tell me what you need. It’s yours.” My voice trembled from the emotion of witnessing the entire scene.

  “I just need you here with me.” Nick reached up and placed one of his hands over mine. He drew in a deep breath and began talking. “I found her, mother. It took over 140 years, but I found the one woman that completes me. You would love her as much as I do.”

  Hot, salty tears ran over my cheeks at the sentimental words he spoke to his mother. He’d shut himself off and once he let himself feel again, everything he’d tried so hard to hide just came spilling out.

  “I’m sure I’d love her too, Nick. If she’s anything like you, I couldn’t help but love her,” I agreed softly. I intertwined my fingers with the hand he still held.

  It was then his shoulders shook with sobs, his grief spilling over. I knelt beside him in the grass and pulled him in my arms. Wrapping him in my embrace, I let him cry for the mother he loved, the life he lost, and the bittersweet immortality he gained.

  ***

  Halfway back to London, the sky opened up and a heavy downfall soaked us as we sped back to his home. We’d parked his bike in the underground parking and hurried abound the building to run towards the shelter of his porch.

  The rain had lightened his mood and we both shed our shoes and jackets at the front door. I’d hung up my coat and ran my fingers through my tangled, wet hair. When I turned to face him, I noticed he was watching me intently. His gaze roamed as he lazily appraised me and there was a tingling in the pit of my stomach. My heart thudded and my pulse pounded as I watched water trickle from his black hair onto his cheek.

  I closed my eyes and tried to compose myself. I wasn’t sure what Nick’s state of mind was right now and the last thing I wanted to do was push him.

  In a blur he was next to me. He slid a finger under my chin and tipped my face back so I could see the glow of his dark b
rown eyes. “Savannah, I need you. Today I was reliving my past. I don’t want to remember anymore. Can you make me feel real?”

  I nodded and something in his voice struck a chord in me. I’d felt the same way so many times I’d lost count. “Sweetheart, I’m yours. Whatever you need.”

  He gathered me in his arms and carried me through the house. He sat me down when he reached his bedroom. He stared down at me for the longest time, his fingers running over my cheeks and tracing the outline my lips. Finally, he smiled and his hands cupped my face as he leaned down to kiss me. He slowly walked me back to the end of the bed until my legs bumped the edge. My hand tugged on his hair, drawing him closer to me. He moaned, his hips pressing to mine. I could feel his hard cock pressing against my stomach, solid and enticing.

  He'd pushed me back on the bed and followed behind, his lips never leaving my mouth. He strong hands lifted me, pulling my body up the bed so he could loom over me. As he kissed me senseless, my hands were restless. Dragging down his neck and over his shoulders, I touched skin and muscles I’d already memorized. Once I reached the waistband of his jeans, I flicked the button open. My attempts to push them down were futile. We were still wet from being caught in the rain. His clothes clung temptingly to his skin, equally enticing and frustrating me.

  With a soft hiss, my fingers slipped on the denim. I tried again, only to have the same result.

  "Let me do the honors or we could be here all night," Nick teased with a soft growl. Rising away from me for a moment, he tore his shirt down the middle, flinging it to the floor. His jeans met a similar fate, the sound of wet denim ripping filled the room.

  Wonderfully naked, he resumed his position over me. My eyes traveled over his broad chest, lingering over the sprinkling of dark hair that dusted the defined muscles. And finally, my eyes skimmed to his narrow waist and lingered over the ripples of his stomach to rest on his cock. Hard and heavy, it was all I could do not to touch him.

  "Now it's your turn," he murmured. With a flick of his fingers, my blouse was in shreds, my own jeans in tatters on the floor. Clad only in a blue bra and panties, now it was his turn to stare. His captivating eyes slid downward, slowly and seductively. “You’re so fucking beautiful.”

  He leaned forward to brush his lips against my neck, groaning as our skin made contact. I smiled briefly against his shoulder, before placing a handful of kisses where my smile had been.

  He moved to lay beside me with one hand in my hair, the other traveling over my body. Impatient fingers flicked my bra away, snapping it and freeing my breasts. He cupped the fullness in his hand, bending down to suckle the other.

  Arching into him and his addictive touch, I moaned. "More…I need you."

  His tongue continued to tease each breast, my flesh pebbling under this mouth. But as his hand made its way to my panties, it pressed firmly against the slick arousal that had ruined them.

  "Ugh, yes," I groaned. The feel of his cool fingers over the wet silk was maddening, leaving me to grind into his hand. He slowly dragged the panties over my legs, his mouth ravenous against my damp skin.

  "Tell me what you want me to do to you," he murmured against my stomach. I could feel the softness of his lips, unleashing a trail of fire wherever they touched.

  "Anything," I breathed. "I want to feel you everywhere. It feels like I can't breathe, I need you so badly."

  His head shot up to look at me, concern on his face. He slithered up my body until his face was next to mine. "Savannah?"

  With trembling fingers, I put my hand to his face. "Please." My hips struggled to remain still. They jutted against him, wanting friction.

  "Beautiful woman," he murmured, resting his forehead to mine, recognizing the need in my eyes. "I can't deny you anything, love." His lips met mine, his fingers slipping inside me. I quivered at the sweet rawness of his kiss…and his fingers were magic. They slid in and out of me, his thumb circling my clit.

  My arms wrapped around his back, wanting to melt into him as my orgasm overtook me. My eyes stung with tears I didn't want to shed. Still wanting more, I was shaking under him with desire.

  Nick moved between my legs, gently holding my face between his hands. "Savannah, love, what's wrong?"

  I shook my head. "Don't stop," I said, burying my face in his shoulder.

  He placed a long, cool kiss to my neck, entering me with a careful slowness that caused us both to cry out in relief.

  My legs encircled his hips, my heels digging into his tight ass. I was trying to get even closer, frustrated when I found I couldn't. My nails dug into his back, gripping him to me. "I love you so much." My breath caught as I pulled his head to mine. "Do you know?" I asked, looking in his dark eyes.

  "I can feel it. Even before...I could. All day, everyday. Even when we argue," he sighed, a slight smile on his face. His drugging kiss seared my mouth, leaving me breathless. His lips trailed down my skin as his thrusts were forceful, but steady. "It humbles me, love. I don't deserve you," he said against my skin.

  "Nick..." I warned. I was ready to get angry until he reached down and pulled my leg higher.

  "Can you feel my love for you, Savannah?" he asked. "Did you know I never thought I'd find what we have? Even as a human I never thought I'd love anyone like I love you. It kills me," he continued.

  I whimpered softly. My eyes closed at the sound of his words and the wholeness of him filling me. His relentless plunges pushed me closer and closer to the edge…I was doing my best to hold on for him.

  "I want to show you over and over how much I love you so you understand," he rasped hoarsely, his lips meeting mine. Our mouths dueled for control, our tongues twisting together in a sensual dance.

  His hips continued their relentless assault. He kissed down my neck, taking my breast in his mouth, his tongue twirling around the hard peak of my nipple.

  My body jerked, rolling in a wave under his mouth and touch. "Nick," I cried. When his fangs bit down, I came undone.

  I gasped, clenching around him as he drank deeply from my breast. He withdrew his fangs, raising his head. Rolling him over, I sat up and straddled him, lowering myself over him. Every inch was the sweetest torture that left me desperate for more.

  I looked down at the beautiful man underneath me. He was dazed, looking at me with lovesick eyes. I could feel him loving me with every sweep of his dark eyes on my body. His hands ghosted over me everywhere, never settling on one place for long.

  And I could feel all of him, every twitch, every flex of muscle…it was all under my control. When I began to move, his long fingers gripped my hips. His eyes flickered and closed, biting his lip as I rose and fell over him.

  He took my hand in his. "I want you to feel this," he said, putting my fingers to where we were joined. "That's us. This is real, love," he purred, looking up at me. "This...this is everything."

  My head fell back and I cried out. He bucked his hips and I could feel him thrusting in and out. I could feel the heat between us, the slickness of our arousal coating our fingers.

  "Nick," I mumbled. It was too much, the feeling of us connected like this. I had never felt anything more perfect.

  He sat up and rocked into me. His hand stayed on my ass, guiding me. The other fisted my hair, turning my head to kiss me as deeply as he could without hurting me.

  My arms circled his neck, holding on and losing myself in him. My elbows rested on his shoulders, my own fists tangled in his hair. I gasped as I came, my mouth breaking from him, burying my head into his neck.

  "God, you're like a drug," he said, dragging his hand flat against my back. He ran that same hand up to my neck and back into my hair, pulling my forehead to his. "Watch me, love," he said, his eyes dark. "Watch what you do to me." With those words, he climaxed, calling my name and placing whisper light kisses to my mouth.

  We stayed wrapped around each other, breathing in each other's breath. Eventually, my head fell to his shoulder, and I kissed his neck. My arms were still around him, my fingers tr
acing endless designs on his back. I realized he was doing the same thing against my own skin.

  I felt a kiss to my shoulder, and then heard his quiet voice in my ear. "You mean the world to me. I said it before, and I meant it. I'd give up everything...everything for that."

  "I'd give up everything I know for you," I said, nuzzling his neck. I waited for the implication of my words to hit him.

  His body went taut against mine. "You don't mean…"

  I stared up at him, my gaze resolute. "Yes, Nick. I don't mean today. But if something happens...or when I'm ready...I want this. I want you to change me. I want you to know it's what I want."

  He crushed me to his chest, his emotion overtaking him. "Savannah... I fucking love you."

  "I love you," I mumbled against his chest, gasping against his tight embrace. "But I need to breathe..."

  He released me, but his hands never left my body. "What did I do to deserve you...to deserve this?"

  His honest words made me smile. My thumb traced his bottom lip and my eyes met his adoring stare. "You became a better man."

  If he could have blushed, I’m sure his cheeks would have been blazing. His shy smile, the one I loved the most, graced his full lips. "Why do you always know what to say?"

  Shrugging, I laced my fingers with his. I placed our joined hands against my heart. "I just say what I feel here in my heart. And you make me feel like anything is possible. That I can love and be loved in return. I never thought I'd have that.

  His brown eyes were liquid in the glowing light of the bedroom. "No matter what happens...I love you. I'll do anything for you. I can't lose you."

  "You won't. You know what I want now. Nobody is losing anyone." I soothed. "We leave for Los Angeles in two days. Are you ready for the onslaught of the paparazzi?"

  I wasn't sure I was ready. We'd been cocooned away in Europe; safely unaware of the media blitz I knew would be waiting for us.

  Not only was he a mystery to Hollywood, the curiosity of our relationship was intriguing. And then there had been the death of my ex-boyfriend Kevin and now the mysterious disappearance of Isabelle Kelley. Add in the rumors of a sex tape...the speculation had the media in the US going wild trying to get their fingers on it to accidentally ‘leak’ it.